Will BA sack the striking Cabin crew and pay the ensuing fines or will they just force the Uniite unions hand and grind the strikers down, at the moment Cabin crew have no support from the Travel trade or the consumer..

Even Gordon Brown will be getting involved rather cynically to get everyone around the table before the strike and the fall out costs labour the next election.

The union quite rightly fears BA will sack strikers – which would break the law, but BA may be prepared to pay the ensuing compensation to break the union.

Rest assured, 12,000 BA cabin crew can be guaranteed more headlines than the 270,000 civil servants who were on strike last week. But that won’t translate as support for a strike.

So there is safety in involving a greater number: a one-day strike would involve one in ten members, but 10 days include everyone.

It’s hard to escape the conclusion that BA aims to defeat the unionised cabin crew even at the expense of a strike.

The government will be lobbying hard for a settlement, desperate to avoid headline-grabbing strikes in the run-up to a general election.

The pressure on the BA boss will come from elsewhere – particularly if he calculates the airline will soon be dealing with a different set of politicians.

BA’s major corporate customers will be furious at the travel disruption in the short term, but City analysts and investors will applaud a triumph by Walsh.

It is Walsh who has chosen the timing and terrain for the battle.

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Unite British Airways – what a mess

BA strike update: British Airways plans to keep at least 60% of its customers flying through the first part of the planned strike by cabin crew.

The airline plans to provide flights for about 45,000 customers on March 20,21 and 22 when Unite members are due to strike, and offer thousands more seats on alternative BA flights or different carriers.

The airline released the number, 0800 727 800, as it prepared to announce details of what services it expects to operate during the strike, which starts Saturday

In the first strike period, BA will operate all long-haul flights to and from Gatwick and more than half of short-haul flights at the airport. All London City airport flights will operate.

It could give no guidance on the second wave of strikes, on March 27, 28, 29 and 30, but said it would update customers after the first wave finished.

“I recognise the frustration of customers booked for travel from March 27 onwards, when the second stoppage is due to begin, and we will do all we can to give them more clarity about their specific flight number once we start to understand just how many cabin crew are willing to work as normal.”

Heathrow would be worst hit, as only 60% of BA long-haul flights will operate from the airport during the first three days of action.

BA said it would operate “some” of its own shorthaul flights at Heathrow but supplement those by leasing up to 22 aircraft from eight different airlines in the UK and Europe. In total, it aimed to run 30% of its shorthaul schedule.

It has also agreed with 40 other carriers that customers can be rebooked free of charge during the strike period if they were due to travel on a BA flight.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said the schedule was larger than originally expected because more cabin crew had offered their services than expected.

“Despite the desire of Unite’s leadership to ground the airline, the flag will continue to fly. Around 60% of our customers will be able to fly as planned and many thousands more can be rebooked onto alternative BA flights or onto rival airlines,” he said.

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BA will keep 60% flying

The Foreign Office (FCO) has reviewed its travel advice to Thailand following escalating political turmoil over the weekend, and warnings of bomb threats.

As a result of the problems, the FCO is warning British nationals to avoid areas targeted by the protestors and to exercise extreme caution when travelling around Bangkok.

Should violence break out, travellers are being advised to remain indoors and monitor the situation online. Brits are also being reminded to keep their passports on them at all times, a legal requirement of the country, in the light of increased security checks, which will also slow travel.

Red Shirt protestors, who oppose the Thai government and who closed down Bangkok’s two airports at the end of 2008, marched on the capital over the weekend and demanded the dissolution of the Thai parliament by midday local time today.

Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has refused to meet the protestors’ demands leading to a tense, but so far peaceful, stand-off between about 100,000 protestors and 50,000 police and military personnel on the capital’s streets.

The demonstrators have said they will remain in Bangkok for the time being, although they will move to different locations.

Vejjajiva has also warned of intelligence indicating bomb or grenade attacks in Bangkok and around the country, and has invoked the International Security Act until March 23, allowing the implementation of additional security measures.

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Foreign office advice Bangkok

The Caa civil aviation authority travel republic saga is to continue on the 7th of MAY.

The CAA has decided not to appeal against the High Court’s decision to acquit Travel Republic managing director Kane Pirie of breaching Atol regulations, as it was not in the public interest.

However, it is pursuing its appeal against the court’s decision to reject its case against Travel Republic itself. The appeal is due to be heard on May 7 at the Royal Courts of Justice.

A CAA spokeswoman said: “We have concluded that it is in the public interest that the appeal in relation to Travel Republic Ltd should continue.”

