RyanAir CEO Slams EU at EU Innovation Summit
Politicians and bureaucrats in the European Union were treated to a verbal lashing for their cronyism and anti-entrepreneurism by Michael O'Leary, CEO of airline RyanAir, at a conference held by the EU on "innovation."
easyJet increases capacity to become UK's largest ski airline
easyJet has announced increased capacity on five of its most popular ski routes making it the UK's largest ski airline. This season the airline is offering more than one million seats to ski destinations - a four percent increase on last season - to ensure that winter thrill seekers can secure affordable flights to the widest range of ski resorts.
Norwegian Discount Airline in It for the Long Haul
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA aims to become the first European discount carrier to launch long-haul operations, with flights to New York and Bangkok scheduled to start in early 2013, the company's chief executive said Friday. In the same way that low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, EasyJet and Norwegian, have put other airlines under pressure within Europe "we're going to see the same shift in long haul," CEO Bjoern Kjos, a former fighter pilot, told The Associated Press in an interview.
EasyJet CEO says no hit from euro zone crisis-paper
British low-cost airline easyJet has felt no impact on its business from the ongoing debt crisis in the euro zone, its chief executive told a German newspaper.
Iberia Cancels 32% Of Flights On 1st Day Of Pilots' Strike
Spanish flagship airline Iberia said Sunday it has had to cancel 91 flights, or 32% of those planned for the first of two days that the carrier's pilots plan to strike to protest its launch of a new low-cost airline. Iberia, owned by International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG.LN), said that its first flights of the day departed on time and said it has been able to book about 80% of affected passengers on other flights with Iberia or other airlines.
Vueling Parodies Great Aviation Moments in Movie History
We don't talk about the Spanish carrier Vueling, but then sometimes no news is good news. The exception is when an airline pulls a stunt that pokes fun at themselves or the industry, as Vueling has just done with their crew Christmas video.
How to fool Ryanair baggage controls - with an oversized coat...
Although I do try very hard, I find it almost impossible to have much affection for Ryanair. Just when you think you might be developing a small amount of love for them, like some ever-philandering partner they immediately let you down.
Ryanair advert causes controversy as online petition tries to get it banned
A campaign calling for a Ryanair advert showing a scantily clad woman to be banned has been backed by more than 5,000 people online.
Ryanair cuts Alicante summer 2012 schedule by up to 50%
Ryanair announced a 50% cutback in its summer 2012 schedule at Alicante, which follows a 50% cut in Ryanair’s winter 2011/12 services. During November, the first month of these cutbacks, Ryanair estimated that Alicante’s seat capacity has fallen 50% from its October figure, and its traffic is down 12% on Nov 2010.
'Sexist' Ryanair ad faces inquiry
The advertising watchdog is to launch an investigation into an ad campaign by Ryanair featuring a scantily-clad flight attendant after complaints that it made it cabin crew look like "glamour models".
Ryanair's new fees: €1 for your ticket, €5 for your sandwich – €100 for your bag
Passengers planning to fly Ryanair next summer, beware: charges on Europe's biggest budget airline will soar in 2012. Checked-in bag fees paid in advance increase by two-thirds, while travellers checking in a bag at the airport without booking ahead face a fee of €100 – up 150 per cent.
Ryanair halves Alicante services over airbridge dispute
Ryanair has cuts its Alicante services by 50% for next year blaming the airport for forcing it to use ‘unnecessary’ airbridges. The airline, which claims the airbridges cost it 2million euros a year in fees, has appealed to the Spanish Commercial courts over the charges which is due to be heard in early February.
Which? names Thomas Cook worst short-haul airline
Thomas Cook Airlines has been rated as the worst short-haul airline in research conducted by consumer body Which?. Ryanair came in second bottom in the rankings released today which sees Swiss International Airlines take top slot.
Budget airline easyJet refused passage to blind Joanna Jones, 34, because they didn't believe her six-year-old part-labrador was a guide dog.
