Dave

Record-breaking July: Heathrow tops Europe’s airports with 8 million passengers

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Heathrow Airport welcomed nearly 8 million passengers in July, cementing its position as Europe’s busiest airport for the first half of 2024, outpacing other major hubs such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Madrid and Paris Charles de Gaulle by millions of passengers.

For the first time in its history, Heathrow surpassed 1.8 million passengers in a single week – an achievement it managed for three consecutive weeks from 8th to 28th July. This remarkable milestone came as the airport experienced six of its busiest ever departure days during the summer holiday period, with over 140,000 passengers and almost 140,000 bags passing through the airport daily.

The airport’s success during this period can be attributed to strong collaboration with its partners, ensuring smooth operations despite global challenges such as a recent IT outage and protest activity.

Popular destinations like Venice and Larnaca saw a surge in travellers, while routes to Doha, Dublin, Dubai and New York’s JFK Airport each recorded over a million passengers this year. US destinations including Orlando, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Dallas also experienced significant boosts in passenger numbers.

In addition to passenger traffic, Heathrow reported an 8% year-on-year increase in cargo tonnage for July 2024, further solidifying its role as the UK’s leading air cargo hub. This growth in cargo underscores Heathrow’s vital contribution to the UK economy, supporting exports, tourism, and investment across the country.

However, despite these successes, Heathrow has faced challenges. Since the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme in 2023, the airport has lost 90,000 transfer passengers on routes to and from the seven countries affected by the scheme. This decline appears to be a blow to Heathrow’s competitiveness as a global hub, and the airport is urging the UK Government to reconsider the inclusion of airside transit passengers in the scheme.

Commenting on the airport’s achievements, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said,

Team GB’s performance in Paris has been an inspiration to the nation and to Team Heathrow. In July, we were smashing a passenger record almost every single day and we’re chasing down our never before seen goal of serving 8 million passengers in a single month. I’m proud that although there were a few potential challenges which could have caused us to stumble, our team remained focused on the prize of making every journey better and delivered a medal-winning start to the summer getaway.

For further information on flights from Heathrow, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

Heathrow introduces new Summer experiences to enhance travel

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UK-based business travellers who frequently pass through Heathrow may find this summer’s offerings particularly appealing. While the airport is a familiar stop for many, Heathrow has introduced a range of new experiences, retailers, and dining options that provide fresh opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment before a flight.

With an anticipated 30 million passengers this Summer, these additions are set to enhance the experience for those looking to make the most of their time at the airport..

Here are the top ten experiences that await passengers at Heathrow this summer:

1. Engage in Pre-Flight Ping Pong and Table Football
Travellers can dive into some friendly competition while waiting to board, with classic tabletop games like Pong and table football now available in each of Heathrow’s departure lounges. These free-to-play games celebrate the sport-filled British summer and are available until 12 August.

Wiff waff: table top games including ping pong (above) and table football (below)

2. Get Creative with Kids’ Crafts
Back by popular demand, Heathrow’s arts and crafts trolleys are perfect for keeping young travellers entertained. Activities such as colouring, origami and magic painting offer a mess-free way for children to unleash their creativity before take-off.

3. Fast Track Security for a Smooth Start
Travellers can breeze through security by pre-booking Heathrow’s Fast Track service for just £12.50 per person. This convenient option is available for booking up until midday the day before travel, ensuring a stress-free start to any journey.

Fast Track: breeze through security

4. Enjoy Free Kids’ Meals Across All Terminals
Heathrow is helping families save this summer with its Kids Eat Free offer. Until 1 September, parents can enjoy a free kids’ meal for every main course purchased at participating restaurants throughout the airport, making it easier than ever to treat the whole family.

5. Sip on English Wines at The Vinery
For those seeking a touch of luxury, Terminal 2’s new wine bar, The Vinery, offers a curated selection of English wines, along with a seasonally tailored menu. The bar’s tasting flights provide an opportunity to sample a range of sommelier-selected flavours, perfect for a pre-flight indulgence.

The Vinery: fine dining meets modern convenience

6. Marvel at Olympic-Themed Living Statues
From 26 to 31 July, Heathrow’s terminals will host stunning Olympic-themed living statues. These performers, who bring sporting prowess to life with incredible poses, are sure to amaze passengers as they spring to life unexpectedly.

