Finnair has been crowned the ‘World’s Safest Airline’ by the European Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC) following its most recent report.

The Finnish airline was closely followed by Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific, which landed second and third respectively in JACDEC’s official Safety Index, for which results are compiled based on the ratio of serious airline incidents to the revenue passenger kilometres they have flown in a 30-year period, as well as other safety considerations.

According to the Safety Index, the world’s top ten safest airlines are:

1) Finnair
2) Air New Zealand
3) Cathay Pacific
4) Emirates
5) Etihad
6) Eva Air
7) Tap Portugal
8) Hainan Airlines
9) Virgin Australia
10) British Airways

Tourist board official advises holidaymakers on safe travel to Thailand

Despite playing down recent events in which a British man was gunned down on New Year’s Day, the Thai tourist board has issued some unofficial safety advice to protect UK visitors.

Tourism Thailand’s UK based PR manager Joanna Cooke is urging travellers to read her ‘How to enjoy your holiday and travel safely in Thailand’ blog which reassures first time visitors on the merits of choosing the destination and proffers tips on how to stay safe.

It follows a report by The Phuket Gazette which highlighted a number of incidents brought to Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut’s attention, as well as a shortage of police officers.

New York passenger ferry crashes into Lower Manhattan dock injuring 50

A New York ferry has crashed injuring up to 50 people after it hit the dock during rush hour in Lower Manhattan.

More than 12 of the 340 passengers received dockside medical attention but no one was fatally injured.

First Choice throws down the gauntlet for water slide tester

First Choice is offering one lucky person a six-month dream job testing water slides in its all inclusive SplashWorld resorts – culminating in a seven-night holiday for two at the end of it.

The tour operator is encouraging video-based applications and will invite five finalists to take part in a series of wet and wild challenges before choosing the successful applicant.

The right candidate will land a six-month contract worth £10,000 to test flumes at First Choice’s resorts in the likes of Majorca and Egypt before enjoying an all-expenses-paid holiday.

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A number of top female travel executives have been honoured in the Queen’s New Year list for their services to travel and tourism.

Among those to make the roll of honour were Thomson Airways Managing Director Chris Brown, who landed an OBE for services to aviation; lastminute.com co-founder Martha Lane Fox, who also received an OBE – for services to charity and the UK digital economy; P&O Ferries Chief Executive Helen Deeble, who received a CBE for her services to shipping; British Holiday and Home Parks Association Deputy Director General Winifred Clark, who won an OBE for services to charity and the tourism industry, and Belfast City Tour Service Manager Dianne Leeman, who was awarded an MBE for her services to tourism and hospitality in Northern Ireland.

Other travel industry professionals to be recognised were Air Miles founder Sir Keith Mills, Co-operative Group Chief Executive Peter Marks, Lochs and Glens Holidays Chairman Michael Wells, and Le Mon Hotel and Country Club Managing Director Francis Brady.

UK Visa application to be simplified for Chinese visitors

Home Secretary Theresa May has vowed to simplify the Visa application process in a bid to attract more Chinese visitors to the UK.

Her pledge follows new research which shows that 61 per cent of Chinese people who chose not to visit the UK were put off by the Visa application process, whose forms are currently in English rather than Mandarin.

Mooted changes to the process are to include shortened online application forms, dedicated Embassy staff to aid business travellers and translated forms – all of which are to come into effect in 2013.

Birmingham Airport could be renamed after 70s rock legend

It’s rumoured that Birmingham Airport could be renamed after controversial Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

The claims were reported by The Birmingham Mail after Councillor Philip Parkin told the paper talks had been held with a view to honouring the iconic 70s rock band.

Although nothing has been confirmed, if the name change goes ahead, it would mirror the moniker choices of Liverpool’s John Lennon and New York’s JFK airports.

Thomson experiences stellar Christmas Day

Tour operator Thomson has reported a record Christmas Day after experiencing a 90 per cent increase in online sales compared to the same day last year.

The most popular destinations booked on its best ever Christmas Day were the sunny resorts of Tenerife, Majorca and Sharm El Sheikh.

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An ongoing investigation by the Irish Aviation Authority has revealed that a Ryanair flight from Manchester Airport could have crashed when its pilots tried to make up lost time.

