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!

Last night I posted a blog about the world-first attempt at a night-time flight by a solar powered aircraft. I’m pleased to report that the mission was a success and the plane landed safely in a Swiss airfield at 8am this morning.

In response to the success, project co-founder Bertrand Piccard said: “When you took off it was another era. You land in a new era where people understand that with renewable energy you can do impossible things.”

In Solar Impulse’s blog there are signs of real joy, not just a dry report on how the flight was as they’d hoped, but a genuine feeling of elation on behalf of all the team:

 ”Thanks to all of you out there for all your support, your pertinent questions, your displays of emotion and dedication to the project. You don’t know how good it feels to know that so much of the world is with us. From Auckland to Shanghai the long way round, you’ve all been great.

I’m now off to kiss the airplane for you – André might be a bit bushy by now, but I’ll certainly hug him hard. You all go off and pick a sunflower, plant it in your yard, and keep the spirit alive.

 Till the next, fabulous step toward a greener, more sustainable world.”

Tonight (7th July 2010) marks a historic moment as a solar-powered aircraft makes an overnight flight using only the power generated in its solar panels throughout the day. This is the first time the Solar Impulse project will have tried this, but if it works then this will mark a real breakthrough in aviation technology.

Pilot Andre Borschbergwill take the prototype to an altitude of 8,500 meters (27,900 feet) this evening and slowly descend throughout the night with the aim of landing at dawn.

At the time of writing, the aircraft had just set off. There will be regular updates on the progress of the flight through the Solar Impulse website where you can see views from the aircraft, a view of the cockpit and the aircraft’s route across the project’s home of Switzerland and a 3D animation so that you can view what the pilot will be able to see. Apparently he will be able to see the moon and get a good view of planet Venus along with a spectacular sunset and sunrise (if the flight is successful).

The aircraft weighs the same as a family car but it’s wingspan is about as long and wide as a normal passenger plane as this is where its solar panels are mounted. It will travel at a slow and continuous speed of 23 knots which is the best speed to keep in flight while using the least amount of energy.

This experimental aircraft and venture is being sponsored by Bertrand Piccard, who was the first to circle the globe non-stop in a balloon.

The next live press briefing will be midnight Swiss time, which is GMT +2 which will be broadcast on the website. In the meantime there is live footage of the aircraft in flight.