Corporate Travel Analysis Reports For Europe/MEA

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requiring enhanced screening of personal electronic devices, passengers and explosive detection for the roughly 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the country from 280 airports on 180 airlines in 105 countries. These enhanced security screening measures for all commercial flights to the US will impact around 325,000 daily passengers, but will avoid the suggested plans to extend the onboard large personal electronic device ban across all markets with non-stop access into the US.

Asian carrier Hong Kong Airlines is expected to introduce flights into Europe and in particular resume services between Hong Kong and London as it takes delivery of its new Airbus A350-900s. The carrier, part of the HNA Group, has already confirmed Hong Kong - Los Angeles as the debut market for the type, but is understood to be very close to making a decision on London services, in an arrangement that could see it partner with Virgin Atlantic on the city pair.

In order to secure the long-term profitability of its key traffic flows and actively participate in the growing leisure market, SAS Scandinavian Airlines is establishing a sister operation in the Republic of Ireland with operational bases in London and Spain. The move will allow it to better compete with rivals, most notably Norwegian and its fast-growing pan-European network.

European flag carrier TAP Portugal continues its long-haul fleet expansion with the introduction of a second Airbus A330-300 into its fleet, but the aircraft provides a look back at the airline's heritage by wearing a retro livery. The jet, is one of four former Singapore Airlines A330-300s joining the TAP fleet this summer is supporting the airline's revised long-haul network strategy.

With European aviation facing new competitive challenges in the rapidly evolving global market, the European Union is working to develop a sustainable future aviation strategy, a milestone initiative to generate growth for European business, foster innovation and let passengers profit from safer, cleaner and cheaper flights, while offering more connections.

With the CAPA-ACTE 2017 Aviation and Corporate Travel Summit next week in Perth, CAPA recently caught up with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to discuss all things Perth and what's next for the "Western Hub", including confirming plans for a daily Perth-Paris service - once the London route is fully tested.

Israel's El Al has never been seen as being at the cutting edge of the passenger experience, but that could all change as the airline takes a modern approach to flying with the introduction of its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into its fleet during the second half of this year. A significantly raised cabin and in-flight offering on the type will see the carrier bring added competition on its flights into Europe from September 2017 and North America and Asia from October 2017.

Now in its fourth year of operation in the United States of America (USA), Surf Air has this week taken to the skies in Europe bringing its successful private aviation concept the Continent. Surf Air Europe introduced its "all-you-can-fly" membership club that offers members unlimited flights for a subscription fee of from £1,750 per month.

When the UK departs the European Union in 2019, Berlin will replace London as the continent's largest city and it will perhaps have a brand new airport to celebrate that standing, although we should perhaps still mention that with a whisper.

After strong growth since the end of the financial year to March 2015, UK low-fare carrier Flybe says its fleet numbers reached a peak in May 2017 and are now set to fall by 18% over the next three years. The airline's new CEO, Christine Ourmieres-Widener should reap the benefits of actions taken by her predecessor to limit the impact of surplus capacity ordered by his predecessor.