TUI AG and Carnival Corporation will withdraw their anti-trust filing with the relevant authorities for a joint venture to develop a new cruise brand. TUI and Carnival had planned a joint venture and had filed this with the relevant authorities.
Reason for the withdrawal is the extremely difficult environment with regards to competitive law making it impossible to close the transaction in Carnival’s current business year. Failure to do so would create adverse tax consequences for the companies and would have a severe impact on the economies of the transaction. TUI and Carnival have, therefore, decided not to implement the joint venture in the proposed form.
TUI AG will stick to its plans to expand its own cruise activities. This will now happen mainly within the framework of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises today operates four cruise liners and is one of the leading operators of premium and luxury cruises in the German speaking market. The fleet includes the MS Europa, the only ship in the world rated with “5-Stars Plus” by the Berlitz Cruise Guide. In the British market, TUI’s subsidiary, TUI Travel, also operates five cruise liners under the Thomson Cruises brand as well as two ships under the Island Cruises brand.
September 09, 2007
TUI and Carnival withdraw anti-trust filing for joint venture
September 05, 2007
Can Airbus make it big in Asia?
Business reporter, BBC News, Hong Kong
Just before dawn earlier this week, Hong Kong residents scaled the heights of one of the city's tallest peaks to await a spectacle.
After an hour or two of anticipation, they were rewarded by the sight of something they had never seen before: the biggest passenger aeroplane in the world, flying above Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on Monday morning.
It was all part of a publicity ploy from European manufacturer Airbus, which makes the A380.
The flight follows more than a year of bad publicity brought on by production delays.
There was more embarrassment just two days before the aircraft's arrival for Asia's largest airshow in Hong Kong. The plane that made Monday morning's flight had scraped its wing in Bangkok and had to have its wingtips removed.
John Leahy, Airbus's chief operating officer for customers, admits it has not been a smooth ride.
"Every plane is difficult to build - the bigger the more difficult," he says.
"It's been a manufacturing nightmare to build it. Now we've got the production process solved. It took a two year delay, though."
Rivalry
Still, the plane has been a hit with locals. Despite several security barriers and long lines, many of the delegates at the Hong Kong Asian Aerospace show turned up to see just how big it was, both inside and outside.
But some critics say that the A380's sheer size and pulling power have not stopped it from lagging behind Boeing in Asia.
In China alone, for instance, 60% of the commercial planes are made by Boeing.
The American manufacturer did not fly down any of its planes to Hong Kong for display; instead, visitors to the airshow had to make do with plastic models at the manufacturer's exhibition booth.
"They have a lot of ground... to recover," he says. "They are in a different situation from us, driven by different motivations.
"We have our plans. We have our planes. We have the products that the airlines and the world prefer."
Home-grown talent
But even as the two giants in plane manufacturing slug it out for a slice of Asia, one Chinese manufacturer already has lofty ambitions of its own.
Just a few steps from the Boeing booth at the show, China Aviation Industry Corporation 1 - otherwise known as Avic1 - has a display of its own aeroplane.
The ARJ21 is one of China's first passenger jets, capable of carrying nearly a hundred people.
Backed by the Chinese government, the manufacturer hopes to take on its western rivals.
Jim Eckes, an aviation analyst from IndoSwiss Aviation, thinks they may have a good chance.
"China is going after Boeing and Airbus's low-end market," he says. "They're displaying here on a par not quite as big as Boeing or Airbus - but they're here."
Air Malta to provides operational support to Etihad Airways
Air Malta has successfully concluded an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways by which it will be wet-leasing two Airbus aircraft for the winter period starting September 1st 2007. The Maltese airline has also concluded another agreement to provide operational support on another Airbus A320 aircraft owned by Etihad.
The two Air Malta A320 aircraft with registration 9H-AEP and 9H-AEQ will be wet-leased and will be operated by Air Malta cockpit and cabin crew. They are expected to fly on Etihad’s routes from Abu Dhabi to Beirut, Dammam, Karachi, Muscat, Bahrain, Cairo, Doha, Kuwait, Amman, Damascus and Tehran.
