British low-cost airline and group
A Ryanair-operated Boeing 737-800 has suffered a window blowout and cabin decompression during a Thessaloniki–Memmingen flight. The plane has returned safely to Thessaloniki, with one passenger receiving medical care. The NTSB has taken charge of the probe, with Greece participating, while Ryanair defends its safety record.
EasyJet has reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profits for the quarter, hit by a surge in jet-fuel costs following the Middle East conflict. The group says bookings remain volatile and its takeover battle in the background continues to unfold as two US private equity firms vie for ownership.
JetBlue has overhauled its pricing, introducing a Base fare alongside Standard and Flex options across Main, Even More and BlueFirst cabins. Mint remains excluded from Base. The move follows rivals United and Delta in unbundling premium travel, offering cheaper options while preserving some benefits. The change aims to give travelers more choice but may see additional charges for previously included services.
NATS has received a threat about a Qatar Airways flight, prompting police, the RAF, and airport authorities to respond. RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Lincolnshire to intercept the aircraft; it landed safely with no threat to passengers. A 14-year-old from Bolton, not on the flight, is assisting investigators.
Jetstar has introduced a size-based carry-on policy, charging for overhead locker space from February 2027. Each booking includes one small item; larger bags incur fees between AUD 25 and AUD 52 depending on route. The change aims to streamline boarding and reduce delays, with mixed reactions from travellers and analysts.
S&P Global’s manufacturing PMI for Britain has fallen from the flash reading but remains above 50, signaling expansion in July. Output growth is the strongest since September 2024, while input costs have cooled. The data covers July 9-28 and follows a US-Iran truce breakdown and a Yemeni naval blockade that pushed oil above $100.
Tui has seen a sharp drop in pre-tax profits in its third quarter as fuel costs rise amid the Middle East conflict. The group reports weaker bookings and higher costs, but notes some signs of recovery in demand and continued price pressure.
Apollo has won the bid to take EasyJet private at 715p a share, valuing the carrier at about $7.7 billion. Castlelake has withdrawn, clearing Apollo to move forward. The deal is expected to complete by Q1 2027, with Stelios Haji-Ioannou and family retaining shares. Shareholders face a vote and delisting of EasyJet.
Harvey Nichols has been put up for sale after successive losses and is drawing bids from Frasers Group and Next as owners seek £50m–£60m; Mike Ashley has called the chain in a "death spiral" and says a lower price will be needed. Separately, UK high street restructuring plans have won court approval while retailers use AI to trace complex apparel supply chains.
Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has kept Catania airport closed or operating under strict restrictions, disrupting nearly 2,000 flights over the past week, with passengers rerouted to other hubs and price pressures rising during Ferragosto travel. Authorities warn ash emissions will continue to affect air traffic in the region.
An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas landed safely at DFW after reports of a laptop catching fire mid-air. Four to five passengers sustained burns; crew contained the device and the plane taxied to the gate. FAA warns lithium batteries can overheat; some travelers received medical care after landing.
UK air travel stayed resilient in the second quarter, with total passenger numbers surpassing last year’s record. Data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows 81 million travellers and 120,000 more movements, while destinations in Europe and Asia saw mixed gains and cuts amid regional tensions.
Gatwick Airport reports half-year pre-tax profits of £136.5 million, down 18% on the prior year as passenger numbers dip amid Middle East conflict and fuel concerns. Long-haul travel falls while short-haul remains pressured; expansion plans for a second runway move forward after a Court of Appeal ruling.
Dozens of Northern Ireland holidaymakers have been stranded in Tunisia after an EasyJet flight back to Belfast was cancelled. Passengers report little communication and mounting costs as the airline organises a direct Belfast flight and promises reimbursements. Some travellers have faced hotel stays and medication shortages while others race to find alternative routes home.
Dolly Parton’s passing has sparked reflections on aging, purpose, and career longevity. The interviews reveal a life shaped by bold business moves, from safeguarding publishing rights to turning away Elvis’s demand for half the rights. The aviation and hospitality sectors now spotlight midlife workers as a strategic asset, while airlines like easyJet are actively recruiting over-50s to diversify crews.
Shoppers are buying compact backpacks and underseat bags as cabin-bag deals surge across multiple retailers. Deals from The Guardian, The Scotsman, and New York Post highlight price cuts on Ryanair-friendly bags, Regatta, Aerolite and Quince products, with discounts driving consumer demand.
The London stock market is losing more firms to private equity, with Bodycote being taken private by Veritas and Gamma Communications and Capricorn also likely to go private. The wave follows EasyJet’s FTSE 100 promotion and highlights a broader exodus that has seen several UK-listed names depart this year. The trend reflects a shift in market dynamics, potential increased valuations, and investor pressure.
Ryanair has cut its 2027 passenger target from 216 million to 214 million to curb exposure to unhedged fuel amid rising oil prices driven by Middle East conflict. The carrier expects winter traffic to be flat but maintains optimism for a profitable summer as fuel hedges cushion most costs.
National Air Traffic Services has identified a fault in its flight-processing system and has implemented a fix after pausing some departures on Tuesday. The outage has caused widespread cancellations and delays at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Scottish airports; recovery is continuing and airlines are warning of knock-on disruption today, 15 Sep 2026.
The Civil Aviation Authority has said the disruption from the Nats outage is likely covered by extraordinary circumstances. Passengers are unlikely to claim compensation for delays or cancellations caused by the incident. UK/EU rules require care and compensation for significant delays, with hotels and meals provided when needed. Some flights may still face compensation in cases of mechanical failure. Airlines and authorities are reviewing the implications for future disruptions.
Nats has said a millisecond software defect in its flight‑data system has caused the outage that cancelled more than 2,000 flights and disrupted hundreds of thousands of travellers. CEO Martin Rolfe has apologised; Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ordered an independent Civil Aviation Authority review and has asked Nats to report within a week.
Disruptions across UK airspace linked to Prestwick and Swanwick faults have continued to trigger flight cancellations and delays. Airlines call for leadership changes as regulators review the incidents and outline steps to improve resilience.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ordered an independent review into ongoing air-traffic disruptions blamed on NATS. The investigation will assess the causes, consumer impact and whether renewal plans fix the system, with initial findings due by January and a full report by March 2027.
The government has announced reforms to require airlines to seat children under 14 next to a parent free of charge and to allow free corrections of booking names. The Civil Aviation Bill is expected to deliver these changes after Royal Assent, with aims to curb petty charges and bring uniform rights across carriers.
Airlines have faced a year of rising fuel costs that have pushed up fares and pressured profits. Major carriers are updating outlooks as fuel prices stay high, with several airlines warning of weaker earnings despite growing revenue.