Road Warrior

Forecast downgraded The International Air Transport Association has downgraded the long-term passenger forecast for the next 20 years by 400 million to seven billion by 2034. The revised projection reflects negative developments in the global economy.

The annual growth in demand is expected to fall from 4.1 per cent to 3.8 per cent. However, the figure of seven billion is twice the numbers expected to fly this year. Despite the economic slowdown China is expected to overtake the United States by 2029 and India will displace the UK by 2026. Open travel between the rest of the world and Cuba and Iran is expected to offer good possibilities for business and tourism development. Hilton warning after hacking If you stayed in a Hilton Hotel between November 18th and December 5th last year and between April 21st and July 27th this year, you should check your credit card statements.

Hilton Worldwide has admitted hackers have breached its security systems. Malware got into its point-of-sale system and was able to steal customers’ names, credit card numbers, security codes and expiry dates, but not PINs.

Home addresses were not affected. Hilton has eliminated the rogue code.

Other hotel groups that have reports similar malware episodes this year include, Trump Hotels Collection, Sheraton, Westin and Mandarin Oriental. Hotel rates in major UK cities increase by 16% HRS, the hotel solutions provider to the mainly business travel sector, has seen rates rising in all but a handful of worldwide destinations.

Average rates across nine major UK cities are up 16 per cent. For the first time Bristol emerged as the third most expensive place, probably following a knock on from the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff.

In Europe key cities rose by an average of 9 per cent with London the highest at €198 and Prague the lowest at €70. In the United States New York and Boston were sharing the top spot with increases of 30 per cent and 35 per cent respectively at €275.

In Asia Tokyo had the biggest rise in room rates with average prices of €174 and KL at the bottom with €71 per night. Laser pointers under focus Maybe it is time to call for a ban on selling laser pointers following a serious injury to a British Airways co-pilot. The pilot suffered damage to his eye, the retina was burned and he has been unable to return to work. The incident happened when landing at Heathrow, and the laser used is being described as of military strength, such was his injury.

Last year, there were 1,440 incidents reported to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. In the United States there were almost 4,000 reported incidents to the FAA.