Simon Calder named news journalist of the year at the Business Travel Journalism Awards

Judges praise ‘creative, excellent article’ following coverage of United Airlines controversy

2016: Simon at the edge of Greenland’s ice sheet (Charlotte Hindle)

The Independent’s veteran travel correspondent, Simon Calder, has been named the news journalist of the year at the 2017 Business Travel Journalism Awards.

Mr Calder won his award in the national/broadcast/business media category.

Judges praised his “creative, excellent article” about “callable flights”, an alternative to overbooking, in the wake of United Airlines’ now-infamous treatment of Dr David Dao.

The idea involves passengers opting-in to allow their seats to be re-sold by an airline if demand spikes. In return, the airline would promise to pay them back double the cost of their initial fare.

Mr Calder said: “After the disgraceful scenes at Chicago airport in which a passenger was dragged off the plane, it seemed clear that there had to be a better way to deal with the airlines’ wish to maximise revenue.

“Business travellers and leisure passengers deserve innovative solutions to make flying as stress-free as possible.”

The “man who pays his way” joined The Independent in 1994. His career in travel began at Gatwick airport, where he cleaned aircraft for Laker Airways and later worked as a security officer.

The award was presented at a ceremony in the Natural History Museum in London, organised and promoted by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.