Corporate Travel News: April 2023

Travel updates

UK passport delay warning

During this time more than 1,000 Passport Office workers will go on strike for five weeks, starting 3 April to 5 May 2023. The union has warned of delays to applications and the delivery of passports in the run-up to summer.

London City Airport scraps 100ml liquid rule after introducing CT scanners

London City Airport (LCY) has axed the 100ml liquid limit for hand luggage thanks to the rollout of high-tech new computed tomography scanners — beating the 2024 deadline set by the United Kingdom government. Teesside is also using new technology, meaning passengers there do not need to remove liquids, tablets, laptops and other electronic items from their hand luggage for security checks. By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.

Japan introduces a new e-visa programme for non-exempted visa nationals

The government of Japan has introduced a new e-visa programme for non-exempted visa nationals who reside in Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudia Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Air updates

Etihad Airlines returns to East India, Kolkata

Etihad Airlines has restarted its daily flights into Kolkata, with a total of seven weekly nonstop services. The flights will be operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft, offering guests eight business class seats and 150 in Economy. Read more

Qatar Airways to relaunch Doha to Birmingham this summer

Qatar Airways has announced that its daily Doha to Birmingham service will resume on 6 July 2023, for the first time since the onset of Covid-19. This follows the airline’s March announcement which revealed that seven new routes will be launched this year, as well as the renewal of flights to 10 other destinations.

jetBlue introduces new flights to London Heathrow

From 25 March, jetBlue has introduced a new morning departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport to London Heathrow. The latest addition means there are now three daily flights to and from London Heathrow from which are two daily flights to New York and one daily to Boston.

Etihad Airways completes inaugural flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport

Etihad Airways began its first flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport. The inaugural flight operated using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 2023 also marks the 15^th anniversary of Etihad Airways’ service in China and its Abu Dhabi-Beijing route. Read more

Amsterdam Schiphol to trial self-driving buses

Amsterdam Schiphol is to trial the use of self-driving buses on the airport’s apron this spring. Jan Zekveld, head of innovation at Royal Schiphol Group, said that the airport needed to innovate in order to achieve its ambition of becoming the world’s most sustainable airport. Ground-based activities such as baggage transport, passenger transport and aircraft towing will not only be clean but also smart and autonomous.

Etihad Airways goes daily to Toronto

From 30 May 2023, Etihad Airways introduces additional weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Toronto on top of its current six-per-week schedule.

Delta relaunches nonstop flights between London and Los Angeles

Delta Airlines has relaunched its daily nonstop flights between London Heathrow and Los Angeles for the first time since 2015. The service is operated by the carriers A330-900neo, which features the Delta One suite with private sliding doors and fully flat beds. The resumed service is now one of eight direct routes from Heathrow to the US.

British Airways becomes the first airline in the UK to launch a visual guide to flying

To mark World Autism Day recently, British Airways (BA) has partnered with Learning Rose an organisation that develops support materials for people with Autism. Through the partnership, BA has become the first airline in the UK to produce a Visual Guide to flying. The guide is designed to help customers prepare for their trip and make them feel as comfortable as possible during their journey. Read more

Japan Airlines extends lounge access

From 28 March 2023, Japan Airlines expanded the paid lounge service for Haneda Airport Sakura Lounge (International) to all international flights departing from Haneda Airport.

Lufthansa opens new lounges at Berlin airport

From 3 April 2023, Lufthansa’s Business Class passengers, status customers and Star Alliance Airline travellers with lounge access can now take advantage of Lufthansa’s new lounge at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Read more

British Airways broadens its Caribbean routes with two new destinations

British Airways operates more routes to the Caribbean and Mexico than any other UK airline, with Aruba and Guyana being its latest additions. To Aruba and Guyana, both flights will operate twice weekly from Gatwick airport. Read more

Finnair increases sustainability initiatives

Finnair is increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel as part of its goal to reduce carbon emissions from flying. The airline has purchased 750 tonnes from its fuel partner Neste for use on flights departing from Helsinki Airport. Read more

Hotel updates

ME by Melia to open in Lisbon, Portugal

Meliá Hotels International is set to open its first hotel in Lisbon under its ME by Meliá brand in 2024. ME Lisbon will include 213 rooms, with facilities for an all-day à la carte restaurant, the brand’s Radio Rooftop Bar, a gym, a spa and a health club including an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and massage cabins. The hotel will offer more than 600 sqm of space for meetings and events across 11 flexible and adaptable rooms. Sustainable technology will also be incorporated into the property to minimise its environmental footprint.

Arts Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opens

Arts Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has opened its doors in the historic centre of Porto, offering 53 rooms of high comfort and elegance, ideal to enjoy the historical centre of Porto in serenity. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar and an interior patio, surrounded by a lush garden and esplanade, where guests can enjoy Mediterranean-influenced cuisine.

London Hilton on Park Lane begins refurbishment

London Hilton on Park Lane has begun a multimillion-pound top-to-bottom renovation coinciding with its 60^th anniversary. Set to be completed by September 2023. The rooms and suites will feature panoramic views of London and Hyde Park.

Manchester, UK will be the first city to charge a tourist tax

Tourists visiting Manchester, England will have to pay a daily fee as part of a new ‘visitor charge’. The hope is that the daily charge will help build up the local infrastructure. Only hotels inside the city’s inner ring road will be included.