TT: Tiger Airways Australia - Grounded.

Tiger Airways Australia have come to a cropper, and have been grounded by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority as the authority has "lost confidence in Tiger's ability to manage safety appropriately".

All Tiger Airways Australia have been grounded at least until 9th July.

The CASA said it took the action because it believed permitting the airline to continue to fly posed a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said the action was not taken lightly and was the culmination of a number of events this year.

"All on top of each other, (they) add up to a position where the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has " Mr Gibson said.

"The last thing CASA wants to do is put airlines on the ground and inconvenience the travelling public but safety has to come first."

Two major incidents have occurred, with aircraft being flown too low into Melbourne and Avalon airports involving A320's.

Combined with previous issues with Tiger, they've been grounded for a week to sort themselves out, although this could be extended if the CASA choose to via the Federal Courts.

For updates if you're in the unfortunate position of being stuck with Tiger Australia, head to http://www.tigerairways.com/au/en/disruption.php

Virgin Australia has launched rescue fares: http://www.virginaustralia.com/servicedisruption/index.htm, with JetStar Australia adding extra flights.

EU Mobile Phone costs drop again...

The European Union sometimes has a purpose - and it's regulating the costs of mobile phone costs is normally one of them.

The latest price cuts have gone into effect as of today, meaning the following:

• Calls will cost no more than €0.35 (around 31p) per minute to make. This excludes VAT, down from €0.39.
• The maximum cost to receive calls will be €0.11 (around 10p). This is down from €0.15 per minute, excluding VAT.
• The price of sending a text will remain the same. It will cost no more than €0.11 (around 10p) per text, excluding VAT. Consumers cannot be charged to receive texts.

However, the regulations currently only allow for a "data cap" to placed when using data in the EU (a limit of ~£49 unless the cap is lifted with the operator).  Considering how some devices can chew through data like it's going out of business, switch to WiFi only if possible.

The price changes above apply in the EU Zone only.  Prices outside this zone (such as America, Asia, Africa) are subject to the normal rates as shown on the operator's web site.

Which give a new meaning to the word "extortion"