Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

FlySafair announced (10-Nov-2017) a partnership with mobile payment company Zapper, enabling travellers to use the Zapper app to pay for FlySafair tickets online, through the airline's web kiosk and at its sales desk at Johannesburg Oliver R Tambo International Airport. FlySafair head of IT and innovation Eswee Vorster said: "Zapper is a good fit in driving FlySafair's strategy to become the most innovative airline in the country - driven by leading edge technology trends and seamless user behaviour". [more - original PR]

Emirates announced (12-Nov-2017) a commitment to purchase 40 Boeing 787-10 aircraft. The agreement, including aircraft and related equipment, is valued at USD15.1 billion at current list prices. The aircraft will be delivered from 2022. Some will be replacements and others will support future network growth. The aircraft will be delivered in a mix of two and three class configurations, potentially seating between 240 and 330 passengers. The agreement includes conversion rights to change the aircraft to 787-9s and the airline is evaluating engine options. Emirates chairman and CEO Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: "We see the 787 as a great complement to our 777 and A380 fleet, providing us with more flexibility to serve a range of destinations". Sheikh Ahmed added: "Today's announcement also speaks to our confidence in the future of aviation in the UAE and the region". The agreement increases the number of new 787 orders and commitments for 2017 to more than 180 and overall orders and commitments for the 787-10 to more than 210. Emirates now has commitments for 204 Boeing widebody aircraft. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac reported (31-Oct-2017) a new IATA Economics study, produced as part of the body's preparations to discuss with the European Commission (EC) the need for stronger regulation of Europe's airports, demonstrates that not all sectors of the aviation value chain "face a similar competitive reality". The study shows airfares fell significantly in real terms over the last decade, while European airport charges more than doubled over the same period. Mr de Juniac noted the EC needs to balance a "passionate discussion on what is revenue for airports but costs for airlines and their passengers" which acknowledging that, in real terms, airport passenger charges increased 120% in the last decade and the real cost of travel dropped by 8%. [more - original PR]

Faroe Islands Vagar Airport CEO Jákup Sverri Kass stated (09-Nov-2017) record 2017 passenger numbers are due to the airport being "more accessible and more affordable than ever before". He said: "Atlantic Airways serves a record number of destinations and the fact that SAS has entered the marked with their route between Copenhagen, has opened the marked and has attracted the attention of the foreign eye. Furthermore, there is an increase of domestic demand". [more - original PR]

Zimbabwe's government reportedly renamed Harare International Airport after current President Robert Mugabe, effective 09-Nov-2017 (BBC, 09-Nov-2017). The airport will now be known as Robert Mugabe International Airport.

IATA, via its Airlines Financial Monitor for Oct-2017, reported (09-Nov-2017) the share of origin-destination passengers in premium cabins increased 0.1 ppts to 5.2% for the year to Aug-2017. The share of total international revenues for premium cabins also rose by 0.1 ppts to 25.5%. IATA noted the pick-up in global trade conditions has helped to support premium passenger demand growth, particularly on markets to, from and within Asia. At the same time, premium fares on these routes have also held up well. Premium demand has lagged behind economy in a number of cases, most notably between Europe and the Middle East, which, in part, appears to reflect the impact of the ban of personal electronic devices in early 2017. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Travel Service: purchase of majority stake in CSA Czech Airlines shows fast growing group's ambition' stated (09-Nov-2017) Travel Service's leadership in the Czech Republic is set to increase further through acquisition of CSA Czech Airlines, in which it has owned a 34% stake since 2015. In Oct-2017 Travel Service reached an agreement to acquire Korean Air's 44% stake and the 19.7% stake held by PRISKO. The transaction will increase Travel Service's holding to 97.7%, although PRISKO has an option to withdraw from the deal, which would leave Travel service with 78% of CSA Czech Airlines. Travel Service's increase in its holding of CSA is subject to competition authority approval, which is expected within three months. [more - CAPA Analysis]

OAG, via its official blog, reported (08-Nov-2017) Qantas planned Perth-London nonstop service, due to launch in Mar-2018, will add over 85,000 seats each way in a market where 98,200 people travelled each way via one or more intermediary hub airports between the two cities. 21% of journeys operated via Singapore, while 57% flew via one of the big three Middle East hub airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha. OAG stated that with the mining boom ending, a falling Australian dollar and stronger West Australian tourism performance it "looks like maybe Qantas has its timing right after all" for the new route. [more - original PR]

Emirates Group reported (09-Nov-2017) steady revenue growth and a rebound on profitability year-on-year in its half-year performance for 2017-2018, in spite of the continuing downward pressure on margins, a rise in oil prices, and other challenges for the airline and travel industry. Emirates Group reported revenue of AED49.4 billion (USD13.5 billion) for the first six months of its 2017-2018 financial year, up 6% from AED46.5 billion (USD12.7 billion) in 2016. Profitability rebounded after a low during the same period in 2016, with the group reporting a 2017-18 half-year net profit of AED2.3 billion (USD631 million), up 77%. This result was driven by capacity optimisation and efficiency initiatives across the company, steady business growth, and a more favourable foreign exchange situation year-on-year. The group's cash position as of 30-Sep-2017 was at AED 18.9 billion (USD5.2 billion), compared to AED19.1 billion (USD5.2 billion) as of 31-Mar-2017. [more - original PR]

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is reportedly considering selling Bournemouth Airport (The Business Desk/Bounemouth Echo, 06-Nov-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, other recent UK airport sales include the partial sale of Bristol Airport and Birmingham Airport to Australia's New South Wales Treasury Corp and Sunsuper Superannuation Fund, and the complete sale of Leeds Bradford Airport to AMP Capital. MAG has invested GBP50 million into Bournemouth Airport since purchasing it in 2001.