Business Travel News |
TAP warns of strike action - Saturday 20 December
TAP Portugal is warning passengers of possible disruption this weekend due to industrial action.
The union representing cabin crew at TAP Portugal is calling for a one-day strike this Saturday (December 20) over a pay dispute. The airline said this would result in severe delays and/or flight cancellations to the airline's operations across the system.
The airline is strongly advising customers to consider other travel dates. Customers with existing and ticketed bookings for Saturday who wish to change may do so free of charge. Date changes are subject to availability on passenger's chosen flights.
Alternately, passengers wishing to cancel their travel plans can opt for a full refund.
Changes to visa-free travel to the US
From early 2009 it will be compulsory for customers travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) no later than 72 hours prior to departure. This online form will replace the green visa waiver form (I94W) which is currently completed whilst en-route to the US.
Customers should visit the website http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and fill in the required information. In most cases a response will be received within seconds determining whether travel to the US has been authorised. If the application is not authorised then a visa may be requested through the US Embassy.
Lufthansa has launching its new "Lufthansa Italia" brand. The new airline blends traditional Lufthansa values, notably reliability and high quality, with Italian flair. With an initial fleet of six aircraft, Lufthansa will be offering the best of connections from major European destinations to northern Italy from February 2009, including a new non-stop, four times daily service from London Heathrow to Milan Malpensa, operating from the end of March 2009.
An Airbus A319, seating 138 passengers in Business and Economy Class, will be operating the flights under the Lufthansa Italia brand. The discreet cabin design betrays its Italian origins. The passengers will be served by Italian flight attendants with Italian delicacies adding a note of originality to the in-flight menu.
British Airways Executive Club UK & I members aged 18 and over, travelling in First, Club World , WTP, Club Europe, Euro Traveller or on domestic flights departing between 18 November and 19 December 2008 will receive 5,000 BA Miles if their flight departs more than 15 minutes after it's scheduled departure time*
Executive Club Members must register to qualify for this offer.
* In the airline industry, "on time" means flights departing within 15 minutes of the scheduled time
The Emirates A380 will make its inaugral UK flight from London Heathrow to Dubai in December. The EK002/001 service will operate daily and offer 14 First, 76 Business and 396 Economy Class seats.
All passengers can look forward to spacious next generation seating and over 1000 channels of on-demand entertainment on the ice entertainment system.The A380 is also quieter both inside and outside.
The Emirates Terminal 3 recently opened at Dubai airport is exclusively for Emirates customers.
bmi have announced that from 01 November 2008 that they have eliminated fuel surcharges on all UK and European flights departing or arriving at London Heathrow. bmi have stated no fuel surcharge, no extra charge for baggage, check-in, or pre-selecting of seats.
While other airlines are increasing their additional charges, bmi are trying to send a clear message that there are no hidden extras, no unannounced charges, just great prices and service.
From late October 2008, eVisitor will be available, free of charge, to citizen passport holders of European Union member states and European ETA eligible countries.
eVisitor is a 'label free' authority to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes. eVisitor holders can enter Australia multiple times over a twelve month period, staying for up to three months on each occasion.
To be eligible to apply for an eVisitor applicants must:
"be intending to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes,
"hold an eVisitor eligible passport, and
"be located outside Australia at the time of application and to be eligible for the grant of an eVisitor.
More information is available on the departmental website www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist
OpenSkies goes all-premium
British Airways’ subsidiary OpenSkies is to ditch economy class on its aircraft. The change will come into effect on October 1 on the airline’s Paris-New York route. The small five-row economy cabin will become part of premium economy (PREM+), increasing capacity to 40 seats. There are 24 business class seats.
The same seating configuration will also be used on the airline’s Amsterdam-New York service which launches on October 15. The service will offer 32 fully-reclining seats.
BA/Virgin Fuel Surcharge Price Fixing
After a legal settlement, passengers are entitled to a partial refund on the fuel surcharge element on long haul tickets purchased with Virgin Atlantic and most British Airways flights purchased between 11th August 2004 and 23rd March 2006.
Further details can be found at www.airpassengerrefund.co.uk
You will be able to make your claim as of the 14th July 2008 using the above website.
ACE Travel are able to provide details of long haul flights purchased with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic within this period. The information provided will allow you to claim any partial refund to which you may be entitled. A nominal administration fee of £25 will apply.
