"Gatwick airport should get a new owner in the coming weeks as three bids went in today for London's second airport — though the process could yet be derailed if current operator BAA does not get the £1.5 billion it needs.

The Evening Standard revealed on Friday that each of the bids will contain plans to expand Gatwick and to start construction of a new second runway at the airport in 2019."

Read on...

"Shares in airlines and travel firms have fallen sharply around the world on concerns about the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.

With the outbreak in Mexico spreading to the US, Canada, Spain and the UK, shares in British Airways fell 7.7%, while cruise firm Carnival lost 6.8%.

Investors fear the flu outbreak may lead to people cancelling overseas trips, or even to travel restrictions."

Read on...

"The passenger of a small plane in the US filmed its emergency landing after its engine cut out above a main road."

More...

" The largest high-speed cross-Channel ferry will begin sailings from Kent in May, a French company has announced.

The Incat 367ft (112m) catamaran will be introduced by LD Lines on the Dover to Boulogne route from 29 May.

The 11,000 tonne vessel is the world's largest diesel-powered catamaran and will be the first freight-carrying, fast ferry operating from Dover.

It will make up to four return sailings daily, cutting crossing times from one hour and 45 minutes to one hour."

Read on...

The European Commission has started anti-competition investigations into seven transatlantic airlines, including British Airways (BA).

Brussels has opened two separate investigations, the first into proposed additional cooperation between BA, American Airlines and Iberia.

The second probe is into existing and planned cooperation between Air Canada, Continental, Lufthansa and United.

BA said the Commission had stressed it did not have proof of any infringement.

However, Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd said the investigations would not have been launched "unless we thought there was good reason to pursue this".

Read on...

" A new airline scheduled to take off in the US fully expects its passengers to behave like animals.

On Pet Airways, of Delray Beach, Florida, all pets travel in the main cabin and owners are not allowed on board - not even in the cargo hold.

The airline claims to be the first designed specifically for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets. "

Read on...

"The decline in UK air travel is accelerating as passenger numbers at Britain's largest airports slumped 11% last month, according to airport operator BAA.

The owner of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted reported a decline in customers for the 11th successive month yesterday with Stansted and Gatwick, its budget airline bases, recording the steepest falls. "

Read on...

"Three cargo airlines have agreed to pay fines totalling $214m for their roles in a global conspiracy to fix prices for air freight.

The penalties are the latest imposed following one of the biggest cartel probes led by the US justice department. It has led to the prosecution of 15 airlines and has resulted in total fines of more than $1.6bn against the aviation industry.

In addition, three senior air cargo industry executives agreed to serve jail terms.

Cargolux, which is based in Luxembourg; Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan; and Korea's Asiana Airlines have each agreed to plead guilty and pay criminal fines for conspiring to fix prices.

The fixing of cargo rates for international air shipments began as early as September 2001 and continued until February 2006."

Read on...

"Some regional airports could struggle to survive the recession because of falling passenger numbers, the Airport Operators Association (AOA) has warned.

Its figures suggest overall traffic in March 2009 was down 15%, with passenger numbers reduced by 70% at Blackpool Airport and 50% at Durham Tees Valley.

The AOA blamed budget carriers for squeezing costs, but airlines say extra charges have forced travellers away.

The government said it was committed to helping business during the downturn.

'Decreased the burden'

Airports have insisted that a shortfall in income has forced them to introduce extra charges for services such as fast-track security or car drop-offs for passengers.

Luton, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool all charge a £3 fee to fast-track passengers through security, while Bristol airport charges £5. Blackpool and Norwich charge a mandatory airport development fee per passenger."

Read on...

"The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has pledged to crack down on illegal immigrants trying to get into the UK by stowing away ontrucks, but insists it will continue to punish operators and drivers caught flouting prevention rules.

Borders and immigration minister Phil Woolas MP and Eurotunnel have signed a joint border security agreement in Folkestone to speed up the passage of legitimate freight into the UK."

Read on...

"Shares in British Airways have risen almost 9% this afternoon despite a fall in passenger traffic last month.

BA said traffic – as measured in revenue passenger kilometres – fell by 7.3% since last year.

Premium traffic declined 13%, while non-premium traffic slipped 6%.

The company said March's premium volumes had been increased and non-premium volumes reduced because Easter falls in April, as opposed to March last year.

Cargo, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, fell by 10%. "

Read on...

"Ryanair's service levels are so bad that an increasing number of passengers would prefer to take a three-hour boat trip across the Irish Sea, one of Europe's leading ferry operators said yesterday.

Stena Line reported a 10% increase in passengers on its Dublin to Holyhead route in February and claimed that passenger dismay at air travel conditions was a big contributor to the shift. Gunnar Blomdahl, Stena Line chief executive, said his business had ramped up service standards while Ryanair, the dominant carrier between London and Dublin, had gone in the other direction with its "insulting" staff.

......Blomdahl added that a sharp drop in freight traffic on Stena ferries had allowed the company to offer discounts and more capacity to leisure passengers on its Ireland vessels. A 15% reduction in freight traffic has resulted in more space for passenger cars, he said."

Read on...

"PASSENGERS boarding planes at some American airports are being asked to pass through whole body scanners at security checkpoints, which penetrate their clothing.

The new technology, developed by New York based L3 Communications, has raised concerns after it was revealed that underwear is visible in the scans."

Read on...