5 APRIL 2021
YOUR WORDS
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- MONDAY UPDATE BY THE PM & COMMENT
- ON THE SOAPBOX: Willie Walsh – chairman and chief executive, IATA
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Travel News Update by Aspire
- Air Canada and Air Transat deal collapses
- Airline bookings. A preview
- Alaska Air officially joins oneworld
- Bamboo Airways into Heathrow
- Birmingham boom
- Boeings for Norse Atlantic
- Cessna SkyCourier
- Driving on the Continent
- Heathrow for JetBlue
- IATA praises antigen tests
- Ibis Bridgwater
- International travel – complete the form
- MG in iconic breakthrough
- United into JFK
- Visit Guernsey
- Which? and motorway service stations
- World’s largest aero engine
- ZeroAvia
- APRIL CRUISE NEWS
- AND FINALLY
The Business Travel News
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LETTER OF THE WEEK
The editor-in-chief says that there is no “Letter of the Week” this week as he has been overwhelmed by the favourable comment to his retirement suggestion. In the meantime he soldiers on. BTN IS FOR SALE. Comments still welcome.
Ibis Bridgwater
Driving to Cornwall this summer? What about stopping at Bridgwater to view and try out the latest Ibis global concept.
LATEST TRAVEL COVID UPDATES FROM GOVERNMENT
DO CHECK DAILY. The travel ban varies all the time. Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines will be added to the list 04:00 Friday 9 April.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Willie Walsh – chairman and chief executive, IATA
Best known as CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG) retiring in September 2020 after serving as CEO since its inception in 2011, Willie Walsh was CEO of British Airways (2005-2011) and CEO of Aer Lingus (2001-2005). He began his career in aviation at Aer Lingus in 1979 as a cadet pilot.
Airline bookings. A preview
Following our review of forward bookings in last week’s issue, BTN has now taken a look at the booking situation for a typical day (Wednesday 28 July) from London to Belfast, New York and Palma Nova Majorca.
Alaska Air officially joins oneworld
Oneworld has a 14th full member – Alaska Air. The airline had received a formal invitation to join the global alliance in July 2020.
Bamboo Airways into Heathrow
Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways has secured slots to operate flights to operate into London’s Heathrow airport.
Birmingham boom
It may not be well known in the United Kingdom but AnadoluJet, founded in 2008, is a low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, operating 41 Boeing 737-800s in a 180-seat configuration.
Boeings for Norse Atlantic
Norse Atlantic Airways, as featured in last week’s BTN has quickly leased nine Boeing 787s from AerCap according to Flight Global.
IATA praises antigen tests
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests in fulfilment of Covid-19 testing requirements following the publication of new research by Oxera and Edge Health, two British specialist consultancies.
International travel – complete the form
The British Government is being extremely zealous regarding the Covid-19 rules and regulations.
United into JFK
After nearly six years United Airlines is back at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), operating direct service to the airline's west coast hubs – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
ZeroAvia
British Airways has invested in ZeroAvia – a leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation – in an effort to accelerate the development of 50+ seater aircraft capable of running on zero emissions hydrogen-electric power.
APRIL CRUISE NEWS
As this issue of Business Travel News is published (Monday 5 April) the British cruise industry waits with bated breath to see what the Prime Minister has to say in terms of international holidays later on today, and the results of the deliberations of the Global Aviation Taskforce on Monday 12 April. Deep-sea cruising is currently banned but from Monday 17 May hospitality is allowed and so is cruising in domestic waters. (See in this week’s BTN MONDAY UPDATE BY THE PM)
Travel News Update by Aspire
The April Travel News Update (TNU) by Aspire, the sister publication of Business Travel News, was published last week, essentially aimed at the business and leisure traveller passing through the 50 Aspire airport lounges around the globe.
Air Canada and Air Transat deal collapses
It is not a real surprise but the Air Canada takeover of Air Transat has collapsed, one of the largest aviation casualties of Covid-19.
Cessna SkyCourier
Textron Aviation's Cessna 408 SkyCourier turboprop, seen as a potential competitor to the ubiquitous DHC Twin Otter, is making significant milestones as it begins a flight test phase certification programme.
Driving on the Continent
If you are a Brit living abroad, or indeed resident in the UK but planning a driving trip on the Continent, the rules have changed.
Heathrow for JetBlue
JetBlue Airways appears to have secured 270 slots at London’s Heathrow airport for the summer travel season, as it launches low-cost transatlantic narrow-body services from the US East Coast.
MG in iconic breakthrough
One of the world’s great sports car brands is about to reveal it is thinking for the future at the Shanghai Auto Show 21-28 April.
Visit Guernsey
The Bailiwick of Guernsey has been virtually free of Covicd-19 for most of the last year due to the strictest border controls in the British Isles, with the exception of the Isle Man.
Life has gone on much as usual except for the lack of visitors and the resultant collapse of the holiday business.
Which? and motorway service stations
Gloucester and Tebay services have been named Britain’s best service stations, while Bridgwater, Somerset, has been ranked the worst, according to a new survey from Which?
World’s largest aero engine
Rolls-Royce has officially started building the world’s largest aero-engine, ‘UltraFan’, which will help redefine sustainable air travel for decades to come.