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United Airlines CEO faces rightwing backlash after calling for US wealth tax

20 October 2026 at 21:06

Scott Kirby says wealth inequality is a ‘danger to society’ and calls for inheritance tax in recent interview

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, is under scrutiny from conservative politicians and commentators for saying wealth inequality is a “danger to society” and calling for a national wealth and inheritance tax in a recent interview.

Talking to the New York Times, Kirby was asked about the growing public distrust of CEOs and whether he felt any responsibility to quell that distrust.

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© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/AP

© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/AP

© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/AP

European air fares could rise by as much as 20% in 2027, Ryanair boss predicts

20 October 2026 at 15:28

Conflict in Middle East is pushing jet fuel costs higher and many carriers are not hedged against such increases, Michael O’Leary says

Ryanair’s chief executive has predicted a record increase in European air fares next year, as airlines grapple with fuel bills pushed higher by the Middle East conflict.

Many carriers are not hedged against rising jet fuel costs, Michael O’Leary said, which he predicted would lead to airline bankruptcies and takeovers. He forecast these pressures would result in the price of plane tickets rising by as much as 20%.

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© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

European air fares could rise by as much as 20% in 2027, Ryanair boss predicts

20 October 2026 at 15:28

Conflict in Middle East is pushing jet fuel costs higher and many carriers are not hedged against such increases, Michael O’Leary says

Ryanair’s chief executive has predicted a record increase in European air fares next year, as airlines grapple with fuel bills pushed higher by the Middle East conflict.

Many carriers are not hedged against rising jet fuel costs, Michael O’Leary said, which he predicted would lead to airline bankruptcies and takeovers. He forecast these pressures would result in the price of plane tickets rising by as much as 20%.

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© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

© Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

UK government promises disabled air passengers better safeguards

Despite recent progress, almost a fifth of air travellers with disabilities are still dissatisfied with their experience

Disabled passengers will have better safeguards when flying, the government has pledged, including protection from damaged wheelchairs and support from trained staff.

A report from an industry-led accessibility group said there was “much more to be done” but progress was being made, a year after a review led by Tanni Grey-Thompson demanded action to improve air travel in response to numerous incidents in which passengers had been left stranded without assistance.

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© Photograph: Ian Patrick/Alamy

© Photograph: Ian Patrick/Alamy

© Photograph: Ian Patrick/Alamy

Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked him

18 October 2026 at 18:27

Capt Smit Machchhar said he screamed for help as he reached to open the cockpit door on flight FZ1073

The captain of a flydubai flight who was attacked by a co-pilot who intended to crash the plane has described ⁠blocking axe blows to his head and screaming for help as he reached to open the cockpit door.

Capt Smit ⁠Machchhar has been hailed ⁠as a ​hero for his role in averting disaster on the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month, helping to thwart what the UAE ⁠attorney general has said was an attempted suicide attack by the co-pilot who had intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion airport.

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© Photograph: Israel's Foreign Ministry/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Israel's Foreign Ministry/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Israel's Foreign Ministry/AFP/Getty Images

Selma Blair ‘did not intend to harm anyone’ during airplane incident, representatives say

Actor experienced a ‘medical emergency’ on flight during which she allegedly injured crew members, statement says

Actor Selma Blair did not mean to hurt anyone during the recent flight which led to her arrest on allegations that she assaulted a pair of cabin crew members, a police officer and a nurse, her representatives said on Friday in a statement that characterized the episode as a medical emergency.

The lengthy statement also dismissed prior media coverage of Blair’s arrest after a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York as unsympathetic and inaccurate, singling out reporting from several outlets alleging that she tried to open the door of the airplane that she and her fellow passengers were on.

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© Photograph: Ryan Murphy/AP

© Photograph: Ryan Murphy/AP

© Photograph: Ryan Murphy/AP

Two people killed in light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond

17 October 2026 at 11:52

Police Scotland says boy, 16, and 80-year-old man died in incident north-east of village of Drymen in Stirling

A 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man have been killed in a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond in Scotland.

Emergency services were called to reports of an incident north-east of the village of Drymen, Stirling, at about 4.45pm on Friday.

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© Photograph: Craig Meighan/PA

© Photograph: Craig Meighan/PA

© Photograph: Craig Meighan/PA

Fewer Britons plan to ringfence money for holidays abroad next year, says travel industry

Spain remains most popular destination as Britons book later in hope of better deals, Abta report finds

The UK’s cost of living squeeze means fewer people plan to ringfence money for holidays abroad next year, the travel industry has warned.

Despite war, wildfires and EES border checks, the numbers of Britons taking holidays climbed back to pre-pandemic levels this year – but rising costs may mean the numbers have peaked, according to an annual travel industry report on Tuesday.

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© Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

© Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

© Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

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