Hopes that a series of crippling rail strikes over the next month could be called off have been dashed after a new pay offer was rejected.
Elsewhere, an easyJet flight to the UK had to be diverted to Prague on Sunday (4 December) after receiving a report about a "possible bomb” on board.
A British hotelier, meanwhile, has been shot dead in an attack in Saint Lucia, and hopes are growing that China will finally ease its zero-Covid restrictions.
Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Monday (5 December).
Rail union refuses to save Christmas
The leading rail workers union has rejected a pay offer from bosses that would have averted a series of planned strikes over the festive season which will cripple the UK’s train network. The RMT union has turned down a new 8% pay offer for its members. (The Telegraph)
EasyJet flight to Bristol diverted to Prague after bomb threat
An easyJet flight heading for the UK had to be diverted to Prague due to a report of a “possible bomb” on board. The service from Krakow in Poland to Bristol on Sunday night (4 December) landed safely in the Czech capital where no “dangerous object” was found on the aircraft. (The Guardian)
British hotelier shot dead in Saint Lucia
A British hotelier was killed and his friend badly injured when they were both shot in an attack on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Donnie McKinnon was drinking at Steve’s Bar in Soufriere on Saturday afternoon when a gunman opened fire. McKinnon, originally from Scotland, was manager of the Soufriere Estate. (The Times)
Macau casino stocks rise on hopes of relaxation of zero-Covid policy
Shares in Macau’s casinos rose sharply on Monday (5 December) as hopes rise that the Chinese government will continue to ease its zero-Covid rules. Several lockdowns and quarantine requirements have been relaxed in China over recent days. (Financial Times)
Woman dies after ’rogue wave’ hits cruise ship
A woman has died and four people have been injured after a "rogue wave" hit a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Viking Polaris was sailing towards Ushuaia in southern Argentina as part of an Antarctic Explorer cruise when the wave hit. The ship only suffered “sustained limited damage” in the incident. (Sky News)
Airspace downgraded around Doncaster Sheffield airport
The airspace around Doncaster Sheffield airport has been downgraded by authorities as part of the closure of the transport facility. The Yorkshire airport stopped providing air traffic control services from Saturday (3 December) after ending passenger flights last month. (BBC News)