Airport Parking News

www.Parctel.com: The cost to park at Chicago's airports will increase by as much as two-thirds starting Saturday when new rates take effect, city officials said Thursday.

The biggest fee increase is at the international parking lot at O'Hare International Airport, where the daily rate will jump from $30 to $50 a day, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The daily parking rate in the O'Hare garage and in outdoor Lots B and C near the airline terminals will increase from $26 to $30. The hourly rate, on the first level of the O'Hare garage, will remain the same, topping out at $50 a day. Valet parking goes up from $32 to $45 a day.

The rate in economy parking Lot E increases from $13 to $16, while the rate in economy Lot F stays at $9 a day and Lot G remains at $13 a day, officials said.

At Midway Airport the daily rate in the main parking garage increases from $25 to $28. The hourly rate in the garage remains unchanged, at a maximum of $50 a day. Parking in Midway's economy garage, at 55th Street and Laramie Avenue, and at the red, blue and yellow economy surface lots will cost $14 a day, up from $12.

Source: Chicago Tribune

www.Parctel.com: Ticket dodgers beware: John Smeaton, the baggage handler catapulted to superhero status after he took on terrorist attackers, has quit his job to become head of security at a car park.

But never fear, the secure parking facility is just two miles from Glasgow Airport where the man known as "Smeato" won global recognition for felling alleged terrorists as a blazing car was driven into the terminal in June.

After 13 years' service at the airport, Mr Smeaton, 31, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, who was on a cigarette break when the attack happened, handed in his resignation.

He said: "I'll be really sad to leave, but now is the right time to move on. I'm looking forward to a new start and hopefully getting my life back to some sort of normality."

John McGlynn, founder and chairman of the Airlink Group, which owns Parksafe, the car park, approached Mr Smeaton.

Last month, Mr Smeaton won a Pride of Britain award for his actions. He was given a standing ovation at a recent Labour Party conference and thanked personally at Downing Street by Gordon Brown.

Source: ALISON CHIESA, The Herald

www.Parctel.com: The search for the British parking industry’s top performers has begun. On 7 March 2008, the winners will receive their gongs for customer service, marketing, training and even ‘joined-up thinking’ when the awards are presented at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The Overall Winners Award will be presented by Equita, the event’s main sponsor, to the individual category winner representing the most outstanding achievement in the UK parking industry during the past year. Further sponsors will be announced in the run up to the awards ceremony in March.

The British Parking Awards are organised by Parking Review and Landor Conferences, sponsored by Equita and supported by the British Parking Association.

Launched in 1989, Parking Review is written for public and private sector parking managers, enforcement contractors, car park designers and builders, highway planners, police forces, transport consultants, parking system suppliers and specialists. The monthly journal now has 6,000 readers.

Landor Conferences is a major division of Landor Publishing, a publishing company responsible for the magazines Cinema Business, Local Transport Today, Transit and Parking Review. The company currently runs around 30 events a year, including seminars, conferences, exhibitions and award ceremonies.

Equita Limited is a leading provider of collection and enforcement services to local authorities operating decriminalised parking. Based in Northampton, Equita offers a nationwide service through its infrastructure of local offices in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.

Source: British Parking Association

www.Parctel.com: There will be a detour en route to the airport from 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, through 4 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18. All westbound lanes of Airport Way from I-205 to the Mt. Hood Overpass will close during those hours for the installation of an over-the-roadway sign.

The detour will be clearly marked, and will route traffic from I-205 to Airport Way, east to Holman Street, then to Alderwood Road, then to 82nd Avenue, and back to Airport Way.

This change will add a few extra minutes to your trip from I-205 to the terminal, so please plan accordingly. The sign being installed is one of four dynamic messaging signs on Airport Way to advise travelers of parking availability, traffic congestion, air quality advisories, security announcements or emergencies.

www.Parctel.com: After parking in a private Airport Parking lot near Oakland Airport Rajesh learnt a lesson that we all should take heed of. Rajesh wrote the following about his Airport Parking experience:

Yesterday, I had to go to Los Angeles for a day trip. I parked my car at Fast Track Airport Parking near Oakland Airport. This was a private parking lot where there were two options to park (covered at $12.20 and uncovered at $11.20 per day). I picked the covered spot and as I was getting down my car, I saw that one of the airport shuttles parked right behind me. The driver asked me to hop in and gave me a card where my parking lot # (E-40) was printed.

All I could say was “Great Service”

When I returned that evening, the shuttle driver asked me for that parking card and took me exactly to the spot where I had parked.

Again, all I could say was “Great Service”

When I had to pay to the cashier, I got a bill for $16.20. The extra money was various taxes and surcharges. About a 30% markup on the published prices.

Full Story

www.Parctel.com: It happens to the best of us: After a week on holiday, you step off the airplane and look at the sea of cars in the parking lot, with no idea where you left yours two weeks earlier. To the rescue comes Siemens, which is launching in March a new "car finding" system at Heathrow Airport in London. Genius!

The idea is pretty simple at heart: A camera scans your license plate as you enter the garage, and a computer assigns you a parking spot, printing the stall number right on the ticket. The garage then shows you where to park, by leading you exactly to the nearest empty spot with lights embedded in the pavement. When it's time to leave, you just look at the ticket. If you need more help, just insert it into a kiosk and you get a map of exactly where your assigned stall was. Lost your ticket? Just type in your license plate number.

If you lost your ticket and you don't know your license plate number, well, you're out of luck. Consider carrying your license plate number in your wallet or on a small tattoo.

The Heathrow project will keep tabs on 3,800 parking places as a test of how well the technology works before it is potentially rolled out to other locations.

And it's not just a time saver: Observers are hoping the technology proves to be a green one. The goal is that assigned parking spots will help keep people from driving in endless loops as they hunt for a parking spot. Siemens believes it will reduce carbon emissions by almost 400 tons per year.

Source: Yahoo

www.Parctel.com: The Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA) are offering tips to the traveling public on how to prepare for the busy holiday travel season.

“Airports around the country are rolling out the welcome mat for holiday travelers,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. "The days before Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditionally among the busiest air travel days each year. Airports will be crowded. Often people traveling during the holiday season are unfamiliar with airline and security procedures so airports are implementing customer service initiatives to ensure that passengers have a positive and smooth travel experience."

Based on a sample of recent historical data, the three busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving travel period are expected to be Sunday, Nov. 25; Monday, Nov. 26; and Wednesday, Nov. 21, respectively. Over the entire 12-day holiday travel period, ATA projects that planes will average close to 90 percent full.

One of the most important things passengers can do is to check the airport’s website to obtain the most up to date information about parking availability as well as if delays are expected due to weather, security issues or air traffic problems. Passengers should also listen to local radio and TV stations for public service announcements concerning airport parking or delays.

Airports and airlines are working with the TSA to be fully prepared for holiday travel and to have adequate staffing for the checkpoints. Many airports will also have additional staff on hand to make sure that the parking lots booths are open, that traffic moves well in front of the terminal to allow passengers to be dropped off or picked up quickly, and that all of the facilities in the terminal are working well.

Many airports will have plastic bags on hand for passengers to use at security checkpoints for liquids, aerosols or gels in their carry-on baggage. Airports will remind travelers to decide before leaving home whether to put their 3-ounce liquids and gels in checked bags or bring them to the airport in a 1-quart resealable bag to send through security and place in carry-on afterwards.

Airports will have supplemental staff to quickly respond to any problems in basic services such as heating and lavatories. As always, in colder climates where snow is predicted or already falling, airports will have on hand snow removal equipment and implement irregular operations plans. Many airport concessionaires (especially food outlets) increase staff on the heavy travel days.

It’s important to note that many factors outside the airport’s control will have an impact on passengers’ travel through the airport; most notably TSA staffing. While airports are being pro-active and working diligently this holiday season to ensure a positive experience for the traveling public, crowds are expected to grow as demand for air travel skyrockets over the next five years.

“Our existing aviation infrastructure is stretched to its breaking point, and unless the industry and lawmakers reach a solution, we’ll be facing gridlock,” Principato said. “One solution that works is increasing airport capacity. Several major publications last week noted that decreased delays at major airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Boston Logan were due in large measure to new runways. Airports can meet the growing passenger demand by planning now to invest in modern, secure and comfortable facilities for air travel.”

Below are other tips travelers should know before they leave home this holiday season. A full list of tips and prohibited items is available at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

• Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wrap gifts after arriving at your destination.
• Pack smart. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check TSA's Web site for a complete list.
• Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. You must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.
• Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detector. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and screened by TSA. Passengers also need to remove blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters in addition to outer garments.
• Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Hand film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
• Think. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. Such incidents will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

www.Parctel.com: Ampco System Parking, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), has been awarded a multiyear, multimillion dollar contract renewal with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The contract covers all Express Parking shuttle operations for the airport's parking facilities, encompassing 7,000 spaces.

"We are pleased to continue serving DFW International Airport, an award-winning and busy, world-class travel hub," said Rich Kindorf, president of Ampco System Parking. "In addition to our commitment to providing the highest standards for customer and client service, we have the technological support to be the most progressive and innovative parking service provider in the country," he added.

"Ampco has and continues to provide excellent service to the passengers arriving at DFW," said Armin Cruz, vice president of the Parking Business Unit for DFW. "We look forward to continuing our parking operations with Ampco offering our travelers outstanding service and parking convenience in the coming years."

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest airport, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. DFW International Airport provides nonstop service to 133 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.

Ampco System Parking is an industry leader, operating more than 1,600 lots and garages in 30 states, including parking facilities at or adjacent to such major international airports as Austin, Buffalo, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Honolulu, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Jose and Seattle.

SOURCE: ABM Industries Incorporated

www.Parctel.com: The Honolulu International Airport parking lot has plenty of problems. First of all, there never seems to be enough of it. That means if you didn’t plan your time well, or if you run into traffic, you might be late for your flight. So I guess you can counter that by telling yourself to plan ahead of time. Even then, the parking lot can be so full that it takes quite a while before you finally find parking. On top of that, if you were to leave your vehicle there overnight, it’ll cost you $10 a day. That’s $70 a week! I always wondered why the airport didn’t emulate the airports on the mainland which offer parking lots a little farther away, and charge half the rate. Well, now we have one.

The airport has recently opened a parking lot on the corner of Aolele street off of Lagoon Drive. What’s do good about this lot? Well, for starters, it costs $5 a day! That’s half of what it costs to park on the onsite parking lot at the airport.

The parking lot will accomodate 360 uncovered stalls with free shuttle service to and from the airport every 15 minutes. You can park starting from 5am until midnight, with security monitoring the area to make sure your car is safe overnight.

So the next time you’re planning leave your car at the airport, don’t forget this cheaper lot. It’s more affordable, and just so much more worth it!

Source: Aloha Update

www.Parctel.com: More flights in and out of Niagara Falls could be in the works Friday night. Funding is now in place for a big project there. News 4's Jericka Duncan has that story.

Pat Zimmerman, Alden, NY, "I think it's wonderful I really think it's a very nice airport, parking is free, it's an easy in and an easy out."

All of these passengers are heading south to Myrtle Beach. All happy to get there by way of the Niagara Falls International Airport's only commercial flight.

Full Story: WIVB.com

www.Parctel.com: What has Airport Parking got to do with the title; "Click Throughs Happen"?

Stay with me whilst I wander all over the airport parking lot gathering my thoughts together. On a daily basis I wade through hundreds of references to Airport Parking, partly as an obsession, partly to find inspiration, partly because a major part of this news site is dedicated to interesting stories and links to Airport Parking. Of course we at Parctel also get to 'meet' some interesting people that certainly brighten our lives up.

The following item was posted in the Orlando Business Journal:

Parking fees at Orlando International Airport took off again at the beginning of this month -- something less-expensive off-site parking proprietors want to parlay into more paying customers for themselves.

The daily parking fee at Orlando International's satellite parking lots went up by $1 on Oct. 1, making it $10. In addition, non-guest valet parking at the airport's Hyatt hotel now will cost $23 per day, instead of $21.

"Hopefully, this will mean more business for us and all off-site lots -- but mostly us," laughs Doug Yuen, general manager of Park to Fly on Frontage Road.

His lot charges $7.99 per day, an amount that increases to $9.19 when airport fees and taxes are factored in.

And in the sidebar of the above story is a reference to an off site airport parking lot named; "Park Bark and Fly". As far as business and domain names are concerned, this is one that really makes you want to have a closer look, especially seeing that it is difficult to get the correlation between 'parking' and 'barking'. A quick Google search and I was on the site.

It turns out that they have 'partnered' with Dog MaHall and Cats 2, which is a luxury pet hotel in the Florida area around one mile from the Orlando International Airport. And THAT is where I got stumped because when I clicked through to the DogMaHall site the bandwidth limit had been exceeded - "The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit." Damn.

Valuable lessons for site owners.

www.Parctel.com: SIX YEARS after Republicans took control of the Philadelphia Parking Authority in a political coup d'etat, the number of people on its payroll has doubled and top salaries have soared, making the patronage haven one of the best-paid addresses in municipal government.

In 2001, when House Republican leader John Perzel engineered the takeover, the Parking Authority had 512 full-time employees. Only two of them were making six-figure salaries.

Six years later, the full-time payroll has grown to 1,051 people, including 20 who are making more than $100,000 a year.

The authority's top job now belongs to Vincent J. Fenerty Jr., a longtime Republican ward leader who joined the authority as a booting supervisor in 1983, initially earning less than $28,000 a year.

Fenerty now makes $194,830 annually as the authority's executive director - more than any of the doctors, lawyers and other professionals on the city payroll, and $50,000 more than Mayor Street.

Meanwhile, the agency has delivered just a sliver of the money that Republican leaders promised to the Philadelphia School District when the GOP takeover sailed through the Legislature - just $4 million in six years.

The authority's growth is fueled in part by new and expanded duties.

On top of its old functions - writing parking tickets, collecting coins from parking meters, booting and towing scofflaws - the authority now runs the mammoth lots at Philadelphia International Airport, tows the cars of drivers who are caught without valid licenses or insurance, administers a new traffic-light camera program that catches drivers running red lights, and regulates the city's taxicabs.

Read the Full story on Philly.com

www.Parctel.com: Taxi-drivers and shuttle bus operators have blasted new traffic lights on the Brisbane airport roundabout as a "pointless" exercise that has doubled peak-hour congestion.

Four sets of lights were installed on each corner of the roundabout at the end of August to improve safety and traffic flow.

The Department of Main Roads says the $1.48 million project has reduced to zero the number of accidents on the notorious trouble-spot.

But businesses that rely on access to the airport say the new system has turned a traffic headache into a congestion nightmare, with cars banking up back to the international airport on a daily basis.

BAP Airport Parking General Manager Andrew Bell says his business has been inundated with complaints from frustrated customers.

Full story on the Brisbane Times

www.Parctel.com: Weather permitting, work to finalize road realignments near PDX spans from Monday, Oct. 22, through approximately Sunday, Oct. 28. Workers will keep at least two lanes open daily between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., and may reduce the roadway to one lane between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Please drive cautiously and watch for directional signage.

You can avoid the construction area by using the economy parking lot, which will have additional shuttle buses during peak hours. Another option for travelers is the Gold Key Valet parking service on the departures roadway.

Roadway realignment is needed to serve a second parking garage now under construction.

www.Parctel.com: The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's new parking garage opened to the public early today, completing a trilogy of projects that included a terminal expansion and new operations facility.

The $35 million garage adds 1,690 spaces, taking the airport's total parking inventory to 3,690. The four-level facility is located directly across from the terminal and is connected by covered walkways from the first and third levels of the garage.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the new garage is the Signal Park system, which informs passengers of the number of available spaces in each of the four levels as well as the number of spaces in each row.

"The inclusion of this state-of-the-art feature is part of our commitment to be first in service to passengers and visitors," said Patrick S. Graham, airport executive director.

"It's easy in and easy out and no one will have to ride around looking for a parking space."

Airport commissioner Steve Green said the new garage combines convenience, safety and aesthetics.

"The covered parking is a huge convenience and Signal Park will make it safer as rushed passengers hurry to find a parking space," he said.

"And the design is as architecturally appealing as any parking deck you'll find anywhere."

The new garage, which will accommodate long-term and hourly parking, is built over the old "short term" parking area, directly across from the main terminal. The original two-level parking garage, located behind the new structure, will be the economy lot.

With the opening of the new parking deck, the temporary hourly lot that had been in operation next to the terminal has been closed.

Valet parking is available on the upper level curbside and the cell phone lot will still be available for those who want to wait with their car for arriving passengers.

Full Story and Pictures on the Savannah Morning News

www.Parctel.com: This year sees Hillsboro Airport celebrating 72 years as a public-use airport and the 7th Annual Hillsboro Airport Open House takes place on Saturday, October 27 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Hillsboro Airport Terminal – Main Floor, 3355 NE Cornell Rd, Hillsboro.

Take a tour, talk to pilots, get up-close views of working and historical aircraft, and learn how your general aviation airport supports the region’s economy and well-being. This free, open-to-the-public event will feature activities fun for the whole family– face painting, games, snacks, and special prizes for kids in Halloween costumes!

The airport is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available, or take Max blue line to the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station.

www.Parctel.com: Q-Park car parks Mosae Forum in Maastricht and Spaarne Hospital in Hoofddorp received EPA Awards. The awards were presented on Thursday, September 27th, in Madrid during the biennial conference of the European Parking Association (EPA).

There were a total of 19 nominations in eight countries, divided into four categories. The jury chose a winner from each category. Q-Park was honoured twice, once for the Mosae Forum car park in Maastricht, in the category New Projects and once for the Spaarne Hospital car park in Hoofddorp in the category Special Projects.

Special design of Mosae Forum:
The Q-Park Mosae Forum car park is located directly next to the Maas and twelve metres deep, below Maasboulevard in the historic centre of Maastricht. This four-storey underground car park is the largest in the city. Developed by 3W, designed by architect Jo Coenen and further developed by architect Mark Hermans, it is innovatively integrated into the modern shopping area of Mosae Forum. It has a luxury design, clear lighting and clean, shiny floors.

Unique collaboration with Spaarne Hospital:
The Q-Park Spaarne Hospital car park is the result of a unique collaborative effort between Q-Park and the Spaarne Hospital. This car park is designed to provide practical features that meet the specific needs of hospital visitors. This includes wide and disabled parking spaces, wheelchairs, and special ticket machines at wheelchair height. The artistic design of the car park also creates added value. The aluminium outer walls are constructed to depict human DNA after nightfall.

European Parking Association Award:
The EPA Award is a biennial European prize for excellence in parking service. The goal of the award is to promote the quality improvement of car parks. Important quality criteria are practicality and efficiency, construction and design, maintenance, management and safety. This is not the first time that Q-Park car parks have received the prestigious EPA Award. This award was previously presented to the Laakhaven car park in The Hague (1999), Museumplein car park in Amsterdam (2001) and the (2003).

Zuidplein car park in Rotterdam - 2003 Renovated Car Park, European Parking Association Winner

www.Parctel.com: In order to improve the image of parking in multi-storey car parks, the European Parking Association has instituted a European Standard for safety and customer friendliness in car parks.

The Standard contains guidelines and a score sheet for:

• lighting and reflective surfaces
• vehicular entry/exit
• parking areas
• pedestrian routes
• lifts
• stairwells
• security
• maintenance
and several other items.

The European Standard Parking Award can be obtained by car parks owned or operated and that gain a required minimum of points on the score sheet.

Application forms are available at the European Standard Parking website.

The national Parking Association will present the Award in the name of EPA and will reclaim the plaquette if the awarded car park does not conform to the requirements anymore.

Plaquettes are obtainable from the EPA office in Cologne at a cost of 70,00 EUR apiece + shipping costs.

www.Parctel.com: Q-Park, one of Europe's largest and most advanced car park operators, has appointed a new management team to drive forward its BCP airport booking service.

Freddie Kemp, UK Commercial Director of Q-Park Ltd, who has been involved in the airport car parking and property sector since 1994, takes over the business following the departure of Stephen Moss CBE and Eric Campus, members of the founding family of BCP. He is supported by Q-Park Head of Marketing Will Dunnett, who has taken on responsibility for sales and marketing at BCP and by Kevin Sage, previously Commercial Director who assumes the role of Finance Director.

"BCP is one of the most highly respected organisations in the travel industry. Multi-award winning, it has developed an industry-leading reputation for customer service and professionalism. The role of the new team will be to drive this philosophy forward as the premier airport car parking service", says Q-Park Chief Executive Alan Ashbee.

www.Parctel.com: We have been following with interest an incident that happened to Dave Naylor at the Manchester Airport Terminal 3 Short Stay Parking lot recently. As Dave says:

"Well I parked in the short stay carpark on the 20th of last month, I was only away 1 night and when I came back one of the supporting box sections had rusted through and dropped a 1 foot lump of metal and crap on my BMW."

The reason for our interest is that Dave works in the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) industry and if his 'negotiations' with the owners of the Manchester Airport Parking lot do not go the way that they should, we will be interested in seeing what he does to let people know of his happiness / unhappiness at the outcome.

Read Dave's Full Story: Manchester Airport Parking

www.Parctel.com: On Monday 8th October the Highways Agency in partnership with BAA Gatwick launched new traffic information points at the airport that are designed to provide road users with real-time travel information for their onward journey.

The aim of the initiative is to provide road users with up to the minute information about the Highways Agency's roads, including the nearby M23 and M25, so they can plan their journey and avoid potential delays.

The four digital screens are situated at the two parking pay stations, and the valet parking and car hire areas. Travel information is supplied directly by the Highways Agency website, live cameras and the National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham.

Highways Agency Area Performance Manager, Simon Duke said:

"This initiative is a great opportunity for the Highways Agency and BAA Gatwick to provide a link between air travel and road transport. The information points will enable travellers arriving at the airport to plan their onward journey from Gatwick and will ultimately help to provide safer roads and more reliable journeys."

David Stretch, BAA Gatwick's Customer Service Director comments:

"We are delighted to be the first airport in the south east to install the new Highways Agency travel information screens. They will be of huge benefit to our passengers and airport staff when planning their onward journey from the airport and will help ease road congestion at our busy times. The screens are ideally located at the two car parking pay stations, the car rental facility and the BAA Valet parking reception, South Terminal".

Source: Bapco Journal

www.Parctel.com: Bosses at Manchester Airport have banned car park attendants from giving motorists a push start if they break down.

Officials at the airport - which aims to provide `outstanding customer service' - introduced the rule to prevent staff accidentally damaging vehicles when they are trying to help owners.

But the policy has been condemned by motoring groups, with one critic saying the airport had `thrown common sense out of the window'. A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said: "It would be a matter of normal humanity to decide to help someone who is experiencing difficulty. The employer should just keep out of it and allow people to make their own personal judgement."

Sean Corker, who campaigns for motorists' rights in the north west, said: "It's incredible and I'm afraid it's more political correctness gone mad.

"You always come across the odd jobsworth but you don't often get people ordered by their bosses not to help customers. Their customer service obviously doesn't extend to those who drive to the airport."

Holidaymaker Paul Ross fell foul of the ruling when he returned to the Terminal 2 car park after a trip to Menorca and found the battery had gone flat on his Volkswagen Golf.

He approached staff at the car park for help but they said they couldn't assist him on the orders of their superiors.

Read the full story on Manchester Evening News

www.Parctel.com: Panama - Chris Berry had no trouble finding a parking spot at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. “It’s about 100 yards that way,” Berry said, pointing to his left as he awaited the arrival of his girlfriend. Berry was parked in the airport’s ropeenclosed, sidewalk-free overflow lot, a grassy area that sits about two blocks away from the main parking area. Joe Lopes made it into the main parking lot, but that’s not always the case.

“Sometimes it’s a little crowded and you have to hunt to find a space,” said Lopes, who was in the airport waiting for family Tuesday afternoon.

The Airport Authority is in the process of building a new overflow parking lot, and on Oct. 1 raised the parking rate. Customers now will pay $1 per half-hour, up from $.50 a halfhour. One day of parking now will cost $8, up from $6.

The airport is raising the rate, in part, to pay for the new parking lot, said Randy Curtis, the executive director of the airport. The new, 150-space lot has a $400,000 price tag and is being built by Carr Engineering. It is slated to be finished at the end of the month.

The expenditure comes as the Airport Authority is relocating to a 4,000-acre, St. Joe Co.-donated site in West Bay. That project is supposed to be finished by the end of 2009.

Full Story in News Herald

Celebrating 72 years as a public-use airport

Saturday, October 27
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hillsboro Airport Terminal – Main Floor
3355 NE Cornell Rd, Hillsboro, OR

Take a tour, talk to pilots, get up-close views of working and historical aircraft, and learn how your general aviation airport supports the region’s economy and well-being. This free, open-to-the-public event will feature activities fun for the whole family– face painting, games, snacks, and special prizes for kids in Halloween costumes!

The airport is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available, or take Max blue line to the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station.

For special needs or for further information, contact Shannon Huggins, Port of Portland Community Affairs, at 503.460.4073.

www.Parctel.com: I suppose in some way you know your industry has hit the big time when it becomes embroiled with politics and politicians. Just like death and taxes, you cannot get rid of politicians.

Picked up the following story about airport parking and politics on the Artueel Blog:

Airport parking can be a real hassle. Finding a place to park where you don’t have to drag your luggage for a mile and that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be quite a challenge. Today, with the added security measures and the longer time it takes to pass through them, searching for a parking spot can take valuable time.

The whole scope of airport parking was changed forever on September 11, 2001. Now there are security issues to be considered as well as traffic and parking issues for any airport. But if you think that airport parking is just a pain for airline passengers, you’re wrong - it affects airport personnel, people living near airports and even politicians. Here’s an example of how airport parking and politics can interrelate.

In early 2001 James Hahn was running for Mayor of Los Angeles. He decided to make airport parking one of his campaign issues. He proposed an elaborate scheme for improving the parking at LAX. His plan would have called for major changes in the Westchester neighborhood around the airport.

James Hahn won that election. In August he initiated a campaign to put a new biomedical research facility adjacent to the USC medical facility. He also began work on his plan to improve airport parking. Neither of Hahn’s plans came to fruition. The block to the biomedical facility would take to long to explain in this short piece. The block to parking was very simple; it made its appearance on September 11, 2001.

Read Full Story

www.Parctel.com: AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Airport Fast Park has added 600 spaces to their off-site parking facility at Austin-Bergstrom International. The new spaces are to support their growing customer base and to help accommodate travelers during the upcoming travel season. Additionally, the spaces are uncovered, providing customers with the opportunity to choose covered or uncovered parking - the latter at a lesser price. The Cincinnati- based parking company is one of the country's largest off-site airport parking providers and offers a wide range of services to their customers.

"The Austin expansion is in direct response to customer's needs and our ongoing commitment to expanding our services to accommodate more travelers," said Melanie Chavez, Airport Fast Park spokesperson. "We hope the new spaces serve as an invitation for more area travelers to come experience our services and affordable prices."

Current Fast Park promotions include $7.00 per day for covered and $6.13 for uncovered, see Web site for applicable coupons. This price includes customer pick up at an assigned parking spot, luggage assistance and complimentary newspaper and bottled water. For travelers needing mechanical help, the company also provides jump starts, tire repair and help with lock- outs.

Additional advantages are offered to Fast Park Frequent Parker Program members. This service is designed to reward frequent travelers with free parking and assist in expediting entry and exit of their facility. Each member is guaranteed the lowest daily parking rate (without having to produce a coupon) as well as guaranteed a parking space, with valet services in the event a lot is full. Members accrue points for each paid day of parking; points post to accounts automatically and can be viewed on-line. These points are redeemed as follows: 8 points = 1 free day; 40 points = 1 free stay (7 consecutive days). Membership information is available on the company's Web site.

The company's facility is located at 2300 Spirit of Texas Drive, Del Valle. For more information travelers can visit the company's Web site at www.airportfastpark.com or call a local Airport Fast Park representative at (512) 385-8877.

Airport Fast Park, FastPark & Relax and Park Place are business units of Fast Park, headquartered in Cincinnati. The company operates off-site airport parking facilities in nine markets throughout the country. Airport Fast Park facilities are located in Albuquerque, NM, Austin, Tex., Baltimore, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tenn., Miami and Raleigh. In Cincinnati, the organization operates two facilities. In Cleveland, the company does business as both Airport Fast Park and Park Place, and in Houston facilities are branded as FastPark & Relax. The self-serve parking service is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with instant shuttle service transporting customers to their specific terminal.

Source: Airport Fast Park

www.Parctel.com: Parking fees at the East Texas Regional Airport will soon be a thing of the past, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said Wednesday.

The county is waiving the $3 per night parking fee at the airport beginning Oct. 1 when the 2008 fiscal year begins, he said. Parking fees raised about $60,000 this year, he said. Parking lot maintenance has cost $2,500 each of the past two years, but repaving is necessary every three years and costs about $100,000, he said.

No-charge parking will allow the county to apply for Federal Aviation Administration grants to pay for lot maintenance and repairs while providing a benefit to the airport customers, he said. There will be no other needed changes of modifications with the fee removal, and the only cost to the county will be to remove mechanical crossing guards at the parking lot's entrance and exit.

"It needs repaving right now," said Stoudt. "This is a win-win situation."

Source: Jimmy Isaac - News-Journal.com

www.Parctel.com: The trio of Sidney Minott, Angela Blandino and Tonii Harris were all smiles as they bounded from a white van in the economy parking lot at Jacksonville International Airport. It was 3 p.m., and a short rain shower had turned the lot into a sauna in the August sun.

Armed with 5-gallon buckets and squeeze-trigger mechanical “grabbers,” they fanned out to different corners and began collecting trash. A cigarette butt, a lighter, a can of soda, a nearly microscopic tear of paper – nothing went unnoticed, and within minutes the buckets were nearly overflowing.

The group hardly had time to gather in front of the terminal for a photo as they continued to pick up any debris they passed.

“They are always working,” smiled supervisor Tamara Bostick. “They never complain and they never miss a day. They truly love their job.”

It’s hard to believe the most enthusiastic and eager employees in Jacksonville may be making minimum wage cleaning up airport parking lots, but this crew makes a strong case.

All three have mental disabilities, and all three have become gainfully employed through The Arc Jacksonville’s employment program. The non-profit group Arc, which used to stand for Association of Retarded Citizens but has been renamed simply Arc, is a clearing house of resources for people with all kinds of disabilities and their families.

In all, 50 disabled residents who otherwise would likely not have steady jobs are now employed at more than 30 businesses, and another 200 work at the Arc facility on contracts with local companies. The employers get quality labor and acknowledge they are helping an underprivileged segment of the population, while the employees get something even more important – a sense of self worth.

The Arc Jacksonville is about possibilities. They help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities unlock their potential to take on valued roles in the community. Arc Jacksonville services help enhance the quality of life of the individuals that they serve while offering real options within their control.

Arc Jacksonville also help people with disabilities and those who support them make informed choices about services and service providers.

Each day, Arc Jacksonville help more than 400 people discover and unlock the possibilities within themselves.

Full Story on Jacksonville's Financial News and Daily Record.
Arc Jacksonville Site

The Harrisburg International Airport today proposed a deal to resolve court dispute with the owner of nearby Cramer Airport Parking property in Highspire.

The board of the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority offered to withdraw the attempt to seize the property by eminent domain in court and to make payments instead to compensate lot owners Stanford and Lynn Cramer.

In return, the agreement calls for the state attorney general's office to end its action against the authority on Cramer's behalf in Dauphin County Court and in federal court. The attorney general's office contends the authority's eminent domain attempt violates federal antitrust laws.

Full Story on PennLive.com

Improvements to parking at Auckland airport's domestic terminal have been completed.

The one-level covered carpark has been transformed into a parking area specifically for short-stay parking.

The new pick-up drop-off carpark with tariffs starting at $2 for stays of up to 20 minutes is a safe and convenient place to wait for arriving passengers or to park while farewelling those departing.

Full Story on Stuff.co.nz

www.Parctel.com: The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has pumped R1,3-billion into the construction of Cape Town International Airport to cope with a "startling" growth in visitors.

Total passenger numbers grew 22,3 percent in a year, from 550 000 in July 2006 to 675 000 this year.

"This translated into 4 000 more passengers a day compared with the same period last year and this is traditionally the low season," said Acsa spokesperson Deidre Hendricks.

Upgrades include two multistorey parkades, upper and lower roadways similar to those at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, a central terminal building with a new domestic departures lounge and additional aircraft parking bays and air bridges, Hendricks said.

The first parkade was commissioned in April 2006 and the second which will add 4 000 parking bays, is due for commissioning in October next year.

The car rental agencies had to move from the site across from the International terminal, to a new site in the central parking precinct, to accommodate the new five-storey building.

The new central terminal is being constructed between the international and domestic terminals and will comprise a large common check-in area and a central security point.

This new building, with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, includes a new departure lounge for domestic travellers.

"But, passenger numbers have continued to grow at a startling rate, placing much strain on the current airport infrastructure. This continuous growth, in addition to the on-going construction, is placing huge pressure on the airport.

"The construction process, though necessary, will cause airport users some inconvenience. This is why we ask our users to please bear with us and to be reassured by the fact the gain will be well worth the pain. Airport users are reminded to come to the airport early to provide themselves with sufficient time," said Hendricks.

The SA Rail Commuter Corporation, Metrorail and the government recently announced plans to spend over R400-million on a rail link between the airport and the CBD. In October last year the City of Cape Town announced the plans to set up a rail link between the airport and the city, with various stations along the way.

A dedicated airport platform would be built at Cape Town station.

The aim was to ease pressure on the N2 and the airport's parking areas ahead of 2010. The project is still in the planning phase and an environmental impact assessment needs to be done.

Source: Karen Breytenbach, IOL

www.Parctel.com: Nearly one in two motorists wants help parking their car, a new survey shows. In the British Airways Association study at Gatwick Airport, 48 per cent of the drivers questioned called for free spaces to be highlighted to reduce parking stress.

www.Parctel.com: In a recent survey commissioned by the FLO Corporation and conducted by Business Travel Coalition (BTC) during July 2007, many respondents indicated that they would pay to join a program that guaranteed them reserved airpport parking.

38% of survey participants indicated that they would be Extremely or Very Interested in paying $199 to upgrade from a basic RT membership offering to a premier RT membership with benefits beyond security processing that could include reserved parking at one's home airport, remote baggage check-in at hotels, airport concession discounts and global assistance. Only 6% said they were not interested at all.

This survey was the first major survey of its kind in two years. (Survey results can be accessed at http://www.fastlaneoption.com/ )

www.Parctel.com: The National Parking Association (NPA) will hold its 56th Annual Parking, Transportation and Services Convention and Exposition on Oct. 22-25, 2007, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, CA.

"NPA's annual convention provides a unique opportunity for networking and information sharing for all parking industry professionals," said Martin L. Stein, executive director. "We have planned an unparalleled educational experience with a dynamic line-up of speakers, general and business sessions, and roundtable discussions. In addition, approximately 85-90 companies representing all facets of the parking industry will exhibit their products and services in the hotel's Grand Ballroom."

Opening the convention on Oct. 23 will be Howard Fineman, Newsweek's senior Washington correspondent and columnist, with "A View from Washington: How Hot Button Issues Will Affect the Political Landscape." Fineman has interviewed every major presidential candidate since 1984, focusing in recent years on the roots, rise and presidency of George W. Bush. Fineman's humor and insight will lead an animated discussion of the current issues affecting our nation and he will answer questions about the most pressing political issues in Washington, DC, as well as the 2008 presidential election.

On Oct. 24, two parking industry giants - Herbert Anderson, vice chairman and CEO of Impark, based in Vancouver, BC, and Emanuel Eads, president and CEO, Central Parking Corp., Nashville, TN, will discuss the state of the industry. They will project where the parking industry is headed and cover such topics as consolidation, client expectations, and the effects of technology, government intervention, green initiatives, unions, international competition and the impact of the infrastructure venture companies joining the parking industry.

Donald Shoup, a professor of urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of "The High Cost of Free Parking," will speak on Oct. 25. Shoup has extensively studied the issue of parking as a key link between transportation and land use, with important consequences for cities, the economy, and the environment. He will unravel current parking policies and propose sensible reforms as he sets out to prove that "parking isn't really free."

Topics of other business sessions include hospital and hotel parking, safety and risk management, facility marketing, valet parking, universities and municipalities, understanding the value of your business, automation, business presentation skills, off-airport parking locations, revenue control and building owners and managers. In addition, Michael Stevens, a partner in the Washington, DC, law firm of Arent Fox, will provide a legal update for the parking industry. On Oct.22, the Helen and Jerry Stocks Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Angeles National Golf Course in Sunland, CA. The tournament will benefit the Parking Industry Institute (PII) Scholarship Fund. PII is a foundation of the NPA and has provided more than $300,000 in college scholarships since 1986. For registration and general information on the convention and exposition, contact Bobbie Westmoreland at 202.296.4336. Companies interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities should contact Pat Langfeld, director, marketing and business development, at 202.296.4336, ext. 205, or go to www.npapark.org.

www.Parctel.com: The British Parking Association (BPA) officially welcomed its new President, Les Knight, on Tuesday, 11 July 2007, at the President’s Reception at the House of Commons attended by Dr John Pugh, the Liberal Democrat MP for Southport. Knight takes over from Peter Guest.

His first task as President will be to announce the BPA’s new five-year strategy, which will see the Association seek to better serve the needs of both the member and the consumer as the parking sector develops. With the introduction of the new regulations and Guidance for Civil Parking Enforcement over the next year and with the BPA taking on an increasingly, although informal, regulatory role, it will become more important for consumers needs and views to play a part in its development.

Broadly, the five-year plan 2007-12 will see the BPA consolidate its position as the recognised leading authority on parking and related issues, serving members and consumers by:

· Setting and raising standards further
· Supporting the needs of the consumer
· Developing its regulatory role
· Expanding the range of member services

Initiatives to achieve these aims will be rolled out over the next few months.

Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the BPA, commented: “We welcome Les as the new President, and look forward to his input at what is an interesting time for the Association, and the still relatively young parking sector. As we move further towards consolidation, regulation and consultation, it will be more important than ever to have someone who knows the industry inside out at the helm.”

New Business Director of Euro Car Parks, Les is well established in the parking industry, having been with his current company for 18 years. His responsibilities for maintaining high level relationships with key account clients, including private companies, health authorities and local authorities, ensure that his finger is on the pulse of many of the parking sector’s growth areas.

His early years were spent in the structural design of buildings, and later in the access control industry. Also setting the agenda for continued quality improvement and client satisfaction with all Euro Car Parks’ services, his contributions are not limited to his day job. As Vice President for the BPA, Les has served on several steering committees, including those with a focus on off-street enforcement and shopping and retail. He maintains a watching brief on the changing face of parking and technological development, and holds a specific interest in the NVQ training development programme.

Lynn Witham of Parking Associates Ltd becomes Vice President.

www.Parctel.com: Q-Park, one of Europe's largest and most advanced car park operators, has appointed a new management team to drive forward its BCP airport booking service.

Freddie Kemp, UK Commercial Director of Q-Park Ltd, who has been involved in the airport car parking and property sector since 1994, takes over the business following the departure of Stephen Moss CBE and Eric Campus, members of the founding family of BCP. He is supported by Q-Park Head of Marketing Will Dunnett, who has taken on responsibility for sales and marketing at BCP and by Kevin Sage, previously Commercial Director who assumes the role of Finance Director.

"BCP is one of the most highly respected organisations in the travel industry. Multi-award winning, it has developed an industry-leading reputation for customer service and professionalism. The role of the new team will be to drive this philosophy forward as the premier airport car parking service", says Q-Park Chief Executive Alan Ashbee.

Just Parking as an approved BCP Airport Parking Affiliate wishes the new management team well.

www.Parctel.com: How many times have you exited from a shopping centre or the airport just to wander aimlessly around looking for your car?

Even worse is that 'the Airport Parking meter is running', you are tired, jet lagged or hungover and the stress begins taking it's toll.

Help yourself find your vehicle in the airport parking lot by taking a photograph of it with your mobile phone camera as well as the general parking area it is in before you fly off.

www.Parctel.com: Over the past few months, Portland Airport Parking have been testing a new addition to the services we provided at PDX. A new parking guidance system in the parking garage is now operating to help motorists find a parking spot faster than ever.

Upon entering the garage and approach on each level, a sign will indicate the exact number of vacant spaces available on the floor. Once on the floor, additional signs and individual space detectors direct the parker to available spaces. An overhead green light will direct the parker to an open parking spot beneath it.

www.parking-at-gatwick.com: When last did you get excited enough to write about the fact that your newspaper arrived on time? Like everyone else in this 'busy' world we are quick to anger, quick to complain but really slow to praise. And when it comes to the even more 'mundane' items such as Airport Parking then we only seem to complain. The parking spots are always too far, with never enough protection from the elements and always far too expensive.

Occasionally someone comes along who has an eureka moment and points out just how convenient, time saving and just plain wow such a mundane thing as booking your Gatwick Airport Parking in advance can be.

The following entry was spotted on the gimme a break blog:

I don’t know how many times I’ve posted complaints about parking on this blog. But such is the hassle of having a car, for crying out loud.

When I came across the concept of Gatwick Airport Parking, I was completely bowled over. What a brilliant system!

It allows you to book your parking spot online so that when you get there, there’ll be an actual parking spot waiting for you.

When you travel with kids especially, it’s hard to get everyone out the door on time to get to the airport.

So what you can do is reserve your parking spot online for up to 8 days in the event you want to leave your car at the airport. Check into the hotel which is just a stone’s throw from the airport terminal.

Sleep over the night before your trip so there’s no rush on the day of travel, no heart attacks that you might miss the flight. Brilliant, don’t you think?

The Airport Parking industry thanks you for taking the time to express your satisfaction.

A COVERT operation mounted by a Langford resident has revealed that a developer has been using a mushroom farm as a car park without permission.

Two days after Bristol Park and Fly unveiled its plans for a park and ride scheme at Monaghan's Mushroom Farm, to serve Bristol International Airport, a villager found a website advertising airport parking at the farm.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, called a number on the website posing as a tourist and was given directions to the mushroom farm.

At least two further websites direct tourists looking for parking to the site in Stock Lane.

Bristol Park and Fly's managing director, Steven Merry, said: "There was a mistake with our booking agents and some have gone ahead but it will not be used until we have planning permission.

"We have spoken to North Somerset Council's enforcement officer about this and there does not seem to be any problem."

Mr Merry outlined his plans for a 1,200 space car park at a meeting attended by more than 70 residents two weeks ago, where fears were raised over noise, light and air pollution.

A council spokesman said: "If we do not receive an application then enforcement action may result."

A planning application will be submitted later this month.

Source: The Weston Mercury

A Colorado-based company plans to build a 210-unit garage complex near the intersection of Dorchester Road and Interstate 526. But unlike the operators of most pay-per-day lots, the developer, Airport Garages, plans to sell its parking spaces outright and shuttle owners to and from nearby Charleston International Airport.

The purchase comes with access to a clubhouse that will offer updated flight schedules and beverage service, as well as the ground transportation.

The concept is aimed partly at second-home owners who have property in places such as Kiawah Island, downtown Charleston and Isle of Palms, said Scott Rotermund, one of the partners in Airport Garages.

Prices range from $39,900 for a single stall to $109,900 for an 18-by-50-foot space that can hold about six sport utility vehicles. Owners also would pay a monthly maintenance fee of about $40.

In contrast, the airport's parking garage costs $12 per day.

The company said buyers like the fact that their vehicles are protected from the elements and in a secure environment.

The company compares its airport parking concept to the "dockominium" trend in which marina owners sell off boat slips instead of renting them, Rotermund said.

Airport Garages hopes to complete the North Charleston complex in early 2008.

The project is the company's first on the East Coast. The company already operates garages near Colorado ski resorts and in Salt Lake City.

At least one other company offers off-site parking for Charleston International. Park & Go opened in 2001 on West Montague Avenue. Its rates start at $7 a day.

Source: By Katy Stech, The Post and Courier

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE:ACS) today announced that its airport parking applications in North America will begin accepting MasterCard PayPass contactless payments. ACS is the leader in large airport parking systems, with more than 20 current installations at the nation's busiest airports.

MasterCard PayPass is a fast, cashless payment option that enables ACS customers to pay for parking simply by tapping their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card or device on a PayPass reader. ACS will begin to implement PayPass at selected, existing customer sites this summer. PayPass readers are anticipated to be installed in four to six airport sites by the end of 2007. ACS' airport revenue control solutions will continue to accept traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards along with this contactless payment technology and will continue to work with all payment card providers.

"This enhancement to airport parking is driven by MasterCard PayPass' ability to make purchases more convenient for customers by helping them move through lines more quickly and easily. After a long trip no one wants to be stuck in slow lines when exiting airport parking," said T.J. Sharkey, Group Head, Merchant Sales, U.S. Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. "ACS is an innovative and proven provider of best-in-class technology solutions, making it an ideal partner for MasterCard to improve the experience for busy airport travelers."

With MasterCard PayPass, consumers no longer need to fumble for cash and coins or swipe a card for purchases. With the PayPass option, customers do not have to sign receipts for purchases under $25, which further speeds the payment process. In addition, under MasterCard's Quick Payment Service (QPS) program, no signature is required to complete a purchase and a receipt is optional for transactions up to $50 at parking garages.

"MasterCard's selection of ACS to expand MasterCard PayPass acceptance to airport parking facilities demonstrates our focus to simplify our customers' lives by providing innovative alternatives," said Michael Huerta, Managing Director of ACS Transportation Solutions. "Airport parking is an ideal setting for contactless payments because this technology streamlines a sometimes time-consuming activity for clients who frequently do not have time to spare."

ACS offers a wide range of transportation solutions, including public transit agency, toll collection agency and car park operator solutions that rationalize and automate revenue collection. A high service level optimizes revenue intake, while user-friendly tools enhance the customer experience. ACS solutions can be seamlessly integrated into existing environments and are geared for the requirements of the future. At ACS, transport infrastructure operators can find a complete range of products and systems for fare collection, parking and toll collection. The "one-stop shopping" principle enhances tailored solutions and long-term investment protection.

www.parking-stansted-airport.com: For those days when you have forgotten to book your Stansted Airport Parking in advance and have the right vehicle, you could always park at the airport like this guy:

Guy can't find a parking spot at an airport, so he creates one. 'Airport Parking' Video is 53 seconds long.

www.Parctel.com: Lessons to be learnt by both the travel company and traveller here. More and more we see that first impressions count. And the air traveller's first impression is always Airport Parking. If your reception at the aiport parking lot is smooth and unstressed then that good first impression will excuse a lot of niggles later. Book your Airport Parking before arrival and hopefully what happened to Alan Johnston will not happen to you. His blog rant is titled Dear British Airways and Iberia Airlines.:

You offer a unique travelling experience through your “co-operative partner service” to Ibiza - one that should work very well - but in reality does not deliver as smoothly as it should.

Booking on-line through Iberia.com is a very easy, straight forward service - electronic tickets issued all very efficient.

The problems first occur at airport parking and choice of terminal - tickets state very clearly which terminal you should go to - all OTHER evidence and instructions at car parking and in airport brochures indicate that you should in fact be going to another terminal - first stressful decision has to be made - we followed the ticketing advice (the right decision) quite a few followed the permanent advice provided by the shuttle buses and airport information services ( the wrong decision). They caught us up about 90 minutes later after having gone to the wrong terminal.

We check in and get a boarding pass for first flight - but not the second - which was so odd we came back out to check it was OK and were assured it was. All our baggage was checked through to Ibiza.

Click HERE to read more.

FastPark & Relax is offering discounted offsite airport parking to all Veterans, Armed Forces Personnel and Reservists. The discount kicks off Memorial Day weekend, Friday May 25 and lasts through Friday June 29. To qualify, individuals must present proof of military service to FastPark & Relax cashiers at the time of check out, when a preferred rate will be applied. At George Bush International the cost is $3.50 (tax excluded) per day, for qualified individuals.

"There are more than 20 million veterans in the United States," said Melanie Chavez, FastPark & Relax spokesperson. "Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to extend a thank you to the men and women who served and currently serve our armed forces."

