Jesus! I hope you're on a wind up?

If the last few days has taught me anything, it proves that even in the worst circumstances people will still travel... and frankly the public at large are idiots. My short flight yesterday on a network carrier had connectors from all of the world... I was sat next to someone from Sao Paulo and in front of me someone from the US.

Despite quarantines everywhere, over 3.5m enplanements occured in the month of July 2020 alone in the UK. A small number admittedly, but we will get out of this.

The long-term future of T4 has been under review for the past few years. Nothing to do with Covid.

I think the longer term future of many places are now under review. No great rush for a new runway at LHR for 3-4 years either.

You have probably seen the published BA frequency plans dated 15/9/20 This shows BA plans for September and October In essence its a flag waving exercise with only routes with some proven demand getting more than a daily service, fingers crossed

If another terminal does open,T3 will be first and looking at projected winter schedules that isn't likely until at least Spring next year. As for T4, that's anybody's guess.

Quote from Bolton's council leader

Whether totally accurate or not, not good news for the travel industry.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...ester-54205353

Maybe, but it'll be a long time coming. It would make sense if LHR went down the ATL style toast rack layout and essentially had one large terminal setup. That and getting T5D and T2C (and maybe T2D) built and the total refurbishment / realignment of T3.

In regards to a third runway not being needed for 3-4 years - OK. If we get it within 20 years we'll be lucky with the way the process is going. The world will be a totally different place then; just like with HS2.

I heard a positive comment about Covid on aviation industry. I'll let you judge on it but I thought it was quite encouraging. Obviously, aviation is a cyclic business, and has always been, so since aviation is suffering so much at the moment, it will go back. Some companies have gone broke, leaving many airplanes on the ground, that will have to be sold "cheap" (for what they are), and major airline companies have closed their small lines and travel destination. That will give the opportunity for new companies to grow, newly born companies to buy cheaper airplanes, and start traveling to previously abandoned destination, which will fill in a slight gap in the market. Just like this companie in the US Breeze: https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/br...jetblue-2020-2

Or in Europe: Great Dane Airlines, Swiss Skies, Athens Spirit, Firnas Airways, Air Baltic (https://www.tourhebdo.com/actualites...ope-514670.php)... Let's hope so!

Arrive at Luton on a remote stand and you will be packed into a single bus if it is at all possible with passengers crammed in so they cannot move. The airports position is that passengers should be wearing masks so everything is fine.

refuse to board and threaten to sue

Question for anyone who knows the answer...

Has there been any evidence of air crews / flight attendants being significantly affected by outbreaks on board flights, down route etc.? I can't say I've seen many headlines, bar passengers themselves being affected from holiday flights back from the Greek islands, which probably was caused by lack of mask wearing.

Floodgates open further daily...

Today...Job losses announced by TUI & Weatherspoon airport outlets.

Only the very strongest are going to survive which becomes even more apparent today with the latest Government Covid Statement with zero semblance of a plan or strategy for the country let alone the industry.

Businesses show no intention of sending people flying for work, summer holiday season in Europe is coming to a close, people seem to have little desire to fly long-haul at the moment after seeing what happened in March, and all the quarantine/restricted entry rules around the world (not just the UK) make travelling difficult
It pains me to say it... but I think Govt in the UK has decided that aviation may have to be sacrificed to some extent in the interests of the rest of the economy - the message from Govt seems to be one of "accept the current restrictions or they will become more strict later"

I thought today's announcements might have included something more severe on flying - I think the travel industry got off lightly with the only real new burden being that people who are meant to self-isolate for 14 days on return to the UK will get penalised more severely if they ignore the rules

It's a difficult story to sell to Joe Bloggs - that people should be able to go off to Spain when he can't have his family visit him at home. Joe Bloggs doesn't really care if the local TUI shop nearby closes and some holiday reps lose their jobs

There are approximately 15 million in the UK with chronic health issues. Many of those will not travel abroad again once EHIC ceases to be valid, not just because of the cost of private insurance, but because of the lack of a basic care guarantee and the fear of the insurer finding some minor omission and not paying a claim. I don’t know how commonly claims are rejected, but I do know the fear is very real.

Quote: I thought today's announcements might have included something more severe on flying - I think the travel industry got off lightly with the only real new burden being that people who are meant to self-isolate for 14 days on return to the UK will get penalised more severely if they ignore the rules
Things could be more severe in Scotland (From BBC Website): The first minister said she was keeping the option of a so-called circuit breaker - a short period of nationwide lockdown, potentially during the October holiday - under review.

She urged people not to book overseas travel for the October break "unless it is absolutely essential", and advised against car sharing with people outside your own household.

Raab this morning knocking back "airport testing"...

SSP operating food/beverage outlets within terminals warning this morning of "considerable layoffs".

DC3 Dave
I think you make a very good point re EHIC. Apart from being a deliberate victim of political dogma by this UK Government, it will restrict travel abroad for millions and have a big impact. It covers all existing conditions including for those needing dialysis etc. etc. There is no practical insurance option except for the very rich. It will effectively remove the travel option for millions. A very tragic and avoidable situation and I would imagine very distressing for many with family and friends living elsewhere across the EU.

DC3 Dave
I took this as a given as soon as the Brexit vote occurred, and as I work in Europe, and indeed further afield this has always been an issue that I could forese. As I work overseas my company covers me insurance wise, however when on holiday with Mrs Mac or indeed when she travels to our apartment in Munich she is no longer covered. She used to get world wide travel insurance through her bank in the UK (Lloyds) as an addition to her status as valued customer etc, and it cost a few hundred pounds per year. This has now been withdrawn, and she is having to go to the commercial market for cover from January, which is as you have said interesting financially. We are lucky, and it will not be an issue for us, but I can see many a Brit balking at the cost, and therefore not taking it out and trusting to luck, which will no doubt lead to some very busy consulates next year in the Mediterranean when the "luck" runs out. Another thing that Bojo forgot to mention with Brexit.
Cheers
Mr Mac

I am not going to tell the same long story again for the third time but I was hospitalised in Spain and still got a big bill, which my insurer had to pay despite being inside the EU. Doctor, ambulance, hospital, all private, not that I had any say in what was happening to me.

Changing the subject, everyday I watch the news and see different industries that need financial help. I think the government has borrowed £160 billion so far, which is increasing daily. All very well until we all start to pay off the debt then watch the same people complain.

No easy answers but money is not free.

Good points LTNman. That borrowed money has to come from somewhere.