THIS MONTH

The newspaper for employees of Manchester Airport No 174 APRIL 2002

New services provide welcomesummer boost for the airport

New and improved services out of Manchester Airport announced so farthis year are providing clear signs of a resurgence of confidence in airtravel. They also confirm Manchester’s growing role as a strategic hubairport serving European, North American and Asian destinations.

The first flight of Monarch’s scheduled new three-times-a-week ser-vice to Faro in Portugal left Manchester on March 21. This new routebuilds on the success Monarch has enjoyed in the last two years since

BY PLANE TALK CORRESPONDENT

Pledge to boostsecurity measuresAirport invests heavily innew screening technology– page 2

The cat witheight lives

Narrow escape for kittenthat strayed onto airfield – page 3

Airport set formodelling careerManchester set-upattracts internationalrecognition – page 6

JMC’s spectaculararrival

Airport welcomes newAirbus aircraft – page 9

Baby look at you nowNew budget airline provesa major success – page 11

The state of freight

All the latest news on theairport cargo scene – page 15

Adventurein Peru

A trek following in thetracks of the Incas – page 19

Join the PlaneTalk winnersFlights to Malta up forgrabs in our competition – page 23

The voice of youth

Airport backs opera workshopsPupils at Stockport’s Avondale High School wereable to explore the torrid tale of La Boheme witha visit from Opera North thanks to ManchesterAirport’s sponsorship.

Thirty 12-13 year olds enjoyed a day’s work-shop led by a creative team from Opera North –England’s national opera company. DirectorJames Atherton and singer Tara Harrison intro-duced the pupils to opera as an art form and tothe romantic epic – La Boheme – arguably theworld’s most famous opera.

Pupils delved into the exciting bohemianlifestyle and love affairs of characters Rodolfoand Mimi, Marcello and Musetta, while examin-

ing the music, drama and design of the produc-tion of La Boheme brought to life on stage.

The workshop was one of three taking place atGreater Manchester schools this term, assistedby Manchester Airport Group through its partner-ship with Opera North, as part of its arts spon-sorship programme. Councillor Fred Ridley,leader of Stockport Council and a member of theGroup Board, visited the school to see the pupilsat work.

• Avondale High School pupils and OperaNorth director James Atherton (left), accompa-nied by Councillor Fred Ridley on the piano.

Busy traffic over EasterEaster proved to be as busy as ever at the airportwith 160,000 passengers flying out to destinationsthroughout Europe and beyond.

Passenger figures were up around 11 per centcompared with the 2001 figure and more than1,200 flights took off and landed over the holidayweekend – the airport’s busiest period so far thisyear.

Despite untypically pleasant bank holiday weath-er in this country many people opted to take timeout in top holiday sunspots like the Canary Islands,Spain, the Balearic Islands and Orlando in Florida.

For those not necessarily chasing the sun Dublin,Amsterdam, Prague and Warsaw proved to be thisEaster’s favourite city break destinations.

Despite industrial action by the TGWU most pas-sengers were left with the impression that it was

very much ‘business as usual’ at the airport.Martyn Davies, station manager of Monarch Air-

lines who chairs the Airline Operators Committeewhich represents airlines at Manchester, said :

“Bookings for Easter were good and it was ourbusiest week of the year so far.”

Passengers using the airport over the holiday hadthe chance to check out various new facilities inthe terminals while waiting for their flights.

New shops included Cotton Traders leisure wearin T1, the relocated House of Champions memora-bilia store in the same terminal and the Virginwareunderwear shop in T2.

The duty and tax-free shops in T2 and T3 alsoopened in time for Easter complete with their neweye-catching ‘pink coat’ staff who were on hand tohelp passengers with their purchases.

it started scheduled services from Manchester to Malaga and Alicante.In that time a quarter of a million passengers have used the flights.

In January, LOT Polish Airlines improved the timing of their six flightsa week service to Warsaw and introduced their own aircraft. And it wasstrong demand from Asian communities in the region that helped influ-ence the decision by Malaysia Airlines to resume its thrice-weekly ser-vice to the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, from April 2.

Kingston and Montego Bay are the destinations of new services tobe operated by Air Jamaica from June and JMC Airlines are due to startcharter flights to Grand Bahama in May. JMC Airlines launched a sec-ond Airbus A330-200, which will be based at Manchester and, in addi-tion to the Bahamas, will fly to Cuba, Dominican Republic and Orlandothis summer.

North American destinations, already well served from Manchester,will be boosted by the reinstatement of Air Canada’s non-stop serviceto Toronto four times a week from April 8 and daily from June 1. Fournew flights to Canada are being provided by tour operator CanadianAffair using Airtours International and JMC Airlines.

At the end of last year Turkmenistan Airlines introduced a weeklyscheduled service to the country’s capital, Ashgabat, from where theairline offers onward connections to countries in the Indian sub-conti-nent.

There are also encouraging signs of demand returning on other Euro-pean scheduled routes, including the British Airways service to Zurichwhich started in the autumn.

“We are succeeding in attracting new services, new destinations andnew aircraft to the airport” said John Spooner, Manchester Airport man-aging director. “These developments are evidence of the beginning of arecovery in public confidence in flying and demonstrate that more air-lines are seeing Manchester Airport as a partner in growing their busi-ness. Indeed Manchester is one of Europe’s biggest, busiest and mostimportant airports.”

Last year 19.5 million passengers passed through Manchester Air-port. They were carried by 95 airlines to over 170 destinations acrossfive continents. By 2015 passenger growth is expected to make Man-chester second only to London Heathrow in the league table of Britain’sbusiest airports.

Page 2 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Third Floor, Olympic House, Manchester Airport,Manchester M90 1QX

EditorialEditor JANICE BONNER 0161-489 3662Editorial Assistant TONY RICKARD 0161-489 2024Out of hours Ansaphone 0161-489 2024

Editorial Fax: 0161-489 2775 e-mail: plane.talk@manairport.co.uk

AdvertisingAdvertising Co-ordinator LINDA TOY 0161-489 2844

Advertising Fax: 0161 489 5849Manchester Airport website: www.manairport.co.uk

No part of this publication may be reproduced in hard copy or elec-tronic form without the written consent of the editor.Subscriptions: 12 issues of Plane Talk by post, £10.

Traffic updateThis financial Last financial

Feb 2002 Feb 2001 year to date year to date (2002) (2001)

Aircraft Movements 12,833 14,624 181,528 179,142

Total Passengers 1,094,288 1,189,820 18,120,396 17,789,465(Inc Transit)

Freight Tonnes 7,920 9,230 101,264113,116(inc Mail)

Airport invests£16 million in latest

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Farewellto Marc

Air France organised a receptionin London to bid farewell to MarcBenedetti, the outgoing generalmanager for UK and Ireland, andto welcome Christian Herzog tothe UK as the new general man-ager for UK and Ireland.

To convey their thanks andappreciation for Marc’s friendshipand close relationship with Man-chester Airport during his tenurein the UK, Tim McDermott (right)and Talat Mahmud MBE (left) arepictured presenting Marc with agift on behalf of Manchester Air-port.

Marc has been promoted to asenior position in the airline asvice president operations for AsiaPacific region, and is now basedat the Air France headquarters inParis.

Six new directorsfor Airport Group

Manchester Airport Group has announced six new non-executive direc-tor appointments to its Group and subsidiary Boards.

Recruiting additional non-executive directors was a key part of thecompany’s restructuring last June when the Manchester Airport Groupand its trading subsidiaries were formed. Five airport businesses nowoperate under the ‘umbrella’ of the Manchester Airport Group.

The non-executives’ role will be to scrutinise the running of the trad-ing companies and to add value by bringing additional skills from rele-vant business fields such as retail, property development and facilitiesmanagement; broadening the expertise of the Boards and ensuringbest value for shareholders.

Chair of the Shareholders’ Forum, Councillor Richard Leese, com-mented: “We are very pleased to welcome the new non-executivedirectors to the Group and subsidiary Boards of the Manchester AirportGroup. We are confident that they will make a significant contributionto the commercial focus of the businesses, promote the interests of theshareholders and bring strategic skills from their particular sectors.”

The appointments to the boards are:Airport Group:

John Hancock – chief executive officer, MFI Furniture Group plcMargaret Salmon – chair, Sector Skills Development Agency

Manchester Airport: Andy Meehan – managing director Europe, Gordon Brothers Ltd(formerly CEO for Co-operative Retail Services Ltd)

Manchester Airport Aviation Services: Brenda Smith – managing director, Granada TelevisionMike Gooddie – human resources director, Great North EasternRailway

Manchester Airport Developments: Tom Marshall – formerly deputy chairman of Lambert Smith

HamptonCouncillor Richard Leese added ‘Since our acquisition of East Mid-

lands and Bournemouth Airports last year, we are now the secondlargest airport operator in the country. We want to ensure that theGroup can maximise its competitive position in order to grow its busi-nesses. These appointments, a new initiative for the organisation, willhelp us fully exploit our commercial potential.”

The non-executive directors took up their appointments in the NewYear. Each board meets once a month.

There will be one more appointment to Group Board and other non-executive director appointments will be made to the Boards for Region-al Airports and Airport Ventures. These will be made over the comingmonths.

757 for reliabilityThe Boeing 757-300 recorded a 99.7 per cent reliability rate during2001, which means flights departed as scheduled and airlines deliv-ered passengers to their destinations on time.

After several years of proven, reliable service with European touroperators, the sleek, efficient 757-300 successfully debuted in NorthAmerica with American Trans Air (ATA) in August 2001.

JMC Airlines, which is part of Thomas Cook AG, is experiencing thesame success with the 757-300. Since premiering in the United King-dom in April 2001 with Manchester-based charter operator JMC Air-lines, the 757-300 has achieved a 99.5 per cent reliability rate.

Schedule reliability is an aviation standard defined by several factors.Achieving 100 per cent schedule reliability means no flight can be can-celed, turned back in the air, diverted to another airport or delayedlonger than 15 minutes due to mechanical problems with an aircraft.

Manchester Airport is show-ing the world how technologycan help beat terrorism. Theairport’s highly sophisticated£40 million hold baggagescanning system is currentlythe subject of intense inter-est from aviation securityexperts, other airport opera-tors and the US media. Thishas resulted in a number ofhigh-powered visits to seethe system in action.

A delegation from the USCongressional Sub-commit-tee on Aviation Security trav-elled to Manchester in Janu-ary, to learn how ouradvanced InVision Technolo-gies CTX 5000 scanners –which use high tech imagingtechnology – detect explo-sives, drugs and money, how-ever well concealed. Nextmonth it’s the turn of securi-ty experts from JacksonvilleAirport in Alabama who wantto see how this Americanmade equipment helps Man-chester Airport ensure the

safety of its 100,000 flightsand millions of passengerseach year.

As part of the continuinginterest in aviation securityfollowing the events of Sep-tember 11, the Americanmedia is also showing a keeninterest in airline security.Television crews have been atManchester in recent weeksfrom the Los Angeles basedKCBS-TV, part of the CBS net-work, and from Washingtonstation Belo Capital Bureau.

Manchester Airport is cur-rently spending £16 million,on top of the £25 millioninvested in the past fiveyears, on this highly sophisti-cated equipment. As a result,the airport will soon have atotal of 14 of these advancedCTX 5000 scanners – morethan any other airport in theworld.

The scanners are used inall three terminals at Man-chester and between themcan handle up to 3,500 items

of baggage an hour. Theequipment is so sensitivethat it can even be set todetect particular currencies,such as US dollars or Japan-ese yen.

The CTX 5000 works like ahospital CT scanner with an x-ray head mounted on a rotat-ing drum that carries out a360 degree imaging scan ofthe baggage in slices. Imagesare passed to five computers,each of which analyses a par-ticular aspect of the imagebased on the density andcomposition of detectedobjects. If the aggregatedresults from the five comput-ers is over a certain level, thecontrol room is alerted andthe baggage is examinedmanually by the security offi-cers.

As well as providing bettersecurity, the new equipmentwill improve the speed andreliability of handling out-bound baggage which willhelp reduce check-in timesand the incidence of luggagemissing flights.

John Spooner said: “Wehave always set the higheststandards of security for thepassengers who choose totravel through ManchesterAirport. This continuedinvestment in high technolo-gy equipment should help toreassure them that we regardtheir safety as paramountand that we are using world-class systems to maintainour vigilance.”

spent nine months as head ofengineering at British Airport Ser-vices Ltd near Gatwick and thenin 1988 was appointed head ofengineering at Heathrow.

In November 1990 hebranched out from his engineer-ing background when he becamegeneral manager of Terminal 1.After an eventful year of terminalmanagement, he was appointedoperations director of HeathrowAirport Limited in November1991.

In this role, Roger proved hiscommitment to constantly look-ing for ways to improve securitystandards with safety, securityand productivity top of his agen-da.

Roger is an amateur radioenthusiast and is involved withamateur dramatics, writing, andperforming sketches and plays.Roger also holds a Private PilotsLicence and occasionally flies aCessna 172. He is a Fellow of theInstitute of Electrical Engineersand a Fellow of the Royal Aero-nautical Society.

Roger Cato has been appointedchairman of the Airport OperatorsAssociation. The AOA is the tradebody that speaks for British air-ports.

Roger Cato was appointedmanaging director of BAAHeathrow on November 1, 1997.

Roger joined Heathrow as anengineer graduate trainee in1969 after gaining a first classhours degree from Salford Uni-versity. Over the last 30 years avariety of engineering posts havetaken Roger to every BAA airport,terminal and airfield.

He has worked overseas forBAA in Barbados, Belize andSweden while his work in Britainhas included setting up the tele-phone exchanges for bothHeathrow and Gatwick. Roger

Roger isnew chief

of AOA

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See page 23

Allportarrives

Allport has opened adedicated facility at theairport’s World FreightTerminal in Unit 3, Building311. For more informationcall 0161 498 6831.

Allport is one of thelargest independent freightforwarders in the UK and hasrepresentation worldwide.

See next month’s issue fora special feature.

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 3

Fond farewell to PR chiefAbout 100 colleagues and friends joined SallySykes in the Lancaster Brasserie in ManchesterAirports’s Terminal 1 to wish her ‘bon voyage’before she travelled on to her next job as Com-munications Director at Astra Zeneca, the phar-maceuticals group.

Rowena Burns, director of corporate affairs,recalled some of the dramatic moments duringSally’s six years as head of press and publicrelations. There had been a number of high pro-file news events during the Runway 2 protests,including the antics of “Swampy” in his tunneland the unscheduled dancing on diners’ tablesat the Piccadilly Hotel by “eco-warrior” youngladies disguised as waitresses – which Rowenalikened to “a soccer pitch invasion”.

Rowena said that Sally would be “missed verymuch.” She had led “a wonderful team where,

more than in any other part of the airport, peo-ple turned out at any time of day when theywere needed. That is a rare quality.”

Rowena presented Sally with cards and apiece of handcrafted glass from her colleaguesin the airport company.

Sally described how much she had enjoyedher time at the airport and said: “I have workedwith some tremendous colleagues on somegreat projects like Runway 2 and Terminal 3. Wehave had some tremendously good times andsome difficult times, but never lost our sense ofhumour.”

She added that due to the nature of her newjob and its sites worldwide it was likely that shewould be returning to the airport as a customer– “when at least I will know why I am queuing togo through security!”

IN BRIEFReferring to certain news itemsregarding a possible suspensionof Olympic Airways, the manage-ment of the companyannounced that:

‘The tragic events of Septem-ber 11, 2001 in New York result-ed in a serious disruption to theworld airline industry. OlympicAirways, like all other airlines,was adversely affected. Howev-er, thanks to a series of opera-tional and administrative mea-sures, the airline continues tolook to the future with optimism.

‘Consequently any report ofalleged dysfunction in the airline,especially during the privatisa-tion process, has nothing to dowith the truth.

‘Olympic Airways will continueits flight programme with maxi-mum safety and reliability as theonly strong connection betweenGreece and the rest of theworld.’

––––––––––––––

SWISS, with its fleet of 128aircraft, started services to123 destinations in 60 coun-tries, with the launch of theirsummer timetable on March31. With this, the new Swissairline, in keeping with itsbusiness plan, will be offeringan attractive route networkduring the new season. Fol-lowing the timetable changes,all flights will be allocated anLX flight number.

The summer timetableshows few changes from thecurrent winter timetable. InEurope, 86 destinations willbe served in 34 countries.The international route net-work covers 37 destinationsin 26 countries, includingSwitzerland.

Compared with last year’sCrossair and Swissair sum-mer timetables, the offer hasbeen reduced by about 30 percent, in line with the businessplan. The optimisation offlight operations led to areduced joint route network inearly October 2001, wherebyservices to ten intercontinen-tal and 12 European destina-tions were discontinued. TheCrossair route network hadpreviously been reduced inthe 2001 summer timetable

––––––––––––––

Feysal Nagi has recently beenappointed to the position ofaccount manager north from hisprevious position as sales execu-tive for Qatar Airways. Feysaljoined Qatar Airways in October2000 as sales support and sixmonths later was promoted tosales executive.

Now responsible for existingdistributors based in the north ofEngland, Scotland and Ireland,Feysal will be based in Bolton.

Eight lives leftfor Runway cat!

Runway the daredevil cat who had a near-miss witha 737 at Manchester Airport has found a new home.

The cat was found cowering in terror on Runway 1moments after a Ryanair flight from Dublin had land-ed. The 737 aircraft missed the cat’s head by inch-es, but it escaped unhurt.

