+ THE NEWS IN BRIEF - Everything you need to know

Airline arrivals and departures

Airport passenger numbers

Amsterdam cutback

Barrier-free Stansted

David Starkie and Airport Enterprises

Delayed flights

Destinations UK

Driving test

East Midlands Airport

French air taxes

KLM to Exeter

London Tube stations re-open

Luton Airport delay

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

Plane crashes 

Ryanair attacks whole nations

Travel media gathering – London

Ulaanbaatar

Waldorf in London and New York

Wi-fi on London’s rail network (TfL)


Airline arrivals and departures

We are indebted to Aerotime for this list where you will find a much more detailed analysis. 

No famous names have gone this year (remember Pan Am and TWA) with perhaps the exception of Air Malta which became KM Malta Airlines, still known on the island as Air Malta.  LIAT (to give its full name, Leeward Islands Air Transport) went, but it also found new backers with a revised name LIAT20.

Early into the year Lynx Air in Canada, with nine Boeing Max, departed. By April Bonza (only Australians could think up that name) had gone after 12 months operations and soon after Rex (jet), also from ‘Down Under’.  As August arrived there was another Canadian failure Canada Jetlines. In Europe after 100 years of operations Czech Airlines became part of Smartwings, a name that means nothing!  Vistara in India also disappeared in November, becoming part of the TATA-owned Air India.

On the positive front FlyGabon is now a government-owned operation with both ATR and A320 aircraft, but must not be confused with another newcomer, also supported by the state, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mont Gabaon Airlines.

Brazil saw the launch of an all-new cargo-only airline in 2024, Levu Air Cargo.  Another cargo-only introduction in 2024 was Euroavia Airlines, based at Larnaca International Airport (LCA) in Cyprus.

Israeli airline Air Haifa has begun operations and seems to be well backed with three ATR72s and services from Haifa Airport to Athens, Eilat and Larnaca.  It might succeed if its website were readily available in English (search for Air Haifa in Google for translation).

One thing for sure is that that 2025 will see some startups, some more ambitious than others.  But even AI cannot predict what will last!


Airport passenger numbers

The Civil Aviation Authority continues to publish the 45 UK licensed airport passenger numbers usually back-dated two months as it retrieves the actual numbers.  Some airports are slower than others in supplying figures.

Best performing main airport in October was London City with 11%, much the same as the previous months, but well down on 2019 when it moved 5.1m passengers.  The figure for 2024 will be around 3.4m.  For 2025 British Airways CityFlyer will offer 8% more capacity with the well received cabin upgrade featuring new seats.  KLM and the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, ITA) will continue with similar programmes as last year, likewise Air Dolomiti, Aurigny, Loganair, LOT, and Luxair the other regular carriers. Always a very easy airport to use, the airside offerings are a real pleasure, never that busy.

Southend (with its train station direct to London's Liverpool Street and the Elizabeth line) continues to claw back numbers, likewise Liverpool’s John Lennon and Norwich.

Overall in October UK airports saw 5% more passengers passing through as compared to October 2023.  

www.caa.co.uk/documents/download/11908/1fab3277-8867-4eba-8cee-10b511ca3dc2/16837


Amsterdam cutback

The Netherlands government has announced that total flight capacity at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will be cut by 4.4% to 478,000 flights per year in 2025.

But the decision was criticised by KLM, Schiphol’s largest airline, which said the move was “incomprehensible” and could lead to “retaliatory measures” from other countries.

The new Dutch coalition government announced in September that it would reduce Schiphol’s capacity from its current 500,000 annual flights to between 475,000 to 485,000 per year to decrease noise pollution from the hub airport.

In a statement, KLM said it was helping to reduce noise at Schiphol by investing €7bn in buying new quieter aircraft.

“This shows that a smaller Schiphol is not necessary to achieve the noise targets. KLM finds it incomprehensible that the cabinet still intends to reduce to 478,000 aircraft movements”, added the airline.

“Limiting the number of flights also carries a significant risk of retaliatory measures from other countries, which will not only affect aviation but also other Dutch companies".

