Gulf airlines face challenges

A massive infrastructure boom at airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha will create capacity for more than 300 million passengers a year in 2017.

By Ivan Gale,

Dubai: There are 16.7 million reasons why Emirates continues to rise among the ranks of international air carriers.

One of them is Marcos Herrmann. A vice-president of a Brazilian paint and timber company, Herrmann used to fly to Vietnam, where he has clients, via Frankfurt on Lufthansa. But with Emirates now flying to Sao Paulo, he can cut his travel time by several hours by going through Dubai.

Providing better connections on newer aircraft and offering high standards of service, Gulf airlines have been the most prominent success story in the post-9/11 airline industry. Experts are, however, quick to point out the challenges. Among them: a lack of slots at major air hubs worldwide, the slow pace of liberalisation in some countries, and new long-range aircraft that can bypass the Gulf hubs.

Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst at the Teal Group, attributes Gulf airlines' success to the trailblazing of Singapore Airlines, which years earlier began with a small local population but developed itself as a transit hub between long-haul routes. "Emirates is basically following Singapore. Etihad is following Emirates, and Qatar is following those guys," says Aboulafia.

All three have leveraged their unique geographical location. But they can only succeed if they continue to receive slots at major air hubs and governments continue to grant traffic rights.

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, says this year his airline has seen "exceptional growth" on long-haul routes to Australia, the UK and Canada. But it cannot add more frequencies without obtaining approval first from foreign governments. "It's a bilateral issue," he adds.

A massive infrastructure boom at airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha will create capacity for more than 300 million passengers a year in 2017, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But these gleaming new terminals could remain empty if Gulf airlines aren't allowed to fly to all of their planned routes.

Foreign governments sometimes protect their home carriers by limiting access by foreign carriers. In the last year, both Australia and Germany reportedly considered blocking more flights from Emirates.

"The UAE is very liberalised, but we will need to see further liberalisation in other markets," says Brian Pearce, chief economist at IATA. Etihad, for example, says it wants more air rights to India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Accommodation

Then there is the issue of receiving slots at major airports. Many hubs in Europe are full and cannot accommodate new airlines. "At Paris, the issue is slots," says Etihad's Hogan.

"These challenges we face in Europe will affect the ambitions of Middle East airlines to serve the Europe-to-Asia market," says IATA spokesman Lorne Riley.

But perhaps the greatest wildcard is the effect of new aircraft technologies, and how Asian and European rivals will use them.

Ali Al Rais, general commercial manager at Qatar Airways, called the new generation aircraft from Airbus and Boeing a "double-edged sword." Flying up to 19 hours and 17,500 kilometres, the Boeing 777-200 LR represents how Gulf airlines now have unprecedented access to faraway destinations. But the same goes for their competitors. With new energy-sipping planes, airlines are now considering point-to-point routes that fly over the Gulf that were until now unprofitable. Gulf carriers currently offer the shortest routes between many European and Australasian cities. As aircraft becomes more sophisticated, the advantage of a Dubai stopover may lose its lustre. "The ground is shifting from Europe to the Middle East and Asia, and this is no surprise to industry followers," Al Rais said. "But new long range aircraft can now bypass Middle East hubs, if we are not ready with our infrastructure."

Thanks to an open skies agreement between the US and EU, airlines are looking to set up point-to-point services from secondary or other cities that haven't been flown in the past, says Pearce of the IATA. "That is due to new liberalised environments but also new technology in the aircraft," he said.

One day, travellers like Marcos Hermann may be able to fly from Sao Paulo to Ho Chi Minh City directly. No one is projecting a major slowdown for Gulf carriers. But in the $450 billion airline industry, they can be sure no one will make it easy for them.

Boeing Helps Condor Streamline Its Maintenance Operations

MILAN, Italy, - Condor has adopted Boeing's Web-based maintenance solution, Maintenance Performance Toolbox (Toolbox), to help improve the maintenance of its fleet of 22 757 and 767s.

Condor will use Toolbox modules Library and Authoring. These modules will help the airline streamline an array of maintenance activities including managing technical publications and training and customizing online maintenance manuals.

"Boeing's Toolbox is ideal for us. With the introduction of this latest maintenance technology we are going to be able now to distribute the necessary maintenance information to all technicians involved worldwide, just with a mouse click," said Klaus Reymer, technical director at Condor. "This will enhance our already lean processes one additional step forward."

The innovative suite of aircraft maintenance software solutions is the industry's first set of productivity tools designed to unify an airline's maintenance and engineering operations from start to finish.

"Maintenance Performance Toolbox is one of the key Boeing solutions to help airlines manage critical maintenance tasks," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "We're happy that Condor has endorsed Boeing as a partner to help it manage complex maintenance practices in a competitive environment that demands efficiency and first-rate service."

