The Week In Travel

This week, several US airlines increased their revenue projections despite in historically high fuel costs. Carriers including Delta, American, United, and South-West airlines have cut their first quarter capacity assessments, therefore operating fewer flights, but have decided not to add fuel surcharges to their ticket prices. Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference, representatives from each airline were bullish on the return of domestic business travel in the US. Doug Parker, outgoing CEO of American Airlines, said that although America’s domestic business travel revenue fell to 30 percent of 2019 levels in January and February this year, there was a bounce back in March to 59 percent, and the outlook for April is currently 66 percent of what they were pre-pandemic.

The Saudi-based electrical manufacturing group, alfanar, has announced that it will invest £1 billion in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiative in the Tees Valley, United Kingdom. The Lighthouse Green Fuels (LGF) project will generate fuel which produces 80% less greenhouse gas than its fossil fuel equivalent. The fuel will be created with the UK’s household and commercial waste, and the project is set to be the first commercial-scale SAF production plant in the country. The investment follows on from £850m promised last year by another Saudi firm, Sabic.

Staying in the UK, two airlines have signalled the end of mask requirements on certain flights. A group of carriers, including Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have made the use of masks optional for passengers and employees on certain flights. Recent changes in Covid-19 travel measures in the UK, including the end of testing requirements for international arrivals, have been embraced by airlines, who are looking for a return to pre-pandemic travel. However, masks will still be compulsory on most international flights.

In other news, the Australian-based Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) has acquired a majority stake in Dubai-based travel technology firm TPConnects Technologies. TPConnects provides software which aggregates airline content from multiple sources, including GDSs, low-cost carriers and the growing number of NDC (new distribution capability)-enabled booking channels.

And finally, a man who had arrived in Miami to officiate a friend’s wedding had an awkward awakening when a baffled homeowner found him in their bed. Paul Drecksler had incorrectly followed instructions towards the Airbnb where he was supposed to be staying and ended up sleeping in the next-door neighbour’s house. He was very apologetic and put it down to arriving late and tired after a 20-hour journey. The neighbour was alarmed that Drecksler found his way in so easily.