Business travel

British Airways has just announced the launch of a new route between London and Biarritz, which will take off on 1 May 2016.

The Hotel de la Paix, one of Geneva's most emblematic addresses, is preparing to become a 'partner' establishment of the Ritz-Carlton group at the end of the year. Until it officially becomes the Ritz Carlton, Hotel de la Paix Genève in December 2016, once its transformation is complete.

The arrival of the Airbus A350 at Finnish flag carrier Finnair offers the carrier the opportunity to pursue a clear positioning on the Europe-Asia route. This is the analysis given by Javier Roig, Finnair's Sales Director for Southern Europe in Paris.

Hervé Kozar, Executive Vice President Commercial at Transavia, explains the growth of the low-cost carrier on the French market, and details some of the projects that should enable the airline to increase the share of business travel in its customer base.

The technological experience has become a key component of seminars. As a result, hoteliers are obliged to surprise participants with the very latest equipment, from interactive screens to sufficient bandwidth to support the proliferation of mobile tools.

The arrival in 2016 of two Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner aircraft will enable Air Austral to expand its network and open a non-stop route between Paris and Dzaoudzi, in Mayotte, as explained by Marie Joseph Malé, Chairman of the airline.

"WiFi quality has clearly become a criterion of choice".

"Ultra-fast development

The Holiday Inn Paris Gare de l'Est reopened in the summer, completely renovated and, above all, rejuvenated with a contemporary design by Axel Schoenert architects.

Vietnam Airlines put its new Airbus A350-900 into service on the Paris-Vietnam route on 1 October, becoming the first airline to serve France with the French aircraft manufacturer's latest aircraft. Nguyen Quoc Phuong, General Manager of Vietnam Airlines for France and Europe, explains the advantages that this will bring for the airline in terms of market share gains.

Philippines Airlines (PAL) has no alternative but to reposition itself as a premium carrier in the face of increasing competition from low-cost carriers - particularly Cebu Pacific on long-haul routes - and the growing presence of Gulf carriers in Manila. This begins with the renewal of the Philippine national carrier's long-haul fleet.

As part of its ambitious digital plan, AccorHotels is offering SMEs and SMIs a new online booking platform, integrating travel policy management, centralised payment and monthly invoicing. This platform has been developed in collaboration with the Gekko group.

Is it really possible to combine culinary delights with air travel? In response to passenger demand for quality, airlines are going all out. With real gourmet menus in high contribution class... and sometimes even in economy class!

This summer, the Ascott group, world leader in the residential hotel market with its Citadines, Ascott and Somerset brands, entered into a joint venture with the Qatar Investment Authority to create a €600 million real estate fund dedicated to development in Europe and Asia.

The most beautiful airports in the world? It's all a question of subjectivity... Should we focus on the architecture, the atmosphere or the services? Probably a bit of all of the above.

Federico Gonzalez Tejera is CEO of the NH Hotels Group, and describes the ambitions of the group's various brands, particularly in France. 

Air France intends to speed up its transformation by initiating an "alternative restructuring plan" to enable it to "accelerate the turnaround". Negotiations between management and the unions have failed, and the unions are calling for strike action from 5 October. 

Thomas Dubus, Chairman of Strasbourg Airport's Management Board, looks back over recent events at the Alsatian hub, and gives an initial assessment of the 2015 financial year. Interview. 

The annual results of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlight the sound financial health of the airlines. Last year, they posted record profits totalling 16.4 billion dollars for traffic of 3.3 billion passengers. 

David Gégot, Vice President France at Air Canada, talks about the airline's strategy for the French market, ahead of Air Canada's arrival in Lyon in 2016.