SOuThERN AFRiCA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
May 26 2010 I No. 2108
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INSIDE
TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
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NEWS
FEaTurE
JeTBlUe-sAA Codeshare opens up US connections Page 2
NOrTherN IrelANd
FEaTurE
hOsPITAlITy INdUsTry World Cup – There’s room at the inn
Europe’s hip destination Page 12
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lhr hub faces tax blow Jeanette pHillips
rise from £11 (R121) to £18 (R198) and for business class RITISH Airways and Virgin passengers from £22 (R242) Atlantic have given the to £33 (R363). These taxes are thumbs down to the new UK expected to be calculated on the government’s decision to scrap basis of aircraft being full. The the controversial Air Passenger reform is likely to force airlines to Duty (APD) and replace it with a operate fewer flights as they would per plane tax. have to ensure flights were full to Both airlines agree that the make them profitable. decision is unworkable and British Stephen Forbes, spokesperson Airways says it could have a for British Airways in South Africa, negative impact on Britain’s travel says that air travel from the UK is industry as a whole. already the most heavily taxed. When the new UK coalition He says the existing APD tax is government announced the switch supposed to be an environmental from APD to a per plane tax it said tax but it is not used to fund in a statement environmental that a proportion “Airlines may be forced or infrastructure of any increased to operate fewer flights benefits. revenues over “Increased as they will have to time would be taxation on the UK used to help fund ensure flights are full to aviation industry the increases make them profitable.” will create a in the personal financial incentive allowances of UK taxpayers. for customers to fly via continental Telegraph Travel in the UK has hubs rather than direct from or revealed that, by implementing transiting through the UK airports, the Liberal Democrat manifesto’s which could actually lead to higher proposals to switch from APD to emissions as well as financially a per plane tax, passengers on disadvantage the UK travel short-haul flights would pay 75% industry.” more as part of plans to generate Caren Parkinson, marketing £5,3 billion (R58bn) from tax. manager for Virgin Atlantic South This, according to the Telegraph, Africa agrees: “This is not a new is up from £1,9 billion (R21bn) idea. When treasury looked at under the previous Labour it before, they found it would be government. unworkable. Further figures provided to “We agree that there is Telegraph Travel revealed that that considerable scope to improve the tax on passengers travelling APD, but a per plane tax won’t on short-haul flights could do it.” n
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Chicken or beef? Air Mauritius has announced a change to the menu on its Durban-Mauritius route. Due to customer feedback, the airline has decreased its vegetarian options with the new menu 40% chicken, 40% beef and 20% vegetarian. The airline has advised travel agents that it is extremely important that a special meal request is done at time of booking for vegetarian passengers to avoid any complications on board. Waiting to take your order are the reservations team (from left): Lindiwe Magagula, Letitia Staebe, Ana-Paula Gomes, and Sushica Maharaj Photo: Tijana Huysamen
CAA implements ash operating rules Jeanette pHillips THE UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced new measures to reduce airspace closures caused by volcanic ash. The measures will allow for a new area of operations that creates a ‘Time Limited Zone (TLZ)’ between the black ‘No Fly Zone (NFZ)’ and the red ‘Enhanced Procedures Zone (EPZ)’. Aircraft and engine manufacturers, based on new analysis, have agreed that it is safe to allow operations in the new zone for a limited time at higher ash densities than are currently permitted. To operate in the new zone airlines need to present the CAA with a safety
case that includes the agreement of their aircraft and engine manufacturers. This means that areas of airspace that would previously have been closed can safely open, further minimising flight disruption. The introduction of the TLZ is based on measurements collected from test flights through the ash cloud over the past month, data from previous volcanic ash incidents and additional analysis from manufacturers. Operations in the TLZ may be subject to time limits and increased maintenance. The area will be established using Met Office forecasts and will have to be approved by the CAA. n
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