reprinted from:
Scots suffer £30 million rip-off in air fares
By Gavin
Wilson Scottish air travellers are paying out £30 million every year because of a lack of direct flights overseas, it emerged yesterday. The shortage of direct international flights is highlighted in a survey commissioned by the Scottish Passenger and Agents Association, as part of the Scottish Executive's consultation on air travel. It reveals almost 1.8 million of Scotland's 16 million passengers have to travel via London airports to reach their destination. The stop-off adds an extra £8 in passenger tax to the cost of the journey. A further average £10 is added to cover the additional costs of landing charges, ticketing and security. In recent years, a number of new budget airlines have offered Scots more direct routes to international destinations. Last week, the Scottish British Airports Authority (BAA) announced that flights to eight more destinations in Europe could be secured by a £6 million fund set up by the Executive and Scottish Enterprise. It is currently in talks with three low-cost airlines, Ryanair, easyJet and Buzz in a bid to provide new services to Germany, Italy and Sweden. But Ken McNab, who compiled the report, has accused BAA, which owns Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Gatwick and Heathrow airports, of exploiting Scots travellers by forcing them to travel through London. He also claims BAA is cashing in on passengers spending at airport shops. Last week, BAA came under fire from Malcolm Reed, director general of Strathclyde Passenger Transport for failing to develop new routes. However, BAA has rejected accusations that the growth of direct routes from Scotland is being stifled and points to significant investment in Scottish air transport. It said that in May it announced a £60 million fund to offer discounts on landing charges and help airlines market new routes. Meanwhile, tourists across Britain are facing travel misery today with many flights cancelled and diverted because of a planned strike in France. The 32-hour strike is due to begin at 8am and British Airways have announced a number of cancellations. Other airlines are expected to follow suit. The cancellations come as French truckers set up road blockades from 10pm last night in a dispute over pay and conditions. "We are particularly concerned about a blockade in Calais, " said Geoff Dossetter of the UK's Freight Transport Association. "If the action results in a blockade or
hold-ups in Calais, then there is likely to be a knock-on effect in the UK
with lorries delayed at Dover and on the M20." |
