Avianet, a wholly owned Aviareps’ subsidiary in the IT-sector is to handle Yemenia airline’s CRS connectivity in 17 locations worldwide. Under this contract, the acknowledged IT service provider sets up, supports and maintains Yemenia’s reservation system access via AVIANET’s global VPN network.
"The IT solution offered by Avianet is extremely cost effective and enables the customer to focus on his core business. Further clients such as Ethiopian Airlines, Air Madagascar and Air Namibia already rely on the professional IT-services of the company," said the company.
Yemenia is the official carrier of the state of Yemen. The airline, founded in 1961 under the name of Yemen Airways Company, initially served three domestic and two regional destinations with two air planes. Today, the fleet consists of nine modern Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Building on its good reputation in service and safety, Yemenia currently flies to 23 destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe.
September 01, 2007
Yemenia opts for global IT-services of Aviareps
Viva Macau expects high growth in traffic from Sydney to Macau
A significant growth in Australians traveling to the fast-growing Las Vegas of the East is expected following commencement of direct flights between Sydney and Macau launched by Viva Macau, Asia’s newest international low-fare airline.
At the “Welcome to Viva Macau” service launch commemoration held at Sydney International Airport, Viva Macau’s CEO, Con Korfiatis said that there has never been a better time for Australians to discover Macau particularly following the opening of the world’s largest integrated resort in Macau this week.
Korfiatis said, “The opening of Venetian Macao introduces an additional 3,000 suites, world class leisure and entertainment offerings, as well as the largest conference and exhibition facilities providing venues for international events in Macau, a vibrant city that has already attracted the world’s attention with its own charm of mixed culture.”
“We are the only airline that flies between Australia and Macau,” he added.
Korfiatis also announced a special promotion offering return ticket and three-night accommodation in a 72 square meter suite at the Venetian Macao.
At the event, Korfiatis was joined by the Honorable John Aquilina MP, Leader of the House, Parliament of New South Wales, Mr. Zhu Xiaochuan, Counselor of Consulate-General of the People`s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr. Liu Cheng, Director of China National Tourism Office in Sydney, Mr. Rod Gilmour, General Manager Corporate Affairs of Sydney Airport Corporation Limited, Mr. Marcus Gutierrez, Vice President of Casa de Macau.
Eng. Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), who also sent his representative, Ms. Helen Wong, General Manager of MGTO Sydney, to attend the event, said, “We are very happy to see Viva Macau flying to Australia, contributing this way to the diversification of our tourism markets, specially now when Macau enters a new era of the conference and exhibition facilities.”
Viva Macau flies three times a week between Sydney and Macau, operated by Boeing 767 wide-body aircraft with twin-class seating: Premium and Economy Class.
August 30, 2007
BAA Says No Airport Sale Plans
BAA, the owner of Britain's three biggest airports, is not planning to sell any airports and has not decided on any job cuts, the firm said on Thursday after a newspaper said it was planning 2,000 job cuts.
However, BAA, the airport unit of Spanish infrastructure and construction firm Ferrovial, said it was undertaking a review of back-office functions, which did not involve security or customer service staff at its airports.
"No conclusions have yet been reached, and the review is ongoing," BAA said.
The Times newspaper reported on Thursday that BAA, whose airports include London's Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, was looking to cut up to 2,000 jobs and may be preparing to sell one or more of its airports.
"Ferrovial have a huge debt burden, and they can't sustain that," The Times quoted a BAA source as saying. "They are really drilling down costs, and there is going to be a complete restructuring of the business, with a couple of thousand of jobs going. It cannot be the security staff, but every other element of the business is up for review."
Stephen Nelson, CEO of BAA, hit back on Thursday, calling the report exaggerated and misleading.
"No decisions have been taken around the loss of support jobs, and we do not recognize the specific number used by The Times," he said.
Ferrovial declined to comment on the matter on Thursday.
