Michael O’Leary slams aviation minister as Ryanair quits ‘waffling and useless’ govt advisory group July 12, 2023 Ryanair pulled out of a key advisory group launched by the UK government to support its aviation strategy, slamming the body as a “talking shop” that delivered no real change for passengers or the sector. Michael O’Leary, the budget airlines combative CEO, said yesterday that aviation minister Baroness Vere should disband the “useless council,” instead [...]
Easyjet cancels 1,700 summer flights amid French air traffic controller strikes July 10, 2023 180,000 holidaymakers have been hit by Easyjet summer flight cancellations this morning, as the airline battles with the ongoing impacts of French Air Traffic Controller (ATC) walk-outs and the war in Ukraine. Around 1,700 departures in July, August and September are set to be grounded, with the majority of flights affected at Gatwick Airport, where [...]
FTSE 100 close: London index muted amid Wall Street shut down for 4th July as Wizz Air soars July 4, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 was muted on a quiet trading day globally due to Wall Street being shut for US Independence Day. The capital’s premier index edged 0.10 per cent lower to 7,519.73 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, added 0.14 per cent [...]
Wizz Air outpaces strike-hit Ryanair as passenger numbers rise before critical summer getaway July 4, 2023 Wizz Air began the much-anticipated summer season of travel with a 23 per cent year-on-year boost in passenger numbers over June, as it outpaced its strike-hit ultra-low cost rival Ryanair. Its rival, Ryanair, reported passenger figures grew nine per cent to 17.4m last month. However, the carrier was forced to cancel 900 flights as a [...]
Airlines getting off scot-free with no fines issued for decades, says Which June 30, 2023 Airlines are getting off scot-free from penalties with no fines having been issued due to regulatory action in two decades, according to the consumer group Which. Which said Britain’s aviation watchdog – the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – should be doing more to “name and shame” airlines, withdraw licences and pursue action “in the courts” [...]
Ryanair and Wizz Air caught up in fresh greenwashing allegations June 22, 2023 Ryanair and Wizz Air are facing fresh allegations of greenwashing after the consumer organisation BEUC filed a complaint to the European Commission, naming them among the 17 European airlines accused of making misleading climate-related claims. The BEUC – which represents 46 consumer organisations in the European bloc – are calling for a continent-wide investigation in [...]
Could private equity be low-cost air travel’s unlikely saviour? June 15, 2023 Air fares for passengers in Europe have spiked 23 per cent over the last year, propelled by lack of competitiveness in the sector and issues regarding the supply of new aircraft from major manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. In what were well-publicised comments at the time, budget airline Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary proclaimed in August that [...]
Volkswagen Grand California review: A holiday in Hotel California June 13, 2023 The Volkswagen Grand California 600 is a family-sized bus that’s more ‘glamper’ than camper. Tim Pitt goes on a summer holiday.
Jet fuel costs keep Wizz Air loss making – but optimism for the year ahead June 8, 2023 Wizz Air saw its operating losses remain flat at €466.8m (£401.6m) in its full year results this morning, as last year’s soaring jet fuel costs pummelled the budget carrier. Total net losses were at €535.1m (£460.4m). Despite this, Wizz Air was confident about swinging to a profit later in the year, and saw a record [...]
777 Partners’ new aviation asset arm raises $230m to finance Boeing 737 deliveries June 7, 2023 AIP Capital, the aviation asset management arm of Miami-based 777 partners, has raised $230m (£184.5m) from investors to finance the delivery of 7 Boeing 737 Max aircrafts, amid ongoing financial difficulties and backlogs in the sector. The newly-launched private equity group, which operates in Dublin, London and the US, said that Citibank arranged the acquisition [...]