The RMT wants a Christmas truce over Southern rail saga – but says it’s in the government’s hands December 20, 2016 The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union wants a Christmas truce over Southern rail – only it says it's up to the government to make it happen. Commuters are battling through today's second day of delays as a 48-hour strike goes on by guards over proposed changes to their roles. There have been months of [...]
Mayor unveils walking and cycling commissioner to bridge the pedestrian vs cycle superhighway divide December 20, 2016 A Nike director has been chosen by mayor Sadiq Khan as the capital's very first walking and cycling commissioner. Will Norman, currently global partnerships director at Nike, will be tasked with getting London stretching its legs and making non-polluting travel easier. He'll also be working on the development of the capital's cycle superhighways and speaking to [...]
Flybe’s heading to Heathrow as it unveils new Scottish flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to the London airport December 20, 2016 Here's a nice early Christmas present for fans of Flybe. The airline has announced new regular flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to London Heathrow, which it says will be the first time it has served the largest London airport. Starting from 26 March 2017, there'll be up to 18 flights a day between London and [...]
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 [...]