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.

AIPORT NEWS

Dubai completes World Central’s first runway

Above: The first phase of the world's biggest airport construction project is complete with construction of the first runway at Dubai World Central International Airport

The first stage of construction at Dubai World Central International Airport is complete, with delivery of the airport’s first runway. The 4.5km runway was built by the UAE’s Al Naboodah Contracting and is capable of handling the Airbus A-380.

Five more runways are to follow at the airport, which is due to become operational by the end of 2008 and ultimately aims to handle over 120 million passengers each year.

“The completion of the first runway, capable of handling any new-generation aircraft, signals the advent of a new era in Dubai’s aviation and transportation history,” says Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Aviation Corporation - Dubai World Central. “When JXB is fully operational by 2015, we will be geared for any transportation challenge of this century.”

Destined to be the world’s largest airport, Dubai World Central’s first passenger terminal is 40% complete. The terminal is being built by a joint venture between UAE-based Arabtec and Max Bogl from Germany, and will cater to low-cost, regional and charter airlines.

“The first terminal will cater for seven million passengers annually and will serve to take a considerable load off Dubai International Airport (DXB) in terms of flights over the next three to four years,” says Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai World Central.

The airport’s two mega terminals and the six concourses, which together will handle more than 120 million passengers per year, are currently being designed by a team of international architects and technical consultants. The final design is due to be announced by next summer.

Japan cuts red tape to boost regional airports

Above: Japan's regional airports will be boosted by moves to allow access to foreign airlines

Japan’s Transport Ministry has unveiled plans to open up its regional airports to foreign airlines in an effort to increase the flow of tourists from Asia and enhance local economies.

The move could make it easier for discount Asian carriers to operate in Japan where tight restrictions on routes, along with high costs, have acted as barriers to entry. It forms part of a Japanese government programme to strengthen links with other Asian countries.

The Ministry says that in future any foreign carrier will be able to fly into the 23 Japanese regional airports capable of handling international flights, without first negotiating for landing rights through their governments.

Japan hopes to attract 10 million foreign visitors by 2010, nearly double the figure in 2003.

The government claims that a record 8.1 million foreigners visited the country last year. Japan hopes to encourage tourists to travel beyond its traditional hubs of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya to outlying cities, including Sapporo in the north and Fukuoka in the south, in order to boost regional economies.

Despite increased air routes, visitors may have to wait a little longer to enter the country once on Japanese soil as immigration officials prepare to take the fingerprints and photographs of all incoming foreigners under stringent new security measures later this month (see: Japan prepares new security measures).

Brunei commissions master plan and conceptual design

Brunei has signed an agreement with a group of consultancy firms to draw up a master plan for the development of Brunei International Airport as a leading regional air hub. The work is expected to take around eight months and will focus on three main concepts: Airline Hub, Airport City and Cargo Village.

The consultant team will be led by Petar Perunding. CPG Consultants will provide specialist airport expertise, Leading Edge Aviation Planning Professionals will provide air traffic forecasts, SKM Singapore Consulting will provide airport security expertise and Consulus Cato Partners will provide branding consultancy services.

The study team is responsible for producing a workable programme of phased priority improvements for the airport, and a conceptual design proposal that is technically and financially feasible. The preliminary report will be delivered in January 2008, and the final report in July 2008.

Brunei handled 1.3 million passengers in 2005.

India urged to open Karipur to foreign airlines

Ex-patriot Indians living in the UAE have started a campaign aimed at persuading India’s Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to open up Karipur Airport to foreign international airlines.

Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust claims that international carriers are permitted at Pune, Nagpur and Coimbatore airports, which have fewer international passengers, flights and facilities. International flights to Karipur are, however, limited to Air India Express and Indian Airways.

Trust chairman K V Shamsudheen says the Ministry recently permitted Jet Airways to fly to a few Gulf destinations, but barred it from flying to UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have the largest population of ex-patriot Indians from the Kerala region where Karipur Airport is located.

