Berlin is a fascinating place: it is steeped in history which still resonates deeply throughout the city, from its wide boulevards around the Brandenburg Gate to its seamier quarters to the east of the wall.  The best way to orientate yourself and begin to experience the richness of the city is through one of the brilliant free walking tours.  I did one with New Berlin Tours and it was great; the guide, Mike, was funny and extremely knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was really friendly.

The majestic Brandenburg Gate

You meet close to the imposing Brandeburg Gate and spend the next three hours or so visiting all of the main attractions in the city as listed on the link above.  The new Holocaust Memorial, in the news recently after Easyjet ran fashion photographs taken there in its in-flight magazine, is a sombre and moving site, and the impact is probably sharpened by its proximity to the location of Hitler’s former bunker (which, unsurprisingly, is barely commemorated).

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

The museum is a terrifying reminder of the Third Reich, and is a difficult but truly worthwhile experience.  The personal stories which are told are evocative and harrowing, and a visit leaves you very contemplative for the rest of the day and a long while afterwards.

On a happier note, the memorial is next to a strip of truly dreadful cafeterias serving up second-rate reheated drudge to budget travellers such as myself.  I had the misfortune to eat a spaghetti bolognaise served up by a guy who looked like he was from the Village People, before being chased out of the bathroom by a very small woman wielding a can of air freshener and shouting at me in German.

I spent a lot of time in Berlin running away from toilet attendants who would attempt to extort half a euro every time as I so much thought about paying a visit to the loo.  I actually sprinted out of Dunkin’ Donuts near Zoologischer Garten station one day to escape from a particularly angry man who was brandishing a tip tray at me and making vivid gestures towards the toilet.

The Hotel Adlon

Opposite the Brandenburg Gate is the Hotel Adlon, where the late great Michael Jackson famously dangled one of his children out of the window.  The Presidential Suite on the top floor costs $12,000-a-night and has bulletproof glass in the windows among its many very cool features.  If I win the lottery…

The Reichstag is the home of the German Parliament, and its roof alone makes it worth a visit.  You can look down into the chamber when parliament is in session: “a reminder to the politicians that we are always looking in on them and that they are accountable to us,” an ageing Berliner told me.  Get there early to beat the crowds, and be prepared for a very thorough (in my case, patently illegal) level of frisking.  All I will say is avoid the security guard with the handlebar moustache.

The Reichstag roof

The Berlin Wall, which collapsed 20 years ago, is an integral part of the visit, though very few parts of it remain intact and those that do are protected by fencing.  As with many parts of the city’s history, there’s a residual feeling of shame and embarrassment about it amongst the city’s residents, who you feel would rather live without the permanent reminders of their country’s past.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie is very artificial and one of the few attractions in the city which is a little underwhelming.  But you can take your disappointment away by heading into the unbelievably decadent Fassbender & Rausch chocolate shop which has models of things such as the Reichstag and the Titanic, all made out of chocolate.  The only thing stopping me from plunging my face straight in was concern about how long they had been there.

The Reichstag - made of chocolate

My face upon being told not to eat the Brandenburg Gate

Pergamon Museum entrance

The TV Tower - all 368 metres of it

A penguin doing his best Marilyn Manson impression

The sign marking the death march

As with the Holocaust memorial in the city, it is a very graphic realisation of the horrors of what went on there less than a century ago.  The tour around is well-constructed and allows plenty of time for personal exploration and reflection.  Imposing, thought-provoking, and with a huge underlying unease, it in many ways replicates the city itself.

'Freedom through work'

Cuando llegamos al Charles de Gaulle después de haberme echado una pestañita de 15 min., buscamos a nuestros amigos que ya estaban en la fila de documentación de Easyjet, fila que un principio fue muy rápida y hasta cierto grado con buena atención pero con una vigilancia en extremos exagerada, como ya saben en esta aereolínea uno tiene cuidar que las maletas entren al rack o documentar vía internet con anticipación donde uno se puede ahorrar algunos euros y no pagar los 20 euros que cobran al documentar, en fin al final de todo este show de revisión de equipaje nos avisaron que el vuelo a Madrid esta demorado, todo mundo se molesto y yo de plano decidí tomar otra ciestecita. A los 40 min. el vuelo estaba listo para llegar a Madrid. La demora del viaje hizo que llegaramos al aeropuerto de Barajas a las 11:30 pm. y apenas alcanzamos el bus para llegar a nuestro hotel en los Apartamentos Plaza Basilica de Royal Holaday y pasar la noche, al día siguiente y ya cansados de tanto correr apenas nos despertamos a eso de la 10:00am para asearnos y tomar de nuevo el bus para el aeropuerto de Barajas y volar a México. Ya estando en tierras aztecas y con ganas de unos tacos al pastor la mamá de una de nuestras amigas nos llevó a cenar y a quitarnos las ganas y poder disfrutar nuevamente ese sabor único que tienen nuestros platillos mexicanos. Pues así fue el recorrido por Europa y les recomiendo mucho que visiten la web de Royal Holiday www.royal-holiday.com y si tienen algún interés de conocer otras parte del mundo o alguna duda de otros destinos hagan sus preguntas a Royal Holiday o chequen los testimonios Royal Holiday. Hasta la próxima.

