Elsewhere, a plan to lessen the impact of energy bills also makes the headlines, along with more worrying news about inflation and a looming cost of living crisis.
There is also widespread coverage of the government’s plans to unveil its long-awaited Levelling Up programme, designed to improve deprived regions of Britain.
Here are the key headlines travel should know about on Wednesday 2 February.
New Covid variant emerges in Scotland
A new variant of Covid-19 thought to be more transmissible than Omicron has infected at least 26 people in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said. The variant, known as BA.2, is a subtype of the Omicron strain and is already beginning to dominate in parts of Europe and Asia. (The Times)
Energy loans package to be unveiled
Boris Johnson is poised to announce billions of pounds in state-backed loans to reduce the impact of soaring energy prices on households. Companies will pass the money on to every household in Britain as a rebate on energy bills, limiting the impact of price rises in April. Money will be recouped in subsequent years. (The Times)
Shop price inflation soars
Retail inflation has soared in the past month, with Brits eyeing discount retailers for cheaper prices. Shop price annual inflation surged to 1.5% in January, according to the British Retail Consortium and Nielsen IQ shop price index. This was up from 0.8% in December and is the highest since December 2012. (City AM)
Levelling Up plan to be unveiled
The government will reveal 12 “bold national levelling up missions" which it says "will shift government focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities by 2030. Plans include town centre improvements and 4G coverage by 2030. (Sky News)
Deadly landslide in Ecuador
A rain-weakened hillside collapsed in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, killing at least 24 people, city officials have said. Neighbours joined rescue workers in hunting through ruins for survivors of the disaster that hit after nearly 24 hours of rainfall. (The Guardian)
