European Union News
Med package holidays a third cheaper
Package holidays to European destinations are being cut by up to a third as tour operators bid to lure cash-strapped customers. Family favourites Cyprus, Spain and Turkey have experienced the biggest cuts, whilst the fall of the euro against sterling has led to budgets in resort now stretching further.
EU sets new roaming limits to protect travellers
Holidaymakers will breath a sigh of relieve after new rules have come into force across the EU that aim to prevent users from racking up large phone and internet roaming bills.
EU hints at aid for airlines rocked by ash crisis
The European Union is to exert “maximum pressure” on airlines to compensate passengers caught up in the volcano ash disruptions, but has hinted that aid may be made available to help cash-strapped carriers overcome the crisis.
Philippine and Sudanese airlines banned from EU airspace
The European Union has banned all airlines from Sudan and the Philippines from its airspace as part of an effort to improve safety standards in member states. The decision follows consultation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and sees the total number of countries on the blacklist rise to 17.
EU-US sign second Open Skies aviation agreement
The European Union and United States last night agreed in principal on a second Open Skies deal, ostensibly allowing airlines to take larger stakes in their transatlantic competitors. However, while the EU has been quick to support the proposal, America has been more reticent in endorsing the project.
EU upset by new US visa plans
The European Union is raising strong criticism of a congressional proposal to charge a $10 fee to some visitors to the United States. The $10 fee is part of the Travel Promotion Act which would be put in place in order to help fund a world-wide project to increase the number of visitors to the US.
EU warns dirty airlines to clean up or face ban
Over 3,500 airlines and business jet operators globally will have to sign up to the new European Union Emissions Trading Scheme by 2012 or face either financial penalties or a ban, the EU has warned.
EU launches probe into Lufthansa takeover of Austria
European Union regulators are launching an investigation into Lufthansa’s bid for Austrian Airlines, saying the deal could reduce choice and hike fares for passengers on some routes.The European Commission said it had “serious doubts” that the takeover could proceed without the airlines making some changes to eliminate antitrust concerns.
EU poised to lift Garuda ban
European Union official say the are “confident” that a two-year ban on Indonesian flag carrier Garuda will be lifted this week when they publish a quarterly list of airlines banned from the region.All 51 registered Indonesian airlines were banned from the EU in June 2007 following a spate of accidents, including a crash in Yogyakarta, Java, in which 21 people were killed. The pilot was imprisoned for two years for criminal negligence.
European Health Insurance Card
Having a holiday in the European Union should mean rest and relaxation, but for the unfortunate few, it could turn into an unlucky break
Open Skies between Europe and Canada gets go ahead
European Uniontransport ministers have agreed to deregulate air travel between the EU and Canada under the “Open Skies” pact.The agreement will allow EU carriers to fly freely from any member state to and from Canada, where carriers will have reciprocal rights. It follows a similar EU agreement with the US which came into effect in March 2008.
EU steps in to keep Austrian running
The European Union has approved a EUR 200 million (US$265 million) rescue loan for Austrian Airlines AG as the company awaits approval for its takeover by Germany’s Lufthansa AG.