Corporate Travel News - March 2024

Airport updates

Abu Dhabi International Airport renamed to Zayed International Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport now has now been renamed to Zayed International Airport. The new name honours UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

 

 

Mobile passport control introduced for passengers departing from Dublin to the US

Travellers flying from Dublin airport to the US can now use The Mobile Passport Control (MCP) app to submit travel documents, photos, and customs declaration information ahead of their trip, instead of filling out paper forms. Dublin and Shannon airports are among 15 other preclearance locations in six countries across the globe.

Airline updates

British Airways introduces new maintenance prediction tech to reduce delays and save 900,000+ pieces of paper per year

The new, cutting-edge system uses real-time data to predict aircraft maintenance issues for the airline’s 270 jets, allowing engineers to immediately identify potential problems and proactively fix them to reduce downtime. The entirely automated process replaces a costly and time-consuming paper-based system and makes it much easier for pilots and cabin crew to log issues, using specialist iPads placed on every aircraft so that data can be immediately transferred from aircraft to engineers within seconds. Read more

 

Emirates becomes first international airline to join The Solent Cluster, an initiative focused on low carbon investments

The Solent Cluster aims to reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households on the South Coast of England, it has the potential to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant with an estimated fuel production capacity of 200,000 tonnes (200 kt) per year. If approved, it could be operational in 2032. Read more

 

 

British Airways unveils new routes from Edinburgh Airport and London’s Heathrow and Gatwick

From London Heathrow, BA will launch daily flights to Abu Dhabi on 20th April and flights to Izmir, Turkey on 18th May. From London Gatwick, Agadir, Morocco will be reinstated as a service after more than a decade. With British Airways returning to London Stansted for the first time since the pandemic, weekend services to Florence, Ibiza and Nice will begin on 18th May. New routes from Edinburgh Airport include San Sebastian, Span and Olbia, Sardinia launching on 25th May.

 

Etihad Airways partners with Giorgio Armani and ESPA for new amenity kits and loungewear

The new range will be rolled out gradually from the end of February. Economy guests on flights lasting more than 6 hours will receive a tote bag full of inflight essentials, with each bag being made from a recycled 500ml PET bottle. Business class guests will receive unisex Giorgio Armani amenity kits featuring luxury ESPA skincare products including a lip treatment, hydrating face mist, hand and body lotion. Passengers in first class and ‘The Residence’ (Etihad’s three-room private suite), will receive a large Giorgio Armani and Etihad branded folio bag filled with ESPA products plus anti-wrinkle loungewear inspired by the Abu Dhabi skyline.

 

$200 million milestone reached for The United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund

Thanks to the addition of new corporate partners including Embraer and Google, the sustainable flight fund now exceeds $200 million. Launched in February 2023, the fund’s objective is to reduce emissions and drive production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through investments in start-ups.  A year on, it remains aviation’s first and only venture fund backed by a broad limited partner base, created to identify and support start-ups advancing feedstock and technology development focused on increasing SAF supply. Read more

 

Etihad enhances fleet with three new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s

The two-class aircraft begun operations in February, equipped with Etihad’s new cabin interior featuring 32 Business Suites and 271 economy seats (54 with extra legroom). All business class seats include direct aisle access, Business Suites have fully-flat beds, and economy passengers benefit from 13.3-inch 4k touchscreen monitors and the option to phones and tablets to use as a remote control. The aircraft also have high-speed Wi-Fi as well as live TV including news and sports channels.

