We are delighted to report that most restrictions on UK airspace have now been and lifted Air traffic control services have resumed in the UK with the exception of an area over the north west of Scotland which continues to be affected by a dense concentration of volcanic ash.

British Arways and Virgin have announed that they will try and run their full schedule of longhaul flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester today but passegners should check the airline website to reconfirm their flight time and if possible check in online. Passengers should plan to arrive at the airport an hour earlier than normal, as we anticipate delays as both the airline and airports deal with the backlog.

However, there are still in excess of 150,000 passegners stranded overseas and to ensure the backlog is cleared as quickly as possible, some airlines have restricted their computer access to all flights departing before 1st May. This prevents Travel Agents from re-booking during this period so passengers should be advised to check their flight status online wherever possible.

Our Emergency Team will continue to work with both the airlines and our local representatives to assist passangers over the coming days as they wait for their flight home. The team will continue work 24 hours a day but due to the backlog of cancelled flights in some cities, we anticipate that passengers may still face delays in excess of a week.

For all passengers travelling over this past weekend (17-18 April 2010)
Clingan Travel have faced an unprecedented disruption to its flight and holiday programme as a result of the volcanic ash from Iceland that continues to affect the airspace above Europe.

• We continue to monitor the situation closely and will remain in constant contact with airport authorities and all our airline partners
• We are unable to ascertain at present what flights will depart as scheduled
• We advise customers to check with the Airport authority websites to review the status of your flight
  If your flight has been cancelled, please do not go to the airport. We will contact you
• If you flight has been delayed please refer to Airport Authority website for departure time
• Passengers in resort will be contacted by our representatives in resort
• Passengers are advised to continue to view the Airport websites for updates

TRAVELSAVERS IRELAND LAUNCHES “AGENT ASSIST” PROGRAMME, HELPS DISPLACED TRAVEL AGENTS FIND NEW JOBS

TRAVELSAVERS Ireland today announced that it has launched an “Agent Assist” initiative to help travel agents who have been displaced by the recent closings of various travel agency storefront locations throughout the country.  

The proactive program gives independent travel agents an opportunity to take action now to secure their travel businesses well into the future.  TRAVELSAVERS Ireland has offered to serve as a liaison to match travel agents whose storefront locations have closed or are in danger of closing with TRAVELSAVERS Ireland agencies in the role of outside salespeople. 

“TRAVELSAVERS Ireland’s Agent Assist steps in quickly to help independent travel agents find new footing for their businesses so they can start off the New Year in a profitable situation,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, Executive Vice President, Sales & Service for TRAVELSAVERS Ireland. “Our entire organisation was built to serve the independent agency, and especially in times like these, we’re here to help them keep their businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit going strong.”

In addition to the match-making service offered through TRAVELSAVERS Ireland’s Agent Assist, travel agents who tap into the organisation have access to a broad scope of business-building benefits.  Among them are:

·         Unparalleled preferred supplier relationships and agreements

·         Market Your Own Business (MYOB) suite of direct-to-consumer marketing tools

·         Electronic referral system

·         Proprietary hotel and corporate booking engines

·         Global hotel program

·         Global after-hours travel assistance service

·         Acclaim Meetings program for meetings and incentives business

·         Access to The Affluent Traveler Collection luxury travel group

·         TWIN global travel management network

·         Training and education opportunities

·         Personal Business Development Director

 

For more information about Agent Assist or about joining TRAVELSAVERS contact Chris Clingan

 

TRAVELSAVERS is an international marketing organisation including a retail chain of more than 3,000 independently owned travel agencies in 14 countries that generates more than $15 billion dollars annually in travel industry sales.  With offices in Shannon, TRAVELSAVERS Ireland ( offers a comprehensive range of products and support services to help its agencies maximise sales through a select group of suppliers -- and stand out as travel leaders in their local region. TRAVELSAVERS Ireland agencies can tap into a worldwide network of marketing and business resources, but still retain their agency’s hard-earned name and local reputation.  The marketing company also features a unique exclusive territory system based on population, providing agents with control over client relationships and prospective leads in their exclusive area.             

Clingan Travel have now integrated mapping to our hotel searches. You will now be able to find your hotel based by price, service and locations.

This exciting tool allows you to see exactly where hotels are located.  With over 80000 hotels on our website we try to give you as much info to make the choice that suits you best.