7 MARCH 2022
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- ON THE SOAPBOX: Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick Airport
- BA terminal moves
- LETTERS
- A worldwide airline appeal *
- Aeroflot slot grab
- Airline networking events
- Airport in recruitment drive
- Antonov An-225 Mriya destroyed *
- Arabian Travel Week
- El Al and Russia
- European airports January *
- Finnair crisis
- Flight Global says airline costs rising
- Heathrow Terminal 4
- Jet2 drops facemasks
- London City tops league
- More Virgin Caribbean
- Norwegian numbers
- Ryanair’s summer gamble
- Vinci airports goes full tech
- Vueling targets UK
- Westbury to become St Regis
- ON TOUR: Middle East Aircraft Interiors and Middle East Show MRO
- MARCH CRUISE NEWS
- SPRING CRUISES
- AND FINALLY
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LETTERS
M/s Whyles is right. Why the wait for the Passenger Locator Form. Into the UK the Editor in Chief has struggled in recent weeks, but the US was easy! And Mr Thomas too.
ON THE SOAPBOX: Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick CEO since 2009 Stewart Wingate has over the years been keen to comment from time to time in BTN’s monthly ON THE SOAPBOX. This week’s column was suggested before the outbreak of war in Eastern Europe to highlight the reopening of the southern terminal with British Airways EuroFlyer at the end of this month.
BA terminal moves
In a move to open up more gates at Heathrow T5, British Airways is to move some long-haul flights to T3.
A worldwide airline appeal *
Humanitarian support for Ukrainians in crisis is now clearly an urgent global priority – and nowhere more so than in the air transport sector.
El Al and Russia
The Israeli airline El Al will continue operating flights to Russia until 9 March clearly in a bid to help Nationals and others escaping from the former Soviet Union.
European airports January *
The airport trade body, Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), last Friday released its air traffic report for January.
Flight Global says airline costs rising
The London-based aviation weekly Flight Global says that airlines are steeling themselves for rising costs as Putin’s war against Ukraine brings in unwelcome uncertainties.
More Virgin Caribbean
The Caribbean has another new London service, helped by the buoyant demand from higher-end leisure travellers.
Vueling targets UK
The low-cost Spanish IAG member is expanding its UK operation with a total of 24 direct routes from multiple airports in the United Kingdom between the 8 and 18 April, the Easter period.
ON TOUR: Middle East Aircraft Interiors and Middle East Show MRO
Alison Chambers reports from Dubai.
SPRING CRUISES
Here is a list of May cruises out of British ports. It should be read in conjunction with EARLY SPRING CRUISES, which covers March and April and also MARCH CRUISE NEWS.
Aeroflot slot grab
With Putin’s war against Ukraine the British Government has banned Russian airlines from the UK. Also Belavia, the flag carrier and national airline of Belarus.
Airport in recruitment drive
London City Airport (LCY) has hosted a recruitment drive and local business recovery events.
Antonov An-225 Mriya destroyed *
The massive Antonov An-225, the world’s largest aircraft, was destroyed during a Russian attack on Hostomel Airport (Ukraine) which began on 24 February.
Arabian Travel Week
Always a popular event in the world-wide industry calendar Arabian Travel Week in Dubai returns in May.
Finnair crisis
Oneworld member Finnair is facing a very serious long-haul emergency with its Asia network cut-off.
Heathrow Terminal 4
Terminal 4 at Heathrow is to reopen in July to cope with an expected surge in passenger traffic over the summer peak season.
London City tops league
The east London airport is gradually coming back to life with up to 6,000 passengers moving through on a daily basis although far less than the halcyon (and crowded) days in summer 2019. March will see 41% of 2019 flights.
Norwegian numbers
Following its near collapse in 2020 the Norwegian comeback continues. But no long-haul.
Ryanair’s summer gamble
With the announcement last week of its largest ever summer schedule Ryanair is taking a gamble in that the 2022 flights will be more than 2019’s record numbers.
Vinci airports goes full tech
Gatwick has become the first Vinci airport to offer a new centre of excellence speeding up communication between the apron and air traffic controllers, an innovative digital platform that updates vital information quickly, in real time.
Westbury to become St Regis
Originally built in 1955 The Westbury Mayfair is to become a (Marriott) St Regis property following a £90m transformation.