WELCOME TO PRESSPLAN'S JUNE 2009 NEWSLETTER

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Travel updates and news:

AIRLINES: Information on new airlines, existing airlines and new routes
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS: News on foreign policies and warnings
EXHIBITIONS/TRADE SHOWS: Information on up and coming trade shows for Industry

The new transport secretary Lord Adonis has said there would not be a bailout from the government if British Airways went bust. Speaking at a press conference marking the 25th anniversary of Virgin Atlantic, Lord Adonis said: "We are not in the business of giving bailouts, and nor would the public expect us to. The public interest would not be served by giving public subsidies." The transport secretary was responding to demands by Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson that there should be no financial rescue from the public purse if British Airways were to fail. "All we want to be sure about is, if other airlines go bust, their slots will go back into the pot and we would be able to get our fair share," said Sir Richard. British Airways is attempting to save £100 million a year in what chief executive Willie Walsh has admitted is a fight for the airline's survival. Following its request to its staff for pay cuts and unpaid holiday rumours were rife that it would also be ditching its open skies subsidiary.

British Airways has confirmed it will save up to £10million from the decisions of almost 7000 of its staff to apply for voluntary pay cuts. CEO Willie Walsh said: “This is a fantastic first response,” adding that it “clearly shows the significant difference individuals can make.” Options were made available for staff to volunteer for between one and four weeks of unpaid leave or unpaid work, with the pay deductions spread over three or six months. 800 workers have offered to work for free, while another 4000 are taking unpaid leave and the rest will work part time. Walsh said staff would also have “further opportunities to take part in the programme later in the year.”

Australian flag carrier Qantus has announced the cancellation of orders for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, as well as delaying the delivery of a further 50 787s for up to four years. Originally scheduled to receive its first 787-8 aircraft in April 2010, the airline won’t take delivery of the new planes until mid-2013. The carrier will take delivery of 15 of the larger 787-9 aircraft from 2013, to be used for international routes by its low cost subsidiary, Jetstar. A further 15 787-8s will be used for Australian domestic routes from late 2014, when Qantas retires its 767 fleet.

Air Malta has announced that from 01 November it will increase its operations between London Gatwick and Malta to nine weekly services. Brick Friesen of Air Malta said, “This is in line with the airline’s commercial strategy to extend the summer season and reduce the traditional traffic slowdown between the summer and winter months,” Additionally Air Malta plans to increase its summer 2010 services between Gatwick and Malta from 12 to 14 weekly services.

Boeing: The first test flight of Boeing’s highly anticipated 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been set back. Boeing has said it will be several weeks before the plane lifts off, following the “need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft.” Boeing last hoped to have the 787 in the air by the end of July, some 21 months after the initially planned September 07 maiden flight.

Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that it’s in talks with Airbus about the purchase of 50 of its new A350 aircraft, for delivery from 2014. A spokesman said the carrier considers the A350 is a “strong competitor” to the 787, of which it has 15 on order and which have been further delayed. A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said the new 787 delay announced by Boeing was “hugely disappointing”.

Air New Zealand has increased baggage allowances for Premium Economy passengers, who are now entitled to Business Premier class allowances of two checked items up to 32kg on flights via the U.S. and one checked item up to 30kg on flights via Hong Kong.

British Airways is pressing ahead with its new all-business class service between London City Airport and New York. The new A318 flight will operate from 29 September, with a 32- passenger capacity and enroute refuelling stop in Shannon, Ireland, where passengers will be able to clear U.S. Customs and Immigration procedures. The return flights from JFK will be non-stop and passengers will also be able to send and receive emails and texts in flight. Flights will operate daily except Saturday, with twice daily services set to commence from mid October. “In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate,” said BA chief Willie Walsh. The services will carry the historic BA001 and BA002 flight numbers.

European low cost carrier Germanwings has announced the launch of a new route between Cologne/Bonn and Manchester from October. The carrier will offer five services a week from its hub in Germany, allowing travellers from the North West to connect to destinations across Europe. Germanwings said the move is part of its continuing focus on business travel, with more than 40% of customers now made up of corporate travellers. Thomas Winkelmann, the airlines CEO said, “Manchester is an important step for us. By launching a service connecting it directly with Cologne/Bonn we hope to tap into a major business market which continues to grow rapidly.” In the UK and Ireland the carrier already serves London, Edinburgh and Dublin and “is reviewing additional options within the market”. The carrier operates 27 A319 aircraft from bases in Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin/ Schönefeld, and Dortmund.

Virgin Atlantic has announced a $2.1 billion order for 10 new Airbus A330-300 aircraft, half of which will be delivered in early 2011 and the other half in 2012. The 270-seater aircraft will help the airline fulfil ambitions to reach destinations such as Beijing, Cancun and Vancouver. The aircraft are reportedly 10% more fuel efficient and will boast USB slots and power sockets in business and premium economy classes.

