Government too involved in HS2, warns top infrastructure adviser January 15, 2025 Too much government involvement in HS2 has hampered delivery and fuelled massive cost overruns and delays, according to a key infrastructure adviser. Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, told MPs he had “never been convinced by the governance structure of HS2,” having been influenced by his own experience delivering the infrastructure for [...]
Chauffeur firm Blacklane looks to ‘double down’ on London after Saudi cash injection January 13, 2025 Luxury chauffeur service Blacklane is looking to “double down” on London after announcing its largest-ever funding round late last year. The Berlin-based firm, which counts Mercedes-Benz and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s Tasaru Mobility among its investors, raised £53.5m in October amid long-running reports of a possible Initial Public Offering (IPO). Blacklane’s airport transfer [...]
New car market in UK up 2.6 per cent in 2024, figures reveal January 4, 2025 The UK’s new car market recorded its second successive year of growth with a 2.6 per cent rise in registrations in 2024, new figures show. Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said around 1,953,000 new cars were registered last year, compared with 1,903,000 in 2023. Growth was delivered entirely by purchases [...]
HS2 chair to step down as cost swells to £66bn December 17, 2024 The chair of the company behind High Speed Two (HS2) is to stop down next year, it has been announced. Sir Jon Thompson has served on the board of HS2 Ltd for almost four years after first joining as a non-executive director in April 2021. He was appointed as the company’s chair in February 2023 [...]
Metro mayors to control railways and housing in ‘landmark’ devolution plans December 16, 2024 Mayors of large cities and regions across England will soon be able to take control of local infrastructure and skills projects under a new devolution bill, which was introduced in Parliament today. The English Devolution White Paper will give metro mayors – directly elected regional leaders who chair combined authorities – significant new powers in [...]
Heathrow: Fresh ‘kiss and fly’ charge hike slammed as ‘blatant raid’ December 11, 2024 Heathrow intends to raise per-passenger charges from £5 to £6 in January next year, a move which follows previous hikes in 2024.
HS2: Costs for London Euston section reach over £7.5bn December 10, 2024 Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Autumn Budget HS2 will terminate at Euston station, following a political kerfuffle over how to find the necessary funding.
Keep airlines’ record $1trn revenue in perspective, says former British Airways chief December 10, 2024 The global airline industry is expected to make $1trn (£783.7bn) in revenue for the first time in its history next year, as passenger demand continues to break records in the post-Covid era. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Tuesday forecast annual traffic would reach another all-time high of around 5bn, despite supply chain issues [...]
Easyjet: Golden goodbye for departing CEO Johan Lundgren December 10, 2024 The departing chief executive of Easyjet has been handed a golden goodbye to the tune of almost £3m ahead of stepping down next month. Johan Lundgren has pocketed £2.88m ahead of handing over to Kenton Jarvis in the New Year. The pay packet is up from the £2.19m Lundgren received in the prior year. The [...]
Profit takes off at Manchester Airport and London Stansted owner December 10, 2024 Profit at the group behind Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports took off in the first six months of its financial year thanks to a record-breaking summer, it has been announced. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has reported a pre-tax profit of £139.6m for the six months to 30 September, 2024, up from £115.9m, thanks [...]