Boeing Took Record 1,413 Orders In 2007

Boeing on Thursday reported an industry record of 1,413 firm commercial plane orders for 2007, setting up a photo-finish with rival Airbus, which reports its annual order tally later this month.

Boeing's net total -- which excludes orders that were subsequently canceled and takes account of orders converted into different plane models -- beats its previous record of 1,044 in 2006 and tops Airbus's industry record of 1,055 net orders in 2005.

Airbus had 1,204 gross orders at the end of November, not adjusted for cancellations or conversions. It is expected to announce its tally of net orders over the next few weeks.

Between them, Boeing and Airbus are set to post more than 2,500 orders for the year, an industry record easily beating the previous best of 2,057 net orders in 2005.

The massive tally marks the third year of the boom in commercial plane sales, as a resurgence in travel after the attacks of September 11, 2001 pushed airlines to expand and update their fleets.

For each of the last three years Boeing and Airbus have posted more than 1,800 net orders combined. In 2004, they barely had 600 orders between them.

Boeing's orders alone this year are worth more than USD$150 billion at list prices. The single-aisle 737 remains its most popular plane, followed by the new, lightweight 787 Dreamliner, which is set to have its maiden flight in the next few months.

The boom has been led by carriers from the oil-rich Middle East, expanding Asian airlines and aircraft leasing firms. Large European and US airlines -- the traditional cornerstones of the market -- have played a smaller role.

Industry analysts do not expect this year's orders to set new records, as many big buyers have made large orders and high oil prices are already forcing some airlines to cut capacity.

Boeing said earlier on Thursday it delivered 441 commercial aircraft in 2007, its best performance in six years and up 11 percent from 2006.

The year tally is in line with Boeing's forecasts, and the highest since it delivered 527 planes in 2001. But it may fall slightly short of rival Airbus, which had delivered 410 aircraft by the end of November, three more than Boeing at that time. (Reuters)

Bombardier Gets USD$136 Million Of Plane Orders

Bombardier said on Thursday that Libyan Airlines agreed to buy two of its CRJ900 NextGen regional jets in an order valued at about USD$76 million.

The order is a conversion of two options Libyan Airlines had taken with its firm order for three CRJ900s on June 14 and stems from its fleet renewal plan.

Bombardier said that including Thursday's order, 229 CRJ900 or CRJ900 NextGen airliners are in service or have been ordered by 17 airlines around the world.

The world's third-largest civil aircraft maker also said Spain ordered two of its Bombardier 415 amphibious water-bombers.

The contract, valued at USD$60 million, includes technical support, training and other equipment for Spain's fleet of 22 Bombardier fire-fighting aircraft. (Reuters)

AIRPORT NEWS

BBI given go-ahead for Globe Ground Berlin sale

Right: BBI has been given the go-ahead to sell its 51% stake in the loss-making ground handler Globe Ground Berlin

Berlin’s municipal authorities have given the go-ahead for airport operator BBI to sell its stake in ground handler Globe Ground Berlin. BBI announced its intention to sell its 51% shareholding last June.

With almost 1,700 employees, GlobeGround Berlin offers a complete package of ground handling services at Berlin’s three airports. Labour unions are concerned at the proposed sale, fearing increased pressure on wages. “We will strongly defend against the sale,” says works council chief Achim Pike. Employees particularly fear the negative impact of low cost carriers on their working conditions.

GlobeGround handles 80% of all traffic in Berlin, but in its last financial year posted a loss of about US$1.18 million (Euro 800,000). The company’s financial performance in 2007 is expected to improve just slightly.

Lufthansa holds the remaining shares in the company and is also willing to divest, but no potential investors have yet appeared. GlobeGround’s operating permit expires in 2011, when the new Brandenburg airport is due to open.

Passport cards promise shorter US security queues

From the start of next month US citizens traveling to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean will be permitted to use new passport cards that can be scanned from a range of 6m (20 feet). The cards differ from the new e-passports, which guards must swipe close to a reading device to unlock electronically stored personal data.

The new cards, which are optional, are expected to save time at the border and make the border more secure.

US State and Homeland Security Department officials say the unique identifying number that is transmitted from the passport card to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent is of use only to officials with access to the database where the traveler’s data is stored. Furthermore, the cards contain none of the personally identifiable information that passports contain.

According to the CBP, the passport card uses technology that has been applied successfully in trusted-traveler programs since 1995.

The new passport cards have been developed to satisfy legislation that requires the US Department of Homeland Security to develop a plan to ensure everyone entering the United States is documented and to create a US passport card to facilitate travel between the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Officials hope the passport cards will be in use this spring.

Berlin beats 20 million record in 2007

Right: Berlin's airports handled a record 20 million passengers in 2007, compared with just 13.3 million in 2003

Berlin’s airport operator BBI welcomed its 20 millionth passenger on 30 December – an all time record. “This is an important step in our development,” says BBI’s chief executive officer Dr. Rainer Schwarz. “Berlin grows faster than the average German airport with a rise of 8.3%.”

