Worldwide flight passenger numbers hit 3.8bn in 2016

In 2016 world airlines carried 3.8 billion passengers, an increase of 7 per cent on 2015. A report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows passengers took an additional 242 million air trips in 2016. The top three airlines in terms of passengers carried were US carriers: Southwest Airlines (151.8 million), American Airlines (144.2 million) and Delta Air Lines (143.3 million).

China Southern Airlines was fourth on the list with 114.5 million passengers and Ireland's Ryanair was fifth with 112 million passengers.

The Asia Pacific region carried the largest number of passengers, a total of 1.3 billion, an increase of 11.3 per cent, and representing 35 per cent of market share.

European airlines carried the second-largest number of passengers, at 992.4 million, up 6.1 per cent over 2015, representing a market share of 26 per cent.

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North American airlines are third on the list, carrying 911.5 million, up 3 per cent over 2015, with a 24 per cent market share.

Internationally, American citizens comprised 9.5 per cent of all travellers. This was followed by citizens of the UK (7.8 per cent), Germany (6.5 per cent), China (6.4 per cent) and France (4.1 per cent).

Airportr secures funding from Stobart Group

Mobile check-in and delivery service Airportr has secured €2 million investment from the Stobart Group to expand its luggage collection service. Airportr provides a service in the London area where it collects and checks in luggage for flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. You can book online and luggage can be collected from home or office. Bags will have a tamper-proof seal and the first bag costs £30, and £10 each for additional bags. This sounds like a service that is likely to expand in the future and take some of the hassle out of travelling. airportr.com.

Hilton Honors rewards guests for booking direct and online

If you checked in to a Hilton hotel lately you will have been asked if you are a member of the Hilton Honors programme. Hilton Hotels have been making a big push to get guests to book direct and online, with the promise of lower room rates and free wifi. Three months after launching its campaign, Hilton Worldwide reported growth in bookings through Hilton.com and its mobile app. Membership of Hilton Honors has increased hugely. With the Hilton app you can choose your room, check in and open the room door.