Partygate returns to the front pages, meanwhile, as the Metropolitan Police starts dishing out fixed penalty fines to those who attended lockdown parties in Westminster.
Elsewhere, there is scepticism about Russia’s promise to “reduce hostilities” around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, while Israel has been rocked by a series of terror attacks.
Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Wednesday (30 March).
P&O Ferries boss remains defiant
The boss of P&O Ferries Peter Hebblethwaite has vowed not to resign over his sacking of 800 seafaring staff, despite growing political pressure for him to step down. Hebblethwaite added that reinstating the sacked workers would lead to the ferry firm’s collapse and the loss of another 2,200 jobs. (Financial Times)
New threat to PM’s leadership after police issue 20 fines over lockdown parties
Boris Johnson faces a renewed threat to his position after the Metropolitan Police issued 20 fines to people who attended lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall. The force has not named the individuals facing the penalties or revealed which events they attended. (The Guardian)
Russians promise to ease Kyiv onslaught
Russia promised to “drastically reduce hostilities” against Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Tuesday (29 March) following peace talks between the two sides, but the UK and US governments remain sceptical about Russia’s intentions to reduce their combat operations in Ukraine. (The Times)
US issues new Russia travel warning
The US has issued a new travel warning for Russia which says the authorities “may single out and detain” Americans in the country. The advisory also repeats previous calls for US citizens not to travel to Russia or to leave immediately. (BBC News)
Five killed in latest deadly attack in Israel
Five people were shot dead in the outskirts of Tel Aviv in Israel on Tuesday (30 March) – the third deadly attack in the country over the past week. Israeli security forces have been put on high alert following the string of attacks. (Various)
Cathay Pacific plans world’s longest passenger flight to avoid Russia
Cathay Pacific is planning the world’s longest passenger flight by rerouting its New York to Hong Kong service to avoid Russian airspace by flying across the Atlantic ocean instead of taking its normal flightpath over the Pacific. The 10,400-mile flight will take 16 to 17 hours. (The Independent)
