Emirates and Bupa travels providing the travel insurance option
Emirates passengers, those travelers booking their flight online can opt for travel insurance protection, it has specially been tailored. In event of a medical emergency, credit card theft, kennel and cutlery fees unlimited cover is added in such offers.
For various trip durations all other the nationalities can purchase the insurance cover for various trip durations and the passengers 80 of age. Residents of USA, Canada and Switzerland are exceptional.
Ali Al Shamsi, Emirates regional manager for East Africa said that when the customers will purchase their flight on line with us and the tailored travel insurance option is easily available for the customers. Emirates united with Bupa travel services to provide the customers with the tailored travel insurance option.
Emirates is united with Bupa travel services to provide the customers with the tailored travel insurance option, made it easily available when the customers buy on-line flights with us.
The UK’s leading health and care organisation the BupaTravel Service. For winter sports, business trips, gap year travel and wedding abroad the organization offers extensive travel cover.
Increase in oil prices
From Monday the effect will increase with the surcharge on most domestic flights. It will increase from 600 baht to 750 baht.
The current charges are between 25 and 205 dollars and the passengers on most international flights will have to pay a fuel surcharge of between 45 and 140 dollars as compared to the current charge.
The Thai Airways executive vice president, Pandit Chanapai said that due to rise in global oil prices, the flag carrier had to adjust with its surcharge to reflect the increase in fuel costs.
Pandit said in a statement that previously the company took hold of these increase and delayed so not to affect the large number of passengers’ travel.
The passengers will continue to pay 25 dollars between Bangkok and most Southeast Asian cities. The service will not be affected by the increase. Hong Kong-Taipei, Dubai-Kuwait, Karachi-Muscat and Chiang Mai-Kunming flights will also continue to pay 25 dollars.
Thai government holds 54.21 percent stake. Thai Airways is in under control of Thai government.
Over the years, Ait travel has slow down.
On Friday, the flight from Las Vegas to New York took 4 hours and 37 minutes in 1988 but now it takes more than 6 hours.
In 1998, the average speed for Air Travel including time taxing have fell from 358 mph to 342 mph in 2007 not waiting at the gate. Due to part to new planes, which are more efficient and slow.
When the speed of the plane declines then the crew on the ground and in the air went for fewer flights per shift. Due to slower speed it brought an escalation of labor costs.
Due the incorporation for longer time of the airlines have slowed and which the passengers are not aware off.
Only 90 percent of the of the routes were scheduled for longer time than they did in 1988.
Swapping of Airline Executives with Regulators
Whatever the airline industry wants it usually gets from Washington. Those people who regulate airlines for one day can become the next executives of the company.
Industry leaders sitting in the top position at the agency were once under the Federal Aviation Administration. In the travel industry or the air travel industry with its lobbying groups many former FAA officials and congressional aide have found well paid jobs for themselves. To become the airline industry's top lobbyist, one of the top official of FAA left two years ago.
The law firm Jones Day announced on Thursday. Former FAA attorney, Andrew Steinberg, the Transportation Department's assistant secretary of aviation and international affairs will join the firm's government regulation practice as a partner. The law firm Jones Day announced on Thursday.
Throwing money in millions of dollars in campaign and lobbying, the factor in the airlines, lawmakers' home cities and states importance includes to a powerful industry.
Members of Congress are the nation’s most frequent fliers. The industry’s major victories are the governments multibillion and dollars bailouts and Broad deregulation.
The FAA officials were accused by two federal safety inspectors for ignoring maintenance and inspection of Southwest Airlines for which they have to pay fine of $10.2 million for which industry’s relationship with government is under the enquiry.
British Airways: Special offers for travelers of India
A british airways spokesperson said that the passenger who would book flexible Club World return ticket from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore for travel until August 31 for them there is special offer available.
She said that they will be offered to upgrade one sector of their journey and they are free to choose their sector of travel and the confirmation will be made at the time of booking.
BA's Area Commercial Manager Amanda Amos said that she wants to give an opportunity to the customers from India to experience the special offer and enjoy the benefit of flying first.