www.easyjet.com/index.asp?lang=es

250mila scuse. Una per ogni copia stampata. Sarà dura per la compagnia low cost easyJet far dimenticare – e in fretta – la gaffe. Non uno scivolone qualsiasi, ma di quelli che toccano la sensibilità di una nazione e di una religione: quella ebraica.

Nell’ultimo numero della sua rivista, infatti, alcune modelle sono state fotografate all’interno del Memoriale della Shoah di Berlino. Il tempo di mettere le copie (250mila, appunto) nelle tasche dei sedili degli aerei, ed ecco che qualcuno ha cominciato a storcere il naso. Poi sono arrivate le proteste di alcuni passeggeri.

“Siamo profondamente dispiaciuti”, hanno detto i vertici della compagnia britannica prima di ritirare tutte le copie. E poi hanno minacciato di rivedere il contratto con la società che si occupa di confezionare la rivista.

A slightly misleading title as I actually mean to say well done to Easyjet for deciding to pulp all 300,000 of the latest editions of its in-flight magazine Easyjet Traveller and naming the advertising agency, INK, involved in producing the offending feature.

The people who put together the magazine decided it would be a good idea to use the Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe as a location for a fashion shoot.

After Easyjet received complaints from Jewish and Israeli passengers, INK issued a statement saying the feature (a fashion feature) was meant to be educational. Hopefully (however unlikely) this will make people in that most vacuous industry (fashion, not air travel) think twice about allowing the aesthetic to rule all.

(By the way, with the publicity this has generated, we can all safely assume that Ryanair will probably be publishing the article in full, although it will be online only and you’ll have to pay to print it off, then pay a surcharge to bring the paper it’s printed on on board, and an ink tax, despite the fact it’s your ink.)

easyJet is starting additional 10 new routes in 2010, mainly focusing on its Paris CDG base, as well as Milan Malpensa. There will also be new route out of London Stansted, Manchester and Liverpool. The latest addition also sees new service to Helsinki.

Routes and effective dates as follows:

1 Daily eff 08FEB10 Paris CDG – Helsinki
3 weekly eff 09FEB10 Paris CDG – Catania
4 weekly eff 09FEB10 Paris CDG – Agadir
6 weekly eff 11FEB10 Milan Malpensa – Casablanca
3 weekly eff 11FEB10 Milan Malpensa – Agadir
5 weekly eff 12FEB10 Milan Malpensa – Porto
1 Daily eff 28MAR10 London Stansted – Cagliari
4 weekly eff 30MAR10 Manchester – Helsinki
3 weekly eff 30MAR10 Milan Malpensa – Malta
2 weekly eff 13JUN10 Liverpool – Malta

Which part of bad taste did you miss?

Oi, Oi, Oi EasyJet, you obviously weren’t born when the Nazi’s exterminated millions of Jews or you would have thought twice about having a friggin fashion shoot for your inflight magazine at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial. What were you thinking epic fail people? Hold up the outrage placards Israel and British press.Despite the airline recalling all of it’s 280,000 copies and apologizing, they still have a bit of explaining to do because they didn’t get permission to photograph at the site. Seems commercial activities are strictly forbidden.

LONDON (WJC)–The British airline EasyJet has apologized after fashion photos shot at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin were published in its in-flight magazine. In the pictures, models were photographed among concrete blocks in the Field of Stelae. The airline said that it apologized to anyone who had been offended by the shoot and said that it would withdraw this month’s issue from all flights. EasyJet said that the magazine was published by INK, an external publishing house, and the airline had not been aware of the images until they appeared in print.

As a result, the airline claims to be reviewing their relationship with the publisher and withdrawing this month’s issue from all flights. In a statement, EasyJet said that it prided itself on bringing together a wide range of cultures and beliefs and is appalled by the insensitive and inconsiderate photo shoot.

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin is made up of a field of 2700 grey slabs. It was opened to the public in 2005. It has been reported that the production company did not seek permission from the foundation running the memorial to photograph at the site.

*
Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress

Facts about Inverness (courtesy of wikipedia):

The name Inverness is Gaelic and translates as ‘mouth of the river Ness’.

