The Week In Travel

It has been reported in the Financial Times this week that British Airways owner International Airlines Group’s second attempt to buy Spanish carrier Air Europa is expected to face a lengthy probe by the European Union. Undisclosed sources claimed that the acquisition may be blocked due to concern that it will lead to higher ticket prices. The proposed deal, which hasn’t yet been filed for formal approval, would open-up IAG’s access to the burgeoning South American market.

Over in the US, predicted rises in first quarter profits for hotel operators have come to fruition, though the outlook for the year is less bright than expected. After announcing a successful first quarter, citing recovery in demand across Asia Pacific, Hilton CEO Christopher Nasetta somewhat doused optimism for the financial year when he pointed to the rising risks of a recession threatening consumer spending in the second half of the financial year.

The Chinese government has signalled a further step towards the recovery of travel with the announcement that it will no longer require travellers entering the country to show a negative PCR test for Covid-19. With China’s domestic Labour Day holiday fast approaching, the rule is expected to further boost demand for international travel in the immediate future.

In sustainability news, the policy director at the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) has warned of the dire state of the aviation industry’s push towards decarbonisation targets. Speaking at the Spain Sustainability Day conference, Cait Hewitt pointed out that across the industry companies are overly reliant on the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel to reach 2050 targets. She noted that “SAF delivers no reduction in the amount of CO2 coming out of an aircraft.”

And finally, prospective visitors to Wales’ preeminent national park Eryri (formerly Snowdonia) have been left confused as a result of Facebook’s apparent difficulty with the subtleties of the Welsh language. When park authorities wished to highlight its status as a Dark Sky Reserve, users were informed that it was a ‘well-known evil sky protector’. Additionally, the word ‘Eryri’ has been translated as ‘stupidity’ and instead of being encouraged to visit the Ogwen Valley, tourists have been directed to the Ogwen ‘sex area’.