Accessible via an Internet browser as a secured, hosted service, Toolbox is a key component within Boeing's evolving portfolio of performance-enhancing solutions for aircraft maintenance. Boeing will provide reliable access to the Toolbox tools for Condor through its secure Internet portal, MyBoeingFleet. Only an Internet connection, password and computer - a laptop, desktop or pen tablet - are necessary to access the system.

Boeing, Thomsonfly.com Establish Partnership to Reduce Cost and Delivery Time for Spare Parts

MILAN, Italy, - Boeing and Thomsonfly.com, the UK-based carrier of TUI Travel PLC, today said they have signed an agreement in which the airline will become part of Boeing's Component Services Program (CSP). The program is a parts-provisioning effort that significantly reduces an airline's up-front investment in spare parts and offers a quick and reliable supply of critical parts from a pool shared by 30 participating operators.

"The Component Services Programs are one of the key Boeing solutions to help airlines manage critical spares operations," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "Thomsonfly.com has endorsed Boeing as a partner to help it manage complex spares operations in a competitive environment that demands efficiency and first-rate service."

The agreement applies to Thomsonfly.com's Next-Generation 737 fleet. The Component Services Program will allow Thomsonfly.com to outsource the cost and logistical trouble of keeping important parts on hand. By doing so, CSP helps reduce inventory and component repair and administration costs. Under the CSP, Boeing commits to providing parts covered under the agreement within 24 hours of a request.

"We are looking forward to Boeing being our reliable partner to ensure on-time performance." said Ian Ludlow, technical director of Thomsonfly.com.

Thomsonfly.com has signed up for a long-term commitment on the CSP, paying a rate that covers a potential exchange of more than 475 LRUs, or line replaceable units. LRUs are typically high-value items such as avionics boxes and precision mechanical assemblies, which are time-consuming and costly for an airline to repair and keep in inventory. Thomsonfly.com becomes the 30th airline in the CSP program.

Indian cabinet considers second airport for Delhi

India’s cabinet is considering a plan from the Uttar Pradesh state government to build a second international airport for Delhi at Greater Noida.

The plan has attracted opposition from GMR, which operates Delhi International Airport, because the proposed site for the Uttar Pradesh facility is only 72km away. “The GMR group has been protesting against this move, but all global cities have more than one airport and there’s no reason why Delhi shouldn’t,” says a senior official within the Indian aviation ministry.

Delhi International Airport claims its development plan is sufficient to meet Delhi’s needs for the next 20 years.

Geneva introduces baggage trolley charges

Geneva International is introducing a deposit scheme for its 1,700 baggage trolleys to dissuade passengers from removing them from the airport.

From next Tuesday, passengers will have to pay two Swiss Francs or two Euros (roughly US$1.70) to release the trolleys, say airport officials. The deposit is reclaimed when the trolleys are returned to collection points.

“We find them abandoned all over the place, even if we ultimately lose only a dozen per year,” says airport spokesman Philippe Roy.

Dubai Airshow to break records

Dubai: The 10th biannual Dubai Airshow, kicking off on Sunday, will break all previous sales records, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai City of Aviation Establishment and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and group, said yesterday.

The 2005 edition of the third largest airshow in the world saw roughly $21.3 billion in new aircraft purchases from Gulf airlines.

"We're expecting more [orders] this time, for sure," Shaikh Ahmad said, who may have been hinting of his airline's plans.

Emirates has said for months it may announce a blockbuster order of next-generation mid-ranged aircraft at the airshow, running from November 11 to 15. Other announcements are expected from Air Arabia, Yemenia, Qatar Airways and others.

The 10th edition of the Dubai Airshow, featuring commercial, military and private aircraft, is completely sold out, thanks to the arrival of several major homegrown exhibitors. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is the host sponsor this year. Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi government's investment arm, will also exhibit and several announcements are planned on the company's budding aviation interests.

In addition, this year will see a detailed unveiling of Dubai World Central, the $33 billion, 14-square kilometre aviation hub currently under construction.

"The scale of growth in the show over the past two years - which amounts to some 40 per cent in booked floor space, reflects the growth the Middle East's aviation industry is experiencing across all segments," Shaikh Ahmad said.

Organisers say when the airshow moves into its new grounds at Dubai World Central in 2009, it could grow into the world's largest airshow ahead of Le Bourget in Paris and the Farnborough Airshow in the UK.

He also noted that the aviation service sector was attracting a considerable influx in foreign direct investment and that the training and development of the workforce that will drive the region forward was "moving forward at rapid pace."

This year, the Dubai Airshow has grown by 17 per cent from 2005 in terms of exhibitors, due in part to the 130 newcomers from 24 countries that are showing.

New delegations will be seen from the Cayman Islands, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Luxembourg. There are 11 national pavilions, 91 chalets and 15 outdoor pavilions - up from five in 2005.

