On the runway . . .

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, has today announced that it has reached a key milestone in its ambition to attract 20% of new pilots joining the airline to be women by 2020, having achieved a new high of 15% of new entrants to the airline being female, over the past financial year.

It comes at a time when only 5% of all pilots worldwide are female, according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. Of that, just over 450 of them have achieved the rank of captain – which means that almost every female commercial airline captain could fit onto an A380 aircraft.

In October 2015, women only made up 6% of easyJet’s new pilot intake. As a result of the campaign in 2016, easyJet had doubled the intake to 12% and has been increasing ever since towards its ambitious target of 20% by 2020. 

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Travel less often for longer

STRANGE, but true: a travel organization that is calling on travellers to fly less often. And yet long-distance travel specialist Better Places Travel is doing just that. “Flying is bad for the environment,” acknowledges founder Saskia Griep. “That’s why it’s better to travel less often to faraway destinations.” When people do travel, Better Places Travel advises travellers to leave as much positive impact as possible during their trip. The travel organization provides helpful tips for this and has even designed several trips with maximum positive impact.

With much of the media focusing on the negative consequences of flying, it’s easy to forget that travel also has many positive effects. Sakia Griep: “While we won’t stop flying, we can make sure to become more aware about the way we fly, reduce our negative impact as much as possible, and ensure that everyone involved profits from travel.” That’s why Better Places Travel is introducing positive impact trips. “We want to create travel itineraries that contribute positively to local communities and the natural environment, and at the same time offer the best travel experience for the traveller. By working together with local initiatives like Resirest, Backstreet Academy and I Like Local we are able to increase our impact much more quickly and efficiently.”

The impact trips (www.betterplacestravel.com/positive-impact-travel) created by Better Places Travel are all at least three weeks long and provide many opportunities for contact with locals during the trip. After all, the best memories are often made by meeting and interacting with the local people. Think about using local drivers and guides, choosing special excursions and staying in homestays or small-scale sustainable accommodations. You will not only see the highlights of a country, but also visit the more off-the-beaten-track places.

Better Places Travel shares some of their tips for making travel a positive experience:

· Travel less often, less far and for longer periods at a time.
· Fly directly to the destination (no layover) with a modern airplane to reduce  

  your CO2 emissions up to 50%.
· Interact often with the locals by, for example, taking a cooking course or 

  sleeping in a homestay.
· Stay in small-scale family hotels that operate sustainably.
· Travel by train or bus instead of taking a domestic flight.
· Take a refillable water bottle and/or filter with you to prevent plastic waste.
· Go on animal-friendly excursions and visit national parks.
· Buy sustainable souvenirs and eat vegetarian food.
· Travel in low season and visit the off-the-beaten path destinations.



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Up in the air . . .

THE UK Civil Aviation Authority has published its initial review of how airlines allocate seats to passengers.

CAA research concluded that, for most people, having to pay in advance to sit together was one of their biggest concerns. The findings were further reinforced by the number of consumers who contacted the CAA directly for advice.

Seating policies varied between airlines operating in the UK, which meant those flying with some airlines were more likely to report being separated from their group than those flying with others.

The CAA report revealed consumers were most likely to spend £5-£30 per seat, per journey, but seats could cost up to £100.00.  Collectively, consumers may be paying between £160 million to £390 million per year for allocated seating.

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Flights of Fancy

ARIZONA Commemorative Air Force Museum (AZCAF) announces the return of early morning "Dawn Patrol" flights available to the public starting September 21. The public may experience a living history flight in an open cockpit World War II Stearman bi-plane or a canopy cockpit seat in a World War II SNJ/T-6 Texan airplane in the morning when the weather is cooler.

These are two of seven World War II airplanes that comprise flying exhibits at AZCAF's 55,000 square-foot museum. Other warbirds include an ultra-rare B-17 Bomber, Sentimental Journey, one of eight still flying in the world, B-25 Bomber Maid in the Shade, and C-47 Cargo Old Number 30. Both the B-25 and C-47 aircraft have authentic combat histories from World War II.

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Up in the air . . .

TRANSATLANTIC airline, Icelandair, adds some pride to the skies with the launch of its latest special livery, marking 100 years of Icelandic independence and sovereignty. Proud of its rich Icelandic heritage, the airline has transformed one of its Boeing 757-300's into a flying piece of artwork, bearing the Iceland national flag, bringing passengers closer to the nation's history before they even step off the plane.

All of Icelandair's planes are named after Icelandic volcanoes and locations of natural beauty. "Thingvellir," is named after Iceland's breath-taking national park and home of Iceland's first Parliament. It becomes the third in Icelandair's family of special liveries, joining "Hekla Aurora" and "Vatnaokull" which were introduced in 2015 and 2017 respectively and inspired by the northern lights and Europe's second largest glacier.

