Government

Vision to bring cruise ships into central Glasgow played down by port firm

Cruise ships could sail into the centre of Glasgow under a plan put forward by the leader of the Scottish Conservatives during a port visit

Pakistan International Airlines prepares to resume London flights

Pakistan’s flag carrier is preparing to relaunch UK services after it was banned by the UK and EU on safety grounds in 2020

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?

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

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

Hays Travel, British Airways and Clia to represent outbound on new govt panel

The government’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council has held its first meeting, with appointees from the outbound industry as well as inbound

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

Transit passengers to be exempted from UK's new electronic visa

Passengers transiting through UK airports, predominantly Heathrow, will no longer have acquire an electronic travel authorisation, although the government has hiked the price by 60% from £10 to £16

‘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

Put brakes on airport expansion plans, campaigners urge transport sec

Coalition of climate groups urge new transport secretary Heidi Alexander to review planning guidance around aviation and heed the government’s Climate Change Committee’s advice and recommendations before ruling on any further airport expansion plans

Plans for 'disastrous' Mexican cruise tax pushed back after sector hits out

Mexico’s federal government had planned to implement a $42 fee for each cruise passenger arriving into the country from 1 January – three times the average cost at Caribbean ports – but has now postponed the levy for six months

Govt insists it is keen to avoid 'unnecessary' air fare hikes amid carbon clampdown

Ministers open consultation on how to marry Europe’s emissions trading scheme with global systems to avoid duplication and fare increases

Travel's plea to make youth mobility 'a priority' lands with nearly 30 MPs

Some 28 MPs attended a drop-in event at parliament hosted by Abta and UKinbound, part of their ongoing advocacy campaign to highlight the importance of improving youth mobility between the UK and Europe in the absence of posted working post-Brexit

'Sometimes, it makes sense not to fly – but not when our rail system is so mind-bendingly useless'

The UK can’t yet afford to cut domestic air routes when rail isn’t always an adequate alternative, writes co-chair of Aito’s Sustainable Travel Committee Amy Skelding after an eye-opening European rail journey

Doncaster Sheffield airport welcomes first flight in two years

An aircraft has landed at Doncaster Sheffield airport for the first time since late 2022 as talks about its reopening continue

'Seize £2.2bn shovel-ready Gatwick expansion plan,' new transport sec urged

Proposal to bring Sussex airport’s northern runway backed by more than 100,000 businesses

EU to take progressive approach to rollout of new border rules

The EU will now take a phased approach to rolling out its new biometric border checks next year after France, Germany and the Netherlands last month said they weren’t ready to

2025: Should you sell up, take on more staff – or just keep calm and carry on?

What does 2025 have in store for travel businesses? TTG assesses some of the challenges – and opportunities – coming in the new year

Scottish agents set to miss out on business rates relief again

The Scottish parliament has again denied high street agents help with business rates despite extending relief to the hospitality sector

Louise Haigh, tax hikes and the 'B' word – seven takeaways from Abta Travel Matters

Labour’s approach to travel, Brexit frustrations and the climate crisis were all top of the agenda at the latest Abta Travel Matters this week