Travel Trade Europe Issue 14 by Travel Trade Publications

25 MAY 2015

ISSUE 14

LITHUANIA’S APPEAL RISES IN JAPAN COMMEMORATING ITS 11TH BIRTHDAY, WIZZ AIR HAS UNVEILED ITS REJUVENATED IDENTITY WHICH WILL OPEN UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PASSENGERS.

08 HUNGARY TO WELCOME RITZ-CARLTON

10 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

CRUISING

TECHNOLOGY

ACCOMMODATION

MINI REPORT

AIR

RENDEZVOUS

TRAVEL TALK

TRAVEL CHANNELS

WHO’S MOVED

PHOTO ALBUM

NEWS & EVENTS

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH WIZZ AIR

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

Air France-KLM Loss Narrows Down An increase in passenger volume and a drop in fuel costs have enabled Air France-KLM to cut back its first quarterly operating loss to EUR417 million, an improvement of EUR109 million like-for-like.

ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

evenues from passenger operations rose 1.8 percent to EUR5.7 million, currency effects however shaved EUR81 million from the results. During the three-month period, the group maintained its strict capacity discipline, and short- and medium-haul point-topoint capacity was also reduced by 11.8 percent. For the current year, the company maintains its key targets, a unit cost reduction of one to 1.3 percent, and the achievement of a net debt of around EUR4.4 billion.

CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou

Air Serbia’s Profit Surges in Q1

DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeeurope.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

Air Serbia saw its revenue increase 44 percent in the first quarter of the year (Q1) to reach EUR39 million.

he carrier recorded 453,000 passengers, a rise of more than 26 percent year-on-year, while available seat kilometres surged 15 percent to 795 million and cargo volumes improved 61 percent during the threemonth period. Commenting on the positive figures, Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia, enthused, “As in 2014, we will continue to focus on maintaining financial discipline and control over costs. Nevertheless, this year we are committed to investing in what we firmly believe are key areas that will underpin our future success – further development of our workforce and enhancing the guest experience [...].”

Norwegian Net Profit Rises

During the first quarter (Q1) of the year, Norwegian recorded a net profit of EUR64 million, a year-on-year increase of EUR6.78 million. EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

25/5/2015 COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.09

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.70

Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.03

Japan (JPY)

Yen

133.36

trong passenger growth continued outside of Scandinavia, resulting in a load factor improvement of six percentage points, while revenue per kilometre rose 15 percent. “Traditionally, the first quarter is low season,” explained Bjørn Kjos, CEO, Norwegian. ”On a positive note, the passenger growth outside Scandinavia is strong, particularly on our long-haul routes. The passenger growth is especially strong at London Gatwick and future booking figures are looking good.” 25 MAY 2015

MARKET UPDATE

Wizz Air Grows Passenger Numbers During the 12 months ended March 31, Wizz Air carried 16,482,468 passengers, witnessing a 18.4 percent rise in demand.

Profits Soar at IAA Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced a 15.5 percent rise in its operating profit to EUR29.7 million, for 2014.

urnover increased by 2.2 percent to EUR177.5 million, and operating expenses decreased by 0.1 percent. Eamonn Brennan, CEO, IAA, commented, “Total flights in Irish airspace grew by 2.7 percent and we safely handled over 140 million passengers. […] These results demonstrate our capability to lower our total costs, whilst simultaneously handling more air traffic. We continue to be one of the most competitive air navigation service providers in Europe providing a reliable and safe service to our airline customers and the travelling public.”

Strong First Quarter for Aer Lingus

he airline’s capacity surged 17 percent to 19 million seats, and load factor jumped one percentage point to 86.7 percent. József Váradi, CEO, Wizz Air, said, “The last 12 months have been an excellent period for Wizz Air. We saw further capacity growth with the addition of more countries and bases to our network. We carried 2.5 million more passengers than in the same period in 2014. We are set for further growth on the back of our continuing fleet and network expansion [this year] to bring more low fares to more travellers in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Revenues were up almost eight percent compared to 2014 at Aer Lingus between January and March, reaching EUR280 million.

Northern Europe Leads Hotel Demand Northern European hotels posted double-digit year-onyear growth in average daily rates (ADR) in March with figures rising 14.2 percent to EUR110.53, and in RevPAR, which soared 16.2 percent to EUR80.31.

ikewise, driven by strong demand in Spain, Southern Europe also achieved a 13 percent growth in RevPAR to EUR61.9, while the highest occupancy increase, up 8.3 percent to 56.2 percent was reported from Eastern Europe, where, on the other hand, ADR dropped 5.1 percent to EUR70.14. As an encouraging sign ahead of the busy summer season, eight countries registered RevPAR improvements of at least 15 percent, including Malta, Spain, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Israel and Slovakia. 25 MAY 2015

tephen Kavanagh, CEO, Aer Lingus, revealed that in the coming quarters the company will focus on capitalising on peak demand opportunities, while aggressively managing its cost base. “On short-haul we will continue our demand-led strategy to drive occupancy, manage per available seat yield and retail revenue per passenger. On long haul, we will see the commencement of the new Washington route as well as increased frequencies on New York, San Francisco and Orlando routes. Overall, our forward trends are positive,” he added.

NEWS CRUISING Cunard Celebrates 175th Anniversary

Norwegian Epic: New Season, New Entertainment

orwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship, Norwegian Epic entered another season of seven-night Mediterranean cruises, after arriving to its homeport, Barcelona. The ship now features a new entertainment line-up including two new Broadway shows, Burn the Floor and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert The Musical and a British pop music experience, The Cavern Club. “We are very excited to bring Norwegian Epic back to Europe. With her innovative accommodation and wide array of dining, spa and leisure amenities, she truly is the best ship to sail the Med and beyond in summer and in winter,” said Andy Stuart, president, Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Epic

unard Line has kicked off its 175-year anniversary celebrations in the UK with the arrival of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, at its homeport in Southampton. In homage to the city, the three vessels sailed down Southampton Water and into the River Solent. “Together with the city, the company has shared so many fantastic memories, and I hope residents and Cunard enthusiasts from far and wide [took] advantage of this magnificent sight and [enjoyed] the spectacle of seeing our three Queens manoeuvring together so close to Southampton,” said Angus Struthers, marketing director, Cunard Line.

25 MAY 2015

AGENTS...

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NEWS TECHNOLOGY

Abacus Partners with City Discovery

bacus travel agents across over 20,000 locations in Asia Pacific are offering front row seats of a different kind, as technology company is integrating the 8,000 concerts, activities, attractions and tours of City Discovery into the launch release of Abacus ContentPlus. Abacus’ retail platform gives agents the means to provide instant confirmation for sporting or entertainment events, as well as priority access to a wide variety of attractions. Martin Symes, chief marketing officer, Abacus, commented, “We are adding a new dimension to the services offered by this region’s travel agents, with products that deliver on the promise of experiential travel. [...] While Abacus agents benefit from the incremental revenue, travellers will enjoy City Discovery’s consistent low price guarantee.”

