THE TRAVEL NEWS IN BRIEF - Including Heathrow latest

Airport passenger numbers

American Airlines luggage boast

BA CityFlyer financial results

Booming Business jet orders

Charging cars in London

Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show

Easyjet and Southend

Edinburgh Airport security

Farnborough International Airshow 2026

Global Airlines – The end

Heathrow Expansion – The Short Runway Solution

Hilton in the City of London

Marriott in Edinburgh

Oneworld Alliance

Ryanair to recruit 400 pilots 

Turkish at Stansted

Virgin Atlantic upgrades

Waldorf in London and New York

Wizz dumps Abu Dhabi

World Travel Market

Airport passenger numbers

Unlike the actual airports who rush out their traffic numbers, unverified, as soon as the month has ended, the CAA takes its time in collecting and collating passenger figures.  This does make it difficult to make real traveller forecasts.  The norm this year seemed to be 10% growth, but this slipped to an average zero increase for May, the latest published.  There were no public holidays to distort the numbers.

The London airports performed poorly with growth over 2024, London City, with no connecting traffic still very much struggling to make its 2019 numbers. Manchester is the best performing regional airport and Newcastle, showing a 10% growth over last year, are the best performing provincial operations.  In national terms passenger numbers for May were much the same as 12 months previously. 

www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airports/uk-airport-data/uk-airport-data-2025


American Airlines connecting luggage boast  

Inbound from Heathrow at Dallas Forth Worth, American Airlines is revolutionizing the international travel experience by becoming the first airline to offer seamless connections for travellers and their checked bags at the gate. 

In partnership with the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the UK Department for Transport (DfT), the new process allows customers from Heathrow (LHR) at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), to clear American customs as they get off the aircraft. 

Customers can then proceed directly to their onward flight without reclaiming and rechecking checked-in baggage or passing through TSA security. Bags are automatically transferred to the connecting flight, streamlining the experience while maintaining the highest security standards. Called OSS (One Stop Security) is seen as the way forward with additional flights and airports.  American has confirmed that process has been enabled for British Airways codeshare flights too.

https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2025/Cool-calm-and-connected-American-Airlines-becomes-first-airline-to-pilot-One-Stop-Security-in-the-US-OPS-OTH-07


BA CityFlyer financial results

CityFlyer, virtually 50% of the traffic at London City Airport, almost doubled its profits in 2024, despite a slight decline in passenger numbers.  The airline refurbished its elderly 20-strong Embraer 195 fleet adding nearly 10% capacity. It begs the question “when will these aircraft retire and what will they be replaced by?” 

Filed at Companies House and 100% owned by British Airways, the airline posted a pre-tax profit of £20.3m for its latest financial year, the figure being £4.3m in 2022 and £11.1m in 2023.

British Airways is the key airline at London City Airport, the airport totally dependent on its performance.  

London City Airport is not due to file its figures until 30 September 2025.   Australian airport expert Macquarie recently became a shareholder. 

www.ba.com


Booming Business jet orders

Bombardier has secured a $1.7bn firm order for 50 Challenger and Global jets from a first-time undisclosed buyer who also holds 70 new aircraft purchase options. If all purchase options are exercised, the combined aircraft and service agreements’ value would reach more than $4bn.

With getting on for 25,000 business jets in operation, from lightweight Embraer to A380 the market continues to boom. Business jets were synonymous with Learjet, first sold in the UK around 1970, and in 1990 purchased by Bombardier. In recent times the brand has been consigned to aviation history.

https://bombardier.com/en/aircraft

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learjet

Charging cars in London

London Councils has published new guidance to support boroughs’ roll out of cross-pavement electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions – an innovative approach that can enable residents without off-street parking to safely charge EVs at home using their own electricity supply.

Cross-pavement charging solutions can offer a practical fix. Using either a surface 'gully' or a system buried under the pavement, they allow charging cables from a home charge point to safely cross the pavement to an EV parked on the street.  These installations are quick charging – typically completed within 1.5 to 3 hours – and blend into existing street materials to maintain safe pedestrian access. Installation costs currently range from £1,000 – £1,500.

https://londoncouncils-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/electric-vehicle-revolution-hits-the-pavement-new-guidance-tackles-trip-hazards-in-london


Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show

There are two airborne events coming up at the Imperial War Museum’s Duxford airfield. 

