1.  SIA confirms A380 London debut

The first Airbus A380 mega jumbo to land at Heathrow is due to touch down on March 18. The Singapore Airlines aircraft is due to arrive from Singapore at 15.05 following the airline taking delivery of a third of the 471-passenger aircraft. The inaugural flight is also the first A380 commercial service to Europe. The aircraft will return to Singapore on the same day, operating as SQ 319, departing Heathrow at 18.55, arriving into Singapore at 15.35 on March 19. The A380 will commence regular scheduled services, operating SQ322 daily on the Singapore-London route. London is the Airline's second A380 destination after the launch to Sydney in October. Passengers holding tickets on flights from March 18 to Singapore from London will be automatically accommodated on the new aircraft without any change required. SIA said.  But those holding bookings, but not yet ticketed, may need to check if there have been changes to their fares as a result of the aircraft change. Passengers flying on the service on March 18 will receive personalized certificates recognizing their participation in the 'milestone' event, as well as limited edition SIA A380 souvenirs and exclusive premium giveaways. Executive vice president marketing and regions Huang Cheng Eng said: "The A380 will provide a capacity expansion on the popular Singapore-London route.  "For the first time, an aircraft larger than the B747-400 will fly this route, thereby meaning more seats without the need for more frequencies to what is already one of the world's busiest airports."

Source: Business Standard;31.1.2008

2.  Virgin Blue launches Capital Jet eight daily flights.

For the first time in two and a half years, one of the country's busiest air routes will have some much needed competition with today's launch of Virgin Blue Capital Jet flights between Canberra and Sydney, the airline to operate eight daily flights between the nation's capital and Sydney specifically to cater to corporate and Government high flyers, as well as ACT/NSW visitors and locals.  Fares start from $69* one way on the Internet, with Virgin Blue using its brand new fleet of executive style EMBRAER E-Jets to provide a jet aircraft service to the market. Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, "Canberra-Sydney route is one of the last remaining monopoly routes in this country and Virgin Blue is excited to break that stranglehold."  "We will bring back some fair competition and we are ready, willing and able with the right jet, to step up to the plate and provide the competitive choice Canberra travellers deserve." Virgin Blue will offer eight daily flights at desirable business travel times with the schedule being developed following close consultation with the corporate and Government sectors and Virgin Blue also recently opened its all-inclusive corporate lounge facility "The Lounge" at Canberra Airport and is set to shortly introduce a "Premium Economy" in-flight option across its entire fleet for the discerning travelers wanting additional perks and services.  Virgin Blue already operates or sells flights between Canberra-Brisbane, Canberra-Melbourne and Canberra-Gold Coast and is looking to add further capacity to these high demand routes as it takes delivery of more 737 and EMBRAER aircraft throughout 2008. Virgin Blue recently announced it will also launch direct services between Canberra and the Gold Coast from next month, highlighting its focus of generating more travel, more tourism and more benefits for the people of Canberra and Australia. A launch celebration party was held last night at a private hangar at Canberra International Airport, featuring Guests from the political, corporate and tourism arenas.  The highlight of the evening was a special performance by Australian Marcia Hines and her band.

Source: Economic Times;4.2.2008

3.  BA to serve New York from London City

An all-business class service between London City Airport and New York is to be established by British Airways. The new flights will operate on Airbus A318 aircraft with 32 seats onboard with a double daily frequency. The move to fly transatlantic from the London Docklands airport will pitch BA against all-business class carriers Silverjet from Luton and Eos from Stansted. BA is ordering two A318s to operate the service. The date of the first flight has not been disclosed or the price of tickets. The airline's chief executive said: "This niche service will fly passengers between the heart of the two largest financial centers in the world. London City airport is located minutes away from some of our key corporate customers and is in one of the fastest growing areas of the capital. "We will offer a 15 minute check-in for customers in both London and New York. London City's size means that it is a quick and easy airport to use and, with a maximum of 32 passengers onboard, getting on and off the aircraft will be a smooth process. "Once onboard, customers will experience all the benefits of our business class cabin including a fully flat bed. "The London-New York route is a key market for us and these flights will be in addition to our current Heathrow schedule from where we fly eight times a day to JFK and three times a day to Newark.  "As well as the business market, we are confident that there will also be a demand from premium leisure customers for this service. "The A318 is the perfect aircraft for these flights. It is capable of operating at London City and is large enough for us to provide the number of business class seats required to make this a viable operation."

