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Air travel in 2009: The Top 10 moments
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 31st December 2009 in Featured Post, Features, Industry Insider
One of the most memorable images of 2009
Never before has air travel stormed the headlines so consistently and for such a wide array of reasons as in 2009. Economic woes kept the beleaguered sector firmly in the public eye, with British Airways personifying many people’s concerns about the future of legacy carriers. Ryanair, meanwhile, kept its head well above the turret thanks to the trademark antics of Michael O’Leary. And then the threat of a Christmas strike followed by the terror scare in Detroit reminded everyone how reliant they are on flying.
For our final post of the decade, we present the Top 10 moments of this challenging but exciting year. And in doing so, the staff at Cheapflights wish you a happy, prosperous, and above all safe 2010.
1. Heroic pilot ditches in Hudson River
US Airways Flight 1549 got the year off to a raucous start when it ditched into Manhattan’s Hudson River after suffering a double bird strike. All 155 passengers on board survived the textbook crash landing, thanks to the remarkable skill and precision of pilot Chesley Sullenberger III.
2. Dopey pilots fly 150 miles past runway
Less worthy of commendation were the pilots of Northwest Airlines Flight 188, who in October managed to overshoot their destination by 150 miles after getting caught up in a “heated discussion”. With radio contact silent for an hour, the security lapse was serious enough for the FAA to put fighter jets on alert.
3. BA begs staff to work for free
It would be an understatement to say that 2009 was a bad year for British Airways, but nothing summed up the flag carrier’s predicament quite like CEO Willie Walsh’s desperate plea for staff to waive their paycheques. Despite losing £401 million, though, BA did see a glimmer of hope in 2009. It chalked up a major victory over the unions by successfully averting a potentially ruinous 12-day Christmas strike.
4. IATA decrees: We’re all screwed
And BA wasn’t the only carrier feeling the heat. According to the IATA, the industry’s main body, airlines lost somewhere in the region of $11 billion (£6.8 billion) throughout 2009. Those difficulties were only driven home by the collapse of low-cost carriers SkyEurope and Flyglobespan – and with the sector expected to dip a further $5.6 billion into the red next year more insolvencies are certain.
5. Air India staff slug it out in cockpit
Industry woes appear to have gotten the better of four Air India cabin crew and pilots, who were seen trading punches at 30,000 feet. Nor was this the only bad piece of news for the Indian flag carrier. Its staff went on hunger strike in August, and its fleet had to be checked for rodent infestations after three separate flights were grounded when passengers spotted rats scurrying down the gangway.
6. Ryanair surcharges go hyperbolic
Less intimidated by the recession was Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who unleashed an ever-more farcical wave of add-on surcharges geared at getting free publicity keeping airfares low. Charging passengers for being fat and for going to the toilet were two of his more outrageous propositions.
7. Chinese airline does away with seats
But Mr O’Leary was beaten to the punch for the stingiest airline innovation of the year. In a country that knows a thing or two about cramming commuters into tight spaces, Chinese carrier Spring Airlines announced plans to strip its aircraft of their seats and replace them with bar stools. Standing-only cabins would accommodate 40 per cent more people, and according to some reports Airbus is up for it.
8. Virgin brings space travel a step closer
A snip at just $200,000 (£120,000) per flight. Science nerds, Star Trek fans, and anyone who just thinks it’d be cool to be in space will soon have the opportunity to fly in the world’s first ever commercial spacecraft. Virgin Galactic unveiled the futuristic jet in December, with test flights due to begin in 2010.
9. Everyone grumbles about APD
The whole industry may be opposed to it, but nothing seems capable of stopping the unrelenting march of Air Passenger Duty. The regressive tax was increased this year under Labour; it will be increased again next year (most likely under the Conservatives); and if the Liberal Democrats ever get into power their proposals would see it replaced by a punishing new tax raking in twice as much.
10. Detroit terror scare rattles nerves
It’s been such a tumultuous year for air travel that we’d love to have ended this review on a high-note. Sadly that’s not possible, with the dastardly terror attempt over the skies of Detroit reminding us all about the crucial importance of airport security. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has wasted no time in rolling out controversial ‘naked scanners’, and our prediction for 2010 is that the UK will follow suit.