City and finance

Gatwick pursues long-haul goal with new Kenya and Bahrain routes

The hub is counting the benefits of attracting more long-haul airlines, with Kenya Airways and Gulf Air the latest to bring services

Why travel agents will need £2,000 in extra commission from 6 April

The consortium says agencies will need to sell seven extra holidays per staff member to fund rises in minimum wage and National Insurance from April

NCLH boss 'very pro' Donald Trump-led efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and Middle East

Harry Sommer, the company’s president and chief executive, said efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine would allow the line’s ships to return to Russia

Three trends agents can – and should – look out for heading into spring

As another frenetic peaks draws to a close, TTG’s Ilaria Grasso Macola explores some of the trends that have shaped the trade’s busiest sales period of the year – and could shape their fortunes for the rest of the year

Gatwick second runway approved in principle but final decision deferred to autumn

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has granted provisional permission for Gatwick airport to bring its standby runway into daily use, but a final decision will now be made in the autumn

Norse Atlantic to offer fewer destinations after another year of losses

The low-cost long-haul outfit, formed out of the ashes of Norwegian Air’s long-haul operation, plans to lease out four aircraft to an Indian carrier resulting in it being able to serve fewer destinations from the UK

Jet2 predicts 10% profit lift, but warns of pressure on margins in coming year

Jet2 says it is on course for an 8-10% increase in profits this year, but has also warned its next financial year – beginning as the summer season commences – could see a squeeze on margins

Hotelplan UK brands tipped to flourish in Kuoni parent's safe hands

’It does seem like a very good move by Dertour,’ one expert tells TTG after Kuoni’s parent acquired Hotelplan Group and its UK brands, including Inghams and Explore Worldwide

Kuoni parent Dertour Group acquires Hotelplan Group and UK brands

Deal covers Hotelplan’s Inghams, Inntravel, Santa’s Lapland and Explore Worldwide brands, but not holiday home specialist Interhome

Aviation minister hints government won't pay for Heathrow third runway groundwork

Aviation minister Mike Kane has indicated funding for the enormous cost of moving the M25 for Heathrow’s third runway won’t come from the public purse

Increase in January customers offset by fall in spend with agents – Barclays

Barclays Consumer Spend report finds transactions through agents in January grew but at reduced value, with airlines not faring so well

Tui heaps praise on independent agents, but focus on app sales bears fruit

Tui has said independent agents are ’very important’ to its business in the UK, but has also highlighted the success of its app during peaks

Tui bullish about growth prospects despite tough winter for UK and Ireland

Group reveals significant uptick in early winter revenue and earnings, although seasonal losses in its northern Europe region – which comprises the UK, Ireland and Nordic countries – have deepened by more than 75% to €88.5 million

Tui chief pins slow start to peaks on change in UK strategy

Tui’s boss has said a change in direction towards more dynamic packaging meant its January sales were slower than normal, with fixed capacity remaining tight and sold at higher margins

Travel Counsellors delivers record £138 million in January sales

Travel Counsellors has detailed a record-breaking January, helped by increased premium sales as well as corporate travel

NCL confirms firm order for four new ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s parent company has firmed up an order for four 8,000-plus capacity ships for delivery from 2030

Intrepid Travel acquires €60-million-revenue brand from Travelopia stable

Amsterdam-headquartered Sawadee offers more than 250 trips across 100 countries and will bring an additional 20,000 customers a year to Intrepid

Labour govt well placed to tear down Brexit impediments, says tourism body

Group’s chief Richard Toomer calls on government to remove some of the post-Brexit barriers preventing the travel industry from prospering fully

Heathrow: govt pledges support for third runway and further airport expansion

Chancellor also backs efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport, and confirms decisions will follow in the coming weeks on expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports

Heathrow airport expansion: everything you need to know

Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday (29 January) confirmed the government will back expansion at Heathrow, and potentially at other London airports. So what are the ins and outs for travel?

Package travel outpacing inflation as prices rise by more than 4% this summer

Holiday pricing ’bucking’ downward inflationary trend, says consumer champion Which?

Heathrow expansion could open door for easyJet, says new chief Kenton Jarvis

From easyJet’s push into mid-haul to the rapid rise of easyJet holidays and the tantalising prospect of making a splash at Heathrow, there’s plenty for easyJet’s new chief executive Kenton Jarvis to enthuse about as he eases himself into his new role

EasyJet holidays targets 25% growth after early winter profits leap by £12 million

Airline and operator charts ’significant improvement’ in first-quarter results (three months to 31 December) amid ongoing strong demand for flights and holidays

‘Our long-term vision is to be a global cultural experience specialist’

Inside Travel Group’s co-founders tell Gary Noakes about new investment and exciting additions to its programme