KLM added that reducing flights at Schiphol was “expected to be legally unsustainable” and it was “awaiting the advice” of the European Commission, which objected to previous attempts to cut capacity at the airport.

www.schiphol.nl


Barrier-free Stansted

Stansted is to introduce a new barrierless system for vehicles dropping off passengers at its Express Set Down (ESD) area as part of the airport’s £1.1bn transformation programme.

The new technology will be managed through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems similar to that already in use at the Dartford Crossing and will come into operation in late January.

The switch to the new system is aimed at enhancing the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the drop-off process. By removing the existing barriers, drivers will pass through more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping reduce congestion and improving traffic flow. No payments can be made when exiting the area.

The ESD charge will need to be paid by midnight the day after making the drop-off, either online or by phone. Frequent users, including taxi drivers, will be able to register for an auto-pay account with full registration details available in the new year, while discounts for eligible local residents will be unaffected by the change. There will be prominent signage in the ESD area to remind drivers of the new system once it is introduced.

www.stanstedairport.com


David Starkie and Airport Enterprises

In his book, Airport Enterprises: An Economic Analysis, David Starkie, long-standing adviser on aviation economics to regulators, lawyers, parliamentarians and airlines, makes the case for seeing the airport firm as a complex, many layered business organisation for which passenger flights are not the be all and end all. It shows how innovative the industry really is and how regulators have failed to keep pace with both managerial and technical developments.
 
Those interested in public policy issues will be interested in his views on both UK and EU policy and particularly his coruscating words on attempts to add capacity to London's airports.  Starkie has previously commented in Business Travel News (BTN) and a search under the name “Starkie” will reveal a series of articles and comments.

www.amazon.co.uk/airport-enterprises-economic-david-starkie/dp/1739491807


Delayed flights

When the UK left the EU, EU261 was adopted into UK law, meaning that the rules still apply equally to UK flights and passengers on British and European airlines.

Flights by other foreign airlines into the UK and Europe are not covered.

The US Department of Transport has now introduced its own consumer rights rules for air travel for flights, on any carrier, which land in or depart the United States. It is not an exact copy of EU261 but it does introduce some key protections as well as a big improvement in how refunds are issued.

If your flight is delayed by more than three hours you are entitled to compensation.  There are exceptions but if you miss your connecting flight that is part of your claim. 

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm


Destinations UK

Checking in at the very start of the year is Destinations The Holiday and Travel Show in London and Manchester, once again with the support of The Times and The Sunday Times. The shows will be celebrating their 30th anniversary.  

Represented are 600 of the best travel operators, travel agents, tourist boards, airlines and hotel groups from around the globe.

Put the dates in your diary.

16−19 January, Manchester Central

30 January–2 February, Olympia London

www.destinationsshow.com


Driving test

Are you attempting to make a booking?  The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed a seven-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times. The plan includes recruiting 450 driving testers.

The DVSA continues to battle through a backlog of driving tests that peaked at 500,000 due to the pandemic and a period of industrial action.
 
Driving test wait times have increased through 2024. The AA reported that in February the average wait time was 14.8 weeks. By September it had increased to 19 weeks, according to the Department for Transport.  The AA’s figures also showed that 51% of test centres had seen average waiting times increase this year with only 20% making an improvement.

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about

www.driving.org


East Midlands Airport

Essentially a holiday and air cargo operation (KLM is the only main line user), East Midlands Airport (EMA) is to lose its Escape Lounge from 5 January until 1 March.

The alternatives are fast food outlets – when you can get a table.  For those less able assisted travel is provided by the EMA Passenger Services Team.

Landside the Leonardo Hotel is close by the terminal and a Premier Inn and Radisson Blu are also within walking distance, but security can cause a problem.

EMA is a major freighter aircraft airport with its central location just by the M1 and south of Derby and Nottingham. It is part of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).  

