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Travel News from Just the Flight
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• Milestone reached in Birmingham Airport pier project
  Birmingham Airport has announced that its new international pier is taking shape, with the last piece of steel frame for the pier's main building recently being put in place.Work on the £45 million international pier project began in June this year, representing the single biggest investment that has been made in Birmingham Airport in more than 20 years.The pier building will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in order to handle increasing passenger numbers and facilitate the launch of more international and long-haul flights.It will also give Birmingham Airport the capability to accommodate wide-bodied next-generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350.Will Heynes, operations director at the airport, said: "Today signifies the completion of the main steel structure and we can really see the pier taking shape."This building will play an important part in our strategy for long-haul carriers and will help us meet our aspirations to provide worldwide services from the Midlands. It will be an essential piece of airport infrastructure should we get final approval for our runway extension in the New Year."The pier building will consist of three levels, the second of which will house an executive lounge for Emirates passengers.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• More than 3m 'to head overseas this Christmas'
  The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has revealed that more than three million people are expected to head overseas over the Christmas and New Year period.Geneva, the gateway to the Alps, is set to see a boom in passengers as people head off on their snowboarding and skiing holidays.However, getting some guaranteed sun will be the main priority for most people, according to Abta, with destinations such as Tenerife, Egypt, the Caribbean and Turkey all set to prove popular.The association also reported that flights from Manchester Airport to Dubai and the Middle East have been attracting interest.City break destinations such as Amsterdam, Dublin, New York and Paris will see plenty of visitors from the UK, particularly on December 27th as people travel abroad for New Year's Eve parties.Abta president Justin Fleming said: "Holidays – especially at this time of year – are considered to be so much more than a luxury. They provide a valuable time to unwind and spend quality time with family."With some 1.1 million departing passengers, Heathrow Airport is set to be the busiest hub between December 20th and January 1st, followed by Gatwick Airport (500,000) and Manchester Airport (290,000).Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• Dubai Marina Mall to open next week
  The new Marina Mall will open in Dubai on December 22nd, providing yet another option for visitors to the United Arab Emirates hotspot.Developed by the Emaar Malls group, the new complex is expected to attract festive holiday visitors and also provide more retail outlets in the run-up to the Dubai Shopping Festival.The mall boasts 390,000 square feet of leasable area over four levels and will boast some 160 stores selling everything from fashion and jewellery to home furnishings and entertainment products.It is located in the heart of a waterfront area being developed by the Emaar group and will attract visitors to Dubai with brands such as Karen Millen, Diesel, Lacoste and Sephora.Ian Ferguson, general manager of the shopping centre, said that one of the characteristics of the Dubai Marina area is its young demographic, with newly-married couples and young families often visiting the location.He added: "Dubai Marina Mall will be the destination of choice for shopping, leisure and entertainment."The Dubai Shopping Festival will get underway on January 15th and is set to attract visitors to the emirate through major events and discounts on designer items.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• Flybe calls for BAA sale of Southampton Airport
  Regional airline Flybe has expressed its "dismay" at the Competition Commission's (CC) decision not to include Southampton Airport in its recommendations of the airports that should be sold by BAA.Subject to final consultation, the CC has said that it will require BAA to sell Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport and one of its bases in Scotland.Flybe predicted that this could lead to a situation where BAA focuses on Heathrow Airport and sets prices at Southampton Airport to deter competition with the London hub.The airline also claimed that the CC made its decision without taking into account the statistics relating to BAA's investment and pricing at Southampton Airport.Mike Rutter, Flybe's chief commercial officer, said: "The Competition Commission have got it wrong on Southampton airport."Despite detailed evidence provided to them by Flybe, they have ignored the obvious fact that BAA have for years given Southampton a poor deal in comparison to their other airports in the south-east."Flybe, which flies to destinations including Edinburgh, Paris and Amsterdam from Southampton Airport, urged the CC to revisit its research and announce a different conclusion in its final report next year.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• BAA sell-off welcomed in Scotland
  The report from the Competition Commission (CC) recommending that BAA sell Edinburgh Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport has been welcomed by the Scottish National Party (SNP).BA