BTI France has ended its three year agreement with AFAT Voyages, the largest network of agencies in the country.
BTI said the alliance, signed in 2003, had helped it both deal with the reduction of airline commissions and, with the integration of new technologies, increase its penetration of the French business travel market.
Yves Nanique, the new director general of BTI France, said its had doubled its turnover in the 2005 and achieved its “growth objective.”
But there was a conflict of interest with AFAT as it, AFAT was a member of the GIE G4, one of the largest business travel networks in France.
Jean-Pierre Mas, president of AFAT, said the alliance with BTI had been “particularly favourable” and had helped AFAT improve its knowledge of business travel management and the development of self booking tools for the SME market.
* M Nanique is expected to unveil his strategy for BTI France for 2006 in the coming weeks.
Gatwick rail plans criticised
Airlines have strongly criticised UK government plans to shut the non-stop London-Gatwick Airport rail service.
Under its Brighton Main Line Utilisation Strategy, Britain's department for transport plans to make the Gatwick Express a stopping service.
But Bob Schumacher, Continental Airlines' senior director UK and Ireland, described the plan as “outrageous.”
He added: “If implemented, it would make Gatwick less attractive as a London gateway and would adversely affect local businesses, commuters, and international visitors alike.”
Delta Air Lines which like Continental runs its transatlantic services out of Gatwick, said it was also concerned about the effects of ending the service.
Loren Neuenschwander, its managing director Atlantic region, said: “Delta believes it is vital to maintain a regular non-stop express train service between Gatwick and Central London, which is a major reason customers choose to fly into Gatwick on Delta.”