 

Lufthansa Group announces first destinations for City Airlines subsidiary

This summer the Lufthansa Group’s City Airlines subsidiary will begin operations from Munich, servicing Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hanover, Birmingham, Bordeaux and Manchester. There are plans for its network to gradually expand across Europe in the future, with 40 Airbus A220-300 aircraft ordered and a further 20 purchase options. Read more

 

Qantas Group takes delivery of first two Airbus A220 jet aircraft to phase out long-serving fleet of Boeing 717s

As part of The Qantas Group’s multi-billion dollar investment pipeline over the next few years, Qantas announces it has now taken delivery of the first two of its order of 29 new Airbus A220 aircraft, which offer the largest windows of any single aisle aircraft, a cabin with a greater sense of space, and more comfortable Economy seating with more padding than the 717. Qantas also plans to accelerate its rollout of fast and free Wi-Fi for all passengers on its fleet of international aircraft with service expected to be switched on from the end of this year. Read more

 

Iberia introduces biometric boarding for flights between Madrid and Barcelona 

Iberia is updating the onboard experience for customers, to create a more sustainable and digital process. The carrier has announced that biometric boarding is now an option for adult passengers travelling between Madrid and Barcelona. Iberia is also launching a ‘Special Celebrations Pack’, which customers can pre-order before their flight to celebrate any special occasion on board.

 

Qatar Airways to resume flights to Lisbon as part of its enhanced 2024 summer schedule with 50 European destinations

From Thursday 6th June, Qatar Airways will operate four weekly flights between Hamad International Airport and Lisbon, using a Boeing B787-8 aircraft. This announcement comes as part of the carrier’s 2024 network expansion of over 170 destinations, including 50 in Europe. Read more

 

 

Air France introduces new gourmet meal boxes for short-haul business class customers
Business class passengers on domestic services departing after 10am will offer signature sandwiches with fillings including smoked paprika chicken and tarragon vegetables, along with classic French sweets and desserts like calisson, canelé and tropézienne.

 

 

KLM to increase frequencies within European network, including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Glasgow and Southampton

This summer between 31 March and 26 October, KLM announces it will operate a daily service to Billund, Denmark and Stavanger. The carrier also plans to continue serving Marseille and will operate a daily service to Nice as it did during the winter season. Frequencies will also increase for destinations including Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Prague, Bologna, Florence, and Genoa. Read more

 

Gulf Air adds additional frequency to Manchester-Bahrain service

Starting 5th July 2024, Gulf Air will increase its frequency from four to five flights per week. The service will now operate between Wednesday and Sunday each week.

 

 

Turkish Airlines increases frequency on Manchester-Istanbul route

Turkish Airlines has announced it will add additional flights on its service between Manchester and Istanbul as a result of growing passenger demand. From 19 May, Turkish Airlines will add an additional four services along the route, adding one extra flight on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The carrier will also operate three more weekly flights between Edinburgh and Istanbul this summer, bringing the total to ten flights per week between the two cities.

 

KLM introduces AI tool to help combat inflight food waste

KLM is now employing AI technology to determine the number of meals that need to be loaded onto any particular flight, taking into account that not everyone who has booked a ticket ends up flying (3%-5% do not show up in time for take-off). The technology uses historical data to predict the number of meals needed up to 17 days in advance, refining this figure until 20 minutes before departure. Read more

 

KLM unveils new Airbus A321neo livery

KLM will take delivery of a new Airbus A321neo in a few months, with Copenhagen, Berlin and Stockholm announced as initial destinations. Its new livery will feature an eye-catching colour scheme including dark blue, KLM’s trademark blue and white swoops. The interiors also offer a greater degree of comfort for passengers, with the A321neo’s wider seats, larger tray tables, and spacious luggage bins. Read more

 

Gulf Air announces additional destinations for summer schedule

Geneva, Switzerland and Rhodes, Greece will be added to Gulf Air’s network this summer, operating between June and September. The carrier will also resume services to Malaga, Spain and Mykonos, Greece. Geneva will be serviced using an A321neo, Rhodes and Mykonos using an Airbus A320neo, and Malaga using a Boeing B787-9 aircraft.

