From Flybe, Finnair, TNS-RI, Whitbread and European Travel Buyer Awards
Flybe launches new routes to Germany
Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has opened up two new routes from the UK to Germany.
The service form Exeter to Hannover, the first ever a service from the West Country airport to Germany, is due to start on March 31 and will run three times a week.
The Exeter service will operate via Newcastle, giving that city a new route to Hannover as well.
Mike Rutter, Flybe's chief commercial officer, said: "With this brand new route to Hannover we're giving travellers an affordable way to travel to and from this popular German destination for the first time ever.
"We expect this new summer service to Hannover to prove popular to both business and leisure travellers."
www.flybe.com
Finnair opens fast track at Helsinki Airport
Finnair has opened a priority check-in lane at its new home in Helsinki-Vantaa airport's new Terminal 2.
The fast track service is available to business class passengers and members of its frequent flyer scheme.
The service is also available to oneworld emerald, sapphire or ruby cardholders irrespective of which class they are travelling.
Finnair is due to open its via Lounge and Spa service at theairpor ton December 11 for transit cutoemrs and forthise flyingoutside the Schengen area.
www.finnair.com
Brits "will go on flying"
A new survey TNS-RI Travel and Tourism suggests Britons will go on flying despite concerns over climate change and environmental issues.
A questionnaire of 2090 by the travel research group found that 15% expected to fly more next year while only 13% - a drop of 4% since the 2007 survey - said they would be flying less.
The survey found that 90% of respondents said they were "unlikely" to change their plans in order to reduce the environmental impact of a trip.
They said factors like price and convenience were "far more important".
TNS-RI said the results of its survey were in "stark contrast" to the general concern of Britons to climate change.
Tom Costley, TNS-RI's group director, said: "This research points to a ‘hands off' approach to the question of travel and the environment.
"Even though we claim to be concerned about climate change, we prefer to consider our travel plans in isolation and avoid letting green concerns affect our flying.
www.tnsglobal.com
Whitbread launches sustainability strategy
UK-based hotel and restaurant group Whitbread has pledged to reduce C02 emissions by 26% by 2020, as part of its new sustainability strategy.
The plan also includes diverting 80% of the waste it produces from landfill and launching a new purpose built green hotel in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
Premier Inn has also been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, an award which requires organisations to measure, manage, and reduce their carbon footprint year-on-year.
www.whitbread.co.uk www.carbontrust.co.uk
Finalists selected for European Travel Buyer Awards
Buyers from companies including Vodafone, IKEA, Tesco, Reed Elsevier, Electrolux, BG Group, BAT, Sidel, Tekla Corporation, E.on UK and HMRC are among finalists shortlisted for the European Travel Buyer Awards (ETBA).
The winners will be announceed at a dinner at the Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour Hotel, London on Tuesday, February 9 which will be attended by 300 buyers.
The full shortlist is:
Best Travel Policy Compliance Programme:
Lynn Bennett, Travel & Business Services Manager, BG Group
Pia Degerholm, Category Manager, Hansel
Mike Thomsett, Senior Buying Manager, Tesco Corporate Purchasing
Best Green Initiative in a Travel Programme:
Liz Baldwin, Travel Manager, Commercial Directorate. HMRC
Keith Coleman, Senior Procurement Manager, Friends Provident
Ian Smith, Influencing Travel Behaviour Team Leader, Highways Agency
Best use of Technology in a Travel Programme:
Claes Hensner, Director, Global A/P Processes, Electrolux
Michael Holmes, Head of Defence Travel, Ministry of Defence
Marijke Poppink, EMEA Travel Manager, Reed Elsevier
Best Innovation in a Meetings Programme (SMMP):
Torbjorn Erling, Global Meeting & Travel Manager, IKEA Group
Mike Thomsett, Senior Buying Manager, Tesco Corporate Purchasing
Frederique Cacheux, Laura Leigh Cotter & Linda Woodley, BAT
Best Innovation in a Travel Programme:
Torbjorn Erling, Global Meeting & Travel Manager, IKEA Group
Michael Holmes, Head of Defence Travel, Ministry of Defence
Yann Le Goff, Purchasing Director, Sidel
Outstanding National Travel Coordinator/Booker of the Year:
Peter Macey, Facilities and Central Purchasing Officer, Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
Sanna Komonen, Travel Management Assistant, Tekla Corporation
Cathie Warner, Personal Assistant, BG Group
National Travel Buyer of the Year:
Liz Baldwin, Travel Manager, Commercial Directorate. HMRC
Judith Gledhill, UK Travel Manager, E.on UK
Mike Thomsett, Senior Buying Manager, Tesco Corporate Purchasing
European Travel Buyer of the Year:
Lucy Davidson, European Category Manager Travel & Events, Astellas Pharma Europe
Torbjorn Erling, Global Meeting & Travel Manager, IKEA Group
Tracey Williamson, Principal Category Manager, Vodafone Procurement Company
European Travel Team/Department of the Year:
BG Group - Lynn Bennett, Trish Kirke & Cathie Warner
IKEA Group - Torbjorn Erling, Global Meeting & Travel Manager
Sidel Purchasing Department - Yann Le Goff, Purchasing Director
www.etbawards.com