Dave

What does the Focus Travel Partnership do?

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The Focus Travel Partnership is a consortium of independent travel management companies, including Global Travel Management.

Focus was founded in 1999 by fifteen companies solely to serve the growing and evolving requirements of corporate travel. In 2019 Focus became a limited company and, today has a membership four times its original size, with members’ combined turnover totalling more than £1bn per annum.

Membership of Focus enables travel management companies to negotiate beneficial partnership agreements with travel suppliers around the world.

Focus enables a collaborative voice on industry matters to be heard across the industry, regulatory bodies and governments. In this way, Focus is able to set the agenda and steer conversations and agreements on important industry issues like airline fare distribution, the latest technology developments, sustainability within the industry and duty of care – a topic that has come to the forefront in 2020.

Scott Pawley is Focus Travel Partnership’s Director of Technology & Innovations

The partnership has a Board of seven directors, including GTM’s Scott Pawley who is responsible for bringing technical innovations to the Focus panel, such as the industry-leading Focus Fare Finder product developed by Scott and his team.

Chief Executive Officer Abby Penston leads the partnership and directs the Focus panels. Adrian Parkes has joined the Board as Non-Executive Chairman.

Mick Gibbs is the partnership’s Director of Industry Affairs, promoting Focus at industry events. Christian Gleave is the Operations Director, running the operational teams and managing third party support and other services. Cilla Goldberger is the Marketing & Events Director, splitting time between brand management and developing the partnership’s range of events. Martin Pearce is the Director of Business Development, managing the whole process of acquiring and implementing new partners. Wendy Walker is the Supplier Management Director, overseeing the partnership’s supplier relationships. And Adam White has the role of Finance Director for the Focus Travel Partnership.

Scott Pawley explained how a corporate client can benefit from GTM’s membership of Focus:

Like all Focus partners, we have direct access to the lowest fares from most of the world’s leading airlines, thanks to our collective bargaining power. And we – like all Focus members – have access to the most competitive hotel and car hire rates and exceptional high-level relationships with all suppliers. So GTM’s membership of Focus means our clients benefit from the great, personalised service we always offer all our clients, but they also benefit from cheaper fares previously only available through larger, less personal travel management companies.  The best of both worlds.

In addition, I make sure Focus works closely with leading technology companies to produce a range of tools, datasets and travel management applications which are delivered as part of GTM’s offer to clients, having been built, tested and proven by some of the industry’s most demanding businesses.


If you would like to know more about how clients benefit from GTM’s membership of Focus, please contact us.

Dave

Recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic

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Virgin Atlantic has taken a big step forward in securing its future, by launching a court-backed process as part of a solvent recapitalisation of the airline and holiday business, with a “Restructuring Plan” that once approved and implemented, will keep Virgin Atlantic flying.

The Restructuring Plan is based on a five-year business plan, and with the support of shareholders Virgin Group and Delta, new private investors and existing creditors, it paves the way for the airline to rebuild its balance sheet and return to profitability from 2022.

The airline claims the recapitalisation will deliver a refinancing package worth c.£1.2bn over the next 18 months in addition to the self-help measures already taken, including cost savings of c.£280m per year and c.£880m re-phasing and financing of aircraft deliveries over the next five years.

Global aviation was one of the first industries impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and will be one of the last to recover fully.

Virgin Atlantic took a number of actions to mitigate losses:

Virgin Atlantic’s shareholders, investors and creditors have worked together to deliver the company’s “Restructuring Plan”
  • In March, the Leadership Team took voluntary pay cuts
  • Since April, more than 80% of the workforce has benefitted from the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, supporting efforts to preserve cash and minimise costs. In Q2, flying fell by 98% and in the second half of 2020, capacity is expected to reduce by at least 60% compared to 2019, with pre-crisis levels of flying unlikely to return until 2023. With the suspension of passenger flying in April, the airline delivered an unparalleled network of cargo-only flying, operating more than 1400 cargo flights in April, May and June.
  • In May the decision was taken to close operations at London Gatwick and cut global staff numbers by c.400.

Having closed its London Gatwick base, while retaining a slot portfolio at the airport to protect opportunities for future growth, leisure flying is now consolidated at London Heathrow and Manchester.

