Dave

Dubai International Airport launches Duty Free ordering

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Dubai International has made food ordering and duty-free shopping even easier, with the launch of DXB&More. 

Passengers at the world’s busiest international airport can make the most of their time before catching a flight by getting comfortable and reaching for their mobile and having the best of the airport retail and restaurant offering delivered directly.

DXB&more is a mobile food, beverage and retail ordering service that provides a smooth, convenient alternative to shopping, dining in or waiting for an order to go, without the need to download an app.

The creation of DXB&more was in direct response to the evolving needs of the busy traveller, providing a convenient alternative to shopping and dining before a flight.

Eugene Barry, EVP Commercial at Dubai Airports said 

At Dubai Airports, we are focused on improving our guests’ experience across all physical and digital touchpoints through DXB. Clearly, the events of the past 18 months have accelerated key consumer trends and raised customer expectations around choice and convenience.

Our objective is to create and test new ways of communicating with travellers before, during and after their journey with us, and raise awareness of the full range of shopping, dining, and hospitality experiences across our airport by integrating all of these channels on a single platform, while speaking directly to the consumer. It is also a way of supporting our important commercial partners and optimising opportunities jointly, by broadening the very definition of commercial boundaries and reshaping our partnerships. 

Passengers can order food from the airport’s eateries as well as perfumes, beauty products and electronics and more from Duty Free

The airport claims to have ambitions for the growth of DXB&more which will see the platform “develop into an all-encompassing digital DXB experience, bringing together digital entertainment partners, more shopping and live experiences to guests already in the airport and those who are due to travel”.

Dave

Austrian Airways expands its Premium Economy product

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From Spring 2022, more passengers will be able to fly in Austrian Airways’ Premium Economy class.  

Premium Economy is being rolled out across the airline’s entire Boeing 767 fleet.  

Sales Director Michael Trestl said 

As an Austrian airline, we have ‘Premium’ in our hearts. With the expansion of the Premium Economy Class, we want to offer even more passengers greater travel comfort on long-haul routes. This travel class appeals to all those who want a bit more comfort and service on long-haul trips and still want to travel in a price-conscious manner. This means that the travel experience can be individually designed for each passenger and the feel-good factor on board is increasingly optimised. 

The travel class introduced in 2018 will be expanded to include the domestic airline’s Boeing 767 fleet from its current 18 seats to 30 seats per aircraft.  The conversion of the Austrian fleet will be carried out in the first quarter of 2022. 

With the summer flight schedule 2022, the three B767 planes, which primarily serve destinations in North America, will fly in the new cabin configuration. 

With the summer flight schedule 2022, the three B767 planes, which primarily serve destinations in North America, will fly in the new cabin configuration. 

The heart of Premium Economy class is a seat specially made for the Lufthansa Group, which offers passengers more legroom and comfort on their journey compared to Economy Class. In addition, passengers in this travel class can check in two pieces of luggage, each weighing up to 23 kilograms, free of charge and enjoy a culinary pampering program with a three- to four-course menu on board.

Dave

Discounted fares on flights within Europe and to the rest of the world

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Corporate customers of some of Europe’s leading airlines can earn discounts on air fares booked between until the end of this year. 

The Lufthansa Group has launched discounted fares valid for corporate customers who are signed up to the PartnerPlusBenefit Programme. 

Every corporate customer signed up to the PartnerPlusBeneft Programme receives a 3% discount on air fares within Europe; or a 3%-5% discount on air fares when travelling to Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East, North America or South America. 

You can sign up to PartnerPlusBenefit here and, if you join today, you will receive up to 1,500 BenefitPoints when you register.

The discounts are automatically applied by Global Travel Management for any corporate signed up to the PartnerPlusBenefits Programme and include fares booked directly with the Global Travel Management online booking tool.  

Economy LIGHT and Business SAVER fares are excluded from this offer.  The discount is valid on Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS flights for travel until 31 December 2021. 

Dave

British Airways adds former red list countries to its network

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Following the welcome news that a significant number of countries have been removed from the UK Government’s red list, British Airways is resuming services and increasing frequencies to a number of destinations.

