Ryanair’s ground staff in Madrid go on strike over this summer

Chaos will hit Ryanair flights across Spain this summer after their ground staff in Madrid announced an “indefinite” strike. Although only the Madrid ground staff are striking, the knockon effect looks to affect Ryanair flights across the peninsula. The strike starts on the 30th May unless a settlement is reached. It’s being called because Ryanair has suddenly announced a 30% pay cut for these workers and has refused to sit down with unions to discuss Continue reading Ryanair’s ground staff in Madrid go on strike over this summer

Almeria airport routes cut but new London route announced

The Almeria airport blog says that Air Europa has dropped Almería airport for 2015, and that in addition the Palma and Dusseldorf routes have also been cancelled by their respective airlines. More bad news: Ryanair refuses to confirm the East Midland’s route, and Monarch refuses to commit itself to the Birmingham route (despite me getting lots of people to write to them begging for it to keep going). Some good news: Thomas Cook has announced Continue reading Almeria airport routes cut but new London route announced

Almeria flying to 33 destinations this summer

You’ll be able to fly to 33 cities across Europe from Almeria this year, and the new Ryanair Dublin flight started yesterday. That’s more than ever before at this time of year. Until October, there will be a twice weekly service to Guinness-land. La Voz doesn’t bother listing the cities, so I won’t either, but it’s 33 cities across 14 European nations, although more could be added as we go through the year. Last year, Continue reading Almeria flying to 33 destinations this summer

Google flight search takes off in Spain

Google Flights has launched for Spain, showing a comprehensive network of flights into and out of Spain, and a price comparision tool. http://www.google.com/flights/ However, rather annoyingly, none of the major “low costs” such as Ryanair, Easyjet, LAN or Binter Canarias (who?!) allow their flights to appear on it. You can also see a map showing stop overs, etc. Quite fun for about 45 seconds. For some reason – prices are quoted in US$. So, actually, Continue reading Google flight search takes off in Spain

Ryanair cancels Almería – Madrid route

Ryanair will drop all Almería – Madrid flights in 2013, as part of a 12% cutback in seat capacity in Spain. The decision comes after further landing fee increases were announced by AENA, the airports authorities. Ryanair said in a comunique that “Just because AENA is bankrupt, our passengers won’t pay more, and so we can’t bring as many tourists to Spain next year”. On some routes, Ryanair claims that the increase is double, meaning Continue reading Ryanair cancels Almería – Madrid route

Iberia fires 4,500 people the same day as it tries to buy Vueling

IAG, the owners of Iberia and British Airways, have announced that in order to guarantee the survival of Iberia they will have to fire 4,500 people, or about a fourth of its workforce. The announcement comes a day after IAG announced a 113 million euro bid for Vueling, the low cost Spanish airline. Iberia will cut its capacity by 15%, after IAG posted a loss of 39 million euros in the first nine months of Continue reading Iberia fires 4,500 people the same day as it tries to buy Vueling

Ryanair generates 50 incidents a week for the Spanish air safety board

El Mundo reckons that Ryanair has accumulated 1201 “incidents” reported to the Spanish air safety board AESA since the beginning of the year, or about 50 a week. These “incidents” range from full scale emergencies such as cabin depressurization, or landing with not enough fuel in the tank, to “minor” infractions at airports or customer complaints. Mid-air terror for Ryanair passengers in Spain http://t.co/dfwqV5LA — The Olive Press (@olivepress) September 10, 2012 Ryanair carried 30 Continue reading Ryanair generates 50 incidents a week for the Spanish air safety board

Second Ryanair jet in emergency landing this week after cabin depressurizes

A Ryanair jet from Madrid to Gran Canaria had to return to Barajas airport this morning and make an emergency landing after the cabin suffered a sudden fall in pressure. Nobody on flight FR2011 was injured, although a number of passengers were treated at the scene for nosebleeds, headaches and ear problems. Regresa a Barajas por problemas técnicos un avión de Ryanair que iba a Canarias http://t.co/8VQR30hv [ABC] #Economia — La Red Económica (@RedEconomica) September Continue reading Second Ryanair jet in emergency landing this week after cabin depressurizes

Ryanair flight evacuated at Valencia after fuel pours from wing onto runway

A Ryanair flight departing Valencia airport Tues morning for Brussels (flight FR1919) was evacuated after passengers spotted that the plane was pouring aviation fuel onto the runway from one of its engines. Valencia airport activated a security protocol and secured the area, as the runway was covered in highly dangerous aviation fuel. Ryanair said that the problem was down to a faulty valve which failed, allowing the escape of the fuel. A spokesman for the Continue reading Ryanair flight evacuated at Valencia after fuel pours from wing onto runway