We are very happy to see the return of some customers, and it is so nice to be taking people to and from the airports again. 

 

It really has been a terrible 20 months for most trades and businesses, with aviation been one of the hardest hit. 

 

Due to the huge drop in passengers through the airports, the businesses of course need to see some financial improvements in their profits and revenues. One method they are now implementing is the "Drop off/pick up fee" 

 

Heathrow and Gatwick are the last of the major airports to introduce this charge. The first was Luton, at £2.00 (about 8 years ago) closely followed by Stanstead, Birmingham, East Midlands and Bristol. 

Unfortunately and probably inevitably, Heathrow Airport are the latest airport to introduce a DROP off charge at all terminals. 

 

This new charge will start this October and will be the princely sum of £5.00. This is the same as Gatwick, Luton and East Midlands Airport. 

 

Can you believe Stansted are even more expensive ??? 

 

With aviation been hit so hard by covid, the knock on effects for the airports has been immense. Footfall down by as much as 95% some months. Although air travel is starting to make a gradual and slow return, there is still a VERY long way to get back to pre covid levels. 

 

The airports are hoping this charge will help rescue some of their losses. 

May 31st 2021 was Heathrow’s 75th birthday. This is a special anniversary for the UK’s and Europe’s busiest airport (before Covid hit), as they celebrate 75 years since opening as a commercial operating hub. 

Before it became the Heathrow we know today, it was a very small airfield (similar in size to say, Cranfield airport) and was called The Great West Aerodrome. This opened in 1929, in between the two world wars. 

Today marks 75 years since we became a commercial airport. Despite the most difficult year in our history, we're using this milestone as a chance to reflect on the journey we've undertaken and look ahead at what the next 75 could bring. #Heathrow75 

Rumour has it, that in the next short while, government help for the stricken airports is going to be announced 

 

The "help" is an £8 million grant for each U.K. airport. It is said "this can be used to help towards standing costs, such as business rates" 

 

The problem is, this won't go very far, as apparently Heathrow airport's business rates are a staggering £10 million PER MONTH !!! 

 

All help is welcome, but this pales into insignificance when you hear of the help the pubs, bars and restaurants are receiving... 

 

 

A new airline Covid 19 5 star safety rating for airlines has just been announced 

 

British Airways and Lufthansa are the first airlines to be graded, and both have been awarded 4 stars 

 

This appears NOT to be government led, but a new system introduced by SKYTRAX. This organisation rates airlines and airports around the world for customer service and procedures implemented by the relevant authorities. It's a similar company to JD Power, who rate motor manufacturers and dealers for customer service and satisfaction. Like JD Power, SKYTRAX are highly regarded in their industry 

As we enter month seven of this coronavirus pandemic, people really are beginning to think when will all this end and some sort of normality return ??? 

 

Well, I am happy and very grateful to be able to let you know, that some customers are already kind enough to be booking airport transfers with me for next year... 

 

People need and want to travel. The sooner we all get restarted the better !!! 

 

If you are planning to travel next year, please remember PPT are here and ready to serve you. Whichever UK airport, or UK destination, we can drive you 

 

Hope to hear from you soon... 

 

Kind regards 

Stay safe 

PPT 

 

The aviation industry were looking forward to another busy year at the start of 2020. 

We all know what happened only a few weeks in, but who could have foreseen the deep and far reaching consequences for the global economy and people's health ? 

 

With the sudden and abrupt halt of air travel, in a bid to help stay in business, most airliners are cutting costs and retiring several of their aircraft EARLY, as well as postponing or cancelling future orders for new aircraft 

 

Where do they go ? 

 

Their are several airplane "graveyards", the most famous being "The Boneyard" in Tuscon, Arizona. 

 

Here the aircraft are either stored, dismantled for spares or scrapped 

A very sad ending for aircraft with years of faithful service 

 

Hopefully the next blog will be more cheerful......... 

 

Stay safe