Hotel Direct Uses Twitter for City Guides

otel Direct has unveiled its online city guides for London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Manchester, harnessing the power of Twitter. The guides use the social platform’s list functionality to gather a selection of tweets from experts in each city, including tour guides, event organisers and historians, among others. Mark Wilson, director, Hotel Direct, explained, “After extensive research, we found the web was saturated with well-written city guides, more often than not written by hoteliers or travel experts. There seemed a gap for more of-the-moment advice, written by locals who live and breathe their home cities and Twitter provided the ideal platform to pass on these expert recommendations.”

MSC Cruises Goes Virtual

SC Cruises, in collaboration with Samsung, launched an innovative tool that creates virtual reality (VR) tours of its ships. Aimed at introducing prospective customers to the MSC Cruise experience at the time of sale, the product, which was launched at EXPO Milano 2015, will be available to travel agents soon. Samsung’s Gear VR headsets and a specifically designed software application constitute the baseline of the tool. During the virtual tour users stroll though the decks and can pick a cabin as well. They are also allowed to watch one of the cruise line’s shows while a sensory technology creates the aromas one is expected to smell onboard.

Ryanair Teams Up with Adobe

n a bid to further enhance its application and website and deliver a world-class digital infrastructure, Ryanair has partnered with computer software company, Adobe. To further improve the customer experience, the low-cost carrier has invested in a range of Adobe products including Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Target, Adobe Analytics and Adobe Campaign, which are set to further improve its IT and digital capabilities. A refreshed website featuring personalised home pages, a hold the fare feature and a fare comparison tool, will be launched in the autumn, along with a new mobile app. As Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing officer, Ryanair, pinpointed, becoming digital leaders in the travel industry is a key pillar to the Ryanair Always Getting Better plan.

25 MAY 2015

AIRPORTS NEWS

hase two of London Stansted Airport’s GBP80 million (EUR109 million) project has been completed, offering travellers a range of new and improved facilities. The departure lounge’s stylish space is now home to an exciting new line-up of cafés, bars and restaurants with many airport firsts, as Charlie Cornish, CEO, The Manchester Airports Group (MAG), pinpointed. “When MAG acquired Stansted we set a clear vision to transform the terminal and improve its facilities. Having returned the airport to growth and once again made it the fastest major growing airport in the UK [...] the timing for this […] investment in the terminal building could not be timed better,” added Cornish.

Strong March Growth for Edinburgh Airport

AdP-led Consortium in Negotiation for Madagascar Airfields

éroports de Paris (AdP), through its subsidiary Aéroports de Paris Management, Bouygues Bâtiment International, Colas Madagascar and Meridiam, have been selected by the government of Madagascar as preferred bidders for the public-private partnership contract relating to the concession of the international airports of Ivato and Fascène in Madagascar. The consortium’s offer covers the design, funding and construction of a number of facilities at the airports, which collectively handled over 946,000 passengers in 2014.

New Gates at Chopin Airport

cotland’s busiest airfield, Edinburgh Airport enjoyed a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers in March with over 790,000 travellers passing through the hub. Domestic passenger numbers rose by 8.7 percent, whereas international traffic increased by 4.7 percent on March 2014. Gordon Dewar, CEO, Edinburgh Airport, said, “We are now officially in the summer schedule and have already welcomed several new airlines [...] We are sure these will be popular choices for our passengers over the coming months.”

Pegasus Arrives to Gatwick

atwick Airport welcomed its first-ever Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökcen International Airport. The low-cost carrier will operate to the Turkish city six times per week, enabling travellers from the UK to connect to flights across the country. Guliz Ozturk, chief commercial officer, Pegasus Airlines, commented, “The UK is a major destination for us, having flown 381,000 guests to and from the UK during 2014 which translates to a year-on-year increase of 25 percent. We are confident that our new Gatwick flights will be warmly welcomed.”

25 MAY 2015

ith both passenger comfort and safety in mind, Warsaw Chopin Airport launched new gate readers to automate and speed up boarding pass control, enabling entry to the security control zone and the duty free area. “Passengers around the world can increasingly rely on selfservice solutions for check-in and pre-flight controls. Such innovative technologies as automated boarding pass scanners help boost the airport’s capacity, while at the same time lowering its operating costs. This makes air travel easier and cheaper,” said Radosław Paruzel, deputy director, Warsaw Chopin Airport.

Safe Gates at Warsaw Chopin Airport

Stansted Terminal Transformation Reaches New Milestone

European Hubs Report Strong Quarter

ccording to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, during the first quarter of the year, passenger traffic at Europe’s hubs rose by an average 5.2 percent. Traveller movements in the European Union (EU) surged by six percent, with Greece, Romania, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Belgium and Croatia recording double-digit growth figures. Meanwhile, non-EU airports posted less dynamic traffic increase at 2.6 percent, dragged down by declines in Russia and Ukraine. Freight volumes across the continent’s airport network fell by 0.4 percent, while aircraft movements were up 1.6 percent, reflecting limited additional airline capacity in the market.

NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Spain Tops League of Most Tourist-friendly Countries

Ireland Eyes Asia Pacific Region

pain leads the World Economic Forum’s biennial Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, marking the first time the country has been ranked on top of the report. Spain’s position is helped by high ranking in cultural resources, its ability to support online searches for entertainment, as well as an excellent infrastructure. France, Germany, US, UK, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Japan and Canada complete the top 10. “The diversity in the top 30 shows that a country does not have to be wealthy to have a flourishing tourism sector,” said Roberto Crotti, economist, World Economic Forum.

Ireland

n a bid to boost arrivals from the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) region, Tourism Ireland took part in Visit Britain’s Destination Britain event in Bali, Indonesia. As Simon Gregory, director of markets, Tourism Ireland, noted, 2014 was a record year in terms of visitor numbers from long-haul markets.

“The majority of our overseas visitors come from the core markets of Great Britain, North America and mainland Europe, and while this will continue, we know it is important to expand our focus beyond these markets and look to the long-term opportunities presented by markets like China, India and the Middle East,” explained Gregory.

Azerbaijan Strengthens Meeting Credentials

zerbaijan Convention Bureau (AzCB), part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is steadily enlarging the circle of its members. Since its conception in 2013, the bureau has been actively working on attracting large-scale events to the country. The 25th member to join AzCB is Geo Travel, which is already part of the Japanese Association of Travel Agents and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Boasting years of experience, the company organises various programmes, business seminars, team-building activities, special events and more.