As a holiday airport it is served all year round by Jet.com, Ryanair and TUI and in the summer by Aer Lingus, Aurigny, Blue Islands and Eastern Airways.

www.eastmidlandsairport.com


French air taxes

The turmoil in France with regards to politics is moving into the air travel scene.

Air France has announced that it has suspended the collection of a proposed threefold increase in the country’s civil aviation tax after it was not adopted by the French parliament.

The outgoing French government had planned to increase the charge, known as the Airline Ticket Solidarity Tax (TSBA), significantly for departing passengers in 2025. The measure had been part of a failed budget that led to the downfall of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration.

Air France had started to collect the increased rates of TSBA on 24 October for departures from 1 January 2025.  But the airline has now suspended this policy while those passengers who have already been charged the higher charges for 2025 flights would be refunded the difference between the two rates.

The proposed increases in TSBA for 2025 would have seen the tax increased from €2.60 per passenger to €9.50 for Economy domestic and intra-Europe flights. Long-haul flights would have seen an increase from €7.40 to €40 per passenger in Economy or premium cabins, and from €63.07 to €120 for Business Class travellers.

https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/news/airline-ticket-solidarity-tax


KLM to Exeter

Despite slot problems at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Sunday 30 March, KLM Cityhopper will introduce its Exeter service aboard the 88-seat Embraer E175 (its lowest-capacity equipment) that day.  If the route performs at or above expectations, it may increase to double daily before being upgraded to the E190/E195-E2.

The 321 nautical mile (594km) route is scheduled as follows, with all times local:

Amsterdam – Exeter: KL1101, 16:15−16:50 (1hr 35min block time)
Exeter – Amsterdam: KL1102, 17:20−19:50 (1hr 30min)

www.klm.co.uk


London Tube stations re-open

Kentish Town, connecting London’s Northern line and Thameslink, has re-opened with new escalators and refurbished ticket hall.  However, the pedestrian route within the station for access to the surface railway will not be available for the time being. Access to and from the Thameslink station platforms will remain via the out-of-hours entrance, approximately 20 yards along Kentish Town Road from the main Tube station entrance, as has been the case during the station closure.

Also on the Northern line, but this time with the Edgware branch, Colindale is now open, and with it a less than ten-minute walk to the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon.  

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/tube/


Luton Airport delay

The government has delayed its decision on Luton Airport's expansion plans for a third time.

Luton Rising, the Luton Borough Council company that owns the airport, submitted an application for a Development Consent Order so it can increase the annual capacity of the site from 18m passengers to 32m by 2030.

The Department for Transport said the deadline for that decision, which was due on 3 January, had been delayed to 3 April 2025 so newly appointed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander can have more time to consider the application.  Luton Rising Chairman is Paul Kehoe, one time Managing Director of the airport, later the same again at Birmingham International, and previously at Bahrain where he was in charge of all civil aviation matters.

https://lutonrising.org.uk


Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

There may or may not be news in the coming months on MH370 which disappeared from radar on 8 March 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

In December 2024, the Malaysian government announced that it had agreed in principle to continue to hunt for the wreck on a "no find, no fee" basis by the US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which had conducted searches in 2018.

Business Travel News (BTN) covered the crash intensely (search MH370) and a number of books have been written. Richard Quest, CNN’s aviation expert, a Londoner based in New York, has written a fine book on the subject The Vanishing of Flight MH370.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/malaysia_airlines_Flight_370

https://oceaninfinity.com


Plane crashes

Until its final few days the year had been free of fatal commercial aircraft disasters with the exception of a Brazilian airline Voepass Linhas Aereas ATR 72 which crashed in August with 76 fatalities.

On Christmas Day an Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) Embraer EMB 190 disintegrated on its way into Grozny (Chechnya) apparently the victim of a Russian aircraft drone strike that went wrong.  Of the 67 people onboard, 38 died, including passengers and crew members. This is not the first time current Russian tsar Vladimar Putin has been held responsible for a misplaced airliner attack.  Malaysian Airlines MH17, downed a Boeing 777 in July 2014.  

