BOARDINGPASS
China set for corporate travel boom...
China is set to become the largest corporate travel market, according to corporate travel specialist Hogg Robin- son Group (HRG), citing investment in Chinese infrastructure as a vital factor. HRG China sales director Yates Fei
says that despite a slowdown in China’s economic growth, business travel to the region continues to grow. Expenditure on business travel has
risen from $18 billion in 2000 to $62 billion in 2010 – and is expected to reach $277 billion in 2020, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. “Figures from the Global Business
Travel Association suggest China will become the world’s biggest travel market within three years,” says Fei. Air travel accounts for 85 per cent of
business trips, although rail travel is expected to rise as the government rolls out high-speed rail connections. Chinese carriers are expected to grow at an annual
average rate of 8.9 per cent over the next 20 years, according to
Boeing.The aircraft manufacturer has also forecast that China will need 5260 new commercial aircraft, worth $670 billion, over the next 20 years. More than 75 per cent of this demand will be for growth rather than replacement. Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu
are the fastest-emerging business-travel destinations in China, with the level of corporate travel growing significantly over the past few years, according to HRG. Meanwhile, HRG has crowned India as
the strongest destination in Asia for business travel. Its figures show a year-on-year growth of 11.1 per cent for corporate travel expenditure in India – the highest among all countries in Asia. However, the survey also shows that
company belt-tightening has resulted in more business travellers moving from business to economy class, or using low-cost carriers.
...but airports struggle to cope
China’s airports have more travel delays than any others in the world. Fewer than 20 per cent of flights leave Beijing airport on time, while China’s carriers also make up eight of the worst-performing airlines. According to Sky News, only 18.3 per
cent of flights left Beijing’s airport on time in June, while passengers using China’s airlines and airports had less
than one in five planes leave on time. However, the report said Shanghai was
slightly better at 28.72 per cent, but still 10 percentage points below the next-worst performer, Istanbul. Industry analysts have blamed the
Chinese air force’s tight restrictions on airspace for congestion along available corridors, the report says.
Thai introduces A380 services
Thai Airways has put its first four A380 aircraft into service, on the Frankfurt, Hong Kong Narita and Paris services. Executive vice-president Pandit
Chanapai says the 58-seat upper-deck economy cabin has been carefully designed with plenty of room. Meanwhile, the carrier has launched
services to its sixth destination in Japan, Sapporo, and to Abu Dhabi. Budget airline Thai Smile has been introduced on two domestic routes, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
40 AUGUST/OCTOBER 2013 |
WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.ASIA
Thai Airways executive vice-president Pandit Chanapai introduces the A380 services.
All the latest news for the corporate traveller.
AIR POINTS
1 As more women move up the corporate ladder, their international business trips are expected to increase 250 per cent by 2030, according to research from Amadeus. It says the fastest growth will come from India, with an increase of nearly 900 per cent expected. China will have the highest volume at more than 33 million female business travellers by 2030.
1 Garuda Indonesia is introducing a complimentary limousine service for Executive Class passengers to celebrate the airline’s Brisbane (Australia) relaunch in August. The daily service to Denpasar seats 162 passengers (12 in Executive Class).
1 Thai and Malaysian nationals can now enter Japan visa-free for trips of less than 15 and 90 days respectively. The move celebrates the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan co-operation.
1 Garuda Indonesia has launched a premium check-in area at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Executive-class passengers and Garuda Frequent Flyer platinum members can use the area to check in, pay airport taxes, make reservations, buy tickets or re-route their flights.
1 Japan Airlines is introducing “JAL Sky”, a high-speed WiFi internet service, on its international flights. For personal electronic devices in all classes, the service launches on the Tokyo Narita/New York JFK run from August.
1 Cathay Pacific Airways is introducing a premium economy product on its A340-300 aircraft, on all Hong Kong to Amsterdam and Auckland services, plus some flights on the Paris route. It is part of a revamp of the interior of its long-haul passenger jets. The first planes to have the new cabins will begin flying between Singapore and London in September.
1 Louis’ Tavern CIP First-Class Lounge, at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, has been voted best airport lounge in Asia Pacific in the Priority Pass 2013 Lounge of the Year Awards.
1 Singapore Changi Airport has been named World’s Best Airport at the 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards for the fourth time.
1 Malaysia Airlines is re-launching daily Kuala Lumpur-Dubai flights after having suspended the service for more than a year.
1 In India, business class has been introduced on intercity buses. The buses will have wider seats, private television screens and such amenities as a pantry and rest room.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56