Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths stated restrictions on Amsterdam Schiphol Airport's growth would have repercussions for Dubai (upinthesky.nl, 19-Oct-2017). Mr Griffiths pointed out: "Airports are part of a network. If you do not have enough capacity on either side of a route, you can not add an extra flight". He urged Schiphol and other airports to invest in capacity, in order to benefit the "global network". Mr Griffith added that growth in Schiphol "means growth in Dubai, and that's good for both of us".

Germany's Federal Government, alongside Berlin and Brandenburg states, intend to hold discussions on the future of Berlin Tegel Airport during an early shareholders meeting on 26-Oct-2017, as confirmed by Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller (Berliner Zeitung/airliners.de/rbb24.de, 19-Oct-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel stated Berlin Tegel Airport "must be closed" following the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport, adding: "That is the legal position".

Iberia marked the first year of operation between Madrid and Tokyo Narita on 18-Oct-2017 (Aviation Wire, 18-Oct-2017). Sales director for Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Celia Muñoz said load factor on the service is "very good", adding frequency will increase from three to five times weekly from 20-Oct-2018 and it aims to increase to daily in the future. Ms Muñoz noted Madrid-Tokyo Narita passengers are made up of 55% Japanese passengers, 30% Spanish and the remaining 15% comprising other nationalities such as British, German, French, Italian and others. Japanese visitors to Spain increased 3.2% year-on-year to 299,000 in the first eight months of 2017.

Airbus announced (19-Oct-2017) the first A330neo conducted its maiden test flight. The aircraft (MSN 1795) is a A330-900 and the first of three certification flight test aircraft to fly. The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The A330neo certification development programme will cover around 1400 flight-test hours. This will comprise:

• 1100 flight hours for the A330-900 campaign - to achieve its respective EASA and FAA type certifications around the middle of 2018;
• 300 flight hours for A330-800 version - which will be certified in 2019.

Overall, the full A330neo family flight test campaign will be performed by three certification flight test aircraft, plus the first production aircraft (the latter to validate the 'Airspace' cabin prior to entry into service). The A330neo's two versions - the A330-800 and A330-900 - will accommodate 257 and 287 passengers respectively in a three class seating layout. The aircraft will accommodate up to 10 more seats, offer new 'Airspace' cabin amenities, and feature a new larger span wing with Sharklet wingtip devices and use more efficient engines compared to the A330ceo. [more - original PR]

TECNAM Aircraft announced (18-Oct-2017) it established a corporate presence and new subsidary in Australia. The company will to sell and support its products directly in Australia, with operations to be managed by its Australian sales team. [more - original PR]

TAP Portugal board member and shareholder David Neeleman stated the carrier is considering launching services to both Chicago and San Francisco (Jornal de Negocios, 17-Oct-2017). Mr Neeleman stated TAP highly regards jetBlue's destinations when planning its expansion to the US. As previously reported by CAPA, Chicago and San Francisco are among the major origins of jetBlue's passengers who transfer to TAP services to Portugal and beyond.

Royal Jordanian CEO Stefan Pichler, speaking on CAPA TV, said (Oct-2017) the airline has "a lot of room for improvement" but reported "strong recovery in the last four months". The airline is implementing a new turnaround recently approved by the board and Mr Pichler forecast "a strong rebound" in the carrier's 3Q2017 results. Mr Pichler said the airline will become "profitable in a sustainable way" and may return to operational profitability by the end of 2017. [more - CAPA TV]

Ghana's Minister of Aviation Cecilia Dapaah said the Ministry aims to create opportunities for more airlines to operate domestic services (citifmonline.com, 18-Oct-2017). The Ministry will also work to reduce operating costs for airlines. Adding more domestic carriers is expected to increase competition, increase passenger numbers and expand the country's transport sector. Africa World Airlines and Starbow Airlines are currently the only operational domestic airlines in Ghana.

TUI UK announced (18-Oct-2017) the Thomson Airways brand ceased to exist as of 18-Oct-2017, completing the leisure carrier's re-branding to TUI. Details include:

• Thomson established in 1965;
• More than 600 UK retail stores have re-branded from Thomson to TUI;
• Extensive national TV, bus sides and out of home site campaigns to raise consumer awareness of re-branding.

TUI UK and Ireland marketing director Jeremy Ellis commented: "The foundations for our re-brand are firmly in place and we are primed ready to become TUI. We want to ensure our customers are ready to take this exciting journey with us so it's really important that we communicate the transition clearly". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Emirates stated (18-Oct-2017) it will receive its 100th A380 aircraft on 03-Nov-2017. The airline recorded more than 80 million passengers on A380s in the nine years since the type entered its fleet. The carrier operates A380s to more than 45 destinations. [more - original PR]