Corporate Travel News

CAPA - Centre for Aviation executive chairman Peter Harbison, speaking at the CAPA-ACTE Global Summit, stated (12-Oct-2017) "super connectors" in the Middle East and Turkey are "losing steam", after "transforming aviation" over the last 20 years. Mr Harbison stated an average growth estimate of 13% p/a over the last 10 years slowed to just 0.5% in 2017. Mr Harbison said seat growth at Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines increased 159%, 210%, 253% and 241% respectively, over the past decade, slowing to 2.8%, -3.6%, 0.8% and 1.8% in 2017. He also pointed to investment strategies of the carriers. Emirates grew organically since its inception, while Etihad formed partnerships that "in a lot of ways didn't work" and is cutting back on expansion as a result. Mr Harbsion said Qatar Airways is a "victim of some unfortunate circumstances", but still "pretty resilient" with investments in IAG and LATAM. Turkish Airlines is also cutting back on expansion due to "troubles at home".

CAPA - Centre for Aviation stated (11-Oct-2017) Saudia received one A330-300 Regional (HZ-AQ29; serial number 1812) and one A320-200 (HZ-AS59; serial number 7789), as recorded by the CAPA Fleet Database. Both aircraft were delivered to International Airfinance Corporation and leased to the airline. Saudia now operates 19 A330-300 Regionals with one remaining on order and 40 A320s with 20 on order.

Emirates president Tim Clark said the airline is open to cooperation with Etihad Airways, but noted any decision to cooperate would be made by "my superiors" (Reuters, 11-Oct-2017). He said: "I think there is value to be had working more closely with them" and added: "There are many areas that the airlines could work together on like procurement".

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport stated (11-Oct-2017) a 7.3% decline in domestic traffic led to the launch of a major campaign to increase traffic within Denmark, in conjunction with regional airports and domestic operators. CEO Thomas Woldbye said: "For many Danes, domestic flying has simply disappeared off the radar when it comes to travelling across the country". He noted a "lot of people" are unaware of the opportunity to travel to Sønderborg, Bornholm, Midtjylland and the other regional airports, pointing out: "We need to reverse that trend to connect up Denmark better". [ more - original PR - English/Danish]

Eurowings, via its official Twitter account, announced (11-Oct-2017) Mostar as the winner of its 'You Vote, We Fly' campaign. As previously reported by CAPA, the online poll called on passengers to vote on a new route for the carrier to operate in summer 2018.

TAP Portugal attributed (11-Oct-2017) strong growth on Brazil and US services to partnerships with Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, Gol Linhas Aereas, jetBlue and United Airlines. TAP reported its codeshare with Azul "brought" 65,000 passengers to TAP from Jan-2017 to Jul-2017. TAP's codeshare with Gol contributed 47,000 passengers. jetBlue contributed 35,000 while United accounted for 15,000 passengers during the period. [more - original PR - Portuguese]

Airport Operators Association (AOA) CEO Karen Dee (11-Oct-2017) responded to UK Chancellor Philip Hammond's comments on post Brexit EU-UK connectivity and the "theoretically" conceivable scenario of no EU-UK air traffic under a "no deal" Brexit. Ms Dee said: "The Chancellor is right that we will need a new legal framework the day after Brexit to ensure continuity of air services. With airlines putting tickets on sale up to 18 months in advance of the date of travel, it is vital that a transition deal is agreed as soon as possible to give consumers and businesses the confidence their future travel will be uninterrupted". [more - original PR]

Finnair repurchased (11-Oct-2017) the remaining equity stakes in Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra) from StaffPoint Holding Oy (StaffPoint) and Kilco Oy, subject to regulatory approval. StaffPoint and Kilco previously held 45% and 15% stakes respectively. Finnair director of operations Jaakko Schildt stated: "Our goal is to find a new, industrial partner to develop Norra's operations with us... the past few years have shown that the joint venture model works well for the domestic and Nordic markets". Norra operates a fleet of 24 ATR and Embraer aircraft serving Finnish domestic and Nordic and Baltic regional markets. [more - original PR - English] [more - original PR - Finnish]

Etihad Airways announced (11-Oct-2017) plans to commence three times weekly Abu Dhabi-Baku service on 02-Mar-2018, in response to "strong and growing demand for flights between the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan". The airline will operate the service with A320 equipment configured with 16 business class and 120 economy class seats. The carrier noted the visa waiver programme for UAE nationals introduced in Azerbaijan in Nov-2015 and expanded to other GCC nations in early 2016 "prompted a surge in travel from across the GCC". [more - original PR]

Fiji Airways announced (11-Oct-2017) a major rugby sponsorship, taking over naming and branding rights for the national mens and womens teams, Rugby Sevens teams and the Drua team in Australia's National Rugby Championship (NRC), for a five year period. In addition, all referees in Fiji will be sponsored by and will wear Fiji Link branded apparel. Fiji Airways' marketing, naming and branding rights during the sponsorship term includes Fiji Rugby's participation in the HSBC Sevens World Series, HSBC Womens Sevens World Series, Pacific Nations Cup, and Australia's NRC. [more - original PR]