During the past four years, Berlin has registered a passenger traffic rise of over 50%. In 2003, the airports handled just 13.3 million passengers.

Construction of the new Berlin Brandenburg terminal is expected to commence this summer. But since the projected capacity of this airport is about 22 million passengers annually, a terminal extension might be considered given the current growth rate.

Digital screens installed at Beijing Capital

AirMedia Group has completed the installation of high-definition LCD screens at Terminals 2 and 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport (see: Network CN wins Beijing advertising contract).

AirMedia has upgraded 90 light box displays to 46-inch digital frames at Terminal 2 of Beijing Capital International Airport and began placing clients’ advertisements frrom the beginning of December 2007. By 31 December 2007, the company had installed 328 117cm (46-inch) digital frames and 120 178cm (70-inch) digital frames at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

The new digital frames at Terminal 3 will begin displaying paid advertisements when Terminal 3 opens for testing at the end of February 2008.
Beijing Capital International Airport is expected this year to become one of the world’s five busiest airports, with more than 64 million passenger movements by the end of 2008.

“As our digital frames are placed at both sides of all 60 boarding gates at Terminal 3, and other prime locations with high air passenger traffic, we believe these new digital frames may optimize the effective reach of our clients’ advertisements, making them a very attractive advertising platform. We will continue to expand the number of digital frames in other airports of our network,” says Herman Man Guo, chairman and chief executive officer of AirMedia.

AirMedia has also installed 328 digital TV screens at Terminal 3.

StarHub wins Changi Wi-Fi tender

StarHub has launched free Wi-Fi access for travellers at Singapore’s Changi Airport (see: Changi Airport to offer free Wi-Fi access). The Wi-Fi specialist won the five-year contract following a tender. The service was launched on 1 January in the public and transit areas of all of Changi’s terminals. The free service can be accessed by anyone with a compatible laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA). The service offers download speeds of up to 512Kbps, which is sufficient to support low-cost calls over the internet using online services like Skype.

Singapore Changi Airport welcomes Mihin Lanka

Singapore is the airline’s second international destination in South East Asia.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) held a ceremony yesterday to officially welcome Mihin Lanka, an airline from Sri Lanka, to operate at Singapore Changi Airport.

Mihin Lanka is the second international carrier from Sri Lanka to mount flights to Singapore. The state-owned airline first began operating six weekly flights between Singapore and Colombo on 24 September 2007 with Airbus 321 aircraft.

At the welcome ceremony, CAAS’ Director-General and CEO, Mr Lim Kim
Choon said, “The launch of Mihin Lanka’s services comes at an opportune time as passenger traffic between Singapore and Sri Lanka has grown by 30% over the past
4 years to reach 275,000 movements for the first 11 months of 2007. Between
January and November 2007, there were over 70,000 visitor arrivals from Sri Lanka, representing a robust 10% growth year-on-year.”

Mr Lim further expressed confidence that the visitor arrivals from Sri Lanka to
Singapore would grow further in the coming years, boosted by new tourism developments in Singapore such as the Singapore Flyer, Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Integrated Resorts.

Mihin Lanka is the fourth airline to operate flight services between Colombo and Singapore. The other three airlines are Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines and Emirates. This brings the number of weekly passenger flights on the route to a total of 42. 6 Changi Airport is currently served by 81 scheduled airlines, operating over 4,300 weekly scheduled flights to 189 cities in 60 countries.

CHA Education Foundation’s 2008 scholarship program opens

The Caribbean Hotel Foundation (CHF), the non-profit subsidiary of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), announced the launch of its 2008/2009 Scholarship Program for Caribbean hospitality employees, educators, and students wishing to pursue studies or professional development courses related to the tourism industry.

This year, the Foundation introduces a new online mentoring resource for applicants. Sponsored by Virgin Holidays, the mentoring program facilitates a system through which past and current beneficiaries of the Foundation provide advice and encouragement to people considering applying for a scholarship or grant from CHAEF.

“CHAEF mentors can harness their experience to help others to make more informed decisions about education and career prospects,” observed Jonathan Winfield, Responsible Business Executive at Virgin Holidays. Scholarship application forms, application guidelines, a list of mentors, and additional information about the CHA Education Foundation are now available on the CHF website. Application deadline is March 15, 2008.

The CHAEF offers awards ranging from US $500 to US $5,000, available to worthy applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the industry and the potential for future success. Further, corporate awards sponsored by private entities include the Virgin Holidays Tourism Management Scholarship of US $10,000 a year for three years. Likewise, Johnson & Wales University, Miami Campus, offers two scholarships worth $5,000 each for four years, while Interval International offers two scholarship of US $7,000 each.

Requirements to apply for the CHF Scholarship Program includes being a Caribbean national, having a high school (or equivalent secondary school) degree, pursuing a tourism-related educational degree – and demonstrated financial need, among others.

