Comments on: Xmas shopping weak in Funchal ; 2010 film festival ; Third swine flu death in 601 cases

By: Fred Santos

Fred Santos — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:07:03 +0000

We feel sorry for all the tourists tourists spending Christmas in Madeira this year, and particularly for our Clients, and can only hope that weather improves soon.

It could still be a great Silvester Evening next week.

To all of you, a Happy New Year

By: Tobi

Tobi — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:48:16 +0000

The storm is very bad , and lots of lightening and thunder, it seems very slow moving as Nelio said its been like it all afternoon in Funchal.

Yet again it will affect the airport when it reaches that way.

once this huge system clears, which could take 3-4 days , it looks like it could settle down a bit , lets hope so, have to feel sorry for all the tourists who have come to enjoy christmas.

By: Der

Der — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:12:50 +0000

Just appeared on the Diário website …

Civil protection emits warning about rain and strong winds – The alert continues until Christmas eve. Strong and very strong winds from the Southwest will hit Madeira, with gusts up to 130 km / hour in high places. Rain and heavy downpours are also forecasted, with the conditions for thunderstorms. The warning is given not to venture into high and exposed areas on foot or by car, and to be aware of the potential for some flooding, rock falls, and landslides.

By: bob anderson

bob anderson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:44:59 +0000

Hi there and greetings from Atlanta USA. Do you know if anyone in Madeira will be streaming (likely a novice as opposed to network) live the fireworks over Funchal on December 31, 2009? Would love to pick it up via the Internet and watch from America.

Thanks much,

bob

By: eiryl

eiryl — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:09:26 +0000

Couldn’t agree with you more, Martin, that if anything is thought to be illegal the situation needs to be looked at and put right.

I would just prefer to have the availability of a no frills airline to get me back and forth to Madeira. Easyjet are a business and are not flying anybody anywhere through the goodness of their heart.

We have been travelling to Funchal for years and I well remember the airlines’prices in the past and the hike in prices at peak times. At least with Eayjet we have the opportunity to buy seats very cheaply, especially when they first come on sale. I am happy with their service overall.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:21:39 +0000

Thank you for your seasonal felicitations Eiryl.
I’m sorry to have to disagree with you over easyjet.
easy jet are not responsible for snow–agreed.
They have had money from their passengers all year–agreed.
Passengers have had cheap flights, not out the goodness of easyjet’s heart, but by them leaving out the so called essential ‘frills’ their competitors leave in and so to create a commercial advantage.
So attracting more of the poorer passenger who would not have been able to fly otherwise.
The value of that custom is shown clearly to those passengers when “difficulties” arise.
“No frills service” includes within the phrase the word “service”
Charging passengers full rate for rebooking a cancelled flight–whoever’s fault it was– shows scant regard for their customers.
They should keep the price for the new booking exactly the same as the price that was paid for the cancelled one.
Taking price advantage this way is patently unfair.
Their customers tend to be poorer than average and can’t afford travel alternatives or this steep price hike.
easyjet may put on flights christmas day to catch up–full price each seat– it goes without saying!
The commissioners at the EC should look carefully at this situation.

By: eiryl

eiryl — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:54:04 +0000

I think you are being a bit harsh on Easyjet, Martin.
If it wasn’t for the weather conditions and effects at the airports, there would be no problem. It is understandable that in the circumstances,with a few seats left and high demand, prices go up for those seats. The same thing happened with other airlines around the time of the proposed BA strike.

We have benefited from the cheap flights, coming in and out of Madeira several times a year. The flights and service have always been good and we like the ‘no frills’ approach for these shorter flights. Also, Easyjet does not seem to appear quite as cost-cutting as Ryanair ( though I have never flown with this carrier)

I know that if we were caught up in the delays, cancellations etc. we would not be feeling very happy but the airlines are not responsible for the weather conditions.

Happy Xmas and Best Wishes for 2010 to Der, Elaine and all blog readers.

By: Der

Der — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:46:03 +0000

I see your point Martin .. quite right

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:21:00 +0000

The way I understand the press Der, is that if you flight is cancelled because of snow, you will receive a refund.
fair enough you say.
You have to buy a new ticket for another flight.
Except that you may have bought the original ticket for –say £30.00.
Refund £30.00.
Very fair except that you will have to pay a premium price–say £250.00 for the new ticket ‘cos easyjet are very busy.

You cannot have a replacement seat at the special price you may have paid having booked up months earlier.

I reckon easyjet should find you the next available seat at the same cheap price.

Otherwise easyjet would always welcome disrupted services, their margins would improve.

By: Tobi

Tobi — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:57:28 +0000

Looks like Ronaldos about to snog pat Butcher (Eastenders) lol lol.

Raining here again….

By: Der

Der — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:37:49 +0000

But if Easyjet don’t have empty seats Martin, what else can they do. Or is there more to this story (that I haven’t seen) than meets the eye?

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:24:42 +0000

Easyjet reported as not being able to fly people whose travel had been cancelled, any earlier than the next empty seat on a flight.

This means, in better english, that many people will not make their christmas travel destination until the new year.

Travellers can get a refund which of course will never cover the cost of a replacement ticket for travel at peak time.

Once again –hard cheese to its customers when a cheap airline has problems.

Passengers come a poor second to profit margin.

I wish the John Lewis Partnership ran an airline to Madeira.

“Never Knowingly Undersold” and cracking customer service.

Better service comes with proper attitudes.

They manage to make profits and pay staff performance bonus year in, year out

and grow considerably as a consequence.

Perhaps the low cost airlines could learn a lot from the Partnership.