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.
Thursday 10 November 2011
More Seats to North and South East Asia from Changi
The Northern-Winter 2011/121 season, which started this week, sees an additional 280 weekly flights and 30,000 weekly one-way seats being made available at Singapore Changi Airport to Southeast and Northeast Asia, cementing Changi?s position as a major gateway to the region.
In Southeast Asia, Jetstar Asia, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Tiger Airways will operate 50 additional weekly flights to and from Bangkok while AirAsia and Jetstar Asia will operate 42 additional weekly flights to and from Kuala Lumpur. In total, Changi will be connected to and from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur by 364 and 607 weekly flights respectively.
Separately, Changi will be connected to all nine of Singapore?s ASEAN neighbours later this month when Lao Airlines commences thrice-weekly services from Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Changi Airport will also strengthen its connectivity to China with an additional 6,700 weekly one-way seats to Beijing, Changsha, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
SilkAir launched thrice-weekly services to Changsha, a new city link for Changi, from 31 October. Changi is now connected to 25 Chinese cities via more than 650 weekly flights.
Passenger traffic between Singapore and Japan experienced its third consecutive month of growth in September 2011, after the earthquake and tsunami in March this year. With Singapore Airlines having restored an additional daily service to Tokyo Haneda from 30 October, the frequency between Singapore and Tokyo (both Narita and Haneda) returns to pre-earthquake levels with some 150 weekly flights connecting the two cities.
Along with the commencement of Lufthansa?s A380 operations in Singapore this week, Changi?s connectivity to Europe has been boosted by KLM?s additional weekly service to Amsterdam.
In January 2012, Changi Airport will welcome Transaero?s weekly service to Moscow and Singapore Airlines will increase capacity on its existing Singapore-Frankfurt-New York route with an A380 service.
With the increase in frequencies for the Northern-Winter 2011/12 season, Changi Airport is set to serve more than 6,200 weekly flights by the end of March 2012. This is an increase of about 5%, compared to the over 5,900 weekly flights Changi handled at the end of the Northern-Summer 2011 season.
On the cargo front, there is also additional capacity from Changi Airport to Germany and Europe with the commencement of Lufthansa?s all-cargo freighter operations at Changi and Singapore Airlines Cargo?s new twice-weekly services to Frankfurt. Using the 89-tonne MD11F aircraft, Lufthansa?s all-cargo carrier will complement its existing Aerologic services. Lufthansa will operate twice-weekly services to Frankfurt with stops in Cairo, Dhaka, Mumbai, New Delhi and Sharjah. Singapore Airlines Cargo?s services to Frankfurt will include stops in Bengaluru, Chennai and Sharjah.
As at 1 November 2011, Changi Airport serves 14 all-cargo carriers operating more than 380 weekly scheduled flights, an increase of 17% compared to a year ago.
In Southeast Asia, Jetstar Asia, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Tiger Airways will operate 50 additional weekly flights to and from Bangkok while AirAsia and Jetstar Asia will operate 42 additional weekly flights to and from Kuala Lumpur. In total, Changi will be connected to and from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur by 364 and 607 weekly flights respectively.
Separately, Changi will be connected to all nine of Singapore?s ASEAN neighbours later this month when Lao Airlines commences thrice-weekly services from Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Changi Airport will also strengthen its connectivity to China with an additional 6,700 weekly one-way seats to Beijing, Changsha, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
SilkAir launched thrice-weekly services to Changsha, a new city link for Changi, from 31 October. Changi is now connected to 25 Chinese cities via more than 650 weekly flights.
Passenger traffic between Singapore and Japan experienced its third consecutive month of growth in September 2011, after the earthquake and tsunami in March this year. With Singapore Airlines having restored an additional daily service to Tokyo Haneda from 30 October, the frequency between Singapore and Tokyo (both Narita and Haneda) returns to pre-earthquake levels with some 150 weekly flights connecting the two cities.
Along with the commencement of Lufthansa?s A380 operations in Singapore this week, Changi?s connectivity to Europe has been boosted by KLM?s additional weekly service to Amsterdam.
In January 2012, Changi Airport will welcome Transaero?s weekly service to Moscow and Singapore Airlines will increase capacity on its existing Singapore-Frankfurt-New York route with an A380 service.
With the increase in frequencies for the Northern-Winter 2011/12 season, Changi Airport is set to serve more than 6,200 weekly flights by the end of March 2012. This is an increase of about 5%, compared to the over 5,900 weekly flights Changi handled at the end of the Northern-Summer 2011 season.
