NEWS: Abu Dhabi new airport opening details, Heathrow passenger charges and Intercontinental announces changes

Virgin Atlantic disputes Heathrow passenger charges

Virgin Atlantic has called for a review of passenger charges at Heathrow after the Competition and Markets Authority agreed with the CAA’s decision over the amount Heathrow can charge passengers. Virgin and other airlines had requested that CMA review the CAA’s decision over the maximum charges permitted until December 2026. It is the highest passenger airport charge in the world, so it is no wonder that airlines are not happy. 

On 8 March 2023, the CAA published its final determination for Heathrow charges based on an average ‘Maximum Allowable Yield’ of £27.49 until December 2026. Heathrow uses the price cap to set the passenger service charge and any other additional charges that passengers and airlines must pay to use the airport up until the end of 2026. Virgin Atlantic submitted our appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority on 18 April 2023 so that consumers using the world’s most expensive airport are protected.

When you think that an average basic short-haul economy ticket is probably around £100 at the moment, £27 is a huge amount to charge a passenger on top. If Heathrow was a fantastic airport experience like Changi for example, I wouldn’t mind so much, but it is not. 

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said, “Following more than three years of regulated consultation on Heathrow charges, it’s disappointing that the CMA has largely endorsed the CAA’s decision, which did not go far enough to protect consumers from excessive charges at Heathrow. Heathrow Airport’s repeated attempts to impose excessive charges demonstrate how the regulatory framework, including the formula used to set charges at the world’s most expensive airport, is broken.

“With fresh leadership at both the CAA and Heathrow, now’s the time for a fundamental review of how these charges are set, ensuring that customers are protected ahead of shareholders.   Heathrow must work collaboratively with airlines to ensure it gets back to its best, so it can deliver a world class experience commensurate with being the world’s most expensive airport.”

New Abu Dhabi airport opening dates

Abu Dhabi’s new International Airport Terminal A, will begin operations on 1 November, and the full details have now been released. Terminal A is one of the largest airport terminals in the world and will double the current airport capacity, with the capability to accommodate up to 45 million passengers per year.

Etihad’s ceremonial flight will take place on 31 October 31st, ahead of opening to the public. Airlines will transition into Terminal A in 3 phases over a period of 2 weeks: after Etihad’s ceremonial flight, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and 15 other international airlines will fly from the new Terminal on 1 November. From 9 November, Etihad Airways will operate 16 daily flights, before completing their transition to their new home on 14 November, together with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and 10 other airlines. From 14 November, all 28 airlines will be operational from Terminal A.

In preparation for the opening in November, operational readiness trials concluded on 17 October. In total, the trials involved more than 11,000 volunteers.  Those taking part in simulations stress-tested end-to-end passenger journeys including systems, equipment, staff and procedures in key operating areas such as check-in, baggage, security screening, immigration and boarding. 

When fully operational, Terminal A will have 163 retail concessionaires and food & beverage outlets including designer brands and the world’s first Muji airport store. Jones The Grocer, Taste of India, Starbucks and the Camden Food Co. are just a few of the food brands that will be at Terminal A. There will even be a celebrity chef restaurant with Todd English opening his first airport restaurant. I’m looking forward to the two health and beauty spas. There will also be a high quality 138-bedroom hotel plus a modern open-air lounge.

Terminal A will be the first in the world to include all nine biometric airport touchpoints. In the first phase, this will see biometric solutions installed in key areas, such as self-service bag drops, immigration eGates and boarding gates. When fully operational, it will use facial recognition technology to screen passengers and minimise wait times.

The X-shaped building design helps improve operational efficiency and passenger flow featuring four themed piers inspired by Abu Dhabi’s desert, sea, city and oasis natural landscapes. It also features the Sana Al Nour, which is one of the largest indoor public art features in the Middle East, standing at 22 metres tall and 17 metres wide.

Intercontinental announces changes

IHG has announced a number of very flowery-worded changes on how it plans to improve the guest experience but to be honest there is nothing very groundbreaking in what was announced. Hopefuly there may be more to come as I do find that Intercontinental brand is becoming a bit dated. 

Here is what they propose:

• A Concierge Gallery in the lobby at Intercontinental’s hotel lobbies. These will resemble a luxury boutique, with interactive displays, library spaces and informative features, in some cases even art installations or designer pop-ups. Messaging apps will be used more. A lot of hotels do use this via What’s App and I find it useful.
• Incredible Occasions’ programme is aimed at offering small spaces to be booked within the hotel for a special occasion as well as “Celebration Suites” and other amenities that can be booked for special occasions. 
• Food and drink menu items available at all hotels designed to reduce fatigue
• Access to  Timeshifter, a jet lag app.
• Changes to rooms to reduce fatigue

What do you think Intercontinental should change? Let us know in the comments below.

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