3 AUGUST 2020
YOUR WORDS
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- ON THE SOAPBOX: Edwina Lonsdale - Mundy Cruising
- Travel Corridors
- 747 production to end
- A Spanish boss for IAG
- Airlines write to the PM
- Al Baker speaks out
- Aviation Minister to open Airport Expo
- BALPA – BA deal announced
- BBC and Walsh
- Berlin airports and Covid-19
- British Airways and Gatwick
- Business Travel Association “Cares”
- Catering for the airlines
- Common Travel Area
- Farnborough “A success”
- Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
- Heathrow and Covid-19
- Len McCluskey and Alex Cruz in BA spat
- Newquay to Heathrow
- Russia with Wizz
- Yotel opens in central London
- ON TOUR: SAGA discovered
- AUGUST CRUISE ISSUE: FCO guidelines
- The Cruise Lines on the Web
- AND FINALLY: Phone for your food
- A special cruise industry AND FINALLY EXTRA
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747 production to end
Tucked away in pretty dismal results last Wednesday was the indication that Boeing 747-8 production would be completed in 2022 referring back to previous announcements.
Al Baker speaks out
Speaking on the latest Aviation Week Network webinar, Qatar Airways CEO His Excellency Akbar Al Baker says full-service carriers will prevail in the Gulf region.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Edwina Lonsdale - Mundy Cruising
Edwina Lonsdale is the owner and Managing Director of Mundy Cruising, the UK’s oldest cruise-only retailer, specialising in luxury holidays afloat and celebrating its 50th year in October.
A ‘lifer’ in the cruise industry, Edwina has a unique perspective, with 40 years’ experience in cruise retail and representation.
Travel Corridors
Here is a list of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate.
A Spanish boss for IAG
Another Spanish chairman has been confirmed with Antonio Vazquez stepping down from IAG, the airline group which includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Level.
Airlines write to the PM
Nearly 50 airline and airport bosses have signed a letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him to replace blanket quarantine measures for high-risk countries per se, with ‘bubble areas’ typically the Balearics and Majorca where the infection rate is very low.
Aviation Minister to open Airport Expo
Confirming its understanding of the serious situation with the aviation industry under present circumstances the UK government has chosen the British-Irish Airports Expo 5/6 October as the showcase event to launch its commitment to the important conference, exhibitions and events market. The present rules are relaxed from 1 October.
BALPA – BA deal announced
Late on Friday evening (31 July) the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) announced that members have voted to accept a deal it had negotiated with British Airways.
BBC and Walsh
Following the London Stock Exchange announcement regarding IAG’s last three months results (see this week's BTN) the airline group's Chief Executive Willie Walsh was interviewed by BBC reporter Ben Thompson outside British Airways Harmondsworth HQ. It focussed on BA.
Business Travel Association “Cares”
With the unprecedented problems associated in the area The Business Travel Association (BTA) is introducing “BTA Cares” – an initiative designed to support members of the business travel community who have been furloughed or made redundant as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Len McCluskey and Alex Cruz in BA spat
If you were wondering how the discussions between the Unite union and British Airways (BA) were going, given that BA pilots have secured a deal (as noted in this issue) with the airline to minimise job cuts, the answer seems to be “could be better”.
Unite has published this letter from the General Secretary to the Chief Executive.
ON TOUR: SAGA discovered
Saga has been in the cruise business since 1997 steadily building up a fine reputation as a leader in the market for the over 50s, a very profitable sister operation to its land-based holiday products.
AUGUST CRUISE ISSUE: FCO guidelines
Please self-update on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel guidance for cruise ships shown below.
The Cruise Lines on the Web
Here is a list of sea and river cruise lines offering a service for UK customers.
A special cruise industry AND FINALLY EXTRA
Where do you think that Virgin Cruises Scarlett Lady is now?
Last seen in Miami!
Berlin airports and Covid-19
Air travellers returning to Berlin from high risk pandemic areas can now volunteer for testing at Tegel and Schoenfeld airports.
British Airways and Gatwick
Gatwick’s North Terminal is again the home for British Airways at the South London airport.
Catering for the airlines
Were you aware that there are four specialist companies on the periphery of Heathrow that supply catering to the airlines and the 70m passengers who normally flow through?
Common Travel Area
If you are arriving from within the Common Travel Area (CTA), that is Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands and have been in the CTA for the last 14 days before entering the UK, you will not need to complete the Public Health passenger locator form or self-isolate.
Farnborough “A success”
Last week should have been the biennial Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), that headlong rush to rural Hampshire to see and talk about the latest in civil aviation. The military take part too.
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
Just completed is the renovation of the conference and banqueting spaces of the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. The 5-star property is situated in rolling countryside about five minutes from Junction 5 of the M3, about halfway between Heathrow and Southampton airports.
Newquay to Heathrow
A contract has been issued by Cornwall County Council for the operation of a public service obligation (PSO) by British Airways air route between Newquay (NQY) and Heathrow (LHR) airports.
Russia with Wizz
Wizz Air is to restart its Russian routes from Luton to Moscow and St Petersburg from 15 August it has been announced. However the country is not on the Foreign Office (FCO) list of quarantine exempt countries and territories.
Yotel opens in central London
Best known in the UK for its somewhat basic accommodation at Gatwick and Heathrow airports Yotel has opened a 212-room property in Clerkenwell, at a very central location just a few hundred yards from Farringdon Underground.