Ireland Lures German MICE Travellers

A Barcelona

delegation of nine Irish tourism companies visited Germany to participate in a Meet in Ireland workshop in Cologne, organised by Tourism Ireland with the aim to highlight the country′s MICE credentials and meet German companies. Zoë Redmond, manager, Central Europe, Tourism

London Hospitality Market Suffers

hilst London hotels’ profitability showed a virtually flat year-on-year movement in March, the UK provinces continued to post strong performance with particular growth in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR). This is according to the latest data from HotStats which showed that South East hoteliers recorded an 8.4 percent surge in this metric. With occupancy increasing by 2.5 percentage points, the South East region managed to grow average room rate (ARR) by 1.6 percent, resulting in a RevPAR uplift of 5.3 percent. Most non-room departments also showed positive movements with conference room hire per available room leading, having contributed to a 3.6 percent growth in total RevPAR.

Ireland, commented, “Business tourism is an important, high yield sector and Tourism Ireland has a busy programme of promotional activity in place to grow this type of tourism [this year]. 2014 was the strongest year ever for visitors to Ireland from Germany and this year has also got off to a positive start.”

Lithuania’s Appeal to Japanese Travellers Rises

ourism is one of the most promising areas for developing the relationship between Lithuania and Japan, according to Egidijus Meilūnas, ambassador to Japan, Lithuania. "I am convinced that Lithuania can offer Japanese tourists what other Baltic countries cannot: the heritage of the highly-valued Chiune Sugihara and the strong Lithuanian connection with the nature. In Lithuania, the Japanese feel at home and one of the reasons for this phenomenon, in my opinion, is the long-cherished Lithuanian paganism, which is quite close to the Japanese due to its similarities to Shinto – one of the major religions in Japan," said Meilūnas. In 2014, the country’s accommodation establishments welcomed 14,500 Japanese tourists, 44.1 percent more than in 2013.

25 MAY 2015

ACCOMMODATION NEWS

New Scandic Hotel Added at Norway Trade Fairs

orway’s largest congress centre, Norway Trade Fairs in Lilleström, is to welcome a new hotel in 2018. Located near the city’s train station, Scandic Portalen will be the tallest building in the area, and will offer 200 rooms along with a selection of amenities. “With its strategic location at one of Norway′s most important hubs for business travellers and the largest exhibition centre in the country, Scandic Portalen will be a valuable addition to our Norwegian hotel portfolio,” said Frank Fiskers, president, Scandic Hotels.

Lilleström

25 MAY 2015

Manchester Hotel Gets a Spa

anchester’s The Midland hotel welcomed a new relaxation hub, The Spa at The Midland, offering the latest in well-being and beauty treatments, in addition to an exclusive gym. ESPA-branded treatments, 3D Skintech machine-assisted facials and express spa offerings are just some of the perks available to spa goers. Helena Grzesk, director of spa, The Midland, said, “We have introduced a spa journey like no other with opportunities for our guests to slow down [...] or benefit from treatments which give real results.”

The Spa at The Midland

ibis Opens New Flagship Property in Lille

bis has launched a new franchised hotel in France. ibis Lille Centre Grand Palais is the first hotel to showcase every new concept the brand is introducing, including wide open areas, designer features and comfort-enhancing amenities, among others. The new hotel, which was unveiled after an 18-month construction period, spans seven storeys and features 91 rooms, including nine suites and three rooms for mobility-impaired guests. The property was built to encapsulate the brand’s up-to-the-minute comfort spirit by APSIS, a Lillie-based architectural firm, and also features a 24/7 lounge bar and a meeting room opening out onto a terrace for professional customers.

Game-changing Value Brand in London

ondon-based hotel group, glh unveiled Thistle Express, a new value hotel concept that blends modern design, efficient service and unlimited super-fast Wi-Fi; all at affordable prices. The first Thistle Express branded project is set to be unveiled in the UK capital in 2016, and guests will be able to chose their own room with smart TV. Commenting on the new concept, Mike DeNoma, CEO, glh, noted, “The hotel industry, in particular the economy sector, is ripe for innovation. You can no longer divide the market into travellers who only stay in economy hotels, versus those who stick to four or five star luxury. Thistle Express is a brand that caters for the modern traveller.”

NEWS ACCOMMODATION Radisson Blu Old Mill Recognised for Its Design

Double Tree Celebrates Amsterdam Opening

msterdam has welcomed the 88-key DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam – NDSM Wharf, located on the banks of IJ lake, offering water views across the Dutch capital′s canals from most of its rooms. Patrick Kerkhoven, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam - NDSM Wharf, commented, “It is an exciting time for this part of the city, which has been subject to substantial investment and regeneration in recent years. We look forward to offering guests a warm welcome and truly unique stay.”

B Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade

elgrade’s landmark property, Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade received two accolades at the recently-held International Design Awards (IDA). Studio GRAFT, responsible for the hotel’s interior design, ranked top in the renovation category and came second in the commercial group. In total, around 1,000 design projects from 52 countries had entered the competition. IDA took place at Harmony Gold theatre in Los Angeles in early May. Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade has 236 rooms and 500m2 of conferencing space, fitness and wellness hubs, a lounge and a winery, amongst other facilities.

NH Hotels to Run Biggest Benelux Hotel

Hungary Set to Welcome Ritz-Carlton

AE-based Al Habtoor Group signed a deal with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to introduce the luxury brand’s first hotel in Budapest in early 2016. Renovations are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016 on the 192-room project which is located in one of the capital’s most vibrant districts, overlooking St Stephen’s Basilica on Erzsébet Square. “We are bringing together two of the best names in the business, both dedicated to offering world-class luxury and hospitality,” said Mohammed Al Habtoor, vice chairman, Al Habtoor Group.

The Ritz-Calrton Hotel Company′s new property

nhow Amsterdam RAI

ollowing the winning of a global tender, NH Hotels revealed plans for nhow Amsterdam RAI, which is envisioned to become the largest hotel in the Benelux region with expansive exhibition and conference areas. The property will feature topnotch innovations, enabling guests to stay connected 24/7 through telepresence technology, as well as a multimedia studio where they will be able to record and air, TV, radio and online programmes from the top floor. “With 650 rooms, 25 floors and a state-of-the-art multimedia studio at 91m up in the air, we will change the Amsterdam skyline, together with our partners,” said Maarten Markus, managing director, Benelux, UK, France, US and Africa, NH Hotels.

25 MAY 2015

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ISSUE 05

JANUARY 2015

VISITBERLIN UNVEILED THE LATEST TOURIST FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 2014, SHOWING A 5.1 PERCENT INCREASE IN ARRIVALS, REACHING 1,138,671, AND A 5.6 PERCENT RISE IN OVERNIGHT STAYS ACROSS BERLIN’S ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS.

THE CABINET APPROVED THE APPLICATION FOR INCLUDING TROODOS INTO THE EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK, A MOVE THAT IS EXPECTED TO PROMOTE THE REGION AS WELL AS CYPRUS IN TERMS OF THEMATIC TOURISM.

BRAVOFLY RUMBO GROUP TO ACQUIRE LASTMINUTE.COM

HERMES AIRPORTS INTRODUCES ELECTRONIC GATES

IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE CRUISING TOURISM BOARDS ACCOMMODATION AIRPORTS AIR RENDEZVOUS AGENTS TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS

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NICOSIA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT GOES AHEAD

NIKI SERVES ATHENS

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BERLIN RECORDS INCREASING VISITOR NUMBERS

MARKET UPDATE

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MINI REPORT

A World of Opportunities with Wizz Air

COMMEMORATING ITS 11TH BIRTHDAY, WIZZ AIR HAS UNVEILED ITS REJUVENATED IDENTITY THAT IS SET TO POSITION IT AS A MORE MATURE COMPANY, WHILE OPENING UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PASSENGERS.

 Rita Kasziba writes

ince the first Wizz Air flight took off on May 19, 2004, from Katowice, Poland, market conditions have changed, bringing along different passenger requirements and preferences, and demanding different actions from airlines, pointed out József Váradi, CEO, Wizz Air, at the Central and Eastern European low-cost carrier’s 11th birthday celebrations that took place in Hungary and Poland – two countries that have played

a pivotal role in the company’s success story. “In 2004, we set the mission to change people’s lives for the better by allowing them to travel where they want to, thus our old slogan Now we can all fly,” explained Váradi, admitting that the airline’s bold colour choice of pink and purple was meant to help distinguish the carrier from its peers and generate high visibility for the brand across the continent. Since then, however, the market has changed and so have competitors and, most importantly, people. “Over the past 11 years, we have matured as a company, and […] felt it

was now the right time to rejuvenate our brand,” he added, while introducing the airline’s more vibrant and sophisticated look, complete with a fresh logo and a brand-new livery, where

OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS, WIZZ AIR SPENT OVER 1.1 MILLION HOURS IN THE AIR, EQUAL TO 126.5 YEARS

the previously dominant purple colour has been replaced with blue, better conveying the company′s message to existing and potential passengers. While customers took advantage of a one-day Buy One Ticket, Get One Free promotion, the refreshed Airbus A320 played host to the airline’s cheerful birthday celebrations with a special flight between Budapest and Warsaw carrying the top management and some privileged guests from across Europe to enjoy first-hand the new and enhanced Wizz Air experience. The now pink and blue aircraft turned into a runway as the cabin crew presented for the first time the carrier’s chic 25 MAY 2015

MINI REPORT Best of Wizz Air 2004 – The first Wizz Air flight takes off from Katowice, Poland 2007 – 2.9 million customers on Polish routes only 2010 – 13th operating base opens in Belgrade, Serbia 2011 – The airline carries 11 million passengers in one year 2012 – 50 million customers in eight years 2013 – The carrier commences flights to Dubai, its first destination in the Gulf region 2014 – 15.8 million passengers choose Wizz Air in 12 months, up 17 percent year-on-year 2015 – Wizz Air successfully completes its IPO on the London Stock Exchange 2015 May – Wizz Air introduces its new identity

WIZZ AIR’S STAFF IS MADE OF 40 NATIONALITIES AND ALSO INCLUDES 20 FEMALE PILOTS

“The business is changing and we need to evolve with it,” stressed Eidhagen. “We strive to make our voice heard across Europe and in order to do so we need to have a brand that can take us through the next 10 years.” The airline, that carried 90 million and elegant new uniform concept; all while a live DJ performance and a cheerful skyparty with fluorescent lights took place in the skies, perfectly embodying the airline’s signature feelgood approach and ‘a smile does not cost anything’ attitude. MEET THE NEW WIZZ AIR The new colours herald a new era for the company, better reflecting its relatively short but prosperous history and future ambitions, yet the airline’s mantra remains the same. “We will keep offering low fares; passengers will however get more for their money,” emphasised Váradi, referring to a host of enhancements such as the newly introduced seat allocation across all networks and new fare types, all of which are set to make the Wizz Air travel experience even more hassle-free. 25 MAY 2015

passengers since its inception, looks to the next decade with anticipation and confidence as it aims to serve 20 million customers per annum in the coming years. “We started from scratch in 2004 [...]. It is amazing to see what a business like Wizz Air has achieved in just 11 years,” Váradi enthused. In fact, today the low-cost carrier operates to nearly 400 destinations and 100 airports with 21 operational bases and while the focus for the future remains on Central and Eastern Europe, as Váradi said, Wizz Air strives to continuously exceed expectations and deliver on its promise as it invites travellers to meet a world of opportunities.

SINCE 2004, THE AIRLINE HAS FLOWN MORE THAN 771.7 MILLION KILOMETRES, OR 1,111 TIMES TO THE MOON AND BACK

As Johan Eidhagen, head of marketing and brand, Wizz Air, revealed, the newly rolled out initiative comprises a bouquet of other (upcoming) perks, including an upgraded website and mobile platform with lowest fare finder function, new uniforms, the extension of Wizz Tours package holidays to more countries, new deliveries of A320 and A321 aircraft with the new livery and new interior in A321s as of November.

NEWS AIR UIA Touches Down in Minsk

Norwegian Links London and Pula

N kraine International Airlines (UIA) has inaugurated new nonstop services between Kiev and

Kyzylorda

Transaero Adds to Russia – Kazakhstan Connections

russels Airlines will be operating seven percent more flights this summer, offering travellers a range of new short- and long-haul options. With Bordeaux, Dubrovnik, Lourdes-Pryrenees, St Petersburg, Calvi, Olbia and Ibiza, the carrier is introducing popular summer destinations, which will be complemented by new services to Riga, Zagreb and Billund. In addition, frequencies will also increase on a number of routes across the continent. Washington will also return to the airline’s network and will be served five times a week.

Iberia and TAM Expand Partnership

ransaero Airlines is to commence scheduled services between Moscow and Kyzylorda, effective from May 27. The Russian carrier will deploy a Boeing 737 aircraft on the route which will be operated three times a week. The administrative centre of the dynamically developing region will become the airline’s 10th destination in Kazakhstan after Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Aktobe, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Kostanay and Shymkent. Since launching operations to Kazakhstan in 1993, Transaero Airlines has grown into the largest foreign airline in terms of passenger traffic, performing flights to the Central Asian country.

Brussels Airlines Adds Sunny Destinations Dubrovnik

Minsk. The carrier deploys Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft with business and economy class on the route which is being offered every day. Passengers travelling with UIA from the Belarusian capital can take advantage of seamless connections to domestic destinations, such as Kharkov, Lvov, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye, as well as to Bangkok, Astana, Almaty, Tbilisi, Batumi, Yerevan, Baku, Tehran, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Lisbon, Paris and Amsterdam.

