28 MARCH 2022
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- COMMENT: For ‘Defying Hitler’ read ‘Defying Putin’ *
- LETTERS
- Airbus A321 neo for Delta
- BA and facemasks
- CAA Non-Executive Director stands down
- Compensation controversary
- Doha to host IATA AGM
- EasyJet joins ‘no-masks’ group
- Edinburgh for Virgin Hotels
- Extra measures for Boeing 737s
- Flybe goes on sale with discounts
- Gatwick passengers long-haul choices
- Hong Kong lifting flight ban
- LCY – more business
- Manchester Airport’s T3 partially re-opens
- More European capacity for KLM
- P&O Ferries’ chief told to resign
- Rolls-Royce and SAF
- Singapore lifts some Covid restrictions
- Toronto – Edinburgh link resumed
- Vietnam by Bamboo
- Virgin Atlantic & orphaned Ukrainian children
- ON TOUR: Business aviation update
- AND FINALLY
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LETTERS
Chris Tarry comes in for praise from Richard Phillips with his comments about the Indian Ocean. But LAX. Perhaps not. www.btnews.co.uk/article/18876
With Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg sampling Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady former Travel Weekly Editor Jeff Mills has produced this week’s BTN.
COMMENT: For ‘Defying Hitler’ read ‘Defying Putin’ *
On 18 February a book arrived on my desk for review called ‘Defying Hitler’. It was put aside for later reading and not really for BTN.
Airbus A321 neo for Delta
Delta has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321 neo, with the aircraft set to enter service in May this year. The carrier had originally expected to receive its first A321 neo in 2020, but will now take delivery of 26 of the aircraft this year, with a total commitment for 155 through until 2027.
BA and facemasks
British Airways has introduced a full web page explaining its facemask policy and listing the routes. It is well worth a read.
Compensation controversary
Plans to reform refund rules for passengers taking flights in the UK could slash average compensation and weaken a deterrent against delays and cancellations, according to consumer group Which?
EasyJet joins ‘no-masks’ group
EasyJet has joined Jet2, Tui and Virgin Atlantic in relaxing its mask-wearing policy. From yesterday (27 March), passengers and crew will no longer need to wear masks on board flights if they are not a legal requirement at either end of the route.
Extra measures for Boeing 737s
All Boeing 737s operating in India have been placed under ‘enhanced surveillance’ after one of the aircraft type crashed in China. The Indian aviation regulator says it has sent out teams ‘to monitor flight procedures, air worthiness and operations’, according to a report by the BBC.
Gatwick passengers long-haul choices
Passengers using Gatwick Airport can now choose from a range of more than 30 long-haul destinations this summer, including Bangkok, Islamabad and Quebec, following the reopening of the airport’s South Terminal yesterday (27 March).
LCY – more business
London City Airport (LCY) has reported its fourth consecutive busiest week since the start of the pandemic, with March passenger numbers set to be up 40% on February’s figures.
More European capacity for KLM
KLM says it is expanding summer capacity on European routes by 10% over last year to almost match 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Toronto – Edinburgh link resumed
Air Canada is resuming a summer seasonal service between Edinburgh and Toronto with flights operating six times a week between 1 June and 2 October and four a week from 3 October until 29 October.
Vietnam by Bamboo
New flights to Vietnam from Heathrow started last week (23 March) operated by Bamboo Airways.
ON TOUR: Business aviation update
It has been a busy time for the business aviation fraternity and not just in terms of flying. March kicked off with Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) 2022 in London and continued through to the British Business Aviation Association’s annual conference at Luton Hoo writes Alison Chambers.
CAA Non-Executive Director stands down
Former British Airways executive Garry Copeland has had to stand down as a Non-Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over what is said to be a potential conflict of interest. He had been on the Board for seven months.
Doha to host IATA AGM
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit will take place in Doha (Qatar), sponsored by Qatar Airways, 19–21 June this year.
Edinburgh for Virgin Hotels
Virgin Hotels, the US-based hotel brand, has announced that reservations are being taken for its first European property.
Flybe goes on sale with discounts
Flights on one of the UK’s newest airlines, Flybe, are now on sale with discount fares and introductory offers to many new destinations.
Hong Kong lifting flight ban
Hong Kong plans to lift its flight ban on nine countries this week, signalling a shift from its ‘zero Covid’ policy.
Manchester Airport’s T3 partially re-opens
A phased reopening of Manchester Airport’s Terminal Three has started after shutdown during the pandemic. It begins with the terminal being used for arriving passengers travelling with a limited number of airlines.
P&O Ferries’ chief told to resign
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that P&O Ferries’ move to sack almost 800 workers without notice last week appears to have broken UK employment law.
Rolls-Royce and SAF
Air bp and Rolls-Royce have signed an agreement that will reduce lifecycle carbon emissions for gas turbine tests carried out at three sites.
Singapore lifts some Covid restrictions
Most Covid travel restrictions are to be lifted by Singapore from Friday this week (1 April), when the complex Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VLT) scheme involving dedicated flights for double-jabbed passengers and multiple tests will be abolished.
Virgin Atlantic & orphaned Ukrainian children
More than 50 Ukrainian orphans and their guardians from Poland were brought to the to the UK by Virgin Atlantic last week.