On the cargo front, there is also additional capacity from Changi Airport to Germany and Europe with the commencement of Lufthansa?s all-cargo freighter operations at Changi and Singapore Airlines Cargo?s new twice-weekly services to Frankfurt. Using the 89-tonne MD11F aircraft, Lufthansa?s all-cargo carrier will complement its existing Aerologic services. Lufthansa will operate twice-weekly services to Frankfurt with stops in Cairo, Dhaka, Mumbai, New Delhi and Sharjah. Singapore Airlines Cargo?s services to Frankfurt will include stops in Bengaluru, Chennai and Sharjah.
As at 1 November 2011, Changi Airport serves 14 all-cargo carriers operating more than 380 weekly scheduled flights, an increase of 17% compared to a year ago.
KLM Launches Flights to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Havana and Punta Cana
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched flights to four new destinations in Latin America this week: Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Havana and Punta Cana.
KLM now operates 24 flights to and from destinations in Central America, and 28 flights to and from destinations in South America.
Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana/Punta Cana are also served by Air France.
With the dual-hub strategy through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle, the schedules of Air France and KLM are designed to connect seamlessly.
Together, the two airlines operate 17 weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, 13 weekly flights to Havana, 10 weekly flights to Buenos Aires, and 7 weekly flights to Punta Cana.
KLM now operates 24 flights to and from destinations in Central America, and 28 flights to and from destinations in South America.
Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana/Punta Cana are also served by Air France.
With the dual-hub strategy through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle, the schedules of Air France and KLM are designed to connect seamlessly.
Together, the two airlines operate 17 weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, 13 weekly flights to Havana, 10 weekly flights to Buenos Aires, and 7 weekly flights to Punta Cana.
JetBlue Finalises Order for 40 A320neo
JetBlue Airways has finalized a firm order for 40 A320neo (new engine option) aircraft.
With this contract, JetBlue also converts 30 of its pre-existing orders for A320s to the larger A321 model with enhanced wingtip devices called Sharklets.
In total JetBlue currently has on order 40 A320neo aircraft, 30 A321s and 22 A320s.
The airline has not yet unveiled its engine selection for the A320neo order.
We commenced operations with Airbus aircraft nearly 12 years ago, and have since used the A320 family as the backbone of our fleet, receiving great feedback from our customers and crewmembers, said Mark Powers, Chief Financial Officer of JetBlue Airways. ?Our business model is focused on a sustainable growth strategy with emphasis on cost control, while providing the most comfortable experience to our customers. We believe the A320neo fleet with help us meet these goals.?
The A320neo family is one of the fastest selling airliners ever, with more than 1200 orders and commitments since its launch in late 2010. The new A319, A320 and A321 models feature a choice of two new engines ? the PurePower PW1100G from Pratt & Whitney or the LEAP-X from CFM International. The aircraft also feature large wingtip device known as Sharklets. Together, Airbus says this results in a 15% fuel burn reduction, corresponding to an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 3,600 metric tons per aircraft.
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With this contract, JetBlue also converts 30 of its pre-existing orders for A320s to the larger A321 model with enhanced wingtip devices called Sharklets.
In total JetBlue currently has on order 40 A320neo aircraft, 30 A321s and 22 A320s.
The airline has not yet unveiled its engine selection for the A320neo order.
We commenced operations with Airbus aircraft nearly 12 years ago, and have since used the A320 family as the backbone of our fleet, receiving great feedback from our customers and crewmembers, said Mark Powers, Chief Financial Officer of JetBlue Airways. ?Our business model is focused on a sustainable growth strategy with emphasis on cost control, while providing the most comfortable experience to our customers. We believe the A320neo fleet with help us meet these goals.?
The A320neo family is one of the fastest selling airliners ever, with more than 1200 orders and commitments since its launch in late 2010. The new A319, A320 and A321 models feature a choice of two new engines ? the PurePower PW1100G from Pratt & Whitney or the LEAP-X from CFM International. The aircraft also feature large wingtip device known as Sharklets. Together, Airbus says this results in a 15% fuel burn reduction, corresponding to an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 3,600 metric tons per aircraft.
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Royal Jordanian to Launch Flights to Lagos and Nairobi
Royal Jordanian is to launch flights to Lagos and Nairobi in December.
The airline will operate direct regular flights to Lagos, the economic and financial capital of Nigeria, starting 3 December 2011. It will start operating to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on the 16th of the same month.
Royal Jordanian will operate two weekly flights with its wide-bodied, 280-seat Airbus A330s to Lagos. The flight will depart from Amman on Wednesdays at 12:40 after midnight, and reach Lagos at 06:30; it comes back from Lagos the same day, leaving at 8am and reaching Amman at 15:15.
