New Car Hire Supplier on Board

We are delighted here at Dublin Airport Car Hire to announce the addition of a new supplier to our cost comparison booking engine.  Atlas Choice are the latest company to come on board meaning more choice and better value than ever before when hiring a car in Dublin.

Cost comparison sites continue to grow in popularity with the three main reasons being ease of use, time saving and above all excellent cash savings. Internet Savvy customers are shopping around and making sure that they get the best value deal possible.

We will continue to add more suppliers on board where possible as all the top car hire companies will be fighting harder than ever before to make that sale. Try a search for yourself this summer and see the huge array of rental car types we have available.

New One Euro Charge at Dublin Airport

In a move that’s seems to go against what every other airport in the world is doing right now the Commission for Aviation Regulation have decided to raise their airport charge by one euro.

At a time when most people are feeling the pinch of the current recession the move has come as a surprise to many. The increase will begin at the start of the year rising from the current rate €7.39 per individual to €8.35.

The Aviation Regulation said that the increase was necessary due to the drop in the number of people using the airport.  They also hinted that more increases may be on the way.

The news was greeted with derision by the Consumer Association stating that there will be less passengers the more the price goes up. Michael Kilcoyne said he could see no justification whatsoever for the increase.

In order to cover the expenses of Terminal two it is believed that a new charge will be introduced in 2011. Cathal Guiomard said he was unsure of the cost until the winning tender was known.

Predictably Ryanair were quick to slam the increase. They stated that the regulator is “hopelessly out of touch” with the moves being made by other airports around the world. Stephen McNamara branded the regulator as “useless”

Ryanair to Cut Back on Aircraft at Dublin and Shannon

The chief executive of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary yesterday announced that Ryanair would be cutting back on aircraft numbers at Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport for their winter timetable.

This adds to the five planes which have already been removed from Dublin this year. With two hundred and fifty job losses already recorded by the airline this year this latest news will cost another one hundred jobs according to Ryanair.

There will now be sixteen planes at Dublin Airport and three at Shannon. O’Leary went on to say that it was yet undecided where cutbacks will take place but he predicted more aircraft losses for Dublin and Shannon.

He layed the blame for the loss squarely at the door of the Irish Government slamming their ten euro airport tax which was approved last March. He predicted a further drop in tourist numbers in the coming months. He has written a letter to government leaders pledging to abandon the cuts if they remove the tax.

O’Leary believes that the money the government earns from the tax could easily be matched by higher tourism numbers which he believes would be the outcome of removing the tax.

Ryanair estimate that they will carry two and a half million less passengers in 2009 at Dublin Airport than they did the previous year.

Electric Car Hire?

Ever thought about hiring an electric car? While it’s not something we can currently offer here at Dublin Airport car hire, it is being offered in London by a company called Streetcar,

The first scheme of it kind in the United Kingdom was launched by Boris Johnson on Monday June 15th.  Customers can now hire a modified Toyota Prius with prices starting from less than six pounds an hour.

The car is being offered on a trial basis at present with the hope of encouraging people to use transport which is friendlier to the environment.  The car cost thirty six thousand pounds to make and is also referred to as an Amberjac. 

There are currently fifty eight thousand members signed up to Streetcar. One of the founders of Streetcar Brett Akker expects membership to rise to half a million by the year 2012.

Let us know what you think? Would you hire an electric car at Dublin Airport if available? or will you be sticking with the traditional models?

Automatic Car Hire at Dublin Airport

Feeling comfortable while driving about is vital both for your enjoyment and safety. When you are driving in a new country for the first time you will have enough on your mind trying to get used to unknown road systems and signs.

Be careful when exiting Dublin Airport and do not be rushed by any impatient drivers behind you. Familiarise yourself if possible with local road signs and the rules of the road before you arrive in Dublin.

Choose the right type of hire car. Don’t be swayed by cheaper options if you are not going to be comfortable driving a certain type of car. For instance you may own an automatic car hire at home and have not driven a manual car for quite some time.

If this is the case then you would be better off hiring an automatic car. This option can be selected under car hire class when booking a Dublin Airport car hire. Holidays should be stress free occasions if possible. Consider all your options carefully and make the right decision.

Dublin Airport Authority Advertisement Questioned

Ryanair were once again at war with the Dublin Airport Authority today. The long running feud between the groups continued today with Ryanair accusing the DAA of false advertising.

In a recent advertising run the DAA advised passengers to arrive ninety minutes before their flight time in order to be sure of catching their flight on time. Ryanair say that this goes completely against the DAA’s assertion that you can get through security at Dublin Airport in fifteen minutes.

They believe the ads are a plan by the DAA to get customers spending money at Dublin Airport while they are waiting around for their flight. Extra income could be gained at car parks, shops etc.

Speaking on behalf of Ryanair Stephen McNamara said that’s Ryanair’s online check in has dramatically cut the amount of time people need to spend at the airport. He said that three quarters of an hour is more than enough time to arrive before your flight. He slammed the DAA for spending money on a selfish advertising campaign when they could be spending money on improving customer experiences.