In addition to discounts for armed force members, all customers receive a full gamut of superior services and lower prices over onsite airport parking. The company provides customer pick up at assigned parking spot, luggage assistance and complimentary newspaper and bottled water. For travelers needing mechanical help, FastPark & Relax provides jump starts, tire repair and help with lock-outs.

Additional advantages are available to Relax for Rewards Parker Program members. This service is designed to reward frequent travelers with free parking and assist in expediting entry and exit of their facility. Each member is guaranteed the lowest daily parking rate (without having to produce a coupon) as well as guaranteed a parking space, with valet services in the event a lot is full. Members accrue points for each paid day of parking; points post to accounts automatically and can be viewed on-line. These points are redeemed as follows: 8 points = 1 free day; 40 points = 1 free stay (7 consecutive days). Membership information is available on the company's website.

FastPark & Relax is located at 3100 Greens Road, Houston. For more information travelers may or call a local FastPark & Relax representative at (281) 442-5600.

Airport Fast Park, FastPark & Relax and Park Place are business units of Fast Park, headquartered in Cincinnati. The company operates offsite airport parking facilities in eight markets throughout the country. Airport Fast Park facilities are located in Albuquerque, NM, Austin, Tex., Baltimore, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tenn. and Miami. In Cleveland, the company operates both Airport Fast Park and Park Place, and in Houston lots are branded as FastPark & Relax. The self-serve parking service is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with instant shuttle service transporting customers to their specific terminal.

Source: Airport Fast Park

Cape Town - About 600 more airport parking bays will be made available at Cape Town International Airport for use by the public.

In 2006 the airport's first multi-storey parkade (MSP) came on stream increasing the airport parking capacity by an additional 2 000 bays.

While this temporarily alleviated the strain on parking capacity, the consistent increase in passenger numbers has resulted in the airport parking once again coming under significant pressure.

With work on the second multi-storey parkade set to begin in July this year, the airport's parking capacity will be further increased by at least 2 000 more bays once the construction project is completed.

In the interim, to limit the inconvenience of the lack of airport parking capacity, staff parking, used by all staff working at the airport, has been relocated from the current central parking to a remote site.

This move has freed approximately 600 airport parking bays for use by the public.

"Given the rate at which the increase in demand for airport parking continues to grow, we decided to enable a remote site for airport staff and free up as much parking as possible for visitors to the airport.

"Although a second multi-storey parkade will soon come on stream, we're certain that these additional bays will be welcomed by our airport parking users", says Deidre Hendricks, Communications Manager, Airports Company South Africa: Cape Town International Airport.

Hendricks went on to say that airport staff was relocated in the beginning of May, allowing contractors to prepare the site for the public.

"The additional airport parking will certainly bring some relief", she said. Meanwhile, the airport is abuzz with construction activity as the R1.3bn airport transformation continues.

Work on the Central Terminal Building is well under way and the work on the new elevated road, similar to that of OR Tambo International Airport, will begin shortly.

"Visitors to the airport would have noticed that large areas have already been hoarded off across the airport, clearly showing off the flurry of construction activity under way."

But, although there is some inconvenience, the airport's transformation is for the benefit of all its users.

"These additional airport parking bays are certainly good news and we're positive it will improve the airport experience", says Hendricks.

Airport parking users are reminded to make sure that they arrive at the airport early in order to allow themselves with sufficient time to park, check-in and move through security.

Source: Wheels 24

Illegally parked cars currently causing traffic congestion at OR Tambo International will be towed away, the Airports Company SA (Acsa) and Ekurhuleni metro police said on Wednesday.

Acsa's landside manager Kesavan Naicker said illegally parked cars at various parking lots and curb sides were causing a huge amount of frustration to visitors.

Acsa had handed a tow truck to metro police to tow away all illegally parked cars as from the beginning of June.

"Acsa is committed to curbing the increasing scourge of traffic congestion within the airport precinct, and by making a dedicated tow truck vehicle available...I do believe that we can make a difference."

Naicker said four tow trucks would be operating by the end of the year.

Metro police would be authorised to tow all illegally parked vehicles, within the airport precinct and would only be released to the owners on payment of the applicable fees.

In April, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Acsa and the airport.

The agreement made provision for the metro police precinct at OR Tambo to operate 24 hours a day every day of the week.

Chief of metro police, Robert McBride welcomed the new working relationship with Acsa.

"The EMPD is pleased to be working with a partner that is as committed as Acsa. In making a tow truck available to us on a 24-hour basis, exclusively for use at OR Tambo, we are confident that illegal parking at the airport will soon be a thing of the past."

Source: Wheels 24

www.Parctel.com: Rogue companies which issue parking tickets on private land will be driven out of the market thanks to an initiative set to be enforced later this year. From October 2007, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will release vehicle registration information only to those companies which are members of an Accredited Trade Association.

The British Parking Association (BPA), which is to become the first Accredited Trade Association, said on the 18th April 2007 at Parkex, Europe’s largest parking industry fair, that the initiative will prevent motorists receiving high-priced, unregulated tickets.

As it has the responsibility of being the only parking organisation with official DVLA accreditation, the British Parking Association has also announced that it will be launching its own Approved Operator Scheme, backed by a Code of Practice for Parking Enforcement on Private Land and Unregulated Car Parks. Members that do not comply with the terms of this Code (see notes for terms) could have their British Parking Association membership initially suspended, and possibly terminated (dependent on individual circumstances of complaint).

Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said: “This initiative will help us clamp down on unscrupulous people who abuse the system to make money out of innocent drivers. I fully support the Approved Operator Scheme and welcome the fact that the British Parking Association is DVLA’s first Accredited Trade Association.”

Part 2 of the Code, introduced today, extends the scope of the successful ‘wheel-clampers’ Code introduced at Parkex in 2006 and aims to standardise the industry’s approach to ticketing on private land and introduce a level of fairness for the consumer. Under the Code guidelines, standard charges for a parking ticket issued on private land should not exceed £75, and the maximum charge shall not exceed £150. Early payment discounts are recommended for a period of 7-14 days and all details of charges should be included on signage.

DVLA’s External and Corporate Services Director Richard Kitchen said: “This is a positive step in meeting Dr Ladyman's call for a more robust system and I am pleased to report that the BPA is the first organisation to receive Accredited Trade Association status.”

Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, said: “This collaboration is a long time coming. Now that we have launched the Code and announced our Approved Operator Scheme, the public can look forward to a fairer, more transparent and regulated regime for parking on private land. There are companies operating in ways that are unacceptable, and the public is both confused and concerned. Our aim in extending our regulatory role in the parking industry is to reward good practice and drive out bad, leaving only legitimate companies undertaking fair and proper enforcement.“

Compliance with the Code will be monitored by the BPA. Members will be required to submit evidence of compliance annually, highlighting any issues and identifying proposed solutions. A dedicated compliance manager will conduct regular and random testing via on-site inspections to ensure that the Code’s principles are being maintained. Where members’ operations are found wanting, remedial action will be a requirement; where this does not happen and failure to comply with the Code persists, a member shall be suspended, and possibly expelled from the BPA. The compliance management team will also investigate complaints about alleged breaches of the Code by its members. The British Parking Association will not, however, be adjudicating in individual parking disputes; these are covered by the Code’s requirement for Approved Operators’ to have an effective Disputes Management procedure.

The new Code was drawn up by the BPA’s Director of Technical Services with support from the British Parking Association Off-Street Enforcement Special Interest Group.

Source: British Parking Association - BPA

www.Parctel.com: The ultra modern building, designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre, features the extensive use of aluminium, steel, glass, concrete and zinc. The six floor car park was one of the winners in the North-West regional awards. A special RIBA plaque will be displayed at the car park, which now goes forward to the national awards.

Q-Park worked closely with the architects and the developers Grosvenor to ensure that the car park complies with Q-Park's stringent design and quality criteria and forms a welcoming and convenient entrance to one of Europe’s most vibrant and innovative retail and leisure centres.

One of the RIBA judges said in the citation: “The design of this scheme successfully deals with the problem which multi-storey car parks so often face, of how such a building use can make an enjoyable and meaningful part of the urban fabric in which it stands.

“Although this is a tough building type and the materials necessarily harsh, the jury felt this was a powerful contribution to the rapidly growing urban context in which it stands, well conceived and carefully positioned. A building worthy of an award.”

Liver Street is the first of three Q-Park car parks which will serve the new Liverpool One development - the UK’s largest city centre regeneration scheme. The other two car parks: Strand Street, a 1,850 space four-level underground car park, and Gradwell Street, a 553-space multi-storey, are scheduled to open in 2008 - Liverpool’s European City of Culture year.

www.Carpark-Fly.com: Central Parking Corporation (NYSE:CPC) today announced the completion of its previously announced merger with an affiliate of Kohlberg & Company, LLC, Lubert-Adler Partners, L.P., and Chrysalis Capital Partners, L.P.

The shareholders of Central Parking voted to approve the proposed merger agreement that the company entered into on February 20, 2007 at a special meeting held on May 21, 2007. Holders of approximately 28.4 million shares of Central Parking voted in favor of approving the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, representing approximately 88% of Central Parking's total outstanding voting shares and over 99% of the total votes cast. As a result of the transaction, each issued and outstanding share of Central Parking common stock was cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive $22.53 in cash, without interest. Effective as of today, Central Parking's stock will no longer be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange and trading will be suspended prior to market open Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Shareholders of Central Parking who have stock certificates in their possession will receive instructions by mail from Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc., the paying agent, concerning how to forward their certificates for payment. Shareholders who hold shares through a bank or broker will not have to take any action to have their shares converted into cash as such conversions will be handled by the bank or broker.

Emanuel J. Eads, Central Parking's president and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased with the overwhelming endorsement of this transaction by our shareholders. We look forward to working with our new owners and our management team to continue to provide the highest levels of customer service in the industry."

Central Parking Corporation, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a leading provider of parking and transportation-related services. As of March 31, 2007, the Company operated approximately 3,000 parking facilities containing approximately 1.4 million spaces at locations in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Spain, Switzerland and Greece.

GMR Infrastructure has awarded the contract for managing the automated parking management system at Hyderabad Airport to Malaysia-based Tenaga Group.

GMR, the promoter of new international airport at Hyderabad, has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that it has awarded the contract through its subsidiary GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) to Tenaga Parking (India) Pvt Ltd, a part of the Tenaga Group, for a period of three years.

The period of the contract can be extended further by mutual agreement, it said.

The main objectives of the parking management systems would be to provide a quality parking service and facility to customers, facilitate quick entry and exit from the parking points and reduce dwell time and build MIS systems to support future planning and development.

Tenaga Parking would perform, implement and execute the management services for efficient and customer-friendly management of the parking facility, it said.

Besides, GHIAL would develop the car parking facility with necessary equipment, technology including surfacing of entire car park area, internal roads, and provision of utilities like electricity and water.

Source: Parking Network

Construction is set to begin next month on a new parking lot for travelers at the Nashville International Airport.

The Metro Nashville Airport Authority today approved a $2.2 million construction project to build an additional valet parking lot with 1,200 spaces. The project is expected to be done by October.

Design director Robert Ramsey, said an additional lot is needed almost immediately to meet parking needs at the airport. An average of 400,000 passengers board planes at Nashville International Airport each month, according to airport officials.

There are currently 11,675 parking spaces available.

Source: KATE HOWARD, Tennessean

One of the great frustrations of many travelers flying from Philadelphia International Airport is finding a place to park a car. Especially at school-vacation time, both the economy lot and daily-fee garages can be full, forcing the panicked driver to roam the roads around the airport looking for a private lot. Leaving the car at home and using public transportation is an option, but isn't practical for most people.

The best way we've found to deal with the problem is to use one of more than a dozen off-airport lots that surround PHL, on Route 291 (Industrial Highway) and on Bartram, Essington, Island and Passyunk avenues. These privately operated lots always seem to have space available, and they have the great advantage of taking advance reservations. Unlike PHL's on-airport lots and garages, the off-sites can be booked and the fees paid in advance on the Web using a credit card.

Rates for off-airport lots are competitive with the $9 a day in PHL's economy lot. The daily fee can range from about $6.50 to $15 a day, but if you make a reservation online, there's usually a one-time service fee of $5.

The most comprehensive airport parking Web site we've found is - what else - www.airportparkingreservations.com. Another one is www.parkrideflyusa.com. They have long lists of U.S. and Canadian airports that are part of their networks. When you do a Google search for "airport parking reservations," you will find those two, and other sites with different addresses that link to the first.

You can also find Web sites for individual parking-lot operators at PHL and elsewhere - if you know their names. We have been unsuccessful in navigating to airport-parking sites from the larger online travel sites, including Expedia and Orbitz. But that may just be our lack of time and patience to keep drilling until we find them.

Tom Lombardi, the Suffield, Conn., entrepreneur who runs airportparkingreservations.com, says his site has 200 parking lots at 65 airports in its database, including eight near PHL. Business has boomed at PHL since Southwest started three years ago and parking became tighter. Travelers tend to use off-airport lots regularly after one experience of "going to the economy lot, and it's full, and the sweat starts," Lombardi says.

The off-airport lots may be a little farther from the PHL terminals than the airport economy lot, including some that are a mile or two away. But they have another advantage: service.

Some parking operators have valet service, driving you back and forth in your own car. Most have shuttle buses that, in our experience, pull up behind your car, and not to a bus stop a hundred yards away, within a few minutes of your arrival.

Every time we've used one of the lots and have had more than one bag, the shuttle-bus driver has hopped off and helped us. We always carry $1 bills for tips to encourage the practice.

Source: Tom Belden, Inquirer Staff Writer

Maybe you’ve been that guy creeping past the airport parking lot entrance, half-hoping to spot an empty parking space that the red “Full” sign was lying about.

Maybe you were the one clutching the steering wheel while speeding back to the airport shuttle parking lot on Orchard Street, checking the car stereo clock every minute and making a mental calculation: shuttle wait time plus shuttle ride plus baggage check plus security screening, carry the two, subtracted from departure time …

Chances are, you weren’t the only one. The shuttle lot at Orchard Street and Victory Road averages from 125 to 200 overnight parkers every day, with more on holidays and spring break, according to Trena Martin, manager of AMPCO Parking, which manages the Boise Airport parking lots. The numbers are growing, because layovers at the Boise Airport have increased 10 to 12 percent per year, she said.
While a few people park in that lot because they like to use the shuttle, the overwhelming majority are travelers who arrived at the airport, found the long-term parking lots full and were forced to use the off-site parking and shuttle service, she said.

A shuttle with room for 14 passengers runs every 15 minutes, and about twice a week the service has to run two shuttles at once to keep up with high passenger volume.

Martin said more people will have to park off-site soon when the airport repaints the stripes on one of its surface lots. AMPCO has plans to pave new areas at the shuttle lot to add parking, she said.
The city of Boise wanted to build another parking garage at the airport, but hit a legal snag. In the 2006 case Frazier vs. City of Boise, the Idaho Supreme Court denied the city’s request to build a new parking garage at the Boise Airport without approval of a supermajority of voters.

The Idaho Constitution states cities and counties can’t go into debt without a vote except for “ordinary and necessary” expenses. In their majority opinion, the justices determined that the parking garage was not necessary because it was not an emergency – drivers could continue to use the shuttle lot, as they had been doing.

The Association of Idaho Cities asked this year’s Legislature to form a task force to study how the Frazier decision would affect infrastructure funding for cities and counties, but according to Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Ray Stark, the proposal never got a hearing. Senate President Pro Tem Robert Geddes and Speaker of the House Lawerence Denney still have the opportunity to appoint a task force at a Legislative Council meeting May 17.

Source: Lora Volkert of Idaho Business Review

www.Carpark-Fly.com: Central Parking Corporation (NYSE:CPC) today announced that operating earnings before property-related gains and losses for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007, increased to $11.0 million compared with $5.2 million in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Total revenues for the second fiscal quarter were approximately $280 million compared with $270 million in the second quarter of 2006. Excluding reimbursed management expenses, revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 were $158 million compared with $157 million in the prior year period.

Earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 increased to $1.3 million from breakeven in the year-earlier period. The Company reported net earnings of $1.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 compared with net earnings of $2.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the year earlier period. Earnings from continuing operations and net earnings include property-related gains and losses (including impairments) and merger-related expenses. Pre-tax property-related losses totaled $0.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 compared with losses of $1.2 million in the second quarter of last year. Expenses relating to the pending merger of the Company recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 totaled $5.1 million.

Pages: 1 2

The off-airport parking industry normally attracts little attention from venture capitalists or business journalists. What's sexy, after all, about running vast garages perfumed by jet fuel? Plenty, if you're Martin Nesbitt, founder and CEO of the Parking Spot (theparkingspot.com).

The Chicago-based company is best known for its whimsical yellow-and-black-spotted shuttle buses and employee uniforms. Customer perks include free newspapers, bottled water and chocolate chip cookies.

Last fall the Parking Spot introduced a premium service called On-Airport Valet parking at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. As if in a dream, a Parking Spot valet meets you and your vehicle in front of the terminal, whisks your car away, washes it and fills the tank while you're gone, and greets you curbside with keys in hand upon your return. Cost: About $20 a day, plus gas.

"It's parking, but it's fun," says Nesbitt, 44, a father of four who enjoys pickup basketball and counts Illinois Senator Barack Obama among his close friends.

Nesbitt founded the Parking Spot in 1997. His first backer was Penny Pritzker, a member of the wealthy Chicago clan that owns the Hyatt hotel chain. The Pritzker family put in $50 million: Today Penny is the company's chairman, and the Pritzkers are its largest shareholder.

To be sure, Nesbitt didn't invent airport valet parking. Park 'N Fly (pnf.com), based in Atlanta, has been shuttling air travelers in style since 1967. Nor is Nesbitt's company, with 30,000 parking spaces and more than $70 million in annual revenues, the biggest. That honor goes to PCAA (fasttrack.com), based in Downey, Calif., which boasts 45,000 spaces nationwide and grossed $76 million last year.

But Nesbitt's Parking Spot is the fastest-growing and most profitable firm in its field, according to Matthew Litfin, a research principal with Chicago investment firm William Blair & Co. Its edge? Technology that enhances service. "They have remade the parking industry," says Debbie Neel, general manager of Off-Airport Properties for Southwest Airlines (Charts, Fortune 500), which uses the Parking Spot to shuttle its crews.

Through digital video recorders and the Internet, Parking Spot's Chicago headquarters monitors cashiers to make sure they're treating customers right at its 16 facilities around ten U.S. airports. Those spotted yellow vans carry cameras and gyroscopes that alert management when a driver brakes too hard or jackrabbits a start. One employee, a grad student in aeronautical engineering, developed a wireless software application that figures out the most efficient distribution of cars in each parking lot, which speeds up the time it takes to park and fly.

Next? Nesbitt plans to expand to 40 locations mainly through acquisitions. "This industry started with someone on a lot with a shoebox and a handful of tickets," says Norm Ennis, a 50-year industry vet and an independent consultant based in Houston. "Outfits such as the Parking Spot are the next generation, the evolution of the business."

Source: By Alessandra Bianchi, FSB Magazine

www.Parctel.com: The Hawaii Department of Transportation reopened 300 stalls on the top floor of the interisland parking garage at Honolulu International Airport on Tuesday.

The top floor had been closed since January for resurfacing and repair work to prevent such things as corrosion and water seeping through to lower levels.

The project cost $999,000.

Last week, the D.O.T. announced plans to build a new 1,800-stall, eight-story parking garage on the site of the existing surface lot between the international and interisland parking structures. Dick Pacific was selected as the contractor for the $39.2 million project with RIM Architects and Walker Parking Consultants working on the design.

www.Parctel.com: Skyhub to deliver ‘faster security, increased capacity and better customer service’

* One departure hub open to all passengers
* New purpose built security screening area
* Wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants
* Delivering a better customer service today and into the future

A multi-million pound plan to expand Glasgow Airport – the biggest single investment by airport operator BAA Glasgow for a generation – is about to get underway.

The £30 million project – known as skyhub – aims to reduce security waiting times, increase capacity in the terminal and offer passengers a wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants.

Glasgow SkyHub

Work will start later this month on the 4,000sq metre skyhub development, which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The two storey development will provide additional seating capacity on the ground floor, as well as new retail and catering facilities, and a new purpose built security search area on the first floor, through which all departing passengers will pass.

This will replace the existing three security zones (international, domestic and east pier) which will later be converted for use as retail, lounge and other passenger facilities.

The new search area will have capacity for up to 14 x-ray machines, four more than at present.

The development will also include a flagship World Duty Free store open to all departing passengers.

Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: “This expansion will allow us to concentrate our security search areas in one location, freeing up a huge amount of additional capacity within the terminal. This is particularly important during the busy summer months when Glasgow Airport can expect to handle over one million passengers in a single month.

“Security, for any airport, is of paramount importance and as passenger numbers increase, it’s important that we are able to screen passengers quickly and safely. We have already announced a major investment in additional staff and x-ray technology. skyhub takes that investment a step further and will give us the flexibility and the extra capacity that we need to provide a fast, efficient security screening service.

“Our aim, ultimately, will be to reduce the amount of time passengers wait in security lines and, in the process, deliver a better customer experience for our growing number of passengers.”

Glasgow Airport’s domestic and international search areas have recently been refurbished - and rebranded skyscreen - as part of a trial for the planned single search area.

Customer service director Derek Provan said: “We see skyscreen as the launch pad for a new type of airport security at Glasgow. The security and safety of our passengers is something we take extremely seriously, but airport security doesn’t have to be an ordeal. skyscreen is designed to create a more relaxing security environment that puts passengers at ease.”

The new layout will also bring retail benefits for passengers. Under BAA’s plans, the existing airside/landside boundary will switch, so that most of the shops currently landside (before security) will be located airside (beyond security). Once through security, passengers can shop, eat and relax anywhere in the terminal.

“Glasgow is quite unusual in that the majority of shops are currently landside. By switching the boundary, and moving the majority of our retail offer airside, it means passengers will enjoy bigger savings and more choice,” explained Mr Provan. “Once through security, passengers will have access to the full range of bars, restaurants and lounges on offer at Glasgow Airport.”

Mr Dewar added: “skyhub is the biggest single investment by BAA in Glasgow Airport for a generation and underlines BAA’s long term commitment to the airport. It is an exciting, ambitious project which puts the interests of passengers first. We want to make the journey through Glasgow Airport as safe, smooth and enjoyable as we can for all our passengers, delivering better service not just for today, but for the next generation of travellers. skyhub is the new way to travel at Glasgow Airport, our gateway to the future.”

www.Parctel.com: Business and leisure travellers flying to and from the North West are the first to benefit from fast-transit scheduled services introduced by Jetstream Express.

Business and leisure travel between regional airports got quicker and easier today, with the launch of the fast-transit service Jetstream Express.

Offering direct connections between Blackpool International Airport and Southampton, Aberdeen and Belfast City, Jetstream Express is promising to cut the time spent commuting.

Ten flights per week will operate between Blackpool and Belfast from 8th May 2007. And with business in mind, flight times have been carefully selected ­ the 7.30am service from Blackpool will get commuters into Belfast City at 8.20am, in good time for a 9am start.

The Blackpool to Aberdeen service will start on 4th June with five flights each week, and the Blackpool to Southampton shuttle opens for business on 2nd July.

John Hardcastle, Director of Jetstream Express said: "Jetstream Express is all about speed and efficiency. We've chosen our routes carefully so that passengers can be sure of the fastest 'kerb to gate' times possible. We're focussed on getting them out of their cars, through the airport and into the air as quickly and comfortably as possible. And passengers will benefit from free in-flight hospitality and access to the Blackpool International executive lounge too."

The service is being operated by charter experts Jetstream Executive Travel, a company that owns and operates a fleet of 19-seater modern, spacious Jetstream 31 aircraft. According to John Hardcastle, it's all part of the plan: "We're using aircraft that are ideally suited to short-haul routes, and insist on our own crews ­ their commitment is essential for us to achieve fast turn-around times and the highest standards of passenger service."

Gareth Kennedy, Blackpool International Airport's Director of Business Development, said: "Jetstream Express prides itself on its ability to deliver first class personal service at a competitive price every time, so we are delighted to welcome them on board at Blackpool International.

"Although we anticipate that the majority of passengers on these routes will fly for business reasons, we also expect that leisure passengers will take advantage of the services to visit Blackpool and the surrounding areas or fly from the North West to these three great cities for a short break or longer holiday."

www.Parctel.com: Belfast International Airport launched a new long-haul destination today with a new flyglobespan transatlantic flight from the airport.

The web-based airline launched a weekly flight to Toronto's Hamilton International Airport - part of a massive UK-wide programme to Canada from 13 UK and Irish airports.

The airline is already well known to Belfast travellers- having launched a service to Orlando Sanford last year - which is proving very popular.

Chairman Tom Dalrymple is delighted at this expansion of his Belfast programme, as he is keen to extend the company's long-haul routes.

"The key factors of load factor and fuel price are even more important on these longer routes, and therefore the flyglobespan model that has worked so well on short-haul routes fits well into the long-haul market, delivering low seat prices.

"We have a lean, very efficient organisation that allows us to offer extremely competitive fares in all our different classes and price is still the key driver.

The airline's parent company, the Globespan Group has 30 years experience of offering Canadian holidays and Dalrymple sees flyglobespan's 2007 expansion there as an natural extension of their expertise.

John Doran, managing director at Belfast International Airport said:
"We are delighted to welcome another transatlantic destination to our expanding route network and the second with FlyGlobespan within the last six months. With the strong links between Northern Ireland and the Toronto region we are confident that this will be a popular route for Canadian visitors to Northern Ireland as well as local travellers heading to the Toronto region."

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said "NITB welcomes today's announcement as more good news for tourism. The increase in direct international flights and the resulting improved access should help to ensure that 2007 is another successful year for NI tourism. Flyglobespan's transatlantic flights from Belfast International will provide even better opportunities to target Canadian holidaymakers and business tourists."

Most of the flyglobespan transatlantic routes offer three levels of service on board from Economy to Business Class.

Prices to Toronto start from £99 including taxes.

As with all flyglobespan flights, passengers can book flight only or chose to add on transfers and/or accommodation. All flight, holiday, & city break details are available on www.flyglobespan.com

www.Parctel.com: Nantes with Aer Arann from £49 one way!

Aer Arann, one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Europe, has delighted rugby fans by launching a new route from Bristol to Nantes in advance of the World Cup later this year.

The flights, which started on Saturday 28th April, operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays with one way prices including tax from just £49. Flights are available to book online now at www.aerarann.com.

Olly Morgan, Gloucester Rugby Club’s full back and England Rugby Union team member marked the start of the flights from Bristol International with representatives from Aer Arann and the airport. The new service provides a great opportunity for rugby fans across the South West and Wales to attend matches and enjoy the atmosphere in the city when the World Cup kicks off in France in September.

Nantes also offers a fantastic choice of things to do and is a perfect leisure break destination for the summer. Historical sites such as the The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany which dates from the 15th century, are a must see alongside the range of museums and cultural tours. Water-sports on the seven waterways which flow through the city are also a great option and include canoe-kayaking, sailing, rowing and cruising.

For further information and to book flights go to www.aerarann.com. Flights start at just £49 one way including taxes.

www.Parctel.com: More than 1,000 passengers have pre-booked seats on the new intra-Wales air service which will link the North and South of the country from today.

Highland Airways Commercial Director Basil O'Fee said: "Many people have already changed the way they think about their business and leisure journeys between these two diagonally opposite ends of Wales. Such a level of advance booking is very encouraging and supports the view that the service reflects the needs of the Welsh population."

Going against predictions from some quarters that the service would only be used by Government, the airline reports a wide cross-section of people have already decided to switch from cars to the twice-daily flights. While fares are capped at £50 including taxes/charges, the airline's decision to offer advance booking bargains from £15 one-way is considered to be a major factor in its early success.

The route opens up new business opportunities such as recent interest from a conference group in combining the service with the facilities of a local hotel in Anglesey. "This is exactly the sort of stimulated usage that all connected with the service are hoping for," commented Mr. O'Fee.

Highland Airways was selected by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide the service with a British-built 19-seat Bae Jetstream 31 turbo-prop pressurised aircraft. The flight from Anglesey will take less than one hour while Cardiff Airport is 25 minutes from the centre of the capital by road or rail. It has been estimated that 150 cars a day are currently travelling between the two regions with an unpredictable journey time in excess of four hours each way.

Said Mr. O'Fee: "Most travellers are expected to book online. The highlandairways.co.uk website has a useful Low Fare Finder feature, which permits browsers an overview of a month's pricing at one glance. The first flight was fully booked quite quickly, as many who have lobbied or yearned for this sort of development over the years wanted to be among the first to fly."

For those without access to a computer, bookings can also be made by calling 0870 777 0915 or through a local travel agent.

The flight will have cabin crew to increase the comfort of travellers, and both they and flight crew will be based at the Cardiff end. The service does not operate at the weekends, and the aircraft will therefore be available for private charter.

The company operates five of the sophisticated Jetstream 31s at present and has experience of passenger services in both Scotland and England. Highland Airways was established in 1991 and is based in Inverness.

www.Parctel.com: Flybe will start operating its first direct flights between Exeter and Rennes today (Tuesday 8th May).The two cities were twinned over 50 years ago and to celebrate the airline is flying two passengers to the French airport and two passengers to Devon on the inaugural flights.

There will be a welcoming reception at both Exeter International Airport and RennesAirport with tea and a celebratory cake available for the twinning committee and passengers. In Exeter Isabelle Guillaume-Tariel and Chantal Tiriault from the Rennes Twinning Association will be in the first flight arriving at 15:50 and Brenda Kite will represent Exeter.

Rennes, the capital of Brittany, is packed with bars, bistros and bookshops.The town has a grand Neo-classical layout featuring some outstanding architecture and is well known for its music festivals.

Spokesman for Exeter International Airport, Stephen Ayres said, "This is a great day, not just for the twinning groups, but for the all those of the South West who would like to experience a wonderful part of France.We hope that the flights, which are operating three times a week, will prove very popular."

www.Parctel.com: Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s largest tour operator, Seguro Holidays, are delighted to announce their first ever seat sale from Glasgow Prestwick.

The popular destinations on offer are Lanzarote, Costa Blanca, Faro, Gran Canaria and Majorca.

Seguro are offering fantastic savings over the next couple of weeks, with return flight only fares from £39 and packages, which include flight, named self catering accommodation and transfer, from £119.

True to Seguro Holidays policy of “the price you see is the price you pay”, the rock bottom flight only fare includes all taxes and charges.

£39 return flights are available for the following dates and destinations –

* Lanzarote – April 22 for seven or ten nights; April 29 for three or ten nights

* Alicante – April 21 for seven or fifteen nights; April 28 for eight or fifteen nights

* Faro – April 22 for seven or eleven nights; April 29 for four or eight nights; April 30 for three or ten nights

* Gran Canaria – April 23 for seven or twelve nights; April 30 for five or twelve nights

* Palma – April 20 for seven or fourteen nights; April 21 for seven nights; April 27 for seven or fourteen nights; April 28 for six or thirteen nights

Richard Burke, Managing Director of the Seguro Travel Group, said: “We are delighted to offer our loyal Glasgow Prestwick customers these great deals as part of our first ever seat sale. Spring is a great time of year to escape to the sunshine and these prices give everyone the opportunity to do just that.”

Booking these cheap fares is simple – just call 0845 676 0043 and speak to a friendly and experienced sales representative, or visit www.seguroholidays.com or visit your local travel agent.

Seats are subject to availability.

www.Parctel.com: Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) has been sold to European private equity firm Bridgepoint in a transaction totalling £145.5 million following a decision by five West Yorkshire councils to sell 100% of the share capital in the airport.

Commenting on the successful acquisition of the airport, Sir Graham Hall, who will now become chairman of LBIA, said: “Work can now begin on taking our airport up a league in every sense. LBIA is a key asset for our region and we want to build on its recent success and consolidate its role as the dominant international airport serving Yorkshire and Humberside.”

Adrian Williams, a director at Bridgepoint added: “We have a clear vision for the future success of LBIA – a future which will deliver benefits for everyone who uses it. Our aim is that the new LBIA will be one of which the staff and the region will be justifiably proud.”

Under the Bridgepoint strategic plan for the airport, a £70 million capital expenditure plan will be implemented to provide additional terminal capacity to accommodate anticipated growing passenger volumes and to meet more immediate infrastructure requirements. Specifically, the plan is built around:

- investment in, and development of, the existing airside and landside infrastructure to enhance capacity
- development of the route network to increase number of destinations, frequency and to double passenger capacity to seven million by the year 2015
- further development of the LBIA’s commercial revenues in areas such as retail and food & drink.

Bridgepoint has invested in the airport sector in the past. In 1997, it became the largest private investor in Birmingham International Airport (BIA) as part of a financing programme to fund the ongoing development of the airport. It sold its stake in December 2001 and during this five year period international connections at BIA grew by 70%, traffic grew by 40% (reversing leakage to neighbouring airports) and capital expenditure reached almost £200 million.

Leeds and Bradford councils each owned 40% of the airport with the remainder split equally between Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale. Although the councils will have no financial stake in LBIA, they retain a ‘special share’ to protect the name of the airport and to ensure its continued operation as an international airport.

The airport was formally advertised for sale in November 2006 in a process run by Ernst & Young, with legal advice prepared by DLA Piper. Bridgepoint was named preferred bidder on 4 April 2007.

Debt for the transaction was provided by Royal Bank of Scotland. Advisers to Bridgepoint in the transactions included: Rothschild (corporate finance), Addleshaw Goddard (legal), Ernst & Young Private Equity (transaction support and tax structuring), Airport Strategy & Marketing, Concession Planning International, Drivers Jonas, TPS Consult (commercial due diligence), ERM (environmental), Marsh (insurance).

www.Parctel.com: Passengers checking in for the first flight were entertained by a Canadian Mountie and sampled traditional Canadian food of pecan pastries with maple syrup. Mrs Jan Amos from Eastham, Wirral was the first passenger to check-in and as a consequence received a bottle of champagne. Jan was flying to Toronto to visit relatives and friends in Port Colborn, near Niagara Falls.

Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada's largest City and home to the tallest building in the world, the CN Tower as well as being a hotbed of culture and entertainment. Passengers can now enjoy direct flights starting from only £99 including taxes.

Flyglobespan is now operating weekly flights to Toronto's Hamilton Airport which is conveniently positioned to serve downtown Toronto and other popular destinations in the province of Ontario, with Niagara Falls less than an hours drive away.

The weekly flight departs JLA at 1.30pm arriving in Toronto at 4.30pm. Return flights leave Toronto on Sunday evenings at 8.20pm arriving in Liverpool at 8.25am the following day.

Neil Pakey, Liverpool John Lennon Airport's Managing Director said:

“This flight marks the beginning of a new era for John Lennon Airport by being our first ever scheduled transatlantic service. As well as giving passengers in the North West the opportunity to fly to Canada at some great low fares, we hope that many Canadians will take the opportunity to visit Liverpool and Merseyside, particularly in the run up to 2008 and the City's European Capital of Culture celebrations.”

Flyglobespan is already well known to Liverpool John Lennon passengers having operated flights to Tenerife during the winter and later this month the airline launches a daily service to New York JFK - the first direct airlink between the two cities.

Chairman of flyglobespan, Tom Dalrymple said: “This is an exciting time for the airline and the airport. With our flights to New York starting later this month, these are two highly attractive long-haul destinations. The key factors of load factor and fuel price are even more important on these longer routes, and therefore the flyglobespan model that has worked so well on short-haul routes fits well into the long-haul market, delivering low seat prices”

As with all flyglobespan flights, passengers can book flight only or chose to add on transfers and/or accommodation. All flight, holiday, & city break details are available on www.flyglobespan.com

www.Parctel.com: NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic management provider, today (Tuesday 8 May) launches a consultation on proposed changes to two small sections of airspace that run from Evesham to Brize Norton and from Andover to Romsey.

The proposal allows for sections of airspace to be levelled with adjoining airspace, creating a corridor in which aircraft can be safely separated into north/south flows. The proposal also allows for two additional small areas of controlled airspace; these are extensions of approximately five nautical miles in width to the existing controlled airspace structure which links the Midlands with the South Coast.

The Terminal Control South West (TCSW) airspace change proposal is neither associated with, nor directly enables, expansion at any particular airport. It is being proposed to simplify the very complex traffic interactions in this area; the only way in which Air Traffic Control can currently manage this is to impose delays.

NATS anticipates that major benefits resulting from the proposed changes will include fewer flight delays and a decrease in carbon emissions per flight.

Consultation regarding this airspace change is being carried out involving a broad range of environmental and aviation stakeholders. These include county, borough and district councils, Members of Parliament, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, environmental groups, airlines, recreational aviation groups and other interested parties. Consultation material may be found on the NATS website at www.nats.co.uk; the consultation period closes on Friday 10 August 2007.

Once the consultation is complete, its findings will be submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority which decides whether the proposed change can go ahead. If approved, the change is planned to become operational on 10 April 2008.

www.Parctel.com: There will be a racing ‘twist’ to launch the annual East Midlands Airport Nottinghamshire Youth Games on Wednesday 9 May.

Twelve mascots representing the county districts and professional clubs, along with the Airport’s very own Rascal Rabbit, will join dozens of young people taking part in the Games for a race down the Check-in Hall – the first event of this year’s competition. All mascots will be hoping to win the accolade of EMA’s sporting mascot for 2007.

Volunteers from the Games will be on hand, using this event as a practice run, as they make final preparations for the main event days on 4th and 7th July. Rascal and his friends will be arriving on the Airport’s Skylink bus which runs every 30 minutes from Nottingham to the Airport.

Among the mascots joining the fun will be Sherwood the Bear from Nottingham Forest and N’ICE Bear from the Nottingham Ice Arena. The Airport’s Community Relations Manager, Michala Broadhurst will also be there to cheer on Rascal. As hosts of the launch and main sponsors of the Youth Games – East Midlands Airport is once again really excited to be involved in the event.

Penny Coates, Managing Director, East Midlands Airport said,
"We are thrilled that we have recently agreed to another three years of funding for the Nottinghamshire Youth Games. This is the fourth year of our involvement and we recognise the valuable contribution it can make to the community. The Games is an excellent example of sport for all, getting young people involved in fun but competitive physical activity, which is becoming increasingly more important in today's society".

Chris Rollé from the Youth Games Executive Committee said
“The Nottinghamshire Youth Games is one of the events of the year, an opportunity for the young people of the county to come together to celebrate sport. The Youth Games is also a sign of the strength of sports development activity in the county. It is proof of the wonderful work done by local authorities, schools, clubs, governing bodies and volunteers to give our youngsters a brighter sporting future.”

Those interested in taking part in the Youth Games either as a participant, coach or volunteer should contact their district sports development officer for further details. Team trials are already underway. Contact numbers can be found at www.intosport.org.uk

www.PArctel.com: Flyglobespan today operated its first ever flight into the Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire region as it officially commenced a new weekly scheduled service between Canada and Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield.

The weekly service to Toronto’s Hamilton International airport is Flyglobespan’s first destination to operate to and from Robin Hood Airport.

Passengers on the inaugural flight were treated to the Airport's usual hospitality with complimentary refreshments laid on ahead of the departure of the midday flight to Toronto (Hamilton). Glen & Elaine Ward of Doncaster were the first passengers to check in for today’s flight. Like for many people living in the Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire regions, Canada just got a whole lot closer.

Mr & Mrs Ward were travelling to Toronto to visit their daughter and grandchildren, who live in the South West Ontario region. The couple explained how they have previously had to endure a frustrating journey across the Pennines to catch a flight to Canada.

Mrs Ward said:
“We’re so pleased that the journey to Canada is now so easy. We booked online and saved a fortune. Robin Hood Airport has obviously listened to what passengers want - this route is going to be very popular!”

Nick & Louise Stanley and their son Shay were also on this inaugural flight.

Mrs Stanley said:
“Not only are we playing our part in the history of the airport, this is my first ever flight and my 28th birthday, I don’t think we could be any more excited!”

David Ryall, Managing Director at Robin Hood Airport spoke from the busy departure lounge this morning:
“I am really pleased to see so many passengers on the first ever scheduled flight to Canada. Robin Hood Airport is the only airport serving Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire to have direct flights to Canada, and we hope to see many more Flyglobespan routes over the coming months.”

David Ryall continued, delighting at the fact that Flyglobespan chose Robin Hood Airport as the setting for the official commencement of the Summer 2008 Canada programme:
“The first transatlantic scheduled flight to land in Hamilton airport in almost 20 years will be from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. That’s something for both airports to be proud of.”

Tom Dalrymple, Chief Executive of Flyglobespan said this week:
“Advance bookings have been encouraging since we first announced the route and I am sure that interest will increase now we are actually flying.”

Flights to Toronto (Hamilton) Airport will operate every Tuesday. Bookings can be made via www.flyglobespan.com

www.Parctel.com: Due to the amazing response to the Meet and Greet offer that was released to Travel Rewards members earlier this year, we are pleased to announce that a 10% discount is now available to Travel Rewards members for stays of 1-3 days up until 31st May 2007.

New for 2007 the on-site Meet and Greet service allows travelling drivers to draw up to the front of the airport, unload their luggage, hand over their car keys to their personal airport concierge and proceed straight into the terminal to check in for flights. The service is the first of its kind to be operated by an airport in the South West or South Wales.

Passengers who book the service in advance will have their cars collected by a concierge and parked on-site in the airport’s secured parking compound which is protected by both CCTV and number plate recognition systems. The new service will enable busy passengers, families and travellers with disabilities to quickly and easily access the main terminal, safe in the knowledge that their car will be looked after in their absence.

On their return journey passengers simply have to call the concierge team who will arrange for their car to be delivered to the rapid pick up car park, just 100 metres from the terminal, where the concierge will hand over their keys and passengers can quickly head on their way.

www.Parctel.com: East Midlands Airport (EMA) has just been voted ‘Best Airport’ at the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) Awards 2007 at a prestigious ceremony in London.

The annual awards event, hosted by former England rugby centre and 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood, was held recently at Plaisterer’s Hall and brought together hundreds of aviation industry representatives. Last year the ‘Best Airport’ award went to Dubai Airport so the standard was extremely high. The membership of BACA was asked to vote for the best airport they had dealt with over the last year.

It is the fourth time in two years that East Midlands Airport has been hailed as ‘Best UK Airport’ – in 2005, EMA was commended by the TTG British Travel Awards and in 2006, by the Travel Weekly Globe Awards and by Selling Long Haul and Short Breaks magazine respectively.

Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, Penny Coates said,
“This is another great achievement for the whole team at the Airport and it’s fantastic to be recognised in this way, especially on a global platform. It’s a real testament to the hard work that has been put into making East Midlands Airport an excellent international facility for both passengers and freight – something we are all immensely proud of”.

Chairman of the Baltic Air Charter Association, Markham Jackson said,
“I consider that the award for East Midlands Airport is well deserved, as shown by the response of the membership and I would like to congratulate the Airport on this further honour”.

www.Parctel.com: It's a little known fact that PDX is located on a migratory flyway where hundreds of bird species travel every year. This includes hawks, known primarily for extraordinary eyesight and keen sense of awareness.

That's why the Port of Portland's public safety and security department is using the hawk on the cover of a new booklet called the Airport Security Guide. The hawk serves as a symbol for a community watch program for PDX badge holders. The program is called HAWKS, short for Helping Airport Workers Know Security.

The HAWKS program is intended to create a more secure environment for everyone at PDX by enlisting the support of all badge holders as extra “eyes” to observe and report anything that looks suspicious. The guide provides information to help airport workers become an integral part of the airport community’s HAWKS team.

The guide also highlights key badge holder responsibilities and consequences for not upholding these responsibilities.

www.Parctel.com: With increasing numbers of passengers arriving at the airport’s front door, the upper roadway is experiencing more and more congestion. In a move to ease the situation and improve the flow of traffic, airport officials made a change in where commercial vehicles deliver passengers.

Dawn Huddleston, commercial roadway manager with the Port of Portland, said, “You may have noticed a change that took place last month that is helping alleviate a crowded lane at the departure level curbside. All our commercial vehicles – taxis, airport shuttles, limousines, hotel shuttles, buses – are now using the outer lanes on the upper level, much as they do on the lower roadway. It’s made a significant improvement to the traffic flow.”

New Parking, Commercial Vehicle, loading and off loading routes at Portland International

Until last month, commercial vehicles using the upper roadway could use any lane they wished to deliver their passengers. Now, the closest lane to the terminal is for customers’ personal cars – for active loading and unloading only, of course.

www.Parctel.com: Business and leisure travelers will soon have a convenient new way to travel between Portland International Airport and Mexico City.

Effective June 1, Mexicana Airlines adds a new nonstop flight from PDX to Mexico’s largest city and business center. The flight will operate four times a week, departing Portland at 8 a.m., arriving at Mexico City International Airport at 3:15 p.m. The return flight leaves Mexico City at 8:45 p.m. and arrives at PDX at 11:59 p.m.

“This new service will strengthen the existing ties between Mexico and Portland, bringing a huge benefit to the Hispanic residents and those travelers who want to visit and discover other destinations,” said Jorge Goytortua, Mexicana regional vice president of sales and service for the West Coast.

Travelers can also connect in Mexico City to beach destinations and other points in Mexico, as well as Latin America. The new nonstop adds to Mexicana’s existing service connecting PDX and Guadalajara, operating daily at peak times of year.

Parking at Honolulu International Airport should be getting a lot easier by the end of next year when the state expects to complete a new 1,800-stall garage — which is taller and has more stalls than the department envisioned last year.

The state Department of Transportation announced that contractor Dick Pacific was selected to design and build the new garage, which is taller and has more stalls than the department envisioned last year.

The $39.2 million contract calls for the construction of a third airport garage to replace the 250-stall open-air parking lot located between the interisland and overseas terminals.

The new eight-story garage will connect to the interisland terminal garage on the top level with a two-lane traffic bridge and walkways, said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

Source: The Honolulu Advertiser

It is hoped that a new payment system will make it easier for motorists to pay for parking at Owen Roberts International Airport.

The Cayman Islands Airports Authority has announced that customers can now use VISA and Mastercard credit and debit cards, issued from any bank and country, to pay for parking.

David Frederick, Chief Executive Officer of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA), said he believed customers would find the new option useful.

“Quite often customers don’t have the correct change or currency to pay for their parking at the Automated Pay Station machine,” Mr Frederick said. “The option of paying for parking with debit and credit cards will provide greater convenience for both residents and visitors alike.

“We are in the planning stages of upgrading and expanding the airport terminal, and along with the major construction there are small changes such as this that will help ensure Owen Roberts operates in an efficient and customer focused way, using technology to its fullest advantage.”

Customers have the option of paying with credit and debit cards at two locations – either at the yellow Automated Pay Station machines outside of the Arrivals Hall or at the gate as they exit the parking lot.

The CIAA has collaborated with its bank, RBC Royal Bank of Canada, to offer the credit/debit card option.

“RBC Royal Bank of Canada has helped tremendously with the smooth implementation of the credit card capability,” Mr Frederick said. “We’d like to publicly thank them for their assistance.”

Source: Cayman Net News

During the next few months, Detroit Metro Airport plans to add machines to its parking lots that will keep track of parking charges.

If you're paying with a credit card, the machines will eliminate those parking stubs that can be so hard to find. But they'll also replace some parking cashiers.

Here's what readers have to say about the new machines:

• "I park every week at the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport Park Ride.

When they installed that type of machine on those lots ... my expectation was negative but I have been incredibly pleased.

Previously there were always lines for the human attendants whereas now I am always first in line and the time at the machine itself is about a quarter to a third as long as when a human attendant was doing it. In total it probably reduces my time to pay by 10 minutes each trip, which is extremely welcome at midnight or later after a long trip."

Jon Gabrielsen, Smyrna, Ga.

• "Who thought of such a lame idea to use machines to charge airport parking? What is wrong with this money hungry society? May I remind someone that some PEOPLE still have families to support? ... Machines are replacing too many people. Eventually these people with their bright ideas about machines will also be replaced, perhaps by their own machines."