Minsk

orwegian is gearing up for the launch of new services from Gatwick Airport to Pula and the introduction of new long-haul routes. As of May 24, the airline operates weekly flights between London and the Croatian city, which will soon be followed by other destinations this autumn. Effective from November 4, Gatwick Airport will be connected to Puerto Rico twice a week, while services between Stockholm and Las Vegas are due to commence on October 31. Norwegian is also increasing frequency on a number of routes, including London and New York.

beria and TAM have further extended their existing codeshare agreement, offering passengers greater travel options across Europe and Brazil. In terms of the deal, the two oneworld members now codeshare on each other’s Madrid – São Paulo flights and the Spanish airline’s Madrid – Rio de Janeiro routes, and agreement also includes the Brazilian carrier’s upcoming São Paulo – Barcelona service, due to commence on October 1. Since mid-December 2014, Iberia and TAM customers have been able to benefit from a range of additional connections as well as added frequent flyer perks.

25 MAY 2015

AIR NEWS Transaero Celebrates May with More Flights

Zakynthos Welcomes New easyJet Route

asyJet has added Zakynthos to it summer line-up of destinations, offering weekly services between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and the Greek island. The route is expected to attract some 6,000 passengers per annum, further establishing the low-cost carrier’s presence in the Mediterranean country. “Our Greek routes are proving extremely popular for those who wish to get some easy and affordable summer sun, and we are sure that our new route and our 30th destination from Liverpool will be a success,” commented Ali Gayward, commercial manager, UK, easyJet.

LOT: Profits after Seven Years

Sharm El Sheikh

ransaero Airlines has increased flight frequency and passenger capacity on its popular leisure routes during May, spanning destinations in the south of Russia and in Europe. These include flights to Sochi from Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Tyumen, as well as to Paris, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Paphos, Antalya, Dalaman, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Tel Aviv from Moscow. In addition, the carrier connected the Russian capital with Malta for the first time.

Inauguration celebrations

airBaltic Adds to Share Capital

OT Polish Airlines was forecasted to end 2014 with about PLN70 million (EUR17.5 million) profit on the core business, but instead the figure neared PLN100 million (EUR25 million). “The positive result on the core business, which is a key indicator of the company′s health, is of utmost importance here, since it has been achieved regardless of the compensation measures adopted […]. Because of the public aid received, we had to cut the number of flights by almost eight percent in 2014, compared to [2013]. Nevertheless, we carried two percent more passengers and simultaneously increased the revenue […] while keeping a similar cost level,” commented Sebastian Mikosz, CEO, LOT Polish Airlines.

25 MAY 2015

uring a shareholders' meeting, airBaltic went ahead with an increase of the company’s share capital. Following capitalisation of funds already invested in previous years, the share capital of airBaltic amounts to EUR 82,634,635, of which 99.8 percent belongs to the state. The process of increasing the resources commenced in 2011, with the share capital being boosted after airBaltic’s restructuring plan and the actions approved by the European Commission.

NEWS AIR Montenegro Airlines Links Podgorica and Lyon

Wizz Air Connects Liverpool with Riga

izz Air commenced twice-weekly flights between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Riga. To celebrate the launch, airport staff presented the Wizz Air cabin crew with a special aircraftshaped cake. Mark Povall, director of air service development, LJLA, said, “Riga is a great destination for both business and leisure passengers. The combination of Wizz Air’s low fares and a value for money, attractive destination such as Riga, should prove popular with the region’s passengers.” The budget carrier already operates thriceweekly flights to Warsaw and Gdansk in Poland.

Lyon

ontenegro Airlines added a new route to its network between Lyon and Podgorica. The flights will be operated once a week on Saturdays. To celebrate the launch, the Montenegrin carrier organised a traditional welcome to the first group of tourists from the city. Bojana Kalezić, manager, promotion of commercial activities, Montenegro Airlines, commented, “This way, Montenegro Airlines fully contributes to the development of Montenegrin tourism and a stronger aeroaccessibility of our country.”

Aviolet Gears Up for Summer Season

ir Serbia revealed plans for seasonal operations of its dedicated charter brand Aviolet. Following its launch in 2014, Aviolet is aimed to play an increasingly important role in the charter flight market and the tourism industry in Serbia during the summer season. The carrier has confirmed flights to five countries, namely Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Egypt, covering a total of 19 destinations, including Antalya, Catania, Cephalonia, Chania, Corfu, Dalaman, Girona, Heraklion, Hurghada, Karpathos, Kos, Milas-Bodrum, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes, Santorini, Sharm El Sheikh, Skiathos and Zakynthos.

Riga

Finnair Expands Cooperation with airberlin

innair has further enhanced its codeshare cooperation with airberlin to include the placement of its AY designator on selected services operated by the German carrier and its subsidiary NIKI. Destinations included are Bucharest, Catania, Chania, Cologne, Larnaca, Malaga, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos and Stuttgart, most of which complement the Finnish carrier’s existing nonstop flights and provide travellers with more flexibility.

25 MAY 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace marks the official debut of the St. Regis brand in Venice. How do you expect the hotel to shake up things in the city? PIETRO RUSCONI: A few decades ago the luxury hospitality industry in Venice counted only a handful of household names, many of which were individually managed and owned. Since then, the panorama has changed. Several international brands have taken residence in Venice, contributing to a wider offer and choice. Travel habits have also changed, with guests developing loyalty to a brand rather than a destination. Guests staying with us today were in Paris, or Tokyo, or New York yesterday and will be elsewhere tomorrow. Inevitably, guests evaluate and compare hotel standards and on this base preferences are forged. Our goal is to bring the St. Regis brand′s uncompromising attention to quality to Venice, elevating to a higher level the level of luxury and service available in the city.

Q & A with Pietro Rusconi

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER, THE ST. REGIS VENICE SAN CLEMENTE PALACE

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the management’s immediate plans and priorities for the first year of operation? PIETRO RUSCONI: Our goal is to become the top hotel in town. In fact, while Venice maintains its reputation and standing as one of the world’s prime tourist meccas, it still needs to improve its offering. Many luxury hotels are in a run-down state and a five-star classification is no longer a guarantee of a good night sleep and uncompromising service, sometimes not even of instant and complimentary Wi-Fi connection. We have a great opportunity to bring luxury in Venice to a higher level.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Shortly after the launch, how is demand at The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace? PIETRO RUSCONI: Our launch coincided with the beginning of the tourist season and was followed shortly thereafter by the opening of the 56th Venice Art Biennale. As a consequence we have been operating at full speed since the start. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Being a legendary retreat that sits on its own private island, is the hotel focussing on luxury travellers? How are the feeder markets of the property shaping up?