Following another agreement reached between the two airlines, another A320 aircraft recently purchased by Etihad will also be maintained by Air Malta engineers and flown by Air Malta pilots.
In a statement issued by Etihad, the airline said that it is adding the first narrow-bodied aircraft to its fleet as it expands regional flights with the aim of developing its regional network.
Commenting on these agreements Air Malta Chief Executive Joe Cappello said, “We are looking forward to this operation. This is more good news for Air Malta as through these agreements with Etihad we managed to lease our excess winter capacity whilst generating additional revenue for the airline. This lease has also created new opportunities for our pilots and engineers to work abroad and we believe that in the course of these wet-leases our employees will continue garnering further experience in their professional careers. Last winter we had also managed to wet-lease two other Airbus aircraft to two foreign operators; an Air Malta aircraft operated from Santiago in Chile while another aircraft operated from Tripoli.”
“These agreements are a further confirmation of the high standards we enjoy amongst our staff, operations and equipment. We wish to thank all our employees and management who have worked hard on finalising these leases and to all our crew who will be operating them,” added Cappello.
Etihad currently has a fleet of 27 wide-body aircraft and it placed a US$2.2 billion order with Airbus for 12 new wide-body aircraft in June. The order includes four A340-600s, five A330 passenger aircraft and three A330 freighters.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Wednesday, September 05, 2007
DUBAI TO HOST FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
DUBAI, U.A.E., 27th August 2007 - FIFA announced on Sunday that the United Arab Emirates will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 in Dubai. The city has quickly become the sporting capital of the Middle East and the announcement further underlines that fact. At the same occasion FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke presented that France will stage the 2008 competition in the city of Marseille, the first time in the event’s history that it will be held outside of its birthplace of Brazil. Emirates, the Dubai-based award winning international airline, is an Official FIFA Partner and fully supported the bidding of the UAE and Dubai for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, said: “Dubai is the perfect choice as the venue for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009, it is through the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that the infrastructure is in place for the city to be able to hold an event of this magnitude. Emirates is very pleased that the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will take place on our home soil in 2009 and will provide any support necessary to make this a unique experience for all football fans from all over the world." “What's happened in the last three years since the integration of beach soccer in the FIFA family has been fantastic. I don't know if any other sport has ever made such rapid progress in such a short space of time – both on the pitch and in running the game. It is now a fascinating combination of organised football and lifestyle. By moving the event first to Marseilles and then to Dubai, we are convinced that we will be taking yet another giant step in the dynamic world of beach soccer, ” explained FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke during the announcement at the occasion of the draw for the 2007 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Marseille." Emirates is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup™ with close links to FIFA and all its projects in the 2007–2014 period. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the world's premier football tournament. In 2004, Emirates and Arsenal Football Club signed the biggest club sponsorship in English football history - in addition to the Fly Emirates logo on the players' shirts, Emirates also has the naming rights of their new home, the Emirates Stadium. Emirates also sponsors Paris Saint Germain Football Club and Hamburger SV.
Emirates' longest range aircraft touches down
Emirates recently welcomed the first of its 10 Boeing 777-200LRs on order, bringing the fast-expanding airline`s fleet count to 108. This new aircraft also represents the 50th Boeing 777 to have joined the fleet of the airline. The technically-advanced Boeing 777-200LR will make its debut for Emirates on the airline`s non-stop Dubai to Sao Paulo route which will be launched on 1st October 2007, representing the first non-stop air link between the Middle East and South America. The same aircraft type will also be used on the Dubai – Houston service which begins on 3rd December. The Emirates` Boeing 777-200LR is equipped with eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy.
Banyan Tree to operate first resort in Mauritius
Banyan Tree has signed a new management contract in the Republic of Mauritius, to operate a new resort located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. This will be the first project for the Group in Mauritius. This follows on earlier announcements in the year on management deals in China and Mexico and its recently announced management deal in Bodrum, Turkey.
“Banyan Tree has always enjoyed a strong presence in the Indian Ocean as a premier operator of top end resorts and residences. This project further entrenches our pole position in the region and enhances our ability to continue to provide our guests with exclusive getaways in the most exotic surroundings,” said Executive Chairman, Mr Ho Kwon Ping.
