“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…

“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…

[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…

“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…

“China has formally opened what it says is the world’s longest sea bridge with a ceremony and fireworks. The 36km (22.5 mile) bridge spans the mouth of Hangzhou Bay in the East China Sea, linking the commercial capital Shanghai and the port city of Ningbo.” Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7377928.stm

“Blog reader Elaine Carson recently left a comment about her experience with Ryanair’s check-in policy. This topic certainly seems worthy of discussion, as it affects every holder of a U.S. passport who plans to use this airline now and in the future.” Link: http://blogs.stripes.com

“Ryanair launches its first domestic routes in France (Marseilles to Paris) and Germany (Frankfurt (Hahn) to Berlin). The routes will start in May 2008. For too long, French and German passengers have been forced to suffer Air France and Lufthansa’s high fares and fuel surcharges for the ‘privilege’ of air travel within their own countries.…

“United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is to launch a new campaign to eliminate deaths from malaria, to mark the first World Malaria Day. The disease causes over a million deaths a year, with 90% of all cases occurring in Africa.” Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk http://www.rbm.who.int

“Low-cost airline EasyJet operated its first flight to Malta this morning. (Sunday, 30th March 2008) The Luton-based airline will be flying 10 times per week from Gatwick to Malta and daily from Manchester during the summer. During the shoulder months, it will service Gatwick daily and Manchester airport four times a week. The first flight…

“EasyJet has flown into trouble with adverts which promised a “double the difference” refund if passengers found a cheaper fare. The adverts stated: “Book by Friday and if you find it cheaper elsewhere we’ll refund DOUBLE the difference.”” Link: http://news.sky.coml

“EasyJet, the UK’s leading low-cost airline, has maintained its forecast for a 20 per cent increase in underlying pre-tax profits in its financial year to the end of September, in stark contrast to the profit warning issued this week by rival Ryanair.” Link: http://www.ft.com

“As an airline, you know you’re in bother when Ryanair accuses you of making misleading adverts… Rival low-cost operator Easyjet has been forced by the Advertising Standards Agency to withdraw some of its adverts, after Ryanair successfully argued that they were misleading. The ASA said they broke rules on ‘truthfulness, guarantees and substantiation’ and have…