Ryan Air to Corfu

[Lesley]

I have read on another forum that Ryan Air (whom are starting flights to Thessaloniki in April) are now flying from Stanstead to Corfu in July? Just wondered if anyone had any info or had booked?

[Jimbo]

From June, now:

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/ryanair-announces-first-corfu-route

£7 per flight for May from midnight tonight!!!!

[Lesley]

Excellent news hopefully this will provide some competition between the No Frills airlines and also help the local suppliers such as accommodation owners and businesses and provide some much needed revenue for the island allowing them to compete with their prices for those visitors wishing to book independently.

[Lesley]

Some interesting debates on TravelMole re this announcement and from 2012 First Choice are going to sell A.I. holidays only!!!!

[tonyco1]

Lets hope it's not in San Stefanos!

[Jimbo]

The various reports indicate that FC will do only all-inclusive, but Thomson will not. They want to give the two companies a different branding.

FC only appear to do Olga and Voula - probably unlikely candidates for all-inclusive! Their web-site describes Olga as "pretty much run of the mill," so not exactly your high-powered sales pitch, then!

[loftyscot]

Oh well then, must admit I'm looking forward to our 4th year at 'run of the mill' Olga's.

We'll fly there in a 'run of the mill' airplane.

Probably get a 'run of the mill' taxi to AS.

Then enjoy some 'run of the mill' sunshine.

Ach well, what can you do about a 'common or garden' web site editor.

Long live Olga's, Aristoula and Dimmos!   

Mind you £7 single to Corfu, Phew, what a deal. I can get a return train fare from Dunfermline to Edinburgh for that, including a bag of chips.

[tonyco1]

We booked our hols at the Athina via First Choice this time, so I hope the Athina won't go over to AI.
Maybe the Voula would be a candidate for AI, but I don't think the Olga is and it may move back to Thomson.
The AI venues tend to be a touch away from the ''main action'' in most towns - we can only wait and see!

[Jimbo]

Does Voula actually do evening meals?

"Set far from the madding crowd, the Voula Apartments are great if you want a laid-back break with lots of walking." (Thomson, 2011). Another "must-have" hard sell.

I don't think they're going to mess much with Agios Stefanos.  The current model seems to work pretty well.

[Jules]

Lets hope it doesn't happen in any of the hotels - AI isn't something we would do anyway but it may attract a lot more newbies who do not know what the village offers in the way of Tavernas and the great food they do.

[tonyco1]

My thoughts exactly you two!!

[Lesley]

From reading all the different travel mole and other relative articles, it would appear that First Choice of the TUI group will be the A.I. known brand and all other accommodations will be under the different Thompson related brands. So going forward shouldn't really change much - just for the consumer to know if they want A.I. they have a brochure dedicated to A.I. and its First Choice.

[tonyco1]

Likely to be my second or third choice in that case - LOL