A second weekly flight to Lagos will be on Saturdays. It will leave Amman at 14:45, reach Lagos at 20:35 and come back from Lagos at 10pm the same day, reaching Amman the next morning at 05:15.
The narrower-bodied A319 will operate four weekly flights between Amman and Nairobi. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Amman at 20:30 and reaching Nairobi at 02:55 the next day. The flight back from Nairobi is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 03:50, reaching Amman at 8am the same day.
RJ President/CEO Hussein Dabbas said the company?s effort to inaugurate these two routes comes in line with the expansion strategy RJ in undertaking in an attempt to find new tourism and travel markets, given the decline in tourism movement from the traditional markets of Europe and North America.
Connecting Amman with these African cities is expected to attract large numbers of tourists to the Kingdom, particularly Muslim pilgrims who wish to continue their flights to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia, and Christians, who come to Jordan to visit the Baptism site and other Christian holy sites. Moreover, transit travelers can use Queen Alia International Airport as a hub for their travel to the east.
The airline is conducting studies to see whether it is feasible to inaugurate routes to Accra, capital of Ghana, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
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The airline will operate direct regular flights to Lagos, the economic and financial capital of Nigeria, starting 3 December 2011. It will start operating to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on the 16th of the same month.
Royal Jordanian will operate two weekly flights with its wide-bodied, 280-seat Airbus A330s to Lagos. The flight will depart from Amman on Wednesdays at 12:40 after midnight, and reach Lagos at 06:30; it comes back from Lagos the same day, leaving at 8am and reaching Amman at 15:15.
A second weekly flight to Lagos will be on Saturdays. It will leave Amman at 14:45, reach Lagos at 20:35 and come back from Lagos at 10pm the same day, reaching Amman the next morning at 05:15.
The narrower-bodied A319 will operate four weekly flights between Amman and Nairobi. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Amman at 20:30 and reaching Nairobi at 02:55 the next day. The flight back from Nairobi is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 03:50, reaching Amman at 8am the same day.
RJ President/CEO Hussein Dabbas said the company?s effort to inaugurate these two routes comes in line with the expansion strategy RJ in undertaking in an attempt to find new tourism and travel markets, given the decline in tourism movement from the traditional markets of Europe and North America.
Connecting Amman with these African cities is expected to attract large numbers of tourists to the Kingdom, particularly Muslim pilgrims who wish to continue their flights to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia, and Christians, who come to Jordan to visit the Baptism site and other Christian holy sites. Moreover, transit travelers can use Queen Alia International Airport as a hub for their travel to the east.
The airline is conducting studies to see whether it is feasible to inaugurate routes to Accra, capital of Ghana, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
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Wednesday 9 November 2011
Qantas Resumes Flights
Qantas flights resumed earlier today following approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Fair Work Australia granted the Australian Government?s application to terminate all industrial action by the Australian Licenced Engineers Union, the Transport Workers Union, the Australian and International Pilots Union and Qantas.
Under the orders issued by Fair Work Australia, there will now be up to 21 days of negotiations between the parties. No industrial action can take place during this period. If no agreement is reached during this period, binding arbitration will take place under the control of Fair Work Australia.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the decision would provide certainty for Qantas passengers and all of our employees.
?This is a good outcome that will enable us to begin operating flights this afternoon on a limited schedule with the approval of the regulator, CASA,? Mr Joyce said. ?Operations will resume progressively from this afternoon. Our focus is bringing our schedule back to normal as soon as possible. Safety will remain our first priority at all times ... The industrial process has now passed into the hands of the independent umpire. All parties will be treated equally and we will respect the decisions that are made. We have new and existing agreements with 12 unions. We now anticipate the conclusion of agreements with the remaining three.
This has been a challenging period for Qantas, its employees, its customers and its shareholders. We sincerely regret the impact on customers of industrial action over recent months, and the effect on employees.?
Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy welcomed the decision by Fair Work Australia to terminate all industrial action and allow Qantas to resume international and domestic operations.
?This is a breakthrough for Australian tourism - an industry which generates $250 million a day in spending for our economy,? Mr McEvoy said. ?The decision provides certainty for tourism operators and, most importantly for the tourism industry, allowing Qantas to progressively resume flights. ?Australian tourism is open for business and we need to ensure whatever existing damage to our industry can now be minimised.
?There will be a backlog to clear, in particular from our international markets. Interestingly, we have become very good at clearing backlogs given recent issues such as the volcanic ash cloud and should see normal service start to resume within the next 24 hours,? he said.
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Fair Work Australia granted the Australian Government?s application to terminate all industrial action by the Australian Licenced Engineers Union, the Transport Workers Union, the Australian and International Pilots Union and Qantas.
