Long-haulers slam APD hike as it “will penalise Global Britain” October 27, 2021 Long-haul carriers have criticised the Chancellor’s decision to increase air passenger duty (APD) rates for flights longer than 5,500 miles. Luis Gallego, chief executive at British Airways’ parent company IAG, said the move “will penalise Global Britain” at a time when the country should be more competitive on the global stage. “We need to get [...]
Aviation regulator sets five-year cap on Heathrow’s charges October 19, 2021 The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will set a five-year price cap on the maximum charges Heathrow can ask its airline customers for using the airport. Coming into force in the summer of 2022, the cap is expected set affordable charges for airlines while making sure the airport can get back on track with its [...]
Electric intercity flights: Vertical Aerospace calls on the government to deliver by 2025 October 19, 2021 Global aerospace and technology company Vertical Aerospace is calling on the UK Government to deliver electric intercity flights by 2025. In a white paper by the name of The Future of Advanced Aerial Mobility that was published today, Vertical Aerospace has highlighted how opening up electric passenger flights would bring economic and environmental benefits to [...]
Business blow: UK-US travel corridor could remain closed until November August 24, 2021 The UK and US travel corridor could remain closed to Brits until late November, according to reports, in a major blow for both business and leisure. Currently, the US is only allowing American citizens, their relatives and a few exempt groups into the country. Virgin Atlantic has already postponed its restart date for its Heathrow to [...]
Virgin Atlantic launches raft of new Caribbean routes for winter sunseekers August 11, 2021 Virgin Atlantic has today announced a raft of new routes serving the Caribbean as it bets on increased customer demand for sun-soaked getaways after the pandemic. The carrier is launching its first direct flight to Barbados from Edinburgh, as well as adding extra flights to the island from Manchester and Heathrow. In total, it will [...]
Virgin Atlantic prepares for stock market listing August 9, 2021 Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways is planning to list on the London Stock Exchange in a bid to raise capital as international travel makes a recovery. The UK-based airline is understood to have been presenting to fund managers about the listing which could occur as early as the Autumn. The company sustained losses of [...]
Airlines begin checking vaccination status as end to quarantine beckons July 7, 2021 Heathrow trial with BA and Virgin readies staff and travellers ahead of end to quarantine rules
Tui joins BA and Virgin Atlantic in Ryanair’s legal battle against travel traffic light system June 22, 2021 Tui joins BA and Virgin Atlantic in Ryanair's legal battle against travel traffic light system
Ready, set, go: Britain is bound for the next space race May 26, 2021 The UK is bound for a seat in the next space race, the transport secretary has said today, as the government preps for Virgin’s commercial Orbit mission – the UK’s first space-bound flight. The National Space Agency (NSA) confirmed on Monday that spaceflights will soon be a reality as the government has funded spaceports that [...]
London Covid test capacity spikes half a million a month as Prenetics boosts capacity May 13, 2021 Rapid test developer and manufacturer Prenetics has bolstered its London lab network ahead of its partnership with Virgin Atlantic where it will supply passengers with Covid-19 testing. With demand for rapid testing expected to soar in demand now that foreign travel will be allowed from 17 May and online booking platforms reporting a surge in interest for Vitamin D-doused destinations, the [...]