Karipur was raised to international status in February last year and serves up to 240 international flights per week, handling more than half a million international passengers per year. A 15,000m² international arrival terminal was opened in May this year.

SITA targets Latin America’s regional airports

Airport check-in and baggage management specialist SITA has reached distribution agreements with Ikusi and Sertear, enabling it to target regional airports in eight Latin American countries.

Sertear, a subsidiary of AA 2000, has signed a US$3.3 million deal for SITA AirportConnect Open check-in services for 13 airlines at Uruguay’s Montevideo Airport and will also be focusing sales in Argentina, through its SITA partnership.

Alberto Blaye, AA 2000’s chief information officer, says, “Passenger and airline expectations in regional airports can only be met if the very latest technology is available to ensure a smooth flow of passengers through the airport from check-in to boarding and baggage management. Our partnership with SITA will be critical to help these airports to reduce the total cost of ownership in deploying the very latest IT solutions.”

Ikusi will focus on the deployment of SITA airport systems in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela.

Julio Iglesias, Ikusi’s director of airport IT systems, says, “Thanks to our partnership with SITA, small and medium-sized airports in Spanish-speaking countries will benefit from this portfolio expansion. There is a real need to increase the efficiency of the check-in and baggage handling processes in regional airports, which are increasing their passenger throughput tremendously.”

Umar Khan, vice-president of SITA’s Channel Partner Programme, says: “Average growth last year exceeded 10% in Latin America, with Brazil, Mexico and Colombia leading that growth. A good proportion of this growth has come through small and medium-sized airports, which are often the airports of choice for low-cost carriers.”

Guardian signs ITDS to distribute PinPoint

Security specialist Guardian Technologies International has signed a distribution and integration deal for its PinPoint explosive detection equipment with International Threat Detection Systems (ITDS).

Guardian hopes to capitalise on ITDS’s extensive international distribution network, including the Madrid-based Prosegur Group, which has established relationships and offices in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Romania in Europe; and Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile in Latin America.

Guardian claims that ITDS’s agreement with Prosegur will significantly reduce the time and effort normally required to access proper government authorities for the distribution of the PinPoint product line.

“The ITDS agreement is a landmark event for Guardian as we continue to move forward on all previously announced initiatives to commercialise our PinPoint product,” says Bill Donovan, president and chief operating officer of Guardian Technologies International. “Through the efforts of ITDS and Prosegur, PinPoint has been positioned for near-term deployment at airports in Spain and Portugal, leading to future government facility deployment.”

Málaga’s new terminal due by spring 2009

Málaga Airport’s new US$1.6 billion (Euro 1.1 billion) terminal should be ready by spring 2009, says Magdalena Álvarez, Spain’s minister for development.

She says 80% of construction is complete and that the Airports Authority AENA has already demolished 65% of the 140 houses that were compulsory purchased to make way for the development.

The new 250,000m² terminal will have 20 boarding gates and 86 check-in desks. It will double the airport’s passenger capacity to 9,000 per hour.

Ben-Gurion passes one million in a month

More than one million passengers travelled through Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport in October. The number of international travellers was up 18.4% compared with October 2006, to 983,491 passengers, while the number of domestic travellers rose 15.5% to 35,725. So far this year, more than 8,750,000 passengers have used the airport, an increase of 14% on the first 10 months of 2006.

Security screeners only speed on laptop checks

A new study by researchers from the State University of New York Buffalo has found that security screeners speed up their inspections of passengers’ laptop computers when security queues build up at airports. However, they don’t speed up any other security screening process.

The study at an un-named medium-size US airport found that passengers are screened just as thoroughly when they wait in a long queue as when they wait in a short one.

The researchers, from the university’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, divided passengers’ carry-on items into four categories: trays containing shoes, keys, cash, and personal effects, such as cell phones; carry-on baggage, such as small roll-on cases; small purses and small cases, such as camera cases; and laptop computers.

