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Tuesday, 21 December 2010

BBC News

• Airports hit by 'knock-on' effectAir passengers in Scotland are hit by the knock-on effect of airport closures at major hubs in England, despite Scottish runways staying open.
• Airlines count cost of snowIn a year of ash clouds, strikes and now heavy snow how has the aviation industry coped?

Financial Times

• Shortage of de-icer closes Brussels airport Brussels Airport cancels all flights until Wednesday morning at the earliest after heavy usage and delivery difficulties cause a shortage of de-icing liquid
• UK airports struggle to ease snow chaos Night curfews were lifted and ticket refunds offered at Heathrow as authorities took a series of unusual steps to ease the chaos at Europe's busiest airport
• Stranded travellers attack lack of helpThousands of passengers remained stranded at Heathrow on Monday as frustrations intensified over the handling of delays by the airport's owner BAA and the airlines
• Heathrow issues fresh warningNight no-fly curfews were lifted and full refunds were offered at Heathrow as authorities struggled to contain scenes of chaos at Europe's busiest airport
• BA and BAA take the hitThe chaotic disruption at Heathrow over one of the busiest travelling weeks of the year will dent the finances of its biggest airline user, BA, and its owner, BAA

The Guardian

• Heathrow says delays will continuePhilip Hammond says government needs to consider whether Britain is experiencing 'step change' in weatherHeathrow airport could remain in a state of partial paralysis beyond Christmas, its owner admitted yesterday, spelling misery for the tens of thousands of passengers who face the prospect of being stranded over the festive period.BAA said two-thirds of flights into and out of Britain's largest airport would be cancelled until at least Wednesday morning because it has the resources to keep only one of its two runways open.The news came as Philip Hammond, the transport secretary, told MPs the...

The Herald

• Snow-hit airports warn of ongoing travel chaos until at least ChristmasThousands of passengers face air travel misery up to and beyond Christmas Day, with flight cancellations between Scotland and London set to continue due to snowy conditions.
• BA shares tumble as airline suffers from the big chillShares in British Airways were among the worst performers on the London Stock Exchange™s FTSE-100 blue-chip index yesterday as City traders marked down the stock due to concern that the current bout of severe winter would have a big impact on the airline™s profits.

The Telegraph

• UK snow: Christmas cancelled for travellers as Heathrow warns of days of delays Number of people whose travel plans have been wrecked could top 250,000 by the middle of the week.
• 'National disgrace' Heathrow owners accused of under-investing in snow-clearing equipment Heathrow suffered from "chronic underinvestment" ahead of this winter compared with its domestic and European rivals, it was claimed yesterday.

Bristol Live

• Bristol Airport remains open despite snowfallLATEST: Bristol Airport is open and flights are operating, albeit with some disruption due to the weather in Bristol and elsewhere across the UK and Europe. The airport's team have been working hard to keep the runway and taxiways clear since snow began falling. Snow sweepers, ploughs, brushes and blowers have been used to keep the runway clear, with 12 additional tractors contracted in to help with snow clearance. An airport spokesman said that five tonnes of grit have been spread on airport car parks and roads to ensure passengers can park safely on arrival. Wi-fi has been made available fr...

Metro

• Airport snow hell will last past weekendThousands of passengers endured another day of misery at Heathrow yesterday as airport bosses warned the travel chaos will last into next week.

Aviation Industry

• Adverse weather statementHeathrow is operating a reduced flight schedule today, Tuesday 21 December.
• Severe winter weather stifles European air trafficPersisting freezing temperatures and heavy snow disrupted air traffic in large parts of Europe for a third consecutive day Monday. Europe™s three largest airports”London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt”remained significantly affected while smaller counterparts such as London Gatwick, Berlin Schoenefeld and Brussels have also been hit.
• Heathrow cancellations could continue over ChristmasThe chaos at Heathrow may well continue beyond Christmas Day, airport operator BAA has admitted
• Finnair reveals €10m revampThe Finnish national carrier has revealed a new-look livery, after a €10 million project to œstreamline and freshen� the airline™s identity
• AA, BA and Iberia expand codesharesAmerican Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA) and Iberia have expanded the number of flights included in their trans-Atlantic joint venture