WORDS MOLLY DYSON


INFORM


MPS UNITE TO CHALLENGE APD


MPs FROM ACROSS the political spectrum have joined forces to form an All Party Parliamentary Group on Air Passenger Duty (APD) Reform to encourage the government to cut the UK’s flight tax rate. The MPs claim cutting APD would allow the UK “to compete on a level playing field with our European counterparts, boosting tourism, trade, jobs and growth”. APD is a per passenger tax levied on all flights departing from


airports in the UK. The British rate is currently the highest in the world and more than double that paid in Germany, according to the APPG, with long-haul flights subject to a £156 additional cost for business class.


Chancellor Philip Hammond has faced pressure from airlines and government officials to reduce the rate of APD, but he has increased the tax on some long-haul flights twice over the last two years. International Airlines Group boss Willie Walsh has said APD is preventing its low-cost carrier Level from establishing a base in the UK. Following Hammond’s decision to increase APD, long-haul tickets in premium economy and above will see a hike of £16 to £172 from 1 April.


EU approves stake sale on Virgin Atlantic


OAKWOOD TEAMS UP WITH TRAVELCLICK TO BOOST BOOKINGS


GLOBAL SERVICED APARTMENT PROVIDER Oakwood has announced a strategic partnership with TravelClick, an Amadeus company, to extend its online booking capabilities. The partnership will enable Oakwood’s systems to integrate with


mainstream travel and online booking tools, as well as with travel management platforms. It will allow business and leisure travellers to book its properties instantly online. The deal also marks TravelClick’s first venture into the serviced apartment


sector. The company’s proprietary iHotelier Booking Engine 4.0 provides a centralised e-commerce platform that allows Oakwood to guide guests through the online booking process with interactive message displays, as well as targeted merchandising and add-on services. In addition, TravelClick’s mobile experience will integrate into Oakwood’s


recently launched mobile app. n Serviced apartments special report, p116-123


buyingbusinesstravel.com


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has granted permission for Air France KLM and Delta Air Lines to go ahead with the acquisition of a 31 per cent joint- controlling stake in Virgin Atlantic. Although the commission agreed the


tie-up would “give rise to overlaps” on both direct and indirect flights – especially on routes from the UK to North America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean and from continental Europe and Ireland to North America – it decided this would not raise competition concerns because “Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines and Air France KLM are not close competitors and they continue to face significant competition from other carriers” on these routes. The EC said it also believes the


“combined slot portfolio is unlikely to have a negative effect on passengers at London Heathrow and Manchester airports”. The deal puts the 31 per cent stake under Air France KLM’s control, while Delta maintains its existing 49 per cent share. Richard Branson’s Virgin Group owns the remaining 20 per cent.


2019 MARCH/APRIL 15


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