Virgin Launches Glasgow - Orlando Route

Virgin Atlantic celebrated the inaugural flight from Glasgow Airport to Orlando Airport on Saturday.

The new service will run every saturday throughout the summer, coinciding with the school holiday season. It will then restart in time for the October half term break, and again in April for the Easter holidays.

The service is being operated in conjunction with Virgin Holidays.

Manchester City Airport Wins Award

Manchester Airport has been awarded the Best Airport Award 2008 by the Airports Council International Europe.

The airport was the winner of the 10-25 million passenger category, and was praised for 'its simple, innovative approach to attracting airlines'.

Luton Airport Introduce £1 Trolley Charge

Luton Airport has announced that passengers will soon be charged £1 to use the airport luggage trolleys. New trolleys are expected to arrive at the airport on the 26th July.

The £1 charge will not be refunded after use, a move which has caused outrage amongst some passengers, who feel that airlines and airports are charging for every single service possible.

The scheme is already in place at Bristol Airport, and could be seen in more airports across the UK.

Ryanair Launches Text Service

Ryanair has launched a new text service, which sends regular flight status updates to UK and Irish mobiles.

The Flight Tracker service could be very useful for people awaiting the arrival of a Ryanair passenger, saving time spent hanging around the airport and also saving money on airport parking charges.

From the UK, call 0844 8 93 93 93 from your mobile or text FR + flight number to 85122. From Ireland, call 0818 220 333 from your mobile or Text FR + flight number to 57252. For a demo, go to www.flighttracker.ie .

Jet2 and Flybe Hit Back At Ryanair Boss O'Leary

Michael O'Leary, the outspoken boss of Ryanair, has angered competitors by saying that he thinks the fuel crisis is a good thing for consumers, and will shut down 'crappy competitors'. He was referring to Jet2, Flybe, Flyglobespan, Sky Europe and Vueling.

O'Leary made the comments during the company's financial results statement on Tuesday. He predicted that only Easyjet, Ryanair, BA, Air France and Lufthansa would either break even or make a profit this year.

In response to these comments, Flybe issued a statement saying the following: 'We note with indifference the latest rantings of Mr O'Leary and notes his usual attempt to deflect attention from his own results by making unsubstantiated accusations about other issues. Flybe also notes that Mr O’Leary tried exactly the same tactic in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.'

It added: 'Flybe's fuel costs are only 24.6% of its total cost base at today's prices, while Ryanair's are 44.5%. While Mr O'Leary expects to break even only at $130 a barrel we believe that fuel will have to be well over $170 a barrel before Flybe is forced to breakeven.'

Jet2 boss Philip Meeson replied in a statement: 'It won't be Jet2. I'm sorry Mr O'Leary – unlike you, Jet2.com has bought all its fuel for this summer, this coming winter and next summer at attractive rates. Our passengers can rely upon us for many, many years to come.'

Spanish Holiday Club Scam

The Office of Fair Trading has revealed that a spanish holiday club scam has already earned its creators millions of pounds.

The scam involves the use of scratchcards asking 'have you won a luxury holiday?' All the cards are winning cards, with the prize being a sales presentation designed to push people into parting with cash to join an exclusive holiday club.

The 'exclusive holiday club' offers members access to holidays in resorts such as Fuengirola, Benalmadena and the Canary Islands. However, it appears that the contracts signed are 'nearly worthless', and in many cases the club offers little more than an internet booking service, which members could access equally easily without club membership.

The average amount paid by victims of the scam is 3,000 euros.

The OFT scambusters team have been handing out their own versions of the cards at UK Airports to highlight the problem, whilst staff from the European Consumer Centre have been on hand at Malaga Airport. The OFT has also taken out adverts in inflight magazines and airport walls.

Mike Haley, head of consumer protection at the OFT, urged holidaymakers to take extra care when faced with something aimed at persuading them to attend such a presentation, and to ask themselves three questions:

• Can you take away the contract to consider at your leisure?
• Is everything you are promised in the presentation in the contract?
• Do you know exactly what you are getting for your money?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, the OFT advises you to walk away.