British Airways is set to ramp up services to popular winter sun destination South Africa, with double daily services to Johannesburg expected by mid-December. The airline will also restart services to Cape Town, offering three flights a week in November, before moving to a double daily service in December.

The airline’s services to Mexico City will also be increasing to five services a week from November 6, and Cancun flights will resume from October 22 and operate daily.

Elsewhere popular South American destinations Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires are set to return in time for Christmas.

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said:

It finally feels like we are seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel. Britain will benefit from this significant reduction in red list countries, and now it’s time to turn our attention to eradicating testing for fully vaccinated travellers to ensure we don’t lose our place on the global stage.

Once we have a firm date for the reopening of US borders in November, we look forward to reconnecting our two countries, reigniting transatlantic businesses and reuniting families who have been separated for the best part of two years. We are ready, and we look forward to operating our first flights and welcoming back our customers.

The news of frequency increases and additions to its flight schedule, follows an announcement from British Airways yesterday that is planning on operating its biggest schedule since March 2020. Despite no firm date from government on US borders reopening, the airline is planning to increase flights to the US from early November and will even be bringing back its much loved A380 to operate some of these services.

Customers booking with British Airways can do so with absolute confidence, thanks to the airline’s flexible booking policy. Customers are able to exchange their booking for a voucher or move their dates without incurring a change fee if their plans change.

Dave

Lufthansa invests in first industrially-produced carbon-neutral, electricity-based kerosene

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Lufthansa Group is a partner and pilot customer of the world’s first production plant for power-to-liquid aviation fuels.

Until now, Lufthansa Group airlines have used biogenic sustainable aviation fuels: kerosene produced from agricultural waste or used cooking oils.

But the world’s first industrial plant that produces CO2-neutral electricity-based kerosene was officially opened this week in Werlte/Emsland. It is operated by the climate protection organisation atmosfair and produces synthetic fuel for aircraft from water, CO2 and renewable electricity. The Lufthansa Group is a partner in the pioneering project and is one of the first customers to purchase this sustainable, electricity-based kerosene. In this way, the company is making an important contribution to establishing PtL (‘power to liquid’) production and promoting the market development of the first available CO2-neutral synthetic kerosene.

Christina Foerster, Member of the Executive Board Deutsche Lufthansa AG said,

Lufthansa’s airlines have been focusing on the research and use of sustainable aviation fuels for many years. We are currently the largest customer in Europe.

Synthetic fuels from renewable energies are the kerosene of the future. They enable CO2-neutral aviation. With its partnership with atmosfair, the Lufthansa Group takes the lead again and provides a boost to the production of PtL.

Dorothea von Boxberg,
CEO of Lufthansa Cargo

The Lufthansa Group will purchase at least 25,000 litres of PtL fuel annually over the next five years and make it available to customers. To use the first quantities, the logistics providers Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have agreed on an exclusive partnership to purchase the fuel.

Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo AG said,

We see the key to a sustainable reduction of our emissions in flight operations in the research and use of synthetic, sustainable aviation fuels.

The fact that we are now pioneering power-to-liquid technology together with Kuehne+Nagel makes us particularly proud and shows once again that we are actively tackling our climate protection challenges

Global Travel Management runs a Carbon Offset Programme, through which the carbon cost of travel, including flights and hotels, can be offset by planting trees in ambitious reforestation project. Find out about the Carbon Offset Programme, here.

Dave

Winners of zero emission flight aviation competition announced

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced the winners of the latest competition focused on making zero emission flights a reality.

Winning projects include wireless charging for electric planes, swappable battery packs to keep flight turnover times to a minimum and state-of-the-art fuelling tanks to safely and efficiently refuel flights of the future.

The fifteen successful projects have been awarded a share of over £700,000 to help bring forward innovative research and technology, which can support UK airports in handling new types of electric and hydrogen aircraft.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

As the world reopens from the pandemic, it is essential that we are investing in greener aviation as part of our transport decarbonisation agenda.

