Latest news with #AFTA
Time Business News
28-05-2025
- Time Business News
The Best Travel Agents in Sydney and Everything You Need to Know About Choosing One
Vacations, honeymoons, corporate retreats, and family holidays are some of the most enjoyable things to plan for. But to most people, planning these vacations can be overwhelming. This is exactly why you need the help of a travel agent. With all the options available in a city like Sydney, having a travel agent that fits your personal needs is crucial. Domestic getaways or international adventures, best travel agents in Sydney are there to provide you guidance, assistance and ensure it is taken care of. The role of a travel agent is best described as a one shop stop for their client. Every aspect of the journey, right from accommodation booking to flight bookings, arranging insurance, and organizing tours, is done by them. The to-do list is instantly transformed into a carefully organized holiday, thanks to their assistance. A well-informed travel agent will also require no special information regarding travel advisories, visas, and even regional trends, as they will already have the information. Since Sydney has a variety of travel agencies, the competition is fierce. Unlike other travel agents who only take care of the bookings, the Best Travel Agents in Sydney focus on personalizing each customer's journey. They often have exclusive deals and insider information that would be hard to find otherwise. Furthermore, in case there is an unfortunate travel accident, having an agent you can rely on eases the burden that comes with that ease. During these times, their assistance is pivotal. To begin, picking an agent with an impressive office or a license shouldn't be the only basis for choosing a travel agent. Rather, seek for people who have vast experience in the industry coupled with outstanding communication skills and a passion for travel. A reliable agent is one who is proactive by asking plenty of relevant questions as they strive to give tailored suggestions that fulfill the customer's travel needs. Do not forget to check for credible documents like membership IDs from AFTA, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, to show credibility. Begin with checking the reviews from Google, TripAdvisor, and other social media outlets. Do not forget the traditional approach and so reach out to your colleagues, friends, or family for referrals. Check for their websites; some agents may specialize in catering to luxurious travel, while others focus on budget travelers or adventure seekers. Feel free to reach out to a couple of agents, evaluate their responses and willingness to assist alongside the travel packages they offer. Understanding the Sydney region is an added advantage, unlike for an out-of-town agent. A Sydney-based agent can assist through the whole process with issues for your time zone, help you get connected to tour providers from the region, assist with domestic travels, etc. Further, being capable of meeting in person builds more confidence, trust, and clarity. Furthermore, local agents tend to build sustained relations with their clients, which makes planning for subsequent trips super easy. The Best Travel Agents in Sydney have kept up with the emerging technologies of today. A lot offer virtual consultations, planning itineraries using AI, and eco-friendly travel options. They can also handle complex group bookings for events, organize destination weddings, and multi-country trips. Their responsibilities have broadened to that of a travel concierge—offering complete customized journeys instead of just the routes and means of transport. Choosing the right travel agent will undoubtedly improve your travel experience. It will change most stressful processes into an exhilarating and meticulously planned escapade so you can focus on enjoying your holiday. By selecting from the best travel agents in Sydney, you get a guarantee of their expertise, peace of mind, and assurance that your need will be catered to every step of the way. Instead of booking a flight online or reserving a hotel, consider the invaluable service and lasting benefits a professional travel agent provides—your dream trip may just depend on it. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
It costs €110,000 to become an airline pilot: A new report says the ISIF should be used to offer low-cost loans to candidates
A €40m pilot training loan fund should be created from the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to provide low-cost and fully repayable debt finance to train commercial pilots at Irish flight schools. That is one of the five recommendations from a new study, commissioned by former Ryanair CEO Declan Ryan, who heads aviation investment group Irelandia. In relation to trainee pilots, the report recommends quadrupling the flow of cockpit crews for European airlines and positioning Ireland as a centre of excellence for pilot training with a focus on smaller underutilised airports, including Waterford, Sligo, Derry and Weston It highlights the high cost of training to become a pilot, at approximately €110,000 over two years. "Accessing debt finance for that is extremely challenging and when debt is available it is only at exorbitant interest