Angie and Richard at Not Just Travel

08/03/2024

JET2 SIGNS SAF TRIAL DEAL AT BRISTOL AIRPORT

Jet2.com has signed a deal to procure a small amount of Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Bristol airport.

The airline will buy “over 300 tonnes” of SAF from Q8Aviation. It will be used in a 1% blend with conventional aviation fuel in its aircraft. Jet2 said this would be added “onto a number” of flights this year but did not specify how many.



Jet2 said the deal was an initial step towards more uptake. Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “Travel and tourism is a force for good and, like all industries, we know how critical it is to mitigate our climate impacts.



“Like many, we see SAF as essential in helping the industry do this, which is why we are using a SAF blend at Bristol Airport in 2024 so that we can realise its benefits and prepare our operation for what we anticipate will be more and more SAF uptake.



"This announcement, in addition to our investment into a new SAF plant in the Northwest of England, shows how committed we are to SAF and how much we believe in unlocking its huge potential. We very much see 1% as the starting point and we want to grow this materially over the coming years.”

08/03/2024

07/03/2024

NEW AIR PASSENGER DUTY RATES CONFIRMED BY GOVERNMENT

Air Passenger Duty on business class flights will increase by only a few pounds over the next two years, government figures have confirmed.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed plans for an increase in APD on business class fares in his spring Budget – known as standard rate APD – but did not reveal exact details.



The announcement was met with howls of protest from groups including Airlines UK, which said the increase would “only make the UK even less competitive on the global stage” despite premium fares generally agreed to have fallen since the pandemic.



The Treasury has now confirmed changes, which will apply to travel where the seat pitch is more than 40 inches. Most premium economy cabins offer 38 inches, meaning they attract lower rate APD.



The current standard international APD rates are Bands A,B and C at £26, £191 and £200. Band A is for up to 2,000 miles, Band B for 2001 – 5,500 miles and Band C for flights in excess of 5,500 miles.



From April, Band A will remain the same, while B and C increase to £194 and £202.



A slightly bigger increase is proposed in 2025/26, when the respective rates will be £28, £216 and £224.



APD on domestic business class flights will increase by £1 to £14 during the period.



The majority of passengers pay the base rate APD. This currently ranges from £6.50 for a domestic flight to £91 for Band C. These will also increase slightly, with 2025/26 rates ranging from £7 to £94.



The Treasury confirmed there would be no change to the devolved APD in Northern Ireland, which is set at zero for direct long-haul journeys outside Band A.

29/02/2024

CLUB MED UNVEILS PLANS FOR 23 NEW
OPENINGS AND RENOVATIONS

Club Med is targeting 23 new resort openings and renovations for 2024 and beyond off the back of its first-ever high street pop-up this week.

The resort operator on Thursday (22 February) hailed 2024 "a milestone year" as it revealed a fresh pipeline after completing a 10-year upscale programme across its 70 resorts globally.

Club Med will open 11 new resorts over the coming years, starting with the Vittel Ermitage resort in north-east France in July. This will be followed by Serre Chevalier in the French Alps and Forlong in China in December.

Two more, in Malaysia and Brazil, are scheduled for 2025, with another six openings – including Club Med’s Tinley Manor in South Africa – still to be fully confirmed.
“It’s thanks to our loyal customers and key travel trade partners that we are able to continue to grow our brand, and they will always remain central to any development plans,” said Nicolas Bresch, Club Med managing director UK, Ireland and Nordics.

It follows two openings in December, including its first Exclusive Collection mountain resort in Val d’Isere, which underwent a complete transformation coinciding with its 50th anniversary.

Club Med will also renovate another 10 resorts over the next two years, starting with Djerba (Tunisia), Marrakech La Palmeraie (Morocco) and Palmiye (Turkey) in April, followed by Gregolimano (Greece) in July.

Resorts in Brazil’s Rio Das Pedras and Mexico’s Cancun will be renovated this year too, while resorts in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Martinique and Phuket (Thailand) will undergo renovations in 2025.

Club Med hosted its first-ever "agency" pop-up in central London on Tuesday (20 February) giving customers the chance to book their getaways in person and secure discounts of up to 15%.

Ahead of the event, Bresch said Club Med "continued to recognise the importance of agent partners", stressing the trade "remained paramount" to its brand and sales efforts. He added on Thursday that Club Med was looking forward to working ever more closely with its trade partners as it gets to work on the new pipeline.