The Authority is looking into findings by German air safety officials who claim that pilots tried a new manoeuvre in a bid to regain time and only just managed to pull the jet up at one point around 150m from the ground with 141 passengers on board.

Although the airline strongly denies the claims, the investigation continues.

Scotrail staff to cause festive travel misery by striking on Christmas Eve

Rail passengers in Scotland are being warned to expect major disruption on the tracks this festive period as Scotrail staff prepare to strike on December 22 and Christmas Eve.

Scotrail has slammed the RMT union responsible, citing the dates chosen as “cynical in the extreme” and “a clear attack on the travelling public across Scotland at Christmas”.

It’s thought that the action is in support of former Scotrail employee Scott Lewis, who was sacked earlier this year after reportedly reducing a customer to tears.

Freezing fog halts flights at Heathrow and London City

More than 60 flights have been halted at Heathrow because of freezing fog and ice.

London City Airport is also affected by adverse weather and further delays are expected after the Met Office issued a yellow fog warning this morning (Friday, 14 December).

Travellers are being advised to check with individual airlines before confirming travel plans.

Up to 340 struck down with Norovirus on notorious ‘sick’ ship

Around 340 passengers are thought to have fallen ill with a winter vomiting bug on a pre-Christmas cruise aboard the P&O-owned Oriana.

It’s reported that they have contracted the same Norovirus which, this year, has closed primary schools and hospital wards until they were deep cleaned and given the all-clear.

Passengers are expected to land substantial compensation after a similar outbreak struck P&O cruisers on board the same ship last November.

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UK Chancellor George Osborne confirmed in his annual Autumn Statement this week that Air Passenger Duty (APD) would increase yet again.

The decision has already been slammed by the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR UK), which described the move as “unsurprising and self destructive” for the British economy.

Now the Government faces pressure from ABTA, which has teamed up with BAR UK, to launch an independent review into the economic impact of APD.

Another tsunami warning for Japan after major earthquake shakes Tokyo

North East Japan has been issued with another tsunami warning – 18 months after the tragic effects of the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave which devastated the Fukushima nuclear plant near Tokyo.

The alert follows an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale which hit the coast this week and whose effects were felt in the busy capital, where buildings shook violently.

Although no injuries or deaths have been reported, residents are being urged not to wait and to evacuate before disaster strikes.

Heavy snow disrupts European flights

A number of European flights have been affected by heavy snow – causing delays and cancellations across its northern and central belts.

Airline KLM has cancelled all of its European flights, which total nearly 300, while easyJet and Ryanair have issued proactive warnings regarding flights to and from Northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Passengers are being advised to keep abreast of local weather reports, allow extra time for travelling and to check the status of their flight at every given opportunity.

Ryanair announces new routes from Scotland

Budget airline Ryanair has, this week, announced eight new routes to Europe from Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick.

New Edinburgh routes will be to Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice and Santander while flights to Rzeszow and Warsaw will be introduced from Glasgow.

Ryanair is also increasing the frequency of flights across five of its existing routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Edinburgh Airport marks a change in ownership with new branding

Edinburgh Airport has announced plans to roll out a new company brand based on its vision to become the place known as ‘where Scotland meets the world’.

Chairman John Elvidge described it as “an exciting new chapter in the airport’s history, changing the dynamics of Scottish aviation forever”.

Alongside Gordon Dewar, the chairman also unveiled the airport’s new logo – a modern interpretation of its iconic control tower with “an historic twist”.

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TUI, Accor, Kuoni and ITB have all joined forces with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit) and The Code to develop a code of conduct for the tourism industry to help combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

As part of the voluntary code, worldwide tourism industry members will be asked to adhere to the following six new rules:

1) Establish an ethical policy when it comes to children
2) Train personnel
3) Introduce a code-related clause in contracts with suppliers
4) Provide information to travellers
5) Provide information to key persons at the destination
6) Report annually to The Code on the initiatives undertaken

India airline passenger arrested after anti-landing crusade
A passenger on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Delhi has caused uproar as he ran from his seat, assaulted fellow passengers and crew members and tried to enter the cockpit as he tried to stop the flight.

The 40-year-old passenger, who is thought to have had mental health problems, struck a flight attendant in his crusade before he was stopped by a food trolley and ‘talked down’ by crew and passengers.