Source: freep.com

www.Parctel.com: POrtland PDX have begun a project to make way for parking and roadway expansion that includes the removal of trees along Airport Way. Attractive new landscaping will follow when construction is completed. The new landscaping, a mix of trees, shrubs, grass and mulch made from the existing trees, has been selected and designed to be less attractive to birds. When it's finished more than 3,000 new parking spaces will have been created.

Construction of a new parking garage for close-in, extended-stay parking will begin this summer and will include new Port offices. The project is slated for completion in early 2010. Workers will begin adding an additional lane in each direction on Northeast Airport Way next summer. Special instructions for motorists are planned as needed when roadway realignment work begins.

www.Parctel.com: London City Airport is planning their annual event the ‘London City Airport Fun Day’. This is the eleventh Airport Fun Day and promises to be yet another awesome family day out, providing plenty of fun for everyone.

Why not make a day of it? You can experience London’s only Air Show, with death defying stunts and acrobatics - it guarantees to have you on the edge of your seat.

For those that want to experience a true adrenaline rush visit ‘Funky World’ to witness the X-Treme Motorcycle Stunt Trial Display Team, who will attempt 15ft jumps up vertical walls, amazing drop-offs and a full range of free-style tricks, which are only attempted by a handful of riders worldwide.

For the younger audience, be sure to visit ‘Kids World’ and ‘Mini World’, where great adventures are just waiting to be had.

After the excitement of ‘Funky World’ and ‘Kids World’, it’s worth making time to visit ‘Real World’ which reflects the world as it is today. You can take part in popular sporting activities, or visit the Motor Show, where you will probably find your dream car.

We have not forgotten the older generation; transport yourself back into the past by visiting ‘Yesterday’s World’, where you can enjoy an afternoon tea dance.

On top of all this don’t miss out on the action at the Main Arena in ‘Entertainment World’, where you can judge the grand final of the ‘All Newham Karaoke Competition’, plus enjoy much, much, more.

The Fun Day has become a very popular community event, very successfully raising money for the Airport’s chosen charity, Richard House Children’s Hospice. Last year the day raised a staggering £20,000. This year, with your help, we hope to raise a great deal more whilst having even more fun.

The following extract is from a blog by Steve Wernick:

When I travel, I usually fly out of the Philadelphia airport. I usually use the Aampco off-airport parking lot, and they’ve recently been bought out by PreFlight Parking. Recently, I had a problem with their service and I wrote out a detailed complaint to their General Manager. He responded with an apology, an offer of a complimentary service, and an invitation to try them again. They were, after all, in the midst of a change-over.

About two weeks ago, I tried the service again. For the longest time, as a frequent parker, I had the charges go directly to a credit card. Earlier this year, I followed their instructions and changed credit cards. That change didn’t make it into their system, leading to another problem as I was leaving their lot – at about 1am. I’d stayed six or seven days, and the charge was under $85.00.

I wrote an email to the GM, telling him about my experience, how I’d gone back to them without asking for any special consideration, and how it didn’t work out. He apologized again, asked me to try their service, and offered a refund of the last charge.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) will soon be installing new state-of-the-art equipment and technology at its on-airport parking facilities that will provide its customers with one of the fastest, most convenient and easiest-to-use airport parking operations in the country.

The new technology, called 1-2-3 Park - Credit Card In / Credit Card Out, will soon allow on-airport parkers to use their credit or debit card to enter and exit DTW's onsite parking facilities, without the need to pull a ticket. The new system will
function much like airline E-ticket machines, or gas station pay-at-the pump, where customers will:

1 - ENTER - by simply inserting their credit/debit card into the lot's new automated 1-2-3 Park entry device. 2 - PARK - there is no ticket needed ... the customer's entry information, including date, time and lot is securely stored in the system. 3 - EXIT - When the customer returns, they simply insert the same credit/debit card into a 1-2-3 Park exit device. The system calculates the correct charges, bills their card, prints a receipt, and they are on their way.

"Our new 1-2-3 Park technology will make on-airport parking just that simple ... as Easy as 1-2-3," said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson. "This new system brings our on-airport parking technology in-line with the needs and demands of our 21st century traveler -- who is looking for convenience, simplicity and speed of service when they come to the airport to travel."

With approximately 70% of Metro airport's parkers already using their credit/debit cards to pay for parking; 1-2-3 Park will bring a new level of convenience and service to DTW's parking customers by eliminating the hassle of pulling and keeping track of a paper ticket stub. It will also eliminate the need for customers to make the extra stop at the existing pay-on-foot machines at the McNamara Terminal, and will keep lanes moving quickly at the lot exit plazas, with dedicated 1-2-3 Park exit queues for those who use the system.

Metro Airport will phase-in the new 1-2-3 Park system later this Spring in the DTW's Green and Yellow Lots, followed shortly thereafter by the Big Blue Deck. The project will be completed by the end of this summer, when the McNamara Terminal Garage incorporates the new technology.

Customers will still have the option to pull a ticket and pay by cash at the exit plaza cashier lanes, if they so choose. But as frequent traveler and industry expert David Beckerman, director of consulting services for BACK Aviation Services, states, "Why would you want to? Most people, especially business travelers, are already paying by credit/debit cards anyway, and keeping track of a ticket stub is just one more thing to worry about. Automated Credit Card In / Out parking systems are the wave of the future, and it's great to see that Detroit Metro Airport is on the leading edge of this new technology."

For more information and details about Detroit Metro Airport's new 1-2-3 Park -- Credit Card In / Credit Card Out technology coming soon ... travelers can visit the airport's website @ http://www.metroairport.com/.

Source: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

If you were to park one million cars end to end, how much room would you need? According to Tom Lombardi, the line would stretch from New York City to Los Angeles. And as president of AirportParkingReservations.com, Lombardi should know -- because his company is about to book its millionth online airport parking reservation sometime this month.

AirportParkingReservations.com began accepting guaranteed reservations -- with the payment of an online deposit -- three and a half years ago. Today travelers can reserve a space at over 200 parking lots located at more then 65 U.S. and Canadian airports.

"When I first spoke to parking lot owners about making reservations online, they thought I was crazy. Who would go to the Internet to book parking?" Lombardi recalls. With a background in travel agency sales and airport parking marketing, he knew that travelers would be happy to reserve parking at the airport if given the proper delivery system. The Internet, he realized, would allow for the consolidation of the independent parking lots and provide the means to issue a confirmation as proof of a guaranteed parking reservation.

Pete Carrea, owner of Winner Parking in Philadelphia, was one of the first to sign on. "I jumped at the idea of attracting new customers through the Internet and AirportParkingReservations.com delivered from day one," he says. "If you're online researching airport parking, you obviously don't know where to park. So it's no surprise that AirportParkingReservations.com is my single biggest source of new customers."

Many of the lots listed on AirportParkingReservations.com offer options for self-parking, valet and/or covered parking. Some even offer an array of car care services, including car wash, detailing and oil change. And all the lots listed provide luggage assistance along with free shuttle service to and from every terminal.

"Our customers repeatedly tell us how thrilled they are to be able to both save money and avoid the stress and inconvenience of driving around searching for a parking space at the airport," says Lombardi. "In fact, I suspect it won't be long before we announce our two millionth reservation."

Parctel acts as an affiliate for AirportParkingReservations.com and promotes their booking engine on this site, click on the Book U.S.A. Airport Parking hyperlink below to book via AirportParkingReservations.com.

www.Parctel.com: The Port of Portland Commission recently approved the addition of a new long-term parking garage at PDX. Atop the garage will be the new Port of Portland headquarters facility.

The structure will be built adjacent to the present parking garage at PDX in a portion of the current long-term parking lot. It will have room for an additional 3,000 vehicles and 500 rental car spaces. Offices on the top three floors will house most Port employees who work now at PDX, as well as employees who work in the current headquarters building in downtown Portland.

The garage has been planned for many years, with the need becoming more apparent with each holiday when all airport parking lots fill to near capacity. As planning proceeded on the new garage, it presented an opportunity to examine the cost and operational benefits of building a new headquarters facility and consolidating the staff in one location.

The Port will not use tax money to fund the new facility, and there will be no increase in airport fees.

Construction on the garage begins this summer. During construction, parking in the long-term parking lot may fill up more quickly. Be sure to check the new signs as you approach the airport on Airport Way, or visit the Port of Portland web site to get an up-to-date status report on parking availability.

A portion of the new garage will open in 2008, and it will be fully open in 2009. The Port headquarters will be complete in spring 2010.

www.Parctel.com: A Leicestershire man who yesterday successfully pulled an Eastern Airways aircraft at East Midlands Airport (EMA) using just his ears has submitted his remarkable achievement for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Manjit Singh (pictured below) from Highfields in Leicester teamed up with award winning UK regional airline to pull the 7.4 tonne Jetstream 41 passenger aircraft 12 feet along the Castle Donington taxiway using his ears.

“I’m so thrilled and happy to have pulled off this new challenge,” said Manjit. “The hardest part was to get the aircraft moving, but once it was, I was able put the pain out of my mind and concentrate on moving it as far as I could. This was definitely the toughest challenge I’ve attempted using my ears.”

East Midlands Airport’s Communications Manager, Ryan Martinez said,
“Manjit is truly amazing…I’ve never quite seen anything like it before, incredible. It was great to be able to offer East Midlands Airport as the venue for this record breaking attempt”.

Darren Roberts, Eastern Airways’ Communications Manager said,
“At first I thought I was hearing things when we were approached, as we’ve taken part in aircraft pulls in the past, but not by anyone using their ears. This is an amazing feat that Manjit has achieved and we’re delighted to have been able to assist him by providing our aircraft.”

Manjit, aged 57, is no stranger to tough challenges and already holds 30 World records including the strongest lungs in the world, pulling a double decker bus with his hair 78.2 metres and lifting 85kgs with his ears.

Sponsorship money was raised by Manjit for the event which will go towards his charity – Manjit Fitness Academy – which plans to give opportunities in sport to children living in Mahilpur, where Manjit was born.

CHRIS JOHNSTON was delighted when he booked a five-week break in the Algarve for just £299.

So you can imagine his fury when he picked up his car at the airport on his return... only to be hit by a bill for £419.

Chris and wife Anna paid £41 for parking before flying out to Portugal. But bungling bosses at Prestwick Airport charged him another £378 when he checked out of the car park.

Retired policeman Chris, 73, and Anna, 68, a retired hospital auxiliary, were switched from a cheap long-stay car park to a short stay one because of building works.

They phoned and wrote to complain after the holiday in March but got nowhere. Chris, of Airdrie, said: "I got bed and breakfast at a four-star hotel for five weeks for £299. But it's hardly a bargain when you're hit with a huge bill for parking.

"I only realised they had taken the money when I got my bank statement a month later."

I got on to the airport and they quickly refunded the £378.

A spokesman said: "We have been working on a series of improvements to our car parks. Unfortunately a small number of customers have been relocated to premium car parks because of the closure of the older car parks.

"In this case an additional charge was made in error and we have offered a full apology to Mr Johnston."

Glad I got them on the right road.

Source: The Sunday Mail

Ampco System Parking, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), has been awarded a multiyear, multimillion dollar contract renewal with Orlando International Airport, which is operated by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. The contract covers all valet and public parking operations for the airport’s parking facilities, encompassing more than 21,000 parking stalls.

“We are pleased to continue serving the airlines, passengers, management and staff at the Orlando International Airport, one of the 10 busiest airports in the nation,” said Rich Kindorf, president of Ampco System Parking. “With our extensive experience in airport and transportation parking operations, we are committed to providing the airport with the type of world-class customer service people have come to expect,” he added.

“We place great emphasis on our ability to provide world-class customer service for our nearly 35 million travelers each year. Key to moving more passengers than any other airport in Florida is our ability to efficiently manage and operate state-of-the-art parking facilities,” says Ron Lewis, director of Airport Operations, Orlando International Airport.

Conveniently located in the heart of Orlando, Florida, Orlando International Airport is served by more than 80 airlines, making travel convenient for more than 30 million passengers annually. Covering an area of almost 15,000 acres, Orlando International Airport encompasses the third largest airport area in the U.S., and has recently been rated as the favorite airport of American travelers according to TripAdvisor.com, the largest travel related community in the world.

Ampco System Parking is an industry leader, operating more than 1,600 lots and garages in 30 states, including parking facilities at or adjacent to such major international airports as Austin, Buffalo, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Honolulu, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Jose and Seattle.

Source: Business Wire
Contact AMPCO

Recently, I had occasion to go across to Scotland on a brief visit. Being aware that there had been some dissatisfaction over parking charges at Aldergrove, and not having used those facilities for several years, I made a point of asking advice from a uniformed security man where I should park for between two and three days.

He recommended that I leave my car in the short stay car park. On my return, I entered my parking card in the paying machine and was taken aback to read that the charge amounted to £28.50.

Fortunately, I had enough cash in my pocket.

The Aldergrove management, or the holder of the parking franchise, is on to a winner, for there's gold under the tarmac.

Perhaps one or the other would like to say what service was provided to me for the 53 hours that would justify the charge of £28.50.

It's about time a Government regulatory body looked into such unjustified overcharging.

Source: L Cardy Carrickfergus. Letters Page, Belfast Telegraph

Stewart Airport – The new found success of Stewart Airport with the recent addition of two major discount airlines has caused an instant problem with the once near-empty parking lot.

The lot is now overflowing with airport officials scurrying to find alternate parking. One extra parking lot, a couple of blocks from the terminal, has been reopened and other parking is planned, said airport spokeswoman Tanya Vanasse.

“They did put in automatic parking machines in the alternate lot, so the process has gotten a little easier for customers to use that alternate lot,” she said. “We have opened up another area that gives us a little additional parking. We have done some things that were quick fixes that make the process easier.” Airport officials are in the process of paving one area to make way for more parking space near the terminal.

In the long term, the airport will explore other alternatives including the possibility of building decked parking.

Source: Mid Hudson News

PASSENGERS at Manchester Airport are to be sent free up-to-the-minute boarding and departure times direct to their mobile phone.

People travelling through Terminal 1 are being offered the flight details, along with special shopping deals and parking information, as part of a pilot scheme launched this week.

As soon as passengers with a Bluetooth-enabled phone arrive at the airport, they will receive a message asking them if they want to receive the information.

If they accept, they can then tap into a system offering the updates. It is aimed at allowing passengers to relax without the need to continually check departure boards.

The airport's director of innovation Yemmi Agbebi said: "This is an incredibly exciting technology which will help make it easier for our passengers to get vital flight information and find out about special offers.

"Most importantly, they can relax and enjoy a meal or visit the shops knowing that any gate information or changes to their departure time will be delivered straight to their palm."
advertisement

Most of the airport's flights to Europe and other package holiday destinations depart from Terminal 1.

If the scheme proves a success, it will be extended to cover flights from Terminal 2, including many to the US, and Terminal 3, where British Airways, Flybe and BMI desks are based.

The technology, developed by Peak Software, could also be extended to other airports across the country. It has been designed to avoid the nuisance factor' for regular fliers by sending only one invitation per month to each mobile phone user.

Source: Andy McFarlane, The Bolton News

www.Parctel.com: On Saturday 21 April 2007, air traffic control operations will move to a state of the art new £50m facility, designed as part of the Terminal 5 project.

Air traffic controllers have undergone an extensive training programme in advance of the move to familiarise themselves with the new view of the airport and new equipment. As a precautionary measure, to ensure the change in operations is undertaken as safely as possible the airport will operate a temporary reduced landing rate.

Reduced landing rates will create additional demand on the peak early morning/evening periods. In order to ease potential disruption, a small number of aircraft will be permitted to arrive early between 5am and 6am in the morning, in addition to the usual flights landing in this period and in the event of a build up of delay, a small number of arrivals and departures after 1130 pm at night.

BAA, NATS and the airlines are working together to ensure that these night time arrivals/departures are kept to a minimum and that normal operations are restored as quickly as possible.

These short term changes are expected to be necessary for a few days after transition.

“We acknowledge that for some local residents this will have an effect on the level of aircraft noise that they experience. We sincerely apologise for the disturbance to local residents during this necessary change to operations.” Mark Bullock, Managing Director said.

www.Parctel.com: A brand new route from Southampton to Frankfurt has launched today. The start of the new route means that business travellers can now fly from Southampton to four key European hubs, including; Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.

Nick-named ‘Bankfurt’, Frankfurt is largely considered to be the financial hub of Germany, home to the Central European Bank and over 400 banking institutions. Over 12 million visitors travel to Frankfurt annually for international trade fairs and conventions. In addition, the city is rich in history and culture, and provides excellent shopping facilities, including Christmas markets during December.

Kathy Slack, Area Director for South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA), commented: “I am delighted to see further expansion of routes into Germany. Our recent Regional Economic Strategy for the South East has highlighted the need for businesses to be globally competitive and this development will help businesses and the significant growth area of South Hampshire gain a competitive advantage.”

James Chestnutt, the Director General Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is great news for the Airport, Flybe and the Southampton and regional business community. Frankfurt is a very important business centre and a significant addition to the Airports offer of business destinations. We can now fly to four of the biggest European business cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, as well as many other destinations. This excellent news further enhances Southampton’s position as the regional city in which to do business.“

Stephen Myatt, Aerospace & Airport - International Trade Sector Adviser, UK Trade & Investment - Team South East, said: “In my role as the international trade advisor of aerospace and airports, I welcome the news. We work closely with the UK commercial officers at the UK Embassy and Consulates in Germany. We have much experience in dealing with the German market and in assisting companies using the routes for their German market development.”

Chris Butler, Managing Director at Southampton Airport, said: “A recent survey conducted by law firm Bond Pearce, highlighted that 95% of Hampshire companies are in favour of the growth of Southampton Airport. This new route is excellent news for the region’s businesses, and will further strengthen our connections throughout Europe.”

www.Parctel.com: Pupils at the Bedfont Junior School returned from their Easter break to find that the school had undergone a spring clean. A group made up of parents, teachers and over 25 staff from BAA Heathrow spent two days painting outside play areas, corridors and reception of the school in Hatton Road, East Bedfont.

The painting was organised by school governor and BAA Heathrow staff member Rachel Heydon, who not only arranged for painting supplies and refreshments to be donated by companies from across the airport, but also for four Community Support Officers and some of the school’s pupils to drop by and lend a hand.

“Painting the school was not only rewarding for all who took part, but also great fun. By getting some of the kids involved, I think we ended up with more paint on us than on the walls!” said Rachel Heydon.

The event was part of a long standing connection between the airport and schools in Bedfont. In 2006, BAA’s T5 charity donated over £3,000 to the Infant and Nursery school to replace books damaged books after a fire in the library. Volunteers from the airport regularly go into the school to help children read.

“Bedfont Junior School is an important part of the local community and it’s great to see the parents, teachers and young people getting together with BAA to help make their school better” said Alan Keen, Feltham and Heston MP who attended the event.

Rachel and her team will be organising another painting event at the school in June/July 2007, and people who want to take part should contact Rachel directly on rachel_heydon[at]baa.com.

www.Parctel.com: More than 10,000 people are using the Nottingham Skylink bus every week according to new statistics released today (17 April 2007).

Passenger numbers have increased by more than 100% year-on-year, since the service was launched back in May 2004. Between 2 April 2006 and 25 March 2007, 425,481 customers travelled to and from East Midlands Airport on the Skylink, compared to 216,463 the previous year (05/06).

East Midlands Airport Bus Partnership Spokeswoman, Kelly McHugh said,
“We’re really pleased that the Nottingham Skylink service is doing so well. These new figures show that more people are choosing public transport as a good, environmentally friendly way of getting to and from the Airport. The service is also widely used by many people working at the Castle Donington site and being 24 hours means that more job opportunities are closer to employees who live in the city”.

Fares start at £5.00 per adult. Couples and groups of up to six people can purchase a family ticket priced at £8.00, or for unlimited travel on the tram and other Nottingham City Transport services to connect onto the Skylink, can purchase a Family Day Network ticket at £8.50*.

The Nottingham Skylink picks up in the city centre at Friar Lane and the railway station. You can also catch it along its route at Trent Bridge, Wilford Lane and Clifton.

For more information call Skylink on 0115 950 60 70 or visit www.skylink.co.uk

www.Parctel.com: A bus service linking East Midlands Airport with surrounding villages Melbourne and Swadlincote has recently had its operating hours boosted thanks to funding from the Airport.

The Airlink 69 service now operates hourly from 4am to 11pm, with another service operating at 1am. During the new late night and early morning times, the service operates further a field to Church Gresley, Castle Gresley and Linton. The new timetable came into place on 25 March 2007.

East Midlands Airport Bus Partnership Spokeswoman, Kelly McHugh, said
“We are delighted that the service can now operate during the night. There has been a great response from employers who can now recruit from these areas for late night shifts. It will also benefit our Airport passengers on early morning flights.”

The Airlink 69 is operated by Arriva Midlands and runs 7 days a week, with fares starting at £3.

www.Parctel.com: The City Council of Oakland, California, has recently approved the purchase of 500 Cale MPC 104 solar powered multi-space terminals, accepting coins and credit cards, the latter to be processed on-line.

The first 500 terminals will be installed as soon as possible, as the city is keen to have the terminals installed and operational.

Once the parking operation of the central commercial areas of Oakland has been transformed from single space meters to parking terminals, the city will then consider how to expand the installation programme further and will work with Cale to replace the remaining single-space parking meters in the city, currently totalling 7700.

The Parking Director in Oakland, Francine Larkrith-Thompson and her staff have worked tirelessly to bring multi-space parking terminals to Oakland and Cale is proud to have her as a long-term partner.

Related Stories: Solar Powered Parking
Green Parking Solution

www.Parctel.com: Austrian-based SKIDATA AG, a member of the Swiss Kudelski Group and international leader in access management and ticketing, has been selected to replace the parking management system at Munich Airport. The contract calls for the replacement of more than 100 entrance and exit columns, and around 70 pay-on-foot machines. 20 of the payment machines are designed specifically for quick cashless payment. The project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2009, marks the continuation of the successful cooperation between SKIDATA AG and long-standing customer Munich Airport. The first SKIDATA® parking management system was installed at the then new Munich Airport back in 1992.

Fritz Steinlehner, head of parking management at the airport, commented the decision by saying, "Be-ing able to provide smooth, easy passenger parking is absolutely crucial at an international hub like Munich Airport. Based on our highly positive experience with SKIDATA so far, we went with them again, as we know them to be a reliable provider of innovative solutions that come fully prepared for future technologies."

Says Robert Weiskopf, a board member and head of the Car Access unit at SKIDATA: "The require-ments at Germany's second-largest airport are very complex. Their passenger car park is one of the largest in Europe, which requires the latest and most powerful technical equipment available."

The SKIDATA® solution supports every possible convenience, from a parking guidance system to closed-circuit TV and intercom systems at all entrances and exits, and even single-space recognition throughout the car park. All of these applications interface seamlessly and can be centrally controlled and monitored. The contactless badges used by airport staff were also easily integrated in the SKI-DATA® system.

www.JustParking.co.uk: A new, 400-space, Castlegate multi-storey car park opened on Monday, April 16, to become the third Q-Park car park in the city – introducing a ‘cluster’ system where all three car parks, including the Riverside and Station multi-storey car parks, share facilities, services and payment options, as well as high standards of safety and security.

The cluster system has been developed by Yorkshire-based Q-Park to offer motorists a real choice in a very competitive market, at the same time as raising the standard of customer service and security.

The cluster in Sheffield includes a wide range of payment options including residential and corporate season tickets, weekenders and overnights.

The opening of Castlegate marks the first time that Sheffield will have ever experienced such high standards of car parking. For motorists, the new services begin with the distinctively uniformed Q-Park hosts who not only man the Lodges at each car park, but also maintain a highly visible presence to help and offer advice to drivers and their passengers. Q-Park will also be introducing its free loans of baby buggies and umbrellas, as well as installing a heart defibrillator in the Lodge and a range of driving aids.

CCTV cameras will monitor movements within the car park, with images displayed in the Hosts’ Lodge and also at Q-Park’s Central Control Room, where they are recorded and held. Security is also enhanced through the use of the latest computer technology for barriers and payment machines.

As a result of the security measures the new Q-Park Castlegate car park will open with the award of the independent ParkMark certificate and the European Standard Parking Award.

In the coming months work will start on another new multi-storey car park at St. Paul’s, in the heart of the city, making Sheffield the first city in the UK to have a cluster of four Q-Park car parks.

“The opening of Castlegate and the launch of the Sheffield cluster marks a standard of car parking that the city has never known before. It is not just a new, high level of service for motorists, but it also complements the major regeneration in the city and provides services to meet increased demands,” says Q-Park Chief Executive Alan Ashbee.

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Monday unanimously awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to manage parking at Los Angeles International and Van Nuys airports, rejecting strenuous objections from competing bidders.

The board, which also oversees LA/Ontario International and LA/Palmdale Regional airports, considered the contract in closed session because of concern about a possible lawsuit.

Afterward, the board voted to give a three-year contract to New South Parking, with the option to renew the agreement for two more years. The contract will cost the airports agency $122 million over five years.

Staff reports recommended New South Parking because its projected costs over three and five years were the lowest. Five Star Parking, which currently manages parking at LAX and Van Nuys airports, submitted the next-lowest bid.

The contract at LAX, which is to expire at the end of May, is highly coveted, reflecting about 7 million parking transactions annually. Some lobbyists at Monday's meeting called the LAX contract one of the largest in the country.

Last year, Five Star Parking collected more than $75 million for the airports.

Steve McCormick, New South Parking's vice president, said his company has a track record of managing airport parking lots. He said it has increased revenues at some of the lots it oversees, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Several lawyers and representatives of the four competing bidders questioned whether the award of the contract followed procedures set by the state.

Five Star Parking lawyer Louis "Skip" Miller, citing language in staff reports, said the board should give greater emphasis to a bidder's proposed operating costs per hour than to the bidder's overall operating costs.

Five Star Parking submitted a lower hourly bid than New South Parking, even though its overall bid was almost $4 million more than New South Parking's.

Lawyers for other firms also expressed concern over how New South Parking would treat employees. They said the winning bid included significantly less money for security guards and porters than the other four.

"We believe the only way New South Parking could do this is to reduce existing wages and benefits or to replace existing employees with new employees for lower wages and benefits," said Treva Metoyer-Walker, chief executive of Universal Parking, which oversees about 25 porters at LAX. "Either way, the employees lose."

But Ray Whitmer, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 911, said all bidders for the contract had agreed to honor existing wages and collective bargaining agreements.

"We fully expect [New South Parking] will live up to its commitment to us," said Whitmer, whose union represents about 700 parking lot workers at LAX, Van Nuys and Ontario airports.

Source: Charles Proctor, LA Times

www.Carpark-Fly.com: Anyone planning to park at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) can obtain real-time parking availability information prior to arriving at the Airport.

SurePark(TM), MSP's new, up-to-the-minute parking availability information system, offers customers three methods for retrieving parking availability information for both the Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals' general and short-term parking ramps.

SurePark(TM) is fast, convenient and free. Customers can log on, call in or request a text message:

1. Log-on: www.mspairport.com/msp/parking/realtime.aspx- to view parking availability percentages

2. Call in: 1-877-FLY-PARK (1-877-359-7275) for an audible parking availability message

3. Text message: call 1-877-FLY-PARK from a text-enabled communications device and press 5 to request a text message be sent within a user-specified number of minutes

Customers who wish to receive a text message can simply choose that option from the 1-877-FLY-PARK menu and then key in the number of minutes from that time that they would like to receive an updated message. Parking rates and facility information are also available online and audibly via the FLY-PARK telephone number.

"The Metropolitan Airports Commission is dedicated to seeking out innovative, high-tech means for helping customers to keep informed and stay on schedule," says Arlie Johnson, assistant airport director for landside operations. "The SurePark(TM) system is a first-of-its-kind for an airport parking program, as is our very successful ePark(R) convenient self payment method."

Use of MSP's parking facilities is at an all-time high, with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays being particularly busy. Customers who use the SurePark(TM) system will know in advance if the Lindbergh Terminal parking facilities are full or nearly full, so they have time to plan ahead and park at the Humphrey Terminal.

"Travelers who park at the Humphrey Terminal ramp but will be boarding their flight at the Lindbergh Terminal should allow an extra 30 minutes to park and take the shuttle to the Lindbergh Terminal," said Johnson. This free shuttle bus operates between the Humphrey and Lindbergh Terminals every 10 minutes. The shuttle bus stop is located in the Ground Transport Center on the ground level of the Humphrey Terminal parking ramp.

Scheduled to open in July 2008, a new parking ramp, currently under construction and adjacent to the existing Humphrey Terminal parking ramp, will add 4,300 parking spaces at MSP.

For more information, visit www.mspairport.com.

www.Parctel.com: It’s been confirmed that the passenger whose abandoned baggage caused a major security alert at Durham Tees Valley Airport on 12 April has been interviewed by security services—including the FBI—on her arrival in the United States.

Meanwhile both the Airport and police say that the arrangements for dealing with yesterday’s incident worked well—but they have stressed the need for people not to be irresponsible in leaving luggage unattended…and to raise the alarm if they notice anything untoward.

Said Chief Inspector Bill Dutton of Durham Police “We have established that the owner of the suspect case was travelling from Durham Tees Valley to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and then on to Atlanta. When challenged at check-in at Durham Tees Valley over overweight hand luggage it appears that she decanted some items and then simply abandoned one of her bags.

“The army bomb disposal team used their remote robot vehicle to open the case which was found to contain only travel brochures.

“On arrival in Atlanta the passenger was met by a number of different security organisations—including the FBI—and interviewed for some two hours. It was established that there was no criminal intent but she was certainly made aware of the problems she had caused.

“Our arrangements for dealing with incidents of this kind worked efficiently and smoothly, but the thoughtless actions of one individual caused disruption to the travel arrangements for many hundreds of people and underline the importance of people acting sensibly and not leaving luggage unattended.”

Added Airport Managing Director Hugh Lang “We were grateful for the way in which the police and the bomb disposal team handled the incident and worked with our own staff in dealing with a potentially very difficult situation. Inevitably it did lead to significant disruption for passengers but I am sure they recognised the need to put safety as our paramount concern.

“What this underlines it the need for people to take into account the regulations on luggage—including weight and size restrictions—and act responsibly when travelling…in the interests of safety and security not just for themselves but their fellow passengers and staff.”

It’s nothing illegal, but there’s definitely some monkey business going on near a South Florida Airport. There’s no smuggling involved and nothing that customs wouldn’t approve of.

Wild monkeys are—well—monkeying around the Park ‘N Fly lot near Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. But the big question is, where are they coming from?

Employees and travelers using the lot have noticed the wild monkeys, walking around, swinging and going up trees in the area of the discount parking lot.

The primates from Africa are called Vervet Monkeys and they have been on this Broward County territory for decades.

"They are escapees from a roadside attraction, about 40 years ago that went out of business," said Shelby Via, of the Wildlife Care Center.

How the monkeys have survived, one can only speculate that a Chiquita produce packing plant and some trees that produce berries are their main sources of food.

Source: Carey Codd, CBS4.com
Click this link to see the Monkeys

Motorists have been hit by 10-fold increases in parking charges in parts of the country - at a time when fines have also soared to record levels.

Research commissioned by motor insurer Direct Line found average charges jumped 40 per cent from 86p for two hours in 2000 to £1.21.

But in some areas the rises were even bigger with prices rising from 10pence for two hours to £1.08 in parts of Hertfordshire - an increase of more than 1,000 per cent.

The survey found a quarter of car-owners said the extortionately high prices were forcing them to "knowingly park illegally".

Almost six million motorists received parking tickets in the past two years as drivers attempt to avoid the car park fee hikes.

One in six (17 per cent) of Britain's 33.8 million drivers were penalised as parking charges surged and councils cashed in on new powers to fine offending vehicles.

Motorists in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, were hit by the highest price rise from 10p for two hours in 2000 to £1.08 last year.

They were followed by drivers in the leafy upmarket Northumbrian dormitory village of Ponteland near Newcastle - home of former England striker Alan Shearer - where the price for parking for two hours has risen from 20p to £2.00 for two hours.

Drivers in St Mary's Bay in Kent have seen charge rise from 17p to £1.60 for two hours, with stockbroker belt Gerrards Cross residents enduring rises from 30p to £2.49 for two hours.

Even Prince Charles's hometown of Tetbury in Gloucestershire has seen parking charges soar from 30p to £1.46.

The most expensive place overall in the UK to park is Westminster in London - with an average £7.99 on for two hours – though fees in the capital can be as high as £10 an hour.

Westminster was followed by Islington (£7.32 an hour) and Heathrow Airport (£7.02 an hour).

But even outside the capital - and still among the top 20 worst offenders - tourists to the Lake District should watch out for charges of £3.84 for hours at Bowness on Windermere, while Manchester hits £3.68, Chester £3.49, Cardiff and Leeds £3.35, Birmingham£3.27, Reading £3.20 and Darlington £3.00.

The Direct Line Research showed that, nationally, drivers pay an average of £10.27 a month at car parks – equivalent to £123.24 a year and £4.2 billion in total across the country.

The report revealed that 5.7 million motorists have been fined an average of £74 since the beginning of 2005.

And it said councils coined in £425 million as penalties of up to £120 were doled out by traffic wardens.

More than one in five – 22 per cent – said lack of spaces forces them to park illegally and risk a fine.

Half say they steer clear of expensive car parks on principle against "extortionate" car park charges. About 1 in 8 (13 per cent) claim they cannot afford to pay exorbitant rates.

Councils are also under fire for actively removing car parking spaces in a bid to deter families from driving into town centres.

Direct Line's Emma Holyer said: "Parking is a bone of contention for most drivers. It is an absolute nightmare in some places.

"A lot of councils employ private parking companies who are simply in it to make money."

Miss Holyer added: "Our research shows that rocketing costs and limited spaces are forcing drivers to break the law. It is outrageous. There are less and less parking spaces and more and more charges."

The figures follow a recent report that showed the number of fines quadrupled in five years as more councils took over responsibility for parking enforcement from the police – up to 139 authorities in 2005.

Three-quarters of the 2,468 adults questioned by YouGov for the new survey insisted there are not sufficient parking spaces for the UK's 33.3 million vehicles – including 26.5 million cars.

Paul Watters of the AA said: "Motorists are being milked by councils as cash-cows. This has increased dramatically as councils have been given powers to run privatised wardens and keep the cash. It's win-win for councils who set high paring charges and then send out a parking attendant around every corner.

"But motorists would be mad to try and avoid high parking charges by parking illegally."

Source: This Is London

PRIVATE COMPANIES offering parking for people travelling to and from Larnaca Airport are making big profits by taking advantage of the lack of adequate public transport on the island.

With an agreement in principle between the Municipalities Union and the Government Planning Department in February to create a viable transport system from city centres to the island’s airports yet to come into force, alternative services are being provided.

According to a recent report in Greek daily Politis, even though private companies that have acquired or are renting large acres of land near Larnaca Airport are providing people with an alternative to using taxis, such services are mostly used by businessmen that are regular travellers.

There are currently five such companies located within 10 minutes from the Larnaca Airport. The five companies are ‘You fly, we drive’, ‘G Theo’, ‘Stop and fly’, ‘Sky Park’ and ‘Drive & Fly’. The latter has the most experience in the field, as it has already been operating for a decade.

The prices vary considerably from company to company and are formulated according to customer preference. Some companies like ‘Sky Park’ do not offer customers the service of picking up their car from the airport but will provide transport to and from the airport free of charge.

‘Stop and Fly’ provides the cheapest deal, offering customers parking in an open space for £1.50 a day. Each company however provides various packages and in most cases, a car wash is included in the price.

According to Politis, these companies have increased their customer base mostly through word of mouth, with the manager of ‘Sky Park’ – operating for three and a half years now – saying, “every customer we have had has brought us another one”.

Another alternative for people travelling is to park at the Larnaca Airport at a charge of £5 for the first five days. From the sixth day onwards the price drops to £3.30.

General Manager of the Government Planning Department, Andreas Moleskis, recently told the Cyprus Mail that the lack of options regarding public transport to and from the airports was a major deterrent for people wishing to come to Cyprus.

“It is not possible for someone coming to Cyprus from Greece or other neighbouring countries for £50 and then needing the same amount of money to arrive at his destination which is located elsewhere on the island,” he said.

Athos Germanos from the Municipalities Union said in February that if everything went according to plan, the proposal on public transport from various points in towns to the airports, designed to raise the quality of service to tourists and Cypriots travelling abroad, would be in place by 2008.

Source: By Nassos Stylianou, Cyprus Mail

www.Parctel.com: Passengers will soon have safer and improved access to the airport's front door. Beginning April 16, commercial vehicles - taxis, airport and hotel shuttles, limousines and buses - will only be allowed to use the outer lanes of the upper level roadway in front of the terminal.

In the past, commercial vehicle drivers arriving at the departure level could use any lane they wished including the lane next to the terminal building. Now, the closest lane to the terminal is for private vehicles - for active loading and unloading only. We hope this improved traffic flow will make it easier for you to drop-off and pick-up family, friends and business associates at PDX.

www.Parctel.com: Today, Liverpool John Lennon Airport saw the launch of a brand new children's storybook written by Nicky Lees, JLA's Chaplain. The colourful storybook called 'Wack and the Airport Palm Tree' went on sale at JLA soon after the book was unveiled at a ceremony next to the John Lennon statue.

The imaginative tale is about a young mouse called Wack and his family living under the John Lennon statue, who help make a dream come true for Toby, the Airport's tug. The book is a small tale of friendship, the Airport and Airport Life. The idea came about as Nicky often shows school visits around the Prayer Room and as the children ask her so many questions, Nicky thought she could answer them by writing a fictional tale.

Nicky Lees has been Airport Chaplain since 2003 and her role is to be there for all passengers, staff or visitors whatever their need may be. Nicky, has worked with children for 20 years and has wrote poetry and other short stories but this is her first published book.

Nicky Lees, Airport Chaplain at JLA, said:

“I'm absolutely delighted to see the storybook finally launched at today's ceremony. The John Lennon statue is a symbol of the Airport and since it was unveiled in 2001 it has been photographed on so many occasions it has now become a recognisable landmark. Having the tale centred around the John Lennon statue just seemed so fitting and from a child's perspective having mice living under the statue is very believable, that's why I thought it would be fun to write the tale. Culture takes many forms and this latest venture is another contribution by the Airport to the Capital of Culture Year in 2008.”

Young passengers Oliver and Carlos Clarke, aged 5 and 4 were the first passengers to hear Wack's tale. The pair were travelling back home to Madrid after spending ten days on holiday with their grandparents in Shropshire when they spotted Wack the mouse by the John Lennon statue and were delighted to have a reading by the author herself.

Wack and the Airport Palm Tree comes complete with a fluffy toy mouse, exclusive to JLA and is now on sale at Impressions of Liverpool and at other retailers based at JLA over the coming months. Local football fans may be interested to know that there are two mice characters available to buy - Wack and Scruff, one with a blue scarf and one with a red one.

www.Parctel.com: Unique pleasure flight operator, Air Atlantic Classic Flight, are giving the people of Yorkshire the chance of an unforgettable experience from 19th to 22nd April by offering pleasure flights from Leeds Bradford Airport in a vintage DC-3 Dakota aircraft.

Classic Flight has been operating these unique pleasure flights for some years and their fleet includes a range of vintage military and commercial aircraft including the Chipmunk, Anson and Tiger Moth.

The DC-3 Dakota aircraft has a particularly special link with Leeds Bradford Airport as they were used by BKS, the first scheduled airline to operate from ‘Yeadon Aerodrome’, back in 1955.

American Airlines were the first to use the Douglas DC-3 commercially in 1936 and then with the advent of the war, orders for the DC-3 poured in from both the military and commercial Airlines. Between 1935 and 1947 Douglas had built a total of 10,654 DC-3’s and now, 63 years later there are still almost a 1,000 in flying condition.

Today, the DC-3 is still finding its greatest use in specialised roles with some third world military forces and is commercially useful in some back country and bush areas particularly because of its operating costs, its ability to perform from rough fields and with its low maintenance.

Richard Parr from Classic Flight says, “Flying in a vintage aircraft is a truly unique experience as they all have their own distinctive characteristics. The DC-3 Dakota is an iconic aircraft representing as it does the men whose first experience of battle was to jump out of them, or on more peaceful missions dropping vitally needed supplies in far flung parts of the globe.”

“Climbing aboard up the slope of this tail dragger and then to hear the throaty reverberation of the P&W Twin wasp radials is just fantastic.”

At a cost of only £55, a flight on a vintage DC-3 Dakota is a fantastic experience for any aircraft enthusiast or a unique gift for that special occasion.

Vintage DC-3 Dakota - part of Classic Flights Fleet

www.Parctel.com: The number of passengers using Exeter International Airport in the past twelve months has reached one million. This is an increase of 15 per cent on the previous twelve months and makes Exeter one of the fastest growing airports in the UK.

To mark this historic milestone, the airport identified Helen Veale who was flying from the airport on Tuesday 10 April 2007 and she became the first ever Millionth Passenger in one Year.

Helen, who was travelling with partner Michael and daughter Ellie Star were notified of their significance after check-in and given vouchers for travel and shopping plus free parking at the airport. Before boarding the First Choice aircraft to Tenerife the 'special' passengers were also given a bottle of Champagne together with a certificate which stated their importance. When asked by the TV and newspaper reporters how she felt about being the one millionth passenger, Helen replied, "Its not what I expected when we left our home in Cornwall this morning... it was a great surprise when we heard that we were special and the gifts have been wonderful."

John Spooner, Acting Managing Director for Exeter International Airport said: "This is a momentous occasion in the history of the airport. The airport welcomed it first flight 70 years ago but the growth in passenger traffic has been phenomenal in recent years." The airport's growth has been significant since since the spring of 2004 and the introduction of Flybe scheduled services. In that year the airport had a 70% passenger number increase and reached the landmark of a half million passengers for the period."

Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer for, Exeter based airline, Flybe said: "Flybe has been responsible for nearly three quarters of the passengers that have made up the million and we congratulate the airport on attaining this landmark figure in its growth."

The airport offers 23 scheduled service routes, which will soon be increased to 25 and a similar number of summer charter holiday destinations from Exeter. This year travellers from the south west will also have the choice of two carriers on the route to Toronto.

Helen Veale, travelling partner, Michael and Helen's Daughter, Ellie Star.

www.Parctel.com: Passenger numbers have increased by 5.5% at Southampton Airport, with over 146,400 passengers travelling during the month of March 2007. The summer schedule has kicked off with the announcement of 3 brand new routes to Nice and Frankfurt with Flybe, and to Verona with Inghams.

A new route from Southampton to Nice in France began on 25th March. The destination will be served 4 times a week by Flybe, and there are now 12 French destinations available from Southampton Airport.

Flights to Frankfurt will begin on 16th April with Flybe. The route will mean that travellers can now access 3 key German destinations, including Dusseldorf and Hanover, with 25 direct flights from Southampton each week. Flybe flights can be booked online by visiting www.flybe.com or calling 0871 522 6100.

Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Flybe, comments: “As Europe’s largest regional airline committed to boosting local economies, Flybe is delighted to see continued growth in regional air travel as travellers avoid the lengthy journey times into London airports, opting for more convenient, local departure points. Flybe has significantly increased its presence at Southampton over the past year, introducing exciting new domestic and European routes, so it’s great to see passenger numbers increasing as the public take advantage of the wealth of travel options available."

Inghams have also announced a weekly flight to Verona in Italy from 14th May this year. Lynsey Devon, Public Relations Manager from Inghams, said: "We are thrilled to introduce the first direct flight from Southampton to the Italian city of Verona from May this year. Inghams now offers a choice of 11 resorts around Lake Garda, which is a popular summer destination and the largest of northern Italy's great lakes.” Inghams holidays can be booked online by visiting www.inghams.co.uk or by calling 020 8780 4433.

Travellers can now fly from Southampton to 47 destinations around the UK, Europe and Channel Islands. Further information on all of the flights on offer from Southampton can be found online at www.southamptonairport.com or by contacting the dedicated Timetable Hotline on 023 8062 7098 to receive a free copy of the programme for Summer 2007.

www.Parctel.com: Birmingham International Airport (BIA) handled 673,515 passengers during March, including 549,575 scheduled passengers and 123,940 charter passengers spread across the two passenger terminals; a decrease of 0.2% over the previous year.

John Morris, Head of Corporate and Community Affairs said: “March reflected a slight decrease in passenger figures here at Birmingham International Airport. With the cancellation of some of the BA Connect flights this impacted on the figures. Following Flybe’s acquisition of BA Connect and having now moved their operation to Terminal 2 we are looking forward to a positive summer with flybe and all of our airlines.”

In March, growth was achieved on Non EU of 14.3% and the Irish Republic 0.9%. Long Haul routes continue their positive trend with an increase of 16.7% on Asia traffic and +4.6% on Transatlantic flights.

As part of its long-range financial planning, a Richmond airport oversight group yesterday discussed raising the garage's daily parking rate by $2 -- from $10 to $12. The increase is needed, officials said, to generate more revenue to finance construction of a $55 million garage.

"No one ever likes to raise parking rates, but it looks like we're heading in that direction if we want enough parking," said Robert F. Norfleet Jr., chairman of the airport's finance and audit committee.

The committee discussed various options -- including phasing in the $2 increase over two years -- that will be considered at the April 24 meeting of the Capital Region Airport Commission.

If approved, it would be the airport's first parking-rate increase since 1999, officials said. The regional airport does not receive local tax revenue and must generate all of its operating income and much of its capital-improvement money.

The $2 increase could take effect July 1. Or the airport commission could approve a $1 increase for July, with another $1 increase next year.

The $6 economy-lot rate would not change. Neither would the short-term parking rate of $2 per hour in the garage.

The commission is considering the increase to cover the costs of a $55 million bond issue this fall to build a 2,600-space garage beside the north garage. That space is now used for surface parking.

Given the airport's recent record growth -- including a single-day record of 6,822 passengers boarding last Friday -- officials said the clock is ticking to meet growing demand.

The airport's 4,000 parking-garage spaces typically are at least 70 percent full, but "there are days during holidays when they are 100 percent," said Jon Mathiasen, the airport's president and chief executive.

Despite the economy lots with $6-a-day rates, business travelers remain fond of parking closer to the airport terminal.

"I very much want us to stay ahead of the parking curve," said commission Chairman Beverley "Booty" Armstrong.

The finance committee pondered whether a rate increase might drive some travelers to the economy lots, resulting in a loss of revenue. But Mathiasen said he doubts that most travelers would change their habits.

"I think it will have an impact on a very, very small percentage of people," he said. "I don't think it will affect our frequent fliers."

Parking revenue generates more than 43 percent of the airport's annual operating revenue of $36.9 million. A $2 increase would add about $1 million in revenue in fiscal 2008, which starts July 1 - enough to cover the long-term debt needed to build a garage.

Source: Chip Jones, Daily Progress

With another storm looming Sunday, record crowds at the Portland International Jetport, and flight delays increasing across the nation, officials are warning travelers to prepare for busy highways, airports and parking lots.

"We are running at 80 to 90 percent capacity" in the airport parking lots, said Jeff Monroe, Portland's director of transportation.
Monroe said the airport garages will probably fill up this weekend and travelers will be directed to the remote lot.

Although shuttle service is fairly frequent from the remote lot, it can add 20 to 25 minutes to a trip, said Greg Hughes, airport marketing manager. The 2,762 spaces available at the airport and remote lots have never reached capacity, but airport officials are encouraging passengers to avoid parking at the airport if possible.
Record numbers of passengers are flying in and out of Portland's airport this year. In January, 102,331 passengers went through the airport, and in March there were 122,218 passengers. The only reason February failed to set a record was a big snowstorm that shut down Jet Blue and other air traffic for days, Hughes said.

Hughes said the airport will get even busier this summer, when the daily average of roughly 2,465 seats on flights in and out of the airport jumps by 600 to 700 seats. Jet Blue, Northwest Airlines and AirTran Airways will add flights in June.

Source: BETH QUIMBY, Portland Press Herald

www.Carpark-Fly.com: Presently at Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) anyone can download a coupon good for discounts or free days in the airport's parking garage or long term parking lot.

