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

Wednesday, 06 May 2026

Department for Transport

• Nearly £50 million government backing to power up drone and flying taxi tech and crack down on illegal dronesFunding will help develop a numberplate ID system for drones, helping police better protect UK skies and prosecute illegal users.

Financial Times

• Spirit's demise spurs finger-pointing as rivals survey remainsDonald Trump's administration and Democrats are pointing fingers to avoid economic and political blame from the collapse of Spirit Airlines

The Guardian

• Totally grounded. How the jet fuel crisis could change our holidays and world historyJet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the war on Iran. How bad will the disruption get and could this accelerate the route to jet zero?

Times Online

• Ban the early morning pre-flight pint, Ryanair boss urges [subscription]Michael O'Leary says his airline is being forced to make almost daily flight diversions because of drunk and aggressive passengers

The Mirror

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary wants to BAN early morning pints before boarding flightsMichael O'Leary, who has served as Ryanair CEO since 1993, said his airline is being forced to divert flights almost daily because of drunken, aggressive passengers

Yorkshire Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'No legal basis' response issued to ReformPart of a Reform motion set to determine the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week has 'no legal basis', officers have said.

Doncaster Free Press

• Councillors meet with Reform UK deputy leader to discuss airportThe city's Reform UK councillors have met with the party's deputy leader as negotiatons regarding the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffied Airport continue - with officials insisting they are backing DSA for take-off.

Other Regional Press

• Heathrow neighbours facing years of uncertainty, new research showsTHOUSANDS of households near Heathrow Airport face years of more uncertainty, with the schemes meant to support them falling short of their intended purpose.
• What next for Dundee Airport as London Heathrow flights axed?The Courier looks at the challenges facing commercial flights from the city after Loganair's decision.
• Experts issue Ryanair, easyJet and BA baggage warning It comes amid rising fuel costs stemming from the Middle East conflict. As it places pressure on airlines and threatens holidays, the price of baggage and the probability of being charged for overweight items are likely to increase.

Aviation Industry

• Teesside Airport to Host Feasibility Study for Autonomous Freight VehiclesCenex, in collaboration with the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI), has announced its participation in the Feasibility Studies 2 competition, which forms part of the UK Government's Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

Other News Sources

• Whitehall pledges £50m to fast-track flying taxis and clamp down on rogue dronesWhitehall has thrown nearly £50 million behind Britain's drone and flying taxi ambitions, in a move ministers say will accelerate commercial eVTOL operations from 2028 and rein in the operators behind a growing tide of 'faceless' rogue flights.
• Plan B revival looms as Heathrow seeks new pathExpensive and disruptive third runway proposal could be sent back to the drawing board
• Heathrow Airport revenue up but outlook uncertain in Q1 updateLondon Heathrow has reported overall revenue of £844 million (US$1.14 billion) for the first three months of 2026, up +2.3%, supported by higher passenger numbers, a favourable travel mix, and continued growth in premium services and F&B. Retail revenue rose +5.3% to £179 million (US$243 million).