On Discount offer the airline broke rules
Between March 14th and 30th June, the airline Early Easter Sale had promised 25% of discount on all seats. But ASA ruled that before the promotion they many paid more than they would have in reality.
ASA acknowledged, during that period all the seats were discounted, but demanded that the customers would pay more than they would have that year.
During the period of an advertised sale as departure dates growing closer and seats growing fewer the rise in price was possible but during the promotion who bought tickets did get discount.
Ryanair was breached under ASA regulations, at the time when it claimed that its flight London to Brussels was comparatively faster and cheaper than Eurostar.
The airlines travel have become less punctual
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that comparing with 67% in the last three months of 2006, out of 10 major UK airports only 66% of charter flights were on time in the period of October- December 2007.
In October- December 2006, charter flights average delay fell from 29 minutes to 26 minutes in last the last three months of last year.
At the airport, the scheduled service flights have increased from 68% in 2006’s last three months to 69% in the same period last year, decreasing from 18 to 17 minutes was the average delay.
Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London City all these airports were monitored and the arrivals and departures were covered.
In last three months of last year, Heathrow following Terminal 5 fiasco had scheduled service figures of 60% flights on time compares with 61% October- December 2006.
At Heathrow, the average scheduled service delay fell from 22 minutes in October- December 2006 to 21 minutes in 2007’s last three months.
Lisbon, Dubai, Istanbul, Rome (Fiumicino) and Los Angeles International being the busiest scheduled and charter destinations showed the on-time performances of less than 55% in last three months of last year.
Tenerife, the only charter destination among the 75, an average delay was of 22 minutes in October-December 2007 with the on-time performance of 68%. All other destinations such as Lisbon, Malta, New York (JFK) and Los Angeles International had an average delay of 25 minutes or more.
Orders issued by FAA for safety Inspections
Last week hundred of MD-80 jets were of safety inspections of the electrical wiring. The inspections are not specified as safety threat. And it should be completed within a year of May 19. More than 3000 flights were cancelled for the checking. American Airlines was the toughest one for the checks.
The congressional hearing found out that the southwest airlines had 40 planes kept in the air which were not inspected properly.
The fleets of Boeing 757s has to be checked, the cracks in the wing de-icing systems which leads to loss of control of the aircraft. About 530 planes were affected by the order of the FAA.
The FAA should be given the report on the manufacturer and manufacture date of oxygen masks, fracture in oxygen masks will be checked of about 640 planes. The fuselages should be made stronger of 160 planes so that prevention is taken against the "extreme rolling and vertical maneuver combinations,"
Lufthansa has stopped the commission it used to pay to Ethiopian travel agencies
The capital was told by the president of Tour and Travel Agencies Association (TTAA), Worku Yitayew, it was good that Lufthansa didn’t stop it in this season even if such matters are common in other countries.
Worku said that in this season we are going to lose customers as compared to other season because there are a high number of travelers and will also earn less than our expectations.
Two percent of commission is given by Lufthansa to its travel agencies in Egypt this is stated by some member of TTAA. The reason stated by the Egypt that why the Egyptians get their commission is because the agencies have strong Association that stands for its members.
The members included that if the relationship is strong between both the airline and trust each other then we can convince them with the commission payment. Only fifty USD mark up fair per one ticket from the ticketing sale of Lufthansa so that the agencies continues to get income says Serge Soucek, general manager of Lufthansa Ethiopia.
Twelve years ago the agency- The Tourists and Travel Agencies Association was established and it has sixty one members.
LSG Lufthansa Service is the world’s biggest airline caterer and provider of integrated in-flight solutions has been partnering with Ethiopian. Ethiopian is also being assisted, managed and upgrading its catering division by LSG Lufthansa Service. From March 28, 2008, the Ethiopian Airlines has started delivering Economy meals to Lufthansa Airlines.