Although he was not carrying any weapons, he was arrested in Delhi and faces charges of assault, criminal intimidation and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Guatemalan earthquake devastates more than 50
More than 50 people have lost their lives in Guatemala after an earthquake hit the country’s Pacific Coast.

Many more are missing and feared dead after the quake, which ranked 7.4 on the Richter scale, hit all but one of the country’s 22 states.

The epicentre of the quake was Champerico, which has encountered a number of aftershocks.

Maldives set to expand to meet international demand
The Maldives is set to build hotels on 14 uninhabited islands within the next two years.

It plans to meet the demand, primarily for three and four-star venues, from both the UK and China although is still to begin the bidding process for its developments.

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The company, which was based in Kent, sold short and city breaks direct to consumers as well as flights through travel agents, who are now seeking legal advice after paying for special airline fares, which never came to fruition, in advance.

But, without a written ATOL agreement, travel agents fear they will not be reimbursed.

Second aircraft to experience cabin smoke within the same week
Jet2 flight LS177 has become the latest aircraft to make an emergency evacuation after smoke was detected in the cabin prior to take-off from Glasgow Airport.

The flight, which was bound for Alicante, is the second to experience an emergency of this kind in recent weeks.

Another flight – a Thomas Cook aircraft which flew from Dalaman to Glasgow Airport – had to be evacuated via emergency chutes only six days ago after the cabin also began to fill with smoke.

There have also been a number of other emergencies over British airspace in recent weeks – including two flights bound for JFK which both experienced difficulties over the Irish Sea.

Gatwick proposes second runway to increase passenger capacity
Gatwick Airport could be paving the way for a second runway in a bid to become a major international hub to rival Heathrow.

The airport is keen to increase passenger numbers and it’s thought that a second runway at Gatwick would have a lesser environmental impact than that of a third at Heathrow.

However, in line with a legal agreement between the airport and West Sussex City Council, no work can begin until 2019.

Sick joke gone wrong at US international airport
A US airport was evacuated and closed for three hours after a practical joker pretended he was carrying a bomb.

Travellers were escorted out of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport after a fellow passenger, who was checking in for an Alaskan Airlines flight, made a joke about carrying a bomb.

Although the airport re-opened around 3am, the man in question was arrested and is being held on $5,000 bail.

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Rides and attractions will be based on film themes such as Titanic, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Transformers.

Plans also reveal that the park will host hotels, Europe’s largest indoor water park and music venues – all of which are scheduled to open in 2018.

Terrorism suspects held in London
Police are searching two addresses in East London in relation to terrorism following two arrests at Heathrow Airport.

Scotland Yard are investigating the alleged terrorist activities of a man and woman, both aged 26, who flew in from Egypt this week.

Although the suspects’ nationalities are not known, their arrests are in connection with travel to Syria to support terrorist activity.

Cruise crew hospitalised after meningitis outbreak
Four crew members of a cruise ship on a seven-day Mediterranean voyage have been struck down by meningitis.

They have been hospitalised in Italy following an outbreak of bacterial meningitis on board the MSC Orchestra – a cruise liner capable of carrying up to 3,000 on board.

Their colleagues and passengers have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure while MSC Cruises say no one else has developed any symptoms so far.

Two mid-air emergencies within minutes of each other over Irish Sea
Two US-bound planes were forced to land at Heathrow and Paris after experiencing mid-air emergencies within minutes of each other over British airspace.

The cock pit of the Kuwait Airways aircraft filled with smoke as it approached the Irish Sea, while the Air France flight reported technical problems in the cockpit over the same stretch of water.

Ironically, both flights were destined for New York City’s JFK Airport.

Travel industry gives thumbs up to in-flight child free zones
Ninety per cent of those polled by leading travel news source Travelmole are in favour of child free quiet zones as proposed by Malaysian budget carrier Air Asia X.

Only 12 per cent of those who took part were against the idea.

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After receiving treatment in Scotland, the passenger, who had been in Kabul, Afghanistan, has now been transferred to a specialist unit in London.

Although officials say the disease, which was most likely contracted in East or West Africa, poses no threat to the public, they were keen to track down two fellow passengers.

The patient was transferred to London today (5 October) in a special RAF isolation plane.