27/02/2024

VIRGIN VOYAGES CANCELS AUSTRALIAN SEASON DUE TO RED SEA TENSIONS

Virgin Voyages has cancelled all sailings into Australia due to continued tensions in the Red Sea and the wider Middle East region.

Resilient Lady will instead reposition in the Caribbean

The operator has announced that its award-winning vessel Resilient Lady will no longer reposition in Australia late this year due to the significant risks the tensions pose to “sailors, cruise and vessel”.



“These adjustments are happening now in order to minimise potential future disruption to our passengers’ holiday plans knowing there is a high likelihood that changes would need to happen in the future,” Virgin Voyages said.



“Our customers and travel agent partners asked us to ensure we give them as much time as possible to make alternative plans.”

Resilient Lady will instead head to Puerto Rico for a new Caribbean season offering up to 11-night voyages to the likes of Colombia, Dominica and St Maarten.



Virgin Voyages has also reassured Australian customers that it was working to return to the Asia-Pacific region “once regional repositioning opportunities become more tenable”.

“We will share updates on future itineraries across the fleet as soon as possible, and in the event that we return for the 2025 season, existing booked sailors will have priority to move onto these sailings,” it added.

26/02/2024

Remember, we are ABTA and ATOL protected therefore your hard earned money is also protected when booking with us

MORE THAN £12 MILLION LOST TO HOLIDAY FRAUD LAST YEAR

Action Fraud has revealed the stark cost of crime to holidaymakers and the travel trade after investigating more than 6,500 cases of fraud last year, costing consumers and the industry tens of millions of pounds.

Almost 6,500 reports were made last year, according to Action Fraud

Some 6,640 reports of fraud were made to Action Fraud in 2023, costing victims a combined £12.3 million at an average cost of £1,851pp.



New data from the fraud and cyber crime reporting service revealed the summer months were the worst for new cases, with 804 reports made in July and 781 in August.



“We want to avoid people losing their hard-earned money and help raise awareness of the signs of holiday fraud,” said Action Fraud head Pauline Smith. “Remember – stay alert online and be wise to fraudsters.”



Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer has thrown the association’s weight behind a new Action Fraud awareness campaign, urging consumers to book their holidays with Abta members.



He warned agents and travel suppliers: “Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to target consumers, with a particular focus on destinations and times of year when demand is high and availability limited, as they know people will be looking for good deals."

Tanzer added that one of the simplest ways consumers could protect themselves, and for agents to protect their clients, was to look out for Abta membership.



“Victims will often only find out they have been defrauded just before they are due to travel, or even in resort, when it can be very difficult to find a legitimate replacement leading to yet more cost and potential disappointment.”



Checking packages are financially protected by the Atol scheme, paying by credit card and taking out travel insurance feature among other tips given by authorities.



“Our research shows almost three in five of us are planning to go overseas this summer and expect to spend thousands of pounds on these trips,” said UK Civil Aviation Authority head of consumers and enforcement Anna Bowles, who is also in charge of the Atol scheme.



“Before booking your trip abroad make sure you are doing everything you can to thwart fraudsters.”

22/02/2024

All this luxury - and plenty of sun - just 2 1/2 hours from the UK
THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND LUXURY ADVISORS NEED TO HAVE ON THEIR RADAR THIS YEAR
Majorca is set to welcome a fresh batch of five star hotels to the island’s fast-growing portfolio of desirable resorts.


Majorca is set to expand its five-star hotel portfolio once again in 2024, making the Mediterranean island a prime location for travel advisors looking to impress both new and returning clients.

The Balearic island has been popular with holidaymakers since the 1950s, and in recent years its tourism sector has significantly evolved to target the elite consumer.

Majorca is now home to 65 five-star hotels, with the investment of brands like Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental elevating its profile in the global luxury travel market. Refurbishments of some of its older properties, such as the iconic Hotel Valldemossa, have also spotlit the island’s commitment to providing luxury against a cultural backdrop.

“The new quality hotel openings reflect the upward progression of Majorca’s tourism industry and demonstrates its ability to re-invent itself. Thanks to the island’s modern infrastructure it also offers the best-connected international airport in the Mediterranean,” said Eduardo Gamero, president of the Fomento del Turismo de Mallorca.

