A new online planning tool that is set to revolutionise the way people arrange and manage business travel is unveiled this month by OAG (Official Airline Guide). Due to be launched in early April, OAG Travel Planner Pro enables business travellers and professional travel arrangers to plan, book and manage multiple trips for any number of travellers, and to create highly complex itineraries in an easy-to-use, intuitive and intelligent online environment. The new service will be delivered in conjunction with FCm Bannockburn Travel Solutions, part of the FCm global management company. "It will take OAG into the transaction and fulfilment arena for the first time," explains David Rosen, OAG Travel Solutions’ managing director. "For many years our customers have relied on OAG's electronic products for the most comprehensive and independent information to build even the most complex itinerary, but until now they have had to go elsewhere to make bookings. "OAG Travel Planner Pro is the first and only source of complete and unbiased information for planning and managing trips, using the same OAG database that keeps the global travel industry moving," adds Rosen. "They will have everything in one place. We are confident they won't need, or want, to go anywhere else to arrange business travel." It is expected that travel management companies may want to 'white label' the new service for their own clients. Business trips: now essential
Despite growing environmental concerns and advances in communications technology, busin-ess travel remains an integral part of working life. According to American Express Business Travel's latest Loves and Hates survey, 93% of frequent flyers expect to travel on business as frequently, if not more than they did in 2007. "Whereas 10 years ago business travel was perhaps considered the preserve of main board directors and high-flying executives, it has now become much less of a status symbol, more a corporate necessity in order to attend training courses (46%), conferences and seminars (46%), and conduct client meetings across the globe (43%)," it suggests. The survey, which explores what motivates business travellers and what they like and dislike about travelling in general, also reveals the truth about corporate policy and compliance. Two-thirds of respondents believe that it is vital to be able to change their travel plans within at least 48 hours, with 16% needing to rearrange their schedules at least every other trip, increasing to 29% among board level travellers. Only 45% of employees abide by their corporate policy all the time when arranging business travel. And where online booking systems exist, 57% of employees admitted that they still rely on some form of off-line assistance. "Where companies have tried to exert some budgetary control over employee travel arrangements, many travellers are still going 'off-piste' when organising business trips," observes David Herrick, senior vice president of American Express Business Travel Europe. "The onus is on businesses not only to implement a travel management policy, but to ensure that it is adhered to and regularly reviewed. A centralised travel management policy is a win-win for both employers and employees." The findings are from a survey of 500 European business travellers, conducted by independent research company, Loudhouse. A380 for London route
Singapore Airlines is to introduce the Airbus A380 on the Singapore-London Heathrow route from March 18. The super-jumbo, which seats 471 passengers in three classes – 12 in First Class suites, 60 in Business (in a 1x2x1 configuration on the upper deck), and 399 in Economy – will operate one of SIA's three daily non-stop flights. The carrier currently has two A380s in service, with a third scheduled for delivery in mid-March. It has a further 16 on order, with options on six more.
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