This was true of Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle. Overall, Hirst finds an improved commercial sense among European airport authorities, and he attributes this to the example set by BAA, formerly the British Airports Authority, which owns Heathrow, Gatwick and a number of other U.K. airports. Financial arrangements between hotels and their host airports can vary. In other cases, it's a strict rental. Conference Business European airport hotels place great emphasis on business conferences.
Meetings are especially important at airports far from the center of town.
With the recession, some companies now save money by flying employees to an airport hotel and flying them out again on the same day. Hirst regards flight crews as vital customers. Crews often provide double check-in on the same day. It is necessary for hotels to understand the needs of crews, Hirst argues. You see a guest walking in in a suit with a briefcase, and you think this is high and mighty.