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Pent-up demand for travel has helped the UK return to economic growth, while the field to become the next prime minister has been whittled down to six candidates.
Airports are again in the spotlight in Thursday’s new bulletins as they make “behind the scenes” moves to try to minimise disruption during the summer holidays.
Meanwhile, Doncaster Sheffield airport’s future is up in the air, while domestic travel is set to be impacted by another one-day rail strike just as the school holidays begin.
Here are the headlines that travel woke up to on Thursday (14 July).
UK economy returns to growth thanks to holiday boom
The British economy returned to growth in May thanks to a boom in holiday bookings. GDP rose by a better-than-expected rate of 0.5% during the month helped by consumers’ pent-up demand to travel after the pandemic. (The Guardian)
Airports seek to avoid summer holiday chaos
Major airports including Manchester and Gatwick insist they are “working hard” behind the scenes to improve services for passengers as the peak summer season approaches. Although they cannot promise to be able to provide a “normal” pre-Covid level of service in the coming weeks. (BBC News)
Mordaunt seizes momentum after first Tory ballot
Trade minister Penny Mordaunt has moved into “prime position” to become the next prime minister after finishing second behind Rishi Sunak in the first ballot to select the new Conservative leader. The six remaining candidates will face a further round of voting by MPs on Thursday. (Various)
New rail strike to take place on 27 July
The RMT union is to hold another one-day national rail strike on 27 July as the school holidays get underway. The 24-hour stoppage will affect the entire UK rail network as the dispute over wages and jobs continues. (The Mirror)
Future of Doncaster Sheffield airport in doubt
Doncaster Sheffield airport could be closed after the owners said it “may no longer be commercially viable”. The airport blamed the impact of Covid-19 and Wizz Air cancelling all flights for its financial problems. A six-week consultation into its future is to be carried out. (The Independent)
Hot and can’t be bothered
Union chiefs at the TUC have called for all employees to be allowed to stop work when the temperature reaches 30C because the heat can lead to a “loss of consciousness”. The call comes as the UK’s heatwave is set to continue into next week. (The Sun)
