Flying Level: British Airways owner IAG is launching a new low-cost, long-haul airline from Barcelona March 17, 2017 British Airways owner IAG has announced plans for a new low-cost, long-haul airline called Level that will take to the skies in June 2017. The new carrier will fly from Barcelona to Los Angeles, San Francisco (Oakland), Buenos Aires and Punta Cana. Read more: Norwegian Air launches new UK and Irish flights to the US from [...]
Southern rail strike saga continues: The RMT union announces a new 24-hour walkout for 4 April March 17, 2017 The RMT union has announced another 24-hour strike on Southern rail for Tuesday 4 April, in a row over the role of conductors. Mick Cash, RMT's general secretary, said: “RMT members on Southern Rail have been fighting for safety and access for nearly a year now and it is disgraceful that we have continued to be carved [...]
Ford’s bringing in night vision tech so its cars will brake for you if you’re going to hit someone at night March 17, 2017 Find driving at night fairly stressful? According to Ford, you're not alone. Many people across Europe are scared of driving on the roads at night (81 per cent of 5,030 drivers surveyed) with common fears being hitting someone or something while driving. So, the car firm is introducing technology designed to detect pedestrians at night and [...]
French authorities join the UK’s Serious Fraud Office in Airbus fraud and corruption investigation March 17, 2017 French authorities have opened their own investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption at Airbus, joining Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) which launched an inquiry in August. The Parquet National Financier and the SFO will "act in coordination" going forward as they look into the allegations in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group [...]
As Toyota says it’ll invest £240m in its UK plant, has the threat of Brexit to carmakers been overplayed? March 17, 2017 Daniel Mahoney, deputy director at the Centre for Policy Studies, says Yes. The prospect of a 10 per cent tariff on UK car exports to the EU is unnerving for the automotive industry. However, developments since the EU referendum are reason to remain positive. Both Nissan and now Toyota have announced major investments in the [...]
Plans for £4bn restoration of parliament need further challenging and testing before green light is given, says Treasury Committee March 17, 2017 It would be "imprudent" for MPs to commit to the restoration of parliament that could cost up to £4bn, without more work being carried out into "the hugely expensive project", the Treasury Select Committee warned today. The Committee has launched an inquiry into the project which will cost between £3.5bn and £4bn, if carried out over [...]
The Night Tube is set for major disruption after Aslef and RMT drivers announce strikes on 8 and 29 April March 16, 2017 More Night Tube drivers have voted for strike action in a row over "fair access to full-time jobs" and will strike on the nights of Saturday 8 April and Saturday 29 April. Members of train drivers' union Aslef have voted in favour of a strike and action short of a strike. As they represent the [...]
Lufthansa profit rises after cost-cutting despite a tumultuous year of strike troubles March 16, 2017 Despite suffering costly long-running strike troubles, Lufthansa unveiled a net profit of €1.78bn last year, coasting into 2017 thanks to "effective cost reductions". The figures: In 2016, Lufthansa’s revenues declined 1.2 per cent to about €31.7bn from €32bn. Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) also decreased by 3.6 per cent to €1.75bn. Net profits rose 4.6 per cent to [...]
Business Committee launches inquiry into electric vehicles to assess concerns over stalling sales March 16, 2017 The role of electric vehicles as part of the government's industrial strategy will be investigated by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee. The BEIS Committee has launched an inquiry today to scope out the barriers to the market's development and look into concerns that sales and take-up haven't been "as advanced as they [...]
Toyota gives the UK a vote of confidence as it plugs £240m investment into its Burnaston plant with government support March 16, 2017 Toyota has signalled it is committed to manufacturing in Britain after announcing today it is plugging £240m into its UK operations in a bid to improve its Burnaston plant's competitiveness. The Japanese car firm said the investment into its plant near Derby will enable production of vehicles using its new global manufacturing system and promote UK [...]