Runway remains closed at Toronto Airport

Passengers due to fly to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport, where an Air France flight overran the runway and burst into flames on Tuesday, are being advised to contact their airline before their journey in case of any disruption.

One of the airport's five runways remains closed after Air France Flight 358 skidded off the runway into a wooded ravine, split in two and caught fire.

All 309 passengers and crew on board made a miraculous escape.
A statement by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), issued on August 3, said the airport was now operational, but runway 24L remains closed and will be until a thorough investigation has been completed and the runway has been cleared for use by authorities.

"Travellers are urged to contact their airline prior to coming to the airport and to check the GTAA web site for updated information as it becomes available," the statement said.

Investigators have now begun checking the flight data and voice recorders. Severe weather and runway conditions are believed to have been responsible for the crash, but it could take months or even years to determine the exact cause.


Rooms from £20, but can you swing a cat?

Easyjet has opened its first no-frills budget hotel in west London and it's just what you'd expect – cheap, orange and compact. The 34 rooms, crammed into what was formerly a run-down 20-bed B&B in Earls Court, are the smallest in Europe (and that's according to the company's founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who announced the fact proudly at the opening).
But even the smallest rooms come with a 14 sq ft ensuite pod with shower, sink and toilet.

All are splashed with the distinctive Easyjet logo, but unlike the company's aircraft, there are no windows. Guests must get their own breakfast, pay £5 to use the TV in their room, and £10 to have their towels and bed linen changed.

Rooms start from £20 a night and can be booked on the easyHotel website. As with Easyjet flights, rates vary according to demand. A Business Traveller test the day before the hotel opened found the cheapest midweek room for the same week was £35.

The hotel is set to be one of a number of franchise operations across Europe, the first due to open in Basle, Switzerland.


Emirates to open dedicated Gatwick lounge

First and business class passengers flying out of London Gatwick North Terminal with Emirates will be able to use a dedicated lounge from early autumn. The lounge will also be open to Gold and Silver members of the airline's Skywards frequent flyer programme.

Designed along the same lines as the Emirates lounge at Dubai International Airport, it will have seating for 255 travellers, comfortable leather armchairs, flat-screen TVs, and full shower facilities. Emirates has taken over one floor of the British Airways Terraces for the new lounge, which at 1,590 square metres will be its largest lounge outside of Dubai.
Complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes and a full bar, including champagne, will be served by Emirates staff and a business centre will have 14 computers and six laptop workstations, all with free broadband and wireless LAN access.

The opening is part of a $13million investment to install lounges at key airports across the airline's network. Emirates operates three non-stop flights a day from London Gatwick to Dubai, connecting to onward destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore.


New Luton to Zurich service is good for business

Helvetic Airways will add a second daily flight from London Luton to Zurich on September 20.

Until now the airline has only operated an evening flight to the Swiss city, which has not been convenient for most business travellers. The new morning service leaves London at 09.10 and arrives in Zurich at 11.55. Combined with the later flight that leaves Zurich at 17.35, arriving back in London at 18.20, it allows executives to fly to the city and back in one day.
Those who book early get the best deals as the first 10 seats on every flight start at €19 (around £12.50) excluding taxes.


Fight the fear

Executives who are nervous about flying are being invited to enrol for a Virgin Atlantic 'Flying Without Fear' course at London Heathrow on August 28.

The one-day course includes a 45-minute flight at the end of the session for passengers to put their new-found confidence to the test. The courses have been running for eight years at London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airport. This will be the first at Heathrow. The day starts with a brief introduction, after which two Virgin Atlantic Captains run through aircraft functions, noises and safety.

After a hot lunch, participants can ask question on a one-to-one basis and psychotherapist David Landau teaches skills to help people learn to control their fears. During the 'test' flight, pilots give a running commentary re-enforcing all that has been learnt throughout the day.
This year Virgin Atlantic is offering all course participants membership of its 'Flying Club' frequent flyer programme, plus 2,000 bonus flying club miles.

The inclusive day course costs £199 plus VAT. For bookings and enquiries please contact 01423 714900 or log on to the web site.