Business travel

Rarely has a region had such a rapid - and profound - impact on the airline industry as the Middle East. The Gulf airlines are now punching above their weight, firstly through the acquisition of other carriers, and also through their global offer, which is competing with European hubs.

With no fewer than 4.52 million passengers recorded, Pegasus Airines posted a marked increase in traffic (+10.8%) during the first quarter of 2015.

The IHG Group has just signed an agreement with Diamond Developers, which should lead to the opening of a second Hotel Indigo in the United Arab Emirates in 2017. The first will be powered exclusively by solar energy.

Already up and running in the UK, the easyBus shuttle bus will be linking Paris-CDG airport with the city centre in just a few days' time. 

In the heart of the German capital, the Wyndham Grand Berlin Potsdamer Platz has officially been replaced by the Crowne Plaza Berlin - Potsdamer Platz.

With a plethora of hotels to choose from and booking solutions that are not entirely effective, companies have long found it difficult to control their hotel expenditure. But the sector is changing fast. And, above all, it's moving in the right direction.

On Wednesday, Concur and the Club des Directeurs de Sécurité des Entreprises (CDSE) formalised a partnership designed to "put employee safety at the heart of companies' strategic challenges".

Booking.com is now offering a 'business' section aimed at business travellers and travel managers. The Booking Business site has recently been launched on the French market, targeting small businesses in particular.

Audi has just launched Audi on demand on the American market, a car rental system operating via a mobile application and featuring a concierge service. 

Ford has published a European study showing that professionals are more stressed by the journey to and from work than by the work itself.

Korean Airlines continues to do well on the French market. Korea's flag carrier, which offers the largest seat capacity to and from Paris between Seoul and Europe, is strengthening its position further this summer. From 11 May until 3 October, Korean Air will be offering an eighth weekly flight. Every Saturday, a Boeing 777-200 will be put into service for an evening flight, offering additional capacity of 248 seats, including 8 in first class and 28 in business class.

Patrick Roux, Executive Vice President Asia Pacific for Air France KLM, gives a comprehensive overview of the Group's strategy in the region, highlighting the importance of the various partnerships signed with local partners, and underlining its strengths in this high-potential market. Interview.

The difficulties encountered by Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways International have resulted in a sharp reduction in capacity for these two carriers flying to Europe. 

Capitaine Train unveiled its application for the Apple Watch on Friday. The train ticket booking website has taken great care with the design and functions of its new mobile showcase.

Mobile applications are providing more and more useful functions for business travellers. As far as WiFi is concerned, it is slowly making inroads on the railways.

Air France has just launched its dedicated application for the Apple Watch, enabling business travellers to centralise their flight information around their wrist.

After three decades of dormancy, Adelaide's luxury hotel industry will soon be welcoming a brand new player: the Sofitel Luxury is due to open its doors in 2018 in a brand new building in Australia's business district.

With the launch of its new Priority and Excellence classes in Barcelona on Tuesday, Vueling became the first low-cost airline to introduce business class to the European market. With a key asset - electrical outlets - and an original financing strategy: a form of sponsorship from Pepsi.

On Tuesday in Barcelona, Vueling presented its new Priority and Excellence classes, equipped with power and USB sockets. These new offers, which are similar to Premium and Business classes, are partly financed by a partnership with Pepsi, and illustrate the Spanish airline's strategy of moving upmarket while maintaining attractive fares. Alex Cruz, CEO of Vueling, explains his "plan" and why he believes it will succeed. 

On Thursday, the Short-Term Rental branch of the Conseil National des Professionnels de l'Automobile presented its 2014 results. While the recovery in the business travel sector has yet to materialise, the leisure segment and new forms of mobility - notably car-sharing - are contributing to market growth.