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Classic Vespa PX goes out of circulation, motorists saddened

Hundreds of scooter enthusiasts headed to the coast at a time when a model - a direct descendant of the bikes that are favoured by the Mods of the 1960s - ceases to be available in showrooms. Stringent new European emission norms mean that the Vespa PX is no longer economically viable.

Vespa stated that although sales of the three decade old two-stroke, manually-geared bike were fairly static at just about 15,000 units on annual basis, tightening emission legislation was the death-knell. It will now only produce machines that feature a fully automatic gear box.

The UK general manager, Tony Campbell, stated:

The EU government has set a number of standards to be met within certain deadlines in an effort to clean up emissions of all motorised vehicles, The new emissions regulations, known as “Euro 3″, make the production of a two-stroke engine larger than 50cc not economically feasible. The Vespa PX will go down in history as one of the best! A model does not last for three decades unless it was right in the first place.

The decision by parent firm, Piaggio, to cease production of the model saddened the followers of this design classic.

British Airways passengers going to New York will go through immigration check at Shannon airport

British Airways has reached an agreement with the US immigration authorities to allow passengers flying to New York from London City airport, undergo advance US immigration checks during refuelling of carriers at Ireland.

This scheme was first introduced for business class-only service which operated between central London to the Big Apple earlier this year. It was found that flying the route non-stop from City airport was not feasible since its runways were too short for the carrier to take-off with sufficient fuel for completing the long journey.

As per the agreement, the carrier will take 40-minute stop at Shannon while the passengers will undergo immigration and custom checks. The immigration checks at Shannon will save BA’s travel time and the passengers would be allowed to arrive at the London City airport just 15 minutes before the flight departure.

According to commercial director, Robert Boyle, BAA’s business-class service would be very convenient for people located in London. The advance immigration check during refuelling will facilitate quick travel desk to desk.

The new twice-a-day service would commence from next autumn using Airbus 318, which is the largest aircraft that can operate from London City airport.

Pilots’ union staff planning strike

Workers employed by the trade union that represents airline pilots is set to stage a day-long strike after talks over a pending pensions’ dispute collapsed. GMB union members of the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) are upset with changes made to their final salary pension scheme.

About 33 GMB members, who currently work at Balpa offices based in West Drayton, near Heathrow, voted by 85 per cent for the day-long strike action. Balpa stated it was ‘disappointed’ after coming up with an improved offer.

The union added it was facing a wide pension deficit of £4.6m and was trying to suggest changes for tackling the problem. The final salary scheme would not be open to new members, whereas new entrants would be asked to join a defined contribution scheme. Also, the pension age would go up from 60 to 65. Conciliation talks that were brokered by the TUC failed to break the deadlock.

Dave Kent, a GMB organiser, stated: “There is no economic justification for these changes, since Balpa is one of the most successful, financially robust trade unions in the UK. No employer should impose changes to employment terms and conditions without the agreement of its own staff.”

Tax for ‘gas-guzzling’ vehicles

Government plans of increasing car tax for ‘gas-guzzling’ vehicles needs to be bolder for a greater environmental impact, MPs state. The official report of Environmental Audit Committee backs the move as a ‘correct step in the right direction.’

Chairman Tim Yeo stated the benefits to the environment would only be limited, and called for more ambitious and aggressive changes. Three members chose to write a minority report terming the plan ‘a retrospective taxation’ since it put ‘a new tax on old cars.’ They argued it should be put on hold until its overall impact was properly assessed. Official estimates state vehicle excise duty will go up for 43 per cent of vehicles made since 2001 - but will go down for 18 per cent.

The changes will increase the payment bands from seven to 13. The maximum tax for vehicles with the most emissions will be £455 for 2009-10; owners of the least polluting vehicles will pay zero tax.

The report said there were valid concerns over the effect on lower-income households although it stated it was not clear how many would actually be disadvantaged by these changes.