19 JUNE 2017
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- COMMENT: National Cycle Week
- Airberlin seeks state aid
- AOA backs APD campaign
- BA summer strike looms
- Boeing UK spending triples
- Connectivity under pressure
- EasyJet in VIP launch
- El Al new Business Class
- Growth in mind at CALC
- HK pilots of the future
- LHR emissions initiative
- London – Edinburgh in 50min
- More Eastern/Flybe details
- New bag security on test
- Norwegian’s US bonanza
- Onyx $100m development
- Qatar defies blockade
- Raffles heads for London
- Roaming charges end in EU
- W Barcelona on song
- £80m meltdown bill
- ON TOUR: Celebration in Toulouse
- ON TOUR Extra: London's fifth Meetings Show
- AND FINALLY: DC3's US swansong
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Connectivity under pressure
The UK's aviation connectivity is under pressure from European airports, according to trade association ACI Europe.
Growth in mind at CALC
Hong Kong’s China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings (CALC) has ordered 50 new Boeing B737 MAX series jets, scheduled for delivery in stages up to 2023, as part of “an acceleration of our business expansion”. The total order has a list price of $5.8bn.
Norwegian’s US bonanza
Three new routes operated by Norwegian between Edinburgh and the US east coast took off on Friday and Saturday, with flights to Stewart International Airport in New York State leading the charge.
COMMENT: National Cycle Week
Let the forthcoming Queen’s Speech introduce cycling laws.
AOA backs APD campaign
Britain's ability to attract flights to new destinations and expand existing routes, both crucial to deliver on the government's ambition to create a truly global Britain, is being damaged by Air Passenger Duty (APD), says the Airport Operators Association (AOA).
BA summer strike looms
A new strike lasting two weeks over the busiest part of the summer is being threatened by mixed-fleet cabin crew at British Airways in the long-running dispute over pay and travel concessions.
HK pilots of the future
UK-based L3 Commercial Training Solutions has signed on with Hong Kong Airlines to launch the carrier’s first Cadet Pilot Programme. It will be run through L3’s Airlines Academy (L3 CTS).
London – Edinburgh in 50min
In a move against which HS2 pales into insignificance, investors behind the Hyperloop One transport system have unveiled their first shortlist of possible routes, including London – Edinburgh, which they say could be covered in 50min.
More Eastern/Flybe details
Further details of the link-up between Flybe and Eastern Airlines were announced last week with the signing of a Heads of Terms agreement for a new alliance following Flybe’s decision to end its franchise agreement with Loganair (BTN last week).
Raffles heads for London
London’s Old War Office building is to become a luxury hotel and residences complex under the Raffles Hotels & Resorts banner. Conversion work is expected to be completed in three years.
Roaming charges end in EU
The EU hailed a “great success” last week after roaming charges for mobile phone users in member countries were abolished. It means mobile phone calls, texts and access to data will cost the same as in the UK.
W Barcelona on song
Europe’s first W Hotels’ Sound Suite has arrived at the company’s flagship property in Barcelona following a multi-million pound transformation of all 473 guestrooms and suites.
£80m meltdown bill
The IT meltdown that left thousands of passengers stranded at Heathrow and Gatwick last month will cost British Airways nearly £80m ($102m), according to parent company International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh.
ON TOUR: Celebration in Toulouse
The great and the good from Airbus, easyJet and engine manufacturer CFM International gathered in Toulouse last week for the presentation to the airline of its first A320NEO, powered by CFM’s LEAP-1A engine. EasyJet has 130 of the aircraft on order. Richard Cawthorne reports.
ON TOUR Extra: London's fifth Meetings Show
Complete with camera, John Burke attended a leading opportunity for hosted buyers to meet the representatives of resorts and venues worldwide.
AND FINALLY: DC3's US swansong
The last of the Douglas DC-3s to fly regularly over the US disappeared from the skies on Tuesday when the Catalina Flying Boats air freight service flew its last service out of Long Beach Airport in California.
Airberlin seeks state aid
Moves to “safeguard operations” were announced by airberlin last week after the carrier, Germany’s second largest after Lufthansa, said it was seeking state aid in the form of a request to the governments of Berlin and North-Rhine Westphalia to guarantee its debts.
Boeing UK spending triples
In a vote of confidence in its British operations, Boeing last week announced its direct spending with UK suppliers had tripled over the past six years to £2.1bn, supporting an estimated 16,500 jobs in the tier one UK supply chain, a rise of 80%.
EasyJet in VIP launch
A VIP service for passengers with free parking, drinks and refreshments in a luxury private terminal and limousine transfer to aircraft is being introduced at Luton Airport by easyJet in partnership with Signature Flight Support.
El Al new Business Class
A new Business Class and Premium Economy seats are being introduced by El Al when the first of 16 Boeing B787 Dreamliners it has on order joins the fleet in August.
LHR emissions initiative
Airline emissions and night noise performance are now being tracked publicly for the first time in a quarterly league table under a new initiative from Heathrow as part of its plans to be a world-leader neighbourhood-friendly airport.
New bag security on test
Testing began in the US last week of new state-of-the-art 3D CT screening technology that could make it possible for passengers to leave liquids, gels and aerosols, as well as laptops, in their carry-on bags at all times.
Onyx $100m development
A new 406-room Ozo Hotel next to the Ocean Tower of the Amari Pattaya resort in Thailand is being planned by hotel management specialist Onyx Hospitality in a $100m investment to redevelop the site.
Qatar defies blockade
Dublin Airport has welcomed Qatar Airways’ new service between the Irish capital and Doha against a background of continuing tension after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a blockade on the carrier over alleged terrorism links.