20 APRIL 2020
YOUR WORDS
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- SOAPBOX SPECIAL – Aviation Minister Kelly Tolhurst
- Blue Islands wins lifeline route
- British Airways
- Eastern Airways
- easy it's not, at Luton
- Loganair
- Virgin Atlantic
- ABTA on refunds
- Air Astana in Heathrow move
- Air Canada in faceguard decision
- Air cargo co-ordination
- American airlines get cash
- CAA criticized by general aviation group
- CityJet grounded
- Dubai tests for COVID-19
- Emirates flies on
- Etihad re-start plans
- Heathrow update
- HS2 go-head
- Stansted runway makeover
- VINCI airports first quarter
- ON TOUR: Chris Tarry - What next?
- AND FINALLY
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© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
CityJet grounded
The Dublin-based wet-lease airline CityJet has entered the Irish equivalent of Chapter 11 or what is known in the UK as a voluntary arrangement.
Dubai tests for COVID-19
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) last Thursday tested all passengers for COVID-19 on an Emirates flight to Tunisia. This is thought to be the first time ever that all travellers on an air service have been examined for the pandemic. It is expected to become a standard happening.
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Please note the airlines listed in the right hand column operate scheduled flights. For other carriers visit Airlines UK.
THE WEEKLY VIDEO - BTN invites registered readers to send in a travel related video of around three minutes to go on the web site for the next Monday’s publication. The choice of submissions will be down to the editor. info@btnews.co.uk
SOAPBOX SPECIAL – Aviation Minister Kelly Tolhurst
"It’s a matter of weeks since I had the honour of being appointed aviation minister.
Yet since then, the entire industry has changed beyond recognition.
Air Astana in Heathrow move
Heathrow Terminal 2 will be the home of Air Astana when its London flights are resumed. They are currently stood down.
Air Canada in faceguard decision
Following Transport Canada's directive, Air Canada is to follow the recommendations of the Minister for Transport Marc Garneau.
Air cargo co-ordination
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has renewed its calls for a coordinated approach among governments to keep air cargo flowing. It says delays in permit approvals, quarantine measures for air cargo crew and not enough support on the ground continue to hamper the movement of cargo flights carrying vital medical supplies and other necessities.
American airlines get cash
Ten US airlines have agreed to the US Treasury Department's bailout terms, including loans which must be repaid.
Emirates flies on
If you have booked with Emirates either to Dubai or on a connecting flight the airline is making it very easy for passengers to either re-book, or get their money back.
Etihad re-start plans
Subject to UAE government-imposed travel restrictions being lifted on passenger travel, Etihad plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from 1 May to 30 June, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves.
Heathrow update
March passenger numbers at Heathrow shrunk by 52% compared to the same time last year, as the UK entered lockdown. Many of the 3m journeys made were repatriations, following travel restrictions across markets as well as advice against all but essential travel from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
HS2 go-head
Described by Government as "Britain’s new railway", High Speed 2 (HS2) has been formally given a go-ahead with the issue of a ‘Notice to proceed’ by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Stansted runway makeover
The engineering team at Stansted is using the unprecedented grounding of aircraft across the globe as a unique opportunity to move planned overnight runway maintenance works to daytime hours.
ON TOUR: Chris Tarry - What next?
With a background that includes membership of the 'Vision 2050' Group, established by the director general of IATA to consider the future of the airline industry, Chris Tarry shares his views with BTN readers (and do comment in OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS at the end of this feature – Editor). He writes a monthly column for Airline Business Magazine and is a visiting professor at Coventry University as well as lecturing and commenting on industry issues.
AND FINALLY
BTN would like to remind readers that we are not immune from COVID-19 jokes.
Blue Islands wins lifeline route
As the unprecedented COVID-19 situation continues and only essential travel is now permitted, the Government of Jersey has contracted with Blue Islands to maintain lifeline links between Jersey and the UK. Initially the airline, owned by Healthspan Group, will provide a three times weekly service between the island and Southampton.
British Airways
BTN is pleased to publish BA’s expected Heathrow long-haul programme from Routes on Line. These cannot be verified as the Communications Department failed to respond to enquiries. The European operation does not appear to be available. Customers of the airline have had the same problem.
Eastern Airways
Privately-owned by Richard Lake, Eastern Airways, based at Humberside Airport, continues to fly a limited scheduled programme with contract and ad-hoc charters, a large part of the company’s business for many years.
easy it's not, at Luton
EasyJet is into another fight between its principal shareholder (34%), Monaco-based Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and chief executive Swede Johan Lundgren.
Loganair
Scotland’s airline Loganair continues to fly approximately 50% of its aircraft fleet across a combination of scheduled services, Royal Mail, services for other airlines and charter flights for the oil and gas industry.
Virgin Atlantic
New York JFK is the sole flight today by Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow T3.
ABTA on refunds
The travel industry trade organisation, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), has published further guidance for members and customers, on holiday amendments and refunds, as the industry continues to wait for the Government to provide clarity and support from its side.
CAA criticized by general aviation group
Westminster’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG) has written to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) complaining about the way important regulatory exemptions have been communicated to the public.
VINCI airports first quarter
As owner of Gatwick and Belfast airports in the United Kingdom, and over 40 others around the world, including Lisbon (Portugal) and Orlando (Florida – United States) VINCI Airports says that that passenger throughput fell by 20.9% in the first quarter of 2020 with far worst to come.