14 SEPTEMBER 2020
- The Foreign Office Travel Guidelines
- COMMENT: Willie Walsh’s late departure
- Air Astana and Lufthansa connect
- Alex Cruz goes live
- All change at Waterside
- Battle of Britain Air Show
- BBGA Webinar
- Catering back on Eurostar
- Etihad in Israel
- Hampton by Hilton London Ealing
- Heathrow gets new UK domestic route
- Holland-Kaye on Sky
- Luis Gallego starts at Waterside
- More funds for IAG airlines
- OAG capacity report
- Parliament and business travel
- Recaro seats and Covid-19
- Savoy reopens
- Thomas Cook returns?
- US and passenger Covid screening
- Virgin to Pakistan
- Wizz UK expansion
- ON TOUR: Golf and motor racing. They do mix.
- SEPTEMBER ROAD TEST – Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
- AND FINALLY: A history of motor racing
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Catering back on Eurostar
Eurostar, the high-speed rail link between the UK and mainland Europe, is reinstating its full on-board catering offer following changes made due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Foreign Office Travel Guidelines
This is the up to date current list as issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
COMMENT: Willie Walsh’s late departure
Was the Rod Eddington appointment of Willie Walsh the correct one at the time?
Alex Cruz goes live
Next Wednesday (09:30) Alex Cruz, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, part of IAG, will be live online as he appears before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee. https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/a0c71083-bc4e-4337-913b-872878116350
All change at Waterside
IAG’s Chief Executive Willie Walsh finally stepped down last week following the AGM. His departure had been delayed from March as he attempted to deal with serious staff unrest following the closure of its Gatwick operation for the whole of the summer, threatening the London City services, and making massive redundancies.
Etihad in Israel
Whilst no firm services have been announced between Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi International the travel trade has been building up expectations of connection travel through the UAE hub.
Heathrow gets new UK domestic route
Today sees the introduction of a new regional service from Teesside to Heathrow (T2) initially with a single lunchtime return flight.
Luis Gallego starts at Waterside
IAG has a new Chief Executive following the departure of Willie Walsh.
More funds for IAG airlines
IAG, the parent company of British Airways, has launched a €2.74bn rights issue raising fresh money from existing shareholders including 25.1% shareholder Qatar Airways. This is fully underwritten by a group of banks which ensures that IAG receives the funds even if the share price falls.
Parliament and business travel
Following the success of the General Aviation group at Westminster (APPG-GA) members in both Houses have now created a similar collective to cover business travel.
Virgin to Pakistan
With Pakistan International Airlines still banned from Europe (see BTN 24 August) Virgin Atlantic has confirmed new services to both Lahore and Islamabad from Heathrow, and Islamabad from Manchester.
Wizz UK expansion
Whilst clearly not oblivious to what is going on elsewhere Wizz Air UK continues to lay down markers and expand its British operations.
ON TOUR: Golf and motor racing. They do mix.
Castle Combe is one of the prettiest villages in the whole of England.
SEPTEMBER ROAD TEST – Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
Fancy a very, very, fast and aggressive sports saloon with just about room for five, a true Italian Express. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio could be just that car.
Air Astana and Lufthansa connect
With its own Heathrow services temporarily on hold, Air Astana has teamed with Lufthansa to offer departure times optimised to meet its arrivals into Frankfurt from Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester. 
Battle of Britain Air Show
Duxford this coming weekend has been cancelled due to new Government rules concerning Covid-19. Other crowd-pulling events also have been negated.
BBGA Webinar
The leading group for business aircraft operations in the United Kingdom, BBGA, is holding a webinar to discuss the impact of Brexit on the aviation industry.
Hampton by Hilton London Ealing
Now open is the Hampton by Hilton London Ealing, situated on the Uxbridge Road about half a mile from Ealing Broadway station and its connection to Heathrow.
Holland-Kaye on Sky
Following his words on Zoom to the Aviation Club, Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye is clearly seeking every opportunity to emphasise the crisis situation the airlines and airports are in, and the effect on the nation.
OAG capacity report
Now available, the OAG seat capacity report compares August to September and provides a fine review of the current airline/airport situation.
Recaro seats and Covid-19
German airline seat manufacturer Recaro, always an innovative organisation, (see BTN 9 March) has come up with a low-cost Covid-19 seat protection scheme.
Savoy reopens
One of London’s great hotels, The Savoy, will re-open on Thursday 24 September.
Thomas Cook returns?
It could well be that the name Thomas Cook, meaning travel, might well be back for the Christmas holiday booking season.
US and passenger Covid screening
The United States is reportedly ending heightened coronavirus screening of inbound passengers at airports.