On Saturday 16 August, as the sun goes down, there is a special vintage aviation flying display at the historic WWII airfield. 

Expect to see a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, a Hawker Fury FB11, Europe’s only airworthy Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk 6, and team aerobatics from Airborne Pyrotechnics and the Duxford-based Flying Comrades.  

The Battle of Britain Air Show takes place 6–7 September.

Duxford Airfield (CB22 4QR) is just off the M11, 20 miles south of Cambridge.  

www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford


Easyjet and Southend

Southend Airport, which likes to call itself London Southend is back to full operations following a tragic incident on Sunday 13 July.  A mercy flight Beechcraft B200 Super King Air crashed at take-off killing four on board.

Services were severely disrupted.

Southend is a base for easyJet with some 20 routes and is also served by Eastern Airways to Newquay.  There are direct rail services to London Liverpool Street with intermediate stops.  

https://londonsouthendairport.com


Edinburgh Airport security

The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh Airport for the first time since it was introduced in 2006 following the installation of top-of-the-range security x-ray technology. It means passengers are able to keep liquids in their bags when going through security with the liquid containers up to two litres each.

This comes after eight new X-rays were installed as part of a £24m investment to transform the security process at Scotland’s busiest airport. Large electricals, such as tablets and laptops, can also remain in bags.

Other regional airports are following suit including Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Gatwick, Inverness, Liverpool, London City, Luton, Newcastle and Newquay.

www.edinburghairport.com


Farnborough International Airshow 2026

Building on its success from 2024, Farnborough International Airshow returns on 20-24 July 2026 (FIA2026). In spite of competition from other aviation shows worldwide the bi-annual summer gathering near London still sets the pace for international collaboration and innovation advancements on a global level.

To date, more than 62% of the exhibitors lined up for FIA2026 are international, with 22% also first-time exhibitors.

Features represented at the five-day event will include the return of the UK Government Hub, Space Zone, Business Connections Exchange, and Aerospace Global Forum.

www.farnboroughairshow.com/fia2026


Global Airlines – The end

Funded by billionaire entrepreneur James Asquith, Global Airlines was announced in July 2023, an Airbus A380 operation focussing on transatlantic flights “of the highest quality”.

The airline industry was sceptical for its success. And they could be right.  You cannot hide aircraft, FlightRadar24 spotting the operator’s sole flying aircraft positioning to Tarbes, where it will remain parked "until it heads off to the next stage of heavy maintenance".  

The web site is not very informative.  
www.globalairlines.com

See also www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/987#Global%20to%20fly

Nothing more in TNU but the A380 did make the return flight to Prestwick. 
 

+Heathrow expansion – The Short Runway Solution

Malcolm Ginsberg has been officially asked by the Department for Transport (DfT) to make a presentation on what he has termed “The Short Runway Solution” to Heathrow expansion.  This to be made on Thursday 14 August and he says COMMENTS welcome.  See at the end of the articles or direct to malcolm@ginsberg.co.uk  A consortium is being created to make the presentation.

Also moving ahead for a decision is the much-hyped Heathrow Airport 3600m runway bridging the M25, and the Arora scheme, by the hotelier of the same name, mischievously named Heathrow West (it is north of the existing parallel runways) calling for a shorter 2800m strip capable of taking wide-bodied aircraft.  Ginsberg has suggested a 1500m scheme.  

www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/927

www.thearoragroup.com/news/the-arora-group-finalises-landmark-heathrow-airport-expansion-proposal

https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/detail/23454

Hilton in the City of London

Hilton has given a name to the new Curio Collection property taking shape in the city of London. It is going to be called ‘The Derby London City’, bound to cause confusion with the airport of a similar title. Officially it is named after the hat, which dates from the 17th century.

Based in a converted office block on Great Tower Street (which is what Eastcheap becomes as it heads towards Tower Hill), the hotel – will have 237 rooms with an all-day dining restaurant. It will overlook St Dunstan in the East Church Garden and is about halfway between Monument and Tower Hill Underground stations.

The opening date is given as ‘early 2026’.

www.hilton.com/en/brands/curio-collection


Marriott in Edinburgh

Marriott has opened its first property under its Luxury Collection in Scotland.

