4 FEBRUARY 2019
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- ON THE SOAPBOX: David Chapple, The Business Travel Show
- Airlines UK welcomes minister
- Artificial intelligence at Heathrow
- Aviation Club lunches
- CAPA Forum heads for Doha
- Delta-Virgin engine partnership
- Farnborough 2019 scholarship launched
- First for electric airport shuttle
- First passengers for new Eilat Ramon Airport
- Fly on and on with Rolls-Royce
- GWR in performance uplift
- HOP! rebrand by Air France
- Hosted in London
- Istanbul sets full operation date
- Kehoe lands Gulf Air Group top job
- Kimpton outlines more expansion
- KLM Dutch treat for Cardiff
- oneworld comes to London
- Turkish Airlines new routes
- United free live TV launch
- Vegan joins Jet2 menu
- ON TOUR: Auckland
- FEBRUARY CRUISE ISSUE
- AND FINALLY: Heavy landing?
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Farnborough 2019 scholarship launched
The latest TAG Flying Scholarship for 2019 has been launched by TAG Farnborough Airport under the auspices of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots’ scholarship programme.
Istanbul sets full operation date
The new Istanbul Airport (İGA), which opened for limited use in October, has set a new date of 3 March to become fully operational after its entry into full service was twice delayed (BTN 14 January).
ON THE SOAPBOX: David Chapple, The Business Travel Show
David Chapple has been involved with the Business Travel Show for 18 years and oversaw the successful move from Earls Court to the present site. He founded Travel Technology Europe in 2002 and the Business Travel Club in 2009. He was an associate director for the Institute of Travel & Meetings from 2011 to 2013.
Airlines UK welcomes minister
Aviation minister Baroness Sugg assured the industry in a speech at the Airlines UK annual dinner last week of continuing support from the government as she discussed tackling Brexit, airspace modernisation and Heathrow expansion.
Artificial intelligence at Heathrow
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve punctuality at airports is being examined in a trial being conducted by air traffic management service company NATS at its bespoke Digital Tower Laboratory (below) at Heathrow.
CAPA Forum heads for Doha
More than 35 high-level industry experts from across the globe are expected to speak at the first event of its kind in the Middle East, the CAPA Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit, in Doha from 5-6 February.
Delta-Virgin engine partnership
A Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine operated by Delta Air Lines' joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic has returned to service following a repair visit in Delta's new state-of-the-art engine repair facility.
First for electric airport shuttle
A new start-up company is setting out to help the environment by changing the way people reach airports. The company, Driven, is offering zero-emission travel by car with what it claims is the first all-electric airport shuttle in the UK and Europe.
First passengers for new Eilat Ramon Airport
Israel’s first new purpose-built gateway, Ramon International Airport (IATA code ETM / ICAO code LLER), comes into official use today, Monday 4 February, with the arrival of the inugural commercial operation following the official opening last month (BTN 14 January).
GWR in performance uplift
New figures showing a big improvement in the UK’s long-distance train services and long-term investment in infrastructure and rolling stock are starting to pay off have been supported by latest customer satisfaction figures from Great Western (GWR).
Hosted in London
The Business Travel Show (see in this issue) is still accepting applications for hosted buyer places for those who have a travel spend of more than £1m. Show director David Chapple is keen to consider applications. The programme includes free travel and accommodation as well as exclusive conference content and networking opportunities.
oneworld comes to London
In a remarkable turnout, oneworld chief executives came to Landing 42 in the heart of the City of London last Friday (1 February) to celebrate 20 years of the worldwide 14-airline alliance. Hosting the event was Rob Gurney, CEO since August 2016 following a career spanning British Airways, Qantas and Emirates.
ON TOUR: Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand, features in the top five of many bucket lists. Colloquially known as the City of Sails, Auckland is a town that thrives on its relationship with the ocean and is buzzing right now as it prepares for the next America’s Cup race in 2021.
FEBRUARY CRUISE ISSUE
Highlighted this month is the forthcoming London Cruise Show, new ships for 2019 and Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam with the emphasis on disabled passengers. We have a special AND FINALLY to round off this cruise edition.
AND FINALLY: Heavy landing?
If you’re bothered by the fairies at the bottom of your garden, spare a thought for the Corendon Village Hotel in Amsterdam, which is about to have a Boeing B747-400 planted behind it.
Aviation Club lunches
The Aviation Club UK's 2019 lunch programme will launch next Thursday (7 February) with guest speaker Robert Sinclair, CEO London City Airport. He joined LCY in October 2017.
Fly on and on with Rolls-Royce
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the Airbus A330-900 for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) ‘beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time.
HOP! rebrand by Air France
Streamlining within Air France begun by new Air France-KLM Group CEO Benjamin Smith late last year has now reached routes operated by the regional fleet with the airline announcing on Friday it was discarding the HOP! brand.
Kehoe lands Gulf Air Group top job
Gulf Air Group Holding (GFG) has appointed former UK airport senior executive Paul Kehoe CBE as its first CEO, charged with implementing ambitious expansion plans and a unified strategy for the Bahrain government’s aviation assets.
Kimpton outlines more expansion
More details of major worldwide expansion plans, including the UK, by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) US-based boutique brand Kimpton Hotels have been announced following the opening of the Kimpton Fitzroy London (BTN 8 October 2018).
KLM Dutch treat for Cardiff
A five-week eve-of-springtime boost for the Cardiff – Amsterdam service has been announced by KLM from Sunday 24 February to Saturday 30 March, creating more than 8,500 extra seats on the route.
Turkish Airlines new routes
New services to London and Mexico are part of a route expansion at Turkish Airlines coming in following the full opening of the Istanbul New Airport (see this issue).
The Gatwick London service, starting in April, will be the first direct flight between London and Antalya.
United free live TV launch
Just in time for a major year of sport including America’s Super Bowl yesterday, Sunday, United Airlines last week unveiled more than 100 free-to-use channels of live TV free on more than 200 of its Boeing B737s equipped with seatback screens.
Vegan joins Jet2 menu
Spurred on by the latest Veganuary campaign and with more people choosing to remove animal products from their diets, the UK’s third largest airline, Jet2.com, has launched its first inflight vegan meal as it refreshes its onboard menu for 2019.