National pavilions

National pavilions at the show will represent Austria, Canada, France, Germany, India, Jordan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, the UK and US.

Some of the 140 aircraft on static display will include several new-to-market models, according to organisers. They range from strike fighters to trainers, from VIP business jets to heavy cargo carriers and the latest in the very light jet (VLJ) range.

Other well-known models run the full spectrum of airplane size and agility, from the Airbus A380 superjumbo to the Russian MiG 29 multi-role fighter aircraft.

AIRPORT NEWS

Muscat plans for growth as Oman Air takes off

Right: Gulf Air's domination of Oman’s Seeb International Airport is set to diminish with the development of Oman Air

Oman’s Seeb International Airport (MCT) in Muscat is facing dramatic changes to its flight schedules as the country severs its historical financial ties with Gulf Air in favour of national carrier Oman Air.

George Bellew, CEO of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC), says that while international Gulf Air flights from the airport will inevitably diminish, there is likely to be a corresponding increase in international Oman Air flights.

The airport is nearing its five million passengers a year capacity, with 4.7 million people passing through the terminal last year, up 26% on the year before.

“You have to put it in a regional context,” says Bellew. “Aviation in the Gulf region has been growing fast and there are spin-off benefits from the strong emergence of new hubs such as Dubai.”

Bellew is planning a second terminal and a second (parallel) runway for the airport, which will increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year by 2010. Further expansions planned in three subsequent phases could boost capacity to 48 million passengers by 2050.

Korea’s Muan opens with few flights

Right: Muan International Airport has opened with only nine scheduled international flights per week

Korea’s Muan International Airport this week opened following eight years of construction, but it will not be able to operate a full schedule of international flights for about six months until restaurants and shops are installed and highway access is improved.

The airport terminal is designed to accommodate up to 5.19 million passengers annually, and the Ministry of Construction and Transportation predicts the airport will be used by around 1.8 million passengers in 2008.

At present, the airport is handling only nine international flights per week by two Chinese carriers and seven domestic flights. The two national flag carriers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, have decided to continue to operate four weekly flights to China from Gwangju Airport until next June.

The Korea Airports Corporation says 10 out of the nation’s 14 airports operate at a loss, with Yangyang Airport in Gangwon Province having US$13 million in losses. There are fears that Muan will follow suit. Only Jeju, Gimpo, Gimhae and Gwangju airports trade profitably.

The number of domestic airline passengers in the country has dropped significantly since the opening of the KTX bullet train in 2004.

Jiangxi Ganzhou completes runway

Above: A new 5,000m² terminal is planned for Jiangxi Ganzhou Airport

This Wednesday saw completion of the 2,600m long runway at Jiangxi Ganzhou Airport, one of the key projects in the construction of the US$56 million (Yuan 420 million) airport, which began in September 2005.

The airport is located 16km from downtown Ganzhou city, in the southern part of Jiangxi province. The project includes construction of a new 5,000m² terminal, a 2,600m long and 45m wide runway and 1,500m² ATC tower.

Once complete, Ganzhou will be the second largest airport in Jiangxi province after Nanchang International Airport in the provincial capital. It is designed to handle 200,000 passengers and 1,200 tonnes of cargo annually by 2015, and will be able to serve aircraft the size of the Boeing 737.

Hangzhou hits milestone ahead of US$933 million upgrade

Above: Work has now begun on the US$933 million second phase of expansion at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International

Yesterday (Thursday 8 November) marked an important milestone in the operation of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International airport in China’s Yangtse River delta, with the arrival of its 10 millionth passenger since the airport was opened six years ago.

The airport, China’s eighth largest, has experienced average annual growth in passenger numbers of 27% each year since it opened in 2000.

The 10 millionth passenger, Pan Jingjing, flew into Hangzhou from Chongqing at noon.

Sheng Jifang, chairman of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International airport, says the second phase of expansion work at the facility has now begun. The US$933 million (Yuan 7 billion) second phase will include a new 96,000m² international terminal designed by engineering consultants Atkins, due for completion by 2010, a second runway and a second domestic terminal by 2011.

By 2015, the airport will be able to handle 25.6 million passengers and 500,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

Commissioners call for costly mitigation at Fort Lauderdale

Right: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Broward County Commissioners in Fort Lauderdale, Florida have proposed a series of mitigation actions relating to the proposed construction of a 2.43km elevated runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Aviation experts suggest that if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepts the actions, they could add US$500 million to the cost of the project.

The commissioners say that residents near the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport should get the choice to have their homes soundproofed or bought at market value.

The FAA is in the final stages of reviewing the plans and is expected to decide whether to approve construction early next year.

County commissioners made the following proposals:

• Buying out mobile home parks in the areas with the greatest noise.
• Offering to soundproof homes and pay owners for the loss of quiet outside.
• Buying homes from those who don't want to take the soundproofing option.
• Acquiring vacant land that is zoned for residential use.
• Offering assistance to entire neighborhoods rather than only those homes in high-noise zones.

