Joly Creating CWT Travel Management Research InstituteCarlson Wagonlit Travel president and CEO Hubert Joly told BTN that he is in the process of creating the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Management
Institute to conduct ongoing travel management research. He is in the process of appointing a leader of the institute and then will formally announce it later this year. The news comes as CWT works to complete a $150,000 global study of online booking excellence, including case studies as well as a survey, which was conducted by a spinoff of Boston Consulting. CWT also is investing in technology to the tune of $100 million per year. Joly, visiting New York last week, said that by all indications neither local subway scares, London bombings, Gulf Coast hurricanes nor even the specter of rising fuel prices have dampened strong business travel demand. "I continue to be surprised by the robustness of business travel demand," which stems largely from corporate globalization and offshoring and other growth in China, India and Latin America, he said. He also noted "impressive growth rates in the teens" in central and western Europe. "2001 is behind us," Joly said, "the economy is rocking and business travel is at all-time highs."
After Sabre Deal, AirTran
"Unlikely" To Stay In Every GDSAn AirTran Airways spokesperson said the airline is "unlikely" to maintain its participation in all four primary global distribution systems after current deals expire Dec. 15. Last week, it signed a five-year deal with Sabre Travel Network in which AirTran committed to provide all fares and inventory through the Sabre global distribution system, the Travelocity consumer site and Travelocity Business. The spokesperson said negotiations with Amadeus, Cendant and Worldspan will determine which other GDSs, if any, will list AirTran content. The airline also has direct distribution arrangements with AgentWare,G2 SwitchWorks and Outtask.
Hilton Hotels Makes Offer For Hilton International U.S.-based Hilton Hotels
Corp. is in discussions to purchase the Hilton International hotel division, which operates more than 400 properties outside of the United States. "The board confirms that it has received an indicative offer from Hilton Hotels Corp., which it is currently evaluating," U.K.-based Hilton Group said in a
statement last week. "Discussions are ongoing and subject to the resolution of a number of issues. Consequently, there can be no certainty that a sale of Hilton International will take place. A further announcement will be made in due course." The two Hiltons have operated independently for decades, but in
2000 they formed a joint venture to expand the luxury Conrad brand, which now has 18 properties in more than one dozen countries.
United States, European
Commission Resume Open Skies TalksU.S. and E.C. negotiators are in Brussels this week for the latest round of talks on a revamped air services agreement. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta
and Jacques Barrot, E.C. vice president in charge of transport, last week "agreed to resume negotiations with a view to reaching a comprehensive first step" between the world's two largest commercial aviation markets. Previous talks failed to achieve much, as both sides have entrenched agendas
(BTN, Sept. 8, 2003). "Both parties must think beyond the traditional and beyond Open Skies," said Giovanni Bisignani, International Air Transport Association director general and CEO, who cautioned against "half-hearted" negotiations. "Airlines need to be able to conduct their business like any other business. That means not only the freedom to serve markets where they exist, but also to access global capital markets and merge and consolidate across borders where it makes good business sense." Any new deal likely would include changes at London's Heathrow Airport, where only four U.S. and U.K. carriers are permitted to operate nonstop flights to and from U.S. gateways.
JetBlue To Jump Into New York-Boston BattleJetBlue Airways last week announced the next wave of new destinations and increased frequencies from Boston and New York JFK, including 10 daily flights between the two cities. By offering such frequent service in the Northeast Corridor—starting Nov.19—JetBlue will battle for business passengers against Delta's and US Airways' shuttle operations at New York LaGuardia, multiple daily flights
offered by American at all three primary New York-area airports, a deep Continental schedule at Newark and intercity Amtrak rail service. JetBlue said it would deploy the first of its new 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft to handle service expansion. American matched JetBlue's introductory and regular fares on the JFK-Boston route.