SECURITY
Digital editor Tom Newcombe compiles the latest news from
buyingbusinesstravel.com
RETHINK LAPTOP BAN, SAYS IATA
AIRLINE ORGANISATION IATA HAS CALLED FOR A RETHINK by governments on the current laptop ban being applied onboard some flights to the UK and US.
POLITICS
Larger mobile devices, including laptops and tablets, have been banned onboard some flights from the Middle East and North Africa since March due to security fears. There have also been persistent rumours that US authorities may extend the ban to all flights from Europe to the US. Alexandre de Juniac,
Qatar Airways: blockade won’t stop growth
QATAR AIRWAYS’ CHIEF EXECUTIVE Akbar Al Baker has said an “illegal blockade” by neighbouring countries won’t stop the recent growth enjoyed by the Gulf carrier. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June over alleged links to terrorism – claims that have been denied by the Qatari government. Airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Gulf Air and Air Arabia have suspended flights to the capital Doha. “This blockade is unprecedented, and it is in direct contradiction to the convention that guarantees rights to civil overflight,” said Al Baker. “We call upon the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) to declare this an illegal act. We are not a political body, we are an airline, and this blockade has stripped us of the rights which are guaranteed to us.” He added: “Global operations continue to run smoothly, with the vast majority of our network unaffected by the current circumstances.” Following the ‘blockade’ Qatar Airways has increased operations of its global call centre and social media as well as providing greater flexibility for refunds and rebooking passengers whose flights have been hit by the ban. The airline said it has been largely unaffected by the decision and will push ahead with plans for 24 new routes. Its latest financial results, which don’t include the period of the diplomatic row, showed a 21 per cent year- on-year net profit increase, with annual revenues rising 10.4 per cent. Qatar Airways has also signalled an interest in buying a stake in American Airlines.
8 BBT July/August 2017
director general of IATA, said: “We need to get security right. There is a clear duty to make sure that the measures are logical, effective and efficient. That
is not the case with the current ban and it must change.” IATA has estimated that the current ban could cost US$180 million in lost productivity because business travellers cannot work on flights, which could mushroom to US$1.2 billion if the ban is eventually extended to flights between Europe and the US. “First, we must find
alternatives to the ban,” said de Juniac. “In the short- term, these include more intense screening at the gate and skills training. “In the medium-term,
more advanced and faster explosive detection technology is the solution to evolving bomb threats,” de Juniac added.
INVESTMENT
Jaguar Land Rover invests $25m in Uber rival Lyft
JAGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR) HAS INVESTED US$25 million in Uber rival Lyft. The UK-based car manufacturer will support Lyft’s expansion and technology plans, and provide it the opportunity to develop and test autonomous vehicles. It will also supply the ride-share company’s drivers with a fleet of JLR vehicles.
The funding comes through JLR’s Inmotion Ventures arm, a division set up last year to invest in new transport technologies.
“Heathrow expansion... not going to happen”
Newly elected Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith tweets response to story claiming Heathrow expansion thrown into doubt by election
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