Corporate Travel News - August 2025

 

Airline updates

British Airways expands short-haul network

British Airways is expanding its short-haul network by launching new routes to Rabat, Morocco, and Graz in Austria, all operated by BA Euroflyer from London Gatwick beginning this winter season. BA Cityflyer will also introduce 11 weekly flights from London City Airport to Madrid from 1 December 2025. Read more

 

 

Emirates introduces retrofitted Boeing 777 on Madrid service

Emirates will begin operating its newly refurbished four-class Boeing 777 on the Dubai-Madrid route from 16 September 2025. Upgrades will feature a refurbished First Class cabin; lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout; and a Premium Economy cabin with cream leather seating, increased legroom, and a deeper seat recline. Read more

 

 

Qatar resumes direct services from Doha to Malta

Qatar Airways has resumed direct flights between Doha and Malta, with four weekly services through Hamad International Airport to Malta International Airport. Currently the only airline in the Middle East with non-stop services to and from Malta, its new flights are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Read more

 

 

SWISS unveils new premium cabin concept, Swiss Senses

Swiss has announced the arrival of Swiss Senses, its new premium cabin concept, which will debut on its Airbus A350-900s in October. Upgrades include lie-flat beds up to 2.2 metres long in the Business cabin, and private suites with sliding doors and a personal wardrobe in Swiss First. Read more

 

 

Etihad expands EMEA network with 7 new destinations

Etihad Airways has announced 7 new flight destinations across EMEA, including Medina, Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Tbilisi, Tashkent and Yerevan. With 27 new routes announced or launched in 2025, Etihad marks a record year of growth, reinforcing its commitment to developing Abu Dhabi as a premier travel hub. Read more

 

 

Hotel updates

NYX Hotel Efurt opens doors to guests following rebrand

Leonardo Hotels Central Europe has acquired the Radisson Blu Hotel in Erfurt’s old quarter, rebranding it as NYX Hotel Erfurt. The 284-room property, including 31 suites, a 17th-floor restaurant and spa, and 13 meeting rooms, bolsters Leonardo’s dynamic East Germany expansion and caters to business and leisure travellers alike. Read more

 

 

Leonardo Hotels acquires two properties to combine into Leonardo Hannover Medical Park

On July 1, Leonardo Hotels acquired two Essendi properties to form the Leonardo Hannover Medical Park, marking its third Hanover location and adding to its regional hotel and conferencing portfolio. Directly in the heart of the Hannover Medical Park, the 208-room hotel will serve business, event, and international guests with modern accommodations, dining options, and flexible conference facilities. Read more

 

 

RBH appointed to operate three luxury properties in the heart of Edinburgh

Two of the three properties feature in Marriott International’s Distinctive Premium and Luxury portfolio. Old Town Chambers will rebrand as an Autograph Collection property while The Edinburgh Grand will transition to a Luxury Collection hotel. The third property is Abbey Strand Apartments – nine luxury, open plan, one and two-bedroom services apartments located steps away from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Read more

 

 

Hilton signs first Waldorf Astoria in Finland and the Nordics

Hilton has signed a management agreement with M&L Group to rebrand The Hotel Maria in Helsinki as the first Waldorf Astoria in Finland and the Nordics. Based in the historic Kruununhaka district, this property will feature signature dining, a bar, fitness studio, and a Nordic wellness spa with a traditional Finnish sauna. Read more

 

 

Hungary’s first Radisson Collection hotel opens near St. Stephen’s Basilica

Radisson Collection has launched its first hotel in Hungary with a boutique-style property near St. Stephen’s Basilica. Set in a renovated neoclassical building, the hotel offers 71 unique rooms and suites, two private boardrooms, and three distinct dining venues including a rooftop with Japanese–Peruvian fusion cuisine. Read more

 

 

Hilton to open 10th Curio Collection hotel in the UK, The Derby London City

Hilton and leading real estate developer, Dominus, have signed a franchise agreement to convert a former office building on Great Tower Street into The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton. Opening in early 2026 as the brand’s tenth UK property, the hotel will offer landmark-view suites, an all-day restaurant and bar, a gym and flexible meeting spaces – perfect for business travellers. Read more

 

Ground updates

Eurostar to bolster London-Amsterdam services

Eurostar will boost its direct London–Amsterdam service to five daily trains from December 2025 in response to rising demand, following the reopening of the UK terminal at Amsterdam Centraal. This expansion will significantly increase passenger capacity and offer more flexibility for both leisure and business travellers. Read more

 

 

Blacklane adds Rolls-Royce as a new Platinum Class option in Dubai

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II cars are now available for both pre-booked journeys, including airport transfers, and immediate hailing from select locations in Dubai initially. The vehicles will be driven by new Platinum Class chauffeurs, who have completed bespoke training at the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy in Dubai to bring the highest standards of service to guests. Read more