In 2023, 12.4 million tourists visited Majorca, 10.7% of whom were British. With Palma now using gastronomy to appeal to luxury travellers, the stunning island has proven itself as more than capable of catering to high-spending clients.

It’s also a popular yacht destination and boasts some of Spain’s best shopping, with its famous Paseo del Borne, also known as the Golden Mile, a hotspot for designer stores, jewellers and high-end boutiques. So if there’s one European island luxury travel agents need to prioritise in 2024, it’s definitely Majorca.

WHAT’S NEW
Launching on 29 February, Hotel Valldemossa will rival some of Majorca’s most luxurious existing accommodation once it opens.

The 19th-century manor sits in the rugged hills of the Sierra de Tramuntana, a region awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2011 for its natural rich systems and cultural elements. Originally part of the Royal Charterhouse Palace and home to King Sancho of Mallorca, Valldemossa was acquired last year by It Mallorca, a high-end boutique hotel group that has since transformed the property into ‘a healing space in communion with nature’.

While no monarchs live on site today, guests can still expect the royal treatment during their stay at this historic property. With just 12 rooms – all with spacious private terraces and breathtaking views – the hotel has been designed to feel more like a ‘home away from home’ than a lavish resort. In keeping with It Mallorca’s ethos of blending tradition with modernity, Valldemossa’s interiors embrace French 1950s aesthetics with terracotta flooring and original furniture from architects of that era.

Its tranquillity is enhanced by an adult-only policy, and a highlight is the Valldemossa Suite, a 65 sq m space with wooden beams, noble materials and designer furniture and a private terrace with a stone whirlpool bath overlooking the La Cartuja. The suite is also neighboured by the hotel’s Sanctuary spa offering a range of natural therapies. Two swimming pools and outdoor gym with personal trainer services are also available.

Residents can find world-class cuisine at De Tokio a Lima, the hotel’s restaurant serving a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Just ten minutes’ walk away lies the quaint village of Valldemossa, known for its pedestrian-friendly cobbled streets and blonde stone dwellings.

Rates start from €330 (approx. £290) per room per night during low season. During the high season, the room-only rate starts from €610 (approx. £530) per room per night (price based on a deluxe terrace room).



FOUR SEASONS RESORT AT FORMENTOR
It should come as no surprise that Hotel Formentor’s relaunch as the Four Seasons Resort at Formentor is tipped to be the biggest shakeup for Majorca’s hotel scene this spring.

Having opened in 1929 as the island’s first ever luxurious residence, the hotel made headlines last year after coming under the management of the global luxury hotel and resort company. It has since been transformed into a resort with 108 rooms and suites, seven gastronomic experiences (three of which are beach restaurants), and a garden spa with outdoor yoga space. Guests will also have access to a tennis court, a children’s park, two swimming pools and a vineyard.

In keeping with Four Seasons’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, Four Seasons for Good, this hotel has been thoughtfully designed to respect the local surroundings through various ecological initiatives.

Architect Estudio Lamela Restoration and interior designers Gilles & Boissier have implemented a number of measures to ensure the redeveloped estate aligns with the hotel group’s sustainability focus, including the restoration of native vegetation and planting, reduced water consumption and solar power through use of solar panels.


MANDARIN ORIENTAL PUNTA NEGRA MALLORCA (CALVIA)
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca’s upcoming opening marks the group’s third hotel in Spain, but its first resort hotel there.

Having already found success with city hotels in Madrid and Barcelona, Mandarin is now looking to make a mark on the Spanish island’s historically rich town of Calvia.

The Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca will feature 137 rooms, including suites and private bungalows, as well as a range of local and international restaurants.

Guests will also have access to three swimming pools, two beaches, and a spa, where they can indulge in the upscale hotel group’s signature wellness therapies and beauty treatments. The opening date yet is yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected to welcome clients in the second half of 2024.

20/02/2024

2024 is a big year for Jet2Sustainability - most of our 2021-2023 Journey to Net Zero strategy targets were achieved last year, which means you can expect an exciting update to our strategy in 2024! With that in mind, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on the progress we have made to date…

Order of more efficient aircraft
Last year we announced our purchase of 110 firm ordered Airbus A321/A320 neo aircraft, with the option to extend up to 146 new aircraft. We also celebrated receiving our first Airbus A321 neo, which has been in service at Manchester airport since May 2023. These aircraft use less fuel to take our customers on their holiday, resulting in lower carbon emissions per passenger.

