News: IATA Reports Volcano Eruption Cuts Into Air Travel Recovery

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that, not surprisingly, the Iceland volcano eruption that shut down European skies for six days hurt passenger traffic in April. IATA announced international scheduled air traffic results for April, saying that passenger demand slumped by 2.4 percent as a result of massive flight cancellations centered in Europe during the six days in April following the eruptions of an Icelandic volcano. 

The fall in traffic interrupted the industry’s recovery from the global financial crisis.

“The ash crisis knocked back the global recovery -- impacting carriers in all regions. Last month, we were within 1 percent of pre-crisis traffic levels in 2008. In April, that was pushed back to 7 percent,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. “European carriers bore the worst of the volcano’s impact. Their 11.7 percent drop in passenger traffic could not have come at a worse time."

The April drop in demand in Europe can be attributed to both the flight cancellations (two-thirds of the total decline) and follow-on cancellations due to uncertainty of the availability of air travel (one-third). Early indications for May show a rebound in travel from the disrupted levels in April. The scale of the ash crisis saw global load factors drop to 76.9 percent from the 78.0 percent recorded in March. Freight load factors also dipped to 55.3 percent from the 57.1 percent recorded in the previous month. While March traffic was within 1 percent of pre-crisis levels for both passenger and cargo, this slipped to 7 percent for passenger and 3 percent for cargo in April.

European carriers posted an 11.7 percent demand drop in April (compared to a 6.2 percent increase in March). Uncertainty of service reliability in the aftermath of the ash cancellations and major unrest in Greece as a result of the currency crisis added to the weaker European demand during the month. Limited GDP growth expectations of 0.9 percent continue to dampen demand across the continent.

North American carriers posted a 1.9 percent decline in demand, primarily as a result of the impact of the ash crisis on North Atlantic routes. This is a major step backwards from the 7.8 percent growth recorded in March. This fall in demand was less than half the 4.5 percent cut in capacity, pushing load factors to 80.2 percent. Asia-Pacific carriers saw their strong growth slow to 3.5 percent (from the 12.9 percent growth recorded in March). Robust GDP growth of 7 percent (Asia excluding Japan) is supporting the strong recovery.

Middle Eastern airlines recorded the strongest traffic growth at 13.0 percent, which is about half the 25.9 percent increase of the previous month. African carriers also saw their recovery slow to 8.6 percent growth in April, down from the 16.9 percent growth recorded during the previous month. Latin American carriers posted a 1.2 percent increase for the month, a quarter of the 4.6 percent growth recorded in March, which was already a weak month as a result of the Chilean earthquake. For more information, visit www.iata.org. 

                                                                                              Source travelpulse.com

Shopping in Paris

Shopping in Paris means famous designersand luxurious brands. But you’ll also find more affordable brands matching your budget in the huge department stores or many popular neighbourhoods. There are famous gastronomical establishments for gourmets too.

As a suggestion, you could start at Le Carrousel Du Louvre, a diverse underground shopping precinct adjoining the famous museum. Whether you’re looking for music, gifts, perfumes or clothing, you’ll find a number of well-known stores that deliver quality merchandise and ease of purchase. Nearby Rue de Rivoli is notable for the vast number of souvenir shops. At 248, W.H. Smith is the largest English Language bookshop in Paris with many of the newest releases. Right off Rivoli is the beautiful Place Vendôme, where the jet-setters and millionaires buy their jewellery. You are entering ”the” area for renowned Haute Couture and luxury goods. From there you can enjoy a walk down to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne where the superb boutiques display their sophisticated or baroque windows. Women will particularly like Colette at 213 Rue St-Honoré, one of the most interesting shopping experiences anywhere, an eclectic collection of fresh-off-the-runway design, fashion, gadgets and music. Men can try Charvet on Place Vendôme, the oldest and best known boutique in Paris selling top quality ties and shirts. Hermès and Lanvin on Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Jil Sander on Avenue Montaigne are also among the best for one-stop shopping for men on the go.

 

Les Grands Boulevards (Hausmann)

In the 1st and 2nd Arrondissements, this is undoubtedly the most popular shopping area, home to prestigious department stores such as Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. They are remarkable for the wide range of items sold, as well as for their Art Nouveau architecture. You’ll find a world of ready-to-wear, with appealing boutiques and affordable brands. You can start with a nice walk from the beautiful Opéra Palais Garnier down to the stores on Boulevard Hausmann.

Les Halles and Marais

Les Halles is similar to London’s Covent Garden, located in the city centre, right between the Louvre and Notre Dame. The shopping mall Forum des Halles features lots of good shopping spots in a fascinating and crowded underground complex. It’s a good source for affordable clothing. Not far away, the Jewish neighbourhood Le Marais, with many handicraft and antique shops, is an interesting visit.