Anyone who has a parking receipt dated between October 1, 2006 and April 8th, 2007 has until April 16th to submit an entry form for a chance to win a new Tahoe or Corvette car from a local dealer.

Register Your Parking Receipt HERE.

SOUTHAMPTON is one of the most expensive places to park in the south of England, according to a new report.

A survey of parking charges showed that while airports topped the table as the priciest places to park, Southampton's Portland Terrace car park came in at seventh.

The figures, produced by car park workers' union GMB, put Luton Airport in first place with one hour's parking costing £6.50 and up to four hours running at £26.
advertisement

Heathrow and Gatwick came in second, third and fourth with prices ranging from £3 per hour to £3.90, and Brighton came in fifth and sixth at £2.80 per hour.

However, Portland Terrace came seventh, also at £2.80 per hour (which works out at between 4p to 5p per minute) or £11.20 for four hours, while the city's Charlotte Place car park also crept in at 24th place with £1.50 an hour or £6 for four hours.

Rob Kelsall, from GMB, said: "The charges demonstrate the extent to which car parks are being used to extract money from motorists."

Source: Chris Semple, This Is Hampshire Network

Editors Note: The savvy parker, books in advance and online and saves up to 60%. Try one of our sponsors below for a quote on Airport Parking.

www.Parctel.com: Parking structures are vast solar traps and ideal for the use of alternative forms of energy production, thereby redusing our carbon footprint and, hopefully, slowing down global warming. The construction, at California State University, Fresno of a solar panel-topped parking structure system Chevron Energy Solutions, a Chevron (NYSE: CVX) subsidiary, is surely a step in the right direction and something that airport carparks must consider in the future.

Photovoltaic panels installed atop 10 metal shelters that will shade more than 700 parking spaces from the San Joaquin Valley sun, will convert the sun's energy into 1 megawatt of electricity. That's about 20 percent of the university's base demand and equivalent to the power needs of 1,000 homes, said Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Fresno State vice president for administration and chief financial officer.

The $11.9-million project received approval from the California State University Board of Trustees last summer and is scheduled for completion by this fall.

The work will be done in phases to minimize the impact of parking lot closings on students.

Phase 1 will start with renovation of the south part of student parking Lot V, which is at Woodrow and Shaw avenues, directly west of the Student Recreation Center, said Bob Boyd, associate vice president for facilities management.

University Police Department is working with the contractors and Save Mart Center officials to minimize the impact of the project on big events at the arena by opening some of the construction area to parking. Most events, however, occur in evenings when there are the fewest students, faculty and staff on campus. A substantial part of the work will occur after Commencement (May 19) and the end of spring semester classes, which decreases parking demand.

Using alternative power will ease the burden on local power supplier Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and the entire California power grid, especially during peak electricity demand periods such as those that occur during very hot weather. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by power generating plants.

Fresno State President John D. Welty said the solar power project is "a great example" of the university's goal to "lead the way in helping to advance sustainability initiatives and utilize scarce natural resources."

"Solar power is an important resource in the global energy portfolio," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "Through this project, Fresno State is demonstrating that clean, renewable power is commercially viable and growing in demand."

The photovoltaic solar project is in keeping with our Strategic Plan and is part of our comprehensive Campus Master Plan currently in progress.

"The Strategic Plan addresses our need to become a more environmentally aware campus by expanding recycling, sustainability in building design and construction, improved energy efficiency and environmental education," said Teniente-Matson.

This project also is integrated with the educational mission of the university, aligned with the College of Engineering and the Physics Department. In both of those areas, an information kiosk will provide online, real time status of the photovoltaic production, conversion and electricity output.

"All aspects of this project will expand and enhance our campus education on sustainability and our community's knowledge of solar energy while reducing our energy cost for the next 30 years," said Teniente-Matson.

The solar-power project is just one of the university's "green campus" initiatives, many of which are part of the Campus Master Plan, which will guide development of the 363-acre academic campus through the next decade and beyond.

Parking is a major consideration in the master plan as the university seeks to add spaces to meet growth needs, but not at the expense of committing more than the current 75 acres devoted to parking.

In addition to the solar panels for electrical generation, the covered parking areas will provide ultraviolet and environmental (tree leaves, etc.) vehicle protection including much-welcomed shade in the summer months, said Teniente-Matson.

The solar project also is part of the California State University system's commitment to "green" programs, sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental education. CSU trustees recently revised the 23-campus system's energy policy with a goal of reducing consumption by 15 percent, following a 10 percent reduction from 1999/2000 through 2005.

Chevron Energy Solutions
Related Story: Solar Powered Parking

www.Parctel.com: The new car park is part of an £11m investment by Q-Park and represents a number of firsts for the company:
* It’s the first multi-storey to be built at Heathrow for twenty one years;
* Q-Park’s first purpose-built multi-storey car park on an airport site; and
* The first airport car park in the country to take a genuinely hi-tec approach to the safe keeping of vehicles within their care.

The car park is open 24 hours a day all year and motorists do not have to pre-book – they can just turn up and deliver their car for parking.

Q-Park London Heathrow opens in Spring 2007 and will incorporate all the core Q-Park values of safety and security, a welcoming and bright reception area and uniformed, trained professional staff. Security has been a priority from the design stage. The 10-stage security checks include the physical presence of trained and uniformed Q-Park Hosts; scanning and logging of all vehicles, registration plates and drivers; and a system of barriers. In addition, the latest CCTV technology captures images at every stage of reception and booking, as well as parking by Hosts, delivery to customers and departure.

The car park is situated just off the A4 and is clearly signed from the main road. On entering, drivers’ cars are automatically scanned using high resolution, cutting edge scanning photography and number plate recognition equipment. Modern variable messaging technology then directs customers to clearly defined reception marking bays in front of the main building. Covered reception bays offer easy pedestrian access to the new, bright, purpose built, main reception hall.

Using the latest booking technology, check in is quicker, smoother and more convenient with a team of trained staff on hand for assistance. Transport to and from Q-Park London Heathrow to the airport terminals is believed to be the fastest for any long stay car park at Heathrow, with just five minutes drive to the road tunnel feeding Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and frequency of a bus at least once every 10 minutes.

On entering Q-Park’s safe-keeping customer vehicles are then logged and secured with the first application of tracker key technology within an airport parking environment. This ensures that, as cars are valet-parked for customer’s convenience within the brand new, multi-storey facility, every detail of the on-site journey is recorded for customer’s piece of mind. In addition, the parking facility itself provides the added convenience and security of undercover parking and 24-hour manning by Q-Park hosts.

Safety and security remains a priority while cars are in Q-Park’s care. Q-Park London Heathrow will carry the recognised ParkMark award, and all security is supported by the latest generation of CCTV monitoring. Camera images are shown and recorded within the car park Lodge and they are also logged and recorded at Q-Park’s remote Central Control Room.

“Q-Park Heathrow represents the most modern airport car parking system and service in the country,” says Q-Park Chief Executive Alan Ashbee. “We are not only breaking new ground by building a multi-storey car park at the world’s busiest international airport, but we are setting news standards of safety, security and overall customer service.”

www.Parctel.com: Glasgow Prestwick Airport today issued a message for Scottish flyers – your bags are much safer with us!

It emerged this week reveals that Europe’s other major airlines lose, on average, 30 times more luggage than Ryanair, whose only Scottish base is the Ayrshire airport.

A consumer report issued by the Association of European Airlines found that while Ryanair lose, on average, 0.5 bags for every 1,000 passengers, competitors would lose an average of 15.

The report also revealed Ryanair can boast Europe’s best punctuality record and the least cancellations in the short and medium haul sectors.

Mark Rodwell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, commented: “There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination, or arriving back home, and finding out your bags have disappeared but clearly that is happening to a lot of people.

“We would like to congratulate Ryanair on these figures, which demonstrate what a fine job both they and their airport partners are doing.

“Ryanair offers an excellent choice of destinations across Europe and passengers can fly from Glasgow Prestwick safe in the knowledge they are 30 times less likely to end up at the lost baggage desk!”

The Palm Springs International Airport will offer up to a week's free parking in May and June for travelers returning from Hawaii or any international destination.

The Palm Springs City Council approved the program 4-0 Wednesday, with Mayor Ron Oden absent.

"To use other airports with more nonstop service means more time and money spent in gas, parking and traffic," said Richard Walsh, director of aviation in a news release. "We're offering this program to try and change some of those customer decisions."

The goal also is to remind travelers that Palm Springs is an international airport, said Walsh. In addition to nonstop flights to Canada, Palm Springs can get people anywhere in the world, in most cases with just a single connection, he said. And the more the public uses flights out of Palm Springs, especially in the summer, the more chances there are to get more flights in the future, he added.

It works like this: Any vehicle leaving the Long-Term Lot from May 1 to June 30 can show a boarding pass from an international or Hawaiian airport showing the date of the same day or one day prior and qualify for up to seven days of free parking. The max amount per vehicle is $56.

Even if your trip begins prior to May 1 or ends after June 30, you still are eligible for free parking.

Source: Stefanie Frith, The Desert Sun

You might want to take a cab or bum a ride to catch your flight at Tampa International Airport starting this summer.

Parking prices would go up $1 or $2 a day July 1 at all airport parking facilities under a recommendation Thursday from Louis Miller, executive director of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.

Drivers using the new remote economy garage would feel the biggest jolt: a $2 increase to $9 per day. The airport would raise the fee to $10 as soon as November 2008 under the proposal.

Daily parking would increase to $20 from $18 in the short-term garage and to $15 from $14 for the long-term parking decks. Hourly parking for the two garages would rise to $3 from $2.50, although the first hour would still be free.

Rapid passenger growth and popularity of the new garage have put seasonal squeezes on airport parking. Design is under way for a second economy garage with 5,600 additional spaces.

Higher parking fees would help pay for the $71.2-million structure and ease demand on the economy garage, said Miller.

The pricier long-term garage handled two-thirds of overnight parking before the new garage opened. Now, slightly less than half the overnight vehicles park there.

"The difference between $7 and $14 was too much, forcing too many people down there to economy parking," said Miller.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio pointed out that at the proposed 2008 rate of $10, Tampa International's cheapest daily parking would cost more than economy parking in Orlando ($9) and Miami ($8).

Those airports, however, have remote lots instead of covered parking, said Miller. New rates for Tampa's remote garage would be the same or less expensive than garages at comparable airports in Phoenix. Baltimore and Minneapolis.

Iorio and other agency board members didn't raise other concerns. They will vote on rate changes at meetings in May or June.

Tampa International faces tight parking during the winter holidays and summer months. In addition to just under 20,000 regular spaces, airport officials make room for 4,000 more vehicles by squeezing them into unused spots in the garages and opening overflow grass lots.

This year's Thanksgiving/Christmas season shouldn't be a problem, said operations director Robert Burr.

But summer of 2008 could be a pinch as construction for the garage takes up existing surface parking. "We'll be close to capacity but think we can get by," he said.

If all goes on schedule, the first phase of the new economy garage with 3,700 spaces, will be open just before Thanksgiving 2008. The remaining 1,900 would be finished by May 2009.

Source: Steve Huttel, St. Petersburgh Times

With many years experience in the business sector, Bristol Airport-Parking is a new venture that provides secure local parking to clients wishing to fly from Bristol Airport. Set-up in 2007, the company is situated in Hewish (Weston-Super-Mare).

The company provides a professional parking service to Bristol airport which is designed to be cost effective. With secure premises and an online payment facility, they have the services in place to make sure customers get the best service.

Featuring transport to the airport and back, the company delivers a full and reliable parking service that is perfect for anyone wishing to fly from Bristol airport. Available online at competitive prices, the parking can be booked and confirmed instantly.

Top Port of Portland managers are endorsing the agency's move from downtown into a new building at Portland International Airport.

Bill Wyatt, the Port's executive director, said Wednesday that he would ask the agency's nine commission members to approve the move at their regular meeting Wednesday. His recommendation ties construction of a new headquarters to plans for a new airport parking structure.

Although approval is not assured, the commission generally approves staff recommendations.

The seven-story garage project, which could break ground as soon as August, is planned next to the existing terminal garage. The headquarters would add three stories on top of part of the new garage, designed for 3,500 spaces. Total cost estimate: $231 million.

The garage plan has been in the works for 18 months, with midweek parking demand so high that the new structure has appeared to be a foregone conclusion. But as recently as June, Wyatt was saying that the combined project's total price tag was high enough that he wasn't sure he could recommend the headquarters portion.

The offices would cost about $69 million. Wyatt and other managers say the Port stands to save money in the long run by locating most employees in one building instead of splitting them between the airport and downtown.

Although the Port is a public agency and is in part supported by property taxes, the garage-headquarters construction would be financed from an airport fund supported primarily by parking revenue. If the headquarters is built, the Port would pay that fund roughly $600,000 annually in rent.

Furthermore, if the existing headquarters is sold, it could bring as much as $28 million into the Port's general fund. Wyatt said the money would help pay the Port's debts for cleaning up the polluted Willamette River, and for other projects.

The Port's current office building in Old Town was completed in 1999 for $20 million.

Wyatt and Steve Schreiber, the Port's chief financial officer, said the agency expects to save $3 million to $4 million annually by eliminating duplicated costs such as reception areas and security in separate buildings. They said Port employees spend about 15,000 hours a year driving between downtown and airport offices -- the equivalent of work performed by more than seven full-time positions.

Additionally, they said, a move to the airport signals a shift in the relative importance between the Port's air and marine activities. While Wyatt is careful not to dismiss the value of shipping activities to the region, the agency's operating revenue from the airport is nearly triple that generated by marine operations.

That's a stark change from the mid-1990s, when the two figures were roughly equal.

"The Port's center of gravity has clearly shifted in the last decade to aviation," Wyatt said.

Source: ALEX PULASKI, The Oregonian

Airport parking often falls to the bottom of the list when travellers are planning their trips, frequently resulting in them paying high 'turn up on the day- airport prices or booking a 'too good to be true- meet & greet through a rogue operators website.

Nick Caunter, managing director, APH said: 'With a little advance planning and some simple research, travellers can find real bargains and make sure they book their car into a recognised, professionally run car park.-

Top five top things to look for when booking airport parking:
1. Good reputation - Look for a car park that has been in
operation for many years. Ideally, use one that you have used before or one that a trusted friend or relative has used. On some websites customer ratings are given. APH has been established for 27 years and 97% of APH customers surveyed say they would rebook the same car park.

2. Safer car parks - The Park Mark® Safer Parking Award is the only current, recognised award for car parks which have passed stringent safety and security tests. Look for this logo: [Insert logo]. Each of APH's three car parks located at Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester Airports hold the Park Mark Safer Parking Award as do the vast majority of car parking services sold through www.aph.com.

3. Competitive pricing - The price of car parks varies regularly depending on the season and spaces available and how early you book, so a little shopping around may pay off. Prices for the same car park will typically be the same whichever booking agent you use, However, if you belong to a membership scheme or have used the car park before you may qualify for extra discounts. For example, APH offer AA members and previous customers discounts of up to 20%.

4. UK Call Centre or Safe online booking - Look for a company that provides a UK call centre or if you are booking online a website that has a UK contact address, company number and VAT number. Never, never choose a company where you have to pay by cash on arrival! APH's call centre is based near Gatwick and its website is an accredited member of ISIS (Internet Shopping is Safe). This means that customers can book online knowing safe in the knowledge that the retailer trades in a manner that is legal, decent, honest, truthful and fair.

5. Environmentally responsible - Look for a company with some Green credentials - All park and ride parking is more environmentally sound than getting a lift to the airport but is the company you selected doing more? Is the company carbon balanced? Does it offer the chance to offset or part offset your flight through a donation to an environmental charity? APH is a carbon balanced company and makes regular donations to The World Land Trust. To date it has helped purchase 800 acres of Belize rainforest through donations totalling more than £20,000. APH has just announced a scheme which gives £2.50 donation to the World Land Trust for drivers of ‘greener vehicles'

For further information or to book contact Airport Parking and Hotels
on 01342 859 515 or visit www.aph.com

www.Parctel.com: Two times a week service to the hedonistic island from just £34.99 one way including taxes

bmibaby the award winning airline with tiny fares, has today announced the launch of a new two times a week service to the Balearic Island of Ibiza from Cardiff International Airport. Fares start from just £34.99 one way including taxes and charges and are on sale now.

bmibaby the award winning airline with tiny fares, has today announced the launch of a new two times a week service to the Balearic Island of Ibiza from Cardiff International Airport. Fares start from just £34.99 one way including taxes and charges and are on sale now. Flights start on 16 July 2007 and continue until 7 September 2007. The new Ibiza route brings the total number of destinations served by bmibaby at Cardiff to 13.

Ibiza is the perfect destination for a summer escape with its stunning beaches and relentless sunshine. The island is a haven for walking, yoga breaks, horse riding and swimming. Travellers can also discover the real Ibiza with its hidden Moorish towns and quiet rocky coves.

By contrast, hedonists will love the famous party scene of Ibiza, from Pacha, the original and first club on the island, to the so hip it hurts El Divinio club near the marina in Ibiza town. Clubbers need not even go to sleep as Space opens at 6am and stays open until the afternoon.

Launching the new route today at Cardiff International Airport, Steve Burns, commercial director, bmibaby, said:

"I am pleased to be able to announce another new route from Cardiff International airport with the launch of our new two times a week service to Ibiza.

With fares starting from just £34.99 one way including taxes and charges, we advise passengers to book early to take advantage of these really low prices."

Jon Horne, managing director, Cardiff International Airport, said:

"Although any new destination added by bmibaby to their Cardiff International network is welcome, I must admit this latest addition of Ibiza can only be described as a very clever move. The Balearics are enormously popular in Wales and the West of England marketplace."

Flights to Ibiza depart from Cardiff airport on Monday and Thursday from 16th July until 7th September 2007.

Related Story and Photograph

www.JustParking.co.uk: A prestigious award presented to Durham Tees Valley Airport following major refurbishment work of its car parking facilities has been described by Airport Managing Director Hugh Lang as ‘a tribute to the co-operation between ourselves and the police and good news for all our customers.’

The Park Mark Safer Parking award—run by the Association of Chief Police Officers—was presented to Mr Lang by acting Chief Inspector Bill Dutton of Durham Police following a number of recent improvements in parking facilities at the Airport, including space for more vehicles, changing pedestrian walkways, introducing 24 hour CCTV coverage and installing new lighting columns.

Said Hugh Lang “We are now confident that the measures in place will make a significant contribution to deterring criminal activity and creating a safer environment for passengers and staff at the airport. In fact over the last 2 years we have witnessed a significant reduction in car related crime which is testament to the investment by Peel Airports and the help and support we have received from the police.”

Chief Inspector Dutton added, “This is an excellent demonstration of the achievements that are possible by businesses in partnership with the police to reduce crime and disorder. Forming part of the Durham Constabulary “Streetsafe” initiative, these security measures have led to a significant reduction in the amount of vehicle crime experienced by people using the Airport.

“The inconvenience and upset caused by finding your vehicle has been stolen or broken into while you have been away is enough to ruin an otherwise enjoyable holiday or business trip. Customers of the Airport are reminded to ensure their vehicles are left locked and secured, with the windows closed, as we approach the warm summer months. The number of incidence of vehicle crime at Durham Tees Valley Airport is now exceptionally low, at a tenth of its previous level.”

The Park Mark scheme is aimed at reducing the crime and the fear of crime in parking areas. It is given to car parks if the police judge that measures are in place to deter criminal activity and anti –social behaviour.

Hugh Lang accepting award from Chief Inspector Bill Dutton at Durham Tees Valley Airport Parking

www.Parctel.com: Thousands of North Easterners are expected to make their great Easter getaway from Durham Tees Valley Airport this bank holiday weekend.

Around 6000 passengers are expected to fly over the Easter weekend (Fri 6th – Mon 9th) to destinations including Tenerife, Faro, Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Barcelona Girona, Dublin and Amsterdam.

Emma Ormerod, marketing and promotions executive, Durham Tees Valley Airport comments “Passengers over the Easter weekend are taking advantage of the increasing range of destinations and city breaks offered from their local airport. The flexibility and affordability that low cost airlines such as flyglobepspan and Ryanair are offering to people is the reason why more and more fly over the busy bank holiday.”

Only this week four routes—to Palma, Alicante, Faro and Malaga— commenced with award winning airline, flyglobespan. This is just the beginning, as in June the programme will be greatly expanded, with the introduction of more flights to five more destinations Ibiza, Nice, Menorca, Jersey and Pula (Croatia) while the frequency of flights to their original destinations will increase considerably.

Ryanair has launched a brand new service to Barcelona Girona, a move it hopes will prove as popular as its direct flights to Dublin and this summer will also see the arrival of another new airline, Wizz Air, offering low cost flights to Warsaw in Poland.

The airport will commence its summer charter flying programme next month with operators offering over 16 popular holiday destinations from Durham Tees Valley including Dalaman and Bodrum in Turkey, Bulgaria, Reus (Costa Dorada), and Lanzarote.

www.Parctel.com: Bridgepoint has today been announced as the preferred bidder for the sale of 100% of the share capital in Leeds Bradford International Airport, with Barclays Private Equity with Churchill Airports, as the reserve bidder. Both bidders have been nominated subject to final bid confirmation.

The announcement follows meetings involving all five West Yorkshire councils with shareholding interests in the airport. A joint agreement was reached this evening.

Both the preferred and reserve bidder have developed ambitious plans to sustain passenger growth and invest significantly in the airport over the next ten years. Much of this will focus on improving the airport’s customer facilities and infrastructure, expanding the route network and ensuring the airport can compete efficiently with other airports in the region.

Both bidders will now be given six working days to confirm their bid price following the receipt of final vendor due diligence reports and other commercially sensitive contractual information.

A joint statement from the five West Yorkshire councils, said:

“This sale has proved to be a very competitive process at all stages and with very strong bids from both the preferred and reserve bidders, it is likely to remain so until the deal is completed in a few weeks time.’’

‘’ This is a very exciting opportunity and we are delighted to announce Bridgepoint as the preferred bidder at this stage. They have clearly demonstrated not just their financial standing and their plans for growing and developing the airport, but also their commitment to the region as a whole and the airport’s crucial part in its economy.”

“We’ve attracted a strong field of bidders and each bid was evaluated fairly. Both the preferred and reserve bidder have demonstrated positive and significant investment plans and we are confident that the chosen preferred and reserve bidder will be in the best position to continue the airport’s development as a successful international airport which will support the region’s increasing economic importance nationally and internationally.”

Leeds and Bradford councils each own 40% of the airport with the remainder split equally between Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale. The airport will continue to remain under the planning control of Leeds City Council and all of the five west Yorkshire authorities will also retain a ‘special share’ in the company.

The special share protects the name of the airport and its continued operation as an international airport.

The final price for the airport is still subject to final bid confirmation.

The joint statement concluded:

“Council officers have worked hard to make this sale a success and secure the best outcome for council tax payers and I know they are looking forward to working with the two bidders and bringing the sale to completion.”

www.Parctel.com: Plans to construct a 157 bedroom three star plus hotel and an 869 space multi-storey car park at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) have been approved by Liverpool City Council.

A short stay multi-storey car park with parking over 5 levels with a 6 story hotel on top will be built on the site of the existing car park directly opposite the terminal. Work is due to commence on the £25 million development shortly, with the project taking 18 months to complete.

The Airport has worked closely with the council planning officers in recent weeks to agree the best design for the airport and the region. Key features of the hotel include an elliptical meeting/conference area offering panoramic views of the Airport and Mersey Estuary and a large 11m x 6 m video display screen on the hotel exterior. This screen will be used to display images of John Lennon and The Beatles to highlight arts events in the City and the region to arriving passengers. The multi-storey car park design includes projected coloured glazed boxes on the exterior to add visual interest to the front of the car park.

Hotel guests and car park users will be able to walk over to the terminal in minutes via a new enclosed link bridge that will span the road in front of the terminal.

With JLA now handling in excess of 5 million annual passengers, this development is being constructed in response to increasing passenger demand for such facilities.

With the low cost operators easyJet and Ryanair now basing 15 aircraft at JLA, many inbound visitors to the region arrive on the last returning flights of the day and the hotel is expected to prove popular with passengers on such flights who prefer to avoid having to then make onward travel arrangements, sometimes late at night. The hotel will also be used by departing passengers who have early morning flights to catch and wish to avoid travelling to the airport in the early hours by staying on site the night before.

There is a demand for a short stay multi-storey car park at the airport, particularly from the growing number of business travellers who prefer the convenience of parking close to the terminal. At the same time as enhancing car parking facilities, the development also provides for improved access by buses and taxis for both passengers and airport staff.

The development will improve general traffic circulation at the airport and further enhance access for all, particularly those with special needs. The construction will be carefully managed to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.

Neil Pakey, Managing Director Liverpool John Lennon Airport said:

“With flights from over 60 scheduled destinations now serving Liverpool, this development is a natural progression of improved on site facilities to satisfy the needs of today's 5 million passengers.

Any international airport of our size needs a hotel adjacent to its terminal. This caters for both the inbound arriving passengers often coming in late in the evening, or for UK originating passengers with often very early departures in the morning. In terms of design we have added a large media screen to promote public art and we have also started to work with both the Southport Flower Show and the Tatton Flower Show in the hope we can bring some unique landscaping to the area. All in all it's a very exciting development.”

www.Parctel.com: This Bank Holiday weekend is forecast to be the busiest Easter ever with record numbers of passengers using Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Around 61,000 passengers are expected to travel through JLA between Good Friday and Easter Monday - an increase of over 5% compared to the same period last year.

Recently confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority as still one of the UK's fastest growing regional airports, the Easter weekend at JLA is set to continue this trend with passengers from the North West and beyond setting off to sunnier climes or taking in a spot of sightseeing over the holiday period.

Once again, popular destinations this Easter include the Mediterranean hotspots of Alicante, Malaga, Nice and Faro, City breaks to Rome, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Berlin, Krakow and Barcelona and closer to home the Irish destinations of Cork and Dublin. There are even some passengers catching the last of the skiing season on flights to Geneva.

Robin Tudor, General Manager - Corporate and Community Affairs at Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented:

“This year we have an even wider range of destinations available to suit a cross section of travelers. Already this week we have seen increased numbers of passengers using the Airport as passengers from throughout the North West take advantage of the low fares and great deals available with airlines flying from Liverpool.”

www.Airport-Carpark.co.uk: Car parking charges range from £7.30 an hour to just 10p, according to a huge study of rates across Britain. The GMB union said its findings proved that private equity firms have targeted car parks as a "cash cow" in recent years.

The survey of more than 300 car parks showed the most expensive were in London, including £7.30 an hour near Oxford Circus and £6.80 in nearby sites.

The cheapest car park was found in Reading, Berks, at just 10p an hour.

This was followed by 25p an hour at a park and ride in Belfast.

According to the report, the cheapest one in Edinburgh was 75p an hour.

The most expensive out of London was Luton Airport at £6.50.

"The charges demonstrate the extent to which car parks are being used to extract money from motorists," said GMB official Rob Kelsall.

"Private equity companies have targeted car parks as a cash cow and have taken over £1 billion out of the industry in the last few years.

"While this money has been taken out, the numbers employed in each car park has been reduced as workers have been replaced by pay machines, automated barriers and CCTV cameras."

Save up to 60% and book your Airport Parking online and in Advance from Airport Carpark.

www.Parctel.com: Want to get in on the ground floor and work your way up in the dog eat dog world of Airport Parking?

Looking to increase your jealousy factor by at least one hundred fold?

Then apply for the following position advertised on The Greensheet:

PERSON NEEDED to wash cars for a parking garage. Work Sunday through Friday mornings $6.50 hour. Must be able to pass background and drug screen. Apply in person at PreFlight Airport Parking: 7901 Airport Blvd. (713)645-2231.

Eds Note: Maybe they should advertise the position in India as the advertised wage is more than what a software engineer earns in that country!

www.Parctel.com: The Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) gurus always tell you that in order to succeed you must serve and dominate your niche. Now when it comes to Airport Parking we at www.Parctel.com have an airport parking directory accepting free site submissions from all Airport, Airport Parking and Travel Related Web Sites.

It is just our small way of helping you get your Airport Parking site listed in the Search Engines.

Now, about that niche, I bet that you thought that the smallest niche in Airport Parking was to put up a web site and domain dedicated to that airport, and you would be ..................... wrong.

The smallest niche would be a domain that caters for the wrong spelling of an Airport or Airport Parking lot, have a look at these:

• Teeeside Airport Parking - www.teeeside-airport-parking.com - Book your Airport Parking at the Durham Tees Valley Airport online or call one of our friendly consultants with your booking. Book in your airport parking in advance and save money.
• Teeside Airport Parking - www.teeside-airport.com - Airport Parking at the Durham Tees Valley Airport online or call one of our friendly consultants with your booking. Book in your airport parking in advance and save money.
• Teesside Durham Airport Parking - www.tees-valley-durham-airport.com -
  Teesside Durham Airport Parking - Book your Teesside Durham Airport Parking online or phone one of our friendly consultants on 0870 013 4953 for prompt parking bookings
• Durham Tees Valley Airport Parking Bookings - www.teesside-durham-airport.com - Phone 0870 013 4953 to book Durham Tees Valley Airport Parking or use our lowest price finder and save up to 60% when you Book online.
• Airport Car Parking at UK Airports - www.tees-valley-durham-airport.com - Durham Teesside Airport
  Compare prices and book your UK airport car parking online in advance to save up to 40% on gate prices at Durham Tees Valley Airport

Submit your Airport, Airport Parking or Travel Related Site for free on www.Parctel.com.

www.Parctel.com: Zoom Airlines will continue their successful service linking Belfast International Airport to Vancouver throughout the winter season for the first time.

The new weekly scheduled flight will operate from Belfast to Vancouver on Thursdays between October till April. Prices start at £129 one-way plus taxes, fees and charges. Zoom offers the lowest scheduled transatlantic airfares from Northern Ireland, with prices on the Toronto and Halifax routes starting from £99 one-way plus taxes.

This winter, Zoom has experienced an unprecedented level of demand for its low-cost full scheduled flights to Canada, highlighting Canada's popularity as a year-round holiday destination. This level of demand has also been encourage by excellent snow conditions experience in Canada's main ski resorts of British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. This new route will allow Zoom to tap into the localised and thriving snow-sports market.

News of the expanded winter programme follows hot on the heels of Zoom's recent launch of new direct weekly services from Belfast to Halifax this summer. It is also doubling its popular service to Toronto, increasing to two flights per week this summer. In addition to the winter flight to Vancouver, weekly services to Toronto will also be maintained throughout the Winter 2007/8 schedule.

Jonathan Hinkles, UK Managing Director of Zoom Airlines said: "We are delighted to be announcing our new weekly Belfast to Vancouver flight throughout winter. This new flight has strengthened our position as the leading leisure airline in the Northern Ireland-Canada market.

"Our new winter Vancouver flights are ideal for snow-sports enthusiasts wishing to experience some of the world's top ski resorts including Whistler and Big White at prices equivalent to European fares."

A full scheduled service is provided onboard including in-flight entertainment, meal and free soft drinks for the duration of the flight. A generous 20kg baggage allowance is on offer on all flights with no additional carriage charge for ski or sporting equipment.

Premium class seats are also available on all Zoom flights from an additional £79 each way, offering additional legroom, superior in-flight meals, and complimentary drinks throughout the flight plus check-in and luggage benefits.

At present Zoom operates from five UK hubs (Belfast, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Cardiff) and Paris to eight Canadian destinations including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal.

Parking rates at Montrose Regional Airport have changed to allow free, short-term parking for the first 30 minutes. It is hoped the new parking option will reduce the number of people parking in front of the airport to drop off or pick up airline passengers, county management said in a news release.

Formerly, it cost 75 cents to park for 30 minutes in the lot, operated by Republic Parking.

Paid parking has also changed to eliminate the need for customers to give or receive coinage as part of their parking fees. Now, whole dollar amounts will be used and credit cards will be accepted, the news release said.

The new fee schedule is:

31-60 minutes, $2
Each additional hour, $1
Daily maximum, $7
Weekly maximum, $35
Employee monthly, $45
Non-employee monthly, $65
Annual rate, $550

Source: Montrose Daily Press

Parking attendants at Detroit Metro Airport called off a strike threat after reaching a tentative labor deal with Motor City Central Parking, the contractor that runs the airport’s 21,000 spaces.

After 12 hours of bargaining Saturday, the cashiers union, Teamsters Local 283, reached a deal with the company at about 1:30 am this morning, said Steve Hicks, the local’s president.

The tentative contract, which next will go before workers for a vote, would eliminate a $3 daily parking fee that the company had charged parking attendants.

The proposal would not eliminate a two-tier wage system, which has been a sticking point for the union. But it would give workers who earn the lower rate, of about $11 an hour, raises for the next three years. At the same time about 25 workers making the higher rate of $15 an hour, would see their wages frozen during the 3-year contract. The union was able to negotiate retroactive raises for both tiers of workers, resulting in payments of $1,200 per employee, Hicks said.

The proposed contract also rolls back a company proposal to charge workers for a portion of their health care.

"I’m pretty relieved," Hicks said. "The wages could be better, but in this day and age… this is a pretty good contract."

Hicks expects that workers will have a chance to vote on the contract proposal by Thursday or Friday.

JEWEL GOPWANI of the Free Press
Previous Related Story

www.JustParking.co.uk: Along with progress comes frustration and loss of revenue as the frustrated vent their anger and disappointment. Blogger, Dirtyglasses, had the following to say about a recent trip to Luton Airport which is undergoing major roadworks on it's access roads:

Whilst driving to Luton Airport to pick up our son jetting in from Morocco I had read before leaving that there are major road works on the M1 between Junction 6 and 10.

We raced off the M25 and speeded around a long sweeping right bend and ran straight into a traffic jam to top all traffic jams. Cars went from 60mph to a dead stop and it was a miracle that there were no accidents. Crawling along the slip road we nosed our way onto the M1 and spent from Junction 6 to Junction 10 the Luton Airport exit cruising at a top speed of 10mph or less. Junction 10 was a welcome sight that is until we began another crawl along the East Luton Carriageway road that strangely enough had some major repairs being done to it at the same time.

Attempting to meet a 1.30pm arrival we arrived at Luton Airport just after 2pm and made our way past the endless queues of traffic to the Terminal building. Luckily our son’s flight had landed but he had not reached the arrivals area yet.

I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the toilet and what greeted me as it did all visitors to this country landing at Luton was an ill kept public convenience, it smelt, it was not clean and overall it was untidy. Welcome to the U.K I thought as I proceeded to a cash point to get some as I knew there would be an exorbitant parking fee to pay on exit. All three ATM’s were out of order and it was good to see that out great British reputation for excellent service was holding up well here in Luton Airport.

In addition to the major road works currently underway on the M1 motorway, Luton Borough Council's 'East Luton Corridor' road works project, on the main approach to the Airport, moved into a critical phase from 5th February and is envisioned to continue until May 2007.

From this date, the contractor, Birse, will begin works that will involve the complete reconstruction of the roundabout adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express at London Luton Airport. In order to ensure that the works are delivered safely and expeditiously, the alternative route into the Airport, Percival Way, will be closed to through traffic. For those travelling from the East, diversions will be in place.

The road closure of Percival Way will seriously affect access to London Luton Airport and will cause significant traffic congestion in the local area, particularly at peak times.

But, Dirtyglasses, as a result of a frustrating trip will now see everything to do with Luton Airport in a negative way and goes on to highlight the following problems:

We walked to the departures area where signs glowed saying `Cash Dispensers` that alerted me where to go but as I homed in with card in hand these three ATM’s were out of order as well.

Needing cash we decided to buy some sandwiches and some drinks at the Simply Food M&S food shop with the hope that they would have a cash back facility. £8.50 obviously meant that the prices won’t included in the Simply statement otherwise it would have to be called Simply Pricey and that wouldn’t be allowed.

Once outside the Terminal the car park paying machines were lined up neatly and I am sure I heard music coming from them and it was a song called `Give us your money geezer`.

£5.50 for around 1 hours parking is a nice little earner especially when the car park amounted to some rough ground next to the terminal, no gleaming concrete helter skelter here like at Gatwick. The queues of cars trying to leave the car park stretched well back into the car park itself so we decided to sit in the car for a while and eat our overpriced sandwiches whilst waiting a while.

A good lesson for any airport that has any form of control over or that is planning on expansion - "Make sure that you have all bases covered, because if you don't, people will complain and find fault with everything, and, make no mistake, this will impact on your business!"

Union officials representing cashiers at Detroit Metro Airport's parking lots are to return to the negotiating table today for contract talks with Motor City Central Parking, hired to manage the airport's more than 21,000 spaces.

But even if they don't reach a deal, a strike on Sunday is not likely, said Steve Hicks, president of Teamsters Local 283, which represents about 125 cashiers and maintenance workers at Metro's parking lots and decks.

Hicks said union leaders expect to decide today whether they should direct members to walk off the job, or have off-duty workers set up picket lines.

But a strike is not out of the question, Hicks said. If picket lines don't work, the union could later tell workers to walk off the job. Either way, airport officials say the lots and decks will be open on Sunday, expecting Motor City Central Parking to have a plan to deal with a potential strike.

The company said it has a plan but would not discuss it.

Talks ended early Friday afternoon. The contract's latest extension is to expire tonight.

Issues for the union include a $3 daily parking fee and a two-tier wage system.

Source: JEWEL GOPWANI of the Free Press

www.JustParking.co.uk: At 7.30pm on 31 March 2007, Sydneysiders - businesses and individuals - turned off their lights for just one hour, Earth Hour, as a sign of their commitment to reduce global warming.

Earth Hour is just the start of a campaign that aims to reduce Sydney's greenhouse emissions by 5% in 2007. The event will demonstrate how simple actions can make the world of difference if everyone takes part. And it sends a powerful message that we care about the future of the planet.

The Earth Hour initiative got us to thinking that even mundane items such as airport parking meters could also join in the fight against global warming as they also have power and cabling requirements that contribute to global warming.

Nearly 90% of parking meter manufacturing company, Parkeon's customer base now opt for solar powered parking meters.

In Europe, Parkeon offers the Varioflex™ range of pay-on-foot systems for off-street parking. This comprises automatic and manual pay stations, car park entry / exit terminals and barriers.

Could this mean the end of the airport parking attendant?

Solar-powered parking machines are not only environmentally friendly and use a source of free solar energy, but are also quick and easy to install. Excavations are minimal, as there is no cabling required, and they do not require the involvement of the power companies, which saves time, connection charges and administration.

The next question is; "With the widespread implementation of solar powered parking meters will parking become cheaper?"

There is one sure way of ensuring a cheaper parking rate at all airports in the United Kingdom, though, book in advance with Just Parking.

www.Parctel.com: More jobs and more routes take off this weekend as award winning airline flyglobespan commence their flying programme from their newest UK base at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

On Saturday morning flight GSM015 will fly from the North East airport to Palma and over the rest of the weekend further services will operate to Malaga, Faro and Alicante, all by a Boeing 737 which is to be permanently based at the airport.

As part of this new base 30 new staff have been recruited, the majority locally, and this will increase to 60 in late June when the airline will base another aircraft at the airport to operate a further five routes.
“I am pleased to welcome the first of two major programme launches from Durham Tees Valley Airport,” says flyglobespan chairman Tom Dalrymple.
“As well as improving the holiday options for the region, we have also brought employment into the area,” says Dalrymple.
“Due to our expansion in the North East, our recent recruitment drive has resulted in an additional 30 jobs for flight deck personnel and cabin crew members all from the local area. When fully established, the two based aircraft operation will create approximately 60 jobs.”
Later this year, the services from flyglobespan will increase further with flights to five more destinations, Ibiza, Nice, Menorca, Pula (Croatia) and Jersey – while the frequency to their original destinations will be considerably increased.

Since they announced their commitment to Durham Tees Valley last year, flyglobespan have been delighted with the interest generated and the uptake on flights and package holidays.

Hugh Lang, managing director, Durham Tees Valley Airport, “These flights will not only be attractive to the region’s holidaymakers, but provide another welcome boost to the economy with so many staff being recruited from North East England.”

Advanced bookings have been very encouraging and with one way prices currently on offer on their website from £39.99 including taxes, it is easy to see why the flights have proved popular.

Flights and package holidays are available at www.flyglobespan.com or by contacting 0871 871 0486.

flyglobespan staff at Durham Tees Valley Aiport

From left to right Back Row - Louise Gofton, Middlesborough, Linzi Draper, Northumberland, Gemma Pybus, Darlington, Louise Kirton, Eaglescliffe, Kirsty Gregory, Yarm, Heather Youngman, Stockton, Natalie Scott, Stockton, Helen Mapplebeck, Redcar, Nicola Robinson, Spennymoore, Marie Marshall, Barnard Castle, Lyn Mackey, Ingleby Barwick

Front Row - Paul Woods-Smith, Harrogate, Con Harrington, Middlesborough, Danial Minshull, Middlesborough, Stuart Brooke, Middlesborough

www.Parctel.com: BAA today responded as follows to its referral to the Competition Commission by the OFT and CAA.

Stephen Nelson, Chief Executive of BAA comments,

"I welcome the opportunity, the Competition Commission will have to undertake a thorough, unbiased and rigorous review of the UK airport market and airport charges.

“Our analysis is that the fundamental problem for passengers is lack of capacity, not the structure of BAA. The opening of Terminal 5 next March will begin to address this issue by vastly improving the experience at Heathrow and providing much needed new terminal space. Our intention is then to knock down Terminal 2 and replace it with another brand new terminal, Heathrow East. At Stansted, planning for a new runway and terminal is progressing well, and we expect to submit a formal planning application later this year. These plans amount to nothing less than the transformation of Britain’s biggest airports.

“Putting BAA in the dock for a complex set of problems – with deep legacy causes – will not help solve them. As well as tackling the immediate issue of queuing times, we are ready to make major, long-term investments in British airports, that will free the travelling public from congestion and provide a good experience at our airports, all for a few extra pounds per passenger. But to achieve this, we need a strong and united BAA. We have the balance sheet scale to finance these projects efficiently and retain the unrivalled expertise in planning and building new airport facilities on time and on budget. We look to the Competition Commission to deliver the right regulatory system and sensible financial incentives necessary to deliver these plans for passengers.”

www.Parctel.com: There was a new meaning to the word runway at Belfast International Airport today, as Jet2.com, the low cost airline, launched its new three times weekly service to Milan with a price tag of just £26.99 one way including taxes.

Budding models and designers, as well as other local travellers, can now fly Jet2.com direct from Belfast to the Italian fashion capital, famous for its intoxicating mix of designer shopping, sophisticated arcades and world-beating bargains.

To celebrate the inaugural flight, airport fashion store Clockwork Orange held a fashion show of Italian labels for the first passengers as they checked in, adding to the large slice of 'Dolce Vita' that the airline is now offering residents of Belfast and beyond.

Carly Brear General Manager - Sales & Marketing fromJet2.com said, "We have been inundated with requests for direct low cost flights to Milan, with many advance bookings from business and leisure travellers alike.

"Not only is Milan a great city but it offers unrivalled access to the Italian lakes, including Garda and Como Equally important is the high level of overseas bookings we are generating, with Italians booking in their droves to experience all Northern Ireland has to offer."

John Doran, managing director of Belfast International Airport, said, "We are delighted to be celebrating this new Milan route from Belfast with Jet2.com. We are confident it will be hugely successful and are looking forward to working with the airline to develop more new routes in the future."

"Our other airport shops are also planning an Italian theme by decorating their outlets and offering discounts on food and gifts to bring about a little Italian flair to Belfast. Today heralds the start of a bumper season for the airport with a total of 11 new routes launching this summer."

Sam Morrison from Clockwork Orange said, "Milan is the Italian capital of fashion and to celebrate Clockwork Orange thought it would be a great idea to get the first passengers in the mood for their trip. This flight will also be beneficial to local retailers like me who travel to northern Italy to source collections."

www.Parctel.com: Holland’s number one low-cost airline and now a favourite of the Scots too, celebrated its first anniversary of flying from Glasgow Prestwick airport on Sunday March 25. Lucky customers James and Elizabeth Innies from East Kilbride were the first to check in on transavia.com’s birthday flight and were presented with a bouquet of Dutch tulips and two free return tickets to Amsterdam with transavia.com to celebrate!

As a birthday present for all customers, transavia.com is also offering a ‘1p First Birthday Celebration Offer’, where one-way tickets from Glasgow Prestwick to Amsterdam cost just 1p, plus taxes and charges, for travel to the end of June 2007 when booked before midnight on Sunday April 1. This fantastic birthday promotion means tickets cost just £24.31 one-way, an excellent saving on the normal fare.

During the first year of operation, transavia.com has flown more than 50,000 customers between Glasgow Prestwick and Amsterdam. The service flies five times per week and the journey takes just 90 minutes, meaning a trip to Holland is just a short hop away! As one of Europe’s largest hub airports, Schiphol in Amsterdam also offers travellers the option of onward connections to 41 different destinations with transavia.com, and a total of more than 260 destinations in 90 countries.

Onno van den Brink, CEO transavia.com, comments “We’re delighted to celebrate our first birthday flying between Scotland and Holland. In our first year, we’ve had great feedback from customers on the reliability of our service, our great low prices and our convenient flight times, so we hope in the next year we can become Glasgow’s favourite, as well as Holland’s number one low cost airline!”

Mark Rodwell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, added: “transavia.com provided the airport with our first direct connection to Holland and it has proved popular with passengers travelling in both directions as Amsterdam is a brilliant destination.

“We are delighted to celebrate the route’s first birthday and hope the service will continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come. As transavia.com is currently the only low cost carrier operating on the Glasgow to Amsterdam route and provides a friendly and efficient service, we are confident that will happen.”

Spring is a great time to visit the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Tulips and flowers galore are once again coming into bloom and the gardens will be open until 20 May 2007.

This year’s theme is ‘Linnaeus King of Flowers’ to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Swedish scientist. In keeping with this, the gardens were opened by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on the first day of spring and this season’s highlights include a huge, colourful flower-mosaic of Pippi Longstocking. www.keukenhof.nl

To book flights visit www.transavia.com or call 0207 365 4997

www.Parctel.com: Following an extensive public consultation exercise, Humberside Airport has today (Friday) published the final version of its Master Plan, which outlines the Airport’s future development up to 2030.

The Airport received a number of very useful responses to the public consultation and the main points of the draft Plan have been accepted in the final version. However, many suggestions made from this very positive process have also been accommodated into the final Master Plan.

Copies of the Master Plan have been distributed to all statutory consultees and stakeholders. It is also available to view from today on the Humberside Airport website www.humbersideairport.com.

The final Plan sets out how the Airport will grow and develop over the coming years in relation to the blueprint provided by the White Paper The Future of Air Transport (2003), which supported the continued growth of air traffic at Humberside Airport. The Plan also concentrates on how Humberside Airport will accommodate and capitalise upon the expected growth in the UK aviation industry, as the demand from UK passengers is anticipated to continue to grow significantly over the next 20 to 30 years.

The Master Plan will provide an invaluable document to chart the progress of Humberside Airport in the coming years and concentrates in detail on the development of the Airport up to 2016. However the Plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure it is meeting the Airport’s ongoing needs. Higher and lower growth estimates for passenger figures at the Airport have been included in the Master Plan, with figures expected to reach between 1 and 1.4 million passengers per year by the 2016 mark.

Rob Goldsmith, Managing Director Humberside Airport said,
“We are delighted to reveal the final version of the Master Plan for Humberside Airport. We received a positive response to the public consultation process and it is heartening that so many people have taken this interest in the development of their local airport.

