AIPORT NEWS

Toulouse flourishes during ‘Grands Travaux’

Above: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is in the midst of a major construction programme to accommodate 8.5 million passengers per year by 2015

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwestern France welcomed nearly 4.7 million passengers during the first nine months of the year, up 4% compared with the same period in 2006. Traffic grew by 5.1% in September to 555,581 passengers.

Around 60% of the passengers flying via Toulouse in September flew on domestic routes within France. However, international traffic grew faster (by 6.3%), while domestic traffic grew by 4.7%.

Toulouse is in the midst of a major construction programme to accommodate 8.5 million passengers per year by 2015. The US$125 million (Euro 85 million) ‘Grands Travaux’ extension project involves the building of a new terminal (Hall D) and the refurbishment of Hall B, including the creation of a new 650m² shopping area.

The new terminal building (right) will have 12 check-in desks and eight customs inspection points. A new 1,600m² shopping area will be available to passengers once they have passed the security check. The terminal will feature wooden ceilings, marble and granite floors and indirect lighting. Hall D will also include five departing lounges, which will be added as passenger demand increases. The first phase of Hall D is scheduled for completion in spring 2009.

Meanwhile, Toulouse is also set to grow this winter as the number of seats is due to rise by 6.7% compared to last year’s winter timetable. The airport attributes this growth to the opening of three new destinations and increased frequency of flights to existing destinations.

Uzbekistan’s Navoi opens for international flights

Navoi Airport Uzbekistan has been upgraded to accept international flights. Salohiddin Nurimov, head of the Navoi Agency of Air Communication, says Navoi will play an important role in raising the economic potential of the region and the country as a whole. The first international flight was a service between Andijan, Navoi and Moscow, and regular flights have also begun between Navoi and Tashkent.

Dubai plans world’s best facilities for special needs

Right: Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport has unveiled plans to become the world’s friendliest airport for people with special needs. Chief executive Paul Griffiths says the airport is rolling out an internal awareness campaign and training courses for frontline staff as part of its strategy to facilitate easy movement of people with different kinds of special needs.

Griffiths has promised that new facilities to cater to people with special needs, such as lower check-in counters, will be installed at the airport.

He announced the plans at a meeting attended by Khalid Al Halyan, vice-president, Internal Audit Unit of Dubai Airports, and Wafa Bin Suleiman, head of the Department for Special Needs of the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Social Affairs.

Veterans campaign for Indy name change

Above: Set for a name change? The new terminal at Indianapolis International Airport is due for completion in 12 months

A group of retired soldiers and airmen are campaigning to rename the new , which is due to open a major new terminal development in November 2008.

The Indianapolis airport was named after World War I hero H. Weir Cook in 1944, but it was changed to Indianapolis International in the 1970s to identify the facility more closely with the city.

The group of veterans claim to have gathered nearly 1,000 signatures supporting the change and plan to meet with city leaders before the end of the year to discuss their plan.

Passengers rise, but cargo falls at Macao

Passenger numbers so far this year at Macao International Airport (right) have risen to 4.57 million passengers, a year-on-year rise of 11%. There were 44,235 take-offs and touchdowns in the first 10 months of the year, up 5% on the same period of 2006.

Though passenger levels are strong, the airport suffered a 19% year-on-year drop in cargo in the first 10 months, to 148,666 tonnes. Airport managers blame this decline on strong competition from the nearby Pearl River Delta region.

LAX awards latest sound proofing contract

Officials at Los Angles International Airport have awarded a US$515,900 contract to AMD Construction Group to install sound insulation modifications on 50 homes adjacent to the airport.

A total of more than 8,200 residences in the Los Angeles communities of Westchester, Play del Rey and South Los Angeles are included in the airport’s residential soundproofing programme.

Contractors typically install double-paned windows, solid-core doors, fireplace doors and dampers, attic baffles, insulation and heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) to reduce noise levels within the homes.

LAX says the latest contract brings to almost 6,000 the number of homes being treated or completed under the programme. The remaining 2,308 homes are either in the design phase, awaiting design, or the owners have not responded or have declined to participate in the programme.

