SCOTTISH AIRPORTS REPORT HEALTHY PASSENGER INCREASES FOR SEPTEMBER

Scotland's three major airports have all reported passenger growth for the month of September 2013.

Glasgow Airport reported another month of growth after 765,000 passengers travelled through its doors in September, representing an increase of 3.8% compared to the same period last year. The continued increase in passenger numbers follows the news the airport had enjoyed its busiest summer in five years. Domestic and international traffic grew by 5.5% and 2.6% respectively during September and a number of airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, easyJet and KLM all reported an increase in demand.

Edinburgh Airport has enjoyed its busiest September ever with more than 950,000 passengers  travelling through – an increase of 9.0% on 2012. The airport has also reported its strongest quarter ever, with over three million passengers arriving and departing in July, August and September. A total of 958,944 passengers made their way through Edinburgh Airport in September. Domestic numbers were up 8.5% from 2012 with 429,738 passengers and international also saw an increase of  9.3% with 529,206 people travelling through the airport.

Meanwhile, nearly 322,000 people used Aberdeen International Airport in the month of September, according to figures just released. Passenger statistics for the month have been published, and show a growth of 6.3% on the previous year. Fixed-wing flights grew by 9.7%, reflecting steady growth as well as an influx of passengers for Offshore Europe 2013. Helicopter numbers showed a further reduction of 13.3%.

MTB 12/10/2013

Flybe PART-FLOWN ITINERARY CHANGES NOW LIVE ONLINE

Flybe has advised that functionality enabling customers to make itinerary changes on flybe.com when their booking is partially flown is now live. This enhancement applies to bookings originally made online at flybe.com. Previously it was only possible to make an itinerary change online when the booking was wholly unflown.

It is not possible to amend GDS bookings online - any booking made via a GDS must still have itinerary changes processed via a GDS.

To make an itinerary change online,  the booking should be retrieved as normal via the 'Manage my booking' option from the homepage.

Enter:
1. Flybe Booking reference
2. Booker's forename
3. Booker's surname

NOTE: it is important to enter the booker's name in order to enable the 'Change flight' functionality.

Part-flown itinerary changes will not be possible under the following circumstances:

a) Where the original flights are subject to minimum stay restrictions (this currently affects Loganair flights only).

b) Where the booking has previously been affected by a schedule change, itinerary changed via the Flybe Call Centre, disrupted or where the passenger is already checked-in.

c) It will not be possible to change the return flight's departure point.

d) It will not be possible to amend the return flight's destination point to a different currency area (e.g. changing return destination from Belfast to Dublin).

Where these circumstances apply changes will need to be made via the Call Centre by calling 0871 700 2000. Queries should be directed to e-mail sales.support@flybe.com

A copy of this announcement is also available at www.flybe.com/trade

MTB 05/10/2013

MORE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS FROM RSSC

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ha announced a number of product and service enhancements.

RSSC is set to expand its all-inclusive product offering to include FREE Wi-Fi . Beginning with Winter 2014-2015 sailings, Concierge-level and higher guests will receive up to 500 minutes of FREE Wi-Fi. This enhancement is a natural evolution for the brand, which delivers 'the travel industry's most all-inclusive product that includes flights, pre-cruise hotel, ground transfers and unlimited shore excursions to premium spirits and fine wines, and gratuities.' Coupled with RSSC's hallmark personalized service and spacious all-suite accommodations, the line says it 'endeavours to provide clients with a luxury cruise experience like no other.' 

RSSC is making a multi-million dollar investment to enhance its fleet's onboard Internet offering - a fleet-wide Internet upgrade that will ensure that clients have 'an exceptional experience whenever or wherever they connect on board.'

This major upgrade, which will be completed by 2013 year-end, includes:

• Doubling the satellite bandwidth to provide considerable improvements in both the quality and speed of clients' online experience

• Expanding the Wi-Fi signal's range, making Wi-Fi available throughout the entirety of the ships including all suites, public rooms and outdoor decks

• Replacing all onboard hardware such as the modems, routers and bandwidth compression equipment with advanced technology

The company is also making a change to its Seven Seas Society loyalty program. Seven Seas Society members receive a host of exclusive and valuable rewards and benefits including FREE UNLIMITED Internet, FREE phone time, priority dining and shore excursion reservations, laundry service, FREE private transfers and more.

