The Week In Travel

Ryanair has secured a deal with Shell this week which will see sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied at more than 200 airports across Europe. Having set ambitious targets of reaching 12.5% SAF usage by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, Ryanair estimates the initiative will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 900,000 tonnes.

In further sustainability news, Manchester Airport looks set to become the first UK airport with a direct supply of hydrogen fuel, having announced this week a partnership with government-backed industrial decarbonisation project, Hynet.

Encouraging news emerged from IATA this week as figures revealed that global airline passenger traffic returned to around 75% of pre-pandemic levels in October. International traffic during the month rose to over double that of October 2021, the biggest jump occurring in Asia Pacific, which recorded a 440% rise from last year as a result of the lift on travel restrictions by many nations in the region.

Over in India, Tata Group and Singapore Airlines have announced plans to merge Air India with Vistara, an existing joint venture between the two parties. The goal of the merger is to create a larger airline which offers both full-service and budget options.

In rail news, Eurostar security staff has announced plans to strike in the lead up to Christmas over a pay dispute. Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are planning walkouts on 16th, 18th, 22nd and 23rd December, with over 100 staff set to take part.

And finally: is it a bird, is it a plane? It was in fact both at a US airport this week, as passengers and staff were shocked to see a bald eagle pass through security at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The eagle, named Clark, was heading back to the World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri having made an appearance at North Carolina’s High Point University. No stranger to air travel, Clark entertained onlookers by spreading his wings before making his way to his gate.