Operations duty manager Rory McLoughlin foundthe terrified cat on the centreline of the runway, afterthe pilot of the Ryanair flight radioed to say an ani-mal was on the runway. He said: “There’s no doubtthat the cat has had a lucky escape. It could easilyhave been killed by the plane’s wheels as it came into land.”

Despite where “Runway” was found, airport man-

agers said that the cat did not pose any danger tothe plane and its passengers.

Runway was taken to the operations tower for thenight where it was soothed with a bowl of milk, a tinof food and put in a cat basket to rest. Airport staffnicknamed the mystery cat “Runway”.

Runway spent the next day with the PR depart-ment, fulfilling his busy schedule of photo sessionsand filming requests.

Unfortunately Runway was not claimed by hisowner and has been adopted by an airport employ-ee who wishes to remain anonymous. Runway hashad a number of trips to the vets and is said to berecovering slowly.

To help Runway get over his ordeal, the new ownerhas renamed the cat Thomas.

Garage backs local youth

Males Garage at ManchesterAirport is showing its supportfor the youth of WoodhousePark.

Paul Owen, chairman of theWoodhouse Park Youth Trust

said, “We are very grateful toMales for their support. Theyouth of Woodhouse Park aregravely suffering through lack offacilities in the area, and theTrust raise funds to create

much needed facilities.” The Trust is supported by the

youth within the area, council-lors, the police, Wythenshawepartnership and local businessin the area.

BY PLANE TALK CORRESPONDENT

Rob appointed newHumberside director

Parent friendly award

Humberside International Airporthas announced a new airportdirector.

Robert Goldsmith, 36, hasjoined HIA from his current posi-tion as general manager businessdevelopment for Adelaide andGold Coast Airports. He has spenttwo years in Australia fulfillingManchester Airport’s service con-tracts won in the second phase ofthe Australian airports’ privatisa-tion process.

Married with three children,Rob started work with ManchesterAirport in 1989 as a market ana-lyst and held various managementroles in sales development,research, market planning, andaeronautical pricing.

Rob – who has a PostgraduateDiploma in marketing and a Mas-

ter of Science degree in transportmanagement and planning – is akeen guitarist and songwriter. Healso has a fascination for traveland has visited 45 countriesworldwide.

Graham Keddie, chairman ofHumberside Airport Board, said:“We are pleased to welcomeRobert into this new role and areconfident that his previous experi-ence will bring strength and exper-tise to this challenging position.”

Rob said that he was delightedto be joining Humberside Interna-tional Airport at such an excitingtime in its development. Headded, “There is enormous scopeto grow the business at Humber-side and I look forward to workingwith my new colleagues in devel-oping this potential.”

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Manchester Airport won the UK Airport category in Tommy’s 10th Par-ent Friendly Awards for its baby change facilities in the terminals.

The award ceremony held at London Zoo, on March 26, was hostedby Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen and they were joined by sev-eral other well known TV stars.

The Parent Friendly Awards are voted for by parents throughout thecountry. The aim is to highlight and praise the organisations that catermost to their needs, from providing a friendly service and excellentvalue for money, to free baby food and clean baby changing facilities.

Tommy’s, the baby charity, was set up in 1992 and through a nation-al programme of research, aims to end the heartache caused by pre-mature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth.

• Sally Sykes with some of the PR team (L to R) Sharon Hulse-Cottle, Sue Jones, Dave Sanders andJeanette Bates.

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PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 5

New ‘robe’ for MonarchFresh from its paint-shop “make-over” at Norwich, the first of MonarchAirlines’ aircraft to be resprayed reported for duty at Manchester Airportduring March.

The airline’s Boeing 757 G-MONE was taking 235 passengers toTenerife, sporting the first new livery since Monarch started operations34 years ago.

Away with black and in with indigo blue and a stronger shade of yel-low; away with even horizontal bands of colour along the fuselage andin with a seductive curving pattern that billows along the lower body,flaring upwards towards the tail.

Most noticeably, Monarch’s familiar royalty connection, the famoustailplane “M” that looks more like a crown, has been updated and re-shaped.

Jonathan Crick, the airline’s commercial director, said: “There is aparticular emphasis on Monarch Scheduled, formerly Monarch Crown,our network of scheduled services launched in 1986, which is becom-ing increasingly important. It now produces 20 per cent of our businessand is still growing.

“We operate scheduled services from Manchester to Alicante, Mala-ga and Faro.

“The addition of the company’s website address(www.flymonarch.comm) to the fuselage is to assist our customersusing Monarch Scheduled so that they can make online bookings andto enable our charter users to choose from a wide range of added valueservices.”

The new livery is only the start of a virtually total re-vamp. Next Jan-uary cabin crew will be wearing new uniforms and later phases willinclude the refurbishment of aircraft interiors.

The airline, which started with two aircraft and now has a fleet of 21,carried nearly five million passengers last year.

Monarch’s 757 fleet captain, Peter Martin, a former RAF fighter pilot,said: “I have been with Monarch for 24 years and, although there havebeen minor adjustments to the livery in that time, it will be good toshow off our new look.”

• Captain Peter Martin with stewardesses Clare Size and LizMcDonald.

On themove

TRANSFERS/PROMOTIONSVickie Withnell, team technicalofficer, Planning and Environ-ment on March 25; JonathonChallis, community relationsassistant on March 18; TimWalmsley, environment manageron March 18; Sharon Hulse-Cottle, events organiser on April1; Martin Shonick, paymentsco-ordinator on Feb 25; MartinCorbishley, systems accountanton March 25.WELCOME BACKTo Viv Lomas, Finance, whoreturned from maternity leave onMarch 11.FAREWELL FOR THE PRESENTTo: Tracey Thompson, adminclerk Car Parks, three-year careerbreak commencing March 29. FAREWELLTo the following people who haveleft the company: Jeff Cottam,voluntary redundancy on Febru-ary 28; Ann Manser voluntaryredundancy on March 28; SallySykes, head of Press and PR onMarch 28; Jim Longstaffe, coachdriver, retired on March 2; MarkThompson, coach driver,resigned on January 31; EricRobinson, T2 maintenanacemanager, retired on January 31;Brendan McGrath, car parks,medically retired on January 31;Pete Ford, sub officer, Fire Sta-tion, medically retired on March3; Charlie Ellington, firefighter,medically retired on March 17.CONGRATULATIONSTo David Southwell and IanMatthews Adcock, Motor Trans-port, who both received LongService Awards in March.

Happy birthday David

Tokyoflightsresume

Continental Airlines willresume daily non-stop ser-vice between NewYork/Newark and NaritaInternational Airport inTokyo, Japan from April 18.Service had been reducedto five weekly flights afterdemand fell late last sum-mer.

Mayoresses from across Cheshire swapped their civic cars on March11, for a ride in a fire engine at Manchester Airport.

The airport has recently put into service two sleek new fire engines,each costing £320,000. As well as inspecting the appliances and tour-ing the airport’s new £1 million South Fire Station, the ladies watchedthe fire teams go through their paces in a practice drill.

The fireman’s lift came as part of the day-long tour designed to givethe ladies a glimpse behind the scenes at Britain’s third busiest airport.

The Mayoresses also saw how up to 20,000 airline meals are pre-pared each day. Airline catering company LSG Sky Chefs, produces themeals in state-of-the-art kitchens at the airport, where they employ350 people.

Every year the Mayoresses from each of the boroughs in the countyget together to visit a place of interest. Past visits have included a saltmine, Rolls-Royce at Crewe, and a cheese factory – Cheshire, natural-ly!

Manchester Airport was chosen for this year’s visit because of itsimportance to the county. A large proportion of the 20,000 people whowork here live in Cheshire and the airport also provides important inter-national links that help local businesses to prosper.

Managing director John Spooner said that he was delighted that theMayoresses had chosen to visit Manchester Airport. He told them thatlast year 19.5 million passengers travelled through the airport, carriedby 95 airlines to 180 destinations worldwide. “That’s the equivalent oftaking the entire population of Cheshire on holiday 20 times in a year!”he said.

• Back row (L to R): Eleanor Johnson, Sheriff of Chester; JohnSpooner, managing director, Manchester Airport; Sue Proctor, LadyMayoress of the City of Chester.Middle row (L to R): Myra Harris, Mayoress of Vale Royal; JackyHope, Mayoress of Macclesfield; Janet Beard, Mayoress of Creweand Nantwich.Front row (L to R): Barbara Shephard, Deputy Mayoress ofEllesmere Port and Neston; Julie Richards, Mayoress of Warringtonand Celia Grange, Chairman’s Lady.

The heat is on

The Plane Talk camera captured this happy picture on March 21 ofDave Haslam being congratulated on his birthday by cabin crew mem-ber Gail Griffiths from British Airways City Express.

Friend and Olympic House receptionist Damian McDermott, com-mented: “Dave ‘the heat’ Haslam has worked at the airport since1985, when he started as a general admin clerk in Engineering. He didhis ten years, received his testimonial, and moved on to his current roleas an airport courier in Administration.

“Dave has many interests, but enjoys socialising, and visiting the the-atre. He also has his very own suite at one of the top hotels in Torquay,and counts amongst his many personal friends, Bobby Davro and JimDavidson.”

Dave would like to thank his colleagues in Admin and elsewhere inthe company who sent him presents and cards to wish him well.

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Page 6 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

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• The delegation from South Africa pictured with Steve Kelly, client project liaison manager.

Interchange in the spotlightA trade mission from SouthAfrica made a fact-finding visitto the interchange project atManchester Airport on February28.

Led by Kingsley Smith andHilary McKenzie of Trade Part-ners UK, based in London andJohannesburg, the delegationincluded senior representatives

of the transport industry inSouth Africa, including YasirAhmed, chief director of publictransport in Cape Town.

The team were given a guidedtour of the interchange scheme,followed by a question andanswer session over lunch atTerminal 2, at which the com-plexities of the multi-partner,

multi-modal scheme were dis-cussed.

Commenting on the visit, thedelegation was very impressedwith the way in which Manches-ter Airport had “got to grips”with the issues, and was deliver-ing this unique project, againstthe current difficulties in thetransport industry.

Manchester set tobe global ‘model’

Manchester Airport is being held up as a rolemodel to overseas governments looking intothe organisation and operation of their own air-ports.

The UK’s third busiest airport – which is oper-ated by a local authority-owned private compa-ny – is attracting interest from the Caribbean tothe Indian sub continent.

And one government has already signalled itsintention to base the operation of a new £40million airport on the highly-rated ‘ManchesterModel’.

The operational blueprint is to be used by theBritish Virgin Islands for its Beef Island Airport,currently being redeveloped with a recentlycompleted new terminal building, to be followedby a runway extension and new apron later thisyear.

The airport – scheduled for completion earlyin 2003 – will have a capacity of 380,000 pas-sengers a year.

John Spooner, managing director of Man-chester Airport, said: “We are delighted thatManchester is being seen as a model that over-seas governments are keen to replicate at air-ports in their own countries.

“What our visitors appear particularly inter-ested in – and impressed by – are the high stan-dards of safety, security and customer servicethat they find here.

“This is another feather in our cap and a cred-

it to our planners, managers and their staff.”The plan to base the new airport’s organisa-

tion and operation on the ‘Manchester Model’follows management consultancy work carriedout by BAe Systems and visits to the UK airportby senior BVI government ministers.

The most recent fact finding mission wasmade by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister ofCommunications and Works, Alvin Christopher,who flew into Manchester earlier in March tosee airport operations at first hand. He wasaccompanied on a tour of the airport by theManchester Airport Group’s corporate securityadvisor, Mel Littler.

Mr Christopher’s stopover was prompted byfavourable reaction from the BVI’s chief minis-ter, Ralph O’Neal, after a similar fact-gatheringvisit.

The chief minister returned home with posi-tive impressions of Manchester Airport, thegroup’s management and the practical workingrelationship it maintains with its 10 localauthority owners.

Both visits involved the Chorley, Lancashire-based Infrastructure Solutions Division of BAeSystems and were organised through the For-eign and Commonwealth Office.

The aerospace company provides airportdevelopment consultancy services to overseasgovernments and works in partnership withManchester Airport on the planning and deliveryof airport management and security trainingpackages.

BY PLANE TALK REPORTER

• Model handshake…Alvin Christopher, (right) bids farewell to Mel Littler (centre) after a whistle-stoptour of the ‘model’ airport. Mr Christopher was accompanied by his wife, Doris on the fact-findingmission.

Congratulations are in order to Louise Welson, salesmanager on producing a bouncing baby girl onMarch 16. Molly weighed in at 6lb 8oz, with bothmum and daughter doing well.

Welcome to Sharon Hardman who joins the teamas food and beverage manager, here at the HolidayInn. Sharon, who previously worked for the HiltonLeeds, will take over the operation from DebbieTurner, who is leaving to take some rest and recu-peration following a long illness. We wish Debbie afond farewell, best wishes and good health for thefuture.

Holiday Inn Garden Court, recently handed over£1,000 to a guest! Yes, as part of a nationwide pil-low promotion by Holiday Inn, Mr Monderman founda £1,000 cheque under his pillow and was duly pre-

Guest Mr Monderman is presented with a cheque for £1,000 and champagne to celebrate his goodfortune, from tooth-fairy Julie Eaves.

sented with this officially by our very own tooth fairy,Julie Eaves.

Every Holiday Inn in the UK is participating in thispromotion, so take this one in a million opportunityto claim your £1,000, by booking at a Holiday Innnear you. Good luck.

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 7

Vintage glider flies in!Britannia Airways captain Mike Abbott was at thehelm of a Boeing 757 from Turin to Manchesterback in February, carrying some very unusual cargo.Having worked closely with Bob Pettifer, chairman ofthe British Gliding Association’s Instructor Commit-tee, Mike agreed to assist with the transportation ofa fragile perspex canopy needed for the restorationof a vintage 1960s 2-seater M200 glider.

As an active member of a syndicate that oper-ates an M200, based at the Bowland Forest Glid-ing Club in Lancashire, Bob began talks with JohnGibson, founder member of the club (est. c.1950),about locating a replacement canopy. John haddeveloped regular correspondence with the originaldesigners of the M200, the Morelli brothers, wholive in Turin.

It transpired that Piero and Alberto Morelli ownedan original M200 replacement canopy, kept in the

original workshop in Turin where the design wasconceived. Although they were glad to see it go toa grateful home, transporting it to England was notgoing to be easy. However, with the help of someextremely diligent baggage staff at both airports,Bob Pettifer and his Britannia crew successfullycarried the fragile canopy all the way to Englandwithout so much as a scratch.

“Thanks to the great care and attention of theBritannia staff and all involved in the journey, theclub’s M200 is up and running again. It’s such apleasure to see the old glider in the air again, wecan’t thank Britannia and the Morelli brothersenough,” said John Gibson, founder member of theBowland Forest Gliding Club.

• Baggage handlers unload the fragile glidercanopy from the Britannia aircraft at Manchester.

SSP and EAZ unite forglobal award win

SSP at Manchester Airport hasfollowed up its success in theUK ‘Compass in the Community’awards by winning the worldwide‘Compass in the Community’gold award for their work withthe Wythenshawe EducationAction Zones (WyEAZs). Theaward brings a further £10,000to the project, making SSP’stotal prize money contribution£20,000 to the Zones, match-funded by the DfES.

Judged against three otherentries from around the world,SSP demonstrated exceptionalresults, with over £1 millionraised by the WyEAZ in just over12 months and GCSE results(5+ A*-C) at schools within the

Wythenshawe area showingimprovement by about 6 percent over the year. SSP, as acore sponsor of the project, con-tributed to much of this suc-cess. Over the last 12 months,more than 40 SSP employeeshave taken part in mentoringprogrammes, reading initiativesand work placements, and thecurrent project is the placementof 70 young people aged 14plus on a work-related learningprogramme, a third of whom areplaced with SSP. As a contribu-tion in kind, SSP’s commitmentto WyEAZ is valued at £300,000plus over the next two years.

On winning the award,Richard Nieto, SSP managing

director said: “This award hasplaced the world’s spotlight on aproject that could be replicatedanywhere and is an example ofhow communities and business-es can work together to theirmutual benefit. The WyEAZ’sinitiatives provide new opportu-nities for children. By introduc-ing these pupils to new possiblecareer opportunities and bycombining that with individualmentoring and training, we, inthe private sector, can offerthese youngsters a brighterfuture.”

Geoff Muirhead, chief execu-tive of Manchester Airport Groupand chairman of the WyEAZ’smanagement board, added:“SSP has supported the WyEAZproject from the very beginning:from sponsoring business break-fasts, to providing conferencefacilities and involving many oftheir own staff in mentoringschemes. The WyEAZ owesmuch of its success to the con-tribution of local enterprise. Wewere delighted when SSP wonthe UK award but winning theworld award, not only providesfurther funds for the project, butpresents to a world stage theachievements possible whenbusinesses and local communi-ties work together.”

Paul Goggins, MP of Wythen-shawe, said: “I was delighted tolearn that SSP’s work with EAZshas gained international recog-nition. It is an acknowledge-ment of the role played by SSP,both in mentoring schemes andwork experience placements.All these play a vital role in help-ing the EAZs raise educationalstandards in Wythenshawe. Icongratulate all those who havemade this happen.”

• Flashback to success in the UK and Ireland competition inNovember. Richard Nieto and Geoff Muirhead.

Cycle maps to airport

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Just as the weather turns for thebetter, Manchester Airport CycleCentre published four leaflets ofrecommended cycle routes to theairport.

Featuring Wilmslow and Hand-forth, Brooklands Sale & Chorl-ton, Stockport, East Didsbury &Cheadle and Altrincham & Tim-perley each leaflet featuresroutes away from traffic in themain and in many cases com-pletely away from traffic.

