THE TRAVEL NEWS IN BRIEF - Everything you need to know

Boeing 777X saga

Cambridge and trains

Connecting airports – the world’s best

Doncaster Airport to re-open

Dubai Airshow

East Midlands summer 2026

ExCeL again for World Travel Market

Game over for Play Airlines

Heathrow train charges

Hoxton in Dublin

Humans in London

Iceland to Istanbul missing Heathrow

Kenwood at Christmas

LCY news

London Liverpool Street hotel

Luton Airport update

Minister for Aviation

Overhead bins and Boeing

Passenger traffic

Piccadilly Circus Trocadero now a hotel

Ryanair in digital gamble

UK airspace report

World Aviation Festival



Boeing 777X saga

In February 2025 TNU reported that the latest version of the 777 family, called ‘X’ would make its first airline delivery in February 2026.  The plane was announced in February 2013, well before Covid and supply problems.

The latest from Boeing is hardly optimistic.

“We still don’t have authorization from the FAA for a good portion of the certification program”, CEO Kelly Ortberg said at the Morgan Stanley Laguna conference 11 September. “So, we’re working through that right now with the FAA, but we were clearly behind our plan in getting the certification done”.

British Airways has 24 on order and will carefully evaluate the summer 2026 programme.  The airline is also said to be using the opportunity to revisit and modernize the airline’s iconic livery.  As one clever pilot said: “we shall see!”

www.boeing.com


Cambridge and trains

Network Rail has confirmed that Cambridge South station will open in early 2026. Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, and CrossCountry are expected to call at the new location from day one.  Its position on Francis Crick Avenue makes it ideal for the Cambridge biochemical campus.

There will be up to nine trains per hour between Cambridge South and Cambridge and half-hourly Great Northern fast trains to/from London King’s Cross and on to Gatwick and Brighton.  Other destinations served include Birmingham New Street, King's Lynn, Leicester, Norwich and Peterborough.

www.networkrail.co.uk


Connecting airports – the world’s best   

Megahubs by OAG 2025 ranks the connectivity of the world’s leading international airport hubs – globally and regionally – as well as gateways into domestic markets and provides a platform for comparison. These unique rankings are generated by comparing the number of scheduled connections to and from international flights with the number of destinations served from the airport.

www.oag.com/megahubs-airports-2025


Doncaster Airport to re-open

Closed after being abandoned by Wizz Air in October 2022, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set for a controversial reopening. But probably not for passengers until 2028. TUI is another airline that pulled out during its previous life, as with Wizz, unlikely to return.  Jet 2 is said to be a potential operator.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) members voted unanimously to pledge £159.52m to the City of Doncaster Council to help relaunch the airport which will compete with the long-established Newcastle and Leeds Bradford airports for European holiday traffic.

Once the home of the RAF Vulcan fleet, the main runway is nearly 3,000m long, making it suitable for transatlantic operations, not possible at the competing North-West England alternatives.

www.doncasterairport.net


Dubai Airshow

Mark the dates in your diary Monday, 17 November until Friday, 21 November.

What will be the highlight?  That we do not know except Airbus will be vying with Boeing for the most orders and, whilst not actually catching up, Embraer will be having a say too.  The Chinese might spring a surprise.  

The Dubai Air Show is a “meeting and greeting” occasion. 

The 2025 edition will introduce the first-ever night-time programming, a unique experience taking place on the second day of the show and continuing until 21:00, providing attendees with additional time to explore the static aircraft display, enjoy evening receptions, and watch drone displays under the stars.

www.dubaiairshow.aero


East Midlands summer 2026

Situated south of Derby and Leicester just off the M1, East Midlands Airport (EMA) should be very popular for leisure/holiday flights.  Let us say it could do better, but 2026 is shaping up well. With a 24-hour operation it is the UK’s major dedicated air freight centre and is owned by the Manchester Airport Group.  Currently EMA is moving 4 million passengers plus annually.

New for the airport Sun Express, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, with up to three times a week flights to Antalya, one of Turkey’s top holiday destinations.

Major resident airline Jet2 is adding seven new destinations, bringing the total number of routes it serves to 43 and offering holiday options in central Europe and northern Africa.  Ryanair features Dublin with a total of 12 destinations.  TUI has on sale for next summer Agadir (Morocco), Costa de Almeria (Spain), Preveza, Thessaloniki and Chania (Greece), and Pula and Split (Croatia) and sees the return of Sharm El Sheik (Egypt).

www.eastmidlandsairport.com


ExCeL again for World Travel Market   

As we enter October, World Travel Market (WTM) is not far away.  It once again takes place at ExCeL, near London City Airport, opening Tuesday 4 November (09:30-18:00), Wednesday 5 November (09:30-18:00) and Thursday 6 November (09:30-17:00).  

If you are planning to come to the show and require accommodation, it is advised that you make your reservation as early as possible.  Whilst London has an abundance of hotels the three/four-star properties in the ExCeL proximity do tend to get booked up early.

WTM Custom House (for ExCeL) is served by both the DLR and Elizabeth Line.