Situated at 57.4717N and 4.2254W.

Inverness (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis) is a city in northern Scotland and it is promoted as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland.

The city lies near the site of the eighteenth century Battle of Culloden and at the beginning of the Great Glen, where the River Ness enters the Inverness/Moray Firth making it a natural hub for various transport links.   It is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom.   A settlement was established by the sixth century AD with the first royal charter being granted by King David I in the twelfth century.

Inverness was one of the chief strongholds of the Picts, and in AD 565 was visited by St Columba with the intention of converting the Pictish king Brude, who is supposed to have resided in the vitrified fort on Craig Phadrig, on the western edge of the city. A 93 oz (2.6 kg) silver chain dating to 500-800 was found just to the south at Torvean.

click here and scroll down for a map of Inverness/Scotland

The 14.11.09 approached both rapidly and slowly and it was with excitement and anticipation that we woke on Saturday and set off on our journey up north.  This is the farthest north we, my offspring and I have ever been – 57.4717N and 4.2254W!!!   Brilliant.

CJ reached Victoria station before I did and very naughtily filmed me walking across the concourse!   We took the Gatwick Express since it was almost £2 cheaper than by regular train.   Go figure.

Check in at Easyjet was chop-chop and with time to spare we went to MacDonald’s for a Happy Meal for a happy CJ

and a chocolate milkshake for me.

This is the first time wev’e travelled with Easyjet and although the flight is the same as any other cheap airline, I was totally unimpressed with the fact that they left our luggage out in the rain and when we arrived at our destination our clothes were wet.  Even more so since CJ was forced to check her bag at a cost of £18 because the bag was literally a zip width to wide for the onboard luggage sizer.

However, excitement reigned supreme as we boarded and finally took off, 25 minutes late.   We were off to the Highlands of Scotland, Inverness and final destination was the Great Glen Water Park, situated on Loch Oich (which we did not know beforehand).

The flight was bumpy but uneventful and flying over England was a treat as always.   The countryside is so beautiful and I never tire of seeing it from the air.   A great expanse of blue sky and great big tumbles of wonderful white clouds accompanied our flight, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

With no idea what to expect we suddenly flew over the highlands!

and practically climbed out the window with excitement.   The view was stupendous.   Great open stretches of mountain and wilderness, huge lakes that spread for miles.    The sun shone down and touched on a mountaintop providing a glimpse of the splendour to come.

Scotland; land of legends, castles, humble crofts, high mountains and tranquil lochs, battlefields echoing to the cries of long ago and remote glens home to towering firs and magnificent golden eagles.

Touchdown was uneventful, no rain but threatening.   Collected our luggage, which was soaked!   A complaint coming up here!   Then over to Avis to collect our hire car.  I have decided to write up a checklist of things to look out for and questions to ask for future reference.

It was starting to drizzle again, so in the rain I checked the car over thoroughly, remembering the lesson from Ireland.   By the time I had checked for little bumps and scratches my hands were frozen and my sleeves soaked.

By now the light was fading and losing no time we set off, first stop Tesco, just 2 miles down the road for supplies.   We had fun whizzing round the store (which was massive and jam-packed with goodies) picking and choosing yummy things to eat and drink, mindful of our budgets.   By the time we emerged it was dark!!!  Now for the fun bit – finding our way through a foreign town in the dark.   Fortunately CJ had printed a fairly detailed map of the area and we made good progress to the A82 (I think) and then on to our destination.

At that time I had no idea how far the Great Glen Park was from Inverness and had considered taking a cab there!   Fortunately I had hired a car!   It was 54miles from the airport!   I had no idea.   We drove and drove, the rain falling steadily and with absolutely no idea where the place was, we anxiously scanned the map for landmarks.

1.5 hours later we finally arrived, just before 7pm and we had made the check-in deadline with 10 minutes to spare.  By now pitch-dark we had not an inkling of the beauty and magnificence awaiting us.   The A-frame cabins are darling and we made ourselves right at home.   The first thing that went on was the heating, as it was quite freezing cold.

Hunting around the cabin it took ages for us to find all the switches to activate the various appliances, and the only one we could not find was the switch for the hot water!   The following day we enquired at the office and the handyman came along to show us where it was – right behind the box of oats I had placed on the counter!!! Go figure.

