“THE multi-millionaire founder of easyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is set to launch a personal campaign for the reuniting of the Elgin marbles. The controversial marble sculptures, which have been at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between Britain and Greece for decades, are split between the British Museum in London and the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.”
Link: http://news.scotsman.com
“Ryanair’s Web site has been hit by a second system glitch since the airline launched a new bookings system in February, causing difficulty to customers attempting to buy tickets.
It is taking customers up to a minute to switch pages on the site owing to the problems, Ryanair said, and a number of them are not receiving flight confirmations because payment authorization is being delayed.”
“Ryanair has no plans to stop operations or increase charges amidst rising fuel prices. The Irish budget airline recently announced a 20 percent rise in profits in the past 12 months will help it absorb high oil prices even if they hover around $130 a barrel.
In a statement, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary expressed confidence that the company would break even next year and could manage the ill-effects of short term income loss due to high fuel costs.”
[travel] Ananova – EasyJet Launches Second Seat Sell-Off “No-frills airline easyJet has launched its second round of sales in less than two months as figures showed its planes were less full in May than a year ago.
Airlines have been struggling with soaring oil prices near $130 a barrel, but easyJet is offering up to 20% off two million seats between June 16 and July 17.
In April, the company offered a similar promotion covering May and June as competition in the sector intensifies despite surging costs.”
Link: http://www.ananova.com
“Rising oil prices are hurting Ryanair, Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said on Wednesday, but Europe’s biggest low cost airline can still avoid making a loss with oil prices at $125 a barrel.
“With oil at $125 (a barrel) … we certainly won’t make a lot of money,” O’Leary told reporters. “I don’t think we will lose money.””
Link: http://uk.reuters.com
“American Airlines is to become the first major US carrier to charge passengers to check in a first bag.
The new fee of $15 (???€š?‚?£7.50) comes as US airlines struggle with soaring fuel costs and a slumping economy. ”
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk
“Oil prices well above $100 a barrel will drive most of Europe’s low-cost airlines out of business, the head of EasyJet’s French subsidiary said on Wednesday.
The stark warning of a cull of low-cost airlines came as the British budget airline’s shares fell more than 4% after another spike higher in oil prices towards $120 a barrel.
“There are currently about 50 low-cost carriers on the European market ???¢?¢?€š?¬?¢?‚¬?? that’s absurd,” Francois Bacchetta, managing director of EasyJet France, told a news conference.”
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-04-24-easyjet-rivals-oil_N.htm?csp=34