Investment in UK SAF production
In April we announced our major investment in a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant to be constructed in the North West of England. When live, the plant will convert non-recyclable household waste into jet fuel, meaning our aircraft will be powered by waste! SAF also emits around 70% less carbon than standard jet fuel, so the deal supports our carbon reduction goals too.

Electrifying 50% of our GSE
Since the launch of our strategy in 2021 we have upgraded over 50% of our Ground Service Equipment (e.g. belt loaders, staircases, minibuses) to fully electric alternatives. As we continue to retire older equipment, this percentage will keep increasing, reducing the carbon emissions from our ground operations and improving local air quality too!

Efficient flying
Our CO2 grams per revenue paying passenger kilometre (RPK), which is how we measure the emissions intensity of our flights, continued to decrease throughout 2023. This is the result of many measures to reduce aircraft fuel burn, such as reducing weight carried on aircraft, installing winglets, and investing in our flight planning software so we can take the most direct routes possible. As a result of these actions, we are now ranked the 4th (out of 100) in CO2g/RPK in the CAPA Global Airline Sustainability Benchmarking and Rating Report .

100% renewable electricity
Since the launch of our Journey to Net Zero strategy in September 2021, all (where we have operational control) Jet2.com and Jet2holidays offices run on 100% renewable electricity.

Working with over 900 Certified sustainable hotels
We finished 2023 on a high by launching our new Certified Sustainable Hotels collection. Over 900 Jet2holidays hotels have been added to this collection as they meet a recognised (by the GSTC) standard for hotel sustainability. This means our customers have even more choice when selecting their holiday.

2023 has been a fantastic year of progress for Jet2 Sustainability! We look forward to announcing our next steps, with targets that will take us to 2035 very soon

19/02/2024

INSIDE THE HOTEL THAT'S BROUGHT THE MAGIC BACK TO DISNEYLAND PARIS
The reimagined Disneyland Hotel, in the heart of the French theme park, opened its doors at the end of January and TTG took some young reporters this half-term to discover the ultimate royal address.

Cinderella and Prince Charming have not long left our table, when Ariel and Prince Eric approach for a chat. And Belle and the Beast (in human form) are waiting in the wings. As is our dapper-looking server Roberto, with our next course from the €120-euro Royal Menu.

You wait ages for a Disney princess then like London buses, three come along together, quips my husband. But the regal couples are so delightful, we’re in no hurry for them to move on while we take photos and engage in what feels like slightly surreal chat: “Which is your favourite” says Cinderella to my daughter Evie. “Oh, it’s Elsa…? She’s a good friend of mine, I’ll be sure to tell her that.”

These character meet-and-greets are part of the experience at La Table de Lumiere, a fine dining restaurant inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, at the newly reopened Disneyland Hotel.

While the adult menu is nouvelle cuisine at its showy best, the children’s menu is inexplicably fussy, and my two eat just their bread and chocolate mousse... only after picking off the raspberry-red shavings. But Evie, five, and Harry, three, are a little young to appreciate haute-cuisine, and the character appearances trump the food for them. As a dinner option to recommend, it’s a better match for pre-teenage girls, eager to dress up like a Disney princess, and feel like they’ve dropped into that world.

We stretch out our meal (and the children’s bedtime) in anticipation that our window view looking out towards Sleeping Beauty Castle will be one of the best seats in the house for new show Disney Electrical Sky Parade. Sadly, wet weather grounds the 500 drones although we still get to admire the castle illuminations and fireworks.

The other dinner venue at the Disneyland Hotel is the Royal Banquet, a gourmet buffet, that comes with a serving of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, dressed in regal outfits. When it comes to adding royal flair, this hotel doesn’t miss a trick… with my children now renamed ‘Princess Evie’ and ‘Prince Harry’ by cast members, I can only pray their behaviour remains fitting for their royal titles.