Then a toss-up on who would get the double bed!  CJ won for the first 4 nights since she was only staying till Wednesday, so that was fair enough.  Then time to unpack, hang clothes up to dry and have supper!   We had bought a pizza for convenience and popped it into the oven.   Hahahaha, we ended up with – a burnt pizza for supper!  The oven settings were unfamiliar and we set it too high.  It tasted just fine actually and nicely crunchy round the edges

Relaxing and watching TV, Strictly Come Dancing was on and not to be missed, followed by X-Factor, we settled in for the week, cosy and comfortable.   Later that evening just after getting into bed, I had a summons from CJ to quickly get my jacket and shoes on and come outside.   I duly complied and stepping out back behind the cabin I lifted my eyes to the heavens and gasped.   A blanket of stars covered the night sky, brightly twinkling and sparkling in the night sky.   I am reminded once again of the fact that because we are creatures of the daytime, we miss out on this glorious spectacle every night.

We shivered and giggled, somewhat nervous that we were so close to the forest, literally feet away, it was dark and eerie and every rustle had us squeaking with fright. With wolves and ghosts in mind, and things that go bump in the night, I did not last long when finally my nerve broke and we skedaddled back inside, laughing and giggling fit to bust.

We had no idea what was awaiting our eyes on the morrow.   And so to bed, I slept like the proverbial baby.  Utter peace and quiet.   Bliss.

Nicht die Welt wird immer blöder, sondern die Leute. Manchmal überlege ich, ob es nicht besser wäre, mir sone Halskrause zu besorgen, die ich morgens sicherheitshalber anlege, bevor ich das Haus verlasse. Denn es kann bestimmt passieren, dass einem vom vielen Kopfschütteln selbiger schon mal vom Hals fliegen könnte. Ist ja irgendwann keine Spannkraft mehr drin!

Dämlack der Woche: Easyjet. Die Fluggesellschaft hat sich nämlich ein paar mittelprächtige Models aus Hintertupfingen besorgt und ihnen gesagt, dass sie sich für Modefotos ruhig am Berliner Holocaust-Mahnmal auspellen dürfen. Haben die Models sich natürlich nicht zweimal sagen lassen! Erstens gibt’s Kohle, zweitens landen die Modefotos im hauseigenen Bordmagazin und drittens wissen die Spargel-Janes sowieso nicht, wozu die Stelen überhaupt da sind.  Jetzt gibt’s natürlich mächtig Tam Tam und Easyjet muss sich für die Bildchen entschuldigen. «Die Ausgaben wurden sofort eingestampft», sagte eine überbezahlte Laberbacke der Firma. Eine Genehmigung für das Shooting gab es übrigens auch nicht. „Die Stiftung erteile nur solchen Projekten eine Dreh- oder Fotogenehmigung, die einen inhaltlichen Bezug zum Denkmal haben», heißt es. Da fragt man sich, ob den Oberheinis von Easyjet  durch die Vielfliegerei nicht schon sämtliche Synapsen durchgeknallt sind, dass sie auf solche Ideen kommen.

„Wirbel um Mode-Fotos am Holocaust-Mahnmal“ titelte BILD am Montag auf Seite 9. Wenn auch sehr bescheiden als Einzeiler. Brrrr. Gut, dass wir BILD haben, das führende Boulevard-Blatt. Wo bliebe der moralische Aufschrei beim morgendliche Kaffee, in der S- oder U-Bahn, am Arbeitsplatz, wenn wir BILD nicht hätten.

So werden wir kurz und knapp darüber informiert, dass EasyJet, eine Fluggesellschaft, diese „unsensiblen und rücksichtslosen“ Fotos, so die Gesellschaft, auf dem Gelände des Holocaust-Mahnmals gemacht habe. Und BILD distanziert sich durch die „Wirbel“-Zeile.

BILD weiß, dass Zeitungszeilen flüchtiger sind, als Herbstblätter im fegenden Wind. So vertraut BILD neben der kommerziell genutzten moralischen Entrüstung auch auf die Vergesslichkeit ihrer Leser. Am vergangenen Freitag, nur drei Tage zuvor, hatte eben diese BILD noch halbseitig über ein Foto-Shooting im ehemaligen Frauenknast von Berlin-Charlottenburg berichtet, natürlich in Farbe. Leicht bekleidete Damen räkelten sich schauerlich schön vor der düsteren Kulisse der Knast-Zellen. Moral? Bewahre. Weiß doch nicht Jeder, dass in diesen Mauern auch Widerständler gegen Hitler auf ihre Hinrichtung warteten, zum Beispiel Gräfin Brockdorff. Sie wurde auf persönliche Intervention von Hitler zusammen mit 13 anderen Widerständlern 1943 in Plötzensee hingerichtet.

Der Teufel steckt bekanntlich im Detail. Und so verkauft sich eine schaudernde Distanz von Unsensibilität und Rücksichtslosigkeit, wenn auch klein gedruckt, ebenso gut, wie unsensible und rücksichtslose Fotos von einem prickelnden Foto-Shooting im Frauenknast. Und alles muss man ja nicht wissen. BILD sagt uns ja, was wir wissen müssen. Eben die BILD-Moral.

