Fuel shortage in France could lead to holiday problems

UNION-LED blockades of French oil depots and refineries have led to fuel shortages across the country, with reports of British and European holidaymakers finding themselves stranded due to panic buying and shortages at gas stations.

The UK’s Automobile Association (AA) has warned that half of the country’s petrol pumps could run dry as French drivers store fuel in fear of supply shortage.

Travel advice has been issued by Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, with a warning over fuel rationing in parts of northern and north-west France. The problem could become severe later this week as UK families travel to France for a half term or bank holiday break.

EDMUND KING, AA PRESIDENT, said: ‘AA breakdown services in Europe have been taking calls from UK drivers who have run out of fuel. We are recovering vehicles stuck at the side of the road to places of safety until fuel supplies are resumed. We are strongly advising our members heading to France to fill up their tanks before crossing the Channel and moderate their driving to get the best miles per gallon from their fuel. The only silver lining might be less traffic that will allow a car to travel further, typically 300 miles on one tank of fuel.’

The industrial action in protest against new labour laws has spread to all of France's eight oil refineries.

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Monarch extends Sharm el-Sheikh cancellation period

MONARCH has extended its Sharm el-Sheikh flight cancellation period from January 6 to January 24 as the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Transport Department continue to advise against all but essential air travel to the Egyptian holiday resort. 

‘Monarch has taken this proactive decision to allow our customers to make alternative holiday plans as soon as possible,’ said the company in a statement.

Customers affected by the change are entitled to change their booking to a later date or re-book to another destination in the Monarch network. Affected travellers can also request a refund or a credit note towards future travel. 

For customers looking for an alternative destination, Monarch has additional flights to mainland Spain, Faro, Gibraltar, and Tenerife.

Monarch continues to operate to the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Eilat, as well as Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Agadir, and Madeira this winter.

UK airlines and operators had to fly more than 16,500 holidaymakers home following the downing of the Russian Metrojet Airbus which killed all 224 people on board and subsequent security issues at the Red Sea resort airport.

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FCO urges Brits to 'exercise caution' following Paris murders

A THREE-DAY period of mourning is under way in #France after a series of terrorist attacks in the country’s capital killed 129 people and injured hundreds.

Following the massacre, France’s government declared a state of emergency and Britain’s #Foreign&CommonwealthOffice (FCO) advised UK nationals to ‘exercise caution in public places’.

It added: ‘French authorities have heightened security measures due to a risk of further attacks. The advice of the Paris Police is currently to keep movement around town to a minimum. Systematic border control checks have been implemented at all entry points into France.’

Attractions and monuments, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, closed over the weekend, as did Disneyland Paris, which will remain closed until Wednesday.

Responding to the tragedy, a number of other travel companies issued statements and advice:

Airlines, Eurostar, and Disneyland Paris were all offering flexibility for customers booked to travel over the weekend.Flybe said it would continue to accommodate customers following the attacks and on Sunday issued a further statement that it was extending its flexibility for a further two days for those who wished to change their travel plans.The statement said: ‘Any customer who is booked to travel to Paris on Monday or Tuesday and who doesn’t wish to now do so may re-book a later date to any alternative destination or obtain a credit note for future travel.’

BMI Regional is also offering customers flying between Bristol and Paris the option to re-schedule or cancel future flights to the French capital.

Eurostar advised passengers to check in 60 minutes before departure. Security was increased across all departure points.

P&O Ferries: ‘We would like to re-assure all our customers that we maintain a safe, reliable, and secure service to/from France. Due to adverse weather conditions some services are subject to delay of up to 20 minutes. Please check in as normal.’

DFDS Seaways: ‘Please allow extra time for your journey and expect increased security checks, Dover-Dunkirk-Dover services are operating to the advertised schedule with space currently available. Dover-Calais-Dover services are operating with around 60 minutes delays due to weather conditions in the channel.’

Brittany Ferries: ‘At present, our ships continue to operate as normal. There may be some additional security checks but at present check-in times remain unchanged.’

