30% OFF DFDS MINI-CRUISES FOR SUMMER 2013!

A reminder from DFDS Seaways that customers can enjoy sun, sea and savings on a 2-night mini cruise to amazing Amsterdam this summer. Comments DFDS, "They can catch some rays and enjoy a drink or two on deck as they watch the world, and the water, go by. Or they can enjoy a delicious meal in one of the restaurants, check out the bars with live music and entertainment, visit the shops, casino and cinema before a good night’s sleep in their cosy en suite cabin.

Once your customers arrive in Amsterdam next morning, they can make the most of the summer days by taking a canal boat cruise, doing a spot of alfresco dining, or having a picnic in the park.

And do it all for less with 30% off Amsterdam mini cruises!"

MTB 29/06/2013

holidayautos ACQUIRED BY CarTrawler

CarTrawler has announced its aquisition of the Holiday Autos business, commenting, "This is great news for Holiday Autos customers and means we can now offer great rates for more than 30,000 worldwide locations; no credit card fees; free cancellation or amendment, and regular promotions and special offers."

MTB 29/06/2013

EDINBURGH INSTALLS UK'S FIRST MULTI-AIRLINE BAG DROP

Edinburgh Airport is continuing to invest in technology to help improve the passenger experience
with the launch of its latest facility, a new multi-airline common bag drop which will reduce average
bag drop time from almost two minutes to just 30 seconds.

In a UK first, Scotland’s busiest airport has installed three SONIC Common Use Bag Drop machines in
the check-in hall, enabling passengers to print their own luggage tag, weigh their bags and despatch
them to their aircraft with minimal time and stress.

Other airports around the UK currently operate similar technology but this is the first to have more
than one independent airline using it at the same time. These machines at Edinburgh Airport will be
exclusively operated by easyJet and Flybe, with staff members from their handling agent Menzies
taking on the day-to-day running of the kiosks.

David Wilson, Chief Operating Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are very excited to have
introduced this ground-breaking technology to help improve our passengers’ experience when they
travel with us.

“We know that time is of the essence when checking in and we want to make this process as quick
and stress-free as possible. These new self-service bag drop kiosks are very simple to use and will
speed up the entire check-in and bag drop process. If we can reduce the check-in time to as little as
30 seconds then we will be demonstrating our unwavering commitment to providing the best
service for our passengers.

“This project will be on-going and we’re delighted to be working so closely with our colleagues from
easyJet and Flybe on this.”

These new Common Use Bag Drop kiosks work by allowing passengers to scan their boarding pass
which they will have already printed. The machine will automatically assign the baggage to the passenger’s airline and ask for the bag to be placed on the belt in order to be weighed. Built in chip and pin card machines will enable passengers to pay for overweight baggage if necessary. Their luggage tag will then be printed which the passenger can attach themselves before their baggage is despatched through the main system to the waiting aircraft. A member of staff will be on hand at all times to ensure passengers have no issues.

Also commenting on the new technology, Flybe’s Director of Marketing, Simon Lilley, said: “This is
yet another way in which Flybe, together with our airport partner in Edinburgh, is adding benefit for
our passengers and we congratulate the airport on being the UK industry trail-blazer by adopting this
excellent service that will undoubtedly enhance our customers travel experience.”

Chris Hurley, Chief Technology Officer of P5T Ltd, who devised the SONIC Common Use Bag Drop
system, said: “SONIC is the first truly common-use bag drop application and I am delighted that
Flybe and easyJet have demonstrated that intermingled passengers flying with two independent
airlines can use the same processes and equipment without any differentiation in speed or customer
service levels.

“Only by working with Edinburgh Airport and Menzies was such a milestone achieved and I would
like to congratulate all the parties concerned.

“The positive experiences and feedback from passengers using the SONIC Common Use Bag Drop
will no doubt shape the future of airport terminals in years to come.”

Hugh Aitken, Head of Scotland for easyJet, said: “We’re pleased Edinburgh Airport has invested in
technology which will provide an additional quick and easy way for customers to drop off their bags.
Last month easyJet introduced mobile boarding passes for passengers travelling from Edinburgh
Airport and this is another example of how we’re working together to make travel easier to and
from Scotland.”

MTB 22/06/2013

GLASGOW AIRPORT OFFERS AGENTS DISCOUNTS ON PARKING

FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT :

Flying from Glasgow Airport? As a thank you from us take advantage of our Travel Agent exclusive rates on car parking. All of our car parks are on airport so you'll literally be a couple of minutes from your car to check in!