In 2007, CHAEF awarded 26 academic scholarships totaling US$86,500 to promising Caribbean students and industry professionals from 13 Caribbean islands. Applications were received from candidates across the region, with a wide variety of educational interests and industry backgrounds. Among the successful candidates were high school graduates pursuing associate and bachelor degrees in tourism and hospitality, hotel personnel committed to their professional development, and tourism and hospitality university graduates looking forward to advanced degrees and certifications.

The Caribbean Hotel Foundation was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing hotel careers. As part of its mission, the Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded close to US$1 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry.

New Beijing Terminal 3 for Air China

Starting in March 2008, Air China will begin using the newly constructed Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital Airport. The Terminal 3 is the China's largest investment project for airport, and will be the main supporting building for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The one million square-meter Terminal 3 project also includes a 3,800-meter-long by 60-meter-wide runway, which will accommodate the Airbus A380, the largest airplane in the world. Terminal 3 and its new runway had been started in March 2004, and will double the current passenger capacity of the Beijing Capital Airport in 2015.

"Air China is proud to be the flagship tenant in Beijing's fabulous new Terminal 3," said Mrs. Lan Zhang, senior Vice President of Air China. “Our familiar customers will benefit from the move to this new facility, and our new passengers joining for the 2008 Olympic Games will also be pleased with their state-of-the-art experience here in Terminal 3."

Once in Terminal 3, Air China will launch a variety of advanced systems in order to speed the service process and improve luggage management capability. The move to Terminal 3 is an important step in the growth of Air China, enabling the airline to serve the Olympic Games, launch its enhanced network strategy, and offer world-class flying services to its customers.

For additional airport infrastructure, the new Li-Tian highway will run north of the airport, while the airport railway quickly connects the city to the airport. Passengers may take the city railway from Dongzhimen to the airport transportation center, located at the south side of Terminal 3. The airport will also provide 7,000 parking spaces next to the Terminal 3 building.

United Arab Emirates and Nepal sign air services agreement

Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation: The United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding on air transport with the Republic of Nepal to increase the number of flights of national carriers in both countries. Both parties agreed to nominate Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and RAK Airways as the national airlines of the United Arab Emirates, and to nominate Royal Nepal Airlines and YETI Airlines as the national airlines of the government of Nepal.

The two governments also agreed to increase the number of flights between the two countries to 28 flights per week for all national carriers. The MOU also amended certain provisions of the Convention on air transport signed between the two countries on the terms of appointment, taxes, air safety, transfer of income, and business activities. The agreement includes terms on exercising fifth freedom by the national carriers on three middle points or beyond points of the two countries, excluding destinations within the limits of the states of India and Thailand.

Air Berlin going long haul in 2008

Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation: Air Berlin announced plans to commence new long haul services to both Shanghai and Beijing in May-08. The LCC will operate the services from London Stansted via its hub at Dusseldorf.

easyJet enters code-share agreement with GB Airways; offers 16 new Summer destinations

Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation: easyJet announced that 32 routes operated by GB Airways for Summer 2008 are now available for sale from easyJet. These include services to destinations including Sharm El Sheikh, the Canary Islands, Corfu, the Greek Islands and Turkey.

In Oct-07, easyJet announced its intention to purchase Gatwick-based GB airways, which operates as a British Airways franchise. The agreement is expected to be completed in Jan-08. However, BA has now terminated all sales for services from 30-Mar-08 onwards. In order to continue to provide competition and choice for customers, easyJet has entered into a code-share agreement and can offer the GB Airways routes through easyJet.com.

In total, easyJet will now offer a choice of 66 routes from Gatwick and a further six from Manchester. The GB Airways Heathrow operation is expected to terminate at the end of Mar-08.

It is intended that GB Airways will continue to operate all routes under the British Airways brand until 29-Mar-08. After this, subject to regulatory approval, the GB services will operate under the easyJet brand and all customers who have booked to travel with GB Airways next Summer will be given the choice of flying with easyJet at the same times or else receive a refund. By Winter 2008, GB Airways will be fully integrated into the easyJet business model, subject to regulatory clearance.

GB airways operates to a total of 39 destinations with a fleet of 15 A320s and 321s from three bases in Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. The deal, which is currently in the process of being finalised, is expected to be complete by the end of Jan-08 and will enable easyJet to expand further from its largest base at London Gatwick as well as introduce service to Manchester.

AIRPORT NEWS

Hahn expects five million passengers this year

Passenger numbers at Frankfurt’s Hahn airport have grown from fewer than 500,000 passengers in 2001 to a projected 5 million this year

Frankfurt’s Hahn airport expects to increase passenger numbers this year to 5 million compared with 4.2 million in 2007. Its recently inaugurated runway, which accommodates wide-bodied aircraft, will contribute to the increase, says airport spokesman, Jörg Schumacher.

Hahn airport is popular with low cost carriers, including Ryanair which signed an operating agreement with the airport in 2005, and has increased its Hahn operators graduale since then. Ryanair will have 18 aircraft permanently based at Hahn by 2012, which corresponds with around eight million travellers for Ryanair alone. Hahn expects to handle 9.7 million passengers per year by 2012.

