Air travel: the best reason to stay at home

HARD to say what has done more damage to the image of flying lately. Rising fuel costs have meant higher fares and lower ticket sales. (Remember when falling costs meant cheaper tickets? No, me neither.) A run of dreadful accidents and terrifying incidents, including this week's 22,000ft plunge by a Ryanair jet, have made everyone think again about the wisdom of travelling vast distances at high speeds in a tin can.