APD


IAG: ‘APD is stopping Level expansion’


INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES GROUP (IAG) has said the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) charges are reducing the chances of its new low-cost, long-haul airline Level operating in the UK. The group says it wants to expand Level, which launched services from Barcelona to the US and Latin America


last year, and will start flights from Paris to the Caribbean and North America in July. However, in a letter to MPs, IAG warned that flights from Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester are “not financially viable when Level’s fares start around £88 one-way and long-haul economy APD is £78.”


Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, commented: “British consumers are losing out because of APD. In Spain and France, Level can offer lower fares than it can in the UK – and that goes for other long-haul, low-cost airlines, too. “MPs need to know that APD undermines our ability to introduce new low-cost flights that would benefit their constituents. If APD was axed, IAG could open new routes and operate Level from regional airports.” In the letter, IAG echoes numerous


calls to reconsider a rise in APD for business class seats announced in the autumn budget, saying it will be a mistake to “tax aviation so harshly” in a post-Brexit UK where businesses will need to focus on developing international connections. “It’s clear the chancellor doesn’t understand that Britain is losing out to countries that don’t have draconian aviation taxes,” Walsh added.


TRAVEL MANAGEMENT


Capita Travel and Events partners with Globalstar


BUSINESS TRAVEL AND EVENTS SPECIALIST Capita Travel and Events has partnered with Globalstar Travel Management to deliver in-country solutions for UK organisations with growing international office locations. Globalstar is a worldwide TMC


network in more than 85 countries. Capita said it chose Globalstar as a partner because they both offer a similar level of expertise and technology. Trevor Elswood, CCO of Capita


Travel and Events, said that as many clients “globalise with overseas office locations, they want in-market specialists in key international regions, without compromising on the value of using our expertise for the significant UK market”. Steve Hartwell, president of Globalstar


Travel Management, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Capita Travel and Events. Globalstar is already influencing new customer relationships for Capita because of the alliance expertise in Asia-Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, so we know it’s an ideal solution.”


20 BBT March/April 2018 BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM


AIRLINES Singapore Airlines to add new


Dreamliner to Osaka route SINGAPORE AIRLINES has announced that Osaka in Japan will be the first scheduled destination for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet, with services expected to begin in May. The airline will be the first to operate the 787-10, with the initial aircraft set for delivery from Boeing’s production facility in South Carolina in March, with a further 49 on order. Prior to the introduction of scheduled services to Osaka, the 787-10s will


operate on selected Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur flights for crew training. The longest of Boeing’s Dreamliner range, the aircraft is fitted with 337 seats, with 36 in business class and 301 in economy. SIA says it will debut its new regional cabin products on the 787-10. More details will be available at a later date.


SIA also has 20 777-9s on order, which are scheduled for delivery in the 2021/22 financial year.


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