Virgin Atlantic in fresh broadside against British Airways owner over Heathrow slots October 17, 2019 A war of words between two of Britain’s two biggest airlines over take-off and landing slots at Heathrow escalated further this morning, as Virgin Atlantic’s boss launched a fresh salvo against the dominance of British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) at the airport. Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic’s outspoken chief executive, revealed he had set [...]
Eurostar revenue ticks upward after a busy summer October 17, 2019 Eurostar has recorded a modest increase in third quarter revenues after its busiest ever August. The cross-channel rail company today reported a three per cent increase in sales revenue to £254m in the three months to 30 September. Read more: Eurostar tells passengers not to travel as heat causes train chaos This was on the [...]
British Airways boss says electric planes idea won’t fly until 2050 October 17, 2019 The boss of British Airways has thrown doubt over predictions electric planes could enter service over the coming decades. Alex Cruz, BA’s chief executive, said there was “limited opportunity” for electric aircraft entering the market up until 2050. When pressed on the matter, he said BA had consulted with academics and come to the conclusion [...]
Heathrow airport faces fresh calls to increase competition between airlines October 17, 2019 Heathrow airport has come under fresh pressure to increase competition between airlines, amid concerns over a monopoly by British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG). A survey has suggested 57 per cent of British travellers support more choice of airline at Heathrow, one day after the transport secretary backed calls for greater competition. Read more: [...]
Thomas Cook liquidators secure bids for valuable airport slots October 16, 2019 The liquidators of collapsed airline Thomas Cook are said to have secured bids from some of the UK’s largest carriers after kicking off an auction of dozens of UK airport slots. KPMG set a deadline of 5pm today for bids for the take-off and landing slots as part of an auction that could raise tens [...]
Arriva-run Northern Rail franchise could be nationalised October 16, 2019 One of Britain’s biggest rail franchises could be renationalised amid concerns about its financial situation and late-running trains, the transport secretary has said. Grant Shapps said he is considering whether Northern Rail, which is run by German operator Arriva, should be brought under state control. Read more: Arriva seeks £200m from government over East Midlands [...]
National Express wins €1bn Casablanca bus contract October 16, 2019 National Express has secured a €1bn (£869m) contract to run a bus service in Casablanca, nearly doubling its business in Morocco. The bus operator’s Spanish and Moroccan division Alsa has been awarded the 15-year contract, which will start next month with the deployment of 400 buses, increasing to 700 in 2020. Read more: National Express [...]
Ofgem says it will cut National Grid’s Hinkley Point C funding by £80m October 15, 2019 Energy regulator Ofgem said today it would give National Grid £636m to build the transmission line for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, lower than the £717m requested by the company. Ofgem said it rejected £40m in risk funding that National Grid has requested. The regulator said National Grid may be able to seek extra [...]
Blame game: Thomas Cook bosses point finger at government as MPs slam high pay October 15, 2019 Former Thomas Cook bosses have pointed the finger at the government for failing to stump up emergency cash to keep the firm trading last month, in a heated evidence session with MPs. Members of the collapsed holiday giant’s board, including chairman Frank Meysman and chief executive Peter Fankhauser, were today hauled in front of MPs [...]
Financial Conduct Authority clamps down on motor financing commissions October 15, 2019 The UK’s financial regulator is set to crackdown on motor financing commissions in an attempt to save drivers £165m a year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced today it would ban how some auto dealers and brokers structure their sales commissions. Read more: Financial Conduct Authority sawn raids nearly doubled in 2018 The FCA said [...]