“After careful consideration of all of the issues and comments raised during the consultation process, we have produced what we believe is a Plan which will see the Airport flourish and reach it’s full potential over the period outlined and beyond. With the support that we now have on a local and regional level and from Government, we are confident that we can achieve the aims laid out in the Master Plan and cement our position as the region’s airport of choice.”
Key Points of Draft Master Plan 2006

By 2016 Humberside Airport plans to:

* Increase jobs on site to 1,040 in ten years (1,230 in 25 years)
* Double the number of passengers to around 1 million per annum by 2016
* Increase its air freight business particularly in support of regional specialities like perishable food products
* Maintain all development within the existing site without the need for a runway extension
* Invest significantly to improve and enlarge its terminal and operational infrastructure
* More than triple regional employment income to £51m (2030)
* Underline its position as gateway to the Humber and a catalyst for inbound investment in the region
* Increased contribution/support for community initiatives including public transport links

www.JustParking.co.za: Bradford is a friendly, exciting and diverse city and has grown to be the fifth biggest in the UK. But recent reports have highlighted that the city's health is a cause for concern. Particularly worrying is that Bradford's infant mortality rate - the number of babies who die before they reach their first birthday - is amongst the highest in the country.

From from October 2006, all babies born in Bradford were recruited into the Born in Bradford research project. Their health is being tracked from pregnancy through childhood and into adult life. Data gathered will be analysed to shed light on why some people become ill and others do not.

The Born in Bradford projcet boasts Mr. Imran Kahn and Baroness Lockwood as patrons.

The Leeds Bradford International Airport has now agreed to have a Mumtaz vending machine in their international arrivals hall, in support of the Born in Bradford initiative.

The Mumtaz machine sells delicious Lassi yoghurt drinks – and all of the profits from the machine in the airport will go towards the Born in Bradford study.

Miles Scott, Chief Executive of the foundation trust, said: “Born in Bradford relies upon the support of the local community so the backing of Mumtaz and the airport is fantastic news”.

“It’s a massive project and we need as much support and help from the community as possible so that we can make a real difference in improving the health of children, not just in Bradford, but across the world.”

More about Born in Bradford

www.JustParking.co.uk: Hundreds of Thousands of travellers will be heading for the sun over the Easter Weekend and it would be well worth your while to stop and plan ahead as a very stressful start to your weekend could ruin the small Easter break.

Check Now that you have:

• Booked and paid for your flights.
• Booked and paid for your Airport Parking.
• Secured Travel Insurance.
• Booked and Paid for your Accommodation.
• Packed the Sun Essentials and are up to date with the new carry on regulations.

Also, make sure that you leave early for the airport and arrive well in time for your flight and check in.

For example over the Easter and Bank Holiday weekend 610,000 travellers are expected to fly out from from Manchester Airport. To help you have a hassle-free start to your journey MAnchester Airport have added new x-ray screening lanes, extra security staff and management volunteers to advise people on the restrictions as they prepare for security screening.

Manchester Airport Customer Service Advisors will also be handing out plastic bags to passengers for their liquids of 100mls or less, but the advice is “check the restrictions before you check in”.

Liquids include;

• Water and other drinks, soups, syrups
• Creams, lotions and oils
• Perfumes
• Sprays
• Gels, including hair and shower gels
• Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants
• Pastes, including toothpaste
• Liquid-solid mixtures
• Mascara
• Any other item of a similar consistency

View Full Current Security Restrictions

www.Parctel.com: A new holiday operator will be joining Humberside Airport this summer offering exciting getaways to Turkey - from July 2007, passengers will be able to experience an exotic break in Bodrum or Dalaman with Goldtrail Holidays direct from their local airport.

The Goldtrail Holidays programme will open up a wealth of Turkish resorts for customers from the region to explore. The resort of Bodrum itself has a cosmopolitan feel and comes to life at night, with great restaurants, bars and clubs. From Dalaman, people can opt to stay in Marmaris which boasts a luxurious marina, access to a wide range of water sports and a must-see covered bazaar.

Goldtrail Holidays has been a specialist operator to Turkey for over 10 years and is now the largest independent operator to the country. With extensive knowledge of the best holiday resorts and a dedicated overseas service, Goldtrail can help to create the perfect Turkish adventure to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. There are some great deals available with Goldtrail, including 3* Bed and Breakfast hotels from £236 per person for seven nights and 3* All Inclusive packages from £296 per person for seven nights, with all prices including flight meals, transfers, fuel surcharges and all taxes.

The weekly flights to Bodrum and Dalaman will commence on Tuesday 24 July with both flights provided by Onur Air.

Rob Goldsmith, Humberside Airport Managing Director said,
“We are delighted to welcome Goldtrail Holidays to Humberside Airport for the summer 2007 season. This new operator will provide holiday options to appeal to a range of passengers, with the lively resort of Bodrum for example catering for those seeking a vibrant nightlife, and will compliment our existing programme to Turkey.

“We look forward to welcoming many customers to the Airport as they travel to experience the delights of Bodrum, Dalaman and the surrounding resorts and we hope that both existing and new passengers will enjoy trying something special from their local airport.”

For more information on Goldtrail Holidays’ range of options from Humberside Airport, visit www.goldtrail.co.uk or book through Humberside Airport Travel on 0870 127 0005.

The fiasco over a promotional giveaway by the Daily Telegraph has swelled into a public outcry. Dozens of people — including the editor and circulation director of the newspaper — were given the heave-ho from a parking area overlooking the Mercer County Airport by a person who identified himself as a federal agent for Homeland Security, and other titles.

The newspaper annually hides a plastic oval in the shape of an egg with a coupon inside that will reward the finder with $1,000 upon return to the newspaper offices. Billed as The Great Easter Egg Hunt, the project annually has attracted scores of area hunters who study clues printed daily identifying the location of the treasure.

This year, the popular project turned ugly when many hunters complained about threatening treatment by an overzealous “security agent”, an unfortunate development that for many has marred the intentions of the giveaway.

At issue was the location of the hidden egg, which was found last Saturday and brought to the Daily Telegraph Monday morning for the $1,000 redemption.

The prize was hidden beside a large boulder at an unpaved parking area near the Airport parking lot. Recognized for years as a public parking area, the lot seemed a good location inasmuch as it did not interfere with any airport operation or business. There was no signage indicating any restrictions of trespass.

Even so, airport management took issue with the arrival of hunters and the person wearing a jacket with “Airport Security” emblazoned on the back aggressively forbade anyone from searching for the egg, although when it was placed there Thursday, March 15, there was no one present to warn of any federal security violations.

An airline official based at the airport called the newspaper Monday supporting the attention the airport got, and apologized for the ensuing fallout. He welcomed the 200 or more hunters who looked for the egg over the weekend.

We understand the budget restraints of all agencies everywhere and the resultant limits of hiring agents, but surely a more efficient, professional use of security measures could be found. After all, the public itself is supposed to be the subject of protection.

Arrogance for our own protection doesn’t wash with anyone.

When we innocently hid the egg on March 15, we had no way of knowing of any restrictions. If the unpaved popular parking lot is vital to our protection from attack, it should be clearly marked.

We strongly urge the Mercer County Airport Authority to move swiftly to deal with the multitude of complaints that have bombarded the newspaper since Monday.

As for the newspaper, we sincerely regret the verbal abuse endured by all those who simply were looking for an egg of treasure. We know the humility and the fright of legal bombast.

A footnote we feel is an overlooked quality of all who were run off: No one was arrested because no one seriously challenged the appearance of federal security. The respect for authority was there. For that, we all can feel proud.

Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph

A Brown County judge on Monday ordered a woman convicted of stealing $112,223 while an airport parking cashier to pay $22,223 in restitution.

Rebecca Eland, 31, of Bellevue pleaded no contest to felony theft in November and was sentenced in January to five years' probation with one year in jail.

On Monday, Circuit Court Judge Kendall Kelley heard directly from Eland who said there was no way she could pay back the entire amount in the five years she'll be on probation.

Eland said she is currently earning $6.80 an hour as counter help at a fast food restaurant. She said she's working an average of 33 hours a week, but does not plan to be promoted because of her criminal record.

Eland said she receives sporadic child support from her ex-husband with whom she has two children. She said she has no other substantial assets and expects no significant changes to her ability to make money.

After questioning from her lawyer, Kelley asked: "What'd you do with the money you stole?"

Eland said she used the stolen cash — about $32,000 a year— to pay for rent, living expenses for her children, groceries and day care.

In ordering restitution, Kelley noted that the county has been made whole, repaid by Standard Parking, the Austin Straubel International Airport parking vendor. Deputy Brown County District Attorney John Luetscher noted that Standard's insurance company — AIG — paid $90,000 of the amount and Standard Parking made up the rest, which included a $10,000 deductible and investigative and accounting fees.

Kelley ordered Eland to pay the $22,223 to Standard for its losses in the case.

Kelley noted that AIG, in its role as an insurer, took on some of that risk of being a victim voluntarily.

"They get paid to bear that risk," Kelley said, noting that nothing prevents AIG from suing Eland in civil court to recoup their losses.

Eland began serving her year-long jail stint March 16 and expects to retain her job while she's allowed work release privileges.

Source: Andy Nelesen, Green Bay Press

www.JustParking.co.uk: Holiday makers looking for safe and reliable off-airport parking would do well to book with a member of IAPRA, the Independent Airport Park and Ride Association.

The Independent Airport Park and Ride Association is the trade association which represents the UK’s independent off-airport car parking industry. IAPRA was established in October 2002 and its members include all the key independent park and ride and off-airport car parks in the country. Its members offer a combined total of 45,000 parking spaces serving passengers at airports the length and breadth of the country.

The objectives of IAPRA include promoting best practice within the industry and ensuring that the industry’s voice is heard on issues of import to its members. It isn’t only the interests of its members that IAPRA monitor - the interests of the consumers are high on their list of priorities. Customers that park with an IAPRA member can be certain that where facilities are provided by airport authorities for drop off and pick ups, charges will be fair and reasonable.

IAPRA have a strict code of conduct that its members must adhere to with stringent guidelines for vehicle security. IAPRA state that their members must provide adequate protection from theft to customers’ cars along with reasonable safety measures to prevent the hazard of fire on the premises. A vehicle left with an IAPRA member is a vehicle left in safe hands. The Association ensure that its members have adequate insurance cover to protect customers cars at all times.

Members of IAPRA include Purple Parking, APH and Airparks Services. Airparks are holders of the Park Mark which is awarded by the Association of Chief of Police Officers. The Park Mark is given to parking facilities with comprehensive measures to deter criminal activities. Parking across each of Airparks’ 5 sites is secured by security fencing, CCTV coverage, regular 24 hour patrols and floodlighting.

Airparks Services have parking facilities at 5 airports across the UK - they offer a high level of customer service. Sites at Luton, East Midlands, Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham airports all offer a 24 hour reception and free transfers to the airport terminals. They even offer a jump start and tyre inflation service to their customers.

Booking an airport parking space with Airparks guarantees holiday makers peace of mind knowing their vehicle is in a safe hands.

Source: WebWire

www.JustParking.co.uk: As they say; "One man's meat is another man's poison" and that couldn't be better illustrated by this particular rant on the Lurking On The Web blog, about the price of Luton Airport Parking:

Well, I have to start somewhere so I thought I'd start with a moan...

Have you seen the amount it costs to park in the Short Stay car park at Luton Airport? I was there to pick up my Girlfriend flying in from Ireland an hour after I arrived at the car park. £6.50 for 1 hour!!!!! £10 for 2 hours!!!! You don't have to pay that much to park in Central London.

That set me in a bad mood, and from then until my Girlfriend arrived I tried to get some answers as to why they considered this justified. Imagine if the plane you are waiting for is delayed for some reason. The airline isn't going to care that they just cost you another £10 for parking just because their plane was late, so in effect, Luton airport (or NCP as it is their car park) are cashing in big time.

I spoke to the desk where you go to pay for your ticket, and they said it was NCP that set the charges, and they agreed that the prices were too high, and almost begged me to take the matter further, including going to the papers. All I got for NCP was an email address (which I shall be writing to shortly). I then asked to speak to a manager for Luton Airport. Instead, one of his staff came down to me as "the manager won't come down to speak to you about parking". He gave me an address to write to in Luton Airport to complain, but he said "I doubt you'll get anywhere, the airport has to make its money somewhere and they don't make much from the planes"

He explained the flight arrival times are available on teletext and on the internet, but sometimes I have to leave home to get to the airport before my girlfriends flight has actually taken off, and Ryanair in particular, (but other airlines too) are terrible to notify the passengers of a delay, until the very last minute. (and sometimes not even then).

He also said there was about 1000 spaces, and most of the time its around 75% full. If you imagine the average stay of 1 hour, thats £4875 per hour NCP makes from that short stay car park!! Flights come into and leave Luton airport from 7am to 2am! Thats potentially £92625 per day!!! Is this really justified?

Somewhere along the line, someone is sitting back and laughing their head off about the money they are making. For people waiting to collect someone from an inbound flight, the charge is unavoidable because of security measures, there is no waiting near the terminal, so you have to park up in the Short Stay.

All we can say is; "Join those making money and sign up as an affiliate to sell Airport Parking with JustParking.co.uk. Click here to sign up as an AFFILIATE.

www.Parctel.com: We recently highlighted the human trafficking that takes place at Gatwick Airport - Women for sale in the Gatwick slave auctions - and are pleased to report that Edinburgh Airport Parking attendants have received training to help them spot human trafficking.

Labour's Ann McKechin (Glasgow N) told the House of the training given to parking attendants at Edinburgh airport to help them spot people traffickers.

They then fed the information to police to help crack down on the trade, she said.

Tory Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth E) said: "Let us not forget that slavery takes many forms and despite the progress in removing the legitimate and overt forms of slavery it is now the illegitimate and covert exploitation of slavery that still exists."

Democratic Unionist Sammy Wilson (Antrim E) told MPs slavery was a "blemish" on the UK's history and was important to be remembered as part of the history of the UK.

www.carpark-fly.com: The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority commissioners have formally agreed to a revamped pricing structure for parking at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

As of April 1, the two-hour free parking window in the airport's long-term parking will be eliminated with motorists expected to pay $1 per hour up to a $10 per day maximum and a $50 per week maximum.

Also rising on April 1 will be the daily maximum in short-term parking, which will increase from $18 to $20.

www.Parctel.com: ‘What we do and how we do it’ was the theme of this year’s Stansted Airport Noise Seminar attended by over 100 invited guests from the local community, schools, airlines, airports and business partners.

Headline speakers from NATS, the air traffic services provider, easyJet and Fedex gave the audience an insight into how the airport, airlines and NATS work together to keep planes on the right track and noise impacts to a minimum, discussing topics ranging from aircraft track keeping, the Arrivals Code of Practice to Continuous Descent Approach.

Speaking at the seminar, Terry Morgan, BAA Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “Here at the airport we are in no doubt that noise is one of the biggest issues in our local community. I talk to many people about it, my colleagues are out and about with me in the local community to discuss it, and our Noise Communications team deals with many enquiries on a day to day basis.

“Today is about explaining the good progress we are making in managing noise; to highlight what we are doing to keep local people well informed about the issue; to learn more about how the wider industry is taking seriously its responsibility in this important area and of course, just as important, to receive your comments and feedback.”

The seminar also saw the unveiling of new aircraft departure maps, showing the routes and heights of Stansted planes when taking-off from the airport. This follows last year’s successful launch of similar maps showing where planes fly on their arrival into Stansted. With these new departure maps, the local community now has the best ever information available to them on where planes fly when they operate to and from the airport.

Vicki Hughes, BAA Stansted’s Noise Communications Manager, said: “I am delighted that so many people were able to attend this year’s noise seminar as it’s a fantastic opportunity to share information and help improve understanding of what is a very important issue for many in the local community and surrounding areas. We are committed to being open and honest about the flights departing and arriving at Stansted, and that is why I’m really excited about the launch of the new departure maps. In providing this additional information we are able to help our local community have a clearer picture of where planes fly when they leave Stansted airport and their typical heights.”

A special edition of ‘Plane Talk’, Stansted’s community newsletter, will soon be available to local residents, detailing the topics covered at the seminar.

www.JustParking.com: BAA Gatwick’s North Terminal short term multi storey car park re-opens for business on Monday morning. Following an extensive six month refurbishment programme, the £5.5 million investment project has been completed a week ahead of schedule.

The work follows similar refurbishment projects at the South Terminal’s three short term car parks. All four improved car parks now incorporate better facilities for passengers, including digital displays to help car park users easily locate free spaces, clearer markings and surfaces as well as energy saving lighting.

To support this project North Terminal’s car rental office was temporarily relocated to the South Terminal. With effect from Friday 30th March, car hire companies will return to the North Terminal ensuring passengers have easy access to car rental at both terminals.

Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, celebrates the start of European summer time with a fare offer of £9.99* on all routes from the UK to destinations across Europe. Our two Ryanair blonde stunners are ready to hit the hot beaches of Europe (though maybe they're a little under-dressed for March) and are encouraging people to stop hibernating and book a flight to the sun.

They've got their bikinis, their cocktails and their beach towels, and they're all set to find the sun this summer with Europe's largest low fares airline.

Ryanair's UK Marketing Executive Elaine Duff said: "It's time to throw away the winter coats and scarves and feel the sun on your face. Summer's coming and Ryanair has 455 fantastic low fare routes across 25 countries, all fabulous destinations offering summer sun at the lowest fares in Europe.

"Choose from the usual magical tourist hotspots in Spain such as Vitoria, Santander and Santiago or Italy's Ancona or Alghero, or even Marseille or Toulon in France, or maybe this summer consider something different - in Hungary, Slovenia or Latvia. They're off the beaten track, untouristed, and cheap as chips!

"Right now, fares start from £9.99* one-way, inclusive of tax, so get that summer break booked now on ryanair.com.

"At fares this low, we advise you to book them fast because once they're gone, they're gone."

Ryanair lovelies Ashleigh and Llana soaking up the sun at Prestwick Airport.

www.Parctel.com: The new air service between Anglesey and Cardiff will commence on the 08 May 2007 with the first flight landing at the new Maes Awyr Môn/Anglesey Airport at 08:35am. Tickets go on sale on Monday 26 March.

Highland Airways Ltd will be operating the service, which will provide two daily return flights from Monday to Friday [inclusive], with one return flight in the morning and one return flight in the afternoon.

Flights will depart Cardiff International Airport at 07:30am each morning and depart from Anglesey on the return sector at 08:55am. In the afternoon the Cardiff departure is at 16:15pm and Anglesey at 17:40pm. On Fridays the afternoon timetable is advanced by one hour to suit the earlier evening closure of RAF Valley.

A fully pressurised Jetstream 31 will be used for this service offering a passenger capacity of 18 seats each way and a maximum fare of £49.99 for a single journey on what is termed as a PSO (Public Service Obligation) route, the first ever such operation in Wales.

Flight tickets can be purchased online at www.highlandairways.co.uk from Monday 26 March 2007.

Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks said: "I would like to welcome Highland Airways on board and thank our partners Isle of Anglesey County Council and RAF Valley in their support in getting this service off the ground, this is a good example of partnership working. Airports and air services have a vital role to play within the framework of an integrated and sustainable transport system in Wales. This new service adds to the range of options for travellers between Anglesey and Cardiff.

"The service will provide improved business linkages, tourism opportunities and significant time savings for travel between North and South Wales, and is an important step in the continued economic development of north-west Wales."

Basil O'Fee, Commercial Director, Highland Airways Ltd said: "The new service will be of great benefit to Wales from a commercial and tourism point of view. Although it is subsidised for up to three years we hope it would be developed beyond that time. Our timetable is designed to permit a day's business to be achieved at either end of the route. Although fares are capped at £50 Highland Airways intends to offer a range of fares for those willing to book early online to encourage people to try the service."

The Station Commander, RAF Valley, Group Captain Tony Barmby, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Highland Airways to RAF Valley and the start of scheduled air services in May. We are delighted to be playing a key role in developing this very important project that will benefit the Anglesey and North Wales communities and economy."

Isle of Anglesey County Council Leader Councillor Gareth Winston Roberts OBE welcomed this latest important milestone.

He said, "With tickets going on sale now, companies and other organisations based in the region can start planning for businesses trips to the Capital from May 8th onwards. The holiday season is also on the horizon, and the air service will provide an exciting new tourism link between North and South Wales."

Cllr Roberts added, "Maes Awyr Môn is a particularly exciting project for us here on Ynys Môn, as it will act as a catalyst for regeneration. The potential of future additional routes could also bring further economic benefits to North West Wales."

Jon Horne, managing director, Cardiff International Airport said, "Linking Cardiff with North Wales is a significant step for us. Not only will we serve the market within Wales, we are opening up the world for travellers in North Wales who can use Cardiff to connect to destinations around the globe."

www.JustParking.co.uk: Glasgow Prestwick Airport is to provide the cheapest long stay car parking facilities in Scotland.

When Car Park 7 opens on Friday March 30, passengers can leave their vehicles on-site when they jet off for as little as £9.99 for three days, or £22.99 for eight days – or even less.

Arlane Fleming, Glasgow Prestwick’s Commercial Manager, explains: “We are committed to providing the best car parking at GPA. We already provide the closest car parks for those who need them, now we provide the cheapest car parks and we plan to keep it that way.

“If you fly from Glasgow Prestwick, you can support the airport, support the cheapest flights and get the cheapest parking deals by booking your parking with us."

Passengers can also take advantage of various special offers when Car Park 7 Long Stay Economy, which will be located on the airport’s north side, opens for business.

The new car park will be fully floodlit and fully asphalted with 24 hour CCTV coverage, regular patrols, help points, passenger wait facilities and toilets.

www.Parctel.com: The first passengers on the brand new bmi regional flight to Copenhagen from Leeds Bradford were delighted to be travelling to Denmark this morning as they checked-in for the inaugural flight.

The check-in area was decorated with Danish flags to mark the occasion and airport staff wearing Viking hats dished out Danish pastries to all passengers.

Leeds Bradford International Airport's Marketing and Business Development Manager, Sally Ramsey enthused, 'This new service is going to be popular with both business and leisure passengers and is a welcome addition to the ever growing number of destinations available from Leeds Bradford Airport.”

The daily service is operated on a full service, jet Embraer 145 aircraft.

www.PArctel.com: bmi regional, a wholly owned subsidiary of bmi, is to launch a daily service from Manchester to Lyon from 25th May 2007.

The airline plans to use an Embraer aircraft on the route, which will offer both business and economy fares.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “We’re delighted that bmi regional is to operate flights between Manchester and Lyon. It’s an extremely popular service with both business and leisure passengers and we’re keen to keep it on our route network.”

Manchester-Lyon Flight Schedule

Depart Manchester 10:30; arrive Lyon 13:15 (Monday to Saturday)*
Depart Manchester 14:45; arrive Lyon 17:30 (Sunday)
Depart Lyon 13:50; arrive Manchester 14:45 (Monday to Saturday)*
Depart Lyon 18:00; arrive Manchester 18:55 (Sunday)

www.PArctel.com: The pride of British and European aviation, the colossal Airbus A380 is expected to pay a flying visit to East Midlands Airport on Monday 26th March. Aviation enthusiasts from around the region will be able to view the aircraft from the Aeropark which will be opened specially by the Aeropark Volunteers Association for this ‘one off’ occasion.

At this time the aircraft is expected to perform a low approach and ‘go around’ during Monday ( hopefully at around 11am ) followed by a flight over the Rolls Royce Works at Derby where the A380’s Trent 900 engines are manufactured.

Trevor Fitchett, spokesman for the AVA commented; "We were all disappointed last year when the A380 visited Britain on two separate occasions and failed to appear in the skies over the East Midlands, especially with the obvious connection with Rolls Royce. However this visit, will I’m sure, make up for that disappointment and we are opening the Aeropark so everyone can get a real close up view of ‘the shape of things to come’ in civil aviation".

The A380 is set enter the record books with its enormous size, The length of the Double Deck fuselage is 73 metres, the height to the tip of the tail is 24 metres and the wingspan is a gigantic 79.metres. Already many of the worlds leading airlines have ordered the A380 and the first revenue earning flights should take place later this year in the colours of Singapore Airlines.

One final word comes from Trevor at the AVA who informs us that the Aeropark will be open from 9am on Monday with a charge of £2 that includes parking and all proceeds from the day will be going to the AVA for the ongoing development of the park.

The massive new Airbus A380 arrives over Farnborough in 2006 with the hopes of the British and European Aviation Industry. The same aircraft is expected at East Midlands Airport on Monday 26th March. Photo: Barrie White.

www.Parctel.com: The Chancellor’s decision not to impose further taxes on air travel has been welcomed by the Managing Director of Durham Tees Valley Airport as ‘good news for the industry, our customers—and the economy as a whole.’

Hugh Lang was speaking after Gordon Brown announced in his Budget speech that he would not be putting VAT on airlines tickets—a move which would have sent prices rising by 17.5 per cent—because he said the idea had ‘not been properly thought through.’

The Chancellor pointed out that such a move could only have applied to domestic flights, businesses would have been able to claim back the VAT and it would have produced only a small reduction in carbon emissions.

Said Hugh Lang “Clearly, if the Chancellor had paid attention to those voices calling for yet more taxation on the airline industry, it would have had a major impact on UK airports and our customers.

“Given that the whole of the industry is still absorbing the impact of the recent doubling in the level of Airport Passenger Duty, the imposition of VAT would have caused us significant difficulties.

“On this occasion the Chancellor appears to have recognised that such a move, whilst hitting a very important industry and increasing costs for millions of passengers, would have achieved very little in environmental terms.

“Everyone in the air transport industry is anxious to make a positive and constructive role to the environmental challenges we face, but simply imposing ever-increasing taxes is not the answer.”

The spring break holiday travel season is in full swing and that means parking pains here at the Honolulu airport.

Larger crowds can sometimes lead to frustrated travelers.

"You're trying to start your spring break you know, you're looking forward to it, then all of a sudden, you get all the frustrations of having to deal with the parking situation, then all the waiting in lines that you have to deal with travel," said traveler Ron Dormido.

The State Department of Transportation says the best alternative is to get a ride; others have their own creative solutions.

"Instead of parking my car here, for the trip, I had my brother drop it off and drop us off at the airport, and then he dropped off the car so we could pick it up, just because we were expecting it to be a hassle for parking," said Ron Dormido.

Some are aware of the problem and plan ahead, for others; the experience can be very stressful.

I feel bad for the people who have to deal with it for the first time; they just drive around for like a half-hour, trying to look for parking in all these garages, it's a headache trying to get to your flight on time," said traveler Christopher Bonilla.

To avoid those headaches, travelers are advised to add an additional 45 minutes to their airport arrival times in addition to the recommended two-hour pre-flight arrival time.

Overflow parking will be available at the former United Cargo lot on A'olele Street,

But if you're in a rush to catch your flight and you have a little extra cash, Valet parking is also another option.

Source: Roger Mari, KHNL

www.Parctel.com: One of our founder advertisers, Just Parking, has informed us that they also offer affiliates a chance to increase their income by signing up for the Just Parking Affiliate program.

This opportunity is ideally suited to webmasters who run a travel, flight or airport orientated site. Commissions are 15% on the value of the parking booked at all airports in the United Kingdom, plus 10% second tier commission, and you get your own free sub domain on Just Parking as well as direct and iFrame links to place on your web site.

Parctel will also create an RSS to HTML page for all webmasters signing up with Just Parking. All you need to do is let Parctel know the url of the page that you would like the Parctel news feed to appear on and we will do the rest and send you the necessary code to upload to your webserver and the feed, which is search engine friendly, will be dynamically served without you having to lift a finger.

Send Alan a mail (alan[at]parctel.com) with your Just Parking Affiliate Number and URL of the page you want the Parctel feed on.

And, whilst you are about it, submit your Airport Parking OR Travel Related Site to the Parctel Searchable Directory and then send us a story about your business which we will publish for free on Parctel.

Essential Links:
Just Parking Airport Parking
Just Parking Affiliate Sign Up
Parctel Directory
Parctel Free Story Submission

All passengers who ever flown out of Birmingham Airport know how much trouble, not to mention costs, car parking can be, particularly when you are in a hurry. I travel from Birmingham a few times each month on business, so I’ve used nearly all the airport parking services there.

The first thing I did was arranging car parking by pre-booking it online, which saved me some precious time and even a couple of pounds. I have picked up several useful tips regarding the various companies over the past five years, and I sincerely hope my advice on parking can make travelling easier for others as well.

There are around 10 different firms which operate parking services out of Birmingham International Airport and it isn’t very hard to reach all of them and provide professional security for your vehicle while you are travelling. If you think dog patrols and police patrols are very different, then you may want to check this out further, but otherwise, I’m very sure: wherever you park your car it will be safe during your absence.

The most important thing to be sure of is how much available time you have left prior to your check-in procedure and how much the airport parking service is going to cost you.

Definitely the easiest service, but also the most expensive, is to make use of the valet parking options of a firm such as CPS Meet and Greet. A company’s representative will meet you when you arrive at the airport and drive your car to the parking facility for you. You can then make an appointment with them to return your car when you come back from your journey and you’re off! Could it be easier?

The only parking facility which is situated 4.5 miles from Birmingham airport is the Airparks Birmingham park, which runs a free of charge and frequent shuttle service to both terminals. Transfers are available day and night, seven days per week. When you check-in a telephone number will be given to you which you need to call for a transfer back to the parking site at your return.

APH Birmingham’s car park can easily be found due to its location just off the M42 motorway and M6 toll road. The company offers valet parking services and from the car park there is frequent transportation to and from both terminal buildings. The duration of the trip is about 10 to 15 minutes. When you return from your voyage you will be picked up from the terminal after you have collected your baggage. Your car will be waiting at the return spaces area.

During the last five years I have tried several alternative opportunities, but by now I can say without a doubt that the online Birmingham airport parking companies mentioned below operate the fastest ways of ensuring car parking.

Source: Andrew Bond, Article Dashboard

Newcastle International Airport boss John Parkin was suspended from his job yesterday.

Chief executive John Parkin was suspended from day-to-day duties while a probe is carried out.

A statement issued by the organisation said: "Newcastle International Airport Ltd has today suspended its chief executive, John Parkin, from the day-to-day management of the Company, whilst an investigation is carried out concerning certain personal contractual issues."

An airport spokeswoman refused to release any further details last night.

It is not known whether Mr Parkin has been suspended on full pay or how long the investigation will take.

The spokeswoman said: "The airport company will not be making any further comment on this matter until the investigation has been concluded."

But the leader of one North-East council with shares in the airport described it as a "complex situation" of "great concern".

The decision is understood to have been taken at a meeting of the airport company board on Thursday.

Its commercial and aviation development director David Laws - until this week the only other executive director - will act as chief executive while the investigation is carried out.

A third executive director has now been appointed, the company announced yesterday. Simon Fisher will take up the position of finance director and company secretary.

The airport company is jointly owned by seven North-East councils, who between them have 51% of the shares, and Copenhagen Airports.

South Tyneside Council - which acts as the "lead authority" on the local authority holding company - would not comment.

But Newcastle Council leader John Shipley said: "As a shareholder, along with other local councils, this situation is obviously of great concern to Newcastle City Council.

"However, it would be inappropriate for the city council to comment further on what is clearly a complex situation."

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority member Greg Stone, said: "It's surprising news. He's been very highly thought of and considered to have done a good job."

Mr Parkin, 52, who came to Newcastle in 2002 after working as managing director of Bristol International Airport, is also a board member of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative marketing agency.

He was unavailable for comment at his home in Newcastle last night.

His suspension comes three months after a major re-financing deal was trumpeted, which released £80m to the five Tyne and Wear authorities and two county councils which hold shares. The finance was provided through a long-term loan by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which replaces a series of commercial loans entered into in 2001.

However, concerns were raised that its long-term implications may not be favourable, as the authorities refused on grounds of commercial confidentiality to disclose details of the extra borrowing taken on as part of the deal.

Flight plan started with the grass roots and soared to the jetstream

Newcastle Airport started life as little more than a hanger and a grass runway in 1935 - it is now the most rapidly-expanding in the UK.

It is the ninth-largest in the UK, but passenger numbers continue to soar - 5.19 million passed through its doors in 2005.

The latest big-name airline to arrive is Emirates, which in January announced a daily service to Dubai from September 1 this year.

Newcastle Airport is owned by seven local authorities - Durham and Northumberland County Councils, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland councils, who have a 51% stake, and Copenhagen Airport, which has 49%. At the end of last year, it was revealed that a re-financing deal at the airport left the local authorities sharing an £80m dividend. The airport paid the money out after it struck a deal effectively to re-mortgage the site.

The airport recently set out development proposals until 2016.

In the near term, these include building a multi-storey car park to replace the current short-stay parking area, a 187-bedroom on-site hotel and the expansion of the freight facilities.

There are also plans to extend the runway at its east end and connect the airport with the National Rail network.

Source: Ross Smith, The Journal

www.Parctel.com: When you get back from your holiday, collect your car from the Airport Parking Garage please try NOT to do what this guy does:

www.Parctel.com: Can you help out this poster on the PPRuNe Forums (The Professional Pilots Rumour Network Forums)?

Hi there folks, i'm hoping to get a new thread going on this history of the airport and how things were/looked inside the original terminal (T1) between it's opening in 1962 to the present day. Any info would be great.
To start with, does anyone remember the inclined travalator system that used to run from the arrivals level up to the check-in hall and possibly to the various multi storey car park levels? I think they may have been ripped out in the mid to late 80's and replaced with lifts.

Click here to reply

www.Parctel.com: This video of a Parking Meter in Boston shows how much parking time you get for every quarter / 25 US Cents:

Passenger numbers are up at Wellington Airport but a lack of capacity growth will constrain demand in the next 12 months, says infrastructure investor Infratil.

Infratil holds a 66 per cent stake in the airport, whose domestic and international passenger numbers rose last month by 4.2 per cent and 8.8 per cent respectively.

Load factors - the percentage of seats filled - were well ahead of last year and the airport expected a lack of capacity growth to constrain buoyant demand for travel in the next year.

Infratil said the experience at Wellington was just part of a bigger picture including an imbalance between demand and supply.

"There is an airline boom under way supported by high demand, constrained supply and, not surprisingly under those circumstances, significant increases in average fares."

February passenger numbers were up 6 per cent on last year at Glasgow Prestwick Airport and up nearly 30 per cent at Luebeck Airport.

Freight handled at Kent International Airport was up nearly 50 per cent on last year at 2408 tonnes.

Infratil's shares closed down 3c yesterday at $5.47.

Source: Owen Hembry, New Zealand Herald

One of Scotland's most historic town centres will experience a £300m renaissance under plans inspired by the successful rebirth of Glasgow's Merchant City.

Ayr, long a popular destination with central-belt day- trippers, will see a significant public-private investment drive to reinvigorate areas the local authority admits are "standing still" in the 1950s and 1960s.

The regeneration vision, given a 20-year timescale, includes plans to reconstruct Burns Statue Square - Ayr's civic centre, create a public plaza and build hotels, shopping centres and housing.
advertisement

The historic features of its medieval high street and various wynds will be retained, with moves made to discourage discount retailers and instead usher in upmarket cafes, bistros, restaurants and hotels, creating streetscapes similar to those found in the regenerated Merchant City.

Far from having the most dilapidated downtown area in Scotland, Ayr has the fifth-largest town-centre retail footprint in the country.

Nevertheless, the development has been welcomed as an integral means of increasing tourism to Scot-land as a whole, given its proximity to Prestwick airport and ferry routes, along with attractions such as Burns Cottage, Culzean Castle and Ayr racecourse.

Also mooted is a four-storey hotel and conference centre, shopping centres and modern office developments.

The town's bus station is also likely to be relocated, with indications suggesting it will be sited alongside the rail station to create an interchange.

The plans are being driven forward by South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire. Together, they hope to attract significant private investment to the town, along with public financing, Heritage Lottery funding and money from the town's common-good funds. A single agency will be created to steer the project.

Councillor Gibson Macdonald, leader of South Ayrshire Council, told The Herald the overhaul was the most far-reaching development in the town's history.

"This is not a question of a makeover, a lick of paint, or the renovation of some buildings," he stressed. "This is radical thinking. The town clearly needs a wake-up call. We are in the 21st century, not the 1950s or 1960s, and Ayr has to be brought up to date.

"This plan is both practical and imaginative. What is realistic is that standing still is not an option. The town must move forward."

Michael Wright, manager of the Global Connections division at Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, said the proposals would ensure the town played a key role in the economic development of Ayrshire and Scotland as a whole, given its geographic location.

He said: "The town centre and seafront has a pivotal role to play in growing Ayrshire's tourism economy by supporting the world-class attractions we have in golf, Burns and the Clyde coast.

"The growth of Glasgow Prestwick Airport has already had a very positive impact on visitor numbers and it is essential we capitalise on this opportunity."

The overall strategy follows on from a nine-month consultation project on the town's future between the local authority and the enterprise body.

A full report, outlining the plans in detail, will be presented to the council's policy and resources committee next month.

Source: MARTYN McLAUGHLIN, The Herald

It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.

In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.

If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.

Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.

There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.

British Airways has begun a campaign to recruit and train 20 graduates to fill vacancies in its IT department.

The airline plans to offer successful applicants 18 months' intensive training in IT support, development and delivery, and business analysis.

The recruitment drive, the first major campaign run by the airline in more than six years, follows significant investments by BA in systems such as online booking.

"After an absence of more than six years, the recruitment campaign for IT professionals offers both a great opportunity for candidates, who will receive tailor-made training in a cutting-edge environment, and to the business," said Bill Francis, head of resourcing and skills at BA.

The airline plans to put the graduates through a programme of hands-on and classroom-based training covering a wide range of IT projects, including rostering programmes, website design and check-in processes.

The trainees will gain experience in Linux and Web 2.0 technology and participate in major projects, such as the development of Heathrow Terminal 5, said Francis.

The airline is offering 10 graduate positions at Heathrow and 10 places at Newcastle Airport. Participants will be offered permanent roles based on their interests and abilities and business needs, the company said.

Paul Corby, chief information officer at BA, said that in the future the airline hoped to recruit graduates from a new range of IT degree courses that combine technology and business studies, which are being introduced by some UK universities.

"Individuals who have the ability to use technology to solve problems in business and public administration are essential to the needs of both BA and UK plc in general," he said.

Source: Bill Goodwin, ComputerWeekly.com

www.Parctel.com: The Port of Dover has retained its Park Mark for the quality of its car parks for the fifth time.

The award is granted by The British Parking Association on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the assessment lasts for three years.

“There is a clear link between good quality car parks and low levels,” says Stuart Agutter of the Port of Dover. “The Park Mark is awarded to those car park operators that demonstrate a clear commitment to reducing crime and, equally importantly, the fear of crime by implementing the required measures.”

Research has shown that where car park operators have a number of features within their car parks including design, lighting, surveillance by staff and/or CCTV, staffing levels and good management practices, crime is on average reduced by 70 per cent.

Mike Bibby, South East Regional Development Manager of the British Parking Association, inspected the port’s car parks and commented: “The traffic wardens working at the Port of Dover are amongst the most proactive I have seen. The amount of criminal offences they help to prevent and detect is really quite amazing.”

“People don’t often associate traffic wardens with crime prevention but ours are a tremendous asset and we are very proud of them.”

www.Parctel.com: The popular holiday company has now released its winter (2007/08) programme of package holidays to Alicante - direct from the Northwest’s new international airport.

Alicante, with its beautiful boulevard and pleasant shopping street, is one of the most well-known towns on the Costa Blanca.

Famous for its great weather, the coast of Alicante and the Costa Blanca owes its name to its miles of sandy beaches – a magnet for sun worshippers and pleasure seekers.

And with many historical buildings around the entire city, Alicante offers countless sightseeing attractions, from cathedrals to churches and of course a wonderful harbour area.

Gareth Kennedy, Director of Business Development said: “Blackpool International has been working with Thomson Holidays for years as it is a leading tour operator to Europe, and more satisfied holidaymakers come back to them than any other holiday company.”

www.Parctel.com: Zoom Airlines has announced details of its expanded Belfast to Canada service, strengthening its presence in the low-cost scheduled marketplace.

A direct service from Belfast International Airport to Halifax will depart weekly on a Saturday catering for the unprecedented level of demand for Zoom's low-cost full scheduled flights throughout summer. This route will also operate to Toronto increasing the number of summer flights on this route to two a week.

Zoom offers the lowest scheduled airfares across the Atlantic with prices on the Belfast to Halifax route starting from £99 one-way plus taxes. Flights are currently on offer all-year-round to Toronto and throughout the summer months to Vancouver with a plan to expand the Vancouver route into a year-round service starting this winter.

The introduction of low-cost scheduled flights from Belfast to Canada in 2005 allowed Zoom to cater for a high level of localised demand and achieve a number of firsts in the marketplace. Zoom was the first airline to offer low-cost full scheduled flights direct from Belfast all-year-round, the first to offer a non-stop service to Vancouver and now Halifax, and the first to offer a choice of Canadian destinations throughout the summer months.

Debbie Marshall, UK Director of Zoom Airlines said: "I am delighted to be increasing our Belfast service strengthening our presence in the transatlantic low-cost market place. We endeavour to offer more choice and flexibility on our transatlantic services and the Halifax route is testament to that. Our plan to expand the Vancouver route throughout winter is also very exciting and will appeal to independent skiers who will be able to experience the Rockies at prices similar to a typical European flight.

"We pride ourselves in offering the lowest full serviced scheduled fares from Belfast across the Atlantic and one of the key contributing factors to our success is the one-way fares policy we operate allowing passengers to fly into one destination and return from another."

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said "NITB welcomes today's announcement as more good news for tourism. The increase in direct international flights and the resulting improved access should help to ensure that 2007 is another successful year for NI tourism. Zoom's routes from Halifax, Vancouver and Toronto will provide even better opportunities to target Canadian holidaymakers and business tourists."

John Doran, managing director, Belfast International Airport, said, "Halifax is just the latest route to be added to our growing number of transatlantic destinations. We are extremely pleased that this route, along with the expansion of the Vancouver service, brings the number of direct transatlantic scheduled destinations to six from Belfast International Airport."

Canada has plenty to offer everyone, with spectacular mountains, lakes and rivers to national parks and vibrant cities with diverse multi-cultural influences. For outdoor enthusiasts there is an abundance of sporting venues offering everything from skiing to hiking, fishing, cycling, canoeing and white-water rafting.

A full scheduled service is provided onboard including in-flight entertainment, meal and free soft drinks for the duration of the flight. A generous 20kg baggage allowance is on offer on all flights with no additional carriage charge for ski or sporting equipment.

Premium class seats are also available on all Zoom flights from an additional £79 each way, offering additional legroom, superior in-flight meals, and complimentary drinks throughout the flight plus check-in and luggage benefits.

Concorde landing on runway 14 at Leeds Bradford Airport. With full aircraft and tower commentary.

Have a look at this video which is an aerial view from KLM flight from Amsterdam landing at Leeds Bradford Airport. Features views over Burmantofts, Quarry Hill House, The Headrow, Leeds City Centre, Little London, Leeds Met Uni, Leeds Uni, Hyde Park, Headingley, Becketts Park, West Park, The Ring Road, Northwest House, Horsforth, Cookridge, Leeds Bradford Airport.

The e-petition service started by Downing Street in November 2006 seems to be gaining some momentum with well over 4 500 e-petitions started by British Citizens since it's inception.

In a nutshell, Downing Street is working in partnership with the non-partisan charitable project mySociety to provide a service to allow citizens, charities and campaign groups to set up petitions that are hosted on the Downing Street website, enabling anyone to address and deliver a petition directly to the Prime Minister.

We did a few searches on the e-petition site looking for e-petitions mentioning airports and unearthed the following:

• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap expansion plans at Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted Airports and build a proper new one on reclaimed land in the Thames Estuary. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to to build a third runway at the London Heathrow Airport, to award some money to Gatwick and Stansted as well, and to avoid harming airlines. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop expansion of Heathrow. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to order the Department for Transport and the British Airports Authority to abide by the wishes of the people of West London and the residents of local Unitary Authorities adjacent to London Heathrow Airport who do not want a third runway built. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop the Heathrow Airport Congestion Charging zone planning. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Fast track Heathrow additional runway to ensure airports can support 21st century transport. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to sponsor goverment legislation to fund and procure a massive expansion of London Heathrow Airport. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap expansion plans at Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted Airports and build a proper new one on reclaimed land in the Thames Estuary. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap the continuous descent approach brought in for aircraft arriving at Heathrow in 2001 which has made life misery for huge swathes of densely populated areas of London previously unaffected by aircraft noise. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop expansion of Heathrow. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to order the closure of Heathrow airport for civil aviation purposes for both environmental and homeland security reasons. More
  We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Allow airside pass holders (Engineers, crew, ground staff, etc) at London Luton Airport to take any food (beans, soup, yogurt etc) containing liquids over 100ml airside. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Support the recent application to the UK Civil Aviation Authority for direct flights between London and Ercan airport in northern Cyprus. Nearly 3 years have passed since the referendum in which Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the UN brokered comprehensive settlement, yet northern Cyprus remains isolated in spite of commitments from the UN, the EU, HM Government and the PM personally to end isolations. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Allow 30 minute parking at arrival and departure access roads for disabled drivers at all UK airports. More
  We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop the further expansion of Stansted Airport beyond 25 million passengers per annum. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to push forward with the Lydd Airport expansion. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to increase security procedures at UK airports to reduce the chances of terrorist attacks. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to to replace the air travel levy with the proceeds of an annual auction of take off and landing slots at all UK airports, until carbon trading is introduced for air travel to and from the UK. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ease the restrictions on transporting wine, shampoo, cosmetics and other easily identifyable liquid and gel products through Britain's airports. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to consider security at airports. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Exempt people from Air travel taxs if they off set their emissions through Carbon Trading Schemes. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to direct flights to northern cyprus and pressure to end the embargo. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Drop all plans for airport expansion and take steps to substantially reduce airport capacity. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Start to limit expansion of Air Travel through aggressive taxation; the Chancellors recent tax increase is an order of magnitude too low. The price differential between Railway travel within the UK and Continental travel using airlines is completely disproportionate. Limitless expansion of low cost air travel with serious environmental consequences is not a right of any human being. It cannot be a serious proposal to introduce road charging and allow strategic expansion of airport capacity. I have to get to work but going to Prague for a stag party is a luxury the planet cannot afford. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Support the inclusion of an exemption for Airports from the Smoking Ban. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Fast track Stanstead expansion to ensure airports can support 21st century transport. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Refuse expansion of Lydd Airport. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Suport the development of Lydd Airport in Kent as a small regional airport creating new jobs. More
• We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the skys above the Isle of Wight being used as a holding area for aircraft waiting to land at mainland airports. More

The e-petition with the most signatures so far is this one; "Stop the further expansion of Stansted Airport beyond 25 million passengers per annum." with 3038 signatures, followed by; "stop expansion of Heathrow" with 1913 signatures.

And, of course you can find a list of general parking e-petitions by clicking HERE.

www.Parctel.com: If you believe that the bus lane on the M4 motorway between Heathrow Airport and the M4 elevated section should be scrapped and that all vehicles should be allowed to use this part of the M4 motorway, then add your signature to the petition by clicking HERE.

You have to be a British Citizen to vote.

As the Civil Aviation Authority warns Heathrow and Gatwick airports to cut queuing times at security or face penalties, airport users have called for similar sanctions to be imposed on immigration queues.

Stansted airport has been singled out as the worst offender after passengers complained of “dangerous crushes” in an overcrowded hall, with ineffective queue management and delays of up to 50 minutes at passport control.

“I flew in from Seville last Sunday night and the crowd must have been 70 deep,” reported the Sunday Times journalist Katie Bowman. “It was more like being at a gig than an airport. Children were being pushed over by the crush and there was a danger of people being trampled. Clearly, they can’t accommodate the numbers of passengers now using the airport.” Steve Wong, who regularly passes through Stansted, said: “It’s chaos. The queues are a free-for-all.” The airport’s owner, BAA, disagreed, saying no improvements are planned for the immigration area. “We’ve got planning permission to extend the hall, but we’re not going to, because we don’t need to,” it said. “Yes, the immigration area does get busy, especially on Sunday nights, when all the weekenders fly home, but it never gets dangerously crowded.”

BAA insisted it monitored congestion and would delay transit trains if crowds developed, but said that responsibility for managing passport control lay with the Home Office. But when we called the Immigration Service, we got this rather cursory response: “The introduction of more comprehensive checks is a matter of government policy. It is recognised this has increased the time taken for passengers to pass through the controls, but every effort has been made to keep waiting times to a minimum.”

