STANDBY Nordic Travel and aviation news for the Nordics

Rising numbers of ships and passengers shows no signs of slowing down, while Cruise Iceland is up for a major award.

But before the new square, called Aukio, is unveiled there will be time for “test passengers” to give their feedback.

The bigger airlines “are using the crisis among smaller carriers to entrench their positions by gaining taking market share”.

Last month’s drone incident at the London airport cost easyJet dearly, but despite this and Brexit demand is still “robust”.

A Boeing 747 will arrive at Heathrow from the paint factory in February to enter British Airways’ flight schedules.

One of Sweden’s biggest travel agency chains has bought Akademikerresor, an agency focused on business and conference trips.

Recent tourism accolades are threatening to overwhelm the city, but some experts think more capacity is needed first.

Thomas Cook’s new boutique beach resort brand is part of the expansion plans of its venture with the Chinese investment firm Fosun.

A hard Brexit may bring chaos at ports and airports, but at least passengers will be able to get an inflight meal.

Jens Mathiesen has been the group’s chief executive for Denmark, replacing the ousted Even Frydenberg.

An aircraft operated by Norwegian lands, despite being told to go around so another plane could leave the runway.

The problems affecting Ryanair are indicative of the dangers facing all airlines in Europe – particularly low-cost carriers.

EU-funded cross-border cooperation and marketing is about to take off with the aim of attracting Chinese and other visitors.

A new proposal that is likely to be approved will ensure that all foreign arrivals buy various levels of insurance.

The airline has opted to close six bases and whittle down flights on other routes, some of which affect the Nordic market.

Despite the country's airports seeing almost 3% more passengers in 2018, fewer flights took place.

Marriott Bonvoy will soon launch its branding and replace Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest.

Wizz Air announces another new route from central Denmark – its fourth connecting Billund with Romania.

Sweden’s airport operator is “taking measures to ensure its competitiveness” and to meet changing market conditions.

The Latvian and increasingly pan-Baltic airline carried a record 4.1mn passengers in 2018 – and will expand further in 2019.