Category: Travel

Coillte and HiiKER Unveil Innovative Pilot Programme to Enhance Visitor Experience at Seven Coillte Forests

Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company and leading provider of outdoor recreation, has announced an exciting new pilot programme in partnership with Irish start-up HiiKER, creators of an innovative hiking app. This initiative will offer a new and innovative way for local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts to experience Coillte forests by offering walkers and hikers real-time forest and walking trail insights before and during their visits.

Launching this summer, the pilot programme will introduce advanced features to HiiKER’s “Parks and Recreation” functionality. New enhancements include trail distances, accessibility reports and difficulty levels. Users will also benefit from real-time updates on trail busyness, parking availability, food options and toilet facilities. The HiiKer app will, for the first time, give visitors a real sense of the various activities available in Coillte’s forests and improve the overall visitor experience.

This new technology will be piloted in seven Coillte forests across the country including: Cruagh Woods, Ticknock, and Tibradden Woods in Dublin, as well as Donadea Forest Park in Kildare, Portumna Forest Park in Galway, Farran Forest Park in Cork and Dromore Forest in Kerry. Visitors to these forests will be the first to experience the enhanced capabilities offered by HiiKER.

HiiKER, is an Irish start up founded by Paul Finlay in Co. Meath. The app has helped over 1 million hikers to plan and navigate their hiking adventures all around the world. The app curates the best hikes on the planet, along with important points of interest to help users to plan the perfect hike. Most importantly, it works with the most notable map developers and cartographers to bring a wealth of verified route information to the public.

HiiKER on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 – techbuzzireland

Coillte and HiiKER will pilot the technology over a six-month period, utilising Coillte’s extensive expertise. The collaboration will yield valuable insights into forest and trail usage, allowing Coillte to make data-driven decisions to further enhance the visitor experience for all.

Daithi de Forge, Head of Recreation at Coillte said “Coillte forests attract an average of 18 million visits annually and we are delighted to partner with HiiKER on this pilot which aims to enhance the walking and hiking experience across several of our beautiful forests. This innovative programme supports our commitment to enhancing the recreational, social and wellbeing benefits from our forests and to making them more accessible and enjoyable for all. 

“By integrating Coillte’s extensive knowledge of the natural environment with HiiKER’s cutting-edge technology, we aim to provide visitors with an enriched, informed and seamless experience when they visit our forests.

Paul Finlay, HiiKER CEO added, “We are excited to join forces with Coillte to launch this innovative pilot programme that will transform the way people explore Ireland’s forests. Our new HiiKER Parks and Recreation functionality and Coillte’s extensive database of recreational maps and data, enables the public to explore Coillte forests like never before. We’re encouraging everyone to download the app for free and start exploring these forests today.”

Download HiiKER from the Appstore or Google Playstore and search for one of the pilot forests.

AirHelp unveils new benefits in latest update to AirHelp+ memberships

AirHelp, the leading travel tech company supporting passengers with flight disruptions, today announces it has upgraded its popular AirHelp+ (AirHelp Plus) subscription, which now offers two-tiered memberships: Smart and Pro.

AirHelp+ benefits

Where eligible, AirHelp+ Smart and Pro members receive compensation for flight disruptions, luggage claims, and expense claims, without AirHelp charging a fee, ensuring passengers get all the money they are entitled to from the airline. AirHelp+ members will be entitled to 100% of the compensation up to 600 EUR and can receive up to 6,000 EUR for extra costs incurred, as well as up to 1,400 EUR for luggage issues.

All members will have priority around-the-clock assistance through AirHelp’s customer support, and receive enhanced travel communications through flight notifications. AirHelp+ members can also access exclusive deals from AirHelp partners, such as discounts on eSIMs and car rentals, and transfer support.

