Which? calls on CAA to investigate Ryanair’s refund policy March 18, 2022 UK consumer champion Which? has called on the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to investigate Ryanair’s refund policy after a customer threatened to sue the carrier. Ryanair announced last year the introduction of a new refund policy, which sees the airline pay customer refunds into a “wallet” attached to the customers’ account. If passengers want [...]
Brits confident about travelling abroad following end of Covid rules March 18, 2022 After almost two years of “staycations” Brits feel now confident about booking trips abroad. According to a research by trade association ABTA, 57 per cent of British people have a holiday abroad booked for the next 12 months. Up 44 per cent on October levels, the figures are close to pre-pandemic levels as UK travel [...]
P&O lays off 800 people following £100m loss March 17, 2022 Ferry operator P&O Ferries confirmed today it is laying off 800 members of staff after the pandemic caused the company to post a £100m loss year-on-year. “Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now,” said a company spokesperson. “Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries. Staff will receive compensation [...]
IAG offers €100m loan to Globalia for 20 per cent stake in Air Europa March 17, 2022 British Airways’ owner IAG offered today a €100m loan to Air Europa in exchange for a 20 per cent stake in the company. The airline said the seven-year unsecured loan would be offered to the carrier’s owner Globalia and, following regulatory approvals, it could be turned into the 20 per cent share. “This agreement will [...]
BA’s South African franchisee Comair returns to the skies following suspension lifting March 17, 2022 British Airways’ (BA) South African franchisee Comair announced today it had restarted operations after a suspension by the country’s aviation authority was lifted. “After a thorough review of Comair’s documentation, the SACAA has lifted the precautionary suspension of Comair’s licence,” said chief executive Glenn Orsmond. “We’re pleased that the situation is finally resolved.” The regional carrier said [...]
Stagecoach merger creates superior value than DWS offer, says National Express March 17, 2022 A merger between rivals National Express and Stagecoach could unlock higher dividends for shareholders compared with DWS’s offer, National Express said today. According to National Express, a merger could see share value go up to 170p per Stagecoach share – a 66 per cent premium on the 105p offered last week by German asset manager [...]
TfL to increase tube and bus fines by 25 per cent March 17, 2022 Transport for London’s (TfL) fines are expected to increase by at least 25 per cent, commissioner Andy Byford said in his latest updated. Byford reported that fines are expected to increase from £80 to £100 “to protect our revenue from fare evasion and fraud.” The hike will target chronic fare evaders across the whole TfL [...]
Packed cargo ship sinking quickly, rescue efforts launched for dozens of crew members March 17, 2022 An Emirati-flagged cargo ship is currently sinking in the Persian Gulf, with efforts under way to rescue 30 crew. Captain Nizar Qaddoura, the operations manager of the Salem Al Makrani Cargo company, said that the Al Salmy 6 encountered rough and stormy weather, then capsized. Rescuers had saved 16 crew members, the captain said. Another [...]
BA’s South African franchisee Comair sees fleet grounded over safety concerns March 16, 2022 The fleet of British Airways’ (BA) South African franchisee Comair was grounded over safety concerns. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) decided to revoke the regional carrier’s right to fly indefinitely on Sunday, after a 24-hour ban issued the day before due to fears of engine failures and landing gear malfunctions. “The suspension follows [...]
Kremlin in sudden U-turn as ceasefire seems likely: Russia ‘changing tone’ as isolated Putin drops demands for Ukraine to surrender March 16, 2022 Despite fierce fighting in the last 24 hours, with Russia’s military forces blasting Ukraine’s capital region and other major cities. Russia has softened its stance in the talks over a possible settlement and is rapidly ‘changing tone’, according to people close to the Ukraine-Russia peace talks. In fact, a ceasefire seems increasingly likely. Ihor Zhovkva, [...]
