Road Warrior: Rise in profits for IHG on back of recovering economy

The Intercontinental Hotel Group has posted a 10 per cent profit rise to $648 million for 2014. RevPar – revenue per available room – showed increases across the board of 6.1 per cent. Strong economic growth in the United States of 7.4 per cent led to higher occupancy rates. Results were helped by strong bookings on digital channels with a 50 per cent increase in mobile bookings worth $900 million. IHG brands in Ireland include Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express and the recently branded Intercontinental, formerly the Four Seasons.

Air France-KLM hit by strikes

Savings from lower fuel prices have been wiped out at Air France-KLM by the strike last September. The longest strike in 20 years cost the group €495 million in lost revenue. The strike by pilots was held to protest against plans to expand the group's budget airline Transavia. Revenues fell 2.4 per cent to €24.91 billion, despite a 1.3 per cent increase in passenger numbers.

Apartments grow in popularity

The largest operator of serviced apartments worldwide, SACO, has reported strong growth of 15 per cent in the business travel market. Road warriors are increasingly turning to apartments as an alternative to hotels, as they prefer the flexibility and space. SACO increased its global presence to 52 countries with 30,000 apartments.

Aviation forum comes to Dublin

The International Air Transport Association aviation safety conference will be held in Dublin this year. Some 500 experts and dozens of airlines will be represented in the Convention Centre in October. The conference was secured for the capital with the assistance of the Fáilte Ireland Conference Ambassador scheme.