3 DECEMBER 2018
- ON THE SOAPBOX: Johan Lundgren, chief executive, easyJet
- UK clinches US air deal
- Airline to discuss Heathrow slots?
- ANA in Tokyo upgrade
- ATR delivery milestone
- BA chases 2,000 cabin crew
- EasyJet loyalty schemes review
- Flybe adds to Edinburgh route
- Gatwick poll 'backs expansion'
- Heathrow in local business drive
- Indigo in Wow rescue bid
- JetBlue goes biometric
- Joon facing closure
- Long-distance Air New Zealand
- LOT heads for London City
- Luxury at the Belmond
- New concourse for LaGuardia
- Norwegian in Rio challenge
- Piaggio in administration
- TAP greets first A330neo
- Wizz Air training 'milestone'
- ON TOUR: Cruising the Thames on Waverley
- AND FINALLY: Runaway runways
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
ANA in Tokyo upgrade
After being resurrected for international traffic some years ago, Tokyo Haneda Airport opens a new chapter next Monday, 10 December, when All Nippon Airways (ANA) extends its services to a new satellite facility at Terminal 2.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Johan Lundgren, chief executive, easyJet
The December SOAPBOX features Johan Lundgren previously deputy chief executive and chief executive for mainstream markets at the European tour operator TUI. The company said in his time there he increased profitability by some 48% from £370m to £546m between 2011 and 2014. Lundgren began his career with Swedish travel group Fritidsresor, which was eventually acquired by TUI Travel.
UK clinches US air deal
A new open skies air services agreement with the US was announced last week by transport secretary Chris Grayling in a move which he said “ensures the UK remains one of the world’s leading aviation hubs after Brexit for both travellers and businesses”.
Airline to discuss Heathrow slots?
Next Thursday (6 December) sees Virgin Atlantic's American CEO Craig Kreeger making his farewell high-profile appearance in the post before retiring at the end of the year.
ATR delivery milestone
In the latest celebration in a year of milestones, turboprop manufacturer ATR has marked its 1,500th aircraft delivery, an ATR 72-600 handed over to Japan Air Commuter.
Flybe adds to Edinburgh route
Another daily return flight is being added to the Edinburgh – Heathrow route by Flybe with effect from the start of its 2019 summer schedule on 31 March next year.
Heathrow in local business drive
Hundreds of local, small and medium-sized enterprises have laid the groundwork for procuring work with Heathrow’s biggest suppliers ahead of contracts being released for the airport’s expansion programme.
Indigo in Wow rescue bid
In a dramatic turnround last week, US private equity company Indigo Partners, headed by former America West Airlines CEO Bill Franke, agreed to invest in Wow Air hours after Icelandair pulled out of a deal to acquire the carrier.
Joon facing closure
Concern over the future of the Air France low-cost subsidiary Joon surfaced last week amid reports Air France-KLM’s new CEO Ben Smith was considering closing it down as part of plans to boost group profitability.
Long-distance Air New Zealand
Another long-distance air journey entered the record books on Friday with Air New Zealand’s inaugural flight between Auckland and Chicago. Timed at 15hr northbound and just over 16hr southbound, it is the airline’s longest flight, taking over from Auckland – Houston at 13.5hr.
New concourse for LaGuardia
A new concourse marking completion of the first step in the refurbishment of Terminal B at New York’s La Guardia Airport (LGA) went into use on Saturday with flights by American Airlines.
Piaggio in administration
With the future of Alitalia less assured than ever, the future of Italy's sole stand-alone aircraft manufacturer, after the company asked the Italian government to be put under special administration.
TAP greets first A330neo
An increase in its US network to bring in Chicago and Washington DC was announced by TAP Air Portugal last week within hours of it taking delivery of the world’s first new-generation widebody Airbus A330neo.
ON TOUR: Cruising the Thames on Waverley
Up the creek, but with a paddle – BTN editor Richard Cawthorne takes a trip with a difference down the Thames.
AND FINALLY: Runaway runways
Heathrow, eat your heart out. While wrangling continues over a third runway for the London hub, we have a progress report on Beijing Daxing.
BA chases 2,000 cabin crew
An ambitious programme to recruit more than 2,000 cabin crew in 2019 was launched last week by British Airways with successful candidates with no prior experience entered into the airline’s new apprenticeship programme.
EasyJet loyalty schemes review
Plans to extend its existing loyalty recognition programmes have been announced by easyJet, possibly replacing the subscription-fuelled easyJetPlus scheme and Flight Club, which is by invitation only.
Gatwick poll 'backs expansion'
Results of a poll of residents in West Sussex about expansion at Gatwick are expected to be published today, 3 December, with reports suggesting overall approval for the airport’s master plan for a three-runway solution.
JetBlue goes biometric
Under the headline ‘Your face is your boarding pass’, JetBlue in partnership with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) service, last week rolled-out its first fully-integrated biometric self-boarding gate at New York JFK.
LOT heads for London City
Flights between London City Airport and Vilnius are due to start next May after LOT Polish Airlines won a tender from the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport to operate direct Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights.
Luxury at the Belmond
Travellers searching for a new level of luxury in London are being told they can look forward to discovering Belmond Cadogan Hotel, opening early in the new year as a “home away from home” on Sloane Street.
Norwegian in Rio challenge
British Airways is facing new long-haul competition on two fronts after Norwegian last week said it was launching non-stop flights between Gatwick and Rio de Janeiro next year and enhancing its services to key points in the US.
Wizz Air training 'milestone'
A 3,800sq m state-of-the-art training centre representing an investment of more than €30m was inaugurated in Budapest by Wizz Air last week, with CEO József Váradi hailing it as “an important milestone in the history of the airline”.