Business travel leader of the month: Laila El Mansouri, Country Sales Manager, UAE, Air France-KLM (Dubai)

Q: When did you join Air France-KLM and what is your role there?                    

A: I joined seven years ago, having spent almost my entire career in the airline business. My role is to ensure Air France-KLM continues to grow strongly in the market. I lead the sales strategy, oversee pricing and revenue performance, and focus heavily on delivering a great customer experience. I work with an incredibly passionate and committed team, and we collaborate closely with our partners and customers — from travel agencies and corporate clients to government institutions, embassies, chambers of commerce, associations and schools.

Q: What percentage of Air France-KLM passengers to and from the UAE are business travellers?

A: We see a very healthy and balanced mix of passengers across all segments and cabins. When it comes to business travel specifically, a significant share of our traffic from Dubai is booked through travel management companies.

Q: Tell us about one special facility, product or service Air France-KLM has for corporate clients

A: One key offering is our tailored corporate contracts. These provide access to discounted fares and much greater flexibility compared to online bookings, including easier date and name changes. In case of disruption, corporate passengers receive higher priority. Each corporate client is also supported by a dedicated Key Account Manager. There are also increasingly digitalized services to ensure seamless support at every stage of the journey

Q: Are you seeing an evolution in the way companies in the GCC manage their business travel?

A: We are clearly seeing sustainability become a key consideration. Corporate customers are more conscious of their environmental impact and increasingly ask for reporting on their CO₂ footprint. They also prefer to work with partners who take sustainability seriously and are actively taking steps to reduce emissions. At the same time, we are seeing growing demand for intermediary cabins for business travel. Products like Premium Economy on Air France and Premium Comfort on KLM offer the right balance between comfort, productivity, and value, making them very attractive for today’s business travellers.

Q: Which is your favourite restaurant in Dubai?

A:  My favourite restaurant is not in DXB although there are some quite good ones here. Mine is in Paris. It’s called Essaouira and is the Moroccan restaurant of my father. The dishes are tasty and it feels like home. I always go there when I visit my parents and enjoy afterwards a promenade in the Trocadero area.

Q: What is your number one piece of advice for business visitors to Dubai? 

A: Plan ahead. The city has become extremely busy, with average hotel occupancy now around 85 per cent. Booking flights, hotels, and meetings well in advance is essential. Dubai offers so much beyond business, so planning also allows time to step out of the fast-paced work life and enjoy simple things like going to the beach or a nice sea-front restaurant.