Iberia signs deal to offset strike impact
Spain's Iberia, run by International Airlines Group , said it had reached agreement with 30 transport companies to offer travel alternatives for passengers who may be affected by strike action this month.
Air Berlin to keep turning cost-cut screw
German loss-making airline Air Berlin aims to trim costs by up to 250 million euros per year, a German magazine reported, which would be one fourth above its official savings target for 2012 of 200 million euros.
7,000 call for ban on 'sexist' Ryanair advert which shows scantily-clad crew
More than 7,000 people have called for a Ryanair advert which shows a scantily-clad member of cabin crew to be banned because it is 'sexist'. The online campaign against the poster, which is captioned 'Red Hot Fares & Crew' is being led by a flight attendant called Ghada.
Ryanair announces new Palma base
Ryanair has announced the opening of its 49th European base at Palma airport in Majorca. It will open in March next year with four aircraft based at the airport operating 47 routes, 17 of which are new.
easyJet refuses to let blind woman on board with guide dog
For 12 years, Joanna Jones has flown with easyJet alongside her guide dog Orla without incident. But she was left disappointed and angry after the airline refused to allow her to take her canine helper aboard on Sunday.
Ryanair chairman sells off €14.5m worth of shares
Ryanair chairman David Bonderman and his family sold €14.5m worth of shares in the low-cost airline last week. It was the largest sale of any shares in an Irish listed company by a board member so far this year.
Ryanair to receive €40 million to continue operating from Reus and Girona airports in Spain
Ryanair and the Generalitat of Catalonia have reached a tentative agreement that the Irish low-cost airline will receive around €8m each year for the next five years (€40m total) in exchange for continuing to operate at the airports of Girona and Reus, according to reports in the Catalan media.
easyJet founder launches scheme to let people rent out their cars
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and lastminute.com entrepreneur Brent Hoberman unveil venture letting people hire neighbours' cars
Air Berlin to keep turning cost-cut screw –magazine
German loss-making airline Air Berlin aims to trim costs by up to 250 million euros ($334 million) per year, a German magazine reported, which would be one fourth above its official savings target for 2012 of 200 million euros.
Ryanair accused of 'fleecing' passengers with charges hike
Ryanair is raising its checked-in baggage charges by 25pc and increasing its penalty for reissuing boarding cards by 50pc to €60.
Ryanair drops request for Aer Lingus EGM
Ryanair has dropped its call for an EGM of Aer Lingus and published an open letter to the latter's board.
Ryanair competes with easyJet to Barcelona from London Stansted
Ryanair entered the expanding London-Barcelona market on 1 December when the low-cost airline connected its bases at London Stansted (STN) and Barcelona (BCN). Ryanair flies the new route twice-daily, competing with easyJet’s daily operations. Further indirect competition at other London airports comes from BA’s 56 weekly flights from Heathrow and four weekly flights from London City, easyJet’s 32 flights a week from Gatwick and 13 weekly flights from Luton, as well as Monarch’s recently launched 11 weekly Gatwick flights.
Iberia pilots set to go on strike over low-cost airline
The union representing pilots at Spanish carrier Iberia has called for two days of strikes over plans for a new low-cost airline.
THE HIDDEN SIDE OF LOW-COST AIRLINES: INVESTIGATING RYANAIR’S “SYSTEM”
I don’t always link to or embed videos on this blog but when I do it’s because they’re good. This one is no exception. Franco-Italian journalist Enrico Porsia led an in-depth inquiry into the different mechanisms at work in Ryanair’s success. The result is very instructive.
UPDATE: Stelios Risks EasyJet Battle With Plans For No-Frills Africa Airline
Airline entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou is backing the creation of a new no-frills, low-cost African airline which might see him cross swords again with easyJet PLC (EZJ.LN), the U.K. airline he founded.