Champs-Elysées

This tourist strip has lots of fast food chains, banks, airline offices, cinemas and malls such as the futuristic Drugstore Publicis near Arc de Triomphe or Gallerie Marchande des Champs-Elysées near Georges V station. The Guerlain Parfumerie, with its turn-of-the century elegance and curved staircase, as well as the neo-classical Virgin Megastore, a huge retail haven for recorded music and books, are worth a stop.

Along the Seine River

One of the most charming shopping activities in Paris consists of walking along the rows of bookstalls perched against the parapet of the Seine River. Here, if you have time and good bargaining skills, you may find some ancient and valuable tomes or collections of old stamps.

Le Bon Marché

This is the oldest and most prominent retail establishment, the top destination for fashion and style. Designer apparel for men and women, cosmetics and house wares comprise the major departments, with an impressive food hall!

Address: 22 rue de Sèvres

Underground: Line 10/12 Sèvres-Babylone

Phone: +33 (0)1 44 39 80 00

Internet: www.treeslbm.com

Galeries Lafayette

The most spectacular department store with its unique stained-glass dome. You will find the most prestigious designer and cosmetics labels and the largest European space entirely devoted to men’s fashion. Also home to huge toy, jewellery, house ware and delicatessen departments.

Address: 40 bd Haussmann

Underground: Chaussée-d’Antin

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 82 34 56

Internet: www.galerieslafayette.com

Printemps Hausmann

Like its rival Lafayette, it’s distinguished by amazing architecture and has everything - women’s, men’s, and children’s fashions. It’s a modern and trendy store. The beauty department highlights over 200 brand names.

Address: 64, boulevard Haussmann

Underground: Havre-Caumartin, RER A Auber

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 82 57 87

Internet: www.printemps.com

Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville

BHV is a little less trendy, yet definitelyworth mentioning. It has a good range of house as well as useful and beautiful domestic goods. Also a decent selection of clothing and accessories.

Address: 52-54 rue de Rivoli

Underground: Line 1/11 Hôtel de Ville

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 74 90 00

Internet: www.bhv.fr

Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt

This world renowned flea market on the northern part of Paris attracts over 70 000 Parisians every weekend to find terrific bargains from vintage clothing to antique furniture.

Address: Porte de Clignancourt

Underground: Line 4 Porte de Clignacourt

Internet: www.les-puces.com

Bars and Nightlife in Paris

Paris’ night life offers you lots of trendy and popular bars serving all kinds of drinks with a good mix of people, music and sometimes live DJs. Paris has an intense and diversified night life...

From high-tech dance clubs to mellow jazz haunts, there is always something that fits your mood. Also try the famous cabaret venues for a great dose of vibrant entertainment!

Le Favela Chic

This is a hot spot – literally speaking! The atmosphere in this Brazilian bar (and restaurant) is exotic, lively and friendly. The bar is often packed with people and can get very hot, however the bar staff has a habit of cooling the guests off with a water hose!

Address: 18 rue du Faubourg du Temple

Underground: République

Phone: + 33 (0)1 40 21 38 14

Internet: www.favelachic.com/paris

Nèo

During the past few years Nèo has been one of the trendiest nightclubs in Paris, and it is still going strong. This small nightclub is a good place for celebrity and model spotting. Needless to say, the door policy is strict, so dress to impress and/or show up early.

Address: 23 Rue de Ponthieu

Underground: Saint-Philippe-du-Roule

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 25 57 14

Internet: www.neoclub.com

La Perle

La Perle is a favourite amongst the “bohemian chic” Parisians as well as international stylists, artists, models and so on. It’s a perfect place to start your evening at or to just have a conversation over a glass of wine. Though it is often crowded it has a homely and friendly atmosphere.

Address: 78 rue Vieille du Temple

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 72 69 93

Le Scherkhan

There are several popular spots in Oberkampf Street such as Le Scherkhan. It might not be politically correct, but it has a stuffed tiger, alluding to the name, keeping an eye on people in the comfortable armchairs.

Address: rue Oberkampf

Underground: Line 3 Parmentier

Phone: +33 (0)1 43 57 29 34

Le Nouveau Casino

This is also a famous venue, which keeps on rocking until dawn both in the bar downstairs and the medium-size dancehall upstairs.

Address: 109 rue Oberkampf

Underground: Line 3 Parmentier

Phone: +33 (0)1 43 57 57 40

Internet: www.nouveaucasino.net

Buddha Bar

This temple-like establishment is still very popular for its ambience at the cocktail bar. Top DJs deliver mood-setting tunes and the globally famous venue has spawned franchises all over the world.

Address: 8 rue Boissy d’Anglais

Underground: Concorde

Phone: +33 (0)1 53 05 90 00

Internet: www.buddha-bar.com

Point Ephémère

Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th Arrondissement is a trendy area colonized by artists and young creative workers seduced by its lazy charm. You’ll find several nice venues such as L’Atmosphère, Chez Prune or Le Repaire.

