TNU: Travel News Update

AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE - JANUARY 2024

Travel News Update (TNU) is unique. We forecast the news!

As an aside from this Travel News Update the Editor-in-Chief has become a guide at the remarkable de Havilland Museum, Salisbury Hall, just off the M25 Junction 22.

+ ON THE SOAPBOX: The Mayor of London

For the first issue of the year the Editor-in-Chief likes to have his say on matters that affect the travel industry.

+ COMMENT: Airport slots

With a third runway at Heathrow stalling (again), the 500-passenger Boeing 747’s demise, and any expansion plans fiercely objected to at airports large and small, adjustments to slot allocation rules may be the only way to increase overall capacity at airports. The Government has published a consultation document.

Art′otel London Hoxton

Opening in March and located at a part of London that has seen major changes in recent years is the Art’otel London Hoxton.

Baggage system at Heathrow

The current baggage system at Heathrow Terminal 2 is in fact the 30-year-old Terminal 1 baggage operation.

CAA airport stats update

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published up-to-date details of all UK airport passenger traffic.

Expansion for BA CityFlyer

British Airways CityFlyer, based at London City Airport (LCY), is to offer weekend holiday flights from Edinburgh and Stansted airports for the summer season.

Gatwick and China

China Southern has introduced twice-weekly flights between Gatwick and Zhengzhou, the home of the world’s largest iPhone factory.

Global Airlines

Aspiring to be a new kid on the airline map for 2025 Global Airlines has selected JETMS Completions (part of Avia Solutions Group) to develop the London-based airline’s A380 cabin interior.

ID required for US domestic travel

It may seem a long way off, and should not affect international travellers who presumably would have passed through passport control on entry to the United States, but next year (2025) passengers will require ID when checking in for US domestic flights.

Israel - The flights situation

At the present time there are 191 weekly flights in and out of Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv (TLV) according to OAG. The situation remains fluid.

London City to Rome

Italian carrier ITA Airways is to introduce flights between London City Airport (LCY) and Leonardo da Vinci Rome (FCO) from 1 April 2024.

Luton Airport update

And Dan Air returns.

Major Glasgow hotel closes

In a surprise move a brand new Glasgow hotel shuts down the week before Christmas.

Norse for the winter

In something of an about-turn Norse has dramatically reduced its winter Caribbean operations from Gatwick this winter.

Rail disruption

Worried whether your booked train will operate?

Ryanair launches Norwich

Norwich Airport has received a significant boost with the news that Ryanair is to offer flights next summer making it the airline’s 22nd UK airport.

Security checks update

The idea that the major UK airports will have dropped the 100ml rule for liquids at security by next summer looks like a target too far. The inconvenience of removing laptops and tablets from bags will continue.

Singapore to Gatwick

The ‘World’s Best Airline’ in the Skytrax Awards 2023 is to fly from Gatwick.

Virgin Atlantic Pre-Select meals

It is now possible to pre-order your meal on Virgin Atlantic using Pre-Select.

VisitBritain forecast 2024

This year could be a boom year for the UK according to figures published by VisitBritain.

Visiting London in 2024 - or a resident?

Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Art on the Underground programme has announced an exciting list of artworks with major new pieces by internationally renowned artists to be unveiled throughout the year and a new art commission for one of the Underground stations at Heathrow Airport.

Want to buy an airport?

According to OAG, the air route analysing company, New York based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is in the mood to cash in one of its prime properties.

JANUARY CRUISING: Cunard Queen Mary 2 - Literature Festival at Sea

Cruise fan and air transport analyst Chris Tarry has been on Queen Mary 2, again, but this time an educational rather than a rest.

ON TOUR: JetBlue

Having literally (it’s a pun) weathered a stormy crossing of the North Atlantic (see QM2 in this issue) Chris Tarry (and his wife) thought they might try a narrow-bodied return trip on jetBlue, operated with an Airbus A321 Long Range.

+ MOTORING JANUARY: Ineos Grenadier Station Wagon 3.0 Petrol

George Loveridge Driving Around for Travel News Update

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AND FINALLY: The first airline to go electric?