BTCradio

EU - US Open Skies

[18 min] This is a Special Edition of BTC Radio on the eve of an historic vote that would represent a breakthrough in trade liberalization in commercial air transportation between the United States and the European Union. The vote is scheduled for tomorrow, 22 March 2007 in the European Commission’s Transport Council.

My guest for this show is Paul Mifsud, vice president of government and legal affairs, USA, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Mr. Mifsud is the preeminent expert in this area, having been knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands for his significant contributions to air trade liberalization.

Travel Distribution System Reform

[42 min] A Special Advocacy edition of BTC Radio, Talking Business Travel regarding travel distribution system reform with guests:

Jay Campbell, Chief Content Officer at ProMedia.travel and Founder of The Beat; Paul Ruden, SVP Legal & Industry Affairs, The American Society of Travel Agents; Jean Covelli, Travel Administrator, Rich Products Corporation; and Brad Seitz, Treasurer and Board Member, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, and President of Topaz International.

Registered Traveler

[45 min] During this show, we will examine the Registered Traveler program from many angles. If your job calls for you to be informed about this program, you will not want to miss this show. Guests include business traveler Henry Morgan, Regional Manager, Highline Products; Dr. Stephen Van Beek, Executive Director for Policy at Airports Council International, North America; Steven Brill, Founder & CEO, Verified Identity Pass, Inc.; Lawrence Zmada, Partner, Homeland Security, Unisys; Dean Sivley, Chief Operating Officer & General Manager, Orbitz for Business / Travelport; and Stephanie Rowe, Assistant Administrator for Transportation, Threat Assessment and Credentialing at the Transportation Security Administration.

Mileage Pro Book Discussion

[40 min] This week on BTC Radio we will discuss a new book, actually one of the few books ever written on airline Frequent Flyer programs and examine the state of play in this very interesting industry. My guest for the whole show is well known loyalty program expert Randy Peterson, who along with Frequent Flyer guru Tim Winship, wrote Mileage Pro, The Insider's Guide To Frequent Flyer Programs. We will examine trends in this industry, why this book could be valuable to novice as well as seasoned business travelers, whether Frequent Flyer programs' best days are behind them and what's ahead in the next couple of years.

EU CRS Deregulation Update

[26 min] This week BTC Radio will update its October 23rd radio show on European Union CRS deregulation. Guests are, from Brussels, Belgium, Brandon Mitchener, Deputy Director of the Coalition for Fair Access to Reservations in Europe and from Washington, DC, Bruce Charendoff, SVP, Sabre Holdings. During this show, we will examine a startling development, that if not effectively challenged, will lead to significantly higher business airfares in many European markets. Guests will outline ways corporate travel managers, travel agencies, industry and consumer Associations and other stakeholders can engage this issue and make a difference.

TMC Strategic Planning Workshop

[30 min] The Travel Team, a travel management company owned by the Rich Products Corporation, services hundreds of commercial clients. Its President Jean Covelli invited BTC to conduct a Workshop for the firm's senior sales, marketing, technology, finance and conference management staff. This show captures the Workshop debrief.

Airfare Structure Simplification

[30 min] This week BTC Radio will speak with Scott McCartney, Travel Editor for The Wall Street Journal and look at recent initiatives by major U.S. network airlines to simplify airfare structures; how low-cost airlines will likely respond; what impact the new US Airways might have on advancing airfare structure simplification; the ongoing use of yield management; and much more.

2006 Business Travel Distribution Issues

[40 min] This week BTC Radio will look at the coming explosion in fragmentation of travel content; the direction of traditional and Internet travel management company transaction fees; and whether mid-size travel management companies can remain viable in the marketplace.

Worldwide Flu Pandemic

[40 min] This week we will look at the potential worldwide flu pandemic from the point of view of the travel industry. We will discuss the H5N1 bird flu from several angles designed to help the listener decide how to approach pandemic preparedness in his/her organization. Guests include Tim Appenzeller, Senior Editor, National Geographic, Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association, Katherine Andrus, Assistant General Counsel, Air Transport Association and Tim Daniel, Group Vice President, International SOS.

Jet Fuel Crisis

[40 min] During this show we will look at the jet fuel crisis gripping an already besieged U.S. airline industry. Our special guest for the whole show will be Vaughn Cordle, Chief Analyst at Airline Forecasts. We will discuss the historic price of oil, what crack spreads are, common hedging strategies and where jet fuel prices are likely to go from here.