The Week In Travel

Business travel volumes in 2024 are set to exceed pre-pandemic levels, according to a review published by the Advantage Travel Partnership this week. The study, which examined data from 25.4 million records compiled over the course of 2023, reveals that 2023 booking volumes reached 92 per cent of 2019 levels – and predicts that 2024 numbers are on track to eclipse pre-pandemic transactions by ‘at least’ 6.2%.

In Europe, two Irish airports have launched ‘mobile passport control’ for passengers heading to the US. People travelling from Dublin International Airport and Shannon Airport can now use an app to submit travel documents, rather than completing a paper form. The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, and is designed to streamline the entry process into the US by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time.

Across the pond, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted $243.7m to airports across the country in a bid to modernise infrastructure and improve safety. The FAA has approved 150 grants across 37 states, many of which have been granted with a view to reduce the risk of runway incursions, following reports that close call incidents were happening ‘several times per week’ across the US.

Enhancing connectivity between UK and China, Virgin Atlantic and China Airlines have launched a codeshare agreement. Virgin Atlantic passengers can now travel seamlessly from Heathrow to Shanghai and connect to various Chinese destinations, while China Eastern customers, pending government approval, will have access to Caribbean and African destinations via Heathrow. The partnership aims to meet the growing demand for travel between the regions.

And finally, a French couple stumbled across the purr-fect travel companion and are now travelling the world with a new feline friend by their side. Léa and Romain found the abandoned moggy on the streets of Paris in 2022 and decided to adopt her. Now named Nour, she has joined them on escapades to the likes of South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines in an adventure they’ve dubbed ‘back-catting’. Despite having to fork out for flights, food and vaccinations, the couple remain overjoyed with their decision and have shared their golden rule of travelling with pets – always make sure to ‘paws’ and plan ahead!