Lufthansa will also start to uplift Business class meals from Ethiopian Catering Division within 2-4 months. Frankfurt to Addis Ababa, the Lufthansa airline has flight four times a week and recently a code share agreement has been signed with Ethiopian Airlines
Flight safer
It may sound a surprise that the Federal Aviation Administration inspects the paperwork filed by people who inspect aircraft, it does not inspect aircraft. The inspectors working for the company are in extreme pressure that too competitive pressure to get those planes out of danger of the hang up to the gate and into the sky. Last week, a testimony was given to a House committee by some whistle –blowing government employees and according to it, the FAA is not concerned when the paper work it does inspect should be raising red flags — and grounding airplanes.
The old-style “legacy carriers,” are struggling to avoid bankruptcy and on the other hand Southwest Airlines, the economy carrier are going successful as it has built up a good business.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee were told by three FAA inspectors that the Southwest officials fessed up to having failed in inspecting the skins of some of the jets. When the other aircraft of the same type and age was found cracking a check was ordered. But the planes grounded instead of being fined or having the uninspection. Southwest were rewarded by the FAA for its honesty by allowing those airliners to take to the air.
When complain approached the passenger safety by the FAA line inspectors, they were to be punished by the superiors as loud-mouthed boat –rockers. It seemed that the FAA officials spend time with the airline managers rather then the traveling public. As they are here in the business for pleasing their friends.
Statistically, it has been years, the U.S. airline had a major accident. As air travel is a a safe place to go. But the regulatory system is one day blind the very next day alert, many of the aircrafts have been allowed to go unchecked and due to this the schedule of hundreds of planes and thousands of passengers have been disrupted at a short notice. But don’t happen very often. Both airline and government are now keeping the flights on schedule. Not worrying, unlikely there are possibilities of crash sometimes.
Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport has welcomed its first passengers
T5 welcomes first passengers. Heathrow Airport has welcomed 283 passengers today (27th March) with British Airways flight from Hong Kong at 04:50 in the morning. At the first service to depart, 150 people were on board from Terminal 5 headed for Paris Charles de Gaulle at 06:20.
On the first day of operations, it is set to host 380 British Airways flights, 30 long-haul services and 350 short-haul and domestic connections. And handle more than 40,000 customers. Free luggage tags, key rings, commemorative certificates and other gifts all these things will be given to the passengers at the terminal. And themed chocolates will be handed over to them on board flights.
It’s a "historic day” for the airline and for UK aviation says Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways. He included that the new terminal has given British Airways great opportunity to give higher standard of services. He added, this month the customer will love the space and comfort which Terminal 5 offers.
PATA recognises Sri Lanka to reduce the carbon footprint in the country
The Chairman Janice Anston told the Daily Financial Times. The government of Sri Lanka has been credited to take its initiative to reduce the carbon footprint in the country. The credit has been given by (PATA) and Sri Lanka has already taken the initiative. In the CE Challenge 2008 conference, this will be highlighted. And if Sri Lanka can implement it so can any other country can.
At the end of this month, a conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. Anston discovered that her ideas will be presented to the CEO Challenge 2008. For the entire tourism and travel industry in public sector as well in private sector this is an opportunity to agree on practical solutions to confront climate change. Anston said that she will work as new chairman with as many chapter members as possible. She included the massive issues in the region like global warming, poverty, terrorism, overpopulation. Terrorism is become a major issue and no one is safe or secure anywhere. She recommended Sri Lanka to anybody.
The conference in Thailand will allow the parties to share experiences, technology, innovations and best practices in order to achieve carbon and energy sustainability said the PATA President/CEO Peter De Jong. Renton De Alwis, Sri Lanka Tourist Board Chairman said that PATA foreign delegates are to plant trees under the programme “Trees for life” in cooperation the Responsible Tourism Partnership. De Jong said that since the island destination gets most affected by the climate change so Sri Lanka is ambitious to become a carbon friendly destination.
In order to have to promote Sri Lanka Dr Jong stated that the country has to have a strong presence at PATA Travel Mart in September, Hyderabad, India.
On how to use and interpret data, PATA is working with the local tourism. And the seminar is held for the parties connecting with the local tourism sector.
