Government

Thousands stranded as airlines cancel more flights

The impact of flight cancellations dominates the headlines as the half-term holidays end

'Travel will rise to the challenge – we always do'

Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said laments government and popular press treatment of travel, but insists the industry must now take responsibility for how it is perceived by the government and the public

Lib Dems: ‘Govt should use army to ease travel chaos’

The government should deploy armed forces logistics specialists to work with the travel sector to alleviate pressures, say the Lib Dems

Abta chief blasts govt’s ‘deeply frustrating’ comments on travel

‘The lack of recognition – it was only March when all UK travel restrictions were lifted, despite furlough being reduced from July 2021 and removed altogether in September – is particularly disappointing,’ said Mark Tanzer

Grant Shapps wades into airport chaos blame game

Transport secretary accuses airlines and operators of ‘seriously overselling flights and holidays’ at a time when the industry doesn’t have the staffing capacity to deliver these trips

Blame game over flight chaos, plus Sri Lanka's troubles deepen

Government and aviation sector point blame for flights chaos, while Sri Lanka’s economic crisis looks to be worsening with a fresh appeal for food aid

Shadow equalities minister to address TTG Fairer Travel Diversity Forum

Taking place during Fairer Travel Week on 8 July, the Diversity Forum will features a series of panel discussions and workshops

Airlines face mounting pressure over cancellations and delays

Tui has apologised after announcing plans to axe multiple flights a day from Manchester until the end of June

Flight cancellations and airport delays ‘completely unacceptable’

Ministers urged to intervene to save bank holiday and Jubilee weekend getaways, while agents told the crisis is another opportunity to demonstrate their value to clients

Atol reform: what do the CAA’s findings mean for the industry?

The CAA has digested hundreds of responses to its first consultation on plans to reform the Atol scheme – these are its key findings from the industry’s feedback

Passport wait times down to ‘four to six weeks’, claims PM

Boris Johnson said the government has been ‘massively increasing’ the speed at which people receive their passports

UK government issues 10-point aviation recovery plan

The strategy will work to deliver an ’innovative and sustainable’ aviation sector as it recovers from the pandemic

Govt's aviation plan an ‘unmissable opportunity for success’

Aviation has welcomed a 10-point strategy from the UK govt which aims to help the sector ‘build back sustainably’ from the pandemic

Railway workers vote for national strike action

Members of the RMT union have voted in favour of strike action across Network Rail and 13 train operating companies

Abta's Travel Matters conference to focus on ‘recovery and renewal’

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs, said the event will provide a ‘crucial opportunity’ to discuss how travel can ‘navigate the challenging few years ahead’

New sales tax ‘could level retail-online playing field’

Industry warned government’s plans for a new online sales tax ’could be huge for the travel sector’

Minister praises cruise industry's ‘resilience’ during pandemic

Maritime minister Robert Courts said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to see the sector ‘bounce back’ over the past year

Consumer confidence crumbles and PM avoids more ‘partygate’ fines

The grim economic news continues as cost-of-living worries drive down confidence, while Boris Johnson will face no further fines over lockdown parties in Whitehall

Russian airlines banned from selling £50m slot portfolio

UK government slaps ban on Russian carriers selling lucrative take-off and landing slots

British Airways summer strike threat and triple tax cut boost

Airline travellers could face more disruption this summer, while the government looks to cut taxes to ease cost-of-living pressures

Heathrow boss says airlines won't pass on passenger fee hike

Heathrow chairman claims carriers will absorb passenger fee increase because the market will make them

Big Issue founder urges travel to back Social Mobility Pledge

Lord John Bird said change ’must start with businesses’ at TTG’s Diversity and Inclusion Breakfast

10 things we took away from the first Atol reform consultation

Now the dust has settled, Travel Trade Consultancy director Martin Alcock explores the CAA’s first consultation on reforming the Atol scheme – with a second round due later this summer

Austria drops all remaining Covid-19 entry restrictions

Travellers will no longer be required to present proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or evidence of a recent negative test upon entry