Business travel equilibrium unclear to everyone, Virgin Atlantic boss says December 1, 2021 Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive Shai Weiss believes business travel forecasts are still very unclear to all airlines, because of the pandemic’s unpredictable nature and the consequent measures taken by governments to curb the spread of the virus. Speaking on a panel at London’s World Aviation Festival today, Weiss stated that despite seeing a recovery of [...]
Watch: Travelers and airline crew ecstatic as first UK to US take off from Heathrow November 25, 2021 The US reopened its borders to international flights on Monday, offering joy for travelers and hope for hard-pressed airlines. Watch the full report.
Virgin Atlantic to raise £400m to survive the winter November 21, 2021 UK carrier Virgin Atlantic is in talks with its shareholders regarding the possibility to raise a further £400m to help the airline face winter months. Sources said that, while the amount was still being finalised and will be announced by the end of the year, it is expected that Virgin Atlantic’s owner Sir Richard Branson [...]
Virgin Atlantic back at Gatwick after U-turn November 15, 2021 Virgin Atlantic could go back to operating from Gatwick airport from next summer after a 18-month hiatus. After being forced to leave the Sussex hub during the peak of the pandemic, the carrier has confirmed Gatwick flights will resume, the Times reported. “We maintain our ambition to rebuild our presence at Gatwick as demand returns, [...]
Heathrow lambasted by Virgin Atlantic and BA’s owner over fees November 14, 2021 British Airways’ (BA) former boss Willie Walsh alongside Luis Gallego – the chief executive of BA’s owner IAG – and Virgin Atlantic’s chief Shai Wess has lambasted Heathrow airport for its decision to increase fees. Walsh, Weiss and Gallego, writing on the Sunday Telegraph, have criticised the London hub saying it is ‘”back at its [...]
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 [...]