Funding these revolutionary projects will help to slash carbon, create jobs and get us closer to our goal of operating zero emission flights.

The funding forms part of the government’s commitment in the Prime Minister’s Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution, with a commitment of £3 million funding to research into airport infrastructure for zero emission flights this year.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said:

As an island nation, aviation is essential for our future growth and plans to build back better and greener from the pandemic.

With COP26 around the corner, we’re ramping up our efforts even further by funding the technology that unlocks the flights of the future.

Earlier this year, the UK government set out its ambition to become world-leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production, launching the £15 million Green Fuel, Green Skies competition and publishing a consultation proposing to mandate sustainable aviation fuel use in the UK from 2025.

Val Miftakhov, CEO of ZeroAvia, said:

We are delighted to have been successful with the zero emission flight infrastructure project and to have the opportunity to show just how these projects are critical to the future of zero emission aviation.

In the future, we believe there will be a hydrogen-electric engine in every aircraft as this is the only viable way to deliver truly zero emission aircraft and to comprehensively tackle the industry’s growing climate impact. When we deliver our first hydrogen-electric powertrains into service in 2024, operators need to be able to fuel their aircraft with low carbon hydrogen, and today’s announcement is a big step towards that.

Nicola Yates OBE, CEO of Connected Places Catapult, said:

Connected Places Catapult is delighted to welcome these 15 innovative projects onto the TRIG: zero emission flight programme. The progress being made in this sector to enable sustainable air travel is exciting and an important step for the UK’s successful transition to net zero.

This funding is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from flying and consolidating the UK’s position as leaders in green aviation.

The winning projects are:

Cranfield University

  •  Low carbon energy demand scenarios for aviation (LOCESA)
  •  Wireless opportunity charging of electric aircraft
  •  Hydrogen Safety in Aviation: an immersive XR training scenario for airport personnel

University of Warwick

  • Creation of Full Airport Energy Model to Simulate/Understand Infrastructure Impacts of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft and Support Vehicles on Airports – A Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) Case Study with Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
  • Evaluation of safety zones and mitigation measures for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure at airports

Protium Green Solutions Limited

  • Developing a digital twin for the fast refuelling process and procedure for gaseous hydrogen aircraft

Hive Composites Limited

  • Next-Generation Thermoplastic Composite Pipe for Hydrogen Distribution in Airports

Stratospheric Platforms Ltd

  • Development of a safety zonal tool for the operation of liquid hydrogen powered aircraft at airfields

EGB Engineering Consultants Ltd

  • Modelling of Electricity and Green Hydrogen Scenarios to meet future Airport Demand (MEHSAD)

ZeroAvia Limited

  • Liquid Hydrogen Airport Refuelling Ecosystem (LHARE)

University of Strathclyde

  • Solutions Pathway Evaluation Toolkit for Airside Infrastructure to Power Zero Emissions Flight

Ultima Forma Ltd

  • Flexible electroformed twin-walled hydrogen fuel hoses

Ampaire Ltd

  • Modelling demand of electric aviation and airport infrastructure

School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast

  •  UltraCompHy: Ultra-lightweight composite pressure vessels for safe and cost-effective hydrogen storage

CD02 Ltd

  • SafeBatt: Swappable aircraft battery packs for safe ground handling and charging
Dave

£5 drop-off charge introduced at Heathrow

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Heathrow has announced the introduction of a ‘Terminal Drop-Off Charge’ across all terminal forecourts from 1s November.

A Heathrow statement said:

As travel slowly restarts, the charge, initially proposed last year, will prevent a car led recovery and reduce airport-related traffic whilst protecting jobs at Heathrow, which has suffered a £3bn loss due to the pandemic.

Drivers will be charged a £5 flat-fee per visit to the terminal drop-off zones. This change is part of Heathrow’s updated Surface Access Plans and long-term sustainability strategy. Income generated from the scheme will contribute towards new sustainable transport initiatives at the airport. Additional revenue raised by the charge will help to lower overall airport charges. In future, the airport hopes to introduce, a new data-led, multi-modal Sustainable Travel Zone (STZ) that aims to provide passengers, colleagues and the local community with more sustainable transport options. The STZ will take the place of the previous Free Travel Zone, with further details expected next year.

