Index


© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.

COMMENT: A new Transport Minister *

The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP has been appointed by the new Prime Minister Liz Truss to a Cabinet position as Secretary of State for... (more) published 2022-09-10 19:10:32
 

Please scroll down for this week's BTN stories. Welcomed by Sir Philip Beck, Chairman of developer Mowlem... (more) published 2022-09-10 17:55:10
 

COMMENT: Passsenger compensation. Will it catch on in the UK?

Amsterdam Airport passengers who missed flights due to long queues at security at the airport between 23 April and 11 August, and... (more) published 2022-08-19 17:26:43
 

COMMENT: Wizz Air and Moscow *

I for one will not be flying Wizz Air for the foreseeable future.BTN reports in this issue that Wizz Air plans to... (more) published 2022-08-11 23:09:51
 

COMMENT: ABANDONED - British air travel

If BTN was a tabloid this is how the splash headline would read! The United Kingdom is now leaderless when it comes to the... (more) published 2022-08-05 11:46:53
 

COMMENT: Air travel is a mess *

Where to start? At least here in the UK we will shortly have a change of Prime Minister, and hopefully one that is more sympathetic... (more) published 2022-07-16 18:23:21
 

COMMENT: Will things change? *

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sunk, rather like his grandiose Thames Estuary Airport scheme.One thing we have learnt with the... (more) published 2022-07-05 10:17:56
 

COMMENT: The Willie & Akbar show

At very short notice Qatar Airways and its boss Akbar Al Baker saved the 2022 78th IATA AGM with a very different style of gathering at... (more) published 2022-06-25 16:40:15
 

COMMENT: Fine railway - No loos *

The Elizabeth line, running east to west, opened last Tuesday (24 May) with the kind of euphoria usually reserved for a State occasion.... (more) published 2022-05-24 18:10:40
 

COMMENT: Crossrail - the final word

On Tuesday the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) officially opens, London's first major public transport improvement since the... (more) published 2022-05-22 11:25:03
 

COMMENT: Disappearing First Class *

Jeff Mills, BTN's Editor-at-Large, asks have we seen the last of really civilised business travel?Some comments made by... (more) published 2022-05-15 17:03:04
 

COMMENT: Speeding and the motorist *

Your Editor-in-Chief has to admit that in recent times he was apprehended for speeding, 35mph on a Sunday morning in an empty main... (more) published 2022-05-03 12:32:54
 

COMMENT: TfL and London City Airport *

Bank Station is nearly ready. The vastly over budget Elizabeth Line is supposedly imminent. What will make the headlines when Crossrail... (more) published 2022-04-23 09:29:40
 

COMMENT: Flybe – what happens next? *

We wish the new Flybe enterprise every success. Any initiatives that brings jobs and investment to the beleaguered British airline industry... (more) published 2022-04-17 11:26:31
 

COMMENT: Russia and the airlines *

The Russian news agency TASS reported that restrictions on flights from Russia to 52 countries would be cancelled from April 9. These... (more) published 2022-04-09 07:34:47
 

COMMENT: For ‘Defying Hitler’ read ‘Defying Putin’ *

On 18 February a book arrived on my desk for review called ‘Defying Hitler'. It was put aside for later reading and not... (more) published 2022-03-25 10:08:52
 

COMMENT: From one crisis to another

Contributor Chris Tarry is in a thoughtful mood as tries to look into the future of air travel.Whilst it is impossible to... (more) published 2022-03-20 16:44:30
 

COMMENT: The cost of Uber

When you book a flight direct with an airline, typically BA or easyJet, the actual charge is clearly shown. This is not the case with... (more) published 2022-03-13 09:09:34
 

A STATEMENT BY WILLIE WALSH, DIRECTOR GENERAL, IATA *

"I am appalled by the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by Russia and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people under siege.Aviation... (more) published 2022-02-27 17:01:44
 

COMMENT: OAG reflects on the Heathrow results

It's been a very tough couple of years for the whole aviation industry. Much of the attention has been focussed on the airline... (more) published 2022-02-23 23:12:18
 

COMMENT: Job vacancy at the DfT *

John Holland-Kaye withdraws.The Department for Transport (DfT) has advertised in the normal channels for a Director General for Aviation,... (more) published 2022-02-19 12:25:05
 

COMMENT: Next the red flag *

Have you every driven a 1960's car. For the most part they don't go, have limited handling, and can't stop. When... (more) published 2022-02-12 17:11:15
 

COMMENT: Airport charges *

How much do airports (and airlines as their agents) charge the passengers? Over the years it has been common knowledge that... (more) published 2022-01-28 08:38:12
 

COMMENT: Dear Secretary of State *

Sunday 23 January 2022.Here is a letter to the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid from a number of British... (more) published 2022-01-23 13:42:08
 

COMMENT: First or standard class *

The electric trains being re-deployed to the Luton Airport Express (which runs between London St Pancras and Corby) are being internally... (more) published 2022-01-15 08:53:46
 

COMMENT: John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow Airport *

The Air League Sir Andrew Humphrey Memorial Lecture.John Holland-Kaye is familiar to most BTN readers having literally not only... (more) published 2021-11-27 14:49:18
 

COMMENT: The Integrated rail plan *

BTN's railway expert Andrew Sharp, former Director General of the International Air Rail Organisation, takes a look at the new Grant... (more) published 2021-11-19 21:27:17
 

FROM BTN'S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF *

An attack yesterday (14 November) by The Sunday Times against light aviation (General Aviation GA) has been strongly rebutted, a... (more) published 2021-11-14 14:34:43
 

COMMENT: Good morning, New York *

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), was a guest of British Airways on BA001 to New York Kennedy last Monday 8... (more) published 2021-11-12 21:27:10
 

COMMENT: Jeff Mills on WTM

BTN's Editor-at-Large, Jeff Mills, takes a nostalgic look at the World Travel Market.I'm not sure that London had ever... (more) published 2021-11-06 12:14:19
 

COMMENT: Manchester Airport – The Road to Recovery

Karen Smart has been Managing Director of Manchester Airport (since 2020), having held the same position at East Midlands Airport... (more) published 2021-10-15 16:24:08
 

COMMENT: Willie Walsh at IATA in Boston *

With entry barred to the United States to many journalists and others, the 77th International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM and... (more) published 2021-10-09 12:08:06
 

COMMENT: AGM Meets to Focus on Critical Issues

Much respected aviation consultant, and regular contributor to BTN, John Strickland focusses on the IATA AGM, one of the most... (more) published 2021-10-03 12:36:47
 

COMMENT: Chris Tarry “don’t waste a good crisis”

Chris Tarry, BTN's resident analytical guru looks forward in terms of airlines. He writes a monthly column for Airline Business... (more) published 2021-09-19 19:09:37
 

COMMENT: John Grant of OAG – September airline capacity *

As a Senior Analyst for OAG and partner in MIDAS Aviation John Grant has been tracking the impact of Covid-19 across the industry... (more) published 2021-08-28 15:09:02
 

COMMENT: JetBlue and more *

Chris Tarry of CTAIRA, The Specialist Aviation Consultancy, has been a regular contributor to Business Travel News... (more) published 2021-08-22 19:45:49
 

COMMENT: London to New York

The numbers look tantalising. In 2019 around 3m people flew between the world's most important financial centres. For an airline... (more) published 2021-08-15 13:44:18
 

COMMENT: Share prices. An air of uncertainty

They say that bookmakers always win. The London Stock Exchange is something of a gamble too with the participants some really expert... (more) published 2021-08-07 14:18:11
 

COMMENT: The End of Business Travel?

# When BTN was first established back in the 1980s our title was Air & Business Travel News (ABTN) but... (more) published 2021-07-25 00:06:30
 

COMMENT: Tourism Recovery Plan

If you are confused by the latest travel rules, and not just international, please do not call Business Travel News. We... (more) published 2021-07-15 11:52:02
 

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... (more) published 2021-07-11 01:21:15
 

COMMENT: Where do we go from here?

Where on ‘earth' do we stand regarding international travel? "Always look on the bright side," says Business Travel... (more) published 2021-06-12 10:54:26
 

COMMENT EXTRA

As a follow-up to the industry's letter to the Prime Minister, yesterday Heathrow issued an alarmist statement concerning the... (more) published 2021-05-30 12:01:05
 

COMMENT: A letter to the Prime Minister

Some of the CEOs from the UK's leading aviation, travel and tourism businesses have united to express their concern and... (more) published 2021-05-29 12:20:14
 

COMMENT: BRITISH RAIL “A privatisation too far”

The quote is of Margaret Thatcher:"The last 30 years have proved her right." Andrew Sharp.BTN's railway... (more) published 2021-05-20 17:33:09
 

COMMENT: Willie Walsh & Grant Shapps

The former boss of BA owner IAG and now director general of IATA has issued one of the shortest press releases on record in response to the... (more) published 2021-05-08 10:17:36
 

LETTER OF THE WEEK

This week's winner is Peter Smart of Laurencekirk, between Aberdeen and Dundee. He relates to UK travel rules. This week... (more) published 2021-03-21 14:20:16
 

COMMENT: The public response to air travel!

A survey by Business Travel News yesterday (Sunday 21 March) indicates that the public for the most part is taking up the... (more) published 2021-03-21 10:49:39
 

COMMENT: Is Caesar (the PM) about to be stabbed by Brutus (his constituents)?

Under the umbrella of "Back Heathrow", Uxbridge residents have written to Boris Johnson as their member of parliament (Uxbridge... (more) published 2021-03-12 16:03:24
 

A STATEMENT by Business Travel News

Business Travel News (BTN) has evolved as an online weekly from Air & Business Travel News... (more) published 2021-03-12 09:39:31
 

LETTER OF THE WEEK

The Scottish rules BTN is introducing "Letter of the Week". No prizes unless someone wants to... (more) published 2021-03-03 21:19:14
 

TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE

The ASPIRE sponsored travellers review is now available online, and will be on the reception desks as the lounges reopen.... (more) published 2021-02-27 08:55:24
 

COMMENT: The UK currently has no 'travel corridor' arrangements with any other country

The announcement by the EU that it was stopping vaccine supplies to the United Kingdom due to alleged contract failure was attacked by all... (more) published 2021-01-31 07:38:39
 

COMMENT: Gatwick – Not all doom and gloom

The collapse of Norwegian's long-haul Boeing Dreamliner operation at Gatwick is a blow for the south London airport but not fatal and... (more) published 2021-01-24 12:11:26
 

COMMENT: Always look on the bright side (of life)

The travel embargoThe Prime Minister's words on Friday evening concerning inbound travellers to the United Kingdom... (more) published 2021-01-16 14:02:55
 

COMMENT: From BTN's Editor-in-Chief

Finding words to describe 2020 is not easy. BTN would prefer to forget the last nine months although in truth many harsh lessons... (more) published 2020-12-12 21:51:17
 

From "The Times" Saturday

Catalytic converter thefts from cars rise sixfold.By Graeme Paton, Transport Correspondent.The number of catalytic converters... (more) published 2020-11-21 08:48:16
 

COMMENT: The Green Economic Recovery

The Prime Minister's ten-point planLast Wednesday (18 November) the Government published what it called its... (more) published 2020-11-18 15:33:11
 

COMMENT: Airport crisis comes to a head

Today's Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Conference would normally be the opportunity for the industry to express its... (more) published 2020-11-06 11:41:07
 

COMMENT: Would you come to England?