One employee commented onseeing editor John Carlile’s surveyphotos (over 2,000) that she wasamazed how attractive the routeswere. That of course is one of thereasons there are three times thenormal number of ManchesterAirport employees riding to workregularly!

The leaflets, with colour photosand maps, have proved popularwith even the regular cyclists tothe airport. They can be collectedfrom the Cycle Centre withoutcharge. So get “on your bike” tothe Cycle Centre right away.

John Carlile• Cyclist superintendent Tim Burgess and John Carlisle discuss thenew maps.

•Pictured (L to R): Tim Jones operations manager SSP, Francis McKay chair of Compass GroupWorldwide and Ger Graus director Wythenshawe Education Action Zone.

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PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 9

JMC welcomes newaddition to fleet

Essential repairs to Runway 1

The latest and largest addition to the JMC fleet wasparaded at Manchester Airport for the benefit ofmore than 100 guests, including staff from othercompanies in the Thomas Cook-AG group.

The new Airbus A.330-200 had lost no time instarting work and when it went on show at Gate214 in Terminal 2, the aircraft had just completed ahard weekend’s schedule of return trips to Sanford,Florida, and Cancun in Mexico.

JMC took delivery of its order for two A330-200sduring March; one based at Manchester Airport andthe other at Gatwick. The Manchester jet’s opera-tion will be totally transatlantic and, in addition toFlorida and Mexico, will fly to Cuba, Vancouver andCalgary.

Each jet will carry 354 passengers, with 45 in‘JMC-plus class’ – managers reported that it was“selling very well” – and the remainder in ‘Comfortclass’

JMC came into being only two years ago after the‘marriage’ of the Flying Colours airline – formedthree years earlier – and Caledonian.

Manchester Airport managing director JohnSpooner said: “The airport is very grateful to JMC forshowing their faith in Manchester Airport. We rec-ognize the enormity of this investment in what isone of the world’s best aeroplanes, without doubt.

“Everything possible would be done to ensure

that the aircraft’s stay at Manchester would be “agreat success” he said.

Chris Buckley, senior vice-president of Airbus saidthat they were delighted to have their new A330 atManchester, “along with our friends, Rolls-Royce,who power the aircraft.”

He added: “Although the aircraft out there is a lit-tle bit German, a little bit French and a little bitSpanish, it is more than 50 per cent British con-tent…which says something for the British aircraftindustry.”

Alan Stewart, of Thomas Cook AG, who is respon-sible for the airline’s operations across Europe, saidthat there had been problems affecting on-time per-formance. But he added: “Thanks to the efforts ofManchester Airport and our ground handling agentswe have had a very great improvement in terms ofon-time departures in the last three-four monthsand look forward to continuing that trend this sum-mer.”.

JMC managing director Mohamed El Borai saidthat their airline was the only one in the UK that hadits HQ at Manchester Airport. “This is our first long-haul aircraft out of Manchester” and he askedeveryone present to “spare a thought” for all theothers who had contributed to the achievement.

He added that the airline’s punctuality was nowvery good “thanks to everybody’s efforts. We aregoing for less than 15 per cent of flights beingdelayed for more than 15 minutes.”

BY CHARLES HENN

Bob, as he was known by manyof his colleagues, joined the air-port staff as a buildings supervi-sor in the early 1960s. He hadbeen one of many loyal youngmen who were old enough to jointhe British Army early in WorldWar II and serve throughout thewar. He was posted to thefamous Durham Light Infantryand landed in Normandy on D-Day plus one; he was wounded inthe bitter fighting around Caen.After demobilisation he workedfor English Steel for a number ofyears.

At Manchester Airport he wasone of three men who wererecruited for their experience ofthe structure and maintenance ofbuildings, who were required tomonitor the workings of all build-ings in the airport complex; andreport on faults in the operationof the public areas, offices etc.He was an extremely diligent andloyal person, always being punc-tilious and prompt to seek outfaults and call for remedialaction.

Bob possessed an extremelypleasant personality and was on

memories of his performance in“Half a Sixpence”, presented bythe North Manchester OperaticSociety at the Royal NorthernCollege of Music.

Bob retired in 1984 andbecame a very active member ofMARSA. He attended almostevery social evening and dance,usually with his sister Alicia andhis niece Joan. He was continual-ly “on the floor” and on at leastone occasion he used his danc-ing and miming skills to entertainthose present. For a number ofyears he organised an annualwinter holiday for MARSA mem-bers to warmer climes, whichbecame extremely popular.

Many of Bob’s friends and for-mer colleagues were distressedto hear of his illness. After amajor abdominal operation in1997, he suffered long periods ofdisablement and for most of hisfinal years was in the dedicatedcare of his sister Alicia. Bob wasa proud and hardworking manwho made his mark in work, playand retirement, and will be great-ly missed.

Charles Bowers

good terms with all those withwhom he worked. However, histraining and sense of the correctwas such that he was not afraidto demand immediate action, norto accept second best.

A very important aspect ofBob’s personality was his love ofacting and dancing. He was amember of a number of dramaticand operatic societies and wasmuch in demand for his skills, forwhich he received a number ofprestigious awards. I have lasting

• Robert Tunnicliffe

• John Spooner, managing director Manchester Airport and Mohamed El Borai managing director JMCAirlines in the cockpit of the Airbus A330-200.

Manchester Airport’s runway one closed foressential maintenance for three nights only inMarch, to keep disruption to customers andlocal residents to an absolute minimum.

The work was programmed during the air-port’s quieter time so there were 38 aircraftmovements during the runway closure – mostof which were landings. These operated fromrunway two which is not normally used atnight.

The work started on Sunday March 17. Run-way one closed at 9.00pm for nine hours.There were a further two closures for three

hours on Tuesday and Wednesday March 19-20.

These exceptional circumstances areallowed for within the planning permission forrunway two, which enable it to be brought intooperation when essential maintenance is car-ried out on runway one. The arrangement,which had been carefully planned with air-lines, also had the full agreement of NationalAir Traffic Services.

The maintenance project involved resurfac-ing some sections of runway one and re-paint-ing.

Obituary – Robert Tunnicliffe (1920-2002)

• Thanks to Chris Formby, chief fire officer and his team at Manchester Airport, who organised thewater cannon arch for the arrival of the new JMC Airbus A330-200. Photographs by Bill Prudon.

Page 10 PLANE TALK MARCH 2002

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Hotel set to gosports crazy!

The award winning Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport,voted Hotel of the Year by the North West Tourist Board, isgoing sports crazy, with an itinerary that will appeal to allmembers of the family.

The Grand National on April 6 will be shown live on the bigscreen in the Runway Brasserie. The World Cup takes placethroughout June and whether you support England, Irelandor one of the other contending countries the best view-pointwill be from the Runway Brasserie, where you can take inthe atmosphere of the match and dine from one of thethemed buffets or a la carte menu.

Watch the Commonwealth Games, the biggest sportingevent in the UK since 1966, which will be broadcast on thebig screen with informal dining available.

Wimbledon is another sporting experience, where you cantake in the tournament whilst indulging yourself in the Eng-lish tradition of strawberries and cream, with a glass of bub-bly.

For information on dates, availability, etc please contactthe Radisson SAS Hotel on 0161 490 5000.

Coins benefitChildFlight

Steve Sefton, the treasurer of ChildFlight (left)is pictured being presented with a cheque for£6,168 by Lisa Murray, operations manager andTim Alexander north west airports manager, onbehalf of Travelex.

The cheque was the proceeds of unwantedforeign currency collected and changed intosterling by Travelex. Customers and employeesdonated foreign notes and coins they could nolonger use because of the advent of the Euro in12 European countries.

Airportacts tocombatstrikeaction

New road layoutDrivers travelling to Terminals 1 and 3 at Manchester Airportare being urged to take extra care following the introductionof a new traffic system on the final approach to the airport.

A new set of traffic lights has been installed at the end ofthe recently widened airport spur, off the M56. In addition,airport traffic now follows a new traffic management systemthat replaces the former roundabout.

“This new traffic management system has been introducedto help cope with the expected increase in the number ofvehicles using this stretch of road to access the newManchester Business Park.” said John Twigg, ManchesterAirport’s head of planning and environment.

The TGWU has agreed to end further strike action while theyreturn to the negotiating table with new proposals on rosters andpay.

Airport chiefs have welcomed the union’s offer to put forwardnew proposals to management next Wednesday (April 10.)

As Plane Talk went to press, the union’s 24-hour strike actionplanned for Friday (April 5) was still going ahead though.

The union’s industrial action over Easter failed to disruptflights and force management to back down over plans to movesecurity workers to new contracts with Manchester Airport Avia-tion Services.

TGWU members went on strike for 96 hours from Good Fridaythrough to Easter Monday. The union also held a mass picket onEaster Saturday morning. The action was organised at the air-port’s busiest time of the year so far, but airport chiefs said itwas business as usual.

This Easter, more than 164,000 passengers travelled throughthe airport. Some were on their way to top holiday sunspots likethe Canaries, Orlando, Spain and the Balearic Islands and oth-ers were on favourite city breaks like Dublin, Prague, Warsawand Amsterdam.

There were no flight delays caused by the industrial dispute.A meeting between airport management and the TGWU on

Wednesday March 27 to resolve the security dispute failed tomake progress because the union’s roster and pay proposalswere incomplete.

Airport chiefs said the union rosters did not improve produc-tivity and required more staff than the rosters drawn up by man-agement. Management also rejected a union proposal for payrates that are 58 per cent higher than those in the airport’s busi-ness case.

David Teale, managing director of Manchester Airport AviationServices, said: “After 71 days of the consultation period, theunion has finally realised that talking and negotiating is betterthan striking. They have realised that the industrial action is hav-ing no effect. The airport is continuing to run efficiently and it isonly the strikers who are suffering by losing pay on strike days.”

Check in on the webSingapore Airlines (SIA) has launched a new Internet check-in servicethat allows customers to choose their seats up to two days beforedeparture from a real-time seating plan.

Said Yap Kim Wah, SIA’s senior vice president for product and ser-vices: “We hope to offer our customers a more convenient pre-flightexperience and save them some precious time. In fact, if you havechecked-in online, you only need to arrive 45 minutes before the flight,or an hour for flights to and from the United States.”

BY PLANE TALK REPORTER

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 11

Resurfacing work on the M56 around Man-chester Airport will involve overnight andweekend restrictions for 10 days after Easter– and greatly cut traffic noise levels for themotorway’s neighbours in Wythenshawe.

The £900,000 scheme starts on Friday April5, to replace worn-out road surfaces with anew quieter material between Junction 4 atWythenshawe and Junction 6 (A538 WilmslowRoad and World Freight Terminal).

During the 10-day project there will beoccasional closures of both eastbound andwestbound carriageways with hard-shoulderrunning. Entry and exit sliproads at Junctions5 and 6 will also be closed overnight on vari-ous dates. Clearly signed diversions will oper-

ate via adjacent junctions.Travellers using Manchester Airport for

evening, early morning and weekend flightsare advised to allow extra time for their jour-neys. However, all night-time restrictions willbe removed by 4.30am.

Highways Agency project manager GraemeFreeman said: “We are carrying out this workat times when traffic flows are at their light-est, but there may be delays and driversshould allow more time for their journeys.

“The work will bring major benefits for peo-ple living alongside the motorway – installinglow-noise surfaces is equivalent to a halvingof traffic flows.”

Improving quality of surface

Baby look at you now!

It’s just seven weeks since bmibaby arrived on the scene at East Mid-lands Airport and managing director, Tony Davis is beaming with prideat the overwhelming positive reaction his protégé is receiving. To date,Tiny has sold nearly 160,000 seats, more than 30 per cent of its entiresummer 2002 capacity.

bmibaby, Europe’s newest low cost airline started daily services fromEast Midlands Airport to Malaga on March 20. This was immediatelyfollowed by the launch of services to Prague on March 22 and servicesto Dublin, Faro, Palma, Nice, Murcia (for Alicante) and Barcelona onSaturday March 23.

bmibaby has announced its ninth international destination from EastMidlands Airport to Ibiza, the party capital of the Balearic Islands.

The new destination will be served five times a week from May 15,with daily services except Tuesdays and Saturdays. Fares will be from£25 one way and can be booked on line by logging on to www.bmiba-by.com.

Tony Davis, said: “As well as this great news we can also report thatmore cheap deals will be available to Faro as due to overwhelmingdemand we will be increasing services from five to six a week with anadditional Tuesday flight. This will again come into effect from May 15.”

This represents a total of 122 flights with bmibaby a week.Tony Davis added: “Booking patterns lead us to believe we are in for

a bumper summer. We are now looking at extending the range ofbmibaby destinations from October and will be announcing shortlysome exciting new winter holiday spots for bmibaby.”

The first aircraft in the fleet has been named golden jubilee baby, thewinning competition entry from Awsworth Infant School in Nottingham.

bmibaby unveiled its new cabin crew uniforms at East Midlands Air-port on March 13.

The uniform, initially to be worn by 33 airline staff, has beendesigned by the bmi uniform department with input from the airline’smarketing team.

The casual style outfit consists of unisex navy chino style trousersand a choice of three t-shirts, either navy, sky blue or white, all ofwhich have the name of the new airline on. Staff will be issued withstriking red puffer jackets with the bmibaby logo embroidered on theshoulder and a standard rucksack with fashionable reflective whitestrips.

Health club offerManchester Airport Marriott’sHealth Club has introduced a nojoining fee for all Manchester Air-port employees, membership forthe off peak rate starts from £33per month and peak membershipat £51 per month.

The Health Club opened twoyears ago and boasts a luxuriousindoor swimming pool with itsrelaxing spa bath. The 85 stationgym will give you anything from agentle workout to a personal pro-gramme, all with the help of theleisure team who help youachieve your goals. In additionthere are 47 exercise classes aweek, from kick boxing to yogaand aerobics.

The Four Seasons Spa offers,at additional cost, a wide range oftreatments for you to unwind andrelax using E’spa aromatherapyproducts. Treat yourself to a StTropaz tanning treatment or a lux-urious hand and nail treatment.

For further details on thisexclusive offer and terms andconditions contact Ian Wakefield,health club manager on 0161904 5050.

• Tony Davis, managing director bmibaby with the airline staff in their new uniform.

If you only read one thing this month, this is our recommendation.Read of the Month is our choice of the latest, most relevant reading material for you this month.The titles we choose will be the most exciting new books available, keeping you up to date with

current affairs and hot issues.So if you don’t have time to browse, pick up Read of the Month – a guaranteed good read.

Read of the MonthRead of the Month

Year of Wonders – Geraldine Brooks‘Geraldine Brook’s impressive first novel goes wellbeyond chronicling the devastation of a plague-ridden village. It leaves us with the memory of vividcharacters struggling in timeless human ways withthe hardships confronting them’ Arthur Golden,author of Memoirs of a Geisha.

Number 9 Dream – David Mitchell‘Unique: clever, unusual, gripping and beautifullywritten’ Literary Review. ‘The novel’s imaginativepower re-energises everything it touches’ The Face.‘Captures aspects of modern Japan with acompelling authenticity and beauty’ Daily Telegraph.

P is for Peril – Sue Grafton‘One of the more human and empathicsleuths on the block, Grafton’s heroine isso genuinely believable, full of quirksand all too human foibles…Absolutetop form’ Time Out.

Aberyswyth, Mon Amour –Malcom Price‘Promises to do for Aberystwythwhat Irvine Welsh has done for

Edinburgh. I wish that all firstnovels could be written with suchcadence, such panache and suchabundant comic talent’ DailyTelegraph. ‘Not just a supremelyaccomplished pulp fichtionpastiche but a gloriously funnyand scabrous satire on the kindof malevolent kitsch that toooften passes for Welsh culture’John Williams.

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Milky Bar Munchies – New Product LaunchTo highlight this fantastic new product launch from the makers of Milky Bar, seems

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Non-Fiction Bookof the MonthFast Food Nation – E Schossler‘Startling…Junk food, welearn, is just that…left thisreader vowing never to setfoot in one of these outletsagain’ Daily Mail

Page 12 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Cookingup success

Year 10 Food Technology stu-dents from The KingswaySchool, Cheadle gave outstand-ing presentations when theywere challenged by the Post-house Manchester Airport tocreate a new children’s menu.The challenge, supported bySpringboard, a government ini-tiative aimed at promotingcareers in the hotel and cater-ing industry, gave the studentsthe opportunity to use theirorganisational and creativeskills to the full.

The winning team of LukeWilliams, Nathaniel Hall, Vanes-sa Hayes and Leah Watts wereselected thanks to their overallapproach to the task, superbteamwork and highly creativeideas.

The students and their par-ents all won a morning in theSpirit Health & Leisure Spa inrecognition of their hard work.

Business Club for PosthouseThe Posthouse Manchester Air-

port was one of the first hotels inthe north west to become amember of the CommonwealthGames Business Club which waslaunched last week in London byRoger Black, Olympic medal win-ner and TV presenter; DigbyJones, director general of theCBI; Richard Caborn, Minister forSport; and Peter Budd, chairmanof the club.

Fiona Lockyer, general manag-

er said, “The CommonwealthGames Business Club is an idealforum for us to profile our busi-ness internationally, nationallyand regionally. It is completelyfree of charge to join as are thebenefits and we are delighted to

offer special rates in Sampansrestaurant to membership cardholders.”

