Saturday, September 17, 2011

Flight delays and strikes

According to nationwide media, delays are expected for the weekend as air traffic controllers decided to faithfully follow the regulations of Eurocontrol for air traffic. As weekends are always busy with incoming tourist traffic, delays will certainly occur.
Moreover, the air traffic controllers decided for a 24 hours strike on Saturday 24 September as well as a 4 hour work halt for Wednesday 28 September.
Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE 20/9/2011
Although not official yet, the above mentioned industrial action by atc will most probably be declared by the courts as illegal.
BUT
There was announced a general strike for 6 October and air traffic controllers will probably join it. In such kind of strikes courts have no authority so if atc joins flight disruprions are inevitable.
We will keep you updated.

UPDATE 21/9/2011
Without any public announcement so far, air traffic controllers decided to participate in tomorrow's industrial action organized by public servants' unions. Their action will be in the form of a 3 hour work halt between 12:30 and 15:30 (local time).
Verified information suggest that the work halt will be valid only for Athens based civil aviation services affecting thus Athens Airport and that all regional airports will operate normally. Mostly domestic traffic via Athens will suffer from alterations/cancellations as well as international traffic from/to Athens. International traffic for the rest of Greece will be served normally, maybe with some delays.
FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS FOR THU 22 SEPTEMBER
DOMESTIC AIRLINES
Aegean Airlines (cancellations full list, alterations full list
Cancells: -
Alters schedule: A3202/203 Athens-Rhodes-Athens
A3661/664 Athens-Rhodes-Athens-Milan

Olympic Air (full list)
Cancells: OA710/711 Athens-Rhodes-Athens
Alters schedule: OA706/707 Athens-Rhodes-Athens  
OA870/871 Thessaloniki-Rhodes-Thessaloniki
OA090/091 Rhodes-Karpathos-Kasos-Sitia-Kasos-Karpathos-Rhodes
OA092/093 Rhodes-Karpathos-Rhodes
OA026/027 Rhodes-Kastelorizo-Rhodes 

UPDATE 23/9/2011
The originally announced Saturday strike seems to have changed to Sunday but little luck is given as most probably by today (Friday) afternoon it will be stopped by the courts. Same applies for the work halt announced for 28 September. Please note that it won't be a surprise if flight delays occur, especially on Sunday.

Good news though end here as firstly ADEDY (Supreme Administrative Council of Greek Civil Servants) has called for strikes on 5 and 19 October (ADEDY can't be stopped by the courts) and secondly taxis are preparing for a 48 hours strike during next week.

UPDATE II 23/9/2011
No strike for Sunday as the courts have ruled it illegal. Nontheless, delays should be expected.
We will keep you updated as for next week there is a work halt scheduled by air traffic controllers as well as a 48 hours strike by taxis.

Latest News #2






Olympic Air officially announced today the codeshare agreement with Dutch carrier KLM. Rhodes is now accessible from Amsterdam and 8 more cities via a combination of KLM & OA flights.


This agreement entitles the airlines to market flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos for connecting traffic under each others flight numbers.
On September 12th, this code share agreement has been further enhanced, offering 8 destinations to KLM passengers in the Greek domestic market & 8 European destinations to Olympic Air passengers. KLM passengers will be able book a KLM flight between Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and Alexandroupoli, Santorini, Chania, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kos, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, for connecting services operated by Olympic Air. Olympic Air passengers will be able to connect at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for flights to Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Goteborg, Hamburg, Manchester, Oslo & Stockholm under an Olympic Air flight number.

For the full press release, please click here.

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During a press conference held yesterday, it was stated that Rhodes officials are very close in signing a deal with a low-cost carrier (not Ryanair) for the immediate commencement of winter flights.
This was great news following the disappointment and frustration caused by Ryanair and Arkia withdrawals for the winter period.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low-cost carrier Easyjet is to offer passengers in-flight entertainment for the first time, with personal TVs available on selected flights for £7.50.
We sure hope that the service will succeed and expand covering Rhodes flights from the UK.
For more, please read the full story released in Business Traveller.com.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Thomson Airways Routes - Summer 2012

Thomson routes for 2012 include one new UK airport, Edinburgh, while some small scale changes are observed in frequencies. BHX and LGW get an additional weekly flight and LTN loses one weekly frequency that shifts to STN which now offers two weekly flights.