rates of up to 15%," the report notes. "This limits the supply of cadets as individuals, especially those in lower income cohorts, as they cannot access the required finance." Across Europe, there are over 70,000 qualified commercial pilots at present and estimates suggest a need for over 5,000 newly qualified pilots every year for the next ten years. The report, authored by aviation expert Eamonn Brennan and Goodbody Capital Markets director Joe Gill, said this creates an opportunity for flight training schools that have the capacity to produce pilots. "Our proposal is for ISIF to establish a Pilot Training Debt Fund (PTDF) that is managed via the banking system and offers interest rates backed by a Government guarantee. A similar programme exists in support of Irish SMEs via the Strategic Corporation of Ireland offering loans with interest rates of 4%-5%." To qualify for these loans, candidates would have to be approved by registered Flight Schools as suitable candidates, the report states, adding that if such a scheme was available, pilot training in Ireland could expand significantly, from an output of about 100 at present to approximately 400. "This increased activity can be focused on airports that are currently underutilised including Waterford, Sligo, Derry and Weston. These locations offer ideal and challenging weather conditions to train line-ready commercial pilots for airlines around the world." The Cork-headquartered Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA), headed by Captain Mark Casey, welcomed the publication of the report. AFTA, which trains pilots in Cork and Waterford, said it has over 100 applications on file from individuals who simply cannot access the more than €100,000 required for a full commercial pilot's license. 'If this recommendation is implemented, AFTA will commit to expanding its operations at airports including Waterford," Mr Casey said. 'Ireland can quickly accelerate its annual output of professionally trained commercial pilots if funding can be secured at a reasonable interest rate for prospective students. At every Pilot Career's recruitment event we attend, AFTA staff are constantly reminded by parents and students about the lack of available finance for prospective Pilot Cadets in Ireland." "This issue is the major barrier to entry. Furthermore, this puts Irish Pilot Training Schools, like AFTA, at a competitive disadvantage, while our EU competitor Schools enjoy main street bank lending for trainees and state-backed lending for trainees," he said. Other recommendations in the Irelandia report 'A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation' include an all-island approach to aviation, introducing concise legislation to immediately remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, expand the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector with a focus on Shannon and Derry airports and strengthening the aircraft leasing industry by exp[adding existing treaties to ake in new markets including Brazil, Japan and Asutralia.
Business Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
AFTA welcomes calls for €40m fund to train pilots at Irish regional airports
European natural gas prices extended gains after unplanned capacity cuts were announced... There will be no capacity for any new homes in Dublin in fewer than three years if... Kayna, a Cork-based InsurTech company, has announced plans to create 13 new high-skilled... The Iseq All Share opened in the green on Monday, the Irish market grew 0.88 per... Ireland's government will present plans on Tuesday to ban trade in goods with Israeli... Stock markets across Asia were steady on Monday, and the euro rallied after President... AFTA, Ireland's largest commercial airline pilot training academy, has welcomed...
Business Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Ireland moves to ban trade with Israeli businesses in occupied Palestinian territories
European natural gas prices extended gains after unplanned capacity cuts were announced... There will be no capacity for any new homes in Dublin in fewer than three years if... Kayna, a Cork-based InsurTech company, has announced plans to create 13 new high-skilled... The Iseq All Share opened in the green on Monday, the Irish market grew 0.88 per... Ireland's government will present plans on Tuesday to ban trade in goods with Israeli... Stock markets across Asia were steady on Monday, and the euro rallied after President... AFTA, Ireland's largest commercial airline pilot training academy, has welcomed...
Business Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Cork-based InsurTech company, Kayna to create 13 new jobs
European natural gas prices extended gains after unplanned capacity cuts were announced... There will be no capacity for any new homes in Dublin in fewer than three years if... Kayna, a Cork-based InsurTech company, has announced plans to create 13 new high-skilled... The Iseq All Share opened in the green on Monday, the Irish market grew 0.88 per... Ireland's government will present plans on Tuesday to ban trade in goods with Israeli... Stock markets across Asia were steady on Monday, and the euro rallied after President... AFTA, Ireland's largest commercial airline pilot training academy, has welcomed...
