China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines begin a double mileage promotion

China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines will cooperate on a joint double mileage promotion from November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008 as the two carriers announced. The China Airlines double mileage promotion covers routes operated by China Airlines and its subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines, to and from Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung, and connecting to China Eastern flights from Hong Kong to 14 cities in China. The 14 eligible destinations in China are Shanghai, Fuzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Jinan, Kunming, Xi’an, Wenzhou, Nanchang, Hefei and Taiyuan.

During the promotion period, members of China Airlines Dynasty Frequent Flyer Program can accumulate double mileage in their accounts when traveling on those routes.

Meanwhile, members of China Eastern Airlines’ Eastern Miles program who fly with China Airlines to or from Taipei and Kaohsiung to Hong Kong, and connecting to the designated 14 cities, can choose to accumulate double mileage to their accounts and enjoy the same benefits.

In 2004, the two carriers started to cooperate on inter-line fares and through check-in services. The cooperation between the airlines includes flights to and from Taiwan via Hong Kong, and connecting to China Eastern Airlines flights to more than 80 destinations in China.

EMIRATES’ EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN COMPLETES 54 YEARS IN AVIATION

[left] Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, was honoured with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Legends Award yesterday evening in Singapore. Mr Flanagan received his award from Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman, CAPA.

DUBAI, UAE, 1st November 2007 – Maurice Flanagan CBE, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, has been honoured with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation’s (CAPA) Legends Award, one of the most highly-esteemed awards in the aviation industry.

Mr Flanagan received the award in Singapore yesterday at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence for 2007, organised as part of CAPA’s 4th Annual Asia Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit.

According to CAPA, the Legends Award honours individuals who have demonstrated “a lifetime of strategic leadership, innovation and influence in the aviation industry”. The recipient is chosen by an aviation advisory board, which assesses the recipient based on an individual’s achievements in the aviation industry over the course of the person’s career. Past recipients of the CAPA Legends Award include Ray Webster, former Chief Executive Officer of easyJet and Dr Cheong Choong Kong, former Deputy Chairman and CEO of Singapore Airlines.

Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman, CAPA, said, “Under the stewardship of Mr Flanagan, Emirates has gone from two aircraft serving three destinations in India and Pakistan, to a fleet of more than 100 aircraft and the only airline operating non-stop to all continents on the globe from a single hub. Emirates’ ascendant influence on global aviation will change the structure of the industry in years to come, and this is no doubt due to the solid foundation that Mr Flanagan and his team have laid since Emirates’ start-up. We warmly congratulate Mr Flanagan on his award and look forward to seeing Emirates grow from strength to strength in the coming years.”

Mr Flanagan said, “CAPA’s reputation in the aviation industry is unparalleled and it is indeed an honour to be inducted into its coveted Hall of Fame. I would like to thank Peter Harbison and his team for conferring this honour upon me, as well as all my colleagues for their unstinting support. I’m extremely proud of the Emirates team, now more than 30,000 strong and ever growing, for the dedication and professionalism that have ensured the Emirates Group is at the top in the aviation world, under the exceptional leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.”

Maurice Flanagan CBE, BA, Hon.FRAeS, FRAeS, FCIT, first entered the aviation industry in 1953, when he joined BOAC, the forerunner of British Airways, as a graduate trainee. In 1978, he joined the Emirates Group as the Director and General Manager of Dnata, Emirates’ sister company. Mr Flanagan then became Emirates’ Managing Director in 1985 when the airline began operations and was appointed Group Managing Director of the Emirates Group in 1990. He became Emirates’ Vice Chairman and Group President in July 2003 and was appointed Executive Vice Chairman for Emirates Airline and Emirates Group in 2006.

AIRPORT NEWS

Korea considers second Busan airport

Right: Dramatic growth in traffic at Gimhae International Airport could precipitate the development of a second airport for South Korea's
second city of Busan


South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun says his government is considering constructing a new international airport near Busan in the southeast of the country to cope with rapidly growing demand for air passenger and cargo transportation.

The results of a state-commissioned feasibility study on the new airport in the Busan area are due next month. “As soon as the feasibility study is finished next month, the government will swiftly reach the final conclusion on the construction of a new airport.”

The president revealed the study at a ceremony marking the completion of a new international passenger terminal at Gimhae International Airport located at the western end of Busan, Korea’s second largest city.

Gimhae’s new international terminal, completed after five years of construction on a lot covering about 50,000m², can handle 4.63 million passengers annually. Gimhae currently handles mainly domestic flights around the country and also flights to many Asian destinations. It handles over nine million passengers per year.

“By 2020, demand for air travel in the broad Busan area will nearly double from its current level. Considering the lengthy preparatory period, the government will now have to decide whether to build a new international airport in the area,” says the president.

Worldwide Flight Services breaks into China market

Beijing Capital International Airport has selected Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), one of the world’s largest ground handling specialists, to provide airport service ambassadors for the millions of passengers travelling through the airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. This contract represents the first venture for Paris-based WFS in Mainland China.