The CAA lost its case against Pirie and Travel Republic in November, but initially said it would appeal against the ruling both on the company and on Pirie personally.

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CAA pursuing appeal against Travel Republic

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UK holiday breaks Haven

The latest farce in the BA cabin crew fiasco continues, and now the UNITE Union leaders will meet later to decide whether to call strike dates.

Talks between British Airways and Unite representing BA cabin crew broke down without agreement last night, leaving the airline facing a strike as early as next Thursday.

British Airways cabin crew will go on strike for seven days on March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and 30 .
Unite, the union representing 12,000 BA cabin crew, announced the strike dates today after talks with the airline broke down on Wednesday night.

If you have a flight booked

British Airways says it will inform affected customers directly by e-mail or text by using the contact details provided at the time of booking. So it is asking passengers to make sure these details are correct and up-to-date.

If people discover that their flight is cancelled because of the strike, their options are to:

Rebook onto another BA flight to the same destination within 355 days of the original date of travel.

Choose another BA flight to and from the nearest alternative airport.

Cancel the booking and get a refund.

——————————————————

The airline and the cabin crew had been trying to thrash out a deal to avert the strike throughout the week.

The latest talks collapsed after a union-proposed cost-cutting package was rejected by BA.

Unite said the plans could save the airline £63m, through a combination of pay cuts and an offer for some staff to work part-time.

BA said the proposals would not save the airline £63m and “would require pay cuts for crew of between £1,000 and £2,700 a year”.

Jamie Bowden, former British Airways cabin crew manager: “The strike cannot be as effective as the union would like it to be.”

The airline said its own proposals would save £62.5m from “minor changes to onboard crew numbers and [would] involve no reduction in earnings for existing crew”.

The current dispute between BA and its cabin crew began in November last year, when BA announced plans to cut the number of cabin crew on long-haul flights, and freeze pay for two years.

But the TUC said that no deal had been reached and no further talks were planned.

TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, who had been hosting the peace talks, said: “Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite.

Both parties will be reflecting on the position and the TUC will be keeping in touch but at this stage no further negotiations are planned.”

The union has to give BA seven days notice of a strike, meaning a stoppage could start as soon as next Thursday if notice is given tomorrow.

Unite was believed to have submitted a proposal to BA that would save more than £60 million by a pay freeze followed by a pay cut but avoiding all the changes to working practices proposed by BA.

BA was thought to have agreed to reduce the level of staffing cuts it proposed but by a smaller amount than Unite wanted.

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BA cabin crew potential strike dates

Holiday advice: This is good news, Eurozone resort prices fall. The prices in resort of The eurozone countries are falling fast with Spain seeing a reduction of almost 30%, more than enough to offset the high Euro exchange rate..

Where last year we were quite rightly advising you to avoid the eurozone countries as a holiday destination, now its a different story.

They have realised that they had to drop there in resort prices of Beer coffee etcetera to compensate for the high Euro rate and falling tourism

Many holidaymakers will be in for a “pleasant surprise” as to how far their holiday cash will go due to lower prices in resort.

Holiday costs have fallen across all eurozone countries over the last year, with prices in Spain seeing cuts by as much as 30%, the latest Post Office holiday money report shows

“Lower tourist prices across the eurozone are extremely good news for the millions of UK holidaymakers who are set to make to a return to traditional holiday destinations such as Spain and Portugal this year.

“UK foreign currency retailers can expect strong demand for the currency as savvy travellers stock up on euros in order to get best value from foreign exchange deals in the UK.”

The majority of UK travellers intend to make the most of their holiday money by picking up foreign currency before they travel – three quarters of travellers will be buying some foreign currency in the UK.

Travellers’ cheques are set to remain a staple for over four million people with over 15% of travellers including them in their holiday wallet.

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Holiday advice – Eurozone prices fall

Majorca (Spanish and Catalan: Mallorca) is the largest Spanish island, and is without doubt one of the most popular holiday destination on the planet.

The island of Majorca is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Balearic Islands archipelago which includes Ibiza, Formentera, and Minorca. The name derives from Latin insula maior, “larger island”; later Maiorica.

The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Cabrera archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca (in the municipality of Palma). The anthem of Majorca is La Balanguera.

Language: Spanish. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT: +1hr. Spanish Tourist Office: 2nd Floor, 79 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XB. Telephone: 020 7486 8077.

Holidays in Majorca offer an astonishing variety of things to see and do. Non-stop partying in Magaluf. Walking the broad plains and rolling countryside of Es Pla. And long tapas lunches in cosmopolitan Palma. There’s something for everyone in fabulous Majorca.