AirHelp AirPayout insurance gives passengers 100 EUR if they have faced delays of more than three hours, their flight is diverted, or if they face a cancellation less than 28 days before departure. The money will be paid into the registered bank account within hours after provided details and is provided on top of any eligible airline compensation. Members can also benefit from AirLuggage protection/insurance, which pays passengers an additional 100 EUR for lost or delayed luggage, on top of any airline compensation. If passengers experience a cancellation or delay of more than one hour, they can enjoy lounge access* away from crowds for comfort.

Hassle-free compensation

AirHelp has helped 2.3 million passengers claim compensation to date and its network of specialised lawyers is the biggest of any travel tech company globally. Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO at AirHelp, comments: “We strive to bring passengers the smoothest travel experience possible through providing valuable and relevant benefits to support them when flights are disrupted. With one in four flights delayed, passengers risk losing time and money through disruptions and should be best prepared for when travels do not go according to plan.

“The AirHelp+ memberships have been developed based on an increased focus on the passenger experience, with 6.5 million passengers choosing AirHelp+ protection already. Compensation is no longer enough to make up for lost time and money, and the stress of disruptions. We want to ensure passengers can have the best experience possible – from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they return home after their trip. The new AirHelp+ memberships provide all passengers with the protection, comfort, and assistance they need while ensuring they get the compensation they are owed – without the hassle and management fees.”

Find out more about the AirHelp Plus memberships here.

PACE, Fexco’s carbon emissions calculator, expands services to Airport and Corporate Travel Sectors

PACE, Fexco’s sustainability data and analytics product suite, today launched PACE Data Services. This new product suite provides insights for the airport and corporate travel sectors to measure, manage and mitigate their emissions.

Built on PACE’s data platform, a global benchmark for the aviation industry, the service aligns with carbon reduction regulations by using live flight tracking data to monitor over 99% of commercial flights and analyse over 370,000 routes. PACE’s suite of data and analytics is already relied upon by most of the aviation finance sector and the largest financial institutions in the world, like JP Morgan and SMBC.

PACE Data Services will provide airports with a cohesive and precise view of their flight-related emissions. This data will be critical to enabling airports to better manage and mitigate their emissions. In fact, Heathrow’s most recent sustainability report for 2023 stated that 99% of its emissions came from Scope 3 emission reduction targets[1].

In the corporate travel sector, PACE’s data will enable more informed decision-making when it comes to both booking travel and providing more accurate reporting of corporate travel emissions. Recent research from Deloitte shows one in three companies is seeking guidance from travel management companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

In one use case alone, which would have a significant impact on decision-making for corporate travel management, PACE data reveals considerable variations in CO2 emissions per occupied seat—up to 50%—on the same popular transatlantic route across different aircraft. These differences are primarily due to factors such as aircraft seat configuration and aircraft type.

This new offering from PACE enables both these sectors to comply with evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These regulations require the provision of accurate, independently verified, and robust reports on their plans and progress in reducing emissions.

Since its launch in 2022, PACE has become the only Irish company to meet stringent independent aviation measurement standards, including the recent Pegasus Guidelines

“This new service builds on PACE’s rapid growth, driven by demand to address carbon emissions across the aviation value chain,” said Cathal Foley, CEO of PACE. “This will enable airports and corporate travellers to better understand how we fly better while continuing to support ambitious growth strategies. PACE’s vision is to be the global leader in the spaces we operate and deploy our data to enable meaningful change.”

“We are an island and so the aviation sector is a vital part of Ireland’s economy, both as a contributor and an enabler of economic growth. But aviation, like all sectors, will have to transition to a new low-carbon future. It is very exciting to see an Irish company positioned to help transform this sector by utilising its exceptional data and analytics to inform better conversations across the aviation value chain. Measurement is critical to understanding the real impact of carbon reduction measures and claims,” said Minister Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport. “Ireland has globally acknowledged aviation expertise, and it is fitting that a successful Irish multinational like Fexco is leading the way in meaningfully enabling the sector to make better decisions on its journey to net zero emissions.”

To find out more, visit the PACE website.