Aviation consultants estimate currently proposed mitigation measures would cost US$200 million, based on current federal standards and if two-thirds of homeowners chose to have the county soundproof their homes rather than buy them out.

Estimates put the cost as high as US$700 million if the FAA decided to accept all the county’s proposals.

Training Grounds offers youth employment at Oakland Airport

A new youth-run gourmet coffee shop, Training Grounds, has opened at Oakland International Airport’s Terminal 2, to help participating Oakland students and young adults develop job and vocational skills.

The US$298,000 shop is a joint initiative between HMSHost and the Port of Oakland, which owns and operates the airport and the Youth Employment Partnership (YEP).

“Kids have a greater chance of success, and believing they are successful, when they are given responsibility,” says Michele Clark, executive director of YEP. “By putting Training Grounds in the hands of local youths, we are empowering them to learn more, do more, and expect more from themselves.”

HMSHost designed, funded and built Training Grounds and local HMSHost managers will provide mentoring and support to the high school and young adult workers, including procurement services, scheduling guidance and management training.

A second Training Grounds will open in the airport’s Terminal 1 in 2008.

Retail specialist prepares London City for the Olympics

Retail consultancy Milligan is advising London City Airport on how to prepare for growth ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games


Airport has appointed retail specialist Milligan to produce a strategic growth plan as it prepares for the Olympic Games in 2012.

The company will perform a six-month strategic review to help the airport determine how best to meet future increases in passenger demand.

“The building is now 20 years old and needs modification to cope with the increased demand that has resulted from the success of London as a world financial centre and, in particular, from the growth of Canary Wharf,” says a Milligan spokesman.

Milligan has previously advised Manchester International Airport in north west England.

DTCM signs MoU with UHK of Germany to market tourist attractions

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Landkreis Unstrut-Hainich (UHK), a district in the north of Thuringia, Germany, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support each other in marketing promoting tourist attractions, products and services of both the destinations and stimulate tourism and business between both the regions.

The MoU was signed by the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, and Mr. Harald Zanker, UHK District Governor, at a ceremony held at the DTCM Head Office.

Mr. bin Sulayem said Germany continues to be a major source market for Dubai’s booming tourism industry and business between the two destinations have been growing at a fast pace. This agreement, he said, would go a long way in benefiting both the DTCM and UHK in the long term.

The MoU will facilitate marketing of products and services of companies located in Unstrut-Hainich district and also those from the emirate. Both parties will nominate their representatives to define the scope of the cooperation.

The UHK and DTCM will identify projects that are suitable to promote as tourism projects and will consider joint promotions. Both parties agree to meet on a regular basis in Dubai and Muehlhausen to define next steps for their joint activities and assess the work that took place.

The DTCM will also assist UHK in the promotion of UHK and its National Park Hainich – which became the 13th national park of Germany in 1997 - after studying the appropriate aspects of the project that will be amenable to the Dubai market. The UHK undertakes to assist in the promotion of the various appropriate Dubai projects at their destination by disseminating all relevant DTCM promotional materials. Both parties agree to sign a definitive agreement detailing the scope of their joint promotional activities within six month of signing this MOU.

US lodging industry continues its strong pace

The U.S. lodging industry recorded its best year ever in 2006, posting pretax profits of $26.6 billion, up from $22.6 billion in 2005, based on the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Lodging Industry Profile (LIP), a statistical analysis of the lodging industry for year-end 2006.

The lodging industry’s overall profitability grossed $133.4 billion in total sales—compared to $122.7 billion in 2005. This increase is attributed to a variety of sources, including the industry’s ability to raise room rates due to an increase in demand from both leisure and business travelers. The LIP’s other indicators — promotional spending, average occupancy rate, and revenue per available room — also point to strong lodging industry performance in the future.

Other facts found in the LIP:

• There are 47,135 properties consisting of nearly 4.4 million guestrooms.
• The lodging industry directly supports more than 7.5 million jobs.
• The tourism industry is currently the third largest retail industry, behind automotive and food stores. In 30 states, tourism ranks as the first, second, or third largest employer.
• Tourism generated $700 billion in domestic sales.

The LIP provides a quick list of significant facts about the lodging, travel, and tourism industries, including employment impact; international travel statistics; and property and room breakdowns by location, rate, and size.

US online leisure travel market growth outstrips overall travel market expansion

The U.S. online leisure/unmanaged business travel market continues to grow at a pace that far exceeds the overall travel market's rate of growth, according to the new report, PhoCusWright's U.S. Online Travel Overview Seventh Edition.