Or Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for that matter?A Minister for Travel Wanted. It was fairly obvious (and from day one) that the... (more) published 2020-10-24 07:50:47
 

COMMENT: Doyle follows Cruz

The appointment of the London-based boss of Aer Lingus, Sean Doyle, as BA chief is an astute move by the board of IAG, which hopefully will... (more) published 2020-10-17 20:04:26
 

COMMENT: Which? and the travel industry

It is not often that anyone involved in travel will praise the consumer publication Which? but for once Travel Editor Rory... (more) published 2020-10-10 17:16:33
 

COMMENT: Passenger train services in Great Britain

The coronavirus pandemic has been fatal for the system of franchising railway passenger operations in Great Britain, which has... (more) published 2020-09-24 11:48:37
 

COMMENT: Willie Walsh’s late departure

Was the Rod Eddington appointment of Willie Walsh the correct one at the time?Probably yes.There were not that many candidates around... (more) published 2020-09-07 09:00:57
 

COMMENT: APD – Suspend it says BTN – And take to the air

The UK airline industry is in crisis, its leaders working behind closed doors, and not visible.The Government turns away, seemingly... (more) published 2020-08-20 12:52:38
 

COMMENT: Conventions and Networking – When will they return?

Last week BTN ran a story that the Business Travel Show had been cancelled. Fact! Northstar, now the US owner of the... (more) published 2020-08-16 00:55:21
 

COMMENT: London City Airport

Where next as LCY tiptoes back into operation?Conceived as a business travel airport to... (more) published 2020-07-17 23:24:37
 

COMMENT: BA - What next?

This publication is not keen on base airlines subcontracting, whether it be front desk, gate handling or telephone reservations. You cannot... (more) published 2020-06-27 17:12:09
 

COMMENT: Passports + London City Airport

In its many years of publication Business Travel News has never used the COMMENT feature to cover two unconnected stories. Times... (more) published 2020-06-21 22:21:22
 

COMMENT: Fourteen-day quarantine for travellers

Utter nonsense!The fact that the Government prevaricated over the introduction of the lockdown may have been a contributory factor in... (more) published 2020-05-17 10:44:03
 

COMMENT: So what happens next?

Go back 20 years and there were no web bookings and airlines ran on credit. Times have changed. The younger generation may not know,... (more) published 2020-04-24 14:39:08
 

COMMENT: Well done easyJet and Virgin Atlantic

At a time of national need easyJet and Virgin Atlantic have joined the NHS to supplement the workforce at the new Nightingale hospitals as... (more) published 2020-03-29 12:38:05
 

COMMENT: From the chief executive of Airlines UK

The current challenges faced by the UK airline sector are truly unprecedented, and stark. Even just days ago, the idea that airlines... (more) published 2020-03-22 17:23:20
 

A letter from Hong Kong

Tony Tyler, the former director-general and chief executive of IATA and previously chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways,... (more) published 2020-03-17 18:48:21
 

COMMENT: Who owns the Heathrow slots?

The ownership of the Heathrow (LHR) slots has been brought into sharp focus by Flybe dropping both Newquay and Guernsey to Heathrow for the... (more) published 2020-02-16 08:49:29
 

COMMENT: High Speed or Fast Speed?

But will government changes intervene? With Brexit almost out of the way (fingers crossed), the next debate has to be HS2, with just... (more) published 2020-02-09 16:45:59
 

And some additional observations

FLYBE What went wrong? The following is from an observer of the British regional airline scene who would prefer to... (more) published 2020-01-18 20:44:16
 

COMMENT: Flybe

Two Irishmen walk into a pub …It's the start of several familiar jokes but its slightly-altered application to last... (more) published 2020-01-18 20:21:23
 

Flybe – further thoughts

Running a domestic and short-haul regional airline is not easy and both easyJet and Ryanair have revised their UK internal services in... (more) published 2020-01-16 09:40:02
 

COMMENT: Walsh and the BA brand

British Airways' parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) is to have a new chief executive following the not-unexpected... (more) published 2020-01-11 09:11:45
 

COMMENT: The year of living dangerously

Anyone in the aviation industry understands it is a turbulent business but even the most hardened observer could be forgiven for being... (more) published 2019-12-13 22:44:10
 

COMMENT: Aurigny under scrutiny

This week's COMMENT comes from Paul Simmons, former UK director at easyJet and chief commercial officer at Flybe, and... (more) published 2019-11-15 14:35:34
 

COMMENT: A Spanish step too far for Walsh?

Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, is known for his love of Spain and all things Spanish. His British Airways chief executive, Alex Cruz,... (more) published 2019-11-07 16:42:46
 

COMMENT: Blue Badge controversy

BTN editor-in-chief Malcolm Ginsberg was "troubled" last week by a motorist displaying a Blue Badge which allows parking... (more) published 2019-10-26 08:02:07
 

COMMENT: Thomas Cook – What next?

With a government that has as many leaks as the Titanic after it hit the iceberg, maybe someone somewhere got it wrong and leaked... (more) published 2019-10-19 07:34:50
 

COMMENT: Alex Cruz to open air travel industry debate

The timing for AIRLINES 2050 could not be better, proceeded by the Queen's Speech today with a possible mention of future safeguards... (more) published 2019-10-13 13:57:28
 

COMMENT: For Thomas Cook, a mountain was climbed

As with Monarch and others, the debate over the collapse of Thomas Cook will linger long after the nitty-gritty of the repatriation... (more) published 2019-09-27 14:08:59
 

COMMENT: Virgin on the attack

It is a basic tenet of most businesses that cartels, or monopolies, while cosy for the entities involved, are a bad thing for the... (more) published 2019-09-21 16:02:59
 

COMMENT: No winners in this dispute

There can be no clearer indication of the state of affairs between the warring parties in the current British Airways dispute than the... (more) published 2019-09-15 08:10:54
 

COMMENT: Small is beautiful, says airport survey

Results released today of the latest survey by Which? on Britain's airports (see news story in this issue) will make... (more) published 2019-09-08 16:31:26
 

COMMENT: It’s all railways – HS2, Crossrail and East Midlands Railways (EMR)

BTN features train services three times this week. Firstly HS2 (see in this issue) or, as we prefer, Fast Speed 1, which we... (more) published 2019-08-20 16:46:58
 

COMMENT: Virgin out! First Trenitalia in!

Last week, the Department for Transport announced that First Trenitalia had been successful in its bid to operate the West Coast... (more) published 2019-08-16 14:33:29
 

COMMENT: Who is flying the flag?

"The World's Favourite Airline"? No longer according to Which? And The Times.What has happened to British... (more) published 2019-08-10 10:30:35
 

COMMENT: Time for take-off, Mr Shapps

Nobody said it was easy, but Grant Shapps, our incoming secretary of state for transport to give him his full title, is probably better... (more) published 2019-07-26 18:16:52
 

COMMENT: Fast Speed One

Do we really need HS2? Back in August 2013 the late Vernon Murphy wrote in Business Travel News questioning the sense in... (more) published 2019-07-21 10:33:43
 

COMMENT PLUS: London City Airport and London

There are serious access problems on the way. The airport must stand up and be counted!If the predictions are correct, London City... (more) published 2019-07-11 10:36:02
 

COMMENT: A new transport minister – First task?

Within weeks a new transport minister will be appointed. What is his/her first task?Heathrow is on its way, and HS2 likewise. The... (more) published 2019-07-11 10:33:12
 

COMMENT: Stand up for sustainability

It is an unfortunate consequence of having a free press that those who make the most noise often get the biggest headlines, usually with far... (more) published 2019-07-07 09:05:43
 

COMMENT SPECIAL: Heathrow expansion

The following feature article appeared in the London Evening Standard on Wednesday, 19 June. Emma Gilthorpe is... (more) published 2019-06-19 21:05:21
 

COMMENT: The next Prime Minister

As BTN was saying last week, the forthcoming election of the British prime minister (to hold that position in theory at any... (more) published 2019-06-16 09:22:11
 

COMMENT: The British Prime Minister

The forthcoming election of the British prime minister (to hold that position in theory at any rate until 5 May 2022), is of vital... (more) published 2019-06-07 19:21:06
 

COMMENT: Slots are a problem

In Alison Chambers' report on the recent EBACE aviation conference in Geneva she notes the concern with aircraft operators regarding... (more) published 2019-06-01 22:08:35
 

COMMENT: A passenger charter

With the 23 June cut off date for submissions regarding the government's proposed new Passenger Charter fast approaching... (more) published 2019-05-18 16:30:47
 

COMMENT: Scotland on the wrong foot

Perish the thought Scotland's first minister should be bandwagon-climbing but linking her government's decision to scrap... (more) published 2019-05-11 17:07:08
 

COMMENT: How far do you go with political correctness?

What's with the latest fad "gender neutral"? Have we gone definition mad?! Last week BTN highlighted that United... (more) published 2019-04-28 12:01:30
 

COMMENT: Drones – an international problem?

Speculation that last year's drone incident at Gatwick was the work of an insider brought the subject back into the headlines last... (more) published 2019-04-20 09:10:51
 

COMMENT: Virgin Trains

The business antics of Sir Richard Branson may have led to as many disliking him as admiring him, but he can take heart from last... (more) published 2019-04-14 11:02:11
 

COMMENT: Flybe – What happens next?

"Frustrating". That was the term used by a senior manager in the consortium "poised" to take over Flybe last week.... (more) published 2019-04-07 09:20:31
 

COMMENT: Luton Airport

An enigma. London Luton Airport is a conundrum expanding enormously in recent years and celebrating the completion of a... (more) published 2019-03-21 16:55:34
 

COMMENT: A crisis for Boeing

In the rush to judgment that follows any air accident, theories of all kinds abound. So it has been over the past week as the industry has... (more) published 2019-03-17 15:30:46
 

COMMENT: A non-Brexit AOA (almost)

The headline is tempting, but the key speeches at last week's AOA (Airport Operators Association) annual dinner were not completely... (more) published 2019-03-10 16:08:17
 

COMMENT: Travel Technology Europe - Also at Olympia

With a growing number of stories on the uses of high-tech in our industry emerging each week, it's a good time to catch up as the... (more) published 2019-02-16 15:38:50
 

COMMENT: 1969 – That was the year that was

Fifty years ago last Saturday, 9 February 1969, the first Boeing B747-100 took to the skies. Just one month later, 2 March 1969,... (more) published 2019-02-10 13:01:13
 

COMMENT: Trading in nostalgia – BA and fake news

Last week British Airways issued a press release telling the tale of British air transport. Nothing wrong with that. But to say BA is 100... (more) published 2019-01-22 20:20:05
 

COMMENT: The priority paradox

Like many travellers, BTN is fed up with the growing confusion over bag policies and priority boarding. The... (more) published 2019-01-20 12:08:36
 

COMMENT: Fly be or Fly not to be?

