World



Here’s our roundup of the top airline stories from around the world, from smelly passengers to smuggled gold.

WizzAir bought over 100 Airbus planes at the Paris Airshow

WizzAir bought over 100 Airbus planes at the Paris Airshow Image by MsSaraKelly / CC BY 2.0

Airline Network News and Analysis released a survey of the fastest growing airlines, ranking them according to the introduction of new routes and expansion. Among the top three were Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizzair, all European budget airlines that have seen new routes added, as well as increased numbers of passengers.

According to a US Transportation department report, pilots are failing to keep up their flying skills so that they are able to take over and fly planes should automation fail. The report states that the US Federal Aviation Administration is failing to make sure that pilots’ manual skills are up to date.

Hellenic Seaplanes, Greece.

Hellenic Seaplanes, Greece. Image by Christos Trochalakis / CC BY 2.0

Greece’s Hellenic Seaplanes company is expecting to launch its first hydroplane flights in the summer of 2016. Its aim is to create a waterway network across Greece. Travel by hydroplane will be particularly beneficial for the remote islands, as it can boost the tourism sector and help connect the local communities.

Read more: here

Inside an Air India plane.

Inside an Air India plane. Image by Stefan Krasowski / CC BY 2.0

A haul of gold bullion worth £77,000 has been found under the seat of an Air India flight at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, the main airport for Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The smuggled gold was discovered after a tip-off when the flight landed after a flight from Dubai, and is the fifth haul recovered from a Dubai-Shamshabad flight in the last six weeks.

Read more: here

Many travellers still have anxiety around flying.

Many travellers still have anxiety around flying. Image by SuperJet International / CC BY-SA 2.0

A new survey has come up with a surprising amount of annoying plane passenger types – but it is the smelly ones who get up people’s noses the most. In the poll of 5,000 fliers carried out by flight booking website, Just The Flight, 21 types were identified –with odorous travellers and ‘seat kickers from behind’ the least popular amongst their fellow travellers.

To read more: here

Hong Kong Airlines.

Hong Kong Airlines. Image by Aero Icarus / CC BY-SA 2.0

From late February this year, travellers will have an additional option for flights in and out of Cambodia, with Hong Kong Airlines announcing plans to resume flights to the country with a direct service to Phnom Penh.

Read more: here