Any business wishing to join upor find out more should visit thewebsite: www.nwbusinessclub.com. Spirit reach their goal

Spirit Health & Leisure Club atthe Posthouse Manchester Air-port enlisted the support of TVpresenter Bob Greaves andmember Gilda Roberts, to pre-sent a £603 cheque for the NewYork firefighters dependants’ fundto Ian Bailey of Greater Manches-ter Fire Service. Spirit’s month-long promotion involved mem-bers and non-members collec-tively, running, cycling, swimmingor rowing the distance betweenManchester Airport and NewYork. Gilda, who covered themost miles during the promotion(462), was invited to help Bobwith the presentation as a thankyou for all her efforts.

• Pictured (Lto R): SpiritHealth andLeisure ClubmanagerTonya Evison,Bob Greavesand GildaRobertspresent thecheque to IanBailey ofGreaterManchesterFire Service.

• Winningstudents fromThe KingswaySchool,Cheadle, withFionaLockyer,generalmanagerPosthouseManchesterAirport andAdrianDeamer,executivechef.

Airporthosts firetrainingsummit

Britain’s senior airport fire chiefs were at Manchester Airport in Marchto hold a top-level meeting on training of fire officers.

Senior fire officers from 37 airports around the country met to dis-cuss new Civil Aviation Authority legislation on training and other oper-ational matters.

The meeting of the Airport Fire Services Association UK was held atthe airport’s new £1 million state-of-the-art South Fire Station whichboasts the latest fire engines armed with the latest equipment. The firestation was built as part of the second runway development.

Among the issues discussed were improvements in the training of fireofficers, assessing their competence at work and addressing any short-comings. A new CAA document, CAP 699, which measures standardsof training, was one of the key areas of discussion.

Nigel Moore, Manchester Airport’s deputy senior fire officer, said:“The meeting was aimed at improving the training of fire officers. Weare always striving for excellence and these regular discussions are amajor contribution towards achieving that goal.

“Getting together with other airports helps us benchmark what weare doing to ensure that Manchester stays at the forefront of airportsafety and also helps us find out what other airports are doing.”

The talks attracted officers from the largest airport fire service, theBritish Airports Authority, through to the smallest airport fire service atShoreham, Sussex.

The fire service provides round-the-clock cover at Manchester Airportwith the help of 130 firefighters who work in rotas of four watches cov-ering both runways.

Manchester Airport

New style ofcruise on offer

Travellers flying from Manchester Airport are now being offered a newstyle of informal four star cruising thanks to Island Cruises – a new jointventure from First Choice and Royal Caribbean International.

Island Cruises operate from Manchester Airport and offer holiday-makers both seven and 14 night cruises enabling “cruise” or “cruiseand stay options” using one of two Mediterranean itineraries. Sailingsare from Palma, Mallorca.

The cruise ship can accommodate 1,700 passengers. On boardthere are three restaurants offering passengers a choice of internation-al cuisine; a fully equipped cyber café and a dedicated gym and spa.On-board entertainment includes stand up comedy; shows; a pianobar; deck parties and dancing. Dress code on board is informal.

There are also many excursions including visits to vineyards, trips toareas of scenic beauty, mountain biking, scuba diving and guided toursof historic cities and sights.

Island Cruises hosted a three day familiarisation trip for over 700Manchester-based travel agents to show them the facilities and desti-nations that Island Cruises visit.

Island Cruises are offering a special introductory saving of £250 perperson on either of their Mediterranean cruises during 2002, subject toavailability. Half price cabin upgrades are also available. Four flightsdepart from Manchester Airport every Tuesday.

For further information or to book, please contact Island CruisesReservations team on 08707 500414.

Austrian Airlines boostslinks with Japan

Austrian Airlines has announced an increase in flights to Japan in timefor this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament. From March 28 the airlineis reintroducing its Osaka service, flying five times a week – and theexisting Tokyo service goes up from two to three flights a week. UK pas-sengers can depart from Manchester or London Heathrow with a onehour connection through the airline’s hub in Vienna.

Flights are aboard modern A340 aircraft. In business ‘Grand Class’Japanese meals and delicacies – prepared by master chefs – areserved on traditional Japanese porcelain.

General manager (UK and Ireland) Roger Johnson said: “We aredelighted to announce our increased service to Japan. Osaka is backby popular demand while our Tokyo route, which has always been busy,is going from strength to strength. We anticipate increasing this servicefurther still before the end of the year.”

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PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 13

Award for new child seat

Austrian Airline’s change on Vienna service

Plane Talk on tour

Glasgow School of Art student Joanna Shaw hasbeen awarded a £1,875 Audi Design Foundationgrant. Joanna, 22, has designed a child restraintsystem for commercial aircraft.

Joanna, from Teddington, south west London, is inher fourth and final year of a product design engi-neering course run jointly by Glasgow University andthe School of Art in the city.

She can now construct a prototype of the childrestraint for commercial airlines, thanks to the grant.

Joanna said, “The child restraint can be used forchildren from birth up to six-years-old. It will not onlyact as a ‘restraint’ which increases the safety of thechild, but also provides a more comfortable environ-ment for both the child and the parents, making fly-ing with a family far less traumatic!

“Receiving the Audi Design Foundation grantmeans I can now prototype my final concept to ahigh standard so that it can be professionally testedand presented.”

The child seat would fit onto a normal aircraft seat

by means of the conventional seat belt. Proposednew legislation will outlaw the dual occupancy seat-ing arrangement using lap belts currently used byadults with children under two.

Joanna added: “Currently most child car seats areapproved for air travel but in many instances are justnot practical. Individual airlines would provide thesenew child seats – not the parents.

“I can call on the expertise of the lecturers at theUniversity as well as its computer labs and mechan-ical engineering testing facilities,” she added. “At theArt School, I have full studio facilities and workshopsavailable throughout the year.

“It may become necessary to carry out researchat airports and airline seat manufacturer, Britax, andBritish Airways have offered me use of their facilities,while the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshirehas agreed to test my prototype.”

The Audi Design Foundation, a non-profit-makingsubsidiary of Audi UK, has awarded around 50grants totalling £200,000 since 1998.

Airport gears upfor new review

Manchester Airport’s charges to airlines will beunder the spotlight for the next six months as theCompetition Commission moves in to begin its fiveyearly review of the airport’s costs and pricing tocustomers.

The review has been kicked off by a Civil AviationAuthority (CAA) report which highlights the fact thatairline charges are higher at Manchester than at allother regulated airports.

In its role of reporting to the CAA, the Competi-tion Commission will now spend six months review-ing Manchester and the other designated airports’internal and external trading contracts. This is toensure that the contracts are in the public interestand are competitive within the aviation market.

Rowena Burns, Manchester Airport Group strat-egy director, said “One area the review willundoubtedly focus on is the in-house services atManchester Airport to ensure they are cost effec-tive. The Competition Commission will examine indetail Manchester Airport’s relationships with itstrading subsidiaries, especially Manchester AirportAviation Services, to ensure complete transparen-cy and rigorous management of client/contractrelationships between the companies.

“We have to demonstrate to the CompetitionCommission that the services provided to airlinesat Manchester Airport are efficient and competitive

in the market place. As well as a regulatoryrequirement, it is good business sense enabling usto boost our traffic by reducing charges to airlines.There is still scope for us to be more competitivehere.”

Rowena Burns warned: “If the Competition Com-mission finds that in-house services at ManchesterAirport are not being provided cost effectively, theairport could be instructed by the Civil AviationAuthority to put the services out to tender”.

As far as airline prices are concerned, Manches-ter Airport has had a consistent policy of reducingits aviation charges year-on-year: the equivalent ofmore than 30 per cent over the last decade. It isessential that the airport can reduce charges fur-ther to ensure that Manchester remains an attrac-tive and viable airport for existing and future airlineoperations.

• Manchester is one of four designated airportsin the UK and as such its business is subject todetailed regulation by the CAA. Its charges arecontrolled by a price cap which is set for a five yearperiod. The other designated airports areHeathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The CompetitionCommission is the successor to the Monopoliesand Mergers Commission.

• Charges per passenger for 2000-2001 were:Heathrow £5.23; Gatwick £4.06; Stansted £4.36:Manchester £6.73 (Source: CAA Press Release6/3/02).

BY PLANE TALK REPORTER

PM leads stadiumhandover event

The Prime Minister The RtHon Tony Blair MP led cele-brations at the completedCity of Manchester stadiumas it was handed over toorganisers of Manchester’s2002 Commonwealth Gameson March 21.

The Prime Minister said thestunning £110 million stadi-um was excellent for sport,excellent for the country andexcellent for the long-termbenefits to the region.

He said: “The Games arethe most visible celebrationof the Commonwealth. Theyembody its shared values offriendship and mutualrespect. Hosting the Gamesis valuable and exciting toBritain and Manchester forother reasons too. From thissummer the people of Man-chester will be able to enjoylots of brand new sportingfacilities including thissuperb stadium sitting in theheart of Sportcity.

“But sport has a muchgreater value than justmedals. It encourages us toaspire to be the best we can,to work hard and to make

sacrifices in pursuit of ourgoals. It teaches us respectfor one another, teamworkand leadership.”

Funded by Manchester CityCouncil and Sport England,the 38,000-seat stadium isthe centrepiece of the XVllCommonwealth Games, thelargest multi-sport event totake place in this country,and is the catalyst for themulti-million pound regenera-tion of East Manchester.

Major construction work atthe stadium is finished. Inthe next three months, fix-tures and fittings will be com-pleted and test events heldbefore the opening ceremonyon July 25.

Investmentboost fromthe games

The 2002 CommonwealthGames has helped Manchesterto secure more than £600 mil-lion of public and private invest-ment, according to independentconsultants.

The Games will generate6,100 full-time-equivalent jobs –an achievement comparable tothe successful Olympics hostedby Sydney in 2000 andBarcelona in 1992.

Every year from now on, anextra 300,000 visitors will spendan extra £12 million in theregion thanks to the multi-mil-lion pound sports and culturalextravaganza.

And nearly 30 million peoplewill now consider Manchester asa possible business and visitordestination because of itsimproved image around theworld.

The stunning range of eco-nomic benefits are spelled out ina detailed report by CambridgePolicy Consultants, an economicconsultancy commissioned byManchester City Council toinvestigate the long-term effectsof the Commonwealth Games onthe city and the region.

Plane Talk on Tour says ‘G’day’ to ADX favourite Pat Molloy pic-tured with the airport newspaper in front of the famous SydneyHarbour Bridge and Opera House.

Pat enjoyed a fantastic four weeks in Australia with husbandHarry visiting his brother, flying out via Singapore and back viaHong Kong.

Pat says the highlight of the trip was the three-hour climb upthe famous Harbour Bridge, kitted out in mountaineering gearand clamped on to the structure.

But there were many other things to enjoy down under includ-ing the Barrier Reef at Cairns, the Blue Mountains and Manleyand Bondi beaches.

Pat enjoyed the seven-flight extravaganza so much that shecan’t wait to return to Australia as soon as possible.

Ongoing consolidation of opera-tions within the Austrian AirlinesGroup took a step up with theannouncement that Rheintalflugwill replace fellow group memberLauda Air on the Manchester toVienna route. Effective April 8,the move underpins the group’snew strategy for its four brandsAustrian Airlines, Lauda Air,Rheintalflug and Tyrolean Air-ways.

Roger Johnson, general man-ager (UK&Ireland) said: “Therehas been a careful overview ofthe group’s four products andthe worldwide network and, as aresult each member carrier willnow specialise in a particular

area of operations.”Rheintalflug and Tyrolean will

assume joint responsibility forscheduled short haul flights ofup to 80 passengers within theEuropean market, servicing anumber of key regional airports.The Lauda Air brand, which hasbecome well known for its inno-vation and style, will fly key long-haul leisure routes, such as thevery successful Australia routeand charter services.

Austrian Airlines itself will con-

tinue to offer a traditional serviceoperating short, medium andlong haul routes across theworldwide network, with a fre-quency that meets the needs ofthe business traveller.

All flights will operate underthe Austrian Airlines prefix ‘OS’.

Mr Johnson said: “Rheintalflugtaking over the ManchesterVienna route is a stage of theintegration process and illus-trates how the group will opti-mise its strengths and eliminate

duplication”. The new Rheintalflug service

ex MAN-VIE will offer animproved flight schedule, offer-ing passengers from the UKexcellent connections to the FarEast, Australia and Europe.

Passengers travelling to Vien-na depart at 06.10hrs fromManchester and return fromVienna at 20.00hrs. Rheintalflugwill operate Embraer ERJ145jetswith 50-seat capacity on theMAN-VIE route.

What’s on – Bollin Vallley‘You are Here’ – display boards official opening. Mon Apr 15, 2pm.Oldfield Brow, Cinderland Crossing (small carpark at old level crossingon Seamons Road). Join us for a walk along the Trans Pennine Trailwhen the Mayor of Trafford cuts the ribbons on the new display boardsand Millennium seats.Early Spring Migrant Birds. Wed Apr 17, 10am-12 noon. Maccles-field Riverside Park, Beechwood Mews off A538 Manchester Rd,Tytherington. A ‘Showing Birds to People’ event with Peter Kirk.The Botanical Noah’s Ark. Wed Apr 24, 7.45pm. Sale, St Mary’sChurch Parlour, Moss Lane, junction with Harboro Rd

John Edmondson gives an illustrated talk on New Caledonia to CWTNorth Group. All welcome.Waterways Wanderer. Sun Apr 28, 10am. Macclesfield RiversidePark, Beechwood Mews off A538 Manchester Rd, Tytherington

Malcolm Bower (Macc.Canal Soc.) leads a circular walk via Prest-bury, Bollington & the canal. Waterproofs, sensible footwear, packedlunch needed. Finish about 3 pm.

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Page 14 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

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PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 15

Positive signs for recoveryof airport cargo business

There have been positive signsthat Manchester Airport’s cargobusiness is lining up for take offtowards recovery.

Among several welcomepointers are the all-roundimprovement in freight beingcarried on existing all-cargo andpassenger routes, the start-up ofChina Airlines after the Easterholiday and the return ofMalaysian Airways on April 2.

Figures for February, the latestmonth available, show a markedimprovement with the total of7,958 tonnes reflecting a loss ofjust 25 tonnes – or 0.3 per centdown – compared to the total forthe same month last year.

The February result is the bestmonthly performance, in per-centage terms, during the finan-cial year 2001-2002. The mov-ing annual total of 111,229

tonnes shows a reduction thathas been trimmed to 9.5 percent.

Locally, the air cargo industryhas drawn encouragement fromthe result because, despite thetraditional Chinese New Yearslump in traffic in mid-February,the anticipated reduction in FarEast freighter traffic did notmaterialize.

Both of Manchester’s Boeing747 all-freighter operators, AirHong Kong and Dragonair,recorded improved figures com-pared to last year. Indeed, six ofthe airport’s top ten carriersreturned better totals for the

month than in February last yearand nine of the ten carried morethan in the previous month, Jan-uary.

On the transatlantic routes,outstanding and consistent per-formances were returned by twoairlines. bmi british midland’srecord breaking month totalled778 tonnes to Chicago andWashington – contributing 10per cent to the Manchester total– reaching an export load on oneday of 29,909 kg. carried jointlyto both destinations on the air-line’s A330 Airbus.

Meanwhile, the 591 tonnescarried by US Airways to

Philadelphia was 148 per centhigher than in February last year.

At the end of February Man-chester Airport’s year-to-datetotal was 101,192 tonnes andmembers of the freight commu-nity are hoping that the recentimprovement could mark thelong-awaited turnround in theindustry.

• February was not as encour-aging a month for BAA’s sevenUK airports, according to ReedBusiness Information. All seventogether handled 9.4 per centless cargo than in the corre-sponding month in 2001.

Cargo at Heathrow, whichcontributes about three-quartersof the group’s freight tonnage,was 6.6 per cent down on Feb-ruary 2001 and at a sharperreduction at London Gatwick, of27 per cent.

Cargo is loaded onto a Pakistani International Airlines Boeing747 bound for Karachi, watched by Dave Phoenix, regional man-ager of Airline Cargo Management Ltd, who are sales agents forPIA.

Dave is pictured with Lynda Whitfield, supervisor within the PIAdedicated operations department of Servisair Cargo.

During the past 12 months Dave has obtained more than 400tonnes of business for the airline, including such items as tex-tiles, machinery and chocolate making equipment, pharmaceuti-cals, generating turbines and many other commodities.

He said that although the operating environment is tough atthe moment, PIA’s extensive route network to the Middle and FarEast, the United States and Pakistan helps him to offer a wideselection of destinations at very competitive prices.

Dave is also the general sales agent for two more operators atManchester Airport, Monarch Airlines and Aer Lingus.

three airports.“I look forward to keeping in

contact with Manchester Airportand I hope that there will beareas where we can do businesstogether. I am looking forward tosome of the airports in the twogroups working together todevelop business for theregion.”

Jean would like to thank allher colleagues and staff for theirsupport and also Plane Talk forits excellent coverage of cargoissues.

She can be contacted onhome email at jeanparsons@ukonline.co.uk.

“Plane Handling’s Manchesterfacility will continue to operateunder the control of cargo busi-ness manager, Gary Reczkowski.”

ports as general manager cargo.Jean said that her new job

would be “a challenge and achange of direction. I love avia-tion the most and it is the onlypart of the business that I havenot had any time in before andit will be exciting working for

Jean Parsons – sales and mar-keting manager for Plane Han-dling Ltd is to leave after fiveand a half years with the com-pany. Jean joined in November1996 and set up the Manches-ter operation for Plane Handling.