The meeting of the 57th Annual General Meeting and Board of Director Meetings are to be held in Colombo from April 4-7. According to De Alwis, the conference is about human resources which he referred as ‘heartware’. De Jong stated that the meeting will not be held directly for the promotion of Sri Lanka as a destination but for the entire Asia Pacific region. At the Galle Face Hotel, the PATA Foundation Charity Dinner is to be held and the showcase of PATA Awards as well
High frequency noise caused by older Russian airplanes
The noise made by the older Russian airplanes distracts the tourists and the residents of the city,Tivat. It often shakes the houses in the area and the nearby Bay of Boka Kotorska.
The Podgorica’s airport has the capacity to handle more aircrafts and the noise would not affect the tourist industry. The Montenegrin government has suggested the Russian airliners to land at Podgorica’s airport. As the two Russian airplanes caries an estimated 100,000 Russian tourists to Montenegro annually that is why the government is not wanting to give up the airplanes so quickly. These two Russian airplanes are used because of its low maintenance costs and passenger capacity.
This summer,the government will first move the Russian aircraft from Tivat to the Podgorica airport. But for 2009, a full ban of the Ilyushin 86 and Tupolev 154 will be considered. The government will give time to tour operators for the alternatives to the Russian airliners.
The additional travel timings will not effect tourism. Despite of the fact, many of them booked their holidays at the beginning of the year. Comparatively, from last year, the prices have increased from 10% to 20% says the Association of tourist Agencies in Budva head Snežana Vejnović.
Last year, 2.3 million registered foreign tourists. Many Russians are looking for possible property investment opportunities. In the next ten years the tourist industry is to extend 10% annually, the World Tourism and Travel Council predicted.
TAP named as the "Airline of the Year”
On March 26 in Sao Paulo, TAP received the award of "Airline of the Year" from the magazine Brazil Travel News as one of the trophies of "The Top 10 of Tourism 2007”.
TAP received the award of "Airline of the Year” from the magazine Brazil Travel News on March 26 Sao Paulo. While giving the award Brasil Travel News acknowledges TAP that the company has done excellent work in tourism segment. After the “commercial performance, capacity for innovation, creativity and achievements” of the company in the Brazilian market throughout the last year were assessed.
Today the award for the category “Airline of the Year” will be received by the General Director of TAP in Brazil, Mario Carvalho. From the the “Top 10 of Tourism” trophies this is the 23rd edition.
Emirates honoured top Maltese travel and cargo agents
At an award ceremony, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Emirates, three passenger agents and three cargo agents were awarded for their significant sales performance.
Mario de Marco, Emirates’ senior vice-president commercial operations Europe Keith Longstaff, and Emirates manager for Malta and Cyprus Paul Fleri Soler presented the prestigious awards Maltese travel and cargo agents.
The travel award winners were Directions Travel, Planit Travel and John Portelli Enterprises. The winners in the cargo sector were MAL, B.A.S. Ltd and Gollcher Co Ltd.
They were awarded during the ceremony at the palatial ballroom of Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar.
Dr de Marco said that accessibility plays a vital role in tourism. From December 2008, the airline is going to the right direction and this will encourage people in future from the Emirates’ network via Dubai to visit Malta.
Mr Longstaff said that he was thankful to the travel and cargo agents for the continuous effort and included that together we can provide the best possible service for Emirates clients. He congratulated the winners. He thanked them for their support.
The event was organized to mark the increase from the current five times-a-week service to a daily flight from Dubai to Malta, via Larnaca in Cyprus, from 1st December 2008. Emirates will be changing its aircrafts from 2nd May 2008. The aircrafts will change from Boeing 777-200 to a larger Boeing 777-300 in a 3-class configuration, offering a total of 358 seats and 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.
Air Canada wants the customers to pay extra for better customer service
Air Canada wants the customers to pay extra for better customer service. When the flights get delayed or disrupted due to weather, traffic, the airline is ready to give better service and wants you to pay extra for it.
