Paul-Roberts.com

“The European Commission has launched a new probe into whether regional authorities break EU state aid rules by funding local airports used by Irish budget airline Ryanair, this time at Frankfurt’s Hahn Airport. The Commission said on Tuesday it was checking public financing given to the airport by the Hessen and Rheinland-Pfalz regional authorities in…

“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…

“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…

“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…

[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…

“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…

“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…