PhoCusWright finds that the online leisure/unmanaged business travel market will surpass US$94 billion in 2007, to comprise more than one-third of the total travel market. The total travel market encompasses offline leisure/unmanaged business and on- and offline corporate travel.

"It's interesting to note that while online travel's growth continues to exceed that of the market as a whole, that growth has slowed compared to recent years," notes Lorraine Sileo, vice president, research at PhoCusWright. "This is especially true for online travel agencies, which have seen their packaging sales slow considerably."

Among the findings about the trends and competitive efforts that are driving change in the industry are:

• While suppliers are gaining share in most segments (air, car, hotel), online travel agencies are competing via packaging and add-ons, corporate tools, distressed inventory, international expansion in Europe and Asia, independent hotel properties, U.S. chains, and cross-product and -provider customer service initiatives.
• Search and metasearch continue to work in favor of suppliers as they drive traffic to their Web sites to book after their comparative shopping experience.
• All travel companies must embrace the consumer desire to shift among online and offline channels. As each channel varies in distribution costs, suppliers must execute unique strategies for each channel based on their yield/value.

The report also analyzes distribution shifts in each travel supplier segment (airline, hotel, car rental, vacation packages, rail and cruise), online travel agency developments and the outlook for this channel, evolving technologies and consumer behaviors, and more. It includes historical and projected segment gross bookings and growth trends, as well as channel sales analysis.

Passenger service standards high on the agenda for airports

Kuala Lumpur International Airport was the first to be presented an Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Assured certificate following a successful audit of its airport passenger service quality management system. In presenting the certification, Airports Council International Director General Robert J Aaronson said, “We are confident that customer service remains a high priority for airports and are encouraged that over 100 airports – including some of the world’s busiest – are already part of the ASQ programme

“This new extension of ASQ will provide real incentive for those airports committed to best practice service quality management techniques. We are proud to be able to present Kuala Lumpur with the first ASQ Assured certificate in the world and believe that this will be an opportunity taken up by a great number of airports.”

Airports Council International has established customer service as a priority area to focus on and believes that the quality of service an airport provides to its passengers is integral to the enjoyment of travelling. In order for airports to effectively understand passenger needs and manage and raise customer service levels, for the last two years ACI has provided the ASQ programme to its members. ASQ is the premier benchmarking tool for airports wishing to measure and commit to improving customer service.

Now, in a further development of the already existing ASQ Survey programme, which assesses passenger perceptions of the service they get at an airport, ACI has announced the establishment of ASQ Assured. This new programme is a certification scheme, specifically designed and operated for airports by ACI, which measures and endorses the service quality management systems in place at an airport.

“As airports grow more competitive and the industry tries to bring back some of the enjoyment of travelling, these tools can really help in raising service levels. It is part of ACI’s encouragement to the industry to develop an improved experience at airports.”

ASQ Assured certifies the commitment of the airport to continual improvement in the quality of services to passengers. It benchmarks an airport’s passenger service quality management system and processes to airport industry best practice. The ASQ Assured scheme uses a self assessment approach followed by an ACI on-site audit. “With time, the ACI Service Quality Assured logo will be recognised as a hallmark of airport service quality excellence.”

Port Authority of NY/NJ takes control of Stewart International Airport

In a ceremony on 1 November officials from the Port Authority and Hudson Valley communities commemorated the first day of Port Authority control of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. Officials vowed to develop the underutilised facility into a strong regional airport serving the travel and business needs of the Hudson Valley while also helping alleviate congestion and ease delays at the New York-New Jersey metropolitan- area airports.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer said, "The Port Authority has the resources and expertise to help Stewart Airport realise its potential as a major transportation hub for this vastly expanding region. As I stated in my inaugural address, the expansion of Stewart Airport will help to stimulate economic development in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Additional air capacity at Stewart will also help ease congestion currently afflicting our increasingly stressed metropolitan airports as we near their capacity and plan for future population and passenger growth."

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "As airport stewards since the first half of the last century, the Port Authority's record is unrivalled. We have enjoyed great success and growth at our airports, which has driven robust economic development. Today we take another bold step, helping to grow the economy while providing relief for travellers at JFK, Newark and LaGuardia."

Skybus CEO Bill Diffenderffer, whose airline today announced new service at the airport, said, "Stewart International Airport is a growing factor in the New York metropolitan area transportation picture. Today's takeover of the airport by the Port Authority will only accelerate Stewart's importance as a regional airport. We think our service from Columbus and from North Carolina's Piedmont Triad International Airport beginning in early 2008 will contribute to that growth and give Skybus customers an exciting new destination."

In addition to Skybus, the Port Authority has been in active discussions with air carriers seeking to provide new services at Stewart, which currently offers scheduled flights to several cities in Florida, as well as Atlanta, Detroit and Philadelphia. The agency also is creating a community advisory board comprising a broad spectrum of Hudson Valley residents, and business and civic leaders. The board is expected to convene by the end of the year.