“If you’re going to have a speed-up anywhere, it’s probably safest to have it with laptops, because that’s a more difficult item to hide something in,” says Rajan Batta, one of the researchers. “We didn’t see a speed-up with carry-on bags, so that’s reassuring. These findings will also be reassuring to the Transportation Security Administration, because the speed-up we detected will not have a drastic effect on security.”

Batta believes the findings will have an important impact on queuing theory, which was first developed more than four decades ago. Until now, researchers assumed that as a general rule, the people servicing a queue will not speed up or slow down whatever the length of the queue. The study suggests, however, that security staff will speed up certain tasks when a queue lengthens if they perceive minimal threat from doing so.

The lesson for airport security officials is that there may be situations when it would be advantageous for service quality for the staff to be fully aware of the length of the queue.

Deccan consortium bids for Indian airport projects

Bangalore-based Deccan Aviation has formed a consortium with the Nitin Raheja Group, IDFC and the GVK Group to bid for airport projects across the country. Each of the partners will hold 25% stake in the consortium. The consortium has already bid for airport projects at Gulbarga, Bijapur and Shimoga in India’s Karnataka province.

Global travel and tourism leaders to convene in Dubai

Dubai will be the host state of the Global Travel & Tourism Summit taking place on April 20-22, 2008 as the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced. At the official launch, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group and Geoffrey Kent, Chairman of WTTC and Chairman & CEO of Abercrombie & Kent signed an accord establishing the industry's most significant public-private partnership.

This partnership, comprising the Government of Dubai, Emirates, Jumeirah, Nakheel and WTTC, will guide the development of the Summit; an event which will bring industry and government leaders together in Dubai to discuss the priorities for the world's largest generator of jobs and prosperity - Travel & Tourism.

His Highness welcomed WTTC and its Members to Dubai and expressed his vision for working together with international Travel & Tourism leaders to host the Summit which, he affirmed, would be a forum that would shape the future of the global industry.

Geoffrey Kent said "Dubai is the world's leading example of a state that has successfully embraced Travel & Tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity. The government of Dubai is to be applauded for its long-term vision and commitment."

Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing Director General, Khalid Bin Sulayem spoke of the common understanding of the Government of Dubai and WTTC "our shared vision for Travel & Tourism and the partnership formed here today will help build on the success of previous Summits. We look forward to welcoming world leaders and the international media at the Summit."
WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten added "Encouraged by WTTC's signature 'in the round' format, the active participation of all delegates and the frank exchange of ideas from all countries of the world will influence decisions taken by industry leaders, assuring a long-term and responsible view of Travel & Tourism. The Summit in Dubai will provide the ideal platform to broadcast the unity of our leaders in ensuring a sustainable future".

China's growing passion for sports great news for western tourist destinations

As China gets ready for its initiation onto the world events stage with the 2008 Olympics next August, 'China - the Future of Travel' forum looks at how the growing Chinese interest in sports is stimulating demand for outbound tourism from China. Until now, international sports events have only received media attention there when China did extremely well. Popular sports have traditionally been badminton, ping pong or volleyball where China is so dominant.

In recent years and since the announcement of Beijing being the next Olympic city, attitudes towards sports have changed dramatically. This was encouraged by major marketing drives of leading international (and some domestic) sports related brands of shoes, clothing and equipment. It has happened at a time of new-found prosperity in Urban China allowing more leisure time and higher spending power for China's young.

The most striking developments have taken place in the take up of football across the country. Events such as the World Cup in Korea and Japan and most recently in Germany were compulsory television viewing. Office staff staggered to work re-eyed each day after spending all night watching matches from Europe. From white collar workers to taxi driver, everyone knows the names of the top football players and clubs in Europe and South America. From almost no where, football became a passion for a country not known for being very passionate.