The Terminal Drop-Off Charge will be managed through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems – similar to those used for the London Congestion Charge and Dart Charge – and will apply to all vehicles using Heathrow’s terminal drop-off facilities.

Blue Badge holders will be eligible for a 100% discount. Passengers will have the option to pay the £5 charge in advance, or by midnight the day after making the drop-off. Payments can only be made by card, either online or by an automated telephone service.

Passengers will continue to have the option to travel to the airport via more sustainable means such as Heathrow Express, TFL Rail, London Underground, bus or national coach services. Those driving can also be dropped off for free at Heathrow’s Long Stay car park facilities, which all offer free regular shuttle buses to the terminals.

Heathrow Director of Surface Access, Tony Caccavone, said:

Covid-19 has devastated the aviation industry and our recovery remains stunted by on-going travel restrictions. This charge, first proposed last year, will help us protect the business financially, whilst preventing a car-led recovery and ensuring we remain on course for our long-term goals of providing sustainable and affordable transport options as passenger demand returns.

Chair of independent Heathrow Area Transport Forum and Former London Deputy Mayor for Transport Val Shawcross said:

The pandemic continues to have a significant impact on Heathrow and this charge will help to prevent a car-led recovery and contribute towards new sustainable transport initiatives. Measures to encourage passengers into public transport are key to the airport’s long-term sustainability as it seeks to ‘build back better’. I look forward to working with Heathrow on these future initiatives as the airport recovers from the devastating impact of Covid-19.

Dave

Seven of the best

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Twenty five years ago, Frankie Dettori achieved the remarkable feat of riding seven out of seven winners at British Champions’ Day at Ascot Racecourse.

Dettori’s achievement – winning aboard Wall Street, Diffident, Mark of Esteem, Decorated Hero, Fatefully, Lochangel and Fujiyama Crest – became known as The Magnificent Seven.

And now, to help Ascot Racecourse and Frankie Dettori to celebrate the quarter century anniversary, we have asked our clients, partners, colleagues and friends to tell us their favourite airlines and airports, in order to produce our own Magnificent Seven.

Here’s what they came up with…

Magnificent Seven airlines

British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Swiss

And some selected comments about these airlines

British Airways “I like to travel with British Airways personally especially for long flights as I find them more comfortable and they provide  decent food and drinks”.

easyJet “Of course low-cost is what it is, but I believe they are a cut above the rest in how you are treated, and how fair and clear they are about their policies and extra charges. With most of the other low-cost carriers, I always get the feeling that they are trying to somehow trick you into spending extra at every single step, be it online check in, or lack thereof, constantly changing cabin bag size limits, etc, but easyJet are much more upfront about everything, and you know where you stand”.

Lufthansa “Lufthansa offers everything I need for business trips and seems to get better and better every year”.

Qantas “Modern cabins, good schedules, but above all, their people are amazing throughout, from check in to baggage reclaim through, of course their cabin crew. I´ve flown both business and economy with them, and they treat you like a star all the way, every time, every class of service”.

Qatar Airways “Long haul I like Qatar Airlines – definitely the best business class I have experienced.  Only once been upgraded to first which was brilliant!”

SAS “Efficient. On time. The routes serve my purposes perfectly”.

Swiss “I have only ever had excellent services when flying on Swiss”.

Some of the other airlines mentioned in the favourite category include Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and, pre-pandemic, Flybe.

Magnificent seven airports

London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Dublin, Manchester, Singapore Changi, Southampton

The poll was unscientific and based entirely on opinions. Do you agree with the lists? Do you have a different favourite airline or airport? If so, join the conversation on Twitter, with the hashtag #MagnificentSeven and tweet us on @globaltravelmgt

Dave

Business Travel News

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Every week, we produce a short news clip highlighting some of the most important items of news in the business travel industry on our YouTube channel, Global Travel Management Matters.