Landmark wins Hyderabad bookstore contract

GMR Hyderabad International Airport has awarded a three-year retail bookstore contract to Landmark at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Landmark will set up the stores in the new airport’s domestic departure and arrival halls before 31 December.

The stores will cover an area of 80m² and must be ready to commence business by 1 February 2008 and will offer newspapers, magazines, books, music and movies.

Hermes reports rising Cyprus traffic

Cyprus airport operator Hermes Airports recorded a 3.94% increase in passenger traffic at the island’s two airports of Larnaca and Paphos in October, compared with the same month last year.

Passenger traffic at Larnaca increased by 5.27% to 565,000 passengers, while Paphos saw the number of passengers grow by 0.54%, to more than 210,000 passengers.

Passenger traffic for the year to date is up 3.59% on 2006 levels, says Jenni Fernando, marketing manager for Hermes Airports.

Airport Terminal Services trials eTug in St Louis

Airport Terminal Services (ATS) from St Louis, Missouri has agreed to test a new ‘eTug’ electric baggage truck on a 30-day trial. Already in service with Allegiant Airlines, the new eTug truck features a standard rear inching switch and can be charged directly from a 110v plug.

LAX tenders for terminal design bids

Right: Due for completion in January 2012, LAX's Midfield Concourse will feature a people mover connecting it to the Bradley terminal

A tender has been launched for the design of the new US$1.2 billion Midfield Concourse and an expanded Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners say they are seeking an architect to design a facility that tourists find welcoming.

Due for completion in January 2012, the Midfield Concourse will have up to 10 gates capable of handling mega-size aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787. An underground walkway equipped with a people mover will connect the new facility to the Bradley terminal.

Left: The winning architect must develop a design that tourists find welcoming

“The tunnel and the design of the midfield terminal must be done in a way that is not just visually appealing, but that lets the traveller feel like they have arrived once they get off the plane and won’t have to go through another onerous journey just to get to the Bradley terminal,” says airport commissioner Fernando Torres-Gil.

The project to modernise the Bradley terminal is running nearly US$94 million over budget, following the discovery of fuel-contaminated soil, underground storm drains and utility lines at the site. Dave Shuter, deputy executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees LAX, says the Bradley terminal project remains on schedule for completion in February 2010.

Barcelona readies Terminal South

Above: Barcelona Airport has enjoyed double digit growth so far this year

Barcelona Airport handled 3.1 million passengers in September, an 11% rise over the same month in 2006. During the first nine months of the year, Barcelona increased its passenger throughput by 10.3% to 25.1 million passengers. The double-digit growth secures Barcelona’s position as Spain’s second largest airport after Madrid Barajas.

Spanish airport operator AENA is currently undertaking an ambitious expansion programme at Barcelona Airport, dubbed the ‘Barcelona Plan’. The plan aims to ensure sustainable growth of at least 8% per year to 55 million passengers.

AENA aims to develop Barcelona Airport into an intercontinental transfer hub with at least 30% of traffic accounted for by transit passengers. To attract more airlines and passengers, it is improving its passenger and luggage transfer process, minimising in-transit congestion at the airport and reducing connecting times.

Right: Artist's impression of Barcelona's new ATC tower

Plan Barcelona includes the construction of a new terminal (Terminal South), scheduled for inauguration in 2008. The new terminal will triple the size of the airport’s passenger waiting and baggage reclaim areas, while the retail area will be four times larger.

Terminal South will combine checking-in, shopping, boarding and an ‘intermodal lobby’ under one roof. The intermodal lobby offers passengers, employees and visitors a choice of ground transportation options to continue their journey.

Although the Barcelona Plan is not yet complete, AENA is already studying future expansion options. One of these is the construction of a new satellite building connected to the South Terminal, which would increase Barcelona’s annual capacity to 70 million passengers.

Arinc wins Changi check-in contract

Above: Singapore Changi Airport has chosen SITA to upgrade its check-in and baggage handling systems


Annapolis-based Arinc has won a contract from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to provide all new passenger handling systems for Singapore Changi Airport. Arinc will install its iMUSE common-use check-in technology and Baglink baggage source message delivery system at all three main terminals, including the new Terminal 3, which is scheduled to open early next year.