BAA has come under criticism for delays and ageing infrastructure at Heathrow and Gatwick. The British airport operator was bought by Ferrovial in a GBP10.1 billion pound (USD$20.4 billion), debt-fueled takeover last year. (Reuters)
Young management trainees run Gulf Air for a day
Young Bahraini management trainees will be given an opportunity of a lifetime by Gulf Air, allowing them to run the airline for a day. “The key ingredient for a successful organization is its people and these young Bahrainis are going to be the leaders who will fly Gulf Air into a promising future,” says Acting President and Chief Executive Bjorn Naf.
“Aviation is a very complex business and there is nothing better than letting them experience what it’s like being a CEO for a day for their national carrier so they can experience what its like to lead in such a challenging work environment,” says Mr. Naf, who devised the idea.
As part of the deal, young management trainees will spend a full day with the CEO of the company, including shadowing him at meetings with senior management and staff.
The move is part of Gulf Air’s commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment in which these individuals are recruited, trained and empowered to take up positions of leadership in the airline while fulfilling their personal aspirations.
The management trainees are part of Gulf Air’s 24-month Graduate Entry Management programme, which rotates young graduates through the business giving them an insight into complexity of the aviation industry. During this period, they are exposed and trained to acquire functional and management skills through performance management and formal training intervention. On completion, graduates are placed in junior management roles as the first step on a structured career track.
Norwegian to purchase great number of next-generation
42 new Boeing 737-800 airplanes have been ordered by Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA with Blended Winglets as the carrier revealed. The airplanes have a list price of USD 3.1 billion or just over NOK 18 billion. Parallel to this, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has ensured purchase rights for an additional 42 airplanes of the same model from Boeing. These cost-efficient airplanes with leading-edge technology are significantly more environment-friendly than the existing airfleet.
This is the largest order in Europe received by Boeing for the company’s 737 series thus far in 2007. The new airplanes will supplement the 11 Boeing 737-800 airplanes Norwegian ordered from Boeing in May this year. The Boeing 737-800 model is a next-generation airplane, with a reduction in fuel consumption up to 33 per cent and reduction in NOx up to 43 per cent, compared with the oldest airplanes in Norwegian’s current airplanes fleet. The 737-800 has 189 seats, while the current 737-300 has 148 seats.
“The new airplanes will strengthen Norwegian’s competitive position in the Norwegian, Nordic and European aviation markets. Also, the airplanes are significantly more environment-friendly than the ones we use today. These airplanes will reduce Norwegian’s CO2 emissions and bring down fuel costs, while noise levels are considerably lower than for other airplanes,” says Bjorn Kjos, CEO of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA.
“We have explored different ways of financing, hereunder US ex-im financing of 85 per cent of the purchase price. These purchases will open up new opportunities, enabling us to fly longer distances and thus consider new, interesting routes,” says Bjorn Kjos, adding that the purchases will ensure greater flexibility when phasing out older airplanes and adapting to market trends.
The 42 airplanes will be delivered over a five-year period from 2009 through 2014, with around 10 airplanes each year. The company has entered into hedging agreements to cover a large part of the NOK/USD exposure in connection with the purchases.
August 29, 2007
Air China Open To Mergers With Rival Carriers
Air China, now the world's most valuable carrier, will consider the option of merging with other Chinese airlines, including China Southern Airlines, if the opportunity arises.
Air China is examining a possible restructuring of the sector as competition from foreign airlines and newly arisen local carriers is growing following the opening of China's civil aviation market, President Cai Jianjiang told reporters.
"Air China will not exclude the possibility of a group restructuring with sister companies, including China Southern," Cai said, responding to market speculation that the airline would merge with China Southern.
Beijing is restructuring state-owned companies and the number of central government-controlled firms will fall sharply in coming years as they adapt to market changes and fend off competition, he added.
Air China's rivals include Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Hainan Airlines.
The airline reported late on Tuesday a more than three-fold surge in first-half net profit to CNY1.57 billion yuan on strong demand and an CNY868 million foreign exchange gain on the appreciation of the yuan during the reported period.
