December 6, 2023

News in brief: Emerald Airlines, Virgin, Globetrotter, Korean Air and more

Emerald Airlines has announced a new service linking Belfast City with the Isle of Man. The new route starts on April 24, operating four times per week, increasing to six weekly for the peak Summer season. Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman at Emerald Airlines, said: “We are delighted to be bolstering our Belfast City schedule by adding a new link between Belfast and the Isle of Man. We look forward to continuing to grow our services, providing more options for those travelling to and from Belfast.”

Virgin Atlantic has revealed a new commercial line up with two new appointments. Luke Goggin will join the airline as Vice President, Global Sales in August, and Liz Mathews will join the business as Vice President, Virgin Atlantic Holidays in March. Goggin joins Virgin Atlantic from British Airways, where he was Head of UK & Ireland Sales and Global Accounts. Mathews joins from Flight Centre Travel Group where she held the role of Retail Managing Director.

Australia-based Globetrotter Travel has become the latest partner within the new One Global community, a joint venture between World Travel Inc and Clarity. Established in 1979, Globetrotter Travel is an independent, licensed IATA travel agency made up of three wholly-owned specialist divisions: Globetrotter Corporate, Globetrotter Lifestyle and The Incentive Lab, with corporate clients across several industry sectors within Australia and New Zealand.

Korean Air has received approval from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for its merger with Asiana Airlines. Korean Air now awaits the business competition approvals from the EU, Japan and the US. The CMA’s approval is evidence that proposed remedies submitted by the airline have resolved competition restriction concerns. As part of the remediation effort, Korean Air will enter into a cooperative partnership with Virgin Atlantic’s operation on the London Heathrow – Seoul Incheon route.

Qatar Airways will be the Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1 throughout the 2027 season. It will also be the Title Sponsor of three Grands Prix this year: The Qatar Airways Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (19-21 May), the Qatar Airways Hungarian Grand Prix (21-23 July), and the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix (6-8 October). Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said:“With 23 stops in the 2023 World Championship, F1 is a global sport, requiring a global airline partner that offers extensive global connectivity. Hence, Qatar Airways demonstrates the perfect companion for one of the most desirable sports series in the world.” 

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