Source: Chris Haslam, Times Online

The Transportation Security Administration carried out surprise inspections on workers at five airports in Florida and Puerto Rico on Monday, one week after a baggage handler in Orlando allegedly used his airport credentials to smuggle more than a dozen firearms into a commercial jetliner.

Some 160 TSA officers, backed by Federal Air Marshals and local police, searched airplanes for contraband, shined flashlights in airport vehicles and patted down contractor employees involved in airport security.

The five airports inspected were in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The airport crackdown will continue through the week, spreading to other regions in the country as TSA increases random, unannounced searches targeting those who could misuse their access within the system.

"We realize the insider threat is a real threat, and we have to address it," said TSA spokesman Christopher White.

In Tampa's airport, the 28th busiest in North America, there are 8,000 full- and part-time employees. Some 6,300 of them have credentials allowing them access to various parts of the airport.

"I really believe that the vast majority are very good employees and very good people who have been through a background check who have the same concerns that we have in the Transportation Security Administration in regard to security," said TSA's Earl Morris.
Getting around security

Last week's incident in Orlando showed how those with access to the airport can circumvent an airport's security procedures.

Thomas Anthony Munoz, a Comair baggage handler, and a co-worker allegedly used their work uniforms and airport identification to get into restricted areas of the Orlando International Airport on March 5. The pair smuggled a duffel bag containing 14 firearms and eight pounds of marijuana onto a plane, authorities allege.

Munoz went through the normal TSA screening, used his airport ID to return to the secure area, retrieved the bag and carried it onto a Delta flight headed for San Juan, according to court documents.

A tipster told police about the smuggling episode, and Munoz was approached by TSA screeners when the plane landed, authorities said.

Munoz dropped the duffel bag on a table and said, "I'm busted," according to authorities.

Three others -- including another Comair employee -- have since been arrested. Both Munoz and the other Comair employee have been relieved of their jobs, a Comair spokeswoman said.

TSA officials said all employees who work in sensitive areas of airports are routinely fingerprinted and given background checks, but those checks don't assure employees will refrain from misconduct.

"I think you're going to find bad apples in any corporation or any form of government or anywhere in the world for that matter," Morris said.

Source: Jeanne Meserve and Mike M. Ahlers from CNN

Police and Bristol International Airport are seeking the support of aircraft enthusiasts to work together to ensure the site's safety and security as part of the Airport Watch scheme.

At a special event to be held on Saturday, March 24, 2007, police and Bristol Airport will brief the 'spotters' on activities to look out for to protect the airport from criminal and terrorist activity.

Inspector Chris Ware, in charge of the airport's dedicated police team, said: "There are many members of the public who regularly watch the activities at the airport from vantage points like Cooks Bridle Path.

"We have regular contact with many of them and are looking to harness their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm so they can be our extra eyes and ears around the airport.

"The briefing will go into detail about the kinds of things we would like them to look out for and what action they should take in response. In return, they will get a preview of future plans for the airport, which they should find interesting.

"Provided the public watch activity at the airport in a legal and safe way, it can only be to everyone's advantage to work together through the Airport Watch scheme."

Anyone who regularly attends the vicinity of the airport is invited to attend the briefing, which will be held in the Bristol Suite at the Old Terminal building at 11am on Saturday, March 24, 2007.

As space is limited, anyone wishing to attend needs to pre-register by emailing Cware@bristolairport.com

Source: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

From the Penn State Police Log:

Shortly after 3:00am Saturday, University Park Airport Security reported a male sleeping in the closed airport terminal. The male visitor was identified and found to have consumed beverage alcohol to the degree he was a danger to himself. He was issued citations for trespass and public drunkenness and released.

In the old days we would have said that he was as "drunk as a skunk" and unceremoniously slung him into jail along with Bubba and five of Bubba's sex starved friends. Nowadays we are extremely PC and more concerned about people being a danger to themselves.

Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.

The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.

You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.

A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.

When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.

A businessman flew home to find the car he had left with an airport parking company had been hired out for a wedding.

He was shocked to discover confetti strewn on the back seat of his Mercedes.

The victim, who asked not to be named, was among dozens of people who left their cars in the safekeeping of a company called Pink Meet and Greet.
advertisement

On their return they were shocked to discover the vehicles had been raced at 100mph and left in alleyways, a builder's yard and a shop car park.

Trading standards officers and police have been called in to investigate the scam, which involved the firm promising to park customers' cars in a secure compound with 24-hour security patrols and high fences.

Instead, vehicles worth tens of thousands of pounds were driven at speed and abandoned in insecure locations.

The scam was exposed by the BBC's consumer programme Watchdog and the company, based in Surrey, ceased trading last Thursday, with several vehicles still missing.

Police worked with Gatwick, NCP, and the owner of the company to trace the cars. NCP spokesman Tim Cowen said they were still trying to track down an Alfa Romeo.

A black Ford Escort was found parked in a builder's yard with an extra 364 miles on the clock and an empty tank of petrol.

Mr Cowen said: "We had not been able to relocate these two vehicles because we had no information relating to them. The Escort was eventually found but the Alfa Romeo is still missing.

"Then we found the black Mercedes, full of confetti, thought to have been hired out for a wedding.

"The businessman who owns it said there was certainly no confetti in it when he left it, so he's somewhat bemused."

The company's director, 34-year-old Steven Kittle, of Molesham Way, West Moseley, Surrey, blamed irresponsible staff for the state of the vehicles.

Most of the cars were eventually found in a builder's yard in Horsham.

Two were in Somerfield's car park in Crawley and another was parked behind a pub.

Brian Stone, head of consumer services for West Sussex County Council, said trading standards had been working closely with the airport managers, the police and NCP to find the vehicles.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 6070999.

Source: The Argus

Related Stories: Airport car park workers raced at 100mph | Pink Meet and Greet Parking video on YouTube | Pink Meet and Greet Airport Parking Firm Goes Bust | Pink Meet and Greet 'lose' three cars

The Commonwealth Court has unanimously upheld a Dau­phin County judge's ruling enforcing the Middletown school district's 10 percent tax on parking at Harrisburg International Airport.

Since its imposition on June 1, 2005, airport officials have claimed that the tax was unfair, even though district officials said they will not require airport officials to collect the tax and have even promised to share it with them.

In a decision written by Judge James Gardner Colins, seven Commonwealth Court judges agreed with Dauphin Common Pleas Judge Law­rence F. Clark Jr. that the dis­trict's 10 percent tax was not unreasonable under the Local Enabling Tax Act.

The court also said that re­quiring airport officials to maintain records of parking taxes collected does "not con­stitute the unlawful regulation of the Authority's business and cannot be characterized as any­thing other than reasonable measures taken to ensure the efficient collection of taxes."

Middletown Area School District Superintendent Audrey L. Utley issued a statement inviting airport officials to work with school officials to find a happy medium.

Both sides have met since Clark issued his decision in June but have not reached an agreement.

"The board believes an amicable resolution is the best course of action," Utley said. "Maybe the Commonwealth Court ruling will help make that happen."

The school district estimates that untaxed parking costs the district between $400,000 and $500,000 a year. The airport collected $4.88 million in parking fees in 2004.

The tax affects parking at the airport, Middletown Area High School, Penn State's Middletown campus, and the Cramer Airport Parking lot. The parking tax does not apply to residential parking.

School officials devised the tax as a way for the 2,400-pupil school district to make up for an estimated $1.5 million in tax revenue lost from acres of non-taxable properties occupied by Penn State Harrisburg and the airport.

Scott Miller, a spokesman for Harrisburg International Airport, said that attorneys for the airport were in the process of going through the opinion "line by line."

"We didn't expect the out­come, but were not surprised by it. We're going to go through it and review the en­tire opinion and, if necessary, we'll appeal it to a higher court," Miller said.

Similar taxes are in effect at airports in Philadel­phia, Pittsburgh and the Lehigh Valley.

Source: PennLive.com

With Spring Break and Easter vacations right around the corner, Tom Lombardi is getting ready for the onslaught. But Lombardi doesn't work for an airline, hotel chain or even a travel agency. His business involves helping travelers make sure they'll have a place to park their cars once they get to the airport.

"A lot of people take it for granted that they'll be able to just pull into an airport parking lot, find a space and go," says Lombardi. "They buy their plane tickets, make their hotel reservations, and leave plenty of time to go through security, only to arrive at the airport and discover the economy lots are full. Or even worse, they've got no place to park. Lots can fill up fast -- and they will at peak travel times like Spring Break and holiday vacations."

That's why Lombardi, who's president of six-year-old AirportParkingReservations.com, expects more than 500,000 travelers to visit his company's Website between March 10 and April 30 and reserve a space at one of over 200 airport parking lots near 65 American airports -- representing a 20% increase in reservations over the same period last year.

Many of the lots listed on AirportParkingReservations.com offer options for self-parking, valet and/or covered parking. Some even offer an array of car care services, including car wash, detailing and oil change. And all the lots listed provide luggage assistance along with free shuttle service to and from every terminal.

"Our customers repeatedly tell us how thrilled they are to be able to both save money and avoid the stress and inconvenience of driving around searching for a parking space at the airport," says Lombardi. "And when all is said and done, isn't that what taking a vacation is really about?"

Click Here to Book your USA Airport Parking using the AirportParkingReservations booking Engine

The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.

The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Flying isn't dangerous, but crashing is.

Push the stick forward, and the houses get bigger. Pull the stick back, and they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.

Take offs are optional. Landing's are mandatory.

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to
the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never
showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained
professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "Has your
plane arrived yet?".

In as little as two years, the University Park Airport could lose its title as the busiest commercial service airport without its own control tower.

Airport Director Bryan Rodgers said progress has been made securing funding for a $5 million air-traffic control tower. The hope is to design the tower in winter 2007-08 and put it out for bid in early 2008. Rodgers said it could take about a year to build.

"We've made great progress. We have a funding plan in place. There's still quite a bit of work yet to do, and all the pieces are not there," Rodgers said. But, he added, there have been "great strides in the past few months here at the airport and with the (Federal Aviation Administration.)"

He said certain funding sources need to come through, and he is "encouraged" that they will. He could not elaborate on what the sources are.

Betsey Howell, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a control tower would benefit tourism in the region.

"We want our visitors not only to be safe, but to feel safe," she said.

Rodgers said of about 120 airports served by Comair, a Delta Air Lines subsidiary, University Park is the only one without a control tower. For now, controllers in New York direct traffic.

He said the number of passengers increased about 200 percent between 1985 and 2005. Traffic has steadily increased with growth in the area. Rodgers said the airport is very safe, but the control tower will enhance the airport's safety.

"For the volume and variety of aircraft we see here, a control tower is a necessity," he said.

It will mean new rules, including making communications between aircraft and the control tower mandatory. The project also will include a $2 million instrument landing system.

Rodgers said the airport has submitted a study to the FAA on the preferred site of the 90-feet-tall tower in a grassy area near the parking lot. The airport is working with the FAA to get that site reviewed this summer.

Rodgers said he couldn't comment on funding sources for the $7 million project. But, in general, the airport gets funding from FAA grants, the state Bureau of Aviation and a $4.50 passenger fee.

"We've been at it for nearly three years," Rodgers said. "It's a project we continue to be excited about. We're going to be glad when we see that shovel in the ground. It's what this airport needs. It's what this region needs. It will have a great economic impact on the region."

Written by Anne Danahy.

Source: Centre Daily

CARS worth more than £100,000 have gone missing from disgraced airport parking firm Pink Meet and Greet.

West Sussex trading standards say that three customers of Gatwick-based Pink Meet And Greet returned from holiday, expecting to find their "top-of-the-range" cars, but were told there was no record of them ever being left at the airport.

Police are now investigating the disappearance of a £50,000 Range Rover and £30,000 Mercedes, both less than a year old, as well as a £25,000 three-year-old Alfa Romeo.

Two owners fear their homes could also be at risk as they handed over keys to both their cars and homes to the company.

Gatwick operators BAA were trying to reunite owners with their cars after the unlicensed company ceased trading last week and dumped a box filled with scores of holidaymakers' car keys with them.

Another parking firm NCP were called in to help return the abandoned cars with their owners, and said three Pink Meet And Greet clients had come asking for their cars, but they had no record of them.

A Gatwick source said today: "Three people turned up expecting to have these cars, but there was no record of them at all.

"They have been reported to police because it may well be that these cars have been stolen.

"When this company decided they were going to go out of business, someone might have thought they would just go home with one of the cars.

"The ones that have been reported missing are all expensive - all three are top of the range.

"Two of their customers also said they left their house keys with the company. They were on the keyring when they handed their car keys over to them to be valet parked.

"It's very worrying because the kind of people who would think nothing of stealing your car, would also not think twice of taking a look around your house and walking off with a plasma TV or a computer.

"This just shows the danger of trusting your car to unlicensed firms."

Pink Meet And Greet hit the headlines last month after BBC consumer show Watchdog exposed its staff damaging cars and joyriding in them while they were supposed to be securely parked.

Surrey County Council's trading standards department received several complaints that an airport parking company was not parking consumer's cars in a secure compound as it advertised. Instead, cars were being parked on the street.

Spokesman Simon Eden said: "We can confirm that three cars have gone missing after they were left with Pink Meet and Greet and are presumed stolen. The matter is now in the hands of the police."

Officers launched a probe and Pink Meet And Greet Ltd company director Steve Kittle, then told them the company had stopped trading.

Customers of the unlicensed firm were being directed to the NCP Valet building, who say they have now reunited most customers with their vehicles.

NCP Spokesman Tim Cowen said: "We have now reunited something like 40 customers with their cars, which amounts to most of them.

"We have been approached by three car owners who said they had left their cars with Pink Meet And Greet, but we have no record of them and have passed their details on to police."

Source: Life Style Extra

www.Parctel.com: Senior management at Liverpool John Lennon Airport went back to the classroom today as a new Customer Services Training initiative was launched in conjunction with the Liverpool Culture Company.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has joined forces with the Liverpool Welcome team to provide the Airport Community with customer service training in a bid to support Liverpool's aim to become 'the friendliest and most welcoming city in Europe'.

To help deliver this aim each employee at JLA will attend a half a day workshop in order to gain an understanding of the European Capital Culture and what to expect during 2008, learn what's on offer in the city and to enhance their customer service skills.

Andy Gower, Airport Director at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: “JLA is now a 5 million passenger per year Airport and as a gateway to the European Capital of Culture high customer service standards at the Airport are essential and the launch of this focused training demonstrates our commitment. First and last impressions speak volumes and that's why the Airport Community is working alongside the Culture Company to make sure Airport users receive the right level of service. We aim to provide the best service possible to our visitors in the run up to and during 2008.”

Neil Peterson, Head of Liverpool Welcome at Liverpool Culture Company, added: “JLA sees thousands of visitors pass through its door every day, so their staff play a crucial role in establishing the city's reputation. We are delighted that JLA is dedicated to working with us on this initiative - as the airport has a huge impact on the first and last impressions people have of Liverpool. We've also provided customer service training for staff at Merseytravel and John Lewis and will be working with more key businesses to ensure visitors receive a customer service to equal the city's world class cultural offer.”

Between two and three sessions will take place each week from today until the end of the year which all staff will have the opportunity to attend. Each workshop will involve group discussion, presentations and role-play.

www.Parctel.com: Peel, owners of Mersey Docks & Harbour Company and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, today unveiled plans for one of the largest regeneration schemes in the country.

The visionary scheme will see Liverpool become one side of the ocean gateway to the North West, an international waterside destination to rival cities such as Dubai, Vancouver, New York and Shanghai.

Following on from their announcement last September that the Wirral waterfront will be transformed with a massive £4.5 billion waterside redevelopment scheme, Director of Development Lindsey Ashworth announced that a scheme of equal importance and magnificence will be developed along the Liverpool waterfront.

Liverpool Waters will see a £5.5 billion investment in a 150 acre site that stretches from Princes Dock in the South to Bramley Moore Dock in the North.

The 21 million square foot scheme will see the creation of a world class mixed use iconic development of over 50 buildings, many over 50 storeys high. Each building will be individually designed by leading architects from around the world to ensure a mix of iconic styles that will really put Liverpool on the map, bringing with it a massive increase in the number of tourists, tens of thousands of new jobs and inward investment to the area.

A couple whose car was damaged when they left it at Gatwick Airport are still fighting compensation 10 months later.

Stephen Clarkson, 37 and Rachel Cox, 38, thought their Rover 25 was safe as they jetted off to Florida in May 2006 when they left it with Ace Car Parking Solutions.

The couple, of Maple Court, Worthing, returned to find their car with £800 worth of damage.

Mr Clarkson said: "We got the car back and there was damaged to the bumper on driver's side, a wing mirror was smashed and there were a couple of scraps and scratches on the car. Needless to say we weren't very happy.

"So far we have had no luck at all with Ace Car Parking Solutions. We had to get three different quotes for the repair but they refused each one. They wanted to put our car through their own garage for repair but we didn't trust them after the last time they had our car."

Miss Fox said: "I was very upset because we had just come off a very long flight and we had to wait for them to to bring our car out. They said they would investigate and get back to us but they never did. We had to chase them through letters and phone calls.

"After giving us the runaround we decided to get the car repaired through our insurance company because we weren't getting anywhere and we wanted the car repaired.

"As a result I have lost my £200 excess because they won't pay and our insurers are out of pocket."

The couple said the holiday went really well, apart from some car trouble when they rented a hire vehicle.

Miss Fox has instructed solicitors over the wrangle.

Stan Wells, a director of Ace Car Parking Solutions, said: "In July we offered the couple to put their vehicle right in our own repair shop and they refused. Customers are important to us but unfortunately cars can get damaged accidentally from time to time.

"We do bend over backwards to put that right on the rare occasions it does happen. We are dedicated to giving customers a first class service."

Source: The Argus

www.Parctel.com: Just a little bit of commonsense will help you understand the different pricing structures in Airport Parking.

Consider the following terms:

• Undercover Parking
• Open Air Parking
• Short Term Parking
• Long Term Parking

Most Airport Parking falls into the above broad categories. You will get the most cost effective airport parking rates if you park in an open air long term parking lot. The closer you are to the terminal buildings and the shorter your vehicle's stay in the parking lot the more expensive your parking becomes.

This lesson in economics has not gone unnoticed by the airport companies who have now also introduced Undercover Terminal Parking in high rise parking facilities, allowing you to almost step out of your vehicle and straight into the terminal.

One other option in this equation is Meet and Greet or Valet Parking as it is known in the USA. Here a driver will meet you at the terminal curbside and take you car to a secure parking lot. Make sure that the parking lot is secure before you hand over your keys. Once again distance from the airport is the deciding factor in the cost of such parking. The basic rule of thumb is that the further the facility is away from the airport the cheaper the parking.

You could always Hire a Chauffer to take you to the airport or if you are really concerned about your Rolls Royce in any of the Airport Parking options, just park it in the closest disabled parking spot to the terminal that you can find - the local police will look after it very well in anticipation of collecting the fine from you when you get back. :-)

If you travel by air, you know it can get pretty expensive, but now it could get even more costly at Harrisburg International Airport.

Airplanes may not be the only things going up at HIA, the airport recently increased its parking rates.

The airport is already in a court battle with Middletown Area School District which wants to add a 10% tax on the airport's parking revenues, but now Lower Swatara Township says it wants to do the same thing.

The airport says it's already difficult to compete with other airports like BWI and Philadelphia, and raising the parking rate by 20% won't help.

Airport authority officials say they hope all three parties can sit down and reach some type of compromise.

Source: WHPTV

What is it with the customer service at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport parking area? The golf cart only holds two people and the John Deere trailer is good for only a small amount of luggage. The walk is quite far at the moment and I have seen several disabled people trudging through the maze to the terminal. If you arrive on a late flight the golf cart isn't even available, and on top of that you have to follow a difficult, poorly marked maze in less than adequate lighting. Can you say "safety issue?" I have heard that even this minimum service will be shortly discontinued. What gives? I'm sure this will improve when the new terminal is finished, but doesn't the management care about its customers until then?

-- Mike W., Ashland

The airport certainly has changed a lot lately, Mike, but they certainly love each and every one of their customers.

If you're an infrequent traveler, the changes probably seem even more confusing. However, airport Director Bern Case said that compared to last fall, the walkways and parking area are much improved. He said access to the terminal meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Case said he was a little surprised by your comments. "This is the first complaint I've heard in a while," he said. Most people generally like the golf cart shuttle service, he said. "It's easy to get in and out of."

Golf cart drivers are even offered tips, he said, but because they are county workers they can't take them. Case said the airport won't continue to operate the golf cart 24 hours a day as the weather improves. The parking area and access to the terminal will remain the same for the next 18 months as the new terminal is built, which should make it less confusing for passengers.

Case said he does occasionally see passengers having difficulty making their way to the terminal. Just the other day, he saw an elderly man struggling, so he drove him in his own car.

Source: Mail Tribune

A passenger stopped by security staff at an international airport was found to have two chameleons in her pockets.

The four-inch creatures were taken from the woman at Stansted airport in Essex and she was allowed to travel on.

The reptiles, handed over to the RSPCA, are now being cared for at an animal centre near Braintree in Essex.

Stansted spokesman Nick Cole said: "It is very unusual to find live chameleons but in the past we have had cats, dogs and a tarantula spider."

Source: BBC

Eds Note: Stansted Airport staff deny reports that the chameleons were named Boy and George.

A couple of years back two guys have wasted their time at airports, in this case, London’s Heathrow, by writing down strange names and asking the airport Information Center to locate these people by calling out their names on the airport’s PA system. These guys would then hang out beneath the speakers and record the results.

In order to make it as believable as possible, they dressed up as chauffeurs and asked for help finding these people about 40 minutes after a Thai Airways or Air India flight had landed.

They acted as if they could not pronounce the names themselves, so as not to reveal the joke, but just handed over a note with the names printed on it and asked the employ at the Information Center.

After the fifth recording, they had to leave Heathrow as airport security figured out what was going on. The last recording is from Gatwick.

Listen to the recordings HERE.

Picking up on the deployment of the Rapiscan at London Heathrow Airport according to the Ponderlings blog around 94% of people are opting for the the Rapiscan in preference to the pat down:

Apparently this hyper sensitive, shameless X-ray machine has been used in airports since 2002. It allows security officials to look through the clothing of airline passengers for non-metal weapons. Measures have been made in the United States for a more "private" image which is, according to the report, nothing more than a chalkline image. In London's Heathrow Airport, it is apparently far less modest, however 94% opted for the x-ray rather than a pat down.

Tell us on your blog or comment here.

Read the story here.

POLICE were today investigating a fake passport scam operating on a "notorious" flight out of Birmingham Airport.

Scores of passport crooks trying to leave Britain with fake documents are said to be targeting one particular route out of the city.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were monitoring Air India's service from Birmingham to Toronto in Canada after a court case spotlighted the racket.

The probe comes on the day Home Office minister Liam Byrne announced a £100 million crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Hodge Hill MP is vowing to increase the number of people deported each year, currently running at 60,000, with a range of stringent new measures to crack down on illegal human 'trafficking'.

The Birmingham to Toronto route is so notorious that police have even produced pre-prepared witness statements to cut the time officers spent on each case.

The passport loophole was highlighted by Judge Marten Coates at Warwick Crown Court as he jailed an illegal immigrant for nine months for trying to board the flight with a stolen British passport.

Indian-born Harjit Singh, 25, of no fixed address, paid £2,000 for the document but was rumbled as he tried to check in. The judge said police had produced a "pro-forma" witness statement specifically for the flight.

West Midlands Police confirmed officers were aware of problems surrounding the flight.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been made aware of this issue and are monitoring the situation alongside Birmingham International Airport."

Air India officials insisted they had stringent check-in procedures and no passengers had been allowed to board the service with fake or stolen passports.

The Home Office said immigration officials did not routinely check the passports of travellers leaving Britain but airport spokesman John Morris said several agencies including the police and special branch officers scrutinised passengers' documents.

Air India said it was the only carrier flying between Birmingham and Toronto.

"There have been four cases in the past year and our security caught them all and they were not allowed to board," a spokesman said.

Singh worked at a farm in Evesham, Worcestershire, before trying to board the flight on January 21.

His UK passport, in the name of Shamus Hussain, was found to be false. Investigations revealed it had been stolen and Singh's photograph placed inside.

Singh admitted he had lived in Britain illegally since 1998 and paid for the false passport so he could reach Canada.

Source: Birmingham Mail

A survey by Holiday Which? found that flying could be cheaper than taking the train. Richard Harris tries some comparisons to see if this can be true.

TRAINS are more expensive than planes when it comes to travelling around the country according to a new report - but is this really true?

A survey conducted by Holiday Which magazine in November and December last year found that for three different long-distance journeys, airlines offered cheaper tickets and quicker journeys.

The Press found similar results yesterday, but not for probably the most popular long-distance route in the area, which is York to London King's Cross.

For this journey, the train was easily the quickest and the cheapest. Having booked yesterday and left this morning on GNER at 8am, one would be in London by 9.45am having paid a single ticket price of £88.50.

To fly one would have to catch the 6.55am flybmi plane from Leeds/Bradford arriving at Heathrow at 8.15am. But this would cost £167 for a one-way journey and passengers have to factor in the cost and time of getting to the airport - £12 on First York's shuttle bus and a 55- minute journey.
advertisement

But for people living in cities which have airports, the plane can be cheaper - and certainly faster - than the train.

We asked easyJet and GNER how much it would be to travel from Edinburgh to London at about 8.30am today on a single ticket.

Flying out at 8.30am and arriving at Gatwick at 10am, the price with easyJet, including tax, would have been £49.99.

But leaving Edinburgh train station with GNER at 8am and arriving at 12.42pm the best price on the ticket line was £97.20 - almost double the cost of flying. Even if one includes the £3.50 connection to Edinburgh airport and the £14.90 Gatwick to Victoria shuttle, the cost is still cheaper for the plane.

In comparison, National Express quoted a price of £31. But this would have meant leaving Edinburgh at 6.45am and not arriving in London until 6pm.

For an unusual route such as York to Southampton, the plane is far quicker and only works out £22 more expensive - and that includes the price of First York's shuttle service to Leeds/Bradford airport.

Travelling by GNER on a single standard ticket and leaving York at 8.34am, the price would be £113.50, arriving in Southampton at 1.14pm.

But if passengers caught First York's 7am shuttle bus they could board the 8.50am flybe.com flight to Southampton at 8.50am and arrive at 9.55am for a total cost of £135.99.

The report in Holiday Which had other examples which showed that for people wanting a return journey from Manchester to Exeter it could cost as little as £59.68 by plane, £87.30 by train and £57 by coach.

Similar results were found for return journeys between London and Glasgow and between Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Researchers also found that the cheapest advertised rail fares, which have to be booked n advance, were often unavailable and that the range of tickets was confusing. It was also discovered that sometimes it is cheaper to buy two tickets for a journey so passengers can take advantage of off-peak fares, if only part of their journey will be taken during peak times.

A spokesman for Holiday Which said: "Our research found trains are the most expensive way to get around the country - it's important to try and book early so you can take advantage of cheap deals.

"Look at prices carefully when you buy your ticket, though, as sometimes you won't necessarily be offered the lowest price; for example two singles tickets are often cheaper than a return."

RAIL
HOLIDAY Which may have claimed planes are cheaper than trains, but GNER insists the research is flawed. A spokesman for the company said the report fails to include domestic air passenger duty which adds £20 to every journey.

He said: "We carry millions of passengers every year on our lowest fares and we are very competitive with other modes of transport because we need to work hard to attract every passenger we carry."

The spokesman said for the Edinburgh to London example used by The Press, the train ticket quoted is valid on any train that day while the same flexibility with easyJet would cost £205.

In addition, GNER runs 36 trains a day between the two capital cities while easyJet has just four flights.

He said: "We think we're very competitive when you add in total cost and total journey time on the domestic routes that we run.

"Also you have to bear in mind the environmental benefits of rail in terms of emissions. It's a cleaner and greener way to travel."

He added that, for the Leeds to London route, rail travel has a 90 per cent share of the market while air travel only accounts for ten per cent.

AIR
ROGER Wiltshire, general secretary of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said the reason why air travel is so cheap at the moment is due to greater efficiency.

He said: "It's not just efficient companies that we've got, the aircraft are more efficient than they were. Airlines are filling the aircraft up - the load factors on planes tend to be higher."

He said if trains and planes were considered across the whole day, planes on average would be fuller while at off-peak times trains tend to be quieter.

He said in turn this leads to special deals as airlines want to fill up their aircraft. These deals particularly benefit passengers who are flexible and who can book in advance, because airlines want to know well before that flights will not be half empty when they take off.

Mr Wiltshire said another factor in the low cost of flights today is the competitiveness of the market. Whereas railways often have single operators airports have different operators flying out of them. The prevalence of airports also means passengers can shop around for the very best deals.

But he did not believe air fares would drop in the future, although they could become cheaper in real terms. He said there is likely to be greater expenses for airlines due to increased security and environmental taxes.

He also said it was impossible to know what the cost of aviation fuel would be in a few years time, although he added that more modern planes would be developed with greater fuel efficiency.

ROAD
A SPOKESWOMAN for National Express said journeys are not just about travelling time and the company is improving its coaches to make them more comfortable and user-friendly.

She said: "It's not just a case of a journey takes x amount of time. We're making a lot of improvements to change the spirit of the journey as well.

"We've got wi fi and we're introducing leather seats.

"There's so many different audiences that we can target with our prices. It's not just for students who are looking for cheaper travel - it's also for commuters."

Rachael Clegg asks people on the streets of York what they think about the cost of travelling by train
Kellie Pritchett, 19, student, York St John University:
"I travel to Hull and it costs me nearly £16 one way, which I think is too expensive as it's not that far away. It would cost me the same amount of money to travel by car."

Laura Davis, 28, student, York St John University:
"It costs £9.20 to go to Doncaster, which is expensive considering it's only one stop away. It is too expensive to travel by train and much cheaper - for me anyway - to travel by car."

Maria Goulding, 56, retired part-time lecturer at the University of York:
"I travel from Durham and although the university pay for my travel, I think it is very expensive. I get the train to work because it would take too long to drive from Durham. It cost me £19.80 for a cheap day return. Prices vary so much, the other day it cost me £49, but other days it could cost £200. I travel by plane when I am travelling to Southampton as it would take too long by train and it only takes about an hour on the plane."

Vikki Towney, 39, civil servant:
"It don't think trains are too expensive. I have a family card and travel quite cheaply. Trains are environmentally friendly way of travelling as well and I like to think of myself as being green. When you are on the train you can have a cup of tea and it's child-friendly. I wouldn't fly anywhere in this country because I'd have to get a bus and a train to get to the airport anyway."

Source: The Press

Great blog post on The Levee Breaks blog:

Are You An EasyJet Speedy Boarding Tosser?
Picture the scene: we’re sitting in the departure lounge at Gatwick airport this afternoon waiting for the EasyJet flight back to Aldergrove. Over the tannoy the flight was announced, and before parents travelling with children or people with special needs, purchasers of EasyJet Speedy Boarding were called.

And a small handful of self-important looking business people shuffled to the desk.

I couldn’t help but glare at them. It’s not normally my nature, but how self-involved are these people, who need to sit their fat arses down on a plane before the rest of us? Or do they purchase this to qualify the fact that they’re flying low-cost?

Anyway, the other boarding groups were called and Mrs L and I discovered that we were two of the three people in boarding group “C”. So, we dutifully dandered down the stairs out to the….airport bus, where all the other passengers were waiting. Including those speedy-boarding twats who paid an extra fiver to sit on a bus.

Ha ha ha!

Needless to say, we all ended up arriving at the plane at the same time. Not only that, the speedy board suckers sort of ended up at the back because the later passengers like us were already at the doors. So we got on the plane first more or less!

What a stunning way for EasyJet to screw extra money out of customers who need to think they’re better than everyone else.
My Advice To Speedy Boarding Customers

Don’t be such an arsehole. Buying speedy boarding makes you look like a dick and sends out a clear message to your fellow passengers about you! You’re not that important that you need to sit on a plane ten minutes before everyone else.

Are you the same kind of person who stampedes out of your seat when the plane lands, only to stand bent double while they roll the stairs up to the plane?

Read More

Sex-slave gangs are making the UK their number one target

Women are being sold into prostitution in modern day "slave auctions" at Britain's airports, it emerged yesterday.

The illegal immigrants are sold to the highest bidder for up to £8,000 a time. They are then forced to work in brothels where they can earn up to £800 a day for their "owner".

The chilling reality of human trafficking was spelled out yesterday by senior police officers at Scotland Yard.

Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting, of the Metropolitan Police, said young women from all over the world are trafficked into Britain after being promised well-paid work in bars or cafes.

But within hours of their arrival, they are sold to pimps. The youngest known girl victim was just 14.

In one notorious case, women were openly sold outside a coffee shop at Gatwick Airport.

Officers believe women are frequently raped, locked in flats and given no money to prevent them from running away from their captors.

Mr Ponting said: "There is some intelligence to suggest that individuals are sold at locations close to airports. One woman could fetch between £6,000 and £8,000. She could then earn her buyer £800 a day. It is appalling.

"These traffickers are making huge amounts of money from it and that is what we are trying to break. It has become a market.

"You have to remember the trauma and difficulties associated with this crime. Many of these women are so traumatised that it is just inconceivable they would give evidence in a trial.

"These women have been held against their will, raped many times and their lives have been ruined. That is why the courts treat this offence so seriously."

Commander Sue Wilkinson, also of the Met, added: "This trafficking has been reported as modern day slavery. I would not argue with that."

Scotland Yard yesterday launched a dedicated human trafficking team.

The 11-strong unit will be based in the capital and will seek to smash the gangs who force immigrants into brothels and sweatshops.

Source: thisislondon.co.uk

TAMPA - About $1 million separated the top two companies vying to provide parking and shuttle services at Tampa International Airport, even though the ratings of both proposals were practically even.

On Thursday, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board did not go with the airport staff's recommendation to choose the current provider, Republic Parking System, which priced the five-year contract at $4.37 million. Instead, the board awarded the contract to Ampco System Parking, which offered to provide the same services for $3.34 million.

"There's such a small difference in the scoring, and there's a $1 million difference in the cost," said Mayor Pam Iorio, a member of the authority board. "They are statistically even."

John Levins, senior vice president of Republic, told the board that Ampco offered a significantly lower price because it underestimated the number of miles logged by the shuttle buses and the cost of maintenance.

"Our number is based on our experience here," Levins said.

The airport staff recommended Republic, whose proposal received a slightly higher rating. But Louis Miller, the airport's executive director, said both companies are capable of doing the job.

The contract runs from July 1 to June 30, 2012.

The board also authorized the airport to study and design a light rail system and rail station serving the airport terminal. The consulting firm of Parsons, Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas will perform the study at a cost of $430,700.

The light rail project would be part of a regional transit system for the Tampa Bay area.

"When the region adopts a regional transit system, we have to make sure we're ready," Miller said. "More importantly, we have to define what won't work."

The study will be completed in September, Miller said.

The decision to move forward with a study is a giant step toward building a comprehensive mass transit system for Tampa, Iorio said.

"It's the first tangible piece of planning we have," she said.

Source: Airport Business

Parking at University Park Airport is very limited, and is approaching capacity. Those who must drive to the airport this week should plan for delays, as they may be redirected to a remote parking area. Officials are encouraging those planning to leave University Park Airport this week to have someone drive them to the airport.

Source: Penn State Live

Comment from the Rossblog on Flybe taking over BA Connect and cancelling all flights from Bristol Airport:

It looks like our flights to Edinburgh in May have been cancelled due to FlyBe taking over BA Connect and cancelling all their flights from Bristol Airport. C*nts! Sorry about the language but we've got 12 people booked on the same flight. Every cloud though... EasyJet flights have plummeted since the last time we tried to book with them. And we should get a full refund. Bleedin' pain in the wotsit though ain't it?! How I didn't crack open a tinny I'll never know!!!

THE top boss at Bristol International Airport has tried to allay 'significant concerns' raised by councillors about its expansion plans.

Managing director Andrew Skipp says the airport's masterplan is 'well made' and any concerns can be ironed out when a full planning application is submitted.

The masterplan involves doubling the size of the existing terminal, building more than 8,000 car parking spaces and massively increasing the number of passengers at the site near Wrington.

At a full North Somerset Council meeting on February 20, councillors registered six 'significant concerns', which included traffic, parking, a lack of information about subsidised public transport services and the need to look at how the expansion will affect the environment and businesses in the area.

Mr Skipp said: "We have worked closely with the council throughout the masterplan to provide a level of information which it has agreed to. The masterplan carries no planning status and does not go into the level of detail that will be required within the final planning application.

"The additional detail the council has asked for will be addressed as part of the airport's planning application. The masterplan underlines the economic case for careful growth over the next decade.

"We remain confident that we have supplied suitably comprehensive information as is fitting for the plan, and that the case for our planned expansion to meet the obvious and growing demand from people to travel to and from our region, is well made."

However, Susan Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign, said: "North Somerset Council's strong message to BIA was very clear - that there are major concerns over aspects of the masterplan such as growth in road traffic, the impact on biodiversity, growth in noise and other pollution issues.

"Nearly 5,000 members of the public opposed the airport's plans in the public consultation held at the end of last year. Since BIA plans to double in size by 2030, and by 50 per cent by 2015, this development cannot be considered to be 'careful growth'. It is a major development that will have considerable impact on local communities.

"In calling for an independent assessment into the cost or benefit impact on local and regional businesses, it is clear that the council has not been satisfied of the economic case for expansion.

Source: The Weston Mercury

This video from the end of 2006, highlights the following facts:

• Heathrow Airport handles 64.3 million passengers per year.
• 1260 aircraft take off and land at Heathrow Airport daily.
• 184 000 passengers use Heathrow Airport daily.
• 85 airlines use Heathrow Airport to fly to over 180 destinations in 90 countries.
• Heathrow Airport employs over 71 000 people.
• 219 000 items of luggage are handled at Heathrow Airport daily.
• 35.5% of passengers travel to Heathrow Airport via Public Transport - good news for Airport Parking firms as that leaves 64.5% travelling via private transport.
• Since the opening of Heathrow Airport in 1946 1.35 Billion people have flown to and from Heathrow Airport.

www.Parctel.com: Monday the 5th March 2007 was the 71st anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire – the prototype K5054 taking to the skies on the 5th March 1936 from Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton Airport). It was designed, of course, by Supermarine's finest designer – R. J. Michell.

Together with the Hawker Hurricane the Spitfire gave the RAF the air superiority that defeated the German Luftwaffa – just over four years later – in the Battle of Britain.

www.Parctel.com: The UK's leading airport parking and travel services provider, has expanded its already extensive portfolio of services by launching meet and greet parking at Newcastle Airport and Bristol International Airport, and an airport lounge facility at Norwich Airport.

The introduction of meet and greet at Newcastle Airport and Bristol International Airport will make it even more convenient for travellers flying out of the airport to drive and park. In addition, passengers flying from Norwich Airport now have the opportunity to start their holiday in comfort by relaxing in the airport lounge while waiting for their flights

A sample price for meet and greet including seven days parking is £54 at Newcastle Airport and £69 at Bristol International Airport. Airport lounge at Norwich airport is just £15 per person.

Click Here to Book

A PILOT on a transatlantic flight was forced to lock the cockpit door and divert to Manchester Airport after an air rage incident involving a German banker.

Passengers on board the Delta Airlines Boeing 767 had to restrain 51-year-old Bert Niepel after he lost his temper and threatened members of the flight crew.

Niepel had upgraded himself to a seat in the first class section of the flight from Berlin to New York and refused repeated requests for him to return to his seat in economy class.

He eventually pushed an air stewardess backwards to the floor as she served drinks and had to be restrained in his seat by other passengers, including a German Army soldier.

The Delta Airlines pilot was so concerned about the disturbance in the cabin he locked the cockpit door and diverted the plane to Manchester Airport.

Niepel, a banker from Berlin, was arrested after the plane landed in Manchester on Saturday afternoon.

He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards the crew on board flight DL79 when he appeared before Trafford Magistrates' Court yesterday. Cabin crew member Michelle Vinole said in a statement she had seen Niepel looking around the first class cabin before take-off.

Economy

The aircraft had been in the air for 15 minutes when Niepel walked into the first class cabin and sat down in a vacant seat.

Members of the cabin crew asked him to return to economy class, but he refused.

The court was told first officer Douglas Smith went to speak to him and told him he must obey cabin crew instructions or they would land and he would be arrested. He said in a statement: "I warned him four times, but he refused to return."

He said Niepel had responded that he would pay for an upgrade and would "die" if he returned to economy class.

Miss Vinole was serving drinks a few minutes later when Niepel came up and pushed her backwards.

She fell onto the console between two seats and hurt her back. Niepel offered no apology but went and sat in first class again.

The stewardess said in a statement read out in court: "It's not acceptable for any passenger to use force against myself or anyone else."

The pilots became more concerned about Niepel's actions after they were told he had pushed a stewardess.

They locked themselves in the cockpit and decided to land at Manchester.

A German marine who was on board the aircraft was asked to sit near Niepel and keep watch while the pilots decided to divert to Manchester.

Clare Hughes, prosecuting, said: "They were so concerned about his actions that they decided to land as soon as possible."

But when the pilots announced over the public address system they were going to land because of an uncooperative passenger, Niepel got up out of his seat.

There was a brief struggle during which the marine and other passengers pushed Niepel to the floor. They got him into his seat and they restrained him until the aircraft landed at Manchester.

Police boarded the aircraft and arrested Niepel. He told officers: "Get your hands off me."

In an interview following his arrest, at 1pm on Saturday, he admitted raising his voice but denied assaulting the stewardess.

He said he had pushed past her in the aisle, causing her to fall to the floor.

He expressed remorse for his actions but felt he had been treated unfairly by the crew.

Niepel, who was helped in court by an interpreter, told magistrates he had moved to the front of the plane because he had a pain in his abdomen and needed more room.

He felt the crew had ignored his concerns, but added: "My behaviour was a little bit out of control, I would say."

Pains

The prosecution did not accept that he had stomach pains or that the cabin crew were ignoring him.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £70 costs.

Maira Sellars, chairman of the bench, said Niepel had intended to commit the offence and had caused alarm and distress for passengers and crew.

It is understood he was heading to New York to see a friend and was then due to travel to California.

A spokeswoman for Delta Airlines said the safety and security of passengers and crew was its "number one priority". She said the airline had zero tolerance towards disruptive passengers.

Source: Manchester Evening News

www.Parctel.com: In a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) London’s BAA Heathrow Airport was voted the most family-friendly international airport. Heathrow Airport garnered 24.6 percent of the votes. The airport offers special rooms for feeding and changing infants, as well as a variety of age-appropriate play areas. For older children, there’s a flight simulator game and arcade stations scattered throughout the airport. Younger children might enjoy the free coloring books and crayons that are dispensed at the information desks.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport came in second with an 18.4 percent share. Not surprising given the airport’s designated play areas featuring slides, wagons and Legos. Older children can test their memory with educational computer games or kick back with a little Nintendo. Frankfurt with its multiple play areas came in third with 8.3 percent.

London’s Gatwick Airport was ranked fourth. Like its neighbor, Heathrow, Gatwick offers several play areas and video arcades scattered throughout the terminals. In fifth place was Singapore’s Changi Airport’s whose Family Zone includes nursing rooms, diaper-changing stations and a washing area, as well as a playpen for toddlers and a corner where parents and children can watch cartoons.

Place that you only went to to catch a plane.

Not according to Ms Take's Blog; as she says:

This is a DANGEROUS place! Even Terminal 3, that I flew from yesterday, has a vast array of absolute must-have's. so I walked out of there with assorted goodies.

In her haul were such must have items as Thierry Mugler "Angel" perfume, Too Faced Lip Injection, Veuve Clicquot Travel Case, Victoria's Secret Mood scent, some scented candles and a 138 pounds later.

Whatever gets you up in the morning Ms Take.

EDINBURGH Airport has enjoyed a near-doubling in private jet usage over the past five years as time pressures and increased security for scheduled flights push more executives to use what was previously seen as an indulgence.

The number of private jet movements at BAA's three Scottish airports increased by 50% to 7,319 between 2001 and 2006, according to the airport operator.

Edinburgh saw the fastest increase with an 84% rise. It is the base for local business leaders such as Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Fred Goodwin as well as visiting tycoons and dignitaries including Bill Gates and Prince Andrew.

Glasgow enjoyed a 35% rise in private jet landings over the period, but business at Aberdeen was flat despite a few recent visits from Donald Trump, the US property tycoon who plans to build a golf course near the city.

Private jet users can circumvent the usual lengthy security queues and fly directly to their chosen destination, a bonus in Scotland where journeys too often include a change at one of London's busy airports.

But the convenience comes at a price. A typical private operator would charge about £4,500 to fly from Edinburgh to Paris, compared to a British Airways business class fare of £500.

NetJets, the private jet company owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway group, recently revealed plans to set up a staffed base at Aberdeen airport. The company has licences to fly to 16 other Scottish airports including Islay and Edinburgh.

A NetJets spokesman said the rise in private jet usage had been prompted by concerns about falling service standards on budget and mainstream airlines, and the inconvenience of tightening security measures: "Every time an important individual gets stuck at a Scottish airport, he's thinking maybe I should be spending the extra money flying privately.

"Once, the private jet was what you would do if you were the kind of person who wasted money. Now because of the time savings involved it is the fiscal conservative who is using private jets."

Source: The Scotsman

www.Parctel.com: City and business leaders in the capital today hailed Edinburgh Airport’s growing international route network, as airport operator BAA unveiled its final 2007 schedule, which includes 13 new direct services.

BAA Edinburgh’s 2007 schedule features new destinations in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, taking the total number of destinations to more than 80 served by more than 40 airlines.

Among the new routes from Edinburgh for 2007 are five new services operated by easyJet to Madrid, Munich, Milan, Dortmund and Palma. Flyglobespan will start a new transatlantic schedule service to Toronto’s Hamilton Airport in May. BMI’s new service to Zurich starts at the end of March and Norwegian Air Shuttle’s service to Oslo begins in April.

Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport, Richard Jeffrey, said: “We listen to what our passengers tell us and we know there is a real desire for people to be able to fly direct from their local airport. That is why I am proud that, with an extra 1.3 million seats on offer this summer, our passengers will have more choice and more flexibility than ever before in flying direct from Edinburgh.

“Our international route network sits at the heart of our country’s economy by strengthening business links and attracting visitors from across the world. For Edinburgh, a city massively dependent on tourism and financial services, the international connectivity provided by the airport keeps the city competitive on the world stage.

“Our focus is to provide an airport that continues to meet the demands of an ever increasing number of passengers and, as always, safety, security and service are our key priorities. Our multi-million pounds investment in security will keep queues and waiting times as low as possible. We will see new food outlets opening soon, giving more choice than ever before. We are also investing in additional aircraft stands to help accommodate extra planes. This is an exciting time at Edinburgh Airport and all of us are looking forward to meeting the challenge that will come with record numbers of passengers.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Councillor Ewan Aitken commented: "Airports are increasingly catalysts for economic growth. A strong, successful nation requires its capital city to act as its gateway for business, tourism and investment. It is no coincidence that Edinburgh's transformation into a world-class city of growing international significance has coincided with the rapid expansion of international routes directly serviced from Edinburgh Airport. The 13 new services that BAA Edinburgh has announced will come on stream during 2007 will further propel Edinburgh's reputation as a place to do business."

"I am also pleased that, in a world increasingly concerned with climate change, BAA Edinburgh is proactively introducing measures to protect the environment, to reduce carbon emissions and to ensure that our economy is not grown at the expense of our climate."

Scottish Council for Development and Industry Chief Executive Alan Wilson added: "Connectivity is crucial to the success of the Scottish economy. The major expansion in direct services from Edinburgh to other international financial and industrial centres will be of great benefit to many businesses.

