21 JANUARY 2019
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- COMMENT: The priority paradox
- Aer Lingus unveils new livery
- Airports warned over parking
- Amsterdam boost for Aberdeen
- BA boost for Premium Economy
- Biofuel world first for Etihad
- Boeing/Airbus deliveries on track
- Boom moves to next stage
- Bristol plans free drop-off zone
- Eurostar third daily to Amsterdam
- Flybe update
- Fresh hope for Plymouth Airport
- Hampton joins Frankfurt Airport hotels
- Hong Kong Airport revamp
- New Trains for London City
- Next step for Stansted terminal
- Radisson Blu grows in Abu Dhabi
- Royal Brunei adds Brisbane
- SIA extends meal pre-ordering
- Sinclair to speak at Aviation Club
- Southend Airport in expansion mode
- ON TOUR: Amadeus Media Day
- AND FINALLY: Mind your manners
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Amsterdam boost for Aberdeen
Flights to one of Aberdeen International Airport’s top destinations are increasing this summer with KLM bringing in an additional daily flight to Amsterdam, making the total five a day.
COMMENT: The priority paradox
Like many travellers, BTN is fed up with the growing confusion over bag policies and priority boarding.
Aer Lingus unveils new livery
A long-awaited airline new look took to the stage in Dublin on Thursday as Aer Lingus unveiled a new livery, replacing a design in use for 20 years. Star of the show was an Airbus A300-300 showing the changes, including an updated shamrock logo.
BA boost for Premium Economy
Big improvements including a new “dining experience” for passengers travelling in British Airways’ premium economy cabin, World Traveller Plus, were unveiled by the airline last week as part of its current £6.5bn investment plan.
Boeing/Airbus deliveries on track
Aircraft manufacturing rivals Boeing and Airbus scored a near-draw in delivery numbers last year, with the US company slightly ahead with a record 806 commercial aircraft and Airbus announcing a total of 800.
Boom moves to next stage
America’s leading contender for the Son of Concorde title, Boom Supersonic, has raised $100m from investors to move to the next stage of development for a Mach 2.2 commercial jet.
Eurostar third daily to Amsterdam
A third daily direct service between London and Amsterdam and Rotterdam is being introduced by Eurostar from 11 June in response to what the company says is the popularity of its new Netherlands route which launched in April last year.
Flybe update
The future of Flybe is still confused after a hedge fund which now holds 19% of the shares is threatening an injunction to stop the sale (see COMMENT last week).
Hong Kong Airport revamp
A number of boarding gates and parking stands at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) are being renumbered in March to help passengers find their way with the introduction of a Sky Bridge to connect Terminal 1 and the North Satellite Concourse (NSC).
New Trains for London City
A contract to supply a fleet of new trains for London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR), an important link to London City Airport, is expected to be signed “in a few months”, Transport for London (TfL) said last week.
Next step for Stansted terminal
Plans for Stansted’s new £150m arrivals terminal have taken a major step forward with the appointment of Mace as the main contractor. Work on the 39,000sq m building is due to start this spring with completion in autumn 2020.
Radisson Blu grows in Abu Dhabi
Two properties have joined the Radisson Blu portfolio in Abu Dhabi, with the arrival of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche along the sea walk and the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Al Ain in the Garden City.
SIA extends meal pre-ordering
A new service enabling passengers travelling in Suites, First Class and Business Class from anywhere in its global network to pre-order main courses from the inflight menus has been introduced by Singapore Airlines (SIA).
ON TOUR: Amadeus Media Day
Just before the holidays, Business Travel News visited the impressive Madrid headquarters of Amadeus, a company that most of us in the travel industry have heard about but are not sure just where it fits. The occasion brought together travel technology journalists from all over Europe keen to learn more and hear about a largely-unheralded but major player in the air travel scene.
AND FINALLY: Mind your manners
As if travel is not fraught enough, eating-out overseas is a minefield for Brits, according to research for tailor-made holiday specialist Travelbag.
Airports warned over parking
Airport drop-off parking providers were warned of growing pressure last week after it was reported airline passengers are more likely to travel by car or taxi to catch flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton than they were seven years ago.
Biofuel world first for Etihad
An Abu Dhabi-based energy research group last week hailed Etihad Airways for achieving the world’s first commercial flight using biofuel made in the UAE. The flight by a Boeing B787 Dreamliner was from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam.
Bristol plans free drop-off zone
Calls for action from local communities have led Bristol Airport to agree as part of expansion plans to open an on-site waiting area for taxis alongside a free drop-off facility for private vehicles.
Fresh hope for Plymouth Airport
Campaigners fighting to save Plymouth Airport say they are optimistic about the future after a planning inspector reported she was “not minded to modify” Plymouth City Council’s policies in the Joint Local Plan safeguarding the airport for aviation use.
Hampton joins Frankfurt Airport hotels
Business facilities have been boosted at Frankfurt Airport with the opening of a hotel located in the new business district, Gateway Gardens, directly connected to Terminals 1 and 2 and only a 20min drive from the city.
Royal Brunei adds Brisbane
Passengers on the UK – Australia “Boomerang Route” will have a new way to travel from 11 June when Royal Brunei Airlines begins flights between its home base and Brisbane for the first time since 2011. The non-stop service will be Airbus A320neo.
Sinclair to speak at Aviation Club
The Aviation Club begins its 2019 lunch programme on Thursday 7 February with London City Airport CEO Robert Sinclair as guest speaker. Formerly CEO at Bristol Airport, he joined LCY in October 2017.
Southend Airport in expansion mode
Expansion plans for Southend Airport (SEN) over the next 12 months were outlined by owner Stobart Group last week as it celebrated with local and regional businesses and key stakeholders the 10th anniversary of acquiring the airport.