Banyan Tree will manage its first luxury resort property in Mauritius in collaboration with Tatorio Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Greenoak Holdings Limited. The first phase of the project will be launched with the start of the sales of the branded residences this October. The resort is projected to be completed in 2010.
This new development is not expected to have any material financial impact on the Group’s earnings and its net tangible assets for 2007.
Rania Deimezi - Wednesday, September 05, 2007
September 04, 2007
Swiss air crash verdict expected
BBC News, Berne
A court in Switzerland is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of eight employees of the air traffic control company Skyguide.
The eight are charged with manslaughter and negligence over a midair collision in 2002, in which 71 people died.
The prosecution wants prison sentences of up to 15 months for the accused.
Two investigations have already found what are described as organisational deficiencies within Skyguide, claimed to have contributed to the accident.
All eight men on trial maintain their innocence - seven still work for Skyguide.
Seventy-one people died when the Russian charter flight carrying children on holiday collided with a cargo plane in Swiss airspace on 1 July 2002 - the wreckage came down in Germany.
Controller stabbed
The trial revealed that minutes before the crash a single air traffic controller was in charge of 15 planes, he made 118 radio contacts with them, and he was guiding a plane into land.
Technical repairs were being carried out and some radar systems were not working.
That air traffic controller was later stabbed and killed by the father of two of the children who died.
At the time Skyguide insisted that having just one air traffic controller on duty was normal - but it has since outlawed the practice, and provided financial compensation to some of the bereaved families.
What many Russian relatives say they want from this verdict, however, is an official admission of responsibility for the crash.
Deals take off at Hong Kong airshow
By Sharanjit Leyl
Business reporter, BBC News, Hong Kong
Visitors look at models of the Airbus A380 at the Asian Aerospace show in Hong Kong
Asia's biggest airshow is a newcomer to Hong Kong
Five hundred companies from more than 20 countries, as well as 10,000 trade visitors, are at Hong Kong's Asian Aerospace show this week to strike deals that will shape the future of Asia's aviation industry.
And much of it seems to be focused on China. One of the mainland's big three carriers is already celebrating a $1bn deal with Singapore Airlines inked earlier in the week.
It will bring finance and know-how to China Eastern Airlines, which is based in Shanghai. It also shows the direction the industry's big players are looking.
According to Vincent Liu, the manager of service standards at China Eastern, there is increasing demand for travel within China and more foreigners are flocking to the mainland.
It means the airline business is "increasing vastly, especially for China Eastern", he says.
One of the supporting organisers of this year's Asian Aerospace is also keeping a keen eye on the mainland.
Martin J Craigs, president of Aerospace Forum Asia, says: "The centre of gravity has moved north over the last 20 years.
"China is a big market that's growing - 180 million passengers right now and 780 million in 20 years. That's a new aircraft delivered every two-and-a-half days for 20 years."
Eastern gateway
But the market is not without risks. Already the Chinese government is placing limits on the number of flights over the mainland, because of fears that too much demand could overwhelm the existing infrastructure.
That is perhaps partly why Asia's biggest airshow has chosen to move to the relatively new surroundings of Hong Kong's international airport, after having spent nearly two decades in Singapore.
Tony Tyler - the newly-installed chief executive of Hong Kong's biggest airline, Cathay Pacific - is trying to turn Hong Kong into a stronger hub and gateway to China.
Cathay Pacific notice board
Cathay Pacific has been extending its routes in mainland China
He contends there are still challenges to rival Shanghai, which is quickly becoming a vital business destination.
"Shanghai's a huge city, it's clearly going to be a major city," he says.
"But as an aviation hub, it has disadvantages, as the domestic and international operations operate out of essentially two different airports. That prevents it from being an effective hub for mainland China."
Still, many of the plane manufacturers and suppliers who have come from countries as far afield as Romania and Canada have one thing on their minds - courting China.
Hong Kong, in its role as gateway to the world's fastest-growing economy, may provide an essential link now.
But critics predict that the Asian Aerospace show may well move again, to Beijing or possibly even Shanghai.
First outing for faster Eurostar
Eurostar is making its inaugural journey from Paris to London via Britain's new high-speed line.