For China's rich, newly adopted sports that have become a household name almost overnight include golfing and skiing. When combining these new pastimes with the eagerness to travel abroad, you get a completely new travel pattern that has not existed in China before - sports tourism. This is the topic of one of the sessions during the upcoming forum on China's tourism sector at World Travel Market.

This session focuses on how to make the hype around the Beijing Olympic Games pay dividends in terms of increased tourism revenues for Western destinations? In the short term that means taking advantage of the fact that many

Chinese are planning to escape the mayhem and spend that period out of Chin. Long term, Chinese will be exposed to so many new countries and destinations that will wet their appetites to travel abroad. With London hosting the 2012 Olympics, this special link should serve to enhance Britain's image in China and with it Chinese tourism to Britain.

Panel speakers Sandie Dawe from VisitBritain and Martine Ainsworth-Wells from Visit London have had many dealings with their counterparts in China and have been focusing attention on maximising Britain's exposure in conjunction with the Olympics and other sports events. The company which was selected to sell Beijing Olympic tickets in Britain is Sportsworld. Its CEO Chad Lion-Cachet will be discussing his experiences of developing business in China and his company's work to attract Chinese outbound tourism for sports events taking place in Europe.

The panel will discuss:

• How can destinations and travel suppliers benefit from the growing popularity of sport?
• Can sports be used to attract more Chinese visitors to the West?
• How can you capitalise on major sports event to grow tourism from China?
• Which sports events are more attractive to Chinese and why?
• What type of sports activity packages would sell in China and how to promote them?

The full day forum on the 14th of November starts at 10:00 with an opening speech by PATA CEO Peter de Jong and an introduction to the Chinese tourism market from three perspectives. Professor Wolfgang Arlt from the China Outbound Research Institute provides the background and lays out the road ahead, Roy Graff of ChinaContact offers insight into independent travel from China, Rosita Yiu explains how Accor Hotels have managed to become a famous brand in China and Olivier Dombey from Pegasus Solutions covers the state of technology and product distribution.

After the presentations, a fully interactive question and answers panel will deal with the issue of working with the Chinese travel sector and providing hospitality to Chinese guests. A networking lunch offers a unique opportunity to meet the speakers and a delegation of Chinese travel agents who have come especially to attend WTM. In the afternoon the forum will focus on sports as mentioned above and finally offer another chance for delegates to ask the expert speakers questions pertinent to their own business. The day will close with a disclosure of results from the recent global survey on the international tourism industry's attitudes to China's growing outbound tourism market.

Dragonair now part of oneworld alliance

Dragonair became part of oneworld enhancing the global airline alliance's Chinese network. As a oneworld affiliate member, Dragonair now offers the alliance's full range of services and benefits. This means its frequent flyers can from today earn and redeem mileage awards on all other oneworld carriers. Top-tier members now have access to the 500 airport lounges worldwide offered by the alliance's airlines.

Members of other oneworld airlines' frequent flyer programmes can also now earn and redeem awards and receive all other oneworld benefits on Dragonair.

Dragonair's network - which covers more destinations in Mainland China, at 19 in total, than any other airline not based there, with some 400 flights a week - is now also covered by oneworld's extensive range of alliance fares.

Twelve of those Mainland China destinations - Chongqing, Changsha, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Haikou, Kunming, Guilin, Ningbo, Nanjing, Shenyang, Sanya and Wuhan - are new to the oneworld network, taking the number of destinations the alliance
serves in Mainland China to 22.

Three Dragonair destinations elsewhere are also new to the oneworld network - Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Phuket (Thailand). By adding Phnom Penh, oneworld will connect with one new country - Cambodia. From 2 December, it will serve Nepal's Khatmandu - adding one more country and destination to oneworld's timetable.

While it is now part of the Cathay Pacific group, Dragonair has retained its own brand and identity, market positioning and separate "KA" flight code.

It is the 11th carrier to board oneworld this year, in the alliance's biggest expansion programme since its launch.

