■ WINGS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT has purchased the Brazilian TMC, V7
Viagens. The move comes six months after Wings launched an Asian division in Singapore. CEO Tony
VIRGIN’S NEW UPPER CLASS TAKES OFF
VIRGIN ATLANTIC HAS LAUNCHED its revamped Upper Class cabin, which features a redesigned bar, mood lighting, new 87in-long flatbed and entertainment system. The new-look cabin is now available on the London- New York route. Virgin’s £100 million investment in its Upper Class product also includes a new 10,000 sq ft Clubhouse at New York’s JFK airport.
Sofianos said: “This is an important region for our customers, and was the logical next step in the growth of Wings.”
Wings was
formed in South Africa in 1992, but set up its corporate HQ in London two years ago.
INTERVIEW
BBT talks to new Spendvision CEO Shane Bruhns
Shane Bruhns 12 1
HRG’S £13.4 MILLION buyout of the remaining 42 per cent of Spendvision shares will give the expense management specialist greater access to a corporate travel market embarking on a mobile payments revolution, says the company’s new CEO. Formerly Spendvision’s chief operating officer, Shane Bruhns says HRG’s acquisition of his company’s entire share capital will pave the way for greater investment in new products and services, at a time when travellers are increasingly turning to mobile and contactless payment solutions. Bruhns admits take-up of the new payment methods is patchy, with Japan and Korea among the leaders in the field. However, he adds: “It will happen – it’s just a matter of time. The key barrier really is about, who is going to write the standards? Who is going to
invest in the networks? It comes down to the banks and the telcos.” Spendvision has traditionally
worked directly with major corporates, but Bruhns believes the HRG connection will open new doors. “Our strength has been on the procurement side of the business,” he says. “HRG is opening up opportunities to grow in a different direction.” Transaction management, which encompasses payment methods as well as the more familiar expense management, brings greater budgetary control, increases compliance, reduces fraud and saves money. Spendvision’s link with HRG, he says, will help persuade companies of the merits of “a fuller offering, not just one that’s focused on travel spend. The deal opens up new avenues for us through HRG’s existing customers and prospects.”
TRAINING
Free online training for travel buyers
BUYING BUSINESS TRAVEL has partnered with e-learning specialist Online Travel Training to offer free courses to readers. New courses available include modules on Star Alliance member airlines, products and services, and benefits to corporate customers. An Air Canada course is due to launch soon. For more information, visit www.buyingbusinesstravel.com
AIRPORTS
Heathrow breaks through 70-million passenger barrier
THE UK’S BUSIEST AIRPORT saw passenger numbers rise by 6.9 per cent to 5.7 million in March, which helped figures for the last 12 months to exceed 70 million for the first time. Overall, Heathrow’s owner,
BAA, saw passengers rise to 8.6 million in March – 4 per cent up on the same month in 2011 – across its six airports, which also include Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. BAA chief executive Colin
Matthews, said: “Reaching 70 million passengers at Heathrow is a major milestone, demonstrating the resilience of the airport in an otherwise challenging economic environment. Increases in load factors were the drivers for this.”
Southend extends
Southend airport has been granted approval for the extension of its terminal building by Rochford Council. The new terminal opened in March, and Easyjet launched operations from the facility in April to destinations including Amsterdam, Barcelona and Belfast. The airport says construction of the extension is “planned to get underway later this year”, and will increase check-in desks, security channels and retail facilities.