Jean has been employed atManchester Airport for 24 yearsin varied environments includingforwarding, airline and transitshed. She has also been a veryactive member of the communi-ty working closely with Man-chester Airport’s marketingteams over the years. Jean hastwice been chairman of Man-chester Air Cargo Executive Cluband worked for Air Express,Benair and BOC before joiningPlane Handling.

In April, she will join Peel Air-

Trailertales

A temperature-controlled, semi-trailer, designed to meet thespecific needs of air freight car-riers, has been launched bybody builder, Klege Europ (UK)Ltd.

The Cargoway Q7 is unique inthat it has been purposely builtto accommodate the industrystandard Q7 air freight contain-er, yet remain within the Euro-pean overall height restriction.

It’s a fact that nearly 80 percent of air freight actually travelsby road and more and moreEuropean airports are simplybecoming hubs to which timesensitive goods are delivered foronward distribution by road.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Air-port, for example, is now one of

the leading players, while in theUK, Manchester, Stansted andHeathrow figure large. The idealsituation is for the goods to beloaded straight into the back ofthe road vehicle in their aircraftcontainers for onward transmis-sion to their destination.

This has previously proved tobe a problem for those shifting

temperature sensitive goods,such as fruit and flowers, as theindividual Q7 containers are 3mhigh and need an extra hightrailer to accommodate them.The problem is that there is a4.2m running height restrictionthroughout Europe, whichmakes life difficult.

Now Klege has come up with

the answer: a purpose built trail-er with a low height deck, whichcan accept industry standard Q7containers, keep them at theright temperature and yet keepwell within the limit.

For ease of loading andunloading, roller bearing flooringis used and the internal spaceavailable is vast.

New GSAfor bmi

Airspace Aviation Solutions(AAS) has been chosen ascargo GSA for bmi britishmidland’s transatlanticoperation at ManchesterAirport.

The airline said thatAAS’s role as a partnerGSA, working with their ownin-house cargo organisa-tion, would enable maxi-mum use of cargo space onthe airline’s routesbetween Manchester andChicago and WashingtonDC.

AAS’s Steve Davidsonsaid that, because theywere operating at Man-chester “and because ofour background in thetransatlantic market andour helping in cargo salesthroughout the UK we shallbe able to improve utilisa-tion of cargo space.”

The GSA company looksset to build success onsuccess. As mentioned onthis page, bmi had a recordbreaking month in Februaryfor cargo uplift on theirChicago and Washingtonroutes.

China Airlineschose Manchester

Manchester Airport is the choice of cargo carrier China Airlines to bethe UK end of its new Asia-Middle East-Europe service which start-ed on April 1, the carrier’s first scheduled service into the UK.

Flights are operated by a Boeing 747 all-cargo aircraft out ofChina Airlines’ Taipei hub. The service into Manchester operates onMondays (via Luxembourg), Thursdays and Saturdays (via Amster-dam), with the inbound aircraft also landing at Bangkok and AbuDhabi en route from Taipei. The aircraft lands at Manchester at1740 hours. Outbound flights return to Taipei via Abu Dhabi andBangkok.

“We are delighted that Manchester was chosen by China Airlinesfor their new, three-times-a-week, scheduled service,” says airportmanaging director John Spooner. “Manchester’s strategic locationat the heart of one of the UK’s most important industrial and busi-ness regions and our first-class cargo handling facilities were keyfactors in their decision.

“This is also great news for the 100 specialist air freight forward-ing companies operating out of our World Freight Terminal. It opensup to them and their business customers throughout the UK, a newrange of destinations in a region of the world that is experiencingconsiderable economic growth with huge potential for trade devel-opment.”

China Airlines’ general manager cargo sales and services Europe,Fred Feng said, “I am pleased that we are opening this new routebetween Taipei and Manchester. We were impressed by the cargohandling facilities and expertise available at Manchester Airport andlook forward to working with the airport to provide local businesseswith a first-class cargo service to key destinations in the Far East.”

China Airlines is among the world’s top ten cargo airlines with afleet of 15 Boeing 747 aircraft. The B747F aircraft they are usingon the new service has a payload in excess of 100 tonnes. Amongthe expected cargoes both inbound and outbound will be electron-ic goods and a range of luxury and manufactured goods.

CARGO COLUMN

Jean Parsons bids farewell

Martin Short, managing director of Air Liaison Ltd, cargosales and marketing agent for Air Canada, Alitalia, Conti-nental and Finnair, has announced the appointment ofJames Lee as sales executive for the north of England.James has several years’ experience in the freight for-warding industry, having worked for several freight for-warders in both an operational and sales capacity in theManchester Area.__________________

Air Canada has returned, as promised, to Manches-ter Airport after the suspension of their flight post-September 11 last year. The resumption of the air-line’s flight AC841 from Manchester to Toronto onApril 8 has delighted many in the freight forwardingcommunity in the north of England.

Cargo In BriefThe flight is operating initially four times weekly,

departing Manchester at 1045 hours and arrivingToronto 1320 hours local, and will be increased todaily frequency from June 2.

Martin Short, managing director of Air Liaison,said; “This news is welcomed by freight forwardingcompanies because the service has a long estab-lished history of operating from Manchester withnorthern shippers preferring to utilise these direct

flights.” For cargo reservations call 0161 498 9800.

__________________

Swiss Air Lines, formerly Crossair, has nominated PlaneHandling Limited to manage all the airline’s cargo han-dling requirements at Manchester Airport, Heathrow andGlasgow Airport.

This major business gain will involve some 15,000tonnes of cargo over the next 12 months and representsa significant boost to Plane Handling’s ground handlingrevenues and tonnages handled. Plane Handling has beenproviding cargo-handling services for Crossair at LondonHeathrow since September last year and at both Man-chester and Glasgow since Plane Handling began theiroperations here in 1997 and 2000 respectively.

Page 16 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Your lettersDear Editor

I arrived at Manchester Airport today (March 19) on Flight JMC 848Lfrom Malta.

Earlier in the day I had injured my ankle and, although it was not aproblem at the time, the pain increased during the flight and I neededa wheelchair to take me from the aircraft. A wheelchair arrived and theporter suggested I receive treatment at the NHS Walk-In Centre wherehe took me. I received treatment and was then wheeled to meet up withmy family.

Can you please pass on my thanks to all concerned both with thewheelchair transport and the treatment at the NHS Centre. The systemis brilliant and all involved were a credit to your airport management.Well done Manchester Airport!Alan Merrick, BEMDerrington, Stafford, Staffs

Dear EditorThe airport proudly boasts of its Investors in People status but there

is something that makes me wonder whether or not I’m missing thepoint of the title. I work in the plumbing section and I have often won-dered about the lack of toilet facilities for our disabled passengers onthe piers. C pier is by far the worst!

Since the September 11 occurrences, the security of the piers hasbeen redefined and although I can appreciate the need for this, I ques-tion the design people when somebody has erected all these glass pan-els and now halved the facilities available to people in wheelchairs.

Consider a family leaving at gate 29 and their disabled son or daugh-ter needs to use the toilet. Firstly, they would need to battle against allthe other outbound passengers travelling up the pier in a now very nar-row channel, from the end of the original C pier to the satellite. Oncethey have done this, they would only have one toilet to use because theother is now partitioned off and their only way of getting to it would beto stop a member of staff and ask them to take them through the codeddoor. Imagine all this happening in July or August! If no one could befound they would then have to walk back down the pier, still againstoncoming traffic, with a wheelchair, to the departure lounge. Their jour-ney still not over, they would have to walk back towards outbound con-trol and to the toilets facing the north entry to the Duty Free Shop beforefinding a disabled toilet. Given the time that they have from being calledto gate to actually boarding, I think even some of our soon to arriveCommonwealth athletes, would fail!

I would appreciate your comments on this problem and ask if youcould draw it to the attention of the powers that be, and attempt to cor-rect this oversight of the services and requirements of those who are ourmost important consideration, our passengers!

Due to the withdrawal of the suggestion scheme, I feel that you maybe a route to a happy conclusion to the problem.

Name and address supplied.

Editor: Thank you very much for identifying this important problem atthe airport. Our disabled passengers are as important to us as our able-bodied ones. They have the right to be afforded the same standard offacilities as everyone else.

I asked Bob Ryder who works in Design and has special responsibili-ty for disabled facilities at the airport for his comments:

“The scheme to segregate the piers, which was necessary throughrecent security legislation, was developed with Manchester Airport Divi-sion. I will certainly take up the points the reader has raised with thoseinvolved and come back to you on this.”

Dear EditorYou and your colleagues at the airport are invited to participate in the

Anthony Nolan Trust’s fundraising events this summer.For example, for a great team event look no further than Dragon Boat

Racing at Sale Water Park. Last year nearly 30 teams battled it out withfriends and family looking on – will you take up the challenge?

Or for those with a head for heights, why not sign up for the Man-chester University Maths Tower abseil. At over 200ft high – that’s 18storeys – this will certainly test your nerve. For those who want to stayon terra firm – there are a whole series of runs, walks and bike rides,something for all ages and abilities. Why not get a corporate teamtogether and support each other all the way round.

The Anthony Nolan Trust exists solely to save the lives of adults andchildren who are suffering from leukaemia and related diseases. Thecharity operates a register of over 300,000 volunteers willing to donatesome of their blood stem cells should their tissue type match that of apatient desperately in need. It costs the Trust £50 to fully tissue typeeach new volunteer and we receive no government or lottery funding.There are currently over 4,000 people in the UK alone who need a trans-plant. Each new volunteer added to the register could be a life saver.

Please help us to save lives by participating in one of our events…simply call 01423 879510 or e-mail: events@anthonynolan.comRuth CarterArea manager for Cheshire, Manchester and MerseysideThe Anthony Nolan Trust, Harrogate, HG3 1EQ

Dear EditorI live local to the airport and yet although I flew six times last year, not

one of them was from Manchester. Five were from Liverpool and theother was from Stansted – I shall probably be doing the same this year.Now I have no difficulty in flying from Liverpool but I would prefer to flyfrom my local airport.

What puzzles me is that each time I see these airlines advertising inthe national press, they appear to offer flights from every other airport inthe country except Manchester which leaves me to believe that the air-port must have some perverse and deliberate policy to keep them out!God knows what though, but if I were you I would start rethinking yourpolicy towards budget airlines, and quickly.

Eric RoyleVia e-mail

Editor: Thank you for your letter. I asked Aidan Mooney our aviationdevelopment manager for his comments: “we operate on a level play-ing field with all airlines and don’t differentiate charges. Low cost carri-ers won’t pay the standard charges. As we are regulated by the Com-petition Commission we cannot discount our cost structure.

Festivefundraising

The raffle organised at theServisair Christmas DinnerDance raised £800 for Child-Flight.

Julie Littlewood, the chair ofthe social committee, andDenise Howard, a committeemember are pictured presentingthe cheque to Steve Sefton,ChildFlight treasurer. SuzanneWalsh, a passenger servicessupervisor is also in the picture.

Steve thanked the committeemembers for choosing Child-Flight as the beneficiary.

Industry faces ‘critical’year says new AOA boss

The UK aviation industry faces a critically important year ahead,according to the new chairman of the Airport Operators Associ-ation. The coming year will not only be crucial in determining thesuccess of airports and airlines in recovering from the devasta-tion caused to air travel by September 11, but also in determin-ing the future direction of UK aviation policy for the next 30years.

Roger Cato, managing director of London Gatwick Airport,assumes the AOA chairmanship just six months after the US ter-rorist attacks which sparked a global downturn in air travel andled to difficult times for many airports and airlines. The signsare, however, that confidence in air travel is beginning to returnand all eyes are now on the Government which is reaching thefinal stages of plans to develop a new aviation policy for the UK.Mr Cato gave his first address as the new chairman of the Air-port Operators Association at its annual dinner on March 5.

In his address, Mr Cato argued that the coming year shouldsee decisions made which will determine the future direction ofair travel and that British airports must ensure that their voiceis heard in the run up to the anticipated Aviation Policy WhitePaper later this year.

He stressed the Association’s blueprint for the sustainablegrowth of air travel, a document launched in the House of Com-mons in January, which sets out five principles to underpin theGovernment’s aviation policy.

Mr Cato commented: “I am delighted to be taking over thechairmanship of the AOA at such a momentous time for theindustry. The last six months have been challenging in theextreme for airports across the country and we are still weath-ering the storm which began with the tragic events in the Unit-ed States last September. But I am confident that the continuedresilience of British airports will shine through and that fullrecovery will come over the next year or so.

“As an industry we must now focus our attention on securingthe right framework for air transport policy looking 30 yearshence. We firmly believe that aviation policy must be able todeliver three things: sustainable growth of the industry to sup-port British jobs and trade; a dynamic market providing choice

to consumers; and effective measures to protect the environ-ment”.

At the AGM Donal Dowds, managing director BAA Scottish Air-ports, was elected to serve as AOA deputy chairman for theforthcoming year.

• The Airport Operators Association is the trade associationthat speaks for British airports. The membership of 73 airportsand 150 associate companies includes all the UK’s internation-al hub and major regional airports as well as many of those serv-ing community, business and leisure aviation.

• The AOA’s five principles for a sustainable aviation policyare:

Principle 1 – Maximising economic and employment benefits– Aviation policy must support and promote the contributionmade by aviation to UK employment, trade and the economy ingeneral.

Principle 2 – Delivering airport capacity – Aviation policy mustensure the effective provision and use of airport and airspacecapacity in all regions of the UK, including a decision on whereand when additional runway capacity is to be provided in south-east England.

Principle 3 – Addressing environmental impact – Aviation pol-icy must include a comprehensive package of measures toaddress environmental impact including steps to tackle aircraftnoise, emissions at source and further promote the proactiveapproach by airports and airlines to mitigating the effect of theiroperations.

Principle 4 – Reforming the planning process – Aviation policymust be supported by a more modern, effective and swifter sys-tem for determining major airport development in the nationalinterest and promote an approach characterised by consensusrather than confrontation.

Principle 5 – Meeting consumer needs – Aviation policy mustprotect and enhance the interests of consumers by ensuring theeffective use and provision of airport and airspace capacity,minimising delays, improving customer service to air passen-gers and maintaining a dynamic and competitive air transportmarket.

Due to their overwhelming popu-larity, Singapore Airlines (SIA) ispleased to announce the exten-sion of certain special offers:

£1 Singapore Stopover – hasnow been extended to Septem-ber 30. Passengers who travel onSIA and SilkAir to a city in SouthEast Asia, Australia or NewZealand can stay in a top Singa-pore hotel from just £1

Fly to Australia and get a freeflight to Europe (via KrisFlyer Fre-quent Flyer Programme), whichwas due to expire on June 29,will now end on December 31.

For all Economy Class fares(excluding group fares) bookedwith Singapore Airlines to Aus-tralia and New Zealand, just oneEconomy Class return trip canearn enough miles for a free tick-et to Europe with bmi british mid-land. For example a trip to Syd-ney will earn enough miles for afree economy class trip fromHeathrow to Palma, Nice or

Dublin.Strike it Lucky

Passengers on all SIA flights toAustralia can win two free econ-omy class return tickets to any offive Australian cities, from anySIA destination world-wide, in adaily lucky draw, which is part ofthe Great Aussie Strike it Luckypromotion. The draws are takingplace until April 23.

Special offers At the end of the promotion,

all entries will be snowballed intoa Grand Draw for the top twoprizes: a pair of First or Raffles(Business Class) tickets to Aus-tralia on SIA. Together with fivenights’ accommodation in a fivestar hotel, plus spending moneyof US$5000 and US$3,000respectively. To enter the freeprize draw on line visit:http//oz.singaporeair.co.uk/oz

SIA has three daily flights fromLondon to Singapore and a dailyflight from Manchester to Singa-pore.

16adirect from Airport

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 17

New York supportWhen news of the Twin Towers disaster broke, ChristineDearden who works at RHSL decided she wanted to dosomething practical to help.

She set about organising a benefit night at Terminal 2 forairport employees and friends.

A great time was had by all and when the proceeds from theticket sales, auction and raffle were counted a tremendous£1,270 was achieved.

Christine would like to thank everyone for their support, inparticular those who donated prizes.

Pictured here receiving a cheque on behalf of the New YorkFire Department from Christine and two of her helpers, AlanCrabtree (RHSL) and Jason Coughlan (Eurest Corporate), isVictor Wright, the GMC airport liaison officer, along with stationofficer John Varey and his crew from Bromley Road Fire Station,Wythenshawe and members of the airport fire service.

In recognition of her fundraising efforts Victor presentedChristine with an engraved GMC Fire Service plaque with thebest wishes of the New York Fire Department.

New test facility launched

East Midlands welcomes ‘flying fanatics’

The official opening of the new test benchfacility at Airspares Management Limited(AML) took place at the unit in the WorldFreight Terminal on Thursday March 20. Rep-resentatives from airlines and airport compa-nies were there to hear Alain Vassil presidentof Air France Industries, give his welcomingspeech.

AML is a joint venture company between AirFrance Industries (AFI) and Aviation Manage-ment Partnership, located in Southampton.

The establishment of the test bench facilityat Manchester, the only one at a UK airport,underlines AFI’s commitment to their airlinecustomers in the UK.

The facility acts as an extension of AFI’scomprehensive workshops in Paris, using anATEC 5000 test bench. It is operated by afully qualified and experienced technicianrecruited from the UK, Robert Hoakley.. Thetest facility uses AFI supplied adaptors whichare capable of testing a range of avionic andelectronic equipment fitted to Airbus airframeproducts.

