Business travel

Brussels Airlines has completed the renovation of the "Sunrise" lounge. This lounge is designed for business travellers departing for one of the carrier's African destinations.

In its latest bulletin, Eurocontrol reports that air traffic in Europe accounted for 92% of pre-Covid activity in June. With even a record number of flights on 30 June since 2019. On the other hand, punctuality deteriorated sharply, to less than 60% for departing flights.

Persistent congestion in European skies is forcing easyJet to cancel 1,700 flights over the summer season, mainly to and from London Gatwick airport.

IHG is set to strengthen its offering in Lebanon with the opening in Beirut, by the end of the year, of a hotel under the top-of-the-range Voco brand, adapted to meetings and events.

Between now and the end of the year, the Barrière group will be installing more than 100 recharging points for electric vehicles in 13 of its establishments. Solutions are already available in Deauville, Dinard and La Baule.

Marriott Edition's luxury and lifestyle brand has just made its debut in Rome, within the walls of a former bank. Next year, a Thompson hotel from the Hyatt group will follow in a more surprising location: the former headquarters of the Italian Communist Party.

Since the end of June, Egyptair has been offering a free visa for visitors in transit who wish to discover Egypt for a few days.

The SNCF is going to develop its own solar energy production capacity, with 1000 MwC expected by 2030. This will cover 20% of its needs, with more expected in the future.

Javier Aguila, President of Hyatt Europe-Middle East-Africa, explains the American group's new strategy for the region. The aim is to accelerate development and focus on European customers.

Luxury or lifestyle, hotel brands regularly venture into fashion territory. In the airline industry, some airlines are experimenting with a new approach to wardrobe.

The new Le Train rail company, which intends to serve 11 towns in the Greater West of France, has just raised €8m to finance its information systems and start recruiting staff. The company is due to start operations in late 2025 or early 2026.

Swiss has already announced its new winter services on its medium-haul network. In particular, the airline is strengthening its services to Germany from Zurich and is planning more flights to Southern Europe and London from Geneva.

Stansted airport is once again considering expanding its infrastructure, after having to put its ambitions on hold during the health crisis.

Transavia to Algiers and Constantine, Air Tassili to Oran: Strasbourg airport will have more regular services to Algeria until the end of August.

After Paris, London and Amsterdam, the lifestyle brand Tribe, part of the Accor group, will be opening in Lyon in September, in the Croix Rousse district. Another opening has been announced: a Mondrian hotel in Bordeaux in November.

British long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic is to launch flights to five new destinations. These include Sao Paulo, its first route in South America.

The 25Hours chain is continuing its expansion outside Europe. After Dubai, the chain, which is part of the Accor group, will open a hotel in Jakarta by the end of the year.

The "CleanCities" campaign, run by a European coalition to encourage towns and cities to switch to zero-emission transport by 2030, has published its results for 42 towns and cities. Paris is well placed in 3rd position.

After the restaurants, the List now turns its attention to the 1000 best hotels in the world. Top of the list is the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, ahead of the Peninsula Shanghai and the Savoy in London.

Luxury brand Fairmont is to welcome a new jewel to its collection of British hotels: the Luton Hoo, a historic mansion suited to hosting top-of-the-range events.