Author: Shawon Hannan

Manchester Airport is preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary, as thousands are expected to visit the Runway Visitor Park on September 14 for a day of vintage fly-pasts. All through the day there will be fly pasts at intervals, with planes on display including the legendary Lancaster Bomber, Hornet Moth, Dragon and Morane Sauline. A range of vintage aircraft dating back to the 1930s will be on display at the free event. Andrew Cowan, chief operating officer for MAG, which owns the airport, said: ‘This year has been a significant milestone in our history as we reached our 75th anniversary.…

Motorists in the UK are increasingly resorting to road atlases amid technology problems with the satellite navigation (satnav) systems, according to a report by The Telegraph. The Department for Transport has been holding discussions with satellite navigation device manufacturers about solving some of the technological problems created by technology. The recent reports of foreign lorry and coach drivers getting stuck in small country lanes, and the futility of a recorded voice urging a driver to make a sudden u-turn in the middle of a traffic jam are factors influencing drivers to keep an up-to-date map in the car. A Cornish…

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named Europe’s Leading Cruise Line for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards. Francesco Paradisi, Norwegian Cruise Line senior manager for business development, received the award during the 20th annual gala ceremony held in Antalya, Turkey on August 31, 2013. ‘We are thrilled that travel partners and consumers worldwide have chosen us for this award for the sixth year in a row,’ said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line. ‘A Norwegian Cruise Line vacation is all about freedom and flexibility at sea and receiving this prestigious award shows that both industry…

The new Holiday Inn Express under development at Edinburgh Airport has started taking bookings from guests and travellers looking to explore Scotland. The development of the 100-bedroom Holiday Inn Express at Edinburgh Airport is progressing and it will commence service in January 2014. UK-based hotel management company, Chardon Management, operates the hotel. Chardon Management director, Nicola Taylor, said: ‘Catering for both the business and leisure markets, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport, is the perfect base for exploring Scotland’s capital city. ‘The smart choice for travellers who need a simple, engaging hotel to rest, recharge and get a little work…

University College London (UCL) is extending its WideNoise initiative, launched in April to monitor the stress inflicted on the bodies of airport neighbours by aircraft noise. Those living under the flight path of Heathrow Airport are now invited to wear body sensors to measure and record the stress caused by aircraft noise, according to a BBC report. Councilor Carwyn Cox, cabinet member for environmental services, said: ‘This [body sensor project] is to follow on from the WideNoise initiative. ‘This idea is to try to take that a little bit further and find out what their body is experiencing with aircraft…

Network Rail has advised passengers of planned changes to train services in and out of London Bridge during August 2014, which will affect First Capital Connect, Southern and some Southeastern services. The major change to services for nine days between August 23 and 31, 2014, will allow Network Rail to complete the essential track improvements on the approach to the station. The rail network is also planning major line closures in addition to the widely advertised, phased platform closures. Under the planned changes for next August, no Southern services will call at London Bridge, some First Capital Connect services will…

easyJet, a UK-based budget airline, has announced its summer schedule for 2014, with over 58,000 flights to and from the UK. The airline’s summer schedule starts on March 30 and will extend to June 15, next year. Over nine million seats are now available for purchase at www.easyJet.com, offering passengers the best early fares for summer 2014. easyJet operates from 11 UK airports and offers flights to 340 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia. Cath Lynn, easyJet’s group commercial director, commented: ‘We’re pleased that our summer flights are now on sale with almost 60,000 flights to…

British Airways, the UK’s national carrier, is set to become the first and only airline to offer direct flights from London to Austin in Texas from 2014. In early March 2014, the airline will fly its brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the Texan capital, starting with five flights a week and offering daily flights from May 5. Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of strategy, said: ‘The addition of the Airbus A380s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners to our fleet enables us to start new routes and increase services to a number of our destinations.’ ‘We’re excited to be the only…

The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), a UK-based professional body for travel management companies, has published its second quarterly review for 2013, which it claims shows a direct correlation between the level of business travel undertaken and economic growth. The review shows that exports to non-EU markets have increased in line with an increase in the uptake of business travel. Based on figures from April to June this year, GTMC analysed business travel transactions and revenue, and compared them with a range of economic indicators relating to the UK’s economy. These included changes in GDP, corporate profitability, the level…

Bristol Airport has launched a marketing campaign across Devon and Cornwall on September 2, to raise the region’s awareness of more than 100 destinations served. The campaign, which highlights the range of routes available to passengers across the South West, comes after the significant growth in market share in the two counties, as Bristol is increasingly seen as the airport of choice in the region. Citing CAA Passenger Survey 2012 data, Bristol Airport said that its market share has risen since 2008, when it accounted for around one fifth of the market for air travel in Devon and Cornwall. According…