Shares of Air China fell 4 percent on Wednesday but have gained 98 percent this year, beating a 29 percent gain on the index of Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong in the same period.
According to an IATA electronic-ticketing implementation status report issued 13 August 2007, Singapore Airlines is ranked first outside of the US region, and third in the overall industry, in terms of interline e-ticketing implementation.
Singapore Airlines customers whose journeys involve connections with any of the Airline’s 84 airline e-ticketing partners require only a single interline electronic-ticket.
The Airline expects to implement interline e-ticketing facility with all STAR Alliance partner carriers by October 2007 and plans to conclude interline e-ticketing arrangements with all 155 interline partners by end of 2007.
Mr Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines Executive Vice-President, Marketing and the Regions said, “Singapore Airlines is a front-runner in adopting technology in our business model, and we have embraced e-ticketing as a means to simplify air travel for our customers.”
“With more than 95 percent of our interline traffic enabled on the e-ticketing platform, customers can now enjoy the convenience of using just one interline e-ticket to connect from our flights to our partner carriers.”
With e-tickets, travel itinerary and passenger information are maintained electronically in the airlines’ reservations systems. As a result, any amendments to bookings can be made easily and customers do not have to worry about misplaced paper tickets.
The Airline targets complete issuing of e-tickets by end-2007; ahead of the IATA guideline of end-May 2008. Currently, e-tickets make up more than 90 per cent of Singapore Airlines tickets issued in countries such as Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and the UK.
The interline e-ticket arrangement is available online at Singapore Airlines` website and at all Singapore Airlines sales offices in cities where e-ticketing is available. They are also available at selected travel agencies.
Singapore aims for new record in visitor numbers
Officials from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have revealed their plans to build on the impressive number of Middle East tourists visiting the South East Asian nation. The region has made an important contribution to Singapore’s record-breaking tourism performance so far in 2007, with 4.9 million visitor arrivals recorded from January to June. Total visitor arrivals from the Middle East have grown 23 percent year-on-year, with key markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait all showing high double-digit growth.
Plans are in place to continue this strong performance throughout 2007 and into 2008, with a particular focus on attracting visitors to cultural and religious festivals like Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which celebrates the end of Ramadan.
Other upcoming highlights include the inaugural flight of the double-decker A380, the world`s largest passenger plane, on October 25 this year. Singapore is hoping to attract Middle East-based aviation enthusiasts to be among the ‘first to fly’ the pioneering aircraft.
An online auction for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380, between Singapore and Sydney, started this week, with proceeds going to a number of charities. “We have a packed series of events lined up for 2007 and 2008, and our research demonstrates how receptive Middle East travellers are to the message that Singapore has something to offer for everyone,” said Siew-Kheng Kang, Regional Director, South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.
“The Middle East region is a priority market for Singapore, particularly given our deepening bonds with countries in this area,” she added.
Research carried out for Singapore by global agency Millward Brown shows that Singapore – along with Malaysia, India and Dubai – is the in the top four destinations for Middle East residents considering future travel options.
The study, which surveyed over 400 residents in the region, revealed that a key perception of the destination was that it had “strong word of mouth” and a good variety of attractions. “One of the main reasons why Singapore is very popular among Middle East travellers is because the city offers an unforgettable experience to every type of visitor, whether they come as a family, with friends, or on business,” Kang added.
Singapore is also planning ahead to 2008 for the first F1 Singapore Grand Prix, which will bring thousands of motor-sport enthusiasts to the Lion City. It will be the first night race on the F1 circuit. The date of the first F1 Singapore Grand Prix has been set for 28 September 2008.
Qantas introduces bigger planes and more services to the West
Qantas would move to an all wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft on all of its services from Perth to Sydney and Melbourne within the next two years as the carrier announced. Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said the move, which would see Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 aircraft exclusively used on these services, would provide more than 61,000 seats - an increase of more than 11,700 seats on these routes.