The purpose of Air France establishing thisunit in the UK is to provide an enhanced ser-vice and improved level of performance to itscontracted customers: Airtours Group, BritishAirways, Monarch Airlines, timco and VirginAtlantic. Subject to market demand the ser-vice will be extended to other airlines on acommercial basis.

Air France Industries is a leading provider ofcomponent support for Airbus A320s, A330sand A340s, and intends to consolidate thisposition through a policy of commitment toairline customers. Large-scale investment in

facilities and equipment in Paris have alreadybeen approved and will lead to total flexibilityof its repair and overhaul services.

Further information can be found atwww.airfranceindustries.com

Aircraft fanatics from around the country are expected to landat East Midlands Airport on April 14 for the airport’s seventhannual Aviation Enthusiasts Fair, held from 10am to 5pm in thedeparture hall.

There will be around 80 exhibitors at the event, some travel-ling from as far as Sweden and the USA. They will be offeringeverything from aviation books and videos to paintings andmodels, and demonstrations of specialist computer pro-grammes, telescopes and photographic equipment.

For many, the highlight of the day will be the chance to taketo the skies for a short pleasure trip. For just £38 you canclimb on board a bmi british midland A321 for a flight of atleast 30 minutes around the region.

Event organiser and owner of EMA’s gift and hobby shop –Airtrans Steve Gensler, said: “Over the past seven years, theFair has established itself as one of the largest of its kind andeach year it continues to attract more people.

“This year there will be a huge range of collectibles on offerranging from small items like stamps and stickers, to largediecast aircraft.

“The pleasure flights are always a big attraction, both withfirst-time fliers and enthusiasts who enjoy the experience offlying in different aircraft.”

Admission to the event is free and an event car park is avail-able for just £1 per car. Pleasure flights must be pre-bookedand reservations can be made by contacting 01332 852915.

Talk4AllTalk 4 All mobile phone stores operate throughout theUK, with your nearest store at 60 School Road, Sale.With free advice on One 2 One, Orange, BT Cellnetand Vodafone networks, a great range of handsets andaccessories too, there’s something for everyone, frombusiness users to teenagers and off-peak callers.

We’ve teamed up with Plane Talk to give you thechance to win some fabulous prizes. Just answer thequestion below and drop your coupon into Talk 4 Allin Sale, or post your entry for a chance to win.

1st Prize is a great mountain bike or high-techSiemens palm top; 2nd Prize a pay as you go mobileworth up to £100 – and every entrant will receive a 50per cent discount card* for mobile accessories of theirchoice.

Plane Talk/Talk 4 All Competition

Question: Which networks does Talk 4 All offer advice on?

Answer: ________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

______________________ Poscode: ________________________

Tel no: _________________ Mobile: ________________________

Call in with your entry, or post it to: The Manager, Talk 4 All, 60School Road, Sale M33 7XE.

* Terms and conditions apply – maximum of two packaged itemsper person, offer excludes fixed and plug-in car kits.

Europeanairports aimfor better serviceOver 90 per cent of European air-ports have agreed to a pro-gramme of improving servicesprovided to air passengers. TheAirport Voluntary Commitment onAir Passenger Service waslaunched in September 2000 asan initiative between the Euro-pean Civil Aviation Conference(ECAC) and the EU to enhancequality of service to air travellers.The official signing of the docu-ment at The Council of Europe,Strasbourg on February 14,reflects considerable efforts fromall stakeholders including theEuropean Commission, ECAC,airports, airlines and consumergroups.

Claudio Boccardo, president,ACI EUROPE, said; “Launchingthe Airport Voluntary Commit-ment on Air Passenger Service isa major achievement. Airportsfrom 32 ECAC member states,including all EU members states,are already on board. The qualityof service offered by airport oper-ators is increasingly important toair passengers. A more competi-tive environment means thatimproved quality and service lev-els have been to a large extentadopted by European airports.The agreement will help to ensurehigh standards.”

The commitments focus on 11important areas which directlyimpact a passenger’s journeyincluding: assistance during peri-ods of significant delays,improved passenger informationprovision, cleanliness and cus-tomer feedback management,provision of infrastructure forcheck-in baggage and security. Aspecial protocol to meet theneeds of persons with reducedmobility ensures that there are noadditional charges and that theseservices are clearly displayed ateach airport.

ACI EUROPE members are inthe process of completing theimplementation of the Air Pas-senger Service Commitments.For more information or a copy ofthe Airport Voluntary Commit-ment please contact RonanAnderson, CommunicationsManager, ACI EUROPE at e-mail:ronan.anderson@aci-europe.org,tel: +32 (0)2 552 09 82,mobile: +32 (0)486 54 14 71.

ACI EUROPE represents over450 airports from 48 countriesacross Europe. Member airportshandle 90 per cent of commer-cial air traffic in Europe, welcom-ing over a billion passengers eachyear.

IN BRIEFThe Boeing Company, through itsFlightSafety Boeing Training Inter-national joint venture, hasteamed up with Advanced Inter-active Systems Inc of Seattle tooffer airlines new cabin and flight-crew training programmes.

The training programmes aredesigned to meet new U.S. Fed-eral Aviation Administration rulesrequiring cabin and flight crews tobe trained in identifying, handlingand defending against threaten-ing passengers.

Boeing and AIS, a leader ininteractive simulated trainingsystems, are creating a compre-hensive course that will meetFAA’s eight guidelines forenhanced crew training whichinclude: appropriate self-defenseresponse; use of protectivedevices provided to crews; psy-chology of terrorism, for copingwith hijackers and passengers;flight deck procedures or aircraftmanoeuvres to defend the air-craft.

AIS will supply its judgment-simulation technology for the pro-gramme. It includes a multi-screen computer simulator thatsimultaneously portrays, fore andaft, passengers and threats usingbroadcast-quality video. Traineesare subjected to multiple threats,both lethal and non-lethal. A vari-ety of scenarios are availablewhich change in response totrainee reactions, providing a fullscope of possible outcomes toevery situation. The system alsocaptures trainee responses forimmediate playback and critique.–––––––––Continental Airlines hasannounced details of its invest-ment in a specially engineeredseat for its Business First cabinwhich took two years to develop.

It is the widest business classseat in the world measuring 22inches between the armrest, anincrease of one inch per seatover Continental’s existing Busi-ness First seat. The seats offer adeeper recline, measuring 170degrees from seat cushion toseat back and provide two metresof sleeping space in the fullyextended position.

Other improvements includethe addition of hoods and largeseat wings for better privacy, indi-vidual dual level reading lightsand more storage space for per-sonal items.–––––––––Racheline Garston’s latest ballsponsored by Airtours, raised arecord £73,000 for Christie’s.

Racheline, from Hale, hasboosted Christie’s coffers by anamazing £260,000 with the fourballs she has organised at MereGolf and Country Club.

The most recent had thetheme ‘Sequins and Sapphires’and was attended by about 500people. It featured a sumptuousmeal, a charity casino, an auc-tion conducted by media celebri-ty Stuart Hall, plus dancing to aband and a trio called the SingingWaiters. –––––––––Collect your spare foreign curren-cy for Christie’s and the cancercentre will get its equivalent insterling – plus a bonus.

Twelve top holiday countriesare now using only euros, sospare notes and coins couldmake a real difference to cancerresearch and care.

Charities can now claim a 28per cent tax top-up for formercurrencies converted to sterling,so every £100 worth of currencydonated will mean £128 toChristie’s.

If you would like a donation boxto collect unwanted foreign cur-renty in your department or com-pany, please contact Plane Talkwho will be delighted to pass oneon.

• Technician Robert Hoakley explains the system to Debbie Riley, airfield policy andplanning manager.

Page 18 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Summer schedule boost from Air Malta

Gary lends a helping hand

Air Malta provided a bright foretaste of summer2002 with a boost to Manchester Airport’s sched-ules – increasing last year’s peak frequency fromseven to 10 flights a week this summer.

The airline will use a mix of Boeing 737s and Air-bus A320s – the latter introduced in last winter’sschedules from Manchester. A total of more than5,000 seats will be available on flights this summerlinking the north west with Malta.

Dave Keller, Air Malta’s northern sales manager,told a 200-strong gathering of travel agents andtour operators in Manchester Airport’s AtlanticSuite: “Our ambition is to have a daily service 12months of the year from Manchester.

“The increased frequency makes Malta a realis-tic short break destination and enhances its repu-tation as a conference centre, enabling visits forthree, five, seven or ten nights. We believe that thenew schedule will make a big difference to thenorth of England, giving travel agents a totally flexi-ble product to offer.

“There is a wealth of accommodation in Malta,ranging from self-catering to four or five star hotels.The island has retained its traditional Mediter-

ranean feel and there are four or five storey hotels,apart form one high-rise.”

Joe Capello, Air Malta’s group general manager,recalled: “Manchester was one of the first UK air-ports we flew to 27 years ago and the north of Eng-land has always been a very important market forMalta and this airline.

“There has been spectacular growth over the lasttwo to three years in traffic from the Manchesterarea – and I am very pleased to say that this hasbeen our largest growth area.”

He added that this year had seen a record pro-motion effort targeted at Malta and paid tribute tothe prominent role played by Manchester Unitedstar defender Gary Neville.

“We have been very lucky to have the services ofGary – he is a wonderful ambassador for Malta” hesaid. “For such a very frequent visitor, it is not diffi-cult for him to speak well of the island.”

John Mostaque, director of Malta’s TourismAuthority for UK and Ireland, said that statisticsshowed that one person of every five travelling fromthe UK to Malta came from Manchester. “Your cityis key to us and we will continue to push it” headded. We are here to inaugurate our expandedservices – now 10 per week – and to note that ourservices have doubled in the last few years.”

When Gary Neville is not busy with his “dayjob” as a Manchester United defender, he ishelping the little island of Malta to make abigger impact on the Mediterranean holidayscene. He stars in the latest advertising cam-paign promoting Malta and also featured inGranada’s ‘Wish You Were Here?’ holidayshow with his celebrity guide to the island.

Gary is pictured at the Air Malta receptionat Manchester Airport, after meeting (L to R)Gemma Wilding, Stephanie Bratt and KerryValentine, all from Headwater Holidays,Northwich, a tour operator specialising inwalking holidays.

Stephanie has reported “a rush of book-ings” since walking holidays on Malta’s neigh-bouring island of Gozo were featured on TVlast December. “After the programme wenoticed a tremendous increase in requestsfor brochures. In only the first two months ofthis year we took 101 bookings – half of thetotal we sold for Gozo for the entire summerlast year.”

She said that, as in other countries, they

had organised an independent programme forwalking holidays in Gozo. “We supply clientswith maps and details of the various walksand they choose the ones they prefer, takingfrom two to six hours.

“The countryside is wonderful, unspoiledand easy to get to on foot. The base is thesplendid five star Hotel Tacenc on the southof the island.”

Gary Neville who has started a two year roleas Malta’s Tourism Ambassador, said: “I lovethe place. I have been going there for the lasteight or nine years – the first time I was 18and went with three other young United foot-ballers.

“Since then I have bought a house thereand often make two or three visits a year. Ikeep in touch with the Manchester Unitedsupporters club, which is the oldest in theworld outside the UK.

“Manchester is my first home and Malta ismy second. i have been amazed at the hospi-tality and it is somewhere I shall be going forthe rest of my life.”

Maltamemoriesfrom airportchairman

The Maltese reception broughtback nostalgic memories forManchester Airport Divisionboard chairman Councillor BrianHarrison – thanks to a foreignposting during his National Ser-vice.

Almost half a century ago, dur-ing ‘square-bashing’ basic train-ing at RAF Wilmslow, he made hisfirst flight from Manchester Air-port in a twin-engined RAFAnson.

A few months later, as a wire-less telegraphist, he set off by airfor Malta, the island-cum-fortressthat had been awarded theGeorge Cross for the population’scourage and fortitude in the faceof continued air attacks fromenemy bombers during WorldWar II.

“I flew to Malta on a charteredVickers Viking aircraft and –shades of the three and a halfhour journey today – we had tobreak our flight at Nice to refueland stretch our legs” he recalled.“My 15 months there were veryhappy, with plenty of sea and sunand the ultra-friendliness of thelocal people. I remember thefriendship and charm of severalMaltese who were employed withus at the RAF base at Luqa.

“One of the office cleaners wasa man who had lost an eye dur-ing the enemy attacks and hedescribed how they had stayedcheerful and determined duringthe war, despite all the problemsthat they had to endure.”

Councillor Harrison said that, inthe years since, he had plannedseveral times to holiday in Maltaand had once been forced tocancel a booking at the lastminute. “Now, with so many oldmemories coming back to me Iam determined to spend time onthe island soon” he added.

BY CHARLES HENN

Continental Airlines has been ranked number 30, the highest rank-ing commercial airline, on the Top 50 ‘All Stars’ list of the World’sMost Admired Companies by Fortune magazine, up from its previousrank of 48. Executives, boards of directors and analysts from 26industries ranked the companies for the All Stars list.

Fortune also ranked companies within their own industries. On theairline industry list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, Conti-nental was the top-ranked US airline, ranking number 2 behind Sin-gapore Airlines. _________________________

The Boeing Company has confirmed an order from Kenya Airways forthree 777-200ER (Extended Range) aircraft. The airline becomesthe newest carrier in Africa to operate the fastest selling widebody

Icelandair also became the first airline to operate a dual-class757-300 in the European market. The aircraft carries between 215and 228 passengers, depending on configuration._________________________

ATC Maastricht, Europe’s premier ATC business event was a resound-ing success. Launched 12 years ago to provide a European focus forthe ATC industry, an indicator of the rise in influence of ATC Maas-tricht was the international scope of the audience with visitors fromover 70 countries.

Over 2,000 industry professionals attended the three-day eventwith 130 exhibitors representing over 20 countries, with 3,600square metres of exhibition space.

airplane in the market. The new airplanes will be purchased directlyfrom Boeing. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2004._________________________

Icelandair became the first carrier in the world to operate all modelsof the 757 simultaneously when Boeing delivered a Boeing 757-300to the airline on March 18.

News in brief

Arthur follows Inca trail for charityPLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 19

• MacchuPicchu, LostCity of theIncas,discovered in1912 byHiramBingham.

Arthur Thornily who workedat the airport for manyyears tells us about his lat-est exploit – following theInca Trail in Peru – in aid ofCHAT – the children’s chari-ty.

In 1532, Francisco Pizzarolanded in Peru with a force ofabout 180 men and conqueredthe Incan Empire.

In 1911, Hiram Bingham anAmerican explorer discovered theancient Incan city of Macchu Pic-chu (literally “Old Mountain”).

In September 2001, I landedin Peru with a force of 46 othersfrom the Children’s HospitalsAppeal Trust and conquered theInca Trail.

Everybody said it would be arelatively easy trek but, believeme, it wasn’t… Three hours ormore descending uneven rockstops plays havoc with yourknees! The whole trek at between3,000 and 4,200 metres abovesea level means that you willalmost certainly be affected if youare prone to altitude sickness.

First, a bit of history…The Incas empire centred in

Peru and stretched over half ofthe western side of South Ameri-ca. They governed without theuse of iron, the wheel and writing.Like the Romans, the Incas leftbehind tremendous stone build-ings which were made to with-stand the forces of nature andwere built without the use of mor-tar. They were also prolific roadbuilders which were paved anddrained and covered some20,000 miles. Communicationwas by relay runners (chasquis).The Inca trail is a mere 26 milesof their amazing road network.

The origins of the Incas remaina mystery in the absence of anyhistorical writings.

The Inca was the sovereignruler, head of state, religion and adirect descendant of the Sun.Over 3,400 miles in length theempire had Cusco as its capital.

The Inca people were not a vio-lent lot, their only weapons wereslings, clubs and javelins andthey preferred to conquer bythreat, together with force ofnumbers and it seemed to work.

In 1532 Pizzaro arrived andwith his army of about 180 menand a few horses easily overcamethe greatest empire of the day. Itmay be that the empire wasweakened by the ravages of dis-ease and civil war, making Piz-zaro’s conquest that much easierin his search for gold and silver.

The Incas had never seen hors-es before and they fell into Piz-zaro’s trap and were massacred.

The Inca Trail.The journey started on a Friday

night by coach from ManchesterRoyal Infirmary to Heathrow tojoin Iberia’s flight to Madrid, andtransfer to the 11 hour flight to

Lima. There we spent the night ina rather splendid hotel in a veryseedy area. A 5am reveille andwe were coached to the airportwhere we joined a Tans Peru flightto Cusco. The flight itself wasquite exciting, the aircraft (737-200) climbs up the steep slopesof the Andes, over the top andthen descends and weaves itsway through the mountains toland in Cusco which is situated ina hollow surrounded by hugeAndean mountains.

We spent two days in Cusco toacclimatise because it is 3,300mabove sea level. Cusco itself is alovely city with a magnificentcathedral with some splendidgold and silver altars. Whilst inthe city we did a couple of guidedtours. One to see the Inca ruins inthe city, some local craftwork oftraditional panpipe making andstringed instruments and wereintroduced to some guinea pigswhich are bred by 90 per cent ofPeruvians as a delicacy for thetable.

Our second tour was into thesurrounding mountains to see theremains of the Inca buildings inthe area. Our guide on both thetours was Herbert (a good oldPeruvian name) who was mostinformative and a very goodmusician. He was able to playpanpipes, mandolin, guitar etc,often at the same time.

Souvenirs are plentiful inCusco, hand made woollens,panpipes, alpaca woollenjumpers in traditional Peruvianpatterns are cheap (and evencheaper if you are prepared tobarter).

