In Brief

Free broadband in Radisson SAS hotels

Radisson SAS has announced that it is offering a free broadband service in all its hotels. In most the service will be available from September 1.
The service includes high speed as well as wireless access and will be available in bedrooms, meetings rooms and public areas.

Eurostar launches new service

A new package for business travellers going first class on Eurostar, the high speed train link between London and Brussels and Paris comes into force today (September 1).
The Business Premier deal includes a fast track check-in, use of a business lounge and carriages designated exclusively for travellers who wish to work.

Lufthansa starts codeshare flights with Swiss

Lufthansa and its recent acquisition Swiss have announced that all their flights between Germany and Switzerland will be codeshared from October 30. The two carriers are also harmonising their timetables at their three hubs, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich to provide co-ordinated services.

GTMCGuild of Travel Management Companies introduces new qualification

The UK Guild of Travel Management Companies has introduced a new Certificate in Business Travel at Consultant Level. The certificate will be part of the GTMC's consultant level qualification and will include a written test as well as workplace assessment and a fares and ticketing test.

France to bring in air ticket tax

France is planning to bring in a tax on airline tickets from next year to raise aid for developing countries. President Jacques Chirac said France would join with Germany, Spain, Brazil, Chile and Algeria in pushing for the tax to be made worldwide at the UN summit later this month.
M Chirac said $1 levy on each air ticket could raise $10bn a year.
The idea is opposed by the aviation industry.

Malev privatisation called off

The Hungarian government has called off plans to privatise its loss making national carrier Malev for the fifth time. It said the two bids for the carrier were too low.
One had offered $755,000 plus a capital investment of $45.3m while the other had offered $5m plus a $20.1m capital injection.
The government is expected to try and off load Malev again after it has sold off Budapest Airport.