Hiring spree: Gatwick recruits 400 security staff to battle delays July 21, 2022 Gatwick has hired 400 additional security staff over the last few weeks as the airport battles the ongoing travel chaos. Crowned the UK’s worst hub last week, Gatwick said it was still recruiting workers ahead of the peak summer period. “With passenger numbers rapidly returning to 2019 levels, we expect to be busy, particularly at [...]
Refuellers suspend strike at Heathrow following improved offer July 20, 2022 Members of the union Unite working as refuellers for Aviation Fuel Services (AFS) have suspended their planned strike action at Heathrow following last-minute negotiations. Unite, which had planned a three-day walkout starting tomorrow, said AFS made a “sustainably improved offer.” The proposal will now be voted on by Unite members. “Unite has consistently said that [...]
Rail can’t take more than its fair share, says head of new trade body July 20, 2022 The railway sector can’t take more than its fair share from both fare and tax payers, according to Andy Bagnall, chief executive of the new trade body Rail Partners. “Train companies want to give their people a pay rise, but it has to be affordable and in the context of restoring the railway to a [...]
Car dealership group Pendragon says supply constraints slow vehicle sales as profits dive July 20, 2022 Car dealership group Pendragon said this afternoon that “supply constraints” have impacted new vehicle volumes over the past six months as it said profits will dip year on year. The company said it expects to post a pre-tax profits of around £33m for the six months to the end of June, compared with £35.1m over [...]
McLaren close to securing additional £100m from Gulf backers to fast-track new models July 20, 2022 McLaren is reportedly close to securing additional funding worth more than £100m to fast-track the production of new models. The cash-call – which could be finalised as early as tonight – would give the luxury car maker at least £80m of capital for the delivery of new road cars, sources told Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. [...]
Olive branch: Easyjet’s founder calls for ceasefire with airline management July 20, 2022 Easyjet’s founder and majority shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has called for a ceasefire in the long-standing feud with the airline’s management. The Greek-Cypriot entrepreneur was one of the many shareholders to vote in favour of an order for new Airbus planes during today’s shareholder meeting, sources told the Financial Times. The purchase – which was [...]
Chaos-stricken Heathrow dealt kerosene blow as refuellers plan to walk out from tomorrow 5am July 20, 2022 Heathrow will need to brace itself for further chaos as refuellers are set to go on a three-day strike starting tomorrow. Around 50 members of the union Unite working for Aviation Fuel Services (AFS) announced the decision yesterday, after they rejected a 10 per cent pay increase. The walkout will begin at 5am tomorrow and [...]
Rail strike on 27 July: Brits face zero services on some train lines July 20, 2022 Network Rail has warned passengers that limited to no services will run on 27 July, the first of an additional three-day strike called by the union RMT last week. The government-owned operator said that – while “specially-trained back-up staff” will keep vital services running on the day – timetables will be cut down to 20 [...]
Rail operators and freight firms create coalition to transform UK railways July 20, 2022 A consortium of rail and freight operating firms have clubbed together with a prospectus to transform Britain’s railways. The launch of Rail Partners was welcomed by rail minister Wendy Morton, as the industry sets out five key priorities for reform – including the sector’s decarbonisation and the role of Great British Railways moving forward. Made [...]
Impact of infernos on the capital: 2,600 calls to Fire Brigade, 41 properties lost, 16 firefighters injured July 20, 2022 The impact of fires that raged over the last two days has been laid bare, with services stretched, emergency responders injured and multiple houses and businesses lost. The London Fire Brigade received an almost nine-fold increase in the number of calls for incidents they had to respond to yesterday, was the “busiest day we’ve had [...]