Qatar Airways v Airbus $1bn corporate divorce: UK judge grants airline speedy trial May 26, 2022 A UK judge has granted Qatar Airways a speedy trial against plane manufacturer Airbus in what is the latest round of the $1bn corporate divorce saga. “I am in absolutely no doubt that this case should be tried as soon as is practically possible,” Judge David Walksman said. He added that the trial could start [...]
Lower airport charges will impact passenger service, says Heathrow chairman May 26, 2022 Lowering Heathrow’s airport charges will impact passenger services, according to the airport’s chairman Lord Paul Deighton. A former commercial secretary to the Treasury and chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Deighton said higher airport chargers are needed if Heathrow wants to remain Britain’s hub airport and deliver an [...]
End of airport slots allocation leads to lower fares, says IEA May 26, 2022 Ending the allocation of airport slots will lead to lower fares, according to a paper published today. The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has argued that buying and selling airport slots on the market like any other goods will lead to more competition between airlines, ultimately improving consumers’ choice. “The system weakens competition between airlines [...]
FirstGroup considers £1.2bn takeover bid from private equity I Squared May 26, 2022 Transport giant FirstGroup has announced it was considering a £1.2bn takeover bid from US private equity I Squared. FirstGroup told investors it was currently considering a 118p per share cash offer after receiving the firm’s latest unsolicited bid yesterday. “The board of FirstGroup notes the recent share price movement,” the group said in a note [...]
UK puts jobs and passengers at centre of post-Covid aviation recovery May 26, 2022 The UK Government has put jobs and passengers at the centre of its post-Covid plan for the aviation sector’s recovery. Launched today by aviation minister Robert Courts, the ‘Flightpath to the Future’ 10-point plan will focus on building back consumer confidence as well as supporting new jobs and the sector’s sustainable recovery to reach net-zero [...]
Heathrow urges govt to ‘bring pace to the policies’ as 10-point plan is rolled out for aviation recovery May 26, 2022 The Government must “bring pace to the policies” after publishing a long-awaited strategy to support the recovery of aviation from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Heathrow Airport. A 10-point plan named Flightpath to the Future has been released by the Department for Transport, focusing on growth, sustainability and protecting passengers. It commits to “position the [...]
UK automotive output spirals downward as global pressures continue to bite May 26, 2022 The UK’s automotive output fell by 11.3 per cent in April as global pressures continue to bite. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), only 60,554 vehicles were produced last month due to a combination of semiconductor shortages and the war in Ukraine’s impact on transport and raw material costs. [...]
Volkswagen coughs up £193m in UK ‘Dieselgate’ settlement May 25, 2022 Volkswagen has agreed to pay £193m as part of an out-of-court UK settlement after 91,000 UK motorists filed a class action over the “Dieselgate” scandal. Tony Winterburn, head of consumer protection litigation at PGMBM, commented on the news and said: “This is a good day for the claimants and is the culmination of five years [...]
DfT urges union to go back to negotiating table following “disappointing” rail strike ballot May 25, 2022 The Department for Transport (DfT) has urged the RMT union to go back to the negotiating table after a strike was announced last night following a 34-day ballot. “Strikes should always be the last resort, not the first, so it is hugely disappointing and premature that the RMT is calling for industrial action before even [...]
Exclusive: It’s all here – Crossrail will be a ‘game changer’ for Canary Wharf’s evolution, says property boss May 25, 2022 The Elizabeth line will be a “game changer” for the evolution of Canary Wharf from mere financial centre to a place where people can live, shop and enjoy themselves. According to Shobi Khan – chief executive of real estate giant Canary Wharf Group – since yesterday’s opening of the Elizabeth Line, passenger numbers at the [...]
