Coronavirus: British Airways to suspend 36,000 workers April 2, 2020 British Airways is preparing to suspend 36,000 employees after it was forced to ground flights due to coronavirus. The airline is close to reaching a deal with union Unite after negotiating for more than a week, however some details still need to be agreed upon, the BBC reported. Up to 80 per cent of the [...]
British Airways suspends Gatwick flights over coronavirus March 31, 2020 British Airways has temporarily suspended flights from Gatwick Airport over the worldwide coronavirus crisis. BA has already warned it must slash jobs and ground planes to combat coronavirus travel bans, and today took the step of stopping Gatwick flights. “Due to the considerable restrictions and challenging market environment, like many other airlines, we will temporarily [...]
UK government to spend £75m on charter flights for stranded Britons March 30, 2020 The government will subsidise airlines to bring home UK nationals stuck abroad in a £75m deal. Travellers stuck in countries with no commercial flight options available will have charter flights made available “at little to no cost”, according to foreign secretary Dominic Raab. Raab announced today that British Airways, Virgin, Easy Jet, Jet 2 and [...]
Coronavirus: Scottish flier Loganair confirms it will seek state aid March 30, 2020 Scottish airline Loganair has confirmed that it will join other UK carriers in seeking a government bailout, its chief executive has said. The regional carrier, which earlier this month agreed to take on a number of collapsed carrier Flybe’s routes, has recently suspended all of its passenger operations. Chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said this morning: [...]
Ted Baker appoints new chief executive amid coronavirus crisis March 30, 2020 Embattled fashion chain Ted Baker has appointed a new chief executive as the retailer battles the challenges caused by the outbreak of coronavirus. Acting chief executive Rachel Osborne will take on the role on a permanent basis, the company announced this morning. The former Debenhams finance chief took the reins in December when Lindsay Page [...]
Virgin Atlantic set to ask for government bailout March 27, 2020 Virgin Atlantic is set to ask the UK government for a package of commercial loans and guarantees worth hundreds of millions of pounds. The airline will be among the first to do so, according to the Financial Times, after the government said this week it would only help the struggling aviation industry as a “last [...]
Huawei partners with Discover Film to embed streaming service on devices March 27, 2020 Huawei has signed a deal with Discover Film to embed the streaming service’s app in 100m mobile devices worldwide. The tie-up means the streaming platform will be pre-loaded onto Huawei Video alongside a selection of other video providers such as the BBC and Rakuten TV. Discover Film, which describes itself as the “Netflix for short [...]
Coronavirus: What if I want to cancel a flight? March 25, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has effectively brought global air travel to a standstill, leaving thousands of Brits wondering what to do about future flights. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice against all foreign travel until 16 April means that airlines and travel agents are obliged to cancel flights and holidays, and issue refunds or allow passengers [...]
Coronavirus: Government decision to take over rail network raises questions over Williams review March 23, 2020 The government’s decision to bring the UK’s rail network under the management of the Department for Transport for the duration of the coronavirus crisis has raised questions over the future of the rail franchising system. Former chairman of British Airways Keith Williams is currently conducting a “root and branch” review of the current system ahead [...]
Ted Baker completes London HQ sale to British Airways pension fund March 23, 2020 Ted Baker has agreed terms for the sale of its London headquarters, the Ugly Brown Building, with a British Airways Pension Trustees unit. Following the announcement of a strategic asset review in December, Ted Baker has today exchanged contracts with British Airways’ pension fund and the deal, worth £78.8m, is expected to be completed in [...]