"This decision is a sign of our commitment to Western Australia, which is one of the biggest growth markets in Australia," Mr Borghetti said.
"We believe our all wide-body service on these key trans-continental business routes will ensure Qantas is offering the capacity, frequency, and comfort appropriate for the market," he said.
Mr Borghetti said Qantas was equally committed to intrastate markets, with 5,000 additional seats coming on line by June 2008.
"In the year ahead, we will continue to grow capacity within the state, operating larger aircraft and increasing frequencies," Mr Borghetti said.
He said that from June 2008, Qantas and QantasLink would add:
- five additional B737 services a week between Perth and Karratha;
- five new B737 services a week between Perth and Port Hedland, replacing the current B717 services;
- three additional B717 services a week between Perth and Broome;
- two additional B717 services a week between Perth and Newman.
Mr Borghetti said Qantas was also making changes to its international services out of Perth.
"We will introduce Airbus A330 services between Perth and Hong Kong from January 2008, replacing the current B767s operating on the route and providing customers with Skybed in Business Class and our Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD) inflight entertainment system in both Business and Economy class cabins," he said.
Mr Borghetti said the international B767 fleet currently operating these services would be deployed on domestic Perth services.
He said Qantas` $50 million development at Perth Airport, announced last week, would improve the airport experience for Qantas passengers as the airline continued to grow its Western Australia services.
"The airport development, which will commence by the end of 2007, will be a two year project and ensure we have better facilities for passengers, aircraft and baggage for our current operations as well as meeting the growth demand of the future."
In Western Australia, The Qantas Group currently operates: 47 return services per week to Melbourne, 37 return services per week to Sydney from Perth; seven return Perth-Melbourne (Avalon) services operated by Jetstar, and 109 return services weekly to Karratha, Port Hedland, Paraburdoo, Newman, Broome and Kalgoorlie by QantasLink and Qantas.
Airline executives predict more fees for services
Today’s consumers might be reminded of inflight turbulence when contemplating the fees they might be asked to pay in the future for assigned seats, checked baggage, and paying by credit card. Most airlines currently don’t charge extra for these benefits. But survey results by IdeaWorks suggest airline executives will charge for these, and other services, in the future. While frequent travelers may consider extra fees a major annoyance, airline executives call these fees ancillary revenue.
How far has this practice spread among airlines? What new fees are airline executives planning for the future? To answer these questions, IdeaWorks surveyed airline executives all over the globe. Here is a sampling of observations from the analysis:
- 63% of airline executives predict unbundling (charging for amenities) is becoming more prevalent.
- 39% indicate their airlines now sell meals and sandwiches on board aircraft.
- 80% indicate fees are currently charged for call center bookings or are anticipated to be charged in the future.
Click here to view the report.
Egypt to place more regions on its tourism map
Known for being candid about issues tackling tourism, Egypt`s Tourism Minister Zuhair Garranah, has expressed concern about Taba and Nuweiba- two Sinai Peninsula tourist regions with a potentially high levels of tourism levels.
Garranah has given the Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF) full responsibility for compiling a full Strategic Market Planning Report in order to turn the two areas into Economic or Investment Regions, which are expected to boost the nation`s tourism income.
Following this, ETF Chairman Ahmed El-Nahas, Board Member Alaa Hafez, Director General Ayman Altaranissi, and Chairman`s Executive Consultant Ahmed Yousri, met with Dr. Samir Makari, Economic Consultant to the ETF, to highlight main focal points in order to post the Strategic Market Planning Report within the coming weeks.
Makari had compiled a similar such economic report in 2005. Highly successful, it was presented to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), headed by Minster of Investment Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin.
August 28, 2007
Kuwait Air Scraps USD$3 Bln Aircraft Order
Kuwait Airways has scrapped a USD$3 billion deal to buy 19 planes from Aviation Lease and Finance Co (Alafco) after the government refused to approve the loss-making state carrier's plan, Alafco said on Tuesday.
