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AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2024
Travel News Update (TNU) is unique. We forecast the news!
ON THE SOAPBOX: Slots - time for change?
On proposals for change to the UK airport slot regulations
+ COMMENT: Heathrow expansion
It is very easy?
Dates for your diary
For the aviation industry networking fraternity the next couple of months are going to be busy.
+ BA CityFlyer expands
British Airways subsidiary CityFlyer, London City Airport’s main carrier, is to expand, but not in the usual way.
+ Paul Kehoe returns to Luton
A popular Managing Director of Luton Airport (LTN) from 2001–2005, when owned by TBI Plc, Paul Kehoe CBE is to return as the Board Chair of Luton Rising, the airport’s owner and part of Luton Council.
2024 could be a record airport year
Figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and individual airports indicate that 2024 could well be a record year for passenger throughput, says Travel News Update (TNU).
A350 crash in retrospect
An aircraft collision at Haneda Airport on Tuesday 2 January will have positive implications. The escape by all the 379 souls on a Japan Airlines A350 Airbus was remarkable, a virtually full aircraft. Lessons will be learnt.
Air Astana to go public
Kazakhstan’s largest airline Air Astana, 49% owned by BAe, has announced plans to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) before the end of the year. The balance of shares is held by the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Aviation mentors
In what he calls a “pioneering initiative” to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, has announced the appointment of ten aviation ambassadors.
Boeing Max problem
Travel News Update likes to look ahead. The panel loss incident with an Alaksa Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 out of Portland on 5 January does have serious future implications.
Closure at Virgin Upper Class
Passengers arriving at Heathrow Terminal 3 in February and expecting the usual easy entrance to the Virgin Upper Class lounge should note that the access route is being remodelled.
Double beds in the air
Lufthansa has unveiled a new first class ‘Suite Plus’ that includes a spacious double bed for two in the Airbus A350.
Hanover Square Mandarin Oriental
Whilst no opening date has been announced the finishing touches are being applied to the new-build Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.
Hertz dumps electrics
The Times of London reports that the mighty Hertz Corporation, one of the world’s biggest car rental companies, is to sell about 20,000 electric vehicles from its US inventory because of the expenses related to collision and damage repairs with its fleet of 60,000 plug-in and rechargeable cars.
Ireland to Gatwick and Heathrow
Faced with unprecedented competition from Ryanair, Aer Lingus has withdrawn its services out of Gatwick to Dublin from the start of the summer season at the end of March.
Israel flights
Hungarian airline Wizz Air has announced that it plans to return to Israel from 1 March.
JetBlue gets new boss
Robin Hayes, the British born CEO of jetBlue, has announced his surprise retirement, to be replaced by Joanna Geraghty, currently the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, effective 12 February.
Loganair chief goes
In a surprise move Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Executive of Loganair, has stepped down after more than seven years.
London Gatwick goes electric
A fully dedicated electric vehicle charging facility has opened at Gatwick, becoming the first at an international airport.
London to New York
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that there are more passengers from US to UK in the spring, and more balanced during the second half of the year. Cumulative passenger numbers 2023 (to November) from US to UK is 7.2 million, and from UK to US is 6.8 million.
No Gatwick - Reading trains
Reading to Gatwick Airport train line temporary closure.
Prince Edward at St Helena
St Helena, the British overseas territory in the middle of the South Atlantic halfway between Africa and South America, received a Royal visitor in the last week of January.
Southend to Milan
Bergamo Airport Milan is the latest destination to be served from Southend, a six times weekly flight starting 25 March. There are no services on a Saturday.
MOTORING FEBRUARY: MG4 XPower EV
George Loveridge Driving Around for Travel News Update
Fancy an electric family hatchback and loading it full of power! Should you consider one in 2024?
FEBRUARY CRUISING: Saga, Viking, plus "Cruises from Hell"
A SAGA shock is good news.
In the third week of January Saga Plc issued a statement which caused concerns in some quarters. The company was looking for partnerships it said. Some worrying headlines were made!
A trading update statement explains all.
Travel News Update
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