UK Stocks-Factors to watch on April 22

April 22(Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.5%.

* BOE: The Bank of England said it plans to open a "northern hub" in England, as part of a drive to make the central bank less London-centric. WHITBREAD: Premier Inn-owner Whitbread WTB.L pledged to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of its prior commitment, as it speeds up its programme to reduce the usage of gas, install solar panels and move to an electric vehicle fleet. AGGREKO: Equipment rental company Aggreko 's AGGK.L 2.3 billion pound takeover by private equity firms is in doubt because its biggest shareholder, Liontrust Asset Management, plans to oppose the deal, Sky News reported on Wednesday. RYANAIR: Ryanair RYA.I expects a very strong profit recovery in the year to March 31, 2023, and at best a breakeven performance over the next 12 months with traffic already starting to recover, Group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said on Wednesday. HEATHROW AIRPORT: Britain's Heathrow Airport has refused to allow extra flights from India before the country is added on Friday to Britain's "red-list" of locations from which most travel is banned due to a high number of COVID-19 cases, the airport said on Wednesday. OIL: Oil prices fell for a third day as a surprise build in U.S. crude inventories and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in India and Japan raised concerns that a recovery in global economy and fuel demand may slow. London's FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday, led by gains in AstraZeneca and energy heavyweights BP (LON: BP ) and Royal Dutch Shell (LON: RDSa ), while Just Eat Takeaway.com dropped following Uber Eats' plan to foray into the German market. UK CORPORATE DIARY: