News in brief from BA, CWT, Carlson Hotels, Greys and Jet Republic, and oneworld
BA scraps short haul meals
British Airways is to scrap free meals after 10am on flights under two-and-a-half hours, in a bid to save £22 million per year.
The move, which will apply to economy passengers departing the UK from next week, will see the carrier replacing the current offering (typically a sandwich), with bags of nuts or similar snacks.
BA will continue to offer all passengers a free breakfast before 10am, as well complimentary drinks throughout the day.
Passengers on flights of more than two-and-a-half hours will still receive a meal service.
The carrier said that customer research showed that while passengers still valued a breakfast meal service, this became less important later in the day.
In response to the BA move, rival UK carrier bmi said it would offer food on all its domestic and European services.
Peter Spencer, bmi's managing director, said: "Every airline has to operate cost effectively but we don't believe stripping away customer benefits is the right strategy."
CWT itinerary and ticket tool hits Europe
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has today (July 29) announced the European launch of its itinerary and e-ticketing tool.
CWT Itinerary and E-Ticket, aimed at business travellers and travel managers, uses "multipart email" technology to display correctly on both PCs and mobile devices.
Itinerary and e-tickets are combined as a single document. Travel status and any actions to be taken are highlighted with colour-coded icons.
CWT said the tool sorts by relevance and clearly displays air, hotel, rail and rental car bookings.
The tool is designed to work with on- and off-line bookings made through any reservations system, including those of low-cost airlines, rail providers and independent hotels.
The software is available in eight European languages - Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish.
A global roll-out of the tool is planned for 2010.
Joly takes charge of Carlson hotels
Hubert Joly, president and ceo of the Carlson Group of companies, it to take charge of its hotel division.
Mr Joly, former president and worldwide ceo of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has also appointed Thorsten Kirschke as the chief operating officer of Carlson Hotels.
Mr Kirschke was formerly executive vp and chief operating officer for the Rezidor Hotel Group of which Carlson is the main shareholder.
Other Carlson hotel brands include Regent Hotels, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inns.
The Minneapolis-based company also owns Carlson Wagonlit Travel, restaurant chains and a marketing business.
Mr Joly was CWT's ceo from 2004-2008 before taking over as Carlson ceo.
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| Hubert Joly |
Carlson said that Jay Witzel, who has worked for 22 years in senior management positions at Carlson, most recently as president and ceo of Carlson Hotels worldwide, had been appointed to a consulting role with the hotel company.
Mr Joly said of Mr Kirschke's promotion: "Thorsten brings an exceptional background of leadership and management success in the hotel industry to this role.
"His extensive global experience includes management roles in Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, England, United Arab Emirates and China."
Carlson said the changes were part of its strategy to "revitalise" the Radisson brand in the Americas.
Greys signs partnership deal with Jet Republic
Executive chauffeur car company Greys has signed a partnership deal with Jet Republic, a private aviation company.
Under the deal, Grey which is based in London, will provide cars for Jet's fractional owners.
Martin Theodore, Greys' director, said: "Jet Republic is an exciting new name in the business aviation arena with a significant focus on customer service and we are very proud to be supporting their clients, predominantly time-conscious business executives by fulfilling their ground transport needs."
www.greysoflondon.com www.jetrepublic.com
Finnair launches station check-in
Finnair has launched a new service for passengers departing from Stockholm to check in at the city's railway station.
Kiosks have been opened in the station's departure hall for the Arlanda Express, the air rail link direct to the airport.
The kiosks will issue boarding passes and will also check-in the passengers' luggage which can be left at the baggage drop on arrival at the airport.
Finnair said the scheme was open not only for direct flights to Helsinki but also for connecting services.
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| Robert Antoniuk |
Oneworld carriers to move into new Barcelona terminal
Five carriers from the oneworld alliance are to move into the new Terminal 1 at Barcelona from September 9.
The five are Iberia, along with its affiliate Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair and Royal Jordanian.
Vueling, a low cost carrier part-owned by Iberia but not a member of oneworld, will also move into the new facility.
Robert Antoniuk, oneworld's vp customer experience and airports, said: "oneworld's airports strategy is to bring the operations of its member airlines together wherever it makes sense and where opportunities allow."
Details of lounge facilities available to premium customers of the alliance will be announced later.
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