Hahn calls itself the first ‘real low cost airport in Germany’. Apart from Ryanair, WizzAir, SunExpress, LTU and Pegasus also serve the airport. Ryanair remains Hahn’s most important airline, flying to 35 destinations out of Hahn. The low cost giant will add two more aircraft to the airport this year.

Hahn is now Germany’s 11th largest airport in terms of passenger traffic. It handled fewer than 500,000 passengers in 2001, and the projected 5 million passenger throughput for 2008 underlines the airport’s strong growth.

Hahn’s 13,500m²passenger terminal has 22 check-in counters and 4 baggage belts. Passengers have a choice of 10 food and beverage counters and up to nine retail outlets on a combined shopping area of 3.695m².

Weapons seized at Newcastle International Airport

Knuckle-dusters, cleavers and other weapons were seized last year from holidaymakers at Newcastle International Airport in north-east England. Security staff reportedly confiscated thousands of items from passengers at the airport in 2007.

Airport duty manager Jon Sunderland says, “Many are sharp items, some of which are actually illegal and are referred to the police, and all have come from passengers’ baggage. They can range from scissors to replica firearms or even real firearms.”

Passengers have up to one month to reclaim their legal property. Unclaimed items are sold, usually at charity auctions.

Vietnam’s Cat Bi set for upgrade

Vietnam’s Prime Minister has approved a master plan to upgrade the Cat Bi International Airport in the northern port city of Hai Phong by 2015 and 2025. The estimated cost of the project is US$106.5 million.

By 2015, the airport will be upgraded to receive A321 and B767 planes, 800 passengers per peak hour and 17,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

Passenger figures are projected to almost double by 2025 when Cat Bi will be capable of receiving B747-400 and B777 aircraft.

Vienna celebrates its 18-millionth passenger

Helmut Otahal, an Air Malta passenger travelling from Vienna to Malta was confirmed as the airport’s 18-millionth passenger in 2007. Prior to his flight to Malta, he received a surprise reception at the departure gate from Friedrich Lehr, head of aviation at Vienna International Airport, and Carmen Pace, Air Malta’s country manager for Austria.

Lehr says that Vienna International Airport recorded substantial growth last year above the European average. “Between January and November 2007, the number of passengers in Vienna increased by 10.9% compared with the same period last year.”

Otahal is an Air Malta frequent flier and works for an Austrian company that recently opened a branch office in Malta.

Air Malta’s Carmen Pace says the airline is delighted by the Vienna route’s success as more than 35,000 passengers travelled on the airline’s services to Vienna last year. The Malta-Vienna service was first launched 18 years ago, linking the Maltese Islands to Austria, a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe.

Columbia Asia to provide medical services at BIAL

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has chosen Columbia Asia Hospitals to provide medical care to travellers and other occupants at the new international airport. The hospital will establish a 24-hour medical care facility and a pharmacy at the airport, which is due to be commissioned on 30 March. The facility will have the latest medical equipment, technology and expertise to handle emergencies as well as routine medical cases.

Nandakumar Jairam, chairman of Columbia Asia Hospitals, says, “We will have a team of dedicated doctors for this new facility. The team will include a physician, paramedics, nurses, people to man the pharmacy and a full back-up team. We will also have three ambulances stationed at the airport.” The team will undergo formal training as per the requirements of the Airports Authority of India and be trained in both basic and advanced life support.

Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, says, “BIAL has chosen Columbia Asia Hospitals after a comprehensive tender process. It has a proven track record of providing effective medical care facilities. We are convinced that together we can cater to the passengers’ medical needs, as well as the disaster response services at the new Bangalore International Airport.”

Hotel room rates in India rise 40% but market to be handled with care

Demand for upscale hotel rooms in India is on the rise, and so are prices, according to Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), now in its fourth year.

Recent figures bear out this optimism with room rates in the major metropolitan centres rising nearly 40 per cent this year over 2006, while global names such as Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Marriott and Hilton have all announced major expansion plans for India.

“India is gearing up to accommodate international interest, both in business and leisure sectors, in a country poised for rapid growth,” said Worsley.

Capitalising on confirmed attendance, and requests, by decision makers from all sectors of the hotel industry, the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai will devote the key opening session (on May 3) to the potential opportunities and pitfalls of the burgeoning hotel investment market in India.

According to Worsley, the two regions – India and the Gulf States - share many characteristics in the development of their hospitality sector.

He said that the inclusion of detailed presentations and analysis on India would be of interest to both regional and international developers, investors, architects, operators and consultants focused on the industry.

“There is scarcely a week that goes past without another announcement of a new project in Arabia, and recently India has joined this explosive development as well. Given the large population, the economic boom and the pent-up demand for hotel accommodation the potential for India is vast," he said.

The key sessions on the first day of AHIC 2008 are devoted to India’s hotel development and will feature topics such as market trends, industry overviews, investment and growth opportunities and business development challenges.