23.11.2009

Zwei sehr schöne Ansätze, Mobiles Marketing für Reiseprodukte spielerisch umzusetzen, habe ich im Appstore für Merian Scout und Easyjet gefunden. Beide Anwendungen nutzen Teile des Kernproduktes und verarbeiten sie zu einem kurzweiligen Unterhaltungsmoment.

_______________________________________________________

Anzeige__ Sie planen ein Mobiles Projekt? Dann klicken Sie hier.
_______________________________________________________

Merian verwendet hierfür den Klassiker das Puzzle. In drei Schwierigkeitsstufen kann man sich an verschiedenste Motive aus den Reiseführern von Merian heranwagen und zusammenpuzzeln. Interessant finde ich den Ansatz, vom Spiel in den Appstore zu verlinken, wo man sich dann einen Reiseführer herunterladen kann.

Easyjet lässt seine Nutzer die Destinationen der Airline auf Teilen einer Europakarte pinen. Je näher man an dem Ziel liegt, desto höher ist die Punktezahl. Ein unterhaltsames Geographiespiel mit Markeneffekt.

EasyJet apologises for Holocaust fashion shoot

BA-Iberia merger – bigger, but is it better?

Aer Lingus looks to move for the long-haul

Ryanair passengers miss flight in airport mix-up

Ryanair leaves passengers stranded

JAL Seeks 40 Pct Pension Cut For Survival

The beleaguered Aer Lingus may relocate from Ireland to UK

AirAsia: Ancillaries and brutal cost control deliver 17.6% after tax margin for Malaysian operations

Emirates to fly to Tokyo

Branson Says Competing Airlines Should Start From Scratch

British low-cost airline easyJet has apologized after fashion photographs shot at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin were published in its in-flight magazine.

In the pictures, models posed among the concrete blocks of the “Field of Stelae”.

EasyJet said it “profusely apologizes” to anyone who was offended by the “inappropriate” shoot and said it would withdraw this month’s issue from all flights.

“The magazine is produced by INK, an external publishing house, and easyJet were not aware of the images until they appeared in print,” the UK’s largest airline said.

“As a consequence we are now reviewing our relationship with the publisher and are withdrawing this month’s issue from all flights,” easyJet went on to say.

“EasyJet prides itself on bringing together a wide range of cultures and beliefs and is appalled by this insensitive and inconsiderate photoshoot,” the airline’s statement concluded.

The memorial to the Holocaust’s six million Jewish victims consists of a field of 2,700 gray slabs situated close to the capital’s Brandenburg Gate. It opened to the public in 2005 and is freely accessible around the clock.

According to the report, INK did not seek permission from the Foundation for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to shoot the pictures.

EasyJet launched a weekly schedule of six daily flights between London and Tel Aviv earlier in November.

In a lecture last week our guest speaker did an on the spot poll – who is worried about climate change? Out of 100 would be journalists, all intelligent and well read, a meagre dozen or so put up their hands. The lecturer Mark Brayne said people should be as scared about climate change as if there was a meteor on direct collision course with earth, splashed all over the front pages, everyday.

But it just doesn’t invoke that sense of urgency. Everyone plods along none the wiser. Only last month David Miliband trod on his brothers toes in exclamation we should all be afraid, very afraid.

So why is it that the general populace seem unbothered by this approaching catastrophe? Is it because you can’t see CO2? We of course need a massive reevaluation in lifestyle and our perception of economic growth and consumption. I reckon people just seem powerless to do anything, the scale of it being far too massive to comprehend. And I think in part thats also cause by the scare tactic campaigns which we are ever the more bombarded with. People disengage with doom and gloom and just think, well sod it, it’s too big for me alone to sort out so why should I give up my 4X4 and european city breaks via Easyjet. Someone else will sort it out.

Unfortunately, as I needn’t really have to tell you, this kind of bunker mentality is so unbelievably short-sighted and if it continues we’re on the road to ruin.

Fortunately todays Guardian environment blog has saved me masses of effort and has already been mulling over this chilling effect (perhaps a perverse way to put it) of climate ‘propaganda’, so I’m linking to it rather than replicating it entirely. Its loads better than this so I’d recommend giving it a read instead!

Plane stupid’s latest campaign with Polar bears meeting a grizzly end falling from the sky is graphic, the message hits home, but in my opinion the extent of the propaganda really insults people’s intelligence. I’m not denying flying is disastrous on the environment, but the plight of the poor polar bear has been bastardised so much it doesn’t really mean much anymore. It’s pretty much a visual cliché – like that of the Panda in the 80’s. Yes it’s synonymous with environmental destruction, we get the message, but you don’t walk out of your front door everday and see a dead polar bear splattered on the pavement. Climate change needs contextualising into everyday life.

