European airports passenger numbers slightly up in time for Christmas after plunging amid Omicron fears December 23, 2021 Passenger traffic through European airports increased nine per cent last week, as people make journeys to meet loved ones for the festive season, amid a “substantive” drop in traffic since Omicron was first detected. The number of passengers passing through Europe’s airports has fallen by around a fifth in the three weeks after the Omicron [...]
Worst November since 1984 for UK car industry despite strong demand for electric vehicles December 23, 2021 Despite a surge in demand for battery electric vehicles, UK car production saw the worst November performance since 1984 last month The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said November UK car production was the fifth consecutive month of decline, dropping 28.7 per cent to 75,756 units, the worst figure seen in 37 years, [...]
Automotive output falls 28.7 per cent despite EV boost December 23, 2021 The UK automotive output declined 28.7 per cent in November to 75,756 units produced. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) released today, both domestic and overseas markets plunged, going down 18.8 and 30.4 per cent respectively. “These are incredibly worrying figures, underscoring the severity of situation facing the automotive [...]
Air passenger demand to grow by two thirds on 2021 levels December 22, 2021 Passenger demand in 2022 is expected to grow by two thirds on 2021, only 15 per cent down on 2019 levels. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, capacity growth will reach up to 47 per cent and will go back to 2015 levels. “Whilst I knew Cirium’s fleet forecast is more optimistic than what we [...]
Austria introduces tougher restrictions for UK travellers December 22, 2021 After France and Germany, Austria has become the latest EU country to tighten restrictions for those coming from the UK. From Christmas Day, Britain will be classified as a virus variant region, meaning that travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days upon entering the country. People who are fully vaccinated and have received their [...]
Ryanair expects losses to double as Omicron eats into bookings December 22, 2021 Low-cost carrier Ryanair is expecting its losses for the year ending March to double following concerns over the latest Covid variant, Omicron. The company’s shares on the ISE went down today 1.06 per cent to €15.43. The airline said its net losses will range between €250m to €450m, compared with €100-€200m that was previously estimated, [...]
Carbon value of Heathrow third runway increases to £100bn December 22, 2021 The costs of bringing down the carbon impact of Heathrow’s proposed third runway has doubled as a result of the UK Government’s net-zero ambitions. According to research by London think tank New Economics Foundation, the third runway’s carbon value for the 2025-2050 period has gone up from £50bn to £100bn, potentially impacting the expansion plans, [...]
Union Unite calls on government to deliver ‘urgent’ support to aviation December 22, 2021 The union Unite has called on the UK Government to deliver ‘urgent’ support to the aviation industry following Whitehall’s £1bn package for the hospitality sector. Unite has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to help the industry weather the uncertainty caused by the Omicron variant, “so that it can rebuild sustainably and with resilience.” “Since this crisis [...]
US car regulators open investigation in 580,000 Teslas over game feature December 22, 2021 US regulator the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 580,000 Tesla vehicles over a game feature. The NHTSA has said that Tesla 3,S,X,Y models have a “passenger play” feature that “may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash,” Reuters reported. While the agency’s investigations will cover models [...]
Elon Musk not planning to sell any more shares as Tesla founder hits out at California’s high tax regime December 22, 2021 Tesla’s boss and serial entrepreneur Elon Musk is not planning to sell any more of his Tesla shares, following yesterday’s offloading of 583,611 stock. “I sold enough stock to get to around 10 per cent plus the option exercise stuff and I tried to be extremely literal here,” he said in an interview with satirical [...]