7. Travel in Style with a Personal Shopper
Heathrow’s complimentary Personal Shopper service is available for passengers seeking expert fashion and gifting advice. Located in dedicated lounges across Terminals 2, 3 and 5, this service offers a luxurious, tailored shopping experience.


Private shopper: experience the stress-busting benefits of a private shopping experience, free of charge

8. Refuel at Heathrow’s New Starbucks
Terminal 5 now boasts a brand-new Starbucks, offering a relaxing space for travellers to enjoy a cappuccino before their flight. The new store’s design, inspired by coffee-growing landscapes, provides the perfect atmosphere for a quick refresh.

Caffeine Corner: a new Starbucks in T5

9. Savour Artisanal Dishes at Jones The Grocer
The UK’s first Jones The Grocer store has opened in Terminal 2, offering passengers a chance to enjoy artisanal meals in a serene setting. The store also features an Express counter for those in need of a quick, gourmet bite.

Foodie Paradise: Jones the Grocer, founded in Australia in 1996, is a haven for artisan food lovers

10. Discover The Macallan Boutique’s Sensory Journey
Whisky enthusiasts can explore The Macallan Boutique in Terminal 5, the first of its kind in Europe. The boutique offers a sensory experience that celebrates The Macallan’s rich heritage, with a unique collection of whiskies available for purchase.

Whisky Haven: The passion and peerless spirit of The Macallan Estate is brought to life in Europe’s first Macallan Boutique, located in Heathrow Terminal 5

Heathrow’s latest additions are designed to cater to a diverse range of tastes and interests, ensuring that every passenger can find something to enjoy before their flight. From sports fans to foodies and families, there’s something for everyone at Heathrow this summer.

For more information on flights from Heathrow, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

British & Irish Lions Tour 2025: Qatar Airways named Official Airline Partner

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Qatar Airways has been announced as the Official Title Partner and Official Airline Partner for the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia in 2025. The event, which brings together the best rugby players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to face off against Australia’s Wallabies, is set to kick off on 28 June 2025.

The British & Irish Lions Tour is a celebrated event in the rugby calendar, occurring every four years and captivating fans across the globe.

For the 2025 Tour, the Lions will begin their journey in Australia with a match at the Adelaide Oval, followed by a series of Test matches at premier venues across the country. The Test series will commence at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 19 July, move to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 July, and conclude at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on 2 August.

Qatar Airways, a multi-time winner of the Skytrax World’s Best Airline award, will be responsible for flying the Lions squad and their touring party to Australia.

This partnership continues Qatar Airways’ strong involvement in major sporting events, building on its sponsorship of the Qatar Airways Cup International Test matches held at Twickenham in 2023 and 2024.

In a statement, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for the partnership:

We are taking our commitment to the sport of rugby to the next level, flying some of the world’s best athletes, coaching staff and officials to compete in The Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025. We look forward to enabling rugby fans across the world to connect for this unique sporting event.

The airline’s extensive network in Australia, offering 42 weekly flights to key cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, will facilitate the travel of fans and ensure seamless connectivity to the tour’s matches.

Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting,

An airline partner is a vital logistical component of every Lions tour… Qatar Airways has a proven track record of excellence as a premium global airline, providing high-quality service to customers travelling to and from almost 100 countries.

Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, added,

This announcement of Qatar Airways as the Series Title Partner sees one of the world’s finest airlines getting behind one of the most iconic major sporting events in the world, and represents another substantial boost to what promises to be a memorable occasion across Australia next year.

As the countdown to the 2025 Tour begins, Qatar Airways is committed to ensuring a superior travel experience for the expected 20,000 fans heading to Australia, while also maintaining its dedication to sustainability.

The airline continues to lead in environmental initiatives, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption, carbon offsetting, and waste reduction, aligning its operations with the principles of a circular economy.

For UK-based business travellers planning to attend the tour, Qatar Airways offers not only unmatched connectivity but also a wealth of exclusive experiences through its Privilege Club Collection. With over 170 global destinations, the airline provides seamless access from the UK and Ireland to Australia via its hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

If you require further information about planning your next trip to Australia or for flights across the Qatar Airways network, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

IHG Hotels & Resorts joins forces with Action Against Hunger to tackle global food insecurity

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IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced a new multi-year partnership with global NGO Action Against Hunger to support efforts in combating food insecurity and hunger worldwide.

