6 MARCH 2017
- ON THE SOAPBOX: Malcolm Ginsberg – editor-in-chief, Business Travel News
- Aeronexus celebration
- Alaska Mexico expansion
- Aviation Club lunch
- BA CityFlyer is 10 years old
- Big expansion at Dusit
- Blue Air's flying colours
- CityJet in London reshuffle
- Design Hotels adds six
- Dubai baggage clampdown
- Etihad link-up with Egyptair
- Heathrow 2.0 introduced
- Lasers 'cause for concern'
- Malaysia on the up
- Oman in the spotlight
- Rethinking business aviation
- Security in view at Confex
- Strikes loom again
- Swiss reverses ‘throne’ policy
- United’s revitalised network
- Virgin sets the date
- ON TOUR: Réunion Island
- MARCH CRUISE NEWS
- AND FINALLY: Baths v Showers
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Aviation Club lunch
The UK Aviation Club welcomes its first ever speaker from Latin America next week when Aeromexico CEO Dr Andres Conesa joins the second lunch of the year on Wednesday (8 March) in central London.
Blue Air's flying colours
Three winners have emerged in a competition to design a livery for the Blue Air Boeing 737-800 that will be based at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) from the end of this month.
Lasers 'cause for concern'
The number of laser incidents around airports is a major cause for concern according to the pilots’ union British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) last week after Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data for 2016 showed 1,258 attacks on aircraft.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Malcolm Ginsberg – editor-in-chief, Business Travel News
Malcolm Ginsberg has been the owner/editor of the award-winning Business Travel News since 1993 (then ABTN) and has been involved with regional airlines all his working life, sitting on the executive board of three, in their time high profile, operations. See www.ginsberg.co.uk
RAF Northolt to close!
Aeronexus celebration
Rock band Guns N’ Roses set the seal on VIP air charters last week, concluding a month-long Asia Pacific tour on board a specially-liveried Boeing 767-300ER as aircraft operator Aeronexus marked its first birthday.
BA CityFlyer is 10 years old
British Airways CityFlyer is today (Monday 6 March) celebrating 10 years of flights from London City Airport (LCY). In the first 12 months, it moved 400,000 passengers. In 2016, it was more than 2m.
CityJet in London reshuffle
Changes to the CityJet operating structure affecting its presence at London City Airport (LCY) were announced by the airline last week ahead of it taking delivery of seven new aircraft in the first half of this year and up to 10 more from June.
Etihad link-up with Egyptair
Two key intercontinental hub carriers have joined forces with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Egyptair launching a new codeshare partnership being introduced in phases with effect from last Wednesday 1 March.
Heathrow 2.0 introduced
Far-reaching plans to make Heathrow a “centre of excellence for the aviation industry” were detailed last week by airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye in a new sustainability strategy, Heathrow 2.0.
Malaysia on the up
A profit in the final quarter of last year and average load factors of up to 74%, with a December figure of 91%, were reported last week by Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew in a wide-ranging media interview on the carrier’s performance in 2016.
Security in view at Confex
John Burke returned to Olympia last week (see last week’s issue for his previous visit), this time for the conferences and exhibitions showcase Confex.
Strikes loom again
Flight disruption across Europe is expected this week with French air traffic controllers (SNCTA) scheduled to begin five days of strikes from this morning (Monday 6 March) until next Friday evening.
United’s revitalised network
A revitalised route network with more destinations, more flights and more convenient connections for passengers in both domestic and international markets was announced last week by United Airlines.
ON TOUR: Réunion Island
Air France has been highlighting the arrival of its first Boeing 787, but it is not the lead French air carrier when it comes to the Seattle-built Dreamliner. That honour fell to Air Austral, based at Roland Garros Airport on the north of the island of La Réunion near the capital St Denis. Malcolm Ginsberg reports.
MARCH CRUISE NEWS
This month we are concentrating on a fine initiative to spread the British world at sea and keep cruisers up to date while relaxing in their short-term home. There is also an update on some newbuilds and remodelling. For April, it’s a focus on deals for the spring and we welcome the latest news on what is available and prices to info@btnews.co.uk.
Alaska Mexico expansion
The US Department of Transportation has tentatively awarded Alaska Airlines coveted slots at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport from San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, with flights starting this summer.
Big expansion at Dusit
An “unprecedented” period of growth for the Bangkok-based hotel operator Dusit International is due to be unveiled at this year’s ITB Berlin, with the company planning to grow from 29 properties in eight countries to 69 in more than 20 countries in the next three to four years.
Design Hotels adds six
Six new properties across four continents are joining the Design Hotels collection, complementing a portfolio of more than 290 members. The company says the new additions “epitomise the ethos and values of Design Hotels, from effortless living paired with mindful design to the regeneration of treasured buildings”.
Dubai baggage clampdown
Bags without flat surfaces are to be banned from Dubai Airport from Wednesday (8 March) after officials said irregularly shaped or oversized luggage can disrupt even the most technologically advanced systems.
Oman in the spotlight
With advanced planning under way for daily services between Manchester and Muscat from 1 May, Oman Air has also been celebrating another first with the arrival of a Boeing 787-9 to join the fleet.
Rethinking business aviation
Is it time to rethink business aviation? This will be the theme of a networking event at the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) in London on 25 April, when a team of experts will discuss the industry and its future.
Swiss reverses ‘throne’ policy
Booking one of the popular Business Class solo seats known as “thrones” on Swiss long-haul A330 and B777-300ERs will cost money from the end of this month, reversing an airline policy of giving free access to premium passengers.
Virgin sets the date
A start date of 28 March has been set by Virgin Atlantic for the new three-a-week Manchester – San Francisco service which it announced last year. It will be the first airline to provide direct services between the two cities.