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Sector Focus


Business Travel


Sponsored by: Chiltern Railways


All aboard for next generation passenger Wi-Fi


By Suzy Rigg Senior Communications Manager


Chiltern Railways is the first train operator to launch next generation passenger Wi-Fi. Our customers spend


valuable working hours on the train and we want this time to be as productive as possible. With the recent launch of seamless WiFi connectivity, Chiltern Railways has released passengers from worry about connecting to separate on train and station Wi-Fi. Our new generation Wi-Fi


system was made possible through an innovative collaboration with three leading digital connectivity experts: WiFi SPARK, Icomera and EE’s superfast 4G network. This first for the rail industry enables passengers to experience a fast, reliable Wi-Fi connection, regardless of whether they are on the platform or on the train. How it works: Once the


passenger has stepped onto the station, they only have to authenticate once to log onto the free Wi-Fi, and then a state of the art “SPARK® controller” manages the rest, enabling the customer’s Wi-Fi connection to roam between the station system and on-train. When the train approaches a station, the on board Wi-Fi temporarily hands over to the station Wi-Fi to give the passenger the best connectivity available, saving network costs. Passengers will not experience a loss of connection. This unique solutions provides a continuously connected Wi-Fi experience from the moment the passenger arrives at the station, seamlessly handing over between on train and station systems. Great care has been given to


ensure privacy; all data sent between the systems is fully encrypted. In addition, all Chiltern Railways stations and trains are certified ‘Friendly WiFi’ locations and meet the industry standard for filtering, blocking access to sites containing inappropriate content.


www.chilternrailways.co.uk 52 CHAMBERLINK October 2016


Flybe takes off with airberlin codeshare


Flybe – which operates flights from Birmingham to a host of European destinations – has signed a significant codeshare relationship with airberlin. Under the agreement, airberlin will place its


marketing code on Flybe routes from Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster, Manchester and Southampton to Germany, as well as to Flybe’s new intra-European routes from Hannover to Lyon and Milan that commenced operations on 1 August 2016. The new agreement is the latest example of Flybe’s


commitment to providing convenient connections for business and leisure travellers from regional markets, allowing them to travel to the broadest range of destinations from their local airport. It has the additional benefit of providing access for


Flybe to airberlin’s strong brand, network and distribution presence in Germany and Europe more broadly, to support growth in the German point of sale on these important routes. Saad Hammad, Flybe’s chief executive, said: “Flybe’s


new codeshare agreement with airberlin expands the reach of both airlines.


‘Flybe’s new codeshare agreement with airberlin expands the reach of both airlines’


“It strengthens Flybe’s ‘One Stop to the World’


proposition for its regional customers in the UK who will benefit from connections to airberlin’s long-haul routes at Dusseldorf and Berlin-Tegel. “The agreement also enables Flybe to expand its


sales and distribution to European regional customers, while airberlin benefits from enhancing its route offering to the UK for its customers in Germany and from the carriage of UK customers on its long haul routes. This is an exciting win-win agreement.” Neil Mills, chief strategy and planning officer at


airberlin said: “Our new codeshare agreement with Flybe gives our passengers even more choice and expands our flight offer to the UK. “Thanks to our partner Flybe, travellers will benefit


from a seamless travel experience and a connection to our long-haul routes at Dusseldorf and Berlin-Tegel.”


Craig drives away with title


A bus driver from Wolverhampton fought off competition from 113 colleagues to win the National Express Bus Driver of the Year crown. Craig Lockyer came out on top in the national


competition which tests every aspect of a driver’s skill. Drivers take written tests on the most obscure


details of the Highway Code before climbing into buses they’ve never driven before to perform fiendish driving and manoeuvring tests. Their performance is measured by a tough panel of judges. Craig said: “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet! I took my


dad with me to the competition in Blackpool - he got a bit emotional when they read the results out. “My missus and the kids were ecstatic. I went out


in Wolverhampton and saw some other drivers and they congratulated me. It’s absolutely brilliant.” Mark Simcox, National Express head of driver


training and recruitment, said: “We’re really proud of all of our competitors, who put on a great show. “I’m delighted with Craig, who took first place after


joining the business as a trainee only five years ago. “National Express’ UK Bus division made a fantastic mark on this year’s competition.


Fiendish drivers (from left): Darren Dunbar, Paul Jarvis, Craig Lockyer and Stephen Bate


“The results are even more special with this year


being the 50th anniversary of the national competition. “I'd like to thank the driver training team, who


worked really hard putting our drivers through their paces to get them ready for the competition.” Stephen Bate from the National Express Walsall


garage came in ninth place, while Paul Jarvis of Birmingham Central and Darren Dunbar from Perry Barr came in 30th and 37th respectively.


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