The train - carrying members of the media - will arrive at St Pancras International station, instead of Waterloo, for the first time.
The 186mph (300km/h) line is expected to cut journey times from Paris to London by 20 minutes to 2hr 15min. It will open to the public on 14 November.
Construction of the line and revamping St Pancras cost £5.8bn in public funds.
The high cost of the project is partly due to some major engineering challenges, including laying track to pass over the River Medway, under the River Thames and through 11 miles of tunnels beneath London.
The 306-mile (490km) test-run is expected to set a new record for the journey time between Paris and London.
The train was due to leave Paris at 0944 BST and is expected to reach speeds of up to 186mph - 50% faster than domestic rail services.
It will join the new 68-mile (110km) line, known as High Speed 1, at the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone, before arriving at St Pancras at about midday.
The train will pass through the new £100m Ebbsfleet International station near Dartford, in Kent.
Seven services to Paris and five to Brussels will start running from Ebbsfleet from 19 November and a ticket office has been opened at Bluewater Shopping Centre two miles from the station.
Eurostar chief executive
Trains have always travelled along the French section of the route at high speeds, but were forced to slow down on the British side because they shared a track with commuter services in and out of London.
Richard Brown, chief executive of Eurostar, said he hoped that by 2010 10m people would travel by Eurostar each year.
"Today marks Britain's entry into the European high-speed rail club," he added.
"We can now run trains at high speed all the way from the Channel Tunnel to London, making journeys between cities quicker, more convenient and far greener than flying."
He said journey times to Paris, even for people travelling from Yorkshire, would be broadly the same as for those flying due to lengthier check-in times at airports.
"It's as quick and more frequent... and we will be matching airline prices."
Nigel Harris, managing editor of Rail Magazine, said he was thrilled to be among the first passengers to travel on the new high-speed line.
He said it would mean hundreds of thousands of people from the North would be able to travel to Paris without facing the drag of travelling across London on bus, Tube or train to get to Waterloo.
London and Continental Railways (LCR), the company behind the construction of the new line, said it was the first new railway for 100 years and Britain's largest single construction in history.
A spokesman for LCR said it would be a "very powerful catalyst" for regeneration.
He said LCR had a commitment to repay some of the £5.8bn in government money from profits generated from large areas of land bought around the track.
St Pancras station, which has undergone an £800m refurbishment, will eventually be linked to the site of the 2012 Olympics at Stratford, east London. (BBC News)
Virgin's Branson To Shun Thirsty 4-Engined Planes
Virgin Group boss Richard Branson said he would aim to avoid buying fuel-thirsty four-engined planes in future to curb fuel costs and the environmental impact of his fast-growing airlines.
Fears that CO2 emissions from airlines are fueling climate change will not reduce demand for air travel, he added, but innovation in biofuels could provide a solution in the next decade.
Virgin Atlantic's fleet of 38 planes all have four engines, and it has six four-engined Airbus A380 superjumbos on order.
But in April the airline said it was buying 15 of Boeing's new fuel-efficient carbon-composite 787 jets with two engines, which burn 27 percent less fuel than the Airbus A340s they will replace.
"Global warming has become a priority, but it also makes good economic sense to be eco-friendly," Branson told reporters, adding he favored two-engined jets for the future. "We've just announced the 787, which has two engines."
In the past Branson favored four-engined planes because he said passengers, staff and pilots preferred them.
But aviation's impact on the environment has become a hot topic in Britain this summer, with climate change protesters camping at London's Heathrow Airport to protest against the industry's rapid expansion.
From 3 percent of mankind's total contribution to global warming in 2005, aviation's emissions are set to rise by a factor of two to five by 2050, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in a major report this year.
Branson, who was in London to promote the PICNIC environmental innovation competition, doubted travelers would be deterred by the figures and called on politicians to act.
"Realistically, flying is something people need to do and will do," he said. "I don't think people will change their habits if it affects their lifestyle."
"It's up to business leaders and politicians to come up with ways of reducing emissions," he added. "I suspect governments should make sure fuel prices don't drop."
Virgin is developing biofuels for aircraft alongside Boeing and engine-maker GE Aviation and plans to test them next year.
