Business travel

Launched in 2014, the Lille-Amsterdam route will be discontinued by Thalys on 10 December 2018 due to traffic levels deemed too low by the rail company. This decision has been criticised by politicians and business travellers in the Lille area.

Trainline has published the results of a survey carried out by OpinionWay, analysing the relationship between passengers, mobile technology and rail transport.

With 35 new hotels in Europe, 2017 was one of the most prolific years for the Marriott group, which is looking to build on its success in 2018.

The Fairmont Austin hotel opened its doors on 5 March this year, becoming the brand's second largest international property. The new address, next door to the Convention Center, is particularly aimed at meetings and events customers.

The takeover of ultra-design hotels in Berlin and St Petersburg, the conversion of a former Sofitel designed by Jean Nouvel in Vienna, the arrival of So/ in Auckland: So/, the lifestyle arm of Sofitel, is taking off.

A new name, a new collection of lifestyle hotels, a more generous loyalty programme: a new era is dawning for the former Carlson Rezidor group, renamed Radisson Hotel Group.

Lufthansa has recently been testing a humanoid robot called Josie Pepper in Terminal 2 at Munich airport. A first for a German platform.

Whitbread's acquisition of 3,110 rooms adds to the hotel group's portfolio. The British company intends to continue its conquest of this market.

Dassault's new business jet, the Falcon X6, outperforms its predecessor in terms of range and comfort. It marks the end of the technical setbacks experienced by the aircraft manufacturer, with delays caused by faulty engines designed by Safran.

New design, new meeting rooms, restaurant: with new openings expected from next year, in Paris in particular, Okko Hôtels is developing its hotel concept, which is both design-led and business-oriented.

The French West Indies can now be reached from Rennes via TGV Air. Air France has extended its air-rail service to the Breton city from 6 March.

The airline, which carries 100% business class, is transferring its flights from Paris CDG to Paris Orly terminal Sud from 22 April.

The SkyTeam alliance will be enhancing its ground experience with the opening of two new lounges at the new international airport in Santiago and Istanbul by the end of the year.

Air France-KLM's new-generation carrier is expanding its long-haul network with daily services to Mumbai from 18 June.

The Deck, Cathay Pacific's new business lounge, will be inaugurated on 22 March at Hong Kong airport.

One billion travellers a year: this is the target set by Airbnb on Thursday for 2028, with a focus on new categories of accommodation - including boutique hotels - a move upmarket and the development of the Superhost loyalty programme.

With South Korea taking centre stage at the Pyeongchang Olympics, Ludovic Froidure, Managing Director of Korean Air in France, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, takes a look at the airline's offer and its position in the French market. Interview by Florian Guillemin.

Qantas is preparing to renovate its lounge for international business travellers at Sydney Airport. The work should be completed by the end of next year.

MagicStay is expanding its offering for business travellers. The French flat rental platform will now be distributing a thousand onefinestay flats.

Air France-KLM presented its annual results for 2017 on Friday, marked by a solid performance. The group's managers also set the course of their strategy for the coming months, which will be based in particular on the strengthened partnerships within the joint venture and the growing power of Transavia. However, the launch of a long-haul low-cost airline and the takeover of Alitalia are not on the Air France-KLM roadmap.