Hello and welcome back to our regular travel and transport roundup, here on ExpatsRadiop.com. The deadline for new bids has officially been and gone, and no new suitors have been reported for the troubled – perhaps terminally troubled – SeaFrance. The company, which employs more than 1000 people both in France and in the UK, was placed into liquidation in the middle of November after months of uncertainty. As soon as that happened, the company’s Dover-Calais ferry services were immediately halted, and to this day the company’s ships remain tied up in Calais.
After rejecting two take-over offers – one by a consortium involving LD Lines and Danish ferry company, DFDS, and the other by a trade union/workers co-operative – the French court said that new bids to take over the company would be accepted until December 12th. If no suitable bids were forthcoming, then SeaFrance would officially cease to operate after January 28th.
So, with no reported interest, it looks as if the name of SeaFrance will soon fade into history, and that several low-mileage car and freight ferries will shortly be appearing in the maritime version of Ebay. But, on the other hand, perhaps a knight in shining armor – dressed up as the head of another ferry operator – might well be talking with the authorities right now, eager to snap up a bargain from bankrupt stock.... Watch this space...
In the meantime, as we reported in the last programme, in the absence of SeaFrance sailings, P&O very quickly stepped in to provide extra freight capacity on the Dover-Calais route by adding an extra ship to the route. And now, DFDS Seaways – which took over Norfolk Line last year – has introduced an additional passenger and freight ship on its Dover-Dunkirk route.
The new ship on the route is the Norman Spirit, perhaps coincidentally chartered from LD Lines. The ferry – more used to Western Channel sailings – has capacity for 1850 passengers, 250 cars and 75 trucks.
"The Norman Spirit will be a welcome addition to the Dover-Dunkirk crossing until a more normal Channel ferry service has been re-established," said Peder Gellert Pedersen, Executive Vice President and Head of DFDS Seaways’ Shipping Division.
Other ferry news this week includes a special Christmas getaway offer from DFDS on their Dover-Dunkirk route. Between 19th December and 6th January, a short-break return ticket for a vehicle and up to four passengers is available from £49.
And Stena Line is offering travel to Holland from Harwich from £59 each way, including a car. The journey would be made on board one of the world’s largest superferries – the Stena Britannica or its identical twin, the Stena Hollandica. Additional adults travel from £12, children (4 - 15 years) from £6, and infants (0 - 3 years) travel free. Supplements apply for onboard accommodation.
And Poole-based operator, Condor Ferries has launched its sailing schedule for summer 2012, allowing passengers to book journeys to France and the Channel Islands up to 4th November next year.
Passengers travelling from Poole during 2012 will be able to take advantage of an increased number of sailings from the port, with connecting services available to St Malo in France via Jersey and Guernsey. The company also promises an increased number of fast ferry services to the Channel Islands compared to 2011.
Another follow-up story from our last Travel Programme is about Thomas Cook. This week, the travel firm has said it will close 200 stores over the next two years as part of its turnaround plan for its UK business.
News of the store closures came as it reported an annual loss of £398m to the end of September. In November, Thomas Cook secured £200m of new financing, just days after seeing its shares plunge 75% in one day.
Other news this week is the reaction of the airline industry to the government’s consultation, and ultimate decision, affecting Air Passenger Duty. The whole process has been ridiculed as a “waste of time and effort” by some industry experts and airlines, whilst the decision to rebalance the tax system to support the UK regional economies, has been welcomed by others.
Basically, the government is backing all the policies it outlined before the consultation took place. These include a four-band system of APD, based on the distance travelled, and a reduced rate of APD for lowest fares.
Responding to the decision, Carolyn McCall from easyJet, Willie Walsh from IAG – which includes British Airways - Michael O'Leary from Ryanair, and Steve Ridgway from Virgin Atlantic issued the following joint statement: "The Government's consultation on APD has been a sham and a waste of taxpayers' money.
"We are left with a tax that has already cost 25,000 jobs; is doing increasing damage to the prospects for economic recovery - and sends a message to the world that Britain is a difficult and expensive place to do business.
"We are united in calling for the government to commission an independent study of
APD's overall economic value and impact. We have no doubt this would confirm that
APD's negative effect on UK GDP significantly outweighs its revenue benefit for the
Treasury.
”Chancellor George Osborne confirmed as part of his Autumn Statement that APD would be extended to business jets, effective from April 2013, and that the proposed 10% increase in APD will go ahead in April 2012."
The government’s response stated: “At Budget 2011, the government froze APD rates for 2011-12. In recognition of the industry’s need to plan ahead, the Autumn Statement 2011 confirmed that APD rates will increase from 1st April 2012, as set out in Budget 2011.
“The government has been clear that APD is primarily a revenue-raising duty which makes an important contribution to the public finances, whilst also giving rise to secondary environmental benefits. Furthermore, VAT is not applied to flights, and aviation fuel for commercial flights is not taxed.”
British Airways has said it will halve the number of new employees it recruits in 2012 as a consequence of the Government's decision to increase APD by further 8% - the company will now only hire 400 people instead of 800. Willie Walsh, head of BA, said the airline would also review plans to add an extra Boeing 747 to its fleet, and has joined other UK airlines in calling for an independent review of APD.