“This is a very strategic contract for Arinc, because Changi Airport is renowned globally as one of the world’s best and most efficient airports,” says Randy Pizzi, Arinc vice-president and managing director, Asia/Pacific.

Changi is served by 80 airlines operating 4,220 weekly scheduled flights to more than 190 destinations in 59 countries.

“The opening of Terminal 3 next year will strengthen Singapore’s established position as an air hub,” says Foo Sek Min, director of airport management for CAAS. “We believe Arinc’s common-use platform for check-in and boarding processing systems at Changi across Terminals 1, 2, and 3 will provide flexibility for airlines to operate from any of the three terminals.”

Bahrain traffic rises ahead of expansion

Above: Work will begin next year on a massive expansion project at Bahrain International Airport

Bahrain International Airport saw passenger traffic rise by 5% in the first nine months of the year, compared with the same period last year. Civil Aviation Affairs assistant under-secretary Ahmed Nemat Ali says the number of passengers handled by the airport will reach about eight million by the end of 2007.

Work on Bahrain International Airport’s massive expansion project is due to begin next year. It will more than double the size of the terminal building, increase the number of aircraft stands from 46 to 64 and double the number of bridges from seven to 14. The work, which is due to be completed in 2010, is expected to raise capacity to 15 million passengers a year.

Right: Passenger traffic is up 5% so far this year at the airport

The expansion will enable the airport to handle up to 64 aircraft at any given time, increasing baggage handling capacity from 3,000 bags per hour at present to 15,000 bags. The number of check-in counters will increase from 40 to 80.

Seven additional gates will accommodate five Code E type aircraft (Airbus A330 or A340 and Boeing 747 or 777), one Code C type aircraft (A320 and Boeing 737) as well as one Code F, new large aircraft (Airbus A-380).

About 40 airlines, including charter flights and cargo carriers, currently operate at the airport.

JAL reveals Mt. Fuji plans

Above: Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport takes shape ready for opening in spring of 2009


Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced plans to operate flights to Fukuoka and Sapporo from the US$428 million (¥49 billion) Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport, which is scheduled to open for business in the spring of 2009.

The airport will offer convenient access to the Tomei Expressway and it is about 40 minutes by car from Shizuoka city and about 50 minutes from Hamanatsu – the two main cities of the prefecture.

JAL plans to offer a daily service to Fukuoka in Kyushu, and a thrice daily service to Sapporo in Hokkaido from the new airport. The airline is currently assessing the potential passenger demand on these new routes using Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport to determine the type of aircraft to operate, and the possibility of launching additional flights or routes.

Upon completion, the airport is expected to offer not only domestic flights, but also short- and medium-distance international flights, mainly to China, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries.

The new Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport in Shizuoka Prefecture, with its population of some 3.8 million, is famous for both its scenic beauty, which includes Mt. Fuji, and well-known for its agricultural and marine products, including green tea and fruit.

LAN Signs For USD$5 Bln Of Boeing Planes

Reuters - Chile's LAN Airlines has finalized agreements to take delivery of more than USD$5 billion worth of the planemaker's new wide-body planes.

LAN, one of the biggest airlines in Latin America with affiliates in Ecuador, Peru and Argentina, is to get 32 of Boeing's lightweight 787 Dreamliner planes plus four of the larger 777 freighters.

The Santiago-based carrier, which has been increasing its international service in recent years, ordered 26 787s in July, marking the largest order for the new plane from Latin America.

Boeing said on Monday the airline will lease six additional 787s from International Lease Finance.

LAN has also committed to acquiring four 777 freighters, two directly from Boeing and two to be leased from GECAS, General Electric's plane-leasing unit, Boeing said.

The order for 26 Dreamliners, consisting of a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s, is worth about USD$4.5 billion at list prices. The two 777 freighters together are valued at about USD$500 million.

LAN Says High Oil Prices Have Not Hurt Yet

Surging oil prices have not yet hurt Chile's LAN Airlines, but if oil rises above USD$110 a barrel, it would be cause for concern, the company's president and chief operating officer said on Tuesday.

