Bournemouth Airport 360-video launched to assist passengers with additional requirements

Bournemouth Airport owner Regional & City Airports (RCA) and Cranfield University are launching a pioneering 360-degree video experience to help passengers with additional requirements get ready to visit their airports.

While 360-degree technology has been around for several years, this is the first time it has been used for this purpose by the aviation industry. The pioneering initiative has the potential to improve the experience for millions of passengers who face accessibility challenges when travelling by air in the UK.

3.6 million disabled people face challenges with air travel

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, more than 3.6 million people with disabilities travelled by air in the UK in 2019. Air travel can be particularly daunting for these passengers, especially those who are first-time flyers or have little experience with airport security procedures. This can lead to heightened anxiety, feelings of uncertainty, and added stress.

Consequently, passengers with disabilities or other accessibility challenges often need to plan their airport visits well in advance.

360 video tour will help passengers prepare for travel

The pilot 360-video experience – launching at Bournemouth Airport – will provide departing passengers with the opportunity to view and orientate themselves within the airport in 360 degrees without having to leave home. The narrated tour guides passengers through the airport from the point of arrival, through to check-in, security and the boarding gate, showing and explaining what passengers can expect on their day of travel.

One of the first projects to emerge from Cranfield and RCA’s strategic partnership to promote the development, testing and deployment of innovation across the aviation industry, the 360-video experience has the potential to revolutionise the way passengers with additional requirements prepare for their visits to Bournemouth Airport.

Making air travel more accessible and inclusive

More flights taking off from Bournemouth Airport this summer.....

Bournemouth Airport continues to ramp up for the busy summer season with flights starting to five destinations in the next week, and just in time for the Easter holidays.

This Sunday 26th March Ryanair starts flights to Budapest and Majorca, plus a brand new service to Edinburgh. And on Friday (31st March) it will begin flights to Girona.

In total Europe’s biggest airline has 18 destinations from Bournemouth this year, following a decision to base a second aircraft at the airport for 2023 which will enable 120 flights per week, up 30% on last year.

Meanwhile Bournemouth Airport’s other major operator, TUI, will also start flights to Majorca from next Saturday (1st April). It has 14 scheduled services this year which means Bournemouth has 35 destinations on offer for 2023/4.

Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill said: “This is always an exciting time for us because it’s when we start to see the number of flights increasing as we gear up for the main start of the season in May.

“We’re delighted to see Ryanair’s brand new service to Edinburgh which is among three new destinations from them for 2023, including Venice year-round and Carcassonne. And with TUI also flying to Majorca there’s even more choice for local passengers.”

To celebrate Ryanair’s new routes the airport is currently running a competition to win pairs of return tickets to Carcassonne, Edinburgh and Venice. The closing date is 31st March.

The airport has been recruiting for the busy season and has published a series of behind-the-scenes videos of airport staff explaining what they love about their jobs. For the latest available vacancies see here.

And view the entire flight schedule from Bournemouth Airport, click here. A total of 35 destinations are available including:

Cyprus: Paphos 

Croatia: Zadar

France: Bergerac, Carcassonne 

Greece: Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Zante 

Hungary: Budapest

Ireland: Dublin 

Italy: Venice 

Lapland: Enontekiö, Ivalo, Pajala 

Malta

Poland: Krakow, Wroclaw

Portugal: Faro 

Scotland: Edinburgh

Spain: Alicante, Girona, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Menorca, Murcia, Tenerife 

Switzerland: Geneva 

Turkey: Antalya, Dalaman 

Special Departures: Barbados (fly/cruise), Fjords (fly/cruise)

Bournemouth Airport looking to recruit new staff

Bournemouth Airport is launching a recruitment drive to attract new staff as it gears up for a bumper summer season.

The airport is expecting to handle more passengers this year following the recent announcement by Ryanair that it will base a second aircraft at the airport this summer, with 30% more flights to 18 destinations, including new routes to Venice, Edinburgh and Carcassonne.

The airport, which currently employs around 250 personnel, will be holding a recruitment open day on Tuesday 24th January in the main departures terminal from 2pm to 6.30pm. Car parking is free.