Kuwait Airways said it would buy 12 Boeing 787s and seven single-aisle Airbus A320 aircraft under an initial agreement signed in June. Subject to government approval, the aircraft would be delivered between 2009 and 2014.
"The letter of intent signed with Kuwait Airways for the supply of 19 aircraft is considered cancelled," Alafco said in a statement.
"Alafco received a letter from Kuwait Airways saying it has not obtained the necessary government approval to sign a final deal with Alafco," it added.
Kuwait Airways officials said in June the order would be worth around USD$3 billion and that the airline placed the order with Alafco rather then manufacturers because it wanted to get them earlier.
ALAFCO, majority owned by Islamic bank Kuwait Finance House, ordered 12 Boeing 787s and six 737-800s in March valued at USD$2.26 billion at list prices. In November, it ordered six Airbus A320s. (Reuters)
IATA Sees End Of Paper Tickets In 2008
The global airlines body IATA said on Monday it had placed its last order for paper tickets, clearing the way for air travel to be based entirely on electronic ticketing from June 1 next year.
"In just 278 more days, the paper ticket will become a collector's item," said Giovanni Bisignani, director general of the International Air Transport Association.
The changeover from paper would not only cut airlines' costs by USD$9 for every traveller but would also mean the industry - criticized by environmentalists for its part in global warming - would save 50,000 mature trees a year, he added.
Bisignani did not say whether the USD$9 in cost savings would or should be passed on to passengers.
Based in Geneva, IATA represents more than 240 airlines which operate 94 percent of scheduled international flights.
Non-IATA airlines, mainly low-cost carriers such as Ireland's Ryanair and Britain's easyJet, already have a paper-free ticket system where travelers are registered in computers and present only an identity document at check-in.
IATA launched its drive for so called "e-ticketing" just over three years ago and now 84 percent of travelers on IATA carriers fly without paper tickets.
The airlines body says China, one of the fastest-growing markets for air travel and host to next year's Olympic Games, is heading to be the first country in the world to operate an entirely paper-free ticketing system by the end of this year. (Reuters)
China Eastern, Singapore Air Deal Approved
China Eastern Airlines has won Chinese government approval to sell a stake to Singapore Airlines, two sources familiar with the situation said on Monday.
"The government has in principle given the go-ahead to the China Eastern and Singapore Air deal. The two sides will sign an agreement over the weekend," one source close to the talks between the two companies said.
A second source confirmed that China Eastern had won approval for the long-expected tie-up, adding the Chinese carrier's shares, which have been suspended from trading since May 23, would resume trading next month.
The deal would be the first acquisition of a large stake in one of the big three Chinese airlines by a foreign carrier.
Neither source provided details of the deal.
China Eastern chairman Li Fenghua said in June that China Eastern planned to sell Hong Kong-listed H shares, equivalent to a nearly 25 percent stake, to Singapore Airlines and its majority owner Temasek.
Chinese media reports have valued the deal at roughly USD$1 billion.
China Eastern and Singapore Airlines declined to comment.
Industry analysts say the tie-up could give China Eastern financial backing and access to its partner's extensive global network, while Singapore Airlines could expand its foothold in the fast-growing China market.
Li said in June that China Eastern expected to return to the black for the first half of this year, helped by strong traffic growth and new accounting rules, after posting a year-earlier net loss of CNY1.46 billion yuan (USD$193 million).
(Reuters)
Cargo Plane Crashes In Congo, 13 Killed
An Antonov plane carrying tin ore crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff in eastern Congo on Sunday, killing 13 people on board, but a young man and a baby boy survived, officials and residents said.
The Russian pilot tried to return to Kongolo in Congo's mineral-rich Katanga province after developing engine problems, but the plane crashed short of the runway, Jean-Claude Kapange, the local head of the Interior Ministry's national information agency said.
The pilot and two more Russian crew were among the dead, Kapange said.
He said the plane had been on its way to Goma, the main city in North Kivu province, with around 9 tonnes of cassiterite (tin oxide) and other minerals. Goma is a transit point for many mineral exports from eastern Congo.