A relatively young fleet and a fuel surcharge has helped the airline recover about 70 percent of the increase in oil prices, Ignacio Cueto said in an interview. LAN has about 30 percent of its fuel consumption hedged, he said.

"We try to pass on the price as much as possible," Cueto said. "But every day it gets more difficult."

Oil leaped more than USD$3 a barrel to a record high of USD$97 on Tuesday, closing in on the USD$100 mark, as a weak US dollar and tight fuel stocks prompted buying by investors.

If oil rises above USD$110 a barrel, it would be "chaotic" for the airline industry and could begin to have an impact the wider economy, he said.

Cueto said Brazil remains the airline's logical area for expansion, but the country's 20 percent limit on foreign ownership is a hindrance.

Brazilian authorities have become more receptive but still do not share LAN's vision of "open skies" in South America, he said.

Rolls-Royce Wins USD$800 Mln ILFC Contract

Reuters-Rolls-Royce announced an USD$800 million order for engines from International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC) on Wednesday to power the newest Airbus plane, the A350 XWB.

The Trent XWB engine will power a fleet of 20 aircraft due for delivery to ILFC starting in April 2014, Rolls-Royce said in a statement.

Rolls said the XWB engine would be rated at 74,000 to 92,000 pounds of thrust, slightly lower than originally planned, with final design configuration expected in mid-2008.

The A350 XWB, or extra wide body, will seat 275 to 350 passengers and is Airbus's twin-engined, mid-sized answer to Boeing's 787.

The 787 is the fastest selling new Boeing airliner in history and grabbed a chunk of the middle market as Airbus devoted much of its attention to finishing work on the A380 superjumbo.

ILFC boss Steven Udvar-Hazy, who has ordered 74 Boeing 787s, was a vocal critic of earlier proposed versions of the A350 before Airbus revamped the design and offered the XWB.

ILFC, a unit of American International Group, is the world's largest plane lessor by fleet value.

It agreed to buy 20 of the A350 XWBs last month after a year of negotiations to replace a deal for 16 of an earlier proposed version of the A350.

Aerospace firms are expected to announce further plane and engine deals at the Dubai air show which opens on Sunday. One of the industry's largest biennial events, contracts worth USD$21 billion were announced when it was last held in 2005.

EC adopts new proposals to protect citizens against terrorism

The European Commission adopted a new package of proposals aimed at improving the EU’s capabilities in the fight against terrorism. The package contains a series of proposals dealing with the criminalization of terrorist training, recruitment and public provocation to commit terrorist offences, the prevention of the use of explosives by terrorists and the use of airline passenger information in law enforcement investigations. It also contains a report on the implementation of one of the key legal instruments of the EU’s counter terrorism arsenal.

Announcing the adoption of the new measures, Vice-President Franco Frattini, said that, “terrorism remains a threat to the political foundations of the European Union as well as to the life and well-being of our citizens”.

The territory of the Union was violently attacked in Madrid (March 2004) and in London (July 2005). Many other plots were recently foiled, in Austria, in Denmark, in France, in Germany and in the UK.

He added that “none of our fellow citizens is immune from this threat and terrorism may also strike at European citizens and interests abroad. Terrorists will strike whenever, wherever and with whatever means to make the most impact”.

He went on to say that “we cannot be complacent, we have to continue striking the right balance between being aware of the threat and taking adequate and proportionate measures, both at European and national level, to prevent it. Our goal remains preserving the right balance between the fundamental right to security of citizens, the right to life and the other fundamental rights of individuals, including privacy and procedural rights.”

Dealing with those who support terrorism

The Commission proposes amending the Framework Decision on combating terrorism making public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment and training for terrorism punishable behaviour, also when committed through the Internet. The proposal aims to equip our legal systems across the EU with the adequate tools to bring to justice the criminals who spread violent propaganda providing terrorism tactics and instructions on how to manufacture and use bombs or explosives to provoke others to commit terrorist acts. The new legislation will make it easier for law enforcement authorities to get cooperation from internet service providers, to prevent crimes and identify criminals while , at the same time, ensuring that persona data remain well protected and fundamental rights safeguarded.

