Airline News and Hotel Updates

Friday 28 October 2011

AAPA Reports Asia Pacific Airline Traffic for September 2011

Preliminary traffic figures for the month of September 2011 show sustained growth in international air passenger traffic, whilst international air freight markets continued to soften.

According to figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Asia Pacific based airlines flew a total of 16 million international passengers in September 2011, a growth of 5.4% compared to the same month last year, underpinned by business and leisure demand on Asian routes.

Measured in revenue passenger kilometre terms (RPK), international passenger traffic grew by 5.2%. With available seat capacity expanding by 6.8%, the average international passenger load factor fell 1.1 percentage points to 77.3%.

As a result of a slowdown in trade activities, Asia Pacific international air cargo demand, in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms, declined by 6.5% compared to the same month last year. Offered freight capacity contracted by 1.3%, resulting in a 3.5 percentage point decline in the average international air cargo load factor for the region?s carriers to 63.8% for the month.

?Overall, for the first three quarters of the year, Asia Pacific airlines saw a 3.7% increase in the number of international passengers carried, whereas international air cargo demand fell by 4.1%,? said Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General. ?Resilient Asian economies, with relatively strong domestic spending power, helped support leisure and business travel markets. However, a slowdown in export demand, as a result of the ongoing European economic crisis and softening North American economies, contributed to the fall in overall cargo traffic. As a result, Asian airlines have seen only modest revenue growth this year. At the same time, airlines have had to grapple with a 40% increase in jet fuel prices, squeezing what are typically already very thin margins.?

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, AAPA, September 2011

View the original article here

aTiX Scanner Gains EU Approval for Checked Baggage Screening

Smiths Detection?s explosives detection scanner for carry-on baggage, the HI-SCAN 7555aTiX, has gained EU Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) approval for hold luggage.

The 7555aTiX is now the only multi-purpose, multi-threat detection system for aviation security applications, which is officially EU standard approved and can be used either for liquids detection or bulk explosives screening.

The EDS Standard 2 approval for the 7555aTiX adds to the previously received liquid detection approval, in which Smiths Detection?s aTiX product line achieved the EU?s most stringent screening (LEDS Type C Standard 2) requirements.

Mal Maginnis, President of Smiths Detection, said, ?Our advanced scanners for multi-purpose, multi-threat detection provide detection capabilities for liquid and bulk explosives that meet the most stringent international security requirements. They are also designed for easy application of software enhancements to meet evolving threats and regulatory requirements. These latest approvals underline Smiths Detection?s technological leadership.?

Compliance under the new Common Evaluation Program (CEP) for deployment in the EU means that strict image quality and detection performance standards for automatic evaluation have been met. Approval, mandatory for use in all EU/ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) member states, followed lengthy testing under ECAC procedures.

The compact HI-SCAN 7555aTiX is ideal for use at aviation security checkpoints and for checked baggage EDS screening in low bag volume airports. The system joins Smiths Detection?s HI-SCAN 10080 EDX-2is and HI-SCAN 10080 EDtS on the list of hold baggage screeners to have achieved EDS Standard 2 under the CEP.

View the original article here

BAA to Sell Edinburgh Airport

Following the UK Competition Commission?s decision requiring BAA to sell either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, BAA has confirmed that it will sell Edinburgh Airport.

BAA is now commencing preparations for a sale and expects to formally approach the market in the New Year with a view to agreeing a sale by Summer 2012.

?Edinburgh is a great airport with a great team and a great future and we will be very sorry to see it leave BAA. We remain committed to Scotland and we will continue our long-term investment to improve passenger and airline experience at Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as at Edinburgh until the sale is complete,? said BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews. ?Choosing which airport to sell has been a difficult decision. Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be a strong and resilient asset throughout the economic downturn. Passenger numbers at Edinburgh have grown by more than 6% over the past year and in an uncertain market we expect it to be an attractive asset to prospective buyers. Glasgow Airport has great opportunities for future growth and development and we think BAA is well-placed to build on its recent success. Both airports are of national importance and have a bright future.?

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland?s largest airport with approximately 9.2m passengers passing through it every year and with over 100,000 flights. 2011 has seen the airport named Best European Airport (5-10m Passengers) by ACI Europe and consolidate its position as the fifth largest airport in the UK with the best passenger numbers in its history. Passenger numbers have grown by 6.1% over the last 12 months and by 9.5% since the start of 2011. Around 40 airlines connect Edinburgh to over 120 destinations. The airport is also a burgeoning cargo hub with 10,200 tonnes of cargo in the past year.

The airport directly employs 485 staff and supports 7,500 jobs across Scotland.

A ?42m investment in 2010 in the departure lounge and security hall has improved the customer experience and provided the airport with the platform to develop and attract further long haul and short haul routes.

View the original article here

Cathay Pacific Reports Traffic Figures for September 2011

Cathay Pacific?s and Dragonair?s combined traffic figures for September 2011 show a year-on-year increase in passenger numbers that was below the increase in capacity. Cargo and mail tonnage showed a decline for the sixth consecutive month.

