Indicative notes

I'd been expecting to use this page to reflect on the UK'S departure from the European Union – we even pushed our deadline back in order to accommodate coverage of the early aftermath. In hindsight, perhaps we should have known better than to have banked on the ongoing Brexit saga (or should that be 'fiasco'?) being resolved by now. Indeed, even back in September last year, a poll of delegates at our annual event, The Business Travel Conference, showed nearly two-thirds thought the UK would not leave 'on time' on March 29. A second poll revealed only 10% of delegates thought Brexit would not affect their business.

One travel business that has suffered from "uncertainty around Brexit" – as well as other economic headwinds – is regional airline Flybe. As its Chief Executive Christine Ourmières-widener says in an interview in this issue (pages 20-21), if she had handled a process within her business as badly as Theresa May and her government have then she would have been out of a job a long time ago. Then again, perhaps dogged Mrs May will be unemployed by the time you read these words.

While Westminster is seemingly absorbed in just one issue, it is reassuring that life goes on elsewhere in government and this autumn will see the publication of a white paper that is the "culmination of the biggest and widest review of the railways for a generation". Rail travel is one of the most complex cost areas for many businesses, but our extended feature on the subject (pages 55-78) shines a light on spend management and the latest developments from operators. Full steam ahead!