28 OCTOBER 2019
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- COMMENT: Blue Badge controversy
- 60m-passenger target for Hamad International
- Accessibility championed at awards
- Air New Zealand abandons London
- Another big US order for Airbus
- Anti-drone task force welcomed
- BA, Virgin all change for winter
- Boost for regions from TUI
- Cardiff to London in 93min
- Delays hit B777X deliveries
- Duffel in online booking shake-up
- Four Points brand arrives in Doha
- Heads roll as Boeing is criticised
- Heathrow heads for record
- IAG concern at Airbus hold-up
- Iberia seals China deal with Hainan
- Largest business jet unveiled
- Low fares for Heathrow Express
- Luxury lounge plan for Newcastle
- Sharm El-Sheikh restrictions lifted
- Winter caution for Air France KLM
- ON TOUR: Hayling Island and Sinah Warren
- AND FINALLY: Nice try
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Four Points brand arrives in Doha
Marriott International has opened the first hotel under its Four Points By Sheraton brand in Doha with a convenient location close to the Hamad International Airport and city centre.
COMMENT: Blue Badge controversy
BTN editor-in-chief Malcolm Ginsberg was "troubled" last week by a motorist displaying a Blue Badge which allows parking for the disabled. The behaviour of this person was less than expected in a civilised society.
Accessibility championed at awards
Thirteen awards have been handed out in a first-of-its-kind ceremony at the Langham London hotel aimed at recognising venues and businesses with a stylish approach to accessibility.
Air New Zealand abandons London
Nearly 40 years of aviation history will end next year after Air New Zealand said last week it was withdrawing from its daily London – Los Angeles service from October 2020 and installing a New York – Auckland link instead.
Anti-drone task force welcomed
Pilots have welcomed the government’s announcement of a new national counter-drone force to be set up by the Home Office with the capability to “detect and destroy” the machines as necessary.
BA, Virgin all change for winter
With the official start of the winter flying season yesterday, Sunday, and alterations to airline timetables and schedules, British Airways has switched seven flights between Heathrow terminals.
Cardiff to London in 93min
A new Cardiff – London Paddington speed record has been set by train operator Great Western Railway with its bullet-style Intercity Express Train (IET) as it prepares for the introduction of a new timetable.
Delays hit B777X deliveries
First deliveries of the Boeing B777-9 to Emirates are not now expected before 2021, according to the airline’s president, Tim Clark, speaking at a Dubai conference and later confirmed by the manufacturer.
Duffel in online booking shake-up
British travel tech company Duffel is expected to announce today it has raised $30m from investors to launch a new booking platform with some of the world’s biggest carriers including American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa Group and Iberia.
Heads roll as Boeing is criticised
Top jobs at Boeing have been reshuffled as the company deals with the aftermath of the B737 MAX affair, which took a further turn on Friday when Boeing was criticised by the official report into last year's Lion Air accident that started the crisis.
Heathrow heads for record
Results published last week for the nine months ended 30 September show Heathrow on track for a ninth consecutive year of growth with a record 61m passengers, an increase of 0.7%, travelling through the airport already this year.
IAG concern at Airbus hold-up
Concerns over aircraft delivery disruption were reported last week to have spread to Airbus after International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh said the company was "upset" over delays to the A321-200neo(LR) for Aer Lingus.
Sharm El-Sheikh restrictions lifted
Restrictions imposed four years ago on flights to Sharm El-Sheikh were lifted by the government last week.
ON TOUR: Hayling Island and Sinah Warren
Thinking of a quiet seaside holiday place, within 100 miles of London and not on the British mainland?
AND FINALLY: Nice try
While making absolutely no comment about a certain Rugby World Cup score at the weekend, and despite a certain airline saying farewell to London (see this issue), BTN feels duty bound to hail the latest Air New Zealand inflight safety video.
60m-passenger target for Hamad International
A 10,000sq m indoor tropical garden in a central concourse and a 268sq m water feature as the focal point are part of major expansion plans revealed last week for Doha’s Hamad International Airport.
Another big US order for Airbus
In a further step forward for Airbus on the UK market, Florida-based Spirit Airlines has signed an MOU for up to 100 A320neo-family aircraft. The agreement also covers options to purchase up to 50 more.
Boost for regions from TUI
In a major boost for UK regional airports in the aftermath of the Thomas Cook collapse, an additional 2m seats are being offered by TUI for next summer while creating jobs for more than 100 pilots and over 200 cabin crew.
Iberia seals China deal with Hainan
Spain and China have moved a little closer after Iberia last week announced a new codeshare agreement with Hainan Airlines, giving Iberia passengers a direct route from Madrid to Shenzhen.
Largest business jet unveiled
NBAA-BACE, rolled into Las Vegas last week and did not disappoint with the unveiling of the industry’s new flagship and world’s largest business jet, the Gulfstream G700, among the highlights, writes Alison Chambers.
Low fares for Heathrow Express
A new low-price regime has been brought in by the Heathrow Express service between London Paddington station and the airport, with a £5.50 ticket now available every day of the week.
Luxury lounge plan for Newcastle
High-end hospitality as well as “fantastic views” of the runway are being promised to users of a new luxury lounge at Newcastle International Airport (NCL). Construction is due to start shortly and the facility is set to open in time for next summer.
Winter caution for Air France KLM
A modest average increase in capacity of 2.5% for winter 2019-2020, most of it on the long-haul network, was announced by Air France KLM last week. Long-haul is increasing by 4% while medium- and short-haul operations will be cut by 2%.