Practical action to enhance the security of explosives

Attacks such as the Madrid bombings were carried out using commercially available explosives. More can be done to prevent the use of such explosives, chemical precursors and detonators by terrorists. Under impulsion of the Commission, a group of experts – involving all the relevant civil society stakeholders – investigated the issue and recommended a list of 47 action points now endorsed by the Commission in the form of an action plan tackling the different angles of the issue. The action plan aims to enhance the security of explosives, calling, among other, for the establishment of rapid alert systems on lost and stolen explosives and suspicious transactions, a network of

European bomb-disposal experts, the development of an explosive forensic capability in Europol, research on security of explosives and detonators as well as schemes for the vetting of personnel involved in the industry.

Establishing an EU-wide system for the exchange of Passenger Name Records (PNR)

The Commission proposes that air carriers make available PNR data for flights coming to or leaving the EU (in and outbound EU flights) to specialized national units carrying out risk assessments and law enforcement and counter terrorism missions. The conception and planning of terrorist attacks involves traveling by air. Members of radical groups fly to meet and obtain both guidance and training abroad. Providing law enforcement agencies in the EU the possibility of obtaining advance passenger information and analyzing it is an important tool to detect terrorist travel and disrupt future plots. The use of this tool can, however, only be effective if it is fully respectful of the fundamental right of data protection and citizen given all due guarantees.

Second report on the implementation of the Framework Decision on combating terrorism

A report on the implementation of this key instrument of the EU’s arsenal of counter-terrorism legislation is also presented. This report includes information on the situation in the Member States that joined the Union in 2004 and 2007. Despite progress since the first report the lack of correct transposition of the EU norms is still disappointing.

Communication updating on Commission's activities in the field of Counter Terrorism

The package is completed by a communication setting the scene for EU action in this field and placing the proposals presented in the framework of the EU Counter Terrorism Strategy. Terrorism remains a long-term, multifaceted and complex threat requiring EU action addressing all its aspects – prevention, protection, prosecution and responding if an attack occurs. EU action adds value by providing adequate tools to Member States and addressing cross border issues and common interests across the EU. European action must both seek to protect EU citizens and go hand in hand with respecting fundamental rights.

Pisa Forum forecasts another record year for world tourism

Rising fuel prices, exchange rate fluctuations, increased taxation related to air travel, and continued threats to travellers’ health, safety and security… These are just a few of the challenges that have faced the global tourism industry in 2007.

Yet, over the first eight months of the year, outbound travel rose by between 5-6% worldwide in terms of trip volume, resulting in what is expected to be the fourth consecutive year of sustained growth. And this trend is forecast to continue in 2008, albeit at a slightly slower rate (+4-5%).

This was one of the main messages to come out of the three days of presentations and intensive discussions between world tourism experts gathered in Pisa from 24-26 October for the 15th World Travel Monitor Forum. The meeting, more commonly known as the Pisa Forum, and which was once again sponsored by ITB Berlin, was as usual organised by IPK International, founders and producers of the World Travel Monitor survey, in co-operation with the European Travel Commission.

The growth, which is above that forecast for 2007 12 months ago in Pisa, owes much to the healthy global economy, said Rolf Freitag, President & CEO of IPK International, as well as a robust air transport sector, and an increasing resilience to negative events and developments. Although the weakness of the US dollar, for example, has had an impact on travel from the USA and other dollar-lined markets, it has not affected overall trends.

Other important contributing factors cited by participants at the Pisa Forum include the expansion and spread of low-cost/low-fare airline services – almost all regions of the world are now benefiting from the trend – and significant increases in outbound travel from emerging markets and less traditional European source countries.

“The average growth in world tourism demand clearly masks some wide variations from one region and source country to another,” said Freitag. European outbound trips increased by 3% from January through August 2007 – led by Spain (+11%), Russia (+10%) and Italy (+7%) – with Norway, Ireland, Sweden and France also achieving above average growth rates.

