HRG signs two more African partners
Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has signed two more partners in Africa in Senegal and Uganda. It follows the recent addition of partners in Ethiopia and Mauritius and brings the TMC's total in the continent to 18. The new partner in the West African country of Senegal is Saphir Voyages which is based in the capital Dakar. Founded in 1999, the agency's clients include Oxfam and UNICEF. The Ugandan partner is Africa Travel which was established 25 years ago in the capital Kampala and which serves clients including Shell and the Uganda Investment Authority.
Mike Platt, HRG's group industry affairs director, said: "This latest development reflects a substantial increase in the number of multinational companies looking to consolidate their business in Africa and demonstrates our commitment to meeting client needs and developing an even stronger presence across the region. "Local knowledge is essential when delivering a worldwide service and both Saphir Voyages and Africa Travel are able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the markets they serve."
KDS signs deal in Dubai
French IT company KDS has signed a major deal with Dnata Travel Services.
The deal gives the Dubai-based agency, part of the Emirates Group, exclusive rights to represent KDS in the region.
Stephane Donders, KDS's executive senior vp, sales and marketing said: "Dnata's unrivalled travel leadership in the Middle East, their travel information systems and their expertise in project management was the cement of our partnership.
"These are assets for KDS and now corporate users can count on Dnata to implement and support their KDS services in the Middle East."
easyJet upbeat on profits
easyJet said it was on course for a 20% rise in pre-tax profits compared with the previous financial year.
In an interim statement, the low cost carrier said total revenue per seat was up by 0.5% to £36.98 in its first quarter, the three months to December 31, 2007. This was ahead of expectations.
It added that forward bookings were in line with expectations despite the uncertain economic outlook.
The carrier said load factors were "down slightly” but bookings for February and March showed an “improving trend.”
easyJet said that revenue for the second quarter form January to March was expected to be ahead of original expectations.
Revenue per seat was also expected to rise during this second quarter.
Travelport and Expedia sign European deal
Travelport GDS and has signed a deal with online agency Expedia to provide GDS services for its various points of sale in Europe.
Travelport owns two of the world's largest GDSs, Galileo and Worldspan.
Wes Paterson, Expedia's vp EMEA transport and tours, said: “The connection with Travelport GDS is a step we have taken in Europe to diversify our GDS mix as we continue to expand in size and geographic reach.
"We are pleased to have access to the fares and inventory Travelport GDS will offer our customers in Europe."
Court delays AF talks
Air France KLM faces further delays in its talks to takeover Alitalia after an Italian court said it would meet on February 20 to hear an action by rival buyer Air One.
The court will rule on the move by the Italian low cost carrier whose bid was rejected last year by the then national government of Romano Prodi, to stop the talks.
Air One's ceo, Carlo Toto has met financiers and other business leaders from the Lombardy region in an effort to revive his airline's bid for the national carrier.
Mr Toto and others from the region are concerned about AF KLM's stated plans to reduce flights at Malpensa, the airport serving northern cities like Milan and Turin.
The talks with AF KLM were backed by Mr Prodi but the fall of his government last month has created uncertainty.
The Italian government wants to unload its 49.9% stake in the chronically loss-making carrier.
But while some politicians want to see Alitalia kept in Italian hands, Silvio Berlusconi, a former prime minister who could win the forthcoming general election in April, has said he would not undo any deal AF KLM reached with Alitalia.
ITP consolidates relationship with Net Trans
The International Travel Partnership (ITP), a consortium of travel management companies in 29 countries, has signed an agreement with Net Trans, a company specialising in recovering unpaid hotel commissions.
The deal was signed in January after the two organisations had been working closely together for four months.
Under the deal, Net Trans will collect unpaid hotels commissions for ITP's partners.
The company estimates that only about 50% of hotel commissions are collected. In the UK alone, this amounts to a £20m loss to agencies each year.
John Melchior, Net Trans UK director of sales, said: "ITP has a strong coverage of quality agents and we are happy to see them recognising the benefits that Net Trans offer.
"We expect to deliver substantially increased commissions for less work for all of ITP's agents within a very short time."
Virginia Palla, ITP's general manager, said: "Having worked with Net Trans for selected Partners in the past, we have seen a substantial increase in the collection ratio of hotel commission.
"Partners have also benefited in reducing their banking costs."
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