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

Thursday, 12 March 2020

BBC News

• Manchester adopts plan to halve CO2 emissions by 2025Campaigners welcomed the move but criticised plans to increase Manchester Airport's passenger numbers.
• Almost 200 Swissport jobs at risk following Flybe collapseAlmost 200 baggage handling jobs are under threat at Swissport in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• Coronavirus: China airline passenger numbers fall 84.5%The economic hit from the outbreak lockdown forces the Chinese government to support its airline sector.

Financial Times

• Coronavirus/airlines: cancellations outweigh cheap fuelCalculations suggest kerosene costs compensate for lower ticket sales only if few trips are cancelled
• Boeing moves to preserve cash and draws down $13.8bn loanAircraft manufacturer’s shares slide 18% as it acts to deal with coronavirus impact
• Norwegian is facing a tough flight to safety as coronavirus hitsAirline’s debt levels and cash reserves raise fears it may breach bond covenants

The Guardian

• Norwegian Air Shuttle crew were shut out of hotel over cash fearsGatwick hotel asked for upfront payment from lossmaking low-cost carrierCrew members from the lossmaking low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle were refused access to their rooms at an airport hotel until advance payment was received from the company. Copthorne hotel at London Gatwick delayed staff accessing rooms on Monday, the Guardian has learned. Continue reading...
• Trump to suspend travel from Europe, excluding UK, amid coronavirus outbreakUK among countries exempt from ban as president faces doubts over measure’s effectivenessDonald Trump has announced that the US would temporarily suspend most travel from the European Union, as the country reckons with the spread of coronavirus and the White House grapples with the severity of the situation.The restrictions, which would begin on Friday and last for 30 days, would not apply to US citizens or to travelers from the UK. The restrictions apply to most foreign nationals who have been in the 26 countries of the Schengen area during the 14 days before their planned arrival in the US. ...

The Independent

• Coronavirus travel ban: Customers left in the dark after Trump restricts travel from Europe The announcement sparked near-immediate confusion and chaos among US citizens and foreigners alike

City AM

• Jet2 dodges airlines malaise as budget carrier raises profit forecastJet2 owner Dart Group today bucked the current airlines malaise, raising its profit forecast for the second time in six months despite the pressure being exerted on the aviation industry by the coronavirus outbreak.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport reviewing evacuation plan after man in wheelchair left shivering in cold An evacuation at Birmingham Airport on the day of Flybe collapse left 83 year old man out in the cold.

Yorkshire Post

• Jet2.com owner looks to reduce capacity on flights due to coronavirusDart Group, the owner of Jet2 and Jet2holidays, said momentum has weakened over recent weeks following the coronavirus outbreak and it is monitoring the situation carefully and reducing capacity on some routes.

Other News Sources

• Airlines struggling as coronavirus depresses demand for travelAirlines are struggling to cope with mass cancellations as the virus outbreaks lead to plummeting demand for international flights.