SINGAPORE – Singaporean LCC Tiger Airways has launched sales of its third service to India with a new Bangalore route. Tiger is the only Singapore-based low fare airline to operate between India and Singapore. Flights between Singapore and Bangalore will commence from June 1, 2008 and operate four times a week.
Tiger earlier this year obtained authority to operate extended twin engine operations (ETOPS), which enables the airline to operate more efficient direct routings between Singapore and points in southern India.
With this additional route between Singapore and India, Tiger is well poised to serve a growing Asia Pacific network that covers three continents (China, India and Australia) as well as Southeast Asia and serve a combined market in excess of three billion people.
To celebrate the launch of the new routes with its customers, Tiger Airway will offer celebratory fares for Bangalore from just S$59.99 (US$41.40) one way. This fare is applicable for travel between June 1 and October 24, 2008.
January 22, 2008
Tiger adds third Indian service
Boeing, Gulf Air Close 787 Dreamliner Deal
SEATTLE, — Boeing and Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air today finalized negotiations for up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal that could be worth approximately $3.9 billion at list prices if all options are exercised. The agreement is for 16 787s on direct order with purchase rights for eight additional 787s.
“Gulf Air has been a premier carrier in the Middle East for more than half a century,” said Marty Bentrott, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales for The Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to helping Gulf Air revitalize its fleet through the superior economics and passenger comfort that the Dreamliner will bring.”
Throughout 2007, Gulf Air and Boeing conducted an extensive airplane acquisition analysis that explored the unmatched strengths of the 787. With the best fuel burn in its class, lower maintenance costs due to the 787’s revolutionary composite structure, and interior features and comfort that add to the Dreamliner’s marketability, the 787 has been validated by airlines across the globe. The 787 is the fastest-selling new airplane program in history with a total of 857 orders from 56 customers since launch in 2004.
“As the cornerstone of our fleet, the 787 will help re-establish Gulf Air’s predominance within The Gulf,” said Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Naf. “Our goal is to increase the airline’s efficiency and profitability, and we have selected the 787 to be the core of our fleet for the next generation to meet both our passengers’ and our stakeholders’ expectations.”
In addition to bringing big-jet range to mid-size airplanes, the 787 provides unmatched fuel efficiency and will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today’s similarly sized airplane. The Dreamliner travels at speeds similar to today’s fastest wide-bodies, Mach 0.85, and also allows airlines greater cargo revenue capacity. Passenger improvements on the 787 include larger windows, an interior environment with higher humidity and overall increased comfort and convenience.
“We are committed to Gulf Air’s success,” said Mahmood Kooheji, Gulf Air’s Board Chairman. “In choosing the 787, we are confident that we’ve made the very best choice for the long-term success of the airline.”
Source: Boeing
AIRPORT NEWS
Kuwait International Airport has record 2007
The Kuwaiti Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) says Kuwait International Airport handled 6.9 million passengers (over 900,000 more than in 2006), 57,000 commercial flights and 176,000 tonnes of cargo in 2007.
Salah Al-Majed, head of the DGCA air transport department, attributes the increase to expanded operations by several airlines including Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, IranAir and Sri Lankan Airlines.
Sea-Tac to become green airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has published an environmental report as the first stage in a new initiative to become greener. The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory identifies airport emissions and airport officials hope that it will become the industry-standard method of measuring emissions.
The report looks at emissions caused by the Port of Seattle, the airport, the public and aircraft during 2006, and includes items such as ground access and support vehicles, and facilities (eg. lighting, heating, air conditioning).
“Sea-Tac Airport is one of the first airports in the nation to take the initiative to identify our greenhouse gas emissions footprint,” says John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commission president. “I view the information in this study as a call to action. In the next several weeks, the Commission will be considering both action at the local level and advocacy of initiatives at the federal level to more comprehensively address airport air emissions. We will use the information in this study to help us create strategies to reduce our air emissions and environmental impacts.”
Cochin International Airport to undertake upgrade programme
Cochin International Airport to undertake upgrade programmeWith the view to further improving the existing infrastructure in Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is planning to construct extra parking bays, 3 at present and 2 more after September 2008.CIAL also plans a new Domestic Arrival Terminal to ease the congestion arising out of the unprecedented growth in airline and passenger traffic through Cochin International Airport, and the proposals for this infrastructure up gradation would be placed before the next meeting of the Board of Directors of CIAL for their approval for undertaking such up gradation.
Managing Director S Bharath wishes to assure the traveling public of Kerala that, CIAL will take all steps to maintain its reputation as a Passenger Friendly Airport and take adequate steps for upgradation of infrastructure facilities to meet the demands of airline and passenger traffic growth in future.
