16 JULY 2018
- COMMENT: Caring for the less-able
- Air Tattoo celebrates RAF 100 in style
- CAA challenged over age rule
- Concern over airfields
- Congestion charge action call
- Double win for Liverpool
- Easyjet apprentice drive
- Heathrow highlights special facilities
- HSRL progresses
- Istanbul Airport update
- JetAirways greets B737 MAX
- JetBlue first for A220
- JetClass adds destinations
- John Meredith
- Makeover at the Marriott
- New Embraer at London City
- Phone booking probe
- Priority Pass on the rise
- Qatar menus boost
- SIA details 'Ultra' plans
- Swiss lounge redesign
- ON TOUR: Meetings Show thrives in London
- AND FINALLY: Plain sailing
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Easyjet apprentice drive
EasyJet has appointed the first group to a new cabin crew apprenticeship scheme, the first of its kind under new government apprenticeship standards, with 25 hopefuls preparing for a 12-month training programme from this September.
John Meredith
Back in 1990 when the world’s airlines saw need for a global pressure group to promote the economic benefits of air transport and press for infrastructure improvement, they turned to one man.
COMMENT: Caring for the less-able
Media coverage last week of the CAA’s latest annual report on the accessibility services provided by the top 30 UK airports concentrated on the low ratings given to Birmingham, Gatwick and Stansted.
This is a shame, since the overall tenor of the CAA document was positive.
But it shows there is no room for complacency as the needs and numbers of less-able travellers increase.
There are also questions to be asked about the conclusions.
Air Tattoo celebrates RAF 100 in style
A record crowd of 185,000 people last weekend enjoyed a feast of flying as the Royal International Air Tattoo staged international celebrations at RAF Fairford marking the Royal Air Force’s Centenary.
Concern over airfields
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG) has expressed concern about “significant disparities” between the outcome of a meeting with the defence minister Tobias Ellwood and his subsequent letter to the organisation.
Congestion charge action call
A decision by Transport for London (TfL) to consult on removing the exemption from the Congestion Charge for private hire vehicles (PHVs) has won a guarded welcome from London Assembly transport committee chairman Caroline Pidgeon.
Heathrow highlights special facilities
Assistance options available to airport users needing extra support were put on show by Heathrow on Saturday at the first of a series of open days, passengers with disabilities welcomed on a tour of Terminal 5.
HSRL progresses
Plans for a new rail service linking Woking, Guildford and Basingstoke with Heathrow and onward to Old Oak Common for HS2 and London Paddington for the Elizabeth Line have taken another step forward.
JetAirways greets B737 MAX
The first Boeing B737 MAX for Indian international carrier JetAirways has been inducted into the fleet, carrying on a tradition which has seen the B737 series form the backbone of the airline’s operations since it began in 1994.
Phone booking probe
Four out of five of the most popular airlines have been found to charge a higher fare when passengers book over the phone. The investigation, by Which? Travel magazine, names Ryanair and Tui as the worst culprits.
Qatar menus boost
Enhancements to Economy Class on-board menus, including an increase of 25% in content for all Economy Class hot meals, are being brought in by Qatar Airways in a phased introduction across the airline’s network from this month.
SIA details 'Ultra' plans
Non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles using the new Airbus A350-900ULR are being launched by Singapore Airlines (SIA) in November. The airline is also increasing its existing daily non-stop Singapore – San Francisco services to 10 a week.
ON TOUR: Meetings Show thrives in London
Once again, regular contributor John Burke has taken himself and his camera to Olympia to what may now be the busiest opportunity for hosted buyers to evaluate conference products at home and abroad.
AND FINALLY: Plain sailing
Our recent AND FINALLY accounts of passenger reactions to women pilots (BTN 2 July) and the man whose wedding clashed with the World Cup (BTN 25 June) reminded a reader of an advertisement he claims he saw in the classified section of a newspaper in New England a while ago.
CAA challenged over age rule
Legal papers have been served by law firm DMH Stallard on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) seeking a judicial review of the CAA’s age restrictions for commercial pilots.
Double win for Liverpool
Fresh from marking the 85th anniversary of is official opening, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) has again been awarded a 5-star rating for punctuality by air travel intelligence agency OAG.
Istanbul Airport update
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has set his seal of approval on Istanbul’s new airport with an official visit aboard the presidential jet, marking the first landing at the complex by a passenger aircraft. The airport is due to open on 29 October.
JetBlue first for A220
A Memorandum of Understanding for 60 firm orders for the newly-rebranded Airbus A220 was signed last week by JetBlue, making the New York-based carrier the first customer for the aircraft.
JetClass adds destinations
Scheduled business jet flights to new destinations in Europe are being offered by Vienna-based airline service JetClass as it celebrates its one-year anniversary.
Makeover at the Marriott
Business travellers staying at one of the London Docklands hotels and flying out of the nearby London City Airport will find a new welcome awaiting at the London Marriott West India Quay.
New Embraer at London City
Claimed to be the world’s quietest and most efficient aircraft in its class, Embraer’s E190-E2 arrived at London City Airport (LCY) for the first time last week on a demonstration flight officials hope paves the way for future accreditation and commercial operation.
Priority Pass on the rise
Airport lounges are continuing their surge of popularity, with operator Priority Pass adding 141 more to its portfolio in the 12 months since it celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.
Swiss lounge redesign
A redesigned Lounge Centre A aimed mainly at short-haul travellers has been opened at Zurich Airport by Switzerland’s national airline Swiss. It includes both a Business and a Senator lounge with separate entrances and digital access control.