By 2022, Virgin Atlantic will fly the same number of sectors as 2019 despite its smaller scale, demonstrating productivity and efficiency improvements.

The airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 37 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of seven 747s and four A332s by Q1 2022, with rescheduled delivery of outstanding A350s and A339s.

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic commented:

Few could have predicted the scale of the Covid-19 crisis we have witnessed and undoubtedly, the last six months have been the toughest we have faced in our 36-year history. We have taken painful measures, but we have accomplished what many thought impossible. The solvent recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic will ensure that we can continue to provide vital connectivity and competition to consumers and businesses in Britain and beyond. We greatly appreciate the support of our shareholders, creditors and new private investors and together, we will ensure that Virgin Atlantic can emerge a sustainably profitable airline, with a healthy balance sheet.


Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management said:

The recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic is very good news. Virgin Atlantic’s routes offer great options for business travellers, with a network that includes the United States and South Africa. Restrictions are in place for these destinations, but, as soon as they are lifted and business travel can re-commence, it will be great to have Virgin Atlantic as a trusted, viable alternative.

If you’re planning business travel to any destination on Virgin Atlantic’s route network, contact your GTM Account Manager.

Dave

GTM gains real-time access to the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions

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Global Travel Management has announced that it has integrated a global Covid-19 restriction tracker service for use by its travel consultants when clients need to know the latest pandemic information on any country in the world, in preparation for business trips.

GTM travel consultants have real-time access to every country’s travel restrictions, policies and safety measures, updated constantly

GTM is one of the first travel management companies in the world to integrate the Travelport Covid-19 plugin, which provides access to information on government restrictions, lockdowns, and safety measures across the globe.

This means that GTM travel consultants can easily access critical information at the planning stages of any business trip.

Scott Pawley, managing director of GTM explained:

With the Travelport Covid-19 plugin, we can provide reliable, sourced information to clients on the destinations they’re planning to travel to or through, without leaving the workflow. In this way, we’re able to continue providing a top-class service to clients who can confidently make travel choices and book flights.


The plugin is powered by Safeture, the Swedish global employee safety platform provider. You can see the Safeture data, presented as a global map, on the GTM website homepage, here:
https://gtm.uk.com/.

With this plugin, GTM travel consultants can access country-level lockdown indicators, government restrictions and quarantine measures in place.

Contact your GTM Account Manager if you need further information on Covid-19 travel restrictions in any country in the world.

Dave

West Indies mean business

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Test cricket returns with the first post-pandemic series this month, when England host a three-match series against the West Indies.

The Windies flew to the UK on 9 June, where they are scheduled to play three Tests within what’s being called a “bio-secure bubble”.

West Indies captain, Jason Holder spoke about the flights from the Caribbean to England:

The flight over was quite smooth. We assembled in Antigua, waited in the VIP lounge and then boarded the flight to Manchester.

The whole procedure and protocol has been great. The guys are safe – we were tested prior to coming over to the UK and we’ve been tested on arrival in the UK.

The three Test matches will be played at two grounds, the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and Old Trafford, Manchester. The venues were chosen as they are both Test-standard cricket grounds, but have the added advantage of a world-class hotel and meeting complex attached.

The series starts on 8 July, with the First Test at the Ageas Bowl, where players, umpires, officials and media will be making use of the on-site Hilton hotel.

Hilton at The Ageas Bowl is a stunning 171-bedroom hotel, located at the picture-perfect home of Hampshire Cricket.

The property boasts the luxury eforea spa, the first BEEFY’S by Sir Ian Botham which is a British bar and restaurant, and the Ageas Bowl’s 18-hole golf course, Boundary Lakes.

In addition to the luxury spa and Sir Ian Botham’s flagship restaurant, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl also features extensive meeting and event space.

The second and third Tests take place on 16 July and 24 July at Old Trafford, where facilities include the 150-bed Hilton Garden Hotel.

The Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford is a four-star, 150-bedroom hotel situated within the Old Trafford cricket ground.

Many of the hotel’s rooms have balconies, overlooking the world-famous cricket pitch.

Situated at the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, the modern hotel features a 24-hour front desk, garden market, fitness suite and a lively bar and restaurant. Old Trafford Football Stadium, home of Manchester United, is just half a mile away.