Ariel and Eric chat with Katherine's family in La Table de Lumiere © Katherine Masters
Elegant dining is one way in which the Disneyland Hotel raises the Disneyland Paris experience to a new level. Another is a host of bespoke services, such as My Royal Kids Club, offering free day care for up to two hours for four-to-11-year-olds; My Royal Dream, which offers a magical transformation – hair, make-up and costume ¬– for children to become royalty; and the Disneyland Hotel Spa by Clarins, which extends its pampering menu to children.

The three wings to the candy-pink hotel are connected by long walkways, giving it the feel of a vast royal palace. The jewel in the crown is the majestic lobby, with its sweeping staircase, monumental chandelier and aesthetic feel of a grand library.

There are 487 rooms in total, working all the way up to the Frozen-inspired Royal Suite, with its jaw-dropping level of attention to detail. Our superior room has blue and silver tones, art work from the Little Mermaid, a magical mirror that transforms into an Ultra HD TV and a jewellery box hiding coffee and tea making facilities. With towels fluffy enough for Tigger to bounce on and a pillow menu that would trouble Goldilocks (hard, soft, just right…!) it is comfortable and chic.

A further justification – budget allowing – to recommend the Disneyland Hotel is for sheer convenience. From its central position in the Disneyland Paris real estate, it takes less than 30 seconds to reach the gate of Disneyland Park, with its five magical themed lands; and a couple of minutes for Walt Disney Studios Park.

We couldn’t be staying in a better location for our first family visit to Disneyland Paris. After an 8am departure on the Eurostar from St Pancras, we spend our first afternoon in Disneyland, concentrating on Fantasyland, where Dumbo the Flying Elephant emerges as the favourite ride, and we wrap things up with the Disney Stars Parade at 5.30pm.

The next day, we focus our efforts on Walt Disney Studios Park – and invest 25 euros in buggy hire to save Harry’s little legs. Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop gets the biggest thumbs up here – its height doesn’t faze Evie and Harry. Give it another year or two and they should really appreciate the interactive 4D ride Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure, but on this occasion, it is left to Mum and Dad to defend the family and sling enough webs to catch all the spider-bots.

We end this day with a swim in one of my favourite features of the Disneyland Hotel, a heated indoor pool, housed in a glass conservatory. There are plenty of arm bands, noodles and floats for children to borrow, and splashing about in the pool revitalises our flagging energy – the day’s events have clearly rubbed off on Harry, who invents a game where he has to spin webs to catch a shark (me).

The following morning we’re back in Disneyland filling the gaps we’ve missed including Autopia (great for children who want to sit behind the wheel and "drive" a car); 4D show Mickeys PhilharMagic (with that "naughty Donald Duck"!), Pirates of the Caribbean (a bit dark and scary for toddlers) and sign off with our only repeat – Dumbo. Fast passes, which can be purchased on the excellent Disneyland app from €12 per ride, per guest can help with queue fatigue, as does taking full advantage of the Magic Hour, from 8.30am, which is exclusive to all Disneyland Paris hotel guests.

Verdict, 48 hours in the parks is about right for two young children – Harry struggles not to fall asleep in his dinner-time fries at the Five Guys in Gare du Nord, before our trip home on the Eurostar.

Disneyland Paris had felt like the sort of holiday choice my husband and I would make for our children, with less emphasis on the holiday for us. But with this revitalised and luxurious Disneyland Hotel, it finally feels like Disneyland Paris has a place where adults can refresh themselves with a beautiful sleep too.

16/02/2024

FRENCH STRIKE RISKS 'SEVERE DISRUPTION' TO HALF-TERM RAIL TRAVEL

Rail services in France, including Eurostar trains to and from London, will be “severely disrupted” by a major strike during the current busy half-term holiday period.

Eurostar is running a revised timetable due to the strike by French rail workers

Workers for French national rail company SNCF started their walkout at 8pm on Thursday (15 February) and the stoppage is due to run until 8am on Monday (19 February).

Eurostar said it would be running a revised timetable on its routes to and from London between Friday and Sunday because of the impact of the strike.

“If your train is expected to run as normal between 16 and 18 February, you can choose to travel as planned or exchange your ticket for free to travel at a later date,” said the train operator in an update to customers.



SNCF also warned that its long-distance TGV and Intercites services would be “highly disrupted” during the strike period, with around half of the normal scheduled trains, including InOui and Ouigo services, cancelled.

Airline Jet2.com advised passengers heading to France during the next few days to “allow extra time for your journey to the airport as we are operating all our flights as scheduled”.