Globally, it is estimated that one in three people is uncertain where their next meal will come from, driven by factors such as poverty, conflict, inefficient food systems and climate change.

IHG, through its extensive network of hotels across more than 100 countries, has a long-standing commitment to improving food security.

This partnership is part of IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, which aims to enhance the lives of 30 million people.

Action Against Hunger has been at the forefront of preventing, detecting, and treating hunger for decades. Their screen, treat and sustain programme operates across East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe.

IHG’s support will focus on funding and supporting Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programmes, particularly screening initiatives that identify early signs of malnutrition in children, providing essential, potentially lifesaving treatment.

Ellie Malouf: We want to help create lasting change

IHG plans to raise awareness of this critical issue among its millions of guests and enable them to contribute by donating IHG One Rewards points. For instance, 10,000 points can screen approximately 124 children for malnutrition, and 7,500 points can provide nutritious food to a malnourished child for six weeks, helping them recover.

Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated,

Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet.

This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organisations and businesses work together.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life-saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected.

Ashwini Kakkar, Chair of the Action Against Hunger International Network, added,

While hunger is a widespread challenge, for the first time in human history, we have the ability to end chronic hunger for everyone, for good. Realising that vision will take bold action and we are grateful for IHG’s will, wisdom and leadership in advancing this vital cause.

Hunger makes it harder for hundreds of millions of people around the world to learn, work, dream and realise their full potential. IHG’s generous support will help advance our work to create a world where every life is well nourished.

As part of IHG’s purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, this collaboration will complement existing partnerships IHG and its hotels have in various local markets.

These partnerships aim to strengthen food systems within communities by providing training and tools to reduce food waste and redirect surplus food to those in need. Notable existing partnerships include local foodbanks, No Kid Hungry in the US, OzHarvest in Australia, and Too Good To Go in Europe.

To book accommodation at any IHG Hotels & Resorts hotel, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

Radisson RED to anchor Edgbaston Stadium’s ambitious redevelopment

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Radisson has been unveiled as the hotel partner for Edgbaston Stadium’s award-winning Masterplan redevelopment, which includes the addition of the Radisson RED Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium, a 4-star lifestyle hotel featuring 146 rooms, 85 of which have pitch-facing balconies.

Eighteen of these pitch-view rooms will be fully convertible into hospitality spaces, while Level 4 will boast a rooftop restaurant and bar with a 160 square metre terrace offering stunning panoramic views of the Birmingham skyline.

REDball cricket: a room at the Edgbaston hotel

This hotel is the centrepiece of a larger project that includes the redevelopment of the stadium’s Raglan and Family Stands, introducing a modern concourse with enhanced food and drink options and improved facilities for disabled spectators.

Edgbaston Chief Operating Officer Craig Flindall expressed excitement about the partnership:

We’re delighted to partner with Radisson Hotel Group; the brand’s upscale lifestyle theme is a perfect fit for our vision of the stadium’s ambitious Masterplan project. The redevelopment will cement our position as one of the country’s few premier stadia and hotel complexes and offer a genuine destination experience for people wanting to visit Birmingham or the West Midlands.

Flindall highlighted that this is Phase 3 of the Masterplan project, which aims to transform the stadium into a vibrant economic centre, delivering lasting investment into the local community. Previous phases included the Corkfield apartments, recently named regional Apartment Development of the Year, and the opening of Xcelerate with Edgbaston, a new catering and hospitality centre of excellence operated with catering partner Levy, offering significant career opportunities for local people.

Day/night: the Edgbaston Radisson RED as it will look during a floodlit match at the world famous venue

Adela Cristea, Vice President, Business Development UK, Ireland & Nordics at Radisson Hotel Group, commented:

We are proud to have been chosen as hotel partner and are thrilled to be part of this stunning project. The Radisson RED brand is the ultimate brand for this lively location. We truly see great potential in combining hospitality and sport events for the benefit of guests, clients, and partners.

The detailed planning phase will include consultations with stakeholders, including residents and Warwickshire CCC Members, scheduled for August 2024.

A planning application will be submitted later in the year, with project completion expected by Spring 2027, just in time for the men’s Ashes Test against Australia.