Here are the most recent clips, starting with the latest…

Business Travel News 29 October 2021
The UK government has removed the remaining destinations from England’s Red List of countries. GTM’s COP 26 Challenge has been launched, with videos submitted from a range of airlines and travel suppliers. And the Wenatchee Museum & Cultural Center has an unusual exhibition, centred on the golden age of aviation.
Business Travel News 22 October 2021
The United States has finally lifted its ban on UK and EU citizens entering the country. Passengers at the world’s busiest international airport can make the most of their time before catching a flight by having the best of the airport retail and restaurant offerings delivered directly. And Global Travel Management has issued the COP26 Challenge to airlines and travel suppliers.
Business Travel News, 8 October 2021
Lufthansa Group has announced details of an exclusive offer, enabling GTM clients to receive discounts of between 3% and 5% on air fares with a number of airlines. Delta Air Lines has recorded its first profitable quarter since the start of the pandemic. And San Francisco Airport Museum is holding an exhibition of wallpapers, entitled The Victorian Papered Wall.

Business Travel News, 8 October 2021
The UK government has announced the list of countries on England’s red travel list is to be slashed from 54 to just 7. The global airline industry has adopted a pledge to meet a carbon neutral target by 2050.
Business Travel News, 1 October 2021
Australia opens up for travel; the #MagnificentSeven announced; and an update on business travel from IHG.
Business Travel News, 24 September 2021
US travel ban lifted. Traffic light system scrapped.
Business Travel News, 17 September 2021
Hotel occupancy in London has hit post-pandemic highs, with rates more than double the April 2020 levels. Heathrow is trialling touch-free bag drop technology, with a view to wider use across London’s busiest airport. And the travel industry is coming together next week with #ribbonfortravel a campaign to support the mental health of hard-hit travel professionals.
Business Travel News, 10 September 2021
More flights to more destinations from London City Airport. Rumours that the UK traffic light system will be scrapped. Tube stops at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station to open. And man’s best friend helps to keep out the virus in Miami.
Business Travel News, 3 September 2021
British Airways continues to ramp up ready for more business travel. IATA calls on the EU Digital Health Certificate to become the global standard. Low-cost start up Hans Airways gets ready to launch India services. And Gordon Ramsay heads a number of catering announcements this week.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Travel Management Matters here.

Dave

Emirates Pavilion ready to welcome visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai

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Expo 2020, Dubai’s must-see aviation attraction, is gearing up to open its doors to the public on 1 October.

Located in the Opportunity District, and within walking distance of the Al Wasl Dome, the Emirates Pavilion offers a preview for the future of commercial aviation, reframing the role that science and technology will play in the next 50 years of air travel, as it welcomes visitors to experience two floors of interactive multi-sensory installations.

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai can plan their visit to the Emirates Pavilion and book their preferred date and time slots in advance.

Construction on the Emirates Pavilion began in March 2019 and was completed in June this year. During its design and construction phases, the Emirates Pavilion followed a number of sustainability principles, using non-hazardous, regional, reusable and recyclable materials in its overall structure, and incorporated different design solutions to reduce energy and water consumption.

The Emirates Pavilion’s towering four-storey design and façade are modelled around an aircraft’s wings taking flight, with 24 aluminium-clad fins that curve around two sides of the building structure. The Emirates Pavilion’s exterior lighting includes an 800 metre LED system, which illuminates in vibrant colours at night. The interior’s bright, ultramodern design lets in ample natural light and serves as a backdrop for the immersive experiences, and can welcome 120 people an hour. T

Friendly and knowledgeable staff and Emirates Cabin Crew will be on hand to assist visitors at the Pavilion. As well as the installations and experiences, visitors will be able to enjoy the Emirates Pavilion cafe located on the first floor, and can also take home a memento from their visit at the Emirates Official Store, which will be featuring customised Emirates and Expo 2020 Dubai merchandise for sale.

The Emirates Pavilion is open every day during Expo 2020 Dubai from 10am to 10pm.