Global Executive Appointments @ Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has restructured its global sales division and made several new key appointments across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Jean-Marc Crescent has been appointed as Vice President, Global Account Sales, while Joost den Hartog will take up the post of Vice President of Europe based in Berlin, where Etihad Airways will locate its new regional and German offices.

Adam Phillips, who is currently General Manager of France, has also been promoted to Vice President - Asia Pacific North and the Indian subcontinent.

All three senior executives will report directly to Daniel Barranger, Etihad Airways' Vice President Global Sales.

In other staff developments, Robert Chad will move from General Manager Abu Dhabi to become General Manager France, reporting to Joost den Hartog, while Joseph Chamoun has been appointed as the new General Manager Abu Dhabi Sales, reporting to Hareb Al Muhairy, Vice President UAE, after four years as General Manager Lebanon.

The airline has also announced Judith Crompton, Head of Global Account Sales, will return to Australia after two successful years in the position. Ms Crompton has been overseeing the airline's multinational accounts worldwide from London whilst managing a team of 12 sales specialists across Etihad Airways' fast-growing network.

We are moving into an important phase of our growth as a truly global airline and these new appointments will be critically important to building on the tremendous success that has been achieved so far, said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer. Along with our continued investment in product, service and network development, we are confident that this highly experienced team will drive the implementation of our sales and distribution strategies to even greater heights in the coming years.

Qatar Airways to Launch Mozambique Flights

Qatar Airways will expand its African operations on 31 October 2012 with scheduled flights to Mozambique.

Thrice-weekly flights will operate from Doha to Mozambique?s capital city of Maputo via Johannesburg, becoming the 20th African destination served by the airline.

The Maputo service will be operated by the airline?s flagship long-haul Boeing 777 aircraft.

This truly is the year of an African adventure for Qatar Airways with the introduction of four new routes on this Continent of diverse landscapes, diverse peoples, diverse cultures and diverse natural attractions, said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. Mozambique is a great example of a market that we believe has great potential linking up with key feeder markets in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

The former Portuguese colony in southern Africa is Qatar Airways fourth new route across the diverse African continent to be launched during 2012.

Bordering the Indian Ocean, Mozambique has an economy based on natural resources, largely agriculture. Chemical manufacturing, aluminium and petroleum production are significant growth sectors, attracting investment from around the world. Maputo is a city steeped in colonial architecture reflecting its strong Portuguese heritage.

Tiger Airways Launches Promotion

Tiger Airways has launched a promotion that offers travellers up to 50% off its fares.

 Fares to 15 popular destinations across Asia, including Bangkok, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Phuket and Manila are now on sale until 25 June 2012.

It's a double celebration for us. We want to showcase the best of Asia to mark the annual Great Singapore Sale that is now a permanent feature on everyone's calendar. We have also been performing consistently well in our flight punctuality, and we want to celebrate this with all our customers, with this incredible offer,? said Tiger Airways Singapore's Managing Director, Stewart Adams.

The travel period for the promotional fares varies with the route. Terms and conditions apply.

Thai Airways Launches Copenhagen - Phuket Flights

Thai Airways International has launched thrice weekly direct flights between Copenhagen and Phuket, utilizing the Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Flight TG953 is a 10-hour 35-minute flight, departing Copenhagen on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 20:45 and arriving in Phuket at 13:20 the following day, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

On the return, passengers can take any of THAI's daily flights from Phuket to Bangkok and connect on flights to Copenhagen via Suvarnabhumi Airport.

According to the Winter Traffic Program, which started 30 October 2011, THAI operates daily flights between Bangkok to Copenhagen, with flight TG950 departing Bangkok 00:50 and arriving in Copenhagen on the same day at 06:35. On the return flight TG951 departing Copenhagen 14:00 and arriving in Bangkok 06:30 the next day.

THAI has also just started three additional flights per week on the route Bangkok to Copenhagen, with flight TG952 departing Bangkok on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 13:00 and arriving in Copenhagen on the same day at 18:45 hours, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Tiger Airways Launches ex-Singapore Promotion

Tiger Airways has launched a new promotion offering reduced fares to cities across the Asia Pacific region.

