Lufthansa cancels 876 flights tomorrow because of pilots’ strike November 22, 2016 Lufthansa has cut 876 out of 3,000 flights scheduled for tomorrow as it seeks a temporary injunction to avoid strike action that'll affect 100,000 passengers. Pilots are planning a 24-hour day strike – the latest interruption to Lufthansa's operations as a long-running pay dispute wages on. Read more: Inmarsat's wifi deal with Lufthansa takes off [...]
Minicab drivers are staging an anti-Uber protest in Westminster November 22, 2016 A fresh anti-Uber protest has hit the capital, aimed at piling more pressure on the Mayor of London to "take action" against the startup. Minicab drivers are staging a protest from Edgware Road, past Transport for London's offices in Victoria and which arrives at Westminster at 2.30pm. Members of drivers union United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) are calling on Sadiq [...]
“It’s like Dad’s Army”: Michael O’Leary criticises government for “lunatic optimism” over Brexit November 22, 2016 Nobody could ever accuse Michael O’Leary of being bland. The Ryanair boss was vocal about his concerns ahead of Brexit and now he's speaking out once more over how the government is handling Britain’s departure from the European Union. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association’s annual conference, he criticised the government again for its approach and reaffirmed [...]
Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate wants government to approve his “complementary scheme” to Heathrow expansion November 21, 2016 The government gave Heathrow expansion the go-ahead last month, but Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate isn't feeling despondent. His focus is still on getting the government to give Gatwick the green light too. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association's annual conference, Wingate said: "My objective is to secure an additional runway at the earliest opportunity." "I [...]
Chris Grayling says the world of aviation will be prioritised in Brexit negotiations November 21, 2016 Airlines were among the first to battle Brexit turbulence and transport secretary Chris Grayling has now pledged the aviation industry will be prioritised in Brexit negotiations. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association’s annual conference, Grayling said: "I can give that assurance." The industry remains uncertain over its standing in Europe and elsewhere in the world going forward, while [...]
Over three quarters of UK subcontractors don’t benefit from national infrastructure projects November 21, 2016 With Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement on the horizon, the general expectation is that it'll be an infrastructure-laden announcement. And UK subcontractors are among many hoping they'll get some attention. Over three quarters (78 per cent) don't benefit from national infrastructure projects, according to new research from specialist funder Bibby Financial Services (BFS). Helen Wheeler, managing director [...]
A five per cent improvement in airport journey times could generate £1.9bn for the UK economy, says the AOA November 21, 2016 The Airport Operators Association wants the government to improve surface access to airports, and it's done its research ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Statement. It's calling on the government to invest in transport links to airports, after its new report, in conjunction with Capital Economics, said the government could create tens of thousands of jobs by reducing [...]
Sadiq Khan wants Volkswagen to cough up £2.5m owed to London in congestion charges November 20, 2016 As if Volkswagen didn't have enough on its plate, now it's facing a £2.5m compensation demand from mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Khan has written to the car giant after Transport for London (TfL) found that an estimated 80,000 of the 500,000 VW cars registered to addresses in the capital, were fitted with illegal defeat devices. So [...]
Fifteen people charged over Heathrow expansion protest November 20, 2016 The Met Police have charged 15 people following a protest at Heathrow Airport yesterday. The police said they had been charged with wilful obstruction of the highway, following a protest near M4 Spur Road. All those charged have been bailed to appear at Ealing Magistrates Court on Thursday 22 December. Heathrow expansion protesters were arrested after [...]
Potholes beware: UK’s roads to get a £1.3bn boost in Philip Hammond’s infrastructure-intensive first Autumn Statement November 20, 2016 A £1.3bn funding boost to go towards improving Britain's roads will be one of the key infrastructure policies announced in Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement next week. Infrastructure investment will be "at the heart" of the mini-Budget, the government said today, will policies targeting long-term economic growth and productivity. An industrial strategy will also be published in [...]