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

Tuesday, 02 February 2010

BBC News

• MSPs clash over Borders railway support Two MSPs for southern Scotland have clashed over plans to reopen the rail line between Edinburgh and the Borders.
• Road widening project under way in Douglas Motorists are being warned that work to widen one of the most congested roads in Douglas town centre is under way.
• Troubled airline resumes bookingsThe future of financially troubled Highland Airways appears to be secure, as it lifts some restrictions on bookings.
• MSPs to scrutinise bridge plansPlans for a new bridge over the Forth are to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament's transport committee.
• 'No scan, no flight' rules beginPassengers at Heathrow airport may now have to go through full body scanners before boarding their flights.
• Airport boss warns over rail linkGlasgow Airport's boss warns that if its planned rail link is axed other transport improvements must be made a priority.
• Ryanair profits on higher courseBudget airline Ryanair narrows its third-quarter losses and raises its full-year profit forecast, helped by a fall in fuel costs.
• Exxon Mobil sees drop in profitsUS oil giant Exxon Mobil reports a 23% drop in profits, but the result was better than many analysts had expected.
• Union renews legal battle with BAThe Unite union goes to the High Court to try to get last year's British Airways' cabin crew changes overturned.

Financial Times

• Ryanair lifts guidance after losses narrowEurope's largest budget airline raises its full-year profits forecast, after losses for the third quarter narrowed to €11m compared with more than €100m the previous year
• Upbeat Ryanair rides out the stormRyanair shares jump 7 per cent after it raised its full-year profit guidance and reported a much smaller net loss than expected for its third quarter
• South Koreans to take stake in GatwickSouth Korea's National Pension Service has set a target of quadrupling its international exposure and is to take a 12 per cent in Gatwick Airport in a deal expected to be worth a little less than £100m.

The Guardian

• Emissions drop 'due to recession'¢ Government will claim CO2 fall helps meet 2020 targets¢ Experts say fall is only due to recession and energy pricesThe government is expected to confirm tomorrow that emissions of greenhouse gases fell by a modest amount in 2008 compared to the previous year. Ministers are likely to try to portray the figures as evidence that the UK is on the right track to meeting its targets to cut emissions by over a third by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.But energy experts said that the small decline was a result of the recession and record energy prices, rather than government policy. In 2008 petrol pric...

The Herald

• Forth Road Bridge could be ˜car-free™ under plansCommuters have been invited to have their say on proposals to make the Forth Road Bridge a car-free highway.
• Airport MD lays case for rail link on the lineThe head of Glasgow Airport has reiterated her opposition to the scrapping of a rail link with the city ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote tomorrow when Labour will attempt to have the project reinstated.
• Highland air firm reports progressProspects for the financially troubled Highland Airways, which serves some of the most fragile island communities, appear to be improving.
• Lower fuel costs help Ryanair™s profit predictions Budget airline Ryanair has raised its annual profit predictions after a sharp fall in fuel costs helped it narrow its quarterly losses.

The Scotsman

• BA cabin crew dispute back in courtThe dispute over new schedules for British Airways cabin crew is to return to the High Court.

The Telegraph

• Fix found for sticky Toyota accelerator pedal Fears that more than a million Toyota cars would face a lengthy period off the road because of a safety scare were fading after the company found a solution.
• Passengers who refuse scanner face flying banPassengers who refuse to go through an airport body scanner will be refused permission to fly, the Government has said.

Times Online

• Exxon Mobil profits fall 23% on refinery hitExxon Mobil, world™s largest publicly traded oil company, has reported a 23 per cent fall in fourth quarter profits after its refining division was hit by weak demand and excess supply.
• Toyota knew of accelerator pedal problem in UK a year agoToyota, the Japanese motor manufacturer that is recalling millions of defective cars around the world, knew in the UK a year ago that accelerator pedals in its cars were jamming.
• Koreans swoop on Gatwick stakeSouth Korea™s National Pension Service is in talks to acquire a 12 per cent stake in Britain™s Gatwick airport.

Network Rail

• NEW STREET REDEVELOPMENT WILL PROMOTE LOCAL JOBS AND TRAINING

Manchester Evening News

• Airport body scanner 'compulsory' Any passenger at Manchester Airport could be forced to go through controversial body scanners from noon today.    The airport, which has been trialling the controversial  technology in Terminal Two since October, is one of two directed by the Government to install the scanners permanently from today.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Future looks brighter for Scots airlineThe future of a troubled Highland airline appeared more secure today after it confirmed it was taking bookings until the end of the month.

The York Press

• York bus fares petition handed in to 10 Downing Street A COUNCILLOR has handed over a petition to 10 Downing Street, calling for an end to bus route cuts and a freeze on fares in York.
• York rail consultation launchedThe public are being asked for their views on a major shake-up of the timetable on the East Coast mainline.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Flight ban for passengers who refuse body scanAir passengers who refuse to submit to a full body scan at Heathrow and Manchester airports will be barred from taking their flights from today.

Other Regional Press

• Group attacks new link as the 'road to nowhere'THE new east-west link road being built between Redruth and Camborne has been dubbed 'the road to nowhere'. Members of the Trelawney...

Washington Post

• FAA fines American Eagle $2.5 million over baggage weight discrepancies Federal regulators are proposing a penalty of nearly $2.5 million against a sister carrier of American Airlines for not making sure crews had accurate information about the weight of baggage on dozens of flights.

Other News Sources

• Heathrow and Manchester introduce body scannersThe UK government has directed Manchester and Heathrow airports to start using body scanners on passengers as of today (February 1).