Updated the 3rd May 2009

Quick Rights Guide – Air Passenger Rights

Delays: Food and refreshments must be provided where the delay exceeds prescribed timeframes. Hotel accommodation and transfers must be provided where an overnight delay occurs. If a delay exceeds 5 hours passengers who do not travel may claim a refund.

Cancellations: Passengers are entitled to choose between a refund or a seat on the next available flight. Passengers may also be entitled to compensation.

Denied Boarding: I addition to a seat on the next available flight or a refund, passengers may also be entitled to compensation.

Downgrading: Passengers who are downgraded are entitled to a partial refund of their ticket.

In all cases passengers must be informed of their rights by airlines.

Quick Rights Guide – Persons with Reduced Mobility

Airlines, agents or tour operators cannot refuse reservations or to embark passengers on the grounds of disability or reduced mobility unless there is a safety related reason for doing so.
Passengers have the right to assistance at airports and on board aircraft. Assistance should be requested from airlines at least 48hours before departure.

Where mobility equipment is damaged, Passengers have a right to compensation.

Travel to Mexico advisory.

Department of Foreign Affairs Advice for intending travellers to Mexico:
Visitors to Mexico should be aware of an outbreak of influenza. The federal Health Ministry issued a nationwide alert on 22 April and latest reports indicate that over 100 people have died around the country from a flu-like illness. Cases have been reported in Mexico City, together with the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Mexicali and Baja California. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas.

Irish citizens traveling or residing in Mexico City should be aware that on Tuesday 28 April 2009 the Mayor of Mexico City ordered the closure of all establishments where large numbers of the public gather until 6 May, including restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs, cinemas, theatres, gyms, and convention centres.

It is important for all citizens to maintain readiness for all possibilities in case of an emergency. Because of potential disruptions in shopping patterns, Irish citizens travelling or resident in Mexico should consider stockpiling two weeks of emergency supplies such as food, water, baby formula and medicines, as well as to verify the availability of cash or credit cards.

In line with latest reports from the World Health Organisation, travel to other affected areas should not be restricted. Those returning from affected areas and experiencing symptoms similar to those outlined in the attached document should contact their GP.

The Mexican Government has introduced mitigation measures across the country to reduce the spread of the infection. These include the closing of many bars, restaurants, tourist sites and the cancellation of public events. Many tourist sites and facilities will remain closed until further notice. In light of the current situation and the fact that many tourism facilities are closed, the Department of Foreign Affairs now advises against non-essential travel to Mexico.

Irish citizens obliged to travel to Mexico and Irish citizens already in or resident in Mexico should take note of the Mexican Ministry of Health's list of symptoms of the swine flu virus and recommendations to avoid infection.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

British Airways connections in London

Heathrow: Welcome to the wonderful world of Terminal 5. Our state of the art home will really impress passengers and ensure their transfer is smooth and enjoyable. All passengers from Ireland arrive into Terminal 1 at gates 70-90. From here they make their way to the main terminal and down to the Heathrow Express. The service between terminals is free and the journey takes approx 5 minutes. Once in Terminal 5, passengers can make their way through security and enjoy everything our amazing terminal has to offer. Remember: The majority of our schedule operates from T5 but there are some exceptions: SYD BKK and SIN depart T4 and MAD, BCN, HEL, LIS, AGP and VIE depart T3. It’s always best to check!

Gatwick: Travel with our codeshare partner Aer Lingus from Dublin to Gatwick and connect to the British Airways Caribbean and Florida network. All BA flights depart the North Terminal. Routes from Gatwick include our new service to JFK, along with Orlando and Tampa, and the majority of our Caribbean flights.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

bmi news

bmi are proud to announce the launch of our free Chauffeur Drive service for our Business Class customers on eligible fare types.

Chauffeur Drive destinations
Our Chauffeur Drive service is available for journeys between the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland and the cities listed below:

Beirut
Cairo
Dammam (via Riyadh)
Jeddah (via Riyadh)
Moscow
Riyadh
Tel Aviv


Please note that within the UK/ROI, our Chauffeur Drive service is only provided in London. For example a customer travelling from Dublin to Riyadh would receive Chauffeur Drive in Riyadh only, whereas a customer travelling between London and Riyadh would receive Chauffeur Drive in both London and Riyadh.


Eligible fares

Business Class customers booked in classes C and D on all eligible destinations and customers booked in classes J, A and P on our Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh services are eligible for our complimentary Chauffeur Drive service.

New Delta Fantastic Business Class Fares

Delta has introduced Fantastic Business Class Reduced Air Fares to a select number of US destinations for travel from 01June-13Dec.
Fares must be booked 28 days in advance, min stay is sat night and must be booked and ticketed by 24th March.

Some Examples of these fantastic fares are:

New York JFK - €832 return
Chicago O'Hare - €1570 return
San Francisco - €1722 return

The above fares do not include taxes and charges.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryanair to scrap all check-in desks

Ryanair says it will remove all of its airport check-in desks from October 1 this year, requiring all passengers to check in online. From March 19, the airline will extend its web check-in service to passengers travelling with checked baggage and reduced mobility customers. Customers who check in with only carry-on baggage will not be charged, but those with baggage to be checked in will pay a €5 fee.

From May 1, however, all passengers checking in online will be charged a €5 fee, except for promotional fares.

Passengers continuing to use check-in desks will be charged €10 per person from March 19, and then €20 per person from May 1 as check-in desks are phased out over the summer.

From October 1, passengers who have checked in bags will use the airport 'bag drop' desks.

The airline says the move is a first for the industry and will allow it to lower airport and handling costs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BMI Company Rewards – a flexible and generous choice for SMEs

Your company’s travel funds can go that extra mile by joining Company Rewards. Each time a member of your company flies with bmi, they’ll earn points, which can be exchanged for rewards. Plus, your travellers can also receive individual benefits when they join the bmi frequent flyer scheme – Diamond Club
Company Rewards membership is free and there is no contract to sign or minimum spend level to reach before earning reward points.

Why choose Company Rewards?

• With one point equal to €1.50 (when exchanging for bmi flight vouchers), Company Rewards is one of the most generous loyalty schemes around.
  
• Points are awarded on bmi operated flights across all fare types
  
• Points can be exchanged for:
  
• e-vouchers (to spend on bmi flights)
  cash
  
• charity donation
  
• Plus, as a bonus reward, companies spending over €10,000 per year flying with bmi will receive a 4% annual cash bonus
  Online account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  

To join company Rewards call Paul Nolan on 01 2412333