Source: Economic Times;1.2.2008

4.  Scottish airline suspends operations

Aberdeen-based City Star Airlines has ceased operations, putting a reported 55 staff out of work. The carrier, which served five destinations in Norway including Olso, made 15 staff redundant in December. The closure of the airline was blamed on the aftermath of an incident on the ground at Aberdeen airport last November when one of City Star's four Dornier aircraft was damaged by mobile passenger steps. The airline's managing director Runar Fossadal Arnason, announcing that flights had ceased, said the incident meant City Star "suffered the immediate loss of an aircraft which required us to take emergency measures to secure continued operation."
He added: "Unfortunately, the incident has had a major knock-on effect and we have simply not been able to recover from this." All passengers booked with the airline have been told to contact their credit card company or travel agent. It is not known how many forward bookings City Star had. The airline started flying in March 2005 with a single 32-seat Dornier 328 aircraft from Aberdeen to Oslo and added further destinations in Norway - Stavanger, Kristiansund, Alesund and Bergen.

Source: Financial Times;London;1.2.2008

5.  Amex Business Travel sees $24.6bn sales in '07

American Express Business Travel has reported $6.3 billion in new and renewed contracts for 2007.  Renewals contributed to a global retention rate of 98% and sales from newly signed clients in its Global Business segment represented an increase of 55% compared to 2006.  American Express drove $24.6 billion in travel sales during 2007, according to the global travel management company.  It also delivered more than $1 billion in travel and entertainment savings for North America-based middle-market, large-market and multinational clients in 2007.  The European region reported a near 20% increase in new sales and more than $1 billion in renewed contracts.  A recent client survey revealed the top priorities companies are focused on in 2008 - the environmental impact of a travel programme, meetings expense management and globalization. President of American Express Global Travel Services Charles Petruccelli said: "Given current economic conditions and outlook, the solutions that we offer are even more attractive to our customers. "Our ability to demonstrate the savings potential through a differentiated managed travel and entertainment program is the reason clients want to partner with us – our commitment to deliver unparalleled service and deliver on those savings are the reason they stay with us.  "We continue to look for new ways to raise the bar and enhance the value we deliver to our customers both online and offline. "This year, we will be exploring new opportunities and innovations that provide the next generation of end-to-end total travel and expense management solutions for our clients, including continued expansion and upgrading of our AXIOM web-based solution, the introduction of a web-based meetings management solution, and more." 

Source: Financial Times;London;1.2.2008

6.  EasyJet finalizes GB Airways takeover

GB Airways, which has been sold by Cadogan Holidays parent the Bland Group, had a pre-tax profit of £2.6 million in the year ending March 2007. The airline operates 15 Airbus A320s and A321s. EasyJet claims that following the takeover, it will carry more passengers from Gatwick than any other airline. The GB Airways acquisition means that easyJet will be offering services from Manchester for the first time.  As part of the integration process, synergy benefits in the areas of overheads, insurance, ground handling, aircraft ownership and ancillary revenues have been identified and over the medium term easyJet will be able to drive further benefit from the acquisition as it optimizes its network, the airline said. "In the current financial year, before exceptional costs of around £12 million, the acquisition will be earnings enhancing," a statement added. "The integration of GB Airways into easyJet is progressing well - its routes are already on sale via easyJet.com and plans are in place to ensure a smooth transition by GB Airways to the easyJet Air Operators Certificate." EasyJet chief executive Andy Harrison said: "We are delighted to have completed this transaction and we welcome the GB Airways staff transitioning across to become part of the easyJet team. "The deal enhances easyJet's customer offering of low cost with care and convenience and will create value for shareholders."

