Cost-hit British Airways flies with quarter of seats empty

The load factor on BA's aircraft fell 3.8% last month, to 76.7%. That means nearly 24% of seats are now empty on BA flights. Higher air fares and a slowing economy led to 87,000 fewer passengers using BA last month than the same month in 2007. In an attempt to reduce costs further BA, American and Iberia are expected to try to merge their operations this month. June revenue per passenger km fell by 3.7 %. (Times)

Air France considers high-speed rail routes

Air France is holding talks about a joint venture that could see some of its short-haul routes operated by trains and considerably increase competition for continental Europe's mainly state-owned high-speed train operators. Air France is speaking to Paris-based Veolia Transport about the venture. The services are likely to be solely international, and this would be the first time an airline has commissioned its own high-speed trains. (FT)

Paul Kehoe named as new Birmingham Airport chief

Birmingham Airport has announced that its new chief executive will be Paul Kehoe, currently in charge at Bristol Airport. No date has been set for Mr Kehoe to take up his new appointment, and there is no comment about the future of the current acting managing director, Joe Kelly. Mr Kehoe was previously managing director at Luton and Belfast Airports. (Birmingham Post)

EasyJet starts UK newspaper campaign to press for a fairer and greener air tax to replace APD

easyJet is taking out advertisements in the UK national newspapers calling on the UK government to make its air tax greener - and also free of subsidies to airlines with transfer passengers. It largely supports plans to replace the current APD with a flight-based tax based on the flight distance. It accuses other airlines with older, long-haul aircraft flying from hubs of “secretly” lobbying government to have transfer passengers exempted. (Gereenair)

Freight Transport Association (FTA) promotes air freight for UK trade

Air freight is becoming increasingly important for UK trade, according to a new publication by the FTA targeting public policy audiences. The document outlines the role air freight plays in enabling the UK to become a centre of international business. It claims that air freight only accounts for around 0.6% of UK CO2 emissions, accounts for 0.5%of the UK’s international goods movements by weight, but 25% by value. (FTA)

Sir Graham Hall steps down from Leeds Bradford airport chair

Sir Graham Hall has stepped down as chairman of Leeds Bradford International Airport amid reports that he is unhappy with its new owners. Sir Graham became chairman of the airport last year as part of Bridgepoint's £145m deal to buy it from the 5 West Yorkshire local authorities which previously owned it. He has been replaced by Alan Lewis. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

Eurostar bolsters timetable with extra Paris trains

Eurostar is adding an 18th service in each direction on its London-Paris route on Mondays to Thursdays from 8 September. Eurostar is also increasing weekend services, with up to 20 trains on Fridays from London to Paris and 19 trains from Paris to London starting from 11 July. Eurostar says it is seeing growth of more than 100% from some regions north of London

Climate change: Time for deeds not words to reach emissions target, Price Waterhouse Coopers' study warns

Severe adverse effects from climate change can be avoided at reasonable cost but only if politicians stop talking and start acting, a major report from PricewaterhouseCoopers says today. Updating an earlier study it calls on G8 leaders to commit themselves to firm timetables for emissions reductions at next week's summit. PWC estimates the cost of a 50% reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050 at around 3% of global economic growth. (Guardian)

easyJet ads criticised over green claims

The ASA has criticised a press campaign by easyJet for making the misleading environmental claim that its aircraft made 22% less emissions than rival airlines. The ASA received one complaint that the ad was misleading because the emission claim was, in fact, based on emissions per passenger rather than total CO2 output. EasyJet will have to make the basis for comparisons clear in future. (Guardian)

Rising oil upsets Asian airlines’ hedges

Several Asian airlines have cut back on fuel hedging this year, leaving them exposed to far more substantial costs should oil remain at record highs. Last year mamy Asian airlines hedged at around 70% but now it is nearer 40%. “Fares are too low and a typical budget economy fare between Asia and Europe is simply no longer paying for the fuel price.” (Financial Times)