22 JUNE 2020
- COMMENT: Passports + London City Airport
- London City reopens. Just?
- Air France-KLM
- Australian lockdown
- Belfast to Scotland
- Business Aviation in Home Office row
- EasyJet gets airborne
- ExCeL re-opening
- Green number plates
- Icelandair takes off
- Jet2 news
- London congestion charges
- Luton minus easyJet
- Manchester passenger timeslots
- More aircraft parking space
- National Express re-starts
- No passports on Eurostar
- Shapps on Parade
- Spain opens – but?
- Travel insurance & Covid-19
- Travelodge
- ON TOUR: Virgin Atlantic – A Short History
- AND FINALLY: The 'Dirty Tricks' campaign
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Green number plates
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that green number plates are set to be rolled out from autumn as part of the Government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
COMMENT: Passports + London City Airport
In its many years of publication Business Travel News has never used the COMMENT feature to cover two unconnected stories. Times are different. This week we highlight a pair of BTN news items that have no link, although one would not work without the other.
Business Aviation in Home Office row
In what only can be described at best ‘a slight’ the complaints department of the Home Office, in the form of a clerk, has replied to a detailed letter on the 14-day quarantine rule from the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) to Minister Priti Patel, merely directing the Association to Government policy.
EasyJet gets airborne
Gatwick Airport celebrated last Monday (15 June) with the re-opening of its North Terminal and the return of easyJet into the air.
ExCeL re-opening
Business event organisers are hoping to soon resume shows at a re-opened ExCeL London, including the British-Irish Airports EXPO for which BTN is the official media partner.
Icelandair takes off
Boston (USA) is a major benefactor as Iceland officially re-opens its borders for tourists with a twice daily service from Heathrow connecting with the Boston flights in both directions. Icelandair’s flight schedule will be revised on 1 July, possibly adding further destinations.
Jet2 news
Wednesday 15 July should see the LeedsBradford Airport holiday airline getting back into the air in its latest revision of flight plans.
Luton minus easyJet
Rumour has it that easyJet will start flying from Luton Airport, its home base, on Wednesday 1 July. It already has limited services out of Gatwick, its largest operation (see in this issue). Ryanair has not announced a date.
Shapps on Parade
Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, will be interrogated by the House of Commons Transport Committee next Wednesday 24 June (10:30 Parliament Channel).
Spain opens – but?
British tourists can enter Spain from today but there is a noticeable caveat.
ON TOUR: Virgin Atlantic – A Short History
Last week John Bell for Business Travel News reminded us that today 22 June celebrates the 36th birthday of Virgin Atlantic Airways. PLEASE SEE AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE VIRGIN ATLANTIC'S CURRENT BOOKING AVAILABILITY.
Air France-KLM
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, Air France (AF) has been adapting its network and flight schedule in line with travel restrictions and demand.
Australian lockdown
Qantas has cancelled all international flights until late October, with the possible exception of routes to and from New Zealand.
Belfast to Scotland
Loganair has announced the addition of Glasgow to its portfolio of Scottish destinations from George Best Belfast City Airport.
London congestion charges
From today in London the Congestion Charge will temporarily increase to £15, operate 07:00-22:00 seven days a week and the residents’ discount will be closed to new applicants on 1 August.
Manchester passenger timeslots
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is to trial free 15min pre-booked security slots as part of a new standard for safe air travel.
More aircraft parking space
Tarmac Aerosave, the aircraft engineering group recently featured in BTN has opened a fourth site at Paris-Vatry Airport (XCR), in the Grand Est region (France).
National Express re-starts
The UK’s largest coach operator will restart services on its national network of intercity routes at a reduced frequency on Wednesday 1 July, with significant new measures in place to allow customers to travel with confidence.
No passports on Eurostar
According to a report in The Times, Eurostar plans to introduce no-passport St Pancras arrivals next year.
Travel insurance & Covid-19
Covid-19 insurance is to be covered by holiday giant Trailfinders effective today.