Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Japan Airlines announced (07-Dec-2023) plans to commence daily Toyko Haneda-Doha service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 31-Mar-2024. Qatar Airways also operates the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Emirates Airline announced (07-Dec-2023) plans to introduce a new selection of fine wines in 2024. The wine list will include Montrachet 2011, Chevalier Montrachet 2013, Corton Charlemagne 2014, Grand Crus like Échezeaux, Clos Vougeot and Chambertin. Emirates is also planning to introduce several First Growths from Bordeaux in the coming years, from the estates of Château Mouton, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d'Yquem. Currently Emirates offers 36 different varieties of French wines and Champagnes onboard its aircraft. Emirates features the most extensive wine cellar of any airline, with dedicated facilities in France which currently house around six million bottles of fine wine, some of which will not be served until 2037. Emirates Airline invested more than AED186 million (USD50.65 million) in wine and champagne in 2022. Emirates invested more than USD1 billion into its wine programme since 2006. [more - original PR]

Emirates Airline launched (07-Dec-2023) its premium economy offering in Brazil, marking the first destination in Emirates' Latin American network to offer premium economy. The carrier introduced premium economy class on three times weekly Sao Paulo service on 19-Nov-2023, operated with four class A380. The carrier plans to offer premium economy on daily Sao Paulo service from 11-Dec-2023. Country manager for Brazil and Argentina Stephane Perard said: "We are the only airline offering the premium economy experience on direct flights between São Paulo and the Middle East". GRU Airport Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport chief commercial officer João Pita said: "It is an important offering for long-distance flights, especially in markets where there is a significant corporate traveler segment and audiences who prefer premium travel, such as in São Paulo". [more - original PR]

EUROCONTROL reported (07-Dec-2023) the following highlights for European aviation, for the period between 27-Nov-2023 and 03-Dec-2023:

• The network recorded 23,809 average daily flights, -1.2% week-on-week and +5% year-on-year, reaching 92% of 2019 levels;
• Intra Europe: 18,125 daily flights, -2% week-on-week and 90% of 2019 levels;
• Intercontinental: 4977, +1% week-on-week and 93% of 2019 levels;
• On the intercontinental network, Europe-Middle East was the largest regional flow, with 1185 daily flights, 9% below 2019 levels;
• Europe-North Africa recorded the highest increase compared to 2019 (+25%), while Europe-Other Europe (including Russia) recorded the largest decrease (-69%);
• UK-US was the top long haul country pair, with 293 average daily flights, +13% week-on-week and +26% compared with 2019;
• The mainline (+8%) and low cost (+11%) sectors are recording year-on-year growth, while regional (-1%), business (-2%) all cargo (-5%) and non scheduled (-7%) are down. Compared to 2019, business (+22%) and all cargo (+10%) are recording growth. [more - original PR]

Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport, via its official Facebook account, announced (04-Dec-2023) the launch of LATAM Airlines Peru's five times weekly Lima-London Heathrow service. According to OAG, no other carriers operate the route.

SAS confirmed (30-Nov-2023) it "intends to eventually exit the Star Alliance and join the SkyTeam Alliance, of which Air France-KLM is a founding member". The carrier stated: "This move towards a partnership with SkyTeam determines a clear path forward for the company", and expects to "be able to further enhance SAS' offerings for the benefit of our colleagues, customers and communities" as a result. SAS noted "nothing is changing immediately", and it is still part of Star Alliance. [more - original PR]

Etihad Airways announced (29-Nov-2023) plans to deploy A380 equipment on one of two daily New York JFK frequencies from 22-Apr-2024. The other daily flight will be operated with Boeing 787-9 featuring first, business and economy cabins. The introduction of the A380 marks a significant enhancement to Etihad's capacity in the US market, connecting to the broader GCC and Indian subcontinent. It will further attract an increased number of visitors to Abu Dhabi. The US route becomes the second destination after London to enjoy the remarkable A380 experience. The aircraft offers economy, business and first class seats, as well as a three room suite. [more - original PR]

Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways announced (27-Nov-2023) a new loyalty programme partnership, enabling Flying Blue and Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles on either programme when travelling with Air France, KLM or Etihad, effective immediately. The airlines will also announce reciprocal benefits for elite members "soon". As previously reported by CAPA, the carriers signed a MoU to expand their partnership in Sep-2023. [more - original PR]

Turkish Airlines announced (24-Nov-2023) AnadoluJet will conduct its operations under the name AJet Air Transportation Inc as a wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, starting from the end of Mar-2024. The carrier will continue operations from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Ankara Esenboğa Airport. The company plans to operate as eco friendly and will enter the LCC market with an innovative perspective. [more - original PR]

EUROCONTROL reported (23-Nov-2023) the following highlights for European aviation, for the period between 13-Nov-2023 and 19-Nov-2023:

• The network recorded 24,506 average daily flights, -2% week-on-week and +7% year-on-year, with airlines scaling back on flights more than expected, as they changed to winter schedules;
• Intra Europe: 18,766 daily flights, -2% week-on-week and 92% of 2019 levels;
• Intercontinental: 5052 daily flights, -2% week-on-week and 90% of 2019 levels;
• On the intercontinental network, Europe-Middle East was the largest regional flow, with 1160 daily flights, 13% below 2019 levels;
• Europe-North Africa recorded the highest increase compared to 2019 (+14%), while Europe-Other Europe (Including Russia) recorded the largest decrease (-70%);
• UK-US was the top long haul country pair, with 285 average daily flights, +2% week-on-week and +2% compared with 2019;
• The mainline (+11%), low cost (+10%) and regional (+3%) sectors are recording year-on-year growth, while business (-1%) all cargo (-6%) and non scheduled (-10%) are down. Compared to 2019, business (+14%) and all cargo (+7%) are recording growth. [more - original PR]