The Edinburgh Grand occupies the former headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland – a 1940s neo-classical building located on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh’s New Town, just across Princes Street from Edinburgh Waverley station.

There are 50 rooms and suites across the hotel, all equipped with kitchen facilities and a dining area. These are designed for extended stay guests. Food and drink spaces include The Register Club bar and Hawksmoor restaurant. Facilities include two events rooms, plus a fitness centre and a spa. Private events and whisky tastings can be hosted in the building’s restored bank vault.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/edilg-the-edinburgh-grand-a-luxury-collection-hotel-edinburgh


Oneworld Alliance

Oman Air has become the 15th member of the oneworld alliance becoming the third Middle Eastern airline to join, following Royal Jordanian in 2007, and Qatar Airways in 2013. Fiji Airways was welcomed as a full alliance member earlier this year.

In addition to joining oneworld, Oman Air has launched a new nonstop service between Muscat and Amsterdam, adding to the carrier’s existing European destinations including Heathrow, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome. In total the airline serves 42 destinations across 22 countries and territories.

TNU’s Editor-in-Chief has visited Oman in recent times describing it as an exciting country. www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/413 

www.oneworld.com


Ryanair to recruit 400 pilots

Skyborne Airline Academy, based at Gloucestershire Airport, has joined forces with Ryanair to launch its Future Flyer Academy pilot training programme. It will train over 400 aspiring flyers who will ultimately join the airline group as Second Officers over the next four years. They will be needed as the Irish airline continues to grow and expects to carry over 300m passengers per annum by 2034, by then having a fleet of 800 aircraft.

https://skyborne.com/uk/contact-skyborne-airline-academy


Turkish at Stansted

Stansted is to become Turkish Airlines third London gateway next summer. It already serves Gatwick and Heathrow. The airline will operate twice daily. It currently also flies to Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester plus Dublin as part of the 170 weekly services from the UK and Ireland offered this summer. It is expected to use the Boeing 737MAX on the route.

www.turkishairlines.com


Virgin Atlantic upgrades

Upper Class is not the only Virgin Atlantic cabin to receive major improvements in the coming period.  The carrier will be the first UK airline to introduce free, streaming-quality, unlimited wi-fi throughout its fleet, using Starlink technology, with rollout completing in 2027.

Its Boeing 787-9 fleet will undergo full cabin refurbishment, introducing increased premium cabins from 2028, with design inspired by the A330neo.  Starting Q3 2026, ten A330neo aircraft will join the fleet with larger premium cabins; six Retreat Suites, 48 Upper Class, and 56 Premium seats.  Following the successful launch of the LAX Clubhouse, the airline will invest in Clubhouses at Heathrow and New York JFK.

www.virgin-atlantic.com


Waldorf in London and New York

As reported by TNU back in January the ionic New York Waldorf has now reopened after an eight year rebuild. 

www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/897#Waldorf%20in%20London%20and%20New%20York

As for the Admiralty Arch Waldorf hotel one of the most high profile sites being developed in London it is officially set to open this year. 

As with all major rebuilds it is taking longer than anticipated.  No news from the developers after the usual requests.  And you could not find it on the Waldorf web site at the time of writing. 

www.hilton.com/en/brands/waldorf-astoria


Wizz dumps Abu Dhabi

Not for the first time Wizz Air has pulled out of an airport with little warning to passengers, this time Abu Dhabi, from 1 September.

Readers may recall the airline closing its Doncaster Airport base with little notice in September 2022, which resulted in the shutting down of the airport.  A year later it announced the same at Cardiff, with little warning to customers.  Cardiff survived.  Wizz Air has done the same at several continental airports.

Wizz cited various technical problems for the closure.  None of these have affected other airlines.

Wizz Air is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

www.wizzair.com 


World Travel Market

Mark the dates in your diary, and if you need a hotel start searching!

World Travel Market, now firmly established at Excel, close by London City Airport, returns on Tuesday 4 November (09:30–18:00) and continues through to the Thursday when it closes at 17:00.

There is no charge to attend for travel industry members, but you do need to register.

One interesting observation. Whilst the cruise industry has expanded enormously over the last 25 years, participation by cruise companies continues to be very limited.

www.wtm.com/london

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

David Starkie, Uk

Re LHR runway, Perhaps Aurora got the idea from https://www.btnews.co.uk/article/9300