New figures released show that around 175,000 working days were lost through industrial strikes in October 2009, the highest monthly figure since summer 2008.
British Airways has been praised by passengers flying to America after it sent text messages to customers warning them of security measures after the failed terror plot on a flight from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.
Up to 2,000 people are expected to receive help at special centres across the country, as the annual Christmas drive to provide extra care for the homeless and vulnerable gets underway.
Dozens of people have been left with injuries after an American Airlines flight broke in two when it overshot a runway during a heavy rainstorm in Kingston, Jamaica.