"We've said we will fly a jet engine on a 747 using biofuels sometime next year, people say the end of next year," said Branson. "But I believe we'll be able to bring that forward. We have to make sure it's economically viable to roll out across the Virgin fleet."
"Hopefully, ten years from now our planes can be carbon neutral," he added. "It's not just charitable. We've got to come up with a fuel that knocks oil for six."
Branson has pledged that for the next 10 years all profits from his 51 percent stakes in Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains will be invested in renewable energy.
"I've got a dirty business with my planes... Let's put some money into doing something about it," he said.
Branson also holds smaller stakes in Australian airline Virgin Blue, Malaysia's AirAsia X, US low-cost airline Virgin America and Virgin Nigeria. (Reuters)
Airbus Sees Booming Chinese Jet Demand
European plane-maker Airbus expects Chinese airlines will need up to 150 of its jets a year over the next five years, including its giant A380s, as Chinese carriers expand to serve a domestic and international travel boom.
Airbus foresees local carriers needing 113 of its A380s -- the world's largest passenger aircraft -- over the next two decades.
Asia and China are a pivotal battleground between Airbus and Boeing, both of whom are battling to sell airliners to the country's three top carriers: China Southern, China Eastern and Air China.
"Over the next year we will see incremental orders from China for A380," John Leahy, chief operating officer, customers, told reporters on the first day of the Asian Aerospace forum.
"The demand in the Chinese market will see, for us, around 100-150 aircraft each year for the foreseeable future (of around 5 years), which is one of the reasons that we decided to put our own assembly line in China."
Travel to and from China, the world's fourth-largest economy, is expected to continue climbing alongside its double-digit economic growth, dwindling restrictions and increasingly open skies.
Morgan Stanley estimates that global airline seat capacity will expand 3.8 percent in 2007 and 5.2 percent in 2008 -- driven largely by Asia. For Asia alone, those estimates rise to 8-9 percent for 2008-09, versus 5 percent in 2007.
Leahy did not say how Airbus had arrived at its forecasts.
Airbus, which this year is edging out Boeing in the annual race to sell planes globally after losing in 2006, expects its first assembled-in-China jet to be delivered in 2009. The assembly line in Tianjin should hit full capacity -- four planes a month -- in 2011, Leahy said.
China Southern Air, the country's largest carrier by fleet size, has placed five orders for the A380, on which Airbus has spent more than USD$10 billion developing. (Reuters)
Banyan Tree to operate first resort in Bodrum
Banyan Tree enters the Turkish market with the signing of a new management contract in Turkey. This follows on earlier announcements in the year on management deals in China and Mexico and furthers Banyan Tree’s continued expansion into new destinations around the world.
“This project exemplifies Banyan Tree’s ability to continually lead the markets by tapping into what we see as Bodrum’s yet unrealized potential as a high-end resort and vacation home ownership destination. Banyan Tree Bodrum is another key step in the Group’s diversification into key regions globally,” said Executive Chairman, Mr Ho Kwon Ping.
In its first foray into Turkey, Banyan Tree will manage a boutique resort and residential development located in the northern coast of the Bodrum peninsula. Developed by Osmanli Yapi 1 Insaat Turizm Sanayi ve Tic. A.S., a subsidiary of the London listed Ottoman Fund, the resort will also include a 4,000 square meter spa facility featuring Banyan Tree’s spa treatments.
These new developments are not expected to have any material financial impact on the Group’s earnings and its net tangible assets for 2007.
Rania Deimezi - Tuesday, September 04, 2007
W Hotels to open first property in Indonesia
W Hotels will open its first property in Indonesia in 2009 as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide revealed. W Retreat & Spa-Bali will be the brand`s fourth retreat in the world, following the W Retreat & Spa-Maldives, which opened in September 2006, and the impending openings of W Retreat & Spa-Vieques, scheduled to open in late 2008, and W Retreat & Residences-Koh Samui, scheduled to open in 2009.
The newly built W Retreat & Spa-Bali will be located in the Seminyak area on the paradise isle of Bali, featuring 232 rooms, including 80 villas.