The WTM London 2025 conference programme is designed to build on the overwhelming success of last year’s event, where there was a 19% increase in attendance across all tracks and sessions. In particular, the Sustainability Summit saw a 128% hike in attendee numbers, while the dedicated Marketing and Technology Summits both recorded a 75% lift.

www.wtm.com/london


Game over for Play Airlines 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced that Iceland-registered Play Airlines has ceased operations. It operated from Reykjavik to Liverpool and Stansted airports.  

Passengers who paid by credit card should be able to retrieve their outlay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_(airline)


Heathrow train charges

Whilst the Heathrow Express has a reputation for being expensive, it can be great value if you book a £10 one-way advance ticket. You are not tied to a particular train, only a set day. Even better, children go free.

There is of course a catch in that the Advance Discounted Single ticket closes 30 days before travel. Book it when you confirm your air travel, for leisure trips usually months in advance.

The Elizabeth Line currently costs £12.80 one-way between Heathrow and Paddington, or £13.90 if you travel onwards into Central London.

www.heathrowexpress.com


Hoxton in Dublin

The Hoxton brand continues to expand and in November will open its first property in Ireland following an Edinburgh arrival in June. Founded at Shoreditch in 2006, there are The Hoxton hotels at Southwark and Shepherd’s Bush.

The restored Victorian building (once the Central Hotel) will be home to 129 rooms, an inviting lobby complete with bar and Viking-era ruins, an all-day Peruvian-inspired restaurant Cantina Valentina, a sandwich spot by day and which becomes a natural wine bar by night, Dollars.  

https://thehoxton.com


Humans in London

You may find this a strange headline in the October TNU but being a human being in London is a hazardous occupation, whether as a road user or pedestrian.

One cause of problems is the ever increasing number of unregulated pedicabs.

Transport for London (TfL) is making some proposals to regulate them, not The Mayor, and wants to hear from users of the highway.

A consultation programme is under way, open to Londoners, businesses and pedicab operators and will run until Monday 20 October.

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/pedicab-licensing


Iceland to Istanbul missing Heathrow

On the face of it this new route by Icelandair has no interest to British travellers, although of use to US and Canadians who might find it a useful alternative routing to Turkey’s major city. Its 23:55 (all times local) arrival time in Istanbul feeds many Asia-Pacific destinations.

Icelandair departs from Turkey half a day later at 12:25, getting back to its homeland at 15:20 (5hr 55min block time). This enables passengers to connect to its North American network.  What it means is that Heathrow as a connecting airport misses out.

The service, in conjunction with Turkish Airlines runs five times weekly (except Monday and Saturday) flown by a two-class 160-seat Boeing 737 Max 8.  The long range single aisle twins have a big future. For the passengers it's much the same.

www.icelandair.com


Kenwood at Christmas 

Here is an early warning to be put in your diary. 23 November to 3 January.  Take the kids.

London’s Kenwood, on the northern extremity of Hampstead Heath, will be transformed into a breathtaking immersive outdoor light trail inspired by JM Barrie’s timeless tale of Peter Pan – the UK’s first Neverland light trail.  It promises an unforgettable adventure for all ages over the festive period.

For its debut year, Neverland at Kenwood invites visitors to follow Tinkerbell’s fairy dust path from the rooftops of London to the heart of Neverland – soaring through the Darling family home, past a glowing Big Ben, and into a wonderous world where magic and adventure capture the imagination.

https://premier.ticketek.co.uk/shows/show.aspx?sh=KENXMAS25


LCY news

London City Airport is gearing up for a dynamic winter season with an exciting new route, expanded services, and a renewed focus on leisure travel.  
 
British Airways CityFlyer will launch a new 11-times-per-week service to Madrid, starting 1 December, offering Londoners direct access to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
 
In addition, British Airways will resume partial winter services to Innsbruck ahead of the Christmas holidays and bring back popular ski connections to Geneva and Chambery. 

Passengers can also reach ski destinations via routes to Milan and Zurich. 

www.londoncityairport.com


London Liverpool Street hotel

Dutch brand Sir Hotels has debuted in the UK, opening a property within a restored 17th century textile warehouse about a five-minute walk of the Liverpool Street train complex.

The brick-lined hotel draws its name from its setting in Devonshire Square, located just behind the iconic Spitalfields Market.  Across the hotel are open-plan spaces, featuring arched windows, sculptural staircases and materials ranging from terracotta tiling to stone finishing, soft upholstery and woven fabrics. The 81 guest rooms, meanwhile, showcase an earthy palette of deep blues, reds, greens and browns – alongside natural timber, metallic details and custom-made furnishings.

An all-day dining space offers seasonal dishes, with an additional restaurant set to join the hotel in the coming months.

www.sirhotels.com/en/devonshire-square


Luton Airport update   

The Luton Airport Car Park 2 has reopened and with it 1,900 spaces.  It has been closed since October 2023 after a disastrous fire.