Manchester named UK’s best regional airport
Manchester Airport has been named as the UK’s Best Regional Airport in the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards 2008. The airport, which handles more than 22 million passengers a year, was praised by the judges for the handling of heightened security restrictions and for its commitment to customer service. The airport’s managing director, Andrew Cornish, and group marketing director, Kate Harrison, accepted the award. Cornish says, “We are very pleased and proud to have been presented with this award. We pride ourselves on giving passengers the very best possible experience.”
Air India May Lease Up To 15 Aircraft In 2008
Air India is looking to lease 10-15 aircraft this year to replace older planes and after Boeing said there would be delays in delivering its new 787, a company official said on Monday.
Air India, which has a fleet of 140 aircraft, has placed orders for 111 aircraft with Boeing and Airbus to be delivered up to 2011.
It had hoped to receive four Dreamliner 787s in 2008 and an equal number in the first half of 2009.
"Due to Boeing 787 delays and phasing out of older aircraft, we are looking at 10 to 15 aircraft for leasing," V. Thulasidas, chairman and managing director of National Aviation, which runs Air India, told reporters.
Boeing said on Wednesday it would push back first test flight and deliveries of the 787 by about three months, as it struggles with outsourced production of the new plane.
The Dreamliner, the fastest-selling plane in history, is now about nine months behind schedule.
Thulasidas said Air India had to phase out 14 aircraft, which it has delayed doing due to a shortage of planes.
"We have put out a request to all leasing companies and aircraft manufacturers to let us know how many and what kind of aircraft they can make available to us from 2008-11," he said.
Aircraft availability could become a major constraint, he said.
Boeing expects airlines in India to buy more than 900 new planes worth over USD$86 billion in the next 20 years on the back of strong passenger growth.
Rival Airbus expects Indian firms to place orders for 1,100 passenger and freighter aircraft valued at about USD$105 billion in the same period.
"Air India and the government in past had committed the mistake of ordering aircraft and then forgetting all about the need for aircraft for many years.
"I am sure we will not commit that mistake in future," Thulasidas said, adding the firm would finalize orders for new aircraft to expand beyond 2011 in 2008. (Reuters)
Monarch expands its onboard recycling programme
Following the successful launch of its full onboard recycling programme on Gatwick flights in October, Monarch is extending the initiative to include all flights operating into Birmingham International Airport. The extension of the scheme will mean that all aluminium, plastic, glass and paper used during these flights will now be recycled after landing.
Monarch pioneered the scheme as part of its ongoing environmental planning, known as MAP (Monarch and the Planet). Through this work, all aspects of the airline’s business are being evaluated to help improve its environmental footprint.
The scheme means that all recyclable items, such as aluminium drinks cans, plastic wine and water bottles, glass wine and champagne bottles plus newspapers/magazines are placed into a separate recycling bag by cabin crew during the flight. This is subsequently collected by cleaning staff at Gatwick Airport and Birmingham Airport on the flight’s arrival for recycling.
Commenting on the extension of its onboard recycling programme, managing director of Monarch Airlines, Tim Jeans said, “Over the past 3 months our onboard recycling initiative on flights into Gatwick has been fantastically received by both Monarch cabin crew and customers, with many customers assisting the process by separating their own recyclable waste before collection by the crew.
Monarch is the principal independent supplier of charter seats to tour operators large and small, flying to around 100 destinations across Europe, America, Africa and Asia from the UK’s principal and regional airports.
The scheduled service division of Monarch Airlines offers low cost services from Birmingham, London Luton, London Gatwick and Manchester Airports to destinations in Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Cyprus.
The airline, based at Luton, operates 23 Airbus and eight Boeing aircraft. The airline will also be one of the first UK carriers to take delivery of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with six due for delivery between 2010 and 2013.
Deccan opens MRO hangar at Chennai Airport
The Hangar, which took nearly two years to build, has a total construction area of 3,200 square meters. The maintenance hall spans 46 meters wide, 54 meters deep and 17 meters high. The hangar has space for one Airbus A320 and 2 ATR aircraft at one time and is designed and equipped to be a world class facility.
Despite the considerable dimensions of the new hangar, particular attention was given to achieving a high degree of utilisation of the available space. It is equipped with an engineering and training facility and a state of the art engineering maintenance conference room.
Achieving infrastructure upgrades and optimal safety standards are the cornerstones of Deccan’s operation strategy. The new Hangar at Chennai will provide a tremendous fillip to Deccan’s maintenance and service efficiency reducing the “downtime” of aircraft and bearing a positive impact on the on time performance of Deccan flights.