Flybe's CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener put a brave face on last Friday's (Flybe flies on in this issue) announcement that her... (more) published 2019-01-13 17:11:22
 

COMMENT: You cannot be serious

It is ironic that on today of all days (see AND FINALLY), BTN and many others should have to ask whether 31 March will really mean... (more) published 2018-12-15 12:26:49
 

COMMENT: LONDON LUTON AIRPORT – Not fit for purpose!

If you are elderly or slightly infirm, don't use Luton Airport. That is the advice from Business Travel News. The... (more) published 2018-12-05 07:13:41
 

COMMENT: Cyclists and the highway

Business Travel News is not anti-cyclists. In fact they have an important role to play in society, keeping the user fit with an... (more) published 2018-11-23 08:11:59
 

COMMENT SPECIAL: Post-Brexit flights

BTN joins the representatives of Britain's airlines and airports in welcoming last week's clarification from the European... (more) published 2018-11-18 17:49:22
 

COMMENT: The sad saga of Flybe

The sad saga of Flybe has now entered the dangerous phase where a company needs money but the people who would normally pay it in this... (more) published 2018-11-18 17:11:39
 

COMMENT: The EU’s aerial traffic jam

After a quarter-century of talks, Europe still does not appear able to agree within itself how to sort out aerial navigation. This is the... (more) published 2018-11-11 08:05:58
 

COMMENT: Is Northolt the saviour for Flybe?

Business Travel News has long promoted Northolt (NHT) as the solution to the London connectivity problem for the provinces until... (more) published 2018-11-03 13:16:31
 

COMMENT: Singapore very-long-haul

Singapore Airlines can breathe a sigh of relief after exposing its inaugural ultra-long-haul SQ22 A350-900ULR service from Singapore to... (more) published 2018-10-21 10:26:39
 

COMMENT: Counting chickens

Norwegian Air's CEO and founder Bjørn Kjos was quick to make the most of last week's revelation by the Port Authority of... (more) published 2018-10-14 14:52:12
 

COMMENT: Crossrail confusion

Two vital elements are missing from the latest criticism of the Crossrail project over who knew what and when about the latest delay.... (more) published 2018-10-06 08:36:13
 

COMMENT: What APD really means

Although last week's report into Air Passenger Duty (APD) appears under the flag of Airlines UK, the association is not the only body to... (more) published 2018-09-23 09:30:42
 

COMMENT SPECIAL: British Airways and hacking

British Airways needs to get itself a new IT supplier, and fast. On Thursday the company admitted that bank details of 380,000 passengers... (more) published 2018-09-15 09:53:17
 

SOAPBOX EXTRA: Brexit impact: Not much

As Project Fear raises its head again, Dave Ashton, CEO of the train comparison and booking platform Loco2, addresses some key... (more) published 2018-08-26 02:08:53
 

COMMENT: British Airways – What happened after King?

Last week's COMMENT asking the question "Is IAG a Brand?" seems to have created considerable interest, easily... (more) published 2018-08-16 08:27:01
 

COMMENT: Is IAG a brand?

Last Monday, The Times of London published a pretty forthright letter by British Airways chief executive and chairman Alex... (more) published 2018-08-11 08:47:40
 

COMMENT: Another £600m for Crossrail but still no London City station

With still no date announced for the actual opening of the first section of the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Abbey Wood, the... (more) published 2018-07-27 08:20:55
 

COMMENT: FARNBOROUGH – Room for improvement

A sun-drenched Farnborough. Some of us can remember wet events and canvas hospitality. Things have moved on and the whole operation is a... (more) published 2018-07-19 08:37:06
 

COMMENT: Caring for the less-able

Media coverage last week of the CAA's latest annual report on the accessibility services provided by the top 30 UK airports concentrated... (more) published 2018-07-15 11:59:58
 

COMMENT: The regions need air action now!

Aviation minister Baroness Sugg spoke enthusiastically to the industry last week regarding the great Parliamentary support for Heathrow's... (more) published 2018-07-06 08:55:52
 

COMMENT: Jim Armitage - Business Editor, London Evening Standard

THE FRENCH AIR TRAFFIC CRISIS The following has been reproduced from The London Evening Standard and BTN... (more) published 2018-06-15 17:57:16
 

COMMENT: Heathrow onward

In the world of diplomacy, as we have learned to our cost, you don't just have talks. First you have to have talks about talks,... (more) published 2018-06-10 07:58:46
 

COMMENT: Heathrow. The world won’t wait forever

It was appropriate that yesterday, Sunday 27 May 2018, was the day chosen by some of Britain's top business groups to add their... (more) published 2018-05-27 14:08:10
 

COMMENT: Airport safety - a bridge too far?

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) has just concluded its third annual UK Airports Safety Week, an initiative supported by the Civil... (more) published 2018-05-20 08:03:29
 

COMMENT: Elizabeth Line paranoia!

Today (Monday 7 May) sees the publication by the respected International Air Rail Organisation (IARO) of a report, London... (more) published 2018-05-11 09:26:59
 

COMMENT: Airline insolvency

Among all the words in last week's call for evidence for the government's Airline Insolvency review (BTN last week), one key... (more) published 2018-04-22 16:29:15
 

COMMENT: IAG and Norwegian

Will the possible takeover of Norwegian by IAG under chief executive Willie Walsh be more successful than BA's controversial merger... (more) published 2018-04-15 10:18:44
 

COMMENT: BTN distribution and the publication’s future?

Just like probably every other business in the UK we are concerned with the implication of GDPR from 25 May. Nothing to do with Public... (more) published 2018-04-08 10:43:28
 

COMMENT: What now, Flybe?

The history of British domestic air travel has been littered with failures. Who these days remembers Brymon Airways, Dan Air and... (more) published 2018-03-22 09:20:29
 

COMMENT: The Elizabeth Line and (some) of the London airports

Crossrail/The Elizabeth Line steadily moves forward towards its planned opening date in December. But is all well? The Mayor of... (more) published 2018-03-18 08:40:54
 

COMMENT: The PR dream

You have to hand it to Brexit. It's a PR person's dream. Mere mention of the word by your client practically guarantees headlines to... (more) published 2018-03-11 10:27:49
 

COMMENT: The shape of things to come

Soothsayers seeking guidance on what sort of year 2018 is likely to be for our cherished industry need look no further than the week just... (more) published 2018-02-25 13:50:41
 

COMMENT: Airbus engine problems

The problems associated with the introduction of the Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engine version of the Airbus A320neo will be sorted... (more) published 2018-02-18 07:15:49
 

COMMENT:The Elizabeth Line

In December 2018 the Elizabeth Line is due to open between a new sub-surface station at Paddington and Abbey Wood. It will surface from... (more) published 2018-02-08 10:19:30
 

COMMENT EXTRA: The railway on the east coast. What to do with it?

The Virgin branded East Coast line, owned 90% by Stagecoach and 10% Virgin Group is rapidly becoming an embarrassment for the Government.... (more) published 2018-02-06 14:44:04
 

COMMENT: Victory for common sense

In an announcement late Friday evening UK (and Northern Ireland) time the US International Trade Commission overturned by 4-0 votes a... (more) published 2018-01-28 09:24:15
 

COMMENT: Car insurance rip-off

Your editor-in-chief, with a clean driving licence, broke the law last June by driving at 45mph on the downhill dual carriageway that leads... (more) published 2018-01-21 15:16:29
 

COMMENT: Budget Airline (BA)

It once called itself "The World's Favourite Airline" but has British Airways gone too far this time? Is it now perhaps... (more) published 2018-01-13 18:08:25
 

COMMENT: A hard act to follow

As any business person will tell you, there are few things more satisfying than leaving an undertaking in better shape than you found... (more) published 2017-12-10 13:16:51
 

COMMENT: A Jumbo heritage

As with Mark Twain, who responded to publication of his obituary by saying reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated, so with the... (more) published 2017-11-26 17:07:31
 

COMMENT: One-upmanship in the air

It comes to something when The Daily Telegraph, with its famously aspirational readership, returns from the Dubai Air Show with... (more) published 2017-11-19 10:23:14
 

COMMENT: Another chance to tackle APD

In a little over a week, on 22 November, we in the UK face the thrilling prospect of The Budget, which used to be called the Autumn... (more) published 2017-11-12 14:18:15
 

COMMENT: Time to act on Heathrow

As with Brexit, so with Heathrow. That body of the population in the "Just get on with it" corner must have despaired last week... (more) published 2017-10-27 11:54:36
 

COMMENT: A cat among the corgis

For anyone in the aviation business, last week's announcement of a partnership between Airbus and Bombardier to continue the development... (more) published 2017-10-22 10:28:12
 

COMMENT: The people's airport

Somebody, referring to the august profession in which BTN dabbles, once said "Never let the truth get in the way of a good... (more) published 2017-10-15 14:07:59
 

COMMENT: Death of an airline

The end of Monarch Airlines is a blow for our industry but it could have been worse. The CAA has been shown to be capable of some fancy... (more) published 2017-10-08 18:52:07
 

COMMENT EXTRA: Ryanair and O’Leary. “You ain't seen nothing yet”

For a man who likes to be seen flying by the seat of his pants, the past week has probably not been Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's... (more) published 2017-09-24 21:56:55
 

COMMENT: Would the Treasury please read this?

Of all the many present causes for concern in our industry, one stands out. It is the vexed question of Air Passenger Duty, or APD. And it is... (more) published 2017-09-23 13:12:26
 

COMMENT: Airport ratings

"Which?" goes back to 1957 and is part of the Consumers' Association, with more than half a million subscribers.... (more) published 2017-09-17 19:56:41
 

COMMENT: London Assembly gets Northolt wrong

Last week the London Assembly passed a formal notice "to campaign against RAF Northolt (NHT) becoming a commercial airport."It was... (more) published 2017-09-10 11:55:53
 

COMMENT EXTRA: The O'Leary Show

Is Michael O'Leary, the master of free press publicity, running scared? At a media briefing in London last week, he categorically... (more) published 2017-09-03 13:20:19
 

COMMENT: Oh no, it’s Project Fear

Just when you thought Project Fear was dead, as many believe it should be, up pop two stories which while ostensibly not linked have caused a... (more) published 2017-08-27 11:52:47
 

COMMENT: Breaking up airberlin

As if being seen to be going into administration isn't bad enough, airberlin now finds itself in an unedifying war of words with Ryanair... (more) published 2017-08-20 10:37:31
 

COMMENT: MPs and aviation

Anyone with the wider interests of our industry at heart would have been cheered by the formation earlier this year by a group of... (more) published 2017-08-13 07:30:45
 

COMMENT: Changing of the guard

Last week's announcement, reported elsewhere in this issue, by the Air France-KLM Group, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic that they... (more) published 2017-07-30 11:28:02
 

COMMENT: Strategy of confusion

Last Monday's issue of Business Travel News in many respects predicted the announcement on Friday of the government's aviation... (more) published 2017-07-23 13:14:15
 

COMMENT: Government should assess the Northolt situation, says BTN

Last week, secretary of state for transport Chris Grayling was guest of honour at the Aviation Club. Business Travel News... (more) published 2017-07-16 09:43:22
 

COMMENT: The Arora Plan for Heathrow

After a quiet few weeks since the election, aviation hit the headlines again yesterday with wealthy hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora... (more) published 2017-07-09 10:32:57
 

COMMENT: The World’s best Airlines

AirHelp, a technology company founded in Silicon Valley in 2013, has come up with its fifth airline ranking review since it established its... (more) published 2017-06-25 17:50:22
 

COMMENT: National Cycle Week

Let the forthcoming Queen's Speech introduce cycling laws. With all the mayhem over the past seven days, both heart-breaking... (more) published 2017-06-17 10:59:07
 

COMMENT: Jane Middleton, Airlines UK

In the aftermath of the election, Jane Middleton, chairman of the trade body for British airlines, discusses the way forward. ... (more) published 2017-06-09 19:10:40
 

COMMENT: BA fails to communicate

British Airways had a serious IT problem over the weekend. BTN does not know the full details of the breakdown but one thing for certain... (more) published 2017-05-28 18:17:43
 

COMMENT: Are these the World's top 20 airlines?

