20 SEPTEMBER 2021
- COMMENT: Chris Tarry “don’t waste a good crisis”
- British Airways – What next? *
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Travel Media Awards*
- Aurigny plans ahead
- Aviation Club welcomes Finnair
- BA – The Perfect Flight
- Breeze and the A220
- Bristol Aspire Lounge reopens
- General Aviation plans
- Knock Airport
- Lufthansa
- Lumo – New British train operator
- Major Covid rule change
- No experts on new aviation panel *
- Qantas to restart London? *
- Radisson RED for London
- Sloane Helicopters for Elstree
- WestJet for Scotland
- Whitechapel hotel
- Wizz pilot wages
- ON TOUR: Boston *
- AND FINALLY: Gatwick freebie *
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
The IATA Director General reflects.
Ms Smith from Hastings is in praise.
COMMENT: Chris Tarry “don’t waste a good crisis”
Chris Tarry, BTN’s resident analytical guru looks forward in terms of airlines. He writes a monthly column for Airline Business magazine and is a visiting professor at Coventry University as well as lecturing and commenting on industry issues.
British Airways – What next? *
Twelve months into the job Luis Gallego, Chief Executive, IAG, has finally raised his head above the parapet speaking to The Sunday Times.
Aurigny plans ahead
With flights returning to some kind of normality Aurigny, owned by the States of Guernsey, held a press briefing last week setting out its plans for the future.
BA – The Perfect Flight
British Airways (BA) teamed up with NATS, Heathrow and Glasgow airports, Airbus and bp to demonstrate how the airline industry is moving towards what is calls “The Perfect Flight.”
Breeze and the A220
David Needleman’s latest airline start-up, Breeze Airways, has revealed its new A220-300 livery, and confirmed its total order book for the former Bombardier C series now stands at 80.
Knock Airport
Now officially Ireland West Airport (NOC), and famously founded by Monsignor James Horan, the story of which has even inspired a musical, Knock has gained twice weekly year-round services to Manchester and Edinburgh with Ryanair.
Lufthansa
On the day that IAG said it was not going to raise substantial sums from shareholders to cover its Covid costs (see in this week's BTN) Lufthansa Group announced it would be raising €2.1bn “to strengthen the balance sheet and to enable the early repayment of stabilization measures in Germany.” (19:00 Sunday 19 September)
Major Covid rule change
Will travel, including business travel, take off over the coming months?
No experts on new aviation panel *
A new independent panel is being created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to enhance the decision-making work of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Qantas to restart London? *
Don’t hold your breath, but Qantas says it plans to restart international flights in time for the Christmas holidays.
WestJet for Scotland
Scots will be able to fly seven days a week to Toronto for next summer.
Wizz pilot wages
Hungarian airline Wizz Air has confirmed that it is reinstating pilot salaries to pre-Covid-19 levels as of 1 October.
ON TOUR: Boston *
Delegates attending the 77th annual general meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 3-5 October will find themselves in one of the most compact cities in the United States – Boston – which with its European style, is a very pleasant destination to visit whether on business or for leisure, or indeed a bit of both reports BTN Editor at Large Jeff Mills.
AND FINALLY: Gatwick freebie *
To celebrate Air Transat returning to Gatwick with a three-times weekly service to Toronto last week they have given two return tickets for a lucky winner!
Travel Media Awards*
Business Travel News (BTN) is on the short list to receive the trade publication Trade Media Award for 2021.
Aviation Club welcomes Finnair
Topi Manner, CEO of Finnair, was in fine fettle live at the Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall London last week.
Bristol Aspire Lounge reopens
Swissport is continuing with its rollout of airport lounge reopenings with Bristol Airport the latest Aspire introduction.
General Aviation plans
In a move that has the fingerprints of Transport Minister Grant Shapps all over it, he an enthusiastic private pilot, the Government has announced plans to introduce a range of reforms to make it easier for General Aviation (GA) pilots to fly, and to support businesses, skills and innovation in this important sector.
Radisson RED for London
The first Radisson RED hotel in London, the Radisson RED London Greenwich The O2, has opened its doors.
Sloane Helicopters for Elstree
On 10 September Sloane Helicopters, the UK’s longest-established privately-owned helicopter company, celebrated its 50th year of operation with customers and suppliers at Hangar One, Sywell Aerodrome. It also announced its expansion to operate a fifth base at London Elstree Aerodrome which is expected to be open early 2022.
Whitechapel hotel
Following its appointment to operate the former Qbic London City Hotel this summer, RBH Hospitality Management has re-launched the hotel as The Corner London City as part of a three-month rebrand.