The airport is owned by the State of New York. The Port Authority Board of Commissioners in January authorized the purchase of the operating lease from a private firm for $78.5 million, and in September approved more than $17 million for parking and roadway improvements. The lease runs through 2099.

Stewart Airport covers 2,400 acres and features two parallel runways that can handle major jet service outside of the crowded airspace over Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports. In 2006, Stewart Airport handled 300,000 passengers, and is expected to handle more than 800,000 this year. By comparison, LaGuardia handled about 26 million passengers last year and sits on only 680 acres on land.

Emirates welcomes 100 passenger Aircraft

Emirates Airline has received its 100th passenger aircraft, a long-range Boeing 777-300ER which brings its all wide-body fleet to a total of 111 aircraft, including 11 freighters.

Emirates’ fast-expanding fleet, which has added one new aircraft per month on average, now comprises 53 Boeing 777s: two Boeing 777-200LRs, nine 777-200s, 12 777-300s, and 30 777-300ERs. The airline is set to become the largest Boeing 777 operator in the world with another 45 of this aircraft type on order.

Emirates’ latest Boeing 777-300ER has been designed to provide customers with the greatest travel comforts on long-range journeys. It offers eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat massage seats in Business, intelligent space and ergonomic comfort for 304 Economy class passengers, and ice Digital Widescreen in all classes of

travel with more than 1,000 channels of on-demand entertainment delivered on personal digital TV screens.

The airline is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to introduce the latest in-flight products across its existing and future long-haul fleet.

Emirates has 111 aircraft pending delivery, worth over US$ 30 billion. Its order book includes: 55 Airbus A380s, 45 Boeing 777s and 11 Boeing 747 freighters.

Menzies Aviation continues expansion in Europe

Menzies Aviation announced the purchase of Northport Norway AS and Finnhandling AB from Northport Oy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finnair. The businesses offer full passenger and ramp handling services at Stockholm and Oslo international airports.

As part of the agreement Menzies will provide the ground handling services for all Finnair flights and will also offer a full handling service to international airlines at both airports. The companies have a total of 25 staff which will transfer to Menzies.

Craig Smyth, Managing Director, Menzies Aviation said: “I am delighted that we have acquired these businesses. This represents further expansion in Scandinavia which we believe to be an attractive market. We are also pleased to be able to develop our relationship with Finnair that we hope to expand. This acquisition represents another significant step in the rapid expansion of Menzies Aviation.”

Jukka Hämäläinen, Managing Director, Northport Oy, said: “The sale is a part of Northport’s restructuring programme. It does not have an immediate effect on Helsinki ground handling activities, but our work to turn the company around continues.”

Facebook's travel application teams with CBS TV Series

Where I’ve Been (WIB), the most popular travel application on the Facebook platform, launched of Where I’ve Been – “The Amazing Race” Edition. This co-branded launch by WIB and CBS comes on the heels of Facebook’s announcement that businesses and organizations will now be able to create profiles, interact and affiliate with Facebook users.

“The Amazing Race” is a reality television show in which pairs of people compete against each other in a race around the world. For CBS, WIB created a map displaying the destinations visited in the 11 previous seasons of “The Amazing Race,” as well as the current locations of this week’s episode.

“International travel and adventure are key brand values for Where I’ve Been, so creating an application for ‘The Amazing Race’s’ Facebook page made synergistic and strategic sense for us,” said Michael Dalesandro, CEO for WIB.
“We see this endeavor as a fantastic example of a co-branded, user-friendly application.”

Users can add “The Amazing Race” Edition map to their Facebook profile, which will appear as a color-coded world map. By clicking on the map within their profile, users will be able to receive up-to-date information on the location of “The Amazing Race” contestants. The free, downloadable map is available today in the application menu on Facebook and on “The Amazing Race’s” Facebook page.

Two new Movenpick luxury cruisers embark on maiden voyage in Egypt

At the beginning of November, the new Movenpick M/S Royal Lily and the refurbished Movenpick M/S Prince Abbas have set to sea. Movenpick’s fleet in Egypt now consists of five luxury cruisers. Like its companions, the Movenpick M/S Royal Lily will sail between Aswan and Luxor, while the Movenpick M/S Prince Abbas will ply the waters of Lake Nasser to cruise between Aswan and Abu Simbel.Nile Exploration Corporation is the owner of both the two new ships and the Movenpick M/S Royal Lotus, which was named the best Nile cruiser by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism in 2006.

"We are honoured that, thanks to our strong partner Nile Exploration Corporation, we are able to offer our guests new cruise ship opportunities of the very highest standard," says Josef Kufer, Senior Vice President Africa Movenpick Hotels & Resorts. "Our floating boutique hotels are equipped with fewer cabins than usual, thereby allowing our guests to enjoy very spacious rooms, extensive public areas and additional amenities."

