Week in Review

The United States is projected to lose $1.3 billion in travel-related expenditures in 2017, including hotels, food, rental cars and shopping expenses that inbound travelers would have spent. According to GBTA, $250 million will be lost in spending from inbound business travelers from Europe and the Middle East.

The Verge claims Trump’s laptop ban on European flights is reportedly off the table.

According to Skift, four out of five travelers considering U.S. travel say a laptop ban won’t change their plans.

According to Bloomberg, IATA warns a wider laptop ban would cost passengers $1 billion

Buying Business Travel reports Air Asia plans to launch a low-cost airline in China.

USA Today reports Delta will begin testing facial-recognition technology at its new self-service bag drop stations.

According to TravelDailyNews International, Greyhound has announced a partnership with Google Maps that will enable customers to plan trips more efficiently and connect to Greyhound schedules and other transit options.

Buying Business Travel notes London City has unveiled plans for a digital control tower, making it the first UK airport to do so.

TravelDailyNews International reports China’s biggest mobile payment service WeChat has launched in Toronto.

According to TravelMole, Flight Centre has acquired a 25 percent stake in business travel and technology agency 3mundi.

BBC reports Canada’s Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau has introduced legislation that will set a national standard for how passengers are treated by airlines.

According to Buying Business Travel, transport services in Greece were hit by a series of strikes across the country.

According to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Travel Leaders Group has acquired Corporate Travel Services, Mexico’s largest independent travel management company.

Business Traveller reports Qantas expands digital boarding passes beyond its domestic routes.

According to CNN, United Airlines says its cockpit door access information was made public.