"A small child and another passenger in his 20s were rescued before the plane caught fire," Faustin Lwamba, a resident of Kongolo who helped in the rescue said, adding that both were being treated in a local hospital.
He said a search was continuing in the forest to locate the bodies of the pilot and a woman.
Congo's mineral riches were a catalyst in the country's devastating 1998-2003 war, which drew in half a dozen African armies and spawned a host of local rebel groups and ethnic militias, some of whom still terrorize villagers in the east.
Campaigners say mining for cassiterite and other valuable minerals exploits desperately poor local people who work in treacherous mines for low pay and can fuel instability and violence as businessmen and militias vie for control of resources and revenues.
Mineral flights have also sparked safety concerns.
Local authorities suspended cassiterite flights to Goma from another mining area in North Kivu, Walikale, in June due to safety concerns for the planes, which land and take off on a stretch of road while a proper air strip is being built.
Air travel is notoriously dangerous in Africa, where large swathes of airspace are not covered by radar and aging planes suffer from lack of maintenance and spare parts.
The continent accounted for 18.5 percent of fatal airliner accidents last year, despite having only 3 percent of global flight departures, according to the Dutch-based Aviation Safety Network.
(Reuters)
ARINC launches new solution for airlines` on-board sales
ARINC, working with Abanco, announced the on-board sales management and inventory tracking solution for airlines. According to ARINC, the full-service wireless sales solution promises to reduce airline service costs and paperwork while cutting inventory losses—a big headache for carriers.
ARINC and Abanco will demonstrate the new sales system September 8-10 at IFSA 2007, the International Flight Services Association Exposition in Houston, Texas.
“This is the first comprehensive Buy-on-Board solution ever offered,” stated Andrew Kemmetmueller, ARINC’s Service Director. “At major airlines, sales inventory losses can reach $10 million or more a year. Our solution streamlines the on-board sales process by fully addressing both the logistical and inventory problems involved.”
“Airlines will discover new potential for all types of passenger sales—from duty-free items, to onboard catalog companies and other vendors,” stated Abanco President Tracy Metzger. “This sales system has endless possibilities for airlines throughout the world.”
The system uses the new ARINC Mobile Communications Gateway (MCG) to support on-board sales and credit card transactions. It provides wireless connectivity and power to recharge in-flight electronic devices, and may be used for other airline data delivery applications as well.
The MCG system uses secure wireless connectivity to report detailed sales data and upload new inventory data after each flight. As part of a turnkey solution, ARINC will offer technical support, management and maintenance of the MCG at airports through its wholly-owned airport IT services subsidiary, ARINC Managed Services, LLC.
The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) 2007 Conference and Exhibition is scheduled September 8-10 at the Hilton Americas-Houston, in Houston, Texas.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Monday, August 27, 2007
Royal Bengal Airline signs contract with BIS
Bird Information Systems (BIS), technology provider of automated aviation and travel related software solutions, announced another strategic partnership with Royal Bengal Airline, for the use of its Airline Inventory and Reservations System (AIRS).
Mohammed Shalim Rahman, Managing Director of Royal Bengal Airline and Mr. Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Information Systems signed the contract.
Under the terms of this contract signed between the two companies, Bird Information Systems will provide the booking technology for the Airlines’ Inventory Hosting, Reservation at City & Airport Offices and Internet Booking Engine. Besides, for Airport operations, a departure control system would be in use by the airline.
Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Information Systems mentioned, “We always emphasize on service and use of technology to ensure complete customer satisfaction. This strategic partnership gives us yet another opportunity to empower the new breed airlines of the Indian subcontinent with the latest technology solutions, enhancing their overall efficiency.”
Expressing his excitement on the partnership, Mohammed Shalim Rahman, Managing Director, Royal Bengal Airline stated, “We are delighted to have an online booking reservation system that will give opportunity to passengers in Bangladesh for the first time to book their tickets online. We will encourage online bookings by offering cheap fares and discounts exclusively for online customers and frequent flyers.”