WFS, along with its local partner GRH, is recruiting and training a team of over 60 ambassadors to provide passenger assistance, including information on all services available in the terminal, guidance to all facilities and personal assistance to those with special needs.

Barry Nassberg, chief operating officer of WFS and executive vice-president, Asia, says, “This new concept ensures all travellers can quickly and easily find assistance and guidance in the terminals, no matter which airline they are flying on. GRH will recruit and provide the workforce, while WFS will manage the project, the training and the service development.”

The service is modelled on the Airport Concierge service that WFS introduced in Hong Kong six years ago. In the lead up to the Olympics, Beijing Airport is completely revamping all of its service features. Nassberg adds, “We have maintained a representative office in Beijing for the past five years and are pleased to now be in a position to bring the first of our range of services to China’s capital city. We look forward to a growing presence in the months to come.”

Air India looks for exclusive terminals

Air India’s chief executive, V. Thulasidas, says the company is in talks with airport developers at Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad to secure exclusive terminals at the country’s major metro airports. Talks are also expected soon with developers at Bangalore. Thulasidas does not rule out acquiring equity in these airports in order to get such rights, but is not prepared to reveal how much Air India is looking to invest.

Manchester opens first phase of redevelopment

Manchester Airport in northwest England has opened the first phase of its US$70 million (£35 million) redevelopment, a US$20 million (£10 million) mezzanine food and bar area in Terminal 1.

The new dining experience, which is available for use by all passengers and visitors to the airport, includes a self-service food court, including Lancashire Hotpot, Bar MCR, and the Giraffe Restaurant for a sit-down meal. The new design provides customers in the Giraffe Restaurant with a panoramic view of the runway.

Commercial director of retail, Andrew Harrison, says, “It’s a very important part of our redevelopment and the future of the airport. These are great restaurants and bars with amazing views over the airfield, and we are very pleased to be opening to passengers.”

The full redevelopment project is due for completion in 2009.

Edinburgh bans obstructive cabbies

Dozens of taxi drivers have been banned from Edinburgh Airport for blocking an exit road for buses and coaches. A total of 62 taxis have been handed a three-month ban after breaking strict rules on waiting for fares.

The rank, which opened in January last year, is one of the city’s busiest, but has only 22 spaces, resulting in a number of cabbies queuing on the road in front of the terminal building, causing congestion and blocking the path of buses and emergency vehicles. Airport officials say they have no choice but to ban the drivers.

To enforce the ban, airport officials are using an electronic system that can recognise each taxi’s number plate and only permits registered vehicles to drive in front of the terminal.

An Edinburgh Airport spokeswoman says that most taxi drivers follow the operating protocols, but the airport intends to reduce the number of black cab operators to a single company who will control operation of the rank. Only taxis from that company will be permitted to pick up passengers from the public rank.

Airline bans A380 mile-high club

BBC News

The plane has 12 private first class suites

Singapore Airlines has taken the unusual step of publicly asking passengers on its new Airbus A380 plane not to engage in any sexual activities.

The potential problem has arisen because the first class area of its giant superjumbo contains 12 private suites complete with double beds.

Singapore, which is the first airline to start flying the A380, said the suites were not sound-proofed.

It said it did not want anyone to offend other travellers or crew.

Singapore added that while the suites were private, they were also not completely sealed.

'Observing standards'

The suites offer privacy, but not that much privacy

"All we ask of customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, is to observe standards that don't cause offence to other customers and crew," the airline said in a statement.

"Nothing different applies for our Singapore Airlines Suites customers."

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first A380 earlier this month, with the first services between Singapore and Sydney starting on 25 October.

It is now set to take delivery of a further five A380s in 2008, out of its order of 19.

AirAsia To Exercise 25 A320 Options

Reuters-Malaysian budget airline AirAsia plans to exercise 25 out of its 50 options to buy Airbus A320s in anticipation that more regional routes will be opened to competition in 2009, its chief executive said on Thursday.

AirAsia also intends to raise its number of options for the single-aisle A320 back to 50 by acquiring another 25 options, its CEO Tony Fernandes said.

Speaking on the sidelines of an aviation conference in Singapore, Fernandes said he was confident the 10 member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet its deadline to reach an open skies agreement by December 2008.

"ASEAN has seen the benefits of liberalization," Fernandes told reporters. "National airlines have realized they can't hold onto protection forever," he added.

Citing Malaysia as an example, he said national carrier Malaysia Airlines had become profitable despite competition from AirAsia. "When MAS was a protected airline, they lost lots of money," he said.

Transport ministers and officials from ASEAN are meeting in Singapore this week to discuss several issues including an open skies agreement.

The agreement envisages liberalizing air travel between ASEAN capitals by the end of 2008, and opening the entire region to competition by 2015.