 

 

Iberia rolls out new set of sustainable amenity kits for business and premium economy customers flying long-haul

The toiletry bags include natural and vegan cosmetic products made with the surplus grapes from wines served onboard Iberia flights, and packaging crafted from sugar cane. Producing the bags themselves involved the recycling of 7.5 million 550ml plastic bottles, saving 1.2 million litres of water and reducing energy emissions by 70%.

 

 

Gulf Air to increase flights to Manchester, Rome and Milan from 5th July

Gulf Air has announced that it add an additional flight to its Manchester service operated on a Boeing B787-9, to operate five times per week from 5th July. Flights to Rome via Milan will double from three to six times per week, and direct flights to Milan will boost from seven to 10 weekly flights, both using an A321neo.

Hotel updates

Travelodge completes upgrades of three more hotels in line with new premium look and feel

London Finsbury Park, York Layerthorpe and Cambridge Orchard Park are the latest Travelodge properties to complete their upgrades completed this year. New features include a refreshed style for reception areas, next-generation rooms with bedside charging ports and blackout curtains, and renovated Bar Cafes. Sustainability has been a core focus throughout the revamp, with low-energy lighting being installed with motion sensor controls throughout, and new aerated showers and taps to help conserve water usage. The brand estimates that by the end of this year, 50% of its planned upgrades will be complete.

 

Millennium Hotels & Resorts receives Green Tourism accreditation across UK portfolio

Nine properties, including The Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa and Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington were awarded a silver accreditation while the remaining nine were awarded bronze. The certification highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices, including its Millennium Green Meetings initiative which focuses on sustainable conferencing, eliminating single-use plastics, paperless events, digital signage and the use of glass or reusable water bottles.

 

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts debuts Ramada Encore property in Munich, Germany

The former Bento Inn Munich Messe Hotel has now been reflagged as the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Munich Messe, opening with 366 rooms as the brand’s largest European property. The hotel is within walking distance of the Munich Trade Fair Centre, which is a beneficial base for business travellers working within the area or attending tradeshows and events. Guests also benefit from an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, car parking facilities, and close proximity to the Riem Arcadem shopping centre.

 

Millennium Hotels & Resorts opens doors to The Biltmore Hotel Villas in Dubai

Featuring 20 luxury five-star hotel villas located nearby the Mall of the Emirates, this is Millennium’s first Biltmore Hotel Villas project in the world. Every villa has its own private swimming pool, terrace, spa bath, cinema room, and private parking garage in the basement. Alongside 24/7 security, room service, and premium concierge services, there’s also the open to request a dedicated butler and private chef. Guests can enjoy dining at two onsite restaurants, including Brasserie which overlooks a courtyard and water feature, and all-day dining venue The Alps.

 

Hilton opens new Hampton by Hilton London Old Street, in East London

The 109-room hotel is located on the doorstep of Shoreditch, a five-minute walk from Old Street Station for easy connection to the London Underground and National Rail services. Amenities include flexible social spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, a hot breakfast, and a 24/7 fitness centre. Read more

 

 

Radisson Hotel Group opens first Radisson RED hotel in Southeast Europe

Radisson RED Belgrade has opened its doors following an extensive refurbishment and rebranding. Located on Takovska Street near the House of the National Assembly, the hotel features 88 accommodation units (including three apartments), coworking spaces and meeting rooms, a restaurant, spacious fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, and bar with city-wide views. Guests can enjoy a more seamless guest experience by making use of the hotel’s digital innovations, like the self-check-in terminals or the hotel’s app to access the rooms, control the room’s features, and order food and drinks. Read more

 

Hilton to debut Home2 Suites in the centre of Dublin

Home2 Suites by Hilton Dublin City Centre will open conveniently closely to the headquarters of Google and Facebook, with 290 rooms including 214 king studio suites and 76 one-bedroom suites. It will feature trademark amenities for the Home2 Suites brand including complimentary breakfasts, a self-service market with food, drinks and other essentials, an innovative integrated fitness and laundry room, and a multi-functional community space. Read more