"Already, we are seeing many regional names entering the Indian market - Emaar, Nakheel, ETA Star, KM Properties and Dubai Properties have all announced plans for India. There is perceived potential in every sector from luxury palace resorts to branded budget chains and executive residences," he continued.

"This buoyant scenario aside, there are difficulties associated with investing in this market and the India Summit at AHIC 2008 will address these issues," said Worsley.

His view is borne out by one of the key Middle East players, Kingdom Hotel Investments. Development Director, Tim Hansing, has been keeping a watching brief on opportunities for several years.

"Difficulties of obtaining suitable land, bureaucracy associated with construction and constraints of infrastructure mean India is an expensive opportunity," he cautioned.

"Indian assets do not come cheap, and while there is clearly an under capacity in the hotel sector, international investors are having to compete with local money (investors) and places a different risk perception on future yields,” said Hansing.

The India Summit at AHIC will take place on the opening afternoon (May 3; the conference will run until May 5, prior to the Arabian Travel Market). More than 1,000 delegates are expected to attend, with almost half of these from outside the Middle East region.

Surjit S Bhalla, Managing Director, Oxus Research and Investments; Abhijit "Beej" Das, Managing Director (India), Molinaro Koger; Raymond Bickson, Managing Director & CEO, Taj Hotels & Resorts & Palaces; KB Kachru, Executive Vice President, South Asia, Carlson and Gaurav Bhushan, Senior Vice President, Development Asia Pacific, Accor Hotels are some of the India panel experts.

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will run from May 3-5, 2008 at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre and is jointly organised by The Bench and MEED.

ChinaContact congratulated USA for becoming an approved tourism destination for Chinese tourists

ChinaContact, the market entry specialist for the Chinese tourism industry, welcomed the most recent addition to the approved tourism destination list for Chinese tourists - United States of America. The bilateral agreement signed by the US and China in December sets the way for implementation of open tourism promotion of US destinations in the Chinese market from the Spring.

Speaking on the China Business Show recently, ChinaContact Managing Director Roy Graff was optimistic about what this means for growth in visitor numbers from China to America while sounding caution of the need for careful implementation. He explained that experience in Australia and Europe of Chinese leisure tourism can show the US tourism industry how to grow this market sustainably. While potentially huge, the market is still in its infancy and requires specialist knowledge and the correct strategy for local marketing and sales campaigns. Much depends on how the two governments will decide to implement the agreement and decide on who will be allowed to supply services to the new tourist groups.

Closer to China, congratulations to TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) for receiving the Travel Weekly China award last month in Beijing for best short haul destination and for its marketing and promotion activities in China.

ChinaContact congratulated also its China partner TLM-China Marketing co., which has been providing marketing and promotion support for TAT throughout China as extension of TAT's offices in Beijing and Shanghai. TLM-China represent TAT, Royal Orchid Holidays, Amari hotels and Bangkok Airlines. Together with ChinaContact they offer representation and GSA services to International destinations, hotel chains, airlines and tour operators. Their experience of selling to the Chinese market and their intimate knowledge of the key players in the travel trade is unique and invaluable to new destinations wishing to promote themselves in China.

Qatar Duty Free Announces US$1 Million Winner

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the winners of its biggest ever raffle prize draw turning one lucky passenger into an instant millionaire and two others into luxury car owners.

Lucky winner, Varkey Thomas, from India, won a whopping US$1million in the second millionaire draw held at Doha International Airport.

“I am so happy, this really is a gift from God,” said Varkey after learning of the win.

Mr Thomas, 55, who is married with four daughters, works as a General Manager for an offshore company in Qatar. He said the news had brought “great joy” to his family. The Thomas family have been in Doha for 23 years and bought the winning ticket before boarding flight QR 264 to Cochin to visit family in their hometown.

The Dollar Millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 with chances of passengers winning extremely high as each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets, each priced at QAR950.

The prize-winning draw was held with two other draws for luxury cars – the first time Qatar Duty Free has held three raffles on the same day.

A BMW 650i convertible will be taken home by Mohammed Issa Al Omari, a Jordanian national living in Qatar. A Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 was won by Canadian Iyad Mohamad Saad, also living in Qatar.

Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari oversaw the draw, inviting passengers to pick the winning ticket.

“Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Riyal Millionaire Draw four years ago. With the newly-launched dollar millionaire draw last year, we have taken a huge step forward by increasing the prize money on offer by more than 300 per cent,” she said.

“Following the success of the first dollar millionaire draw, I look forward to welcoming many more instant millionaires over the next few months and years to come.”

Added Kumari: “The beauty of this draw is that it is not restricted to just one prize. Every time 5,000 tickets are sold, we will have a raffle draw at Doha International Airport, so this shows that the chances of becoming an instant millionaire are extremely high.

“This draw brings joy and excitement to the lives of a few lucky winners. We look forward to drawing more money-spinning winning tickets very soon.”

Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has been enjoying significant growth year on year, helped by a ramping up of its presence in the departures and arrivals area at Doha International Airport, the airline’s operational hub.

