Global Travel Management | Business Travel Specialists

Delta revamps Premium Select

22, September 2022/in News /by Dave

Delta Air Lines is introducing an improved “premium economy” experience.

Customers flying in Delta Premium Select, available on all trans-Pacific and most trans-Atlantic flights, will soon be treated to a refreshed and improved cabin experience, complementing the spacious seat design Delta’s Premium Select passengers already know.

*Improved: Delta Premium Select passengers will soon be treated to a refreshed and improved cabin experience.*

The new Delta Premium Select cabin features locally-inspired dining, premium hand-crafted amenities and more dedicated service touchpoints – while also driving social impact through the airline’s expanded Someone Somewhere partnership.

Mauricio Parise, Delta’s Vice President of Brand Experience said,

Delta Premium Select sits at the intersection of luxury and practicality – giving customers the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat and premium experience at a lower price point compared to our Delta One cabin. We continue to debut premium products designed for the future of travel, with differentiated offerings that give our customers the experiences they crave.

Delta Premium Select customers will enjoy an elevated dining experience that offers more options infused with local flavors.

Mike Henny, Delta’s Managing Director of Onboard Service said,

At Delta, we know a good meal can make a great experience on Delta flights even better. When designing our Delta Premium Select menu, we reimagined our food and beverage offerings from scratch, and we’re excited to launch delicious new offerings that also highlight our premium service and culture of innovation.

*Elevated experience: Delta Premium Select customers will enjoy an elevated dining experience that offers more options infused with local flavours.*

In the past year, Delta has revamped its onboard dining experience to create a “people-first and values-led foundation”, including seasonal menus, more plant-based meals, local sourcing and new partnerships with small businesses, diverse partners and suppliers from across the globe.

Delta Premium Select menu options will include meals like braised beef short rib with fingerling potatoes and dijon green peppercorn jus; Impossible™ Meatballs with polenta, pomodorini sauce and broccolini; honey harissa chicken thighs with jollof rice and stewed greens; and for dessert, mango mousse with mango passion fruit compote.

Delta Premium Select customers will be served their main courses on bagasse plates made from sugarcane plant fiber, with linen tableware and napkins, silver flatware and glassware. And they’ll enjoy more dedicated service touchpoints throughout their flight, like a special ‘bubbles and bites’ moment, with sparkling wine, water and a special treat shortly after takeoff, as well as a premium snack basket.

From October 2022, Delta will phase in new handmade amenity kits by Someone Somewhere featuring Grown Alchemist travel essentials and other premium essentials that make the journey more enjoyable.

*Premium: Beginning in October, Delta will phase in new handmade amenity kits by Someone Somewhere featuring Grown Alchemist travel essentials and other premium items.*

The new Delta Premium Select amenity kits will come in three new designs that Someone Somewhere artisans created exclusively for Delta.

Special for the month of October, select Delta flights leaving the US will feature a pink kit to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month as part of Delta’s longstanding effort to support breast cancer awareness, research and education.

Customers will also enjoy specially-curated, natural skincare products by Grown Alchemist, a leading force in clean beauty. Customers can keep hydrated with vanilla watermelon lip balm, found in their kits, and refresh with a vanilla and orange peel oshibori hand towel, which will be handed out before the first meal.

Other premium amenities, including a memory-foam pillow, noise-cancelling headsets and plush blankets made from recycled materials, are also designed to make the in-flight experience more comfortable and relaxing.

Spectacular new gourmet dishes in Air France lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle

20, September 2022/in News /by Dave

Air France is offering new culinary delights in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

The Ducasse Paris teams have developed new dishes to be enjoyed in the long-haul lounges in terminal 2E. For the short and medium-haul lounge in Terminal 2F, Servair corporate chef François Adamski, Bocuse d’Or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), has teamed up with the young and talented chef Chloé Charles to create gourmet dishes with a summer flavour.

Ducasse Paris in the long-haul lounges

In the long-haul lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle located in terminal 2E, halls K, L and M, customers can now enjoy the new “Burgal” signed by Ducasse Paris, a fully veggie and healthy alternative to the traditional hamburger made from locally produced French cereals and vegetables. It is composed of a vegan brioche bun, a vegetable and legume patty, a spicy vegan mayonnaise with pickles and an aubergine caviar condiment, and the recipe is compatible with all dietary needs.

