5 JULY 2021
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- ON THE SOAPBOX: Huw Merriman MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee at the House of Commons
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Aer Lingus problems
- American celebrates to London
- Aspire and No 1 Lounges
- BA flies zero carbon
- Bombardier is busy
- British Airways domestic schedules
- Brits banned from Hong Kong
- EU to scrutinise IAG/Air Europa takeover
- Flying Car Progress
- Fred Olsen sails again
- Gatwick and British Airways
- Guernsey promotes
- Hertz Chapter 11 ends
- Hyatt Place London City East
- Ibis expands in UK
- KLM destinations in Africa
- M5 stopover
- Massive United aircraft order
- Qatar Airways new Business Class
- Ryanair June figures
- JULY CRUISE NEWS
- AND FINALLY
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LETTER OF THE WEEK
The Cromwell Green event really did have impact and keeps getting repeated on TV. The letters tell their own tale.
Hyatt Place London City East
The first Hyatt Place hotel in Central London has opened.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Huw Merriman MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee at the House of Commons
Huw Merryman (47), the Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, has been Chair of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee from January 2020, having been a member since September 2015 soon after he was elected to the House. He studied law at Durham University before qualifying as a barrister. His last legal role was as Managing Director of a team of lawyers tasked with unwinding the Lehman Brothers' European estate following the financial services firm's collapse in 2008. He has proved to be an astute leader of a non-partisan group during one of the most extraordinary Parliaments of all time.
Aer Lingus problems
Speaking to the Reuters news agency Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, Lynne Embleton, said that she needs several hundred million Euros in additional liquidity due to continuous disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She does not expect the easing of Irish travel curbs to provide significant relief.
American celebrates to London
Last week should have been party time for American Airlines (AA), again the world’s largest airline. Circumstances did not allow for celebrations.
BA flies zero carbon
It may have been a cargo flight but British Airways has completed its first-ever net zero carbon flight with fuel provided by a mix of sustainably sourced waste materials such as cooking oil. BA has ordered 1.2m litres of the fuel.
British Airways domestic schedules
Newquay Cornwall Airport has welcomed a limited British Airways service from Heathrow this summer but it stops at the end of the season according to the airline.
Brits banned from Hong Kong
Hong Kong has banned passenger arrivals from the UK.
Gatwick and British Airways
According to The Telegraph, British Airways is reviewing its Gatwick (LGW) operation.
During the Willie Walsh era it has also retreated from Birmingham and Manchester operations and if LGW were to go its only non-Heathrow base would be the British Airways City Flyer (BACF) franchise at London City Airport.
KLM destinations in Africa
With 11 destinations, KLM's Africa network is now restored to its 2019 level. In winter 2021, Mombasa (Kenya) will be added.
Massive United aircraft order
If ever there was a confidence builder for an airline United has shown the way with the largest in its history.
Qatar Airways new Business Class
Following the success of its Qsuite on the A350 fleet, Qatar Airways is introducing a revised Business Class for its Boeing 787-9s. The Boeing Dreamliner is slightly narrower than the XWB Airbus.
Ryanair June figures
Dublin-based airline Ryanair has published some encouraging figures for the month of June.
JULY CRUISE NEWS
The Brits are again at sea.
BTN is pleased to report that the UK’s cruise industry has slowly crept back into action.
And take a look at Fred Olsen sails again in this week's BTN.
AND FINALLY
This being the monthly cruise issue.
Scotland’s (travel industry) loss and England’s gain.
Aspire and No 1 Lounges
SwissportALD, the joint venture set-up between Swissport – owners of Aspire Lounges and world’s largest provider of ground handling – and Airport Dimensions, have acquired the distinctly upmarket No1 Lounges portfolio in the UK.
Bombardier is busy
Now divorced from its former de Havilland Canada operation and CRJ business Bombardier has announced the largest business jet order of the year.
EU to scrutinise IAG/Air Europa takeover
An in-depth investigation has been opened into the planned acquisition of Air Europa by International Airlines Group (IAG) over worries that the deal may stifle competition on Spanish domestic and international routes.
Flying Car Progress
As first reported in AND FINALLY AirCar, a dual-mode car-aircraft is making substantial progress.
Fred Olsen sails again
Today’s monthly cruise issue coincides with the maiden voyage of Fred Olsen’s MS Borealis, the former Holland America Rotterdam joining the Ipswich-based company’s fleet.
Guernsey promotes
The Bailiwick of Guernsey has been quick off the mark in promoting the island, taking in Alderney, Herm and Sark.
Hertz Chapter 11 ends
After filing for the US Chapter 11 in May 2020 Hertz Global Holdings, Inc has returned to normal business. What has been termed a “standstill” arrangement has not affected international business, which itself has been in an effective hibernation.
Ibis expands in UK
Even with the pandemic ibis, part of the Accor French hotel group, is expanding in the UK.
M5 stopover
Driving to or from Cornwall & Devon, the Ibis Bridgwater is more a 4-star hotel than 3-star, and also offers 24hr room service via an app. From London 150 miles and St Ives 140 miles, it is an oasis from one of Britain’s busiest motorways (described by your Editor as “horrid” on a Friday afternoon southbound).