Travel news in brief

Travel news in brief including a crackdown on scams in Thailand; a legal threat to Thomson, Virgin and BA price-fixing payout; and route watch.

Passengers have threatened to take legal action against Britain’s biggest tour operator after contracting norovirus while on a Thomson cruise in May. The law firm Irwin Mitchell, acting for 17 passengers who travelled on Thomson Spirit, has questioned hygiene standards on the ship. Thomson says every effort was made to contain the virus, and that an outbreak on board a cruise ship is not indicative of a failing in hygiene standards.

Crackdown on scams

Police authorities in Thailand are to be tougher with illegal taxis and unlicensed guides at Bangkok airport. The transport minister, Sohpon Zarum, called for new measures to protect foreign tourists.

Price-fixing payout

BA and Virgin Atlantic are to pay compensation to up to 170,000 British passengers following allegations of price-fixing over fuel surcharges. The law firm Hausfeld & Co confirmed that payments of between £2 and £10 per flight had been authorised in 133,000 cases.

Route watch

Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) will start a daily service from Heathrow to Shannon on October 25.

Hellenic Imperial (www.hellenicairways.com) will start a weekly service from Birmingham to Athens this weekend, aiming to make it twice weekly next month.

Air Pacific (www.airpacific.com) will start a twice-weekly service from Hong Kong to Fiji in December.

Icelandair (www.icelandair.com) will fly between Glasgow and Reykjavik from August 27.

EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) will fly from Luton to Tel Aviv from November 2, and to Agadir from November 10.