Singapore and Malaysia will also discuss a Malaysian proposal to allow AirAsia and Singapore's Tiger Airways, partly owned by Singapore Airlines, to each operate two flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore from as early as December 2007.

AirAsia, Asia's largest budget carrier, introduced its low-fare, no-frills concept in December 2001, and has since embarked on an aggressive expansion.

It currently operates over 60 aircraft, and said in January it had agreed to buy 50 A320 planes worth over USD$3 billion.

Air China To Sell Up To 400 Million Shares

Reuters-Air China plans to sell up to 400 million additional shares on domestic markets to help bankroll the carrier's purchase of 30 Boeing and 24 Airbus aircraft.

The airline said on Wednesday it had decided to sell the yuan-denominated A shares, which are not available to most foreign investors, amounting to 5.1 percent of its existing A-share capital, to be listed in Shanghai.

The firm, which is also listed in Hong Kong, did not say how much it hoped to raise. But it added in a statement that about CNY1.5 billion yuan (USD$201 million) of the share sale proceeds would go towards replenishing working capital.

Air China has previously disclosed details of the Airbus and Boeing plane purchases, which include 787s, 737s, and A320s.

The share offering awaits government and shareholder approval.

Singapore Air Brings Lovers Down To Earth

Singapore Airlines, the first operator of the new Airbus A380, has dashed the hopes of sexual thrill-seekers planning to engage in amorous activity aboard the world's biggest jumbo jet.

The carrier said it would ask passengers on the A380 to refrain from sex while ensconced in one of its 12 first-class suites, which boast the world's first airborne double beds.

"All we ask of customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, is to observe standards that don't cause offense to other customers and crew," the company said in a statement.

"Nothing different applies for our Singapore Airlines Suites customers."

While private, the double cabins are neither sound proofed nor completely sealed.

Singapore Airlines, the world's second-largest airline by market value, started commercial flights of the double-decker A380 last week with a Singapore-Sydney service.

"So they'll sell you a double bed, and give you privacy and endless champagne and then say you can't do what comes naturally?" Tony Elwood, who traveled with wife Julie in a suite aboard the inaugural flight, told the Times of London.

"They seem to have done everything they can to make it romantic, short of bringing round oysters," Julie said. "I'd say they shouldn't really complain, should they?"

All is not lost for Iraq tourism

By Kadum Wailli
Bombings, conflicts and deaths are not the only ones making headlines out of war-torn Iraq. It turns out that efforts are being made to revive the country’s once flourishing tourism industry.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (eTN) – European and Arabs companies have submitted proposals to build an airport on the road between Najaf and Karbala, which are the holy cities located south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Recent reports indicate that nine Arab and foreign companies made offers to compete for the building of an airport worth of US$3 billion between the two most important holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, 100 kilometers south of Baghdad.

"Nine companies from Kuwait, Italy, France, Turkey and Belgium made offers through Iraqi companies according to the investment law for the establishment of the new international airport in Karbala, costing US$3 billion,” said the chairman of the Reconstruction Committee in the city, Mr. Falah Al-Hasnanwi. "All offers will be studied by Iraqi experts, and it is expected to proceed next year."

Al-Hasnanwi added: "The airport will be implemented on an area of 220 acres .Tests were conducted in the region and received OK according to the international specifications.”

The construction is scheduled to take about three years to complete.

Kerbala and Najaf cities are holy cities that bring ten of thousands of pilgrims from Iran , Europe and Gulf area each year.

In another development, the official spokesman of Najaf governorate announced the signing of understanding memoranda between Najaf governorate and the US-based commercial manufacturer Boeing.

"During the visit of the delegation of the American Boeing Company to Najaf International Airport last Thursday, and meeting with the governor of Najaf, Ashraf gAsaad, and chairman of the committee implementing the Airport of Imam Ali, Abdul Hussein Abtan, there were discussions about ways of providing technical and informational by Boeing,” Ahmed Abdul Hussein Deibel said. “In addition to exchanging experiences and holding training courses for the working cadres in this area and the possibility of making a partnership contract to operate the airport, when is achieved, and provide it with airplanes."

He added, "Boeing promised to make frequent visits and sign understanding memoranda between the two sides."

The Boeing delegation visited the site of Imam Ali Airport and briefed on the work carried out at the airport of internal roads, the helicopters airstrip, aircraft parking plaza and the rest of the work executed.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels said on Tuesday it would develop a $55 million five-star property in Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdish region, which has largely been spared the violence affecting the rest of the country.

Rotana, which has 25 hotels across the Middle East, will compete for a growing hospitality business with the Erbil International Hotel; the city's only other five-star property, where a standard twin room costs around $300 a night.

"This is part of our strategic aim to have a property located in every key city in the Middle East," Rotana president Selim el-Zyr said in a statement.

The semi-autonomous Kurdish Regional Government is trying to encourage investors to develop Erbil's hotel infrastructure and turn the city into an entry point to Iraq for foreign businesses.