Japan Airlines and five of its affiliates, Malév Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines all joined on 1 April, along with affiliates LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador.

oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: "Since its launch eight years ago, oneworld has been the only alliance with a member from greater China, in our Hong Kong-based founder member Cathay Pacific. The addition of Dragonair means that oneworld will maintain its lead in this important, fast-growing region. With our combination of Dragonair, Cathay Pacific and the award-winning Hong Kong hub, it means that oneworld will offer the best quality airline service for travel to or from the whole of China."

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler said: "We are delighted that Dragonair is now an affiliate member of oneworld, offering alliance passengers greater access to a wider range of destinations in Mainland China. As one of the founder members of oneworld, Cathay Pacific recognises the value of being part of this grouping of high-quality airlines and we are sure Dragonair's joining will add value for alliance customers and fellow member airlines alike."

Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tang added: "Becoming an affiliate member of oneworld is an exciting development for Dragonair and is yet another benefit to result from our joining the Cathay Pacific group. We are pleased that oneworld customers will be able to connect through Hong Kong to our extensive network of destinations in Mainland China, along with the other business and leisure destinations we serve within the Asia Pacific region."

British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas open first lounges developed as oneworld project - at Los Angeles

The first airport lounges in the world developed as a oneworld® alliance project open their doors at Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley International Terminal.

British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas collaborated to design and develop the facility. It includes separate lounges for First and Business Class passengers flying with any of these carriers.

The lounges will also be available to premium passengers flying with the alliance's other two carriers operating from the terminal - Japan Airlines and LAN - and oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier frequent flyer cardholders from any oneworld member airline when flying on any of the alliance's carriers.

The other oneworld airline serving Los Angeles, American Airlines, operates from Terminal 4, adjacent to the Tom Bradley building, where it also offers lounge facilities.

Although many lounges have been established around the world by individual pairings of the alliance’s airlines, this is the first time a joint lounge has been developed from scratch on a oneworld basis.

The new oneworld lounges have been created to complement, rather than reflect, the carriers' own individual designs, employing a spacious "outside in" concept to evoke California's sea and sand culture. Their fresh new, modern and contemporary design aims to mirror and enhance the premium brand positioning of each airline.

Signature design features include a bank of plasma screens in the reception area and a relaxing bar. The facility also includes nine showers, internet café-style work stations equipped with PCs and buffet areas. Customers will be offered complimentary refreshments, wi-fi access, newspapers and magazines. First Class passengers will be provided with personalised service.

Located on Tom Bradley International's Level 5, the 1,360 square-metre facility has space for 90 First Class and 210 Business Class passengers. It will be open from 9 am to 2 am.

oneworld Vice-President Customer Experience and Airports Ken Gilbert said: "oneworld's usual approach is to deliver our alliance services and benefits, including lounges, through our individual member airlines, but with the space available at Los Angeles, combined with the redevelopment of Tom Bradley International Terminal, the best option all round was for our member airlines to develop a joint lounge. It has enabled them all to offer their most important customers a facility that is much bigger and better equipped than any of the airlines could provide individually."

Jet Airways to revise fuel surcharge on domestic tickets

Jet Airways has announced that effective Monday, November 05, 2007 the fuel surcharge will go up by INR 150 on all types of fares both Club Premiere and Economy Class tickets on all domestic routes in India. The surcharge has been necessitated in view of the escalation in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices.

The revised fuel surcharge of INR 1350 which has gone up from INR 1200 will be applicable on all tickets purchased within India. This surcharge of INR 1350 will be collected per flight coupon on all domestic routes within India.

For tickets issued outside India, a surcharge of USD 34 will be applicable on each sector of domestic travel in India.

It is also applicable on all domestic segments, even if the domestic segment is part of an international journey.

The surcharge will not be applicable on sale of tickets on or before November 04, 2007. However, the surcharge will be applicable if tickets are presented for any voluntary change on or after November 05, 2007.