Negotiated rates at the Landmark Hotel, London
The Landmark Hotel, London - a member of Leading Hotels of the World - has offered all ACE Travel clients a negotiated rate of £225.00 per night for a Superior Room and £255.00 per night for an Executive Room. The rack rate for a Superior Room at the Landmark Hotel is usually £430.00 per night!!
Rates are exclusive of VAT and breakfast and are subject to availability at the time of booking.
UK Immigration Service's new IRIS programme
There is a way to quicken your exit from the airport - the UK Immigration Service's new IRIS programme. This is a service where you register the iris of your eye, which is then photographed when you go to new unmanned Immigration barriers, alongside the existing Immigration barriers. the barrier then opens and lets you through. The exit process takes about two seconds!
You can apply to use IRIS if you are:
a permanent resident of the UK
permitted to enter or remain in the UK for more than six months and that you have more than two months left of your leave to enter or remain
IRIS is already available in the following UK airport terminals:
London Heathrow Airport - Terminals 1,2,3,4
London Gatwick - North Terminal (South Terminal due mid-April)
Manchester Airport - Terminals 1,2
Birmingham Airport - Terminal 1
You must register by going to the designated area of the departure lounge at any participating airport. The process takes just five minutes as Home Office Immigration officers record your passport information and UK Immigration status on a database along with a photograph of your iris pattern.
To obtain more information on the IRIS Programme, visit www.iris.gov.uk
British Airways flights with On Business
If you are an "On Business" member with British Airways, you can now use your corporate reward points for upgrading your flight. A great deal for business and corporate travellers, to be able to buy an economy flight to New York and upgrade to World Traveller Plus. Terms and conditions apply. Email res@acetravel.co.uk for further information.
Have you checked your visa requirements?
With the world ever changing, the need to check your visa requirements is even more important. ACE Travel Management do provide a full passport and visa service and are happy to investigate your visa requirements for your next destination. Please ask us for more details.
Further legislation for passengers travelling to the US
Please be aware that US Government Legislation now requires ALL passengers entering the United States to provide details of their destination address.
Destination address has been defined as the address where a passenger will spend their first night in the US. In the case of those travelling to the US and returning within the same day, the destination address should be where they are visiting during the day.
For further information on the changing rules with regard travel to the US, please contact ACE Travel Management.
Advance Passenger Information - What it is and why it is necessary
Advance Passenger Information (APIS) was originally introduced by the U.S authorities as a means of speeding up immigration procedures, whereby airlines supplied passport information for passengers, enabling routine checks to be made before their arrival.
Since the tragic events of September 11 2001, there has been additional focus upon providing information about airline passengers for security reasons.
The law now requires all airlines to collect Advance Passenger Information (APIS) for all passengers before travel to and from the USA and certain other countries.
APIS Information that is required:
Passport number
Citizenship
Country of issue
Passport expiration date
Full name as it appears on the passport
Date of birth
Country of residence
Local contact details - mobile phone no. and/or e-mail address
All airlines are required to collect APIS information. Failure to provide this will result in travellers not being accepted to travel.
ACE Travel Management is taking this opportunity to ensure that all our travellers Personal Profiles are updated with all relevant information. We are also implementing a quarterly review of the profiles to reflect circumstance change.
Please e-mail us at res@acetravel.co.uk to request the new Personal Traveller Profile form and more details on Advance Passenger Information.
Gift Vouchers for ACE Travel
ACE Travel offer Travel Vouchers which can be used towards flights, hotels, theatre tickets and much more. Why not offer an incentive to staff members with the reward of an ACE Travel Voucher? Please contact ACE Travel to tailor-make your voucher to suit your requirements.
Other services - Low Cost Carriers, Hotels and Car Hire
Please contact ACE Travel for extremely competitive hotel and car parking rates at your departure airport. Booking car parking in advance saves pounds on the standard daily rate, and you are guaranteed a space. Why not try chauffeur parking? where you will be met at the departure terminal by a uniformed chauffeur who will be waiting to take your car to one of the on airport car parks, the chauffeur will also be waiting at the terminal when you return. We also book low-cost airlines for those looking for the cheap alternative way to travel.
If you have an early departure flight please enquire about staying at an airport hotel the night before. We are able to offer very cost effective hotel and car parking packages.