Airlines

EasyJet to trim domestic flight network in response to APD hike

Chief financial officer Kenton Jarvis branded Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision to increase the domestic and short-haul rates of Air Passenger Duty by £1 and £2 per passenger respectively not ’a smart move’

Jet2 to explore mid-haul routes and meet with Doncaster Sheffield

Taking questions from agents at the Jet2holidays conference in Paphos last week, chief executive Steve Heapy opened up on some of the airline and operator’s short-to-medium term planning

Just how much will the Budget cost the travel industry?

Labour’s first Budget since taking power has left businesses reeling, and travel was no exception. So to what extent could the reforms hamper growth for agents and suppliers?

AI search, space travel and Christmas in Cyprus: nine unmissable Jet2 conference takeaways

Jet2holidays returned to Cyprus for its 10th VIP agent conference this week, bringing with them a grumpy time machine to take delegates on a journey through all things Jet2 past, present and future

Norse Atlantic to lease out six aircraft in bid to raise $462m after poor summer

Norse Atlantic Airways has confirmed plans to lease out nearly half its fleet in an effort to raise more than $450 million ahead of the winter season

Jet2 claims generational leap with new AI-powered search for agents

Airline and operator hails new AI conversational search functionality the biggest shake-up of search for 20 years

New BBC documentary predicts fare rises and disputes flying's green claims

A prime-time BBC documentary, Cheap Flights, has put aviation’s green efforts under scrutiny and warned of fare increases

Black Friday driving 'mini peaks' as value becomes top consumer priority

’At the beginning of November, Black Friday queries were already up by 7.3% on last year – Black Friday is definitely a shift we didn’t have previously,’ Google industry manager Ailish English tells Jet2holidays conference

Lufthansa Group extends green levy fare despite sluggish take-up

Lufthansa Group’s Green Fares option has been extended across its worldwide network covering all its brands except Eurowings

Jet2 chief pins anti-tourist sentiment on 'unlicensed tourism'

Steve Heapy said demonstrations this summer in places like Majorca, the Canaries and Barcelona were a reaction to ’incompetent and impotent" politicians failing to regulate short-term rentals, not traditional package tourism

British Airways unveils new-look first class seats

The upgraded cabins have been inspired by a luxury hotel and will feature wider and larger seats, personal luggage space and several other luxury amenities.

EasyJet vows to 'strengthen' tour op's customer base following strong results

EasyJet said high easyJet holidays customer satisfaction scores of 84%, with 82% likely to rebook, had helped drive the robust financial performance. It added that future initiatives are ’under way’

Jet2holidays to help homeworkers expand onto the high street during peaks

General manager trade Lloyd Cross has set out the airline and operator’s plans to support agents during peaks, including a new ’Scale up your Street’ push

Flying from Manchester to Beijing and beyond – why book now?

If your clients want an autumn getaway to Asia, Hainan Airlines offers a great option from Manchester that boasts speed, keen pricing and a quality onboard experience

Jet2 adds three new Greek island destinations, plus Tallinn city breaks

Airline and operator confirmed additions to its summer 2025 and 2026 programmes, plus its 2025/26 winter schedule, at its conference in Paphos on Wednesday (27 November)

The crucial issues that fuelled the debate at Airlines 2024

On-stage discussions focused on UK competitiveness, net zero issues, artificial intelligence (AI) and the crucial question of whether Virgin Atlantic would keep a crucial feature of its in-flight experience at the first Airlines 2024 since the new UK government was installed.

Transport secretary Louise Haigh: 'This govt is not anti-flying'

Transport secretary Louise Haigh backs the aviation industry and airport expansion, telling conference Britain’s growth ’depends on you’

Heathrow boss: 'Airport expansion decision to be made next year'

Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye has said a decision on a third runway will be made next year but needs the backing of the industry and government

British Airways expands European network with three new Italy routes

Next summer, the carrier will fly to Rimini from Heathrow, to Salerno from Gatwick and to Sardinian city Olbia from London City airport.

Virgin Atlantic chief opens door to a return to Gatwick

’Gatwick is our historic home – we’d love to go back when the time and the opportunity is right," Shai Weiss told the Airlines UK conference

Blue Lagoon to review latest volcano closure later this week

The famous geothermal spa will ’reassess’ the situation on Thursday (28 November) southwest Iceland experiencing its 10th eruption in three years

Agency unable to book flights for 10 days after £40,500 Iata billing 'error'

Bryan Somers Travel director Linda Millar told TTG she remains in the dark after receiving the bill for more than £40,000, warning it was enough to send a small business under if not rectified promptly

Jet2 puts first winter sun programme on sale from new Luton base

The programme, announced less than a week after Jet2 named Luton as its 13th UK base, majors on the Canary Islands, and also features mainland Spain, Turkey and Portugal

Jet2 'mindful' of £25 million Budget blow despite record results

The airline and operator estimates its labour costs will jump by around £25 million a year following the Budget, adding it also continues to be ’mindful of the potential indirect impacts of ongoing geopolitical political challenges