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Post by Kim on Sept 30, 2003 10:11:31 GMT -5
KLM and Air France announce alliance to form giant European airline Canadian Press
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 PARIS (AP) - Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced the terms of a landmark partnership Tuesday, hoping to create Europe's leading airline group.
The new company, Air France-KLM, would have annual revenues equivalent to about $22 billion US.
It is the first time two major European airlines have joined in such a tight alliance. KLM's board unanimously approved the deal, the airlines said.
"We have always been convinced of the necessity of consolidation in the airline industry. Today, we announce a combination with KLM that will create the first European airline group," stated Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Air France CEO.
Under the deal, the French government's 54.4 per cent stake in Air France would be diluted to 44 per cent, the statement said,
The group would serve 226 destinations worldwide, Air France said, operating 540 aircraft and employing 106,000 people.
The group will maintain two operating companies.
The union comes as many airlines are struggling to survive a downturn in travel that followed the September 2001 terror attacks.
Airlines have also suffered because of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome and tough competition by no-frills rivals like Ryanair and easyJet.
Tuesday's statement said the combined group could be "reinforced by the potential integration of Alitalia," Italy's flagship carrier.
Alitalia has said it would like to join a three-way alliance with KLM to help it increase productivity and remain competitive in a global market.
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Post by Kim on Sept 28, 2003 23:14:09 GMT -5
Heathrow Express workers vote for strike action
Press Association Monday September 22, 2003
Workers on Heathrow Express are to stage three 24-hour strikes in a dispute over union recognition, the train firm announced today.
Members of the Aslef union, which represents just over 100 workers out of a total workforce of 236, will walk out on October 3, 10 and 12, threatening to disrupt the link between central London and Heathrow airport.
Heathrow Express said that although workers had made it clear they wanted representation to be shared between Aslef and a staff association, Aslef was insisting on sole recognition rights. A spokesman said just 41 Aslef members had voted for industrial action.
Brian Raven, managing director of Heathrow Express, said: "For over a year we have worked with Aslef to introduce a consultation and negotiation framework that meets the wishes of all our employees.
"Following our own full consultation our employees voted evenly in favour of representation by both a trade association and Aslef.
"We will pursue further discussions with Aslef to resolve this situation and in the meanwhile we are working on a range of contingency plans that will maintain the safe and secure operation of Heathrow Express rail service for our customers."
The Paddington-Heathrow service, which launched just over five years ago, is used by 14,000 passengers every day. It has never been hit by industrial action.
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Post by Kim on Sept 20, 2003 19:18:12 GMT -5
Dismay as Ryanair loses route case Andrew Clark Friday September 19, 2003 The Guardian Ryanair expressed "total dismay" yesterday after suffering another French courtroom defeat in a battle over alleged unfair subsidies from airports, which threatens its routes to popular second-home destinations. An appeal court in Nancy refused to stay an earlier order that Ryanair cease its relationship with the publicly funded owners of Strasbourg airport. The decision ended any short-term prospect of saving Ryanair's service from Stansted to Strasbourg, which will stop next Sunday. The Irish low-cost airline's shares dropped by 12p to 447.5p on the ruling, which was a significant setback in a dispute that could threaten up to 19 of its routes to publicly owned continental airports. Jim Callaghan, Ryanair's head of regulatory affairs, said the Strasbourg route would be suspended pending a full appeal to the French courts, which could take over a year. "In the meantime, French consumers and UK visitors to the Alsace will suffer," he said. "Strasbourg airport will continue to decline, with the loss of 200,000 passengers delivered by Ryanair."
Ryanair's low-cost business model is predicated on securing advantageous deals from little-used airports. Many airport authorities offer incentives to the airline to attract its flights, in the hope that visitors will spend money.
The European commission is investigating whether one such deal, at Brussels' Char-leroi airport, is illegal. Many of the airports are publicly owned, which could mean payments to Ryanair constitute illegal state aid.
Ryanair's defeat in Strasbourg followed a complaint by an Air France subsidiary, Brit Air, which objected to the airport's offer of €1.4m (£970,000) incentives. Brit Air claimed it was unable to get similar terms. It subsequently scrapped its service between London and Strasbourg.
Mr Callaghan yesterday claimed customers had benefited despite Brit Air's withdrawal. He said Ryanair carried 18,000 passengers a month on its Strasbourg route, compared with 3,000 a month previously conveyed by Brit Air.
Ryanair faces a series of disputes. French rival Air Mediterranée has complained that the Irish airline is getting €700,000 of aid to fly to Pau, on the edge of the Pyrénées.
The commission's verdict on Ryanair's Charleroi deal is expected to determine the fate of many other routes to publicly owned airports in France and Belgium. The decision is due next month.
In Britain, the Air Transport Users' Council has expressed regret about the disputes, saying Ryanair's flights have provided a cost-effective service to passengers. Some travellers have complained that they have bought second homes in France in the expectation that they would benefit from the airline's cheap fares.
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Post by Kim on Sept 18, 2003 8:29:49 GMT -5
Where does it leave from, Ging? Just from FL?
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Post by Kim on Sept 6, 2003 11:01:27 GMT -5
Ryanair threatens to scrap 19 routes over subsidy row
Tom Templeton Sunday August 31, 2003 The Observer
Ryanair says it could be forced to scrap its 19 French routes if the European Commission rules that its deal with Charleroi airport in Brussels is illegal.
The ruling, expected in late October, will draw up guidelines for airlines negotiating with public airports. If it decides that 'low-cost deals' cannot be struck with public airports, Ryanair will stop using them.