Dnata acquires ground handling operation in Switzerland

Dnata, the airport services provider in the Middle East, announced it has acquired Jet Aviation Handling AG, the airport handling division of Swiss-based Jet Aviation Group. This represents Dnata's third new airport handling acquisition this year, following the recent announcements of joint ventures in Australia and China. This will also be Dnata's first airport handling business in Europe and is consistent with its strategy of developing an international network of outstanding quality and service.

With the acquisition of Jet Aviation Handling, Dnata now has airport handling operations at 16 airports in six countries, including Australia, Singapore, China, Pakistan, Philippines as well as the UAE.

Stewart Angus, Divisional Senior Vice President of Dnata said: "We are very pleased that Jet Aviation Handling will join our growing international network. Jet Aviation Handling provides quality service to its airline customers in Switzerland and will be a perfect fit with our businesses in Dubai, Singapore, Australia and elsewhere."

He added: "Dnata is committed to further developing the strengths of Jet Aviation Handling, and ensuring that its airline customers continue to enjoy the highest possible levels of customer service. "

Urs Zorn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Jet Aviation Handling AG said: “Our management and the employees enjoy the full confidence of the new shareholder and Dnata is eager to work with the current management team. Within the next few months, we will change Jet Aviation Handling AG’s corporate name so that we will be fully integrated into the Dnata group.”

Jet Aviation Handling provides airline and cargo handling to over 60 airlines at Zurich and Geneva international airports in Switzerland. Its customers include British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Air Berlin. It employs around 1,100 staff across the two airports, and offers the full-range of handling activities including passenger services, lounge, baggage, ramp, load control, communications, cargo and station control.

The sale by Jet Aviation Group reflects its strategy to focus on its core activities in the private and business aviation sector. Its FBO operations in Zurich and Geneva, which are responsible for the handling of business and private aviation, will not be part of this sale, but will remain with Jet Aviation Group.

Caribbean Airlines appoints Aviareps

Aviareps has been appointed by Caribbean Airlines as their General Sales Agent (GSA). The newly founded carrier of Trinidad and Tobago has contracted the airline and tourism representative in the United Kingdom, Benelux, Switzerland, France and Germany. This new assignment extends Aviareps´s present client portfolio to 71 international airlines and 77 tourism companies. With immediate effect, Aviareps and its UK subsidiary Airline Centre will handle all future sales and marketing activities on behalf of Caribbean Airlines in the above mentioned markets.

Caribbean Airlines, the carrier of the twin-island republic Trinidad and Tobago, currently serves eleven destinations in the Caribbean, North and South America as well as the United Kingdom. Among these destinations, the airport London Gatwick is connected to Trinidad with a daily flight via Barbados – a code-share service of Caribbean Airlines and British Airways.

The airline’s frequent flyer program “Caribbean Miles” is specifically designed for people travelling to, from or within the Caribbean. The new program was launched on 1st of January 2007 and has honoured commitments made by “Bwee Miles”, the former BWIA West Indies Airways frequent flyer program. The transfer of all “Bwee Miles” into the new “Caribbean Miles” account has also been accepted in order to offer existing members the ability to enjoy the benefits of reward travel on the new airline.

Hotelplan Group expands to the Russian market

Inghams Travel, part of the Swiss-based Hotelplan Group, is taking an undisclosed majority interest in Russia's market leading ski operator Ascent Travel. Ascent is a leading specialist to Croatia, Italy and Montenegro and is one of Russia's largest operators. It also offers holidays Spain, France and other countries.

Ascent will continue to be managed by its current director general Boris Burykin, deputy director general Evgeny Sudbin and their existing team.

Hotelplan group chief executive Dr Christof Zuber said: "We are extremely pleased to be embarking on this joint venture with Ascent Travel. This gives our organisation exposure in a fast growing marketplace and in a sector where we already have industry leading expertise through Inghams Travel, Britain's leading quality ski holiday company."