The two teams will be battling for the The Wisden Trophy, currently held by the West Indies. It was first awarded in 1963, when Frank Worrell’s West Indies won a five-match series in England 3-1, thanks to wins at Old Trafford, Headingley and The Oval.

And the teams’ bowlers will be competing for the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player who takes the most wickets in the series. It was first won by Windies’ Courtney Walsh in 2000, but since then the award has gone to an England player in every series, most recently Jimmy Anderson for his 17 wickets the last time the teams met.

Joe Root (left) and Jason Holder (right) go head to head in The Wisden Trophy this month. Root misses the first Test, so Ben Stokes will captain the team.

The England squad for the first Test is Ben Stokes (captain); batsmen Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley; wicket-keeper Jos Buttler; all-rounder Chris Woakes; and bowlers Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood.

The West Indies captain Jason Holder will lead a team chosen from batsmen Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell; wicket-keepers Shane Dowrich and Shai Hope; all-rounders Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, and Raymon Reifer; and bowlers Shannon Gabriel, Chemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach.

Expect the ball to dominate the bat across the three Tests, with matches unlikely to meander to five-day stalemates. England start as favourites, but Jason Holder and his fast bowlers will provide England’s inexperienced batting order a stern examination.

You can follow the series on Sky Sports, on BBC Radio Five Sports Extra, online and, in highlights on BBC television.

Dave

Government publishes England’s list of quarantine-free countries

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The Government has, today, published the list of countries considered “safe”, from which travellers arriving in the UK from 10 July 2020 onwards will no longer be required to quarantine.

The quarantine-free list includes Belgium, Greece and Spain, but excludes Portugal, the United States and Russia.

The quarantine requirement was introduced by HM Government on 8 June.

From 10 July 2020, unless they have visited or stopped in any other country or territory in the preceding 14 days, passengers arriving from the following countries and territories will not be required to self-isolate on arrival into England:

  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Polynesia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Réunion
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • St Barthélemy
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre and Miquelon
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam

A four-nation approach has not been agreed, so the suspension of quarantine measures only takes place for travel to England. The administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet adopted this measure.

Dave

Quarantine lifted, air bridges introduced and Foreign Office travel warnings changed

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Update – Friday 3 July

Passengers returning or visiting from certain destinations which pose a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens, including Spain and Italy, will no longer need to self-isolate when arriving in England, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has set out.


Transport Secretary Grant Shapps

The new measures will come into force from 10 July 2020, meaning that people arriving from selected destinations will be able to enter England without needing to self-isolate, unless they have been in or transited through non-exempt countries in the preceding 14 days.

A risk assessment has been conducted by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, in close consultation with Public Health England and the Chief Medical Officer. The assessment draws on a range of factors including the prevalence of coronavirus, the numbers of new cases and potential trajectory of the disease in that destination.

The list of countries will be published later today. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Today marks the next step in carefully reopening our great nation. Whether you are a holidaymaker or a business eager to open your doors again, this is good news for British people and great news for British businesses.

The entire nation has worked tirelessly to get to this stage, therefore safety must remain our watch word and we will not hesitate to move quickly to protect ourselves if infection rates rise in countries we are reconnecting with.


International business travel has been given a boost with the news that the UK Government is to suspend the 14-day quarantine requirement for a series of countries, introducing instead “air-bridge” arrangements while the Foreign Office warning against all but essential international travel will be lifted for countries deemed safe.

The full list of countries is still to be confirmed. People will be allowed to travel to the named countries, without having to quarantine on return, from 6 July.

The list of “safe” countries is being finalised by the UK’s Joint Biosecurity Centre, working with Public Health England. Countries will be ranked as green, amber or red based on an assessment of risk from Covid-19.

Business travellers will be able to travel freely to both green and amber countries.

The decision to relax quarantine requirements follows pressure from Focus Travel Partnership members, the Business Travel Association as well as airlines and other industry stakeholders.

A 14-day quarantine will stay in place for anyone arriving in the UK from countries not rated green or amber, with passengers required to self-isolate at a declared address, potentially enforceable with a £1,000 fine.

Clive Wratten, Chief Executive of the Business Travel Association and Abby Penston, Chief Executive of the Focus Travel Partnership gave us their reactions to the latest information, and called for further clarity as soon as possible:

Dave

Etihad Airways launches digital Covid-19 risk assessment tool

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Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is partnering with Austrian-based healthcare technology company Medicus AI to launch a COVID-19 risk-assessment tool that will help passengers make informed decisions about travelling.

