Hotel Chocolat’s profits surge following brand appeal increase in key markets March 2, 2022 Chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat has registered a surge in profits following a brand appeal increase in key markets like the UK, Japan and the US. In the 26 weeks ended 26 December, the group’s profit before tax was up 56 per cent to £24.1m, while the underlying EBITDA grew 35 per cent, from £24.9m to [...]
UK releases additional £80m aid to Ukraine March 1, 2022 The UK Government has released an additional £80m in aid to Ukraine, bringing Britain’s total humanitarian package to £120m. The funding comes after the UK announced in early February a £100m economic package to bolster the Ukrainian economy and reduce its reliance on Russian gas, adding £40m last weekend to help aid agencies respond to [...]
Centrica considers cutting ties with Gazprom following Ukraine invasion March 1, 2022 UK energy company Centrica is looking at cutting ties with Russian gas giant Gazprom following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The company, which signed an agreement with Gazprom in 2012 and later extended it until summer 2025, has now “entered into discussions with Gazprom about exiting this agreement,” without any impact on UK gas supplies. “We [...]
EU considers ports closure to Russian ships March 1, 2022 The EU is reportedly considering whether to follow the UK’s example and ban Russian ships from docking at its ports. According to the Danish foreign ministry, closing its ports had been considered during Sunday’s meeting when EU foreign ministers agreed to close the bloc’s airspace following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. “Denmark is actively working [...]
Aviation expects numbers to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024 March 1, 2022 The aviation industry expects traveller numbers to exceed pre-pandemic levels starting from 2024. According to a forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), overall numbers will reach 4 billion in 2024, 103 per cent up on 2019 levels. Even though the impact of Omicron has caused a slight shift in near-term recovery predictions, the [...]
Airspace closures hit air cargo operations leading to more supply chain issues March 1, 2022 The Ukrainian conflict has hit air cargo operations worldwide, creating even more supply chain issues, analysts and companies said. Following the EU’s decision to close its airspace to Russian aircraft and the Kremlin’s retaliation, both passenger and cargo routes have been severely disrupted. Some of the biggest airlines in Europe – including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM [...]
Maersk follows MSC and halts cargo bookings in Russia March 1, 2022 Logistics giant Maersk has followed in MSC’s footsteps and decided today to halt all cargo bookings to and from Russia. Maersk said yesterday it was considering whether to halt suspend all container bookings in Russia, following the set of restrictions imposed by the EU on Sunday night. “We are closely following the ever-evolving situation with [...]
Government releases £150m bus funding package March 1, 2022 The government has released the £150m final tranche of pandemic-related support for buses and light railway services. Part of a £2bn package set up by the government during the pandemic, the funding is expected to run until October 2022, helping more than 160 operators with services. “The funding I’ve announced today will ensure millions of [...]
Grant Shapps expresses frustration at London tube strikes March 1, 2022 Transport secretary Grant Shapps expressed today its frustration at the today’s Tube strike, which has created havoc across the whole of London. Shapps urged London mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) to resolve the dispute with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) as soon as possible, while calling on [...]
BA’s owner IAG commits to 40 per cent female management by 2025 March 1, 2022 British Airways’ (BA) owner IAG extendeded today its gender equality commitments, pledging to reach a 40 per cent female management target by 2025. While female representation on the group’s board stands currently at 42 per cent, since 2021 women have occupied a 33 per cent of all senior management positions in the company. The new [...]