If you ever thought you didn't know enough about the world's airlines, help is now at hand thanks to the OAG organisation, whose... (more) published 2017-05-21 14:44:18
 

COMMENT: Aviation and the election

Calling an election may make sense politically to the parties concerned but it has the unwelcome side effect of diverting attention... (more) published 2017-05-14 07:47:15
 

COMMENT: Rage in the air

By the time you read this, there will almost certainly have been at least one further example of the "new" cult of air rage. New... (more) published 2017-05-06 11:55:17
 

COMMENT: The unfriendly skies

For our reader's views go to the end of this piece. BTN last week drew attention to the media hostility some US major airlines... (more) published 2017-04-16 09:47:59
 

COMMENT: Gibraltar

Franco may have been a loathsome Fascist dictator, but he was no fool. In 1940, when Britain itself was under real pressure, he could have... (more) published 2017-04-08 11:48:50
 

COMMENT: Article 50

Whatever one thinks of the UK's democratically arrived at decision to leave the EU, the die is now cast. Britain has signed Article 50... (more) published 2017-04-01 16:32:11
 

COMMENT: Scotland to Heathrow. Is this the first step for the new runway?

The introduction today of services between Scotland and Heathrow by Flybe, Britain's third largest airline by passenger numbers, is a... (more) published 2017-03-25 20:51:26
 

COMMENT: Please sign the petition

There's nothing like the threat of a looming election to muzzle normally loquacious politicians faced with intractable problems. Even... (more) published 2017-03-19 09:39:20
 

COMMENT: British Airways business class domestic

Although there has been no official media announcement in the UK, British Airways is to launch Club Europe (Business Class) on domestic... (more) published 2017-03-12 15:39:48
 

COMMENT: Cover up needed at Luton

Luton Airport is in an invidious situation. Passengers are voting with their seats that they want to use the airport with numbers up 18.5% in... (more) published 2017-02-26 11:17:22
 

COMMENT: Do you want a bath or a shower?

With the London Business Travel Show starting later this week (Wednesday and Thursday, 22-23 February), it seems a very good idea to... (more) published 2017-02-19 14:19:22
 

COMMENT: Domestic air routes - Can we wait?

On 2 February, transport secretary Chris Grayling took a major step forward in publishing the draft Airports National Policy Statement... (more) published 2017-02-10 08:39:41
 

COMMENT: Baring all for Brexit

In the week the Supreme Court ruled MPs must oversee the UK's departure from Europe, Brexit and aviation's place in it were... (more) published 2017-01-29 11:20:43
 

COMMENT: All change at Gatwick

How times change. A while ago, it was all Heathrow hogging the headlines. That little matter having been (temporarily) quietened... (more) published 2017-01-22 18:37:44
 

COMMENT: The stories behind the figures

As is often the case with statistics, it's the stories behind the figures that fascinate. Take the year-end traffic results for 2016 for... (more) published 2017-01-15 17:48:56
 

COMMENT: Aircraft noise – real progress

The news that HACAN (the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) and Heathrow Airport Ltd have set out their joint... (more) published 2016-12-15 08:57:45
 

COMMENT: Quick quick Qantas

Yesterday (Sunday 11 December), Qantas announced it is to launch non-stop service between Perth and London from March 2018 using a... (more) published 2016-12-11 10:34:30
 

COMMENT: APD is still wrong

Disappointment was the word most heard last week after the Autumn Statement failed conspicuously to address Air Passenger Duty (APD),... (more) published 2016-11-27 15:46:29
 

COMMENT: Timing is everything

Conferences come and conferences go, but rarely can one have arrived at a more opportune moment than the Airport Operators Association... (more) published 2016-11-18 16:13:13
 

COMMENT: Trump & O’Leary

Should we compare the Trump Presidential victory to the success of Michael O'Leary? All bluster and half-truths, and some... (more) published 2016-11-07 10:47:28
 

COMMENT: Brexit bonus for the regions

At last, a definitive decision on a new runway for the South East. Even Norwegian Air, a Gatwick resident, says that we must put the past... (more) published 2016-10-28 17:31:09
 

COMMENT: This lady is for turning

Or so we are led to believe. To say that the latest government ducking and diving over the vexed question of airport capacity beggars... (more) published 2016-10-23 13:48:33
 

COMMENT EXTRA: Flybe and Northolt

Regional airline Flybe is again making noises regarding operations from RAF Northolt, six miles to the north of Heathrow, during the... (more) published 2016-10-16 23:00:59
 

COMMENT: Gatwick already has a second runway

In 1979, the then-Gatwick owner, British Airports Authority (BAA), in other words the state, signed a deal with West Sussex County Council... (more) published 2016-10-14 17:17:26
 

COMMENT: Female only security lanes

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, major hub and something of an alternative to Hong Kong, has introduced three security lanes solely... (more) published 2016-09-25 11:58:42
 

COMMENT EXTRA: Lenient judge scandal

See BTN 12 September AN EXTRA COMMENT: Anarchists take over London City Airport. Airport and airline authorities reacted angrily last... (more) published 2016-09-16 13:11:38
 

COMMENT: Keep our airports safe

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is to be congratulated on its action in launching a UK Airports Safety Week. It's one of those... (more) published 2016-09-16 07:51:32
 

COMMENT: Transport for who?

The following paragraph contains words that will probably set alarm bells ringing in the heads of seasoned observers. It reads:... (more) published 2016-09-11 15:54:33
 

AN EXTRA COMMENT

Anarchists take over London City AirportLast Tuesday (6 September) a group of radicals, described by one airline... (more) published 2016-09-09 16:53:47
 

COMMENT: Don’t be scared of flying

Almost two million Brits jet off on a trip abroad over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA)... (more) published 2016-08-25 22:27:21
 

COMMENT: No gold for the EU

Even non-sports fans, and there are a few, can fail to have been moved by Team GB's marvellous performance in the Rio Olympics. As... (more) published 2016-08-21 16:21:23
 

COMMENT: A strike too far

Don't worry if you can't understand the current rash of industrial unrest on the trains. You are not alone. Unless you're... (more) published 2016-08-14 10:40:18
 

COMMENT: EK521 – Job well done

The death of a firefighter in the Emirates accident at Dubai International Airport was tragic but no one needs to be told how much... (more) published 2016-08-07 18:06:17
 

COMMENT: Let's all take a break

Maybe it's the relatively-new phenomenon of the 24hr news cycle, but there seems to be a feeling about that someone needs to say... (more) published 2016-07-24 17:12:30
 

COMMENT: May we have a decision

Brexit means just one thing. The UK will become even more dependent on global trade, and that means getting our future South East runway (ie... (more) published 2016-07-17 12:20:35
 

COMMENT: Darren Caplan, chief executive, Airport Operators Association

Don't let Brexit delay UK aviation growth 1. Responding to Brexit The past couple of weeks have seen extraordinary developments... (more) published 2016-07-08 18:26:23
 

COMMENT: Brexit and Heathrow

David Cameron, PM, is to go by the start of the Tory party conference which begins on 2 October. We have had a prime minister who over... (more) published 2016-06-25 13:18:32
 

COMMENT: Money and the EU

Whatever you think of the EU, and regardless of the outcome of next Thursday's referendum, some things are not going to go away. One... (more) published 2016-06-19 15:27:32
 

COMMENT: The empire strikes back

As part of the British Overseas Territory that also includes Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Helena could reasonably be seen as a tiny... (more) published 2016-06-12 12:09:12
 

COMMENT: A fishy smell from Europe

The general odour of fish surrounding some of the tactics being employed by those who wish Britain to remain in the EU becomes more... (more) published 2016-05-29 10:49:36
 

COMMENT: Egyptair MS804

Led by Flight International magazine's David Learmount, who on TV has consistently refused to commit himself to the reason for the... (more) published 2016-05-22 12:36:33
 

COMMENT: Boris Johnson and the way ahead

Rumours are rife that Lord (Andrew) Adonis is to become the transport guru to Sadiq Khan, the new mayor of London. An academic and... (more) published 2016-05-13 18:33:57
 

COMMENT: Boeing speaking softly

US president Theodore Roosevelt had a phrase to describe his foreign policy. It was "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Some of... (more) published 2016-05-07 16:19:27
 

COMMENT: Stop the lasers, stop the drones

There is a world of difference between someone deliberately aiming a high-powered laser at an aircraft cockpit and a drone enthusiast... (more) published 2016-04-24 07:42:38
 

COMMENT: The airport at the end of the world

They call it the airport at the end of the world and no wonder. St Helena is a dot in the South Atlantic, 1,950km (1,210mi) west of the... (more) published 2016-04-16 15:18:51
 

COMMENT: The aftermath of Brussels

The terrible event at Brussels Zaventem last week is not the first time an airport has been attacked by terrorists. Here in the UK,... (more) published 2016-03-25 08:40:53
 

COMMENT: Airport problems German style

Forget (if you can) the struggle between Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Germany's capital has its own aviation problems that are... (more) published 2016-03-18 23:12:02
 

COMMENT: London City Airport

The posturing has started with the proposed sale of London City Airport by its joint owners New York based Global Infrastructure... (more) published 2016-02-07 19:09:45
 

COMMENT: Yes Prime Minister

Northolt and Davies We are now into 2016. Business Travel News would like to restate its belief that RAF Northolt,... (more) published 2016-01-23 07:55:48
 

COMMENT: 'The Times' and air transport

One known as 'The Thunderer' and founded in 1785 The Times has had in general a good relationship with the air... (more) published 2016-01-16 22:47:31
 

COMMENT: 2015 – The year that nothing really happened

Last year, that is 2014, was a really interesting 12 months. The Queen opened Heathrow T2, Virgin Trains hung on to the West Coast Main Line... (more) published 2015-12-17 08:40:28
 

COMMENT EXTRA: It is all different in France! An airport controversy.

