11 APRIL 2022
- COMMENT: Russia and the airlines *
- LETTERS
- ABTA Travel Convention
- Airline delays and the CAA *
- Airport lounges open
- Another new Gatwick airline *
- Athens hotel
- Boston – London for JetBlue
- Europe’s regionals get together
- Flybe flies again *
- Heathrow and Easter *
- JetBlue bids for Spirit Airlines
- Luton Airport planning
- Manchester Airport boss quits
- New CDG hotel
- Rolls-Royce Aviation Club lunch
- Salon Prive for Genesis
- Stansted Airport's Easter advice
- Travelodge upgrades
- Virgin Atlantic recovers
- Wireless electric charging
- Wizz from Wales *
- ON TOUR: Going Dutch
- APRIL ROAD TEST: Renault Captur E-TECH
- AND FINALLY: Parcel delivery gone wrong *
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTERS
Thanks for the reminder of Max Bygraves, a great entertainer. However surely his best song was a Lional Bart number 'Fings ain't what they used to be!' www.btnews.co.uk/article/18928
COMMENT: Russia and the airlines *
The Russian news agency TASS reported that restrictions on flights from Russia to 52 countries would be cancelled from April 9. These restrictions were put in place, they say, to slow the spread of Covid and are being lifted on the advice of the operational headquarters for combatting coronavirus.
Airline delays and the CAA *
With the Easter getaway rush already under way the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chief Executive, Richard Moriarty, has written to the airlines and airports warning late notice cancellations and "excessive" delays at airports were not only distressing for consumers but could affect confidence just when passengers were returning to flying.
Airport lounges open
With Easter at the end of the week both the major London airports are seeing a return to normality with reopening of most executive lounges. The airlines hosted in Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 4, still closed, have all made alternative arrangements.
Boston – London for JetBlue
A new non-stop service between Boston Logan International Airport and both of London’s major airports has been announced by JetBlue.
Europe’s regionals get together
Malta welcomed the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) delegates to the vibrant and historic island of Malta 30-31 March for its first major event of the year, the Regional Airline Conference.
Heathrow and Easter *
Travellers to and from Heathrow next weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 15/16/17/18 April) should be warned of restricted Underground services. Terminal 4 is still not open.
JetBlue bids for Spirit Airlines
Whilst this side of the water JetBlue has been seemingly putting its efforts into a transatlantic challenge (see Boston in this issue) on home soil another contest has emerged. The airline has made a $3.6bn bid for Spirit Airlines, a carrier seemingly on its way to ownership by Frontier Airlines.
Stansted Airport's Easter advice
An estimated 1.3m passengers will travel through Stansted over the Easter holidays, making it the busiest period for travel since before the pandemic began.
Wizz from Wales *
Last week Wizz, clearly with the Easter holidays in mind, launched the first of nine new holiday routes from its new base at Cardiff Airport. A local recruitment drive was also announced.
ON TOUR: Going Dutch
Rotterdam may have a bit of an image problem, but not amongst people who have actually visited it, says BTN’s Editor-at-Large, Jeff Mills.
APRIL ROAD TEST: Renault Captur E-TECH
With the Editor-in-Chief laid low by Covid, BTN was delighted when fellow Guild of Motoring Writers scribe, Yorkshireman George Loveridge, stepped in with a review of this clearly well received Renault. Written in his own style of course and self taken images.
ABTA Travel Convention
The return of its annual overseas Travel Convention, the UK travel industry’s flagship event, has been announced by ABTA.
Flybe flies again *
Just two years since 5 March 2020 when it filed for administration and ceased all operations Flybe is due to take to the air next Wednesday 13 April.
Luton Airport planning
In what is a complex situation plans to extend the capacity of Luton Airport (LTN) have been called in by Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.
Manchester Airport boss quits
Karen Smart has resigned as Managing Director of Manchester Airport. She was appointed in 2020 and previously held the same position at East Midlands Airport, also owned by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
New CDG hotel
Cycas Hospitality has further cemented its presence in mainland Europe with the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott Paris Charles de Gaulle Central Airport hotels.
Salon Prive for Genesis
Genesis will be unveiling its first dedicated totally electric platform-based vehicle at Royal Hospital Chelsea, when the GV60 makes its European debut at Salon Privé London Thursday week (21 April), as a headline star of the three-day luxury car event.
Travelodge upgrades
In what it says is the group’s “most radical transformation to date”, Travelodge is set to roll out its new “budget-luxe” design across its UK portfolio.
Virgin Atlantic recovers
No return to profitability until 2023. That’s the word from Virgin Atlantic.