Following the Hangar inauguration Capt. G.R Gopinath - Executive Chairman Deccan said, “The Deccan- Kingfisher combine is aggressively building up its infrastructure to ensure better maintenance of its fleet. The hangar facility in Chennai will strengthen our
engineering competence and is consistent with expansion plans of the airlines.”
Optimism for US international visitation numbers
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 4.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States in October 2007, an increase of 15 percent over October 2006. Total visitation for the ten months of 2007 was up 10 percent from the same period in 2006. International visitors also spent $11.1 billion during the month, up 21 percent from October 2006 and $100.4 billion year-to-date, up 13 percent from the first ten months in 2006.
Highlights of October 2007 International Arrivals1 to the United States
Canadian visitation was up 18 percent over October 2006 and nine percent for the year. Air arrivals were up seven percent for the month and six percent year-to-date.
Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) were up 13 percent in October 2007 and 17 percent for the year. Air arrivals were up 14 percent for the month and 10 percent year-to-date.
Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) were up 14 percent over October 2006 and up 10 percent for the year.
Visitation from Western Europe was a “driver” growing 18 percent in October 2007 and up 12 percent year-to-date. Arrivals from the United Kingdom were up 15 percent in October and seven year-to-date. Visitors from the U.K. accounted for 41 percent of all Western European arrivals this year.
The other top Western European countries that had grown by double digits in October were Germany, France and Italy, up 13 percent, 22 percent and 19 percent, respectively, for the month. Arrivals from Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden grew 40 percent, 17 percent, 24 percent and 22 percent, respectively, in October. For the ten months of 2007 all of these countries posted double-digit growth.
Eastern European arrivals were up 14 percent in October and 10 percent for the ten months of 2007. Visitation from Russia, which accounted for 25 percent of arrivals from Eastern Europe in October, was up by 20 percent.
Visitation from Asia increased two percent in October and four percent year-to-date. Growth was driven by visitation from India and the Peoples Republic of China, which jumped 33 percent and 16 percent, respectively for the month and grew by 43 percent and 25 percent, respectively, for the year. Japanese arrivals were down five percent in October 2007 and down four percent year-to-date. Japan accounted for 57 percent of all Asian visitors so far in 2007 and is the only major market this year with a decline in traffic. South Korean and Taiwanese visitation each grew by three percent for the month and were up seven percent and four percent year-to-date.
Arrivals from South America were up 23 percent in October and 17 percent for the year. Double-digit growth in visitation from Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Argentina were noted for the month and year-to-date. Brazil was the top arrivals market for South America, accounting for 28 percent of arrivals from the region in 2007. Central American arrivals were up 24 percent in October and 13 percent for the year. Guatemalan visitation was up 32 percent.
Travel from Oceania increased 16 percent in October and 10 percent for the year. Australia increased 15 percent in October and 11 percent for the year accounting for 80 percent of all arrivals from Oceania in 2007.
Visitation from the Caribbean was up 20 percent in October and 11 percent for the year. Air arrivals accounted for 94 percent of all arrivals and were up 22 percent for the month. Visitation from the Bahamas was up 36 percent in October. Middle Eastern arrivals were up five percent in October while African visitation increased by 13 percent.
Middle Eastern and African arrivals were up 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively, for the year. Israel accounted for 50 percent of arrivals from the Middle East and was up 11 percent for the year.
TOP PORTS October 2007 Year-to-Date
Overseas arrivals (which excludes Canada and Mexico) were up 11 percent through October 2007. Arrivals through the top 15 ports-of-entry accounted for 83 percent of all overseas arrivals, about the same as the total arriving through these ports in the ten months of 2006.
Twelve of the top fifteen ports posted increases in arrivals for the ten months of 2007. Eight of the top airports posted double-digit increases. New York maintained its lead in non-resident arrivals with a 16 percent increase.
Arrivals through Newark were up 16 percent, moving it into 4th position, ahead of Honolulu, which dropped two percent compared to last year. Boston and Detroit moved into 12th and 13th positions, ahead of Sanford.
Swissport secures deal with SAA for new airport ground handling service in South Africa
South African Airways’ (SAA) ground handling services will now be carried out by ground services provider Swissport South Africa Ltd as Swissport International announced. An agreement has been concluded between the two organisations whereby Swissport South Africa will handle SAA’s entire airport ramp handling requirements within South Africa. The agreement will take effect from 1 February 2008.
“We are delighted that Swissport South Africa has agreed to handle SAA. Between the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), Swissport South Africa and SAA, we will work hard to remedy some of the baggage-related problems that our customers have been experiencing,” says Chris Smyth, SAA General Manager Operations. “Ultimately, we are confident that Swissport South Africa will succeed in providing a reliable, efficient and quality service to our passengers,” says Smyth.