And then there’s bedtime story, part of the governments Act On CO2 awareness drive. First aired on a friday night sandwiched in between parts 1 and 2 of Coronation Street, it’s obvious who they are targeting here.

But does it work? Does Mum now sort her rubbish, cycle to work and grow her own veg so her little sprog will survive to live in future comfort. I suspect not – bet they’re both now in Tesco’s buying unethically and unsustainably sourced treats and turkey twizzlers with the gas guzzling monster waiting outside.

And this is the problem, I think until it really starts to hit people where it hurts most – their bank accounts / pockets, then the majority of us will continue to be the materialistic gluttons raping the earth of all that it has.

Or maybe I am now just scaremongering myself.

via New Statesman

Movimento nei cieli sopra Barcellona.
A causarlo sono nuovi rumors dall’accento irlandese. Sembra che la compagnia aerea Ryanair punti dritta all’aeroporto centrale di Barcellona, El Prat, dove al momento non possiede slot per atterraggi e partenze. Le prime ipotesi sull’arrivo della flotta low cost più grande al mondo nascono nel marzo 2009, quando fonti vicine alla compagnia hanno evidenziato la voglia di espandersi sino al capoluogo catalano.
Al momento Rayanair lavora con due aeroporti vicini a Barcellona: Girona e Reus. Tutto questo d’accordo con la filosofia che prevede l’utilizzo di scali a basso costo, generalmente al di fuori dell’area metropolitana delle grandi città.

L’interesse di Ryanair nasce dalla rivoluzione vissuta in questi ultimi mesi dall’aeroporto El Prat. A partire dal 17 giugno è stata inaugurata una nuova ala, battezzata T1 (Terminal 1). Essa è andata a sostituire il T2 precedentemente attivo. Praticamente tutte le compagnie che prima operavano nel T2 si sono così trasferite presso il T1, più nuovo e dotato di ogni confort e tecnologie, con la volontà di rendere il nuovo aeroporto uno dei più grandi d’Europa. Di contro, il T2 è rimasto sostanzialmente vuoto.

Ad approfittarne è stata Easyjet, la quale è riuscita a raggiungere un accordo con la Aena (società che gestisce l’aeroporto) per avere l’uso dello spazio, divenendo l’unica compagnia ad usufruirne. Per la precisione, Easyjet dal 19 novembre 2009 (due giorni fa) ha l’esclusiva per il T2C, dunque la parte C del Terminal 2.
Ora Ryanair sembra decisa ad intervenire a gamba tesa sul “monopolio” di Easyjet andando all’assalto degli slot disponibili. La centralità dello spazio fa gola alla società irlandese che nel caso di insediamento avrebbe una nuova base nel cuore di una delle mete turistiche più importanti d’Europa.

È proprio sull’incremento dei voli che fa leva l’amministratore di Ryanair per convincere l’Aena e le autorità locali. Dati alla mano, il T2, visto lo spostamento di tutte le compagnie aeree, continua a perdere passeggeri (nel 2008 ne ha persi 2,5 milioni, 8% di traffico in meno).
Ryanair potrebbe garantire un’inversione della tendenza. Un dato che renderebbe felici molti: città, gestori dell’aeroporto, passeggeri non più costretti a prendere bus-navetta, e Ryanair. Ma di certo influirebbe negativamente sul traffico passeggeri degli scali Girona e Reus. Addirittura, i rumors parlano di un eventuale trasloco totale dei voli Ryanair da Girona a Barcellona El Prat.

Ma si tratta appunto di rumors. Gli stessi che indicano come, per rendere possibile il trasloco, Ryanair abbia chiesto il 100% di sconto sulle tariffe aeroportuali. Richieste bizzarre, in linea con le trovate vulcaniche della compagnia irlandese. In cambio, O’Leary garantirebbe gli oltre 7 milioni di passeggeri che ogni anno transitano da Girona.
Al momento la Aena sembra aver giudicato inaccettabili le condizioni dettate dalla compagnia low cost. Si resta in attesa di un’evoluzione della vicenda e dei contatti, che nessuno conferma ma nemmeno smentisce.

Here’s an example of reputation risk. As I have written, reputation risk is a second order risk which only occurs when some other first order risk manifests its ugly head. This is a type of outsource risk. While Easyjet may not have been responsible for what happened, they are accountable.

Easyjet has apologised after fashion photographs shot at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin were published in its in-flight magazine.