"Whenever you visit Edinburgh Airport, you cannot fail to be impressed by the significant investment in new, modern facilities. These are not only helping to attract aircraft operators, they are providing employment opportunities in the regional economy and a high quality gateway to Scotland for tourists and global industries."

www.Parctel.com: International stars Brian Blessed and Sean Bean have been back to their Yorkshire roots to unveil a statue of fellow great British icon, Robin Hood at Britain’s newest Airport.

In a celebratory event to mark the success of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield since it launched in 2005, the homegrown stars (Brian is from Doncaster and Sean from Sheffield) revealed the 10ft bronze statue at an official ceremony at the Airport on Wednesday (28 February 2007).

Sculpted by bronze specialist Neale Andrew, the statue is situated on the first floor for all passengers travelling through the Airport to see.

David Ryall, managing director, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield said:
“Both Sean and Brian are proud of their Yorkshire roots and remain committed to the ongoing development of the region, so we were delighted that they were able to mark this occasion with us.”

Since opening in 2005, the Airport (part of the Peel Airports Group) has welcomed 1.68 million passengers through its doors. Serving a huge catchment area, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, North Nottinghamshire and further afield, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield has opened the region to new inbound tourists and business travellers from across the globe.

Neil Pakey, chief executive of Robin Hood Airport’s operators Peel Airports Group said:
“When we were choosing the name of the airport, we were amazed to learn of the real Robin Hood story and of how the band of outlaws first laid siege to the castles of Yorkshire before moving into North Nottinghamshire. The work of historian David Greenwood deserves great attention and the airport site is truly the epicentre of all things Robin Hood”.

Neil continued, “The statue, based on paintings from the time now adorning the walls of the church of St Peter and St Paul’s in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is as close as you can get to how Robin appeared at the time. We are delighted the image of how Robin Hood appeared is now available for all to see here at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield”.

Having started out with just a handful of operators – Thomsonfly and Ryanair being the largest – the airport now plays host to numerous operators, flying to 45 destinations, with new and exciting long haul destinations being added on a regular basis. Later this year, new routes to Canada and Pakistan will open.

Terry Hodgkinson, chair of Yorkshire Forward said:
“With the second longest runway in the North of England, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is a key addition to the region’s transport offering, bringing the number of international airports in the region to three. The regional economy is worth £75 billion, demonstrating the region’s capacity for global business and highlighting that with its geographical location at the centre of the UK, its ports network and international airports, Yorkshire and Humber is the ideal location for global business.”

Robin Hood Airport is committed to being a responsible airport and in conjunction with South Yorkshire Forest gives passengers the opportunity to contribute to their local environment and take a step towards offsetting the carbon emissions from their flight.

The new initiative known as ‘Last Call!’ provides passengers with the opportunity to contribute to their local environment before or after taking a flight from Robin Hood Airport by helping to plant trees in the nearby South Yorkshire Forest.

Peel is the first Airport group to take on a carbon emissions offsetting scheme of this scale.

www.Parctel.com: Love is in the air today especially for one lucky passenger who triggered celebrations at Liverpool John Lennon Airport by helping it become a 5 million passenger per year Airport. Having just arrived at JLA onboard easyJet's morning flight from Paris, Ms Bour Laurence was just about to reclaim her luggage when Airport staff surprised her and informed her that she had just helped the Airport break through the 5 million passenger per year mark.

Arriving on Merseyside for three months of studies at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Medical Student Ms Bour Laurence, 21, accompanied by her fellow student Mr Martineau Aurelien, 22, both from Angers, near Nantes was presented with a pair of return flights courtesy of easyJet and two nights accommodation and meal for two, courtesy of The Capital of Culture Company to return to the City during the 08 celebrations next year.

The Airport just missed reaching this milestone at the end of 2006, rounding off another record year for staff at JLA with just under 5 million passengers choosing to use the Airport representing a 13% increase in passenger business compared to 2005 with over half a million additional passengers using Liverpool.

Once again this continued growth can be largely attributed to the increase in the number of destinations available from Liverpool with a total of 28 new services introduced by a number of airlines over the past 12 months.

Highlights include Ryanair's dramatic expansion at Liverpool, having introduced 21 new services over the past year taking their total to 35 destinations served from Liverpool and carrying some 1.9 million passengers - 61% more than in the previous 12 month period.

easyJet continue to be JLA's largest customer carrying some 2.3 million passengers with new services in 2006 to Marseille, Krakow, Mahon and Faro, whilst Wizz Air carried 74,000 more passengers last year on their successful services to Warsaw, Katowice and Gdansk.

Katie Stitson, easyJet Marketing Manager for Liverpool, said: “easyJet is delighted to have carried the 5 millionth passenger from Paris to Liverpool John Lennon Airport today. easyJet is the largest airline in Liverpool and has carried over 15 million passengers from its North-West base since it began operations in 1997. Later this year easyJet is looking forward to celebrating its 10th Birthday at JLA and next year will bring millions of visitors to Liverpool as it celebrates its status as the European Capital of Culture in 2008.”

Neil Pakey, Chief Executive of Peel Airports, commented: "I'm delighted to say that JLA is now a 5 million passenger per year airport. This is a tremendous achievement for all the staff here at the Airport who worked hard to reach this milestone. We have continued to work with the airlines to develop new routes and new business to enable JLA to offer more in the way of choice to its passengers.

“This is also a great success for the region as visitors from across Europe have had more opportunity to visit the region by flying direct to Liverpool. We are now less than 11 months away from the City's Capital of Culture celebrations and with all these new cities and regions linked by air with Liverpool we are better placed than ever before to attract visitors to this great region.

"Looking ahead, 2007 will see some further significant milestones for the Airport, none more so than the important New York JFK service that starts in May and I am confident that by the start of 2008 even more new services will have been announced."

Council Leader Warren Bradley, said:

''JLA's growth is one of the great success stories of Liverpool's renaissance and a sign post to the city's long term future prosperity. Thanks to the billions being invested in new hotels, the arena or Liverpool One and the triple whammy of World Heritage status, our 800th birthday and 2008 European Capital of Culture, Liverpool is on the lips of every major tourist operator. Let's face it, tourists in Liverpool are spoilt for choice when it comes to culture, heritage and nightlife and the quality of that experience is only going to get better. And thanks to the support of Ryanair and easyJet and the upcoming New York link, the only way is up for both JLA and Liverpool.''

UNIONS today warned Glasgow Airport could be hit by strikes after British Airways said it wanted to transfer hundreds of its ground workers to a private firm.

BA said it was in talks to transfer some of its ground handling operations at Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester airports to Aviance UK in a move that would affect 730 jobs.

But the announcement provoked an angry response from unions.
advertisement

One leader said: "There could be strike action. We cannot rule it out. Today's announcement has provoked a lot of anger among our members."

BA say 160 workers at Glasgow Airport - most in customer services, such as check-in duties - would be affected, along with 273 at Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The planned switch to Aviance was announced after BA paid no-frills rival Flybe more than £100million to take ownership of loss-making regional subsidiary BA Connect. As a result, BA's ground handing services will be slashed 40%.

Ian King, negotiator for the GMB union, was in talks with airline bosses today after flying from Glasgow to Heathrow for an emergency meeting.

A GMB spokeswoman said: "This is clearly part of a major exercise by BA to withdraw from the regions and to solely operate out of Heathrow. We could end up with Heathrow Airways rather than British Airways."

BA has started a 90-day consultation on the plan. If a deal with Aviance goes ahead all staff will have existing pay and conditions protected under European work regulations.

Staff who refuse to switch employer will be offered an alternative BA job or a severance deal.

Geoff Want, who is in charge of BA's ground operations, said: "Our review has shown we can no longer sustain in-house ground handling at these airports. We need a cost-effective operation."

Source: Evening Times

www.Parctel.com: According to an internal memo circulated this year by a top official at Austin-Bergstrom Airport, the city's Aviation Department opposed expanding the perks after finding that some unnamed elected leaders were overstaying their welcome.

"Due to capacity issues in the garage and instances of abuse by a few members who use the garage as a long-term storage facility for their vehicles, the Aviation Department would prefer that access, if any, granted to state officials be reduced, if not entirely eliminated," said David Petersen, the airport's top lawyer.

A 59-year-old man sought in connection with an attack in Victorville that left his girlfriend unconscious was arrested in the Ventura County city of Santa Paula, authorities said.

San Bernardino County sheriff's officials received a tip that Murray Dane Clegg was living in his motor home at the Santa Paula airport, sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire said Sunday.

About 6:14 p.m. Saturday, Santa Paula police took Clegg into custody, said Senior Officer Ryan Smith.

Clegg was being held in the Victorville jail on suspicion of domestic violence and attempted murder, Wiltshire said.

Bail is set at $500,000 for Clegg, who is expected to be arraigned Tuesday, Wiltshire said.

San Bernardino County sheriff's officials in Victorville had sought Clegg since Thursday when it was reported that Clegg may have assaulted his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Southern California Logistics Airport.

An employee of the airport in Victorville found Clegg's girlfriend, whose name and age were not released, in the parking lot, authorities said.

The woman told sheriff's deputies that she and Clegg had been living in a motor home in the airport parking lot, according to sheriff's officials. The woman said Clegg hit her and put his hands around her neck and threatened to kill her, according to authorities.

The woman lost consciousness and woke up in the parking lot. Clegg and the motor home were gone, authorities said.

Wiltshire said a deputy from Victorville traveled Sunday to Santa Paula to confirm Clegg's identity and transport him to San Bernardino County.

Source: PE.com
Related Story: How to 'glamourise' airport parking

The following is an extract from Hasan Salim Patel's blog:

Along with two friends from Leicester we embarked on a short wee trip to Bonny Scotland for a long weekend, after being terrorised by the Police at Birmingham Airport who were confused that why would three Asian men wanted to a plane to Aberdeen? Soon after they realised that we were not terrorists, we were running to the sound of the tannoy which was shouting our names as we were late, we got to the plane where we were seated by a confused cabin staff who was not exactly versed in maths. On the plane there was supposed to be 65 passengers, but somehow one confused fool was on the wrong plane, which meant that the plane had 66 passengers. The cabin crew counted the numbers at least around 6 times, only when the poor passenger realised that this plane wasn't going to Edinburgh, did he in an embarrasing haze hurried out of the plane. Yet how did this guy get on the plane with a wrong ticket in the first place? Now imagine if my friends or myself were in that position, quite possibly I would have ended up writing the diaries of a prisoner by sharing a room with Peter Sutcliffe and Abu Hamza.

Maybe one day police will not be so jumpy and classify travellers according to their ethnic origin. Your dry wit will certainly help.

Bosses of an airport car parking firm tried to dump a box filled with hundreds of holidaymakers' car keys before doing a runner after going bust, it emerged today.

Gatwick-based Pink Meet And Greet, which hit the headlines last week after staff allegedly took clients' cars for high speed joyrides, left the huge headache of reuniting cars with their unsuspecting owners to airport staff.

The firm ceased trading after its staff were exposed by BBC consumer show Watchdog for damaging cars and joyriding in them while they were supposed to be securely parked.

Many of the firms' customers were unaware of the chaos as they were on holiday overseas.

A Gatwick source said today: "Pink Meet And Greet went to BAA at Gatwick last Thursday night and basically said 'we are out of business thanks to you lot' and tried to dump a big box of keys with them so they could bugger off.

"BAA said 'actually, we don't want to have anything to do with this'.

"There is going to be a lot of chaos with people returning from holiday. There are hundreds of cars involved, it's a real headache.

"They aren't sure which keys go with each car. In fact, they don't even know where the cars were parked.

"The valet parkers were using peoples' cars to go for races down the street and leaving them in a residential area and a builder's yard in nearby Horsham.

"We don't know when holidaymakers will turn up; if people are on long haul holidays they might not be coming back for another three weeks and will have no idea what has happened to their cars."

Last night BAA were frantically trying to sort out the chaos.

Another car parking firm, NCP, was called in to help return the dumped cars to their rightful owners.

NCP spokesman Tim Cowen said: "We were asked if we could help out and of course we are delighted to do whatever we can in an emergency situation such as this.

"Legitimate operators such as ourselves work very closely with our clients BAA to ensure that the car parking operation runs smoothly."

Mr Cowan added: "Unlicensed operators like this give the whole industry a bad name."

A man answering Pink Meet And Greet's emergency phone line said: "We're already working in conjunction with the police and trading standards."

He added: "I don't work for the company. I'm just doing this as a favour."

The firm's website further confused customers by stating it had 'seized' [sic] trading.

A statement posted on its website read: "Pink Meet And Greet has seized trading sorry for any inconvenience caused.

"Any refunds needed due to this matter, pink will advise via our website, when advice has been seeked."

A Surrey police spokesman said today: "The company no longer exists. There was a company that got up to all sorts of things with people's cars. All we know is that it is being dealt with by BAA.

"We are aware of the situation, but we've never had an official complaint so unless somebody makes a complaint we've got nothing to investigate."

However, Surrey County Council's trading standards department received several complaints that an airport parking company was not parking consumer's cars in a secure compound as it advertised. Instead, cars were being parked on the street.

The council said that following a probe by its trading standards officers Steve Kittle, a director of Pink Meet And Greet Ltd, had given a "written undertaking" promising that he will stop misleading customers.

The council said that Mr Kittle had advised them that no further bookings for airport parking would be taken and that the company has ceased trading.

Trading standards officer Peter Denard said: "Consumers are entitled to receive the service they are paying for.

"If a company advertises that cars are parked in a secure compound, an offence is committed if a company fails to do this. Consumers should be able to go on holiday with the comfort and knowledge that their car is in safe hands".

A BAA spokesman said: "Following the closure of Pink Meet And Greet, Gatwick Airport Ltd working in partnership with the West Sussex Trading Standards and Sussex Police have stepped in to ensure the remaining 34 vehicles, left at the organisations former base near Horsham, are returned to their owners.

"The collection of these vehicles was conducted in the presence of former representatives of Pink Meet And Greet, Gatwick Airport Ltd, NCP and the West Sussex Trading Standards.

"All parties agreed the condition, mileage, and fuel level of each vehicle, prior to signing the vehicle over to Gatwick Airport ’s Official Valet Operator, who then drove the vehicles to a secure parking area at the airport earlier today.

"Pink Meet & Greet’s returning customers will now be directed to the NCP Valet building, where on identification by the police they will be reunited with their vehicles.

"Customers concerned about their vehicle, or about Pink Meet And Greet should in the first instance try and make contact with the company directly."

He said customers with outstanding issues that they have been unable to resolve directly with Pink Meet And Greet should contact Trading Standards Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.

Source: Life Style Extra
Related Stories: Airport car park workers raced at 100mph | Pink Meet and Greet Parking video on YouTube

Plans to treble the number of passengers flying from Luton Airport each year will make life miserable for people in South Beds, according to South West Beds MP Andrew Selous.

He has said that if the airport expands to cope with 30 million people taking flights every year it will cause huge noise issues, make traffic congestion even worse and create more pollution.

Mr Selous argues that improving the rail network around Europe would give families an affordable alternative to flying.

He said: "Rather than tax lower income families out of the skies, more plentiful, cheaper rail travel would enable people to holiday in Europe and travel on business without increasing the output of carbon.

"This makes sense locally for South West Bedfordshire, where some villages like Tebworth and Wingfield are already greatly affected by aircraft noise, as it does for the wider world.

"Thirty million passengers arriving at Luton Airport does not bear thinking about with our current inadequate transport infrastructure."

Mr Selous was told by the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, that there's a big EU commitment to improving high speed rail links across the country.

Source: Bedford Today

BOSSES at York bus company First was hit by a technical hitch as its eagerly-anticipated airport shuttle bus broke down on day two.

First's new service between York city centre and Leeds-Bradford Airport began operating on Monday.

But the service ran into difficulties yesterday when the vehicle on the 11.40am return trip from the airport broke down at about noon.

There were only four passengers on the bus at the time, two Dutch students, The Press feature writer Charlotte Percival, who was trialling the service, and First service manager, Rosie Stewart.

Miss Percival said the bus started to rattle and vibrate before grinding to a halt about 20 minutes into its journey.

Ms Stewart said: "We have contingency plans in place for this kind of event and normally a bus would be sent out to transport passengers to their destination.

"In this case, because there were so few passengers on the bus, we arranged for them to be picked up by car and taken to their destinations."

The journey, which should have taken about 55 minutes, took an hour and 45 minutes to complete.

Peter Edwards, First commercial director, said: "It's early days and the buses were only delivered to the depot a few days ago.

"It's not uncommon for this kind of thing to happen.

"No other services were affected by this breakdown and Volvo were called out straight away to take a look at the bus, which has suffered some kind of mechanical fault."

Yesterday, The Press reported the new service had been welcomed by budget airline Jet2.com, which is based at the airport.

Gillian Cruddas, the city's tourism boss, hailed it as "one of the most exciting pieces of news we have had for years".

Mr Edwards said ticket prices included the cost of a local First bus service to get passengers from their home to the airport bus stop, near York's railway station.

Passengers booking on the internet will be charged £10 for a single ticket and £15 return.

The price of an e-ticket will include free bus travel to and from the York city centre terminus.

Passengers buying tickets on the coach will be charged £12 single and £17 return.

Source: The Press

Air safety investigators are checking claims that an aircraft dumped fuel over a Devon town after a series of complaints about acrid fumes.

Some Ottery St Mary people felt sick and the post sorting office was closed as people were overcome by the smell.

The town is five miles from Exeter Airport but no aircraft have reported dropping fuel.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said fuel dumping was rare and should be carried out over sea at high altitude.

Headache complaints

Lynn Swaffield-Williams said she was sickened by the smell on Wednesday morning, which she and other residents suspected was aeroplane fuel.

She said: "I had never smelt anything like it. It made me and my 10-year-old daughter feel really sick for a couple of hours."

Sub postmistress Sharon Fabry, who had to evacuate the building because of the smell, said: "Children were moaning about feeling ill and a couple of people said they could not get rid of headaches all day."

The CAA, which is checking aircraft logs, said it would be notified if any aircraft dumped fuel.

A spokesman said: "The only reason would be an emergency.

"If a plane is too heavy it cannot land safely."

Wales and West Gas, who checked the area, ruled out a gas leak.

A spokesman said: "In the past this has happened when aircraft have offloaded fuel before landing.

"If the winds are strong vapour can be carried inland resulting in a similar smell to gas."

Spokesmen at both Bristol and Exeter Airports said no aircraft had discharged fuel.

Source: BBC

www.Parctel.com: An Egyptian woman resident in the UK was fined £300 with £65 costs at Brentford Magistrates Court yesterday after pleading guilty to illegally importing over 83 kilos of meat and dairy products at Heathrow Airport.

John Whyte, Head of Revenue & Customs operations at Heathrow Airport said:
"Customs are determined to crack down on those who attempt to smuggle illegal foodstuffs and will prosecute the more serious offenders who insist on breaking the rules."

The court heard that 34 year-old Doaa Bahaa El Din HOSSNI KHALAF of 2 Cresta House, 133 Finchley Road, London, was stopped by Revenue & Customs Officers at Heathrow on Sunday 25 February 2007, after she arrived on a flight from Cairo. Hossni Khalaf, who was travelling with her three children, was stopped following a positive indication by a Customs sniffer dog. Officers searched her baggage and found 83.82 kilos of illegal meat and dairy products in four of her six suitcases.
Hossni Khalaf was arrested, questioned and subsequently charged with importing prohibited foodstuffs under current product of animal origin import regulations.

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office ( RCPO ). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority that reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.

KIND-hearted Glasgow Airport staff won praise for their community spirit in the I-Volunteer Awards, which celebrate the work of BAA staff.

The Glasgow team won two top awards - and £10,000 in prize money to continue their good work - at a London ceremony hosted by ex-TV newsman Martyn Lewis.

Airport security officer John McMillan took the Best Volunteering Team Award on behalf of Collective Airport Staff Helping. Security officer and counsellor Avril Henderson won the top award for the outstanding volunteer from across BAA's seven airports.

Source: Evening Times

An MSP faces being banned from Holyrood meetings for five days after being found guilty of issuing a press release ahead of an official committee report.

Independent MSP Brian Monteith had set out to highlight his disagreement with a committee's decision to back the Glasgow airport rail link.

However, Holyrood's standards commissioner said Mr Monteith had issued the information prematurely.

Lib Dem Mike Pringle was given a five day ban last year for a similar breach.

The decision to bar Mr Monteith was made by MSPs on Holyrood's Standards Committee, following an inquiry by standards commissioner Dr Jim Dyer.

The verdict, if endorsed by parliament, means he cannot attend committees or meetings of parliament for that period.

However, he will be permitted to do other work within the building, such as constituency tasks.

White elephant

Mr Monteith was a member of a Holyrood committee scrutinising the proposed Glasgow airport rail link.

The committee gave the scheme its backing but Mr Monteith disagreed and warned the scheme could become an "expensive white elephant".

The former Conservative had claimed his press release had been published prematurely because the media had broken an embargo.

However, Standards Committee convener Brian Adam told MSPs that an official had advised that no information should be issued, embargoed or otherwise.

The MSPs said he had broken two parts of the code - one relating to the confidentiality of committee reports and one requiring dissenting committee members to wait for publication of a report before going public with their dissent.

Source: BBC

www.Parctel.com: Eager jobseekers descended on Stansted Airport’s latest Jobsfair on the 1st March, an event that showcased some of the exciting opportunities on offer at the airport.

Careers in a range of airport services including cabin crew, customer service, catering and retail were on display at the event, held at the Hilton Hotel, and organised in partnership by BAA and Jobcentre Plus.

Valda Edmunds, Stansted Airport's community executive, said:

"Stansted currently employs more than 11,500 people in over 180 companies and is the biggest single site employer in the East of England. The Stansted Airport Jobsfair is an extremely successful event that showcases the diverse and exciting range of career opportunities that exist at a growing international airport.

“The high turn out for the Jobsfair clearly demonstrates that Stansted Airport is an attractive and desirable location for people to work, either taking the first steps on the work ladder or looking for a new career direction.”

One of the many benefits of working at Stansted Airport is the wide range of public transport discounts available to staff. The Airport Travel Card offers an attractive option for staff to use public transport, offering significant savings on standard rail, bus and coach fares. BAA also operates a very successful staff car share scheme, which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Peter Willis, employer engagement manager at Jobcentre Plus, said:
"Jobcentre Plus has developed a great working relationship with BAA to support employers' recruitment needs with a Jobsfair. This event has been another great opportunity for jobseekers to meet potential employers and find out more about the wide range of jobs available and the benefits of working at the airport."

www.Parctel.com: Sian Willbourne is well known to the Terminal 5 (T5) project, she’s the leukaemia sufferer who in December 2005 had over 400 T5 workers queuing to join The Anthony Nolan Trust’s bone marrow register in the hope of saving her life or one of the thousands of other patients currently waiting to find a donor. Sadly, after over two years of waiting to find a suitable donor Sian still hasn’t found a match. To help recruit more lifesaving donors a second bone marrow donation day was organised on T5 last week and again hundreds of T5 workers joined the Anthony Nolan register.

Since being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in June 2005, 31-year-old Sian has taken the unusual step of raising awareness of the urgent need for more people aged 18-40 to join the bone marrow register. Sian has been working hard to raise awareness and has set a target of recruiting 1,000 donors to the bone marrow register.

As a result of the first bone marrow donation day, one T5 worker has actually donated bone marrow and become a lifesaver. Other workers who successfully made a donation will stay on the register until they are 60 as they could potentially provide a match for many other sufferers.

Sian Willbourne says: “I feel very optimistic that there will be a match for me soon. The benefit of coming to T5 is the hope that the hundreds of workers who have been involved will spread the word about how easy it is to save a life”.

Sian’s friend Sarah Waltho, project manager for Terminal 5, has been central to organising the donation days on site along with The Anthony Nolan Trust. Ideally bone marrow donors are healthy males, aged between 18 and 40 and as there is such a large concentration of men working on T5 it’s the perfect location.

Mike Evans, T5 Head of Health and Safety says: “There is a very genuine spirit of generosity on the Terminal 5 project which is evident by the sheer number of workers who have joined the bone marrow register in the hope that they may soon save someone’s life.”

“Sian has made a big impact on Terminal 5 and we hope to find a suitable match for her this time round. Meanwhile, the fact that a T5 worker has potentially saved a life as a result of our first blood donation day is fantastic news.”

Before making a donation workers were counselled by Antony Nolan Trust staff to ensure they fully understand what the donation process involves. T5’s own nurses then took a thimbleful of blood which was taken to a lab for tissue-typing. If a T5 worker is found to be a match they will be contacted by The Antony Nolan Trust and asked to donate their bone marrow..

Unfortunately Sian’s condition has deteriorated which meant she was unable to attend the donation day on Terminal 5. The entire project is hoping that one of the hundreds of donors that have recently joined will increase the chances for patients like Sian.

Sameer Vasta posted a few snippets of conversation that he overheard at Heathrow Airport on his blog, Eloquation. Here are a few of the choice ones:

“Wait, we’re going on a plane? I thought you said we were flying there?”

“Look honey, he’s using his computer here. I didn’t know computers worked at airports!”

“Is there a place to sleep here? Because my flight doesn’t leave for another 3 days.”

“This country is so backwards. I can’t even find a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle in this shop.”

“Hot pink pants aren’t for everyone, but that guy really pulls it off well.”

(Man about to approach departure gate, after checking in long ago.) “S**t, I forgot my luggage in the taxi.”

“Is there a bathroom here? Because I’m about to explode, and I know explosions are not allowed on planes.”

“I’m so glad I fly first class. The other people here are all so normal.”

“Do they have the AC on? It’s colder than Canada in this terminal!”

“Qantas is a wonderful airline. They let you get drunk on the plane for free.”

“Is this Starbucks owned by same man that owns the one in Hong Kong? I think he stole that man’s logo.”

“They shouldn’t have shops in an airport. People might buy stuff.”

“Why did I have to go through security? It’s not like I’m insecure or something.”

This observation from Chipen Dale's Blog:

I kissed the tarmac at Manchester Airport or as close to the tarmac as I could get. It was actually the floor of the arrivals lounge and it tasted of strong disinfectant that made my lips sting. I’m glad that I experienced America. It has taught me of a world that’s harsher and odder than the one I’ve known in North Wales. People are no stranger over there but with so many gathered together in one place, there’s much more chance that a group of the very oddest should gather together and take part in orgies for the sagging and hairless.

Come on Chip (or is it Dale?) - only the Pope can pull off that stunt with elan.

Nairobi - European cocaine habits are increasingly fed through African nations and the Kenyan capital is the major transit point for trafficking the drug by air, said the United Nations drug watchdog on Thursday.

"Cocaine is smuggled by air into Europe via cities in eastern Africa, mainly Nairobi," said the UN's International Narcotics Control Board in its 2006 annual report on drug-trafficking trends.

"Significant seizures of heroin" are regularly made at airports in Kenya, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Tanzania, said the report.

Police seized a 1.1-ton cache of cocaine in December 2004 with a street value of about $88m, one of Africa's biggest drug seizures to date.

Several Kenya Airways employees were caught soon after, smuggling the drug into London's Heathrow Airport, raising fears of how some of the cocaine had escaped from police custody.

Thursday's report said trafficking networks took advantage of the region's weak interdiction capacity and lack of officers trained to investigate narcotics.

Kenya's assistant minister of health, Dr Wilfred Machage, told a news conference: "A lack of adequate funds and specialists... is contributing to Kenya becoming a major route for heroin and cocaine trafficking."

Diplomats say corruption among police and customs agents makes Kenya an attractive destination for smugglers.

Source: News 24

Related: Backscatter X-Ray | Cocaine into Gatwick | Ban on Fluids | Manchester Airport Guard Arrested

www.Parctel.com: Macquarie Parking, is the largest provider of off-airport parking services in the United States, whose airport parking business operates 30 facilities in 20 major airports markets across the United States. Together these facilities cover more than 40,000 car parking spaces.

The latest Airport Parking Financials show good steady growth:

• Gross profit at the Company's airport parking business increased 45.0 percent to $21.4 million in 2006. The increase was driven, in part, by the full year contribution from new sites acquired in late 2005.
• Revenue at comparable locations increased 7.2 percent year over year and gross profit percentage increased to 27.9 percent from 25.44 percent.
• EBITDA increased by 45.3 percent over 2005. Adjusting for unrealized (non-cash) loss on interest rate hedges, EBITDA would have increased 52.6 percent.
• The increases reflect the ongoing execution of a strategy to increase average revenue per car out and average length of stay - up 10.0 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, year over year at comparable locations.
• Net income was reduced by a non-cash impairment charge of $23.5 million related to the write-down of trade name values as a result of the re-branding of the business as FastTrack Airport Parking.

* EBITDA - Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and
Amortization.

Macquarie Full Financial Results

With reference to a BBC story where staff at airport parking company, Pink Meet and Greet raced a customer's car at more than 100mph while they were meant to be looking after it, we found this Sky News Report uploaded to You Tube over FOUR months ago, which exposes some nefarious business activities by Pink Meet and Greet, who operate from Gatwick Airport:

Rather book with our recommended Airport Parking Firm

Pilots have started voting on strike action that could see flights from Gatwick airport disrupted.

The British Airline Pilots Association has taken the decision after a row broke out over working practices with the British Airways subsidiary GB Airways.

A spokesman for the union said: "We feel the company is not moving at all on our concerns.
advertisement

"GB Airways has failed to consult properly on the changes to working practices. We believe that these will place additional pressures on pilots and increase the likelihood of fatigue."

If the strike goes ahead, flights to up to 30 destinations across Europe and North Africa could be affected during the Easter holiday period.

A spokesman for GB Airways, a franchise of BA, said: "We are very disappointed by Balpa's threat of what would be completely unjustified industrial action. We are continuing discussions with union officials this week and believe a strike is not inevitable." The firm said the dispute was "simply" about car parking at Gatwick Airport, saying there were not enough car parking spaces at the head office for all staff. "Reporting to an airport location is the same as the majority of other airlines at Gatwick, as is taking the bus from the car park to crew report. This does not amount to a change in terms and conditions of employment. There are no other suitable locations in the area. "This move follows a lengthy and detailed consultation process with all staff affected. We have agreed to a number of changes to cushion any impact and have worked hard to make this transition as smooth as possible. "Balpa has created a worrying time for our customers and our staff. We hope they will grasp the opportunity to put aside threats of disruption and resolve their concerns through further dialogue."

Source: The Argus

A SECURITY guard at Manchester Airport has been arrested by police on suspicion of possessing drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine.

It is understood the man was arrested in a car park at the airport yesterday.

Detectives swooped as he arrived for work at about 6.30am.

He was questioned and later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Manchester Airport confirmed that a member of staff has been suspended from duty.

A spokesman for the airport said: "An employee was arrested by police yesterday morning.

"The employee concerned has been suspended from his duties with immediate effect, pending further internal investigation."

It is believed the guard works on one of the security gates that passengers go through before they board a plane.

Officers began an investigation after a tip-off and have seized substances suspected of being drugs, which have now been sent for forensic analysis.

Source: Manchester Evening News

Twelve South East councils representing two million people have joined forces to fight "the continued, unlimited growth" of Heathrow Airport.

The cross-party 2M Group will fight Government plans that it says could lead to a 50% increase in flights from the world's busiest international airport.

With members from the London Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth, the boroughs of Slough, Spelthorne and Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council, the group said the Government had understated the environmental impact of Heathrow's planned expansion.

Councillor Mary Rose Gliksten, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "We formed this group to give a voice to the two million people affected by the Government's policy of uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow.

"We are not anti-Heathrow but we are concerned that the Government consistently understates the environmental impact of growth while cynically overplaying the benefits to the economy."

She added, "Over the coming months we can expect a succession of Government announcements that will each add to the numbers of flights using the airport.

"In time this could lead to a 50% increase in flight numbers which in turn can only mean more noise and worsening air quality."

A number of key announcements are expected in the early summer which would all add to capacity at Heathrow, including plans to end the practice of runway alternation which would allow aircraft to use both existing runways in parallel.

A BAA spokesperson said, "BAA welcomes a free and informed debate and looks forward to explaining the enormous economic contribution Heathrow makes towards the UK economy."

Source: 24Dash.com

www.Parctel.com: In the summer of 2008 you will be transported from the N3 Passenger Car Park to the new Heathrow Terminal 5 in an unmanned light rail vehicle - or ULTra (Urban Light Transport). ULTra has been developed to provide an alternative to buses and trains. The ULTra system is an innovative form of PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). It is a system of driverless automatic pods travelling at a speed of up to 25 mph on their own guide-way network, available on demand to passengers.

Heathrow Airport's planned driverless passenger transporter from Car Park to Terminal

ULTra is the product name that Advanced Transport Systems Ltd have given to their innovative transport solutions pod. ATS have started a work programme under contract to BAA which will lead to a Pilot operation at Heathrow. The planned route for the pilot is from the N3 passenger car park to the new Heathrow Terminal 5. The route requires 4.2 km of track including station loops, and 18 vehicles. The guideway will connect into the Multi Story Car Park at T5 to provide a station at the entrance to the Terminal. The system will open for carrying passengers in Summer 2008 following the opening of T5 in March 2008.

Interior detail of ULTra PRT - Heathrow Airport's planned driverless passenger transporter from Car Park to Terminal

ATS Ltd

WOMEN in Wakefield are being asked to ditch their bras and support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as part if its latest fundraising initiative.
The charity is collecting unwanted garments and turning them into much-needed cash by selling them on to customers in the UK and overseas, particularly West Africa.

Pam Lawrence, team leader for the Wakefield area fundraising group, said: "The bra idea has been very well received, with enormous humour in the good sense of raising money." The charity is hoping to collect 200,000 bras and 4,000 have been collected already.

Based at Leeds/Bradford Airport, since October 2000, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a specially-adapted emergency helicopter. It can fly at speeds of 150 miles an hour straight to an incident where normal ambulance sometimes cannot reach. But it costs £3,500 per day to operate and is funded totally by charity.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance hit the headlines recently for the part it played in the rescue of Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond's following his high-speed crash. To make a donation or for more information, please contact Pam on 07825 560366.

Source: Wakefield Today

A team of scientists believe that they have created a computer programme that could drastically reduce the amount of pollution at airports around the world.

Researchers at Nottingham University in the UK claim that their programme will reduce plane waiting times, meaning less fuel is wasted by stationary aircraft, reports the BBC.

By taking into account the size and speed of planes, as well as the distance between individual craft, the computer system will calculate the most efficient take off schedule.

'This could cut a maximum of ten per cent to 25 per cent off the pollution from aircraft waiting at the holding area,' said Jason Atkin from the university.

The programme was designed with Heathrow airport in mind, as it is the world's busiest hub.

'The problem of Heathrow involves various restrictions you don't get at most airports because of its size and how busy it is,' added Mr Atkin. 'It is a unique implementation that fits the Heathrow problem.'

Researchers at the university are now waiting to see if the airline industry is interested in its programme.

Source: Opodo

www.Parctel.com: BAA Gatwick staff have been praised by new airport Managing Director, Andy Flower, as being shining stars due to their volunteering activities in the local community around the airport. As part of BAA’s commitment to employee volunteering through the annual ‘I-Volunteer’ awards, funded by BAA’s own charity The Communities Trust, 54 staff from across the airport were presented with cheques for their charities, or the organisations they have worked with over the last year.

The I-Volunteer Awards were established to celebrate the work of BAA staff who give up their time to fundraise and volunteer for deserving charities and projects. In the three years since its launch, I-Volunteer has donated nearly £300,000 towards good causes around BAA airports.

Of the 54 Gatwick employees who entered this year’s awards, three achieved highly commended under the categories of best volunteer team, ( Paul Couchman, BAA’s Design Manager, Capital Projects); best fundraising team ( David Bird, Head of Technical Development) and best fundraising individual ( David Houston, Security Officer ). All those who entered the awards received a grant for their charities from the Trust, totalling £18,500. Charities and organisations benefiting included organisations such as : St Catherine’s Hospice, Crawley; the NSPCC; Crawley and Reigate Cats Protection League; Children in Need and Cancer Research.

A special cheque of £2,000 was donated to each of the three Gatwick employees who were highly commended for their work. (1) The cheques were presented at a special event held at Gatwick on Monday 26 February by BAA Gatwick’s new Managing Director, Andy Flower.

Speaking at the event Andy said: “ I am delighted to be presenting these cheques in recognition of the hard work and commitment BAA Gatwick employees have shown in the past year. The range and quality of the volunteering and fund raising has been very impressive and has proved to be a real benefit to the local community around the airport. I would personally like to thank all the BAA Gatwick staff for all their hard work and commitment and I look forward to next year’s IVolunteer awards”

A Boeing 757 sporting a shiny red nose is to make its first flight from Manchester Airport to Tenerife today.

The freshly decorated plane is the first of two to be given a special Comic Relief paintjob by First Choice Airways after its link-up with the charity event.

It will then go on to fly thousands of passengers between the UK and their holiday destinations until Red Nose Day on Friday March 16th 2007.

A second Boeing 757 will start flying from London Gatwick to Grenoble on Saturday and will also carry on flying until the middle of March.

As well as the repainted planes, First Choice Airways is to have its cabin crew wear red noses and promote the event to all its passengers.

This will include getting them to reach deep into their pockets to find all the loose change they don't need to help the charity drive reach record levels in 2007.

Short and mid-haul passengers will also be treated to skits and comedy sketches from previous Red Nose Day events, featuring the comedy stylings of acts like Lenny Henry, Eddie Izzard and Ricky Gervais.

Source: Airflights

A LEADING aerospace maintenance firm has announced a £28million investment in its Prestwick Airport operations.

The move by GE Caledonian has been hailed as a major jobs boost for the area and safeguards the jobs of 300 of the firm's Prestwick workforce.

GE Caledonian will use Prestwick to maintain the new GEnx engine, scheduled to replace the CF6 engine and to power the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 aircraft.
advertisement

The company plans to build a new "test cell" building, capable of withstanding the engine's output of 84,000lbs of thrust.

Scotland's deputy enterprise minister Allan Wilson said: "This is excellent news.

"This new investment will safeguard 300 jobs and keep Ayrshire at the forefront of leading aerospace maintenance and overhaul hubs against fierce global competition.

"I congratulate everyone at GE Caledonian, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and Scottish Development International for working so hard to secure this project for Scotland."

The Scottish Executive supported the company's investment with a Regional Selective Assistance grant of £5.6m.k

Source: Evening Times

Plans for new road and rail links to an expanded airport at Stansted are being unveiled today.

Last month Stansted airport bosses revealed proposals to extend the airport by building a second runway.

Expansion plans have met with widespread opposition from people living near the airport.

Opponents say expansion will ruin countryside, increase traffic and damage the environment.

In November an attempt by airport bosses to increase flight numbers was grounded because of fears that expansion would enhance climate change.

A council blocked plans to extend the existing runway in order to increase plane movements from around 220,000 to more than 260,000 per year.

Uttlesford District Council, which covers the airport, near Chelmsford, Essex, said 'no' to a planning application by the British Airports Authority citing climate change as one of a number of reasons for refusal.

Environmental campaigners hailed the council's decision as a benchmark, saying it was the first time climate change had been listed as a reason for refusing a planning application.

And residents of villages around the airport, who have mounted a long campaign against expansion, urged BAA to abide by the decision.

But Terry Morgan, Stansted's managing director, said the airport would appeal and seek to have the issue decided by a Government inspector at a planning inquiry.

And he said the airport would push ahead with plans to build a second runway.

Source: 24dash.com

Belfast International Airport plans to scrap its free parking service have been criticised by a consumers' watchdog.

The General Consumers' Council said the decision to abolish the 10-minute grace period at its short stay car park could endanger safety at the Co Antrim site with queues of motorists circling the airport waiting to pick up friends and relatives. The airport insists its charges are among the most reasonable in the UK and has reduced the cost of the first half-hour.

A spokeswoman for the Consumers' Council said: "Originally we wanted the free period extended as opposed to a charge being introduced.
"Our concern is that the airport is forcing people to pay and park or else park illegally which has implications for the environment, safety and congestion."

The cost of the first 30 minutes has been reduced from £1.50 to £1.00. This is below tariffs at Belfast City, Glasgow, Birmingham and other UK airports.

Managing Director John Doran said: "We have been monitoring the situation for some months and the vast majority of people using the free ten minutes are actually incurring unnecessary charges by straying over the 10 minutes when they park. "We've decided to make the charging clear for customers."

Source: Belfast Today

Airport Fast Park, the local offsite parking facility, provides a speedy, inexpensive parking option. The show premiered Feb. 18 with the multi-Emmy winning reality series racing to Airport Fast Park at Miami International Airport, where the company's service helped expedite the parking process.

"Like the reality show contestants experienced this week, Airport Fast
Park provides fast, convenient and first-class service for all of our customers," said Melanie Chavez, a company spokesperson. "Fortunately, for most of our customers travel isn't as stressful as on the show, but we understand that timing is just as important."

According to Fodor's, the world's largest publisher of English language travel and tourism information, drivers often avoid offsite lots, thinking it will take extra time to shuttle to and from the airport. Airport Fast Park services can save essential time and money as well as provide a full-gamut of benefits ideal for business or leisure travelers.

The privately run facility is often less expensive than traditional airport parking; additionally online discounts make for even more economical parking. Airport Fast Park is currently offering parking for $7.00 a day, plus tax, and covered parking is available.

At Airport Fast Park facilities the perks begin as soon as you drive into the lot. First, a greeter assigns a parking spot, and commissions a shuttle to pick you up at your vehicle. Customers receive luggage assistance, as well as a complimentary newspaper and bottled water. The benefits continue after you catch your flight - Airport Fast Park will wash/detail your car as well as provide oil changes for a small fee. Additionally, for travelers needing assistance, the company provides jump starts, tire repair and help with lock- outs.

Airport Fast Park, FastPark & Relax and Park Place are business units of Fast Park, headquartered in Cincinnati. The company operates offsite airport parking facilities in eight markets throughout the country. Airport Fast Park facilities are located in Albuquerque, NM, Austin, Tex., Baltimore, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tenn. and Miami. In Cleveland, the company operates both Airport Fast Park and Park Place, and in Houston lots are branded as FastPark & Relax. The self-serve parking service is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with instant shuttle service transporting customers to their specific terminal.

Source: Airport Fast Park

Staff at an airport parking company raced a customer's car at more than 100mph while they were meant to be looking after it, the BBC's Watchdog programme claims tonight.

Gatwick-based Pink Meet and Greet claimed to take customers' cars to a secure compound after they had handed over their keys outside the terminal.

Watchdog researchers left a car with the company, complete with a covert tracker device hidden inside to allow them to trace its movements.

The programme, to be screened at 7pm on BBC One tonight, claims the car was in a secure compound for only two of the five days that had been booked.

On the other days, it was left by the side of a busy road or in a supermarket car park. At other times it was driven at high speed - at 106mph on one occasion.

The investigation followed complaints from customers who claimed they had received speeding fines for dates they had been abroad, had excessive mileage or found their vehicles damaged when they picked them up.

In one instance, it was claimed, a customer's car had been involved in an accident and the Pink Meet and Greet driver had fled the scene.

Watchdog editor Rob Unsworth said: "It's terrifying to think that while your car was supposedly securely parked, someone could have been more or less joyriding it down the motorway."

The company was unavailable for comment yesterday but has told the programme it blamed individual members of staff and it is no longer trading.

Graeme Macpherson, of West Sussex County Council's trading standards department, could not confirm whether Pink Meet and Greet was still in operation.

Gatwick Airport Ltd said Pink Meet and Greet was not approved or endorsed and was among a number of unlicensed operators which use Gatwick's forecourts to provide services.

A statement added: "Operating in an area available for use by the general public, it is extremely difficult to identify and restrict access to such providers.

"Gatwick Airport Ltd, however, continues to work with the local authorities around the airport to encourage the prompt closure of any unauthorised car parks.

"All valet parking cars booked through Gatwick Airport Ltd are parked on airport in secure car parks, which are monitored 24 hours a day and are fence and barrier controlled.

"Gatwick Airport Ltd has recently invested over £30 million in its car parking facilities, including the £1.1 million upgrading of valet parking.

"Cars are parked by professional, insured drivers within close proximity of the terminal buildings."

Source: The Argus

www.Parctel.com: Mrs Grumpy Robinson has just made it quite clear on her blog that the Luton Airport PAssport Control staff are to blame:

Ooh, I've been grouchy all day. Stomping around scowling and muttering bad words at inanimate objects.

The blame for my foul mood can be laid squarely at the feet of the passport control people at Luton Airport, who considered their coffee break to be a higher priority than processing the several hundred tired and fractious travellers who were in front of me in the queue last night. Also take a bow Thameslink, whose kind decision to only run one train an hour from Luton Airport meant I got in at stupid o'clock this morning. Thanks must also go to my tummy, which decided that 5:30am was the premium time to expel - with extreme prejudice - the coffee and chocolate I had consumed in the departure lounge of Berlin Schonefeld airport.

Maybe you should book Chaffeur Drive next time. I'd offer to pick you up myself, but the problem is that I am afraid, very afraid that you will try and seduce me!

www.Parctel.com: To coincide with the announcement of Ferrovial's full year results, BAA today published its financial results for the nine months to 31 December 2006.

Full pdf details (596KB PDF)

www.Parctel.com: Many a true word said in jest. Blogger, matriXadi had a field day playing on words and posted the following tongue in check comment about the security at Gatwick Airport:

Al-gebra On The Loose

London 11th August - A public school teacher was arrested today at Gatwick Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square, a slide rule, and a calculator.

At a morning press conference, Home Secretary John Reid said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the Met Police with carrying weapons of maths instruction. “Al-gebra is a problem for us,” Reid said.

“They desire solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute values. They use secret code names like ‘x’ and ‘y’ and refer to themselves as ‘unknowns’, but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with co-ordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say,

“There are 3 sides to every triangle”.

When asked to comment on the arrest, Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking from his holiday resort before the planes stopped flying, said,

“If God had wanted us to have better Weapons of Maths Instruction, He would have given us more fingers and toes.”

I can just see this post spawning a whole slew of related Al's, like Al-arm, Al-chemy, Al-bino, Al-chemist, Al-bum (especially related to the recent post on the backscatter x-ray), Al-gorithm, Al-ligator and of course Al-wyn for all the people carrying liquids on board!

www.Parctel.com: It is always so much better when one reads of other peoples tips on your own subject, somehow if someone else says the same thing as you, then it is given a lot more clout and emphasis than if you just say or write the same thing over and over again. And the bottom line for this maudlin run up to today's vote for Airport Parking comes from the Travel Tips World Blog:

Off-site airport parking lots have become lifesavers for both business travelers & vacationers alike. Although most major airports have increased the number of parking lots & available space, it can still be an ordeal finding an available spot. Circling the airport to find an open space when you have a plane to catch is very stressful.
Off-site airport parking lots are usually 1-2 miles from the airport itself. These facilities offer an airport shuttle that will take you from the parking center directly to the airport drop-off point on departure. On arrival, these same shuttles will return you directly to your car. Most even offer luggage assistance in addition to refreshments & complementary newspapers. Many of the lots offered covered parking, useful in winter months.

Privately run off-site airport parking facilities are often cheaper than airport-run long-term lots. Travelers can realize savings of 20% or more using the off-site parking garages. For instance, the standard parking rate at Cleveland Hopkins airport is $10 per day. A nearby off-site airport parking facility offers a long term parking rate of $8 per day and offers routine specials discounting the daily rate even further. And if you leave you car with these facilities for a set number of days, the price continues to fall. The San Diego Airport Parking Company offers a rate of $47.50 for a full week of parking. This is a savings of more than 30% from the weekly rate at the economy parking lot at San Diego International.

www.Parctel.com: As a result of heavy snow in Madison, Wisconsin, that part of the world has seen a heavy increase in items as esssential as a snowblower and even a little extra work for people who left their cars in Airport Parking Lots. This from the Mathew for America Blog:

I’m pretty sure I haven’t experienced a blizzard yet. I’ve been in Minnesota and Wisconsin long enough to see a few impressive snow storms, but tonight and tomorrow Madison is under a blizzard warning. We got about 7 inches of snow last night, which necessitated digging my car out of the airport parking lot this morning.

www.Parctel.com: The Manchester Airport Group has a number of tenders out for various services.

