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Introduction
In the last eight decades, air travel has had a remarkable transformation, evolving from a luxury enjoyed only by the wealthy to becoming a vital aspect of international transportation. The sky has evolved into a lively network of connected routes, reaching countries and cultures like never before, thanks to the development of commercial flights, jet propulsion, supersonic travel and growing space tourism industries. -
The opening of Heathrow
Heathrow Airport opened in 1946 which is situated on former farmland west of London, it was initially used as a military airfield during World War II. Post-war, then was repurposed for civilian use. Heathrow quickly established itself as an essential hub linking the United Kingdom with locations across the globe because its convenient location and growing infrastructure. It has consistently changed over the years, serving millions of travellers each year. -
Laker Airways
Laker Airways, established by Sir Freddie Laker in 1966, transformed air travel by adopting an affordable and simple strategy. Laker Airways, which mostly operated transatlantic flights, created the concept of "Skytrain" in 1977 by providing reasonably priced tickets between London and New York. 1982 saw the airline's end as a result of legal disputes and economic difficulties. Even though it only operated for a brief time, Laker Airways had a big impact on the aviation industry. -
Concorde
The Concorde, a famous example of aviation innovation, was the peak of supersonic flight and flew the skies from 1969 until 2003. Developed in collaboration between French and British engineers, this modern, delta-winged creation could travel at speeds greater than double the speed of sound. A fraction of the time it took for a traditional flight, the Concorde's improved build and distinctive pointed nose allowed it to transport people across the Atlantic in under three hours. -
Korean air
Korean air first started 1969 in Seoul, South Korea founded by the chairman Cho Joong-hoon. Its primary hub is located at Seoul's Incheon International Airport. The airline offers flights to major locations in Asia, Europe, North America and more from this hub. Korean Air has set up additional hubs at Gimpo International Airport, which serves domestic and regional flights and Jeju International Airport, which serves leisure travellers to Jeju Island, South Korea. -
Development of jet aircraft (DC-10, 747, A380, B787)
The DC-10, wide-body jetliners were first developed by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1970s, providing more passenger capacity. Boeing's 747, further transformed long-haul flying with its unique humpback shape and size. A380, Airbus made its debut and offered an unprecedented level of passenger comfort and capacity. B787 makes use of advanced materials and technology for environmentally friendly air travel. -
Jet2
Jet2 Airlines has a wide range of flights that connect travellers to popular destinations throughout Europe such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Turkey. Jet2's main hubs are at Leeds Bradford Airport, Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport. Jet2 was first founded in 1971 by Philip Meeson and now the current CEO of Jet2 is Stephen Paul Heapy. -
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)
Operating from 1939 until 1974, the British Overseas Airways Corporation was an important force in the history of aviation. It improved passenger comfort and safety by introducing technologies like pressurised cabins and developing long-haul flights. During the height of aviation's growth, BOAC, which was renowned for its reliability and superior service, represented Britain's ambition and global influence. -
British Airways
British Airways first started running in 1974 and was created by the merger of BOAC and BEA. London Heathrow Airport, serves as the primary hub for British Airways, which offers a wide range of flights that connect passengers with major cities and locations such as United States, India, China, Germany, Italy and Spain. It has secondary hubs at London Gatwick Airport and London City Airport, further enhancing its reach. -
The growth of airports and airport facilities
Airports have grown and developed significantly since the 1940s; notable examples include the opening of large international airports like London Heathrow in 1946 and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1974. These milestones represent significant turning points in the global expansion and improvement of airport facilities. Modern airports have terminals with advanced technology, faster security procedures and a wide selection of shops and restaurants. -
De-regulation of the airlines
This change in policy, most notably in the United States with the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, sought to remove government control over routes, rates, and market entry in order to increase efficiency and competition. As a result, airlines were able to determine their own rates, choose their own routes, and develop new services, which increased competition, reduced costs and increased passenger volume. -
The rise of ‘No Frills’ airlines
As No Frills airlines grow, the aviation industry undergoes a major change as their focus on reduced costs and simple services challenges standard practices. This strategy was invented by airlines like Southwest Airlines in the late 20th century, who put economy before luxury. As a result of this strategy budget airlines have emerged all over the world. -
Pan Am
Pan Am was a leading airline that had a significant influence on the development of the existing aviation industry. Pan Am, which was established in 1927, invented a number of improvements in the field of commercial aviation, including transoceanic and global service. Pan Am was a symbol of American creative ability and global status throughout its distinguished history, operating a large network of routes throughout the globe. Its final closure in 1991 signalled the end of an era in aviation. -
The change in airline check-in
Airline check in has changed significantly since the early 1990s when self-service kiosks were first introduced. By the mid-2000s, major developments including online and mobile check-in had become popular. -
Tightening Security following 9/11
Following the terrible events of 9/11, airport security saw a global upgrade. Governments put strict procedures in place to protect travellers and stop terrorist threats. Some of the procedures include the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, robust screening procedures, stricter luggage checks and more advanced security technologies like full body scanners. -
CAA
The CAA was first established in 1972. The CAA's role is overseeing civil aviation in a specific country or region. Its main responsibilities include licencing airlines, pilots and aircraft as well as monitoring compliance to aviation legislation and safety standards. In order to protect the interests of travellers, operators and the general public, the CAA also carries out audits, investigations and inspections to maintain the integrity and dependability of the aviation industry. -
AAIB
The AAIB is responsible with looking into major incidents and accidents involving civil aviation. Its main goals are finding the reasons behind accidents and offering suggestions to improve safety and stop them from happening again are. The AAIB conducts thorough investigations while acting unbiased and fairly. It considers a number of standards, including operational procedures, human factors and technical concerns. -
IATA
IATA was established in 1945 in Cuba. As the international trade association for airlines, IATA is vital to the global aviation sector. Its goal is to promote a smooth and sustainable air transportation network by establishing standards for efficiency, sustainability, safety and security. IATA also advocates for policies that support the expansion and development of the aviation industry. They help industry stakeholders cooperate and offers support and guidance to its member airlines.