Long stay car park

• Up to 8 days £20
• Up to 15 days £30
• Up to 21 days £37.50

Short stay car park

Up to 5 days £20 (Must arrive Thursday, Friday or Saturday and exit by end of business Monday) 

Why not travel in style and book in to our SkyLounge? 

SkyLounge offers complimentary:

• Tea, coffee and soft drinks
• Alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits)
• Snacks (biscuits, cheese, crisps etc.)

Special travel agent rate only £12 (normally £18)

To book simply email your departure details to glatradesupport@glasgowairport.com

22/06/2013

ABERDEEN, EDINBURGH + GLASGOW AIRPORTS ALL SHOW GROWTH FOR MAY 2013

The three major airports in Scotland have each reported growth in their passenger throughput during May 2013, in figures released this week.

Aberdeen International Airport served 306,000 passengers in the month - representing a year-over-year increase of 3.1%

Edinburgh Airport experienced its 'busiest May ever', welcoming 906,000 passengers through its doors - 7.4% higher than May 2012.

In Glasgow, the passeneger number through Glasgow Airport during May was 665,000 - an increase over the same month last year of just under 1%.

ABZ has been shortlisted for a top North-east business award, becoming a finalist in the Northern Star Awards' 'Excellence In Customer Service' category. Meanwhile, at EDI investment in a new multi-airline bag drop facility - which promises to reduce average bag-drop time from 'almost 2 minutes to under 30 seconds' has come to fruition with the launch of the service. And in GLA following a 'rigorous audit by the British Safety Council' the airport has achieved its accreditation and become the first in the UK to be awarded a full five stars.

MTB 15/06/2013

VIRGIN TRAINS GETS 5 STARS FOR EXCELLENCE - AGAIN!

Virgin Trains has renewed its certification in the Recognised for Excellence (R4E) programme at the highest level of 5 stars, following a bi-annual assessment by the British Quality Foundation (BQF). The company, which originally achieved 5 star status in May 2011, improved its overall score by around 20 per cent, with higher ratings for all nine criteria.

R4E is Europe's leading recognition programme for organisational performance and forms part of the EFQM Levels of Excellence. The 5 star rating demonstrates that Virgin Trains continues to perform to a very high standard.

Andy Cross, Business Support Director, Virgin Trains said: “This award is a fantastic result for us and shows that, despite everything that happened with the franchise bid last year, thanks to our people, Virgin Trains has been formally recognised once again as a 5 star business. It will further build our credentials for the next franchise bid, and clearly shows that we are not standing still in the pursuit of excellence in customer service throughout every part of our business.”

Joe Goasdoué, Chief Executive, BQF said: “I am delighted to see Virgin Trains' journey to excellence continue with its award of five star Recognised for Excellence once again.”

In their Feedback Report the BQF assessors recognised the customer service ethos that is at the heart of the business and which inspires our people. They wrote: “Virgin Trains culture is based around the customer with the aim of providing excellent service and continuously improving the customer experience of travel on its routes. From senior leadership to front line staff it was clear that everyone we spoke with during the site visit has a focus on the customer and seeks to add value wherever possible. Virgin Trains has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of its customer base, both existing and potential, and their needs and expectations. It uses this knowledge to develop and deliver added value for customers e.g. through discounted ticket prices, targeted offers for frequent travellers and organisational groups, improvements to on board services and reduced journey times.”

They also praised front line staff. The report stated: “Virgin Trains understands that their front line staff are closest to the customer and as such has devolved responsibility and authority to staff to deal with customer issues on the spot. Staff are trusted to take the correct course of action and are encouraged to come up with ideas for improvements based on their interactions and conversations with customers at stations and on board trains. All the staff we met felt empowered to deliver an excellent service to customers.”

MTB 15/06/2013

ONE MONTH TO TAKE-OFF FOR AIR CANADA ROUGE

New leisure carrier to commence service from Edinburgh to Toronto on 3 July 2013

Air Canada rouge, Canada’s newest leisure carrier, will commence a summer non-stop service from Edinburgh Airport to its Toronto hub, Toronto Pearson International Airport, on 3 July 2013, with three flights per week until 18 October 2013 (westbound).

As the airline prepares to launch the only non-stop service between Edinburgh and Canada , it has unveiled elements of its products, services and appearance that are distinctive to the new carrier and unique within the airline industry.