"The logic behind this transaction is compelling; the synergies for these two well-known ski-holiday brands working together are bound to benefit both businesses."

Inghams' chief executive Litsa Constantinou added: "This is an exciting opportunity for both companies. We are both leaders in the same sector, I am certain both companies will benefit massively from the tie up."

Burykin said: "Ascent Travel has a great reputation in the Russian marketplace for providing quality holiday products and working closely with Inghams Travel is bound to enhance the quality of our offering as well as adding to our profitability."

US Airways crew falls ill on Boston flight

BOSTON — Five crewmembers aboard a US Airways flight from Washington to Boston were taken to a hospital Monday after complaining of illness caused by unidentified fumes.

The crewmembers, including both pilots, asked that the flight be met by emergency medical workers, said Valerie Wunder, an airline spokeswoman. "They requested medical assistance. They felt ill. But it did not affect the operation of the flight," she said. No passengers reported feeling ill, Wunder said.

The incident began shortly after 7:30 a.m. when Flight 2022 left Washington's Reagan National Airport. The pilots of the Airbus A319 returned to Washington a few minutes later because the crew and passengers noticed fumes, Wunder said.

The passengers and crew on the hourly shuttle flight to Boston switched to another jet and left Washington at 9:20 a.m., she said. That flight was uneventful, but the crew apparently suffered lingering effects from the aborted flight. They were treated with oxygen after complaining of headaches and nausea, said Lt. Christopher Stratton of Boston Emergency Medical Services. Two showed evidence of exposure to carbon monoxide, but the injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

The problem appears to have begun in a rear generator that drives the jet's air conditioning, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said.

Skywards Soars with three Million Members

DUBAI, U.A.E., – More than three million travellers from over 240 countries and territories around the globe have signed on for Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates and SriLankan Airlines.

The high-flying loyalty programme this week welcomed its three millionth member, reflecting Skywards’ appeal to international jet-setters as well as its expanding reach due to Emirates Airline’s growing route network. This year alone, Emirates brings six new destinations online - Venice, Newcastle, Sao Paulo, Ahmedabad, Toronto and Houston.

Brian LaBelle, Senior Vice President Skywards said: “We are proud that there are now three million travellers enjoying the benefits of Skywards membership. It is a significant milestone and we hope to welcome more members onboard.

“The programme has grown tremendously since it was launched seven years ago, as we continually offer members new privileges and reward options, and invest in technology and services. We have some very exciting projects to roll out in the next few months, which will further enhance our member offerings so watch this space.”

Skywards makes it easy for members to earn and spend their Miles. Members can earn Skywards Miles through flights with Emirates, as well as through using products and services from Skywards’ partners including other airlines, hotels, car rentals and other leisure partners worldwide. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, tours and other exciting rewards starting from as little as 5,000 Skywards Miles.

By far the most popular reward choice, members are using their Skywards Miles to redeem some 900 free flights and upgrades on Emirates each day.

Skywards also offers members several options to donate their Miles to various charitable causes. For instance, donated Miles are used to sponsor flights for medical evacuation programmes or for volunteer doctors to travel to less developed countries for charity work. Skywards supported charities include Sightsavers who work to combat blindness in developing countries, Emirates Foundation, which provides humanitarian, philanthropic aid and services for children in need, and the programme will soon work with SriLankan Cares, a cause committed to offering subsistence help to children in developing countries.

Skywards was launched in 2000 and to date has received 13 awards to its credit, including several from InsideFlyer magazine’s Annual Freddie Awards - considered top accolades in the loyalty industry.

Singapore Airlines To Operate From Changi Airport Terminals 2 & 3

Singapore Airlines will be extending its operations at Changi Airport to the new Terminal 3, in addition to Terminal 2, from 9 January 2008.

Operating out of Terminal 3, the newest addition to the Changi hub, will also cater for the Airline’s long-term growth in the coming years.