Vicky Karantzavelou - Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Avian Influenza: Highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Bavaria
The European Commission was informed by the German authorities on Saturday (25 August) of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a duck farm in Bavaria, in a region where infected wild birds were detected in July and early August.
Upon suspicion of the virus, the German authorities immediately applied the necessary control measures laid down under EU legislation, and the Commission will adopt a Decision later today to confirm the risk areas set up around the outbreak.
Avian influenza was suspected on the Bavarian farm when an abnormally high mortality rate was reported in a flock of almost 170 000 ducks. Diagnostic tests carried out by Germany’s national laboratory confirmed the virus to be the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. The German authorities immediately began culling the ducks on the holding and applied the measures laid down in the Avian Influenza Directive 2005/94/EC. This entails the establishment of a protection zone of 3 km radius and a surveillance zone of 10 km around the infected holding.
The area covered by the protection zone and the surveillance zone is classified as a high risk area (area A) which is surrounded by a low risk area (area B) acting as a buffer zone to the disease free parts of the country. Strict movement controls are in place, poultry must be kept indoors, gatherings of poultry and other birds are banned, and on-farm bio security measures will be strengthened. The Commission will adopt a Decision today confirming the A and B areas set up in Germany and the disease situation will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in early September.
Michael Verikios - Tuesday, August 28, 2007
ASTA and ATA working together again
ASTA and the Africa Travel Association (ATA) have again joined forces in 2007. As a result of the agreement, ATA has become an official supporter of THETRADESHOW in 2007 and ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2008, which will be held in Lyon, France, April 12-16.
"We are excited to have ATA as a supporter for THETRADESHOW because it will allow exhibitors as well as attendees to broaden their areas of expertise and knowledge," said William A. Maloney, CTC, ASTA executive vice president and COO. "We hope that the participation of ATA will open doors for our members as well as for ATA members and that the partnership will go further than ASTA. Having ATA at THETRADESHOW and International Destination Expo will raise awareness and start communication about travel and tourism developments in Africa as well as bring more international members and agents with more diverse expertise into the ASTA community."
ATA is a non-profit association of tourism professionals from government, industry, tour operators, travel agencies and media and has been the principal international travel association to promote tourism in and to Africa since 1975. In partnering with ASTA, ATA will be a prominent participant of THETRADESHOW with multiple vendors from Africa present, and will campaign African agents to attend the show so that myriad experience and expertise will be available for all attendees. THETRADESHOW will give travel agents and suppliers from around the world a unique chance to meet in a central location. In addition, ATA members will receive an ASTA member rate for attending ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2008.
"ATA and ASTA have reinvigorated their relationship," said Edward Bergman, ATA executive director. "Under the new arrangement ATA and ASTA will be taking on more marketing initiatives and developing an objective purposeful relationship, one that should promote the front-line travel agency concept and sustainable worldwide tourism development, plus provide direct access to Africa destination product knowledge and information for ASTA membership. ATA is pleased to join our travel industry colleagues and associations in partnering with THETRADESHOW and promoting the exciting and diverse tourism product that the African continent has to offer."
Theodore Koumelis - Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 25, 2007
US Sikhs angry over turban plan
Until now turbans have been searched or removed only to resolve an unexplained alarm from an airport metal detector.
But now security will have greater discretion to inspect turbans so that they can be manually checked for objects such as non-metallic weapons.
However Sikh groups have responded to the new measures by describing them as outrageous and discriminatory.
Sikh men wear turbans to cover their hair, which they leave uncut in accordance with their religion.
Organisations representing Sikhs have only recently completed a publicity campaign to explain the significance of the kirpan, or religious sword, to security officials.
The Transportation Security Administration insisted the new policy was necessary to counter the threat of improvised bombs and chemical weapons.
In Britain, the government said recently that private searches of turbans might be necessary as part of airport security.(BBC News)