The Etihad Covid-19 self-assessment tool is accessible via the airline’s website

The risk-assessment tool will guide Etihad’s passengers in evaluating the probability of having contracted the Covid-19 coronavirus by responding to a set of 22 questions. The self-administered assessment, which takes less than five minutes to complete, is based on World Health Organization guidelines.

With this risk-assessment tool, passengers will understand their individual probability of having contracted the virus alongside advisories and recommendations, allowing them to make informed decisions about travelling.

Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer, Etihad Airways, said:

We know that health and wellbeing will be a major factor impacting the travel decisions of our guests and are committed to ensuring their continued safety and peace of mind when they choose to travel with Etihad Airways. As flying operations begin to resume globally, we want to empower our guests to make informed decisions on travel. Partnering with Medicus AI on this innovative new tool is just one of the ways we are adapting our operations and guest experience to meet the new demands placed on the travel industry as a result of Covid-19.

Dr. Baher Al Hakim, Chief Executive Officer, Medicus AI, said:

We are proud to support Etihad Airways in their efforts to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew as the world returns to normality. Our initial efforts at the start of the pandemic were to help provide assessment and monitoring tools, and as needs shift, our efforts have evolved to help our partners bring people back to their day-to-day life in a safe manner.

The tool is now available to guests on Etihad.com and is accessible in English, with additional language editions such as Arabic, French, German and Portuguese being added in phases.

Etihad Airways has been actively sourcing and investing in innovative solutions to enhance the safety and wellbeing of its employees and guests in light of the impact of Covid-19 and has also recently announced trials of Covid-19 triage and contactless technology at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Dave

Passengers can pre-book security slots at Manchester Airport, free of charge

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Manchester Airport will trial offering free 15-minute pre-booked security slots as part of a new standard for safe air travel. The approach is designed to allow the airport to manage the volume of passengers coming through security more efficiently and help keep queues shorter.

To improve the security experience and help restore confidence in travel as the airport begins to see more people wanting to travel, passengers at Manchester Airport now have the opportunity to pre-book a free 15-minute security slot, as part of a UK-first new trial by MAG, the airport’s owner.

The option is available from this week and accessible here: https://booking.manchesterairport.co.uk/security/dates/

The trial is part of a series of measures introduced by MAG to ensure passengers feel safer and more confident about travelling by air, particularly when travel demand starts to grow again in the near future.

The airport claims to have been the first to ask all passengers to cover their face either with face masks or with their own clothing. All MAG colleagues, interacting with passengers, are also required to wear the necessary protective equipment.

By booking a free slot, passengers will benefit from access to a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint and will be able to reach the departure lounge quicker. This approach will also allow the airport to manage the volume of passengers coming through security more efficiently and help keep queues shorter.

The availability of slots is limited and is operated on a first come first served basis, through online booking. Passengers are encouraged to make a booking around two hours before their flight departure time and asked to arrive within the chosen slot. If passengers arrive outside the allocated time, they will not be able to access the dedicated line and will be redirected to the security queue, which may be longer than usual given social distancing measures that the airport will put in place.

Manchester Airport is the first UK Airport to announce such a scheme, and in so doing is aiming to support safe standards for future air travel. If successful, the technology will be put in place at the group’s other airports at London Stansted and East Midlands.

Brad Miller, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

Safety and security will always be the first priority and, at the same time, Covid-19 will undoubtedly reshape the airport experience. We are exploring every innovation and technology that can help us to adapt to the new world, protect public health and restore confidence in air travel.

This new measure will allow us to manage our security process more efficiently in these challenging times, providing a better and more comfortable experience for passengers.

It is the latest in a series of measures introduced by MAG to make travel safer during the pandemic, which includes asking passengers and colleagues to wear face coverings and piloting temperature screening technologies.”


Dave

Norwegian to restart short-haul flights from London and Edinburgh

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Norwegian has announced that, as a result of increased customer demand the airline will begin to operate flights between London Gatwick to Oslo, London Gatwick to Copenhagen, Edinburgh to Oslo and Edinburgh to Copenhagen from 1 July.

