Score one for the consumers as they obtain relief from colluding airlines. In what, up to a few weeks ago, seemed like a never ending procession of ‘fuel surcharge hikes’ by airlines, a bit of good news has trickled out. Passengers who purchased long haul air transportation from British Airways or Virgin Atlantic Airways between August 11, 2004 and March 23, 2006 are entitled to a partial refund of the ‘fuel surcharge’ each airline collected as a proposed settlement in a class action suit has been reached.
This proposed settlement, reach in the US District Court for the District of Northern California, comes on the tails of the cargo cartel price fixing investigations where several carriers (including British Airways, QANTAS, and Korean Air) have also admitted guilt to the Department of Justice in the US.
With the Olympics set to opening tomorrow in Beijing on 08/08/08, China is prepared to welcome the world to its capital city and with it, showcase modern China. Despite the debate over whether the Olympics should have been awarded to China due to its less than stellar human rights record, there was much preparation for the expected massive numbers of visitors. Most of it has gone well and everything should be ready for the opening ceremonies, including the peculiar looking National Stadium, even though there are still persistent smog problems.
In the first of what many believe will be a sustained period of consolidation in the global aviation industry, British Airways confirmed today that it is holding talks on an $8bn merger with fellow oneworld alliance member and Spanish rival Iberia.
BA looks set to structure the proposed merger in a similar way to the KLM/AirFrance linkup in 2004 with an overall holding company operating two distinct airlines according to the guardian
The carriers would be run separately to stay within country specific regulations on the nationality of airlines on specific routes.
Former Aer Lingus CEO and current British Airways chief BA Chief Executive, Dublin-man Willie Walsh told reporters in Madrid today “We will have two airlines, two brands. The day-to-day business of the two airlines will continue as they are today,”
On a very hot and humid Thursday, July 17, 2008, I was fortunate enough to attend a reception for An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD, in New York. It was held at the residence of Niall Burgess (consul general of Ireland in New York) and was in honor of the first official visit of Mr. Cowen to the US as prime minister. The event I attended was to introduce the leader of the Republic of Ireland to the travel trade in the USA who specialize in tourism to Ireland and also served as an opportunity for Mr. Cowen to reiterate the importance of tourism to the island of Ireland and the commitment of his administration to support tourism during such a challenging time.
The Galway Races has become the greatest of all Irish Racing Festivals and probably the most lavish, colourful and sociable fixtures in the Irish Racing World. It is not only a great sporting event, but also a unique social occasion filled with atmosphere, passion and craic, and attracts both the true racegoer and socialites alike.
The excellent racing, oyster bars, champagne and beer tents, jazz bands, trade stands, race card competitions and even a best-dressed lady competition on Thursday, combine to ensure there is something for everyone and be part of what is truly an unforgettable experience.
Buses to and from Galway City to Race Course during races.
A report on RTE states how the CEO of Ireland based airline Ryanair (Europe’s largest air carrier) forsees major changes in the airline industry in the short term future.
Here’s what he had to say:
Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary says he believes in the next five years all European airlines will have merged with the big five airlines.
He said there would be no independent airlines such as Aer Lingus.
Mr O’Leary was appearing before the Joint Committee on Transport, which is considering air access to regions outside Dublin and fuel increase charges.
‘It would be better for Aer Lingus to be owned by a man from Mullingar who guarantees no fuel surcharges, than some anonymous person in Frankfurt or Paris’, he said.
In the current climate it’s easy to forget why we travel. However, if you have about 4 1/2 minutes to spare, I think I can remind you why we will always want to experience the joy of travel.
Matt - he tongue in cheek describes himself as “a 31-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut” has danced his way around the world for the last number of years. This is no riverdance. His dancing technique can be best described as watching an octopus falling out of a telephone box.
However, combined with hauntingly beautiful lyrics there is something hypnotic about it. He visits a number of myguideTravel favourites such as
You may say that I am biased but I believe that Ireland is probably one of the best places on planet earth for a vacation or holiday. Ireland will never provide us with the sunshine and balmy days of Florida or Italy but nobody travels to Ireland for that type of experience. When the sun shines it’s a very welcome added bonus and gives the wonderful features of the real Ireland an even better ambiance.
If only to boost my view, last week I read an article in the New York Times where DAN BARRY (the NYTimes This Land columnist) shares an experience that confirms Ireland as a destination not to be missed
A recent article in The Independent in London described Ryanair’s low cost air-fares as ‘flights of fancy’.
“Buying a ticket from Ryanair’s website is an experience that leaves me enraged,” the journalist writes. “Although the front page flashes adverts about free or low-cost flights, the starting price no longer bears any resemblance to how much you’ll finally end up paying.”
I am a fan of Michael O’Leary and what he has achieved but at this stage I am coming to the conclusion that the notion of “low fares” with Ryanair is fast becoming no more than a myth.
On Friday, May 9, 2008, myguideTravel was a sponsor of the annual ICCUSA (New England chapter) Emerald Award Gala Ball held at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston. ICCUSA is the Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the USA
and is a non-profit business networking organization with a focus on Ireland. ICCUSA is nationwide in the US and each major city has its own chapter. ICCUSA’s goal is to foster business relationships and economic exchanges between the US and Ireland in a variety of ways, including a breakfast speaking series, charitable fund raising and an annual trade mission.
