25 OCTOBER 2021
- SOAPBOX SPECIAL: Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Aircraft maintenance Amsterdam
- Airlines 2021
- Al Baker at the RAC
- Art of Motoring
- BA and Kenya Airways
- Boeing 747 still flies *
- CAA and Heathrow charges
- Flights to South Africa
- IATA and retailing
- Ibis at Heathrow T5
- London Crowne Plaza *
- Lumo trains start
- Manchester long-haul *
- Night trains in London *
- Oxford Airport tops the charts
- Ritz development approved
- The Midland Manchester unveiled *
- UK Airport Conference
- Virgin Atlantic menu
- World Aviation Festival
- ON TOUR: Biz jet get together
- AND FINALLY: Luton Airport late night concert *
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
The last word on the Doctor (who was an engineer and later elevated to the peerage). BTN agrees. He was 'beached' Thank you Mr Bernnett.
World Aviation Festival
ExCeL London will host the World Aviation Festival on Wednesday and Thursday 1-2 December,. It has outgrown its previous home in Islington.
SOAPBOX SPECIAL: Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
BUDGET DAY LOOMS
With the Budget due next Wednesday Mark Tanzer, the long-standing Chief Executive of ABTA, the travel industry trade body, posts here the essential parts of a submission made to Government on the requirements for one of Britain’s vital industries.
Airlines 2021
Monday 22 November has been confirmed for Airlines 2021 annual conference entitled ‘Rebuilding the UK’s role in global aviation.’
BA and Kenya Airways
British Airways’ customers will be able to fly to more destinations across Africa, thanks to a new codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways.
Boeing 747 still flies *
Rolls-Royce, working with Boeing and World Energy, has carried out a successful test flight of its 747 Flying Testbed aircraft using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a Trent 1000 engine.
CAA and Heathrow charges
Heathrow’s plans announced last week to almost double the passenger charges to try and mitigate its losses during the pandemic have been initially rejected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the industry regulator.
Flights to South Africa
South Africa, always a popular destination during the winter, is to gain extra flights for the year-end holiday period. It is on the British green list for the return and for entry proof of a negative PCR test is required. A visa is not necessary for tourists.
IATA and retailing
As you would expect IATA’s Digital, Data and Retailing Symposium, starting tomorrow 25 October in Madrid, is a hybrid event.
London Crowne Plaza *
One of London’s lesser known 4-star hotels, The Crowne Plaza Blackfriars is to reopen on 1 March. It has been closed since the start of the pandemic.
Lumo trains start
With a 10:45 Kings Cross departure for Edinburgh a brand new train operator is launched today (25 October) called Lumo, owned by First Group, operators of Great Western Railway (GWR) and Hull Trains.
Manchester long-haul *
Aer Lingus and Singapore Airlines are both getting back into business with long-haul flights from Manchester Airport.
Oxford Airport tops the charts
Figures issued by the Eurocontrol STATFOR database show that Oxford Airport (Kidlington) leads the way in year-to-year growth.
The Midland Manchester unveiled *
Famous as the place that Rolls met Royce The Midland Hotel Manchester, now Israeli Leonardo-owned, has reopened its doors following a £14m transformation.
ON TOUR: Biz jet get together
Just as 9/11 triggered a rush to private jet charter, so too has the pandemic. NetJets has temporarily halted jet card sales because of unprecedented demand, while brokers are experiencing a shortage of aircraft for charter, partly because owners who offer them up through independent operators are flying more hours themselves.
AND FINALLY: Luton Airport late night concert *
Television star and Classic FM presenter Alexander Armstrong has put on a special airside concert for night-shift workers at Luton Airport.
Aircraft maintenance Amsterdam
The magazine Aviation Week’s annual MRO Europe, Europe’s largest aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul gathering, returned as an in person event last week at Amsterdam’s RAI Convention Centre Alison Chambers reports.
Art of Motoring
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) annual Art of Motoring exhibition, Britain’s premier event featuring motoring and motor racing paintings and sculpture, has returned for 2021.
Ibis at Heathrow T5
Claimed to be the nearest budget property to Heathrow T5, Accor Group has reopened after a redesign of its Horton Road Colnbrook guesthouse, as a dual branded ibis and ibis budget hotel. It is about 5min from the terminal by Junction 14, of the M25 and served by a Hoppa Bus to the airport.
Night trains in London *
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the limited return of the Night Tube from next month.
Ritz development approved
Westminster Council has given the go-ahead for a major redevelopment of the Ritz Hotel, London Piccadilly. The £300m project should be competed in 2025 taking the capacity up to 191 suites.
UK Airport Conference
The AOA (Airport Operators Association) held its annual conference last week, a totally video affair.
Virgin Atlantic menu
As Virgin Atlantic ramps up services to popular destinations such as San Francisco and Cape Town, the airline has evolved its onboard options with new Autumn menus including the re-introduction of some Upper Class favourites as well as all new sustainable wine in cans for Premium and Economy – all available on board this month.