Five fearful events that occurred in travel this year
Kristin Mariano writing in the TD issue of 31st October 2019, lists out five horror stories that ‘spooked’, (her words at this time of Halloween) everyone in the travel industry this year. Here is her event list:-
Boeing 737 Max 8 controversy A total 346 air passengers and crew flying on Boeing’s 737 Max 8 aircraft died in two separate crashes within six months. The first fatal crash occurred on 29th October 2018, when Lion Air flight 610 nose - dived into the Java Sea minutes after take taking off from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. On 10th March 2019, Ethiopian Airline’s flight 302 crashed six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard. The cause of both accidents was due faulty software Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). After the two crashes almost 500 Boeing 737 Max planes have been grounded worldwide since mid-March, apart from cancelled orders and loss of confidence from airlines.
Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka A series of suicide bombings in three churches and 5-star hotels including the Shangri-La, Cinnamon grand and Kingsbury on Easter Sunday (21st April 2019) morning killed 259 people (Locals tourists) and injured hundreds. The acts of terrorism were carried out by seven Sri Lankan citizens who were associated with a local militant Islamist group called the National Thowheeth Jama”ath - suspected by the Sri Lankan government of having foreign ties. The bombings virtually brought the Island’s tourism to a shattering halt.
Aeroflot Jet lands in Moscow amidst flames On 5th May 2019, Aeroflot Flight 1492 returned to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport after it was struck by lightning when climbing out. The Russian manufactured Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft suffered an electrical failure and returned to Sheremetyevo airport for an emergency landing. It came in too fast, bounced on the landing and touched down hard, causing the landing gear to collapse, fuel to spill out of the wings and the fire that erupted engulfed the rear of the aircraft. Unable to evacuate, 41 of the total 78 (including 5 crew) people on board died.
Hong Kong protests Protests against the Hong Kong government’ Anti-Extradition Law, allowing local authorities to detain and extradite criminals / fugitives who are wanted in territories with which Hong Kong does not currently have extradition agreements including Taiwan and mainland China has had an impact on the regions’ tourism, causing disruption to airport operations as well as sending it’s economy into recession. The protests which started in March have spiraled into mass movements and has in some instances escalated into violence – forcing many countries to warn travelers flying into Hong Kong. Hotel bookings in August 2019 had dropped by 50% compared to August last year.
The collapse of Thomas Cook Failing to raise USD 2.1 billion to pay off its debts, the 178 year old company announced on 23rd September that it will enter compulsory liquidation with immediate effect, leaving 21,000 people out of job and thousands of holidaymakers including honeymooners and wedding guests stranded abroad. It is feared that many Travel Agents will be left with unpaid bills. Some countries like Turkey (receives 700,000 tourists annually from TC) will be affected with drop in tourist arrivals.
Compiled by In2ition
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