BIRMINGHAM (BHX) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: BHX-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM7322
08:00
14:05
*
We
4/4-25/4
TOM7322
07:00
13:05
*
We
2/5-3/11
TOM7364
13:50
19:55
*
We
6/6-26/9
TOM7644
14:55
21:00
*
Sa
2/5-3/11
Return Flight: RHO-BHX
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM7323
15:05
17:25
*
We
4/4-25/4
TOM7323
14:05
16:25
*
We
2/5-3/11
TOM7365
20:55
23:15
*
We
6/6-26/9
TOM7645
22:00
00:20
*
Sa
2/5-3/11

BOURNEMOUTH (BOH) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: BOH-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6624
14:55
20:55
*
Sa

Return Flight: RHO-BOH
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6625
21:55
00:05
*
Sa


BRISTOL (BRS) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)
Outward Flight: BRS-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6358
17:55
00:05
*
We

Return Flight: RHO-BRS
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6359
01:00
03:15
*
Th


CARDIFF (CWL) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)
Outward Flight: CWL-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6382
14:45
20:55
*
We

Return Flight: RHO-CWL
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM6383
21:50
00:05
*
We


DONCASTER/SHEFFIELD (DSA) - RHODES (valid 2/5 -31/10)
Outward Flight: DSA-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM3300
07:00
13:00
*
We

Return Flight: RHO-DSA
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM3301
14:00
16:20
*
We


EAST MIDLANDS (EMA) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: EMA-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM7338
13:45
19:45
*
We

TOM7646
16:20
22:20
*
Sa

Return Flight: RHO-EMA
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM7339
20:45
22:55
*
We

TOM7647
23:20
01:30
*
Sa


NEW: EDINBURGH (EDI) - RHODES (valid 30/5 - 31/10)
Outward Flight: EDI-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1348
15:40
22:05
*
We
30/5-12/9
TOM1348
07:05
13:30
*
We
19/9-31/10
Return Flight: RHO-EDI
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1349
23:05
01:45
*
We

TOM1349
14:30
17:10
*
We


GLASGOW (GLA) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 27/10)
Outward Flight: GLA-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1696
16:55
23:20
*
Sa

Return Flight: RHO-GLA
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1697
00:20
03:00
*
Su


LONDON GATWICK (LGW) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: LGW-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM4364
07:00
13:00
*
We
4/4-31/10
TOM4372
17:35
23:35
*
We
2/5-31/10
TOM4330
13:50
19:50
*
We
30/5-26/9
TOM4660
15:55
21:55
*
Sa
2/5-31/10
TOM4688
19:55
01:55
*
Sa
2/6-27/10
TOM4660
13:10
19:10
*
Sa
3/11-3/11
Return Flight: RHO-LGW
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM4365
14:00
16:10
*
We
4/4-31/10
TOM4331
20:50
23:00
*
We
30/5-26/9
TOM4373
00:35
02:45
*
Th
3/5-1/11
TOM4661
22:55
01:05
*
Sa
3/5-1/11
TOM4661
14:00
16:10
*
Sa
3/11-3/11
TOM4689
02:55
05:05
*
Su
3/6-28/10

LONDON LUTON (LTN) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: LTN-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM5642
14:25
20:20
*
Sa

Return Flight: RHO-LTN
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM5643
21:30
23:40
*
Sa


LONDON STANSTED (STN) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: STN-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM5360
20:55
02:50
*
We

TOM5644**
15:45
21:40
*
Sa

Return Flight: RHO-STN
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM5361
03:50
06:05
*
Th

TOM5645**
21:30
23:40
*
Sa

** Extra flight added between 30/3-27/4, dep. LGW 13:30-arr. RHO 19:25/ dep RHO 20:25-arr. LGW 22:40

MANCHESTER (MAN) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)
Outward Flight: MAN-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM2332
07:00
13:10
*
We
4/4-10/10
TOM2332
15:55
22:20
*
We
17/10-31/10
TOM2388
20:20
02:30
*
We
26/5-29/9
TOM2694
14:20
20:30
*
Sa
30/3-27/4
TOM2658
16:40 22:50
*
Sa
5/5-27/10
TOM2694
22:40
04:50
* Sa 26/5-29/9






Return Flight: RHO-MAN
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM2333
14:25
16:50
*
We
4/4-31/10
TOM2389
23:20
02:00
*
We
17/10-31/10
TOM2333
03:45
06:10
*
Th
26/5-29/9
TOM2695
21:30
23:55
*
Sa
30/3-27/4
TOM2659
23:50
02:15
*
Sa
5/5-27/10
TOM2695
06:05
08:30
*
Su
27/5-30/9

NEWCASTLE (NCL) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)
Outward Flight: NCL-RHO
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1376
13:50
20:00
*
We

Return Flight: RHO-NCL
Flight Nr
Dep.
Arr.
A/C
Frequency
Remarks
TOM1377
21:00
23:25
*
We


For more information and/or reservations, please visit Thomson website.

* Based on Thomson Air official website on 15-17 September 2011. Updated on 9/4/2012.
* Aircraft type not specified. Thomson utilizes a mixed fleet of A320/1s, B733/8s and B752/763s.