Also landside is a new pub called “The Fletton” with an outdoor terrace.  It is to the left as you enter the terminal.  “Fletton” is the name of a brick which used to be produced locally.

www.london-luton.co.uk/passenger-info


Minister for Aviation

Keith Mather (27), Labour MP for Selby and Kippax (Yorkshire), has been appointed as Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, replacing Mike Kane, removed at the latest government reshuffle.  He reports to Heidi Alexander (Secretary of State), and joins Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Minister for Rail), and Simon Lightwood MP (Minister for Local Transport).

Mather, the youngest member of the House of Commons, was elected in at the 2024 General Election and previously served as an assistant government whip.

www.keirmather.org


Overhead bins and Boeing

Ryanair and Boeing are investigating lockable overhead bins according to Declan Ryan, Malcolm Ginsberg at Travel News Update reports.  

The co-founder of the sometimes controversial airline was speaking at an Aviation Club event to promote a book by Tom Lyons “Aer Dogs”, the story of how a small group of Irish entrepreneurs got involved with Viva, a Columbian airline, in the 1990s. It is all history with the star of the evening Declan Ryan, son of the late Tony Ryan, the airline's founder, and still a friend of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

Asked about his/Ryanair relationship with Boeing (the airline currently operates around 640 737 series) Declan turned his attention to safety, always a priority from day one with the airline.

“We are investigating with Seattle a scheme for overhead bins to be secured from the cockpit,” he said.  “The current arrangement of simple locks is simply dangerous.  Disembarking passengers just jump up to grab their belongings at the first opportunity.  This is hazardous and has to be stopped.  Ryanair is leading the way in talking to Boeing and one would hope that cockpit control of the overhead bins becomes a standard fitting on all commercial passenger aircraft.  Another Ryanair innovation”.

www.boeing.com


Passenger traffic

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) publishes around the 15th of each month the official monthly traffic figures for the UK’s47 scheduled airports, correct for three months back (ie September for July). 

UK airport passenger growth overall for July was virtually static at 2%.

In the London region Gatwick lost 3%, Heathrow with a nearly 8m throughput was the same as the previous year, London City put on 7% but is unlikely to top a 4.4m total for the year, still well behind the 2019 overall of 5.1m.  The CAA stats show Luton plus 4% for July.  Southend, with easyJet returning, more than doubled the numbers from 2024.

Of the regional airports Manchester dominates for growth in July with 3.3m patrons (+3%) for July and Edinburgh put on 10% with a 1.8m patronage.

Nobody will predict the UK figure for 2025, but unless a significant event occurs a 300m plus passenger throughput is possible, up from 295m in 2024.

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


Piccadilly Circus Trocadero now a hotel 

A familiar sight since it first opened as a J. Lyons restaurant back in 1896, the London Trocadero has a new lease of life as a unique hotel.

Sitting directly above Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, the property has become a capsule hotel with nearly 1,000 individual sleep units spanning five floors.

For those new to the concept, a capsule hotel offers guests a small, self-contained sleeping pod with just enough room for a bed and essential features, designed for privacy, quiet, and efficiency.  Each provides a private pod with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual ventilation, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting for optimal rest.  Guests have access to shared amenities including stylish lounges and co-working spaces, secure storage for larger bags, and communal bathrooms.

Also within the Trocadero complex is the Zedwell Hotel Piccadilly Circus, with an aparthotel due to open shorty.

https://zedwellhotels.com/locations/london/piccadilly-circus


Ryanair in digital gamble

From Wednesday 12 November Ryanair will move to 100% digital boarding passes.  

But what happens if there is a computer failure, either at the gate, or by Ryanair’s tech supplier?  Or there is an app failure on one’s phone?  Or a flat battery!

The airline points out that Ryanair passengers can order food and drinks from their seat (and presumably in advance). Receive real-time updates on boarding, gates, and delays. Also available are live notifications from Ryanair’s Operations Centre during disruptions.

www.ryanair.com


UK airspace report

Just published for 2024, it has an image of the new Aviation Minister at the top and leads off with the government’s commitment to expanding the aviation sector.  It is full of acronyms, some of which are explained, and yet another promise is made to deliver modernisation of UK airspace, reduce flight times, improve reliability of services and deliver on our climate and environmental obligations. 

For a government paper it is brief and is not political blaming the previous administration.  Worth a read but action speaks louder than words!

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/caa-annual-progress-report-for-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=d788d2c7-db1f-4f8c-839f-c917b62eeabf&utm_content=daily


World Aviation Festival

Lisbon is again the venue for the 2025 World Aviation Festival, Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 October.  It is likely to be the biggest to date with over 400 exhibitors and sponsors and 600 speakers.  The venue is once again the Lisbon Conference Centre, by the front on the seaside of the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge.

Wednesday is the key day with the speakers including Luis Rodrigues, CEO of TAP Air Portugal, Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG, and inevitably Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association.  One topic highlighted on the initial programme is AI and how it is affecting the airline industry. Dan Boyle of the organisers Terrapin will host the proceedings.

www.terrapinn.com/conference/aviation-festival/index.stm

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