“Please arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time,” added the carrier in a statement. “Check-in closes 40 minutes before a flight’s departure time. If you have a Jet2holidays transfer, this will not be affected by this industrial action.”



The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for France to reflect the potential impact of the strike action.



“Between 8pm Thursday 15 February and 8am Monday 19 February strike action by onboard train managers will severely disrupt national and regional rail services, with many services cancelled,” said the FCDO. “Check your operator’s advice before travelling, including where you are taking connecting trains.”

15/02/2024

Wow.......new suite at the Connaught in London......

IS THIS LONDON’S MOST UNIQUE NEW HOTEL SUITE?

Iconic Mayfair hotel The Connaught has unveiled a new one-of-a-kind artisanal suite designed by renowned interiors expert Guy Oliver in collaboration with some of the finest heritage craftsman from across the Middle East and Asia.

The new King’s Lodge suite showcases the highest level of craftsmanship from a dedicated team of master artisans commissioned to create every element of the suite by charity Turquoise Mountain, which supports heritage crafts in countries including Afghanistan, India and Jordan.



Their pieces for the suite include intricate architectural woodwork made in Jordan by Syrian carpenters; handwoven carpets and miniature paintings from Afghanistan; fabrics from Myanmar; and carved marble panels and mirrored glass insets from India.



“True luxury has always been made-to-measure and since it was built, The Connaught has been known as the handmade hotel, constructed by the finest artisan builders and cabinet makers,” said interior designer Guy Oliver.



“Working with Turquoise Mountain, we can support the highest level of craftsmanship in communities at risk around the world. It is a delight and an honour to bring them together to create such a remarkable and unique project.”

HANDMADE HOTEL
Located in the eaves of The Connaught’s fifth floor, the one-bedroom suite is designed to reflect the historic Mughal style, with deep window seats overlooking the heart of Mayfair and an intricately-crafted four-poster bed, with Afghan walnut jali fretwork featured in the bedframe as well as the panels, screens and arches throughout the suite.



As well as intricate fretwork and fine fabrics, marble panels inset with lily floral motifs were created for the suite by artisans from Makrana – people descended from the Mughal court who are considered some of the finest stone carvers in the world.

I
The King’s Lodge is the second collaboration between Oliver, Turquoise Mountain and The Connaught, joining The Prince’s Lodge, a suite that opened in 2010. The Prince’s Lodge was created in a style inspired by the 19th-century Peacock Palace in the old quarter of Afghan capital Kabul.



A portion of the proceeds of every booking from both The Prince’s Lodge and The King’s Lodge goes directly to Turquoise Mountain and their programming to support artisans.

14/02/2024

BUDGET AIRLINE TO RETURN TO HEATHROW WITH PARIS AND BARCELONA SERVICES

Spanish budget airline Vueling will be back at Heathrow after gaining slots from sister carrier British Airways.

Vueling will fly twice-daily to its Barcelona base and daily to Paris Orly, its second hub. Both routes are on sale with flights operating from 7 April. The Paris service will be the only UK connection to the French capital’s secondary airport.



Vueling has launched flights after leasing 42 weekly slots from BA. Vueling and BA are both owned by International Airlines Group and the Spanish carrier also leases a large number of BA’s Gatwick slots.



Vueling, which will operate from Heathrow’s Terminal 4, said the move “marks a significant expansion of the airline’s footprint beyond its main UK hub at London Gatwick”.



The two Barcelona flights are added to the eight a day operated from Gatwick.



Carolyn Prowse, Vueling’s chief commercial, customer, network and strategy officer, said:



“We are delighted to relaunch operations from London Heathrow, UK’s largest airport. These two new routes are in addition to our existing operation from London Gatwick and positions Vueling as one of the key airlines connecting these major hubs across Europe.



“This relaunch has been possible thanks to our strong collaboration with British Airways.”



Separately, BA has leased Egypt Air two daily slots under a remedy agreement designed to increase competition to Cairo. The summer lease means Egypt Air can operate three flights a day.



In addition, Virgin Atlantic has also gained 10 slots a week, to be used on New York JFK services, after purchasing them from KLM. Virgin has also leased slots used for its Tel Aviv flights to Emirates after deciding not to resume services this summer.