"Following the success of our first W Retreat & Spa, the award-winning W Maldives, W Retreat & Spa-Bali is a terrific extension of our brand`s growth in the Asia Pacific region," said Ross Klein, President, Starwood`s Luxury Brands Group. "The rich and deeply spiritual culture of Bali, combined with the cosmopolitan style and energy of Seminyak, provides a perfect setting for the newest edition to our Retreat & Spa product offering. With the announcement of W Retreat & Spa-Bali, the W brand continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design."
"We are thrilled with the signing of W Retreat & Spa-Bali, marking the entry of the W brand into Bali, undeniably one of the top-rated resort destinations in the world," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
"The W Retreat & Spa - Bali will be a unique alternative to the more traditional Bali resorts. Located on a seven hectare absolute beachfront site in Seminyak, the resort will be within walking distance to Bali`s most trendy boutiques, galleries, restaurants and clubs. This addition of this retreat, coupled with The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien and Westin properties will certainly strengthen our presence in Bali," added Ko.
"We are thrilled that we will open W Retreat & Spa- Bali, the first W resort in Indonesia, and to start our partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts," said Magda Hutagalung, President Director of PT Dua Cahaya Anugrah. "Given the energy and style of the island, Bali, known as the most popular island destinations in the world, is certainly the most appropriate fit for the W brand," added Magda.
Fiona Jeffery appointed Chairman of WTM
Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director of World Travel Market, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), has been appointed to the role of Chairman. She will be concentrating on the event’s strategic development, as well as building and developing Just a Drop and WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Day. Jeffery continues to report to Richard Mortimore, Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions.
The day to day running of the global business event in London is to be undertaken by Craig Moyes, recently appointed Exhibition Director. He has spent 15 years in the exhibition industry, including experience in travel and tourism sectors.
In announcing the management changes, Richard Mortimore, Managing Director of RTE said: “Many congratulations to Fiona, who has been responsible for driving and developing the World Travel Market brand for 20 years. Her contribution to the evolvement and growth of the event has been exemplary. Craig Moyes appointment means that she will have more time to concentrate on key aspects of the business, including the development of partnerships. She will also continue her role as spokesperson for World Travel Market.”
Jeffery was instrumental in helping take these issues up the industry agenda. She has also increased the internationalism of World Travel Market and ensured its leading role as a major global business forum for the travel and tourism industry.
She founded Just a Drop on behalf of the international industry nine years ago, highlighting the importance of clean water, particularly for children under the age of five whose immune systems are unable to cope with dirty water. The charity, of which she is Chairman, has raised nearly $1.6m and helped over 800,000 children and their families living mostly in remote areas in 24 countries.
Moyes says he is looking forward to the new challenges of World Travel Market. He added: “There is no other business event on earth like World Travel Market and I feel privileged and delighted to be involved”.
In 1993, Moyes and his business partner successfully launched China International Boat Show in Shanghai, managing the event until 1996.
Michael Verikios - Monday, September 03, 2007
Kuoni concludes acquisition of Russia-based UTE Megapolus Group
Following approval of the transaction by the Russian competition authorities, Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. formally acquired a majority shareholding in Russia-based tour operator UTE Megapolus. Kuoni has acquired 80% of share capital under the transaction; the remaining 20% remain in the possession of the company’s founding shareholders.
UTE Megapolus specialises in providing high-quality leisure travel products for a more affluent clientele. Its product portfolio includes ski vacations in the Alpine region, beach holidays in Greece and Croatia, and India and China travel itineraries. The Moscow-based company has four sales outlets in the capital and one in Nizhny Novgorod, and generated total turnover of CHF 51 million last year with a workforce of around 200 personnel.
“I am delighted that we have now received formal approval of our acquisition from the Russian competition authorities,” says Armin Meier, CEO of the Kuoni Group. “The Russian tour operating market has seen annual growth of 10 to 15 per cent in the last few years. And it has massive further potential, especially in the field of providing high-quality travel products for more affluent customers. Our acquisition also fits exactly into our strategy of achieving further business growth in expanding markets and the specialist segment.” UTE Megapolus has won several awards within the Russian leisure travel sector for its branding and the high quality of its services over the past few years. The company distributes its products via its own sales offices and through independent travel agencies.