For clients who are currently SILVER, GOLD, PLATINUM or TITANIUM Level members, they will continue to receive FREE UNLIMITED Internet in any suite category with no activation fees as they always have.

However, the FREE UNLIMITED Internet benefit will no longer be offered at the SILVER Level for new members who reach that level AFTER September 30, 2014. RSSC is hopeful that by providing one full year of advance notice of this change, it will give BRONZE clients an opportunity to reach the SILVER Level (requires 21 nights) and be eligible for the current FREE UNLIMITED Internet benefit. Members who qualify for GOLD, PLATINUM and TITANIUM Levels after September 30, 2014 will continue to receive FREE UNLIMITED Internet benefits. 

The upgrade to the fleet's onboard Internet capabilities combined with the change in the loyalty program will significantly enhance the Internet experience for ALL of guests, particularly on longer cruises, says RSSC.

MTB 05/10/2013

AUTUMN CAMPAIGN EXTENSIONS FOR RCL CRUISES

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises have extended their Autumn Campaign offers through 21 October

Royal Caribbean International

Drinks on Us!

We're delighted to announce that we're extending our family drinks on us campaign until 21 October

• Free unlimited soda for kids- at all bars, lounges and dining venues for every child aged 3-17 years old
• Free wine while you dine- Five complimentary bottles of wine per stateroom booking

This offer is available on sailings from the UK of 7 nights or more, between May and October 2014. This offer is now valid on bookings created and confirmed up to 21 October 2013.

As part of the campaign extension we're also continuing to give TWO lucky agents the chance to Win a CASE OF WINE EVERYDAY! Plus the chance to WIN a VIP trip for 2 to the launch ceremony of one of our Quantum class ships.

Find out more »

Celebrity Cruises

Exceptional Extras on 2014 Sailings: Free Drinks & Reduced Regional Airfare

Applicable on a huge range of selected European, Caribbean and Alaskan sailings in 2014. These offers are combinable and have been extended to 21 October.

View the flyer to find out more.

Terms and conditions and full list of applicable sailings on cruisingpower.co.uk.

There's still 6 days to enter your 2014 bookings to win an iPad 4, and from 1 October, start saving for Christmas shopping season. Enter your 2014 bookings to win 5 x £20 Lifestyle vouchers every day.

Find out more »

Azamara Club Cruises

Double Upgrade to a Balcony Stateroom & Free or Reduced Flights

Receive a complimentary double upgrade for your guests, from a Club Interior to a Club Balcony stateroom on many 2014 voyages - now extended to 21 October. And with free or reduced airfares they can choose where and how to enjoy their spectacular view!

To view all applicable sailings please click here.

Find out more » visit www.cruisingpower.co.uk 

MTB 28/09/2013

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THOMAS COOK

CHANGE TO THOMAS COOK BROCHURE ORDERING PROCESS

Thomas Cook has responded to reports that some agents may have been experiencing difficulties ordering brochures (Thomas Cook, Cresta, Airtours, Club 18-30, Neilson, Signature, Escapades, Neilson) on the Trade Gate website.

Currently, the company is unable to fulfill orders placed through Trade Gate. However, it can accept orders via email to brochure.orders@thomascook.com - including details of the brochures required and the agent's ABTA number. Alternatively, brochures can be viewed at http://www.brochure-store.co.uk/.

Any further questions should be referred to the Key Account Manager or to www.thomascookworld.com

CHANGES TO VIEWDATA FOR LATES

Please see below details of changes on Viewdata for Lates.

Late Search Menu Item

Late Search has been added as an option in the Viewdata Menu (menu item 3), with latest search date for the Lates Grid displayed next to the menu option

Lates Booking Journey

Lates Booking journey has been added, including search page, Lates Grid, package selection and flight selection.

