Paul

Air-traffic Controllers begin three day strike.

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Further to our initial report yesterday (see below), confirmation that air-traffic controllers in France are beginning a three-day strike tomorrow (Wednesday) to protest against EU plans to create a single European airspace. The controllers say the Single European Sky (SES) project will affect public safety and their working conditions.

Strikes and walk-outs are expected to spread across Europe on Wednesday. France’s civil aviation authority has asked airlines to halve the number of flights serving major French cities to deal with the expected disruption.

Our advice as always is to check in online for your flight and to contact us should you not have heard if your flight/s have been affected.

Paul

French Industrial Action – Eurostar Services Unaffected.

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Further to our post below, regarding the SNCF industrial action later this week, please note that Eurostar services are unaffected. Further information concerning any possible onward journey on the French domestic rail network can be found at: www.infolignes.com

Paul

New British Airways Check-in Area In Paris CDG.

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From 17 to 30 June 2013, the British Airways check-in area at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport will be temporarily located in Hall 8 of the departure level in Terminal 2A. This is to accommodate a redesign of the existing check-in area.

Once completed the redesign will streamline the check-in area for British Airways customers, with new counters and seating areas, including a premium area for Club Europe and Silver and Gold Executive Club members.

From 1st July 2013, the new check-in area will be located at door 9, level 0, in Terminal 2A. Access to the new check-in area is via two entrances, firstly, two lifts in terminal 2A, or escalators and stairs from terminal 2C.

Lastly, and again from 1st July 2013, Club Europe, plus Silver & Gold Executive Club members will also have access to two new OneWorld lounges : the Cathay Pacific First & Business Class lounge, or the American Airlines lounge also opening 1st July.

Paul

France – ATC & Rail Strikes This Week.

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French Air Traffic Control has announced industrial action between Tuesday 11th June and Thursday 13th June 2013.

As a result some flights will be disrupted, or cancelled, please contact us (GTM) if you are due to travel to France during the aforementioned dates. As always, please also ensure that you do check in online for your flight/s too.

Rail Europe are also advising that SNCF, France’s national railway company, will go on strike from 2000 CET on Wednesday 12th June, running through until 0800 on Friday 14th June. SNCF are advising that their normal timetable cannot be guaranteed during the disruption.

 

Paul

Heathrow Terminal 2 To Open In One Year.

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Heathrow Airport will open its new Terminal 2 in less than a years time. The £2.5 billion facility will eventually serve 20 million passengers each year after opening its doors on June 4, 2014.

The first aircraft, a United Airlines flight from Chicago, is scheduled to land at 0555. Prior to the opening next June there will be six months of testing involving 14,000 people in 182 trials.

Terminal 2 will be home to 25,000 staff and 23 Star Alliance airlines, as well as Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic Little Red and Germanwings. It will open in phases, with the 26 airlines moving in over a period of six months. Just 10 per cent of flights will operate for the first three weeks of June before gradually building up to full operations.

Paul

European flooding alert.

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Please note that the flooding in Austria, the Czech Republic, parts of Germany and Slovakia has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes.

Should you be due to travel in the near future to any of these countries, please check with your local contacts before travelling.

Heavy rains have swelled the Elbe, Danube and Vltava rivers resulting in the worst floods since those of 2002.

Dave

Hungary: Emergency Message: State of Emergency caused by flooding

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The Hungarian Government has declared a State of Emergency due to anticipated flooding of the Danube River.

The Danube is expected to reach near-record levels and could create disruptions in low-lying areas of Budapest– especially areas in District III.

On June 4 Margaret Island closed until further notice; water traffic is also suspended.  Expect traffic disruptions on roads adjacent to the Danube River.  Local and national media are providing updates on the water levels.

Paul

Brian McFadden Versus Ryanair!

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Tales of woe involving passengers on Ryanair have become familiar over the years. Nonetheless, it is good to be reminded of the fairly harsh financial penalties which the airline imposes on it’s customers who forget to print out their boarding passes and the like.

Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has Tweeted about his recent experience when flying with Ryanair…and he wasn’t impressed. McFadden forgot to print out his boarding pass and was charged £70 by the airline for doing so. He was also charged £80 for going 4 kilos over weight with his golf bag!

Instead of paying up the singer-songwriter chose to take the train instead. Ryanair hit back with the following comments from their spokeman Robin Kiely “We’re surprised that Mr McFadden, having agreed to print his boarding card, couldn’t manage this super-complex task, which is accomplished daily by over 80 million passengers annually.” Ouch!

So don’t forget your baording pass if flying with Ryanair.

 

Paul

Belfast Airport – delays during G8 Summit.

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Belfast International Airport has issued a warning to passengers to leave extra time to catch their flight during the G8 Summit, which is being held in Northern Ireland on June 17 and 18.

The airport said there will be increased security and delays on all roads around the airport, in the days leading up to, and until the event. “It is not possible to say how much extra time to allow for when catching a flight, but there will be heightened security on the roads round
the airport and in the airport terminal itself,” said spokeswoman Deborah Harris.

“Passengers leaving Belfast International, and indeed arriving, will see the increased security levels in the terminal as well as on the roads, but they should not be alarmed.

Belfast International will be the airport used by all the official G8 delegations, but George Best Belfast City Airport is also expected to be very busy. City Airport officials expect the airport’s Heathrow services to be especially heavily booked with back-up teams to the official delegations.

Paul

Heathrow To Provide Free wifi.

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Heathrow Airport now offers all passengers free wifi. The London hub will offer online access without charge for 45 minutes per calendar day across all five terminals.

Heathrow Rewards cardholders will receive 90 minutes of free browsing. Passengers who want to surf the web for longer can do so, but will then have to select one of a range of pay-as-you-go options for continued access.