W
Manchester and Liverpool, while United Airlines reported record profits.
AUGUST
Qantas unveiled a new distribution channel online and Gatwick revealed a £1.1 billion investment plan. Strike threats were rife, with Ryanair pilots walking out and British Airways battling to prevent similar action. Progress was made on Iata’s New Distribution Capability, but doubts were cast over the speed of its rollout.
Aviation’s environmental credentials continued to be in the spotlight
JUNE
Iata downgraded global airline profit forecasts by 21% to $28 billion, warning of rising fuel costs and a weakening of world trade. EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren told the ITT Conference that aviation must “reinvent itself” amid rising concern about its environmental impact. Then-Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson backtracked on longstanding opposition to a third runway at Heathrow. Ryanair acquired Malta Air and revealed plans to base six Boeing 737 aircraft there, increasing the number to 10 within three years.
JULY
Manchester Airports Group warned of an ongoing hit to consumer confidence from Brexit uncertainty, while British Airways was fined £183 million for a 2018 data breach – the airline would later appeal the fine. Norwegian chief executive Bjørn Kjos stepped down after 17 years to become an advisor to the chairman, while Virgin Atlantic dropped its Saint Lucia service after 21 years. Boeing was hit with a $5 billion compensation bill for the grounding of the 737 Max, and the company’s chief executive warned it could halt production of the aircraft. EasyJet announced new departures from
SEPTEMBER
Hurricane Dorian caused airlines to ground Orlando flights and BA’s efforts to avert strikes by its pilots were thwarted with a two-day walkout. A further planned walkout was eventually called off by pilots’ union Balpa. The month was dominated by the collapse of Thomas Cook, which prompted the CAA to begin the repatriation of more than 140,000 travellers on 746 flights from 55 destinations.
OCTOBER WHAT LIES AHEAD
It’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen in the next few weeks, never mind the next 12 months, but after recent events, ensuring that airline passengers are financially protected when booking and paying for a flight should be a priority. Instability over fuel prices and, closer to home, the implications of leaving Europe do nothing for passenger and trade confidence.
Ken McLeod, director for industry affairs, The Advantage Travel Partnership
Airlines moved for Thomas Cook’s slots, including at its main bases in Manchester and Gatwick – and ramped up capacity for summer 2020 to fill the void left by its collapse. Tui Airways alone added two million seats to Europe, Egypt, Mexico and Florida, while
Jet2.com added more than 600,000 seats to Europe from Birmingham and Manchester. The Foreign Office finally lifted its ban on flights to popular Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh, following improvements in airport security. Iata admitted that environmental protests had sharpened the minds of airline investors, with the government urged to boost the development of
sustainable fuels. > Flying awards shortlist, page 44
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November 2019
travelweekly.co.uk
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PICTURES: STEVE DUNLOP; SHUTTERSTOCK
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