TRAINING
IN BRIEF First and business class lounge onboard the new Qatar Airways A380
WIN FLIGHTS WITH QATAR AIRWAYS
BUYING BUSINESS TRAVELpartners with online training specialist OTT to provide a range of e-learning courses for travel professionals. Qatar Airways has just launched a new course on the platform, with the chance to win a pair of flight tickets. The course features modules on new aircraft and the latest premium
products and services. Those completing the course with a 100 per cent pass rate are entered into a draw to win a pair of economy tickets anywhere on the airline’s network, with the possibility of space-available upgrades. To take the course, visit
buyingbusinesstravel.com/training Qatar Airways started its first A380 service last month, on the London
Doha route, and is adding the ‘superjumbo’ to its Doha-Bangkok service in January. The airline won Best Long-Haul Airline and Business Airline of the Year trophies at this year’s Business Travel Awards.
RAIL
Dutch firm awarded Scotrail franchise
DUTCH RAIL OPERATOR ABELLIO HAS WON THE CONTRACT to run Scotrail services from April 2015, Scottish transport minister Keith Brown has confirmed. The group, which has promised to invest millions in improving services and facilities, takes over from Aberdeen-based Firstgroup. Ministers said the franchise, worth up to £6 billion over ten years, would make travel in Scotland “more attractive across the board”, with improved services, including free wifi on all trains, 23 per cent more carriages across the network and high-speed intercity diesel trains.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
However, the franchise deal has been criticised by Labour and union groups, who believe it represents a missed opportunity to put the line back into public ownership. “We believe public ownership is better, more efficient and safer, and gives you great accountability,” said RMT general secretary Mick Cash. Scottish Labour infrastructure spokesman James Kelly said: “Keith Brown has decided that the profits from Scotland’s railways should be used to invest in lower fares and better services in Holland rather than at home.”
There will be a break clause for the franchise after five years.
■Easyjet is strengthening its business travel offering with four new business destinations and additional frequencies on some of its most popular routes from Amsterdam. The airline, which is opening a new base in the Dutch city in spring 2015, will launch routes to Hamburg,
Venice, Toulouse and Nice.
■Icelandic airline Wow Air is launching transatlantic flights from
Gatwick to Boston and Washington DC via Reykjavik, with an
introductory price of £99 one-way. The Boston
service starts on March 27, and Washington on June 4. Hold luggage is charged at £39 per 20kg bag, while hand luggage over 5kg is charged at £22 per 7kg.
■Heathrow
Express travellers are now able to use US dollars and euros for buying tickets. The rail operator said the new multi-currency service means passengers will now avoid foreign exchange charges, which are typically between 2 and 5 per cent on credit cards.
HOTELS
HILTON UNVEILS
NEW BRAND
HILTON WORLDWIDE has launched a lifestyle brand called Canopy by Hilton. London is included in the first 11 properties slated to open; the others are in destinations across the US including Portland, Miami, Washington DC, San Diego, Nashville, Charlotte and Oklahoma City. Canopy hotels will be located in both new-build and conversion properties. The first hotels are expected to open next year. The company says each will utilise local design, and food and drink.
AIRPORTS HEATHROW
HOLDINGS TO SELL THREE AIRPORTS
HEATHROW AIRPORT HOLDINGS (HAH) has confirmed it will sell three of its airports in a deal worth over £1 billion. Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports will now be owned by a consortium formed by two companies – Spanish firm Ferrovial and Australia-based Macquarie. The sale is expected to be completed by January 2015. “Heathrow is the
UK’s only hub airport, connecting the whole of the UK to the world and bringing economic benefits locally and nationally,” said Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye. “Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports have been part of our company for a long time. They are great airports and we are proud of their achievements. We wish the new owners and our airport colleagues every success and are confident the airports will flourish.”
BBT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 9
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