Corporate Travel News

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched (07-Dec-2017) 'Shipping Blue', a new global package delivery service for 'BlueBiz' customers. The service is specially developed for SMEs, enabling 'BlueBiz' members to send parcels up to 30kg at "competitive prices" in three to five working days. The service is now available to Dutch 'BlueBiz' customers and will be available to all Air France-KLM 'BlueBiz' members "shortly". [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand reported (07-Dec-2017) it does not anticipate any changes to its current financial guidance due to maintenance issues related to the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on its Boeing 787-9 fleet. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier cancelled three return services between 07-Dec-2017 and 10-Dec-2017 and delayed seven others to accommodate a Rolls-Royce notification that the engines require maintenance sooner than previously advised. Rolls-Royce does not have any spare engines available while the maintenance work is undertaken. Air New Zealand stated there will be limited cancellations and delays each day over the coming weeks and it will be focused on finding replacement aircraft capacity. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, Air New Zealand has 11 787-9s in service. [more - original PR]

Brussels Airlines entered (07-Dec-2017) a partnership with Belgian celebrity chef Stéphanie Thunus to introduce new business class menus on long haul routes to Africa, India and the US from Jan-2018 to Dec-2018. [more - original PR - English/Dutch]

British Airways announced (07-Dec-2017) plans to expand its London City Airport and regional operations. Details include:

• Add two new E190 aircraft in Jan-2018 and Apr-2018, increasing fleet to 22;
• New routes:
  • London City-Frankfurt, effective Jan-2018;
  • Manchester-Florence and Edinburgh-Florence, effective summer 2018;
  • Manchester-Dublin: Weekly, effective summer 2018.
• 40 new jobs. The airline is recruiting 20 new pilots and 20 cabin crew;
• Increased services from Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol in summer 2018;
• Increased London City-Milan Linate frequency from Jan-2018. [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways reconfirmed (07-Dec-2017) and upgraded its order for 50 A320neo aircraft to the larger A321neo 'Airbus Cabin Flex' (ACF) aircraft. The revised order is valued at USD6.35 billion at list prices. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker commented: "To answer our need for growth and additional capacity, the A321neo ACF is a world-class choice for our passengers and for our business. Qatar Airways is the fastest growing airline in the world and with this aircraft we will operate the youngest fleet". The aircraft will join the carrier's 50 A320neos from 2019. [more - original PR]

Jetstar Airways commenced (07-Dec-2017) twice weekly Melbourne-Zhengzhou service with Boeing 787 equipment. The route is operated in partnership with China Comfort Travel, a local travel specialist which will sell flights and holiday packages directly to Chinese travellers. The carrier expects the route will bring an additional 35,000 Chinese tourists to Australia p/a. [more - original PR]

Qantas Loyalty and Digital Ventures CEO Jayne Hrdlicka reported (06-Dec-2017) Millennials are the fastest growing member segment of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme. [more - original PR]

flydubai announced (06-Dec-2017) plans to launch daily Dubai-Krakow service on 08-Apr-2018 and daily Dubai-Catania service from 13-Jun-2018, operating with Boeing 737 MAX 8 equipment in codeshare with Emirates. flydubai is the first UAE carrier to operate direct services to the destinations and will also be the sole operator on the routes, according to OAG. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II - Polish]

Fiji Airways announced (06-Dec-2017) plans to launch Nadi-Tokyo Narita service from 03-Jul-2018, subject to regulatory approvals. The carrier plans to operate three times weekly, offering over 80,000 seats p/a with a combination of A330-200 and A330-300 equipment. [more - original PR - Fiji Airways] [more - original PR - Tokyo Narita]

Tigerair Australia launched (07-Dec-2017) Hobart-Gold Coast service, operating four times weekly with A320 equipment and providing the only direct connection between the cities. The service is scheduled to suit the airline's core budget and leisure traveller market, departing Hobart at 08:50 and arriving in the Gold Coast at 10.20. Return services are scheduled to depart the Gold Coast at 10:50 and arrive in Hobart at 14:30. [more - original PR]