The Week In Travel

Permission for a temporary cap on flight movements at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has been granted this week, despite objections from numerous airlines. The initiative, which is aimed at addressing noise pollution and environmental concerns, was successfully challenged by airlines including KLM, TUI and easyJet earlier this year, with a Dutch court ruling for the cap to be put on hold. However, the court of appeal has now overturned this initial ruling, allowing Schiphol to go ahead with plans to cut around 40,000 flights next year.

In technology news, the Canadian government is set to trial a self-flying cargo plane. The country’s federal transport department has signed a C$1.3m deal with start-up cargo airline, Ribbit, to begin tests on the aircraft. The company, which has completed over 200 hours of hands-free flight on a two-seat aeroplane and developed programmes to fly autonomously, will provide the plane along with a remote crew and maintenance to support cargo flights for one year.

Sticking in North America, a $125 million project to redevelop New York JFK’s Terminal 8 has been announced. The two-year project aims to redevelop the dining and shopping experience at the terminal and will be carried out in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports. The plans will see the addition of a ’Great Hall’, which will contain more than 60 new dining and retail options.

In the private air charter space, Emirates has launched an on-demand regional charter service for those wanting to make short trips within the Gulf Cooperation Council from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. The aircraft will seat up to four passengers, and can fly to a range of CGG destinations including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and within the UAE.

And finally, after a few days partying in Ibiza you might well be dreading a packed flight home. Imagine the joy then when 38-year-old Hannah showed up at the airport and discovered her flight back to Jersey was completely empty, aside from the crew. Hannah received the VIP treatment, including being chauffeured from the boarding gate to the plane in a car and receiving some holiday tips from the pilots as they were flying back.