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: ‘Our service is operating as planned. However, due to reinforced border checks, customers travelling should allow extra time.’

easyJet: ‘Our schedule will operate as normal. However we would advise that all passengers due to fly with us check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker page at www.easyjet.com/en/flight-trackerfor real-time information before going to the airport and to allow extra time for security checks due to the reinforced security measures in place. easyJet will continue to comply with all recommendations and guidance from the French authorities."

British Airways: ‘We continue to monitor the situation in Paris after attacks in the city on Friday.The French government has asked for extra security checks at all airports in the country, and this may lead to delays to flights from France.’

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Rough seas off Spain claim third British victim

A THIRD Briton has reportedly drowned off the Spanish coast. The man, believed to be 48, is said to have drowned in Salou on Tuesday while a swimming warning flag was in place.

His death comes days after two women from Birmingham were swept away in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava.

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: ‘We can confirm the death of a British national in Salou.’

A Lloret de Mar police spokesman said there were red flag swimming warnings because of the rough conditions.

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Spanish airport workers set for September strikes

A SERIES of #strikes has been called by Spanish airport workers over four days in September. The action is expected to affect airports in #Madrid, #Barcelona, #Alicante, #Malaga, and #Majorca from next Friday.

The airport handlers are due to walk out in the peak morning and evening periods on September 4, 11, 18, and 25.

The Workers’ Commission Union, one of the three unions involved, warned that easyJet and Vueling would be the airlines most affected.

The threatened stoppages – from 4.30am to 7.30am and 7.30pm to 9.30pm – are being blamed on a decision by handling firm Menzies Aviation Iberica to postpone a collective bargaining agreement.

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Spanish flights delay warning; Eurotunnel entrance blocked by strikers

A WARNING of flight delays has been issued ahead of the latest planned strike by Spanish air traffic controllers this weekend. Airlines have been notified of a second wave of industrial action for three hours each day on Saturday and Sunday – a peak weekend for summer holiday travel.

It follows action by controllers in Spain on July 11 and 12.

Walkouts are planned between 10am and 1pm on Saturday and 5pm and 8pm on Sunday.

easyJet said: ‘We plan to operate our normal schedule and like all airlines flying to and from Spain, we expect to be impacted by moderate delays during this period as a result of the strike. We recommend that all customers flying to or from Spain on those dates check the status of their flight on our Flight Tracker page before going to the airport.’

Calais Eurotunnel entrance hit by fresh strike action

Eurotunnel has been hit by further problems as striking ferry workers set fire to tyres in Calais, blocking one of the entrances to the French terminal. Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing over the port as authorities worked to remove the blockade and repair the road this afternoon.

A statement on Eurotunnel’s website read: “The Maritime Nord Union has this morning blocked access to, and exit from our French Terminal in the Calais direction. Entry is still possible from the Boulogne direction following local diversions in place. If your arrival to check-in at Calais is delayed, please rest assured that we will accommodate you on the next departure with space available.’

Eurostar said its service was unaffected.

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Spanish air traffic control strikes imminent

THE start of peak summer flight schedules to Spain face disruption due to planned strikes by air traffic controllers over two weekends. Industrial action by Spanish air traffic staff is due to start tomorrow (July 11) and Sunday (July 12). 

A second walk-out is also threatened for the weekend of July 25-26.

Airlines are putting contingency plans in place to try to avert delays and cancellations.

easyJet said: ‘Like all airlines flying to and from Spain, if this action goes ahead, we expect an impact to our flights during this period. We would like to assure our passengers that we are preparing for any disruption if the strike does proceed and will do everything possible to limit the inconvenience of this on your journey.’

The latest strike action follows partial stoppages by controllers over four days in June.

The Spanish air traffic control service expects to operate 80% of services during the strike periods while talks continue with the air controllers’ union.

The dispute dates back to the dismissal of a controller in Santiago de Compostela and a wildcat strike by controllers in 2010.

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Come home, Brits in Tunisia told

BRITISH holidaymakers in #Tunisia have been advised by the UK government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to leave the country. It has advised against all but essential travel to Tunisia.

