Corporate Travel News: September 2020
Airlines/Airports.
Virgin Atlantic set to launch services from London and Manchester to Pakistan
From December 2020, Virgin Atlantic is pleased to announce it will be launching flights to Pakistan. Virgin Atlantic will operate three new routes from London Heathrow to Lahore, Islamabad as well as from Manchester to Islamabad. As well as flying customers, Virgin Atlantic will offer a fast and efficient cargo service, presenting new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods between the UK, US and Pakistan. Read more
Etihad uses AI to reduce inflight food wastage
In order to minimise inflight food waste, Etihad Airways has partnered with Singapore food technology start-up Lumitics to trail the use of computer vision and machine learning. With the data used to illustrate food consumption and wastage trends through the Etihad network, the initiative would monitor unconsumed meals in economy class. Read more
American Airlines donates 1 million pounds of food to aid Covid-19 hunger relief
Since the beginning of the pandemic, American Airlines has donated 1 million pounds of food to fight hunger in communities around the world. Through its partnership with Feeding America and other charitable organisations, the airline contributed its surplus food to help provide meals to families in need throughout the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Read more
Finnair to offer Covid-19 service to customers
Finnair has started partnering with Terveystalo, a private Finnish healthcare service to give its customers convenient and quick access to pre-travel coronavirus testing. A negative coronavirus test result and a certificate from passengers arriving in the country is needed in some nations. The partnership between Finnair and Terveystalo ensures that customers are provided with a test certificate required by the destination country conveniently and in a timely manner. Read more
Emirates adds self-check-in kiosks in Dubai
Emirates has introduced self-check-in and bag drop kiosks for a more seamless airport experience at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. The service is now available to customers travelling to all destinations except the US, Canada, India and Hong Kong due to additional requirements from these destinations. The kiosk allows customers to check-in, collect boarding pass, pick seats onboard and drop off bags. Whilst Emirates employees will be on hand for any assistance required. Read more
Austrian Airlines resumes flights to China
From 2 October 2020, Austrian Airlines will resume flights to Shanghai, China once a week. A Boeing 767 aircraft will fly from Vienna to Shanghai every Friday. The long-haul portfolio of Austrian Airlines is expanding to include another destination. In addition, the carrier already flies to Chicago, New York and Washington. Read more
Air France continues to invest in electric ramp equipment
By investing in electric ramp machinery, Air France continues its goal of halving its CO2 emission per passenger kilometre by 2030. The carrier has partnered with French start-up Carwatt and ramp equipment company TLD to test all-electric ramp handling on the Paris to Delhi A350 flight.
Emirates adds Moscow to its growing network
Emirates has announced it will resume its A380 service to Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME), serving its market demand and providing more travel options to its customers. This service will operate twice-weekly. The iconic Emirates A380 currently serves in five cities including Cairo, Paris, London Heathrow, Guangzhou and Toronto. Read more
London City to Belfast connection restored
Flights from London City Airport to Belfast has been restored between the two cities’ most central airports. The five-times weekly service between London City Airport (LYC) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), operated by BA CityFlyer brings back flying on the popular route which had been ceased in February 2020 with the collapse of Flybe. Read more
SAS to increase flights to Europe, USA and Asia
To satisfy the demand for travel and transport to, from and within Scandinavia, SAS will continue to increase the number of flights and open routes to more destinations in Europe, the USA and Asia during Autumn. Read more
Lufthansa adds 15 new summer routes from Frankfurt in 2021
Lufthansa is consistently expanding its offering of flights to tourists and leisure destinations from Frankfurt. During next year’s summer season in 2021, 15 new destinations are now available for booking. The destinations include Greece, Spain, Egypt, Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Tunisia and Bulgaria. Read more
Delta safe travel experience for customers
From check-in to baggage, Delta Airlines has customers and employees covered in terms of safe travel experience. Delta is offering the highest standards in sanitizations and cleanliness so customers can travel with confidence, there are over 100 measures put in place from providing more space and extensive cleaning under the Delta CareStandard. Read more
LOT Polish Airlines resumes London City services
LOT Polish Airlines has resumed operations out of London City Airport. Services will run twice-daily operating between the business capital and Vilnius. The aircraft used will be the Embraer E190. This will be a good opportunity to boost links within other parts of Eastern Europe.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport offers disinfection points for personal belongings
In addition to the current coronavirus measures, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has three new disinfection locations where passengers can use UV-C light technology to disinfect their personal belongings, such as their phones, passports and keys. ‘Sanitising Service’ points at Schiphol Plaza in lounge two and Arrival Halls three and four. The new measure allows visitors as well as arriving, departing, and transferring passengers to use the service points. Read more
South Africa to open its borders in October
For the first time since March, South Africa is preparing to open its borders to international travellers. All international travellers will be required to present a Covid-19 free certificate dated no later than 72 hours within their date of arrival or quarantine on arrival. Three international airports will open OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.