Source: Financial Times;London;1.2.2008

7.  China Southern adapts LA schedule

China Southern Airlines has announced significant changes to its Los Angeles - Guangzhou Boeing 777 transpacific service. China Southern Airlines is changing the original transpacific flight schedule that it has operated for the last 10 years between Los Angeles/Guangzhou/Los Angeles CZ328 / CZ327.

Source: Financial Express;6.2.2008

8.  Qantas wins inflight wine award

Qantas has been recognized as having the Best First Class Cellar in the prestigious 2008 Cellars in the Sky Awards. The airline also won the Best Business Class Sparkling award and a special award for Consistency of Wines Across Business and First, building upon the success of the airline in 2005 when it won the award for Best First and Business Class Wine List and in 2007 when it won the award for Most Original First Class Wine List. Qantas Group General Manager Product and Services, Ms Lesley Grant, said the award, judged by a panel of wine experts for Business Traveller and Wine International magazines in London, recognized the airline’s commitment to its inflight wine program and the quality of Australian wines. “Qantas has been a strong and proud supporter of the Australian wine industry for many years,” she said. “Through the Qantas Wine Program, we showcase a large and diverse range of around 400 wines to our customers each year.” Ms Grant said Qantas engaged a panel of highly experienced industry judges that comprised Vanya Cullen, Stephen Pannell and Tom Carson, to evaluate the thousands of wines submitted to the airline each year. “The Panel’s expertise ensures we select the finest wines that suit our customer base in all travel classes and the inflight environment,” Ms Grant said. “By balancing brands, varieties and regions, the program is designed so that almost no two flights will carry exactly the same selection of wine. “Qantas Cabin Crew are provided with sommelier training, and a Qantas Inflight Wine Guide, produced in association with Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, is also provided to customers traveling in First and Business, “ she said.

Source: Economic Times;6.2.2008

9.  Kingfisher, Emirates ink alliance

Kingfisher Airlines and Emirates Airline today announced that they have inked an alliance aimed at expanding the benefits offered to members of their frequent flyers programmes. Besides offering reciprocal benefits to each others' frequent flyers, the alliance also envisages that both partners will explore and embark on mutually beneficial marketing opportunities. The alliance, which was signed by Brian LaBelle, Skywards' Senior Vice President and A Raghunathan, Executive Vice President, Kingfisher Airlines, is slated to come into effect from March 1, 2008. Members of frequent flyers programmes of both airlines will be able to accrue points as per the actual miles flown and a 100 per cent bonus for business class flights of the other airline. Redemption will begin with 7,500 miles on economy class for one way flights on Kingfisher to select destinations.

Source: www.travelbizmonitor.com;5.2.2008

10.  South African Tourism kicks-off road shows in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi

South African Tourism (SAT) kicked-off its four-city road show titled, 'Fabulous weather meets feathered friends' yesterday in Mumbai. The show will now be held in Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi on February 6, 7 and 8, respectively. According to Medha Sampat, Acting Country Manager, SAT, the road show received a remarkable response from the travel trade in Mumbai. Besides, over 40 South African delegates participated in the road show that offered an interactive platform for buyers and suppliers. Having identified India - the first in Asia - as its core market for 2008, SAT has set a target of 10 per cent growth this year. Last year, the number of Indian visitors to SA was 43,509 (till October) as compared to 34,062 in 2002. Mumbai and Delhi constitute almost two-thirds share (62 per cent) of the SA leisure travel market in India. Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai account for 12 per cent of Indian travelers and 17 per cent of the leisure traffic. SAT has now decided to promote the country as a year-round destination in India.

Source: www.travelbizmonitor.com;5.2.2008

Prepared by
Jennifer Kumar, BBA (NAU) 3rd Year
Skyline Business School
Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110 016
Tel: 2686 4848, 2652 4399
http://www.skylinecollege.com