The FCO is working with tour operators to ensure British nationals are able to return to the UK.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Since the attack in #Sousse the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, leading us to the view that a further #terroristattack is highly likely.

‘The Tunisian investigation into those behind the Sousse attack and that on the Bardo Museum earlier this year is ongoing and the Tunisians have made clear they want to track down further individuals who they suspect may have links to this attack. While we are working with the Tunisian authorities to further strengthen those measures, we judge that more work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat.

‘If you are in Tunisia, you should contact your tour operator or airline who can help plan your return. Anyone travelling independently should look to return on commercial flights.’

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We’re OK for food and fuel, Greece tells tourists

WHILE Greek banks will remain shut until at least midnight on Monday – as part of the country’s euro and #debtcrisis – the government’s ministry for economy, infrastructure, shipping, and tourism insisted there was no threat to food and fuel supplies.

A statement said the ministry ‘would like to re-assure visitors to #Greece that hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets have adequate food supplies, the prices of which have remained stable if not reduced as in the case of fresh fruit and vegetables.

‘This is also the case for fuel, as gas stations are adequately stocked and prices remain unchanged. Any reports stating the opposite are not reflecting the actual situation on the ground.’

It added: ‘The ministry for economy via the general secretariat for commerce is working closely with local authorities and food companies and has taken all the necessary steps to ensure the supply of goods to the Greek market continues to operate as normal so that demand is entirely covered not only for the Greek people but also for the numerous visitors who have chosen Greece for their holidays.

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Most of those murdered in Tunisia beach attack believed to be British; tour companies cancel upcoming departures

THE British death toll in last week’s Islamic terrorist attack in Tunisia is likely to exceed 30, according to the UK and Tunisian governments.

The number of confirmed British deaths stands at 18. At least 12 Britons are still listed as missing. The UK’s Foreign Office says delays in identifying victims were in part because they were ‘dressed for the beach’ and, therefore, did not have identifying documents such as passports with them.

Thirty-eight sunbathing holidaymakers on a hotel beach in Sousse were murdered by a gunman, a Tunisian student who killed by police shortly after the attack.

Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among ‘a number of fatalities’, and they had sent 10 aircraft to bring home 2,500 UK holidaymakers.

The TUI Group operators said the two hotels at the centre of the attacks – the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue – were part of their package programmes.

The companies have cancelled all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for this week.

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Fake Turkey e-visa warning issued

TRAVELLERS to Turkey are being warned to get e-visas only from the official Republic of Turkey website ahead of the summer peak. The alert from travel agents, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and Get Safe Online was issued after British holidaymakers purchased fake e-visas.

The fake visas were discovered on arrival in Turkey, at which point authentic visas had to be re-purchased at the airport.

Travellers to Turkey have the option to purchase a visa on arrival, though at a higher cost than online. But this service is due to be phased out, which could leave travellers who have purchased a fake visa unable to enter the country.

The official Turkish e-visa site is at evisa.gov.tr/en

Nikki White at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said: ‘Fraudulent websites targeting visa applications and other tourism services, such as passport renewals and EHIC cards, are a problem in the industry, so we would always recommend going directly to the relevant official government website. The problem of fraudulent e-visas to Turkey is particularly concerning as many of these sites look bona fide. If you are unsure, check with your ABTA travel company or visit the FCO’s travel advice online to obtain the official website address.’

Get Safe Online communications director, Stephen Sharp, added: ‘What’s confusing is that there are illegal websites that offer fake e-visas, and then there are misleading copycat sites that are causing travellers to unnecessarily pay over the odds. People must be extra vigilant to both and, instead of relying on search engines, always go direct to the official e-visa site.’

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Be ready for Greek cash crisis, British tourists warned

PLANS to assist British people on holiday in #Greece are being made as the country moved closer to bankruptcy and exit from the #eurozone, the Daily Mail reports.