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Heli Harbour

PALM Beach Helicopters is announcing their innovative new concept that will transform the Helicopter tourism industry. They are bringing the helicopter to the public in a revolutionary way.

Heli Harbor is a unique Water Operations Based Helipad that combines a helicopter flight and a boating experience for those living near or have water access. Heli Harbor can travel via the Intercostal Waterway enabling a helicopter to land safely almost anywhere along the waterway. 

Heli Harbor will incorporate the enjoyment of picturesque views of the South Florida Intracoastal Waterway by boat with an exciting scenic helicopter experience from a different vantage point 1,000 feet in the air. 

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Australian tourists rethink travel plans as terrorism fears worsen

FOUR in five (84%) Australians fear flying with at least half blaming terrorism, finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything, has revealed.

Terrorist attacks on planes including the aircraft being hijacked is the major reason why Australians fear taking-off – instilling fear in 45% of Aussie jetsetters, according to a finder.com.au survey of 2,005 Australians. And it’s not just attacks in the air they are worried about.

High profile terrorist incidents in cities such as London, Berlin, Paris, Nice and most recently Barcelona have made Australians wary about traveling in Europe.


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Fearless Flyer

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, will be launching its “Fearless Flyer” course for the first time in Birmingham next month.

The course, which has now helped more than 3,500 people nationwide to overcome their fear of flying since launching in late 2012, will take place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel at the NEC on Saturday 12 November, followed by an experience flight to and from Birmingham Airport on Sunday 13 November.

Around one in six people have a fear of flying, with #aerophobia estimated to affect millions in the UK alone.

easyJet's Fearless Flyer course is one of the best priced aerophobia courses in the UK at just £189. Participants can also invite a companion with them on the flight if they wish for just £69.

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Adventure activities in Serbia

WHILE #Serbia is developing a reputation as a cycling and hiking destination –offering experiences such as the Danube Bike Trail – these activities represent only a small sample of the adventures an adrenaline junkie can expect to find. 

The country’s wild spaces are calling out to thrill-seeking holidaymakers …   

HIKING – Serbia offers a variety of hiking options for walkers of all aptitudes. Some of the top destinations include the national parks of Fuska Gora, Djerdap, Zlatibor & Tara, and Kopaonik. 

CYCLING – From the sedate to the challenging, Serbia offer this and everything in between. Options for the more sedate cyclists include the Danube Bike Trail, 410 miles of which are to be found in Serbia. Road cycling and mountain biking options include the Beast From The East, or more formerly the Euro Velo 11.

CAVING – Serbia has more than 4,000 caves, including the 3,000ft Lazareva Cave near Zlot, the longest in Serbia, or the 2,542ft Ceremošnja Cave near Kučevo.

FLYING – Serbia has a long tradition of aerial sports. Travellers can choose from gliding, paragliding, microlite flying, ballooning and tandem skydives. Many resorts and spas are now offering paragliding under the guidance of experts from local clubs.

ORIENTEERING – If you like to find yourself in a remote spot with little more than a map and a compass ticking off control points in the right order in the shortest possible time, Serbia will greet you with open arms. This sport is popular in Serbia, with around 180 specialized orienteering maps covering many tourist locations.

SKIING – Serbia's most developed and popular ski resorts are Kopaonik, Tornik on Zlatibor, and Stara Planina.

WHITE WATER RAFTING – Hot spots for rafting include Lim, one of Serbia's most exciting rivers, and the River Drina, which is suitable for dinghy rafting.

CANYONING is new sport for Serbia. Key locations include the Tribe Canyon, the second highest in Serbia. Most canyoning takes place in May to late September. 

WATER SPORTS – The fast-flowing rivers are great for rafting, dinghy sailors, rowers and flat-water kayakers head for the wide waters of the Danube, Lake Sava at Ada Ciganlija, Lake Palić, Bela Crkva lakes, and the Silver Lake.

GETTING THERE –

Tour operators offering activity holidays in Serbia include Ramblers Worlwide Holidays, Travel The Unknown Utracks, and Blue Plum Escapes

Flights to Belgrade are with: Air Serbia from Heathrow, from Manchester via Amsterdam, Wizz Air from Luton, and British Airways from Heathrow via Frankfurt.

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Picture Credit: Image-of-Sumadija by Струјајое - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Expecting … and flying?

ACCORDING to recent advice published by Britain’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the safest time to fly when pregnant is before 37 weeks or, if carrying twins, before 32 weeks. 

With this in mind, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has created a guide to help expectant mothers plan ahead by comparing the different airline policies for pregnant travellers. 

The research is available in a comprehensive guide and can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/pregnanttravellers.

The research compares the policies for pregnant travellers across 20 major airlines and highlights the short-haul and long-haul flight restrictions, the policies and documents required for medical clearance, as well as the different reasons why travelling might be denied.

www.aph.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95942851@N00/6036748007">You'll shine like gold in the air of summer</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)