17 MAY 2021
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It was not easy to choose one this week as BA’s public relations appointment gained good, mainly positive, coverage. Go to www.btnews.co.uk/article/17589 and see for yourself.
British Airways will be trialling new intelligent queuing technology from Qmatic, that will enable customers to virtually queue at check-in by pre-booking their slot time in advance of arriving at the airport.
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Today is a special day when international travel returns. BTN is honoured by these exclusive words from the Minister for Aviation Robert Courts, MP. Mr Courts, the Member for Whitney & West Oxfordshire since 2016, a barrister, has been Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport since 2020. He previously served on the Parliamentary Select Committee for Transport.
The Club Aspire Lounge at Gatwick North will re-open Friday (21 May) followed by Heathrow T5 the next Tuesday (25 May).
Originally built for production of the A380, the unit at Lagardère on the other side of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport from the main Airbus site, is to become an A321 facility by the end 2022.
Sunday (16 May) saw the opening of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). It runs until Wednesday and virtually 24-26 May. From the UK the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the 'Red' list.
A pandemic might not be the most obvious time to start a new airline. Andrew Levy disagrees. The former CFO of United Airlines has premiered his latest venture, low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines, the first new mainline carrier in the United States for 15 years.
British Airways is the first airline in the world to conduct a trial of an ultra-rapid Covid-19 antigen test that displays results within 25sec.
When will the services commence? That is the question.
At the end of a lengthy press release issued last week to encourage travellers back to the Tube, buses and Overground Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), made a very important statement.
A number of ‘Green’ list countries remain off limits because of entry restrictions David Starkie of CASE reports.
With the restrictions regarding cruising still in place Dame Irene Hays named P&O’s new flagship Iona at Southampton yesterday. Chosen for the customary ship’s christening was Alex James' celebratory cider. No mention of the traditional Scots brew! On her maiden cruise the ship will moor off the Hebridean island after which she is named with a promised party at the late dusk.
A new airline arrives at Heathrow on Thursday 3 June.
With the opening up of Portugal by virtue of the Government’s ‘Traffic Lights' scheme now seemed a fine opportunity to highlight Britain’s oldest ally once again. Editor-at-large Jeff Mills takes a look at the city and beyond.
Not exactly best known for its client relationship Ryanair has launched what it calls its “Customer Advisory Panel”.
Toyota (GB) is spending more than £1m to covertly mark more than 100,000 parts on older cars which could be the target of catalytic converter theft, to help police arrest and charge criminals. The service is free to owners.
The Elizabeth Line (nee Crossrail) is now due to open in the first half of 2022. The £20bn project is four years late but will be a huge boost for London when it is finally delivered.
Amsterdam Schipol Airport has become the first major gateway it claims to switch from X-Ray to CT scanners.
One of London’s major dedicated business aviation airports, Farnborough, has officially introduced its new CEO.
Priority Pass, part of the Collison Group, has added 32 lounges to its portfolio this year in spite of the pandemic. By the end of 2021 it is expecting to have grown by more than 150 offerings.
Ambassador Cruise Line is a brand-new Tilbury-based sea holiday operator planning to set sail next April.
The NHS app vaccine passport will be on-line from today when the ban on foreign travel is eased, but only for those who have had both doses of the jab.
Although the British Overseas Territory of St Helena is on the British Government ‘Green’ list local businesses are unlikely to benefit on the loosening of the rules. Or visitors with it on their ‘bucket list’.
Part of a now 10-strong group that includes properties in Amsterdam, London and Paris, The Hoxton Rome has opened.