Jacques Bankir spent nearly 30 years at Air France and at one time was responsible for the then-AF CityJet subsidiary. He is... (more) published 2015-12-09 08:20:40
 

COMMENT Plus – Flybe applies for use of RAF Northolt

Or Why not close Northolt Aerodrome? Business Travel News has long campaigned for Royal Air Force... (more) published 2015-11-28 17:29:21
 

COMMENT: Willie Walsh and the third runway

At last week's Airport Operators Association gathering at London's Hilton Metropole, BTN asked Willie Walsh, the... (more) published 2015-11-27 11:20:21
 

COMMENT: Mr Cameron’s exercise in drab

There's nothing like a debate over ministerial perks to get the fur ahem flying. This time it's David Cameron's jet. Reports... (more) published 2015-11-21 18:18:03
 

COMMENT: Congratulations to easyJet

Last Tuesday (10 November) easyJet celebrated 20 years at its spiritual home, and headquarters, Luton Airport. In fact Luton is no... (more) published 2015-11-11 10:42:08
 

COMMENT: New arrival at BA

easyJet may carry more passengers but British Airways is still our national flag carrier as far as the world is concerned. For the most... (more) published 2015-11-08 07:32:47
 

COMMENT: The world according to easyJet

Carolyn McCall, easyJet CEO, has a commitment to employing more women pilots. That was the theme of her inaugural British Air Transport... (more) published 2015-10-24 14:29:40
 

COMMENT: London Northolt (IATA NHT) ready for take-off

Business Travel News has long promoted Northolt as a solution to the London connectivity problem for the Provinces until the new... (more) published 2015-10-16 10:14:39
 

COMMENT: The real cost of the new compensation ruling?

Perish the thought that BTN should be seen to be political, but Europe has been at it again, this time with a ruling from the... (more) published 2015-10-09 10:50:47
 

COMMENT: BA and Las Vegas – The lesson of a near disaster

Over the next few weeks we will hear the official verdict regarding the British Airways' near disaster at Las Vegas on 9 September.... (more) published 2015-09-25 16:51:57
 

COMMENT: Heathrow and Northolt problems

Boris Johnson, known for his anti-airport views both at Heathrow and London City, has been joined in the Heathrow and Northolt conurbation... (more) published 2015-09-16 15:11:16
 

COMMENT SPECIAL: The (even) shorter Heathrow runway

Following Jock Lowe's plea that the extended northern runway is the answer to the Prime Minister's dilemma, aviation expert... (more) published 2015-09-07 06:59:30
 

COMMENT EXTRA: More about Boris

From time to time Business Travel News offers the COMMENT column to readers who have a special point to make.... (more) published 2015-08-27 20:12:52
 

COMMENT: Is the Mayor out of control?

Last Wednesday the much read London Evening Standard newspaper, under the by-line of Mark Blunden, ran the headline... (more) published 2015-08-22 20:05:04
 

COMMENT: Airports and VAT

Headline reports in national newspapers and TV suggest that some airport airside shops are overcharging travellers, as the media put... (more) published 2015-08-15 08:57:37
 

COMMENT: London City Airport – Where next?

The surprise story of last week was the confirmation that London City Airport (LCY) has been put up for sale by majority shareholder New... (more) published 2015-08-08 09:36:48
 

COMMENT: Airport progress

Prime Ministers will never admit a mistake, especially if they are still in power. About-turns are not part of the vocabulary. David... (more) published 2015-07-26 17:45:47
 

COMMENT: Walsh & O’Leary – where next?

With the imminent conclusion of the IAG (for that read British Airways) takeover of Aer Lingus (See ‘The Final Chapter' in... (more) published 2015-07-19 15:27:44
 

COMMENT: The Airports Commission

Andrew Adonis is a Labour Peer (Baron Adonis), an academic, something of a railway buff, and Secretary of State for Transport in... (more) published 2015-07-07 16:28:52
 

COMMENT: The time of reckoning arrives

After 45 years Roskill reported in 1971 we may have finally arrived at the point when a new runway for the London area is about to happen?... (more) published 2015-06-26 06:48:12
 

COMMENT EXTRA: easyJet and Heathrow

With the Aviation Commission recommendation for a third London runway due imminently easyJet (EZY) has joined the debate with Chief... (more) published 2015-06-07 07:55:39
 

COMMENT: Where do you live?

Business Travel News went to see the American comedian Jackie Mason last week. Somewhat of a Republican (and 83 "did you buy... (more) published 2015-06-07 07:50:07
 

COMMENT: Long Haul Low-Cost

LeighFisher, the global management consulting firm, has produced a fascinating study on the viability of long haul low-cost (LCC) air... (more) published 2015-05-22 21:01:26
 

COMMENT: APD review + Manston

It got lost somewhere with the general election but the Department for Transport wants by tomorrow (23.45 hrs 19 May) comments from... (more) published 2015-05-16 20:08:42
 

COMMENT: The London airports problem – What happens next?

With all the excitement of the 2015 UK General Election results on Friday the Airports Commission quietly announced a delay with its... (more) published 2015-05-09 15:40:19
 

COMMENT: Secret French airline

On any given day there are over 30 flights to New York from London, that is City, Gatwick and Heathrow airports. You can now add Luton to... (more) published 2015-04-26 10:14:09
 

Business Travel News and spamSadly some people who are registered for BTN do not receive their Monday morning... (more) published 2015-04-17 21:01:39
 

COMMENT: Election misgivings

One issue has been more or less neglected so far from the forthcoming General Election debate and that is air transport. The Aviation... (more) published 2015-04-10 12:46:44
 

Over the last several weeks we have been having problems with the email distribution of Business Travel News. We hope we have... (more) published 2015-03-28 18:49:38
 

COMMENT: Air Connectivity Matters

The market for regional air access to London has been one of UK aviation's most contentious policy issues over the last 20... (more) published 2015-03-20 17:15:01
 

COMMENT: Salmon to Northolt

Last Friday the House of Commons Transport Select Committee reported on the smaller regional airportsand today the National Connectivity... (more) published 2015-03-14 16:09:22
 

COMMENT: Arise Sir Tony ?

Business Travel News is a publication aimed at the regular traveller and his supplier. We also feature on a monthly basis two... (more) published 2015-03-07 10:23:58
 

COMMENT: The Stansted Slow

Last Friday the Mayor of London announced the establishment of a West Anglian Task Force to look at opportunities to improve connections to... (more) published 2015-02-21 08:00:24
 

COMMENT: Aer Lingus – What happens next?

Aer Lingus is the de facto national airline of Ireland, although in truth far smaller these days than Ryanair. Over the last bumpy 20... (more) published 2015-02-15 09:18:06
 

COMMENT: Five wasted years

Some would say 40Back in 1971 the Roskill Commission recommended Cublington not a million miles from the current HS2 track... (more) published 2015-02-08 10:27:19
 

COMMENT: Noise and Heathrow – The truth

Last week the London Evening Standard ran a piece by its Political Editor, Joe Murphy. One did not have to be a brain surgeon... (more) published 2015-01-24 13:49:50
 

COMMENT: The 80mph speed limit

On the 22 December 1965 a four-month trial of a 70mph speed limit on 100,000 miles of previously unrestricted roads and motorways was... (more) published 2015-01-17 14:42:51
 

COMMENT: Airbus A350 XWB at Heathrow

In what is probably a unique occasion Qatar Airways will stage a special promotional flight for the all new Airbus A350 XWB at Heathrow... (more) published 2015-01-11 18:04:35
 

COMMENT: 2014 – We got nowhere and arrived at 2015

2014 looks like going out with a roar for the business traveller with Qatar Airways about to unveil the brand new Airbus A350 XWB (22... (more) published 2014-12-13 22:44:14
 

COMMENT: APD – Not good enough

The Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement last week announced that Air Passenger Duty (APD) for children under 12 in... (more) published 2014-12-06 22:02:45
 

COMMENT: General Aviation moves on

It might be the less glamorous part of the flying business but light aviation, generally called ‘general aviation' (GA) is in... (more) published 2014-11-20 11:40:19
 

COMMENT: Gatwick or Heathrow?

Confused by the latest Airports Commission report published last week to coincide with the Airport Operators Association conference?So is... (more) published 2014-11-14 11:27:13
 

COMMENT: The airports face some crucial decisions

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Conference opens today (10 November) with an unprecedented line-up of speakers headed... (more) published 2014-11-07 08:30:47
 

COMMENT: Wingate has got it wrong.

Gatwick Airport Chief, Stewart Wingate, put forward a compelling argument in the 23 October London Times business section "Gatwick... (more) published 2014-10-23 07:30:20
 

COMMENT: UK Airport Policy - is the mood changing

Laurie Price was for eight years the civil airline consultant to the UK House of Commons Select Committee on Transport and is the... (more) published 2014-10-15 13:24:49
 

COMMENT: Ebola risk prevention

Ebola a disease we can wash our hands of? In recent weeks, reports about the Ebola virus have been appearing with... (more) published 2014-10-08 15:16:35
 

COMMENT: A380s at Heathrow

The American magazine Aviation Week, normally highlighting more military aviation than commercial is now questioning the Airbus A380... (more) published 2014-09-28 15:15:46
 

COMMENT: Heathrow Express and Crossrail

Last week COMMENT discussed Heathrow Express (HX) which inevitably led on to Crossrail. Will it affect HX? Read on. Before we... (more) published 2014-09-15 11:03:05
 

COMMENT: Heathrow Express – Cheap or expensive

There seems to be a feeling that the Heathrow Express (HX) is a very expensive railway from the airport to Paddington. The International... (more) published 2014-09-12 23:00:16
 

COMMENT: Is Boris punch-drunk?

Having had his plans for an airport in the Thames estuary turned down earlier this year (See BTN 27 January), Boris Johnson, Mayor of... (more) published 2014-09-03 14:48:44
 

COMMENT: Which airport for you?

The consumer publication WHICH has published its annual UK airport passenger survey with typical publicity gusto.BTN cannot argue with... (more) published 2014-08-24 12:40:44
 

COMMENT: Terminal 5 – a monopoly

Elsewhere in this week's Business Travel News you will read of the arrival of a new facility at Heathrow Terminal 5 by Regus, the office... (more) published 2014-08-13 09:53:20
 

COMMENT: The ‘getting old’ will travel

Since the emergence of the package holidays in the 1960s and the low-cost airlines two decades later, it has been thought that the... (more) published 2014-08-08 08:24:31
 

COMMENT: Davies must look at Northolt

Last week Sir Howard Davies and his Commission more or less destroyed any notions of an airport in the Thames Estuary (BTN 14 July).The... (more) published 2014-07-14 21:59:12
 

COMMENT: Jet2 flights court ruling

Readers who have been following the court battle between Mr Ronald Huzer (in effect his compensation specialist lawyers) and jet2.com... (more) published 2014-07-12 07:26:15
 

COMMENT: Don’t forget the regions

With the various discussions surrounding the future expansion of London airports, it seems to be forgotten that the rest of the United... (more) published 2014-06-25 00:02:24
 

COMMENT: Northolt and The Queen’s Terminal T2

Today (23 June) H M The Queen opens the new Heathrow T2, a major step forward in the rehabilitation of Britain's major airport. But just... (more) published 2014-06-19 07:42:52
 

COMMENT: Air travel price hike

Flying could get very much more expensive following a judgement at the High Court ruling in favour of a passenger who was left waiting for 27... (more) published 2014-06-15 08:17:54
 

