The Scottish government is seeking the opinions of local businesses on the standard of ferry travel in the area. Businesses are being asked for their input via an online survey, with particular attention paid to the subject of the Sunday service from Lewis to mainland Scotland.

It has been claimed that Caledonian MacBrayne would be in breach of European law if they failed to run the Sunday service, but The Lord’s Day Observance Society disputes those claims.

The online survey will also go towards plans to make substantial changes to ferry routes in Scotland.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Virgin Trains has finally introduced wireless Internet access for passengers on its West Coast main line trains. The service was supposed to have been introduced years ago, but suffered great delays.

The Wi-Fi is being provided by T-Mobile and will afford passengers uninterrupted wireless Internet access, even when the trains are going through tunnels. A spokeswoman for Virgin Trains stated:

Wireless internet is now live across our Pendolino fleet and the service is forecast to be up and running in our Super Voyager trains by this summer.

The wireless net installation commenced last year, and receivers for the Internet have been installed gradually on each train. The installation has now been completed.

First class passengers can use the wireless net access free of charge while they are on the trains, plus they can use it in the business lounge at train stations.

Popularity: 52% [?]

The Business Travel Show is scheduled to be held in London, at Earl’s Court next year. However, the even was intended to be a three day show, but due to the recession it has been scaled back to just two days.

The Business Travel Show begins in Earl’s Court in February 9th 2010.

David Chapple is the director of the event. He stated:

Over the last two months we have listened carefully to what buyers and suppliers are experiencing, what they think, and what they want from their trade show.

It’s become clear that their overriding need at this stage is for (more…)

Popularity: 37% [?]

The recession has affected everyone in the world, from single mothers on a budget to millionaire businessmen. The recession has now also affected private jet travel as business executives have been forced to swap their private jets for economy class travel aboard airlines.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has revealed that use of private jets has fallen by 20% in just 6 months as the recession has taken hold of the most elite of sectors.

The UK was the fastest growing market in the world for luxury air travel, but the (more…)

Popularity: 49% [?]

In a time of belt tightening and increased fuel costs, airlines throughout the world are cutting back. No so with Bournemouth airport, as they’re investing £45 million in a series of upgrades that will more than double their current passenger volume.

Bournemouth Airport is owned by Manchester Airports Group, who are investing the money in the airport to build a new terminal and to increase the area for passengers and aircraft. They’re also hoping to install equipment that allows for the management of flights, both outgoing and incoming, in bad weather. (more…)

Popularity: 44% [?]

Business travel is no longer a quick one day away, but can stretch out into weeks or even months, which means that hotel costs can get very expensive very quickly.  As well as this, it can also affect staff morale – having to live out of a suitcase in the same hotel for months at a time.  Due to this, companies are starting to look for cheaper more accommodating options.  One of those that is starting to see a take up is the use of service apartments.

Serviced apartments can be cheaper than a lot of hotels, while also providing a better level of living away from home.  Having your own kitchen and front room, as well as more privacy than hotel can only help employees working away from home to cope better with being away for so long.  Serviced apartments can also provide broadband and provide a  laundry and cleaning service to remove the hassle from the employees.

Serviced apartments are definitely here to stay, and provide a wide range of benefits for you average business traveller who has to be away from home for more than few days at a time.

Popularity: 26% [?]

BAA is suing Ryanair over unpaid landing fees.  Ryanair have failed to pay fees owed for landing at Stansted airport.    The argument first started in April when BAA raised its fees and Ryanair said that it would not pay the excessive fees.

There are two sides to this argument – yes BAA raised fees, but it was within the allowed band by industry watchdogs, as well as this, Ryanair received discounts in the past for using Stansted, but they do not receive the discounts anymore.  However, Ryanair are currently struggling, and these increased fess could push them over the edge, as they are already looking at making a loss for the year due to the high cost of oil.

There is a lot of interesting business travel news involving budget airlines at the moment – high oil prices are causing all sorts of issues!

Popularity: 16% [?]

With Ryanair announcing today an 85% dip in profits, is this the bad news that business travelers have (not) been waiting for?

It is a worrying sign say some business analysts.  Lots of companies had decided to move even their most prestigious business travelers on budget airlines following price increases from larger companies such as BA, but with smaller companies seemingly looking to increase their own prices to stay in profit, it could be a closed avenue.

Isn’t it time for telepresence, guys?

Popularity: 12% [?]

UK business is retaining its ‘stiff upper lip’ in the face of a faltering economy. According to research from the Institute of Travel Management, who canvassed 175 different British businesses, UK companies are ploughing on with their business travel plans.

Most companies in the UK who responded to the survey said they would limit non-essential travel plans, but wouldn’t place a ban on business travel altogether. 20% of those canvassed said they had considered a total ban, but stated that even if they were to introduce the ban, it would only be a short-term solution. (more…)

Popularity: 10% [?]

Virgin Trains decision to cut the number of trains running from Nuneaton to London during off-peak hours could be taken to a Judicial Review.  Nuneaton and Bedworth council met on Wednesday to discuss the proposed timetable changes and whether they are going to take action against Virgin Trains and contest the proposed reduction in train service during off-peak hours.  If unchallenged, the timetable will change in December.

Virgin Trains claim that these changes are part of an initiative to provide a faster more frequent service to major cities within their network.

Popularity: 20% [?]