Ducasse Paris also offers a salad and a signature condiment featuring unrefined produce and seasonings with no added fat or sugar. For dessert, a chocolate praline finger from the Manufacture Ducasse is offered, prepared exclusively for the company’s customers.

François Adamski and Chloé Charles in the short and medium-haul lounge at terminal 2F

In the short and medium-haul lounge in terminal 2F, Air France has teamed up with Servair corporate chef François Adamski, an undisputed emblematic name in French cuisine (winner of the Bocuse d’or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France), and the young and talented chef Chloé Charles at the forefront of responsible catering. Through this alliance, Air France is both illustrating its determination to take inspiration from the very roots of French haute cuisine, which it has supported since the company’s beginnings, and its ambition to promote the promising young talent behind today’s inventive cuisine with a view to transferring and sharing know-how. The two chefs are presenting new hot dishes, including a vegetarian offer, which will be unveiled progressively over the coming months for lunch or dinner.

Chloé Charles (left) *and* François Adamski

On the menu in September 2022 –

Smoked shrimp, tangy sauce and seasonal vegetables by François Adamski;
Shoulder of lamb with spices, reduced juice, semolina with candied vegetables by François Adamski;
Camargue rice sautéed and flavoured with West Indian spices and spring vegetable brunoise by Chloé Charles.

Before a flight or while waiting for a connecting flight, Air France welcomes its Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers in spacious and quiet lounges where they can relax and rest, eat or work in peace. In these privileged spaces, gastronomy is in the spotlight with a rich and varied catering offer, highlighting French cuisine. The culinary offer available in the lounges changes throughout the day.

In the spirit of French bistros, a large choice of hot and cold dishes is available at all times, with cocktails, simmered casseroles, pancakes for breakfast, etc.

Special culinary events are regularly organised.

A wine and champagne list presented by Paolo Basso, world’s best sommelier in 2013, is also available in the lounges.

A more responsible catering offer

Since 1 June, 2022 in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle – and by the end of 2022 on all its flights departing from Paris – Air France has committed to offering 100% French meat, dairy products and eggs, bread and pastries, as well as fish from sustainable fisheries. The airline offers a selection of fresh, local and seasonal products. A vegetarian offer is also available.

The company is also committed to recycling and eliminating 90% of single-use plastic on board its aircraft by early 2023. It also pays particular attention to the selective sorting and recycling of catering items. In accordance with French regulations, it also provides its customers with water fountains in its lounges to limit the consumption of single-use plastic.

Hans across the water…

2, September 2022/in News /by Dave

Hans Airways has performed its formal ‘route proving flight’ over the North Atlantic for the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) aboard its newly re-registered Airbus A330-200, G-KJAS.

The proving flight on 31 August was a special occasion for Global Travel Management, as Director Natalie Pawley was among the guests on board, brother of the flight’s pilot, Captain Nathan Burkitt.

Two sets of flight and cabin crew, led by COO Captain Nathan Burkitt and Neeru Prabhakar, Manager – Cabin Safety and Service, operated the flight, whilst Simon Prower, Director of Ground Operations, focused on dispatch and logistics, with ground handling managed by Swissport.

With more than 100 guests on board, flight time was a little over two hours, flying along the west coast towards the North Atlantic and back to Birmingham Airport.

The previous day, 30 August, CEO and founder of Hans Airways, Satnam Saini proudly welcomed 55 guests made up of family, friends and airline partners, for a familiarisation test flight replicating a full-service offering. The A330, still a white aircraft, took off from Birmingham and made landings at Glasgow Prestwick, Doncaster, and then back to Prestwick, before returning to Birmingham Airport.

On the first leg, to Prestwick, he was joined by Senior Captain Graham Ness – one of the first pilots to join the company.

CEO Satnam Saini thanked STS Aviation Services at Birmingham Airport for working swiftly and enthusiastically over weekends to ready the aircraft for first flight – and praised all his team – who have, collectively, “contributed so much to making this day happen, a culmination of four years’ planning and shaping.“

Hans Airways performed its formal route proving flight for the CAA on 31 August.

The route proving flight for the CAA is the penultimate regulatory milestone in being able to start commercial revenue operations. On the award of its UK Air Operator’s Certificate, Hans Airways will apply to India’s equivalent regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its licence to fly from India.

