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AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE - OCTOBER 2023
Travel News Update (TNU) is unique. We forecast the news!
ON THE SOAPBOX: Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick Airport
As the summer period for London Gatwick wraps up, it is important to reflect on a busy period and our performance as we look forward to the coming year.
COMMENT HS2 - TfL & more!
Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg with some thoughts.
COMMENT SPECIAL: Why is Sunday, 29 October important?
Three Things Stand Out.
Ab initio training returns for British Airways
British Airways is to once again sponsor an ab initio pilot training scheme that will see the £100,000 cost of their training covered entirely by the airline.
Airport terminal survey
Collinson, probably the world’s leading airport lounge operator, and the owners of Priority Pass, has revealed new research showing that UK travellers spend between £300−£350 per year in airport departure terminals.
BA boss on London City & Gatwick
Tom Stoddart, Managing Director of both BA CityFlyer at London City Airport (LCY) and BA EuroFlyer at Gatwick (LGW), proved to be an articulate and interesting speaker for the Aviation Club’s September lunch.
CAA Chair at the Aviation Club
Sir Stephen Hillier is the Guest of Honour at the Aviation Club UK on Wednesday 8 November.
Cruise into the Pool of London
It’s not too late to make a booking on Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. Her final Thames journey in the 2023 season is from Southend then Gravesend to London Tower Pier Sunday 8 October. She closes her programme over the weekend of 14/15 October based in Glasgow.
De Havilland Museum update (and ULEZ)
Following the debate over whether it is inside or outside the controversial London ULEX zone (it’s outside) the de Havilland Museum at London Colney, near St Albans, is keen to be acknowledged. See September TNU.
Delta upgrades meals
Virgin Atlantic’s partner airline (it owns 49% of the British carrier) is making changes to its onboard food and beverage offerings, just in time for autumn.
Frankfurt Airport scanner
What is claimed to be the world’s first walk-through security scanner for passengers is being tested at Frankfurt Airport in Concourse A of Terminal 1.
Jet and Space Week: 28 October - 5 November
To celebrate the Royal Air Force's leading role in helping the UK and our allies reach higher and faster than before the RAF Museums have created a week of fun family activities, for October Half Term, that explore RAF jets and the RAF's role in protecting space.
Level Is it an airline?
The name Level may not be familiar to you unless you are an expat with Barcelona as your nearest long-haul airport.
Liverpool Street to Stansted
It’s back to four trains an hour all day.
London City update
The talk at the Aviation Club given by Tom Stoddart of BA Euroflyer did focus to some extent on London City Airport (LCY) and where it goes from here. British Airways now has a dedicated LCY page and also accepts an evening bag drop off for morning flights, perfect if you want to night-stop at the two walkable local hotels.
Luton Airport is having a lounge revamp
The very popular Aspire lounge in the main Luton Airport airside area is in for a change of identity. It will close before Christmas.
Luxury Travel Fair, Olympia, London
A date to look forward to is Thursday 2 November and the Luxury Travel Fair, Olympia, which runs until the Sunday 5 November.
New Airbus boss
In the post John Leahy era Airbus is carving out its commercial aircraft business as a separate entity and has named sales chief Christian Scherer as the new unit’s CEO. He was Leahy’s deputy from 2003.
Point A Hotel - Kings Cross
There is a plethora of hotels around the King’s Cross St Pancras area but any new introductions are always very welcome.
Ryanair's London winter programme
Michael O’Leary was himself in town to launch the Irish carrier’s winter programme, emphasising London as a major growth area. He naturally used the opportunity to demand a shake-up of NATS (previously National Air Traffic Services) calling for the sacking of Martin Rolfe, Chief Executive.
Stansted expansion to remove transit system
Manchester Airports Group has submitted plans to extend the iconic Norman Foster-designed terminal at Stansted Airport.
UK production for passenger aircraft
It first flew in 1965 and for many years was produced in Romania, but the Britten-Norman (BN) Islander is now about to be assembled again in the UK, and at its spiritual home, Bembridge, Isle of Wight.
World Travel Market
ExCeL London
Custom House on the DLR and now also the Elizabeth Line, has quickly established itself as a fine and popular home for World Travel Market. This year’s event takes place 6-9 November. It was first held in 1980.
ON TOUR - Muscat and Oman
This time last year TNU Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg visited Oman, but for the most part kept away from the capital Muscat. Editor-at-Large Jeff Mills has also now been but his report concentrates on what is not only the administrative centre, but easily the main city. They need to be read in conjunction with each other. www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/22
+ Cruising & Cruise Ships 2024 - The first review
It has not seen the light of day since October 2019. Cruising & Cruise Ships, Douglas Ward’s mighty cruise ship annual review is back again. This will be the 36th issue. It was first published in 1985.
CRUISE NEWS OCTOBER:
For many the fact that they are not in communication with the outside world is one of the great features of cruising. In our youth, and depending on how old you were, when on holiday abroad you might make an expensive telephone call from a hotel or port, but that was it.
If you are of that ilk and need 24/7 contact things are about to get better.
Travel News Update
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