In the pictures, models pose in designer clothes among the concrete blocks of the “Field of Stelae”.

The budget airline says it was unaware of the images until they appeared in the magazine, which is published by a company called INK.

Easyjet said that it was now reviewing its relationship with the publisher.

Easyjet apologises after fashion photographs shot at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin were published in its in-flight magazine…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: fashion sites. The blog is also related to: it’s fashion.

easyJet este o companie aeriana low-cost cu baza la Aeroportul International Luton. Este una dintre cele mai mari companii aeriene low-cost in Europa, cu zboruri interne si internationale in peste 290 rute intre 78 de orase europene.

By Oliver Farrimond

EASYJET have been forced into an embarrassing apology after printing a Holocaust gaffe in their in-flight magazine.

The budget airline published racy photographs of models posing in the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin – without permission from the memorial’s owners.

The saucy shoot sees models in sultry poses leaning against sculptures erected as a memorial to the genocidal massacre of the Jews in the Second World War.

The red-faced airline have now pulled the magazines from their flights after being contacted by the left-wing magazine The New Statesman this morning (Friday).

An Easyjet spokesperson said: “EasyJet profusely apologises to anyone who may be offended by the inappropriate fashion photo shoot at the Holocost Memorial in Berlin featured in this month’s issue of the in-flight magazine.

“The magazine is produced by INK, an external publishing house, and EasyJet were not aware of the images until they appeared in print.

“As a consequence we are now reviewing our relationship with the publisher and are withdrawing this month’s issue from all flights.”

The body which oversees the memorial, The Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, has said that it will be in contact with the airline over the Bruno-style fashion snaps.

The Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe said that it “does not support commercial shoots, and fashion photography is considered to fall into this category.”

It added: “Due to the sheer size and complexity of the memorial, it is not possible to simultaneously observe all sections of it and the thousands of visitors taking pictures in the Field of Stelae.”

Labour MP Denis MacShane, who heads the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism, said: “This is further evidence of the banalisation of anti-Semitism and the trivialisation of the genocidal massacre of the Jews in the Second World War.”

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.

Even if the following is not an easy thing to read, easyJet and Ryanair’s financial results are very significant in showing the differences between both companies’ business models. What is striking when you compare both companies is that while Ryanair looks for passengers, easyJet, on the other hand, looks for better per seat revenue… While easyJet decides to focus on main airports such as Paris CDG, Ryanair pulls planes out of Manchester and opens route elsewhere, like Leeds Bradford Airport… While Ryanair doesn’t seem to care at all about customers, easyJet tries to listen them (@easyJetcare for example)… And the list goes on…

I decided to sum up some of the differences I noticed. Of course, there are many others, so if you think of some and would like to see them added to the list, please leave a comment. Orange is for easyJet, blue and yellow for Ryanair!

It’s actually been a while since I’ve done any flying, so whenever I got the opportunity to go up to Edinburgh for a night I jumped at it. After comparing flight times and costs from London Gatwick, easyJet worked out the better times and the lower fare (more important). I am the first to admit that, due to my job, I have turned into an airline snob, and do prefer to turn left on board or sit upstairs. However one aspect I will always look for is value for money, so for a one hour flight I am happy to go with the lower fare and as I always prefer to sit at the emergency exit (over wings or in row one) I had no hesitation in purchasing speedy boarding (and it was still a lower fare)

I left work and drove straight to Gatwick, I had pre-booked the car parking and saved over GBP20.00 via BAA website. With pre printed boarding card in hand I was in departures within 20 minutes of arriving (this included waiting for my fellow travellers to appear). I had my complusory visit to the shops, and within no time our gate was announced. Whilst walking down to the gate I saw our aircraft taxi in, so I knew we’d have a chance of an on time departure. This was my first time using Speedy Boarding, and had heard some negative feed back from my clients, so wanted to put it to the test. At Gatwick the ground staff were fantastic, pleasant professional and policing easyJets one cabin baggage rule and the boarding groups. So far so good Speedy Boarding works.

Onboard the aircraft I was greeted by a very friendly and professional crew, as I was in 1A I was able to observe the crew and they made each and every passenger feel welcome, it was a pretty full flight 139 no infants, my only criticism, and it always has been, is free seating, however this model works for easyJet, so “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and this is only my opinion. Doors closed, safety briefing done and lights out, we were on our way to the runway. Considering it was such a blustery night, the take off was so smooth, the pilot flying kept the aircraft on the runway centre line, which in those conditions can be tricky. I managed to have a window seat, as we departed Gatwick and headed north I had fantastic views of London, however as we levelled off in the cruise it was more cloudy, so I thought some shut eye was in order. I did visit the toilet, which was well stocked, clean and I did have to take a “Laviator” picture..