Lufthansa will take control of BMI following an out-of-court settlement that will make the German carrier the second biggest at Heathrow, but spells the end of low-cost subsidiary bmibaby. The deal will cost Lufthansa £223 million, rather than the £298 million it has agreed to pay BMI chairman and founder Sir Michael Bishop for his controlling stake in 1999. It follows legal action by Bishop to enforce an agreed sale. Lufthansa already owns 30% of BMI, and the deal will give it control of the carrier's 11% of slots of Heathrow. In an out-of-court settlement, Sir Michael Bishop has accepted £175 million to cancel Lufthansa's option to buy his 50% plus one share, and Lufthansa will pay a further £48 million for the stake itself. A UK-based company partly owned by Lufthansa, LHBD Holding, will hold the controlling stake during the renegotiation of BMI traffic rights. The remaining 20% of BMI is owned by SAS Scandinavian Airlines, which is keen to sell. The deal values BMI at £96 million, 40% of the bill Lufthansa has paid but about one-fifth of the value Lufthansa placed on BMI 10 years ago. Lufthansa has previously made clear it has little interest in the loss-making bmi baby.

London Luton Airport has confirmed that Catania-based Wind Jet will commence twice weekly flights to Forli in Italy from 02 July. Wind Jet has been in operation for just over five years and is the fourth biggest Italian carrier by passenger numbers, operating 12 aircraft to about 30 destinations.

A frequent business traveler is used to seeing the inside of a hotel room. We have listed some of the top hotels in 10 cities around the world for the occasions when the corporate traveler might want to treat him / herself or conduct business in a beautiful environment with personalized service.

1. The Mercer Hotel, New York
Gorgeous décor, large rooms (especially for SoHo), fabulous food and extraordinary service. The centre-piece, its understated but much photographed lobby, is the perfect lounge for a working lunch or an exuberant dinner. If you can, book a Loft Studio to sleep in; room 507 is especially brilliant.

2. Park Hyatt, Tokyo
The real star of Lost In Translation, this towering masterpiece is the best way of retreating after a bewildering working day in Tokyo. The New York Bar on the top floor is super-hip and the swimming pool/spa, on the 53rd floor, is breathtaking. The Diplomatic Suite, with its own library, dining room and grand piano, is a spectacular way to wow your clients

3. Widder Hotel, Zurich
An extraordinary project that took five years to complete, this Swiss lodging meshes together eight immaculately restored townhouses. No two of the 42 rooms are the same and yet the same philosophy imbues all of them: stunning interiors faithful to the original, historic design plus state-of-the-art technology (Bang & Olufsen stereos are a particular highlight).

4. Sukhothai, Bangkok
"An oasis of tranquillity" may be a massively overused phrase in travel writing but it is a perfect description of this wonderful venue. The ridiculous hustle and bustle of Bangkok is quickly forgotten on entering the Sukhothai's beautifully sculpted grounds. Lounging by the pool and pottering around in your vast one-bedroom apartment are bound to be highlights.

5. Murano Urban Resort, Paris
Paris is beginning to do boutique better than any other European city. Competition appears to increase by the day, but the Murano is surely still the best. It's restaurant – with stalactites hanging from the ceiling – looks as stunning as the models dining within. And its rooms, to be opened by fingerprint only, are fabulous: the suite with its own swimming pool is the one to book!

6. Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai
More grand than boutique, this Mumbai icon still deserves its place in the top 10. The haven of businessmen, politicians and celebrities for decades, the Taj maintains the very highest of standards. Its restaurants serve the finest Indian cuisine, its spotlessly clean pool doubles up as the hotel's social hub, and its club (Insomnia) is irrefutably the best in India. Best of all, the hotel makes every guest feel truly special.

7. Grand Hyatt, Shanghai
Set on the top floors of the Jin Mao Tower, the highest hotel in the world is also one of  the Hyatts’ best. Delicious room service and delightful cocktails this hotel is a wonderful base from which to enjoy the delights of China's best city.

8. The Setai, Miami
If you have business in Miami, don't make the mistake of staying in faceless downtown. Stay on South Beach and enjoy the delights of this spectacular venue. Its funky neighbours – the Delano and the Shore Club – tend to try a little too hard, but the Setai strikes the perfect balance. Hip but laidback, its Asian-themed décor is unique in the U.S.

9. Hempel Hotel, London / Dylan Hotel, Amsterdam
Anouska Hempel is something of a legend. Both of these signature hotels, splendidly located in Notting Hill and overlooking the Keizersgracht Canal respectively, have set new standards for boutique living in Europe.

10. Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles
Built in 1929, this might be the world's first boutique hotel. The self-styled hotel of the stars, Marmont has a remarkable history – everyone who's anyone has stayed there and John Belushi famously died there. In the 1990s it was taken over by Andre Balazs, and the beauty and comfort of its hallowed turf has increased even further.

Trade Fair Hotel and Flight Centre

For accommodation and travel to Trade Fairs and Exhibitions worldwide call us now on
01727 833291 or to visit our list of exhibitions (click here).

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