Yesterday, the company came out with a new service called "On My Way" and for that they promise to give their best with the service. This service is to help the passengers to cope with delays and cancellations beyond the airline's control, including bad weather or airport traffic. Rick Erickson, a Calgary-based airline consultant said all the airlines used to do in-house. Everybody wants cheap fares since the advent of low cost has started. Air Canada said that an additional fee payer will receive "speedy" access to "specially-trained&q uot; customer service agents who will help rebook flights on Air Canada or other airlines and also will pay for hotel stays and meals.
Additional fees $25 one-way on short-haul flights and an extra $35 one-way on long-haul routes within North America. Air Canada said the program, if any flight cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled departure, goes beyond the industry practice of assisting customers, crew members failing to show up for flights or as mechanical problems with aircraft, a short-lived fault in a system. An observer said that once it was common for big North American carriers to go out of their way to help inconvenienced customers for free.
Erickson said that the efforts could be popular especially at the country's largest airport in Toronto where thousands of flights get destroyed by snowstorm. He included that Air Canada will need to assure the customers who pay extra fee. People will have higher expectations.
Northwest airlines announced fare sales
APRIL O2, 2008. Today the Northwest Airlines has announced a fare sale for a number of new routes. The sale fares are available on several of its new routes and connecting cities with service beginning 2 May 2008 says carrier.
The new non-stop has been included in the sales between Detroit and Wichita, Kansas, Memphis and Norfolk, Virginia, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Indianapolis and San Antonio, Texas and Indianapolis and Austin, Texas.
Northwest’s new route sale prices tickets are available and may be purchased until 10 April 2008. Travel is subject to be valid from 2 May 2008 to 14 June 2008, with the exception of travel to/from Austin, completion must be by 7 June 2008.
Thousands of passengers are being put at risk
Northwest airlines and Delta airlines planning to merge
The news speculated that Northwest and Delta Air Lines could merger to form the world’s largest airline. The executives at Northwest Airlines Corp have planned to go ahead and merger with Delta Air Lines Inc. Delta, the No. 3 U.S. airline and Northwest, the No. 5 U.S. airline. Both the airlines, Delta and Northwest denied to commenting on it.
On the New York Stock Exchange, Northwest shares were up 4.73 percent at $8.86 and Delta shares were up 2.99 percent at $8.60. The pilots’ union didn’t agree on plan to integrate their lists seniority lists. The airlines talked on merging but it seemed that it didn’t work out.
The Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site that the Northwest's planned to offer pilots less generous terms than previously offered. Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is representing both the pilot groups. ALPA chapter did not have an immediate comment. Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl said that without the support of their pilots I don’t think Delta management is going to do anything.
Clear Bag System will be used while traveling through Canadian airports.
The firm 311 travel bag has announced that will now be able to use its Clear Bag System when traveling through Canadian airports. Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has approved for the bags.
Instead of standard zip-lock bags Clear Bag System will be used at the pre-board security checkpoints that means passengers will be allowed to carry liquids, gels and aerosols. The bags are made of transparent vinyl and have a zipper opening, as well as reusable see-through containers for toiletries.
Linda Padgett-Stinson, President at 311 Travel Bag, said I m proud that our proud that our product is been accepted by the Canadians.
Under Transport Canada regulations it has now become safer and secure for the travelers to travel.
Opodo offers better levels of online usability than any other major travel agents or airlines.
Other than any major travel agents or airlines, Opodo offers the higher standard of online usability. And it is the most friendly-user major travel agent website with 67% of usability rate. The agents are achieving 55% rate of usability, compared to 48% for air carriers. Research by technology consultancy Webcredible rated Opodo the most user-friendly major travel agent website. Opodo is a leading online travel company offering flights, hotels, rental cars and holidays worldwide.
There is a lot of scope in modern internet technology. It is an advantage to the agents and airlines. The airlines let themselves down was in falling of the address issues such as transparency of pricing.
