Jet2.com has announced two new routes from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Toulouse, gateway to South West France, plus Leeds Bradford - Nice, Summer '07 on sale now.

To book click here:

http://www.bigeasytravelguide.com/gobudget/flights/airline_from_airport-id-3-airline-14/jet2.html

Flyglobespan has announced new direct flights on sale now for Spring 2007 from Durham Tees Valley to: Palma, Faro, Alicante and Malaga with prices from only £39.99 including taxes..

The North East is to have low fare, scheduled flights to four of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations next year as rapidly-expanding airline flyglobespan launches a major 2007 programme from Durham Tees Valley Airport with the introduction of a 2 based aircraft operation.

To book click here:

http://www.bigeasytravelguide.com/gobudget/flights/airline_from_airport-id-13-airline-26/flyglobespan.html

JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP, which owns Britain’s biggest department store chain and Waitrose, is launching its own range of insurance products and a travel service.

Greenbee will sell travel, home, wedding and event insurance, and travel and ticketing services, before expanding.

Chairman Sir Stuart Hampson, said: “Greenbee will bring trust, simplicity and service to our customers’ lives.” The Partnership is joining forces with insurer AXA and travel firm EXPEDIA to enter the market.

The Highlands' newest air link started this morning with the launch of a daily service between Inverness and Liverpool operated by Ryanair.

The new air link will provide a major boost for inbound tourism in the region and open up a host of new UK and international travel opportunities for local residents travelling via Liverpool.

The new route was announced in April and is the low fare airline's first service at Inverness, the most northerly UK airport it operates to. The new air link has qualified for support from the Scottish Executive's Route Development Fund.

To book visit:

http://www.bigeasytravelguide.com/gobudget/admin

No-frills airline Flybe has announced it is set to charge passengers £1.50 for using airport check-in desks within two years. The move is designed to encourage passengers to check-in online or via self service machines in the terminal building.

'Those who want the personal service of a check-in desk or prefer to use one out of habit will be costing other passengers a lot of money, so we will charge them,' said Mike Rutter, chief executive of Flybe.

A Ryanair spokesman has admitted that the airline is also considering charging passengers to check in at the airport, details have not yet been confirmed.

Full story:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/0,,1884613,00.html

Aer Arann, was awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or honour last night by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) at an awards ceremony in Barcelona, Spain. The event which forms part of the Associations Annual General Assembly was attended by over 600 international press and airlines' delegates.

The annual ERA awards recognise significant achievements by selected member airlines and airports in the preceding twelve month period.

Aer Arann was chosen from among 65 airline members throughout Europe to receive the coveted accolade and has held the ERA Bronze Airline of the Year Award for the past two years. The airline currently operates over 600 flights per week across 39 routes with passenger numbers in excess of 1 million per annum.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline has announced a brand new three times weekly service to Barcelona from Durham Tees Valley to commence on 13th February 2007. The new route comes as part of Ryanair’s biggest ever expansion from Barcelona Girona. From March 2007, Ryanair will invest $280M in 4 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 17 new routes that will deliver 1M additional passengers p.a. This expansion brings the total number of Ryanair routes from Durham Tees Valley to two.

To book this flight visit:

http://www.bigeasytravelguide.com/gobudget/flights/airline_from_airport-id-13-airline-18/ryanair.html

Ryanair has announced that subject to regulatory approval, that it is to start offering mobile services to its passengers as from next year. Great. So you could be strapped into your seat on a 10 hour flight with the person sat next to you screaming into their phone! As if flying isn't stressful enough.

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary, reportedly gave this response over concerns 'Why should I care, if it is generating some money?'

At least on trains they have what is known as 'quiet carriages' where you aren't allowed to use phones, that option isn't of course open to a passenger on a plane.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for technology, but personally I think it best if phones aren't allowed to be used in flight.

The Travel blog is a travel website where members entries can be made in a journal or diary style, entries will be displayed in a reverse chronological order. IF you have a full review of a city, hotel, airline or perhaps you've been on a cruise please post it on the main site: www.bigeasytravelguide.com