The main focus is on recruiting passenger services and security staff, but there will also be vacancies for other roles including arrivals staff, ground handling staff and cleaners.

Anyone interested in attending the open day to find out more about the various roles available is asked to register their interest online with their preferred hourly time slot between 2pm and 6pm.

Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill said: “With Ryanair launching their biggest ever season from Bournemouth this year and with a total of 29 destinations on offer in 15 countries in our 2023 schedule, we’re expecting a bumper season.

“Our employees are at the heart of our business and we want to recruit great people who can deliver the high levels of customer service for which Bournemouth Airport is renowned.”

Jobs that will be featured during the recruitment open day include passenger services and security. Here is an outline of the roles:

Passenger Services:

Providing help and support to ensure a smooth and seamless customer experience for passengers. Duties include:

Greeting and checking passengers’ travel documentation together with relevant documentation

Check passengers into airline systems in line with company policies and procedures, and regulatory and airline requirements

Asking relevant security questions

Reconciliation of passengers at boarding gates

Security:

Delivering an outstanding customer experience while maintaining the safety and integrity of the airport and passengers. Duties include:

Carrying out ID and boarding card checks

Searching customers, vehicles, staff and airline crew

Security, mobile patrols and perimeter checks

Carrying out security checks on cabin baggage

Operating security equipment such as X-Ray machines

The latest job opportunities at the airport are also posted on the airport’s website with details about how to apply.

New Ryanair services from Bournemouth Airport to Bergerac and Zadar commence this month

One of two new Ryanair routes launching this month from Bournemouth Airport gets underway this weekend with the start of flights to Bergerac in France on Saturday 4th June.

And later this month, on 18th June, Ryanair will start a new service to the resort of Zadar on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.

It brings to 15 the number of Ryanair routes available from Bournemouth this summer. Both flights operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Tickets are on sale at ryanair.com

Bergerac is a quintessential medieval French town on the banks of the Dordogne and a gateway to south west France.

Zadar meanwhile is described by Rough Guides as “one of the coolest places on the Adriatic”, renowned for its Roman and Venetian ruins, uncrowded beaches and proximity to Croatia’s national parks.

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “Our summer season is well and truly underway and it’s great to see Ryanair bringing even more choice to holidaymakers from their local airport. We’ve got 33 destinations on offer this year to 16 countries and the travel industry really is starting to bounce back to meet strong demand for overseas travel.”

Ryanair’s 15 routes from Bournemouth include: Spain: Alicante, Girona (Barcelona), Gran Canaria, Malaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife; Ireland: Dublin; Hungary: Budapest; Poland: Krakow and Wroclaw; Portugal: Faro and Lisbon; Croatia: Zadar and France: Bergerac.

Across its route network, Ryanair operated over 88,400 flights in May, carrying 15.4 million passengers,  up over 750% from the same month last year. 

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New route to Malta

Ryanair is all set to start a new route from Bournemouth to Malta for this summer. The opening of this route operating twice per week will give holidaymakers even more choice of destinations, with a total of 15 routes operating to/from Bournemouth this Summer.

Ryanair’s Marketing Director, Dara Brady said:  "As Europe’s no. 1 airline, Ryanair is delighted to announce an exciting new Summer’22 route to Malta which will operate twice weekly starting this July. The opening of this route from Bournemouth reinforces our commitment to increasing connectivity, and travel options for our UK customers with 15 choices of destinations to/from Bournemouth this Summer."

Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, Steve Gill said: “We’re delighted to see the return of Malta which is a very popular route from Bournemouth and will be warmly welcomed by passengers. It’s further evidence of our strengthening route network and means we can offer even more choice this Summer.”

Put your feet up and relax in beautiful Malta! Discover St. George's Bay, just a stone's throw from a sandy beach and the vibrant town of St. Julian's. Explore the streets of Valletta, described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Swim across lagoons in gin-clear waters, to reach inhabited islets, and soak in the sun away from everything.

A perfect island getaway!

Conveniently located in St. Julian's, the resort is only 13.5 kilometres from Malta International Airport and under 10 kilometres from Valletta, the Maltese capital. The Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St. Julian's features 252 stylish rooms and suites including a balcony or terrace where you can admire the lovely vistas. Some rooms offer a view stretching as far as Malta's sister island, Gozo.