On 29 December a Jeju Air (7C) Boeing 737 crashed at Muan International Airport (MWS) in South Korea killing 179, the two survivors were cabin crew members sitting in the very rear. Video of the crash shows the undercarriage failing to open and a flapless landing suggesting hydraulic problems. Besides the clear technical questions there are issues to be raised with the Korean civil aviation authority regarding the safety aspects of the airport.  Why was the barrier so close? Formula One had these issues too, Jochem Rindt’s death at Monza might have been averted if the so-called guard post had been ‘soft’.

www.voepass.com.br

www.azal.az

www.jejuair.net


Ryanair attacks whole nations

In a tersely worded statement at the end of the year Ryanair announced delivery of up to 29 new Boeing aircraft in 2025, each carrying 4% more passengers and cutting CO2 emissions by 16% and noise by 40%.  None of these aircraft will go to France, Germany and the UK, which it sees as tax grabbing.  But it is to be noted it will not turn away passengers from these countries!

As with all airlines it does not say how many aircraft will be disposed of during 2025 but at the end of 2024 it operated around 600 planes, including 25 Lauda Europe (Ryanair-owned) Airbus A320s and four small corporate jets.

www.ryanair.com


Travel media gathering – London

The 13th IMM (International Media Meeting) takes place at London’s QEII Centre, Westminster, 17-18 February, starting with the morning session with leading media and industry figures.

Featured once again are a diverse range of the world’s travel brands from destinations all around the globe.  Registered participants are advised to pre-schedule one-to-one meetings with a maximum of 36 allowed.

https://travmedia.com/immuk

 
Ulaanbaatar

You may well ask “where is Ulaanbaatar?” It used to be called Ulan Bator, the capital and most populous city of Mongolia and has a population of 1.6m.

Flying in from Tokyo three times a week from 1 May is United Airlines from Tokyo with a two-class Boeing 737 Max.

Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) is around 30 miles from the city and sits at 4,500ft above sea level, with a single 3,600ft runway.  It is the home base of Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) (OM), which serves Frankfurt in Europe.  A variety of Far Eastern airlines offer services plus Turkish Airlines in Europe, and now United.

https://en.ulaanbaatar-airport.mn


Waldorf in London and New York

The year 2025 is going to be a very important year for Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, the flagship brand of Hilton.

Towards the end of the year the Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, property will open with 100 bedrooms in a very prestigious setting.

More imminent, and already taking reservations, the Waldorf Astoria New York will reopen in the spring after an eight-year revamp.  The midtown Manhattan property is located at 301 Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, and dates back to 1931.

The hotel closed in 2017 for a revamp project which has seen the guest room count reduced from around 1,400 to just 375, with the remaining space being converted into condominiums.

Features include a 2,800 sqm spa, fitness centre and outdoor terrace, as well as the two-storey American Brasserie Lex Yard headed up by Chef Michael Anthony, 4,000 sqm of events space, and Waldorf Astoria’s signature Peacock Alley lounge and bar.

www.waldorfastorianewyork.com


Wi-fi on London’s rail network

Customers on the Elizabeth line can stay connected throughout their journey, with high-speed 4G mobile coverage now available across the entire routes.

Transport for London (TfL) says that large sections of the nation’s capital now have coverage, and work is under way to expand the Northern line towards Morden, as well as between King’s Cross St Pancras and Moorgate by early 2025. Coverage on the Bakerloo line will shortly be extended in the tunnelled sections between Piccadilly Circus and Embankment, with further stations along the line, as well as the Piccadilly and Victoria lines, set to be connected in the coming months.

The London Overground line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross is also getting high-speed 4G and 5G mobile coverage.  For the most part the DLR is already kitted out.

www.tfl.gov.uk

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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

Jimmy Justin, United Kingdom

Whilst nothing to do with Schiphol and the flights cut back it seems that the Greens are taking over. I have just read that the Brighton FC new ground was built with no car park facilities, forced upon it by the local planning people. Having recently been to a match I can assure readers that public transport is not working around the Falmer Stadium. As usual whilst the Greens have good intention its does not work.