Emirates joins IATA’s Turbulence Aware Platform

Emirates has joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Turbulence Aware Platform. It will also be the first airline to integrate the IATA platform within the latest version of Lido mPilot, the mobile navigation solution from Lufthansa Systems.

Bringing these platforms together offers a wealth of data, combined with new technologies that make up-to-the-minute, highly accurate turbulence information and forecasts available for pilots, equipping them with the means to plot the best paths around affected areas for enhanced safety, efficient navigation, and optimisation of flight plans.

In conjunction with the IATA Turbulence Aware Platform, the airline has equipped more than 140 aircraft with the required onboard software to automatically share turbulence reports with all airlines contributing data to the platform. All new aircraft joining the Emirates fleet over the course of the next few years, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-9, 777-8 and B787, will be enabled to participate in the programme.

Captain Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President, Flight Operations Emirates Airline said: “Actively participating in IATA’s Turbulence Aware platform and equipping our pilots with a complement of the latest industry technologies such as the mobile navigation solution Lido mPilot from Lufthansa Systems are part of our commitment to ensure operational safety, efficiency, and customer comfort on every flight. We’re also proud to contribute data around turbulence through our Middle East network and extensive links across Africa, Asia, Australia, and other regions. It will help build sophisticated industry knowledge to effectively manage turbulence and evolving weather patterns with even more precision. This is only the beginning, and we are progressing with plans to integrate more cutting-edge technologies to elevate the flying experience even further, so our customers can enjoy smoother journeys.”

“Mitigating the adverse effects of turbulence is an industry wide challenge and obtaining accurate and live data is key in this endeavour. The cooperation between IATA Turbulence Aware, Emirates and Lufthansa Systems will further improve the quality and quantity of real time data made available to the industry, allowing for smoother and safer air travel for all,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services.

“IATA Turbulence Aware data enhances the value of Lido mPilot by providing pilots with real-time, accurate and comprehensive information on turbulence, enabling them to make informed decisions and navigate more efficiently. By integrating this data into Lido mPilot, Emirates Airline can increase safety, reduce fuel consumption and minimize passenger discomfort, ultimately improving their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction,” said Andreas Medlhammer, Product Owner Pilot Charting Apps at Lufthansa Systems.

IATA’s Turbulence Aware is a global, real-time detailed and objective information resource for pilots and aviation professionals to manage and mitigate the impact of turbulence on operations. Turbulence is the main cause of passenger and crew injuries and leads to higher fuel usage. The platform pools anonymized turbulence data from thousands of flights operated around the world. The information generated from this data enables pilots and dispatchers to choose optimal flight paths, avoiding turbulence and flying at peak levels and altitudes to maximize fuel efficiency, ultimately reducing carbon emissions. Till date, Turbulence Aware ensured a safer flight for over 700 million passengers, a number that will continue to rise as new airlines join the program.

Lido mPilot is an all-in-one mobile navigational charting application from Lufthansa Systems and has been configured based on Emirates’ specific operational requirements. Lido mPilot provides pilots with easy access to terminal charts, a dynamically generated enroute map, and an Airport Moving Map (AMM).  Its data-driven, interactive maps, and the latest weather features relevant to each flight being operated ensure enhanced situational awareness and the most pertinent information for pilots.

Revolut and Aer Lingus reveal Irish holidaymakers’ most-booked destinations

Revolut, the global financial app with more than 40 million customers worldwide, has together with Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus unveiled the most sought-after destinations booked by Irish holidaymakers for Summer 2024 (July and August).

In January, Revolut formally announced that Aer Lingus had adopted Revolut Pay, providing a one-click checkout for its customers. It was Revolut’s first foray into the airline industry, with the global financial app looking to move further into the travel space after becoming Ireland’s first financial institution to offer eSIMs to its more than 2.7 million customers back in March.