The Ministry of Tourism last month said three or four times the current numbers of hotels were needed.

The city's international airport handled about 170,000 passengers in 2006 and the regional government is building a new airport to handle 1.5 million, according to the London-based Kurdistan Development Corporation.

Austrian Airlines became the first European carrier to resume scheduled flights to Iraq last year when it began twice-weekly services to Erbil from Vienna.

Rotana's 205 room Erbil property, scheduled to open in 2009, is owned by Lebanese holding company Malia although potential investors are “still welcome,” according to president Jacques Sarraf.

*With input from local media.

Cathay Pacific To Wait On Next-Generation Planes

Reuters-Cathay Pacific Airways will wait at least another two years before ordering any of the new wide-body planes offered by Boeing and Airbus, its chief executive said, despite the promise of cutting fuel costs and predictions of a surge in Asian air travel.

Hong Kong's flagship airline, which is the third-biggest in Asia, is in no hurry to make a decision and is happy to avoid the hassles experienced by rival Asian carriers of being the first to fly such revolutionary aircraft.

"If you are one of the early customers, you can be almost certain that it's going to go wrong," Tony Tyler, Cathay's chief executive said. Airbus's A380 superjumbo, the largest commercial plane in the skies, entered service only last week after two years' delay, while Boeing just announced a six month delay in producing its new 787 Dreamliner.

Given the inevitable teething problems, Cathay is shying away from billion dollar commitments for new planes that won't be delivered for five years or more.

"I don't think we are comfortable ordering that far ahead on a new aircraft type," said Tyler, who took over as Cathay CEO in July. "I don't think we'll be making a decision on any of these aircraft for at least two years."

Cathay has a mix of large Airbus and Boeing jets in its 110-strong wide-body fleet, and is taking delivery of another 23 Boeing 777s over the next four years or so to cope with expected growth in traffic to Hong Kong and China.

Airbus's A380, which made its maiden commercial flight for Singapore Airlines last week, is not an option for Cathay right now.

"In our current fleet and network, it doesn't make as much sense as getting more 777-300ERs," said Tyler, referring to Boeing's extended range mini-jumbo, which seats about 385 people, fewer than the 500 or more that the double-decker A380 can accommodate.

"All our financial modeling shows that we are better off offering more frequency with a very efficient aircraft like the 777 than simply adding more capacity to an existing frequency, which is what we would be doing if we introduced the A380," he said.

Cathay is also wary of being an early customer on an unproven commercial plane. "We want to see that aircraft (the A380) in operation for a bit first," said Tyler. "It's no fun being an early customer."

Singapore Airlines, which is Asia's largest carrier, had to wait longer than expected for its first A380 after wiring problems pushed the schedule back.

In the last month, Boeing has been telling its first 787 customers -- led by Japan's All Nippon Airways -- that they will have to wait at least six months more than planned as it wrestles with out-of-sequence work and a shortage of bolts.

Despite his caution over the A380, Tyler said that if Airbus stretched the plane to fit more passengers, or increased its take-off weight to extend its range, Cathay might buy.

"Either of those options would make it more economic and more competitive from our point of view," said Tyler, who wants a bigger plane which can carry more cargo and is more suited to very long trans-Pacific routes.

Airbus has mentioned a stretched version of the A380, but there are no plans to build it yet.

Tyler said Cathay was also interested in Boeing's 787 and Airbus's A350 XWB -- the new generation of mid-sized, long range, carbon-composite planes -- but gave no estimate of when a decision would be reached.

"That promises to be quite an interesting bit of work, to look at both those aircraft," he said. Cathay would be interested in the stretched 787-10 version of the Boeing plane, Tyler said, which Boeing has been considering but has not yet committed to build.

Cathay is keeping its eye on the market for new planes as air travel through its Hong Kong hub -- from which it serves mainland China destinations -- is set to grow dramatically over the next few years, spurred by the Beijing Olympics next summer.

Although Cathay's capacity is set to grow only about 3 percent this year, new planes in its fleet will help produce a year-on-year increase of about 12 percent next year, said Tyler.

"All carriers from around the world are increasing their frequency into the mainland (of China)," said Tyler. "Even in the face of increased direct competition, I'm still very confident of our ability to carry our fair share -- or more than our fair share -- of traffic."

AIRPORT NEWS

Iran switches terminals for international flights

From Sunday (November 4) all foreign airlines working in Iran will operate from the new Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) located 30km (20 miles) south of Tehran, instead of the severely-overloaded city-centre Mehrabad airport. Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Midland and Lufthansa have all confirmed that their flights will utilise IKIA, which has been ready for international flights since 2004 but has been hardly used thanks to a series of ‘issues.’