The airline operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations worldwide from Doha. The fleet size will almost double to 110 jets by 2015.

Boeing, South Korea’s Jeju Air Complete Order for 737-800s

SEATTLE, Dec. 31, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that South Korea-based Jeju Air has ordered five Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s to meet future growth plans. The new airplanes are valued at US$370 million at list prices.

The 737s will be the first Boeing airplanes to enter the Jeju Air fleet. The airline currently operates five regional jets of smaller capacity.

Jeju Air, in a statement, expressed its confidence that “the 737-800 aircraft exactly matches our long term growth requirements for our routes within Korea domestically and to Japan, China and other Asia Pacific regions.

“We also believe that Boeing’s modern and enhanced aircraft and initial support will bring great benefits for Jeju Air,” said the airline.

“The opportunity to establish a new customer relationship is always an exciting one,” said Stan Deal, vice president, Asia Pacific Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Jeju Air has a bright future, and the superior economics, reliability and maintainability of the Next-Generation 737-800 are important attributes in helping Jeju Air successfully meet its growth plans.”

Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 has been selected by leading carriers throughout the world. The single-aisle jet, which can seat between 162 to 189 passengers, can fly 260 nautical miles farther and consume 6 percent less fuel per seat while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

Boeing has recorded orders for more than 4,400 Next-Generation 737s, and has unfilled orders for more than 1,900 airplanes worth more than $140 billion at current list prices.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport awards Tata Teleservices fixed line services contract

Centref or Asia Pacific Aviation: GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), the developer of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, has awarded the fixed line services management contract to Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL). The contract is valid for a period of five years.

TTSL has emerged as the preferred bidder from among several reputed players in a highly transparent and competitive bidding process. The company has been selected based on its technical and financial criteria, including its experience, expertise, capability and know-how in the telecommunication business.

As per the agreement, TTSL shall provide Fixed Line (Voice & Data) services at the new international airport in accordance with good industry practices and specifications of GHIAL.

Apart from setting up and maintaining its back office and telecom exchange, TTSL will provide the following facilities at the new airport:

• Primary Rate Interface lines with Direct Inward Dialing facility
• Primary Rate Interface lines
• Integrated Services Digital Network lines (for Video Conference) - BRI
• Integrated Services Digital Network lines with internet port (for internet backup)
• Leased Lines
• Public Switch Telephone Network lines
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) connectivity (For GHIAL video conference with GMR offices)
• Internet Bandwidth (Fibre linked upto PTB)
• HOT lines
• Hunting facilities (for Landline)
• Dual redundant paths to the EPABX from separate exchanges
• Premier support i.e. uptime of minimum 99.99999%
• 10,000 telephone numbers in series to be allotted to the Airport.

Emirates chief says airline plans growth

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Emirates Airline has ordered a jaw-dropping 245 new widebody planes, but the company's president shuns suggestions that he wants to create the world's biggest airline.

"I'm not bothered personally if that makes us the biggest or not," Emirates President Tim Clark said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Aviation analysts say that in fact the airline's unprecedented rate of growth would make it the world's largest within the next decade. At last month's Dubai Air Show, Emirates ordered 120 Airbus A350XWB jets, 11 additional A380 super-jumbos -- increasing its total order to 58 -- and a dozen Boeing 777-300ERs -- which more than double its current fleet of 112 planes.

The orders, amounting to $34.9 billion at list price, bring the value of the airline's total order book to an unheard of $60 billion.

Clark, who helped establish the company in 1985 and has served as its president ever since, says his main aim is for the airline to keep its focus and remain an industry trendsetter in terms of quality of service.

"The business model saw us focusing on the geocentricity of Dubai, focusing on the fact that within that 8-hour flying zone we had 4 billion people, " he said.

Emirates currently serves 99 cities in 62 countries with new ones being added on an average of one every two months. A second U.S. route, between Dubai and Houston, was inaugurated in December. Other North American destinations are New York and Toronto, and Clark said routes to two more cities in the United States, which he declined to name, were in the plan for next year.

At a time when many airlines around the world are feeling the pinch of high fuel prices and a declining dollar, Emirates expects to top $1 billion in profits in the fiscal year ending March 31 on revenues of $8.1 billion. That would represent an 18.5 percent increase over last year's figure of $844 million.

This is partly due to the currency peg between the UAE's dirham and the U.S. dollar. Emirates reports in dirhams but a large proportion of its earnings is in euros and pounds sterling, and the dollar's slide "actually makes us look good," Clark noted.

Emirates also has benefited from the general economic boom in the United Arab Emirates, whose thriving economy has been fueled by high oil prices and a rapidly growing tourism industry.

Statistics show that nearly half of its passengers nowadays are people making connections in Dubai.

Over the past 15 years, Dubai International Airport has developed into one of the largest hubs in world aviation. A new airport, said to be the world's largest, is now under construction near Jebel Ali, a massive complex comprising a port, airport, residential areas, hotels and a free trade zone about 12 miles from the city center.