Webcredible director Ismail said that the airlines are performing well but when it comes the users need to have clear and accurate pricing displayed throughout their journey through a site. 'It's not acceptable to add 'hidden' charges at the very end of a transaction process and this is what the airline is guilty of. He included that using more of a travel website will help the users in finding and booking flights. Booking a holiday is often a social experience and it is essential to interact and share the booking process with friends and family.
Heathrow airport with cancelled flights and lost baggage.
With the cancelled flights and lost baggage, the travelers at the Heathrow Airport using the newly opened Terminal 5 had a bad experience today.
The flights to Germany, France and Belgium had been cancelled. British Airways confirmed by 14:00 GMT, 34 flights had been cancelled. And the other travelers had experienced delays of two to three hours.
For the luggage delays, the airline blamed "teething problems" with the baggage handling system. An ambitious move was taken by the airline at 23:00 last night and 04:00 GMT this morning to the new state -of-the-art terminal building. The airline said that they had to transfer over thousand vehicles, 27 short-haul aircraft and more than 2,500 ground staff in the complex operation.
British Airways had apologized for the inconvenience and also included that they didn’t expect such problems would occur.
Etihad Airways has confirmed partnerships with five tour agencies in Beijing
Eithad Airways has become partner with Tourism Ireland to increase the number of Chinese visitors into Ireland.
The maiden flight is to set to take off on March 30, from Abu Dhabi to Beijing. It will be easy for Chinese travelers to travel to Europe and the Middle East, via its home base of Abu Dhabi. Eithad Airways is already planning to bring its presence in the Chinese tourism market where its diversing-in-market tie-ups and that will offer Chinese travelers convenient.
In Gulf region, Abu Dhabi is beneficial and fast growing hub because of its relatively low airport tax compared to its European counterparts. Chinese travelers will spend approximately two hours in transit while connecting flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin.
On April 29, the first group of Chinese tourists will be travelling on Eithad Airways Beijing to Dublin.The partnership with five tour agencies is confirmed. The agencies in Beijing are China Travel Service, China International Travel Service, Beijing Youth Travel Service, CCT and UTS China.
Eithad Airways with a two-class Airbus A330-200 will carry about 262 passengers between Abu-Dhabi and Beijing and will start four-flights-per-week service on March 30.
Eastern Airways named as most punctual scheduled Airline
Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said “Our aim is to provide the best service to the customers for which we set ourselves for tough punctuality targets. To meet up the customers “Punctuality” is the key. The efforts of our pilots, cabin attendants and ground staff is the reflection of being recognized again.
The efforts have paid off. The Eastern Airline has been named most punctual scheduled airline from Newcastle & Birmingham airports and has previously been named number one on-time airline at Birmingham. Eastern Airways was ahead of airlines including British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair and flybe.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures showed that over 90% of Eastern Airways’ services from Newcastle and 92% from Birmingham departed within 15 minutes and on average any delays experienced were just 6 minutes long from Newcastle and under 6 minutes from Birmingham during the period of January to December 2007. An on-line aviation analysts, Flightontime.info, released data.
To avoid queues a dedicated security channel was established at Newcastle Airport so that the passengers can check-in up to 30 minutes before departure. From 7 April 2008, the airline will increase weekday services from 2 to 3 flights a day from Newcastle to Cardiff and from one to two a day to Stavanger in Norway. This month the Airline has increased some more flights from Newcastle to Aberdeen and Southampton.
Delta Airlines charging an extra $25 for second bag
For checking a second bag, Delta Airlines will start charging the customers an extra $25. And the charges will start on May1. Citing record fuel rates The similar move is taken by US Airways and United Airlines. Last month the announcements were made. Huntsville International Airport;Delta is the dominant carrier and US Airways is No.2.
Currently,the transporting of the second luggage is added in the price of the ticket. Earlier, United Airlines estimated that its fee will be about $100 million in cost savings per year.
The Delta spokesman refused to say how much money will produce out of the new fee. He said the fee will not be applied to those customers traveling from business class or first class. Those who log at least 25,000 qualifying miles of travel per year will still be charged with extra fees for the check up of three bags.