Nevertheless, Europe’s most important outbound travel markets, Germany and the UK, have turned in disappointing performances this year so far, and are not expected to show much improvement before the end of 2007. In Germany’s case, the market’s sluggish performance was attributed by Pisa participants to uncertainties over employment prospects, together with the negative impact of the three percentage point rise in VAT at the start of the year.

Stagnation in the UK market, on the other hand, is blamed on the government’s decision to sharply increase the Air Passenger Duty, as well as a possible saturation in demand for secondary short breaks using low-cost carriers, and increased hassles associated with travel through UK airports as a result of stepped-up security and immigration checks. However, as representatives of the USA, Canada and, e.g. Kenya in Pisa confirmed, while total trip volume has stagnated, demand from the UK for long-haul destinations has recorded a healthy increase.

To put things into perspective, outbound travel from the USA increased by just 1% through the month of August, according to official data from the US Department of Commerce – due in no small part to the weak dollar – while the growth for some Asian and Latin American markets exceeded 20% (in terms of either expenditure and/or trip volume).

South Korea, India, Brazil and China led the growth from emerging markets, although a number of other developing economies have confirmed their growth potential. By way of example, the World Tourism Organization cited the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In line with the increase in low-cost/low-fare airline services, low-fare traffic demand has risen sharply this year. In Europe alone, following a 15% increase in demand for low-fare trips in 2006, the first eight months of 2007 saw a further 17% growth – to 39% of total airline trips. This goes a long way to explaining the continued strong boom in short city breaks in 2007 which, alongside touring trips, have been the fastest growth sector of the market this year so far.

Nearly 40% of all European trips – up 13% on 2006 – are now booked at least partially online, while travel agents’ share of total bookings has slipped by a further one percentage point to 25%. Close to 60% of all trips are also packaged – ie they include both transport and accommodation – even if they are self-packaged online. In line with forecasts made at the Pisa Forum in November 2006, consumers are demanding more and more control when making their travel arrangements, and this is likely to stimulate online booking further.

Prospects for 2008 remain bullish, although the Pisa Forum concluded that the US market would show decreasing consumer confidence as a result of the subprime crisis, and that the impact of the credit crunch may impact on European travel demand as well.

“Other characteristics of the changing market include a stronger focus on hospitality, authenticity and tradition, as well as increasing demand for uniqueness, individuality, nature-based tourism and sustainability. Quality is now the buzzword, replacing ‘cheap is chic’,” said Freitag.

Climate change is emerging as important issue, although there is no evidence that it has had a negative impact on demand until now, the Pisa Forum agreed. But this could change in the future, although the tourism industry’s potential to adapt to the new threat and introduce effective mitigation policies remains high.

A full analysis of the opportunities and threats identified by the Pisa Forum participants, as well as detailed information on trends in different regions of the world, will be available from the ITB/IPK World Travel Trends report, to be published in November.

Will travelers stop flying due to the challanges in air travel?

Despite the highest load factors in history and a summer travel season that saw one-quarter of all domestic flights delayed, more than half of air passengers don't expect to encounter problems with their flight experience, according to Travelocity's most recent air travel survey. With a busy holiday travel season and unpredictable winter weather ahead, air passengers still plan to take to the skies but may need to formulate a more realistic picture when it comes to their journeys.

Travelocity’s poll of more than 1,300 travelers shows consumer expectations are often out of line with airline policies when something goes wrong. When asked what they considered an “excessive” amount of time to be held up on the tarmac, 55 percent said 30 minutes would be excessive; the vast majority (95 percent) after waiting an hour, but only a few airlines make any promise of compensation for grounded flights – and then only after several hours.

The vast majority of respondents also expect some type of reimbursement when more than a two-hour delay or cancellation occurs, an expectation that’s often not met by the airlines, especially in the case of winter weather.

When weather is a factor in delays, airlines offer nothing beyond assistance in rebooking on a later flight – which may be a challenge due to extremely full flights.

"There can be a disconnect between what travelers expect and what they actually get for compensation when trips don't go smoothly," says Amy Ziff, Travelocity's editor-at-large. "The best way to avoid frustration during travel is to have realistic expectations."