Savour exquisite amenities at this chic St. Julian's hotel, which has 4 restaurants and bars at the Radisson Blu St. Julian's Hotel offers a diverse experience. Indulge in Mediterranean dishes at Le Bistro, or enjoy themed dining with varied buffets at Kon Tiki. At the Edge Restaurant, you can choose prime cuts of meat and fresh fish from the display, then watch our master grillers cook your selection. Sip cocktails on the terrace at The Bridge Bar as you take in the sea view.

In addition to a gym, 2 outdoor pool decks, an indoor pool and 2 tennis courts, this Malta resort is home to a boutique spa and wellness centre. You can explore the clear sea and learn to dive like a pro with classes from the resort's diving school.

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Enjoy white sands and clear waters in Mellieha

Along with sunbathing, swimming and other beach activities, Mellieha is home to many local attractions, such as the Mosta Dome, and St. Paul's Bay, or family favourite of Popeye Village Malta, where Robin Williams filmed the musical. Take a walk to the country's only national park Il Majjistral to see the beauty of Malta's untouched wilderness. For added island adventure and beautiful Mediterranean scenery, take a ferry to the neighbouring island of Gozo.

Situated on the northwest coast of an island paradise, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands lies on the magnificent shores of Golden Bay Beach, near Mellieha. This amazing beach resort offers everything you could wish for from an upscale spa hotel, including panoramic views and easy access to the sand and clear blue saltwater.

Along with sunbathing, swimming and other beach activities, this Mellieha hotel is near a variety of local attractions, such as the Mosta Dome, and St. Paul's Bay is just 5 kilometres away.

A stylish resort hotel on the shores of Golden Bay

To help you make the most of your Mediterranean vacation, the spa resort in Malta offers lavish accommodation that capitalizes on the surrounding scenery with balconies and plenty of windows. After a day of fun in the sun, retreat to your room or suite to enjoy the elegant interior design and modern amenities, such as minibars and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Dining is also a pleasure at the Golden Sands resort, with 4 on-site restaurants and 3 on-site bars – perfect for celebrating special occasions over food and drinks.

When you're not busy enjoying the sand and sea, you can also take advantage of the 5-star services at the hotel spa. Additionally, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands Malta hotel features 12 attractive conference rooms suitable for corporate and social functions, with the largest space capable of hosting up to 900 delegates.

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Bournemouth Airport at 80....

Bournemouth Airport is celebrating its 80th birthday this month having started life as an RAF base in August 1941.

RAF Hurn as it was then known, because of its proximity to Hurn village, was vital to the defence of southern England during the Second World War.

Control tower in 1989  photo Bournemouth Airport

It was used by both the RAF and United States Army Air forces until 1944 when it was transferred to civilian control and served as London’s transatlantic airport until Heathrow opened in 1948. Back then Pan Am operated a New York to Hurn flight five days a week, with a journey time of almost 18 hours because of various fuelling stops along the way.

Fast-forward to today and Bournemouth Airport will serve in excess of 30 domestic and international destinations in 2020/21 with more being added all the time as it rebuilds its route network following the impacts of travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Photo Bournemouth Airport

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “It’s great to be marking our 80th birthday and who would have guessed that a wartime airfield all those years ago would grow into the modern, international airport we see today.

TUI holidays return to the Balearic Islands from Bournemouth Airport.......

Last Tuesday Bournemouth Airport celebrated the return of TUI holidays to the Balearic Islands, with the first TUI flight of the Summer 2021 season departing for Majorca (Palma) at 10:15 today.

The popular route will operate three times a week – on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday – throughout the summer, until 24 October 2021.

TUI has already confirmed its 2021/2022 schedule from Bournemouth Airport, with flights to Spain (Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Majorca, Menorca, Tenerife), Greece (Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Zante), Cyprus (Paphos), and Turkey (Antalya, Dalaman) all set to resume.

In total, Bournemouth Airport has announced 33 domestic and international destinations in 16 countries for 2021/22.

