12 JULY 2021
- COMMENT: John Abbott, Chief Commercial Officer at digital identity network, Yoti
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Aberdeen and easyJet
- Airline Court Hearing
- Airport show returns
- Amber list revised
- Aspire Luton Airport Lounge
- BA Holidays plus proving trial
- Branson takes off
- British Motor Show
- Cambridge Hotel Opens
- Cruise ships add space
- Heathrow moves
- Hong Kong ban
- Jersey goes green
- Lotus Emira
- Manchester to Riga
- MS Borealis intro but no mutiny
- North Atlantic “No News”
- Prince of Wales goes electric
- Scottish uproar
- Toronto Billy Bishop to reopens
- ON TOUR: Richmond Park – West of London
- JULY ROAD TEST: Mazda CX-30
- AND FINALLY:
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Qatar Airways has an upgraded Business Class but the question at the end is interesting.
Branson takes off
Sir Richard Branson (71) was upstaged yesterday (by football), which does not often happen, but it was for what we thought was a good cause.
COMMENT: John Abbott, Chief Commercial Officer at digital identity network, Yoti
Yoti has been binding Covid-19 testing results to Virgin Atlantic crew to help keep things safely moving. Here John Abbott shares his key learning and insights into what is needed to get business travellers truly back on the move.
Aberdeen and easyJet
Responding to the news that easyJet has reinstated its planned route to Manchester following the removal of Scottish Government restrictions, a spokesman at Aberdeen International Airport, said: “It is welcome news that easyJet will grow its domestic offering at Aberdeen International Airport by reinstating the Manchester route on August 6."
Airline Court Hearing
Five British companies involved with the airline industry went to the High Court last Friday morning (9 July) taking on the Government for the way it has handled the ‘traffic light’ situation.
Airport show returns
The 5th British-Irish Airports EXPO is now set to open next summer at its new venue ExCeL London, close by London City Airport (LCY).
With the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow and central London due to finally begin passenger carrying about that time the show could be one of the first beneficiaries next summer, the two-day event running 8-9 June 2022.
Amber list revised
Not 19 July but 12 July should really be noted as the key date for the lifting of the amber list countries' travel restrictions.
BA Holidays plus proving trial
British Airways Holidays says that bookings are booming since the Government’s announcement Friday morning concerning Britons who are double vaccinated.
Heathrow moves
From this week T3 reopens at Heathrow (15 July), T4 is active for ‘red’ countries incoming passengers, and both runways are operational.
Hong Kong ban
Flights from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong are now suspended following the Hong Kong SAR Government reclassifying the UK as Group A1, an "extremely high-risk" place in its Covid-19 regulations.
Lotus Emira
Prior to its public debut at Goodwood last weekend Lotus unveiled to the media and trade at its (very wet) Hethel home what will be its last petrol-engined car, the Emira.
Manchester to Riga
Latvian airline airBaltic launched new scheduled flights on 4 July between Manchester and Riga with initially twice weekly flights.
North Atlantic “No News”
Whilst things are improving regarding short-haul air travel into Europe the situation regarding the North Atlantic, and one of the world’s busiest and lucrative air routes, between London and New York, remains uncertain.
ON TOUR: Richmond Park – West of London
Editor-at-large Jeff Mills continues BTN’s series for those whose summer visits are UK-bound.
JULY ROAD TEST: Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 is a fine car but from an earlier generation.
British Motor Show
Best known to aviation enthusiasts for its bi-annual air show (next in 2022) Farnborough International will play host to the UK motor trade 19-22 August.
Cambridge Hotel Opens
The Hilton Curio Collection Fellows House has opened its doors in the heart of the academic city.
Cruise ships add space
There is likely to be a rush of offerings from the cruise companies now sailing British ports/waters with the Government likely to allow either 1,000 passengers or 50% capacity from 19 July.
Jersey goes green
The Government of Jersey has announced further updates to the island’s Safer Travel Policy, providing greater access to the island for more visitors who have been fully NHS vaccinated, effective tomorrow (Tuesday 13 July).
MS Borealis intro but no mutiny
Fred Olsen’s new Borealis made a mainly quiet (except for Port of Liverpool fireworks) introduction last Monday (5 July) with a three-night trip bound for the Scottish Western Isles.
Prince of Wales goes electric
Prince Charles has always been known for his forward thinking in terms of the environment and has been a proponent of electric-powered cars.
Scottish uproar
Joanne Dooey, President of The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), is again up in arms over the way Nicola Sturgeon and the Holyrood Parliament is treating the travel trade north of the border.
Toronto Billy Bishop to reopens
Porter Airlines has returned to the skies nearly 18 months after suspending flights from the sometimes-controversial downtown airport built on an island in Lake Ontario, very close to Toronto City Centre.