UK aviation industry rejects decision to leave EU Aviation Safety Agency March 9, 2020 The UK aviation industry has hit back at plans to leave the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by the end of the year, saying that the move posed a risk to highly skilled jobs in the UK. The calls come after US magazine Aviation Week reported that transport secretary Grant Shapps had confirmed that [...]
Coronavirus: TfL worker tests positive for Covid-19 March 9, 2020 A Transport for London (TfL) worker has tested positive for coronavirus, it was reported, as the outbreak continues to spread across the UK. The employee in question works at the body’s control centre at Palestra House in Blackfriars, rather than on a part of the underground network, TfL confirmed. TfL said that it had ordered [...]
Mind the gap: How to level up transport networks across south London March 9, 2020 It is widely acknowledged that south London’s transport links are inferior to those north of the river. By taking a cursory glance at the Tube map, it becomes blindingly obvious that there is a clear disparity between the two parts of our city, with several multi-coloured lines stretching well into the north in stark contrast [...]
Flybe’s last flight: How Europe’s biggest regional airline met its demise March 9, 2020 At 8.30pm on Wednesday evening, passengers were still being ushered onto planes bearing the indigo livery of Flybe. Half an hour later, members of the cabin crew on one of its last ever flights, from Manchester to Belfast, were crying, having just lost their jobs. “Staff in tears. This is so grim,” tweeted Holly Hamilton, [...]
Norwegian under scrutiny amid concerns over carrier’s debt pile March 8, 2020 A number of hedge funds have increased their bets against Norwegian Air amid concerns that the low-cost carrier could follow Flybe into bankruptcy due to the slump in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. According to IHS Markit data obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, nearly 16 per cent of the airline’s stock is on loan [...]
Jaguar Land Rover boss says Greta Thunberg’s criticism ‘not justified’ March 8, 2020 The boss of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has hit out at Greta Thunberg, saying that climate activists like the Swedish teenager and Extinction Rebellion make “no contribution” and have “no ideas”. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Ralf Speth, JLR’s outgoing boss, described Thunberg’s campaigning as “doing wrong in many areas” by raising issues but not [...]
Budget 2020: Pilots call for air passenger duty tax suspension March 6, 2020 The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) has called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to suspend air passenger duty in next week’s budget to protect the struggling aviation industry and avoid another airline collapsing like Flybe. Global airlines have been severely damaged by the coronavirus outbreak, with international trade body IATA predicting a 24 per cent reduction [...]
Nissan puts £400m into Sunderland factory despite Brexit tariff fears March 6, 2020 Nissan will invest £400m into its Sunderland plant in a much needed boost for the facility, the future of which has been in doubt due to fears over possible tariffs post Brexit. The investment comes as Nissan ramps up its preparations for its new Qashqai model, including a £52m new press line, which was unveiled [...]
Economy will stall without London investment, says Centre for Cities March 6, 2020 A failure to invest in London’s transport infrastructure will constrain the UK’s economy going forward, according to a new report. The Centre for Cities transport report found London was “outgrowing its transport capacity” and that a lack of transport investment would result in a “hard [economic] landing”. The think tank calls for £31bn investment in [...]
Flybe collapse: Virgin Atlantic refused to put more cash into beleaguered airline March 5, 2020 Virgin Atlantic refused to put any more money into collapsed regional airline Flybe due to the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on its own bookings. In a witness statement filed by Mark Anderson, chief executive of Flybe owner Connect Airways, first reported by Sky News, Virgin Atlantic had told the airline on Tuesday evening that [...]