Eduard Kuznetsov, the company’s founder and former majority shareholder, will remain as CEO. He will report to Fons Brusselmans, Head of Business Unit Spirit, within the Kuoni organisation. All the present UTE Megapolus employees will also be retained. The parties agreed not to divulge the purchase price involved.
Singapore attracts highest numbers of business visitors
In total, close to 25,000 foreign delegates, contributing at least £13 million (SGD 40 million) to Singapore’s total Tourism Receipts, visited Singapore to attend various business events including the 27th International Epilepsy Congress, Herbalife Asia Pacific Extravaganza 2007 and the World Glaucoma Congress 2007. The events encompassed all four segments of the MICE industry including Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions. Theodore Koumelis - Monday, September 03, 2007 | ||||
Revenues from ancillary services an underdeveloped area in Indian aviation market
76% of Full Service Carrier(FSC) passengers and just under 79% of Low Cost Carrier (LCC) passengers in the Indian domestic aviation market were extremely, perhaps surprisingly, prepared to pay for in-flight catering if traveling on an LCC according to a new survey by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Only 29% of FSC and 21% of LCC passengers expressed a willingness to pay for LCC in-flight entertainment.
Nearly 63% of FSC buyers used a travel agent to arrange accommodation, virtually the same as LCC buyers (nearly 64%).
These areas of activity could forseeably play a role in returning some LCCs to profitability earlier than expected.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Monday, September 03, 2007
Aviation industry registers record traffic volumes
Year-on-year passenger demand was up 5.9% for July 2007 over July 2006 while passenger demand grew 6.2% during the January-July period over the same period in 2006 according to traffic results released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for July 2007 .
Other highlights are:
- Much of this growth is facilitating economic development as business traffic is growing faster than economy traffic on long-haul routes.
- The average passenger load factor hit a record 81% in July, up 0.3% from the previous high in July 2006.
- With the exception of April 2007, monthly load factors have risen every month during the past two years.
- The average load factor during January-July 2007 was 76.5%, up from 76% recorded during the same period in 2006.
- Airlines in the Middle East continued the double-digit growth seen over the last three years with demand growth of 18.8% in July. Improved demand growth in Asia Pacific (5.5%) and Europe (4.5%), which together comprise almost two-thirds of total international traffic, boosted overall July results.
From 18 to 28 September the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will meet in Montreal. Aviation and the environment will be the number one issue discussed.
“Industry efficiency translates into improved environmental performance. Airlines contribute 2% of manmade C02. IATA’s vision is to do even better. We are targeting carbon neutral growth in the near term. And in the longer-term our goal is nothing less than to become carbon-free. The challenge for the 190 contracting States of ICAO is to deliver the global political leadership needed to bring this vision to reality,” said Bisignani.
Industry Registers Record Traffic Volumes, Load Factors in July
| July 2007 vs July 2006 | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF |
| Africa | 5.9% | 6.1% | 71.7 |
| Asia/Pacific | 5.5% | 4.9% | 78.5 |
| Europe | 4.5% | 4.2% | 82.1 |
| Latin America | 6.7% | 8.2% | 79.5 |
| Middle East | 18.8% | 14.4% | 80.2 |
| North America | 3.7% | 4.2% | 85.6 |
| Industry | 5.9% | 5.5% | 81.0 |
| Jan-July 2007 vs Jan-July 2006 | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF |
| Africa | 9.6% | 7.6% | 68.4 |
| Asia/Pacific | 6.1% | 5.2% | 75.0 |
| Europe | 4.9% | 4.2% | 77.2 |
| Latin America | 2.0% | 2.6% | 72.7 |
| Middle East | 16.8% | 13.7% | 75.3 |
| North America | 4.9% | 4.8% | 81.1 |
| Industry | 6.2% | 5.5% | 76.5 |
RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometres measures actual passenger traffic ASK: Available Seat Kilometres measures available passenger capacity PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2007 to 2006, PLF indicates point differential between the periods compared.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Monday, September 03, 2007
September 01, 2007
Yemenia opts for global IT-services of Aviareps
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.
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.
