29 MARCH 2021
YOUR WORDS
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- ON THE SOAPBOX: Deborah Ancell – University of Westminster
- BTN IS FOR SALE
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- A freedom to travel – airline review
- ABTA and the Global Travel Taskforce
- Aer Lingus at Manchester
- Airlines UK report to Taskforce
- BA and the A380
- Delta and WestJet – Progress?
- Dining First Class with BA (at home)
- EBACE confirms dates
- Electrifying speech by SMMT boss
- First Gridserve electric forecourt
- Flying to the Channel Islands
- IAG strengthens liquidity
- Jet Zero Council Takes Off
- Key date 5 April
- Kings Cross train services
- Long-haul low-cost
- National Express returns
- Ryanair press conference
- SMART motorway problems
- Southampton Airport decision
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel available
- ON TOUR: New York – New York
- AND NOT QUITE FINALLY
- AND FINALLY
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LETTER OF THE WEEK
From Anne & Ben Silver of Holborn emphasising the views of many. Wait and see.
National Express returns
The familiar sight of National Express white coaches will return to the UK roads today with the UK’s largest coach operator promising its customers more in 2021.
LATEST TRAVEL COVID UPDATES FROM GOVERNMENT
DO CHECK DAILY. The travel ban varies all the time.
The roadmap dates
ON THE SOAPBOX: Deborah Ancell – University of Westminster
Dr Deborah Ancell researches the economics of the airline industry. Her book "Clipped wings – corporate social and environmental responsibility in the airline industry" challenged many of the uneconomic pressures which push airlines beyond economically-responsible behaviours into the philanthropic social or environmental domains. She obtained her PhD and MSc(Dist) with the support of British Airways and now lectures in economics at the University of Westminster in London.
CORSIA – the hidden airline tax
A freedom to travel – airline review
Yesterday (Sunday 28 March) the BTN team took another look at forward bookings for today to Belfast, and also Thursday 8 April. Bank Holiday Monday is a normal working day for Scotland.
ABTA and the Global Travel Taskforce
Representing the travel and hospitality industry in all its various forms the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has put forward a written submission to the Global Travel Taskforce which outlines its principles and recommends a pragmatic approach for restarting travel.
Airlines UK report to Taskforce
A massive 116-page report has been submitted to the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce.
BA and the A380
British Airways (BA) intends to return its Airbus A380s to service, chief executive Sean Doyle told a virtual Royal Aeronautical Society conference on 15 March. He explained that the A380 “works very well in a number of larger markets.”
Delta and WestJet – Progress?
America’s Delta Airlines and Canada’s WestJet have announced that they are deepening their relationship by expanding the benefits of their frequent flyer rewards programmes (FFP) to eligible customers of both airlines Bernard Lavelle reports.
Flying to the Channel Islands
At the present time the only way to fly to either Guernsey or Jersey is via the limited services of Aurigny and Blue Islands from Southampton.
With the islands in the Common Travel Area (which includes Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales) it is hoped that the many summertime services from regional airports will go ahead as planned.
IAG strengthens liquidity
Beleaguered British Airways' owner, International Airlines Group (AIG), has secured a further £1.3bn in credit through a deal with a syndicate of banks.
Key date 5 April
New laws come into force today (29 March) which could see travellers from England subject to a £5,000 fine if they leave the country without good reason.
Ryanair press conference
Michael O’Leary was in a genial mood as he launched Ryanair’s summer programme 2021, via video into offices and homes last week. He was bullish regarding his airline’s plans for the summer and suggested 80% of 2019 business with over 2,300 weekly flights across 480 routes.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel available
Progress is really being made to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with Centreline AV Ltd, part of the Pula Aviation Services Group, in partnership with Air bp, now offering the fuel of the future from its private terminal (FBO) at Bristol Airport.
BTN IS FOR SALE
Award winning Business Travel News is for sale. Malcolm Ginsberg, founder and editor-in-chief, is now 78 and has decided to retire, or at least step back. He will dispose of BTN completely or act in some form of role using his enormous air industry experience and connections built up over 30 years since his purchase of the then printed Air & Business Travel News (ABTN) in 1990.
Aer Lingus at Manchester
IAG is be hosted at Manchester Airport with a collection of long-routes for this summer.
Dining First Class with BA (at home)
British Airways has come up with a dining scheme suitable for those who want a First Class meal at home, regardless of whether they have flown at the front end of BA, or would like to sample what is on offer.
Electrifying speech by SMMT boss
Last week the SMMT, the UK representative organisation for the motor industry, organised a well-attended video conference introduced by Mike Hawes, CEO of the organisation.
First Gridserve electric forecourt
The first Gridserve electric forecourt is now fully up and running and was the site for the recent launch of the Mazda MX30.
Jet Zero Council Takes Off
Emma Gilthorpe has been appointed CEO of the Government’s Jet Zero Council. She is also chief operating officer (COO) at Heathrow Airport.
Kings Cross train services
Monday 12 April may be the day when hospitality opens and people will be thinking of getting out and visiting friends and relatives around the country, but if you are planning to use the East Coast Main Line the following weekend have another think.
SMART motorway problems
A review of the new “Smart” Motorways has been ordered by the transport secretary after the death of a women on the M1 in South Yorkshire.
Southampton Airport decision
April date for final ruling.
Plans to extend Southampton Airport’s single runway by 164m to allow the operation of the larger Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737 types have been put on hold following a decision by a local council committee not to support a go-ahead decision by its own officers.