Business As Usual At Arrecife Airport
Normal service was rapidly resumed at Arrecife airport after last week´s runway drama grabbed headlines around the world. Although the incident involving the AirEuropa flight to Lanzarote from Glasgow is still under investigation.
As reported in media around the globe the Boeing 737 arriving from Glasgow ran into difficulties as it was landing at 7.15 in the morning last Friday October 31st.
As the plane approached the runway some passengers reported vibrations in the wing areas – whilst the pilot appeared to lose control as the aircraft touched down. Resulting in it veering right, then left, before coming to a halt in the seafront barricade fence. One eyewitness described the craft as ‘aquaplaning’ as it attempted the landing manoeuvre, a result of the runway being wet.
None of the 74 passengers or six crew members were injured and the plane was also undamaged – except for loss of air pressure in one of the front wheels. Airport emergency services were immediately deployed and the passengers were taken off the plane and into the terminal building.
Normal service was resumed at the airport from 10.20am onwards with delays occurring to just three inter island flights and one arrival from the Spanish mainland.
New Marina Ready Next May
The planned transformation of the Old Town harbour area in Puerto del Carmen into a luxury marina with moorings for yachts and cruisers is expected to be completed by May 2009. According to Juan Ramon Hernandez, the Canarian councillor with responsibility for public works across the archipelago.
Work on the project has already commenced with the extension of the harbour wall. And is part of a larger plan being implemented by local authorities to “reinvent” tourism in Lanzarote´s most popular resort. In tandem with the part pedestrianisation of the Avenida de las Playas and the opening of the new golf course on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen.
Aer Lingus Announce New Services
Lanzarote´s tourist industry received a further shot in the arm this week as Irish airline, Air Lingus, announced new flights to Lanzarote departing from Belfast and Cork, from next summer.
The announcement comes hard on the heels of Monarch´s recent addition of extra services to the island across the Christmas and New Year period and the formation of new operator, Kiss Flights, who will also be featuring Lanzarote as part of their schedule departing from Gatwick from May 2009.
Lanzarote Promotion in Germany
The island’s tourist board continues to woo the German market with an exhibition currently underway in Berlin promoting Lanzarote’s many attractions. Working in conjunction with AirBerlin, a range of promotional literature has been distributed to the public in the German capital, including flyers containing a prize draw offering a holiday here on the island.
This initiative comes hard on the heels of an AirBerlin announcement that it will increase flights, with a further 10,000 seats planned for German visitors to Lanzarote over the winter months.
Cochineal Centre Project In Doubt
Further delays have occurred in the development of the planned Cochineal Centre in Guatiza, which had been awarded a grant of €500,000 by the Spanish Government.
It now looks as if this grant could be annulled in the face of growing uncertainty about the future of the project, which was to have seen the development of a Centre focusing on the production of cochineal. Once a hugely important and historically significant product on Lanzarote.
New Walkway Between Puerto Naos and Puerto Marmoles
Plans for a new maritime walkway between Puerto Marmoles, the disembarkation port for cruises to Lanzarote and Puerto Naos in Arrecife, should soon get the green light. According to Cabildo Vice-president Fabian Martin – as the island authorities seek to improve the tourist offering for visitors arriving by sea.
Currently, cruise passengers are forced to wander alongside a busy main road if they want to explore the island capital. A situation which does little to create a good first impression.
However the tender for the construction of the new walkway is scheduled to be settled by the end of November, with work on the project getting underway soon after.