The next day we were again upat the crack of dawn to weigh ourbags, as the porters are notallowed to carry more than 8kg oftrekkers’ baggage, in addition totheir normal load. We took thetransport to Ollantaytambo whichis the last place to purchase cocaleaf hats, bottle holder, magicsticks etc, before the actual trailbegins.

A further coach ride, this timeover very rough tracks, brought usto Kilometre 82 which is about2,600m above sea level. Afterchecking in with our trail passeswe split into groups of 16 andstated to walk the Inca Trail.

We crossed the Urabamba ona very wobble swing bridge andset off between the mountains onthe first leg of 10km. The viewsall along the trail are awesomeand to see Mount Veronica at5,750m with its head covered insnow is breathtaking. By nowsome of the group were begin-ning to show signs of altitudesickness but everyone kept going.

Lunch had to be seen to bebelieved. We picnicked in theAndes, sitting at tables eating avery good meal, basking in theafternoon sunshine. How theporters climbed to such dizzyheights carrying tables, chairs,camping stoves etc was amazing.After lunch we continued toPatallacta, another Inca ruin.

A further trek took us to Wayl-labamba which is where we wereto sample our first night undercanvas. The porters had arrivedearlier and set up the food tentsand Nellie (another good oldPeruvian name) had preparedanother excellent evening meal.

Facilities were primitive to saythe least, you could bathe in anicy cold stream being careful toavoid the porters washing thedinner pots and use the toiletfacilities (a hole dug in theground surrounded by canvas).

Next day was reputedly thehardest of the trek. After break-fast we set off along Llulluchastream and began the ascent.This was probably the most inter-esting part as we saw dozens oftiny hummingbirds, flocks ofbeautiful butterflies, a flock ofgreen parakeets and high in thesky a condor. All the time thescenery was awesome, snowcapped mountains and deep val-leys. Lunch was again a superbpicnic after which we started the

very long climb to Warmiwanusca(Dead Woman’s Pass) at4,200m.

The altitude was beginning totake its toll, several people werehaving difficulties with the rar-efied air, sickness and dehydra-tion and the doctor had a fulltime job administering oxygen.This was the highest point of thetrek and the views were magnifi-cent.

After team photographs, westarted on the long downwardstretch, a lot of very steep rocksteps were involved and theseare the worst possible thing foranyone with dodgy knees –which I have – and it made thispart of the trek a very long one.

That evening we camped atPacaymayu. The evening meal

After Sayacamarca we passedthrough a tunnel carved throughsolid rock about 16 metres longand arrived at the lunchtime pic-nic area. From here we couldsee Aguas Calientes (HotSprings) where we were to even-tually stay for the night.

Yet another steep descentdown to Phuyupatamarca whichwas probably built in the reign ofPachacutec or Tupac Yupanqui,

achieved the summit.Continuing the trek down to

Macchu Picchu was relativelyeasier and the arrival there issomething I will remember allmy life. Wild llamas roam theruins and it was here that wehad a decent view of a condorhigh in the skies.

An extensive tour of MacchuPicchu makes you appreciatehow advanced the Incas wereand how lucky they were thatthe city was never found by theSpaniards. They were essential-ly agriculturalists who liked theSun and who made full use ofthe land available to them. Theirextensive use of terracing inorder to cultivate the land andgrow several varieties of potatoand corn and their use ofaquaducts and ritual bathingsites are amazing.

A coach ride down a moun-tain side negotiating 16 verytight hairpin bends brought usinto Aguas Calientes, a fascinat-ing town where the railway runsalong the main street and whereall types of Peruvian craft prod-ucts are on sale. We found ourhotel and after cleaning our-selves up went for a well earnedbeer in the local hostelry andthen on to explore the town andmarket.

Some of the group went on tosample the hot springs and wewatched a local folk dancingcompetition in the square. Thecompetitors did not agree withthe judges’ verdict and a realSouth American punch upensued!

A train journey, pulled by anantique diesel engine, broughtus back to Cusco where we hadour celebration dinner, serenad-ed by a Peruvian panpipe band.Then a fitful night’s sleep and anearly flight back to Lima with vir-tually a full day to explore,before our trip back to the air-port for the overnight flight toMadrid. Then on to LHR and thefinal leg, a coach trip back toManchester Royal Infirmary.

Can I take this opportunity tothank all those who sponsoredme in the past and present tomake these trips possible and toprovide much needed supportfor the Children’s HospitalsAppeal Trust. I might add thatthis year I am going to walk theGreat Wall of China in aid of thesame charity and look forward toyour continued support.

• We conquered Mount Kenya and now the Inca Trail:Warmiwanuscca (Dead Woman’s Pass) 4,200m.

• Llaqtapata (Town on theHillside).

• Friendly native Alpacca.

was again superb and wasaccompanied by a hot alcoholicdrink, popcorn and marshmal-lows to replace some of the saltslost during our exertions.

Another early rise and we wereon our way to Runcu Raccaywhich had been discovered byHiram Bingham in 1915 andwas thought to be a fortress orresting place for the Incas on theroad to Macchu Picchu.

We continued to climb untilreaching Runquraqay Pass at3,950m. Down again, a steepdescent to Sayacmarca aremarkably well preserved smallInca town overlooking theAobamba Valley. An interestingaquaduct on the side of themountain seemed to have beena place for ritual bathing. Thehigher in rank you were meantthat you bathed upstream of thelower ranks!

late in the 15th century.Next along the route was

Intipata, reached by climbingvery steep steps carved into theside of a 500m slope but theviews from the top of the lastnight’s campsite at Winya Waynamade the effort worthwhile.

At last the day we had beenwaiting for, a very early start,again in the dark with torches, toone of the control stations tobook in for our trek to the Sun-gate in time for sunrise.

Up an almost vertical flight ofstone steps to the Sungate andwe were able to sit and take inthe beauty of the scenery andglimpse Macchu Picchu throughthe clouds. It was made evenmore beautiful by the fact thatone of the party had carried abox of wine all through the trekand we toasted and huggedeach other at the joy of having

Page 20 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Carl is chef of the monthApril’s chef of the month is Carl Neilson, the chef at Delicious,the staff restaurant in Terminal 1.

Carl has worked there since Eurest, the catering companyopened the facility in December 1999. Prior to that, he was amobile chef/manager for 18 months and worked all over thenorth west providing sickness and holiday cover.

“It was quite a difficult job”, said Carl, “as you arrived in themorning and knew no-one, nor where anything was. Then aftera week, when you got into the swing of things, you were movedon.”

So he was pleased to be offered the position at the airport

and stay in one place.Carl likes working at the airport as the atmosphere is busy

and there’s the chance to meet all sorts of people from differ-ent companies. Although he works alone preparing food in thekitchens in the morning, in the afternoons he helps out serv-ing so he can talk to his customers face to face, canvass opin-ion on his dishes and find out what employees want.

Of course, one of the limitations of working as a chef for astaff restaurant is the tight budget he has to work to, on aver-age £3 for a main course. A constraint that would certainly taxhotel and restaurant chefs.

Carl did work as a second chef in a restaurant for threeyears in Halton Village, outside Warrington. It was a 50 seat ala carte restaurant with a menu which changed monthly. Thehead chef encouraged his team of six to experiment and tryout new ideas, so that made it interesting.

Asked where his interest in cooking developed, he seemsuncertain, although both his mum and dad did catering at col-lege but never pursued it as a career. Carl said he chose cook-ing at school as an option for two years; it was very popularwith the boys it seems, as there were only three girls in theclass.

Carl went from school to Halton College in Widnes for twoyears full-time where he achieved his BTEC Diploma in Hoteland Catering Management, and his City and Guilds 7061 and7062. While studying he worked part time in the busy kitchensof the Lord Daresbury at Warrington, and later stayed on towork full time, one of a team of 20 which he enjoyed.

Carl has provided us with his recipe for Oriental PorkEscalopes which he tells us is very popular when it is on themenu at Delicious.

ORIENTAL PORK ESCALOPES – SERVES FOUR3 tbsp white wine vinegar2oz dark brown sugar2 tbsp clear honey3 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp chilli sauce1 tsp sesame seeds1 bunch spring onions (shredded)4 good quality pork escalopes1 tsp sesame oil1 tsp sunflower oil

For the sauce, mix together vinegar, sugar, honey, soy sauce andchilli sauce and heat in a small pan until sugar starts to dissolve.Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.

Place seasoned pork escalope in a hot griddle pan and cook fortwo minutes on each side.

In another pan, heat the sesame and sunflower oils, then add thesesame seeds and fry until just golden. Add the spring onions and fryfor a further two minutes. When ready to serve, pour the sauce overthe pork and top with the fried spring onions.

This dish should be served with rice or stir fried oriental vegetables.

New SSP team at the airportPaul Corder has beenappointed as generalmanager of the SSPoperation at ManchesterAirport: 27 retail cateringfacilities over the threeterminals. This follows onfrom Finbarr Casey’s recentmove to the businessdevelopment team asbusiness developmentmanager.

The SSP operation atManchester Airport has thelargest number of units,operated by SSP, in any onesite in the UK.

Paul Corder, aged 42 fromHuddersfield, is a qualifiedchef, and has worked for SSPfor 17 years. Over this time,Paul has worked at GatwickAirport and opened the SSPoperation at Leeds/BradfordAirport.

Working with Paul to ensurethe operation runs smoothlyare three operationsmanagers: Simon Flanaganwho has moved from theBirmingham business and isresponsible for Terminal 1,Paul McCumisky, who joinedSSP in January is responsiblefor Terminal 3 and sharesresponsibility for Terminal 2with Jane Mathers.

Contact numbers(Manchester Airport short-dial):

Paul Corder – 76091

• SSP operations managersSimon Flanagan, Jane Mathersand Paul McCumisky, with SSPgeneral manager Paul Corder ofManchester Airport.

After curfewWe were Christian and MuslimEach of us devout in our particular manner

We could not leave the houseAfter darkAnd it was very darkWith the power out

We broke bread togetherBy the uncertainty of a single candleSustained by strong, sweet coffeeAnd bread home-baked

The candle hissedFar away the guns poundedWe talked in low whispersWith deference to the nightAnd the killing close at hand

Wide our discourse rangedOur families and our peoplesOf war and peaceChrist and Mohammed

We entered the room togetherYou unrolled your prayer mat and knelt in reverence facing EastI dug my Bible out of my bag and opened it like an old friend

I read to myself without moving my lipsWith the aid of a dying flashlightYou muttered and moved your lipsCradled in the darkness

I turned a pageYou counted your beadsI scratched an itchYou wiped the sins of the day from your face

I closed first my BibleThen my eyesAnd shot a prayer heavenwardSilent all the while like a lamb

You kissed the cold, hard stone of the floorWith your furrowed browConsummated by a flurry of rustling gesturesAnd muttered mantras

An intensity I could not matchAn alien hardness that I was wary ofThe room was becoming crowded I felt

Did our prayers mingle in that room?In that darkness?

Did our respect for each otherCount as regard for each other’s God?

What was in your heartYour mindAs you prayed?

What was in mine?

Did we pray for or against?

To our GodsOr at each other?

As the guns blasted away in the nightWe prayed away

And would either of us have given an inch to the otherIf it had come down to itIf our hands had held guns instead of beads and a Bible?

By Captain Geoff Ryan, a Salvation Army Officer, who worked inRussia for nine years and wrote this poem while in Chechyna. Heis now working in Canada. (reprinted with permission)

In the difficult and dangerous world in which we live may this bea prayer which encourages and reminds us to respect each other’scultures and beliefs.

CHAPLAIN’SCHAT

byMajor Ian Field

Simon Flanagan – 76401Jane Mathers – 76030Paul McCumisky – 76221

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 21

Plane Talk crosswordHere is our April crossword,once again kindly produced byour airport correspondent.

Simply do it for fun or sendin your completed copy toPlane Talk by April 30, for thechance to win a £15 WH Smithgift voucher. All correct entrieswill be put into a draw. UsualPlane Talk competition rulesapply, only one entry per read-er please.

Compiled by Ad Verbum

Across1 Minstrel reigns wildly. (6)5 Penniless, or work back

first? (4)8 Dandy mushroom. (5)9 Gallery where spasm

enters wild 5. (7)10 Cabaret for dawdling

golfer? (9)13 Manchester’s archive

conceals box. (5)14 One speed raving. (5)17 Nearly a fight. (5)18 Matching stewed green

meat. (9)22 Every grey mess may

cause reaction. (7)23 Often Nuits St Georges is

somewhat melancholy. (5)24 Every tortured ache. (4)25 Plays for time in the Opera

House. (6)

Down1 Rising as a quiet band?

(4)2 Spurs – off-white, we hear.

(7)3 Inelegant form of wild

rose. (9)4 Stock of ancient

brotherhood. (5)6 College window? (5)7 Shapes Greek character,

doctor and I follow. (6)11 Happy English in the

wood. (5)12 Management of

medication? (9)15 Pass on the Spanish

serviceman. (7)16 Flask painted by artist in

the bistro. (6)19 Trace of crazy cleric who

lost his head. (5)20 Wise men note wizardry.

(5)21 Maiden error. (4)

Name: _______________________________________________

Section/Company/Address: ____________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Contact Tel No: _______________________________________

March solutionThe winner of March’s crossword (number 173) was MARSA mem-ber Mrs J Mitchell. Congratulations your £15 WH Smith vouchers areon their way to you.

Number 174

Plane Talk competition

winnersCongratulations to the winners ofour March competitions. Thelucky recipient of two tickets toPhiladelphia courtesy of US Air-ways was Dawn Johnson whoworks in Thomas Cook in Termi-nal 1. The correct answers were1) From 1790 for 10 years; 2)23 February (1846); 3) HarleyDavidson motorcycles; 4) TheAmish community; 5) Terminal 2.

Thanks to all who took thetrouble to enter – with around600 entries, this was one of ourmost popular competitions. Anddon’t forget to try your luck onpage 23 to win this month’s greatprize – you’ve got to be in it to winit!

The winners of a full day’spampering programme courtesyof Academy Spa were Jacqui Har-rison, Servisair T2 and BarbaraRayson of MARSA.

All winners will be contactedsoon with details of how to claimprizes.

Following job losses in the airline and aviation industry, maybe manyof Manchester Airport’s staff and suppliers are taking a nervous lookat their own finances.

“People are quite rightly looking at their own debts and commit-ments,” says Nigel Johnson of local firm Lines Henry, the Altrincham-based insolvency practitioners and business help specialists.

“The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux reports thattoday’s level of debt in the UK is £10,700 a household. We think thisis a conservative figure. But if your credit card balance is sky high,it’s better to take action now rather than worry about it when redun-dancies are announced,” he says.

Although many larger airport suppliers have called in professionaladvisors to offer counselling and jobsearch help, scores of subcon-tractors may not have this benefit.

“Individuals and smaller businesses that support Manchester Air-port’s main contractors may need advice, and need it now,” warnsNigel.

Lines Henry has a free Business Recovery Helpline on 08081446611, which is open 24 hours a day. Initial advice is free and mayinclude a visit from a member of the Helpline team, if this is request-ed. Fees will only be charged if, with the agreement of the caller, aprofessional ‘rescue’ package is required.

“On a business basis, companies are seeing budgets cut or dis-appearing. Taking the right action often calls for a dispassionate andinformed outside view. We can provide this.”

Advice sessions on handling personal and business debts arebeing arranged locally by Lines Henry. For details contact them on0161 929 1905 or ring the Helpline.

Expert advice onpersonal finances

Advertorial

In February we asked you to supply a caption for thisphoto taken at Ian Sharp’s leaving do. A low turnoutunfortunately, but thanks to those of you who sup-plied entries. The winner was Adele Gregory from theInformation Desk – congratulations again Adele, andyour vouchers are on their way!

“Well, if this is Eau de Restructure, it stinks!”

Here is a selection of the best of the rest – sorry,no runner-up prizes:

“No, there isn’t any more whisky left ... and NO,you can’t lick my aftershave!”

“A gottle o’ geer, a gottle o’ geer ...”

Sorry for the lack of a caption comp last month,but we are in desperate need of amusing photos touse – send us any you think may be suitable, and wepromise to return all photographs, whether we use

them or not.We hope to get a much better response to this

month’s competition, so get thinking and send usyour caption to go with this photo of a couple of well-known members of MARSA on a recent trip. £15 ofWH Smith vouchers are on offer to the funniest asjudged by the editor. Send your captions to PlaneTalk, 3rd Floor, Olympic House, Manchester AirportM90 1QX by April 30. Don’t forget to include yourname and a contact number.

Caption competitionSupply the caption and win £15 in vouchers!

80th Anniversary Celebrations11th-12th May

Admission:Adults £2Children £1or Full Car £5All Children under the age of 14must be accompanied by an adult.The organisers reserve the rightto refuse admission.

Light Aircraft on DisplayAircraft Fly-In

Model Aerobatic DisplaysMicrolites and Helicopters

Military and Classic VehiclesStatic and Flying Model AircraftFunfair, Visitor Centre and Museum

All this and more at…

Barton AerodromeEccles

1922-2002

2002 MODEL AIRCRAFT CONTROL LINE COMPETITIONFEATURING

LancashireAero Club

Page 22 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

Callingall generalknowledge

expertsAre you game enough totake part in TwentyQuestions at the AtlanticSuite, T2, ManchesterAirport on Wednesday May29?

This brand new quiz formathas been designedespecially for ChildFlight,and invites 100 participantsto take part in a series ofeliminator rounds, resultingin one eventual winner.

