Business Travel News & Views
Welcome to our Business Travel e-newsletter! Your monthly digest of the latest news & developments in the Business Travel World.
July Newsletter : 27
16/07/2009
BA SET TO SCALE BACK BUSINESS CABINS
Business class cabins on British Airways flights look set to be scaled back as the airline admitted the market for premium travel may never recover. Speaking to shareholders at the airline's AGM, chairman Martin Broughton said: "There is evidence that business customers no longer place the same value on the levels of flexibility offered in the highest fare categories. Corporate travel budgets have been cut back severely and consumers are determined to reduce their debt. Providing an outstanding quality premium service will remain fundamental to our business but we must recognise changes in our markets and continue to provide a product that represents excellent value for money.
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EUROSTAR TICKET SALES DOWN
Eurostar ticket sales fell to £342.2 million between January and June 2009, 7% down on the same period in 2008. Traveller numbers also fell, by 6% to 4.34 million. Chief executive Richard Brown said: Despite market conditions, we still have good reason to be optimistic. We are benefiting from the strong Euro and seeing substantial increases in travellers from Belgium, France and the Netherlands, which is also helping the UK economy. As with all businesses in the transport sector, we have long acknowledged that we would face challenging times this year.
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PREMIER INN ADDS 12 HOTELS TO PORTFOLIO
Premier Inn has secured planning permissions for 10 new hotels and deals to take on two more. The 12 hotels will boast 1,562 rooms and create more than 600 jobs when the hotels open between 2010 and 2013. Four London locations have been secured, in Islington, Old Street, Greenwich and Waterloo, other locations include Dalkeith, Edinburgh, Inverness, Preston, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sunbury-on-Thames and Rochester.
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BMI EXTENDS REACH OF CHAUFFEUR SERVICE
Bmi has extended its complimentary Chauffeur Drive service to include UK regional airports. The service is now available to and from Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Manchester airports in addition to London Heathrow. It is available for customers travelling on fully-flexible fares. Up to four transfers can be taken per return flight with the service available at both ends of the route.
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CHOICE DITCHES HOTELS AS BRAND STANDARDS ARE ELEVATED
Choice Hotels has ditched around 30% of its UK hotels after deciding to raise its brand standards. The franchise group has ended a management contract with the Real Hotel Company in order to take back control of its Clarion, Quality and Comfort brands. Now left with 48 properties in the UK, it has introduced upgraded bedding including duvets, free high-speed Internet access or Wi-Fi, and a consistent breakfast offering.
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SIA PUTS A380 ON ANOTHER ROUTE
Singapore Airlines launches flights between Singapore and Melbourne on its A380 from September 29. Melbourne will be the second city in Australia and sixth city in the airline's network to receive the A380, after Sydney. The A380 flights will replace an existing daily Boeing 747-400 service to Melbourne. SQ227 will depart Singapore Changi at 2100hrs and arrive Melbourne at 0610hrs the next day. SQ228 will depart Melbourne at 1550hrs and touch down in Singapore at 2140hrs.
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