Government

Outbound travel now contributing more to UK economy than pre-pandemic

Outbound travel’s contribution to UK PLC now exceeds that of pre-pandemic, new figures from Abta estimate

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’

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?

Heidi Alexander named new transport secretary after Louise Haigh resigns

Heidi Alexander – the MP for Swindon South – had been serving as a justice minister until her promotion to transport secretary. It came hours after the previous incumbent Louise Haigh resigned from her cabinet position

'My door is open': Tourism minister Chris Bryant reveals outbound sector opportunity

The MP tells Gary Noakes his role isn’t all about visitors to the UK and reveals how his knowledge of the outbound sector stems from his father, who built a successful coach operation to the Costa Brava.

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

Travel urged to seek new allies in Westminster and not 'give up' on government

The former chair of parliament’s transport committee told Aito conference delegates to engage with the ’raft of new MPs’ in Westminster to seek new allies for the industry

Aito gains approval to resume offering members financial protection

Aito will launch the Aito Financial Protection Services scheme after gaining government approval, but there are still a few ’technical issues’ for the association to address

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

SPAA puts business rate reform top of Scottish Budget wish list

The SPAA has set out its wish list for the Scottish government ahead of the forthcoming Budget on 4 December

Poll: Will the recent Budget help or hinder your business?

Billed as a once-in-a-parliament reset to the nation’s finances, last month’s Budget saw chancellor Rachel Reeves deliver reforms that could have wide-ranging implications for how the travel trade goes about its business

Bank holiday ATC meltdown cost consumers and industry 'up to' £165 million

An independent report into the 2023 August bank holiday air traffic control collapse says 700,000 passengers were affected, with total cost of the disruption being up to £165 million

Has travel hit ‘peak package’? Or is there more to come?

With Atol authorisations hitting their highest levels ever, Gary Noakes dissects the latest round of Atol renewals – and explores where the industry has hit ‘peak Atol’

Inbound chief insists Trump re-election ‘won't stop US travellers visiting UK’

Joss Croft, UKinbound chief executive, is upbeat about the future of US-UK travel following the historic US election result this week

Tourism minister pledges to amplify outbound sector's voice at government level

Speaking to TTG at WTM London, tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant pledged to invite more outbound industry members onto a key government committee, saying he wants to listen

US strengthens airline compensation rules pledging to 'take out the haggling'

New US airline compensation rules will mean quick refunds for disruption and compensation too for ancillary sales that do not live up to promise – and UK carriers need to take note

Dynamic pricing: have Oasis landed travel in hot water?

Dynamic pricing tactics have hit the headlines recently, but will travel face the same scrutiny as the concert ticket industry? Gary Noakes reports

'Travel won't be happy with the Budget, but it could have been much worse'

Legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, Alan Bowen, runs over the key announcements in chancellor Rachel Reeves Budget statement on Wednesday (30 October)

'A steep climb to stand still': travel reacts to 'punishing' Budget

Travel’s senior leaders have delivered their verdict on the Budget, which saw chancellor Rachel Reeves increase APD, National Insurance and the minimum and living wages, and promise business rates reform

What will the chancellor's Budget statement mean for travel?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled the first Budget of the new parliament, billed as a ’once-in-a-generation’ reset of the country’s finances

Budget 2024: What does the travel industry want and need from the chancellor today?

The travel industry has laid out what it would like to see in Wednesday’s crunch Budget (30 October) as chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares the new government’s first taxing and spending plan

November launch for new EU border rules would have been ‘carnage’, Lords told

A House of Lords committee has been told of chaos if the EU Entry-Exit Scheme had been introduced in early November, with no communication or, in some cases, the necessary technology