Corporate Travel News - July 2023

Visa & Entry updates

Brazil drops Covid-19 restrictions, travellers no longer required to prove vaccination or recovery
Almost three years after the beginning of the pandemic, Brazil has removed all its remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions. Now, passengers travelling to the country do not need evidence of vaccination, recovery from the virus, or a negative PCR or antigen test.

Saudi rolls out new instant e-visa options and hopes to reach 100 million annual visit goal by 2030
The new options will make it easier than ever for UK, US, and Schengen visa holders and permanent residents of UK, US, and EU countries to gain tourist e-visas to Saudi and “experience the authentic home of Arabia”.

Airport updates

London Heathrow’s summer strike action cancelled

The 29 planned days of walkouts throughout June, July and August have been cancelled. Around 2,000 security staff were expected the participate in the strikes, which would have affected passengers at Terminal 3.

 

 

Edinburgh Airport reopens pickup and dropoff zones

Following a £1.6 million transformation, Edinburgh Airport reopens its charged pickup and dropoff zone. The facility has been upgraded with the whole ground floor of the multi-storey car park to include a one-way system spread across four lanes, providing a streamlined process with more space.

Airline updates

Air Canada completes first nonstop Montreal-Amsterdam flight using SAF

Air Canada launched the second of its Amsterdam to Canada routes on 3^rd June, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The five-times weekly service will run until 15 October 2023. Read more

 

 

United launches new first-of-its-kind app features to enhance traveller experience

The app’s home screen will automatically update with options when a flight is delayed for 60+ minutes or cancelled, customers also can check flight statuses and see if they’ve been rebooked onto another flight and connect to a United customer service agent directly. Customers can track their bags and receive/view eligible hotel, meal and/or rideshare vouchers too. Read more

 

Emirates’ first flight takes off to Montréal

The new daily service to Montréal complements Emirates’ seven weekly services to Toronto and takes the airline’s North American network to 14 destinations. Emirates will operate its three-class Boeing 777-300ER, featuring eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and over 300 spacious seats in Economy Class. Read more

 

Air Canada launches new flights from Montréal to Toulouse and Copenhagen

Air Canada’s new non-stop flights to Toulouse will operate all year round, while the seasonal Copenhagen service will run throughout the summer – both with five flights per week. Read more

 

Delta to develop new prototype seat for wheelchair users

Delta Airlines unveiled the prototype at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Germany. Although it still requires 18 more months of development, the seat would allow passengers to bring powered wheelchairs into the cabin to use them throughout the flight.

 

 

Emirates launches new closed-loop recycling initiative to reduce plastic waste

Millions of plastic trays, bowls, snack and casserole dishes will be recycled locally and remade into new ready-to-use meal service products “potentially containing around 25% of reused material”, though this proportion is expected to grow over time. Read more

 

Qatar Airways expands its network in France

The airline touched down for the first time in Lyon, France. The new direct service will operate on the Boeing 787-8 which features 22 Business Class seats and 232 Economy Class seats and will run four weekly flights. Lyon is the third destination in France. Read more

 

 

Etihad Airways launches new flight to Lisbon, Portugal

The airline touched on in Lisbon recently, making the launch of its regular service between Abu Dhabi and Portugal. The new service will operate three times weekly on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering 28 Business Class seats, 262 Economy Class seats, entertainment systems, in-seat power and in-flight Wi-Fi. Read more

Lufthansa’s emissions-offsetting ‘Green Fares’ scheme is a success

The launch was described as successful, with 200,000 guests choosing tickets that include the offsetting of their flight-related CO2 emissions, within the first 100 days. Around 3% of Lufthansa’s customers offset emissions through the carrier, which it hopes to increase to 5% by year-end.  Read more

 

 

Air France reveals new long-haul business class seats

Air France will debut the upgraded seat, which features a fully flat, almost two-metre-long bed, a sliding door, and full aisle access, across 21 new A350 aircraft joining the fleet in July.

 

American Airlines unveils enhanced wifi connectivity and new inflight meals

From July, T-Mobile customers will have complimentary wifi on all regional and narrowbody aircraft, and international passengers can enjoy a faster and more reliable connection. The airline is also adding a plant-based bulgogi noodle bowl, Greek beef orzo stew, Kagiana egg scramble, and more to its menu. Read more

 

 

Delta to launch new daytime flights from New York City to Paris

Beginning early next year, the daily service will depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8:30am and arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 10:00pm local time. A return service will operate the following morning at 9:30am local time.