Swissport Cargo Services South Africa remains the Cargo Handling Agent of choice for all carriers at O.R. Tambo, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth Airports and does not form part of the Ramp Handling agreement between SAA and Swissport South Africa.
Swissport South Africa will focus on services for SAA at O.R Tambo, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London International Airports.
“We are very pleased that SAA has displayed confidence in Swissport’s ability to provide a world class service. We are looking forward to this agreement leading to a mutually beneficial, lasting relationship with SAA,” says President and CEO, Willy Hallauer, Swissport South Africa Pty Ltd.
Anantara Resorts expands its operations in the Middle East
“Anantara has established an exceptional reputation within Abu Dhabi for the operation of its ultra-deluxe spa at the seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, managing director, TDIC and director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
“It will now bring its internationally-renowned reputation for delivering distinct experiences immersed in culture, heritage and natural beauty to these truly unique resorts. Once again TDIC has delivered on its commitment to engage with world-class partners to deliver unsurpassed hospitality experiences for the most discerning travellers.”
The 64-room Desert Islands Resort & Spa, which is scheduled for a soft-opening in the second quarter of next year, will be central to the opening up of Sir Bani Yas, a former Royal eco-resort which lies 8 km off Abu Dhabi’s western coastline. Sir Bani Yas is the largest of eight islands which, together with an onshore gate, will ultimately make up the multi-experiential Desert Islands destination.
“Starting the second quarter of this year, guests at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa, will have access to this inspirational island with its unique wildlife herds, including some previously-threatened breeds which were successfully bred in captivity under the directive of the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC.
“Sir Bani Yas has been something of a closely kept secret which will now be attainable by resort guests and a select number of day visitors.”
“Creating a destination experience is at the core of the Anantara philosophy and one that the brand takes seriously,” said Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International, Anantara’s holding company. “All our resorts offer first-class, unobtrusive service, spa facilities and a range of adventure activities associated with their individual locations. Abu Dhabi is a very welcome addition to our highly selective destination portfolio, which currently includes luxury resorts in Thailand, the Maldives and Bali.”
DWTC projects set to add ten thousand hotels rooms by 2015
Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) two major commercial destination projects – Dubai Exhibition City and Dubai Trade Centre District – will add over 10,000 hotel rooms to the UAE’s overall capacity when all phases of development are completed by 2015.
Profiled at this year’s Tourism Development Projects and Investment Market (TDIM) exhibition, the hospitality offerings within these pioneering DWTC projects will exponentially increase the number of rooms available to Dubai’s visitors, enabling the future growth of both tourist attractions and business events like TDIM.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC, said: “We have ambitious plans in place to contribute to the growth of business tourism in the UAE and proactively support the ongoing increase in number of visitors to the region. Both of our integrated mega-projects will not only work as stand-alone commercial destinations that will attract greater number of business travellers to Dubai, but will also make a significant contribution to the city’s overall hospitality infrastructure.”
Dubai Exhibition City (DEC) – the seven sq. kilometre integrated commercial destination anchored around the major exhibition facility, Dubai Exhibition World (DEW) – will offer a full range of three, four and five-star accommodation starting at 2,500 rooms by 2010, when its first phase opens, and eventually ramping up to a total hospitality offering of up to 7,500 rooms post completion of all three phases of the development.
Such significant increase in hotel capacity will ensure that visitors and exhibitors to even the busiest trade events will be able to find suitable accommodation, conveniently located in the same precinct as the planned state-of-the-art DEW venue said Helal Saeed Al Marri.
Also, as a mixed-use development providing a range of office, retail, hospitality, industrial and residential offerings adjacent to the new Al Maktoum International Airport, DEC will be a completed integrated commercial destination that provides easy access to all its users, significantly alleviating stress on Dubai’s road infrastructure and the resultant current traffic congestion in the main city and town centre areas.
Dubai Trade Centre District (DTCD) – the area surrounding the current Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre – is also set to transform the availability of high quality accommodation at the centre of Dubai.
DWTC has signed agreements with four major hotel operators to provide 1,150 rooms and 500 serviced apartments within the District in phase one which will open in 2010.
The hotel rooms will comprise 600 rooms in the business economy category, 450 in the upper upscale and 150 in the luxury segment of the market, while the Condo Apartments will cater to the high and luxury end of the market. Plans are also in place to scale up the hospitality offering to a total of 2,500 rooms by completion of all phases by 2015 at DTCD.
Both developments are designed to be uniquely integrated, commercial lifestyle destinations that promote global business tourism with networking opportunities and world-class infrastructure, enabling Dubai to host the most prestigious conferences, exhibitions and events.
