Author: Lee Fletcher
A planned strike to be held tomorrow, July 26, 2012, by employees of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the UK government’s border control agency and a part of the Home Office, has been called off. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union, which are employed by the Home Office, had earlier announced a strike on July 26, 2012, over a long-running disagreement with the government on issues that included job cuts, reimbursement and privatisation. The industrial action was likely to affect London Heathrow Airport, especially with the airport being the entry point for around 90 percent of the…
Easyjet, a UK-based airline, has announced increased profits for its third financial quarter of 2012. The airline has reported recorded revenue of GBP1.03 billion, representing a 10.5 percent increase in revenues from that in the same period last year. Explaining the results, Carolyn McCall, easyJet chief executive officer, said, ‘easyJet’s focus on the customer, tight operational and cost management and strict allocation of capital across its leading network means that it is able to continue to perform well financially and operationally despite a tough environment for consumer facing businesses. The continued strong operational and financial performance of the business combined…
Holidaymakers visiting the UK’s Dorset coast have been warned to be extra vigilant after a 22-year old woman died yesterday when she was caught in a landslide beneath the county’s famous coastal cliffs. The landslide, on a stretch of cliffs near Burton Bradstock, claimed the life of Charlotte Blackman, a Derbyshire resident who was out walking with her boyfriend and her father. The two men were also trapped in the 35-foot deep pile of rubble, which gave way just after 12.30pm yesterday. The accident has resulted in warnings being issued to other holidaymakers in the area to take care when…
The inaugural China Travel Retail (CTR) event was launched at the Marriott City Centre Hotel in Shanghai. The first day of the event, which also hosted an exhibition, attracted about 180 delegates, and was intended to provide an insight into how the Shanghai Hongqiao airport is responding to demand for an improved travel-retail requirement from passengers. The event was opened with a presentation from Shanghai Hong Kong Airport Management executive vice-general manager, Michael Yuan. He said that the 17,000sq m of commercial space at Hongqiao airport has to cater to the needs of about 33 million passengers a year. About…
Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor, has launched a travel podcast. Greenberg, considered to be a travel guru with extensive travelling experience, has launched a destination-driven podcast, called Travel Today with Peter Greenberg. The podcast is adapted from his nationally syndicated radio show. The originality of the podcast involves each episode of the show being aired from different remote locations around the globe. Greenberg will be the host of the show and the episodes are also available on iTunes and Stitcher. In each show, Greenberg will interact with local experts who will share their experiences and insights regarding the featured…
Travelport Inc, a business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced that it has launched a new mobile application for Italian youth. The company said that its mobile app has been developed for CTS Viaggi, the Italian member of the WYSET (World Youth Student and Educational Travel) Confederation. Called CTS Mobile, the app may be used by those that have Apple and Android products. It is available for download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. The company said that the new product allows travellers to search for flights and hotels using maps. Search results may be…
Qatar Airways, a Qatar based airline company, is currently planning to operate new scheduled flights from Birmingham Airport in the UK. The new destination will be its third in the UK, and it will serve the Midland’s area. It follows London Heathrow Airport, which serves the capital and the southeast, and Manchester Airport, which serves the north of the country. The airline, which has recently completed its feasibility studies on two more UK airports, is yet to announce details of the specific proposed locations. In a statement the airline said, ‘Qatar Airways is committed to the UK market, where we…
British Airways, the UK based airline company, has cancelled its plans to raise funds through secured debt instruments. The company had earlier announced its GBP250 million secured debt issue, through corporate bonds that were to be secured against some of its London Heathrow Airport slots. International Airlines Group (IAG), the UK-based parent company of British Airways, had previously reported plans to spend EUR1.6 billion in 2012, and an additional EUR4.95 billion on renewing its fleet, including taking delivery of its first Airbus A380 and Boeing Dreamliner B787 aircraft in 2013. The proposed debt issue was originally intended to raise funds…
Air China, the China-based, state-owned airline company, is offering a fast track immigration service at London Heathrow Airport for its VIP passengers. The airline is currently offering this facility to its First Class and Business Class passengers and PhoenixMiles Platinum members, on flights from Beijing to Heathrow London airport. On arriving at Heathrow airport, the passengers may proceed to the ‘Fast Track’ location and provide their credentials in order to benefit from the service. Passengers will be offered an exclusive express immigration and passport control clearance service at Heathrow, with much shorter waiting periods and greater travel comfort. The offer…
The demand for car hire has taken an upswing in London for the Olympic games period, even as UK-based government agency, Transport for London (TfL), has advised UK residents in the city to make best use of public transport, bicycles, and walking to reach their destinations while the games are taking place. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games commence from July 27, 2012, and end on September 9, 2012. Around 150,000 international visitors are expected to be in the city for the world’s largest sporting event. A UK based car hire company, Carrentals.co.uk, has reported that around 40 percent of…