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the latest trends in the Venetian hospitality scene and how do you expect to conform to or revolutionise them?

PIETRO RUSCONI, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER, THE ST. REGIS VENICE SAN CLEMENTE PALACE, SPEAKS ABOUT THE BRAND NEW PROPERTY WHICH IS DEFINATELY EXPECTED TO MAKE WAVES IN THE ITALIAN CITY′S LUXURY HOSPITALITY SCENE.

The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace

25 MAY 2015

PIETRO RUSCONI: Our feeder markets reflect the overall trend in Venice and Italy. The US is the main market, followed by other European countries. We are also witnessing an increase in the new economies, which in the past counted for very little in Venice. Obviously we cater to the luxury segment, which is now very strong despite the recent introduction of many five-star hotels.

The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace

PIETRO RUSCONI: Multigenerational travel is a big thing nowadays, with families travelling together and wishing to share their living space. I remember receiving a call [in 2014] from a travel agent who was asking me for two connecting rooms for a family of four. When I asked the age of the children the agent replied 20 and 22. I assume that, because of today’s globalisation, families are living apart and enjoy being close during their holidays. Apartments are often the best solution; however they do not offer the support system and comfort of a hotel. The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace offers many interconnecting, spacious rooms and runs special services and facilities for families. Additionally, our Clef d’Or Concierge and signature Butler Service make any request possible: be it the best table at your favourite restaurant, access to unobtainable opera and theatre tickets, a taxi when there are none available and so forth.

NEWS AIR

n Adria Airways aircraft took off from Ljubljana and landed in Berlin for the first time in late April. With Berlin being the third German city the airline flies to, Mark Anžur, CEO, Adria Airways, explained, “Germany is Slovenia’s largest economic partner and the key factor in its tourist market. In close cooperation with Ljubljana Airport and the Slovenian Tourist Board, Adria Airways expects these new routes to be a success story.” The Slovenian flag carrier connects the two capital cities three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Thompson Flies to Palma de Mallorca

Thomson staff celebrate the announcement

Adria Airways Adds Berlin to Network

BELAVIA and SAS Sign Interline Agreement

homson and First Choice will introduce a brand new Thomson Airways route to Palma de Mallorca from Liverpool John Lennon Airport in summer 2016. In addition, passengers travelling from Liverpool will be able to board Thomson Cruises liners sailing from the Spanish hub as it explores the Western Mediterranean, Karen Switzer, director of aviation planning, Thomson and First Choice, said, “Adding a flight to Mallorca from Liverpool demonstrates our commitment to the airport and the local area. It is great that we can give local customers the chance to take advantage of fabulous new itineraries onboard Thomson Majesty sailing from Palma next summer and allowing them to experience the cruise and stay programme.”

Hahn Air Partners with bmi regional

b A

n interline agreement was inked between BELAVIA - Belarusian Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) which took effect this month. The deal brings great benefits to customers who can now opt for more convenient connecting flight choices offered by the two European airlines while travelling through the airports of Vilnius, Riga, Stockholm and Helsinki. Moreover, the carriers can issue tickets on their partner’s routes, making it easy for passengers to use just one ticket for the whole itinerary.

mi regional has signed an interline agreement with Hahn Air to enable ticketing on the German airline’s HR-169 document. Reservations made in all major global distribution systems can now be ticketed in 190 countries by over 95,000 travel agencies. In addition, the British airline′s passengers can benefit from a large selection of connecting flights as Hahn Air provides interline opportunities with over 300 air and rail partners worldwide. UK’s airline operates more than 300 scheduled services a week across a network of 20 destinations in eight European countries on an all-jet fleet of 18 Embraer 135 and Embraer 145.

25 MAY 2015

AIR NEWS Air France-KLM Returns to North America

Slovenia Lures More Foreign Tourists Lufthansa Refurbishes First Class Cabins

Lufthansa′s First Class Cabins

I P

assengers travelling from Munich onboard Lufthansa’s flights will soon enjoy first class services, as this winter 24 Airbus A340-600 and A330-300 aircraft will be deployed on 22 intercontinental destinations from the German city. Karsten Zang, regional director, Gulf, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Lufthansa, explained that passengers require well-researched, high-end products that provide them with the utmost comfort in travelling.

Transaero Airlines Links Moscow and Malta

n response to increasing market demand, Air France-KLM is strengthening its network in North America with seasonal services to the US. For the third year running, Air France is offering direct flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Until September 27, the carrier will offer 14 flights a week to the American city, seven of which will be operated by its partner, Delta Air Lines. Moreover, until October 24, direct services by KLM will connect Amsterdam-Schiphol and DallasFort Worth five times a week onboard an Airbus A330-200.

Icelandair Increases Glasgow Airport Flights

pril saw the launch of a new once-weekly route for Transaero Airlines as the company’s Boeing 737NG landed in Malta. The airport’s fire and rescue team greeted the aircraft with a water arch while all travellers were surprised with flowers and cake. Edaward Zammit Lewis, tourism minister, Malta, expressed his belief that the flight will further strengthen the country’s air links with other markets. “I hope that the launch of direct flights between Moscow and Malta will contribute to enhancing tourist exchange between the two countries,” commented Olga Pleshakova, CEO, Transaero Airlines.

bmi Flies to Paris and Düsseldorf from Bristol

mi regional added two more services to its network with Paris and Düsseldorf now being served 11 and six times a week respectively. Aiming to accommodate customers needs, the carrier will be offering two flights daily, Monday to Friday, and one on Saturday on the Bristol – Paris route, while the Bristol – Düsseldorf service will operate from Sunday to Friday. “The launch of bmi regional’s Paris and Düsseldorf routes from Bristol mark another milestone in our expansion,” commented Peter Simpson, CEO, bmi regional.

25 MAY 2015

celandair will boost frequency from Reykjavik to Glasgow by adding a Saturday operation between September 5 and October 25. In addition, from January 2016 onwards, passengers will enjoy the choice of four flights a week. Andres Jonsson, general manager, UK, Icelandair, highlighted the importance of the geographical position of the country, explaining that it links North America and Europe. “Icelandair has clearly demonstrated its confidence in the Scottish market, which it has served since the 1940s, by adding significant new capacity for the past two years. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the airline and to seeing more growth in years to come,” commented Francois Bourienne, commercial director, Glasgow Airport.

NEWS AIR airBaltic Spreads Wings to Vienna

S7 Airlines Enhances Mediterranean Connections

atvian travellers have yet another direct airBaltic route from Tallinn to choose from after the introduction of a nonstop four-weekly service between the Estonian capital and Vienna. The route will be served by a Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft. Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, said “In cooperation with our codeshare partner Austrian Airlines, we can now offer travellers [...] another direct link to the heart of Europe and beyond. airBaltic already operates three direct services from Tallinn to Paris, Berlin and Riga.”

