Competition and the Sharing Economy Highlight Monday at GBTA Convention
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Competition and the Sharing Economy Highlight Monday at GBTA Convention

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry, kicked off its first industry session at Center Stage with Charisse Jones of USA Today asking hard-hitting questions from Southwest Airlines’ Gary Kelly and Etihad Airlines’ James Hogan. The interviews focused on the future of airline competition, Open Skies, antitrust…

GBTA Calls for New Dialogue on Expanded Business Traveler Bill of Rights
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GBTA Calls for New Dialogue on Expanded Business Traveler Bill of Rights

Every year at GBTA Convention, I have the privilege of giving attendees an update on the advocacy issues affecting our great industry. Below you will find the speech I plan to deliver this afternoon. As you may have seen, the sharing economy hit the campaign trail. Just a few weeks ago, some of the most…

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Southwest & Etihad Talk Competition, Service and the Future of Airlines

Yesterday, GBTA Convention kicked off its first industry session at Center Stage with Charisse Jones of USA Today asking hard-hitting questions from Southwest Airlines’ Gary Kelly and Etihad Airlines’ James Hogan. The interviews focused on the future of airline competition, Open Skies, antitrust issues and the characteristics that each CEO felt set their airline apart….

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Lufthansa CEO Named Featured Speaker for GBTA Europe Conference

Last week, GBTA and German business travel buyer association VDR announced that Carsten Spohr, Chairman and CEO of Lufthansa Group, will be a featured speaker at our joint conference this November at the Congress Center, Messe Frankfurt. Spohr has served as Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG since May 1,…

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Week in Review

It was a busy week for business travel news! On Monday, U.S. News & World Report wrote the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger as the new leader for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by a vote of 81-1. GBTA urged the new TSA administrator to conduct a top-to-bottom independent review…

GBTA Pleased IATA “Hit the Pause Button” on Proposal to Reduce Carry-on Baggage Dimensions by 20 Percent
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GBTA Pleased IATA “Hit the Pause Button” on Proposal to Reduce Carry-on Baggage Dimensions by 20 Percent

As many of you heard, yesterday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry association, put on hold on its recommendation that standard carry-on baggage sizes be reduced to dimensions about 20 percent smaller than what most major airlines currently allow — to 22 inches tall, 13 1/2 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches deep….

GBTA Says Proposal to Slash Carry-on Baggage Size Must Be “Permanently Scrapped”
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GBTA Says Proposal to Slash Carry-on Baggage Size Must Be “Permanently Scrapped”

Yesterday, we announced that we were pleased IATA put on hold its proposal to reduce the size of carry-on baggage by 20 percent. After polling our Members we now believe the proposal should be entirely scrapped. We released the statement below this morning that includes our polling data along with a comment from Senator Chuck…

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Week in Review

The industry reacted swiftly and loudly this week after IATA introduced a proposal that standard carry-on baggage sizes be reduced to dimensions about 20 percent smaller than what most major airlines currently allow. IATA put the proposal on hold after much opposition including New York Senator Chuck Schumer who came out against the proposal saying…