Address: 200 Quai de Valmy

Underground: Line 7bis Jaurès or Louis Blanc

Phone: +33 (0)1 40 34 02 48

Internet: www.pointephemere.org

Le Queen

Le Queen is a famous place, located on the Champs-Elysées. It is the place to groove and be beautiful. It’s not strictly gay as people usually think. You’ll also meet celebrities and people from creative fields.

Address: 102 avenue des Champs-Elysées

Underground: Line 1 Georges V

Phone: +33 (0)1 53 89 08 90

Internet: www.queen.fr
                                                                                               Source telegraph

Why to travel to Brussels?

Why Brussels?

I first visited Brussels in 2006. It’s not all Eurocrats. There are chic restaurants and hot waffle stands, Baroque guildhalls and Tintin murals...

What do you miss most when you are away?

The food and drink. I never realised what a gourmet’s paradise Belgium is – and that doesn’t just apply to expensive restaurants. We eat at a snack bar at our local swimming pool and you can have a superb glass of red wine with your meal.

What's the first thing you do when you return?

Cycle around the park in Tervuren. After a long journey it’s great to get some fresh air.

Where's the best place to stay?

I recommend the Hôtel Galia, 15-16 place du Jeu de Balle (0032 2 502 4243; www.hotelgalia.com; doubles from £64). It’s in the old town, by the flea market. The Grand Place is about 15 minutes away by foot.

Where would meet friends for a drink?

At the newly opened Bootjeshuis (306 7464; www.bootjeshuis.be), which means boathouse, in Tervuren (take the 44 tram from Montgomery station). It has a beautiful view over the lake. In summer you can sit outside.

Where are your favourite places for lunch?

My absolute favourite is Le Cercle Des Voyageurs, rue des Grands Carmes 18 (514 3949; www.lecercledesvoyageurs.com), close to the Grand Place. You’d hardly spot it from outside – there’s a board on the pavement but often the doors are closed. Go inside for the wonderfully civilised club-like atmosphere, with armchairs, board games and a library of travel books.

And for dinner?

Cook and Book, place du Temps Libre 1, 1200 Woluwé-Saint-Lambert (761 2600; www.cookandbook.be). It’s near Roodebeek métro station and is a bookshop and restaurant combined – the ultimate for gourmet book lovers. There’s an English section, though my favourite bit is the comic books.

Where would you send a first-time visitor?

It’s practically a tradition to stand in front of the Manneken Pis and say: “He’s a lot smaller than I expected.” I’d also send people to see the Grand Place – it’s a knockout, especially the 15th-century town hall with its ornate carvings. As a contrast, I’d suggest visiting the Atomium, the futuristic relic of the 1958 Brussels World Fair.

What would you tell them to avoid?

I didn’t enjoy the Belgian Comic Strip Centre as much as I expected to. Children might struggle, too, as many of the comic strips are in French or Flemish. I’d suggest instead buying a guide to all the outdoor comic strip murals in Brussels and doing a walking tour.

Public transport or taxi?

The Brussels public transport system (métro, trams and buses) is excellent. A métro card valid for 10 trips costs about €10.50 (£9).

Handbag or moneybelt?

As with any city, you have to keep an eye on your belongings, but I carry a handbag. If you drive in the city, avoid leaving a handbag on the passenger seat – I’ve never had my bag snatched, but it happens.

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Icelandic volcano has ''stopped erupting''

The Icelandic volcano that caused havoc for air travellers across Europe for more than a month has stopped erupting, according to a leading geophysicist...












Magnus Gudmundsson from the University of Iceland said for the moment it was only emitting smoke. But he added that it was too early to say whether the eruption had ceased for good or just temporarily.

European air traffic was brought virtually to a standstill for a week after the volcano erupted in mid-April, spewing huge volumes of ash across the continent. A hundred thousand flights were cancelled, stranding millions of passengers and costing airlines an estimated 1.3 billion euros in lost revenue.

Earlier this month there were fresh disruptions as a volcanic ash cloud started drifting back to Europe from the Atlantic. It led to criticism of the way air traffic authorities handled the situation.

                                                                                               Source Euronews

Cruise and ferry sales up

Cruise and ferry companies have seen a surge in interest from passengers deterred from air travel uncertainty. Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) reported more than 300,000 additional travellers were carried in April this year compared to the same month in 2009...

Routes between the UK and Continental Europe increased by 13% and voyages between the UK and Ireland rose by 16%. “Members are reporting unprecedented demand on call centres with one company reporting a 30% increase in car traffic over the last few days,” said PSA Director William Gibbons. Cruise118.com’s Sailfromuk.com site has seen a rise in last-minute requests and bookings are up by 145%. “We saw a surge in people looking for SailfromUK holidays when the ash cloud hit and this latest rise in bookings shows that Brits are opting for a much simpler break which departs from the UK without going near the airport,” explained Sailfromuk.com Director Mal Barritt. “Feedback from our customers is that they just want to relax and get away from it all, and airports just aren’t the place to do that at the moment”. Demand at Stena Line has increased so much it is to reintroduce its daily Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire service a month early. The two-hour service will return on 26 May.