Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

British Airways introduced (24-Aug-2023) an exclusive martini mixer to its Concorde Room in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport. The mixer was designed by British aviation and adventure specialists Bremont, alongside British design and engineering company CALLUM. This forms part of the carrier's efforts to invest in its lounges, with plans to complete its Terminal 5B refurbishment project at Heathrow in coming months. The airline is also undergoing lounge refreshes in Terminal 3 at the airport, as well as its lounge facilities in Edinburgh and Seattle. [more - original PR]

AirPlus International reported (23-Aug-2023) Austrian companies spending on flight tickets increased by 46% year-on-year in 1H2023, with China as the second most popular long term destination after the US. Highlights for Austrian business travel in 1H2023 include:

• The number of Austrian business class travellers increased from 5.3% in 1H2019 to 7.2% in 2023, with a decrease in number of employees travelling in economy class from 94.4% to 92.2%;
• The number of domestic flights decreased from 3% in 2019 to 1.3% in 2023, while the number of continental flights increased from 82.9% to 86.6%;
• Companies booked airline tickets at less short notice, at an average of 27.4 days before travel compared to 23.7 days in 2019;
• Trips lasted longer, at an average of 5.7 days compared to five days in 2019, while one day short trips that previously accounted for 13.6% declined to 6.7%;
• Just over 13% of business trips started on a weekend;
• Austria ranked seventh as a business travel destination in Europe after Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. [more - original PR]

Namibia Airports Company (NAC), via its official Facebook account, reported (23-Aug-2023) operations at Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport "are back to normal" following the transfer of ground handling services from Menzies Aviation Namibia to Paragon Aviation Services, effective 19-Aug-2023. NAC stated Eurowings Discover and Qatar Airways diverted services to Johannesburg during the transition period "on their own volition" and have since resumed regular operations. NAC added it is "urgently attending" to the issue of cargo that remains locked in Menzies' warehouse facilities.

German Travel Association (DRV), via its annual 'Chefsache Business Travel' study, reported (23-Aug-2023) the following highlights, in regards to the environmental considerations by German business travel decision makers, from over 150 companies:

• 89% of companies already implement incentives to promote sustainable behaviour in the workforce;
• Providing an electric car is the most popular incentive, with 47% of companies providing this offer, while a further 37% cover the costs for a rail card;
• 20% promotes sustainable behaviour through a CO2 budget for every employee, defining an emissions ceiling for business trips within a period of time;
• 33% support the combination of business trips with private holidays, to reduce employee CO2 emissions. A further 31% have introduced bonus programmes that reward climate friendly business trips;
• In addition to incentives, 97% of companies also implement measures that reduce the carbon footprint of business trips, however only 19% have a binding travel policy in which corresponding requirements for reducing emissions are outlined;
• 50% acquire Scope 3 CO2 reduction certificates to compensate for business trip emissions;
• 35% opt for other means of transport over air travel "when it makes sense", such as for domestic business trips or those close to the border. 24% always choose train travel over air or car travel. [more - original PR - German]

Air France-KLM, via its official website, announced (22-Aug-2023) Air France and KLM have further rolled out the 'Light fare' option in business, premium economy and premium comfort cabin. The roll out covers routes from Europe, excluding the UK, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to Canada and Mexico for sales as of 22-Aug-2023 and travel as of 23-Aug-2023.

Goodwings completed (21-Aug-2023) its USD1.5 million late seed investment round, including funding from Global Cleantech Capital, JTB USA and existing investors. Goodwings stated the investment adds JTB USA as a strategic partner and supports the development of product features. Goodwings' platform allows businesses to book and manage travel in one place and provides climate features such as emissions calculations, emissions reductions and data for ESG reporting. The company reported a "huge increase" in subscriptions over the last 12 months. Global Cleantech Capital CEO Paul Kloppenborg commented: "There is no other solution that's catering to the surge in post-pandemic travel and the growing demand for businesses to disclose their emissions. Goodwings is strategically positioned at the intersection of this trend and we feel confident they can dominate this space for years to come". [more - original PR]

Qantas Group announced (21-Aug-2023) plans to add over 250,000 seats on the following services:

• Sydney-Bali: A330 aircraft will replace daily Boeing 737 flights from Oct-2023, with more premium seats and fully-flat beds in business class;
• Sydney-Auckland-New York JFK: Frequency will increase from four times weekly to daily from Aug-2024;
• Sydney-Johannesburg: A380s will operate to South Africa for the first time from Jul-2024, nearly doubling capacity during peak periods;
• Melbourne-Los Angeles: Capacity will increase by around 20% with more A380 flights on the route from Jul-2024;
• Sydney-Los Angeles: Frequency will increase from eight to nine times weekly from Jul-2024, operated with a mix of Boeing 787 and A380 aircraft.

Qantas Group is currently at around 80% of its pre-COVID international capacity levels, which has almost doubled in the past year. This is expected to reach 100% by Mar-2024, with the additional flying taking it beyond that level from Jul-2024. [more - original PR]

Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled to increase Addis Ababa-Victoria Falls-Gaborone-Addis Ababa frequency from five to seven times weekly, effective 30-Oct-2023, according to OAG and the CAPA Route Changes Database. The airline also serves Bulawayo and Harare, while Gaborone is its only destination in Botswana.

Ethiopian Airlines Group signed (17-Aug-2023) an equity investment agreement with Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Centre (AAICEC) to establish an international convention centre in Addis Ababa. The AAICEC facility is being developed on a 70,000sqm site and is estimated to be complete by the end of 1H2024. Ethiopian Airlines stated it is participating in the AAICEC project "to boost conferences, tourism and trade". [more - original PR]

Finnair, via its official Twitter account, announced (16-Aug-2023) it will invest in new and expanded lounge premises on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport. The lounge will move to a new location in 2H2024 and feature a dedicated area for Finnair Plus 'Platinum' and 'Platinum Lumo' members. The current Schengen lounge will continue to serve customers until the new lounge opens. [more - original PR]