So, congratulations to Flybe on winning the ICARUS award, which is actually an award for environmental progress, which I am sure they very strongly deserve, given their commitment to fleet modernisation and environmental labelling.

But I can’t help from wondering which idiot came up with the name ICARUS for this award. Do they not know the story, or do they have a different version? In the one I know, Icarus flew too close to the sun, and his wings melted, so he plummeted straight out of the sky. The story is supposed to be a warning to those who have too lofty ambitions.

Now we’ve come a long way since the legend of Icarus – and yes, one day we might be able to float around like birds with massive wax wings. Correction – some people already like to put on silly bird suits and throw themselves of mountains. Good luck to them – I’m sure it is a great adrenaline rush. But this is just NOT the best name to associate with an award for an airline. To me, it sounds just too much like the Darwin Awards for human stupidity. Oddly enough, there is an airline called ‘Darwin Airline’, and in a cuthroat industry where only the strongest survive, I’m amazed to say that they are still going (double check, yes they are). I flew with them once from Berne to London City – even though that route has since become extinct.

So I might get myself in trouble for saying this, but I think you’d get the same answer if you asked any traveller in your local pub – which airline would you most associate with an ‘Icarus Award’ this year. Answers on a postcard from Rio please.