The aviation industry continued to feel pressures in 2019, but a number of carriers and airports targeted UK growth
JANUARY
Ryanair obtained a UK Air Operating Certificate (AOC) as the Irish carrier continued its calls for a Brexit transition deal. Heathrow and Gatwick announced plans to install anti-drone security after about 1,000 flights were cancelled at Gatwick in December 2018, affecting more than 140,000 passengers. Heathrow began its latest consultation over plans for a third runway and announced a record 80 million passengers in 2018. ForwardKeys data revealed a rise in capacity worldwide, with figures showing global air travel rose 6% in 2018.
FEBRUARY
The EU approved Air France-KLM’s acquisition of a 31% controlling stake in Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways announced it would be hiking summer frequencies. The abrupt failure of Flybmi led to fresh calls for airline-failure protection, and Loganair moved to take over a number of former Flybmi routes. A consortium led by Virgin Atlantic acquired Flybe in a discounted £2.2 million deal to save the struggling regional carrier; the airline would be renamed Virgin Connect in October.
MARCH
Jet2.com celebrated the arrival of its 100th aircraft and Emirates doubled its Stansted capacity, but Boeing was forced to ground its 737 Max fleet following the Ethiopian Airlines crash which continues to have massive repercussions for the global aviation industry. A legal challenge
Gatwick installed anti-drone security
to a third runway at Heathrow went to the High Court, and British Airways unveiled its new long-haul business- class product. The month ended with the collapse of Icelandic carrier Wow Air, but in September it was announced that the airline would resume flying.
APRIL
The trade hoped for a bounce in Easter flight bookings after a postponement to Brexit. European airport association ACI Europe reported 5% capacity growth, but director general Olivier Jankovec warned it will “not last for ever”. Jet Airways became the latest airline to fail, as it cancelled all international flights and went on to ground all its services. Self-service gates were installed at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 as BA took a step towards biometric boarding.
MAY
The High Court rejected a challenge to Heathrow’s third runway, while a number of suitors were tipped to bid for Thomas Cook’s airline. Air Transat, Etihad and Tui Airways were among the carriers expanding UK capacity, but Amadeus reported a slowdown in air bookings made by agents and the aviation world mourned the death of ex-Formula One driver Niki Lauda, who founded Lauda Air, Niki and Laudamotion.
° A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
“We are very proud to be sponsoring the Globe Travel Awards. Voted for by UK travel agents, these accolades acknowledge the remarkable achievements of our partners, and to win is one of the best recognitions in the travel sector. As a provider of premium all-inclusive holidays, it felt natural to support and reward our airline partners by sponsoring the Flying category this year. An amazing holiday starts with the quality of transport, and we are with our airline partners to deliver the best package to our customers.” Armand Guillemot, head of sales, Club Med
travelweekly.co.uk
November 2019 47
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