If you like to explore, holidays in Majorca are right up your street. Palma, the island’s capital, offers a wealth of sights to be discovered. Check out some of the museums.

Walk round the old cathedrals and castles. Or just kick back by the harbourside. But it’s not all about Palma. From glass bottom boat rides in Calas de Majorca, to the peaceful botanical gardens of Soller, there’s never a dull moment.

Moving away from sightseeing, there’s still plenty to see and do on your holidays. Eating out is one of the great joys of a Majorcan holiday.

Local fare includes the Balearic’s ubiquitous tapas and all manner of seafood. Palma has a great selection of restaurants serving a wide choice of cuisine, ranging from authentic local dishes to a whole host of international flavours.

Elsewhere on the island, Magaluf and Palma Nova have an abundance of restaurants, cafés and takeaways serving typical British fare, plus Italian, Greek, Chinese and Indian options to name but a few.

No trip to Majorca would be complete with a day on one of the fantastic beaches. From the long stretches of sandy coastline in the north, to the tiny, pine-clad coves in the east. Cala D’or has numerous beautiful, powdery coves and deep inlets which can get crowded, simply because of their beauty.

Puerto De Soller has a narrow town beach of sand and shingle, and a delightful sandy beach at one end.

Whether you’re looking for all inclusive holidays, or last minute holidays to Balearics, Majorca will make all your dreams come true.

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Majorca holiday advice and tips

Usa advice: I does make me smile that the Americans think its a good idea to increase tourism to the USA by charging everyone more to get in.. Spain tried a similar tourism tax in the Balearic islands and found tourism dropped..

Travellers to the US will soon have to pay a $10 charge rising to $15 to $17 dollars per person to use the Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) online immigration system after

a key law was signed into law by US President Barack Obama.

The Travel Promotion Act clears the way for the creation of a new organisation to promote the US as a destination around the world.

This will be partly funded by the introduction of the $10 fee to use the Esta immigration form which all travellers have to fill in online at least 72 hours before travelling to the US.

The Visit USA Association has said that the charge for Esta may rise to $15-$17 once credit charges and administration costs are added.

Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the US Travel Association, said: “By signing the Travel Promotion Act, President Obama has acted to support the power of travel to serve as an economic stimulant, job generator and diplomatic tool.

“This program will create tens of thousands of American jobs and help reverse negative perceptions about travel to the US.”

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USA travel to cost more holiday advice

Ibiza has become a hugely popular holiday destination for young revellers, middle-class European package tourists, and gay travellers, whose collective character imbue the island with a chic and trendy atmosphere that is at its most colourful in the frenetic nightlife.

Ibiza is renowned, quite rightly, as one of the best clubbing destinations in the world but Ibiza really is a destination for everyone and the good year-round weather makes it a top spot for a week or two away.

For many, this might conjure up images of rowdy revelers making a racket at all hours of the day and night and in some of the big resorts this can be the case.

However there’s much more to the island than the super clubs and away from the bustling resorts you’ll find family friendly beaches, unspoilt fishing villages, Stone Age ruins and fragrant olive, orange and lemon groves.

The climate in Ibiza is basically warm all year round. From November to April the average Ibiza weather forecast temperature is between 15C and 25C. Its in August when the Ibiza forecast can give you temperatures that can reach a sizzling 31C. Latest Ibiza weather.

Ibiza Quick Facts

Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish, English widely spoken
Flight time: Two hours from London
GMT: GMT +1 (+2 in summer)
Weather: Warm summers, mild winters with some rain
Dialling code: 00 34 (national) 971 (local)
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz, round two-pin plugs

Getting there, getting around Ibiza

There are low-cost, package and scheduled airlines flying into Ibiza daily throughout the summer so shop around for the best deals.

The local bus services between the larger towns on Ibiza are very good and there are even some routes to the smaller towns and villages – look out for the orange buses.

Clubbers will be pleased to know that there’s a disco bus which runs in a continuous circuit around the island’s top clubs so you shouldn’t have any trouble trying two or three in one night.

There are plenty of car hire firms at the airport and in the major towns, and this is probably the best transport option if you really want to explore the island.

Beaches in Ibiza

There are some fantastic beaches along every stretch of coastline. Some of those in the big resorts like San Antonio and Ibiza town have been ruined a bit by the presence of several high-rise concrete monstrosities.