Cathay Pacific and Dragonair carried a total of 2,255,605 passengers last month ? up 3.5% on the same month last year ? while the passenger load factor fell by 2.1 percentage points to 79.7%. Capacity for the month, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), was up by 9.8%. For the year to date, the number of passengers carried increased by 2.1% while capacity was up by 9.1%.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management James Tong said, ?In September we saw a falloff in demand in the back end, as expected after the summer peak. The Japan route continued to see a recovery, though China was down compared to last year due to the Shanghai Expo effect in 2010. Premium business held up well in September in terms of volume and yield, with currency movements working in our favour, but the outlook is getting more uncertain as companies begin to review their travel policies in light of the economic situation.?

The two airlines carried 131,443 tonnes of cargo and mail in September, a 10.1% decrease compared to the same month last year, while the cargo and mail load factor was down 5 percentage points to 64.8%. Capacity, measured in available cargo/mail tonne kilometres, was down by 0.8%, while cargo and mail tonne kilometres flown were down by 7.9%. For the year to date, tonnage has dropped by 6.4% compared to a capacity increase of 9.8%.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Cargo Sales & Marketing James Woodrow said, ?On the cargo side there was no significant change from the situation in August, with the key Hong Kong and China markets both remaining soft and demand to long-haul destinations, particularly Europe, below expectations. There is no sign yet of the traditional year-end peak beginning. On the positive side, intra-Asia traffic is holding up well and flights from most destinations into Hong Kong have been relatively full. We have recently launched freighter services to Chongqing and Chengdu to boost our presence in the growing Western China market.?

View the original article here

Singapore Airlines Cargo to Add Frankfurt to Network

Singapore Airlines Cargo is to launch twice-weekly Boeing 747-400 freighter services to Frankfurt in Germany from 2 November 2011.

The freighter services will complement the cargo capacity available on Singapore Airlines? twice-daily passenger flights between Singapore and Frankfurt.

Frankfurt is a major manufacturing and air transportation hub. Its major exports include machinery and automobile parts.

Mr Tan Tiow Kor, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, said, ?These services are in line with our policy of matching capacity with demand. The freighter services to Frankfurt will give our customers more choice of flights to choose from and will play an important role in expanding two-way trade links with key markets in Asia and Europe.?

View the original article here

Boeing Delivers No. 300 of its Best-Selling 777

Boeing's best-selling 777, the 777-300ER (extended range), has surpassed 300 deliveries with a delivery late last week to first-time customer Biman Bangladesh.

As of 30 September 2011, the 777-300ER has 543 orders. The 777 program (all models) has received a total of 1,288 orders and the program has a backlog of 325 orders.

"Introduced into service in 2005, the 777-300ER is the best seller for a reason," said Larry Loftis, 777 vice president and general manager. "It is distinguished by its fuel efficiency, award-winning cabin interior, range ? it can fly point to point bypassing crowded hub airports ? and its commonality with the Boeing 767 and 787."

The 777-300ER has been ordered by 37 customers around the globe. Twenty-seven customers now operate the 777-300ER; 10 additional customers will take delivery of their first 777-300ERs through 2014.

Approximately 35% of the 777-300ER was changed from earlier 777 models. Each wing was extended by 6.5 feet (1.98 m) by adding raked wingtips, which reduce takeoff field length, increase climb performance and reduce fuel burn.

The body, wing, empennage and nose gear of the airplanes were strengthened and new main landing gear, wheels, tires and brakes were installed. New semi-levered landing gear permits takeoffs on shorter runways.

The struts and nacelles were modified to accommodate the significantly higher-thrust engines. The airplanes are powered exclusively by the General Electric GE90-115BL engine producing 115,300 pounds (512 kn) of thrust.

Boeing's updated Current Market Outlook forecasts the twin-aisle market a the fastest-growing segment of the market over the next 20 years with a demand for 7,000 new airplanes in the 777 and 787 size range.

View the original article here

Pegasus Solutions Acquires Open Hospitality

Pegasus Solutions has acquired Open Hospitality in a move that positions Pegasus as one of the top online hotel marketers in the hospitality industry.

With the internet marketing company operating as a division, Pegasus will now offer its own website design, online marketing and booking solutions, search engine optimization (SEO), mobile website development and social media services.

?Pegasus is committed to being the most trusted and valued partner in the travel industry,? said Mike Kistner, chief executive officer of Pegasus Solutions. ?By acquiring an online marketing company known for increasing web traffic volume, improving booking conversion rates and reducing marketing operating costs, we reaffirm that commitment. We can now offer hotel customers our own award-winning web marketing solutions to raise online visibility and increase reservations.?

Open Hospitality delivers a full array of online marketing solutions and accommodation booking options that help independent, group and chain hotels raise visibility and increase reservations online. The company?s expertise will enable Pegasus to design websites optimized for major search engines and create high-impact email marketing campaigns.

Pegasus? Open Hospitality division will be led by David Millili, CEO of Open Hospitality.

Pegasus? New York-based Open Hospitality Division will provide website and mobile site development, internet marketing, search engine marketing, and social media services, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Together with Pegasus? acclaimed reservations and booking solutions, the blended offering will position hotels to market and sell their most profitable room inventories on the internet.

View the original article here