However, commenting on the announcement, Jim French, Flybe’s Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Flybe lobbied hard to ensure that passengers in the UK regions didn’t get a raw deal from a reformed Air Passenger Duty. We are therefore delighted that the government has acknowledged that one of the key elements to regional economic revival is convenient, sustainable air transport services; and we are particularly pleased with their commitment to examine the tax system to rebalance the UK economy across the regions. Flybe stands ready to assist the government in this very important area and will work with them to improve the regional connectivity that is so crucial to the wider economy.”
Just goes to show, you can’t please all the people, all of the time…
Jet2.com has announced a series of major investments in the North East, demonstrating its commitment to Newcastle Airport. As part of a planned expansion programme, the airline is to launch four new routes from Newcastle – Bodrum, Rome, Reus and Venice. Flights to these new destinations will begin on 31st May, with prices starting from £34.99 one way, including taxes.
An additional aircraft will be based at the airport for summer 2012, taking the total to six. And over one hundred new jobs will be recruited over the coming months to service the expansion plans and extra capacity.
Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com, said: “We have been closely monitoring the success of this airport over the past year and we believe there’s real potential for this region. The people of the North East have genuinely embraced Jet2.com and we see exciting horizons for our organisation right here. That’s why, contrary to many other operators at the moment, we have decided to invest for the coming year and really focus and plan for a strong future in the region.”
You may have noticed that it’s Christmas! And a lot of our listeners may well to flying off to be with family and friends over the festive period. But what happens to those little wrapped gifts you want to take when you reach airport security? Airports prefer that all presents carried by passengers remain unwrapped for security reasons. But Virgin Atlantic has come up with the perfect solution!
For the first time ever, the airline is offering to wrap passengers’ last minute gifts, after passing through security – but before boarding the plane.
This one-off service will be available prior to boarding at the gate area by specially trained Elves who will wrap up the gift with decorative ribbons and a large bow and gift tag. A donation of £1 for this service will go to Virgin Atlantic’s named charity ‘Free The Children’.
Joe Thompson, the airline’s General Manager, commented: “This is a first for Virgin Atlantic. We expect to see over 50,000 passengers travelling with Virgin over the 21st, 22nd and 23rd December. And being able to offer this present wrapping service is the perfect finishing touch for those who have gifts to take to loved ones in far-away places.”
Passengers travelling from Gatwick and Heathrow on 21st, 22nd and 23rd December will now have the opportunity to have their presents beautifully gift wrapped by Virgin Elves!
Looking a little further ahead, a new canoeing adventure in France, which includes a night under the stars beside the Ardèche River, has been introduced to the PGL Family Active holidays brochure for 2012.
The Classic Ardèche Adventure holiday joins five others highlighted by PGL as being ‘altogether more adventurous’ and offering the opportunity to step up to new challenges in beautiful surroundings.
The holiday is suitable for families with children aged seven and up, with prices starting from £335 per adult and £275 per child - up to and including 18 years - when sharing a four-bedded family cabin which has access to shower and w.c. blocks, as well as eating and recreational areas. The holiday includes full board accommodation together with all activities, tuition, equipment and evening entertainment. There are two dates for the holiday - Monday 6th and Monday 20th August - allowing families two days to drive to the south of France from the Channel ports.
Other family adventures in the new brochure include a seven-night holiday in Normandy at PGL’s own château, and a week in the Dordogne based at the company’s own private village.
And finally, we’re back to Virgin Atlantic again… The British have long been known as a nation of pet lovers. This week the airline has revealed the true extent of our devotion to our four-legged friends. Since 2003, Virgin has seen an extraordinary 1500% increase in the number of dogs leaving the UK to be reunited with their owners as they go on holiday or relocate abroad.
The same period has also seen a 325% increase in the number of cats being exported. And this rise is likely to continue into 2012 as the government introduces new regulations for bringing cats and dogs in to the UK which will make pet transport easier for animal lovers. Owners will no longer have to place their pets in quarantine for six months; instead, this period is being reduced to just 21 days for those cats and dogs coming in to the UK.
John Barrowman, star of Torchwood and Tonight’s the Night, who is a regular user of Virgin Atlantic’s pet cargo service commented: “At this time of year, we often hear that a dog isn’t just for Christmas – it’s for life. And for me, my three dogs - Charlie, Harris and Captain Jack – are like my children; they’re part of my family. My work means that I have to travel abroad a lot and it makes a huge difference to know that I have my two cocker spaniels and Jack Russell with me. Any possible chance I have to travel with them I do.”
John Lloyd, Director of Cargo for Virgin Atlantic, said: “Since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2004, we have quite literally taken the lead in providing a pedigree service for our furry friends which is why more and more passengers trust us with their precious cargo.
“We’ve transported so many breeds all around the world – ranging from Siamese cats to Australia and Yorkshire terriers to the Far East. We’ve carried animals for customers who want to make sure their pets also get a holiday in the sun, for those staring a new life abroad - and we’ve even flown police sniffer dogs trained in the UK to the Caribbean.”
Well, at least that service seems to be a howling success! That’s about it for this week, but join us again soon for another roundup of travel and transport news here on ExpatsRadio.com. Until then happy festive travels!!
This programme was researched and written for ExpatsRadio.com by Peter Clayton
www.freelance-writing-services-normandy.co.uk