Tourists have been advised to take enough euro notes to cover emergencies in case Greek banks close cash machines. The Foreign Office advises them to take ‘enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays’, and to avoid relying solely on credit cards or ATMs.

It came as Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras refused to implement further austerity measures needed to unlock emergency funds to avoid a debt default.

British government sources said ‘contingency planning’ was under way involving ministers from across Whitehall departments. Experts believe the threat of a Greek default could lead to a run on the banks, which could result in cash machines being left without money or being turned off. There are also fears the situation could spark civil unrest.

UK officials have held talks with tour operators, who would have responsibility for getting stranded British tourists home. A source said they are also making sure they have the resources in place to provide consular assistance to British nationals who might get into difficulties.

See also previous blog posts on this matter
http://goholidayworldwide.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/take-cash-greece-bound-travellers-told.html

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Anti-social behaviour crackdown in Magaluf: street drinking ban, and pub crawl controls

A BAN on drinking alcohol in the streets after 10pm is part of a clampdown on anti-social behaviour in #Magaluf ahead of the summer season.

The regulations, which come into force on June 9 have been approved after consultation with the Spanish and Balearic governments and local businesses.

Rules on pub crawls, a ban on shops selling alcohol between midnight and 8am, increased use of CCTV surveillance, and the deployment of an extra 36 police officers on the streets during the summer peak are part of the measures.

Fines of between €750  and €3,000 will be imposed on people involved in anti-social behaviour including ‘balconing’, urinating in public, or being naked in the street.

Rules on pub crawls include:

• Organizing companies will be limited to one crawl per day, between 8pm and midnight
• A maximum of 20 participants per pub crawl
• Participants must be escorted by both a member of the holiday company and accredited security personnel
• Pub crawl staff must have first aid training
• Pub crawl promotions must be authorized seven days in advance
• Pub crawl participants must be over 18 years old, wear special identification clothes, and provide a contact person in case of emergency.

Isabel Borrego, Spain's tourism secretary, said: ‘The Spanish government strongly supports the new regulations passed by Calvia Council. They will foster a framework in which all international tourists can fully enjoy their holidays in Spain in a manner that is responsible both for themselves and the destination.’

Balearic Islands tourism counsellor, Jaime Martinez, said: ‘The improvements and investment in Magaluf over the winter, together with the new regulations recently approved by Calvia Council, clearly show that there is no way back from the transformation of this popular destination.’

Simon Manley, the UK’s Ambassador in Madrid, added: ‘We want British visitors to Magaluf to enjoy themselves, as they do elsewhere in #Spain. But we also want them to stay safe and to respect the laws and customs of Spain. We work closely with the local authorities in Majorca and we welcome any measures they can take to support those aims.’

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Car hire complication as code requirement set to be enforced

BRITISH holidaymakers renting cars abroad face having to take a special code with them to show convictions for offences such as speeding.

The paper counterpart of British driving licences – which records endorsements and fines – is being computerized from June 8. As a consequence, anyone wanting to hire a car abroad will need to get a code by logging on to the DVLA website in advance. To complicate matters, the code is valid only for 72 hours, so anyone wanting to hire a car more than three days into their trip will need to generate a new code while they are abroad.

For those who do not have internet access, a phone number will also be made available, the BBC reported.

But the code is not an official requirement; it will depend on the individual hire company's terms whether or not it is required.

The RAC said many drivers were unaware of the changes. ‘Our research shows that with just over a month to go before the paper counterpart to the photo-card licence disappears, 55% of drivers are not aware of the planned change,’ RAC spokesman Simon Williams said.

The AA said some car rental companies were unaware of the new arrangements. ‘Not all car rental companies, or indeed traffic police abroad, will be aware of the changes, so a belt and braces approach of also taking the counterpart might help,’ said AA president Edmund King.

But the AA also said that hiring a car abroad without a paper counterpart is not always a problem. Just as some car hire companies do not currently ask for a counterpart, not all will ask for a code after June 8.

The old-style paper licences issued before the photo card was introduced in 1998 will remain valid, but holders will still need a code to fully validate them.