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We’re delighted to relaunch holidays to Majorca with TUI. Majorca is one of the most popular destinations from Bournemouth Airport, and it’s great to finally give holidaymakers longing to escape to the sun the opportunity to do so with all the ease and convenience of flying from their local airport. We’re working closely our airline partners to ensure safe travel through the airport, and we look forward to more routes returning over the coming weeks and months. We urge all passengers to consider their health and safety and show respect to fellow passengers by adhering to all safety measures. Above all else, we welcome the return of passengers to Bournemouth Airport and wish them a very happy holiday.”

For the latest destinations and timetable from Bournemouth Airport, download a copy of FLY Bournemouth 2021-22.


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easyJet will launch a new domestic route from Bournemouth International Airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport this summer

The leading UK budget airline, easyJet has confirmed it will be launching a new domestic flight from Bournemouth to Liverpool this summer as demand for domestic travel increases.  The new route to Liverpool joins two further domestic easyJet routes operating from the South Coast airport to Belfast and Edinburgh, also starting for the first time this summer. 

Flights from Bournemouth International Airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport will take off from 10 July and will, operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  The lead-in launch fares started at £22.99 one way plus charges and fees.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager said: "We know our customers can’t wait to be reunited with friends and family or have more opportunity to explore the UK so this new route from Bournemouth should prove popular and will further strengthen our UK domestic network providing customers with even more choice."

Steve Gill, Managing Director at Bournemouth Airport, said: “Launching the new Liverpool route with easyJet is yet another important milestone for Bournemouth Airport and our region, adding even more choice and domestic connectivity between the south and the north-west. This is great news for business and leisure passengers in both directions and delivers on our promise to keep adding flights and keep growing our important partnership with easyJet. Bournemouth Airport had now launched 33 destinations in 15 countries, all available to book for 2021/22.”

easyJet launches two new routes from Bournemouth....

Earlier this week easyJet celebrated the launch of its new service between Bournemouth and Belfast. The first flight departed from Bournemouth to Belfast at 19:10, marking the launch of more convenient connectivity this summer between the South of England and key cities across the UK. The flight to Belfast is the first of two new domestic easyJet routes from Bournemouth launching this summer, flights to Edinburgh started Thursday.  

Both routes will operate twice weekly, with Belfast on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Edinburgh operating on Thursdays and Sundays, with both services running throughout the summer season, with fares starting from £40.99* per person. 

All customers booking flights with easyJet benefit from industry-leading flexible policies under easyJet’s ‘Protection Promise’ which means that customers can book now with the confidence that if their plans change, so can their booking.  

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager said:  “We are delighted to have operated the first flight today and to be increasing our services from Bournemouth Airport. With the addition of the two new summer routes from Bournemouth, our customers now have more travel choices in the region for those looking to take a long-awaited summer break.”

Escape to the sun with Bournemouth Airport in 2021-22 Fly direct to 30 destinations in 14 countries

Bournemouth Airport’s annual destination guide, FLY has just been launched following a surge of interest and bookings for 2021 and 2022 holidays.........

FLY Bournemouth 2021-22 features 30 destinations in 14 countries. Returning for 2021 are the four Greek Islands, Corfu, Kefalonia, Rhodes and Zante, as well as Paphos in Cyprus and eight Spanish destinations including mainland Spain, the Balearics and Canary Islands. Passengers can also fly to Antalya in Turkey from May 2021 and Malta from July. Making a welcome return for winter 2021 are day trips and short breaks to Lapland and the Northern Lights, with a handful of year-round destinations offering the opportunity for winter sun.

Fred. Olsen Travel launches "Travel Bournemouth Airport"

Local Cruise specialists Fred. Olsen Travel, has expanded its brand portfolio on the South Coast with the launch of ‘Travel Bournemouth Airport’. While continuing to focus on and specialise in cruise, Fred. Olsen Travel will look to expand its land offerings with packages and product through Travel Bournemouth Airport.

Head of Commercial at Fred. Olsen Travel Paul Hardwick is delighted to announce that its five travel agencies in Dorset in Hampshire will be working with airlines and operators flying from Bournemouth to build an even stronger focus on flying from the airport through a local independent travel agent.

Bournemouth Airport during the current coronavirus lockdown -video

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