Dubai International T3 reopens smart gates
Dubai International Airport has reopened its smart gates for passengers departing from Terminal 3. As part of the UAE’s precautionary measures against Covid-19, passengers can now scan their passports at the smart gates to ensure the highest level of protection for everyone. In view of the pandemic, this could ease the travel process, with technology deemed the safest way to travel through the airport.
Amsterdam Schiphol launches contactless food ordering service
Amsterdam Schiphol airport has launched a new “contactless” service allowing customers to order food and drink online and pick it up after security. The pilot service sees travellers scan a QR code via banners or media screens located at and after security checkpoints, allowing customers to order, pay online and choose a time. Read more
Gatwick Airport introduces ‘UV tunnels’ to disinfect security trays
Gatwick is the first UK airport to treat its security trays with enough UV light energy to guarantee a 99.9% microbe disinfection rate, protecting passengers and employees to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and any other infections on this high touch area. The new highly effective system is provided by Smiths Detection. Read more
Airbus reveals new zero-emission concept aircraft
Airbus has revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft which could enter service by 2035. These concepts each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight, exploring various technology pathways and aerodynamic configurations to support the Company’s ambition of leading the way in the de-carbonisation of the entire aviation industry.
Etihad Airways introduces global Covid-19 insurance scheme
Etihad Airways keeps guests protected with global Covid-19 insurance. All Etihad tickets regardless of the date of the booking, travelling between now and 31 December 2020 will include Covid-19 insurance. Guests with existing bookings don’t need to do anything – they will automatically be enrolled in the programme. The insurance is valid worldwide for 31 days from the first day of travel.
Hotels.
Accor set to open second Novotel Hotel in Liverpool
Accor has signed a 221-room Novotel hotel in Liverpool’s Paddington Village and is set to be complete in 2022. The Novotel will comprise 16 storeys and become the highest hotel in Liverpool. It will give both leisure and business travellers a city-centric location.
Kimpton Clocktower to open in Manchester
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the leading global boutique luxury brand from IHG, will open Kimpton Clocktower in Manchester on 1 October 2020. The grade II listed building consists of 270 loft-style bedrooms, including 11 suites. The hotel is a short walk away from Manchester Piccadilly station.
Hampton by Hilton opens in London’s Ealing
Hilton has opened its latest Hampton property in London, located in Uxbridge Road in Ealing. The new-build Hampton by Hilton London Ealing is situated around a mile from Ealing Broadway station. The hotel replaces two 1960’s office buildings and offers 181-rooms as well as a bar and restaurant.
Kimpton Fitzroy London reopens
Kimpton Fitzroy London has reopened following the closure during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The hotel is located in Bloomsbury near to major transport connections, such as Euston, Russel Square and Kings Cross Station. Throughout Kimpton Fitzroy London, the hotel has put in high hygiene measures guests will receive a bottle of hand sanitiser at check-in, QR codes and single-use menus in the restaurant and in rooms as well as all staff wearing masks and visors.
IHG’s Voco brand enters the first property in Northern Europe
IHG has added the first property under its Voco brand in Austria. Located alongside the Drau river the city centre hotel features 130 rooms and five suites, as well as Lagana restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace. The Voco brand launched in 2018 and since has dozens of Voco properties open worldwide with five located in the UK. Read more
Hotel Indigo opens in Bath
With the launch of Hotel Indigo Bath, IHG is expanding its boutique footprint further. The 166-room hotel is housed within a Georgian terrace building listed as Grade I and had five styles of rooms that reflect the Bath neighbourhood around it. The property also features The Elder restaurant that offers authentic British cooking with a focus on sustainability, seasonality and locally-based produce. Read more
Travelodge Protect+
Travelodge number one priority is the safety and security of its customers and employees. The TravelProtect+ is a programme of cleaning and social distancing measures, designed to keep everyone safe. All Travelodge’s around the UK will be adopting the measures in line with Government guidance. Read more