To view a record of their convictions, motorists can log on to the View My Driving licence page of the government website. They will need their driving licence number, their national insurance number, and their postcode.

The changes do not apply to driving licences issued in Northern Ireland.


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Picture Credit: Car Hire Centre At Luton Airport - geograph.org.uk by Mary and Angus Hogg. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Breaking News: Spanish air traffic controllers set dates for strike action

SPANISH air traffic controllers are to take strike action in June.

They plan to strike on June 8, 10, 12, and 14 for two hours each morning and two hours each afternoon.

The dispute is about fines and suspensions given by airport operator AENA to 61 controllers for a walk-out that happened in 2010, when 600,000 travellers were stranded in Spain and the army was called in to take over control towers.

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Italian hide-aways - Special Offers

A little something for 2 in Umbria?

La Stalla (The Stables) converted into a studio apartment for two with a large terrace surrounding the cottage with views down in to the valley.

Discounted rate of €450 for the week Sunday 24th May to Sunday 31st May  
www.casasangabriel

STILL searching for an Italian villa for a large family or group holiday?

This eight-bedroom house – Chiesa del Carmine – is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in Umbria. 

Comprising an 11th century church with adjoining 18th century farmhouse, and sleeping up to 14 guests. 



It also has a pool, a children’s playground, gardens, terraces … and a 21st century kitchen.

The normal weekly rental is £3,969, but 20 percent discounts can be had for stays between May 30 and June 20.     

www.chiesadelcarmine

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SPECIAL OFFER - May Half Term

Fancy a family break during the half term? . . . why not try this gorgeous log cabin  . . . it's a VERY SPECIAL DEAL

Situated in Felmoor Park, just North of Morpeth. The cabins are situated around a lake and there is an abundance of wildlife, including, red squirrels, roe deer and a wide variety of birds.

Any Two bedroom luxury log cabin Monday 25th – Friday 29th May (Half term week) just £399 for up to four people.
Ring Wendy on 0191 3410189 for more info or to book.

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Breaking News: FCO urges vigilance in Bahamas after violent crime incidents

BRITISH holidaymakers in the Bahamas have been warned about violent crimes and armed robberies. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) urged tourists to be ‘vigilant at all times’ in an update on crime in the islands.

The FCO’s updated travel advisory says: ‘There have been incidents of violent crime including robbery, which is often armed and sometimes fatal, in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Freeport. The number of break-ins and robbery incidents reported to the High Commission has increased. There are police patrols in the main tourist areas.

‘Be vigilant at all times and don’t walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark. Take care if travelling on local bus services after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Robbers might be armed. Do not resist in the event of an attempted robbery.’

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Picture Credit: Jaws Beach by Bryce Edwards from San Jose, CA, USA - Jaws BeachUploaded by Tomer T. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

French strike hits post-Easter travellers

HUNDREDS of post-Easter flights have been cancelled because of a strike by French air traffic controllers in a dispute about working conditions and a proposal to lift the retirement age from 57 to 59.

Short-haul flights are expected to be worst affected. 

• Ryanair says it has had to cancel more than 250 flights, with further cancellations likely. 
• Air France says that it expects to operate almost all its long-haul flights and 60% of its medium-haul flights to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

Further action is planned between April 16-18 and April 29-May 2.

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Airlines tighten safety rules after Germanwings suicide crash

EASYJET and a Norwegian airline are to change cockpit security regulations immediately in reaction to the Germanwings plane crash. The new rules will insist that two crew members are in the cockpit at all times.

easyJet made the decision after consulting with the Civil Aviation Authority.

In a statement, a spokesman for the airline said: "easyJet can confirm that, with effect from tomorrow, Friday March 27, it will change its procedure which will mean that two crew members will be in the cockpit at all times.

‘The safety and security and of its passengers and crew is the airline's highest priority.’

The changes come after it emerged that after the pilot had gone to the lavatory, his co-pilot of the Germanwings passenger jet locked himself in the cockpit and crashed the plane.

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