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 the aviation industry flies in the face of key facts.  (London Evening Standard Tuesday 21 January) 

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A350 XWB show début

Airbus A350 XWB MSN 003, a series 900 aircraft, will return from high altitude test flights in South America, to take centre stage at the Singapore Airshow 11-12 February.  It will be the first full air show display for the newest wide body from Airbus.

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Alitalia – no job losses

No job losses.  That is the message being put out by Alitalia as part of a restructuring presented to unions.  The airline says it wants to improve its financial shape to appeal to possible partners.  How it does that without compulsory redundancies seems to be an Italian conundrum.

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Arts Club Hotel London

London’s Arts Club, at the bottom of Dover Street, near Piccadilly, is to open its own hotel in late 2014.  Founded in 1863, it has provided a haven for those people with relationships to the Arts, Literature or Sciences.  It has provided this hospitality ever since having survived two world wars, including a direct hit on the building during the Blitz in 1940, as well as political and economic anomalies over the years.

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Downing Street dithering

Sir Howard Davies, Chairman of the Airport Commission, told MPs last week on the House of Commons’ Transport Committee that he could have produced a full report, including the commission’s final recommendation for airport expansion, before the next general election due Spring 2015.

But Davies said that he was instructed by the government to report post election.

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easyJet half year results

Now Britain’s largest airline, at least in terms of the number of flights and airports served, easyJet posted its half year results last week. 

With first-half bookings in line with last year, it expects to report a first-half loss before tax of between £70m and £90m, assuming normal levels of disruption, compared to the £61m loss reported in the first half of last year.  Last year, Easter fell on 31 March, adding £25m of revenue to the first-half 2013 figures.  In the current financial year, Easter will fall in April.

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Expedia opens The Business Travel Show

The 20th Business Travel Show takes place next week (4-5 February) for the last time at Earls Court 2.  Exhibitors are up on last year and a record attendance is expected.  In 2015 it moves to Olympia.

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INNSIDE by Melia

Melia Hotels INNSIDE has opened its third property in Madrid.

The brand first arrived in Madrid in 2013 and has been well received by locals and visitors alike.  The new INNSIDE, which has 120 rooms and seven suites, has undergone a full renovation.  It was built in the 1950s and was once Ernest Hemmingway’s home in the city.  INNSIDE Suecia is centrally located in the Cortes district next to the Circulo de Bellas Artes and close to the Calle Alcala, Gran Via and Plaza Cibeles.

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Tipping tips

A recent study, published by UK-based International Currency Exchange, found that 40% of British travellers admitted they found tipping awkward and almost one in three confessed they did not know how much to tip in a destination.

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UK Air traffic 2013

The UK’s National Air Traffic Services, officially NATS Holdings Ltd, and 49% owned by the government (the rest is covered by various airlines, staff and Heathrow) saw an increase in air movements during 2013.

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ON TOUR: Appenzell, Switzerland

We are all pretty familiar with Switzerland.  It is easy enough to fly to Basle and Geneva from the UK, or go that little bit further to Zurich.  Even the tiny capital of Bern is connected to London City Airport.

But Appenzell (or Appenzellerland).

Just where is it?

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AND FINALLY: Taking a cab home

A friend got a little boozy at a party.  He was a responsible soul.

He took a cab home.

Sure enough on the way back there was a police road block but since it was a cab they waved it past.

He arrived home safely without incident.

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