When IKIA – named after the Islamic republic’s revolutionary leader – first opened three years ago, the Revolutionary Guard moved to shut it down. They objected to the involvement of a Turkish-led consortium in the project which, they said, had business dealings with Israel. The Revolutionary Guard claimed the link posed a threat to national security. Later, the airport was re-opened but suffered a number of subsequent closures over various issues.
However, the final switch of major airlines to IKIA seems likely to go ahead. Following the move, the long-established and somewhat ‘tired’ Mehrabad airport – located within the Iranian capital limits – will be almost exclusively used for domestic flights.

L&T wins Indian contract

Engineering and Construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been given the master contract for the redevelopment of Mumbai airport, the largest airport hub in India.
The contract is for the reconstruction of the domestic and international airport building as well as the air-side redevelopment of the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA). This includes the runway and a new integrated cargo complex among others. The project will redevelop the airport section by section, while operations continue. The rebuilding is reportedly to be among the most complex infrastructure projects being undertaken around the world.
L&T is expected to carry out most of the work on its own, except for some technical contracts like baggage handling, electrical and certain mechanical work which may be sub-contracted to domain experts.
The master plan, yet to be approved by the government, has been designed to expand and upgrade the infrastructure anticipating 40 million passengers per year. International and domestic terminals will be merged into one terminal building at the current international building and the current domestic terminal will be converted to a dedicated cargo terminal.

100 not out for Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport has announced that, for the first time, the number of destinations it serves has reached the century mark. Over the past ten months, the addition of 29 new routes has helped the airport reach this total.
This summer, the airport became Scotland’s busiest, overtaking Glasgow, and with 8.9 million passengers each year it is one of the fastest growing hubs. This figure is double the number of passengers who used the airport ten years ago.
David Johnston, managing director of the airport, says, “These links are hugely important for our leisure passengers who tell us they want to be able to fly direct from their local airport, as well as for incoming visitors and business travellers. We will continue to grow, investing in new facilities to meet passenger demand. Next year, we plan to spend £42 million on terminal development, new aircraft stands and on airfield facilities.”

Residents oppose Siena expansion

Aeroporto di Siena SpA is planning to transform the small private airport of Ampugnano, just outside Siena, into an international airport. Galaxy, the investment company that has won the contract to become the airport’s major shareholder, is proposing to extend the runway and to increase passengers from 13,000 a year to 220,000 in 2012, and 490,000 in 2020.
Valerio Bellamoli, the chief operating officer, said that as the airport is intended for tourists, and Galaxy is conscious of preserving the beauty of the surrounding countryside. He said the airport will be small, and he pointed out that Pisa, the main airport used currently for Siena, has three million passengers annually.
But many locals are doubtful and an anti-airport committee has been established, with villages around Siena full of placards protesting against the plan. Inhabitants fear the unspoilt countryside will lay below the roar of Boeing 737s. The committee claims that, to be financially viable, the airport would be so big that it would have an impact similar to that of a vast industrial area. It says an improved rail link with Pisa is a better alternative.

Paxport launches sales platform for tour operators and leisure airlines

The launch of PaxRelax, a web based platform that will allow both airlines and tour operators to sell services such as choice of seats, catering, excess and/or special baggage was announced by Paxport. Launching customer, Thomas Cook Northern Europe will offer the service to its customers in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

Hans Borg, Flight Planning and Contracting Manager for Thomas Cook Northern Europe states; “Our customers now expect to be able to make their own choice of services regardless of which airline they are flying with. PaxRelax makes it possible for us to meet the customer expectations without having to involve ourselves in all the complicated operational issues around flying a plane.”

Paxport Sales Manager Orjan Persson explains; “PaxRelax was developed according to the market and specifically Thomas Cook NE requirements. It is an open platform that will allow both tour operators and airlines to generate extra revenue. The product is now launched in Scandinavia, but there is already a considerable interest from both tour operators and airlines from the European continent and the UK. Because of the open structure the product is suitable for any market with an airline and/or tour operator structure.”

Enhancing the UN intiative for analliance of civilizations

The UNWTO ‘Conference on Tourism, Religions and Dialogue of Cultures’ taking place in Cordoba, Spain, underscores tourism’s potential to advance intercultural dialogue. “Tourists and visitors can become the connecting thread between cultures, bring economic development to remote or depressed regions, and reduce prejudice, distrust and hostility”, said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a special message delivered at the opening of the event.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon endorsed this first ever initiative and said “I strongly support the work of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, our most recent specialized agency, to promote peace and mutual understanding through the responsible and sustainable development of tourism. I commend UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which includes guidelines for reaching that goal.”

In an opening message, his Excellency Mr. Jorge Sampaio, High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations of the UN said that “This meeting could not have been convened at a more relevant time, given the current state of the world. From all directions, we are confronted with rising intolerance, a shift toward increasingly hostile attitudes, and global instability. From a sustainable development viewpoint, an appropriate management of tourism should tend to reinforce its role as a powerful means to promote dialogue and understanding worldwide as well as to help consolidating stability and peace.”

UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said that “tourism is much more than just an economic matter. It shares with the great religions its environmental, social, ethical and cultural content. Tourism and religions share the use of the same cultural heritage built up in a complex relationship that is both constructive and conflictive at the same time.”

Convened by UNWTO with the support of the Government of Spain, this first ever Conference on this issue brings together around 300 participants from over 80 countries, including public and private stakeholders, the academic community and religious leaders from all faiths.

The three-day international event concludes on 31 October after having addressed the interrelations between tourism and religions from three different but complementary angles:

• Dialogue of civilizations
• Religious tourism; and
• Sustainability of religious tourism destinations.

DOT gives quick release to fire victims in California

The immediate release of $1 million in emergency relief funds to California will help pay for urgent repairs to roads and bridges damaged by wildfires, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced. “We’re making this down payment because the last thing local officials should have to worry about is how to pay for needed road repairs,” said Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters.

“We’re taking uncertainty and delay out of the equation when it comes to repairing the state’s damaged highways.”

Peters said the $1 million quick release was intended to help California address repairs that need immediate attention, such as damaged or destroyed guardrails, signs or traffic signals, and to get essential sections of the highway system working again until the state completes a full assessment of the damage.

The FHWA’s emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The program typically works on a reimbursable basis.

"Transportation is key for communities to get back up and running again after a natural disaster,” said FHWA Administrator J. Richard Capka.

Nearly half of all business travelers are afraid of flying

Fear of flying is normally associated with in-experienced travellers, but around 40% of regular, business travellers are similarly affected and British companies are not doing enough to help their employees. The claim comes from Flyingwithoutfear.com, a self help website providing free videos; audio files, blogs and other information to keep people overcome this problem. Ironically – or perhaps usefully - flyingwithoutfear.com is run by a pilot - Captain Keith Godfrey.

Captain Godfrey explains: “anxiety when travelling means business people are not performing at their best, although this is just the tip of the iceberg. Fear of flying can have a damaging effect on the traveller’s family too, either before a trip, or by transferring the far to children. Then there is the effect on the traveller’s self esteem and sense of guilt.”

Flyingwithoutfear.com helps first time and nervous travellers by enabling them to sample the sounds of take off, to watch footage of planes in flight, and to download information podcasts. “What we do is to dispel the myths about flying and to provide a friendly and supportive environment,” says Captain Godfrey.

“The new Corporate Manslaughter Act means that companies are responsible for their employees’ well-being. Flying remains one of the safest means of transport, but duty of care should mean helping travellers to fight what is, for many, a fact of life but one which can be overcome,” he concluded.

Singapore to showcase landmark tourism projects at WTM

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is attending World Travel Market (WTM), to showcase its 2008 landmark tourism projects and update the industry on its latest developments which are building on Singapore’s standing as a global city with buzz and vibrancy, brimming with diverse entertainment and lifestyle options.

In September 2008, subject to final safety approvals, Singapore will host the world’s first ever Formula One night race which will also be the first ever Formula One street race in Asia. The FIA gave the green light on Wednesday for Singapore to be the first country in the world to host the first night race in Formula One history.

Set against the backdrop of downtown Singapore, spectators will get a close-up view of the garden city as the circuit winds past historic landmarks such as the Singapore City Hall and The Fullerton Hotel, and modern buildings at Marina Bay, such as the Esplanade. Organisers are predicting the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix will be perhaps the most spectacular event in the history of the Grand Prix, and is expected to attract more than 80,000 spectators, of which up to 40 per cent will be visitors from all corners of the globe. Track action will be part of a whole package of entertainment and events which will make the GP an amazing two week-long festival of fun, high octane action across the island.

Opening in March 2008, the much anticipated Singapore Flyer will be Singapore’s most visible attraction offering visitors a breathtaking, unobstructed radial view stretching to 45km in circumference out over the South China Sea.

It will be the world’s highest observation wheel at 165 metres above ground, the height of a 42-storey building (by comparison the London Eye, is 135 metres above the ground). It will also offer an array of public facilities including a central atrium with a recreated Asian rainforest, outdoor amphitheatre, alfresco dining promenade running along the seafront, and offer high accessibility by train, bus, car and even boat.

Ms Divya Panickar Area Director for North and West Europe says: “2008 is a very exciting time for Singapore with visitors invited to take part in the spectacular Formula One™ Singapore Grand Prix in September - the first ever night race in Formula One™ history - as well as experience a selection of new luxury boutique hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions in the city. These exciting developments are a reflection of how the island-state is redefining itself into a vibrant, must-visit destination offering an array of world-class, unique and culturally-rich experiences.”

With record visitor arrivals expected for 2007, visitors to Singapore from the UK and Europe are a major contributing factor to Singapore’s continued success story.

