News in brief from NBTA, Sabre Travel Network, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, easyJet and London Luton
McCormick to serve as New NBTA executive director
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has named Michael McCormick as NBTA executive director and COO.
Mr McCormick joins NBTA with more than 20 years of travel industry experience, having most recently served as managing partner of travel advisory Hudson Crossing.
Mr McCormick has promised to NBTA staff, members and leadership to "aggressively globalise the association, expand product and service offerings, and grow membership."
Prior to launching Hudson Crossing, Mr McCormick served as executive vp of Cendant's Hospitality & Leisure Group where as business unit leader.
At Cedant, Mr McCormick was responsible for strategic direction and operations of the global hospitality business for Cendant Travel Distribution Services before it was renamed Travelport.
Mr McCormick has also served as the coo of PhoCusWright, president of Biztravel.com, and vp of global supplier relations for Rosenbluth International.
www.nbtaconvention.org
Sabre Launches Contract Optimization Services
Sabre Travel Network has launched its Contract Optimization Services which will allow travel buyers to manage multiple air supplier accounts.
Sabre said the service, aimed at travel buyers and travel management companies (TMCs), used "new sophisticated analytics" to present new flight options.
The product is targeted at medium to large agencies that book a minimum of one million trips annually.
Sabre will showcase its Contract Optimization Services at the NBTA's San Diego conference this week.
www.sabretravelnetwork.com
First phase at Helsinki-Vantaa to go live
The first phase of a new 150 million euro terminal opens at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport will open on August 27.
The terminal will serve long haul flights and those bound for other destinations outside the Schengen area.
The airport said new service areas would make passenger connection times shorter.
Phase two will open September 15 and will see more shops and a restaurant added to the new building.
The final stage, to be completed on December 11, will see the opening of the Via Lounge and spa.
"These innovations are part of the joint goal-directed development work of Finnair and Finavia to provide increasingly efficient and pleasant transit services to passengers on routes between Europe and Asia," the airport said.
www.helsinki-vantaa.fi www.finnair.com
easyJet and Luton row erupts
A dispute between easyJet and London Luton Airport over fees is thought to have erupted, reports said.
The airline is said to be unhappy at charges imposed by Luton where it is the largest airline.
Easyjet, Europe's second largest low cost airline, could move operations to other London airports such as Gatwick and Stansted.
www.easyjet.com www.london-luton.co.uk