p26 Biz apr17 14/4/09 12:22 Page 26
Business travel
Martin Ferguson
020 7921 8011
maferguson@ttgbusiness.com
Sign up for business travel news alerts at ttgbusiness.com
‘Don’t be rattled
by UBS travel ban’
Martin Ferguson.
there will be a knock-on
A PARTIAL travel ban by one of effect on some global TMCs.
the world’s largest banks is no “But most independents
reason for agencies to panic, with SME clients are keep-
‘Business class’
according to a leading figure in ing their heads above water.
the UK business travel industry. “Sales people in these businesses have to
Swiss bank UBS has stopped travel for all staff travel and sell to keep their business alive, and in
to KL for £399
with client contact in international wealth some cases you’ll find people travelling more.”
management. McLeod added that most travel management
UBS said the policy would remain in place companies were well placed to adapt to
AIR ASIA X has launched a promotional campaign until a review of the department’s activities was changing circumstances.
targeting business travellers. carried out. “TMCs are already working closely with their
It is selling one-way premium fares at £399 on As the recession has deepened, increasing corporate clients to look at ways of maximising
its Stansted-Kuala Lumpur service. numbers of corporates have tightened travel travel budgets,” he said.
The tickets can be booked until April 26 for policies and clamped down on expenses. “It’s a chain effect – the corporate is forced
travel between May 5 and July 29. But Ken McLeod, director of corporate travel to cut travel costs and the TMC looks at ways of
Azran Osman-Rani (pictured), the airline’s for agency consortium Advantage, said many saving the client money while maintaining its
chief executive, said: “Travel expenses are a small and medium-sized businesses were faring own margins.
growing issue for businesses but with this better than the big companies. “So while revenue is down substantially
extra-low fare it’s cheaper to stay well connected “Of course, some global corporations – or – partly due to low fares, partly to the travel
with your clients.” Swiss banks – are having to make sweeping cuts, restrictions – we work closely with the suppliers
Air Asia X connects to more than 100 destina- but there are sectors doing well,” he said. to look at bringing more value to the traveller
tions from its hub in KL. “Some global companies may struggle, and and keeping up the volume of transactions.”
The carrier claims to have sold 60,000 seats
since the launch of its London-Kuala Lumpur
service on March 11.
Report shows fall
in economy fares
NET AIR FARES in economy class dropped 12.6%
in the last quarter of 2008, according to the
American Express Business Travel Monitor.
The report said it was the only fare category
to fall year-on-year. Premium classes saw the
highest increase, up 4.3%.
Overall fares to North America reduced by
nearly 40% quarter-on-quarter.
Amex found that in the last quarter of 2008 a TAM AND MOTION: Brazilian carrier Tam Airlines has joined the Guild of Travel
number of airlines decided to heavily discount Management Companies, becoming its sixth associate member. Tam will attend the
corporate clients on short-haul trips. guild’s annual conference next month in Dubai. Marking Tam’s membership are Sue
It said customers were able to exploit Faithfull, the airline’s UK general manager, with GTMC deputy chairman Mike Hare (left)
over-supply by negotiating attractive rates. and chairman Maurice Veronique.
26 17.04.2009
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  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64