“Singapore Airlines’ extended operations at the Changi hub will support our existing network, and also facilitate future growth and expansion,” says Singapore Airlines’ Senior Executive Vice President (Operations & Services), Lt-Gen (Ret) Bey Soo Khiang.

“The brand new Terminal 3 gives us the opportunity to deliver a superior all-round experience to our customers in a sophisticated international hub terminal with modern facilities.”

Customers departing from Changi Airport will check-in at Terminal 2 or 3 for their flights, depending on their destination.

Flights may arrive at either Terminal 2 or 3, and information will be available on the arrival terminal at least 2 hours prior to the estimated arrival time.

(see further information contained in this news release)

Departing Flights

Customers will check-in for their flights based on their destination, as listed in the table below.

FROM TERMINAL 2		FROM TERMINAL 3
Region	Destination	Region	Destination
Asia & The Middle East	Bangladesh Brunei India Indonesia Malaysia Maldives Pakistan Philippines Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka Thailand* Turkey United Arab Emirates Vietnam	Europe	Denmark France Germany Greece Italy The Netherlands Spain Switzerland United Kingdom
Europe	Russia	Americas	Canada USA
Africa	Egypt South Africa	Southwest Pacific	Australia New Zealand
SILKAIR All Flights		North Asia	China Hong Kong Japan* Korea Taiwan
*Flights SQ 632 bound for Bangkok-Tyoko, and SQ 626 bound for Bangkok-Osaka will depart from Terminal 2

Customers in Transit

Singapore Airlines customers who are transiting in Changi Airport can check the flight information televisions at the airport for details of their check-in terminal for their connecting flight. Information is also available at the transfer desks located at the departure transit areas.

Customers who need to connect onto flights at another terminal may use the Skytrain, which rapidly links all three terminals in Changi Airport.

Arriving Flights

Information on the arrival terminal will be available 2 hours before the flight’s estimated time of arrival. The aircraft will arrive at the terminal from which it next operates as an outbound flight. Ways to access the information are described below.

Information for Customers and Visitors on Flight Arrivals and Departures

For departing customers, the check-in terminal will be printed on Singapore Airlines
e-tickets and boarding passes (including those printed at home before arriving at the Airport). Customers may also access the Singapore Airlines website, singaporeair.com, to check their respective check-in terminal.

Those meeting arriving customers may check details of the terminal on the internet (www.changiairport.com or www.singaporeair.com), via teletext, or call the flight enquiry hotline at 1800-542-4422.

Information will also be made available on the flight information televisions throughout Changi Airport.

Customers arriving into Singapore will be further guided by inflight announcements and videos with information about the arrival terminal. They will clear immigration and collect their baggage at their arrival terminal.

Island Aviation Services Dash-8 (Q300) Arrived Male'

The new Dash-8 (Q300 series), 50 seats aircraft Purchased by Island Aviation Services has arrived Male’ on 30 October as scheduled.

Captain Hassan Haneef & Captain Ibrahim Adheel of Island Aviation were the pilots of this ferry flight & Adam Zubair & Hussain Shamin from Island Aviation were the flight Engineers.

The ferry flight, took off from, Bodo-Norway on 27^th of this month and it was flown to Ronne-Denmark, Brindisi-Italy, Cairo-Egypt, Gassim-Saudi Arabia, Muscat-Oman, Mumbai-India and finally to Male.

With the arrival of this aircraft, Island Aviation will have 05 aircraft comprising of 02 Dornier 228 aircraft and 03 Dash 8 aircraft. This aircraft under registration 8Q-IAP will commence its scheduled operations in Island Aviation network with effect from 7^th November 2007.

Island Aviation operates domestic flights to all 04 regional airports in the Maldives.

Note

The Government under a Presidential decree incorporated Island Aviation Services Limited on 13th April 2000, as a limited liability Company which is hundred percent owned by the Government of Maldives.