27 MARCH 2017
- COMMENT: Scotland to Heathrow. Is this the first step for the new runway?
- ATC strike chaos continues
- Axed - Virgin America
- Backlash over laptop ban
- BA’s ‘Wing’ lifts off
- Boom powers on
- Dublin Airport welcomes Regus
- E190-E2 prototype number four in the air
- Ethiopian adds Kaduna
- Glasgow – Isle of Man
- Hainan grows in Manchester
- History by rail
- Iran greets latest Airbus
- KLM and Brexit
- Liverpool welcomes Blue Air base
- Lufthansa-Astana link-up
- Maxing out on the MAX
- More growth for Delta
- Pisa is easier
- Viceroy Palm for Dubai
- Virgin Australia for China
- FLYING AT THE FRONT END: Air France
- AND FINALLY: Is the future electric after all?
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Dublin Airport welcomes Regus
The first tenant to move into Dublin Airport’s new high-spec office building near Terminal 1. .
Glasgow – Isle of Man
A new route from Glasgow to the Isle of Man (IoM) has been announced by Eastern Airways, less than two weeks after securing the future of the island’s routes to Northern Ireland and North East England.
Iran greets latest Airbus
The third aircraft from a batch of 100 Iran has purchased from Airbus following the 2015 nuclear agreement has landed in Tehran. The long-haul A330-200 touched down at Mehrabad Airport on Saturday, a day after it was officially delivered to Iran Air in Toulouse.
COMMENT: Scotland to Heathrow. Is this the first step for the new runway?
The introduction today of services between Scotland and Heathrow by Flybe, Britain’s third largest airline by passenger numbers, is a major breakthrough for passengers, and the airport too. Or is it?
ATC strike chaos continues
Air services were thrown into disarray again last Monday due to industrial action, this time a 4hr walk-out by Italian air traffic controllers. Alitalia alone said it had to cancel nearly 40% of its schedules.
Backlash over laptop ban
Confusion reigned among airlines and passengers at the weekend as the UK and US ban on large electronic devices on certain flights came into force, with business travellers at the forefront of an industry backlash over the new rules.
BA’s ‘Wing’ lifts off
An enhanced private security zone and comfort facilities are awaiting British Airways’ First and Gold Executive Club passengers at Heathrow from 5 April after the airline last week confirmed the opening date for the ‘First Wing’ premium area in Terminal 5.
E190-E2 prototype number four in the air
Embraer has successfully conducted a 2hr maiden flight of the fourth prototype of its E190-E2 jet, which is to be used for specific interior tests such as cabin evacuation, environmental comfort and internal noise.
Hainan grows in Manchester
A growing presence in the UK market with new Dreamliners potentially operating into Manchester was announced last week by Hainan Airlines with an increase in frequency at the northern hub from four to five flights a week.
KLM and Brexit
Insights into the shape of European air travel after Brexit are on the agenda for the next meeting of the Aviation Club UK on 5 April, when guest speaker will be KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers.
Lufthansa-Astana link-up
A new codeshare deal between Lufthansa and Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana has seen a shake-up at Frankfurt Airport with the carrier moving to Terminal 1 for ease of connectivity with its new partner.
Maxing out on the MAX
Nine new Boeing B737 MAX8s enter service with Southwest Airlines from 1 October as the carrier follows the worldwide market trend to replace ageing aircraft with new fuel-efficient models.
Viceroy Palm for Dubai
Opening next Friday (31 March), Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai is promising to bring a touch of the "playful Viceroy Los Angeles vibe" to the region and will mark the brand’s second property in the UAE.
FLYING AT THE FRONT END: Air France
Dreamliner to Paris
It is amazing to think that the Boeing 787 first entered commercial airline operation as long ago as October 2011, BTN editor-in-chief Malcolm Ginsberg writes.
Its gestation had been somewhat traumatic, with the first aircraft actually rolled out four years earlier on a Sunday in July. That occasion was largely symbolic, as the aircraft was not ready for series production. Once actually in service with lead airline ANA, the plane suffered several serious technical problems including lithium battery fires, but that is all now behind it, with 530 delivered to 62 airlines.
The aircraft has been a great success with passengers and, as 20% more fuel efficient, very popular with airlines too.
AND FINALLY: Is the future electric after all?
In the spirit of nothing being impossible, BTN brings you news that a US-based start-up airline is planning to launch electronic-powered passenger flights from London to Paris within 10 years.
Axed - Virgin America
Despite hopes expressed by both sides three months ago when the companies merged, the Virgin America name is disappearing from US skies, although not until 2019, after the Alaska Air Group said last week it is dropping the brand.
Boom powers on
US-based start-up company Boom Supersonic of Denver has moved closer to making supersonic passenger aircraft a reality after securing $33m (about £26m) funding from investors to build its XB-1 Demonstrator.
Ethiopian adds Kaduna
The only international air transport service linking the Nigerian capital Abuja with the rest of the world has touched down with the arrival at Kaduna International Airport of Ethiopian Airlines’ new Boeing B787 Dreamliner.
History by rail
A world first takes place in Yorkshire on 23 April to celebrate the heritage and future of one of the UK’s most iconic railway lines when four trains spanning four generations will travel side by side in the same direction along the East Coast Main Line.
Liverpool welcomes Blue Air base
Blue Air on Friday officially launched its latest European base at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) with a morning of celebrations, including a short familiarisation flight for more than 100 guests in attendance.
More growth for Delta
Strong growth is continuing at Delta Air Lines with a new daily nonstop between New York JFK and Rio de Janeiro from 21 December and three new daily flights between Chicago and Seattle from next June.
Pisa is easier
The PisaMover automated people mover between Pisa Airport and Pisa Centrale station, which is about 1km distant and connects to any destination on the Italian rail network, has opened, writes Andrew Sharp.
Virgin Australia for China
Expanding its international footprint into Greater China for the first time, Virgin Australia is launching flights between Melbourne and Hong Kong from 5 July with five return services a week using the Airbus A330-200.