The promotion includes flights to all of Tiger Airways? destinations including Phuket (from Sin$48 one-way), Ho Chi Minh (from Sin$68 one-way), Thiruvananthapuram (from Sin$128 one-way) and Guangzhou (from Sin$138 one-way), inclusive of taxes and charges.

The travel period is from 17 November 2011 to 31 July 2012, varying for each specific route.

Many Singaporeans love travelling. However, due to work commitments or budget constraints, they don't take holidays as frequently as they would like to, said Stewart Adams, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore. ?We all work very hard and deserve regular short breaks to rejuvenate ourselves. Tiger Airways? great-value fares and list of exciting leisure destinations provide two additional reasons for Singaporeans to take more short vacations overseas, even if it's just for a weekend.

Jet Airways and JetBlue Launch Interline Services

India?s Jet Airways and New York?s JetBlue Airways have entered into a new interline agreement that will offer guests new travel options from India to JetBlue destinations in the USA, via New York?s John F Kennedy and Newark airports.

Jet Airways offers daily non-stop services from its international gateways in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai to its European Hub in Brussels, the international political centre and home to NATO and European Union headquarters. At Brussels airport, customers can transfer to non-stop Jet Airways flights bound for New York?s John F. Kennedy and Newark Airports.

 In India, Jet Airways also offers an unrivalled domestic network to 53 cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Goa, Hyderabad, and Thiruvananthapuram.

JetBlue is one of the largest domestic airlines in New York, offering more than 150 daily flights that feature all-leather seating, free inflight entertainment at every seatback, and unlimited free snacks and drinks. The airline offers non-stop services from JFK to dozens of destinations including Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C and from Newark to Boston, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.

Through this partnership, customers will now be able to book a single combined ticket for JetBlue and Jet Airways-operated flights with one stop check-in and baggage transfer between the two airlines.

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Qatar Airways Launches Flights to Uganda

Qatar Airways has launched daily scheduled flights to Entebbe International Airport, near Uganda?s capital city of Kampala.

Entebbe becomes the 16th destination in Qatar Airways? African network. The latest route is also the carrier?s third East African point in a regional network that already covers the Kenyan and Tanzanian capitals of Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, respectively.

The Doha ? Entebbe route is served with an Airbus A320 featuring up to 12 seats in Business Class and up to 132 seats in Economy. The aircraft offers seatback TV screens providing all passengers with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment system featuring a choice of more than 700 audio and video on demand options.

Furthermore, the aircraft is equipped with a special OnAir service allowing passengers to use their mobile phones onboard for SMS, MMS messaging and emails.

?Since we announced plans to serve Uganda with daily passenger flights, this new route has been highly anticipated by the travel trade, business community and the travelling public. I would like to stress that we are here to stay, building strong relationships with our business partners for the long term,? said Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker. ?I am extremely confident Entebbe will be just as successful as our other destinations in Africa and this will further strengthen our position across the Continent where we now operate to 16 cities from Doha.?

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa for its abundant wildlife, natural lush green scenery and rich culture. From eco tours, white-water rafting, hiking, safaris and the country?s most famous attraction ? the elusive and treasured mountain gorilla ? Uganda has plenty to offer for leisure visitors.

Kampala is also fast becoming a business hub, helped by the Ugandan government offering incentives to overseas investors.

Qatar Airways to Increase Flights to Iran; Launch Isfahan Service

Qatar Airways is to increase capacity across its network in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will launch daily scheduled flights to a fourth city ? the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

An additional 31 flights each week will be operated by the Doha-based airline between the State of Qatar and Iran, representing an 150% increase in overall frequency.

The capacity rise to 52 services a week, up from the current 21, will be phased in over a four-month period, starting 1 December 2011.

The capital Tehran will be served with an additional daily flight; Iran?s second largest city of Mashhad is to get nine extra flights; Shiraz, the economic centre of southern Iran, will be given eight new flights; and, starting 11 January 2012, services will begin to Isfahan in central Iran.

 Shiraz: 8 new flights ? currently twice-weekly, rising to daily, effective December 1, and a further three flights introduced each week from March 2012.

 Isfahan: new route ? daily flights from 11 January 2012.