The airline's communications director Paul Fitzsimmons said: 'This decision will have a fundamental effect on low-cost travel. It's not a scenario that we anticipate happening, but if they rule against our Charleroi deal, these small airports will be sent back to the 1950s - empty.'
The Charleroi case has come under the spotlight since Ryanair announced last week the suspension of flights to Strasbourg from 24 September, following a local Alsace court ruling that a £1 million public subsidy Ryanair received from the Strasbourg Chamber of Commerce was anti-competitive.
Fitzsimmons said: 'The decision is nuts.'
Ryanair is appealing against the decision and plans to resume services to Strasbourg if and when it receives a stay on the judgment or wins the appeal.
Meanwhile, the low-cost airline will replace the twice-daily service from Stansted with new twice-daily flights to Baden-Baden, Germany, 25 miles away. One way fares will cost from €14.99 (£10), including taxes.
The 10,000 customers who have booked tickets to fly to Strasbourg can either reroute to Baden-Baden or cancel their trip and get a full refund.
The airline has what it terms 'low-cost deals' with another 18 publicly owned airports in France - receiving heavy subsidies in return for bringing in large numbers of tourists. Strasbourg gained around 200,000 extra arrivals annually from the Ryanair service. Rival airlines and airports may be encouraged by the Strasbourg judgment to petition the courts on the legality of such deals. Already Ryanair's deal with the city of Pau in south-west France has been the subject of complaint from the airport of neighbouring town Tarbes.
A spokeswoman for rival airline EasyJet said: 'The [Strasbourg] ruling highlights the difference between EasyJet and Ryanair in that we fly to main city airports while they go to secondary airports. What Ryanair are doing is non-competitive - they can drop their prices because they are not looking to make a profit on fares alone. The ruling will level out the playing field.'
But Fitzsimmons denied that the playing field was uneven: 'People are missing the fact of what we are giving to the airports - for instance in Charleroi we committed to staying for 15 years and adding two routes per year. Other airlines weren't willing to do this.'
By flying to secondary airports, Ryanair has made many parts of France cheaper and more easily reached than ever before.
Simon Evans, the chief executive of the Air Transport Users' Council, is worried progress will be stalled: 'The Strasbourg ruling appears to be against the consumer's interest because Ryanair provided a more cost-effective service for passengers.'
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Post by Kim on May 18, 2005 18:44:21 GMT -5
Ray,
Emailed you at your yahoo address - in case you didn't see it, in regards to the password/log in thing.
Kim
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Post by Kim on Mar 12, 2004 10:28:16 GMT -5
You could do Monaco/Monte Carlo as a day trip or half day trip. It's only minutes from Nice on the train. You definately don't want to stay there as it's expensive.
When you first get there (say from the train station), that's the Monte Carlo part. Up the hill is the Monaco part.
There isn't tons there but it's nice to see.
Kim
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Post by Kim on Mar 12, 2004 1:07:26 GMT -5
Also, for some more pics of Eze - check out our Group Photo Gallery (see link above). On the 3rd page of France, Patrick has some posted.
Also, check out the "Pictures of Us" section - think you might recognize someone ;D
Kim
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Post by Kim on Jan 30, 2004 13:20:41 GMT -5
As far as Prague goes, you will be shocked at the fluency of English speakers. One lady told us that with tourism being the major draw, you almost had to learn to speak English in order to earn any money. As far as hostels go, check out the hostel review page for the Czech. Republic: www.guideforeurope.com/czechhostels.htmlThe rest I'm leaving up to Ray! ;D Kim
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Post by Kim on Oct 17, 2003 11:43:09 GMT -5
Just so you know, I am pretty much drooling with jealousy...!
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Olomouc
Sept 30, 2003 13:20:34 GMT -5
Post by Kim on Sept 30, 2003 13:20:34 GMT -5
Hey Ray!
Was looking at pictures online of Olomouc the other day and keep meaning to ask you if you've visited and what you thought.
As far as I've heard it's a quaint city about 2.5 - 3 hours from Prague, does that sound right?
Kim
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Post by Kim on Sept 21, 2003 23:36:17 GMT -5
Sounds like a blast, Mari! I'm jealous! Gotta ask though, why the one day in Koln? Are you just flying there as you have the flight leaving from there? Just curious! Kim
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Post by Kim on Sept 3, 2003 16:58:02 GMT -5
Sounds like you are having a blast. I can't imagine the cost of a party like that here or in the US! Live it up while you can, my friend! ;D
That is really great that your family came out, it's so nice to be able to share you life in another setting.
When I was living on Maui, working in a backpackers hostel, my mom came out for 10 days to visit. (And let me tell you, she was the social butterfly of the hostel!) I had to work 3 days a week, so my friends and other hostel guests were always taking her out.
It's cool to have those memories that you can share together.
Kim
PS You were right on the newsletter trivia question.. one of only a few that were! ;D
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Post by Kim on Aug 21, 2003 8:28:32 GMT -5
Ray, It's been forever! What are you up to Prague? Fill us in, man! Kim
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Post by Kim on Jun 28, 2003 15:16:53 GMT -5
Prague is beautiful. Should you completely mess up all your plans for everywhere else for it? No, I don't think any place is worth that.
You will never be able to see everything, it just means that later you make another trip.
We did 17 countries in 7 months in Europe - but never went to Austria.. we just ran out of time and we had 7 months!
It's better to really see a place and spend more time exploring it then to spend days and day on the train only to see a little.
Kim
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