It’s easy to find the more gorgeous beaches though, if you head a little off the beaten track. Puerto de San Miguel Beach is a good size and the curved stretch of sand is backed by pine-covered hills which are great for those who fancy the odd little walk when they’re tired of sunbathing.

It’s just a short distance away from the caves of C’an Marca, a former smugglers’ haunt.

In the east of the island, Es Figueral is a really good all-rounder, with shallow waters (making it good for families), plenty in the way of watersports and good facilities. Otherwise, you can join the masses who head to Calo des Moro in San Antonio every day to watch the sunset with a DJ-led musical accompaniment at the Cafe del Mar.

Sightseeing in Ibiza

Most visitors don’t really come to Ibiza for the sights, but there are a few interesting towns and historical monuments. The old port of Sa Penya is a great place to go people watching. It’s full of narrow, crowded streets and squares nestled around the harbour and there always seems to be something going on. Near D’Alt Vila, an old walled town with an arched gateway, is the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, which features changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Also in this area is the cathedral which dates from the 14th century.

One of Ibiza’s most interesting sights can be found no far from the main airport. Las Salinas, or the Salt Flats, have been in use for over 2000 years. In the summer, the evaporating lake water leaves behind a layer of pure salt, and the scene makes for some stunning sunset photos.

Family attractions in IbizaThe Spanish are very family-orientated and your kids will always receive a warm welcome in shops and restaurants. Many of the Ibizan resorts have children’s play areas, crazy golf courses and the odd amusement arcade and Ibiza is home to Aguamar Water Park which has seven different sets of waterslides, some with scary names such as the Black Hole.

A nice way to see some of the countryside on the island is on board a tourist ‘train’. Running on wheels rather than rails, the trains run out of Santa Eulalia and San Antonio and take their passengers on a relaxed pace tour of the surrounding hills. The price of your ticket includes a drink at a shaded bar and on the San Antonio train, you can take in the views from El Mirador, one of the highest peaks on the island.

Day trips in Ibiza

Take in more than one of the Balearic Islands on your holiday and book yourself on a boat trip. There are lots of boat charter companies on Ibiza offering day trips and excursions and it’s a perfect way to explore, not only the many usually inaccessible beaches and coves on Ibiza, but also the neighbouring island of Formentera. There, you’ll find some incredibly quiet beaches, perfect for picnics or a bit of snorkeling.

Many of these boat trips also include a stop near the tiny island of Espalmador where you can indulge in a natural mud bath in a mixture of sand, algae and seawater. The mud supposedly boasts lots of re-vitalizing.

Eating out in Ibiza

All over Ibiza you’ll find excellent cuisine and of course the seafood is particularly good. As the island is part of Spain, you’ll find plenty in the way of tapas, which consists of lots of small dishes with delicious treats like spicy potatoes, grilled squid, prawns in garlic and chorizo, a spicy sausage. The locals like to stroll from bar to bar, enjoying a couple of dishes at a time with a nice glass of wine or beer.

In resorts such as San Antonio you can find many pretty grubby restaurants serving all the British holidaymaker favourites such as egg and chips or a full English fry-up. You can even enjoy a traditional Sunday roast if you really want.

Nightlife in Ibiza

The nightlife really is fantastic in the Balearics, but nowhere more so than in Ibiza, renowned as one of the best clubbing destinations on the planet. Thousands of party-minded punters flock every year to the super clubs on the island, such as Pacha, Space and Amnesia. You can dance the night (and some of the next day) away listening to the world’s most famous DJs. It isn’t cheap though and a serious clubbing holiday can be rather heavy on the wallet – club entrance can set you back anything from £10-£25 and the drinks aren’t usually cheap either.

If that all sounds a bit expensive then many clubbers prefer to wander between the dozens of cheap clubs in resorts such as San Antonio. Many have happy hours fairly early on in the evening, but too many happy hours can lead to an early night for some.

Shopping in Ibiza

Sa Penya has lots funky clothes stores, and is also home to a market where you can pick up anything from cheap T-shirts to local arts and crafts. If you really want cheap and tacky then you’ll find lots of souvenir shops in the main resorts such as San Antonio.

A visit to the famous Hippy Market in Es Cana, which is held every Wednesday from May to October, is a must. Batik wraps and clothing, leather moccasins and silver jewellery are all good buys. There’s another one in San Carlos in the North-East of the island, set in the grounds of a restaurant. It runs every Saturday and is a bit quieter than the one in Es Cana. Again you’ll find a nice selection of handmade clothes and jewellery and it’s open until late in summer.

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Ibiza holiday advice and guide.