Air France
Air France collects 60th Boeing 777 aircraft
Boeing and Air France are celebrating the delivery of Air France’s 60th Boeing 777 passenger jetliner. The aircraft, a 777-300ER (Extended Range) model, landed in Paris this week. Read more
Flybe celebrate as Newquay passengers get free flights
Flybe has today marked the third anniversary of its popular Newquay to London Gatwick service with a presentation of free flights to those passengers on the morning flight seated in Row 3!
Airlines ANA, JAL and SAS win 'on time' awards
JAL, SAS and ANA airlines were top of the prize winning board as awards for service were handed out at the 2011 On-time Performance Service Awards.
Air France continues investment in its Business Class passenger service
Air France look to be concentraing on their higher value customers as they continue to invest in their Business Class service for 2012.
Korean Air wins World's Most Innovative Airline at World Travel Awards
Korean Air last night received the accolade of being named the World’s Most Innovative Airline at The World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony 2011, held in Doha, Qatar.
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Air France KLM confirm order for 25 Boeing 787 aircraft
Boeing and Air France KLM Group have finalised an aircraft order for 25 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with further possible options.
China Eastern Airlines to join SkyTeam
China Eastern Airlines today announced its intention to join the SkyTeam Airline Alliance. During an official ceremony in Shanghai, China Eastern President and Chief Executive Officer Ma Xulun joined the CEOs of SkyTeam member airlines to sign a Memorandum of Understanding confirming China Eastern’s plans to join the SkyTeam Alliance by mid-2011. With China Eastern as a partner, SkyTeam passengers will benefit from improved access to SkyTeam’s extensive Chinese domestic network.
China Eastern, headquartered in Shanghai, is situated in the most economically developed region and the fastest growing city of China. The signing ceremony took place at the Xijiao State Guest House in Shanghai, witnessed by Chairman Liu Shaoyong of China Eastern, Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board Leo van Wijk and Managing Director of SkyTeam Marie-Joseph Malé. Among other witnesses were the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government and representatives of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).
“Today, China Eastern has taken an important step towards its future growth and the SkyTeam members are honored to be part of this journey,” said Leo van Wijk. “I cannot emphasize the importance of China’s position in the global economy enough and increasing our network presence in this rapidly growing and dynamic part of the world will bring more benefits to both our members and customers. In our 10th anniversary year, the commitment shown by China Eastern will further strengthen SkyTeam’s position as a leading alliance for the future.”
“Joining an international airline alliance is China Eastern Airlines’ strategic deployment to continuously strengthen core profitability and boost market competitiveness,” said Mr. Liu. “For China Eastern Airlines, joining SkyTeam is the just way leading to a globalized market, which will provide wider space for growth. It offers rare opportunities to absorb successful experiences and realize great-leap-forward developments. It provides ideal chances to raise management level, improve operation quality and accelerate the application of information technology.”
Maximizing the Chinese, Asian and global network
With the addition of a second Chinese airline, SkyTeam customers worldwide will benefit from greater access to China and Asia Pacific. Servicing more than 150 destinations in China and abroad, China Eastern provides an extensive route network. Current SkyTeam member China Southern already covers China through its hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing. Together with China Eastern and its hub in Shanghai, SkyTeam will be able to offer services out of the three major Chinese markets. China Eastern will bring 25 unique new destinations that will enrich SkyTeam’s current network. The China Eastern network also covers Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia. Combined with Korean Air, the three Asian carriers will further strengthen SkyTeam’s presence in Asia.
China Eastern’s growth ambitions reach far beyond Asia. Cooperation with Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico offers great potential in the trans-Pacific and Latin American markets. At the same time, increasing growth figures to and from Europe will be obtained through China Eastern’s cooperation with Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Mr. Malé shared some more detail about the joining process:
“The next step is expected to be taken in June 2010, when China Eastern and SkyTeam will sign an alliance agreement that will lead to the official SkyTeam membership with an effective entry around mid 2011”.
Also in June, SkyTeam plans to welcome two additional members to the alliance, Vietnam Airlines of Vietnam and TAROM of Romania.
Air France and KLM launch Bluebiz in UK and Ireland
As of today, BlueBiz, the new joint Air France and KLM Corporate Benefits programme for small and medium sized business is available in the United Kingdom and in Ireland. Up to now, both airlines had their own Corporate Benefits programme aimed at this segment.
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- Earning Blue Credits
- Awards
- Membership
As member of the BlueBiz program the company earns Blue Credits each time one of its employees travels with Air France or KLM. Blue Credits are valid for at least 24 months up to a maximum of 36 months and are granted according to the route and the booking class. For the Blue Credits to be credited on its account, the company just needs to give its BlueBiz number when making a booking.
In addition, the members of Flying Blue, the Air France and KLM frequent flyer programme, continue to earn miles when travelling on Air France and KLM.
Blue Credits can be converted into award tickets and upgrades to any destinations in the extended global network of Air France and KLM using a simple scale: 1 Blue Credit is equal to 1 EURO. Any company employee can use the awards.
Membership is simple and free of charge, with no conditions required concerning a minimum number of trips to be made. Membership is valid for a minimum of two years and then as long as company members continue to travel.
“Small and medium enterprises are looking for an easy-to-use Corporate Benefits programme enabling them to make additional savings on their travel budget. By developing a new programme designed on the best characteristics of the former Air France and KLM programmes, the Group offers small and medium-sized businesses extended coverage of its entire network and partners ” says Jean Wieviorka, VP Corporate and Distribution, Air France KLM.
To benefit from BlueBiz, companies can contact their usual travel agency or Air France and KLM. All the services offered to BlueBiz members (membership, customer profile management, consulting and managing accounts and using awards etc) are accessible directly online 24/7 at www.airfrance.co.uk and www.klm.com
