8 NOVEMBER 2021
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- COMMENT: Jeff Mills on WTM
- Award for BTN?
- Travel News Update by Aspire
- Air travel diary dates
- Aircraft launched at COP26
- Australia
- BALPA and aspiring pilots
- Birmingham busy
- Boris and air travel
- British Airways news flash *
- Cardiff – Anglesey
- Crossrail line update
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Loganair financial results
- London City travel problems
- No easy connection to HS2 *
- Norwegian
- O’Leary and Cruz *
- Ryanair’s October
- Stansted flies north
- Virgin menu
- Wizz Air recruiting
- ON TOUR: Battlefields and sea air in Belgium *
- NOVEMBER ROAD TEST: Kia Sorento *
- NOVEMBER CRUISE NEWS *
- Ocean and River Cruise Companies
- AND FINALLY: Virgin drinks
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LETTER OF THE WEEK
There was one theme last week, Air Passenger Duty (APD)!
www.btnews.co.uk/article/18347
Stansted flies north
London’s most northerly airport (marginally over Luton), Stansted, has added a host of new destinations to its departure boards this winter, including three routes to Scandinavia.
COMMENT: Jeff Mills on WTM
BTN’s Editor-at-Large, Jeff Mills, takes a nostalgic look at the World Travel Market.
Award for BTN?
Business Travel News (BTN) is on the short list for the CWT Business Travel Journalism Awards (BTJAs) 2021, now seemingly open to publications from all over the world including the United States and Europe. BTN is a previous winner.
Air travel diary dates
London networking is back in fashion with the air travel industry and three significant events.
Australia
From 1 November quarantine was lifted for visitors to the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria.
BALPA and aspiring pilots
To become a professional pilot is an aspiration for many. It has always been a difficult goal, some failing at the first hurdle due to medical reasons, others not obtaining the educational qualifications, and others unable to put together the necessary financial package.
Boris and air travel
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew back from Glasgow last week to London after appearing at the COP26 conference but still attacked the aviation section in a major speech.
British Airways news flash *
With owner International Airlines Group (IAG) announcing negative results last week British Airways (BA) will today (Monday 8 November) celebrate the literal reopening of the US borders and says bookings over the last week have reached unprecedented levels. By the end of the year the airline will be again flying from Heathrow to 23 US cities many with frequent flights. But no word on Gatwick.
Cardiff – Anglesey
The Cardiff – Anglesey route, flown by Eastern Airways as a Public Service Obligation (PSO) supported by the Welsh government remains closed until at least 23 February. It is said to be “under review” although the contract runs until February 2023.
Loganair financial results
It likes to call itself “Scotland’s Airline.” Loganair will celebrate its 60th birthday on 1 February 2022.
O’Leary and Cruz *
Sharing a stage at World Travel Market (well nearly) were Michael O’Leary, still in charge of Ryanair after 30 years, and Alex Cruz, involved with air travel nearly as long but best known as a short-lived BA Chief Executive.
Ryanair’s October
Dublin’s favourite airline delivered what can only be described under the circumstances as a robust set of figures for October.
ON TOUR: Battlefields and sea air in Belgium *
As thoughts turn to remembering the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts, BTN’s Editor-at-Large, Jeff Mills, suggests a trip to Belgium’s Flanders Fields to explore the battlefields and much more.
NOVEMBER ROAD TEST: Kia Sorento *
If you are looking for a quality real people carrier in SUV mode the latest four wheel drive Kia Sorento might just fit the bill. Priced at around £40k it is comprehensively equipped and does not require any extras writes Malcolm Ginsberg.
NOVEMBER CRUISE NEWS *
RCCL Anthem of the Seas and Regal Princess
BTN's Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg and Chris Tarry, our aviation analyst, have both been to sea in recent times. Each had reservations regarding the trips and each came away very satisfied. What was obvious with both ships was the obvious pleasure of the crew in welcoming back passengers and looking after them in a very positive way. Well done Royal Caribbean and Princess.
Travel News Update by Aspire
Aspire’s Travel News Update newsletter has been published for November.
Aircraft launched at COP26
A surprise announcement at Glasgow’s COP26 summit last Friday was the resurrection of the out of production BAe 146 airliner in all electric form.
Birmingham busy
International Airlines Group (IAG) member airlines are doing their bit to help Birmingham Airport as it recovers from the effects of Covid-19.
Crossrail line update
As empty test trains continue to rumble past London City Airport and its now non-existing railway halt, and for that matter the Custom House/ExCeL station, no date has yet been set for the opening of the Elizabeth line/Crossrail project. Spring 2022 has been suggested.
London City travel problems
There is likely to be serious difficulties in reaching London City Airport (LCY) going into the new year, but they can be overcome.
No easy connection to HS2 *
A conference in London last week was told that whilst HS2 interchange for the airports has been planned it is going to come down to intuitive connections between plane and train, BTN railway expert Andrew Sharp reports.
Norwegian
Now in a new era without transatlantic services, Norwegian (it seems to have dropped the official title of Norwegian Air Shuttle) flew one million passengers in October.
Virgin menu
British Airways is not the only airline applauding the change in US entry rules. Virgin Atlantic has a new menu in all classes.
Wizz Air recruiting
Luton Airport Holiday Inn is the venue for a series of recruitment events by low-cost carrier Wizz Air starting today.