London to Oslo will be operated seven times a week, London to Copenhagen six times a week, Edinburgh to Oslo and Copenhagen twice a week respectively.

Jacob Schram, Norwegian CEO said:


Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian: “Norwegian will be in a position to continue to offer our customers great value”

Feedback from our customers has shown that they are keen to get back in the air and resume their travels with Norwegian beyond the current domestic services that we have been operating. Norwegian is returning to European skies with the reintroduction of more aircraft to serve our key destinations which will ensure that we remain in line with competing carriers.

Safety remains our top priority and we have introduced a number of specific measures to further reduce the already low risk of infection on board.

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO, said:

The restart of regular Norwegian services from Gatwick is very welcome news and reflects the strength of the relationship and success the airline has had at Gatwick in recent years, as well as the fact that consumer demand is picking up as more people want to start flying again. For our part, the airport is ready to go and we have implemented a range of measures to protect the we

Since April Norwegian has only operated eight aircraft on domestic routes in Norway. Now another 12 aircraft will re-join the fleet and be put into operation across Scandinavia to serve popular core destinations.

From July Norwegian will operate 76 routes across Europe from the airline’s Scandinavian hubs compared to the 13 domestic Norway only flights served previously. Other destinations include Spain, Greece and key European cities.

Further destinations and frequency increases will be announced in due course subject to passenger demand and government travel restrictions.

Dave

Edinburgh Airport reveals measures, backed up by “let’s all flysafe” campaign

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A new campaign and range of measures to help passengers and staff prepare for the return of travel has been announced by Edinburgh Airport.

The “let’s all flysafe” campaign is part of the airport’s readiness programme as airlines begin to restart operations and will provide confidence and reassurance to those travelling through and working at the airport.

Measures introduced at the airport include:


The sky-blue line will guide people into the terminal while the maroon line will guide people out of the terminal.
  • One-way colour-coded systems to manage flow and social distance
  • Hand sanitising stations installed inside and outside the airport
  • Protective screens installed in check-in, security and arrivals
  • A trial of temperature checking technology for departing passengers
  • Staff wearing face coverings and PPE in passenger facing areas
  • Enhanced cleaning schedules and new fogging machines to disinfect trollies and wheelchairs
  • Deep cleaning of security trays, and new anti-viral trays introduced

Sanitising stations have been installed for people to clean their hands before entering the terminal, before and after security and in Arrivals.

The campaign is backed by new signage at the airport clearly explaining to people where they need to go. They include colours different from the traditional brand colours. The sky-blue, maroon red and lime green differentiates the campaign from regular materials.

Social media graphics will also be used to prepare people ahead of arriving at the airport, while emails containing the same messaging will be sent to our passengers.

The campaign encourages staff and passengers to work together and for all of us to do what we can to protect each other and flysafe. The airport has introduced five general rules for travellers to follow:

  • Don’t risk it – don’t fly or come to the airport if you feel unwell
  • Protect yourself and others – please wear a face covering
  • Clean your hands often – wash or use sanitiser
  • Maintain social distancing and be mindful of other passengers
  • Be kind, be patient and flysafe

The introduction of the campaign and enhanced measures comes as airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Loganair, Wizz and British Airways look to reintroduce parts of their schedule.

The let’s all flysafe campaign has been created in partnership with Edinburgh-based The Lane Agency who have a strong track record with high-profile campaigns and a close relationship with the airport.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said:

We know how important it is to provide passengers with reassurance and confidence as they look to return to travel and we’ve spent a lot of time looking at how we do that by making improvements to our operation.

The steps we have taken will allow people to get moving safely and reopen our economy by providing that connectivity that our airlines are rebuilding. We all have a part to play in this recovery and we must make sure we do that by encouraging people to flysafe.

Adam Wilson, Operations Director at Edinburgh Airport said:

Although we never want to see a near empty airport, we’ve utilised the time to closely look at the terminal and surrounding areas and come up with a plan to protect everyone as much as possible.

We know the layout is different and we know it will take time to adapt to it, but we believe the campaign and measures are the right thing for our airport and our passengers. We’re effectively welcoming people into our home and these changes are our way of providing them with confidence and reassurance, letting them know we care about and them and their journeys.

We’ll continue to evaluate our approach as we go forward, and we encourage people to provide feedback and help us all flysafe.