66% voted that airport scanners were a good idea as they would speed up security checks and improve security, whilst 30% said that they disapproved, largely on health and privacy grounds. (4% gave other answers).

Over 400 people voted in the poll, and the results clearly showed that most travellers were in favour of the scanners.
Barry Smith, Skyscanner co-founder and business director commented:

“As long as the machines are safe and any potential privacy issues can be solved, travellers are in favour of anything which will make flying safer and security checks faster. If it saves me from having to take my shoes off, empty my pockets and remove my belt, I’m all for them.”

The Skyscanner poll did reveal that some travellers had concerns over the safety of the scanning machines, specifically the health issues of being x-rayed. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) say the technology is harmless, and that the amount of radiation produced is minimal, equating to what a person would naturally receive in just two minutes of flying on an airplane.

Other respondents believed that the scanners would not increase passenger safety; Skyscanner user Vasco Sotomaior left a message on Skyscanner’s Facebook page explaining his reasons for being against the scanners:

“There’s no use for them. The threat exists, but it is so little that it doesn’t justify them. The current measures are more than enough”.

Trials with the body scanners are already taking place in some airports and train stations across Europe and the US, including Manchester Airport in the UK. The technology blurs facial details ensuring that passengers cannot be recognised and images are viewed by staff in walled-off rooms where they cannot see travellers who are being checked.

Passengers who prefer not to be scanned will be able to opt for the traditional pat down check instead.

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Frequent Virgin Club members are also entitled to complementary V ROOM passes for maximum luxury and chill out before travel. Virgin Holidays V ROOM at Gatwick Airport includes complementary breakfast a couples chill out area and tonnes of activities for kids to keep them entertained right at the start of the holiday when the excitement is at its peak!

To check out the latest Virgin Holiday deals visit www.virginholidays.co.uk, click on the banner below or Call 0844 5573 875

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They offer a secure online booking system so you can book your airport car parking with confidence and ease. You will receive confirmation of your booking and simple easy to follow directions so you know where you’re going.

Park and Go only offers safe and secure car parking facilities, you can view what security measures are in use at each car park on our website, but common measures include CCTV, Perimeter Fencing and 24 hr Security Guards. So you can be sure your vehicle is safe whilst you are away.

Pre-booking your car parking online with Park and Go saves you money compared to the cost you would pay on the day. In some cases you can save up to 40% on your UK airport parking by pre-booking and it guarantees you a space so you don’t have to worry about finding one when you arrive at the Airport.

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* Caribbean – Antigua + Barbados
* Israel
* Turkey
* Jordan
* Majorca
* Egypt

To rebook you are advised to contact the BMI call centre on the numbers provied below. Proof of purchase with XL will be required.

Contact numbers:

* UK reservations for customers with bookings made directly with XL: 0870 60 70 555

* UK travel trade line for bookings made with XL via a travel agent: 0870 606 1000

* US reservations for customers with bookings made directly with XL or via a travel agent (001) 0800 7880 555

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XL customers currently overseas will be able to continue with their holidays as planned. We are currently organising the repatriation of customers who booked ATOL bonded packages and are stranded in Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sardinia and Egypt and these flights will take place as close to the passengers original departure dates as possible. Our overseas teams will be working closely with the existing XL representatives in resort to facilitate the repatriation of customers back to the UK.

Passengers currently stranded overseas are advised in the first instance to visit the CAA website (www.atol.org.uk) or call +44 (0)2891856547. There will also be links from the XL website.

Further assistance available for those due to travel

XL customers who have booked an ATOL protected package or flight and are yet to travel, can arrange an alternative holiday. We are advising customers who booked direct, or through a Thomson or First Choice shop to take confirmation of their booking to any of our branches nationwide. Our retail team will be able to arrange an alternative holiday for them and assist with claiming the refund for their XL holiday or flight.

Customers who have booked with another travel agent are advised to visit the travel agent that sold them the holiday who can look at other options with First Choice and Thomson Holidays. Again both businesses will assist with the refund and arrange the paperwork on behalf of the customers.

The company has arranged a helpline for those not near a First Choice or Thomson shop, which is as follows: Tel: 0871 231 5704

All package holiday companies offering air inclusive arrangements must have an Air Travel Organisers Licence or ATOL, which ensures that consumers are repatriated or given a full refund if an airline collapses. This cover is usually not available when customers book separate flights and accommodation. A customer who books a scheduled flight direct with an airline is not given the same financial protection as those booked as part of a package.

Many consumers have a false sense of security, believing that their travel insurance will cover them if an airline fails, but usually, this is not the case. Credit card companies do offer some protection, but they will not repatriate passengers if they are abroad.

A recent survey of Thomson Holidays’ customers found that over 90% of holidaymakers said that having their holiday financially protected was important to them but also found that consumers were confused with over 50% of holidaymakers still wrongly believing that booking a scheduled flight directly with an airline meant they were financially protected in the event of bankruptcy.

Despite a Government commitment to encourage scheduled airlines to communicate the fact that flight only bookings are not protected by the ATOL scheme, over 50% of passengers wrongly believed that having paid upfront for their flights in good faith, their money would be protected if the airline went bankrupt.

More detailed advice for customers:

XL Customers who booked direct

If you have booked a holiday or flight with one of these holiday companies direct (ie: not through a travel agent), please go to your local Thomson or First Choice travel shop. In most cases they will be able to transfer the value of your booking to a new holiday with the minimum of fuss. Our retail staff will be able to then reclaim the value of your lost holiday..

XL Customers booked through a Thomson or First Choice Shop

If you have booked a holiday with one of these companies through a Thomson or First Choice Travel Shop, please go back to the shop where they will be able to help. In most cases we will be able to simply transfer the value of your holiday with the failed company onto another holiday. The travel agent will be able to then reclaim the value of your lost holiday .

XL Customers who booked with a travel agent

If you booked a holiday with one of these companies through any other high street travel agent brand please go back to see them. We are working closely with all UK travel agents on this issue and will in most cases be able to transfer your lost holiday value onto a First Choice or Thomson holiday with the minimum of fuss and no penalty.

In all cases customers should bring all the original documents and proof of payments made to the travel agent. This will help speed things up.

For more information on XL help, customers are being directed to www.thomson.co.uk/xlassistance

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Two 24-hour strikes have been scheduled to take place on the 25th and 29th August. The strike is likely to halt all baggage handling and check-in operations across airlines including; Virgin Atlantic, Monarch, Thomson Fly, First Choice, North West, Air Malta, Air Transat, Oman Air, as well as some
smaller airlines.

Unite workers have also voted to strike at Stansted, with other strikes being voted on for Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle Airports.

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