Business travel

AccorHotels has introduced an original offer, called Flying Nest: ephemeral hotels that can take shape in less than a day, for example during a major sporting or cultural event.

Eurostar is preparing to launch a new MICE service enabling companies to privatise all or part of a train, with themed events. Guillemette Jacob, Eurostar's Marketing and Brand Director, provides an update on this MICE product.

Although the project was launched in 2011, the first passengers will finally be able to board the Moroccan TGV, christened "Al Boraq" - the winged horse - by King Mohammed VI on 12 July 2018.

Dedicated to businesses, the Uber for Business solution enables journeys to be tracked using a personalised profile for each passenger.

Air France has outlined its in-flight connectivity plan, dubbed Air France Connect. The airline, whose fleet of 100%s will be equipped with WiFi by 2020, will be offering a free basic package - the "Message" pass - to which will be added two premium packages, for which a charge will be made.

A revamped long-haul economy class, a new Corporate Benefits Programme and an association with booking.com are the new features presented to the French market at the IFTM Top Resa trade fair.

Last weekend saw the inauguration in Hong Kong of the first high-speed rail link between the former British colony and China. An event which, over and above the attraction that such a means of transport represents for a financial metropolis, anchors Hong Kong a little more firmly to China.

Jean-Michel Mathieu, CEO of Joon, explains the airline's strategy and clarifies its positioning vis-à-vis the other brands of the Air France KLM group. Interview by Serge Barret

While new airlines are appearing in West Africa, such as Air Senegal, Ethiopian Airlines is strengthening its pre-eminent position on the continent by supporting the growth of small national airlines and expanding its range of destinations.

From reinvented and up-and-coming palaces to new boutique hotels and lifestyle chain establishments, there's always something going on in the Paris hotel scene. Introducing the new autumn-winter collection.

Lufthansa is very satisfied with the French market, boosted by the Group's expansion into regional airports. So says Michael Gloor, Lufthansa Group Senior Director Sales for France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The idea of a possible merger between Emirates and Etihad is back on the table. Both airlines have denied this, even though the merger might seem logical.

After being tested for a year on the TGV Océane, InOui, the SNCF's premium offer, is being rolled out on the Paris-Lyon and Eastern networks. The entire network will be switched over by 2020, when passengers will be able to choose between this premium offer and the low-cost OuiGo service.

Brussels Airlines is strengthening its African network by adding flights to Banjul (Gambia) and Dakar (Senegal). At the same time, the airline is increasing the frequency of a number of short-haul flights but cancelling its direct service to Mumbai.

Primera Air will be increasing the number of flights to New York in response to the success of this route. Flights to Tel Aviv and Montreal will begin at the end of October.

Designer flats in the heart of Europe's major cities: Sweet Inn's latest offering

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is to open a hotel in Paris in 2021. The Pestana CR7 Paris will be developed with the Portuguese hotel group, which will be taking its first steps in the French capital.

From 31 October, business travellers passing through the Ville Rose will be able to take refuge at the Mama Shelter hotel.

The Nhow Marseille hotel was inaugurated on 13 September: an opportunity for Hugo Rovira, NH Hotel Group's Managing Director for Southern Europe, to take stock of the Group's strategy, particularly in the French market.

Air Astana reported a 10 % increase in passenger numbers and a 17 % increase in revenue in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period of 2017.