7 Airlines has inaugurated services to two popular summer destinations, namely Naples and Athens. The Russian carrier deploys Airbus A320 aircraft on both routes which are being offered once a week on Saturdays from Moscow Domodedovo Airport. “Shortly before the summer season S7 Airlines launches new and resumes traditional seasonal flights to European resort destinations,” explained Igor Veretennikov, strategy director, S7 Airlines, adding that Greece and Italy have long been popular with Russian tourists. The introduction follows the carrier’s return to Palma de Mallorca and Valencia in Spain and Pula, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Heathrow Rewards Teams Up with Emirates

Heathrow Rewards card

Air Serbia Expands Asian Footprint

ollowing approval from the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration, Air Serbia has penned a new deal with Air China to pave the way for deeper cooperation between the two national car-

riers. Under the agreement, a codeshare will be established on the Belgrade – Beijing route, via Vienna. Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia, commented, “Codeshares are a fundamental pillar of our strategy to offer our guests greater flexibility and choice to key distant destinations, while our comprehensive commercial partnership with Air China is a crucial step in enhancing our presence in China and the Far East.”

Naples

Airline Deal Brings Croatia Closer to Asia

Singapore

ondon’s Heathrow Airport and Dubaibased airline, Emirates have launched a new strategic partnership to bring enhanced earning and redemption options for members of their respective loyalty programmes. Over 14 million members of Heathrow Rewards and Emirates Skywards will now have the option to convert their miles into points and points into miles and spend them on services at the UK hub or put them towards flights. “It is incredibly important to reward our loyal customers,” commented Chris Annetts, director, commercial passenger services, Heathrow Airport.

new codeshare agreement was signed between Croatia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, opening up a host of new destinations for customers of both carriers. “This partnership will improve connectivity between Singapore and Croatia, which is growing in popularity as a leisure and business destination,” said Lee Wen Fen, senior vice president, marketing planning, Singapore Airlines. “We are glad that a company of such size and reputation has decided that our flights would be a part of its brand. We view that as another confirmation of the high level of safety and the quality of the services we offer passengers,” enthused Krešimir Kučko, president, Croatia Airlines.

25 MAY 2015

NEWS

Ireland Hosts Australian Travel Agents

KHC Invests EUR35 Million in Euro Disney

ingdom Holding Company (KHC), chaired by H.R.H. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, fully participated in the rights offering of Euro Disney by investing SAR150 million (EUR35.1 million). The deal follows the meeting between Alsaud, Tom Wolber, president, Euro Disney, and Mark Stead, chief financial officer, Disneyland Paris in October 2014, when they discussed the latest development in both entities. KHC holds a 10 percent stake in Euro Disney since its first investment in the company.

Titanic Belfast

Disneyland Paris

reland recently welcomed seven top producing travel agents from Australia, in partnership with Etihad Airways. The guests toured the Irish Whiskey Museum, Newgrange and Titanic Belfast, as well as the cities of Dublin and Belfast and several locations in Northern Ireland used for filming the Game of Thrones series. Diane Butler, manager, Australia and New Zealand, Tourism Ireland, commented, “Inviting influential travel agents to come and experience what is on offer here is a key element of Tourism Ireland’s promotional programme in Australia. Our aim is that when they return home, the travel agents will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for the island of Ireland.”

High Speed Train on Its First Journey to Italy

talian transport operator, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane welcomed Frecciarossa 1000, the high-speed train which made its debut journey from Milan to Rome in late April. Travellers are expected to enjoy its benefits as of June when commercial services are planned to commence. Created in Italy, the train offers a stylish interior along with high capacity and velocity, making it suitable for use for other non-European countries. Manufactured by AnsaldoBreda and Bombardier Transportation, the environmentally-friendly vehicle is the newest member of the Bombardier Zefiro high-speed train family. “Bombardier has become a strong dedicated long-term partner to the Italian market, we are very proud to have been part of this ambitious project,” said Lutz Bertling, president, Bombardier Transportation.

25 MAY 2015

TRAVEL TALK

This year we will have over 100 million customers

KENNY JACOBS Chief marketing officer, Ryanair

“Becoming digital leaders in the travel category is a key pillar to the Ryanair Always Getting Better plan. [The] partnership with Adobe will allow us to have best-in-class solutions for digital marketing across our website and app, our customer relationship management and our customer insight and analytics. Our customers have enjoyed the big improvements we have made in digital and the best is yet to come. This year we will have over 100 million customers across 30 European countries.”

Transaero Airlines will continue to increase its passenger traffic […] to Germany

ALEXANDER IGNATOV Deputy CEO, Transaero Airlines

We continue offering innovative [...] marketing programmes

Munich Airport is the fifth airport to join the five-star club

MICHAEL KERKLOH CEO, Munich Airport

“Alongside the Asian airports Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo Haneda, [having been selected as one of the World's Best Airports for the year by SkyTrax] Munich Airport is the fifth airport to join the five-star club – and the first in Europe. We owe this success not only to our hard-working project team, but ultimately to our entire airport workforce.”

“Transaero Airlines expresses its sincere gratitude to our partners, Frankfurt Airport and Berlin Tegel Airport, for the longstanding [20-year] successful cooperation, which provides for the constantly growing passenger traffic between Russia and Germany. We are certain that our cooperation will remain positive and fruitful, and Transaero Airlines will continue to increase its passenger traffic on flights to Germany”.

IOANNA PAPADOPOULOU Director of communications and marketing, Athens International Airport (AIA)

“I would like to warmly thank airlines for their vote and trust, bringing us once again to the top of the Europe heat of the 2015 Routes Marketing Awards, in our category. As we did throughout the extremely tough times prevailing until recently in our market, we continue offering innovative and integrated airport marketing programmes during this phase of quick recovery [...]. AIA is consistently collaborating closely with its airline partners, while we are systematically promoting our destination, Athens.”

TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

25 MAY 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

easyJet Caters to Disabled Passengers easyJet advisory group’s pan-European charter on Meeting the Needs of Disabled Air Travellers was launched at the European Parliament in April.

ompiled by the company’s special assistance advisory group, which is chaired by the British politician David Blunkett, the document informs airlines, airports and policy-makers on how to further accommodate the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. “While the [European] legislation has raised awareness, many passengers are not fully informed on their rights and responsibilities. This charter should provide a useful and succinct guide to best practice. We call on all parties involved to improve information-sharing, particularly regarding who is responsible at each stage of the passenger journey,” added Blunkett.

