Airline direct selling by internet
These are such things as Trailfinders, Expedia and bridge the world; they sell on behalf of a large range of carriers and take commission from the carriers on each sale. They advertise in most travel sections of newspapers and they will have a phone number you can ring and their website you can book from. Specialist websites such as, telme.com, traveljungle.com and travelsupermarket.com.
Airline offices and ticket desks
If a passenger knows which airline they want to fly with then it is straightforward, all they have to do is contact the airline online or by telephone to make the booking. Every airline will offer an online booking system because it is cheaper for the airline because they wouldn’t have to pay commission to the agents, so that’s why airlines offer a discount on holidays if customers book online. Low cost airlines such as, Ryanair and Easyjet were pioneers of this. Airports also have ticket desks, so that people can go straight to the airline and pay for their tickets that way, these tickets are sold at the highest price and there might not be any seats available to last minute customers.
Tour operators
One of the most common ways to book a holiday is by using a tour operator, as tour operators make up all different kinds of holidays; they are usually cheaper than travel agents because, travel agents buy there holidays from a tour operator so to make profit they will often have some added costs. You can book holidays from a tour operator by going on the internet, all tour operators have a website whether they use a travel agent or not. Flights are often part of a package holiday sold by a tour operator. A customer booking a package holiday will be given flight information along with hotel and transfer details. Sometimes tour operators do not fill their flights to capacity and are keen to sell spare seats. They do this directly through their websites, call centres or through travel agents. These seats are known as “flight only” sales and the seats are on charter flights which are owned or leased by the tour operators.
Customer Profiles
There are many different types of customers that go on holiday which is why there are so many ways for customers to book holidays. Not everyone is the same so tour operators and travel agents need to find different ways to attract a variety of customers. If an old couple wanted to go on holiday but they didn’t have the internet then they wouldn’t be able to book a holiday through a tour operator because they have no access to them, the couple would have to go to a travel agent to book their holiday as it is easier for them. If a business man was frequently flying to America for meetings he would most likely be using, or his secretary would be using, the internet or phone to book the flights and over night accommodation. They would use these methods because it is easier for them to set up and it won’t take as long to book especially if they have book these details before. If a customer has already booked a flight but reaches the airport late and misses it and notices that another flight is leaving the airport a little while later with another airline the customer would use an airline ticket desk inside the airport to buy another ticket, this would save him time because else he would have to find a local travel agent or find internet access or even find numbers for different travel agents and tour operators over the phone.
Infrastructure of an Airport.
The infrastructure of an airport is all the different types of facilities that are available to the public whilst in the airport. In an airport there a many different types of infrastructure that are essential for an airport to function properly. They are: -
- Accessibility
- Car Parking
- Check-In Areas
- Departure Lounge
- HM Customs and Excise Offices
- Police and Emergency Services
- Baggage Reclaim
Accessibility
This is the most important function of an airport, traveller’s need to be able to reach the airport else nobody will be going anywhere. An airport needs to supply access for all the different ways customers travel to the airport whether it is by public transport or by car. Public transport links include road and rail links. With most airports you would find that airport access roads and railways are built especially for airport access. Within the airport complex, there must be provision for bus stations, taxi ranks, and rail stations. This is important so that customers are encouraged to use public transport instead of using their cars which will create congestion and over use land for car-parking. The main area where this needs to be encouraged is in London where congestion is a big problem.
Car-Parking
Car parks are found close to the airport as possible to help provide quick access to the airports for customers. Car parks found outside the airport entrance are known as short stay car parks, this is used mostly for dropping off customers as people are not allowed to stay in this car park for long periods of time. The long stay car parks are found further away from the airport and people are transported to the airport by shuttle bus. People are able to leave their car in the long stay car until the return from their holiday. Airports are now introducing “mid-term” car parks which are basically car parks that are found in the middle of the short and long car parks and are in the middle when it comes to price as well.
Check-In Areas
The check-in area is basically a large room at the front of the airport where customers can only stand and queue, nothing else. The room is full of TVs’ which provide information for all flights departing that day so everybody knows what time their flight is. At the back of the room there is a long line of desks which is where passengers queue up and check themselves in for their flight.
Departure Lounge
This area is where customers go after they have passed through passport control. Now they are airside of the airport. In big airports this is a good area as it is full of shops and eating facilities, toilets are provided as well as more screens for information on flights. From there passengers travel to the gates. The gates are where they actually board the plane by either Air Bridge or steps.
HM Customs and Excise Offices
These are offices that are located next to the baggage claim area in arrivals as passengers must pass through customs as soon as they collect their luggage.
Police and Emergency Services
Each airport has its own emergency service located on the site of the airport. Passengers won’t necessarily know of their presence unless emergency occurs. Police presence is more obvious currently to emphasise security.
Baggage Reclaim
The belts for reclaiming baggage can take up a lot of space in a large airport. Also there is a large area devoted to moving baggage on a conveyor system underneath many large airports. The passengers do not see this part but often wonder what happens to their luggage between leaving them and ending up in the plane.
Other Areas
Most airports will provide children’s play areas in the departure lounge and most airports provide aviation viewing areas for plane spotting enthusiasts. Even though airports are non-smoking airports dedicated smoking areas will be provided.
Airport Facilities
Airports hold plenty of facilities all under one roof so that a passenger can get everything they need and not miss their flight. Facilities they have are: -
- Car Hire
- Car Parks
- Shopping
- Financial Services
- Executive/VIP Lounge
- Airport Chapel
- Restaurants and Bars
- Baggage Trolleys
- Left Luggage and Lost Property
- Medical Facilities
- Meeting Areas
- Information for Tourists
- Facilities for Those With Special Needs
Airport and Airline Personnel
There are many departments in an airport that passengers are unaware of. Although, on their journey through the airport they will come across many different members of airport personnel. These personnel work together as a team to make sure that all passengers are processed quickly and efficiently right through from check-in to boarding the plane.
The different groups of personnel are: -
- Ground Handling Agencies
- Customs and Excise Officers
- Immigration Officers
- Air Cabin Crew and Flight Deck Crew
Ground Handling Agencies
