The Week In Travel

Data released this week by Business Travel Show Europe has revealed that travel budgets in the UK and Europe are expected to increase this year. According to surveyed travel managers, 51% anticipate higher budgets in 2024, with only 18% predicting a decrease. Rising prices were identified as a potential obstacle with increases to flight and hotel costs viewed as significant challenges by 43% of travel managers. However, 37% of buyers have reported their organisations have already reached or exceeded 2019 travel volumes, with a further 23% expect to reach pre-pandemic levels of business travel this year.

In the UK, December 2023 was potentially a record-breaking month for UK airports. Heathrow reported its highest-ever December monthly traffic, welcoming 6.69 million passengers, pushing the annual figure to 79 million. Meanwhile, Manchester Airports Group, operating Manchester and London Stansted, served 60 million passengers in 2023, with both airports posting record numbers for December, surpassing two million passengers each.

Remaining in Europe, the Dutch aviation and travel industry, comprised of over 30 companies and endorsed by the Dutch travel management association NATM, has unveiled a vision for the future, with concrete commitments to ‘future-proof’ the sector. The collaborative effort aims to do this by working with the public, politicians, and partners to make aviation cleaner, quieter, and stronger. Commitments include maintaining strong global connections, achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and quieter flights during both the day and night.

In technology news, Dutch start-up Elysian has unveiled plans for its E9X aircraft, one of the industry’s largest battery-electric planes, capable of carrying 90 passengers over 500 miles. Developed in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, the aircraft provides a case for the viability of large battery-electric planes, presenting a sustainable option for future commercial flights.

And finally, passengers aboard a flight from Bangkok to Phuket received quite a shock when they noticed a snake dangling down from the overhead luggage lockers. Unfortunately for them, Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t onboard to film a ‘Snakes on a Plane’ sequel – and this was indeed the real thing. The cabin crew attempted an ambitious plastic bottle eviction, before eventually using it to sweep the snake into a rubbish bag. The species and entry method remain a mystery, but we expect this slithery surprise will stay in passengers’ memories for quite some time.