 

JetBlue launches new nonstop service linking New York and Paris

Paris joins JetBlue’s network as the carrier’s second transatlantic route following the launch of its London service in August 2021. Flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport began on 29 June.

 

 

Etihad increases flight frequency on Abu Dhabi-Rome route

Starting 4 November 2023, Etihad Airways will ramp up its flights between Abu Dhabi and Rome from 7 to 11 times per week. The service will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with 28 seats in Business and 262 in Economy. Read more

 

KLM Group announces plans to reduce night-time noise levels at Amsterdam Schiphol

In April the Dutch government proposed to reduce noise impact levels by limiting night flights and banning private jets and the ‘noisiest’ aircraft. In response, KLM Group will invest €6 to €7 billion in cleaner, quieter, more efficient aircraft, adjust its flight schedules for its quietest aircraft to fly at night, and conduct research into processes for quieter operations.

 

Iberia launches its new economy and premium economy menu for long-haul flights

The new inflight dining service includes a tapas bag of cold cuts, bread sticks and olives, sandwiches, crackers, and cookies on flights over 10 and a half hours. Passengers on shorter flights will be offered Magnum ice creams and cookies on return services. The airline’s Gastrobar products have also been refreshed. Read more

 

KLM introduces new World Business Class seats

The broader seats have a sliding door ensuring greater comfort and privacy. The seats and their fittings are 10-15% lighter than the other business class seats in the market segment, thereby contributing to KLM’s sustainability goals. The entire 777-300 and 200 fleet will be fitted with the new seats and this fleet will also be fitted with the latest Premium Comfort cabin. Read more

Hotel updates

Travelodge opens 11^th Ireland property, dubbed the country’s “largest budget hotel”

The 393-room Dublin City Centre Travelodge PLUS is the second largest hotel in the city centre, it features an open lobby with reception, work, and relaxation zones, plus an all-day dining restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace. 175 of the rooms are SuperRooms, which have upgraded amenities.

 

Hilton announces plans for its first hotel in Ghana

Scheduled to open this December, the 145-room Hilton Accra Cantonments will feature an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, all day dining restaurant and 900sqm of events space. The new-build hotel is located within walking distance of Accra’s US and French embassies. Read more

 

 

Meliá to improve water resource management and consumption with a three-year innovation project

The cutting-edge project aims to develop a digital twin of the water infrastructure in two Meliá hotels in the Canary Islands and Mallorca. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the tool will air with water consumption monitoring while identifying anomalies and improvements. Read more

 

RBH Hospitality Management partners with Too Good To Go, to tackle food waste

RBH has pledged to donate the revenue generated to its charity partner, Mental Health UK, with the partnership launching across all 50 hotels in its portfolio. It’s estimated 150 tonnes of CO2e emissions, as well as a considerable amount of food waste, will be saved as a result. Read more

 

 

Hilton to open its first Curio Collection hotel in Croatia

Keight Hotel Opatija, Curio Collection by Hilton is set to open in 2024 and will feature 54 guest rooms, a rooftop sundeck with a swimming pool and bar, a spa, a 100 square metre multi-purpose meeting space, and 50 parking spaces. Read more

 

 

Dalata Hotel Group Acquires Apex Hotels’ London Wall property for £53.4 million

The existing City of London hotel features four-star facilities, 89 bedrooms and suites, a gym, a ground-floor lobby, and a contemporary restaurant and bar. The prime London location means guests will be just a 10-minute walk from Moorgate, Bank, and Liverpool Street stations. Read more

Ground updates

LNER celebrated Pride month with new named and full-liveried Azuma train

The special livery named ‘Together’, coincides with LNER’s support of this year’s Pride events. LNER announces it will join the Pride parades in York (3 June) and Edinburgh (24 June), and there will be in-station activities in Edinburgh (24 June) and London (1 July). Read more

 

 

CMAC Group acquires business in The Netherlands

The group acquired Airline Service and Accommodation Partners to drive further value for its airline clients across Europe. This is the third acquisition that CMAC Group has made following its purchases of Suntransfers and Coach Hire Comparison. Furthermore, CMAC clients will now have additional reassurance of ground presence for their passengers across The Netherlands. Read more

 

Camden Town Tube station now has 4G and 5G mobile coverage

The new connectivity at Camden Town station means that around 10% of Tube stations with below-ground platforms are now connected. TfL aims to roll out high-speed mobile connectivity to its entire network by the end of 2024, with Mornington Crescent expected to follow this month too.

 

RMT announces three rail strike dates in July

Union members across 14 different train operating companies will strike on 20, 22, and 29 July.