News in brief: October 8 2009

News in brief from the GTMCGuild of Travel Management Companies, IHG, Air Berlin, United Airlines, Citadines and easyJet 

GTMC to launch business travellers' manifesto

The UK Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) is to launch a business travellers' manifesto next January.

Philip Carlisle, the Guild's ceo, said a questionnaire would be sent to travel management companies, travel buyers and business travellers with hopefully 10,000 responses.

The statistical information plus comments would then be developed into a list of demands which would comprise the manifesto.

Mr Carlisle, who retires this year as the GTMC's ceo, said it was planned to launch the manifesto at a special events at the Houses of Parliament in late January.

www.gtmc.org

IHG to open two more Indigo hotels in the UK

InterContinental hotels (IHG) has signed contracts to open two more of its boutique brand Indigo hotels in the UK.

The new properties will be in Glasgow and Liverpool.

Hotel Indigo Glasgow, to be built in a converted bank building in Waterloo Street, is scheduled to open mid-2010 with 96 bedrooms.

The second new property, Hotel Indigo Liverpool, will be a city centre property with 151 bedrooms.

It is scheduled to open in spring 2011.

IHG opened its first Indigo hotel in the UK earlier this year in west London.

www.ihg.com

Air Berlin sees strengthens seat revenues

Germany's second largest airline Air Berlin has reported a 4.4% year-on-year rise in revenues per available seat in September.

The €0.62 jump in revenues on last year's level was in spite of a 5.1% fall in overall passenger numbers in September.

Air Berlin said it had cut capacity by 4.8% in September compared to 2008 while load factor dropped 0.2%.

www.airberlin.com

United launches baggage package

United Airlines has launched a new scheme to allow passengers to pay $249 a year to check in bags for domestic and international flights.

The Chicago-based airline said the Premier Baggage deal would allow travellers to check in up to two bags for each flight without having to pay each time at check in.

www.united.com

Citadines enhances business travel offering

Serviced apartment operator Citadines Apart'hotels has launched two new initiatives aimed at business travellers.

Citadines's 24-hour Rental Service allows travellers to arrive at an apartment and stay for up to 24 hours, a first for the UK, the company claimed.

The "all-in-one" Citadines Executive Package includes breakfast and other services for business travellers.

Both services are available across the company's 41-strong European portfolio in countries including the UK, Spain and Germany.

www.citadines.com

easyJet traffic up 5.3%

Low cost carrier easyJet has seen a strengthening in passenger numbers in September.

The airline carried 4.4 million passengers last month compared to 4.2 million the year before, a rise of 5.3%.

Load factors also rose 1.2% to 88.1% in September as easyJet filled more seats.

On a 12-months to September basis passenger numbers rose 3.4% year-on-year and load factor was up 1.4%.

www.easyjet.com