Hans Airways has ambitions to be the UK’s third long-haul scheduled carrier, operating a hybrid, affordable, full-service model. The airline intends to make Amritsar in Northern India its first destination from Birmingham Airport, and expects to be able to start flying in October 2022, (subject to licence approval).

Martin Dunn, Chief Commercial Officer said

This week was a very significant one in the Hans Airways’ journey. We are now really looking forward to pro-active engagement with the travel trade community.

The company is currently recruiting and looking to add 20 more cabin crew from its Birmingham, UK base.

Honour: Satnam Saini, CEO of Hans Airways (left), Natalie Pawley, Director of Global Travel Management (centre) and Captain Birkett, who stated ‘it is my honour and privilege to take the controls on our first A330 flight’.

*Comfort: Natalie Pawley tried out the Economy Plus cabin facilities on board and later confirmed ‘they are among the very best premium economy seats’*

*Blank canvas: Hans Airways’ test flights were operated by the carrier’s newly re-registered Airbus 330-200, ‘G-KJAS’*

*Friendly welcome: CEO Satnam Saini greeted every guest onboard Hans Airways’ proving flights and was delighted that the experience was a positive one for every passenger.*

British Airways September Sale

1, September 2022/in News /by Dave

British Airways and British Airways Holidays have launched their September sale, with reductions made across a range of flights and holidays all the way into the summer of 2023.

Running until 20 September 2022, the sale offers discounts on travel across the globe, from Europe city-breaks to far-flung Caribbean getaways and 2022 winter sun trips to 2023 holidays-of-a-lifetime.

Return British Airways flights available include Heathrow to Dubai from £399, Gatwick to New York from £308, Heathrow to Miami from £339 and Heathrow to San Francisco from £397.

Those looking for far-flung holiday packages (flight + hotel) with British Airways Holidays can enjoy seven-night stays in Orlando from £429pp, the Caribbean from £599pp and the Indian Ocean from £919pp. Those in the market for a mini-break can jet off on three-night trips to Dubai from £439pp or New York from £449pp. Two-night city breaks to destinations including Rome, Venice and Prague start from just £119pp.

Meanwhile in Europe, seven-night European favourites such as the Algarve are available from just £199pp, Lanzarote from £249pp, Tenerife from £259pp, and Cyprus from £329pp.

Executive Club Members can also now earn double Tier Points on flights taken as part of a package holiday, for travel up to 30 September 2023.

Travellers interested in exploring British Airways’ newest destination, Oranjestad in Aruba, can enjoy seven nights on the Caribbean island from £979pp. Flights begin on 26 March 2023, operating twice weekly from London Gatwick.

British Airways Holidays is also offering customers an additional saving of up to £300 on selected holidays, for a limited period. Those booking between 1 – 6 September 2022 can book a flight + hotel or flight + car holiday and make the following extra savings, on top of the September sale prices:

£300 extra discount with a minimum spend of £10,000 per booking (flight + hotel)
£200 extra discount with a minimum spend of £5,000 per booking (flight + hotel)
£100 extra discount with a minimum spend of £2,500 per booking (flight + hotel & flight + car)
£50 extra discount with a minimum spend of £1,250 per booking (flight + hotel & flight + car)
£25 extra discount with a min spend of £650 per booking (flight + car)

Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said:

We know that, more than ever, many of our customers are keen to ensure value for money. This sale offers a huge variety of flights and holidays at a wide range of prices, giving plenty of choice for those keen to get away. This is coupled with The British Airways experience, from generous baggage allowances to great quality food and drink on board. British Airways Holidays customers can also benefit from our low deposits and the additional protection that comes with our holiday packages, so they can book with complete peace of mind.

Emirates invests more than $2bn on ‘customer experience’

15, August 2022/in News /by Dave

Emirates is investing more than $2billion to enhance its inflight customer experience, including a massive programme to retrofit more than 120 aircraft with the latest interiors, plus an array of other service improvements across all cabins, starting in 2022.

The President of Emirates Airlines, Sir Tim Clark, said,

Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers. Through the pandemic we’ve continued to launch new services and initiatives to ensure our customers travel with the assurance and ease, including digital initiatives to improve customer experiences on the ground. Now we’re rolling out a series of intensive programmes to take Emirates’ signature inflight experiences to the next level.

