Week in Review

Skift interviewed GBTA’s Mike McCormick this week about the potential hit to the economy if the DHS funding bill doesn’t pass. “It means longer lines, disruption, and a risk of business travelers canceling trips,” McCormick said. Associations Now also weighed in on the potential for dire effects of a Homeland Security shutdown.

GBTA often talks about NextGen and modernizing the U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system. Well, according to Avionics Magazine, Australia is also looking to modernize their ATC system. A trio of Air Traffic Management service providers, Juliet Van Wagenen reports, has come together to update Australia’s aging infrastructure as skies crowd over the land down under.

Runway Girl Network reported that Malaysia Airlines is testing a new SITA flight tracking solution that will do more than simply address the rate and means of sending position reports from aircraft; it will ensure systems are in place at the carrier to process the reports and make the data more useful.

Continuing our look around the globe, China Daily wrote there appears to be no letup coming for business travel growth in China despite a slowing economy. The publication spoke with GBTA’s VP of Research Joe Bates who said even with China’s economic growth slowing to about 7 percent that is still far more than most other countries adding that China is still poised to become the world’s largest business travel market in the coming years.

According to Business Traveller, India will include biometric testing as part of its visa application process beginning March 14. The country’s high commission has announced that it will open more processing centers to cope with the upswing in demand and the increased time it will take to complete visa applications.

Bart Jansen of USA Today reported on a proposal from FlyerRights.org asking the Transportation Department to cap change fees on international plane tickets at $100, although the department has rejected similar requests in the past.

GBTA is all about #Sharing this year as it is the theme of GBTA Convention 2015 and that includes the sharing economy. Entrepreneur talks about the sharing economy entering the business of business travel.

Finally, who doesn’t like lists? We leave you with 10 ways business travel is changing in 2015 and 25 ways to save money on business travel.

Remember to check back every Friday for the latest news in business travel.