Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Friday, 28 April 2017

BBC News

• Passenger dragged off United Airlines plane wins settlementDr David Dao will be paid an undisclosed sum after being violently dragged off a United flight.
• TED 2017: UK 'Iron Man' demonstrates flying suitBritish inventor says the project is just a bit of fun and safer than a motorbike.

Financial Times

• United’s repair job mixes sense and nonsenseAirlines just need to give staff scope to tackle customer crises, writes Andrew Hill
• United to offer up to $10,000 for overbooked seatsAirline acts to repair its reputation after violent removal of passenger
• United settles passenger abuse incidentConfidential payout follows policy changes and $10,000 overbooking offer

The Herald

• Passenger ‘humiliated’ after being tied up following cabin move on BA flightA British Airways passenger was restrained after entering the business class cabin of an aircraft.

The Telegraph

• United Airlines reaches settlement with passenger dragged from plane

Times Online

• Bigger jets help Heathrow to soar [subscription]Heathrow take-off and landing slots may be full but larger aircraft bringing more passengers, a spending splurge in the shopping malls and record earnings from the Heathrow Express have prompted profit upgrades at Europe’s busiest airport.

City AM

• Heathrow Airport raises its full-year forecast on soaring passenger numbersHeathrow has upgraded its 2017 full-year forecasts after a rise in passenger numbers as well as cargo demand at the London airport.

This is Money

• Millionaires snap up Oyster Card-style private jet flights The Gatwick firm, which rents planes to wealthy travellers, reported profits of £4.3m in the year to January 31, a 38.6 per cent increase from £3.1m the year before.

London Evening Standard

• Cancer patient 'kicked off British Airways flight after taking a seat in first class to stretch his legs because he was in pain'The man kicked off a British Airways flight on a remote Portuguese air base for "demanding an upgrade" is a 65-year-old cancer sufferer who moved seats because he was in pain, according to the woman who helped him.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• More cheap flights from Newcastle as a third airline announces bargain deals Fancy flying to Alicante or Geneva for £26.49 one-way? EasyJet has announced some bargain deals

Get West London

• Anger as Back Heathrow residents group boss bags top job at airportFormer Back Heathrow director, Rob Gray, will soon be in charge of community engagement for the airport

Buying Business Travel

• United to offer passengers up to $10k to give up seatsAirline announces new policies as it attempts to repair damage to reputation

Aviation Industry

• United Airlines makes major policy changes to regain customer trustUnited Airlines is making a number of policy changes aimed at improving customer service and CEO Oscar Munoz has issued another public apology for the incident on flight 3411 in which a passenger was dragged off an aircraft to make way for a crew member. read more
• Ryanair wins European social insurance caseIreland-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will reclaim €15 million ($16.3 million) from French authorities following a ruling in the airline’s favor at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). read more
• Alitalia delays shareholder meeting Italian flag carrier Alitalia has delayed a crucial meeting of its shareholders, as it teeters on the brink of insolvency. read more
• United reaches legal settlement with bumped passengerLawyers for David Dao—the passenger violently dragged off United Express flight 3411 nearly three weeks ago—announced April 27 an amicable settlement had been reached with United Airlines. read more
• Lufthansa Group posts first quarterly revenue gain since 2008Lufthansa Group recorded a net loss of €68 million ($73 million) for the first quarter of 2017, deepened from the company’s €8 million net loss in 1Q 2016. read more
• Southwest Airlines to end overbooking, cites United incidentSouthwest Airlines said it will end the practice of overbooking flights at some point in the current quarter. read more

Other News Sources

• Heathrow seeks regional construction hubs to pre-assemble componentsHeathrow is seeking out UK construction hubs to allow components of its £16 billion expansion to be built away from the airport.