9 SEPTEMBER 2013
- COMMENT: BA - 24 hour airline
- 19th World Route Development Forum
- 787 for Aeromexico
- Airbus wins Delta
- Airport codes
- American Express survey
- Aviation Club update
- British Airways summer 2014
- Business Aircraft Europe
- Cambridge goes to Europe
- Dublin transatlantic record
- Düsseldorf from London City
- easyJet launches inclusive fares
- Gatwick’s new website
- Global Travel Marketing Forum
- Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi
- Oktoberfest for Lufthansa
- Ryanair downgrades
- Stockholm for Emirates
- Thomas Cook ‘Trip Tips’
- World airports 2012
- ON TOUR: Dutch treat
- AND FINALLY: Last of the summer wine
© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.
Airbus wins Delta
Delta Air Lines has announced plans to purchase 40 Airbus aircraft for delivery between 2015 and 2017. The order, which comprises 10 international widebody A330-300 and 30 domestic narrow-bodied A321 jets, is the latest step in Delta’s fleet renewal programme. It is the first time that the airline has ordered Airbus aircraft for 20 years.
Aviation Club update
London’s highly successful Aviation Club of the United Kingdom kicks off its winter season at the Institute of Directors next week (Wednesday 18 September). The speaker will not be Pratt & Whitney’s President, Todd Kallman, who is retiring this month. Rick Deurloo, Pratt & Whitney’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing worldwide, a 15-year P & W veteran is replacing Todd as speaker.
Cambridge goes to Europe
Last Monday Darwin Airline opened a base at Cambridge Airport operating 50 flights per week to and from Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Geneva. It is the first time that Cambridge Airport has offered scheduled services for some years, and is an ambitious programme. It is a major executive jet airport and the home of Marshall Aerospace.
Düsseldorf from London City
Booming London City Airport has now added a thee times a day British Airways Düsseldorf service to its impressive list of European destinations (plus New York). Flights are operated by a 50-seat Saab 2000 aircraft.
Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi
The former Rocco Forte 281-room Abu Dhabi Al Maqta has reopened as the Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi following a refurbishment and rebranding programme.
19th World Route Development Forum
Commonly known as “Routes” the 19th World Route Development Forum takes place in Las Vegas 5-8 October, co-hosted by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Airport codes
If you get your website right in the first place there is little need to modify, certainly just for the sake of it. BTN does not normally cover new/revised web sites and now we have two in one issue. (see Gatwick’s new website in this issue).
British Airways summer 2014
In March 2014 British Airways is to become the first airline to offer non-stop flights from Heathrow to Austin, Texas. Introduced with five flights a week it moves to daily flights on 5 May, the airline’s brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner with its three-cabin layout will serve the route to the Texan capital.
Dublin transatlantic record
Transatlantic traffic at Dublin Airport will set a new record this year with more than 1.8m passengers expected to travel on flights between North America and Dublin during 2013.
Gatwick’s new website
Business Travel News does not normally comment on new/revised websites but in the case of Gatwick Airport’s latest offering it has a remarkably different look and feel from the pervious offering, and it is promoting the UK’s second largest airport. (see Airport codes in this issue)
Oktoberfest for Lufthansa
Lufthansa is taking off during the Oktoberfest again with a special crew in traditional Bavarian dress. Flights from Munich to New York, Chicago and Tokyo will experience “Oktoberfest on board”.
This year a Lufthansa crew wearing traditional Bavarian dress will once again take off from Munich during the annual Oktoberfest beer festival, bringing with them a touch of local colour to selected long haul destinations served from the city.
Stockholm for Emirates
Emirates has started a daily non-stop service from Dubai to Stockholm.
A Boeing 777-200LR aircraft will operate the route with eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class, and for 216 customers in Economy Class. Flight time is 6hrs 30mins.
Thomas Cook ‘Trip Tips’
An airline as well as the world’s oldest travel firm, Thomas Cook has introduced what it calls ‘Trip Tips’. It might be a little late for summer 2013 but in truth its recommendations are for all year round and affect both those travelling for leisure and business. It is claimed to help holidaymakers plan their perfect holiday from booking advice and cost saving recommendations, to the latest mobile travel apps to download – and even advice on how to look after your pets while on holiday.
World airports 2012
Airport Council International (ACI) has published its 2102 world annual traffic report providing coverage of airport traffic statistics, thematic areas including passengers, cargo (freight and mail) and aircraft movements. With comprehensive data coverage from more than 1,500 airports in over 150 countries worldwide, ACI's flagship publication remains the authoritative source and industry reference for airport data, indicators and rankings.
The world's airports served more than 5.7bn passengers in 2012, growing by 4.4% from 2011.
ON TOUR: Dutch treat
John Burke, a former Reuters staff man and a Dutch-speaker, used to cover the Amsterdam bourse for the Investors Chronicle, and has written many travel articles about the Netherlands. This is an overview.
AND FINALLY: Last of the summer wine
Over the last few weeks Business Travel News has focussed on holiday tales with AND FINALLY.
This is the last of them and in a way wraps up the series.
787 for Aeromexico
Aeromexico has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. It has a further seven on order and a further six of the larger Dash 9 version.
The airline plans to introduce this on routes that are currently flown by Boeing 767s, including Heathrow where it has a three times per week service. (BTN 7 January)
American Express survey
Travel experts American Express released its findings after analysing the habits of 1,500 business travellers.
Business Aircraft Europe
London’s Biggin Hill Airport is set to host the 2013 Business Aircraft Europe (BAE) exhibition over two days on this coming Wednesday and Thursday, 11 and 12 September.
easyJet launches inclusive fares
Corporate passengers and travel bookers looking for easy, one-step transactions will be pleased to learn that easyJet is making life easier as it targets the business travel market. A new inclusive fare, combining various options, has been introduced for the GDS (global distribution system) and other booking alternatives connected to the easyJet API (advanced passenger information) and is expected to help the airline gain a larger slice of the corporate travel market.
Global Travel Marketing Forum
Now in its second year, The Global Travel Marketing Forum will draw on the experience of a diverse range of speakers to debate the latest trends and issues. A compelling line-up of speakers include Martin Craigs, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association; Dan Cross, Middle East Head, TripAdvisor; and Walid Driss, Middle East & North Africa, Facebook.
Ryanair downgrades
Smarting from its continued Aer Lingus rebuff by both UK and European administrators, and with the ‘world’s most annoying airline’ status, Ryanair is now having problems with its yield per passenger, just when things are positive for other carriers. In contrast last week easyJet told investors that passenger numbers had increased by 3.9% in August and load factor by 1.1%.