Ms Panickar continued: “As Singapore accelerates the pace of its innovation, we are excited to be attending this year’s WTM to inform the travel industry of our current and future developments. At WTM it is essential that we strengthen and build our relationships with key operators as well as make new contacts in the emerging markets within Europe to further drive growth. We welcomed over 1.2 million visitors in 2006 from Europe, a record high and a significant increase of 7.5% over 2005 and 5.1% over 2004. This year we anticipate that the UK and European markets will once again out-perform their all time high, if our growth rate remains stable for the rest of the year.”

European visitor figures for January to August 2007 are up 6.2% year-on-year at more than 847,000 visitors. While UK visitors increased by 3.5% over the same period in 2006 with a record 333,000 visitors. Most other European markets are doing particularly well.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) set itself ambitious targets for 2007 - to achieve £4.5 billion in tourism receipts (TR) and attract 10.2 million visitor arrivals (VA). These targets are in line with achieving the STB’s long-term targets of £10.4 billion in tourism receipts (S$30 billion) by 2015. The Board is confident the visitor arrival targets will be met.

To catapult growth in visitor arrivals and to cater for consumers’ demands for new and unique experiences, Singapore is redefining itself as a vibrant global city resonating with energy and excitement. In the last year alone there has been an explosion of new hotels, bars, restaurants and spas and cultural attractions opening:

Hotels

The influx of new boutique and luxury hotels and resorts has continued this year with new offerings such as boutique hotels Naumi Hotel and The Link Hotel in Tiong Bahru. The Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is a £20 million hill-top resort in the centre of Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort, which opened in September. Due to open in late 2007, the new boutique resort, with 125 rooms, will be built with the conservation of two colonial-era buildings. The St. Regis Singapore will also open in November 2007.

New Developments

Singapore’s new large-scale investments including the new developments in the Marina Bay area, including the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay, the two Integrated Resorts: The Marina Bay Sands™ and Resorts World at Sentosa, the rejuvenation of Orchard Road and the Sentosa harbourfront will help it to realise its tourism potential. Each will be critical in helping it to reach its aggressive Tourism 2015 tourism receipts target of £10.1 billion (S$30 billion).

Dnata establishes strong presence at first ever business travel show in Dubai

Dnata Travel Services is exhibiting this year in the first ever 'Business Travel Show' in the region, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group.

The UK's leading business travel event is being held in Dubai for the first time ever at the Madinat Arena. The show, running from the 29-30 October 2007, will serve the needs of all those who book or buy business travel for their organisation in the Middle East.

A new exhibition in this region, the event will offer opportunities to develop contacts with the world's leading business travel providers, and participate in educational seminars delivered by industry experts and travel buyers.

Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior Vice President Dnata Travel Services, said: “The decision to sponsor and exhibit was taken to position ourselves as the leading travel management in this region. It's also an opportunity for us to showcase our corporate products and services to the right audience both in the regional and international travel industry. Dnata is a one-stop-shop for all travel requirements - we were one of the first travel companies to set up in Dubai, we have now established our presence in other parts of the region such as Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and soon in Oman and Qatar, and we feel it’s important to show our support to the industry by supporting the show.”

Mr. Andrew added: “The travel industry in Dubai is thriving and the city is without doubt an exciting destination with a huge amount of potential. In saying that, there is a definite need to educate and increase knowledge in this fast growing market.”

Dnata Travel Services covers 70 square meters of area and showcases the organisations corporate travel products and services. The participating divisions are: Dnata Corporate Travel, Dnata Government Travel, Dnata Travel UAE, KSA and Kuwait, Dnata World of Events, Dnata Contact Centre with its 24 hour service, Hogg Robinson Group (UAE) Gulf Ventures and MMI Travel.

The Dubai Business Travel Show will feature numerous exhibitors and a seminar programme comprising of eight educational sessions. These will run on each of those days teaching delegates the benefits of establishing travel management policies.

US Airways seeks Bogota Charlotte service

US Airways said it would apply for daily service between its hub in Charlotte, N.C., and Bogota, Colombia when the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) begins selecting carriers for 21 new flights to the South American nation.

"We applaud the Department of Transportation's success in securing new frequencies between the U.S. and Colombia," said Doug Parker, US Airways chairman and CEO. "Colombia is a very attractive market for US Airways and fits perfectly into our commitment to grow our international service.

"As a rapidly growing city with a vibrant economy Charlotte is primed for international expansion. With current service to 24 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, expanding our reach to South America is a logical step."

Details such as schedule, equipment and start date will be announced when the DOT institutes a carrier selection process.

"We have always received exceptional support in Charlotte from the management at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, elected officials, the business community and our loyal customers. We look forward to working together as we secure the necessary DOT approval for the new service," concluded Parker.

"Charlotte is a natural fit for a new international route to Bogota, as we both are growing centers of banking, international finance, commerce, energy, and engineering. I am delighted that US Airways has chosen to make Charlotte a gateway for its first South American expansion," said Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory.

