Airport Parking News

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: 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: 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.

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.
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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

This coment from the Green Party blog:

Southampton Airport already expanding it seems on a monthly basis has far more reaching ambitious targets for increasing the number of flights going through. Portswood people being quite close to the flight path of Southampton Airport already have issues over BAAs plans to subject Portswood to more aircraft presence.

Southampton Airport cancelled the 8.05am in-bound flight from Edinburgh and are warning more flights could be hit throughout the day.

South West Trains were running fewer carriages and are advising passengers to leave extra time to get to their destination.

Hampshire police were co-ordinating their own safety operation at their extreme weather centre in Netley.

The centre was set up five years ago but this is the first time it has ever been used.

Source: The News

SOUTHAMPTON Airport has seen its busiest year in its 97-year history.

Last year it welcomed 1.9m passengers, an increase of 4.1 per cent on 2005. A total of 130,000 people used the airport in the month of December alone. Southampton Airport serves 47 destinations with eight airline partners.

The top 10 routes from there during 2006 were Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Jersey, Guernsey, Amsterdam, Dublin, Belfast and Leeds. New routes already confirmed for 2007 include Nice, with Flybe, and Verona, with Inghams.

Chris Butler, the managing director at Southampton Airport, said: '2006 has been a very successful year and I would like to personally thank all of the 1,200 staff at the airport for their hard work and dedication.

'Looking forward, 2007 promises to be another exciting year and we aim to pass the two million passenger milestone in the latter part of the year.'

Source: The News

Times Online posted a story by Cath Urquhart titled "Ten steps to a hassle free holiday".

Three of the ten steps are of special interest to those wanting to and promoting Airport Car Parking:

Step no 3. Choose your airport with care

Flying out of Southampton airport on a Tuesday afternoon is far less hassle than flying from Gatwick on a Friday morning. If you can be flexible, pick smaller, regional airports and avoid weekends.

Step no. 5. Prebook airport parking

Paying in advance is cheaper, and ensures there’s space. Consider paying an extra £20 or so for valet parking; you toss the keys to the attendant at departures while you go straight to check-in. Some will even arrange to have your car serviced while you are away.

Try Just Parking for Pre Booking and Chauffeur Drive.

and Step no. 6. Book an airport hotel

For an early morning flight, staying in an airport hotel the night before can be less stressful than a dawn taxi ride — and not necessarily more expensive. Many airport hotels allow you to leave your car there free.

To book, try Just Parking or your tour operator.

Source: Times online