Under the orders issued by Fair Work Australia, there will now be up to 21 days of negotiations between the parties. No industrial action can take place during this period. If no agreement is reached during this period, binding arbitration will take place under the control of Fair Work Australia.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the decision would provide certainty for Qantas passengers and all of our employees.
?This is a good outcome that will enable us to begin operating flights this afternoon on a limited schedule with the approval of the regulator, CASA,? Mr Joyce said. ?Operations will resume progressively from this afternoon. Our focus is bringing our schedule back to normal as soon as possible. Safety will remain our first priority at all times ... The industrial process has now passed into the hands of the independent umpire. All parties will be treated equally and we will respect the decisions that are made. We have new and existing agreements with 12 unions. We now anticipate the conclusion of agreements with the remaining three.
This has been a challenging period for Qantas, its employees, its customers and its shareholders. We sincerely regret the impact on customers of industrial action over recent months, and the effect on employees.?
Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy welcomed the decision by Fair Work Australia to terminate all industrial action and allow Qantas to resume international and domestic operations.
?This is a breakthrough for Australian tourism - an industry which generates $250 million a day in spending for our economy,? Mr McEvoy said. ?The decision provides certainty for tourism operators and, most importantly for the tourism industry, allowing Qantas to progressively resume flights. ?Australian tourism is open for business and we need to ensure whatever existing damage to our industry can now be minimised.
?There will be a backlog to clear, in particular from our international markets. Interestingly, we have become very good at clearing backlogs given recent issues such as the volcanic ash cloud and should see normal service start to resume within the next 24 hours,? he said.
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Jennifer Fox Appointed President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has appointed Jennifer Fox as president.
Fox, who will oversee Fairmont's collection of hotels and resorts, brings extensive experience in hotel operations, brand development, marketing and sales, and hotel transitions to her new role.
"I've known Jennifer for many years and we are extremely fortunate to be adding someone of her calibre to our executive team," said Chris Cahill, chief operating officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with Jennifer and firmly believe her leadership abilities, combined with her vast industry experience, branding expertise, and proven track record on driving hotel performance, will help enhance Fairmont's position as a global leader in the luxury hotel market."
With more than 25 years of hospitality related experience, Fox arrives at Fairmont from InterContinental Hotels Group, where she most recently served as chief operating officer, managed operations, Continental Europe, responsible for operations, financial performance, talent management and service delivery.
Prior to that, she held a range of senior leadership positions in brand marketing, including global brand manager for both Sheraton and InterContinental, and also served as general manager at some of the world's finest luxury hotels including assignments in Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and the United States.
Fox succeeds Chris Cahill, who yields the role of president to focus on his duties as chief operating officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Fairmont's parent company.
"Fairmont is already one of the world's most distinctive brands," said Jennifer Fox. "I have always admired Fairmont, so I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the Fairmont team as we continue to grow and introduce the brand to new markets around the world, while continuing to provide an unrivalled experience for our guests, and deliver and enhance value for all of our stakeholders."
Fox holds an MBA from Baylor University in Texas and is currently completing her doctorate in Business Studies (DBA) at the International School of Management in Paris, France.
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Fox, who will oversee Fairmont's collection of hotels and resorts, brings extensive experience in hotel operations, brand development, marketing and sales, and hotel transitions to her new role.
"I've known Jennifer for many years and we are extremely fortunate to be adding someone of her calibre to our executive team," said Chris Cahill, chief operating officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with Jennifer and firmly believe her leadership abilities, combined with her vast industry experience, branding expertise, and proven track record on driving hotel performance, will help enhance Fairmont's position as a global leader in the luxury hotel market."
With more than 25 years of hospitality related experience, Fox arrives at Fairmont from InterContinental Hotels Group, where she most recently served as chief operating officer, managed operations, Continental Europe, responsible for operations, financial performance, talent management and service delivery.
Prior to that, she held a range of senior leadership positions in brand marketing, including global brand manager for both Sheraton and InterContinental, and also served as general manager at some of the world's finest luxury hotels including assignments in Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and the United States.
Fox succeeds Chris Cahill, who yields the role of president to focus on his duties as chief operating officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Fairmont's parent company.
"Fairmont is already one of the world's most distinctive brands," said Jennifer Fox. "I have always admired Fairmont, so I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the Fairmont team as we continue to grow and introduce the brand to new markets around the world, while continuing to provide an unrivalled experience for our guests, and deliver and enhance value for all of our stakeholders."
Fox holds an MBA from Baylor University in Texas and is currently completing her doctorate in Business Studies (DBA) at the International School of Management in Paris, France.
See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Fairmont, Jennifer Fox, President
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