Virgin and British Airways cut fuel surcharges

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are reducing fuel surcharges paid by their customers from midnight on October 15th.

In response to falling oil prices Virgin Atlantic yesterday announced the cut in fuel surcharge for its economy and premium economy passengers. Depending on class and a route the flight tickets are going to be cheaper by up to £26.

According to British Airways, its move to cut the fuel surcharges for up to £13 has nothing to do with the price of oil – as British Airways, hedges the cost of fuel to avoid unpredictable price changes.

Refunds from BA and Virgin

This week British Airways and Virgin Atlantic start the ‘refund advertising campaign’. Both airlines were ordered to do so by US court who found them guilty of fix surcharges.

Passengers who travelled long-haul flights with BA or Virgin Atlantic between August 11, 2004, and March 23, 2006, might be able to claim between £4 and £20 for a return trip for a ticket purchased in the UK and between $7 and $34 for the US.

Ban on holidays to Kenya lifted

The Foreign Office has changed its advice on travel to Kenya. Instead of a blanket travel ban, the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to specific areas of Kenya: particularly the Western and Nyanza provinces, Rift Valley province between Narok and Kitale, parts of Nairobi, Uhuru Park and Mombasa town.

In response, the Kenya Tourism Federation issued a statement describing the situation in beach resorts north and south of Mombasa, including Msambweni, Galu, Diani, Bamburi, Nyali, Shanzu, Kikambala, Kilifi and on to Watamu, Malindi and Lamu as calm with open and secure linking highways.

According to a Kenya Tourism Federation announcement; “Tourists have been staying at the beach resorts throughout the last fortnight without any problems and all have travelled between the airports and their beach hotels without any incidents being reported.”

British Airways operates daily scheduled flights to Nairobi from London Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic, Kenya Airways, KLM revised their timetables. All travelers are recommended to contact their airline before leaving for the airport.

The Foreign Office is recommending that tourists visiting Kenya should avoid all public gatherings and large public meetings, any rallies, even if advertised as peaceful. Extreme caution should be exercised at all times.

Further suspension of flights to Kenya

All UK charter flights to Kenya remain suspended until and including Monday, 21st January.

Scheduled flights with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways continue to operate.

Virgin Atlantic to go on biofuel.

Virgin Atlantic will fly one of its Boeing 747 planes on biofuel during a demonstration flight from London to Amsterdam in February.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, said: "This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals."

In the middle of 2007, Virgin trains began a six-month trial of a passenger train using biofuel, an experiment the company said could lead it to switch its entire fleet over to a mix of diesel and biofuel.