The award-winning low fare airline Monarch has announced the addition of services from Birmingham International Airport to Larnaca on their winter flying schedule for 2009/2010. The route was launched in March and has proven popular with travellers.

The new flights are available to book until the end of March 2010 and will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with fares starting at £64.99 one way.

Liz Savage, Managing Director of Monarch Flights and Holidays, said: “Our services between Birmingham and Larnaca have been an overwhelming success since they launched in March this year. Over 12,500 seats have already been sold on the route this summer, which is over half of the seats we have available and we are delighted to be continuing flights this winter, therefore enabling the people of the Midlands to enjoy our low fares to this favourite year round holiday hotspot.”

The savings don’t have to stop with your airline tickets either. If you know where to look, great savings can be found on Birmingham Airport hotels (a real luxury if you have an early morning flight), and by pre-booking your Birmingham Airport parking you can save up to 60% off the regular daily gate rates.

With so many opportunities to realise great savings on a holiday, it’s hard to think of excuses NOT to go!

It was recently announced that low-cost airline Ryanair is looking into making some passengers stand during flights.

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of the company, has held talks with US plane manufacturer Boeing about designing an aircraft with standing room. The idea is to charge passengers less for “bar stools” with seat belts around their waists, and O’Leary is currently seeking approval from the Irish Aviation Authority before ordering a new fleet, according to The Sun newspaper.

Chinese airline Spring is considering a similar plan, and estimates that up to 50% more passengers could be accommodated, while costs could be cut by 20%.

Ryanair uses Bristol Airport as a flight hub, and it makes you wonder what might happen if some of these mad cost-cutting ideas spill over into other areas. Imagine booking Bristol Airport parking, arriving at the car park, and then being told your car will need to be stored on its side so more vehicles can be squeezed in. The mind boggles.

Low-cost airline bmibaby recently launched phase one of its Summer 2010 flight programme from Cardiff Airport.

Customers can now book flights to popular destinations between 19 April 2010 and 23 October 2010. Travellers from Cardiff Airport can now find great deals on flights to Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Menorca, Murcia and Palma, with even more destinations to be announced soon.

Since the new flights are already available, it’s especially beneficial for families with children, as they will be able to secure the most popular school holiday dates well in advance. Another benefit that everyone can take advantage of, once a flight is booked, is being able to pre-book Cardiff Airport parking before the prices start to rise closer to the summer holiday season.

Leeds Bradford Airport has teamed up with Europe’s leading regional airline to help encourage businesses to keep moving through the current financial climate.

A campaign was launched recently by the airport and Flybe, targeting cost-conscious commuters by slashing Leeds to London flight prices. In an effort to go head-to-head with train fares, the new prices for Flybe’s daily service to London Gatwick will start at just £24.99 one way, including taxes and charges. If you then add in the money to be saved by pre-booking a Leeds Bradford Airport car park like Sentinel Security parking, commuting to London by plane looks a lot more attractive than sitting on a train for hours.

The service, which started on 29 June 2009, is now providing the only scheduled flights from Yorkshire and the Humber to London. Tony Hallwood, Commercial Director at LBIA, said: “Our ‘Get Business Moving’ campaign aims to assist companies in the region who commute regularly to London by offering cost effective and speedy access to the Capital. We want to make it easier for businesses to develop a strong economic and financial infrastructure with the City to attract further inward investment.”