Popular sunny destinations Spain, Portugal, France, and the Canary Islands all featured in the top 10 destinations for holidaymakers, while longer haul trips to US cities New York, Chicago, Boston, and Orlando were all booked prevalently by Revolut customers. For city breaks, Paris has proved particularly popular with Irish jetsetters — with many using their Revolut account to book flights to Charles De Gaulle, likely to experience this summer’s Olympic Games in the French capital.

Adjusted for user growth, there was a more than 22% rise (YoY increase) in the amount of Aer Lingus flights booked through Revolut Pay or with a Revolut card in Q1 2024 versus Q1 2023 — the most popular quarter of the year for booking travel, according to the airline.

Following the airline’s commitment to providing a secure and seamless one-click checkout, on average, it now takes an Aer Lingus customer less than 10 seconds to pay for a flight with Revolut Pay.

Alex Codina, General Manager — Merchant Acquiring, said: “It’s been brilliant to see how Revolut Pay’s simplified checkout experience has helped so many more Aer Lingus customers book their dream destination, in what we expect to be a record-breaking travel season for Revolut users. Wherever our customers are jetting off this summer, our range of useful travel features, such as currency exchange, airport lounges, travel insurance, and eSIMs, will help people to spend like a local and travel in style, avoiding costly bank charges or unexpected data roaming fees — and it all starts by booking flights with Revolut Pay.”

Since its soft launch in late November 2023, Aer Lingus reported a 277% increase in Revolut Pay transactions when comparing both December 2023 and January 2024 (MoM increase).

Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, added: “At Aer Lingus, we know that our customers love to seek out new destinations, as well as visiting firm favourites like Spain and Portugal. For summer 2024, we’re offering Aer Lingus customers a wide range of choice as we operate the largest ever North American network, including the commencement of new services from Dublin to Minneapolis St. Paul and Denver, as well as an expanded European leisure network. We’re also hugely excited to be launching an exciting new route to Las Vegas later this year, giving holidaymakers an incredible new winter travel destination to consider. Aer Lingus is proud to have become the first airline in the world to offer Revolut Pay as a payment option, which offers customers a seamless one-click check-out experience.”

 

FREENOW partners with MOBY to offer in-app bookings for pedal and e-bikes in Dublin

FREENOW, Ireland’s number 1 taxi app, has partnered with Irish bike sharing provider MOBY to make its 500+ pedal and e-bike fleet available on the FREENOW app. MOBY and FREENOW co-branded bikes will be available to book in Dublin via the FREENOW app alongside taxis from today.

The new partnership with MOBY is part of FREENOW’s ongoing commitment to enhance urban transportation choices by offering a range of sustainable and efficient transport options to passengers in Ireland. It will allow FREENOW users to adopt a more flexible approach to daily transport and choose from different transport options when travelling for work or leisure, easily combining taxis and bikes with existing public transport. This mirrors the multi-modal progress made by FREENOW in other markets, such as the UK, France, Spain or Germany, where passengers are combining a variety of transport options to get about the city – from e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds, and taxis to car sharing, all available via the FREENOW app.

FREENOW’s growing multi-mobility offering also contributes to its sustainability efforts, as the company takes measurable sustainability efforts to become a net-zero platform. This is clear from insights drawn from other European countries, where a variety of mobility options are already seamlessly integrated into the FREENOW app. With over 200K e-scooters and e-bikes vehicles available across Europe, during 2023 alone, electric shared vehicles on the FREENOW platform saved 2,067 tons of CO2, highlighting the positive impact of multi-modal transport. 

MOBY operates public bike share schemes in Dublin, Athlone, Mullingar, Ashbourne and Tullamore and corporate bike share schemes for Dublin Airport, Eastpoint Business Park and Sport Ireland, as well as a growing international business. Currently, it has over 500 bikes available throughout Dublin city, and plans are underway to extend this number to 1,500. To unlock a bike, users pay a €1 fee; the first three minutes are then free, and after that period, it costs €0.15 per minute for an e-bike and €0.02 for a manual bike. Users can locate and book the e-bikes through the FREENOW app under the new ‘2-wheels’ option and use them within the designated operating area visible on the map in the app in Dublin.