It is the only trivia quizthat shows you the answersfirst, and you can comealong with your friends,family, colleagues andsupporters. All non-playingattenders pay only £2 eachtowards ChildFlight – theycan even sit with you duringthe quiz rounds (apart fromthe first round).

All proceeds go toChildFlight and players pay£5 entrance fee. There willbe a private bar for all, freeparking in T2 MSCP, a majorprize raffle, a super prize forthe winner, plus severalconsolation prizes – all in alla great night out in the bestfunction venue atManchester Airport, c/o SSP(Compass Group).

So, make that call –telephone Paul Booth on0161 489 2218 to request abooking form, and bring yoursupporters with you.Everyone will have a greatnight out, and along the wayyou might learn some usefultrivia/general knowledgefacts!

And let us remember, it isall for a good cause!

Roll up for a greatSticky Night Out

Sticky Night Out! Platt Fields Park, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester 14.Sunday May 5, 7.30pm-10.30pm. Entry only £1 by programme at

event.Spring into summer at a magical festive evening for everyone in

Platt Fields Park, culminating in a spectacular show with fireworks.The event begins with live music, dance, street performance and

circus around the beautiful lakeside. A magical setting, lit with torch-es and fairy lights, with an outdoor barbecue at its heart. An eveningfor everyone to enjoy as we recreate a Pleasure Garden for the 21stcentury!

Watch the comic antics of ‘The Half-Naked Chef’, dance to thelively punchy sounds of The Brasshoppers, chill out to Chilean pan-pipes, watch a hilarious grounded punt – or take to the water for realin decorated canoes!

Once darkness has fallen, Manchester’s 100-strong Samba Citymusicians and dancers draw the crowd across the park to the site ofan extraordinary outdoor show. We are delighted to present Man-chester’s premiere of Improbable Theatre’s massive thrilling aerialshow ‘Sticky’ – acrobatics, fireworks and a magnificent giant insectmade with miles and miles of sticky tape!

“The first thing you are aware of is the noise. It sounds both famil-iar and strange, like the effort of 1,000 insect wings flapping. Thenyou suddenly realise what it is: the sound of hundreds of feet ofsticky tape being unwound. The sheer scale of this piece is thrilling.It is like watching someone build the pyramids or the Eiffel Tower ...It sways against the night sky, ethereal, beautiful and mysterious, itstop looking like an exquisite spun sugar cap” (The Guardian, July 23,2001)

Sticky Night Out! is sponsored by Manchester Airport, as part of itspolicy of supporting high quality arts events accessible to the widestpossible public.

For more information, telephone 0161 274 0600 or visitwww.streetsahead.org.uk or www.contact-theatre.org.uk

Airport supports No Smoking DayThe NHS Walk-In Centre at Manches-ter Airport joined in the campaign onNational No Smoking Day on March13. Health promotion co-ordinatorNeil Perris was out and about aroundthe terminals talking to smokers,both passengers and employees,offering help and giving out leaflets.

Those who were keen to give upwere given information packs and ahotline number to ring for advice orthey could go to the Walk-In Centrefor help.

Neil is pictured chatting to smokersMuriel Johnson form Macclesfield(left) and her sister-in-law ChristineJohnson from Bollington who were ontheir way to their niece’s wedding inCanada.

New programmeof outdoor arts

Diarydates

2002 dawned in Manchester with some sadness, with thecancellation of the immensely popular streetsahead outdoorfestival, the May Bank Holiday extravaganza of colour, music andstreet performance.

However, there will be an equally exciting programme of thrillingoutdoor events, spread out over the summer including:

• breathtaking pageants with fireworks, fire and light;• strolling musicians, stilt walkers and comedy performances;• strange and unusual appearances of objects, tents and

structures in unexpected places;• all-inclusive parades that embrace the city’s many cultures;• live music filling the City’s streets and squares;• and an assortment of food, drink and children’s activities

always.Check out Manchester this summer – a bonanza of outdoor

entertainment on the streets ... to rival the Commonwealth Gamesin the stadium!

Events include:‘A Feast of Delights’ Jubilee parade, street festival and

party. June 3, 2pm-10.30pm. Manchester City Centre. Freeadmission.

Legs on the Wall (Australia) in ‘Homeland’. Extraordinaryshow performed as an aerial ballet on the side of the 25-storeyPremier Lodge building. July 19-23, 10pm-12 midnight. Freeadmission.

Commonwealth Games Festival Live. July 24 – August 5.Manchester City Centre. Free admission.

The Golden Garden – Autumn Fire and Light Festival. Aweekend in October. City centre.

MARSAlooks aheadto its 20th

anniversaryWe had our first round of Brain ofMARSA recently and as it wasJubilee Year, Peter Worsley, ourquizmaster, decided to carryeveryone who entered on to thenext round. In fact we will have afurther three rounds before thefinal, and also there will be a prizefor the winner this year, not justtheir name on the trophy as usu-ally happens.

I hope some of our many newmembers are going to comealong to some of our events andenjoy the activities. We alwayswelcome new ideas for our pro-gramme, so do come. If you areinterested in taking a more activerole in the club, please speak toa member of the committee.

As you saw from our Marchnewsletter, this year MARSA willcelebrate its 20th anniversary inOctober. As a start I would like tohear of any anecdotes which mayamuse, interest or surprise read-ers of both Plane Talk and ournewsletter. The May committeemeeeting is to consider how bestto celebrate this event. Watchthis space for further news.

Our trip to Saltaire in June alsotakes in Howarth, a lovely placeto visit.

That’s all for now, cheers.Audrey Stanistreet.

SecretaryMARSA

Wayfarer Credit UnionLottery

March 2002 winners

1st prize – £600, Dave Crompton, Groundstaff.

2nd prize – £250, Sue Scully, Airfield Operations.

3rd prize – £150 Peter Mellor, Security

4th prize – £100 Sandra Lloyd, Security

The 11th Annual ChildFlight Golf Classic

Brookdale Golf ClubWoodhouses, Failsworth

Thursday September 54 ball Stableford. 7/8 handicap, max handicap 18. Besttwo scores. Entry fee £100 per team of four. 20 tee timesavailable from 11am to 2pm. Closing date for entries –

August 14.

Entry fee includes green fees and presentation and hot pot in theclubhouse during the evening, and a donation to ChildFlight. Pleasecomplete entry form below and send it with the entry fee (cheque madepayable to Manchester Airport Golf Society) to Peter Robinson, c/oAirport Engineering, Terminal 1, Manchester Airport M90 1QX.Subsidised by the MAplc Sports and Social Committee.

Team Name: ___________________________________________________________

Contact Name: _________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________ Postcode: _______________________________

Tel No: ________________________________________________________________

Preferred Tee Off Time: __________________________________________________(Actual tee time will be advised on receipt of entry form and fee.

April 18, 2pm. Beetle Drive.British Airways Silver WingsClub. Don’t forget your dice.

April 25. Day trip toHarrogate Spring FlowerShow. Contact Theo orSheila on 0161 962 2164.

May 2, 12 noon. Walk inLime Park. Meet at the RedLion, Disley.

May 9, 2pm. Fun Quiz. BAClub.

May 16, 12 noon. Walk inthe locality. Meet at TheGeorge, Moss Lane,Altrincham.

May 23, 2pm. A socialafternoon. BA Club.

May 30. Walk in MarburyPark. Meet in The Birch andBottle – Junction 10, M56,follow signs for Northwich.Pub on left hand side.

June 6. Day trip to Saltaire.More details to come later.

June 13, 2pm. Bowling andstrawberries. BA Club.

June 20, 12 noon. Walk onLindow Common. Meet atThe Range (the oldBoddington Arms) onWilmslow Road.

June 27, 12 noon. Walkaround Lymm Dam. Meet atThe Wheatsheaf, Lymm.

Call our newsdesk on0161 489 2024

• The end of show fireworks display from last year.

PLANE TALK APRIL 2002 Page 23

Your arts reviews

Arts ticketsare on offer

The LowryThe Island by Athol Fugard – April 26, 8pm. John Kani andWinston Ntshona.

First seen 30 years ago, and performed here by the original twoactors who co-devised it, The Island is an astonishing and moving playyou will never forget.

Set in the notorious Robben Island prison, where Nelson Mandelawas incarcerated, The Island is a tribute to the men and women whofought for a free and democratic South Africa. It will thrill you and moveyou to tears.Oldham ColiseumLove Me Slender by Vanessa Brooks – April 16, 19, 25 and 29.7.30pm (8pm on April 19).

Siobhan is revered by her new recruits – after all, she was ‘Achieverof the Year’ back in 1994. The girls of the ‘Slim for Life’ dieting club areputting everything on the line to power walk their way back into a newlook, but is everyone willing to pay the ultimate price?

Vanessa Brooks’ poignant comedy follows the club as they battletheir way to fitness – what happens when temptation rears its uglyhead? Who has the willpower to succeed and what skeletons are like-ly to fall out of their groaning cupboards?The Bridgewater HallFamily Concert – Halle at the Ballet. May 12. 3pm.

Firmly established as one of the most popular dates in the Halle’sdiary, members of the English National Ballet return to perform someof the best known music from the ballet repertoire. Featuring musicfrom Ravel, Gershwin, Tchaikovsky and Copland. Conductor: MartinWest.

A limited number of free tickets are available to MA Group employ-ees and MARSA members for these events. If demand outweighs sup-ply, we will ask an independent person to draw the winners out of a hat.Call the Arts Hotline on ext. 5083 or e-mail plane.talk@manairport.co.uk

Halle Thursday Series – Bridgewater HallThank you very much for including me in the draw. Both Isa and I thor-oughly enjoyed the concert and hope for our names to be included indraws for future events. We thought that Lang Lang, the young Chinesepianist was going to demolish the piano in his exciting rendition of theProkofiev Third Piano Concert. Superb!Dave Cornell, MARSAIt was an excellent performance, enhanced by the fact that this was myfirst visit to the Bridgewater Hall, which was an added pleasure. Thehighlight of the evening was the performance by the young Chinesepianist, Lang Lang, who pounded the keyboard with such enthusiasmand joie de vivre – a very enjoyable evening.Barbara Rayson, MARSA

Laurel and Hardy – Oldham ColiseumJust a quick note to thank Plane Talk once again for the free arts tick-ets. The production of Laurel and Hardy at The Coliseum Theatre, Old-ham, was both funny and informative and was extremely well present-ed. A most enjoyable evening. Thanks again.Martin G. Schofield, Escape LoungeBrilliant show, great seats, looking forward to the next one!Dianne Anderson, Escape Lounge

Sing a Song of Sixpence – Chester GatewayMany thanks for the tickets for Sing A Song of Sixpence. It was anentertaining 50 minutes of popular well known nursery rhymes, all per-formed by one artist with an assortment of costumes and puppets, andset in the grounds of a castle. The story is centred around two maids,Polly and naughty Sukey, with Humpty Dumpty thrown in for good mea-sure. All the children and adults joined in. My daughter sat totally mes-merised by the whole performance – highly recommended for an enjoy-able Saturday afternoon. Gaynor Mowe, Retail

The Kingsway School proudly presents

The Brass Event 2002in association with

The World Famous Black Dyke Band

reigning national brass band champions

Saturday May 25 at 7.30pmat the

Plaza Theatre, StockportConducted by Nicholas J Childs

To advertise in the concert programme please ring Mr Wood at theschool for more details.

Tickets are priced at £8.50 adults and £7.50 concessions and are onsale now available from the Plaza Theatre on 0161 477 7779 orthrough the school on 0161 428 7706.

Proceeds from the evening performance and programme advertisingfund the day’s workshop for members of the Kingsway Band andthose from its feeder primary schools. The pupils benefit from work-ing with the most famous brass band percussion players in theworld. The evening concert programme includes items from theworkshop performed as a massed band.

WinMaltaa Pair of tickets to !

Q U E S T I O N S

Closing date for competition: April 30,2002. Only one entry per person. All entries to be sent to Plane Talk, 3rd Floor, Olympic House,Manchester Airport M90 1QX. All correct entries will be put into a draw. Usual Plane Talk competition rules apply.

Air Malta is now operating daily scheduledflights from Manchester from March 26, with apeak season frequency of up to 10 flights aweek. In addition to the schedule, Air Maltaaircraft will also be regular visitors to the Airportoperating various charter services. The newsummer schedule was announced to guestsat Manchester Airport by Manchester Unitedand England footballer Gary Neville, who isthe unofficial "Tourism Ambassador" to Malta.

Air Malta has been flying to Manchester since1975, but it is in the past 2-3 years that signifi-cant growth has been achieved. Air Maltagained over 29 per cent growth in the past 12months from Manchester, even against whatis recognised as one of the Industry’s most dif-ficult years ever. This summer alone Air Maltawill have over 35,000 available seats fromManchester to Malta, an increase of over 7per cent on last year.

Air Malta attributes its success to several keyreasons. The growth in regional scheduled ser-vices now provides the north of England con-sumer with a real choice and not just tradi-tional seven and 14 night charter packages. The Air Malta daily frequency allows a mini-mum stay of three nights or a Saturday nightand up to one month, even on the lowestfare types. All fares are changeable for a verymodest fee and are even 80 per cent refund-

able.Air Malta and the Malta Tourism Authorityhave renewed their partnership to drive sus-tainable tourism to Malta and Gozo. Air Malta was quick to realise that its successis inseparable from the success of the desti-nation itself. Air Malta is a joint partner in botha TV campaign and also a poster campaignin the Manchester area featuring GaryNeville.

Malta and Gozo themselves offer a uniqueMediterranean experience. The Malteseislands consist of three inhabited islands,Malta, Gozo and Comino lying around 60miles south of Sicily. The enviable sunshinerecord is combined with a real treasure troveof archaeological, historical and cultural sightsunmatched anywhere within such a compactand accessible area. The oldest free-standingstructures in the world can be found on Gozo,and Valletta is a rococo legacy to the Knightsof St John and the world’s greatest militaryarchitects.

The fact Malta was once a British colony hasalso left its impact with the population beingable to speak English almost without excep-tion. This really does help visitors from the UK tomix with the locals and make lasting friend-ships. Another reason why many people returnto Malta and Gozo year after year.

For April, Plane Talk is delighted to offer readers the chance to win two tick-ets to Malta, courtesy of Air Malta.

1. How many days a week does Air Malta fly from Manchester this summer?__________

2. Who is Malta’s “Tourism Ambassador”?__________________________________________

3. What is the minimum stay requirement on Air Malta’s lowest fares?_________________

4. How many inhabited islands are there in the Maltese archipelago?________________

5. Where would you find the world’s oldest free – standing structures?________________

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Section/Company/Address: ___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Tel. No Work: ________________________________ Home: ________________________________

Page 24 PLANE TALK APRIL 2002

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With recent data collected byboth the World Tourism Associa-tion and ABTA* predicting aresurgent travel industry in 2002,traveljobsearch.com will helpmeet the expected growth indemand for jobs from the sector,providing advertisers and job-seekers with a professionally-managed service “focussed onfilling travel jobs fast”.

traveljobsearch.com isdesigned and built on the triedand tested principles of clarity,speed and ease of use whichunderpin the success of sistersite, aviationjobsearch.com. Thenew site already features over1,000 vacancies, from suchleading travel firms as Thomson,First Choice, Club Med, Airtours,and Kuoni. These cover variedemployment opportunities in thetravel management, leisure andentertainment sector – includingcruiseship jobs, ticketing, over-seas representatives, agency per-sonnel, customer services andgraduate/gap year placements.

The site is easy to navigate.Users can check the details ofthe vacancies at the click of abutton. Jobseekers can also reg-ister to receive new informationon specific types of jobs via a freeemail service, which provides up-to-the-minute information aboutthe latest vacancies.

Based in Burgess Hill, WestSussex, IRT is the leading, inde-pendent net recruitment andtraining specialist for the aviationsector. aviationjobsearch.comfeatures over 3,500 of jobs on itssite from employers and leadingrecruitment agencies. In addition,through its Aviation Coursesbrand, IRT offers a comprehen-sive, global consultency andtraining skills service for the avia-tion industry.

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Fat’ll do nicely!Gary Schofield, 28, from Mac-clesfield, won a Certificate ofMerit in ‘Fat Carving’ with hispiece entitled ‘Harry Potter –Potions Class’ at the prestigiousbiennial competition ‘Hote-lympia’, held in London.

Gary, head chef at the Lan-caster Brasserie & Bar in Termi-nal 1, at Manchester Airport,worked a total of 30 hours toproduce the carving for the com-

petition where he representedSelect Service Partner as part ofCompass Group UK & Ireland – ateam that took away 107 awardsincluding 18 ‘Best In Class’ andtwo ‘Best In Show’ awards.

“My interest in fat carvingstarted at college, when it usedto be part of the catering qualifi-cation,” explained Gary. “Sincethen, my progress has beenmainly down to self-tuition and

I’ve entered six competitions inthe last 10 years. The competi-tion at this year’s Hotelympiawas tough, as you’d expect com-peting against some of Britain’stop chefs. I was just thrilled to bepart of it, and the fact I cameaway with an award was abonus.”

So, what’s next for Gary? “I’vebeen asked by the same team toput forward a carving for the Culi-nary World Cup held in Germanylater this year and I’m delighted.Like Hotelympia, it’s such a pres-tigious competition and I’vealready got a couple of ideaswhich I’ll be keeping secret, ofcourse!”

Gary has worked for SSP forover three years and was a ban-queting chef before beingappointed head chef in the Lan-caster Brasserie & Bar. Prior tothat, Gary was head chef at theButcher’s Arms in Hepworth,Huddersfield.

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