From today: Many trains services slashed following staff shortages as strikes and Covid cripple rail networks January 1, 2022 Several train operators – including ScotRail and South Western Railway – said they have no choice but to slash services as a result of Covid-induced staff shortages. From today until 17 January, when the new timetable will be introduced, Southwestern Railway trains will be subject to short notice cancellations. “The onset of the Omicron variant [...]
Drivers unaware of Highway Code changes, data reveals December 31, 2021 The majority of UK drivers are still unaware of the changes made to the Highway Code which – if approved by Parliament – will come into effect on 29 January. According to a poll carried out by the AA before Christmas, two thirds of its 13,000 members didn’t know changes were under way. British charity [...]
Local authorities sue European truck makers over price-fixing scheme December 31, 2021 More than 100 UK local authorities are taking European truck manufacturers such as Volvo and Daimler to court over a price-fixing scheme. Basildon’s and North Tyneside’s councils as well as 22 fire and rescue services are seeking £450m worth of damages five years after the European Commission ruled that Volvo, Daimler, Iveco, DAF and MAN [...]
Best of 2021: Why UK airlines are at odds with Heathrow December 27, 2021 The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) managed to upset both airlines and Heathrow on 16 December when it confirmed the interim price cap which will be implemented at the London hub from 1 January. From the current £19.60 the charges will go up to £29.50 in 2020 prices, amounting to £30.19 per passenger because of the [...]
Omicron hospitalisations skyrocket by 67 per cent in London as new Covid restrictions seem inevitable December 27, 2021 The number of hospitalisations related to the Omicron variant is climbing rapidly across the UK, with a jump of 67 per cent in London alone. Across the UK, there were 36 per cent more hospital admissions in the week ended 24 December. According to the Health Service Journal, hospitalisations for Omicron skyrocket in the capital, [...]
Covid, closures and strikes impact thousands of Christmas travellers December 27, 2021 Planned closures as well as strikes and Covid have interfered with UK travellers’ Christmas plans, with disruption set to continue this week. Rail operators – including Greater Anglia and ScotRail – were forced to make adjustments to their timetable after staff fell ill with Covid. “The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has seen a recent spike of Covid-related absences [...]
No way (home): Latest Spider-Man instalment tops $1bn worldwide December 27, 2021 Spider-Man: No Way Home has become the first film produced during the pandemic to have grossed more than $1bn worldwide. After beating the likes of No Time to Die and Chinese war film The Battle of Lake Changjin, No Way Home – which sees cameos from former Spider-mans Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield – has [...]
Automotive production plunges as industry builds 10 million less cars December 27, 2021 Around 10 million less vehicles were produced in 2021 as a result of supply chain issues, market intelligence group LMC Automotive has revealed. According to research, the European automotive industry – which saw a 3 million shortfall in production – was among those hit the worst, while semiconductors shortages led to delays and disruption, the [...]
Christmas flight cancellations surge amid Omicron concerns December 27, 2021 This weekend around 7,500 flights were cancelled worldwide amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant. According to data tracking website FlightAware, just yesterday 3,273 flights were slashed, with half of cancellations affecting US routes. Today, around 1,925 cancellations were recorded – with Chinese and US routes among the worst hit. China Eastern was [...]
November crowned best month for aircraft orders despite Covid uncertainties December 27, 2021 November has registered the highest number of aircraft orders since 2014, despite ongoing industry concerns over the Omicron variant. Driven mainly by the Dubai Airshow, industry stakeholders have ordered 16 wide-body and 411 single-aisle, for a total of 427 planes. Deliveries also reported an increase, going up 30 per cent compared with October to 92 [...]
