Continued from page 48


to call a snap election. That seems unlikely – he will want to demonstrate his authority and capacity to bring change first. But the next election may now come sooner than 2029. Louise Haigh, former


transport secretary, is running the transition team. Outbound travel will hardly be on the agenda, but issues of concern to the sector will be – economic growth, the cost of living, business rates, employment costs, and so on. One issue on which


the industry may see less commitment from a Burnham government is the rush to start work on a Heathrow third runway by 2029. The project’s resurrection is


almost wholly down to Rachel Reeves. Burnham has previously questioned the need for a third runway, arguing for growth to be spread nationally. Energy secretary Ed Miliband, a leading Burnham backer and contender to be chancellor, is opposed. In the Gulf, the Foreign


Office’s removal of advice against all but essential travel to the UAE and Qatar was welcome and the US-Iran ‘peace’ held into a second week despite Israel continuing to attack Lebanon and Iran saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again. The US denied this, but the scope for a breakdown is clear. Given it took two months to


turn a 14-day ceasefire into a 60- day one, the process seems likely to roll over into another 60 days and another without removing the possibility of a return to war. So, the path to a resumption of ‘normal’ fuel supplies and relief of the cost pressures likely won’t be straight.


EasyJet awaits potential final takeover bid by Castlelake


EasyJet confirmed it had rejected a takeover bid by US investment fund Castlelake on Monday. The carrier will know by close of


play on Friday (June 26) whether Castlelake intends to make a final offer to the board or shareholders or to withdraw as London Stock Exchange rules require. The easyJet board confirmed


it received “an unsolicited and conditional proposal” for


Castlelake to acquire 49% of the airline, with the remaining 51% to be held by “EU nationals and potentially other investors”. UK and EU airline ownership


rules require a Europe-based carrier to be majority European-owned. EasyJet described the


£4.7 billion bid as “highly opportunistic, delivered against the backdrop of easyJet’s temporarily depressed share


price”, saying it “fundamentally undervalues” the airline. The bid was Castlelake’s


third since it gave notice it was considering a takeover in late May. It responded to the rejection by inviting shareholders “to consider its merits”. The fund has partnered with former easyJet chief operating officer Peter Bellew and others in an effort to comply with EU ownership rules.


Gatwick takes legal action over slot rules relaxation


Ian Taylor


Gatwick risked angering the Department for Transport (DfT) and leading carriers by launching legal action against a relaxation of airport slot rules which came into force last Friday. The DfT launched a “lightning


consultation” of just four days on the slots relaxation in early May to allow airlines the flexibility to revise flight schedules and prevent last-minute cancellations caused by shortages of jet fuel due to the US-Iran war. At the time, there were fears a jet


fuel shortage could bite as early as the end of May or early June. The measures were described as


“temporary” and as “contingency preparations in the event of significant disruption”. Their introduction followed a meeting between transport secretary Heidi Alexander and industry leaders, including representatives of Gatwick and Heathrow. The DfT noted they would “allow


airlines to consolidate schedules” on routes with multiple flights to the


46 25 JUNE 2026 Gatwick argues


DfT’s consultation was too quick


same destination on the same day. Airlines and Abta welcomed


the move for providing reassurance to travellers, although the European airport association ACI Europe “strongly condemned” the government, accusing it of “providing airlines with commercial flexibility to cancel flights at will”. In practice, the relaxation


means airlines must use seven out of every 10 take-off slots they hold at an airport in the event of a fuel shortage, reduced from the normal requirement to use eight out of 10. Carriers risk losing


the slots if they fail to comply. Gatwick filed a request for a


judicial review of the decision last week and sought to have the revised slot rules suspended ahead of a full hearing, arguing the consultation on the changes was too quick. Airlines and DfT officials were


reportedly surprised by Gatwick’s legal action. One source described it as “nakedly self-interested” and another told the Financial Times: “It beggars belief that anyone would challenge measures designed to support passengers.” The DfT said: “It’s right that the


government has planned ahead to ensure protections and mitigations are in place so that airlines can get ahead of any problems and lock in schedules which work for passengers and prevent last-minute disruption.” An initial hearing of Gatwick’s


case for ‘interim relief’ was due to be heard on Monday (June 22), ahead of a full hearing. However, a Hight Court judge rejected Gatwick’s request for a suspension of the changes pending a ruling.


travelweekly.co.uk


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