Emirates’ latest initiatives include:

elevated meal choices,
a brand new vegan menu,
a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience,
cabin interior upgrades,
‘sustainable choices’, and
a generous approach to ‘the little touches that make travel memorable’

New Inspirations, New Menus

An award-winning team of chefs, a world-class catering team and a wide variety of suppliers have been assembled to design and deliver ‘the best fine dining experience in the sky’.

New menus will be served on select Emirates routes in First Class, featuring dishes such as pan-fried salmon trout with moqueca sauce and creole rice, roasted duck breast with orange thyme jus, steamed broccolini and fondant potatoes.

New menus will also be introduced to Business and Economy on 1 September.

Purposefully Vegan Choices:

Emirates’ new vegan menu is ‘carefully curated to cater to the growing numbers of customers pursuing this thoughtful lifestyle’.

Vegans, or anyone interested in a delicious and healthy plant-based meal, will enjoy handcrafted gourmet dishes such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, flavoursome jackfruit biryani and sliced kohlrabi garnished with burnt orange.

Desserts are a decadent affair with choices of chocolate truffle cake with hazelnut, pistachio and gold leaf, or green grape tart adorned with candied rose petals, vanilla custard, and berry compote glistening with yuzu pearls.

The Champagne and Caviar Experience

Emirates’ First Class experience has been upped a notch in 2022. Customers can now savour unlimited portions of Persian caviar as part of the ‘dine on demand’ service, with an exquisite pairing of the world-renowned Dom Perignon vintage champagne.

*Champagne and caviar: Emirates is the only airline with an exclusive agreement to offer Dom Perignon on-board.*

Cinema in the Sky

First Class customers can create a memorable movie moment on-board by ordering cinema snacks as they enjoy the 5,000 channels on Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system.

The cinema snack menu includes moreish classics such as lobster rolls, juicy sliders, edamame, and salted popcorn, and can be ordered on demand.

All passengers can also curate their own ice experience before their flight, simply by browsing and pre-selecting movies or TV shows on the Emirates app, which can then be synced to ice the moment they board, maximising the seamless travel experience.

*A Flight at the Movies: Emirates cinema snacks*

Farm to Fork – Sustainable Supply Chain

Emirates’ customers departing on flights from Dubai can begin crunching on fresh greens harvested from Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm and newly-opened $40 million joint venture investment through Emirates Flight Catering.

Emirates is continuing to invest in sustainable operations and supply chains, seeking local food suppliers and farms wherever possible to serve the freshest produce on board.

Specialised Hospitality Training for Cabin Crew

Emirates has partnered with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, one of the world’s top hospitality management schools, to craft the Emirates Hospitality strategy and encourage inspiring customer experiences.

Emirates Cabin Crew have already begun engaging in intensive training programmes focused on delivering the four service pillars: Excellence, Attentiveness, Innovation and Passion.

*Top hospitality: Excellence, Attentiveness, Innovation and Passion*

Upgraded Cabin Interiors in all Classes

The most significant investment is an extensive and record-breaking refurbishment of the aircraft fleet interiors, where cabins will be retrofitted with new or reupholstered seats, new panelling, flooring and other cabin features.

Benefitting all Emirates passengers, every cabin class will be refreshed and new Premium Economy cabins installed.

After the retrofit, Emirates will have a total of 120 aircraft offering Premium Economy seats – the only airline in the region to offer this cabin class, and enhanced interiors and features across all other cabins. With its first aircraft scheduled to roll into the Emirates Engineering Centre for retrofitting in November, planning work and trials have begun in earnest.

Paul Baker, Global Travel Management Sales Director said,

Emirates are setting a benchmark for inflight customer experience. Their $2bn investment will be the envy of many other airlines and their passengers will be treated to flights that are a joy.
The recent improvements to the Emirates Premium Economy service are proof that the airline knows exactly how, where and when to apply its investments. Premium Economy on Emirates is exceptional.
I am looking forward to seeing the results of Emirates’ investments in all cabins across the fleet’s 120 aircraft.
I know GTM’s customers will appreciate the difference.

