Ryanair calls on EU to ignore ghost flights claims January 12, 2022 Ryanair has called on the European Commission (EC) to ignore Lufthansa’s ‘ghost flights’ claim, accusing the German carrier of “blocking their slots” to protect themselves from competition with low-cost airlines. “The solution to Lufthansa’s ‘ghost flights’ problem is a simple one – just sell these seats to consumers,” said Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary in [...]
Bankruptcy watchdog clears Thomas Cook bosses of wrongdoing January 12, 2022 The Insolvency Service, the UK’s bankruptcy watchdog, has reportedly cleared the bosses of global travel group Thomas Cook of wrongdoing, more than two years after the company collapsed. “The liquidation of Thomas Cook Group is a complex and significant insolvency, with the Official Receiver carrying out his duties to ensure an orderly wind-up of the [...]
Maersk to become net zero by 2040, a decade before the initial target January 12, 2022 Shipping giant Maersk has announced that, alongside its whole supply chain, it will become net zero by 2040, 10 years before the initial 2050 target. To dramatically cut its environmental impact, Maersk has set both near and medium-term targets, including a 50 per cent reduction in emissions per transport container as well as 70 per [...]
SWR latest operator to adjust timetable because of Omicron January 12, 2022 South Western Railway (SWR) has followed in the footsteps of operators such as Greater Anglia and ScotRail and introduced a temporary timetable as a result of the spread of Omicron. From 17 January, journey planners will be adjusted on a weekly basis, with updates being communicated toward the end of each week. Remaining under review [...]
Government pauses smart motorways for five years following safety concerns January 12, 2022 The UK Government has announced it will put the development of 57 miles of new ‘all-lane’ smart motorways on hold for five years, following safety concerns. As a result of today’s decision, smart motorways works on the M3, M40/42, M62 and M25 will be suspended. The project’s safety and economic data will be collected for [...]
TfL targets one million fines a year, top Met officer says January 12, 2022 Transport for London (TfL) is set to target one million speeding fines a year, as more than 623,000 prosecutions have taken place between 2020 and 2021. According to Simon Ovens, chief superintendent at the Met’s roads and transport policing command, TfL has “a clear position to get to a target of one million prosecutions a [...]
British Airways axes hundreds of flights following booking slump January 12, 2022 British Airways (BA) has reportedly scrapped three flight routes, axing hundreds of flights until the summer. Routes from London Heathrow to US destinations such as Nashville, New Orleans and Baltimore were cancelled as a result of a Covid-induced slump in bookings, the Sun first reported. Flights to New Orleans will end on 15 January while [...]
Centrica boss on the energy crisis: High gas bills are here to stay January 12, 2022 Brits have been told the energy crisis may last for two years, according to Centrica’s chief executive Chris O’Shea. O’Shea said “the market suggests” high gas prices will continue “for the next 18 months to two years”. He said the high demand for gas was partly being driven by a move away from coal and [...]
Pfizer to slash ‘few hundred’ sales jobs as doctors opt for virtual meetings January 11, 2022 Pfizer has revealed plans to slash its US sales team as it anticipates healthcare providers will opt for virtual meetings above in-person interactions. The vaccine-maker did not state how many sales roles it was planning to cut, however, a source familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency that a few hundred jobs would [...]
Households in colder parts of country could receive heating support boost January 11, 2022 Families in colder areas of the country may receive more government financial support for heating costs this winter. The Treasury is reportedly mulling giving more cash to areas that are forced to use heating more, as energy bills have skyrocketed in recent months. The idea is being considered ahead of a package of measures to [...]