Economy

Independent operators can be successful in Trump era, Aito insists

Aito chair Chris Rowles says he believes members who got through Covid will be able to overcome anything that Donald Trump throws at them in the coming four years

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

Gatwick expansion: when is the decision due and what's at stake?

It’s a big week for Gatwick, which will find out whether the government will support its plans to almost double passenger numbers by bringing its standby runway into permanent use

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

Doncaster Sheffield airport ‘set for 2026 reopening’ after chancellor's backing

Doncaster’s mayor has said the airport is almost able to confirm its reopening in early 2026 after chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the plans in a major speech on economic development

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?

Spend with Aito members still rising with long lead-in times, survey reveals

A survey of 14,000 Aito members found average spend is still increasing, with long lead-in times for bookings

Heathrow expansion 'must be within carbon budget', says top minister

Net zero secretary Ed Miliband has told MPs any expansion of Heathrow and other airports must fall within the government’s carbon budget or not go ahead

From 'feast or famine' to £75,000 sales in one day – an honest take on peaks so far

Agents are heading into final big weekend of January in broadly positive spirits, with the peaks momentum expected to continue well into February – here’s what the trade had to say

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

Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airport expansions 'poised for govt go-ahead'

Government signals expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports will be approved in the next few weeks, according to national media reports

‘The travel industry needs our young people working abroad’

’Our industry could be a powerhouse of economic growth – a youth mobility scheme would work both ways for us and EU nations,’ writes Seasonal Businesses in Travel director Diane Palumbo for TTG

Parliament to debate youth mobility bill following Abta intervention

It follows a 69% decline in UK nationals working in the EU in the five years following the Brexit referendum

Upward trend in spending with travel agents continues in December – Barclays

New figures from Barclays reveal spending with travel agents grew by 7.5% year-on-year in December, an increase matched by only one other sector monitored by the bank

What does 2025 have in store for agents? The view from the shop floor to the boardroom

The UK travel trade is remaining optimistic for the year ahead despite the geopolitical challenges threatening to put clouds in the increasingly clear skies overhead – team TTG explore what the new year has in store for agents

Spending with travel agents increased by 8% in 2024 – Barclays

Spending with agents up by nearly 8% year-on-year, albeit down from a more than 10% jump in 2023

Outbound demand to increase in 2025 as holidays 'remain a priority'

More than 40% of consumers (41%) are set to take an overseas holiday of five days or longer in 2025, up from 35% last year

'There's so much opportunity out there for agents heading into 2025'

There are plenty of reasons for the trade to look ahead to 2025 with confident, agents tell TTG, while research from Abta also underlines how agents’ stock is rising among consumers