 Mashhad: 9 new flights ? from the current five flights-a-week to 14 services (double daily), beginning March 2012.

 Tehran: 7 new flights ?.from the current 14 flights each week (double daily) to 21 services (thrice-daily), beginning March 2012.

All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy.

Qatar Airways began flying to Iran in 2004 with the launch of services to Tehran. Flights to Mashhad started the following year, with Shiraz introduced to the network almost five months ago.

Isfahan, home to textile and steel mills and located on the country?s main north-south and east-west crossroads, is the heartbeat of central Iran?s economy. With fine historic Islamic architecture, palaces and tree-lined wide boulevards, the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Middle East.

 ?Almost five months ago, Qatar Airways introduced the Iranian city of Shiraz to our network. We have been working with the authorities in Iran for increased capacity across the country and delighted to have reached agreement to make this announcement,? said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?Additional flights will ultimately benefit passengers travelling to and from Iran and with our large international network of destinations, we facilitate travel with more ease, more flexibility and more choice, particularly for the large Iranian expatriate community around the world.?

So far this year, Qatar Airways has launched flights to 12 cities worldwide ? Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Stuttgart (Germany), Aleppo (Syria), Shiraz (Iran), Venice (Italy), Montreal (Canada), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Kolkata (India), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Oslo (Norway).

Three further routes are planned during November alone ? to the Libyan port city of Benghazi from 1 November 2011; Ugandan city of Entebbe effective 2 November 2011; and the central Chinese city of Chongqing on 28 November 2011.

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Qatar Airways to Increase Flights to Iran; Launch Isfahan Service

Qatar Airways is to increase capacity across its network in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will launch daily scheduled flights to a fourth city ? the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

An additional 31 flights each week will be operated by the Doha-based airline between the State of Qatar and Iran, representing an 150% increase in overall frequency.

The capacity rise to 52 services a week, up from the current 21, will be phased in over a four-month period, starting 1 December 2011.

The capital Tehran will be served with an additional daily flight; Iran?s second largest city of Mashhad is to get nine extra flights; Shiraz, the economic centre of southern Iran, will be given eight new flights; and, starting 11 January 2012, services will begin to Isfahan in central Iran.

 Shiraz: 8 new flights ? currently twice-weekly, rising to daily, effective December 1, and a further three flights introduced each week from March 2012.

 Isfahan: new route ? daily flights from 11 January 2012.

 Mashhad: 9 new flights ? from the current five flights-a-week to 14 services (double daily), beginning March 2012.

 Tehran: 7 new flights ?.from the current 14 flights each week (double daily) to 21 services (thrice-daily), beginning March 2012.

All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy.

Qatar Airways began flying to Iran in 2004 with the launch of services to Tehran. Flights to Mashhad started the following year, with Shiraz introduced to the network almost five months ago.

Isfahan, home to textile and steel mills and located on the country?s main north-south and east-west crossroads, is the heartbeat of central Iran?s economy. With fine historic Islamic architecture, palaces and tree-lined wide boulevards, the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Middle East.

 ?Almost five months ago, Qatar Airways introduced the Iranian city of Shiraz to our network. We have been working with the authorities in Iran for increased capacity across the country and delighted to have reached agreement to make this announcement,? said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?Additional flights will ultimately benefit passengers travelling to and from Iran and with our large international network of destinations, we facilitate travel with more ease, more flexibility and more choice, particularly for the large Iranian expatriate community around the world.?

So far this year, Qatar Airways has launched flights to 12 cities worldwide ? Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Stuttgart (Germany), Aleppo (Syria), Shiraz (Iran), Venice (Italy), Montreal (Canada), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Kolkata (India), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Oslo (Norway).

Three further routes are planned during November alone ? to the Libyan port city of Benghazi from 1 November 2011; Ugandan city of Entebbe effective 2 November 2011; and the central Chinese city of Chongqing on 28 November 2011.

Qatar Airways to Launch Flights to Benghazi

Qatar Airways is launching four-times-a-week non-stop scheduled flights to Libya?s second largest city of Benghazi on 1 November 2011.