• ILS Inspection Flights - closes 13:00 16 March 2007
• Media Planning and Buying for Manchester Airports Group - closes 13:00 19 March 2007
• Wide Area Network Services - closes 13:00 29 March 2007

Visit e-sourcing company, Airport Smart for more information.

www.Parctel.com: In an effort to enhance Heathrow Airport Security in a faster and more efficient manner, a backscatter x-ray machine has been called into operation at Heathrow, in additon to being deployed at a number of American Airports, border posts and harbours.

In contrast to a traditional X-ray machine, which detects hard and soft materials by the variation in transmission through the target, a backscatter X-ray machine is a newer imaging system which detects the radiation which comes back from the target.

The real concern's for passengers transiting through Heathrow and other Airports are really two fold; privacy and the exposure to radiation.

Privacy:
According to the Transport Security Administration, the images will not be printed, stored or transmitted. To further enhance privacy, when the Transportation Security Officer has resolved any anomaly, the image is erased from the screen. The capability of printing, storing or transmitting the image is not available to the Transportation Security Officer operating the system.

In addition the screener viewing of images is remotely located and in addition to not storing, printing or transmitting the image, the Transportation Security Officer will be viewing the image on a stand-alone machine (vs. network) located in a remote area away from the screening process in order to protect the passenger’s privacy, preventing the generated image from being visible in the public domain. The Transportation Security Officer who is attending to the passenger at the backscatter machine will be unable to see the image being produced.

Remember that your being screened by the Backscatter X-Ray is entirely voluntary and you may request your preference to be physically patted down.

Many people are concerned about nude images of supermodels and celebrities being circulated as a result of this screening technology, although when last did you see a celebrity being patted down and, quite frankly, the papparazi obtain far more risque and detailed images that are more freely available.

Exposure to Radiation:
The manufacturers of the Rapiscan 1000 publish the following figures as a guideline:

Medical microRem Exposure:
CT (CAT Scan): Up to 1,000,000 microRem
Chest, Mammography: Up to 10,000 microRem

Background Radiation:
Denver (5000 ft): Up to 600 microRem per day Miami (sea level): Up to 300 microRem per day Inside vs. outside a building: Up to 25 microRem per day

Airline Passenger Dose:
One hour flight: Up to 500 microRem per hour

And Offer up these figures as a guideline for their bacskatter x-ray machine:
Rapiscan Secure 1000:
Less than 10 microRem per exam

References: Wikipedia | Rapiscan | TSA
Images: AS&E | TSA | FIS

Police on hand as Alicante flight lands at Luton Aiport.

Passengers on a flight to Luton Airport have told how they watched in horror as a raging Romeo threatened to kill his girlfriend.

In front of a full aircraft travelling from Alicante in Southern Spain on Tuesday evening, the nightmare scene unfolded as the passenger threatened to shoot and rape his partner.

One witness said the 8pm Thomsonfly plane had not been in the air long before the couple began arguing. The man was reported to be muttering under his breath and swearing.

When the row turned nasty one woman asked the cabin crew to step in. The man was asked to mind his language and he replied that he planned to shoot his girlfriend, as well as the passenger who had interferred.

The witness said she heard the man say he should have just raped his partner and people began to get frightened. One crew member went to speak to the captain, and air hostesses were almost forced to restrain the man, said onlookers. Cabin crew arranged to have police meet the plane as it landed and the man was arrested.

One passenger said she saw about five police officers on the concourse at the airport when the plane ground to a halt.
Police confirmed one man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly as he left an aircraft on Tuesday night. Yesterday he was still in custody at Luton police station.

A Thomsonfly spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a passenger was causing disrupution on the TOM2568 Alicante – Luton flight. Local police were informed by the captain and the police met the aircraft on arrival who have detained the passenger."

Source: Bedford Today

www.Parctel.com: Three papers published recently in the Journal of the American Chemical Society have reported major progress on "packing" hydrogen in jaw-breaking compounds such as manganese benzenetristetrazolate MOF with the goal of making H2 a practical automotive fuel.

You might want to wait to put your order in, however.

To store six grams of hydrogen per liter of volume necessitates maintaining a temperature of 77K (the temperature of liquid nitrogen) at a pressure of about 1300 pounds per square inch (psi). For comparison, room temperature is 293K and the pressure in your home water pipes is 30 to 60 psi.

Hydrogen would require 5 to 6 times the storage capacity of an equivalent amount of gasoline. The pressure vessel to contain the fuel is estimated to weigh on the order of 840 pounds. And don't leave your car in airport parking too long or your fuel would boil away.

Full Article

www.Parctel.com: Book the airport parking in advance – You will be shocked at the price of airport parking if you just turn up on the day, try Just Parking for advanced bookings. Or get someone to drop you off and pick you up when you get back and you won’t need to pay for parking at all.

Those who use the short-term parking ramp at Buffalo Niagara International Airport will likely lose their 30-minute window of free parking - and pay $2 more per day.

But other airport lots will offer an expanded two-hour period of free parking.

"We'll be maximizing revenues from those who want the added convenience of the parking garage, while giving more time to parkers who are dropping off or picking up, which often takes more than 30 minutes," said Greg Stamm, chairman of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

The change in parking fees, which will see action at the NFTA board's March session and likely go into effect April 1, is projected to boost annual airport parking revenues by as much as $500,000.

In addition to ending "free time" in the short-term ramp, the proposal would raise the daily cap on garage parking charges to $20 per day, from the current $18.

The hourly parking rates for all other airport lots would remain at $3. The rate kicks in after the first two hours of free parking.

The 844-space, short-term parking garage, located directly in front of the airport terminal, is often full, according to airport officials.

The building is a popular option for those who plan to spend only a few minutes at the airport but are barred by federal security rules from parking on the circulatory road at the terminal doors. But it also has attracted more longer-term users.

The NFTA, which keeps a close watch on parking patterns, has noted a rising percentage of all-day and overnight parkers in the garage, which was intended for quick airport visits.

If approved, this will mark the first change in airport parking policies since April 1, 2005, when the NFTA boosted hourly fees in the short-term lot to a maximum charge of $18, from $15. The hourly cost of parking in the airport's long-term lots also was increased to $3, from $2.50, at that time.

The "first 30 minutes free" policy has been in place since April 2003.

Source: Buffalo News

SECOND runway plans at Stansted Airport are the "biggest threat to historic buildings since the Second World War".

That is the damning verdict of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings which wants to defend Uttlesford's grade II listed properties against BAA's aerial offensive.

Spokesman Douglas Kent, who lives at Wendens Ambo, told the Observer: "We do not know of any other project that involves this much destruction for commercial gain."

The society's view is shared by Stop Stansted Expansion, which has also accused airport bosses of allowing those architectural gems it already owns to go to rack and ruin even as it negotiates to buy up more to make way for expansion.

In turn, the operator has alleged its opponents are guilty of exaggeration and exploitation.

Mr Kent and SSE - along with Uttlesford District Council - have called on BAA to come clean and reveal the precise location of the 18 buildings the airport has admitted are at risk as a result of the runway scheme.

BAA has blocked their demands in a bid to protect the privacy of residents.

However the Observer has confirmed that the properties are spread over eight locations: three at Molehill Green, including the Three Horseshoes pub; four at Bamber's Green; one at Browns End Road, on the eastern side of airport, and one on the edge of Takeley.

Of those, up to seven may be left untouched by the development as BAA firms up its proposals before submitting a detailed planning application in the summer.

By contrast, SSE's website claims at least 47 picturesque properties are at risk of destruction or where quality of life will be destroyed if the runway is built.

This week, at least one family was fed-up being used as a pawn in the increasingly acrimonious argument. Resident of 15 years Anne Corr was angry to be told SSE had posted a photograph of her grade II listed farmhouse at Gaunts End - which is not actually at risk.

She said: "They do not have my permission and I am angry about this - I support the airport."

Another home caught up in the controversy is Muscombs at Great Easton. SSE accused BAA of neglecting houses including the 16th century property it bought more than a year ago and released pictures of a collapsed flint boundary last week.

BAA said the wall was damaged by recent storms and rebuilding was already scheduled.

A spokesman pointed out a tenant had been lined up, but first repairs, costing more than £25,0000 for re-wiring alone, had to be completed.

John and Rosemary Welch own Le Knells in Coopers End, one of the 18 properties at risk. Despite the threat posed by expansion, Mr Welch said the cottage was not for sale.

He said they would stay for "as long as we can" and was certainly not resigned to losing his home.

"Since the SSE campaign started, it's turning out more and more in our favour, particularly with the threat of global warming. People are more concerned about that than the expansion of the airport."

Neither BAA nor Uttlesford District Council was able to reveal details of the 18 listed properties.

A spokeswoman for BAA said: "They know who they are and we have been in contact with them for more than three years."

A district council spokeswoman confirmed: "BAA have told us they cannot release that information as they have promised affected homeowners that they will respect their privacy."

Source: Observer

This rant against Airport Security comes to us courtesy of the Grumpy Old Man:

Just the other day, I was travelling out of Georgie Best Belfast City Airport. After the usual extended queueing carnival I reached the security gate to discover I couldn't take my tube of toothpaste through without the required small square transparent bag. Fair enough.
"Can you give me a bag then?"
"No you have to go back out to the Information desk."
"So you don't supply any bags here."
"No you have to go back out to the Information desk and then join the back of the queue."
Frankly, that got my goat. In fact, I almost lost the bap.

Would it hurt to put up a sign to explain at the entrance to the queuing area, or dare i suggest, hang a few spare bags there so we can help ourselves?

You know at Gatwick Airport they employ half a dozen people, loaded with armfuls of small transparent bags, to shout their way up and down the length of the queue, helping to get the message through to the poor afflicted riff-raff.

Birmingham International Airport has named Mark Hattersley as its new acting finance director.

Mr Hattersley has worked at the airport since January 2000 as chief accountant, and will take over the position from Joe Kelly, who was recently made acting managing director following the death of Richard Heard during storms last month.

Airport chairman John Hudson said: "The board feels that Mark is an excellent choice to take on the position of acting finance director.

"During Mark’s seven years here at the airport he has demonstrated his knowledge and professionalism while working closely with all of the management team.

"Mark and Joe have the full support of the board and working closely with the management team will take the company forward."

Mr Hattersley previously worked for Land Rover, lives in Solihull and is married with one child.

Meanwhile, Birmingham Airport yesterday unveiled its first ever direct route to northern Cyprus. Anatolian Sky will operate the service each Monday from May 21 to October, departing at 1pm and arriving in Ecran at 8.45pm local time.

The return service departs Ecran at 7.30am, arriving in Birmingham at 11.30am.

North Cyprus, home to the Turkish Cypriot population, bills itself as "offering holiday-makers a captivating destination, with beautiful beaches, villages, undiscovered coves and bays, clear blue waters, breathtaking scenery, picturesque towns and brilliant sunshine".

Akin Koc, managing director of Anatolian Sky, said: "I am thrilled that people in and around Birmingham can now travel direct to North Cyprus, as well as enjoying unspoilt parts of Turkey and twin-centre holidays.

"Last year Anatolian Sky carried 20,000 passengers to these destinations, so I’m confident the service will be popular with Birmingham too."

Peter Vella, business development director of Birmingham International Airport, added: "We are proud to offer this completely new destination to our passengers. Passengers travelling direct to North Cyprus will benefit from a seamless journey as the aircraft touches-down in Dalaman for just 40 minutes before departing for Ecran."

Source: Birmingham Post

IT IS a battle for the skies which will be fought out at ground level.

Budget airlines Ryanair and Flybe were today going head-to-head in a dogfight for the south's airline passengers.

The low-fare giants were staging a battle of the advertising boards around Southampton Airport as the cut-throat industry's battle for passengers became personal.
advertisement

Ryanair bosses, who describe themselves as "irrepressibly cheeky chappies", have hired a trailer to drive a large sign around the airport reading: "If you're looking for low fares, you're at the wrong airport!

"Fly cheaper with Ryanair from Bournemouth."

Ryanair, headed by outspoken chief executive Michael O'Leary, said its aim was to "upset Southampton Airport's management and high-cost airlines like Flybe - and provide a valuable public service to their passengers".

Flybe bosses branded Ryanair's move a "schoolboy stunt, designed only to cover up Ryanair's pitiful passenger numbers".

They also vowed to hit back with a board of their own today.

Last night a spokesman said: "Flybe will have its own ad van at Southampton Airport from 9am, countering O'Leary's desperate measures and highlighting Flybe's superior operations in Southampton."

Never ones to duck a fight, Ryanair returned fire by suggesting Flybe stood for "fly blooming expensive", and said it planned a flights giveaway outside the airport to back up its claims to be cheaper.

Mike Rutter, chief commercial officer at Flybe, said: "Ryanair's latest attempt to disrupt our passengers simply highlights their lack of success at Bournemouth and is merely confirmation that Flybe is number one in the region.

"Their latest stunt is nothing more than a desperate move to cover up their lack of success in Bournemouth."

Flybe, Southampton's largest scheduled carrier, expects more than two million passengers in the next 12 months to and from Southampton on 33 different routes.

Ryanair carried 319,000 passengers from Bournemouth over the past 12 months.

Source: This is Hampshire

ROBIN Hood Airport came to the rescue of British passengers in distress as snow falls affected flights across the country.

The Finningley-based airport was put on snow alert with emergency teams on standby to clear the runway if Doncaster experienced serious snow falls.

And the airport lived up to its legendary name by swinging into action as an emergency destination for hundreds of travellers who had been due to land in Luton.

The Bedfordshire airport was closed on Thursday last week because of the snow that had built up on its runway.

Steve Adamson, product development and communications manager at Doncaster airport, said flights arrived and departed as normal as Robin Hood escaped the heavy snow falls of last week. He said: "All flights have arrived and departed on schedule. We welcomed a diverted flight bound for London Luton Airport Thursday morning, due to a number of airports in the south being closed due to heavy snow fall."

The flight had been returning to England from Katowice in Poland.
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Stanstead and Luton all fell victim to the weather in the last week and were forced to close their runways.

Source: Doncaster Today

This time from Thor Iverson:

Pre-dawn Heathrow is a cold, heartless shuttling of multicolored masses from one enclosed metal tube to another. Yellow and black signs with arrows point, and point, and point, until anyone with claustrophobia would be tearing their hair…finally disgorging their human refuse into long queues with no clear direction for continuance on display. A security gate, a passport check…and then more tubes, signs and arrows, this time punctuated with escalators and elevators. And still, absolutely no indication of where I must be to catch my connection. This terminal? Another? Given the long transits involved, it matters, and I’d really like to know.

Finally, a helpful sign. People crowd around, scanning. It takes a while…Heathrow’s a big airport…and here’s the dismaying news: I have to change terminals. I check the clock. It’s going to be a close thing.

Down stairs. Along endless hallways. Up stairs. Through another gate. Into another queue, waiting for a bus that just seems to sit there with doors closed. Then a long and crushed stand on the bus, through tunnels and featureless grey access roads, turning and turning and turning again. Will it ever get to the new terminal? It does, fifteen minutes later. More halls. Another escalator. Another security queue. And then…finally…civilization. Stores, just opening for the morning. The smell of coffee. But where are the planes? My scheduled departure is in twenty-five minutes, but the overhead signs still provide no gate information for my flight. Yet they say that a trip to the most remote of the gates in this terminal will take twenty minutes? Is this reasonable? What if I were infirm?

The Newfoundland and federal governments are welcoming the resumption of year-round, direct air service to London by Astraeus, about six months after Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) cancelled the service.

Beginning in May, the independent, United Kingdom-based airline will provide three flights a week from the St. John's airport to Gatwick, 45 kilometres south of London. Air Canada quashed daily service to London's Heathrow airport in September, saying the route wasn't profitable enough.

It signalled the first time the province was without year-round transatlantic air service since the Second World War.

Air Canada's decision sparked outcry from local business leaders and municipal, provincial and federal politicians, who said the airline's decision would inhibit Newfoundland's economic growth.

Provincial Transportation Minister John Hickey said Astraeus's presence proves the province is an affordable and desirable place to visit and do business.

Loyola Hearn, a federal cabinet minister from Newfoundland and Labrador, said the route is profitable and will provide an invaluable service to travellers.

Air Canada operates a seasonal, non-stop service between St. John's and London from April to September.

Source: CBC

PLANES resumed departing from London City Airport in the Royal Docks at 4pm this afternoon following the earlier emergency that led to the suspension of all flights.

The airfield is not yet open for incoming planes though. Airlines have rescheduled flights allowing passengers to depart on aircraft grounded there this morning. Travellers are still advised to contact their airline for more information.

The only runway had earlier been out of action after the tyres of an Air France plane carrying business people from Paris burst on landing at 8.35am.

Source: Newham Recorder
See Previous Report

Cast your vote in the "Should the £80 million expansion of Bristol International Airport go ahead?" poll on the This is Bristol web site.

Concerns have again been raised about the safety of Bristol Airport's runway after a plane delayed landing in wet weather conditions on Monday evening.

Laurence Robertson MP said the pilot of the Easyjet flight from Belfast he was travelling on told passengers he had been advised it was unsafe to land.

He said the area had experienced a heavy downpour and the plane would circle until the runway had dried out.

Bristol Airport said cross-winds and rain caused the pilot to delay landing.

Mr Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, said the cabin crew had already taken their seats before the plane began to ascend again.

"I thought as they were circling there was probably a queue to land at the airport, as there's nothing unusual about that," he said.

The problem has to be fixed... we can't have planes landing on a runway which might not be safe in all circumstances
Laurence Robertson MP

"But then the captain came on and said 'you've obviously heard about the difficulties they've had in Bristol. We've been advised it wouldn't be safe to land if it's too wet and as there's been a bit of a very heavy downpour, we can't land just yet as we have to wait for the runway to dry off.' "

Mr Roberston said the plane circled for about 20 minutes before it landed.

"I thought, why are they actually using this runway if they are admitting that on occasions it's not safe? Incredible.

"The problem has to be fixed. We can't have planes landing on a runway which might not be safe in all circumstances - it has to be safe. And it really does need sorting out - it obviously hasn't," he said.

In a statement Easyjet said: "Last night (Monday) easyJet flight EZY 452 from Belfast to Bristol, circled prior to landing for approximately five minutes due to high winds and rain at Bristol International Airport, this is standard operating procedure in adverse weather conditions and the aircraft landed normally.

"At no stage did the captain advise passengers the 'runway was unsafe'."

'Landed normally'

Paul Rankin, service delivery manager at the airport, said the airport keeps pilots informed of landing conditions so that they can take these factors into account when deciding whether to land.

He said the decision to land remains with the pilot at all times.

"In this instance steady cross-winds and rain resulted in the pilot's decision to go around in accordance with his standard operating procedure," he said.

"Normal operations continued, with other aircraft landing and departing during this period. The aircraft rejoined the landing order and following an improvement in conditions landed normally."

The runway was shut for 16 hours in January for additional grooving work to be carried out on its temporary surface after 10 airlines cancelled or diverted flights over claims aircraft were skidding when landing in wet conditions.

This work was undertaken even though the Civil Aviation Authority had confirmed throughout that it had no issues relating to the operation of the runway in either wet or dry conditions.

The airport had been carrying resurfacing work, part of a £17m project which is due for completion at the end of March.

A total of 385 flights and 25,000 passengers were affected by the dispute.

Source: BBC

Flight safety could be put at risk if more firms are allowed to fight for work at Gatwick Airport, unions have claimed.

The Transport and General Workers’ Union (T&G) says the increased competition will hit safety standards at London’s second biggest airport.

The union is calling on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to meet ground staff face-to-face to explain its decision to allow more ground handling firms at Gatwick.

Currently, only four companies are allowed to provide services – including baggage handling and pre-flight checks – at Gatwick Airport. But T&G claims to have seen a CAA report that outlines plans to increase this to an unlimited number.

The union says that increased competition will force firms to cut staff numbers, training and supervision, putting safety at risk.

Madeleine Richards, T&G senior regional industrial organiser, said: “Increased competition will damage safety standards for our members, and could turn out to be counter-productive for airlines and their passengers in the quality of service provided.

“It's disappointing that the CAA seems to have listened to markets and money rather than the genuine concern of workers. This is critical to the future of this airport. That is why we are challenging the CAA to meet the people directly affected by their decision.”

Source: Personnel Today

A THIRD of bosses at West Yorkshire small businesses prefer flying from Manchester Airport rather than Leeds Bradford – because it is quicker to reach.

Up to 30 per cent of the firms questioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said the motorway network made driving to Manchester Airport faster than battling along West Yorkshire's increasingly congested roads to Yeadon.

This was despite the fact it is much further – 56 miles from Leeds compared to nine miles.

But Leeds Bradford Airport could become their first choice for flights if it improved its choice of destinations (said 37 per cent of small businesses ), if an airport rail link were built (36.2%) and if road access were improved.

FSB West Yorkshire Regional chairman Mike Goodman, a Birstall-based businessman, said: "Several respondents say it is unbelievable that an international airport does not have a rail or motorway access. "This is one of the most striking findings of our survey. "Other key points are that traffic congestion is continuing to harm small businesses through delays and missed meetings. "Many feel there is under-investment in West Yorkshire's transport infrastructure, with specific complaints about the poor state of roads in Leeds and Kirklees which, it is also pointed out, is hardly likely to encourage cyclists. "In spite of this, it is clear that some business people could be persuaded to leave their cars at home and use public transport instead but, to achieve this, operating companies will have to ensure that they meet their needs. This is currently not the case for many.

Congestion

"The hardship caused by traffic congestion is that some of our members travelling less than ten miles to work take more than 30 minutes to reach their destination." The survey covered businesses across West Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Cleckheaton, Batley and Dewsbury. More than 95% of businesses said road congestion was a problem and 62.2% added it was a significant problem, with half blaming traffic volumes and poor road design and planning as the main causes. Eighty per cent of businesses felt traffic congestion had worsened in the last 12 months and the same number said they "often or always" avoided certain roads because of congestion which added to travel time and costs. A total of 45.7% believed that charging road users would have a detrimental effect on business, and 52.8% feared that it would cause financial hardship to many people. Only five per cent considered congestion charging to be a viable solution with 33% wanting to see investment in a light railway or tram system and 20% seeking greater investment in buses. Nearly 60% said they had lost man hours due to the transport infrastructure and 42.5% said it had increased their operating costs, while 20% said they had lost business as a result of traffic congestion. Two thirds felt that West Yorkshire did not get its fair share of transport investment from the Government and 70% supported a tram system linking major cities in West Yorkshire, although there was uncertainty on the best way to fund it.

Source: Leeds Today

www.Parctel.com: Off-site airport parking lots have become lifesavers for both business travelers & vacationers alike. Although most major airports have increased the number of parking lots & available space, it can still be an ordeal finding an available spot. Circling the airport to find an open space when you have a plane to catch is very stressful.

Off-site airport parking lots are usually 1-2 miles from the airport itself. These facilities offer an airport shuttle that will take you from the parking center directly to the airport drop-off point on departure. On arrival, these same shuttles will return you directly to your car. Most even offer luggage assistance in addition to refreshments & complementary newspapers. Many of the lots offered covered parking, useful in winter months.

Privately run off-site airport parking facilities are often cheaper than airport-run long-term lots. Travelers can realize savings of 20% or more using the off-site parking garages. For instance, the standard parking rate at Cleveland Hopkins airport is $10 per day. A nearby off-site airport parking facility offers a long term parking rate of $8 per day and offers routine specials discounting the daily rate even further. And if you leave you car with these facilities for a set number of days, the price continues to fall. The San Diego Airport Parking Company offers a rate of $47.50 for a full week of parking. This is a savings of more than 30% from the weekly rate at the economy parking lot at San Diego International.

The savings don’t stop there. Many airport parking lots have an online website where travelers can make reservations and take advantage of online coupons that offer special savings. Frequent flyers can join repeat customer programs to get additional savings and benefits.

Satellite parking lots have other advantages. These parking facilities are offering unique services to make them stand out. USAirport Parking in Denver offers oil changes & windshield repair that’s performed while you’re away. Many facilities are offering car wash & detailing, tire rotation, and other maintenance services.

Source: The Airport Monkey

MANCHESTER – Manchester-Boston Regional Airport has it's share of delayed flights.

But it doesn't have the kinds of delays that left passengers stranded for as much as 11 hours this week on the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York during Wednesday's snowstorm.

That's because the low volume of flights -- and airlines -- makes communication better and gates more likely to be open.

So says Kevin Dillon, the airport's director and a former official at Kennedy and mega-airports Logan International in Boston and LeGuardia International in New York.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded in JetBlue planes Wednesday at JFK because of icy weather and gate congestion, leading to furious customers and calls for a passenger bill of rights that would lay out operational guidelines for airlines.

"It was like -- what's the name of that prison in Vietnam that held McCain? The Hanoi Hilton?" Sean Corrinet of Salem, Mass., who spent nine hours on the runway, told the Associated Press.

Dillon said JFK, unlike Manchester, is already a congested airport. Add the snow, the confusion it causes and poor decisions by the airlines, and you end up with problems, he said.

With only 13 airlines and plenty of gate availability, Manchester avoids those issues, Dillon said.

If a flight cannot get clearance to take off, it will be returned to a gate and passengers allowed to deplane, he said.

"We're talking literally minutes," said Dillon. "We never have a case where a plane would sit for an hour. We just don't have that."

Flights do get cancelled or delayed in Manchester, Dillon said. But passengers end up sitting in the airport lobby, rebooking or heading home, instead of waiting on the runway, he said.

In June statistics, Manchester ranked among its New England peers in delayed flights.

Manchester reported 32.7 percent of its arriving flights were delayed, while 24.6 percent of depatures were, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, R.I. had 28.4 percent and 22.8 percent of its arriving and departing flights delayed.

At Logan, the statistics were 31.5 percent and 26.5 percent, while Portland International Tradeport in Maine reported 45.1 percent and 36.3 percent.

The JetBlue debacle has led to an apology by the company and calls in Congress for legislation to improve passenger conditions.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., announced Thursday she is planning to introduce a passengers' bill of rights that aims to ensure air travelers are not held unnecessarily on planes, or deprived of food, water and hygiene.

The legislation would give passengers the right to deplane if an aircraft has remained on the ground for more than three hours.

"I've been stuck on the tarmak many times in my travel back and forth to California. Sometimes with the weather and traffic, it's unavoidable," Boxer said in a written statement on her Web Site. "But to keep passengers -- which usually include infants and the elderly -- on the plane for 11 hours in the worst of conditions is absurd."

Dillon said airlines shouldn't be faulted for many of the causes of delays.

"You can't expect an airline to control the weather."

Source: Union Leader

OAKLAND, California. (KCBS) -- Parking rates at Oakland International Airport are down as more passengers turn to alternative forms of transportation. Fliers who park at the airport will now pay $15 per day for economy parking and $19 per day for Valuepark.

About 14 million passengers fly in and out of Oakland’s airport each year. Spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said that while officials encourage mass transit and other eco-friendly choices, they are working to make parking lots more efficient.

"We've determined that we have room to grow in terms of the number of passengers using our lots," she said.

Source: KCBS

Birmingham air traffic controllers disagree with federal aviation officials that safety was not at risk for airplanes operating Jan. 17 at Birmingham's airport when radar and telecommunications services were lost for several hours.

Scott Pressley, president of the air traffic control union in Birmingham, on Thursday said "safety was definitely compromised" when radar scopes at Birmingham's Terminal Radar Approach Control and Tower, went blank while several airplanes were in the sky.

The system went down about 4:45 p.m. and was out more than five hours, delaying 15 departing flights and numerous arrivals. The Federal Aviation Administration said the disruption occurred when workers intentionally turned off the Birmingham radar system to do construction that's part of developing FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure into one system.

There was no risk to airplane operations because Birmingham air traffic controllers used nonradar procedures for which they are trained, Kathleen Bergen, FAA's regional spokeswoman in Atlanta, said Thursday.

The situation that night was not ideal but "the controllers are trained for any contingency," she said. "They do an outstanding job at Birmingham and throughout the system." If there's any question about what to do, she said, they can immediately stop all departures and arrivals until they can assess the situation and then proceed.

Pressley disagreed. "When FAA says that safety wasn't compromised, it trivializes what we do as their traffic controllers," Pressley said. "And safety was definitely compromised and it was the air traffic controllers and the compliance of the pilots that ensured the safety that day, not the FAA."

Bergen said technical problems disrupted long-range radar feeds from FAA's long-range radar antenna in Haleyville and Montgomery to Birmingham International Airport. The loss of radar created an additional workload for the airport's federal workers.

Pressley said the two long-range radar antennas, which cover a 200-mile radius, provide backup radar for Birmingham. "Right now, we have no secondary system because that's what we're using" since the airport's primary radar, which covers a 50-mile radius, has been down since January.

FAA is raising the radar antenna, he said, because trees around it are blocking part of the view for low altitudes.

Bergen said the airport's radar antenna will return to operation Feb. 26.

Also Jan. 17, a shift did not occur in air space coverage under a plan involving the Air Traffic Enroute Control Center near Atlanta, she said.

Pressley said his co-workers that night discovered a difference in the backup plans for Birmingham and the Atlanta center. When Birmingham loses radar, the en route center is to "take over our air space and we just run the tower.... They wouldn't take the air space, so we had to continue running that air space without the radar when they could see it perfectly well," he said.

"The controllers in Atlanta knew how unsafe the situation was and they were trying to help us ... and their managers wouldn't allow them to help us," he said. "We kind of had to make up the rules as we went."

Bergen said the agreement calls for the Atlanta center to cover air space above 7,000 feet because of Alabama's hilly terrain. Since Birmingham controllers are familiar with nonradar procedures and the area, she said, "the decision was made that they could implement the nonradar procedures for flights below 7,000 feet. The controllers in Atlanta could not work nonradar at those low altitudes."

Source: Everything Alabama

A judicial review is to be launched by the council and other authorities to try and overturn the current night-flights regime at Heathrow Airport.

A High Court Judge gave permission this week for the legal challenge to go ahead and it is set to be heard in the High Court in May or June.

If successful, the government could be forced to scrap the current night flights regime at the airport.
advertisement

At present about 16 flights, mostly jumbo jets, land at Heathrow during the night quota period' from 11.30pm - 6am.

But a concentration of planes land between 6am and 7am, when the cap on night flights does not apply although this hour is still night' according to EU law.

The judicial review is being spearheaded by councils belonging to the new 2M Group, an alliance of 12 authorities representing two million residents affected by Heathrow airnoise.

In addition to Richmond upon Thames Council, the councils involved include Wandsworth, Ealing, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Merton, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.
"It may not get any worse between now and 2012, but it's sure not going to get much better."
John Stewart, chairman of an anti-Heathrow expansion group

Leader of Richmond council, Serge Lourie, said: "This marks another step on the road towards an eventual ban on night-flights and halting Heathrow expansion.

"Our aim is to prove the current night flights regime is fatally flawed. In our view some very noisy aircraft are misclassified, the way landing noise is calculated is artificially reduced, the proposals breach the government's policy of bearing down on noise' and the court itself needs to assess the interference with the human rights of residents."

John Stewart, chairman of a longer running anti-Heathrow expansion group, said Hacan Clearskies did not get in on the court action because the costs of losing them can run very high.

He said: "But we are 100 per cent behind their action and it shows that just by the fact they have been given permission to go to the High Court must mean the government would be a bit worried."

Every five years the government enters into a new agreement with airliners.

The last night flights regime was set in October 2006 and will run until October 2012.

Mr Stewart said the councils will challenge the agreement because it contradicts the government's 2003 Aviation White Paper promise that it would bear down on noise'.

Richmond council and its partners in the judicial review case will argue there is no evidence that the government is trying to improve night flights.

Mr Stewart added: "It may not get any worse between now and 2012, but it's sure not going to get much better."

# Judicial reviews allow for challenges to be taken to the High Court against a decision made by a public body.

The court actions can result in the public body, in this case the Government, being ordered by the court to reconsider or change its decision.

Source: Richmond and Twickenham Times

AN investigation has been launched after two planes collided on a taxiway at Manchester Airport.

A Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777 was preparing to take off for New York when one of its wings clipped the tail of a Flybe Dash 8.

No-one was injured but fire crews were despatched to the site of the collision.
Advertisement your story continues below

More than 130 passengers on the PIA flight, PK723, had to be put up in hotels overnight while the aircraft was checked over.

Passengers on the Flybe Dash 8, which was heading for Southampton with 43 people on board, were put on other flights as the aircraft's rudder was damaged.

Both aircraft taxied back to the terminals following the incident, which happened at about 1pm yesterday, so that engineers could inspect them.

The PIA plane, which was travelling to New York from Pakistan, was still on the ground at the airport this morning.

A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed it had launched an investigation.

Incident

A spokesman for Flybe said: "Flight BE866 from Manchester to Southampton was involved in an incident at Manchester Airport.

"The Flybe aircraft was holding on the taxiway, correctly positioned and stationary.

"We understand that the Pakistan International Airways aircraft had been given permission to taxi past the Flybe aircraft provided that there was sufficient wingtip clearance.

"The Flybe aircraft was clipped by the PIA aircraft, causing damaged to the rudder. The Flybe aircraft returned to stand and all passengers disembarked without incident."

He said arrangements were made for alternative flights for all passengers on their onward journey and the vast majority of passengers had only suffered a two-hour delay.

He added: "The safety and well-being of our passengers is of paramount concern and Flybe will work with the authorities in an subsequent investigation."

PIA was criticised last year following a number of undercarriage fires on jets landing at Manchester Airport.

A cat also grounded a PIA flight at Manchester for 26 hours last October after it got loose in the passenger cabin.

A spokesman for PIA was unavailable for comment.

Source: Manchester Evening News

A MEMORIAL fund has been set up in memory of the seven men who died in the Irish sea helicopter disaster.

Five gas workers and two pilots - including Blackpool man Stephen Potton - were killed when the Eurocopter SA365N went down over Morecambe Bay after leaving Blackpool Airport on 27 December.
Centrica, the company which operates the gas field, has started the fund with a donation of £25,000.

Donations will be given to charities chosen by Centrica, in consultation with the families of the men.
Details of the chosen causes will be listed at the fund's website once they are agreed.

A preliminary Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report found no evidence of major mechanical failure with the helicopter.
The aircraft was seen to pitch sharply forward and bank to the right seconds before it crashed into the icy waters, the report said.
Commander Stephen Potton, 52,from North Shore and co-pilot Simon Foddering, 33, from Preston were killed in the crash.
The gas workers on board were Robert Warburton, 60, of Heysham, Lancashire, Leslie Ahmed, 48, from South Shields, Tyneside, John Shaw, 51, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Alfred Neasham, 57, from County Durham, and Keith Smith, 57, from Stockton-on-Tees.

Source: Blackpool Today

CARDIFF International Airport is aiming to unlock a whole host of global destinations for Welsh travellers, after passing its two-million-passenger mark for the first time.

The passenger figures for its scheduled and charter routes in 2006 represent a 13% growth over the previous year at the airport, which is making more flights available than ever before.

It has announced four new popular destinations already for 2007 - Barcelona, Kos, Nantes and Belfast City.

And now bosses want to open up routes that will take passengers into the US and Middle East.

These are in addition to 12 new routes that were launched last year at the airport which now offers 50 direct destinations and more than 400 worldwide connecting flights.

Spencer Birns, head of the airport's Aviation Business Relationships, said top of its wish list was to attract a US route, complementing Zoom's regular low-fare services to Toronto and Vancouver.

Bookings to Canada are 10% up on this time last year.

A Middle East Hub and its worldwide connections, particularly to Australasia, is also in focus.

Peter Phillips, airport spokesman, said, "The airport has started the second phase of a £10m investment programme designed to support double digit growth in 2007.

"We are not expecting to reach three million passengers this year but we should see more growth, mainly in terms of capacity in visiting airlines and frequency of flights - particularly to the Mediterranean.

"Barcelona is known as Spain's party city and is one of Europe's most popular destinations, so it will appeal to people of all ages.

"Kos, in Greece, offers great weather and Nantes is Cardiff's twin city in France and is a timely addition as the location for the Welsh games in the Rugby World Cup.

"Belfast City will join our existing Irish routes to Dublin, Cork and Galway."

Mr Phillips believes that the North-South Wales airlink from RAF Valley, Anglesey, to Cardiff that is due to launch this spring will be used by more people than just the politicians who are currently anticipated to hop on board.

He said, "It will be a surprise hit because a lot of people living in South Wales have never even been to North Wales.

"And those in the North will appreciate an hour-long flight, instead of a four to five-hour car journey to the capital."

The route will be Wales' first Public Service Obligation scheme.

Cardiff International has reintroduced services to Paris, a route that was dropped when Air Wales ceased operations. And it hopes to see new services to Aberdeen, Dusseldorf, Munich and more routes to Spain, Italy and to Katowice, Poland.

The airport introduced six new aircraft parking stands, a new pier walkway and new Immigration Hall in 2006 and a significant extension of the baggage reclaim facility is due in 2007.

Jon Horne, Cardiff International Airport managing director, said, "The decision to allocate funding to create a new route to the airport in the short term was great news.

"Even better was the decision to move ahead with proposals for a direct route to the M4 as quickly as possible."

New routes
Thomsonfly, Cardiff's biggest operator with a total of 27 routes, is increasing capacity to Jersey and introducing a new route to Barcelona from May 25, with a lead flight price of £22.99.

Aer Arann, which has been building up its network from Cardiff since last year with flights to Cork, Dublin, Galway and Lorient in Brittany, adds a second route to France, to Nantes, from March in time for the Rugby World Cup. The airline's typical UK flights to Nantes cost from £49 one way including taxes.

Flybe is a new base carrier at Cardiff International from May, starting out with flights to Belfast City. It is a considerably large carrier, having absorbed British Airways' regional arm, BA Connect. Its Belfast City route could cost around £20 for a one-way flight, including taxes and charges.

First Choice is seeing excellent bookings for niche products like cruise packages. It adds Kos in Greece from Cardiff this summer. Prices have not yet been announced.

Source: icWales

A controlled explosion was carried out at Luton Airport after a suspect car was found parked near the arrivals lounge on Thursday evening.

The departure terminal was evacuated and a 656ft (200m) cordon put in place as a precautionary measure.

No flights were allowed to depart from the airport, but some arrivals were not affected and some diverted to Stansted.

The airport has now reopened and is operating normally. Bedfordshire Police apologised to anyone affected.

Source: BBC

The terrorist threat against British airline passengers is evolving constantly and could involve inside help from airport employees, a senior government official has warned. Restrictions on hand luggage are likely to remain in place after the disruption last year of an alleged plot to blow up US-bound aircraft with liquid explosives.

John Parkinson, the Department for Transport's head of aviation security, said security experts feared that a future terrorist attempt to target planes "would have the components available airside with the help of people who work there". He added: "The threat remains very serious and it is likely to endure for the foreseeable future. We continue to face very real challenges, but we remain determined to meet them."

A spokesman for BAA, owner of Heathrow airport, said airport employees posed no greater threat than passengers and were subjected to the same security checks, including a ban on carrying large amounts of liquids into terminals.

"All airport staff have to go through security checks as well. Anything passengers go through, all airport staff have to go through," the spokesman said.

Prospective airport employees, including staff at retail outlets, also require a criminal records and counter-terrorism check before they are hired.

The enhanced security checks were implemented after the security scare last summer brought Heathrow to a near-standstill and forced the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights.

Speaking at a transport security conference in London yesterday, Mr Parkinson said hand luggage restrictions which limit UK passengers to one bag and a small amount of liquids would remain in place until airport owners submitted proposals for more effective security measures, including new screening machines.

Source: The Guardian

BAA has ruled out selling Stansted Airport in order to settle fears in the industry that there is too little competition between UK airports.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) looks set to refer the supply of airport services by BAA to the Competition Commission (CC) for investigation.

BAA owns Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Southampton in the South East, and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in Scotland and has an annual turnover of £2 billion. The OFT is concerned that BAA handles more than 60 per cent of all air passengers in the UK.

It says without competition - investment at Stansted and other airports could be "inefficient and costly for air passengers and the UK".

More competition, it says, would create expansion that "takes place in a timely, cost effective manner" and is focused on the needs of airlines and the travelling public.

John Fingleton, OFT chief executive, said: "We believe that the current market structure does not deliver best value for air travellers in the UK, and that greater competition within the industry could bring significant benefits for passengers.

"There is evidence of poor quality and high charges - BAA's investment plans, which are of great importance to the UK, have raised significant concerns among its customers. These are signs of a market not working well for consumers and we believe that a full inquiry into BAA's structure is justified."

BAA responded by saying it does not think separate ownership will address the problems facing airports stating: "There is no intention on the part of BAA to sell any of its airports."

Stephen Nelson, chief executive of BAA, said: "I welcome the opportunity to have a thorough review of the UK airport market, but I am concerned at the OFT's narrow focus on the structure of BAA.

"The real problem for passengers is lack of capacity, not the structure of BAA. This shortfall is the result of a complex interplay of political, planning and environmental issues, all of which need examination.

"There is a great opportunity over the coming years to deliver dramatic improvements for passengers using our airports, but this requires a regulatory system that encourages investment. I do not believe the current regulatory model in the South East fits this purpose."

The OFT is due to make a final decision about referring BAA to the commission imminently.

Source: Harlow Herald

BRISTOL International Airport today announced that passengers will soon be able to use a new on-site airport Meet and Greet service.

It will mean travelling drivers can park at the front of the airport, unload their luggage, hand over their car keys to their personal airport concierge and check in for flights.

Passengers who book the new service in advance will have their cars collected by a concierge and parked on-site in the airport's secured parking compound which is protected by CCTV and number plate recognition systems.

On their return journey, passengers call the concierge team and their car will be delivered to the rapid pick up car park, 100 metres from the terminal.

The service starts next month. Prices start from £45 for one to three days, rising to £69 for up to eight days.

Source: Wiltshire Times

RTD moved a step closer on Wednesday to charging some transit users for parking at select park-n-Rides when a Senate committee overwhelmingly approved the agency's long-sought pay-for-parking measure.

Senate Bill 88 would allow the Regional Transportation District to charge those who park at high-demand bus and light-rail lots - yet who live outside the RTD district - from the first day they leave a vehicle.

Most importantly, the bill allows RTD to acquire license plate registration and driver's license information from state revenue and motor vehicle department data bases.

RTD will use license plate data to determine whether those parking at key park-n-Rides are residents of the eight-county RTD district or not, said RTD General Manager Cal Marsella, in testimony to the Senate's business, labor and technology committee.

The pay-for-parking plan would most likely be installed at RTD's busiest lots, including Table Mesa, Wagon Road, Mineral, Nine Mile and Stapleton.

RTD's aim is to make parking free for the first 24 hours for residents of the transit district and charge them $2 a day for each day after the first 24 hours.

Users of RTD lots who live outside the transit district would be charged $4 a day from day one, Marsella said.

Many of those who leave vehicles for multiple days are users of RTD's skyRide bus service to Denver International Airport. The parking charge - whether $2 or $4 a day - would still be less than other airport parking, backers of the plan say.

In Wednesday's hearing, Sen. Tom Wiens, a Castle Rock Republican, offered an amendment that would eliminate the parking price differential between in-district and out-of-district residents. The amendment was soundly defeated.

Castle Rock residents elected to stay outside the RTD tax district.

Marsella said establishing the price differential for in-district and out-of-district residents is an issue of "equity."

Transit users who live outside the RTD district and who don't pay the 1 percent RTD sales and use tax should pay for parking from day one, he said.

Similarly it is fair for residents of the transit district, who pay the sales and use tax, to get the first 24 hours of parking free, and then pay a nominal daily charge for each day after that, Marsella said.

A parking plan that charges all users something if they leave vehicles for more than a day will discourage some motorists from leaving cars in RTD lots for days, weeks and even months at a time, and that will open up more spaces for daily users, he added.

The RTD parking bill was passed 6-1 by business and labor committee members and lawmakers sent the measure on to the Appropriations committee.

Source: Denver Post

Seven vehicles were damaged in the underground parkade at the O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg -- after a parking attendant lost control of a car he was driving.

Police Senior Superintendent Vish Naidoo said the traffic controller had been given a BMW to park by a traffic officer working at the airport.

“He lost control of the car and it crashed into six other vehicles, extensively damaging them,” said Naidoo.

The BMW was also damaged.

“We will open a docket of negligent driving and forward it to the public prosecutor who will decide what to do with the case.”

Naidoo said it was not clear if the parking attendant had a driver’s licence.

Source: Sunday Times

Cynics would say it was inevitable. I booked an airline ticket the other day and was dismayed to see that taxes and surcharges exceeded the price of the ticket.

Airlines and governments are almost equally to blame for this ludicrous state of affairs in which advertised airfares bear no resemblance to reality.

Complain all you want about high gasoline prices, the price on the pump is what you pay – all federal and provincial taxes included.

Why is it that gasoline retailers post prices this way, and not airlines? No doubt gas stations do it because the public would not stand for it any other way. What's the point of having a posted price of, say, 40 cents a litre for gasoline if the motorist is going to have to pay 85 cents a litre?

Ontario government-run liquor stores have a different reason for including taxes in their posted prices. My guess is that the government would prefer us not to know how much they are charging in liquor taxes.

Back to the airlines. Their advertised fares have become a sick joke in recent years. But, until last week, I never encountered a situation when taxes and surcharges were higher than the fare.

It happened when I bought a round-trip ticket on Ottawa-based Zoom Airlines for travel to and from London's Gatwick Airport in March. As usual these days, the airline did it in two transactions – one for the outward, one for the return journey.

It was for the return that I got a shock. Zoom's fare was $199. The taxes and surcharges were a staggering $205.25 – for a total cost for the return leg of $404.25.

How could this be? The Zoom fare from Ottawa to London was $179 (slightly lower than the return because I was flying at a less busy time), and taxes and surcharges on top of that were $114.15.

I looked at the fine print on my e-ticket, and saw that fees for the return flight included $124 under the heading "U.K. departure fee."

I fly to London on average twice a year, and never noticed paying a U.K. departure fee before. Turns out I hadn't been paying attention. Still, it also turns out that the British government has just doubled the U.K. departure fee, effective Feb. 1.

From Feb. 1, anyone flying from Britain to Canada in economy class pays a whopping 40 pounds sterling in departure tax. That's about $90. In business or first class, the fee will be 80 pounds, or $180.

Why, I wondered, if the U.K. departure fee was doubling to the equivalent of $90 for economy-class passengers, was I being charged $124 by Zoom Airlines?

It turns out that Britain has TWO departure fees, according to David Clements, Zoom vice-president of sales and marketing. The other fee is for airport services, and is the equivalent of about $34 in Canadian money for passengers flying from Gatwick, he said.

The newly-doubled departure tax will be the same on all long-haul flights from Britain, which now has among the highest airport departure taxes in the world.

The British government claims it is raising the departure tax to help save the planet, or something. Few in Britain seem to believe it. Most see it as a tax grab, according to the British media. Fleece the foreign tourists is the signal I get from Tony Blair.

Canadian air carriers can't help it when domestic or foreign governments slap taxes on their passengers. But the airlines could be more upfront about it. These taxes are a cost of doing business. Why not include them in advertised fares?

Airlines can claim – legitimately – that the taxes are not their responsibility, and the public is entitled to know who is taxing them, and how much.

But airlines commonly add on a "fuel surcharge" that has nothing to do with any government. In the case of my Zoom ticket, I was charged an extra $81.25 each way – a total of $162.50 – for "navigation and fuel surcharge."

Oil prices remain high and all airlines add a surcharge to the price of a ticket to help pay for fuel, says Zoom's Mr. Clements. True, but it's not right. Why not a wings surcharge, or a pilot surcharge? Or even an air plane surcharge?

Come to think of it, the cost of putting gas in my car is small compared with all the other costs of car ownership, like depreciation, taxes and insurance.

Anyone in business has to bear all the costs of doing business. We all have to pass on these costs to our customers. The fairest way to do so is in the price of the product we sell. It's about time airlines learned that.

Source: Ottawa Business Journal