Architecture illustrations showcasing the new Radisson RED hotel within the stadium’s design have been released.

For further information about this development, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

IHG Introduces groundbreaking Low Carbon Pioneers programme

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IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, has launched its pioneering Low Carbon Pioneers programme, featuring energy-efficient hotels that operate without on-site fossil fuel combustion and are supported by renewable energy.

The initiative marks the first of its kind in the industry and aims to inspire broader adoption of carbon reduction practices across IHG’s global estate.

The inaugural group of Low Carbon Pioneer hotels includes the Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport and Iberostar Waves Cristina in Spain, and the Kimpton BEM Budapest in Hungary.

These properties employ sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and hot water generation, as well as fully electric kitchens. Each hotel also holds operational sustainability certifications recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, such as Green Key, or building certifications like LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. Energy data will be meticulously tracked and measured using IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform.

Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated,

We are excited to launch our Low Carbon Pioneers programme as another innovative way in which we’re meeting evolving guest expectations, helping our hotel owners future-proof their businesses and reducing carbon across our estate. This is an important next step in IHG’s sustainability journey but it remains one of many we must continue to take. Accelerating change at scale for both IHG and the wider industry also requires broader support from governments ranging from greater access to renewable energy and incentives for owners, to a reduction in the cost of technology that speeds up the industry’s transition to a greener, more resilient future.

IHG plans to expand the Low Carbon Pioneers programme to include additional hotels across all regions.

The company is also working on developing a “low-carbon ready” group of hotels to prepare for when it becomes possible to fully support all energy needs with renewables in areas where this is currently unavailable. Low carbon hotels are particularly attractive to corporate clients aiming to meet their net-zero or carbon-neutral travel commitments.

The Low Carbon Pioneers programme offers significant benefits to hotel owners, including alignment with environmental regulations, potential access to green financing, and future-proofing against regulatory changes. IHG believes these advantages will lead to stronger property valuations over time.

IHG’s commitment to sustainability is guided by its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions and fostering a positive impact on people, communities, and the planet. This initiative builds on IHG’s history of sustainability leadership, such as replacing bathroom miniatures with bulk amenities and introducing a community solar programme in the US.

For further information on the IHG hotels in the UK or abroad, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Notes for Editors:

  • IHG Hotels & Resorts operates over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries.
  • The Low Carbon Pioneers programme aligns with IHG’s broader sustainability goals and corporate social responsibility efforts.
  • IHG’s Green Engage system allows hotels to measure and manage their environmental impact.
  • The programme sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry.

For more details, visit the IHG Low Carbon Pioneers webpage.

Dave

Seamless river and air travel: British Airways partners with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

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British Airways has partnered with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to offer a scenic journey to London City Airport, with a 25% discount on tickets and a complimentary drink on the Thames.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, London’s River Bus service, stops at 24 piers across the capital, spanning from Putney Pier in the west to Barking Riverside in the east.

This collaboration provides a unique travel experience for those flying with BA Cityflyer, British Airways’ subsidiary airline based at London City Airport.

Whether you’re travelling from Millbank to Milan, Surrey Quays to San Sebastian or Battersea to Berlin, this offer is available to all BA Cityflyer passengers.

Uber Boat: the Thames Clipper service stops at 24 piers across the capital

Disembarking at Royal Wharf Pier places you’re just a short DLR ride away from London City Airport, ensuring a smooth and scenic journey. Passengers will enjoy up-close views of iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, The London Eye, The Shard, and The Cutty Sark along the way.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers presents a relaxing alternative to conventional travel options. With accessible stops at key London locations such as Chelsea Harbour, Battersea Power Station, and Embankment, the service is both convenient and enjoyable. Discounted tickets start from £4.20 per person when travelling within the East Zone or £7.69 from central London.

Tom Stoddart, CEO of BA Cityflyer, commented,

Not only is flying from London City a convenient and quick way to travel, but it allows our customers to really embrace our brilliant city. With views of the Canary Wharf skyline and the River Thames, it’s an airport like no other and working with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers helps us to extend the London experience beyond the airport.

In addition to the discounted fare, passengers can show their boarding pass at the onboard café bar to receive a complimentary hot drink, perfect for sipping while enjoying the scenic river views.

