Travel News in Brief

Strike action looms at Qantas, Brittany Ferries axe crossings, VisitEngland reveal new technology and EU officials meet to discuss Italy worries.

Qantas
Flights provided by Qantas could be disrupted, the flight company has warned, as a union representing pilots is threatening strike action in a dispute over pay. The Australian company has also stated that the introduction of a carbon-price system from July 2012 by the Australian government will cost the Qantas Group about £76m-£80m in the financial year ending 30 June 2013.

Brittany Ferries
The vessel Barfleur, part of Brittany Ferries fleet, will no longer operate between Poole and Cherbourg this winter, with its final crossing being on 3 October. Group commercial passenger director, Mike Bevans, attributed the move to the high price of oil and a lack of growth in freight carryings, and added: ‘When we announced the return of Barfleur earlier this year, we made it clear that this would be subject to a review during the summer and, whilst support for the service by the local community has been very positive, it has not been enough to deliver the required revenue.’

VisitEngland
A visitor information scheme which uses 2D bar code technology in the form of QR codes, for scanning into most smartphones, has been unveiled by VisitEngland. Running in Shrewsbury, Leicester, Chester, Rochester and Rutland, the 6-month pilot scheme will aim to encourage visitors to spend more time in the area they are visiting and stay longer.

Italian Debt Fears
A meeting is taking place today in Brussels attended by top European Union officials, which will discuss the growing fears that Italy could become the next country threatened by the Eurozone’s debt woes.