Flybe appoints former CityJet boss Christine Ourmieres-Widener as new chief executive December 20, 2016 Christine Ourmieres-Widener will take the reins at Flybe next year. She has been appointed chief executive, to take over from Saad Hammad, who stood down in October. Ourmieres-Widener will take up the role from 16 January. Her background is in aviation and the travel industry, with stints at Air France and Amadeus France, before she became chief executive of Irish [...]
As militant unions plot Christmas misery, should strike action on railway services be banned? December 20, 2016 Keith Prince, deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, says Yes. Strike action on public transport can have a devastating impact on commuters. Southern’s passengers have suffered huge delays, cancellations and some have lost their jobs because they can’t guarantee they’ll be able to get to their desks. This appalling situation cannot be allowed [...]
Boeing announced its commercial aircraft unit will start a voluntary layoff programme next year December 19, 2016 Boeing's commercial airplanes unit announced today it would cut even more jobs in 2017 due to continued competition in the industry. The aircraft maker cut about eight per cent of jobs since the beginning of this year, including a 10 per cent reduction of executive positions. Read more: Boeing to cut thousands of jobs In [...]
London Assembly Budget committee raises concerns over mayor’s council tax hike and TfL’s finances December 19, 2016 The mayor's plans to hike council tax for the first time in nine years to pay for the Met Police have raised concern among the London Assembly's Budget and Performance Committee. Ahead of Sadiq Khan's draft 2017-18 budget, the committee set out its concerns and what it considered the big issues facing the Met along with Transport for London [...]
British Airways intends to run a full Christmas schedule despite planned strikes December 19, 2016 British Airways has said it intends to run a full Christmas schedule of flights despite planned industrial action. The airline hasn't yet provided details of how this will be achieved, but said it had drawn up "contingency plans" so the normal flight programme can go ahead, should conciliation talks at Acas today not succeed. Alex [...]
Uber eyes even more expansion as it announces partnership with Indonesia’s second biggest taxi firm December 19, 2016 Uber's showing no sign of slowing up in its expansion. The ride-hailing app company has announced a partnership with Indonesia's Express Transindo Utama, the country's second biggest taxi operator. The deal will give Uber access to some of Express's 11,000-strong fleet of taxis and 17,000 drivers. It should also help the firm meet regulations on [...]
Iran’s 100 jet deal with Airbus to be signed in days as A380s are dropped December 19, 2016 The deal is very nearly done. Iran has finalised an agreement with Airbus to acquire 100 jetliners, a senior official said today. It will be signed in the coming days, deputy roads and urban development minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan said. "We have finalised negotiations with Airbus and any day we will be able to sign the [...]
MP support for Heathrow expansion reaches new high (says poll commissioned by Heathrow) December 19, 2016 It might have some prominent opposition, from London mayor Sadiq Khan to Boris Johnson, but Heathrow wants to make clear its expansion has hefty backing too. The airport has just released a new poll of 130 MPs by ComRes, which recorded 74 per cent of MPs backing the third runway; a rise of seven percentage points [...]
Christmas strikes 2016: From Southern rail to British Airways, why’s everyone striking? December 19, 2016 A raft of Christmas strikes is set to unfold this week, with travel particularly affected. Around 3,000 staff at various Crown post offices are set to walk out today, Tuesday and Saturday, while members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union unleash their latest industrial action on Southern rail today and tomorrow, with an ongoing [...]
London to be cloaked in fog tomorrow says Met Office and a London White Christmas doesn’t look likely December 18, 2016 Dense fog will descend on London tomorrow, hampering efforts to either get into the capital for work or get away from it for the Christmas holidays. Today, fog stubbornly held its ground leading to the capital's airports warning of flight delays and cancellations – it was the second day those looking to make an early [...]