Happy New Year to all our readers! Before we move on to this year’s news, here’s a round up of some of the biggest stories we covered on this blog in 2011, it certainly was an eventful year!

January started with the troubled BMI threatening to withdraw its Heathrow – Glasgow route after passenger charges at Heathrow were raised (this was confirmed a month later). Ryanair returned to Manchester with four new routes. And the political troubles in Egypt disrupted flights.

Spiraling conflict in Egypt caused complete cancellation of routes to popular holiday destinations in February. Meanwhile, Which? launched a super complaint on airline card fee charges,the cost of Qantas’ engine troubles were revealed, and airlines flying from the UK finally started to show clearer air fares.

March brought faster flight times under a deal signed by traffic controllers. But by far the biggest news of the month was the huge tsunami which hit Japan and led to re-routing of flights to avoid possible radiation risk, and advice to leave Tokyo.

A Skyscanner survey found Spain back in favour for British holidaymakers in April.

In May Belfast Airport started to charge for going for a cigarette break, and the ongoing battle between Unite and British Airways was finally settled!

More natural disasters happened in June with violent aftershocks in Christchurch, New Zealand and volcanic eruptions in Chile.

The News of the World phone-hacking scandal broke in July with airlines withdrawing their advertisements as a result.

In August research revealed the use of smartphones were ruining people’s holidays.

The Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand in September, where Wales’ hopes were dashed.

The first biofuel passenger flight took place in October, however green campaigners claimed it wasn’t as environmentally friendly as everyone thought.

Europe announced a ban on body scanners at airports in November, but the UK decided to go against the decision.

Finally, December saw 150mph winds hit parts of Scotland, which is where we are now at the start of 2012 as tremendous winds continue to batter the UK once more.

So, what travel news is in store for 2012? Keep up to date here!

Budget carrier Norwegian is adding three weekly flights between Oslo and Manchester from 31st October to cater for the passion people in Norway have for UK Premiership football.

The airline said the route is based around “the incredible interest in Norway for the big Premiership football teams in the northwest”.

Norwegian already offers 89 flights a week between the UK and nine Scandinavian and Nordic destinations. It flies to London Gatwick and Edinburgh.

“The instant success with the London route has triggered our desire to offer increased flexibility to our passengers,” said chief commercial director Daniel Skjeldam.

Manchester Airport managing director Andrew Harrison said: “We’re pleased that the popularity of Manchester as a tourist destination is available to an increasing number of visitors who are coming to see teams like Manchester City and United. There is so much to see here in the northwest and we’re delighted to see Norwegian arriving in Manchester.”

So if you’re a Norwegian who likes English football, you’ll be pleased about this increased availability of flights, but even if you aren’t a football fan these added flights will be brilliant for tourists wishing to see Oslo!