19 SEPTEMBER 2016
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- COMMENT: Keep our airports safe
- COMMENT EXTRA: Lenient judge scandal
- American’s B787-9 for LHR
- Antonov 225 news
- B737-800 for Jet2
- Baggage rules index
- BATA concern at fast-track idea
- Boris airport attack
- Bristol's Harbour Hotel
- Far East mixed fortunes for Airbus
- Flybe to rescue over tunnel work
- Gold-nose for Paralympics too
- IATA enters strikes debate
- Ibis arrives in Cambridge
- MH370 search update
- More growth for Priority Pass
- New EU carrier for Luton
- New York on the move
- Plymouth campaign
- Sales competition hots up
- T3 move complete for Delta
- Three new destinations for Monarch
- ON TOUR: Cape Town
- AND FINALLY: Missing items
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American’s B787-9 for LHR
London will have its first sight of American Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 on 4 October when the aircraft operates Flight 50 from Dallas Fort Worth to Heathrow. The carrier took delivery from Boeing last week.
Baggage rules index
What is said to be the most comprehensive list on the internet of airline hand-baggage restrictions has been produced by Gate8 Luggage.
MH370 search update
An amateur searcher has added to the mystery of Malaysia Airlines’ missing flight MH370 by handing over apparently-burnt debris he says he found washed up in Madagascar that could have come from the aircraft.
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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 things everybody assumes is being taken care of – until we discover, usually in tragic circumstances, that it isn’t.
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 week after nine protesters who disrupted operations at London City Airport by invading the runway were given conditional discharges in court. In the absence of any further punishment, Judge Elizabeth Roscoe also ordered them to pay court costs of £95 each. It is not a penalty and does not go on their record.
Antonov 225 news
Reports suggest that the world fleet of Antonov 225 freight aircraft could double by 2019. In 1988, Antonov completed the first and only six-engined 225 essentially to carry Buran, the Soviet space shuttle.
BATA concern at fast-track idea
The body representing UK airlines has criticised Border Force plans that emerged last week for "fast -track" passport checks at airport immigration halls that would allow passengers to pay extra to clear controls more quickly.
Far East mixed fortunes for Airbus
A firm order for nine Airbus A330-300 aircraft was confirmed last week by Hong Kong Airlines as the first A350 XWB for China Airlines completed its maiden flight over the skies of Toulouse.
Gold-nose for Paralympics too
The gold-nosed British Airways aircraft, named “VictoRIOus”, that brought Team GB home from Rio returns from its latest mission tomorrow (20 September) – bringing back to the UK the equally-successful ParalympicsGB squad from the Paralympic Games.
IATA enters strikes debate
Another strike by French air traffic control (ATC) workers last week brought the International Air Transport Association (IATA) into the fray as the organisation called on European governments to ensure flights could still operate despite such industrial action.
Plymouth campaign
The campaign to reopen Plymouth Airport and safeguard its future by putting it into community ownership has entered a new phase with the start of a funding drive. Backers hope to raise an initial £25,000.
T3 move complete for Delta
All Delta Air Lines flights from London are now operating from Heathrow’s Terminal 3 after the company completed its move from T4 last week.
Three new destinations for Monarch
Monarch is adding three year-round business-orientated cities to its network from next April with flights to Stockholm, Porto and Zagreb. An additional aircraft will be based at Manchester to support the routes.
ON TOUR: Cape Town
You have only to look at the weather maps to see why Cape Town is such a popular destination from the UK for the year-end holiday period and towards Easter. On top of that, it is English speaking, everyone is very friendly and (unlike some currencies) the Rand offers very good value against the pound sterling. A new carrier for the holiday period is Thomas Cook Airlines, non-stop from Gatwick, at prices, including a Premium cabin, that undersell British Airways by some way.
AND FINALLY: Missing items
It’s not a brain test, but guess what a microwave, a roll of carpet, a fishing rod, a bottle of holy water, several sets of dentures and a wedding dress have in common.
B737-800 for Jet2
In a major milestone in its growth and development strategy, Jet2.com has formally taken delivery of the first of 30 new Next Generation B737-800s from Boeing. It is due to enter service in the next few weeks.
Boris airport attack
The airport expansion debate moved dramatically up the prime ministerial agenda on Thursday after Theresa May cleared the Hinkley Point nuclear power station project, leaving the way clear for a decision, now expected next month, on runway capacity in the south-east.
Bristol's Harbour Hotel
Two former bank properties in Bristol have been transformed to create the city's newest place to stay with a blend of luxury accommodation, modern design and a useful events space.
Flybe to rescue over tunnel work
A multi-frequency daily flight schedule between Cardiff and London City airports was launched by flybe last Monday (12 September) to help travellers from south Wales and south-east England affected by a six-week closure of the Severn Tunnel for maintenance.
Ibis arrives in Cambridge
Cambridge has welcomed its first AccorHotels property with the opening of an ibis in Station Square directly opposite the rail station. With 231 of the brand’s new “Sweet Rooms”, it is the largest hotel in the city and surrounding areas.
More growth for Priority Pass
Membership airport-lounge operator Priority Pass (PP) last week announced that members now have access to the new and eagerly-awaited Plaza Premium Lounge at Brisbane International Airport in Australia.
New EU carrier for Luton
New regional flights by fledgling European carrier Fly Kiss linking France and the UK are set for take-off on 7 November, the airline announced last week.
New York on the move
Latest developments in New York on the business-travel front were outlined in London last week by tourist office NYC and Company president Fred Dixon and senior vice-president Chris Heywood.
Sales competition hots up
Competition between Airbus and Boeing over aircraft deliveries has intensified this summer, with August becoming the first month in which the European manufacturer distributed more than the US company.