2 MAY 2022
- ON THE SOAPBOX: FlyPlymouth and Raoul Witherall *
- LETTER OF THE WEEK: Tony Cocklin
- ABTA registrations
- Air-One opens *
- Airbus v Qatar Airways *– Continued
- Airspace and Russia *
- Arab-Israel Normalisation
- Boeing 777X delayed
- Courts for airport show
- Electric aircraft
- Heathrow’s first quarter *
- LCY digital tower celebration
- London - Sydney non-stop *
- Massive passport demand
- New York’s attractions
- Norse flies North Atlantic *
- Playtime at Washington
- Ryanair Opens Newcastle Base
- Shapps meets Doyle *
- Singapore available
- Stratford – QE park openings
- Western Australia opens up
- ON TOUR: Golden send-off for Ambassador's Ambience *
- AND FINALLY: Nice one Michael
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
LETTER OF THE WEEK: Tony Cocklin
Tony Cocklin, better known as BA Director of PR in its glory days, has written a superb tribute to Reg Pycroft, more of a history of the times. Worth reading.
Massive passport demand
Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has issued a statement following media reports of holidaymakers having to cancel trips due to waiting times for new passports.
ON THE SOAPBOX: FlyPlymouth and Raoul Witherall *
Plymouth Airport – Still here; still worth fighting for.
Raoul Witherall is Chief Executive of FlyPlymouth, the airport start-up founded to acquire, reopen and operate Plymouth Airport.
Airbus v Qatar Airways *– Continued
Qatar Airways has lost the opening round in a row with Airbus over aircraft deliveries.
Airspace and Russia *
The impact on airlines with the use of forbidden Russian airspace has been less than expected according to OAG.
Boeing 777X delayed
The Boeing 777X aircraft deliveries are likely to be delayed until early 2025, a person close to the matter has told Reuters.
Electric aircraft
There has been a plethora of electric-powered aircraft in the last decade, many flying successfully, but not yet a commercial success.
Heathrow’s first quarter *
Terminal 4 could reopen in July says Holland-Kaye.
London - Sydney non-stop *
Australia’s national carrier Qantas has today (2 May) confirmed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s to conquer the final frontier of long-haul travel and enable non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to cities including New York and London from late 2025.
New York’s attractions
Destination marketers NYC & Company came to town last week to tell the travel trade what’s on in the city that never sleeps for 2022, and 2023.
Norse flies North Atlantic *
Oslo-based Norse Atlantic Airways is to make its maiden flight Tuesday 14 June with a service to New York Kennedy Airport.
Playtime at Washington
Icelandic carrier Play launched its first US route on 20 April, with a Keflavik to Washington Baltimore flight.
Western Australia opens up
From last Friday (29 April), fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Western Australia do not have to take any form of Covid test. They also do not have to register for the States travel pass, while wearing masks on public transport and in airports is no longer mandatory.
ON TOUR: Golden send-off for Ambassador's Ambience *
A new British cruise line gets the Olympic winning treatment.
AND FINALLY: Nice one Michael
Other than his airline, Michael O’Leary’s real major interest seems to be horses.
ABTA registrations
On Tuesday (3 May) registrations open for the British travel trade’s premier event, the Travel Convention, overseas once again, this time Marrakech (Morocco).
Air-One opens *
As anticipated in last week’s BTN Air One at Coventry the world’s first Vertiport opened in a Coventry City Council car park (postcode CV1 3FZ) on Monday 25 April.
Arab-Israel Normalisation
In the first of a series of blogs, focusing on the Middle East aviation market, OAG has published a study exploring how changes in diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbours is generating new air services between the countries.
Courts for airport show
Aviation Minister, Robert Courts MP, will tour the 5th British-Irish Airports EXPO on 23 June and address the Regional and Business Airports Group (RABA) Annual Conference of 40 regional airports from across the UK and Dependencies which is embedded in EXPO.
LCY digital tower celebration
Just one year ago on 30 April last year, London City Airport (LCY) and NATS announced the successful launch of the first digital air traffic control (ATC) tower at a mainstream UK commercial airport.
Ryanair Opens Newcastle Base
Newcastle is Ryanair’s latest UK base, where it has stationed a pair of 189-seat Boeing 737-800s.
Shapps meets Doyle *
Prior to his appearance last Wednesday (27 April) in front of the House of Commons Transport Committee, Transport Minister Grant Shapps hosted a private briefing the previous day with British Airways Chief Sean Doyle.
Singapore available
The major South East Asia hub of Singapore has joined the growing roster of nations to ease Covid entry restrictions.
Stratford – QE park openings
First announced at the start of this year (See BTN 24 January Hyatt at Stratford), Hyatt has announce the official opening of the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London Stratford in the Westfield Centre shopping complex.