“We look forward to serving Scotland once again and introducing customers to Air Canada rouge,” said Robert Atkinson, Air Canada ’s General Manager – Sales UK, Ireland and Northern Europe . “As well as being able to fly direct to the exciting city of Toronto , customers will benefit from connections to destinations across Canada , the United States and the Americas via our Toronto Pearson International hub. Onboard, they will experience Air Canada rouge’s leading products and services, including exceptional customer service from flight attendants who have been trained at the Disney Institute in Orlando, stylish yet relaxed uniforms and one of the first wireless streaming in-flight entertainment systems.”

The new route will be operated by Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Newly painted aircraft, featuring the Air Canada rouge livery, have been arriving in Canada from paint facilities around the world over the past week. Most recently, the first Boeing 767-300ER arrived from Tel Aviv, where it was painted during a scheduled maintenance check. Images are available via: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1176079/air-canada-rouge-s-first-newly-painted-boeing-767-300-er-aircraft-arrives-at-mirabel-airport

The airline has announced that its in-flight teams will receive a week of customer service training at the Disney Institute in Orlando , Florida , which is world-renowned for service excellence. Flight attendants will wear uniforms unveiled in Canada last week that are specially designed to embody the airline’s relaxed onboard service. The uniform combines Air Canada rouge’s signature colours of burgundy and slate with bright colour accents and custom-designed shoes, neckwear and luggage. Images of flight attendants in training with their new uniforms are available via: www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/rouge/photos.html.

Air Canada rouge aircraft will feature innovative wireless streaming in-flight entertainment, enabling customers to stream films, TV programmes, music (including vacation-themed playlists) and destination information direct to their personal electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. Final programme details and pricing will be communicated prior to first flight in July 2013.

The Boeing 767-300ER aircraft serving Edinburgh will be fitted with 264 seats in a two-cabin configuration, featuring 246 rouge™ seats - including 14 rouge Plus™ seats with additional legroom - and 18 Premium rouge™ seats offering additional seating comfort, space and an enhanced meal and beverage service.

Customers seated in rouge™ and rouge Plus™ will be served a complimentary hot meal with a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Premium rouge™ customers will benefit from an enhanced meal service with carefully selected wines and beverages on fine dish- and glass-ware as well as being provided with a hot towel and snack service.

The Edinburgh-Toronto flight, AC1905, will depart Edinburgh on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:15 a.m. and arrive in Toronto at 12:45 p.m. local time the same day. The return flight, AC1904, will depart Toronto on Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday at 8:40 p.m. and arrive in Edinburgh at 8:30 a.m. the next day (all times local).

Customers arriving in Toronto Pearson International Airport will be able to connect with Air Canada flights to destinations across Canada , the United States and throughout the Americas . Air Canada rouge customers will also be eligible for Aeroplan miles and can earn non-status miles on Tango bookings and Air Canada Status Miles on Tango Plus and Latitude fares.

For more information and to book flights visit www.aircanada.com or call Reservations on 0871 220 1111.

MTB 07/06/2013

GLASGOW AIRPORT IS FIRST 5 STAR UK AIRPORT

Glasgow Airport has become the first airport in the UK to achieve five stars in a rigorous audit by the British Safety Council. The airport was assessed over four days, achieving the accreditation and the maximum five stars at the first attempt.

The outcome of the Combined OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Audit was based on interviews with managers and staff, site tours, inspections and a review of the airport’s safety management. 

The final report highlighted a number of areas of good practice. Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: “We warmly congratulate the staff and management at Glasgow Airport for their success in gaining five stars in their first audit undertaken through the British Safety Council. Managing one of the UK's major airports, and all the risks that entails, is immensely challenging.

“Everyone concerned should derive tremendous satisfaction from their achievement. The auditors
identified many strengths in Glasgow Airport's management of risk in its operation, including the role played by senior management in providing leadership and direction, and the role of the wider workforce in ensuring the airport is kept safe and secure."

Gillies Crichton, Glasgow Airport’s head of assurance, said: “The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority at all times and to be the first UK airport to achieve five stars in this audit is a fantastic achievement, particularly at the first attempt. It reflects the hard work which has taken place across the campus to reach this level.”

This is the latest in a long line of initiatives undertaken by the airport, which has received a host of awards for its excellent health & safety performance. In 2012, it received a Healthy Working Lives Gold Award, an International Safety Award, and a Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

MTB 07/06/2013