Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Air France, via its official Twitter account, announced (22-Nov-2017) the launch of its new #AirFranceShopping website. Brand and communications director Dominique Wood said: "Few aviation companies invest in this sector, for us this is an element that separates us from others in a highly competitive industry". The site offers Air France products, including baggage, travel accessories, model aircraft and toys.

African Development Bank called (21-Nov-2017) for "bold actions" to improve connectivity and market access and reduce costs in Africa's aviation sector. African Development Bank VP for the private sector, infrastructure and industrialisation Pierre Guislain said low connectivity and the absence of significant airline hubs remains a challenge for business people and ordinary Africans. He commented: "Travelling in Africa remains inconvenient and costly". African Development Bank stated the African aviation industry is hampered by high costs and growth in the sector would require the reduction of high taxes, fees, charges and airport levies. The bank considers private sector financing and investment to be critical and said liberalisation of the aviation sector can support regional integration and trade. Mr Guislain identified open visa policies as another way to stimulate integration and passenger traffic. [more - original PR]

Ryanair expanded (22-Nov-2017) its connecting services programme at Milan Bergamo Airport, adding 31 additional routes. Under the programme, passengers can transfer airside between connecting services, have checked in baggage transferred through to the final destination and use one booking reference for both services. [more - original PR]

UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and IATA signed (20-Nov-2017) a MoU to strengthen, promote and enhance cooperation in civil aviation and facilitation. The parties agreed to share information, consult on policy issues, work on joint training and technical assistance and partner on projects for the development and improvement of aviation security and cooperation. [more - original PR]

LOT Polish Airlines announced (22-Nov-2017) three new 294 seat Boeing 787-9 aircraft are scheduled to operate the following long haul Warsaw routes from 2018:

• Chicago: From the end of Mar-2018/beginning of Apr-2018;
• New York JFK: From the beginning of May-2018;
• Toronto: From the beginning of Jul-2018.

The aircraft may be also be deployed on selected Seoul frequencies. [more - original PR]

African Development Bank and IATA signed (22-Nov-2017) a MoU to establish a framework for collaboration to boost the aviation sector in Africa. The parties committed to creating and implementing programmes and projects, including technical cooperation and capacity building. Priority areas will include improving connectivity, safety and aviation infrastructure. African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina said: "Very few invest where it's difficult to travel to. That's why ease of access via air travel is strongly correlated to economic growth. We must make regional aviation markets competitive and drive down costs, raise efficiencies and improve connectivity and convenience". [more - original PR]

Ethiopia's Ministry of Culture and Tourism public and international relations director Gezahegn Abate said China contributed USD164 million in tourism revenue in 2016 (Xinhua, 21-Nov-2017). 43,695 Chinese tourists visited Ethiopia in 2016, becoming Ethiopia's third largest source of tourists after the US and the UK.

Vologda Oblast announced (18-Nov-2017) plans to establish a tourism cluster in Veliky Ustyug. Vologda Governor Oleg Kuvshinnikov said: "Here, in Veliky Ustyug, the largest tourism cluster of the country will be created, Veliky Ustyug - the fairy tale capital of Russia. On Monday I will sign a letter to the Federal Agency for Tourism about the support of this project, and we will commence the construction of infrastructure". Federal Agency for Tourism Head Oleg Safonov said Veliky Ustyug Airport reconstruction work commenced and will include the lengthening of the runway. [more - original PR - Russian]

Airbus received (21-Nov-2017) type certification for the A350-1000 from EASA and the US FAA and announced the aircraft is ready for delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways before the end of 2017. 11 customers ordered a total of 169 A350-1000s, with Qatar Airways holding 37 firm orders as well as 39 A350-900 orders. Combined A350-1000 and A350-900 orders were 858 from 45 customers as of 31-Oct-2017. [more - original PR]

Wego MD of MENA and India Mamoun Hmedan reported (21-Nov-2017) more than 70% of travel searches in the Middle East are made on mobile devices. Mr Hmedan said: "The region's travellers were quick to embrace online travel shopping, possibly quicker than in any other emerging market, but the transition from desktop to a mobile first market happened even faster". Wego recorded more than 10 million visits per month in the region. [more - original PR]