pete sant
Roda Anorak
Roda Riddler 2008
UNITED - NOT ARROGANT - JUST BETTER
Posts: 6,977
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Post by pete sant on Apr 22, 2016 11:10:32 GMT 2
Just a word of warning to anyone travelling with Ryanair, Security at the airport is much more intense than previous years (and rightly so), every passport was scrutinized and there were lots of body searches, belts & shoes had to be taken off, the result was that with only 3 flights due to leave in a 2 hour period the queues at passport control stretched way back into the terminal building. We checked in 2 hours before our flight and being a smoker I went outside to top up before going to the departure lounge, as I was merrily puffing away I thought I heard our names being called over the tannoy, I went back inside and Debbbie said the same, the tannoy was working overtime with a constant barrage of distorted messages, we then heard our name (amongst many others) being told to go to gate 3 immediately. It appears that Ryanair now want all passenger's boarding cards scanned at the gate before the plane even arrives to help with a quick turn around. I can understand this to an extent but it was so noisy with that tannoy going on near non-stop for an hour & a half in Greek, English, French & German, what it will be like when the airport gets busy does not bear thinking about. It would help if there were any visible signs up to tell you about this or if they told you at the check in desk, but having to listen to long lists of names being called out over & over again did not lead to a stress free experience. Please allow plenty of time for the security checks. pete.
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Post by daveyh on Apr 22, 2016 12:43:28 GMT 2
Pete,
could you see that really causing problems when the airport is up to max number of flights? There are already times when the security ease off to reduce the queues that seem to merge with those queue to check in.
As for Ryan air they will have to make changes to achieve what they want; they cannot force people into the departure lounge earlier than necessary just for their benefit. To clog up the tannoy whilst annoying means people will ignore it as background noise and then really important messages will be missed.
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Post by kathwebber on Apr 22, 2016 13:01:16 GMT 2
Thanks for the heads up Pete. The departure process at Corfu airport has always left a lot to be desired (my personal opinion) - what you describe will only add to the feeling of frustration for the poor passenger.
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Post by artisans on Apr 22, 2016 21:51:05 GMT 2
I’ve not heard all the calling of names before, Pete, but everything else has been pretty much normal for some time now. Security is very thorough and that includes staff coming on duty, even in the domestic departure area. I’ve seen them having body searches, removing shoes, belts and everything else that we are subjected to, and I was greatly encouraged. Ryanair has been pre-scanning boarding passes for at least two years now ... it is one of the practices that allows them a speedier turnaround, a better punctuality record, an extra flight per plane per day, and a lower cost per passenger than its competitors. All of these things mean a better package for the customers who increasingly use them.
Steve
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pete sant
Roda Anorak
Roda Riddler 2008
UNITED - NOT ARROGANT - JUST BETTER
Posts: 6,977
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Post by pete sant on Apr 23, 2016 6:07:30 GMT 2
I totally agree on the security front Steve, saw the staff being searched, it was the tannoy that was very annoying, it would help if it wasn't so distorted & "tinny" sounding. I also understand what Ryanair are trying to do, but how will they be able to do it when the airport gets busy? They had 3 out of 5 gates tied up for nearly 2 hours, something that can not happen when there are more flights leaving, maybe they need to set up a separate area to deal with it, they also need to communicate what they are doing to their passengers as everyone was looking confused, checking their watches etc when they thought they heard their names being called out. Time will tell & perhaps the supposed investment from the new airport owners will help matters if it materializes. pete.
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Post by artisans on Apr 23, 2016 8:07:08 GMT 2
I think the tannoy would drive me mad, Pete, but the last time I used Ryanair the airport was packed and they were using the system you have described. It was funny, in that two queues had formed - speedy boarding & the rest of us peasants - when a Ryanair rep turned the sign around and we were all in the wrong queue. The guy at the front of ‘speedy boarding’ was horrified but he was the last to see what had happened. He proceeded to fight his way back to the front of the line and all hell let loose. I think everyone else took pity on him as his face was the colour of a well-cooked beetroot. I thought that rather than get on the ‘plane first, he’d find himself in hospital. When I boarded the ‘plane, he was sitting smuggly two seats in front of me. I can’t understand why he paid extra money for the privilege.
Fraport have just announced the appointment a CEO for the Greek airports, but the latest report implies that work will now begin after the summer season. Hopefully, their plans will be revealed before then. Ryanair strongly object to Fraport’s involvement, so maybe they will reduce their support in the future. That would be a blow for Corfu, whatever operational methods they employ.
Steve
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pete sant
Roda Anorak
Roda Riddler 2008
UNITED - NOT ARROGANT - JUST BETTER
Posts: 6,977
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Post by pete sant on Apr 23, 2016 13:18:15 GMT 2
I saw on the news whilst I was in the U.K. that Ryanair are stopping their summer service to Greece 2 months early due to an ongoing dispute with the Greek authorities, it quoted that Ryanair had sent over 25 communications to the Greek government to try to solvethe problem which I think had to do with air passenger duty ,without reply!!! pete.
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kaz
Roda Anorak
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Post by kaz on Apr 23, 2016 13:22:12 GMT 2
Well last year I nearly missed my flight because of the tannoy system......I was ushered onto the empty bus and taken to the plane where everyone took a long hard look at me, I felt a right "narna" !!!
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Post by artisans on Apr 23, 2016 14:04:17 GMT 2
The report I read, Pete, said "the Greek government has ignored all of Ryanair’s proposals to increase passenger traffic to Greece. “We have sent 25 letters over the last two years and have received only three answers, but in all of them there is no response, positive or negative, to our proposals”.
The proposals made by the airline include Ryanair bringing an additional two million passengers to Athens and an additional 3.5 million to the country’s regional airports (two million during the low season in 2018) in exchange for reduced fees and taxes during the months of the low season." It also involves a suggestion to cut, by 50%, the passenger tax of 12 euros for European Union passengers flying to any airport in Greece.
If it happens, Greece could lose eight flights per day at the end of the season.
I also read that someone, like Transavia I think, was proposing to drastically increase it’s charter flight programme with the help of their parent company - possibly a result of Ryanair’s strong growth across the EU.
Steve
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Post by daveyh on Apr 25, 2016 9:35:00 GMT 2
Ryanair didn't say how they would get the extra 5m passengers; apart from have cheaper seats at the expense of the almost bankrupt Greek Government. They couldn't give any guarantees but you can bet once tax reduced Ryanair wouldn't pay compensation to Greece if the promised 5 million extra didn't arrive.
British Airways are increasing to 7 flights a week to Corfu.
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Post by artisans on Apr 25, 2016 10:23:05 GMT 2
The increase in flights on BA is mainly to service the cruise-ship business, Dave. I have no doubt that Corfu will report an increase in tourism at the end of this season, but the increase will come largely from Corfu Town. There has been a big investment over the winter, both in and around the town, especially in those places used by cruise-ship day visitors. It is encouraging, but it would be good to see a bit of this money filter out to the resorts. There was a meeting in Roda this week when a representative of the municipality invited local business people to discuss local issues but, as usual, many did not attend.
I ran many meetings aimed at improvement when I was in business and the people I always worried about were those who did not attend. The BA is good news for independent travellers and don’t assume that they are a lot more expensive. They do offer higher luggage allowances and you do get fed.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 27, 2016 20:22:57 GMT 2
Ryanair has made it clear that only Kos will be affected by the shortening of their schedules at the end of the season. Corfu flights will continue until November. Clearly, the announcement was badly reported by the media.
Steve
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