Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

London Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate outlined the airport's growth plans following strong growth for the six months to 30-Sep-2017. Mr Wingate said: "We have ambitious plans to build on these results to reach 50 million passengers per year and beyond which will further set the standard for a single runway airport. This will be done while continuing to deliver the best passenger experience which is at the heart of everything we do at Gatwick". The airport handles 45.5 million passengers p/a and increased its lead as the world's busiest single runway airport with a 12.4% increase in long haul traffic. [more - original PR]

Surf Air, via its official Facebook account, announced (22-Nov-2017) Surf Air Europe will relocate its base from London Luton Airport to London City Airport (LCY) from Dec-2017. "We will be flying out of our new home in the Jet Centre at London City Airport", the carrier said, adding: "We are dedicated to saving our Members time and providing an exceptional flying experience, and our new partnership with LCY helps us do both". According to Surf Air Europe's official website, the first destination from the new London City base is Zurich from Dec-2017. Surf Air Europe also posted a provisional map outlining aims for new destinations. In 2017, the carrier aims to launch services to Cannes, Ibiza, Luxembourg, Milan and Munich. In 2018, the carrier will pursue new services to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Duesseldorf, Geneva and Paris. Surf Air Europe utilises Phenom 300 aircraft, operated by FlairJet.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, speaking on CAPA TV, said (07-Nov-2017) terminal expansion at Dubai World Central (DWC) will be completed in 1Q2018, increasing capacity to 25 million passengers p/a. He added: "The real big push will be by 2025" when the first phase of expansion is completed, which will increase capacity to 120 million passengers p/a. Mr Griffiths said while airlines are still free to choose Dubai International Airport for new or additional services, "DWC offers a very unconstrained environment" with ample slots during peak periods. He said there are now limited slots at Dubai Airport during the three main peaks. [more - CAPA TV]

Air France reportedly resumed talks in French Polynesia with its striking Tahiti based flight attendants (RadioNZ, 23-Nov-2017). The talks come as strike action enters its third week with more than a dozen work related issues remaining unresolved. The carrier is leasing Airbus aircraft from Hi Fly to support continued operations during the strike.

Qatar Airways and S7 Airlines expanded (23-Nov-2017) their codeshare agreement to cover St Petersburg-Doha service and services from Doha to Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. Qatar Airways and S7 Airlines also codeshare on services to more than 30 destinations, including cities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa and South Korea. [more - original PR - Russian]

dnata, Emirates Innovation Lab, flydubai Cargo and IBM completed (23-Nov-2017) a proof of concept using blockchain technology for airfreight supply chain transactions in Dubai. The system covered transactions from the origin purchase order to delivery at the destination consignee warehouse. The technology can be used to manage and track cargo containers and sign offs by inspectors and receivers while ensuring no single party can modify or delete information without consensus from others on the network. The system eliminates redundant data and improves visibility and transparency for all stakeholders, enabling streamlining and simplification of processes. The use of blockchain technology is expected to deliver greater security, efficiency, cost savings for customers, better tracking of orders, reduced errors and better fraud detection. In the proof of concept, the parties identified issues from technology, security, operational and legal perspectives and realised new supply chain services, including digitalisation of documents. Emirates Group SVP IT strategic services Neetan Chopra said: "Blockchain technology has great potential to exponentially improve efficiency and transparency of business networks, especially in Cargo & Logistic flows". [more - original PR]

Corsair reiterated (23-Nov-2017) plans to deploy business class on the entire fleet by the end of 2017. Corsair operates a fleet of A330 and Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Each aircraft will feature 12 business class seats convertible into beds. Corsair said adoption of business class "completes its move upmarket". [more - original PR - French]

easyJet partnered (23-Nov-2017) with HolidayTaxis Group to provide passengers travelling to and from airports a wider range of ground transport options. Under the partnership, passengers will be able to book taxis, trains and coaches via easyJet's website. [more - original PR]

Aeroflot expanded (23-Nov-2017) its codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines. Under the agreement, Aeroflot will codeshare on China Southern Airlines' twice daily services from Guangzhou to Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney. The initial codeshare agreement was signed at the end of 2008 and covered services from Moscow to Guangzhou, Urumqi and Wuhan. Aeroflot codeshares with 30 Russian and international airlines. [more - original PR]

ASL Airlines France signed (21-Nov-2017) a distribution contract with Travelport, enabling more French and global travel agencies to access ASL Airlines France's '5O' designated code with "rich and dynamic content". ASL Airlines France CEO Jean-François Dominiak said travel agencies "constitute the main marketing channel" for the carrier. Travelport France MD Emmanuel Bourgeat added the contract will enhance visibility "particularly for the French and North African markets". [more - original PR - French]