COMMENT: Qatar problems

Doha last week hosted the IATA AGM, one of the most controversial in recent times. Whilst those whose native tongue is English muttered in... (more) published 2014-06-07 07:47:49
 

COMMENT - Waste of space

Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways (QR), has received criticism this past week. At a function in Dubai a reporter asked why... (more) published 2014-05-23 17:31:50
 

COMMENT: British travellers still confused over health benefits

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be 10 years old in June but confusion still reigns over what it offers. In addition,... (more) published 2014-05-16 19:33:07
 

COMMENT: Sir Simon Jenkins slates the Airports Commission

Simon Jenkins' slating of the Airports Commission for dismissing an estuary airport and Stansted expansion in the face of pressure from... (more) published 2014-01-23 23:22:28
 

COMMENT: Runways UK – A vital gathering

The great and the good of British air transport gathered at the Grange Tower Hotel last week to hear an intense day of presentations and... (more) published 2014-01-19 11:27:56
 

COMMENT: London airport charges

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published its final decisions on economic regulation at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted... (more) published 2014-01-11 17:25:31
 

COMMENT: A final observation for 2013

A good year or bad year for business travel? That is the question. Two upcoming items have dominated the last 12 months.... (more) published 2013-12-12 09:28:38
 

COMMENT: Investment aplenty

The British government's New Infrastructure Plan (NIP), revealed in this week's Autumn Statement, has been welcomed by the majority... (more) published 2013-12-05 17:22:59
 

COMMENT: Gatwick leads – so says those that claim to know

Two events took place last Tuesday (19 November) which helped once again to focus on the struggle that the air transport industry has in... (more) published 2013-11-22 12:30:58
 

COMMENT: More from the Mayor

Business Travel News likes to think it is fair and is only too pleased to acknowledge (reasonable) views that it does not agree... (more) published 2013-11-14 16:44:11
 

COMMENT: Davies – Is it taking too long?

When the Prime Minister cancelled Heathrow's third runway on coming to power in 2010 the air transport industry was distressed.... (more) published 2013-11-09 11:09:08
 

COMMENT: Bad weather expected. Don’t blame the airlines

To its credit Heathrow has issued a bad weather warning in advance of the storms expected to hit Southern England this morning. Some of it... (more) published 2013-10-27 11:16:33
 

COMMENT: Gatwick and Norwegian

Under its new owners Global Infrastructure Partners, Gatwick Airport has been aggressive in its pursuit of a better identity, both in terms... (more) published 2013-10-20 22:19:18
 

COMMENT: Cornish Calamity

Business Travel News recently reported on the country's most south westerly county and aviation. COMMENT featured... (more) published 2013-10-13 07:33:31
 

COMMENT: War in the Air

Airlines V Airports It has been something of a week with very senior air transport executives sounding off in spectacular... (more) published 2013-09-28 08:17:44
 

COMMENT: Crisis for Cornwall

If, as planned, the three times daily air link from Gatwick to Newquay stops at the end of next March, Cornwall and West Devon will be... (more) published 2013-09-22 16:56:30
 

COMMENT: “Over the line – The FIFA story”

The World Cup and business travelThe last week of international news has been dominated by two future sporting events.... (more) published 2013-09-15 09:33:28
 

COMMENT: BA - 24 hour airline

Or is it? But it only reacts to customers during head office Waterside opening hours so it seems. It has taken a service software... (more) published 2013-09-07 10:43:28
 

COMMENT: High Speed or Fast Speed – That is the question!

Vernon Murphy is BTN's train guru as well as an airport specialist. His career includes the top jobs at Heathrow... (more) published 2013-08-23 09:48:32
 

COMMENT: Ryanair is a safe airline

That arch exponent of ‘all publicity is good publicity' Michael O'Leary must be rubbing his hands together with the media... (more) published 2013-08-18 20:24:45
 

COMMENT: Heathrow – the way is down!

Sir Howard Davies put on a brave face last week when he faced certain selected media as the Airport Commission published a list of short and... (more) published 2013-08-09 08:09:45
 

COMMENT: The Single European Sky

You only have to read the autobiography "Shaking the Skies" by Giovanni Bisignani, former Director General and CEO of... (more) published 2013-07-26 08:07:21
 

COMMENT: BA will need new headquarters under Heathrow plans

John Bell, the former BBC Radio Transport Correspondent (and travel film maker), was Business Travel News... (more) published 2013-07-21 18:38:04
 

COMMENT: “It’s not a matter of engineering, it’s not a matter of money, it’s a question of political will”.

A public hearing last week brought to the surface a view that has been simmering with interested parties for some time regarding the Airport... (more) published 2013-07-11 20:22:38
 

COMMENT: Aviation crisis time

A lady not known for her outspoken views, Jane Middleton, Chairman of the Aviation Club, was forthright last week criticising the Airport... (more) published 2013-07-05 22:55:54
 

COMMENT “You cannot be serious”

With all the high profile fuss being made it is amazing to think that any recommendation (let alone decision) regarding the future of major... (more) published 2013-06-23 13:12:43
 

COMMENT: Mirabel Airport Montreal – The ultimate white elephant

Whilst the Mayor of London pontificates with his grandiose scheme for an international airport somewhere in the Thames Estuary (see also AND... (more) published 2013-05-17 23:10:06
 

COMMENT:

Legacy alliances have outlived their usefulness says Etihad Airways CEO The introduction by Etihad Airways of a daily... (more) published 2013-04-11 09:46:56
 

COMMENT: Davies must report earlier

The last seven days could have been enlightening for the air transport business, and indeed the whole country. Yes, the Government admitted... (more) published 2013-03-24 10:09:03
 

COMMENT:

Aviation Policy Statement These are difficult times in the world of air travel. We know that on Wednesday (20 March) the... (more) published 2013-03-16 09:16:53
 

COMMENT: Davies and more Davies

In this week's issue of Business Travel News we publish the timetable for what many agree is the most important future issue... (more) published 2013-02-17 15:43:31
 

COMMENT: The Davies Commission – On the right track?

With the importance of resolving the question of new runway capacity for the UK so critical, many in the industry will have received the... (more) published 2013-02-09 10:54:59
 

COMMENT: London and its airports

It has not been a good seven days for airports around the world. Narita, Tokyo's unpopular second gateway suffered 40% closure one... (more) published 2013-01-27 11:53:09
 

Win an easyJet ticket Please visit the Business Travel News stand at the Business Travel Show (No 471 on the right... (more) published 2013-01-20 10:22:43
 

COMMENT: Press censorship

The Editor of Business Travel News sent the following words to the letter page of The Times and received an acknowledgement. It was not... (more) published 2013-01-13 15:18:13
 

COMMENT: That was a week that was!

Normally the last couple of weeks of the year in the airline business are quiet as far as serious announcements are concerned.Not this time... (more) published 2012-12-16 08:58:23
 

COMMENT: APD gone mad

Chancellor hides increasesCongratulations to British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic who, in spite of punitive planned... (more) published 2012-12-09 08:41:08
 

COMMENT: APD – A tax without reason

Special privileges for America but not for the Caribbean Islands, or Russia The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George... (more) published 2012-11-18 09:06:44
 

COMMENT: London to New York

Virgin Atlantic has added a sixth service from London to New York On the face of it this is a mundane announcement and clearly makes sense... (more) published 2012-11-11 16:15:48
 

COMMENT: Consumer protection

The Association of British Travel Agents, much better known as ABTA, has launched a consumers' checklist on financial protection. They... (more) published 2012-10-26 21:51:30
 

COMMENT Airports and all that

The UK Airport Operators Association (AOA) will this morning (Monday 22 October) host new Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin at its... (more) published 2012-10-21 14:41:43
 

COMMENT: APD campaign destroys Heathrow myth

A campaign by a well organised aviation group seems to have destroyed once and for all the notion that residents of the Heathrow conurbation... (more) published 2012-10-11 22:46:53
 

COMMENT: The London airport dilemma?

It has been a very interesting week regarding literally the future of London, and certainly for its airport development. On Thursday Mayor... (more) published 2012-10-06 14:01:02
 

COMMENT: Where next the railways?

Readers should be aware that there will be no long distance trains on the West Coast Main Line Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 December. On the... (more) published 2012-09-23 10:11:11
 

THE DAILY UPDATE

Venice from CityBritish Airways has introduced route number 23, from London City Airport to Venice Marco Polo and has now... (more) published 2012-09-16 12:12:06
 

COMMENT: A wasted five years

This publication is ambivalent when it comes to a new London airport. We can see merit in Boris Johnson's argument for a four-runway... (more) published 2012-09-09 17:14:35
 

COMMENT: The Stansted gamble

BAA has finally given up with its efforts to retain Stansted Airport. Probably by the end of the year all of London's major airports in... (more) published 2012-08-24 11:09:44
 

COMMENT:

Stratford International Airport In the London Borough of NewhamYour Editor must express an interest in the following.... (more) published 2012-08-13 14:48:58
 

COMMENT: London 2012

Bringing the Great back to Britain The London Games of the 30th Olympiad have come to an end (Part 1 - The Paralympics... (more) published 2012-08-12 18:24:59
 

COMMENT: Olympic slots

The next seven days are likely to be very important for GB Ltd in the eyes of the world. London 2012 has arrived. When IOC President Jacques... (more) published 2012-07-22 07:48:42
 

COMMENT: Five years wasted?

One of the first acts of the current Government was an impetuous decision to abandon any further discussion on a third runway for... (more) published 2012-07-14 09:50:12
 

COMMENT: Airshow starts today

Britain's ability to handle two major international events at virtually the same time (the Olympic athletes are beginning to arrive)... (more) published 2012-07-07 09:13:00
 

COMMENT: Third time lucky for Ryanair?

BTNews is not a fan of Ryanair. The nickname it has earned with the travelling public is well justified. "The world's most... (more) published 2012-06-23 19:20:33
 

COMMENT:

Air transport in the news Inevitably air transport has been in the news over the last seven days with IATA meeting in... (more) published 2012-06-17 07:11:35
 

The Business Travel News launched

It is some 15 years since we launched our first electronic newsletter, and with three years into An Executive Review of Business Travel... (more) published 2012-05-24 17:01:08
 

COMMENT: A tale of two airports

Opening new airports, or even launching upgrades, is not easy. Somehow the two main parties concerned, the airlines and the airport operator,... (more) published 2012-05-20 19:28:35
 

COMMENT: The Sheriff of Nottingham – 2012 style

The row regarding UK Border Controls lingers on. With the Olympics now only weeks away it is imperative that Government sorts out the whole... (more) published 2012-05-12 20:34:42
 

COMMENT: Thomson beats BA (and the taxman)

They must have been somewhat startled both at Waterside and 11 Downing Street when Thomson Airways (once called Britannia) unveiled what... (more) published 2012-04-29 12:54:23
 

COMMENT: easyJet for Heathrow?

British Airways has finally secured BMA which was announced last Friday. (We prefer the old term as that includes bmibaby and bmi... (more) published 2012-04-21 10:58:33
 

COMMENT: The case for Northolt

Speaking to the BBC in Indonesia during his Far Eastern tour last week British Prime Minister David Cameron reconfirmed his objection to... (more) published 2012-04-12 07:47:12
 

COMMENT: Tips for travellers

Since the holiday weekend is still upon us (for those that have opened AERBT on Easter Monday), and in spite of dire economic times in the... (more) published 2012-04-08 12:04:46
 

COMMENT: The lost aviation years! An about turn?