BA CityFlyer operates Embraer 190 aircraft, offering a route map of more than 30 destinations throughout the UK and Europe. Passengers can choose between Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy) cabins, ensuring a comfortable journey tailored to their needs.

For further information about this unique travel experience, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

New partnership offers GTM customers greater flexibility and efficiency in rail travel

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Focus Travel Partnership’s new collaboration with International Rail enhances Global Travel Management’s corporate rail travel offerings by providing seamless global rail bookings.

Focus has entered a strategic partnership with International Rail – a leading distributor of worldwide rail tickets and passes – making International Rail the preferred global rail technology provider for Focus Travel Partnership’s TMC Partners. This collaboration will grant Focus TMC Partners seamless access to comprehensive global rail bookings through International Rail’s 1track platform.

Focus Travel Partnership, an alliance of fifty-three independent travel management companies, is renowned for its innovative technology platforms, extensive service offerings and vast network of global travel suppliers. The partnership’s ability to offer cutting-edge travel solutions and substantial buying power makes the collaboration with International Rail an invaluable addition to its impressive technology ecosystem available to Global Travel Management.

International Rail provides tickets for over 66,000 point-to-point routes in Europe, alongside extensive rail coverage in North America, Japan, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and domestic UK travel. The company’s technology concentrates on speed and simplicity, to benefit rail operators, travel management companies and, crucially, Global Travel Management’s customers alike.

Paul Baker, Global Travel Management Sales Director said,

Global Travel Management customers demand and deserve the best possible service and the widest available range of travel options.  And many are increasing their requirements for rail travel, both at home and overseas.  

The agreement between Focus and International Rail offers means we can offer more services and more options to an already huge range of train services. 

So now, when a customer wants to include rail within a business trip, we’re in the best possible space to make that trip happen, smoothly, simply and at the best price

Rail agreement: Paul Baker (left) of Global Travel Management and Tony Edge of Focus

Tony Edge, Focus Travel Partnership’s award-winning Business Solutions Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership,

We are delighted to bring this new solution to our TMC Partners. Through International Rail, [Focus] TMCs will now have access to seamlessly arranging rail travel across all key global areas. Through International Rail, all Focus TMC Partners can now offer a cost-effective, low time-consuming solution to their clients. Through the extensive content available, our Partners can now grow their rail offering overseas as well as being able to offer a more sustainable alternative to domestic flights internationally. After impressing both the Rail Steering Group and Focus Innovation Group, we felt International Rail was the right fit for our Partnership in line with our overall strategy.”

Caitlin Cornish, Commercial Director of International Rail, shared her excitement about the collaboration:

Joining the collaborative voice of the Focus Travel Partnership will be invaluable in making sure we shape the future of global business travel together. Smart innovation, responsive digital technology that is coupled with simplicity are at the forefront of our business and are the future of rail travel. Sharing insights, ideas, and feedback will provide the best possible experience for TMCs, tour operators, travel agents and their travellers, and the industry as a whole. Next year we celebrate three decades in the industry. We want to share the expertise we’ve developed over this time with our fellow Focus Travel partners while learning from their valuable experience too.

International Rail will explore how technology can facilitate the simplest, most efficient, and most cost-effective ways of managing rail travel requirements.

For further information on rail travel at home or overseas, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

TfL and Santander triple e-bike fleet, boosting London’s sustainable travel

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Transport for London (TfL) and Santander are significantly enhancing the Santander Cycles scheme by more than tripling the number of e-bikes available to hire by the end of summer, bringing the total fleet to 2,000. This expansion aims to provide Londoners with an affordable, convenient and sustainable mode of transport.

E-bikes, introduced in 2022, have seen over one million hires and are currently hired at twice the rate of classic bikes.

On 27 June, a record 3,584 e-bike hires were recorded, demonstrating their popularity and the need for an expanded fleet. The increased availability of e-bikes will enable more Londoners to enjoy the health benefits of cycling and contribute to cleaner air. These bikes also help overcome barriers such as fitness levels and journey length that might otherwise deter people from cycling.

E-bikes are available to registered users for £3.30 per 30-minute ride or £1 per 60 minutes for monthly and annual members. This makes the e-bike single ride price the most affordable in London. The Santander Cycles app allows users to locate bikes and check battery levels.

