Elsewhere, there has been a fall in oil prices following the decision by Chinese authorities to impose a lockdown in Shanghai to deal with rising Covid-19 cases.
Passengers using Dublin airport, meanwhile, have had to endure long queues due to a staffing shortage, while chancellor Rishi Sunak has admitted the UK’s poor recent trade performance “might” have been caused by Brexit.
Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Tuesday (29 March).
Second P&O ferry detained over safety concerns
A second P&O ferry has failed a safety inspection and is being detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Pride of Kent is one of the P&O Ferries ships that needs to be inspected before re-entering service, following the sacking of 800 staff. Transport secretary Grant Shapps has also told P&O Ferries that it has “one last opportunity” to reverse its decision to sack workers before the government changes the law. (Various)
Oil prices fall after Shanghai starts lockdown
Oil prices have fallen after Chinese authorities implemented a city-wide lockdown in Shanghai, the country’s main commercial and financial hub, due to rising Covid cases. It is China’s largest lockdown since the Covid-19 pandemic started more than two years ago. Analysts said the move could lead to a fall in the global demand for oil. (BBC News)
Long queues spark travel ‘chaos’ at Dublin airport
Passengers travelling through Dublin airport have had to endure “hours-long” queues for check-in and security scanning in recent days due to a shortage of staff. The situation is set to get even worse in the run-up to the Easter holidays next month. (The Independent)
Sunak admits UK’s dismal trade ‘might’ be linked to Brexit
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has admitted that the UK’s poor recent trade performance compared with other G7 countries “might well be” because of the impact of Brexit. Sunak made the admission when he appeared before MPs on Monday (28 March). (Financial Times)
No 10 lockdown parties: Police set to issue first fines
The first fixed penalty fines for holding parties in Downing Street during the Covid lockdowns are expected to be issued imminently after the Metropolitan Police concluded that laws had been broken at the heart of government. (The Guardian)