Though 94 percent expect beverage service if a flight sits on the tarmac for an excessive amount of time and 87 percent expect to return to the gate, the definition of “excessive” varies from airline to airline. Last winter, travelers in both Denver and Austin were held on grounded flights for more than eight hours with deteriorating conditions. Since the incidents, some airlines have implemented strict guidelines for how long a flight can be held on the tarmac before returning to the gate. Knowing the various airline policies helps travelers decide what carrier to choose when they book their winter travel.

"With airlines having cut costs and reduced budgets, it means that travelers can't expect generous make-good offers from airlines anymore. Travelers should also know what they can do to thwart the problems that today's air travel can present," says Ziff.

Besides delays and cancellations, the Travelocity survey found that airline personnel attitudes have a big impact on their flight experience. Fifty-nine percent say airline personnel are less attentive than they used to be. Why does it matter? Because 63 percent said they will avoid using a given airline due to rude personnel if they have a comparable choice elsewhere.

Other Travel Convenience Stats:

• Forty percent of respondents said waiting a long time for luggage is the most frustrating aspect of air travel, even more so than plans not going smoothly and encountering rude passengers or airport employees.
• The largest group of respondents said getting their preferred “seat type” was the most important factor in having an enjoyable flight.
• One in 10 said a polite crew is THE most important factor for an enjoyable flight, while one in five said a “less than cordial” crew is the most bothersome aspect, even over annoying neighbors or a bad seat.

All in all, while travel volumes are a clear indication that people are continuing to travel in the near future, there is a lot of opportunity for improvement. With that in mind and the high peak holiday period approaching, Ziff recommends several ways to avoid and cope with potential delays:

• Avoid traveling at peak times when airports tend to be most crowded. Book your flights for as early in the day as possible to reduce the odds of being delayed by an inbound flight.
• If booking a connecting flight, leave plenty of time between flights and try to stay on the same carrier if possible. With lots of unexpected schedule changes occurring, it may be more difficult to coordinate between two different airlines.
• Pick your seat during the booking process to help ensure you get your seat preference. But it's also critical to check in early – online check in from home allows you to check in up to 24 hours in advance.
• Carry on snacks / drinks in case you’re stuck on the tarmac (liquids can be brought on the plane if purchased inside the terminal).
• Take extra work and / or plenty of reading to help pass the time.
• Bring additional medication in case you need it due to longer delays.
• Try to avoid scheduling meetings tightly around your arrival time.
• Bring a list of emergency phone numbers with you, and make sure your cell phone and computer are fully charged.

The Travelocity poll conducted from Sept. 27, 2007 – Oct. 2, 2007 consisted of responses from 1,319 Travelocity members. The survey was conducted to obtain information from travelers who booked air travel in the last 12 months.

Singapore concludes air transport agreement with Canada

Singapore and Canada have initiated a new air transport agreement, following bilateral air services consultations in Ottawa, Canada from 30 October to 1 November 2007 in Ottawa, Canada. Under the new bilateral agreement, Singapore carriers are allowed to operate passenger and all-cargo flights as frequently as desired between Singapore and Canada, via selected intermediate points.

In addition, they may code-share either with one another, with any Canadian or third country airlines. Code-sharing enables an airline to market its partner airlines’ flights as its own, and offers an additional means for airlines to serve a market without having to deploy its own aircraft. Canadian carriers enjoy similar traffic rights and code-share privileges under the reciprocal arrangement.

“This new agreement represents a significant step in further strengthening the bilateral relations between Singapore and Canada. It demonstrates our two countries’ commitment to pursue a common goal of achieving a more liberal aviation framework in the global aviation arena,” said Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, who led the Singapore delegation in the negotiations.

He added “I am confident this agreement would be a bridge to promote greater tourism, trade and investment flows between Singapore and Canada.”

Singapore Airlines currently operates 6 weekly passenger flights between Singapore and Vancouver via Seoul.

London-Dubai premium air traffic set for steep climb

Nearly 400,000 people fly annually in business class cabins between London and Dubai, but that number is likely to increase dramatically as Dubai continues to position itself as a global commercial and tourism capital. The market response to Silverjet, the region’s all-business class airline offering a private jet experience scheduled to service the London-Dubai route, has already been exceptionally positive, according to the company’s senior management.