Commenting on the launch, Charlie Gleeson, General Manager of FREENOW Ireland, said: “We are delighted to partner with MOBY to integrate a new bike service to the FREENOW app, making it easier for passengers to consider efficient and sustainable transport options.

The Irish government’s ambitious target to reduce carbon emissions by 50% in the transport sector by 2030 sets a clear focus for the sector before the turn of the decade. At FREENOW, we are committed to supporting the taxi industry’s progression towards these targets by continuing to onboard more EV drivers and expand our green (EV) taxi fleet alongside increased micro-mobility solutions, such as the MOBY integration.

This announcement is also timely given the recent micromobility regulations introduced under the Road Traffic and Road Act 2023. The new legislation will positively contribute to the integration of both e-bikes and e-scooters on Irish roads and support the safer use of micromobility moving forward. This partnership with MOBY forms part of our wider plans to integrate additional mobility options into the FREENOW app, offering more choice to passengers in Ireland in the coming months in line with this new legislation.

We will continue to drive change by ensuring passengers can have easy access to more and increasingly sustainable transport options that residents or visitors can conveniently use and combine with existing public transport options to move fast and safely from A to B in Dublin and beyond.”

Also commenting on the launch, Akash Kajal, Operations Manager of MOBY said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with FREENOW to enhance mobility choices for Dublin transport users, making it even easier to rent and ride a bike for more people. By integrating seamless MOBY bike rentals directly into the FREENOW app and leveraging Dublin City Council’s commendable efforts in expanding bike lanes citywide, we truly believe that multi-modal transportation can empower consumers with more efficient, sustainable, and healthier travel options throughout Dublin.”

Research* conducted by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in its ‘Walking and Cycling Index’ reveals the growing demand for sustainable transport options in Ireland. According to the NTA findings, 1 in 4 adults in Ireland currently cycle at least once a week, and 39% expressed a desire to cycle more. Every day, those who walk and cycle take nearly 530,000 private cars off the road in the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

What are Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) and its impact

Low cost carriers, known as LCCs, have changed how people fly. They offer simple flights without any extras, which has made flying available to more people. LCCs have passenger-oriented flying plans with the least cost and the best facilities. Here, we will look at what LCCs are and how they’ve changed aviation. Let’s get in!

What are Low Cost Carriers (LCCs)? 

Low-cost carriers are airlines that target low expenses and basic services. Thus, they are much more affordable than full-service airlines. The business model of these airlines is commonly based on economy class and airline services. All aspects of LCC operations are designed to cut costs and pass those savings on to passengers.

In LCC’s pricing strategy, passengers pay for additional services besides the basic cost of airfare, including checking in baggage, ticket selection, and in-flight meals. This customizable approach has proved really helpful for travelers.

Impact of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs)

Following are some major impacts of LCCs on the airline industry and travelers: 

Increased Air Travel Accessibility

LCCs have played a leading role in air travel innovation by making it cheaper and more accessible. The low rates introduced by LCCs have encouraged budget-conscious travelers, students, and families to visit places they really want. 

In turn, air travel has thus evolved to not only be a luxury but also a mainstream means of transportation for ordinary people. Moreover, with the arrival of technology, you can easily track your flight details using the flight tracker page. This ensures a smooth journey. 

Market Expansion and Tourism Growth

LCCs have played an important role in airline market expansion and tourism growth. By offering affordable services and delivering services to routes that may be ignored by full-service airlines, LCCs have played a major role in increasing tourism by opening up new and old destinations. 

In addition, LCCs represent the airline industry segment that operates from secondary airports, uplifting the regional economy and businesses outside of the major metropolitan areas. Furthermore, with efficient flight information updates, LCCs ensure travelers are well-informed, enhancing their overall experience. 