Lates Grid

The Lates Grid now shows all available holidays departing within the Lates period, not just Late Offer holidays. This is different from the previous Viewdata system, which only showed Late Offer holidays (and which will cease operation after the last Summer 13 departures).

The Lates Grid shows the lead-in prices (i.e. cheapest adult package price) by Departure Date, Route, Duration and Star Rating, based on standard occupancy.

Where there are multiple flights on same day, the Lates Grid will show the cheapest lead-in price of all of these flights, and then preferred flight can be selected on a new page which appears later in the journey.

Late Offer Holidays ‘LD’

A Late Offer holiday shows the label ‘LD’ next to it on the Late Search package selection screen. Late Offer holidays will also appear in Adult Price and Party Price search results, again denoted ‘LD’. This is different from the previous Viewdata system, which only showed brochure holidays through these searches.

Transfers and Late Offer Holidays

As before, transfers are not included with Late Offer Holidays. Where a Late Offer holiday has been selected the message ‘NO TRANSFER INCLUDED’ has been added to the accommodation screens to make this clear. Transfers continue to be added to Late Offer holidays by default in the Extras section of Viewdata, but they can be removed if not required (as per previous Viewdata system). Transfer prices may vary.

Lates Terms & Conditions Screen

There is no Lates Terms & Conditions confirmation question displayed or subsequent screens containing Terms & Conditions for Late Offer holidays. Full Terms & Conditions for Late Offer holidays are available in the corresponding brochures.

Further Information

A guide containing screenshots of the new Viewdata functionality is attached for further reference.

Any further questions should be referred to www.thomascookworld.com

MTB 28/09/2013

BRITISH AIRWAYS TRIAL NEW SHORT HAUL POINT-TO-POINT FARES

11 September 2013 saw the start of a new British Airways trial to simplify the short haul point to point fare ladder, offering customers more choice and greater flexibility.

The Hand Baggage Only (HBO) fare, introduced at London Gatwick in February, is extended to
selected routes to/from London Heathrow and London City and new Semi-flex and Fully-flex fares will
be introduced.

The suite of new fare types, including the HBO fare will be trialed on nine routes and is available for
sale for travel from 24 September 2013:

• Hand Baggage Only (HBO) – lowest price for when travelling light

• Standard – lowest all inclusive price, with everything a passenger would expect when flying with
British Airways

• Semi-flex – when travel plans change last minute, the Semi-flex price gives the option to change a flight on the day to an earlier or later flight

• Fully-flex – fully flexible price gives complete flexibility and control to change when and where the passenger flies

New more flexible fare attributes mean that customers will have the option to make changes to their
itinerary with no change fee and the ability to be able to make changes to their ticket on the day of
travel free of charge.

Semi-flex tickets will also give customers the opportunity to select their seat free of charge two days
in advance of travel and Fully-flex tickets allow customers to choose their seat free of charge at any
time.

Standard Euro Traveller fares will continue to be available year-round.

More information is available from BA account manager.

MTB 21/09/2013

MORE VIRGIN TRAINS THAN EVER ON WEST COAST MAIN LINE

Tickets are now on sale for journeys using Virgin Trains new timetable which starts on December 8. The new timetable maximises the use of Virgin Trains’ recently lengthened Pendolinos, typically delivering 153,000 seats on weekdays.

Phil Bearpark, Virgin Trains Production Director said:

‘As the number of people using our highly-rated services grows we need to make sure their journeys are comfortable. We’re paying an extra £150 million this year for the four new 11-car Pendolinos and 70 extra Standard carriages we now have in operation. Our new timetable makes the most productive use of that extra capacity to give customers a speedy and enjoyable journey.’

One of the highlights of the new timetable provides new through journey opportunities between the Midlands, North West England and Scotland, with one train an hour running from Euston to Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street. This adds 4,000 seats a day by substituting Pendolinos for some of the shorter Super Voyager trains currently used on the route north of Wolverhampton.

MTB 21/09/2013