Emirates Airline is currently wholly government owned, but its chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, last month indicated that 30 percent of the company may be sold in public markets. He did not elaborate further.

Emirates' operating costs are significantly lower than those of its European or U.S. rivals, according to Michael Dyment, an aviation analyst at Nexa Capital Partners, a Washington D.C. corporate finance group.

He credited Dubai's zero tax rate, the airline's ability to tap credit markets to buy new airplanes because of Dubai's good credit standing, and the fact that legacy costs like pension burdens are low.

It doesn't hurt to operate in a country where the laws prohibit trade unions.

"One of the key advantages they have over others is that the airline itself is not subject to the same labor rules," Dyment said. "They are able to keep organized labor away, so they don't have a unionized environment that has been detrimental to other carriers."

John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting, a London-based aviation consultancy firm, noted that the airline is almost unique in civil aviation because it has kept the same top management team since inception. They have developed a product that has allowed Emirates to capitalize on high-end fares in business and first class on long-range routes.

"Dubai has a very good geographic location in terms of offering services to European consumers going on to Asia, and this has been which is a strong selling point for the airline," he said. "But Emirates has also been very good at developing traffic flows that bypass Europe, like from China to Africa. This irritates European carriers who also perceive Emirates, rightly or wrongly, as subsidized by the government."

Clark angrily denied persistent criticisms that the 20-year old Emirates carrier was receiving preferential treatment from the Dubai government in terms of lower fuel costs and other benefits.

"Categorically, unequivocally and emphatically, we have never been subsidized," he said.

Clark, a veteran of the now-defunct British Caledonian airline, joined Emirates the day it was founded two decades ago after spending a decade working for Bahrain's Gulf Air, once the pre-eminent carrier in the region.

He welcomed the rise of other airlines in the Gulf region, such as Etihad, Qatar Airways or Oman Air.

Those airlines, along with a host of budget carriers, have been set up since the 1990s to take advantage of the unprecedented boom in travel via the Gulf. The Middle East's three main budget airlines -- Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways and Atlas Blue -- have already grabbed five percent of the region's air travel market, and analysts say that portion is set to increase in coming years as booming Gulf economies attract more fliers.

"On the basis that the global market is an ever-growing thing, and as long as they go about doing things the same way we do," Clark said, "there's no reason why they shouldn't be as successful as we are without getting at each other's throats."

Date posted: 02-Jan-08

AIRPORT NEWS

China embracing mobile boarding passes

Right: China Southern Airlines customers can now receive boarding passes on their China Mobile phone

Increasing numbers of Chinese airlines are implementing new mobile and internet booking services with two-dimensional (2D) barcode technology in the light of the new International Air Transport Association (IATA) global standard for 2D barcodes (see: Mobile check-in).

In April 2007, China Southern Airlines together with China Mobile’s Guangzhou Branch launched a new Mobile E-Boarding Pass, which is currently available at China Southern Airline’s worldwide hub at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou. This new programme marks the first time that a mainland Chinese carrier and mobile communication operator have offered a Mobile E-Boarding Pass service.

Passengers log on to the airline’s Chinese website to complete their e-ticket payment, select their seat and choose to have the boarding pass electronically transmitted to their China Mobile phone. The passenger then presents their mobile phone at the airport check-in counter, where the stored 2D-code message on the mobile phone is fed into a scanner. The companies claim that the passenger’s boarding pass will be printed within five seconds.

Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier in China, also launched a mobile and internet booking service at the end of November 2007. Already, 70% of Spring Airlines’ business-class tickets are booked via internet payment and the airline predicts that mobile internet services will further change the traditional way to book air tickets.

New US lithium battery baggage ruling

US officials have introduced a ban on the carriage of loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. They will only be allowed in checked luggage if they are installed in electronic devices and in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags. Each passenger is limited to two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries in carry-on baggage. The FAA has found that the current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be able to cope with a fire if non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited during a flight.

“Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires,” says Krista Edwards, Deputy Administrator of the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Safety tips regarding packing, including battery, aerosol and other risks can be found at http://safetravel.dot.gov

MIAL first Indian airport to implement CUSS

Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) is set to become the first Indian airport to implement Common Use Self Service (CUSS) in 2008. MIAL is scheduled to install CUSS kiosks onsite, while plans are also underway install 20 offsite CUSS kiosks, predominantly at hotels.

The CUSS kiosks, on and offsite, will allow passengers to perform an automatic check-in, cutting down on check-in time by more than half for passengers with check-in luggage and offering an even quicker option for those without any check-in luggage.

According to sources, MIAL is anticipating that the CUSS implementation will greatly ease passenger congestion. While the Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) systems exists at all international airports in India, CUSS is notable by its absence, considering that it is already widely operated at major American, European and Asian terminals. CUTE allows an airport to efficiently organise gate and check-in counter allocations, as well as system management.

Singapore Air, China Eastern Say Acquisition Deal Is Fair

China Eastern and Singapore Airlines on Wednesday rejected rival Air China's parent's view that the Singapore flag carrier's USD$920 million acquisition of a China Eastern stake was unfair to investors.