Ryanair to close Aer Lingus base at Gatwick and set up afresh in Brussels
If Ryanair’s takeover bid to adopt Aer Lingus is approved, the airline plans to shut down the Irish carrier’s Gatwick base and open a new one in Brussels instead.

The budget airline already owns 30 per cent of Aer Lingus and if its £560 million bid for the airline is accepted by the European Commission, it will retain the brand name but cut airline fares and move headquarters accordingly.

What this means for passengers is that they will now be able to get Aer Lingus discounted fares to the US.

easyJet launches two new routes to Iceland
The nation’s best loved budget airline, easyJet, is to launch two new routes from Edinburgh and Manchester to Reykjavik.

easyJet’s latest move comes after growing demand for UK flights to the Icelandic capital and will see twice weekly flights leaving from Edinburgh on Mondays and Thursdays and from Manchester on Thursdays and Sundays.

Titanic II to set sail in 2016
Nearly 115 years since the ill-fated Titanic sank, the Titanic II is to make its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 2016.

The designs for the replica ship are to be unveiled in December at a prestigious launch which will see guests ordering from the same menu as passengers did on the day the ‘unsinkable ship’ sank.

It will feature the same 840 rooms and nine decks – retaining its first, second and third class divisions – as its predecessor.

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The Hong Kong ferry believed to be carrying more than 120 passengers, including Britons, to a firework display collided with its Kowloon counterpart, which had at least 100 on board.

A huge recovery operation got under way just off Lamma Island, about two miles from Hong Kong, but low visibility in the darkness and floating obstacles hampered the rescue effort.

AirAsia X flights ban under 12s from front row quiet zones
Malaysian airline AirAsia ia launching a new quiet zone on each of its economy ‘X’ flights to spare travellers from the screams of babies and young children.

It will dedicate the first seven rows at the front of its Airbus A330 to the new quiet zone, in which under 12s are not allowed, which will also feature soft lighting.

These seats, which will sit behind the airline’s Premium Flatbeds, will be available to book online at no extra cost.

American Airline passengers in danger as seats become unhinged
American Airlines were forced to make two emergency landings at New York City’s JFK Airport after discovering loose seats on two different flights bound for Miami.

The airline is now carrying out an inspection of eight of its planes amidst fears there’s a problem with certain seats fitting into the tracking of its Boeing 747s.

One of the flights, which took off from Boston, saw a whole row of seats become unhinged and slide around the cabin while passengers were transferred to a safer position.

Brittany Ferries resumes European service
After 10 days of cancelled crossings in September, Brittany Ferries is now finally back at sea.

Service has resumed now that an agreement has been reached between the operator and more than 1,200 crew members who took strike action over a change in allowances and working hours.

The first sailing to mark the end of the strike was the Roscoff to Plymouth journey, on which passengers were thanked for their understanding.

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A Muslim US citizen, Imane Boudlal, who was born in Morocco, claims she was suspended after refusing to remove the hijab despite Disney offering her jobs out of the public eye.

She also says she was subjected to anti-Arab and anti-Muslim jibes and has filed a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which granted her ‘a notice of the right to sue’.

Ryanair to be investigated by Irish and Spanish safety officials
Ryanair has come under scrutiny after making an alarming number of diversions and emergency landings in Spanish airspace.

The budget airline will be investigated by both Irish and Spanish authorities, with one particular incident at the heart of the probe – a flight from Paris to Tenerife on 16 September which was diverted to Madrid because of a technical fault.

Other incidents to be investigated include three separate emergency landings in Valencia on 26 July.

Bmi regional to launch new routes and expand further next spring
Bmi regional has announced plans to launch its first new routes since becoming independent – with the first two twice-daily services from Bristol to Aberdeen and Manchester to Antwerp taking off on 29 October.

The airline has also revealed its intention to add even more scheduled flights to Europe for both business and leisure travellers by next spring.

easyJet launches new MP initiative to save British taxpayers’ money
easyJet is rolling out a new a travel scheme for parliamentarians to offer MPs and peers low cost, flexible fares in a bid to safeguard the taxpayers’ purse.

It has signed a one-year deal with Hillgate Travel and the Travel Management Company for the Houses of Parliament and will support all MPs, peers and Houses of Parliament staff.

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