Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Air France-KLM stated (03-Nov-2017) it is "embracing" IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC), and is investing in options for travel partners to access, book and sell rich content. Air France-KLM added that "in order to adapt to market circumstances and to further improve its efficiency", it will implement a distribution surcharge on GDS sales from 01-Apr-2018. The surcharge does not apply to travel agency sales via an NDC connection and to Air France and KLM direct sales channels. [more - original PR]

Air Seychelles launched (03-Nov-2017) a digital shopping catalogue for lounge guests at Seychelles International Airport. The digital catalogues can be accessed on tablets available at both the Air Seychelles premium and VIP lounges and feature a wide range of products. [more - original PR]

IATA reported (03-Nov-2017) the global 'flying age' population of 4.9 billion people is projected to rise by 17% by 2036, with almost all of this increase taking place in Asia Pacific and Africa.

• In Africa, the 'flying age' population is projected to rise by 2.7% each year on average over the next 20 years; by 2036, one-fifth of the total will live on the continent, up from one-seventh currently;
• Only 15% of the potential 'flying age' population currently live in Europe and North America, despite these being the world's two largest aviation markets. Ageing populations in Europe mean that region's 'flying age' population size will fall by 0.5% p/a on average to 2036;
• More then 40% of the growth in the 'flying age' population will be in the Asia Pacific region;
• A living standards rise strongly in both Asia Pacific and Africa over the long term, and the cost of air travel is expected to continue to decline in inflation-adjusted terms, air travel will come within reach of an increasing number of people in these regions [more - original PR]

Tourism Western Australia released (Oct-2017) its International Markets Summary for the year ending Jun-2017. The report profiles visitors to Western Australia from key international source markets; markets Western Australia has a marketing presence in, as well as key emerging markets. Highlights of the report include:

• China:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD263 million (USD202 million), +7.9% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 51,100, +6.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 2,068,800, +5.3%;
• Germany:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD76 million (USD58 million), -11.1% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 35,300, +0.3%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,088,100, -6.0%;
• Hong Kong:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD100 million (USD77 million), +42.6% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 24,000, +21.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 730,400, -4.9%;
• India:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD86 million (USD66 million), +92.5% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 27,300, +42.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,447,700, +3.9%;
• Indonesia:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD66 million (USD51 million), +16.4% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 31,000, +19.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 902,400, +48.1%;
• Japan:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD53 million (USD41 million), -23.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 26,200, +6.1%;
  • Estimated Nights: 697,700, -15.6%;
• Korea:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD66 million (USD51 million), +33.3% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 15,500, +13.1%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,165,000, +62.5%;
• Malaysia:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD234 million (USD180 million), +26.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 116,800, +30.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,945,100, +22.2%;
• New Zealand:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD97 million (USD74 million), -27.5% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 71,700, -12.0%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,269,300, -26.1%;
• Singapore:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD259 million (USD199 million), +23.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 106,600, +10.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,565,200, +29.9%;
• United Kingdom:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD283 million (USD217 million), -11.6% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 148,900, +0.7%;
  • Estimated Nights: 4,182,600, -3.0%;
• US:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD165 million (USD127 million), +15.9% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 84,700, +26.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,825,500, +10.9%. [more - original PR]

Fraport reportedly granted slots at Frankfurt Airport to easyJet (Reuters, 02-Nov-2017). The carrier does not currently operate services to the airport. As previously reported by CAPA, easyJet recently expanded its German operations via the acquisition of former airberlin assets and slots at Berlin Tegel Airport.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in an report entitled 'Finnair: "the largest expansion in its history" this winter, led by Asia growth & new LatAm routes', stated (01-Nov-2017) Finnair is the fourth fastest-growing top 20 airline group in Europe for winter 2017/18 after Wizz Air, TAP Portugal, and Turkish Airlines, according to OAG data analysed by CAPA. The carrier's seat capacity is expected to grow by 13% year-on-year during the period. [more - CAPA Analysis]

IATI Travel and Travelport signed (01-Nov-2017) an extended multi year agreement to make Travelport the company's preferred travel commerce platform. Travelport will also support IATI's operations while extending the geographical reach of the partnership to cover Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. [more - original PR]

Air Serbia is reportedly considering the launch of service to Toronto in 2018, with preparations already underway (SeeNews, 02-Nov-2017). The carrier's corporate communications director Vecernje Novosti has previously stated the carrier was looking at a second trans atlantic service following the launch of Belgrade-New York service in 2016.

French Blue confirmed plans to launch service from Paris to French Polynesia (Papeete), operating via San Francisco, from May-2018 (tntv.pf, 01-Nov-2017). The carrier plans to operate twice weekly year-round, with three times weekly frequency in peak periods. The carrier will operate A350 equipment on the route, offering 376 economy and 35 premium seats, in-flight WiFi and full IFE.

Belfast Airport MD Graham Keddie called (02-Nov-2017) on the UK Government to provide "practical assistance" for long haul route development. Mr Keddie added: "We would also see big advantages by having a dedicated Route Development Initiative and support from the UK government". [more - original PR]