Confused regarding the Government's policy on Air Transport? Or does it have a policy on aviation? Last Wednesday's Budget hardly... (more) published 2012-03-25 14:09:16
 

COMMENT: Thoughts for the Chancellor - The goose cannot keep laying the golden egg

On Wednesday the Chancellor will unveil the 2012 UK Budget. There is one thing that can be guaranteed. A great many people will not be... (more) published 2012-03-17 08:12:26
 

COMMENT: The Office of No Decision

Read down in AERBT and you will find a story entitled 'OFT passes BA-bmi takeover to the European Commission'. This is a classic... (more) published 2012-03-09 10:57:57
 

COMMENT: Noise – Let’s get a balanced view

This will be a short editorial that will probably not go down well in certain quarters. Your Editor is thoroughly cheesed off with (mainly... (more) published 2012-02-26 09:06:10
 

COMMENT: Keep them flying in Britain

The name Mike Collett, Chairman of Air Atlantique, may not be familiar to the average business traveller or even many aviation buffs. The... (more) published 2012-02-19 15:41:27
 

COMMENT: Snow and more snow

It looks like, as we go to press, that the UK has survived another weekend under a snowy blanket without any serious air transport... (more) published 2012-02-12 12:44:48
 

COMMENT: Costa Chaos

The last AERBT in each month always features a cruise column. The steady increase of hits on the website confirms this leisure feature... (more) published 2012-01-27 08:29:09
 

COMMENT: UK air transport – We have reached the crossroads!

It does seem to be that the Government has been galvanised into some sort of action regarding Britain's current position as the hub of... (more) published 2012-01-22 09:50:39
 

COMMENT: High Speed Two

AERBT is in favour of High Speed Two (HS2), the 21st century railway announced in Parliament last week, initially from London Euston to a... (more) published 2012-01-15 11:23:50
 

Oh what a year that was!

How will 2011 be remembered? For business travellers it has been traumatic, not knowing if an airline, hotel, or even a country was... (more) published 2011-12-17 14:01:06
 

COMMENT: easyJet is not the airline to AVOID

easyJet is now the UK's largest airline a position, and responsibility, it takes very seriously. Last week the airline invited... (more) published 2011-12-11 12:31:58
 

COMMENT: Positive news from Government – or not

Perhaps surprisingly to some, but not to others who believe that industry pressure is at last beginning to have an effect, the... (more) published 2011-11-26 23:29:36
 

COMMENT: London Luton Airport – Where now?

Today Boris Johnson unveils his latest thoughts on the London airports dilemma. In fact of the six London scheduled service operations that... (more) published 2011-11-18 08:03:42
 

COMMENT: Where now for UK aviation?

These are tumultuous times in the world of air travel, at least in the UK. AERBT thought it might be worthwhile to review the situation and... (more) published 2011-11-13 14:15:34
 

COMMENT: Speed up the review

UK Olympics Minister, Jeremy Hunt, will open World Travel Market 2011 next Monday (7 November) at Excel in London's Docklands, a venue... (more) published 2011-10-30 08:10:01
 

COMMENT: Another Secretary of State for Transport

AERBT does not have to be as diplomatic as IAG chief Willie Walsh who said that the new Transport Minister Justine Greening had a... (more) published 2011-10-23 18:17:59
 

COMMENT: An open letter to Richard Branson

Dear Sir Richard Save the Virgin pepper pot set Many years ago you were kind enough to offer me a Virgin Atlantic salt and pepper pot on... (more) published 2011-10-14 11:28:41
 

COMMENT: The London airports' dilema

Desperate times mean desperate measures. That seems to be the airline industry's reaction to a Government/Civil Service suggestion last... (more) published 2011-10-09 15:02:36
 

COMMENT: It takes a great politician to admit he is wrong

This week's COMMENT tries to reflect on just where the UK is going on the air transport front. Or is not! Three major issues dominate the... (more) published 2011-09-25 22:29:20
 

COMMENT: Dear AERBT Editor - Hong Kong Airport

Cathay Pacific's new CEO John Slosar may be in favour of a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport Chep Lap Kok (HKG) but... (more) published 2011-09-17 10:45:56
 

COMMENT: Where were you on 9/11?

Coverage of the 10th anniversary of the attack on the United States on Tuesday 11 September 2001 has been extensive. Plenty has been said but... (more) published 2011-09-11 09:04:02
 

COMMENT: Well done Boeing – You Made It!

Further down in this issue readers will note that Boeing has finally certificated the 787 Dreamliner, and as they say "better late... (more) published 2011-08-28 16:36:01
 

COMMENT: Belt up

Those of us that require to wear waist belts (commonly know as "belts") are quite used to the ignominy and pure nuisance of... (more) published 2011-08-21 07:52:39
 

COMMENT: Parking mad

This week features AERBT's monthly motoring review and so it seemed justifiable to highlight one of the problems of a simple life.... (more) published 2011-08-14 20:07:56
 

COMMENT: Lost on board

With the holidays upon us, now is the time to remind readers of a serious travel problem. Do make sure nothing personal is left behind... (more) published 2011-07-22 14:09:00
 

COMMENT: Would you buy this airport?

Within a very short space of time London's Stansted Airport (STN) will have to be put up for sale by BAA Ltd. How much is it worth and... (more) published 2011-07-17 09:43:20
 

COMMENT: Advice to family travellers

British Airways sent us a press release last week (see below) which gave advice on travelling with children. It was relevant as we are... (more) published 2011-07-10 07:56:47
 

COMMENT: London and its airports

It has been a busy week for the business traveller in terms of news and events. The Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget, once again proved a... (more) published 2011-06-26 16:49:35
 

COMMENT: Olympic airspace – Problems for flyers

Following AERBT's report in the 23 May issue Steve Slater, an international TV sports journalist, has responded. He is also a PPL... (more) published 2011-06-18 08:25:57
 

COMMENT: Michael O’Leary drops his foot in it. Ryanair prices to come down?

There can be no doubt that since becoming CEO of a small and somewhat moribund Ryanair in 1994 Michael O'Leary has rejuvenated the short... (more) published 2011-06-08 21:55:23
 

COMMENT: Making entry easy

Kazakhstan is a country far away from the United Kingdom, deep into Asia, that is having a ‘love in' with the West. It has been... (more) published 2011-05-29 19:34:01
 

COMMENT: Seventy years of the jet engine

Just 70 years ago the first truly practical jet aircraft, the Gloster Whittle E28, flew for the first time. Its birth had been due to... (more) published 2011-05-22 10:39:14
 

COMMENT: Network Rail – Not a pretty sight

On Friday 10 May 2002, your Editor in Chief was emerging from an occasional visit to a gym in Darkes Lane, perhaps 100 yards from... (more) published 2011-05-15 21:48:54
 

COMMENT: The Caterham Formula One car

For the second week of each month AERBT offers a special motoring supplement. COMMENT is therefore justified in submitting an... (more) published 2011-05-08 08:40:03
 

COMMENT: No more UK light aviation?

There was a rumour going around several weeks ago that the UK was running out of avgas, which is the aviation fuel used to power... (more) published 2011-04-24 21:48:07
 

COMMENT: How to relax as a business traveller

European business travellers are turning to flying as a respite from the pressures of daily life, providing a rare opportunity to unwind... (more) published 2011-04-17 15:14:01
 

COMMENT: From planes to trains

Figures issued by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) last week confirm that both business and leisure travellers in the... (more) published 2011-04-10 17:37:21
 

COMMENT: Olympic cohesion

It looks as if finally the aviation aspects for the 2012 Olympic Games are coming together. The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced... (more) published 2011-03-26 15:57:47
 

COMMENT: The UK Budget

About half of AERBT readers will be directly affected by what the British Chancellor of the Exchequer has to say next Wednesday (23... (more) published 2011-03-19 12:14:34
 

COMMENT: Goodbye Tony Tyler

Our guest commentator and regular contributor Alison Chambers makes her observations from Hong Kong and Asian... (more) published 2011-03-13 04:25:33
 

Business Class Minus - Air New Zealand's Premium Economy

An AERBT Special Report When it comes to Premium Economy, definitely the ‘in thing' with airlines trying to... (more) published 2011-03-05 20:23:37
 

COMMENT: Speed cameras

Before any readers start sending in sympathetic emails, no the editor has not been caught for speeding but he is getting increasingly... (more) published 2011-02-26 21:03:28
 

COMMENT: Airports for sale?

The ruling by Britain's Supreme Court that it will not revoke the Competition Commission's judgement that BAA must sell Stansted and... (more) published 2011-02-19 21:58:17
 

COMMENT: The Chief Executive of British Airways

AERBT undertook a very straightforward straw poll during the Business Travel Show at Earls Court last week with the simple question... (more) published 2011-02-13 11:15:36
 

COMMENT: Is Northolt the answer?

AERBT has this week two stories which on the face of it have no relationship. The Transport Times London conference and the cessation... (more) published 2011-01-30 16:30:37
 

COMMENT: Common sense at last.

Last week London City Airport was given the final go-ahead to expand from a current maximum of 90,000 movements a year to 120,00 following... (more) published 2011-01-23 08:53:54
 

COMMENT: Bring on Keith Williams British Airways

Last week's forceful and most interesting ON THE SOAPBOX by the new International Airlines Group (IAG) Chairman Antonio Vazquez... (more) published 2011-01-15 09:14:51
 

COMMENT: Snow and ice in the Three Counties

BBC Three Counties Radio, usually called 3CR, and based in Luton, is probably not known to our international readers. Nor probably outside... (more) published 2010-12-19 21:11:05
 

COMMENT: Air transport in Cornwall and Devon

Plymouth, and West Country air services have reached a crossroads with the sale of Air Southwest to Eastern Airways (see below). What the... (more) published 2010-12-12 18:20:15
 

COMMENT: Snow and ice

The simply astonishing weather in the United Kingdom last week has predictably caused vociferous criticism of airport operators. It was... (more) published 2010-12-05 06:11:37
 

COMMENT: FIFA World Cup 2018

On the face of it the selection of the host nation for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 is of little consequence to a publication such as AERBT.... (more) published 2010-11-25 16:00:10
 

COMMENT: Dammed if you do. Dammed if you don't

Rolls-Royce has come in for some harsh criticism following the serious engine fire on a Qantas Airbus A380 on 4 November. Not for its... (more) published 2010-11-21 07:27:44
 

COMMENT: Jim French - Has your time come?

