British Airways passenger numbers up 8.8 per cent as summer holidays begin July 3, 2014 The summer getaway has got off to a flying start for British Airways’ parent company IAG, which yesterday said its June passenger numbers were up 8.8 per cent on last year. The airline carried 7.1m customers worldwide last month, rising from 6.7m in May and 6.6m in the same month a year ago. As the [...]
Ryanair finance head Howard Millar is second deputy chief to depart this year June 30, 2014 Ryanair’s finance chief Howard Millar is leaving the airline after 23 years, becoming the second deputy chief executive to quit the low-cost carrier in a year. Millar, 53, is leaving in December “to pursue other career activities”, a statement from Ryanair said yesterday. However he is not cutting all ties, as he will become a [...]
European flights hit by French strikes June 24, 2014 THOUSANDS of air passengers across Europe endured a day of delays and cancellations yesterday as French air traffic controllers began a six-day strike. Ryanair said it cancelled 220 flights yesterday, or 13 per cent of its total schedule. The French authorities have warned that the disruption across Europe is likely to be “materially worse” today.
Low-cost airline Flybe is finding more passengers June 24, 2014 The low-cost airline sector is currently in the spotlight. While much of the focus has been about Ryanair’s charm offensive to reposition itself, fellow carrier Flybe has also made waves in recent months. A few weeks ago, Flybe announced a return to profits and a record number of passengers. After a few turbulent years when [...]
Accelerating competition: How to level the playing field for challenger banks June 24, 2014 THERE is something that politicians and bankers both agree upon – we believe that greater competition improves the service and the products that customers get. We’ve heard ideas about increasing competition in banking from across the political spectrum. Today, the BBA is adding to that debate with some new ideas on promoting competition by levelling [...]
Europe’s airlines cancel flights ahead of French air traffic control strikes June 23, 2014 European air passengers will be hit with widespread delays and cancellations today and during the rest of the week as the French air traffic controllers hold their fourth strike in the space of a year. France’s aviation authority has asked airlines to cancel a fifth of flights passing through most major French airports. The body [...]
Wizz Air grounds London float June 16, 2014 HUNGARIAN low cost airline Wizz Air yesterday ditched plans to float in London due to turbulence in the airline industry, the second company to this year to shelve a market listing. The firm blamed “market volatility” in the airline sector for pulling the initial public offering of shares, which would have raised €200m (£160m) to [...]
Wizz Air abandons London IPO June 16, 2014 Low-cost Hungarian carrier Wizz Air has decided not to go-ahead with plans to for an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The company had estimated the IPO would raise €200m. In a statement issued on Monday, Wizz Air said: Despite the positive response to our business story and the Company's growth opportunities and [...]
Aer Lingus warns strikes could wipe a fifth from its earnings June 12, 2014 Aer Lingus yesterday blamed looming strike action for its surprise profit warning, in which it said profits could be up to a fifth lower than last year. The Irish carrier said Impact union’s strikes, expected next week, had caused “significant damage” to bookings over the crucial summer months. The firm said yesterday that, providing there [...]
Brand Index: BA’s heritage helps it bounce back June 10, 2014 TODAY I’m returning to an issue that comes around like a baggage carousel every summer: the ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of British air travellers. I never tire of looking at this as it has so many angles – crisis recovery and the strength of a loved brand such as British Airways, the [...]