Travelport To Launch European Booking ToolTravelport, the online booking tool provider owned by Cendant, is set to launch its first European release next month. The company claims it has delayed release so it can properly address the two problems it regards as most responsible for retarding the growth of self-service reservations systems in Europe. One is unavailablity of content, especially the absence of low-cost carriers. The other is lack of sophistication in the writing of policy rules. "If a company's policy is to fly British Airways from London to Frankfurt but the BA flight is sold out and the traveler has to book Lufthansa, that is flagged as outside policy at the moment," says Johnny Thorsen, EMEA general manager for Travelport. "That is a big part of the reason why online tools have not been successful in Europe. I agree that systems so far have not been able to meet the demands of corporate clients."
Montreal Convention Ratifies Passenger RightsMember states of the European Union and Norway have ratified the 1999 Montreal Convention, the updated version of the 1929 Warsaw Convention of passenger rights. The latest signatories bring the total number of countries to have ratified to 52. The United States was the 30th signatory in September 2003. Among the improved terms are compensation of roughly US$1.5 million in the event of death or injury without presumption of airline liability, plus unlimited compensation where there is airline liability. Under Warsaw, total compensation was limited to about US$12,567, although around 100 airlines voluntarily had agreed to unlimited payouts. Where Montreal is likely to have more frequent consequences is in the change of compensation for baggage loss or damage. Previously, airlines paid approximately US$25 per kilogram. Now they must pay up to about US$1,524 per passenger based on the value of the bag and its contents. British Airways said it expects its average compensation for lost and damaged luggage to triple.
Airports Benchmarking Customer ServiceAirports Council International and the International Air Transport Association are working cooperatively on a new benchmarking study of airport customer service. "It incorporates real-time passenger feedback and lets airport managements target scarce resources to move the needle in areas of service that customers care about," said Robert Aaronson, ACI director general. The program now comprises dozens of airports representing all global regions. Current North American airport participants include Minneapolis St. Paul, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Vancouver. Speaking at an industry conference last month in Paris
(see story), Aaronson said governments must work together to bring airport costs down, leverage technology and create service standards, such as 60-minute processing times for departing passengers and 45 minutes for arriving passengers.
NBTA Gears Up For Legislative Day In D.C.The National Business Travel Association has confirmed 63 attendees and is expecting at least 70 to attend its second annual Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., on May 17 and 18. The event will include speaking engagements by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), and appearances by other "representatives and senators" who will "address many business travel issues" with their constituents, an NBTA spokesperson said. Representatives from the Bush and Kerry campaigns are expected at the opening reception on May 17. NBTA is suggesting a $200 contribution for members attending the event. NBTA said it will use the day to promulgate its legislative agenda and continue its endorsement of a number of bills and initiatives to help travelers pay lower travel-related taxes and fees, move more quickly through security and maximize privacy, among others
(BTN, March 15, 2004).Hotel Real Estate Heats UpAfter three years of hotel owners holding onto their assets in the hope of a market turnaround, 2004 is turning into the year they sell, according to survey findings released last week by PKF Consulting. For travel buyers, change in ownership typically means increased renovations and pressure on rates as new owners seek to eke out more revenue. Full-service hotels are most desirable because high-barriers to entry in many markets make new construction. Significantly more capital also should be available for hotel investment than in 2003, PKF said, while interest rates remain at all-time lows, benefiting potential buyers.ost responsible for retarding the growth of self-service reservations systems in Europe. One is unavailablity of content, especially the absence of low-cost carriers. The other is lack of sophistication in the writing of policy rules. "If a company's policy is to fly British Airways from London to Frankfurt but the BA flight is sold out and the traveler has to book Lufthansa, that is flagged as outside policy at the moment," says Johnny Thorsen, EMEA general manager for Travelport. "That is a big part of the reason why online tools have not been successful in Europe. I agree that systems so far have not been able to meet the demands of corporate clients."
Montreal Convention Ratifies Passenger RightsMember states of the European Union and Norway have ratified the 1999 Montreal Convention, the updated version of the 1929 Warsaw Convention of passenger rights. The latest signatories bring the total number of countries to have ratified to 52. The United States was the 30th signatory in September 2003. Among the improved terms are compensation of roughly US$1.5 million in the event of death or injury without presumption of airline liability, plus unlimited compensation where there is airline liability. Under Warsaw, total compensation was limited to about US$12,567, although around 100 airlines voluntarily had agreed to unlimited payouts. Where Montreal is likely to have more frequent consequences is in the change of compensation for baggage loss or damage. Previously, airlines paid approximately US$25 per kilogram. Now they must pay up to about US$1,524 per passenger based on the value of the bag and its contents. British Airways said it expects its average compensation for lost and damaged luggage to triple.
Airports Benchmarking Customer ServiceAirports Council International and the International Air Transport Association are working cooperatively on a new benchmarking study of airport customer service. "It incorporates real-time passenger feedback and lets airport managements target scarce resources to move the needle in areas of service that customers care about," said Robert Aaronson, ACI director general. The program now comprises dozens of airports representing all global regions. Current North American airport participants include Minneapolis St. Paul, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Vancouver. Speaking at an industry conference last month in Paris (see story, left), Aaronson said governments must work together to bring airport costs down, leverage technology and create service standards, such as 60-minute processing times for departing passengers and 45 minutes for arriving passengers.
NBTA Gears Up For Legislative Day In D.C.The National Business Travel Association has confirmed 63 attendees and is expecting at least 70 to attend its second annual Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., on May 17 and 18. The event will include speaking engagements by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), and appearances by other "representatives and senators" who will "address many business travel issues" with their constituents, an NBTA spokesperson said. Representatives from the Bush and Kerry campaigns are expected at the opening reception on May 17. NBTA is suggesting a $200 contribution for members attending the event. NBTA said it will use the day to promulgate its legislative agenda and continue its endorsement of a number of bills and initiatives to help travelers pay lower travel-related taxes and fees, move more quickly through security and maximize privacy, among others
(BTN, March 15, 2004).Hotel Real Estate Heats UpAfter three years of hotel owners holding onto their assets in the hope of a market turnaround, 2004 is turning into the year they sell, according to survey findings released last week by PKF Consulting. For travel buyers, change in ownership typically means increased renovations and pressure on rates as new owners seek to eke out more revenue. Full-service hotels are most desirable because high-barriers to entry in many markets make new construction. Significantly more capital also should be available for hotel investment than in 2003, PKF said, while interest rates remain at all-time lows, benefiting potential buyers.