Premium Economy; Emirates developed an exceptional Premium Economy service, enjoyed by many GTM customers already

July sees improving passenger experience at Heathrow following cap on departing numbers

11, August 2022/in News /by Dave

Heathrow has issued an update on passenger experiences through the airport during July 2022.

Following the introduction of a daily passenger cap, the airport has produced a five bullet point statement, detailing the growth in passenger numbers and explaining the measures in place to produce further improvement in the passenger experience.

The Heathrow statement reads as follows:

We have seen the largest rise in passenger numbers of any European airport in the last year. Over 6 million people travelled through Heathrow in July and an estimated 16 million are expected between July and September.
The cap on departing passenger numbers has delivered improvements to passenger experience, with fewer last minute flight cancellations, better aircraft punctuality and baggage delivery.
Integral to increasing the departing passenger cap is increasing airline ground handler capacity and resilience, and we have initiated a review of ground handling to support that objective.
Recruitment for this summer’s getaway began last November, and we have hired an additional 1,300 recruits. Security resource is back at pre pandemic levels, enabling 88% of Heathrow passengers to clear security within 20 minutes or less.
Border Force has performed well so far this summer and we are working to help them secure sufficient resource to serve the peak in passengers returning to the UK over the next few weeks.

Adding to the statement, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said,

Passengers are seeing better, more reliable journeys since the introduction of the demand cap. I want to thank all my colleagues across the airport for their amazing work in getting people away. This has only been possible because of the collective and determined efforts of airport, airline and wider Team Heathrow teams.

Statement on the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

8, August 2022/in News /by Dave

Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority have issued the following statement regarding Doncaster Airport.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport owners, The Peel Group has confirmed in a meeting with senior officers from both Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Doncaster Chamber of Commerce – that they will look at all options to keep the airport open. They would be willing to consider a range of options that could result in the maintenance of aviation operations on the site.
There is a mutual recognition that the airport and wider Gateway East site are inextricably linked, and all viable options are still on the table for discussion, including the sale to another owner/operator.
Each of the options will now be further investigated within the extremely tight consultation period Peel has set for its strategic review, with an acknowledgement that this may need to be extended.
The urgency of this work cannot be underestimated and will be conducted at pace and commitment by Doncaster Council and the SYMCA.
We have mobilised a number of groups including a business advisory board and our region’s MPs. We are now working closely with the Department for Transport and have jointly commissioned an economic impact assessment alongside our private sector partners to inform the best possible outcome for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
The region is also working with Government as we look for support with this nationally significant airport.
Our work continues and we will provide updates when they are available. Thank you to everyone who came along to the recent public meeting to ask questions and share ideas, and to those who have supported our efforts to see DSA continue as an aviation operation in Doncaster. We want to see the airport remain open.

The statement comes on the back of the news that the Board of Doncaster Sheffield Airport are reviewing “strategic options” for the airport, following its conclusion that “aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable”.

DVT-busting product released to GTM customers

4, August 2022/in News /by Dave

Global Travel Management has teamed up with Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Paul Westerman to make the RBR Legflow available at a discounted price to GTM’s subscribers.

The RBR legﬂow™ is a small medical device that sits on the ﬂoor under foot, incorporating two separate round domes with patented nodules®, each large enough to accommodate the user’s foot. Through three simple exercises, the RBR legﬂow™ improves lower limb blood ﬂow behind the user’s knees, thereby reducing the chances of forming potentially fatal blood clots.

GTM subscribers can buy the device direct from the RBR Active website. And, by using the discount code GTM10 will receive a 10% discount against the normal retail price.

Scott Pawley, GTM’s Managing Director explained,

The RBR legﬂow is a light-weight, small, durable device, perfect for anyone who frequently travels on business.
I understand that anyone sitting down for 90 minutes or longer puts themselves at a heightened risk of forming blood clots. That’s not just people sitting in Economy class on a long-haul – it can happen to anyone, in any cabin on a flight.
So, when Paul approached GTM to see if we would be interested in making it available to our customers, we had no hesitation.
But it’s also useful for anyone sitting still for that period of time. We have many customers who are ‘desk-based’ – the RBR legﬂow is perfect for them too.
I keep one in my office and use it every time I find myself sitting down for more than an hour.

The RBR Legﬂow™ is registered and approved with the Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a class one, non intrusive, medical device.

