17 AUGUST 2015

Index


© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.

Doubletree Malaga

Hilton has opened a DoubleTree at Reserva del Higueron, whilst strictly not Malaga (the airport is about 12 miles away) it is likely to be known for the major city close by.

Read full article   Index

Flybe winter programme

A change to the timings on the London City – Exeter service is one of the many timetable alterations in Flybe’s 2015-16 winter programme which has now been published. 

A full day is offered for business travellers from either end of the route, previously customers from London needing to be back at Exeter Airport early afternoon in order to catch the one hour flight.

Read full article   Index

Heathrow’s steeper approach

Not the first UK airport to offer such a scheme, that honour fell to London City Airport (LCY) nearly 30 years ago, Heathrow has announced plans to trial a steeper approach for aircraft landing.

Read full article   Index

COMMENT: Airports and VAT

Headline reports in national newspapers and TV suggest that some airport airside shops are overcharging travellers, as the media put it, ‘Keeping the VAT’.

In fact it is not as simple as that but it has emerged that the system of asking to see your boarding card has no legal validity. Certainly at UK airports passengers to all destinations mix together in the so-called ‘Duty Free’ area with goods purchased chargeable for tax purposes at different rates.  For UK domestic and EU flights you pay full wine and spirits duty, plus VAT.  For all others you do not. The price is down to the retailer. The purchase is up to the traveller.  You can always buy the goods before or afterwards 'landside' but if you are hungry, it is true, you have little choice.

Read full article   Index

Special announcement

Are you a journalist, or budding journalist, interested in writing about travel? 

If you read  BTN  you are half way there.

Business Travel News  is adding to its staff. 

Read full article   Index

A real ‘carry on’

The announcement (see  BTN  2 August) that British Airways has changed its rules for ‘carry on’ luggage has really confused travellers.  If you now go one way on a certain carrier but fly back on a competitor you may be faced with different rules!  IATA has muddied the waters even more (see  BTN  22 June).

Read full article   Index

Airports maxing out

Britain’s five leading airports in terms of passenger numbers all reported significant traffic increases for July.  Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Luton saw record figures, with Stansted getting closer to its all-time 2007 record.  When the CAA publishes its figures for the month, probably in October, it will almost certainly name July 2015 as an all-time UK high.

Read full article   Index

ATR “green”

A “green” ATR 72 prototype has been flown as part of the “Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (CS JTI)” test campaign. 

Read full article   Index

Drunk and Disorderly

As excessive drinking in airports continues to dominate this summer’s headlines, new research from Holiday Extras has revealed that the scale of the issue may be even greater than first feared.  What’s more, the identity of the biggest pre-board boozers may come as a surprise!

Read full article   Index

Gatwick update

Now clearly established as the world’s busiest international single runway operator Gatwick is pressing on with its campaign for the government not to proceed with Sir Howard Davies Airports Commission recommendation.   

Read full article   Index

Mexico for the A380

Air France has announced that it will be flying its A380 to Mexico with the launch of daily flights from next March.  Initially the airline will operate three times weekly from 1 January.

Read full article   Index

SWISS new cabin

Next January has been confirmed by SWISS for the unveiling of its new flagship Boeing 777-300ER, the first of nine.

Read full article   Index

ON TOUR: Solent Sky Aviation Museum

In Southampton for a football match, crossing to and from the Isle of Wight, or meeting and greeting a cruise ship?  Or in the city for business with a couple of hours to spare, or just touring?  If you are interested in man’s quest to get into the air the Solent Sky Museum showcases the history of aviation in Southampton and the Solent. 

Read full article   Index

AND FINALLY: The end for the 737!

Some lesser known facts about the small Boeing.

Read full article   Index

BA to end 737 operations?

A return flight from Gatwick to Verona on 29 September could mark the end of British Airways Boeing 737 operations after 38 years. 

Read full article   Index

Emirates long flight

Emirates have announced what is claimed to be the world’s current longest non-stop flight, from Dubai to Panama, from 1 February.  It will be the airline’s first gateway in Central America, providing convenient connections to Latin America, South America and beyond.

Read full article   Index

Gulf cuts for Delta

Delta Air Lines will reduce the number of flights to Dubai from its Atlanta hub starting 1 October as part of a Middle East capacity cut.  The airline will fly between four and five times per week, down from daily service this summer.

Read full article   Index

MH and Ukraine

Dutch prosecutors have found what they believe could be parts of a Russian Buk missile system at the site in eastern Ukraine where Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was brought down last year.

Read full article   Index

Monarch to Israel

Luton Airport is now the UK’s major gateway to Israel following Monarch Airlines announcement last week that it is to introduce services to both Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) and Ovda (VDA).  easyJet and El Al already operate out of Luton to Ben Gurion and Monarch was in the past an Ovda charter customer. 

Read full article   Index

Robots at the Crowne Plaza

InterContinental Hotels Group has launched a new delivery robot at the Crowne Plaza San Jose-Silicon Valley hotel.  The robot, named Dash, was created by Savioke, makers of the Relay robot.  Based in Santa Clara, CA, Savioke specializes in robot solutions for the hospitality industry and was first featured by  BTN  8 September 2014   AND FINALLY.   It is now promoted to the serious pages.

Read full article   Index

Ryanair and transfers

Dublin could be a connecting airport with Aer Lingus for Ryanair according to Michael O'Leary? 

Read full article   Index

Singapore Airlines Premium Economy

Ahead of schedule Singapore Airlines has entered the Premium Economy market, launching the new class on board its Sydney – Singapore route last week.   (see  BTN  9 February 2015

Read full article   Index

Travel Technology at Islington

Technology is clearly the ‘in thing’ as far as air travel is concerned with London hosting three important gatherings within the next few months.

Read full article   Index

www.btnews.co.uk