The Week In Travel

The UK and Chinese governments agreed this week to recommence flights between the two countries. This marks the first time in over two years that travellers will be able to travel directly between China and the UK. The announcement is a sign of China’s changing attitude to international travel restrictions, having been one of the slowest countries to reduce quarantine and testing mandates for incoming foreign travellers. Currently, only Chinese carriers are providing services, while British airlines continue to work out routes and logistics.

Heathrow Airport this week claimed that its capacity cap, introduced at the beginning of July, has led to significant improvements in the passenger experience. The number of departing passengers allowed to travel through Heathrow is currently capped at 100,000 per day which, the airport claims, has gone a long way to reducing last-minute flight cancellations, and improving punctuality and baggage delivery. The airport also claims that the cap is helping to increase airline ground handler capacity and resilience.

Over in the US, a report comparing the Q2 results of the four largest airlines showed that the sector is performing well, and there are positive forecasts for the rest of the financial year. Despite operational challenges and high inflation, some of the carriers, including American Airlines, have reported higher net income than the same quarter of 2019 – marking a milestone in the return to financial viability after the pandemic.

In advance air mobility (AAM) news, United Airlines announced this week that it has put down a $10 million deposit for 100 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The vehicles, which are produced by Archer Aviation, are entirely electric. A deal struck between the two companies in 2021 commits United and regional partner Mesa Airlines to a purchase of 200 of the electric aircraft once they are operational.

Turning to the Middle East, it was revealed this week that international travel and tourism hub Dubai recorded the highest average occupancy rate for hotels in H1 2022 compared with figures from across the world. As reported in Tourism Breaking News, average occupancy was 74%, just two points below the level for the equivalent period in 2019.

And finally, after a woman only six months pregnant went into labour on a nine-hour flight to the Philippines, the cabin crew put out a desperate request for any medical professionals to make their way to the front of the plane. Luckily, four nurses travelling home on holiday were on hand, and they managed to safely deliver the baby, who is now healthy and recovering at a neonatal unit in hospital.