Sitting still for more than 90 minutes at a time significantly increases the risk of forming DVT – deep-vein thrombosis.
The ‘number one cause of preventable deaths in hospital’ is Venous Thromboembolism.
Every six seconds, globally, someone dies from a thrombosis-related event.

Key features of the RBR legﬂow™

A simple, highly eﬀective piece of health care equipment developed to combat deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Designed to enable and encourage simple exercises that help prevent DVT
Clinically-tested to signiﬁcantly increase blood flow in the lower limbs
Manufactured using leading ‘antimicrobial’ technology, assuring total clinical compliance
All materials used in the manufacturing of the RBR legﬂow™ are approved by the FDA and EPA
All active components have been notiﬁed for inclusion on the Biocidal Products Regulation
Lightweight, durable and user-friendly

GTM strengthens board

1, August 2022/in News /by Dave

Global Travel Management has announced the appointment of its first Marketing Director.

Mark Wilson has joined the board to steer and oversee all marketing campaigns and external communications for the award-winning travel management company.

Speaking ahead of the appointment, Scott Pawley, GTM’s Managing Director said,

We have known Mark for a number of years and I am delighted he will be joining our board to provide a fresh perspective on the way we communicate with clients and the wider industry.
Like GTM, Mark has been involved in the travel industry for more than two decades. But he also brings marketing and journalism skills which will help us get our message across.

Mark Wilson said,

I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to tell GTM’s story. The company has negotiated the pandemic, increased its customer-base, won new business and developed its portfolio of products. So now is a great time to share what sets us apart from the crowd.
GTM has a reputation of being innovative and responsive, and never being afraid to do new things. This will continue as we look to launch more industry-firsts and industry-bests. And I am looking forward to telling people all about the work we do that makes GTM the perfect fit for its customers and suppliers.

Panorama episode “Airport Chaos: What’s Gone Wrong?”

19, July 2022/in News /by Dave

Global Travel Management Managing Director Scott Pawley has written to the Producer’s of BBC’s Panorama in response to this week’s episode, Airport Chaos: What’s Gone Wrong?

19 July 2022

Airport Chaos: What’s Gone Wrong?

Dear Panorama

This week’s edition of Panorama was an interesting, although sadly unbalanced report on the temporary issues facing the aviation industry and affecting airline passengers.

The selection of statistics highlighted some of the issues facing travel this Summer but did very little to provide the ‘other side of the story’. Specifically, that travel has returned, it’s growing very quickly and it’s fast approaching business as usual.

The report claimed that between 2% and 4% of flights are having to be cancelled. That’s bad news for anyone whose holiday is affected – those passengers should complain and should always demand the compensation that’s due to them.

But the programme did very little to highlight the fact that between 960 and 980 flights in every thousand are going ahead; close to the 990 flights per thousand in “normal times”.

Or that Heathrow – for example – has coped with 40 years’ worth of growth in just four months.

Or that Heathrow has forecast to have as many security staff in place as pre-pandemic levels by the end of this month.

UK plc requires its businesses to succeed. And to do this, it relies on the BBC to illustrate the whole picture. Because confidence in travel breeds success in business. Business trips can face snags. But this has always been true – as Aviation Minister Robert Couts said on your programme, “I can never promise there will never be delays”. But, as Rory Boland also said on your show, “before you book, take a look around what’s happening at the airport near you [and] the airlines you’re considering and make your decision based on that”. That’s exactly what savvy business travellers do – most effectively by relying on travel management companies to smooth the bumps in the road. Flight cancellations may affect business plans, but, with careful management and with access to all options, they don’t need to ruin them.

A case in point is your presenter’s visit to Milano Malpensa, with a crew, to interview Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports. A crucial business trip that took place, despite “the chaos”.

Aviation is returning, quicky to the successful, important industry it was, pre-pandemic. Within weeks, I hope the focus will be on how well international travel has recovered, across all UK airports and all airlines.

A “panorama” can be defined as something that enables the viewer to see the whole picture. This week’s episode failed in that regard, because it omitted some of the strides the industry is making.

I look forward to the follow-up, “Panorama: How Did Aviation Return So Quickly?”

Yours faithfully

Scott Pawley

You can see the episode of Panorama on BBC iPlayer.