Next thing I know we at the top of descend and soon after the crew are told to prepare the cabin for arrival. I had wonderful views of Edinburgh including the Royal Yacht in Leith. Gear down and we were on final approach, again this was so smooth for the windy and wet conditions in Edinburgh, and within 30 minutes of landing I was checked into my hotel and relaxing in the bar.

I will be the first to admit that initially I was not an easyJet fan, I actually ranked them in the same league as another low cost airline. I started using easyJet about 6 years ago, BFS – LGW, I noticed a major improvement, they had just taken delivery of the A319, and as a passenger they are a lot more comfortable. The attitude of the crew had also vastly improved, they were extremely happy in their roles and it showed (on every flight I took). easyJet have worked very hard and I believe there is more to come from this carrier. So here is to the continuing success of easyJet!!

GKN looks a good buy today. The vehicle, aircraft and engineering company provides goods and services on a global scale to the automotive, aerospace and mining sectors. The company  seems in a good position despite the challenges facing the automotive markets and other industrials this year.  It posted a profit in the three months ended September. 30, of GBP51 million and a management profit before tax of GBP36 million. It also made £403 million in a net rights issue in June this year.

These results have come from government support for the automotive industry and steady orders for heavy vehicles. Its aerospace wing continues to do well posting a profit of £43 million. The orders for military aircraft seem to hold up the sector. However, there was no reduction in civil aircraft orders either.

Despite the positives there is still much uncertainty concerning the companies consumers. The impact on the removal of government support to the automotive industry in both the UK and the US hasn’t been felt yet. The sales in products such as drive trains for minng and agricultural vehicles still continues to remain weak, this sector actually operated at a £6 million loss last quarter. However, management remain optimistic about this turning around in the next quarter.
So the big question would i buy this share. At the moment most of the brokers are posting this company as a strong buy. The company currently outperforms its rival and as industry and the economy improves this will be reflected in profits.  Dissapointing to read the company suspended a dividend but u feel If you get in early with this share it could be a good long term investment.

Easyjet also looks a good buy if it can meet broker predictions. News is that falls in fuel costs are helping to combat a dramatic drop in revenue and passanger demand. The company posted profits half of those posted last week. Despite this there seems to be much optimism as companies that just can’t ‘hack it’in the airline market fall alng the wayside only to be capitalised upon by easyjet. The company realises that there is only so much profit that can be made in a down turn. It has put in place many streamlining and cost cutting projects such as realising that more can be made in mainland Europe so deciding to close down its operations at West Midlands airport, renagotiating it’s maintenace agreement and seeking alternative markets in Europe.

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We all know men are from Mars and women are all mental to varying degrees and that given an identical situation the two sexes will choose to tackle it in ways that are the polar opposite of each other.  Let us look at the example of packing a bag for, say, a seasons snowboarding in the Alps.

Male packing technique:

1. Open bag.
2. Fill bag with contents of wardrobe.
3. Realise on arriving in the Alps that you need seven more pairs of boxers, a dozen more socks, a less smelly pair of shoes, and more cash.
4. Send begging letter to friends / mother.

Female packing technique:

The technique favoured by girls differs somewhat as they actually take note of:

1. What they are packing.
2. What they pack it in.
3. How they pack it.
4. Whether they have covered all possible eventualities including work, social events and meteorite strikes that may lead to a clothing crisis at any point during their five month stay.

However, they will pay little attention to:

1. Whether what they are packing is suitable for their surroundings, which in the case of a season in the Alps involves enduring sub zero temperatures on a daily basis.
2. Whether or not they have packed two correctly matching shoes.

The internet gives like minded individuals the opportunity to share their passion with others, wherever they may be in the world and whatever their perversion.  On this basis, a quick Google search revealed a number of message boards from which I could harvest invaluable tips to help me avoid beginner mistakes during my season in the mountains.  The most popular tips were; do not take Ugg boots and buy some vacuum bags so that you can fit more into your rucksack.  Which begs the question, how heavy is air?

So, with the mindset of an evacuee’s mother packing their one tiny suitcase, and with firsthand experience of EasyJet’s crippling excess baggage charges, I am going to try to pack sparingly to ensure my bag is within the allotted 20kg weight limit .  It was not pretty last time they tried to charge me £40 for an extra five kilos, despite the fact I had no hand luggage.  It took a childish, yet ultimately successful, ten minute argument that led to my girlfriend disowning me, a large crowd of spectators gathering and a request to retrieve my obese bag from the hold of the aircraft, before one of Stelio’s Oompa Loompa’s finally buckled.

I just need to find a way to get to the airport now.

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