Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Russia's Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) Oleg Safonov the maximum volume of the total funding to be invested into the development of domestic and inbound tourism under the federal targeted programme for the period from 2019 to 2025 is forecast at RUB445.4 billion (EUR6518.4 million) (Interfax/Rambler News Service, 28-Sep-2017). Mr Safonov said the amount will include RUB83.5 billion (EUR1221.9 million) in federal funds, RUB15 billion (EUR219.6 million) in regional budget funds and RUB346.7 billion (EUR5074.7 million) in non budget funds.

Aigle Azur CEO Frantz Yvelin stated the carrier is "working to extend our network on the long haul", however "I do not want to force things and make hurried announcements" (tourmag.com, 28-Sep-2017). He said the airline "looks naturally towards the East" and the Middle East. HNA Group purchased a 48% stake in the carrier in 2012.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) welcomed (28-Sep-2017) easyJet's plans to base an A320 aircraft at the airport in summer 2018, the carrier's eighth based aircraft at Liverpool. LJLA air service development director Paul Winfield commented: "It not only means more passengers can travel from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, but will also bring a further boost to the local economy, enabling more passengers from across Europe to fly to Liverpool too". easyJet currently operates 28 routes from Liverpool Airport. [more - original PR]

South African Airways (SAA) stated (28-Sep-2017) demand in Central Africa has remained at levels similar to 2016 due to slow economic growth in the region. SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali stated SAA's "intention therefore is to maintain our presence in these markets and we have initiated discussions with our partners to decide on the best option to serve these markets". As previously reported by CAPA, SAA confirmed plans to implement intra African service reductions. [more - original PR]

Kenya Airways confirmed (28-Sep-2017) plans to discontinue Hong Kong and Hanoi services, effective 29-Oct-2017. The airline said the change will enable better schedules to Asia with daily Bangkok and Guangzhou service. In addition, the change will allow Kenya Airways to allocate more seats across its African network where "demand outlook remains strong and capacity insufficient on certain routes". Kenya Airways commercial director Vincent Coste stated: "This network decision will help Kenya Airways to strengthen its focus on Africa. We will continue to serve our customers to Asia through our direct flights to China and Thailand and work closely with our partners to cover the Asian continent". [more - original PR]

Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio announced (28-Sep-2017) Qatar Airways finalised acquisition of a 49% stake AQA Holding, the new parent company of Meridiana. Alisarda maintains the right to appoint the majority of the board members, with the company retaining a 51% stake. Mr Delrio stated the partnership "means new prospects for development not only for Sardinia but for Italian aviation mobility", adding Meridiana employees also have more job security. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker, said: "We look forward to working together to reinforce its position to provide even more connectivity to Italy and other European destinations, as well as those in the US and beyond". Italy handled almost 100 million passengers in the first seven months of 2017, an increase of 6.8% year-on-year. [more - original PR - Italian] [more - original PR - English/Italian - II] [more - original PR - III]

German Airports Association (ADV) reported (27-Sep-2017) the following traffic highlights in Aug-2017:

• Passengers: 23.3 million, +6.0% year-on-year;
  • Domestic: 3.7 million, +3.3%;
  • Europe: 15.3 million, +5.3%;
  • Non-Europe: 4.2 million, +11.7%;
  • Transit: 42,136, -3.2%;
• Cargo: 407,269 tonnes, +9.6%;
• Aircraft movements: 215,951, +2.4%. [more - original PR - German]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Brussels Airlines takes on Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium's schedule, paves way for VLM to return', stated (27-Sep-2017) Brussels Airlines has recovered market share since 2014. In 2008, the first full year after Brussels Airlines was created from the 2007 merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, LCCs operated a 19% share of seats in Belgium led by Ryanair, whose share was just under 11%. LCC seat share in Belgium then grew steadily to reach 40% in 2014, when both Ryanair and Vueling entered the main Brussels Airport and Ryanair's share was 21%. Meanwhile, Brussels Airlines' seat share declined from 29% in 2008 to 25% in 2014. However, it has mounted a recovery since then, taking its share to 27% in 2016 and 29% in 2017, back to its level of 2008. The share of LCCs in total has not gained since 2014, easing back slightly to 39% in 2016 and 2017. [more - CAPA Analysis]