Tiger Airways roars into Newcastle Airport

Tiger Airways has selected Newcastle Airport as its only New South Wales destination. Twice daily flights to Melbourne are scheduled to commence on 18 January 2008. Newcastle Airport, CEO, Paul Hughes said the announcement is a vote of confidence for the Airport and the region.

“The benefits of a new airline to the region are numerous; it will provide competition to the existing airlines servicing the airport, boost local tourism and provide local employment opportunities. The Airport is a committed driver of tourism to the region and already significantly contributes to the local economy. The announcement is a great achievement for Newcastle Airport, with inbound tourism benefits sure to provide further economic growth in the area,” said Paul.

This announcement will provide an additional 5,000 seats on the Newcastle-Melbourne route each week and increases the number of daily flights from seven to nine.

“The additional flights will create more choice and opportunity for the people of the Newcastle, Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter, Central Coast and surrounding regions. The airport has found that people will often travel to Sydney as Newcastle doesn’t have a flight time that suits them. Newcastle is now in a position to offer frequency to one destination that is comparable to some of Australia’s major airports. I would like to welcome Tiger Airways onboard as a contributor to Newcastle Airport’s future aviation growth and am confident the region will embrace the benefits the new airline and new services bring.”

Newcastle Airport joins a suite of Australian airports who are already in the Tiger ambush including Melbourne, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay, Launceston, Perth, Alice Springs and Darwin.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts moves forward with Abu Dhabi expansion

Having announced its decision to carry out an exclusive project on Al Reem Island in September, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has now signed an exclusive partnership agreement with ALDAR Properties calling for the development of three additional first class hotels in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

One management agreement has already been concluded for a modern 500-room luxury hotel on Yas Island that is supposed to open its doors in 2010.

“Thanks to our agreement with ALDAR Properties, we have a great opportunity to further establish Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” stated Andreas Mattmüller, Senior Vice President Middle East and Asia Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. “The hotel planned for Yas Island will be in a prime location for entertainment, shopping as well as relaxation, and represents an ideal inaugural project for this long term partnership.”

The two other hotels are currently in the planning stages.

“We’re looking forward to a successful long term relationship with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts,” says Ron Barrott, CEO of ALDAR Properties. “This partnership highlights and strengthens our strategic intention of cooperating at exceptional locations with this internationally recognised hospitality brand, as well as our goal of positioning Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates as world class destinations.”

“ALDAR Properties is the right partner for us when it comes to moving forward with, on one hand, our expansion in the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi in particular, and on the other, the realisation of high quality hotel projects,” comments Jean Gabriel Pérès, President and CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

Kurdish problem takes toll on Turkey's tourism

Turkey's troubles with Kurdish separatists and its proximity to the Iraq war have hit its travel and tourism market hard, a devastating blow to a country which depends heavily on an influx of foreign money. It is a trend the country, which straddles Asia and Europe both physically and culturally, is planning to reverse this year. "$8 million was spent last year to advertise Turkish tourism," said Hasan Zongur, Director of the Turkish Cultural and Tourism office in the US. "[The situation] is getting better, but after 9/11, tourism numbers dropped. For this year, it is getting better. This is mainly because of our public relations activities and promotional campaigns carried out in the US market and in the South American countries and Canada."

According to Business Monitor International (BMI), everything from terrorist attacks in Turkey to the war in Lebanon and a bird flu outbreak kept tourism numbers low in 2006 - 6.2 per cent lower year-on-year than in 2005.

"In line with the fall in foreign tourist arrivals, international tourist receipts declined in 2006 by around four per cent year-on-year to $18.6 billion. This followed a near 15 per cent year-on-year rise in international tourist receipts in the previous year," said BMI's third quarter report on Turkish tourism.

"While the country has repeatedly seen annual increases in the number of visitors of 10 per cent 15 per cent over the past 15 years, there have been several significant reversals in growth, such as during the 1991 Gulf War, which saw arrivals fall by more than 20 per cent, and the 2003 Gulf War."

But despite a rocky recent past, the future of Turkish tourism looks promising. The country has the eighth-highest tourism receipts in the world and is benefiting from a steadily strong euro, which gives it an advantage over rival destinations such as Greece.

Arrivals

BMI reported that the number of foreign arrivals reached almost 9.7 million between January and June 2007, an increase of almost 17 per cent of 2006's weak numbers. "Although BMI had anticipated a recovery in the tourism market in 2007, recent data are even stronger than expected," the report said.

Those are the kinds of numbers Turkey needs, considering the economic importance of its tourism market.

The travel and tourism market is expected to generate $62.6 billion in econ-omic activity this year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. It also accounts for one in very 14.6 per cent of jobs - about 1.56 million in 2007.

Zongur said Turkey is looking to branch out into areas of tourism new to the country that boasts relics from the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires.

"Now we are developing our health tourism facilities," he said. "We also have great facilities for conferences." BMI expects Turkey's medical tourism sector to increasingly draw patients from Europe and the Middle East, but also named golf tourism as a likely growth area.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Alaska, USA.