Menzies’ boss blames government’s inaction for travel chaos July 11, 2022 The government’s inaction has contributed to the ongoing travel chaos, according to Philipp Joeinig, boss of aviation services firm Menzies. The chief executive blamed specifically former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and transport secretary Grant Shapps, as he said industry requests didn’t translate into “forthcoming help” from the government’s side. Both Shapps and Sunak have thrown their [...]
Wizz Air to cut additional flights as it posts €285m operating loss July 11, 2022 Wizz Air has announced it will cut an additional 5 per cent of services to guarantee smoother operations amid the ongoing travel chaos, which has affected the aviation industry in the UK and in Europe. The Hungarian airline, listed in London, said it had improved the “agility and resilience” of its network, adjusting its schedule [...]
Half of Brits in favour of scrapping HS2 July 9, 2022 Half of Britons are in favour of scrapping the HS2 project as costs continue to mount. Around 52 per cent of those who voted Conservatives in the 2019 election are against the project, compared with 17 per cent who think the high-speed rail from London to the Midlands should go ahead, the Telegraph first reported. [...]
Aircraft lessor writes off $1.1bn loss as planes remain in Russia July 9, 2022 Aircraft leasing company SMBC has written off a $1.1bn loss as 34 of its planes remain stranded in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. The Dublin-headquartered company, one of the biggest in the world, decided to expense the fleet’s value this financial year, as the war in Ukraine is expected to continue for some time [...]
BA axes almost one in five flights as travel chaos drags on July 9, 2022 British Airways (BA) has reportedly axed 20 per cent of its summer schedule as travel chaos drags on. According to an analysis by the Times, when compared with what was announced in April, BA cancelled around 18 per cent of flights for July, August and September. That is 5 per cent more than what was [...]
‘Pump-price competition is broken’: AA disagrees with watchdog’s verdict that 5p tax duty cut WAS passed on at the pump July 8, 2022 Motoring groups have disagreed with Competition and Markets Authority’s verdict that the 5p fuel duty cut was reflected in pump prices, as the watchdog calls for further investigation and more transparency. The CMA’s urgent review, ordered by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, found an increase “refining spread” added 24p a litre to petrol and diesel over [...]
Black cab drivers file legal challenge against ride-hailing app over claims business model is illegal July 7, 2022 A black cab drivers trade body has filed a legal challenge against ride-hailing app Free Now, over claims the taxi firm’s business model is illegal. The hackney carriage driver’s trade body, United Trade Action Group (UTAG), is seeking to argue that ride-hailing apps that lets customers hail private hire taxis are acting illegally. The body [...]
Govia Thameslink workers vote in favour of strike July 7, 2022 Around 2,000 members of the union RMT working at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) have voted in favour of walking out. GTR workers were originally balloted as part of the RMT’s national dispute against Network Rail and other 13 operators. But despite voting yes, GTR members did not reach the legal threshold to participate in the [...]
Which? reports Easyjet to CAA for mistreating passengers throughout travel chaos July 7, 2022 Consumer champion Which? has reported Easyjet to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for allegedly mistreating passengers over the last weeks of travel chaos. Which? accused the low-cost airline of keeping travellers in the dark about their right to either be booked on another company’s flight or claim compensation. By directing stranded customers to the ‘Manage [...]
BA check-in staff at Heathrow call off strike following salary increase July 7, 2022 Union members working as British Airways (BA) check-in staff have suspended a planned strike action at Heathrow following a salary increase. Unite said that, after extensive negotiations, BA made a “vastly improved pay offer.” The proposal will now be submitted to workers who are expected to vote on whether to accept it. “We welcome that [...]