18 OCTOBER 2021
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- COMMENT: Manchester Airport – The Road to Recovery
- Lateral flow tests *
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- ABTA’s Travel Convention
- Air France and the upturn
- Air India privatised
- Airport transfer
- Alitalia grounded *
- AOA Annual Conference 2021
- BA chief quits
- British Airways wants staff *
- Bye-Bye the Boeing 757 *
- EasyJet results
- IATA chief at the Aviation Club
- Milan hosts World Routes
- News from ‘Down Under’
- Pilot scholarship for ladies
- The World’s busiest airport
- Train line reopens
- Virgin gets Atlantic
- World Travel Market
- ON TOUR: Explore London in the half-term holidays
- AND FINALLY: Pigs don't fly
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COMMENT: Manchester Airport – The Road to Recovery
Karen Smart has been Managing Director of Manchester Airport (since 2020), having held the same position at East Midlands Airport (since 2018), also owned by the MAG Group. Prior to that she was Director of Landside Operations at Stansted.
Lateral flow tests *
The Government has confirmed that a lateral flow antigen test (LFT) will replace day two PCRs from 24 October.
Air France and the upturn
With the lifting of travel restrictions and the resumption of traffic to numerous destinations, Air France is increasing capacity for the winter season (October 2021–March 2022).
Airport transfer
A new British (Maidenhead) based company has gone live founded on the increasing demand for a "contactless travel experience."
Alitalia grounded *
After 75 years Alitalia has last Thursday (14 October) finally been grounded and replaced on Friday by Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA).
BA chief quits
Steve Gunning has resigned as Finance Director of International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company for British Airways.
Bye-Bye the Boeing 757 *
With the TUI retirement of its final Boeing 757 GOOBB, delivered in 2001, the last vestiges of the once mighty Britannia Airways has finally departed to the great hangar in the sky.
EasyJet results
Luton-based easyJet said last week it will fly 70% of its pre-pandemic winter programme as it predicted an all-time loss for the year to the end of September.
Pilot scholarship for ladies
Applications are invited from young women from all backgrounds, aged between 17 and 24 for a Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) with all costs covered.
The World’s busiest airport
Atlantic Hartsfield tops the charts as it battles with Chicago O’Hare.
Virgin gets Atlantic
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, was quickest off the mark following the announcement that the US borders will reopen. “We are simply not Virgin without the Atlantic,” he said.
ON TOUR: Explore London in the half-term holidays
Since the lifting of lockdown restrictions London has come back alive with events, attractions and places for families and friends of all ages to visit.
ABTA’s Travel Convention
Traditionally held at exotic holiday resorts ABTA’s (normally) annual Travel Convention took place on 13 October at the East Wintergarden Canary Wharf on the former Heron Quays, the site of the first test landing for London City Airport in 1982. It is now a fine conference centre.
Air India privatised
Tata Group is the successful bidder for the troubled national flag-carrier, Air India.
AOA Annual Conference 2021
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Conference takes place on Tuesday 19 October with a video format.
British Airways wants staff *
BA says that it is recruiting staff for the spring flying schedule.
IATA chief at the Aviation Club
Willie Walsh, Director General of Air Transport Association (IATA) was in fine form when he addressed the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom at a packed luncheon held at RAC Club last week.
Milan hosts World Routes
Coming just a week after the IATA AGM and Conference in Boston, and in Europe (Milan) the 26th World Routes gathering was less restricted on numbers. The reason could be the opportunity for people finally to get together.
News from ‘Down Under’
With flights planned between London and Darwin there is now hope for family travel ‘Down Under’ for the Christmas holiday period.
Commencing Friday 5 November, Qantas will start with two flights per week on Fridays and Sundays. From 1 December, this will ramp up to six flights per week to deliver Aussies home just in time for Christmas.
Train line reopens
What might be termed a ‘newish’ train line is to reopen nearly 50 years after it was withdrawn under Dr Beaching’s infamous British Rail cuts.
World Travel Market
With ExCeL London looking much like its old self for the Business Travel Show, World Travel Market (WTM) returns 1-3 November.