UK aims to build world’s first transatlantic net zero plane July 2, 2020 The UK will aim to be the first country to build a net zero emissions commercial airliner capable of crossing the Atlantic, transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed today. Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Shapps said that the country had set up the so-called “Jet Zero” council specifically with that goal in mind. [...]
Nearly half of UK employees commuted to work last week July 2, 2020 Almost half of UK employees travelled to work last week, the Office of National Statistics has revealed this morning, as the country continues to lift its coronavirus lockdowns. According to the data, 49 per cent of workers commuted to their place of employment in the week ending 28 June, up from 44 per cent the [...]
Ryanair passenger numbers down 97 per cent as ‘air bridges’ wait goes on July 2, 2020 Ryanair flew just 400,000 people last month, the low-cost airline revealed today, as the coronavirus continued to cripple global aviation. The figure represents a 97 per cent drop on the same month in 2019, when the budget carrier flew 14.2m people. However, compared to April and May, in which the airline flew a combined 110,000 [...]
Tesla surpasses Toyota to become world’s most valuable carmaker July 1, 2020 Electric carmaker Tesla today became the world’s most valuable automobile manufacturer, eclipsing Toyota to take the crown. Tesla’s market value is now at $208bn, as shares rose more than five per cent to reach record highs of $1,132 earlier today. In comparison, Toyota was worth approximately $202bn following a small drop in its Japan-listed shares [...]
Virgin Atlantic secures £200m from Virgin in bid for £1bn rescue deal July 1, 2020 Virgin Atlantic has secured £200m in additional funding from parent company Virgin as the embattled carrier seeks a total of £1bn in the coming weeks in order to stay afloat. The airline, which has seen its planes grounded for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, has had its finances decimated by the virus and [...]
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary says 3,000 jobs at risk unless pay cuts agreed July 1, 2020 Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary today confirmed that the airline would cut 3,000 jobs if it was not able to agree pay cuts with staff. Speaking to the BBC, O’Leary said: “We’ve already announced about 3,000 job losses but we’re engaged in extensive negotiations with our pilots, our cabin crew and we’re asking them to all [...]
Work still ‘ongoing’ on air bridges, says Alok Sharma July 1, 2020 Business secretary Alok Sharma has said the UK’s plans to create air bridges with other countries is still “ongoing”, potentially indicating further delays to any announcement. The UK’s plan to have quarantine-free with some low coronavirus risk countries, also known as air bridges or travel corridors, was expected to be announced last Friday. Media reports [...]
Upper Crust owner SSP to slash 5,000 jobs as coronavirus knocks travel sector July 1, 2020 Upper Crust owner SSP has announced up to 5,000 job cuts as it attempts to survive a sector-wide coronavirus downturn in the travel industry. The job cuts will largely affect SSP’s UK head office and UK operations, the company said today, at a cost of between £8m and £10m. SSP said coronavirus has forced it [...]
Lookers shares suspended as results delayed by accounting probe July 1, 2020 Car dealership firm Lookers today had its shares suspended from trading after failing to publish its final results due to an ongoing accounting probe. On Monday, the company said it had identified a £19m hole in its accounts after a number of years of overstated profitability. As a result, Lookers was unable to publish its [...]
Electric scooters zoom onto UK roads as government fast-tracks trials June 30, 2020 Brits will finally be allowed to zoom around on rented electric scooters from Saturday, as part of a bid to promote socially-distanced transport. The Department for Transport (DfT) said the first rentable e-scooters could be available next week, as it published guidance for e-scooter-for-hire firms. It comes as the government tries to ease the pressure on [...]