EasyJet hails plane ash detector
Low-fare airline easyJet hopes to use a volcanic ash detection system from next summer following successful trials. The tests of the system - AVOID (airborne volcanic object imaging detector) - have been carried out during a two-week period over the constantly active Mount Etna volcano in Sicily and at the nearby active volcano island of Stromboli.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary on Outspoken Form, Again
Ryanair’s outspoken chief executive Michael O’Leary was on typically outspoken form when he flew to Brussels–well, Associated Press Ryanair Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary. Charleroi–to visit the commission and tell them about innovation.
Has Ryanair's Michael O'Leary been hacked?
According to the European Commission’s official website, Michael O’Leary once represented Ireland in flower arranging and is irresistible to women – really?
Swedes aghast over Ryanair bikini calender
Sweden's advertising watchdog has been flooded with complaints concerning an advertisement for a calendar featuring scantily clad Ryanair stewardesses.
Consumer Council slams plan to hike air passenger tax
A government decision to go ahead with plans to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) in 2012 has been branded “bitterly disappointing”.
Etihad refutes claims it will take Air Berlin stake
Etihad Airways dismissed a report that it would take a stake in Air Berlin, after a magazine reported Germany's second-biggest carrier would announce the deal this week.
EasyJet enters mobile arena with 'Speedy Booking' app
Low-cost airline easyJet is launching its first mobile app, which enables consumers to search and book fares through their smartphone.
EasyJet founder looks at feasibility of African LCC
EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is to examine the feasibility of launching a new low cost carrier in Africa after agreeing a deal between his EasyGroup business and investment firm Rubicon Diversified.
Ryanair reports passenger slump
Ryanair's passenger numbers fell by 8 per cent in November, compared with the same period last year. However, the controversial budget airline said it had expected numbers to be down 10 per cent, meaning that the traffic slump has not been as bad as expected.
Ryanair will open its 48th base, located at Billund Airport in Denmark, in March 2012, it was announced today. Two aircraft will be based at the facility, with 19 routes delivering an estimated 800,000 passengers per year.
Airline 'surcharges' on paying by plastic soar an astonishing 1,400%
Dubious credit and debit card ‘surcharges’ applied to air tickets and other purchases have risen by as much as 1,400 per cent in seven years, according to consumer watchdog Which?
Three girls angry at their treatment from one of the world’s most well known airlines have got their revenge in the best way possible – by putting together a sexy calendar.
How airlines make you pay ... for paying.
If there is one good thing that will happen in 2012, I believe it will be the first legal blueprint for a clampdown on out-of-control price-gouging by airlines and some other retail sellers on credit and debit card sales.
Ryanair cuts Riga frequencies, citing security tax
Ryanair (FR) said it will cut 42 frequencies from its network to/from Riga airport (RIX), citing the new €6.50 ($8.75) security tax imposed by the Latvian government that becomes effective Jan. 1.
Buying a Ticket? Beware Hidden Fees of Low-Cost Airlines
Do you fly the cheapies? Perhaps I should be more politically correct and say, "low-cost carriers" or "discount airlines," but by any name, they are the Scrooges of the aviation world.
Airlines hike up prices already
“One of the problems is that the European Championships are on at the peak of summer and we won’t be raising those prices,” said Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary last week. Despite this commitment, prices on the routes have been inflated all week, with a flight into Poznan in June already costing three times as much as it would in August. Comparisons with other routes and months show similar results.
Ryanair put on the spot over its battle with online agents
As the fight between Ryanair and online agents rages on, TravelMole put some questions to Ryanair’s head of communications Stephen McNamara about the thorny issue of screen-scraping. This is what he had to say:
Multi-million dollar aircraft deal secures new planes for Birmingham
Flybe, the biggest airline operating from Birmingham has secured a massive $500 million loan to replace a quarter of its existing fleet.
EasyJet flights back to normal
Easyjet says its flights in France are back to normal today after a strike by cabin staff caused some disruption to services.
Wizz Air Ukraine reinstates flights from Lviv Airport
Wizz Air, the low fare – low cost airline in Ukraine and in Central and Eastern Europe announced that it would restart operations in Western Ukraine following the successful completion of runway reconstruction works at Lviv International Airport.