Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage president Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated Saudi Arabia will commence issuing tourist visas in 1Q2018 (AFP, 20-Dec-2017). Prince Sultan added: "We are now just preparing the regulations - who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them". Prince Sultan added visas will be available to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit [Saudi Arabia]".

Hamburg Airport, via its official newsletter, stated (21-Dec-2017) Condor plans to recommence Hamburg-Zakinthos and Hamburg-Malta services in summer 2018. The carrier will also serve Hurghada in summer 2018, operate twice daily service to Palma de Mallorca and increase Heraklion and Kos frequency. Condor will serve 15 destinations from Hamburg in summer 2018.

European Commission (EC) granted (21-Dec-2017) unconditional approval for the proposed acquisition of Zodiac Aerospace by Safran. The EC concluded the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the relevant markets. The commission carried out a broad investigation of the markets where the companies are active. Details include:

European Commission (EC) detailed (21-Dec-2017) conditions pursuant to Deutsche Lufthansa AG's approval to acquire LGW Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter. The EC investigation found a proposed increase in Lufthansa's slot portfolio at Duesseldorf Airport, through the acquisition of LGW, was likely to adversely affect passengers in terms of fares and/or choice of services. No concerns were identified at the other airports. Lufthansa agreed for its slot holding at Duesseldorf airport to only increase by 1% in the event of acquiring LGW. 50% of slots at Duesseldorf Airport will still be held by Lufthansa's competitors. This means the effects of Lufthansa's acquisition of LGW would be limited, according to the Commission. [more - original PR]

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) announced (21-Dec-2017) completion of the first test flight of a Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft with saberlets. The flight of the SSJ100 (95032) with saber-like tips installed took two hours and 42 minutes. SCAC president Alexander Rubtsov said: "The wing tips installation being the part of the improvement program will provide the operators with cost cuts of up to USD70,000 per year per one SSJ100". The completion of ground and flight tests will result in the certification of the SSJ100 with saberlets, enabling the wing tip to be offered as an option to customers. The installation of the tips is possible not only to new aircraft also for delivered aircraft. [more - original PR - English/Russian]

Western Australia's (WA) Government announced (21-Dec-2017) Regional Express (Rex) is the preferred tenderer for the regulated Perth-Carnarvon/Monkey Mia route. The announcement follows a competitive tender process by the WA Government and the launch of WA operations by Rex in Feb-2016 on the regulated Perth to Albany and Perth to Esperance routes. Subject to final negotiations in early 2018, Rex will enter a deed of agreement with the Department of Transport to operate Perth-Carnarvon/Monkey Mia service for a five year licence period commencing 02-Jul-2018. [more - original PR]

flydubai finalised (21-Dec-2017) the purchase of 175 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the largest narrowbody jet order for a Middle East carrier. The contract also includes options for an additional 50 aircraft valued at USD27 billion at current list prices. flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith commented: "This is our largest order in our eight-year history and our third order with Boeing whose aircraft have given us the ability to carry 44 million passengers since we began operations. With up to 296 aircraft on order, we have become one of the world's top ten airlines in terms of order backlog and we look forward to continuing to enhance the connectivity of Dubai's aviation hub". [more - original PR]

Lufthansa announced (21-Dec-2017) plans for A380 aircraft based at Munich Airport for winter 2018/19. As previously reported by CAPA, Lufthansa will base five A380s at Munich from 25-Mar-2018, serving Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Beijing. The winter 2018/19 season will however see a destination change from Munich to Miami, Shanghai and San Francisco. [more - original PR]

SSP Group opened (21-Dec-2017) its first Starbucks store in the landside area at Athens International Airport. SSP has a long term partnership with Starbucks, currently operating stores in 15 markets globally. [more - original PR]