Benghazi, Libya?s north eastern Mediterranean port city and major economic centre, is a key destination for trade and exports. Many industries including oil refining, food processing, cement production and tuna fishing, reside in the surrounding region of Cyrenaica, of which Benghazi is the capital.

Qatar Airways has a well established presence in Libya, having initially operated services to the capital Tripoli eight years ago. Flights to Tripoli are currently suspended due to the political situation, but are expected to resume soon.

?Qatar Airways continues to strive to provide a network to cater for all travel segments, conveniently connecting through our Doha hub. Almost a year ago in Nice, I spoke about the possibility of expanding our Libyan operations, and I am delighted that we are now, within this short of a period, set to start flights to Benghazi, another key city in the country, said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?We identified Benghazi as an underserved, primarily business destination, and now have the opportunity to bring this city into our fold.?

Qatar Airways will operate the route with an Airbus A320 dual configuration aircraft, offering 12 seats in First Class and 132 in Economy.

Benghazi will be the airline?s 13th route of the year, and precedes two other new route launches ? Entebbe and Chongqing ? starting on 2 November and 28 November respectively.

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Etihad Airways Launches 3-Day Promotion

Etihad Airways has launched a limited-time "Fantastic Falling Fares" promotion, which includes fares to destinations around the world slashed by as much as 50%.

The sale will take place from 1 November to 3 November 2011 for travel from 5 November to 14 December 2011.

Passengers in the United Arab Emirates will be able to fly to London for as little as AED2,050, inclusive of taxes and surcharges. Flights to Manila will be available for AED1, 240 and Paris for 1,520.

Economy return flights to Thailand will be available for AED1,590.

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Qatar Airways to Launch Flights to Benghazi

Qatar Airways is launching four-times-a-week non-stop scheduled flights to Libya?s second largest city of Benghazi on 1 November 2011.

Benghazi, Libya?s north eastern Mediterranean port city and major economic centre, is a key destination for trade and exports. Many industries including oil refining, food processing, cement production and tuna fishing, reside in the surrounding region of Cyrenaica, of which Benghazi is the capital.

Qatar Airways has a well established presence in Libya, having initially operated services to the capital Tripoli eight years ago. Flights to Tripoli are currently suspended due to the political situation, but are expected to resume soon.

?Qatar Airways continues to strive to provide a network to cater for all travel segments, conveniently connecting through our Doha hub. Almost a year ago in Nice, I spoke about the possibility of expanding our Libyan operations, and I am delighted that we are now, within this short of a period, set to start flights to Benghazi, another key city in the country, said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?We identified Benghazi as an underserved, primarily business destination, and now have the opportunity to bring this city into our fold.?

Qatar Airways will operate the route with an Airbus A320 dual configuration aircraft, offering 12 seats in First Class and 132 in Economy.

Benghazi will be the airline?s 13th route of the year, and precedes two other new route launches ? Entebbe and Chongqing ? starting on 2 November and 28 November respectively.

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Etihad Airways Signs Codeshare with TAP Portugal

Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal. The deal offers Etihad Airways passengers a wealth of new flight options to destinations in Portugal including Lisbon, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Porto.

The agreement is Etihad Airways? 34th such commercial partnership.

Under the codeshare, Etihad Airways will place its ?EY? code on services operated by TAP Portugal from Lisbon to Brussels, D?sseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Funchal, Geneva, London, Milan, and Porto. TAP Portugal flights from Porto to Brussels and Geneva will also carry the ?EY? code.

TAP will place its ?TP? code on Etihad Airways flights to and from Brussels, D?sseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, and Milan.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways? Chief Executive Officer, said, ?This new codeshare illustrates Etihad?s growing ambitions in Europe. It opens up four key destinations in Portugal that we have been eager to offer our customers for a long time and we are certain the connections and seamless flight experience offered by Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal will appeal to business and leisure travellers.?

Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal?s Chief Executive Officer, added, ?TAP has been very active in providing new and more diverse quality services to its worldwide customer base. Through this new agreement with Etihad Airways, TAP will be reaching the United Arab Emirates for the first time ever, not only offering faster and more convenient links between the Gulf region and Portugal, but also attracting and carrying new passengers to its own network, based at its functional Lisbon hub.?

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