“Dubai has truly placed itself at the centre of the world’s aviation sector, and we believe Silverjet’s offering can contribute significantly to that ongoing success story,” said Katherine Gershon, Director of Sales and Marketing for Silverjet, the world’s only all-business airline to fly a non-transatlantic route when it begins its daily Dubai-London service on November 19.

“At Silverjet, we know that there is a rapidly expanding segment of both business and leisure travellers in London and Dubai who expect more of their airlines. They want luxury, affordability, convenience and hospitality, and increasingly, they have little tolerance for ever bigger airports, ever longer queues, and ever declining standards.”

The airline will offer a private terminal experience at both ends of its service and will be the only commercial carrier to use the private Executive Terminal at Dubai International Airport. The airline has confirmed that its London-Dubai fares will be on average less than half the price of competitor fares.

Silverjet currently offers a twice-daily service between London and New York, and its London-Dubai service will operate daily from 19 November.

For its existing London-New York route, Silverjet said passenger numbers almost doubled in six months and increased by 38 per cent since September of this year. The airline’s revenue seats flown increased to 6,782 in October of this year, as opposed to 3,628 in May and 4,916 in September of this year. The airline was the first in history to reach 80 per cent load factors within 7 months of launch.

Silverjet's service from Dubai will launch on 19 November and will fly from the Executive Terminal at Dubai International Airport to its Private Terminal at London Luton Airport. It said it was encouraged by forward bookings and the travel trade reaction to the service in the UK and the United Arab Emirates.

Jet Airways receive top award at WTA

Travel agents worldwide have voted Jet Airways ‘India’s Leading Airline’ at the 14th Annual World Travel Awards. The awards were announced on November 2, 2007, at the World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean ceremony, held at the Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, India.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the "Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars", the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and prestigious awards program in the global travel industry today. Conceived in 1993, these awards seek to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. The World Travel Awards are especially coveted as, uniquely, the votes are cast globally by fellow professionals.

The glittering ceremony, marked by glamour, joy and excitement in equal measure, was an unprecedented success with over 200 travel professionals, VIPs and media from 16 countries in attendance.

Distinguished guests among the audience included Captain C.P Krishnan Nair, Chairman of The Leela Palaces Hotels Resorts, Hon. Dr. Mahamood Shougee, Maldivian Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation, as well as Vikram Oberoi, Joint Managing Director of The Oberoi Group.

According to Mr. Gaurang Shetty, Vice-President - Marketing, Jet Airways, who received the award on the airline’s behalf, “Jet Airways has always striven to set, and maintain, high standards in the Indian aviation industry and this award from our global travel trade partners is a realisation of our efforts.”

Surf is up at Virgin Atlantic as BA bans surfboards

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, has come to the aid of sports travellers by announcing that they can take one piece of sporting equipment in addition to their checked baggage allowance. The announcement comes after rival carrier, British Airways, decided to ban surfboards and other sporting equipment, such as pole vaults and javelins, in the cargo hold on its flights from 6th November 2007.

This means that, as long as the equipment complies with size and weight allowances, Virgin Atlantic travellers can check in to the hold of the aircraft their diving equipment, golf equipment, fishing equipment, hang gliders, snow skis, surfboards, windsurfing boards, booms and sails, bicycles, paragliders, canoes and kayaks - all free of charge. Sporting wheelchairs are also considered sports equipment.

Paul Dickinson, Sales and Marketing Director, Virgin Atlantic, said:

"Virgin Atlantic continues to be the airline for sports enthusiasts unlike others who are doing everything they can to prevent the gold medallists of the future transporting their equipment. Our new sports equipment policy enables all sports travellers, whether Olympic teams or not, to enjoy their journey throughout."

The sporting equipment can weigh no more than 32kg, unless with prior consent. If the sports equipment weighs more than 32kg, the item will be treated as two pieces of checked baggage, excess baggage charges will then apply. Sporting equipment weighing more than 45kg will need to be transported as cargo and cannot be accepted as checked baggage. Larger dimensions are allowed for surf boards.