US Weddings Spend Rises, Destination Weddings Unpopular

New Manifesto Published by GTAC

ith a particular focus on creating more job opportunities, addressing environmental issues, further investing in human capital and fostering infrastructure development, the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC) launched the Powering Travel & Tourism into the Next Decade: An Agenda for Growth and Development manifesto at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Madrid. GTAC members agreed to work together in order to unlock the industry’s full potential and help consolidate the global economic crisis through sustainable growth. Participants also committed to cooperate with all relevant parties and travel organisations to ensure smooth cooperation.

Transaero Supports Charity

early 79 million Americans will attend a wedding this year, 18 percent more than in 2014, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. Average spend on weddings is due to increase 13 percent to reach USD673 per event, with expense categories like airfare, hotels, dinning out and dressing up leading the surge. “Not only are Americans saying ′yes′ to attend more events, but they are also taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase and show off a new outfit, or turn a destination wedding into a mini-vacation,“ said Jed Scala, senior vice president, proprietary lending, American Express. Destination weddings, however, are considered too expensive by 72 percent of Americans, while two thirds dislike being forced to take a vacation for a wedding.

Transaero employees at Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute

embers of Transaero Airlines’ corporate volunteer movement and representatives of the charitable partner organisation, Foundation of Konstantin Khabensky, held a special event for young patients of Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute. Children and the airline’s personnel took a journey into the aviation world with the carrier’s cabin crew recreating the atmosphere of a real flight in the hospital unit. The crew members also organised several entertaining contests and games, shared stories about distant countries and revealed many secrets of the profession.

25 MAY 2015

WHO’S MOVED

STEVE CHAMBERS

KAY KRATKY

Steve Chambers has joined Travelport’s board as a nonexecutive director. Chambers has spent most of his professional career in technology and the payments business, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief information officer of Visa Europe. In his capacity at Visa, he had overall responsibility for the company’s transaction processing business which included running all IT and business operations. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions with renowned organisations such as Airports Council International, First Data Resources and Monitise. Chambers will also become a member of Travelport’s compensation committee, effective from June 1.

Kay Kratky has been chosen to lead Austrian Airlines as the company’s new CEO. Kratky will replace Jaan Albrecht as of August 1, when the former CEO will switch to SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. He began his professional career at Lufthansa in 1979 by training to be a pilot. He then became a training captain and fleet commander and later assumed the position of head of operations control at Lufthansa Cargo. After serving as head of transport management, he continues as managing director of Jade Cargo International in China. Kratky has been a member of the executive board of Lufthansa Passage Airlines since 2011. As chief operating officer, he is responsible for flight operations and the Frankfurt hub.

RUSSELL DURNELL

Russell Durnell has taken up the position of operations director at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London. Durnell joins the team with a wealth of experience from across the luxury hotel and travel sector. For the past two decades, he has held various pivotal leadership roles with international companies and brands such as Langham Hospitality, W Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Prior to his appointment, Durnell served as general manager and chairman of Property Body Corporate at Palazzo Versace, hailed as the world’s first fashion branded hotel in the Gold Coast of Australia.

Durnell has a wealth of experience in the luxury segment

ROSIE O’BRIEN

Rosie O’Brien has been named group communications director of Rocco Forte Hotels. O’Brien joined the company over a year ago as group public relations manager. Prior to that she worked with Gabrielle Shaw Communications, Fleishman Hillard and Smith & Monger. Over the past 10 years, she was involved in the successful launch of a number of hotels and her work has been widely recognised. In her new role, she will be responsible for the global public relations of the 10 Rocco Forte Hotels properties, and she will also be in charge of overseeing the internal and external communications for the luxury hotel group.

O′Brien was involved in successful hotel launches

25 MAY 2015

PHOTO ALBUM

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Ryanair celebrates 1.3 million passengers to Tallinn

Zacchera Hotels welcomes summer with some ice-cream

Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier flew to Vienna with Austrian Airlines much to the delight of the cabin crew

25 MAY 2015

The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg takes business meetings to a whole new level with slot-car racing around the buffet table

Radisson Blu awarded as Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Hotel Service Provider

easyJet celebrated the delivery of its 250th Airbus aircraft

NEWS & EVENTS Open House Month in Prague

EVENTS

his May is the open house month across Prague, with free entries to the Parliament and other historic buildings, on selected dates. Under the umbrella of the open house festival of architecture, free entrance was offered at a number of architecturally important landmarks, including Villa Kramář, the home of the country’s prime minister; Invalidovna, an 18th century war veterans’ home; Libeň Gas Holder and the high-voltage laboratory at the School of Electrical Engineering at Czech Technical University; the buildings of the National Gallery; House of Trade Unions; Metro Palace; Main Point in Karlín; Florentinum; and Dancing House.

European Mobility Week’s Theme Promoted in the UK

amden Borough Council recently hosted an UK-focussed workshop to highlight the 2015 European Mobility Week (EMW) theme of multimodality. The event was organised and chaired by Anna Semlyen, volunteer, Act TravelWise – the organisation coordinating the EMW in the UK, and participants looked at this year′s topic which encourages the mixing of travel modes to achieve more active lifestyles, exploring the concepts of multimodality and inter-modality. Financial support for EMW has been provided by the UK government’s Department for Transport.

Havaş Takes Centre Stage in Istanbul

EUROAL Torremolinos, Spain June 03 – 05 www.euroal.net Held at the Costa del Sol Conference Centre the event features workshops, destination and product presentations.

FRANCE AIR EXPO Lyon, France June 04 – 06 www.franceairexpo.com Pilots, flying club directors and general aviation professionals are expected to travel to Lyon.

INTERNATIONAL PARIS AIR SHOW Paris, France June 15 – 21 www.siae.fr A window into the dynamic aerospace industry, giving manufacturers the chance to showcase their know-how.

eld in Istanbul, the International Ground Handling Conference by the International Air Transport Association was supported by Havaş. The ground handling services company‘s stand attracted interest as it featured a push-back simulation device that is used in training by the Turkish company. “We planned to offer a different apron and push-back experience to the visitors by presenting one of the important training titles for safety service at the apron, the simulation device in its actual size, which is used for on-the-job training sessions only by Havaş in Turkey,“ elaborated Kürşad Koçak, general manager, Havaş.

Eco Initiative Rolled Out in Ljubljana

GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre

n celebration of Earth Day, the GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre hosted the international Eco Conference organised by Planet Earth Society, which gathered a number of prominent attendees and participants. Professional and political frameworks for action were presented, while discussions focussed on the pressing issue of climate change on local, regional and global levels. Every year, the conference announces the tender Planet Earth Friendly Municipality, and the winners are announced at the NatureHealth Fair.

NEARLY ZERO ENERGY HOTELS Nice, France June 24 www.nezeh.eu/nezeh2015conference A forum for the hotel sector, energy efficiency professionals and policy-makers to exchange opportunities of energy innovation.

25 MAY 2015