Global markets dip as Moderna chief sounds alarm on Omicron November 30, 2021 Alarming comments over the potential severity of the Omicron variant made by the chief of a leading Covid vaccine maker spooked markets today. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index dipped 0.25 per cent to 7,082.19 points, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, fell 0.37 [...]
Omicron optimism: Covid anxiety attack on the financial markets shows signs of alleviating November 29, 2021 The anxiety attack on the financial markets shows signs of alleviating, as investors pause for breath and spot signs of optimism while scientists race to establish the severity of the new variant. The FTSE 100 opened up 1 per cent in early trading, recovering some of Friday’s dramatic losses and the FTSE 250 was 1.5 [...]
Ex British Airways boss slams tougher Omicron travel rules as ‘knee-jerk decision’ as UK firms worry about Christmas November 29, 2021 Former British Airways boss Willie Walsh has dubbed countries’ tighter quarantine and testing rules as a “knee-jerk decision”, after concerns over the new Omicron Covid variant. Walsh, who used to head the airline group International Airlines Group, said the new rules imposed “a massive financial damage to the tourism and airline industry.” “It’s clear that [...]
Hotel Review: Windjammer Landing, St Lucia November 29, 2021 If you’re ready to escape the bleak British winter for some Caribbean sun, we have just the thing… The stay We’re ditching the grey skies if London for the tropical climes of St Lucia’s yacht-speckled bays. Travelling in the Covid-19 era ain’t for those afraid of form-filling, pre-testing, masking-wearing or very regular hand-gel application but [...]
All eyes on the open: Investors brace for choppy week as Omicron looms over markets November 28, 2021 Investors are bracing for a choppy week on markets as fears the new Omicron variant of coronavirus could derail the global battle against the disease spread rapidly. London markets capped off last week with a mauling driven by a wave of selling triggered by the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant which may have the [...]
British Airways suspends flights to Hong Kong after crew members sent to quarantine November 28, 2021 British Airways has suspended flights to Hong Kong as it has been reported more crew members have been forced into government quarantine. The airline said it had temporarily halted flights while it reviewed “operational requirements” for the route. It would be in touch with customers who had planned trips to Hong Kong, “to give them [...]
A Black Friday on global markets as new Covid-19 variant engulfs investors November 26, 2021 Global markets tumbled today driven by investors being spooked by a fresh Covid-19 strain emerging in Southern Africa that has been described by scientist as the worst yet. In London, the FTSE 100 registered one of its day’s in months, shedding 3.31 per cent to plunge to 7,068.68 points heading into the final hour of [...]
Letters: Keeping an eye on the prize November 25, 2021 [Re: FCA watchdog calls in Bitcoin experts to combat crime, Nov 22] The relative anonymity of cryptocurrencies is naturally an attractive destination for organised criminals trying to hide their illicit wealth. With the use of crypto increasing, it is no surprise to see the FCA ramping up efforts to protect the wider industry from illicit [...]
British Airways digital demons November 24, 2021 [Re: Systems down at BA, 22 November] Over the last five years, many companies have misunderstood the transformational element of “digital transformation”, thinking it’s simply the “patching up” of customer experience rather than reforming IT platforms for a new generation. British Airways is the latest example. On 30th October, the airline’s customers were informed that [...]
Aviation recovery on its way, BA’s owner assures November 23, 2021 Luis Gallego, chief executive of British Airways’ (BA) owner IAG, is convinced aviation recovery will get back to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, as a result of the easing of air travel restrictions and the opening of transatlantic travel. Speaking yesterday at the Airlines UK conference in Westminster, Gallego revealed that “transatlantic bookings have reached almost [...]