Just Planes have reported that Virgin Blue service from Sydney to Fiji wont start until September 2005.

Its funny that they say you have to book another new flight due to adverse weather conditions when they say this about cancellations outside of EUJet’s control:

Cancellation outside of EUjet control
a. Where a flight is cancelled as a consequence of general interruption, passengers are entitled to one of the following:
– transfer free of charge to an alternative flight to the same destination within 7 days of the cancelled flight
– a credit for the sector of the cancelled flight which must be used within 6 months of the cancellation.
– If a flight is cancelled after 20:00 local time, passengers are entitled to claim a retrospective refund of up to £50 / €75 per passenger with respect to hotel accommodation only (excluding hotel related services). This may be claimed by applying to EUjet, debis AirFinance House, Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland within 6 months and must be accompanied by valid receipts.
– EUjet or its agents are not responsible for the arranging or booking of such accommodation.

When you think about it, weather is something out of EUJet’s control however its not included in this agreement? Wonder why? Maybe the rule will change.

Flights so far for 2004:

February

FlyBe – London Gatwick – Belfast City – BE962 – 146 (16/02/04)
FlyBe – Belfast City – London Gatwick – BE973 – 146 (16/02/04)

Upcoming flights for 2004:

April

MyTravel Lite – Birmingham – Murcia – VZ7003 – A320 (04/04/04!!!)
MyTravel Lite – Murcia – Birmingham – VZ7004 – A320 (15/04/04)

easyJet – London Stansted – Prague – EZY3621 – B733 (28/04/04)
easyJet – Prague – London Stansted – EZY3628 – B733 (28/04/04)

July

Possible Ryanair to Stockholm Vasteras

Egyptair – London Heathrow – Cairo – MS778 – B777 (20/07/04)
Egyptair – Cairo – London Heathrow – MS777 – B777 (29/07/04)

August

Ryanair – London Stansted – Murcia – FR8021 – B738 (22/08/04)
Ryanair – Murcia – London Stansted – FR8027 – B738 (02/09/04)

September

Possible Ryanair to Rome Ciampino.

October

Possible Ryanair to Murcia

easyJet, Europe’s leading low cost airline, today announces the introduction of four new routes from Belfast International Airport direct to some of Europe’s most popular destinations; Alicante, Malaga, Nice and Paris.

These new routes are a direct result of the Air Route Development Scheme, the Northern Ireland Authorities initiative to improve the provision of air services in the province.

In addition, easyJet is also increasing the three daily services between Gatwick and Belfast to four and, due to high demand, a second daily service between Gatwick and Prague. Both these increased frequencies commence on 27 May.

This major expansion from easyJet’s Northern Ireland base will increase the number of routes offered by around 50%, with a total of 13 destinations now available.

easyJet is not only Northern Ireland’s largest airline, but the only scheduled airline in the province to offer of a choice of direct European services.

Seats are now on sale here at easyJet.com.

Ray Webster, easyJet Chief Executive commented

“We are delighted that the Government has shown such proactive support to the airline industry. The introduction of this initiative means that consumers in Northern Ireland now have more opportunities to travel throughout Europe at easyjet’s fantastic low fares, and there will be great benefits to the local economy as increasing numbers of Europeans travel to Belfast as a destination.”

“Our success at Gatwick Airport over the last couple of years has been phenomenal and we will continue our policy of introducing new routes and additional frequencies whenever an opportunity arises.”
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New Timetables

Belfast – Alicante – Commences 25 June. Fares from 27.99 GBP one way (50.98 GBP return inc taxes)

EZY6705 06:00 – 09:45 – 1,3,4,5,7

Alicante – Belfast

EZY6706 10:25 – 12:20 – 1,3,4,5,7
—————-

Belfast – Paris (Charles De Gaulle)
Commences 25 June. Fares from 17.99 GBP one way (33.71 GBP return inc taxes)

EZY6721 13:00 – 15:45 – Daily

Paris (Charles De Gaulle) – Belfast

EZY6722 16:20 – 17:05 – Daily
———————–

Belfast – Nice
Commences 26 June. Fares from 27.99 GBP one way (53.71 GBP return inc taxes)

EZY6741 17:25 – 20:50 – 1,4
EZY6737 06:50 – 10:20 – 2,6

Nice – Belfast

EZY6742 21:15 – 22:50 – 1,4
EZY6738 10:45 – 12:20 – 2,6
————————-

Belfast – Malaga
Commences 25 June. Fares from 27.99 GBP one way (50.98 GBP return inc taxes)

EZY6757 17:45 – 21:50 – 2,3,5,6,7

Malaga – Belfast

EZY6758 22:30 – 00:40 – 2,3,5,6,7
————————

London Gatwick – Belfast

EZY731 07:00 – 08:30 – 1,2,3,4,5,6
EZY735 13:50 – 15:20 – 1,2,3,4,5,7
EZY739 19:10 – 20:35 – 1,2,3,4,5
EZY743 20:55 – 22:20 – Daily
EZY745 17:35 – 19:05 – 6
EZY751 09:10 – 10:35 – 7
EZY759 19:40 – 21:05 – 7

Belfast – London Gatwick

EZY730 07:30 09:00 – Daily
EZY732 08:50 10:20 – 1,2,3,4,5,6
EZY736 15:40 17:05 – 1,2,3,4,5,7
EZY742 20:55 22:20 – 1,2,3,4,5
EZY746 19:25 20:50 – 6
EZY752 10:55 12:20 – 7
EZY762 21:25 22:50 – 7
—————————–

London Gatwick – Prague

EZY5491 09:55 – 13:00 – Daily
EZY5493 15:25 – 18:25 – Daily

Prague – London Gatwick

EZY5492 13:40 – 14:45 – Daily
EZY5494 19:00 – 20:00 – Daily

Well I must say this is excellent news for Belfast – some more European routes at last!!! And theres also the Jet2 service to Prague and I dont think it will be long before easyJet serves Prague from Belfast too! easyJet are also expanding loads at Gatwick aswell!

Isn’t there a new Swedish low cost airline called FlyMe? Flies between Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg and Helsinki using Boeing 737 – 300s.

http://www.flyme.com

Cabin crew isn’t actually that bad – depends on what airline you work for

My cousin is an air stewardess for First Choice Airways (Air 2000). She said that it was hard work last summer due to the high amount of sectors flown but this winter has been fantastic to her. Here are some of the highlights:

November/December:

Jamaica/Antigua (cant remember which) – 2 days
Maldives – 7 days

February:

Cancun, Mexico – 5 nights
Banjul, The Gambia – 1 night

March:

Goa, India – 5 nights
———

She’s only worked with them since May 2003 and she has had all these trips already. First of all she gets paid for the job, then when shes out of the country she gets allowances for being out of the U.K, and the accomodation overseas is paid for by the company. So basically she has a job which pays her to have holidays abroad!! I must admit I wouldnt mind having 5 nights in Cancun in 1 month then 5 nights in Goa the next!