Simon Calder

An empty plane seat is the ultimate perishable commodity. Once the cabin door is closed and the plane departs, every unfilled place represents potential revenue lost forever – as airlines know all too well.

Keep away from Saudi Arabia’s biggest cities: that is the message from the Foreign Office (FCDO) after repeated attacks on the airport at its capital, Riyadh. So far, at least 14 people have been killed and hundreds injured. The movement responsible, the Houthis of Yemen, is now warning airlines and passengers to avoid all Saudi airports apart from Medina – gateway for the holy city.

Keep away from Saudi Arabia's biggest cities: that is the message from the Foreign Office (FCDO) after repeated attacks on the airport at its

Soaring fuel costs are causing wholesale flight cancellations this winter. As a result, tens of thousands of airline passengers with existing bookings

More than one million seats have been taken out of the winter schedule as carriers contend with soaring fuel prices

So called ‘kiss-and-drop’ fees, unheard of outside the UK, have risen sharply in recent years

The UK Government is to investigate airport drop-off fees , which have risen sharply over the past year – including the cost of a kiss-and-fly

Persians and Portuguese, Indians and Arabs: all have enjoyed spells of ruling Zanzibar. Today, this entrancing spice island off the coast of East Africa is the preserve of tourists.

Kenya and Tanzania now insist you buy their ‘own brand’ travel insurance – even though you don’t need it

Will this review make a difference? Well, in theory the Government could crack down. But then the airports would presumably have to find the money