22 FEBRUARY 2016
- ON THE SOAPBOX SPECIAL: David Chapple, director of the Business Travel Show
- A380 news
- Airlines at the Business Travel Show
- Airport patent approved
- ANA 30 years international
- APD and airports
- BA which way?
- Blue Islands 10 years
- Bombardier’s good and bad news
- British Airways update
- Cuba and US flights
- Gatwick’s merry go round
- Internet Delta
- Jobs at Monarch
- Low-cost taxis for Business Travel Show
- New Gatwick Express trains
- Priority Pass new lounges
- Profit for Air France
- Robert Goodwill opens Newquay Aerohub
- Rotterdam is Flybe’s latest
- Travel law seminar
- ON TOUR: Singapore Airshow
- AND FINALLY: The Boris riddle
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
New Gatwick Express trains
Our rail expert, Andrew Sharp formerly of IARO (International Air Rail Organisation), reports that one of the 27 new trains being built for Gatwick Express is now running occasional trips in passenger service, on Thameslink, which as he says, is a bit odd. They are supposed to start to enter service on Gatwick Express from the end of February.
Profit for Air France
Air France-KLM returned to profit in 2015, helped by a drop in its fuel bill and growth in passenger traffic.
ON THE SOAPBOX SPECIAL: David Chapple, director of the Business Travel Show
David Chapple has been involved with the Business Travel Show for 16 years and oversaw the very successful move from Earls Court to the present site. He founded Travel Technology Europe in 2002 and the Business Travel Club in 2009. He was an associate director for the Institute of Travel & Meetings from 2011 to 2013.
A380 news
Air France has introduced the first A380 operations to Central and South America with a daily service from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City. This also marks the 50th airport and 102nd route to be served by the mega Jumbo in service with 13 airlines.
Airport patent approved
Heathrow Hub, the independent proposal to extend the northern runway at Heathrow, has received a huge boost in its campaign to provide the UK with the additional aviation capacity that the country urgently needs.
ANA 30 years international
On 3 March ANA will celebrate 30 years of international services since its inaugural flight from Tokyo to Guam on 3 March 1986.
Blue Islands 10 years
It may not be the best known British airline, except if you live in the Channel Islands, but Blue Islands based in Jersey has celebrated 10 years of operations.
British Airways update
BA has put its latest refurbished 747 into service. The sixth out of 18 iconic Boeing 747s earmarked for a major make-over, last week flew to Boston as the BA213.
Cuba and US flights
Last week Cuba and US signed an agreement to allow, after 50 years, scheduled flights to operate between the two countries. President Barack Obama will become the first sitting US President to visit Cuba in 88 years, when he visits Havana in March, the White House has confirmed. (see ON TOUR: Cuba - an enigma within an enigma)
Jobs at Monarch
Monarch, the Luton Airport based UK independent airline group, will be attending a number of local recruitment fairs to highlight the varied roles available for candidates looking for careers in the travel and leisure industry.
Low-cost taxis for Business Travel Show
Uber, the controversial low-cost private hire operator will exhibit at the Business Travel Show (BTS) for the first time alongside fellow sharing economy suppliers Hailo, Gett, Veeve, JetHunter and Magicevent. BTS is at Olympia Wednesday-Thursday this week 24-25 February. (See ON THE SOAPBOX SPECIAL)
ON TOUR: Singapore Airshow
Our visiting Editor Richard Cawthorne on his way to Australia stopped by to report on the biennial Singapore Airshow which took place last week followed by the traditional flying display weekend. With the flurry of orders place by the major carriers over the last couple of years the 2016 event was likely to be quieter, and so it proved.
APD and airports
The Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade association, has urged the Government to use its upcoming Budget (16 March) to provide clarity to the future of Air Passenger Duty (APD).
Bombardier’s good and bad news
It was good news and bad news for Bombardier commercial aircraft last week.
Gatwick’s merry go round
The airline merry go round at Gatwick is likely to take place in January following the airport's recent discussions with all parties involved.
Internet Delta
Delta Air Lines is now offering high-speed internet access on all trans-Atlantic flights between the United States and the UK, mainland Europe, Israel and West Africa.
From the UK, the US airline offers up to 11 peak-day flights from Heathrow and one from Manchester meaning more customers can get online at 30,000 feet with Delta.
Priority Pass new lounges
Airport executive pass marketing operator Priority Pass has added 12 new lounges at popular business and leisure destinations around the world since the beginning of the year.
Robert Goodwill opens Newquay Aerohub
Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill has visited Cornwall Airport Newquay and the adjoining Aerohub to see how Government investment is helping to regenerate interest in what was once RAF St Mawgan.
Rotterdam is Flybe’s latest
Flybe has launched a twice daily service from Manchester to Rotterdam The Hague Airport with a 68-seat Bombardier Q400. Flight time is around 90 minutes.
Travel law seminar
ABTA's 18th annual travel law event has been set for 10-11 May at NatWest, The Auditorium, 280 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4RB.