"It is a unique experience to discover the enchanting landscape between Aswan and Luxor by a Nile cruiser, and to visit the magnificent temples and tombs of the ancient world," adds Josef Kufer. "Incidentally, certain places of interest can only be reached by ship."

Having been comprehensively refurbished, the historical Movenpick M/S Prince Abbas is also ready to return to water under Movenpick Hotels & Resorts management.

"In Lake Nasser, we are pleased to offer another exceptional destination within Egypt," explains Hubert Klemenz, Vice President Operations & Human Resources Africa. "Our guests can now discover the historical treasures of the Nubians – among them the mighty temple of Abu Simbel with its colossal statue of King Ramses II."

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies Wins Three W3 Awards

NEW YORK, NY, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, (HeBS), NYC today announced receipt of three W3 Silver Awards for outstanding achievement in website development. The W3 awards are sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, consisting of top-tier professionals from media, advertising and marketing firms. The 2007 awards were chosen from a pool of 2,700 entries worldwide.

Silver Winners
• Keys Caribbean Residences, Real Estate Category www.KeysCaribbeanResidences.com
• Keys Caribbean Luxury Home Rentals, Hotel & Lodging Category
www.KeysCaribbean.com
• New Harmony Inn, Hotel & Lodging Category
www.NewHarmonyInn.com

Max Starkov, HeBS president and CEO, “These awards show how important a creative, informative, and visually pleasing website is to a hotel’s marketing and distribution efforts. The award winners and our client hoteliers understand the competitive advantages of a comprehensive, well executed Internet marketing strategy. A powerful web presence enables them to reach out directly to their customers, resulting in increased revenues and above industry average ROIs.”

The hotel website has become the first point of contact with past, present and future customers. In the case of hotel websites that are not developed according to industry’s best practices, this is often the last point of contact with the customer. The above W3 Silver Award winners understand it is no longer sufficient to have just any hotel website. Today’s online travel consumers demand that a hotel website have honest and truthful content, rich media, and interactive features and functionality that guarantee an impeccable user experience.

The W3 Awards honor superior creativity on the web and recognize the individuals behind award winning web sites, web advertising and web marketing programs. W3 is the first major web competition to be accessible to a wide range of agencies from the biggest agencies to the smallest firms.

Jazeera Airways launches flights to the Maldives

Kuwait and Dubai based Jazeera Airways announced today the launch of their non-stop route from Dubai to the Maldives. Attending the media launch event in the Maldives were Jazeera Airways senior officials, members of the Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority, officials from the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, the Maldives Minister of Tourism and travel agents from Kuwait and Dubai.

Jazeera Airways who operate a fleet of new Airbus A320s, all fitted with signature leather seats, are only the second carrier

to operate non-stop flights to the Maldives from Dubai, which will fly every Sunday and Tuesday.

Low-fares to the Maldives can be booked online at jazeeraairways.com, and customers can also reserve their preferred seats at the time of booking.

AIRPORT NEWS

Belfast City receives Ryanair runway warning

Less than a month after it began operations at George Best Belfast City Airport, low-cost airline Ryanair has warned that it could pull out unless the runway is extended.

Deputy chief executive Michael Cawley says the company’s Belfast flights are contingent on the airport improving its runway so that it is able to land full aeroplanes. At present, Ryanair’s 189-seater planes cannot take-off from the runway at Belfast with more than 140 passengers.

Ryanair operates flights from Belfast to East Midlands, Glasgow, Stansted and Liverpool.

Belfast’s chief executive Brian Ambrose says “We would have room within the existing perimeter of the airfield to extend our existing 1,829m runway by 600m at the Holywood end.”

Greek airport police in cocaine bust

Police at Athens International Airport in Greece have arrested two people, both in their 20s, who were apprehended with 7kg of cocaine in their luggage following a tip-off by Interpol. The man and woman were arrested shortly after arriving on a flight from Amsterdam. The police say the drugs were covered by coffee to mask the smell from sniffer dogs.

BAA sells its Australian airport holdings

Above: Melbourne Airport - BAA has sold its near 20% stake

Australian investment company Hastings Fund Management has acquired BAA's interests in six Australian airports for a consideration of US$725 million (A$775 million).

The sale includes a 19.8% interest in Melbourne and Launceston, a 15% stake in Perth, and 10% of shares in three Northern Territory airports.

BAA says the sale represents a continuation of its strategy to dispose of non-core international assets following its acquisition last year by Grupo Ferrovial.

Proceeds of the sale will be used to repay debt.

Union threatens Christmas chaos for BAA

Unite, the union that represents around 6,000 BAA security, administrative and maintenance staff at BAA’s seven airports in the UK, is threatening industrial action in the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday period. The union is opposed to BAA’s decision to close its final salary pension scheme to new employees from the beginning of December.

