Also receiving an award is former transport secretary Grant Shapps, set to pick up thousands after losing his role, despite taking up another post shortly after.

Here is the news from the world of travel on Thursday 27 October.

Heathrow boss accuses airlines of profiteering

The boss of Heathrow has accused airlines of keeping fares artificially high this summer, as a long-running war of words between the airport and airlines continues. John Holland-Kaye said carriers had capitalised on pent-up demand after Covid restrictions. Asked if carriers had kept fares artificially high, he said: “Completely. Airlines have put their prices up over the summer.” (The Telegraph)

Airport threatened with closure voted UK’s best

An airport set to close for being "financially unviable" has been voted the UK’s number one by travellers. Doncaster Sheffield is due to be wound down from the end of this month but was rated top in a Which? poll. It beat other small airports including Exeter, Liverpool John Lennon and London City. (BBC)

Shapps among ministers to receive severance payments

Former transport secretary Grant Shapps is among several ministers eligible for payment after leaving their posts. Shapps spent just 43 days out of office after resigning under Boris Johnson but could claim nearly £17,000 in severance. His office said he will be donating around half his payment to charity. Shapps is now business secretary. (Sky News)

Sunak rethinks tax rises and spending cuts

Rishi Sunak is reconsidering tax rises and major public spending cuts after a dramatic improvement in the state of the nation’s finances. An analysis to be published on Thursday shows the fortnight delay to the Autumn Statement is expected to shrink the hole in public finances by up to £15 billion. (The Telegraph)