AIRCRAFT Easyjet hybrid
EASYJET HAS UNVEILED DESIGNS FOR A HYBRID AIRCRAFT, which could save around 50,000 tonnes of fuel a year and reduce CO2 emissions. As part of its strategy of reducing its passengers’ carbon footprint, the airline has designed a ‘zero emissions hydrogen fuel system’. The hybrid concept uses a
hydrogen fuel cell stowed in the aircraft’s hold. This allows energy to be captured as the aircraft brakes on landing, and is used to charge lightweight batteries when the aircraft is on the ground – similar
to the technology used in Formula 1 cars.
The energy can then be used by the aircraft when taxi-ing, which is on average 20-minutes per flight. Easyjet predicts this will save around 4 per cent of its annual fuel consumption, as well as helping the airline to cut emissions by 7 per cent by 2020. This follows a 28 per cent decrease over the past 15 years.
The only waste product of the system is fresh, clean water which could be used to refill the aircraft’s water system throughout the flight.
To power the aircraft during taxi-ing, each aircraft would have motors fitted in their main wheels. Electronic drive systems would give pilots control of the aircraft’s speed, direction and braking during taxi operations.
The system would,
therefore, reduce or even remove altogether, the need for tugs to manoeuvre aircraft in and out of stands. It could also allow the airline to achieve more efficient turnaround times and increase on-time performance.
AWARDS HOTELS
ENTRIES OPEN FOR GTMC INNOVATION AWARDS
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE GTMC/ TRAVELPORT INNOVATION AWARDS. Entry for the awards, which recognise innovation in travel technology, is open to all GTMC members. Companies will be judged by the
GTMC Technology Panel, and the winning TMC will receive a two-page spread in Buying Business Travel, showcasing their achievement to potential buyers. Winners will also be featured on the GTMC website, and
BOOKING TECHNOLOGY
Sabre to sell American Airlines’ seat upgrades using NDC
SABRE IS TO START SELLING AMERICAN AIRLINES’ UPGRADED SEAT PRODUCTS using new distribution capability (NDC)-based technology standards. The launch is both companies’ first implementation of NDC for ancillaries sold through a GDS.
Starting this month, American Airlines’ Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats will be available to agents using Sabre. Main Cabin Extra offers up to six inches more legroom and Group 1 boarding;
and Preferred Seats allow customers to select seats located towards the front of the cabin or closer to the window or aisle.
12 BBT MARCH/APRIL 2016
will be promoted at conferences and member events throughout the year. There are two awards presentations
over the course of 2016, and entries for each need to be submitted by April 29 and September 2 respectively. Submissions can be made by sending your nomination in Word format, together with any supporting materials, to maria.lorenz@travelport. com with ‘GTMC Innovation Award submission’ in the subject line.
Are London rates about to ‘plateau’?
HOTEL PRICES IN LONDON COULD START TO “PLATEAU” this year as more rooms are opened in the UK capital. Research on the state of the UK hotel industry, Hotel Bulletin: Q4 2015, found that another 7,000 hotel rooms are scheduled to open in London this year. At the same time, occupancy levels in the city have fallen for four consecutive quarters, according to the report compiled by HVS, Alix Partners and AM:PM Hotels. UK hotel rates, particularly in London, have been surging in recent years. Data from hotel portal HRS showed that the average price for a one-night stay went up by 26 per cent between 2011 and 2015 – but this could be about to change. See UK hotels feature, p80
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
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