AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE - JULY ISSUE 2023

Travel News Update (TNU) is unique.  We don’t bring you the news!

+ ON THE SOAPBOX: Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive, London City Airport

Robert Sinclair became Chief Executive Officer of London City Airport on 1 November 2017.  Five days later the airport celebrated the 30th anniversary of its opening by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

A New Zealander and qualified chartered accountant and solicitor, Sinclair held a similar position at Bristol Airport from 2008, during which time it saw record growth in passenger numbers and profitability and successfully delivered a £160m development programme.  He had been previously Chief Financial Officer at Auckland International Airport and before that at UBS investment banking for ten years.

+ New boss for Heathrow

It’s goodbye to John Holland-Kaye, for nearly ten years CEO of Heathrow, Europe’s largest airport, and Britain’s major commercial gateway.

ABTA in Turkey

Speakers will struggle for attention with this location!

Air New Zealand sleep pods

Sad to say Air New Zealand (ANZ) no longer flies to London and will not even think about it until ultra-long-haul non-stop aircraft become available.

Al Baker and Airbus

As ever outspoken, Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker is one of the airline industry’s most pragmatic leaders.

BA Gatwick to four Canary Islands

Fancy a break just four hours away in the winter where the average temperature is 18°C.  This compares with London at 7°C.  Both are variable.

Bangkok Intercontinental

Located in Bangkok’s Central Business District directly adjacent to the BTS Chidlom Skytrain, the InterContinental Bangkok has finally opened.

Border taxes

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme (ETA) will cost visitors to the country £10 when it starts being phased in later this year.

Drones have an association

The Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (ARPAS-UK) is the drone community trade association and professional body.

IATA Conference 2024 and new Chair

The 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM and World Air Transport Summit will take place in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), on 2−4 June 2024.

LNER ticket pricing

The government-owned train operator has removed the outdated practice where a single ticket can cost almost as much as a return fare.

Luxury airport lounge launches at Heathrow

London-based airport concierge business DiamondAir International has announced the opening of ‘En Route’, an exclusive club facility near Heathrow airport, with the help of a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK.

Manchester - Cairo flights to return

Cairo is the latest destination to be served from Manchester Airport with a new direct service starting Saturday 15 July.

Minimum connecting times

More expansion for Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is in an expansion mode, boosted by its first move into South America, with a brand-new daily flight from Heathrow to São Paulo (Brazil) and from Manchester a return to Las Vegas, a seasonal route for next summer.

New British airline - with owned aircraft

Global Airlines Ltd has been announced, a British company with transatlantic flights expected to start in 2024.

Norse celebrates 12 months

In most ways a reincarnation of Norwegian Airlines’ long-haul operations, Norse Atlantic Airways is now 12 months old with its major base at Gatwick.  

Paris for the World Airline Awards

The 2023 World Airline Awards were announced in a gala ceremony held in the iconic Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show.

Riyadh Air is RX

Allocated the two-letter code RX by International Air Transport Association (IATA) the new Saudi government-owned airline Riyadh Air unveiled a striking livery with its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the recent Paris Air show. 

Saudia and Gatwick

Jeddah is a new destination from Gatwick.

The RAF Museums. Not just for kids

With the school holidays coming up the RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford has announced “Horrible Histories – Up in the Air Adventure” running from 22 July until 3 September. RAF Museum Hendon will also run a similar programme.  The museum is very accessible close by Colindale Underground Station.

Travelodge going upmarket

The ‘SuperRooms’ concept.

World Aviation Festival

The date will come around very quickly as the 2023 World Aviation Festival looms up.

ON TOUR: Prague - A champion city

For some Prague will be known in the future as the location where Manchester City Football Club beat Inter Milan 1-0 to take their place in the history of soccer (for a British club) winning the three domestic major trophies in a single season.