Travel Industry News 11th September 2023

Heathrow warns drivers over new ULEZ charges

Heathrow airport has published a page on its website with information on what the expanded ULEZ zone could mean for customers driving to the airport. The expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone – which levies a £12.50 per day charge on non-compliant road vehicles entering the zone – came into effect on 29 August, 2023 and covers the area around Heathrow airport.

Heathrow warns that the ULEZ charge “will be in addition to any other fees or charges associated with entering the airport” (for example the airport’s drop-off fee). It adds that the charge runs from midnight to midnight every day of the year (except for Christmas Day), meaning that “if you drive a non-compliant vehicle within the ULEZ area across two days, you will need to pay two daily charges”.

 

Schiphol capacity cuts “must not be pushed through by a caretaker government”

The Dutch government has announced it will push ahead with the cuts at Schiphol. IATA has released the following comment:

“The decision of Minister Harbers to push forward with the Schiphol flight cuts shows a contempt for democratic and legal scrutiny, and a cavalier approach to the Netherlands’ treaty obligations with respect to international law.

“By ramming this action through in its last weeks in office, the caretaker government is hurting the Dutch economy and aviation workers without due consideration of alternatives that could reduce noise without sacrificing livelihoods. “We will continue to fight this decision in the Courts, alongside and on behalf of the global airline community, travellers, and those who rely on aviation. Our opposition is not about the merits of reducing noise: airlines are determined to do so and have plans and investments in place to that effect.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airlines for America (A4A), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), and European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have published a joint statement urging the Dutch government to delay any decision on capacity cuts at Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

 

Travel news as a glance:

  • Lufthansa rebrands Eurowings Discover subsidiary as Discover Airlines
  • Emirates adds third daily service to Hong Kong
  • Air Canada to increase services to London and Manchester in 2024
  • Loganair announces summer 2024 schedule to Donegal