business jet private uk -

launches business travel service

Online travel service provider Ctrip.com International Ltd has launched a business travel service. The company shared that one reason for setting up a business travel unit is that demand from firms is high; companies have an increasing desire to cut down on costs as much as possible.

“We have been working on services for enterprises for two or three years, but now is a good time for us to launch it as a separate business unit for Ctrip,” Fan Min, chief executive officer of Ctrip, told media.

According to China Daily, Fan said revenue from business customers is already over 100 million yuan (US$12 million) a year, but he expected the new business will become a pillar for the firm within three to five years.

“There are lots of players in the business travel market, but very few have a significant share and an outstanding brand, so we have a great opportunity to become a leader,” Fan reportedly said.

“He estimated American Express might be one of the biggest firms in this area in China with its global network, brand and capital. However, he said Ctrip also has advantages: it offers an air ticket booking service in 45 cities and hotel booking in 270 cities, which are attractive to many big companies with regional branches. Ctrip also has one of the biggest call centres in China with more than 1,200 operators and its own online information management system, which can help companies monitor their travel expenses and therefore cut down on costs,” added the report.

favourite low-cost airline for Business Travel

easyJet, Europe's leading low-fares airline, has again been voted the favourite low-cost airline for business travellers by the Barclaycard Business Travel Survey 2005/06.

New research from the Barclaycard Business Travel Survey has revealed that easyJet is clearly the market leader in the provision of low-cost services and continues to be the airline of choice for cost conscientious business travellers. The research also highlighted the availability of low-cost flights is a key factor in attracting business travellers to fly easyJet, which reflects the size of easyJet's network offering 268 routes to 76 key airports.

Not only did easyJet come top in the low-cost airline category but the airline also came second in the overall category for favourite airline for business travel.

Whilst a small number of business travellers were reluctant to fly low cost due to the stereotypes of poor standard or service, delays and lack of centrally located airports. easyJet can confidently state that these stereotypes do not apply to Europe's leading low-fares airline. The airline has recently introduced online check-in, becoming the first low cost airline to offer this popular service to business and leisure travellers alike. Indeed, unlike most low cost airlines, easyJet has high levels of customer service, a good punctuality record and flies to main city destination airports.

easyJet is committed to further developing its share of the business traveller market and with its low fares, flexibility, high frequencies, easy accessibility and online innovations, expects to continue to lead the way in business travel.