Unite has formed a committee to oppose the move and has called for a vote on industrial action, which is likely to take place at the end of the month.

Christmas is traditionally one of the busiest periods for BAA’s UK airports, but the airport operator has refused to comment on the matter until the ballot results are known.

If union members vote in favour of strike action, Unite will have 28 days time in which to take industrial action.

China to be first with 100% electronic ticketing?

Above: Receipt for electronic flight ticket - an increasingly familiar sight in China

China is expected to become the first country to use only electronic air tickets on both domestic and international routes by the end of this year.

Paper airline tickets will soon be phased out of the Chinese domestic market, and the International Air Transport Association will stop offering paper tickets for international routes to Chinese travel agencies this coming Monday (12 November).

The China Air Transport Association (CATA) stopped providing paper flight tickets in October 2006, as a response to a call by the IATA to popularise e-tickets.

While most passengers have yet to become accustomed to e-tickets, some says they had already benefited from it.

“I like e-tickets because they save the trouble of having to wait for the tickets to be delivered to me, because I travel a lot,” says Li Yi, 28, a software salesman. “And I won’t worry even if I lose it.”

According to IATA’s plan, all airlines around the world will stop using paper tickets by 1 June 2008, which will save the industry about US$2.5 billion annually.

IATA launched its drive for e-ticketing more than three years ago, and now 84% of travellers on IATA carriers fly without paper tickets.

Silver Diner plans airport restaurant programme

Silver Diner is planning a series of restaurant installations at US airports


Restaurant chain Silver Diner will open its first airport outlet at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport next week.

The diner chain will open a 560m² restaurant in BWI’s Southwest A/B terminal, one of the largest airport restaurants in the US. The 18-year-old company will offer guaranteed 10-minute service, electronic flight screens in the restaurant, prepared meals and the ability to pre-order a meal online or at airport kiosks.

Silver Diner says the US$3.5 million BWI location will serve as a prototype for its plans to introduce restaurants at other airports in 2008, including Philadelphia International and Pittsburgh International Airport.

Tbilisi opens rail link to city

Georgian officials have opened a new railway station at Tbilisi International Airport, which connects the airport to the city’s central railway station. The 100-passenger capacity electric train will take 20 minutes to complete the journey, and will operate at 40-minute intervals.

Officials claim the rail link will halve the journey time from the centre of Tbilisi.

The railway line was constructed by Transmsheni, following a tender and was designed by Delta-Project - 2000

Rostock-Laage expands to 24-hour service

German regional Rostock-Laage Airport has gone into 24-hour service. Expanded service will benefit both civil and charter flights, while airlines will be able to station their aircraft as well as personnel at the airport.

Qatar Airways Prepares For Dubai Air Show And World Travel Market

Doha-Based Airline Participates At Two Leading Travel Industry Events

Dubai Air Show Attracts Global Aviation Industry Figures

London Show Welcomes Travel Industry Elite From Around The World

Doha, QATAR - Qatar Airways is gearing up for two key travel industry events next week by participating at the prestigious Dubai Air Show and World Travel Market being staged in London.

Chairman of Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority, Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, will head a delegation, including Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker, from Doha to the Dubai Air Show, where the airline will have a dedicated chalet together with a stand in the exhibition hall.

The Dubai Air Show, now in its 10th year, takes place at Dubai International Airport between November 11 - 15 and will feature static displays of commercial and military aircraft, together with aerial displays. Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world are expected at the five-day event, one of the most prestigious in the aviation industry calendar.

The airline will showcase its fine hospitality with a luxurious chalet draped in its burgundy corporate colours. The airline's award-winning lie-flat First Class seat-cum-bed and two Business Class seats will be on display at Qatar Airways' exhibition stand.

World Travel Market is one of the industry's premier travel trade events bringing together airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tourist boards and cruise lines for four days of business.

Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600

Qatar Airways will be showcasing a mock-up of its unique First Class lounge which is fitted onboard the carrier's long-range Airbus A340-600 aircraft, currently used on flights between Doha and both London Heathrow and Washington DC.

Al Baker said both events were highly important for Qatar Airways to maintain its high profile across the travel industry.

"Dubai Air Show and World Travel Market are key events where we have traditionally enjoyed our participation - and this year is no exception as we are again privileged to be taking part in such prestigious shows," he said.

"We look forward to a highly productive week to build and renew business partnerships, welcoming visitors to our chalet and exhibition stands at both events."

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft to 79 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Indian subcontinent and North America. The highlight of this year's expansion has been the launch of flights to New York (Newark) and Washington DC - the airline's first move into the North American market.

With a growing international network, more travellers have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways' Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities including a spa, jacuzzi, exclusive duty free shopping, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just nine months, the US$90 million terminal is the world's first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers and offers departing and transit passengers an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind prior to their flight.