In June, TfL introduced free Day Passes on Sundays to celebrate the launch of TfL Cycle Sundays, which promoted leisurely cycle routes. This initiative saw over 13,000 redemptions by 5,586 unique customers, 64% of whom were new to Santander Cycles. The success of this promotion will guide future efforts to attract more users to the scheme.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commented:

Our Santander e-bikes are proving extremely popular with Londoners and so I’m delighted we’re tripling our e-bike fleet this summer. These additional bikes will enable even more people to cycle for shorter journeys, helping build a better, fairer and greener London for everyone.

David Eddington, TfL’s Head of Cycle Hire, added:

Santander Cycles is a vital part of London’s transport system, and the scheme has gone from strength to strength, with cycle hire in the capital now an integral part of travel. These additional e-bikes will give more people in London an opportunity to try these brilliant bikes and use them more often. We look forward to completing our expansion by the end of summer.

Dan Sherwood, Marketing Director, Santander UK, expressed:

It’s great to see the Santander Cycles scheme expanding once again. We couldn’t be more proud to have been working with TfL since 2015 on this fantastic scheme and watching it go from strength to strength as an affordable, convenient and sustainable way of travelling the streets of London. The 900 additional e-bikes being introduced today will allow even more people to access and enjoy the scheme this summer.

TfL has also been expanding the Cycleway network to improve accessibility for all Londoners. With over 390km of strategic cycle routes, and £19.5 million of investment this financial year, TfL is working with London boroughs to deliver new Cycleways and improve existing ones. This includes new routes between Lea Bridge and Dalston, Deptford and Deptford Creek, and Hammersmith and Kensington Olympia, with plans to expand further across Bexley, Harrow, Hounslow, Bromley and Redbridge.

For more information on how to get to, through or around London, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

Emirates enhances Jeddah airport experience with new dedicated lounge

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Emirates has officially opened its first lounge in the region outside Dubai at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, marking a significant milestone in its 35-year service to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Located in the newly constructed Terminal 1, the 900 sq m lounge represents a substantial investment of USD$5.4 million.

Premium Experience: elegant and spacious seating areas offer a variety of comfortable options for relaxation and dining

It will cater to First and Business Class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, with a capacity of over 190 guests. This lounge aims to enhance the travel experience for those flying on Emirates’ triple daily A380 services.

Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates, stated,

Jeddah was our first gateway into the Kingdom 35 years ago, so it’s fitting that the King Abdulaziz International Airport, a world-class facility is the first airport in the region outside of Dubai to feature an Emirates dedicated lounge.

The lounge is beautifully designed to deliver an industry-leading experience and Emirates’ signature hospitality for our customers from the moment they step inside. We thank the airport authorities for their support in helping us open our doors to officially welcome customers and provide them with a memorable travel experience on the ground.

The lounge’s opening was attended by prominent figures, including His Excellency Nasser Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Consul General of UAE in Jeddah, His Excellency Engr. Raed bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaiheem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), and other senior officials from Emirates and JEDCO.

Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of JEDCO, remarked,

The launch of Emirates lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport reflects the 35-year-long strategic relationship of providing multiple travel options to passengers through the airline’s three daily flights. The lounge is a significant addition to the airport’s services and supports the comprehensive development efforts at the airport, aimed at providing an enjoyable and seamless travel experience for passengers from all over the world.

The lounge features a modern and sophisticated design, blending contemporary elements with regional influences. It offers a range of seating options, from dining and lounging areas to quiet spaces for relaxation. Amenities include luxurious shower facilities, a prayer room, and a variety of dining options.

The buffet offers an array of Middle Eastern, local, and international dishes, including Lamb Kabsa, Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini, Moroccan Lemon Chicken, Prawn Machbous, Saint Sebastian Cheesecake and Tiramisu cake.

Conveniently situated on the third floor of Terminal 1’s Departure area, the lounge is just a 10-minute walk from the terminal entrance and a 3-5-minute walk to boarding gates A28B and A38B, where Emirates’ three daily flights depart.

This new lounge is part of Emirates’ broader network of premium facilities, which includes seven lounges at Dubai International Airport and 32 others worldwide.

Emirates has been a pivotal player in facilitating trade in Saudi Arabia since 1989. Currently, the airline operates more than 70 weekly flights to four Saudi gateways – Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and Dammam.

For more information about this new lounge or to discuss your business travel needs, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.