If very well founded rumours are correct, later this week Flybe will finally announce plans for a London Stock Market floatation. It has... (more) published 2010-11-14 17:54:56
 

COMMENT: Security issues and airport efficiency

At the recent CBI conference the normally largely unseen British Airways Chairman Martin Broughton burst forth on the question of... (more) published 2010-11-07 09:18:21
 

COMMENT: The Government and the spending review

On the face of it the non-appearance of air transport in the Chancellor's spending review looked like a complete oversight by... (more) published 2010-10-23 18:18:44
 

COMMENT - The NBAA starts

Over the next four days all the business jet manufacturers will gather in Atlanta, Georgia for this year's National Business Aviation... (more) published 2010-10-14 16:54:43
 

COMMENT - Mergers and Acquisitions

I know that mergers and acquisitions are all part and parcel of the airline business but I am wondering who might be next. With... (more) published 2010-10-06 11:25:13
 

COMMENT: APD - Air France please read

Air France/KLM please read this piece. You may be in for a boom in long distance travel from the UK. Readers will know that from 1... (more) published 2010-09-25 09:04:57
 

COMMENT: London City long haul

British Airways has celebrated the first year of its twice daily 32-seat Airbus A318 service between London City Airport (LCY) and New... (more) published 2010-09-19 19:01:32
 

COMMENT: The airport tax

AERBT is sorry to have to return to the issue of Air Passenger Duty (APD) but the matter is of such vital importance it needs to be aired... (more) published 2010-09-12 11:32:07
 

COMMENT: Air Transport Users Council

It seems to AERBT that one of the prime objectives of any government is to change the name and even objectives of established civil service... (more) published 2010-08-27 13:09:10
 

COMMENT: APD - A glimmer of hope

The government of David Cameron last week formerly responded to a large petition complaining of the hike in Air Passenger Duty (APD).... (more) published 2010-08-22 09:28:26
 

COMMENT: Tourism and air travel - does the Prime Minister understand?

Last week the Prime Minister delivered a fine speech in central London to a travel industry audience on the challenges and opportunities that... (more) published 2010-08-14 11:15:35
 

COMMENT: Do you know where your passport is?

With the holiday season in the UK at its peak the Home Office Identity and Passport Service has issued figures showing that more than 60,000... (more) published 2010-08-07 22:57:09
 

COMMENT: Heathrow rail connections

In the dying embers of the last Government Lord Adonis, whose short stay as Transport Minster could be considered a success, asked Lord... (more) published 2010-07-23 07:59:01
 

COMMENT: Willie Walsh at the Aviation Club

As he addressed members and guests of the Aviation Club at London's Institute of Directors last week British Airways Chief... (more) published 2010-07-10 14:55:35
 

COMMENT: The UK Budget and Air Travel

COMMENT: The UK Budget and Travel Last Wednesday the new British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, revealed his first ever... (more) published 2010-06-21 11:53:50
 

COMMENT: BA ditches British Airways News

In a week when The Times stops the free ‘on line' edition, British Airways has ceased publication of its weekly award winning... (more) published 2010-06-20 11:45:12
 

COMMENT: Can good come from the Iceland ash?

Following the eruptions of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on 14 April the politicians sprung into action. Never mind that the captain flies... (more) published 2010-06-10 17:13:03
 

COMMENT: Air France to solve Heathrow Problem?

Air France will introduce the Airbus A380 on a single rotation from Charles de Gaulle to Heathrow Saturday week at weekends for a limited... (more) published 2010-05-28 22:10:03
 

COMMENT: Airport problems too

Passenger figures published by the Airports Council International (ACI) for 2009 make for fascinating reading and reflect very much on... (more) published 2010-05-23 09:04:18
 

COMMENT: That Was the Week that Was

The more senior of readers may recall the highly successful BBC TV satire show of the early 1960s That Was the Week that Was. Fronted by... (more) published 2010-05-15 21:27:00
 

COMMENT: The British Election

The outcome of the UK election last week seems to have been a complete British fudge, for which sadly we seem to be famous. Once again a... (more) published 2010-05-08 15:13:14
 

COMMENT - Safe Flying, Passengers Rights and Business Sense

<!--[if !mso]> <object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D"... (more) published 2010-04-20 10:37:15
 

Eyaffjalljokull

Mother-nature has struck the airline industry with real vengeance, the volcano in Iceland has paralysed air travel in Europe and across the... (more) published 2010-04-14 11:16:40
 

COMMENT: British Airways and Iberia

Willie Walsh is likely to go down in business history as the man that saved British Airways or destroyed it. It was announced last week that... (more) published 2010-04-07 22:39:27
 

COMMENT: Heathrow and the third runway problem

It stares us in our faces. The solution to the Heathrow third runway problem, or T6. Northolt. Or to give it the official title, RAF... (more) published 2010-03-25 08:55:58
 

COMMENT: Alliance Wars

Whilst airlines all around the world proffer crocodile tears at British Airways and its union troubles, offer back up services (for a... (more) published 2010-03-21 23:46:00
 

COMMENT: BA v Unite

If it was not so serious it would be boring. For the umpteenth week running AERBT is mentioning British Airways and the Unite union. This... (more) published 2010-03-12 08:32:29
 

COMMENT: Is the outlook getting better for the airlines?

There is a strong argument that the financial strength of the globe is personified by the performance of the airlines around the world. Here... (more) published 2010-03-06 10:44:32
 

COMMENT: Google needs to get its act together

Have you ever been caught out by fraud, or near fraud? Have you been taken in by web sites that say one thing and actually mean something... (more) published 2010-02-16 08:10:32
 

COMMENT: British Airways again

The news late Friday night that the US Department of Justice had ruled in favour of British Airways, American Airlines and its oneworld... (more) published 2010-02-14 18:53:36
 

COMMENT: British Airways - What Now ?

British Airways quarterly results until the end of December, reported elsewhere in AERBT, were not as bad as many had predicted. However... (more) published 2010-02-05 16:32:45
 

COMMENT: The Bow Group

Last week saw some fascinating political wranglings that left the Conservative party out on a limb regarding Heathrow Terminal 6, and... (more) published 2010-01-22 21:12:20
 

COMMENT: Gatwick and its Express

Our first issue of 2010 dealt with BAA and its six airports. CEO Colin Matthews was kind enough to allude to Gatwick and wished the south... (more) published 2010-01-16 12:00:25
 

COMMENT: Have a happy holiday

The British Airways sales people have put together this list of the best holidays for 2010. You may not agree with all the destinations... (more) published 2009-12-18 09:35:14
 

COMMENT: Daylight robbery

No doubt you have heard the expression, but did you know that it probably dates back to 1696. It was an anti-taxation expression, and... (more) published 2009-12-13 10:06:41
 

COMMENT: Smoking is banned

Some of us are old enough to remember looking up in the sky and seeing the smoke trails being put out by the early jets such as the Boeing... (more) published 2009-11-28 12:40:30
 

COMMENT: Passenger delay compensation

Not widely reported by the national media on Friday (20 November), a decision by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will have a... (more) published 2009-11-20 20:10:42
 

COMMENT: The British Airways / Iberia Merger

Willie Walsh has stuck his neck out this time. If the emerging British Airways/Iberia (BA/IB) consolidation goes ahead as planned by next... (more) published 2009-11-13 23:13:50
 

COMMENT: Visit World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) is upon us once again, the 30th manifestation of what now competes with ITB as the world's senior... (more) published 2009-11-07 09:11:41
 

COMMENT: Goodbye absent landlord

Gatwick Airport has been sold by Ferrovial, its Spanish owner, to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), an independent $5.64bn... (more) published 2009-10-21 06:28:38
 

COMMENT: British Airways - What Now ?

There is cause for concern that British Airways may be forced to stop flying in the weeks leading up to Christmas due to the cabin crew... (more) published 2009-10-16 17:42:04
 

COMMENT: Panorama v Ryanair

Tonight (Monday 12 October) Panorama, the BBC's flagship investigative programme, offers what it calls "a flight with... (more) published 2009-10-09 17:22:34
 

COMMENT: Air France breakthrough and British Airways gamble?

Air France (AF) last week in Paris previewed what might be the biggest breakthrough in airline passenger comfort and marketing since Virgin... (more) published 2009-09-25 19:26:47
 

COMMENT: Air Travel and Formula One

It has been a good week and very bad week for Formula One (F1). As noted in an AERBT news story below, besides holding the interest of... (more) published 2009-09-15 17:42:58
 

COMMENT: Air travel stands still

As airlines, airports and the support industries from all over the world congregate for the 15th annual World Routes in Beijing, which... (more) published 2009-09-13 19:15:40
 

COMMENT: Pan Am 103

There are certain events in one's life that are remembered well. For yours truly it was the night that John F. Kennedy died, but there... (more) published 2009-08-27 17:57:20
 

COMMENT: Price comparisons

The fact that British Airways has introduced a price comparison page on ba.com is opening up a whole discussion on how one should measure... (more) published 2009-08-23 19:41:10
 

COMMENT: 'Express' to Stansted

Last week in COMMENT we asked a question of Lord Adonis, master of the UK universe on all matters concerning transport. With his known love... (more) published 2009-08-15 11:40:17
 

COMMENT: Lord of the trains

These days we don't have a Minster for Aviation, just Lord Adonis, Baron Adonis of Camden Town, of clearly high intellect but little... (more) published 2009-08-05 17:32:28
 

COMMENT: Potholes are the bane of the motorist

Did you know that there is one pothole for every 120 yards of British road, that just under one million potholes were filled by local... (more) published 2009-07-21 08:59:15
 

COMMENT: British Airways - Where Now?

British Airways and its fate concerns all of us who support what is still the national flag carrier. In this we must include its staff and... (more) published 2009-07-16 16:49:52
 

COMMENT: Stealth tax increase

British citizens are about to be saddled with a nearly 8% rise in passport issue charges, yet another stealth tax increase announced... (more) published 2009-07-11 09:37:26
 

COMMENT: London 2012

(The plan above views the Olympic Park from the direction of the West End. London City Airport lies to the right, about four... (more) published 2009-06-27 18:14:39
 

COMMENT: British Airways transatlantic gamble

LONDON CITY and GATWICK At a time when CEO Willie Walsh is calling for staff to work for free British Airways is... (more) published 2009-06-20 09:31:34
 

COMMENT: IATA speaks of huge losses

So IATA are warning of big losses at the airlines (see story below), this is nothing new, in fact in 2008 IATA announced the... (more) published 2009-06-10 17:34:09
 

COMMENT: Air France and APD

Sadly, in the last week there has been an aircraft lost with the loss of all souls on board. The accident is the worst... (more) published 2009-06-04 19:34:55
 

COMMENT: The Cruise Review + British Airways

The annual review of the UK cruising scene by the PSA (Passenger Shipping Association) was published last week. In itself it is an... (more) published 2009-05-22 23:29:15
 

COMMENT: The French drop security standards

France has followed a number of European countries, but not the UK, in introducing what is known as One-Stop-Security. Passengers that have... (more) published 2009-05-09 23:33:50
 

COMMENT: Very worrying times for the airline industry

Now it can be argued that we have seen it all before, but it is also pretty obvious that the air transport industry is going through its... (more) published 2009-05-02 16:36:21
 

COMMENT: Air Passenger Duty - What a mess Mr Chancellor

"You ain't seen nothing yet." That was the message that the Chancellor failed to put out during last week's budget speech.... (more) published 2009-04-25 09:01:29
 

COMMENT: Heathrow - Where do we go from here?

It is now 12 months since Heathrow's Terminal 5 shambolic opening, a total public relations disaster. Those dark distant days are now... (more) published 2009-04-13 22:29:32
 

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