Competitive Pressure on Traditional Airlines

Low-cost carriers have brought about competition, forcing full-service airlines to rethink their existing business models and cost structures. This complex competition directly benefits customers, pushes down airfares, and improves overall standards across the airline industry.

Operational Efficiency Improvements

LCCs are known for their operational efficiency and expense-cutting steps, which enable them to work profitably even with lower costs. LCCs focus on resource efficiency in every value chain link, such as improving aircraft utilization and adopting lean staffing models. 

 

Aer Lingus Chooses Salesforce to Digitally Transform Customer Journeys

Salesforce today announced that Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, is using Service Cloud and Marketing Cloud to transform its customer experiences.

Why it’s important: 96% of customers say excellent customer service builds trust, according to Salesforce research.

With Salesforce, Aer Lingus will digitally transform to deliver personalisation and seamless customer experiences at scale. This includes introducing a centralised management capability and omni-channel approach across all marketing, transactional, post purchase/travel, loyalty, support and disruption communications.

Creating a customer-first approach across all touchpoints will remove friction, optimise the right message at the right time, and also help Aer Lingus consolidate its technology stack.

  • With Service Cloud, Aer Lingus will allow customer service teams to respond to customers more efficiently through data, automation, UI and guided workflows.  average case handling time and increase agent productivity through guided workflows. This will enable teams to respond to customers more effectively and quickly during peak travel periods.
  • Marketing Cloud will streamline all customer communications, increasing the quality of communications through richer, more relevant data and increased consistency.

 

Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, said: “At Aer Lingus, we are constantly striving to enhance our customers’ journey with us. Salesforce will allow us to understand our customers better and offer them a personalised, digital led experience. As we grow our airline, this will become an integral part of how we ensure we are giving customers the dedicated care that they expect from Aer Lingus.

“We’re delighted to be working with Salesforce as we use their game-changing technology as part of our ongoing digital transformation.”

Carolan Lennon, Salesforce Ireland Country Leader, said: “The airline industry is increasingly competitive, and how brands communicate with passengers will continue to be a key differentiator. From booking travel to receiving notifications of new routes, Aer Lingus recognises the power of personalised customer journeys in the air and in their digital offer. Enhancing personalisation and reducing friction experiences are key ingredients driving success with Aer Lingus. We’re excited to help Ireland’s flag carrier to unlock the opportunities that digital transformation has to offer.”

Airbnb launches Pay Over Time with Klarna in Ireland, offering more flexible payments for guests

Airbnb and Klarna have joined forces to launch Pay Over Time with Klarna, a new way for guests in Ireland to spread the cost of their reservation. Today’s launch is part of a phased global roll-out which will see Klarna and Airbnb offering an alternative way to pay in twenty countries across three continents by early 2024.

First launched in North America as part of Airbnb’s 2023 Summer Release, Pay Over Time with Klarna allows guests in Ireland to apply to pay for their next stay in three interest-free installments over two months.

With Klarna’s seamless and flexible payment solutions, booking unique stays around the world, whether it be a cottage in Connemara, a treehouse in Thailand or a farm in France, has never been easier or more accessible.

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe, Airbnb said: “We’re pleased to bring Pay Over Time with Klarna to Ireland, giving guests greater flexibility to spread their payments over a number of weeks or months. Whether you’re booking a solo trip, or organising a get together with friends, choosing the right payment plan has just become a lot easier.”

Guests are presented with the option at checkout to either pay for their reservation in full at the time of booking or to Pay Over Time with Klarna, and are seamlessly taken through to the payment platform.

Colin Creagh, Head of Klarna, Ireland said: “Airbnb tells us that one of the top requests from their guests is more ways to pay for their stays. We’re thrilled to bring Klarna’s flexible payment options to Airbnb guests around the globe.”

Pay Over Time with Klarna also launches in six other countries across Europe from today including Czechia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, with more expected later in the year.

Pay Over Time with Klarna is available from today to guests in Ireland for reservations priced between €35 and €1,500.