29 NOVEMBER 2021
- NEW ARRIVAL RULES
- COMMENT: John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow Airport *
- All arrivals into England! *
- Air Europa question
- Airlines 2021
- Another airline for Heathrow
- April for New Zealand
- Aviation Festival starts Wednesday
- BA CityFlyer at London City
- Branson and Virgin Atlantic
- British Airways returns to Gatwick
- Channel Islands – Scottish partnership
- Eastern wins Cornwall
- European airlines meet
- Farnborough 2022
- Flybe aircraft delivered
- IAG’s Luis Gallego at Airlines 2021 *
- LETTER OF THE WEEK
- Lockdown in Europe
- Lufthansa snacks
- Regional aviation at Westminster
- Weiss praises Walsh
- Wizz and Italy
- ON TOUR: The Dubai Airshow *
- AND FINALLY: Dotty airline
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
BTN does not often admit a mistake but thank you to Nick McDermott and others who emailed to say we got it wrong. Sunday can’t be a Bank Holiday as they are not open on that day. Monday (27 December) is a Bank Holiday, and for this year only, so is Tuesday 28 December for the banks, and many others. Holiday difficulties for Heathrow.
NEW ARRIVAL RULES
BTN WILL UPDATE AS THEY ARE PUBLISHED
COMMENT: John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow Airport *
The Air League Sir Andrew Humphrey Memorial Lecture.
John Holland-Kaye is familiar to most BTN readers having literally not only flown the flag for Britain’s airports during the Covid-19 crisis, but in many ways for all commercial aviation. Even Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA), until 2020 CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), might agree with that.
All arrivals into England! *
The UK Government has revised its 'red list' which now covers ten southern African countries. And everyone travelling to England from anywhere must complete a passenger locator form and take a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Lateral flow tests will not be accepted.
Air Europa question
The proposed takeover by International Airline Group (IAG) of Air Europa is being looked at by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
Another airline for Heathrow
A third Canadian carrier has secured London landing slots.
Aviation Festival starts Wednesday
The weekend's announcement concerning the 'red' rules may have an affect on the speaker line-up for the 2021 World Aviation Festival, next Wednesday 1 December. See All arrivals into England! in this week's BTN.
BA CityFlyer at London City
Having survived what Managing Director Tom Stoddart calls “a difficult period” British Airways is planning a full programme out of London City Airport for next summer. All services are flown by BA CityFlyer, a 100% owned BA subsidiary.
Branson and Virgin Atlantic
Sky News reports that Virgin Atlantic is in talks with shareholders regarding a new capital injection of around £400m to take it through to next Spring.
British Airways returns to Gatwick
British Airways is expected to return to Gatwick South from the start of the summer season with a full European schedule backing up its Caribbean programme.
An announcement is anticipated any day now when bookings will open.
IAG’s Luis Gallego at Airlines 2021 *
“Global Britain’ needs a global hub”.
Luis Gallego was the opening speaker at last Monday’s Airlines 2021 conference. He made it quite clear from the start that aviation was in his blood, quoting the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart and, as a Spaniard, Juan de la Cierva who built the world’s first helicopter, in 1920. Clearly “A Total Aviation Man!”
Weiss praises Walsh
Last Monday Virgin Atlantic boss Shai Weiss did something he thought would never happen. He praised Willie Walsh.
ON TOUR: The Dubai Airshow *
Our roaming reporter Alison Chambers of Emerald Media was at the Dubai Air Show as the event returned. Here is her report.
AND FINALLY: Dotty airline
As a prelude to the end of year quiz BTN publishes this airline tail fin.
Please send your answers to OUR READERS FINEST WORDS at the end of this article and we will add the full image and aircraft registration UK time midnight Wednesday (ie for Thursday morning).
Airlines 2021
The airline industry gathered at the QE Centre Westminster last Monday bringing together the British operators (Airlines UK) and overseas carriers with UK offices (BAR-UK), plus other heavyweights with an air travel interest.
April for New Zealand
New Zealand is to reopen to tourists vaccinated against Covid-19 but in stages. ####
The border will initially open to New Zealand citizens and visa holders coming from Australia, then from the rest of the world. Depending where visitors are coming from different rules apply but they will still have to self-isolate for a week.
Channel Islands – Scottish partnership
New partnership brings boost for UK regional air connectivity.
Eastern wins Cornwall
The London – Cornwall daily air route is to return, its non-operation over the last 18 months a consequence of the Flybe failure in March 2020. British Airways operated Heathrow – Newquay as a limited summer only sector the last two seasons.
European airlines meet
Representatives from across the European airline community reunited in London last week as part of the eagerly anticipated ERA Membership Conference.
Farnborough 2022
Alternating with Le Bourget (Paris), which did not take place this year, the Farnborough Air Show returns in 2022.
Flybe aircraft delivered
Birmingham Airport last week saw the delivery of the reborn Flybe’s first De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft resplendent in a new simple paint scheme.
Lockdown in Europe
In a move that is likely to be replicated by other river cruise companies, and in general by European travel operators, Scenic has suspended its year-end programme.
Lufthansa snacks
In what could be a trend setter Lufthansa is set to charge passengers in long-haul Economy and Premium Economy cabins for snacks and spirits from 1 December.
Regional aviation at Westminster
The House of Commons Transport Select Committee continues with its series of inquiries into the UK aviation industry, on Wednesday 1 December (09:30 onwards) concentrating on domestic aviation.