China National Aviation Corporation, parent to the world's biggest airline by stock market value and a big China Eastern shareholder, had on Tuesday urged a return to the negotiating table to work out a higher price.

Shares in China Eastern climbed 4.4 percent on Wednesday on investor hopes of a better offer, ending the morning up 2 percent.

Responding to CNAC, Singapore Air on Wednesday called its offer to buy 24 percent of China Eastern -- alongside Singapore's government investment arm Temasek -- more than fairly priced in a deal that needed no tweaking.

A senior China Eastern executive said that the deal was focused on the longer term but warned that its share price would plummet should Air China's parent succeed in getting shareholders to vote down the deal.

Stockholders, including CNAC with more than 12 percent of China Eastern's Hong Kong shares, are due to vote on the deal on January 8.

"The price is fair and mutually agreed between all the parties. It is the maximum justified on the business fundamentals," Singapore Airlines spokesman Stephen Forshaw said.

"Singapore Airlines is a long-term partner, not a short-term financial trader, and this transaction will be the start of an important strategic relationship, which will strengthen China Eastern's competitive position."

Analysts say Air China, which completed a two-way investment with Singapore Airlines rival Cathay Pacific last year, feared formidable competition from a global player that has long coveted greater access to the booming Chinese travel arena.

CNAC's strongly worded comments came days after news emerged that Air China Chairman Li Jiaxiang had been appointed head of the country's civil aviation regulator, which analysts say would bolster Air China's objections to the deal.

Indeed, CNAC and Cathay had themselves pondered buying into China Eastern months ago, but then announced in September it would abandon that effort for at least three months.

"Air China's own international business is bleeding losses. They can't help us," argued China Eastern accounting department general manager Wu Longxue, who had joined his company's global investor roadshow over past months, to plug the deal.

"It's different with Singapore Air: We're getting their management expertise, operating experience and brand." (Reuters)

Australia, US to start open-skies pact talks

CANBERRA - AUSTRALIA and the United States will start talks on an open-skies aviation deal within the next six weeks to open up the lucrative trans-Pacific route between the two countries, Australia's government said on Wednesday.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese gave approval for formal talks to start in Washington next month, in a move which could see more US carriers fly to Australia via ports in Asia, such as Tokyo.

A spokesman for Albanese said the meetings would be held between Feb 12-14.

A deal could clear the way for Australian airline Virgin Blue Holdings to begin flights to the United States on its carrier V Australia by the end of this year, edging open one of the world's most lucrative and protected long-haul routes.

Under the current aviation treaty between Australia and the United States, airlines based in either country can only launch four weekly flights on the route in the first year.

V Australia, which is 62 per cent owned by Toll Holdings, has asked for 10 weekly flights, having already placed an order for six long-range Boeing 777-300ERs with options to buy another six of the jets.

Australia's former conservative government rejected repeated requests from Singapore Airlines for permission to fly from Australia to the United States, protecting flag carrier Qantas Airways from more competition on the route.

The new centre-left Labour government, elected in November, has not yet said if it supports the entry of Singapore Airlines on the route. Singapore wants access to new markets to help offset competition from low-cost carriers in Asia.

United Airlines is currently the only competitor to Qantas in non-stop flights to the US. It runs 14 flights a week to Australia. Qantas operates 48 flights a week and reportedly generates as much as 20 per cent of its profits from the route.

A 2006 report for Singapore Airlines said Qantas charged 38 per cent more for flights from Sydney to Los Angeles than on the more competitive 'kangaroo route' from Sydney to London.

Singapore Airlines estimates that opening the Pacific route to more competition could increase the number of travellers between the United States and Australia by up to 8 per cent. -- REUTERS

DOT announces final decision for 2009 China flights

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced a final decision to select US Airways to inaugurate its first U.S.-China service in 2009 as well as to award additional U.S.-China passenger flights to American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines also for 2009.

The Department’s decision confirms its tentative decision issued in a Sept. 25 show-cause order. The awards are the result of an agreement signed in July by Secretary Peters and her Chinese counterpart to open up new opportunities between the two countries that will double the number of daily flights allowed between the United States and China over the next five years.

“We are taking every opportunity to make it easier to do business and more convenient to stay connected with one of our largest trading partners,” said Secretary Peters. “These new direct routes will provide more options for both business and leisure passengers traveling between the United States and China.”

U.S. Airways will fly between Philadelphia and Beijing, while American, Continental and Northwest each will use the awards to add a new daily flight to their existing U.S.-China service. American will begin Chicago-Beijing service, Continental will operate a new flight between Newark /New York and Shanghai, and Northwest will fly between Detroit and Shanghai. All 2009 services must begin on or about March 25, 2009.

The new agreement with China also will result in two new daily flights to begin next year. In September Secretary Peters announced final decisions awarding Delta Air Lines a new daily flight between Atlanta and Shanghai and United a new daily San Francisco-Guangzhou service. Both carriers plan to begin the new flights in spring 2008.