Following the previous launch of airport-wide free Wi-Fi services in Terminals One and Two of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in December 2006, HKIA has now launched a full-service business centre onsite at the airport.

Powered by PCCW, the new Connect Zone, located in the Level 6 Departures Hall (Restricted Area) near Gate 24, provides a comprehensive range of communication solutions and value-added services including free Wi-Fi services and internet access, free local phone calls and selected programs from now TV. Other business support services, such as printing, photocopying, fax service, mobile phone battery charging, and phone cards, are also available at a minimal cost.

The Connect Zone is open daily from 0800 – 2100.

“Hong Kong is a business hub for Asia. It is our aim to support the needs of both business people and anyone who needs to stay connected while they are travelling,” said Airport Authority Hong Kong’s Commercial Director Hans Bakker. “Together with our airport-wide free Wi-Fi internet service, the Connect Zone at HKIA provides convenience and speed for people on the go.”

www.hongkongairport.com

4/19/2007 7:57:26 AM UTC    Comments 

Cowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts has announced it will give guests the opportunity to be a ‘Pro for a Day' and play one of the world’s great golf courses, Colonial Country Club, in the Crowne Plaza Amateur Invitational on Oct. 1.

Beginning May 1 through Aug. 17, golf fans can enter the "Pro for a Day" sweepstakes through their web site and entrants will increase their chances to win the once-in-a-lifetime experience with each night's stay during the promotional period.

"We're literally recreating one of the most prestigious events on the PGA TOUR. The Crowne Plaza Amateur Invitational at Colonial will bring the Colonial's rich tradition to life for our guests and will give them an extraordinary opportunity to feel like a golf professional," said Kevin Kowalski, vice president, Brand Management, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. "The ‘Pro for a Day' sweepstakes is just one of the many ways we're connecting with our guests who share a love of golf and building positive brand imagery through our association with the PGA TOUR and sponsorship of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial."

 www.crowneplaza.com/proforaday

4/19/2007 7:52:12 AM UTC    Comments 

KDS, European leader in on-demand travel and expense, is to uncover business travellers’ dark secrets and frustrations in an online poll about expense claims.  Participants around the world will be invited to share their views anonymously on a range of issues, including inflated expense claims, the frustrations of form filling, and the extent to which losing track of receipts sees travellers subsidising their employers.

With travel expense compliance an increasing concern for businesses, the survey will also shed light on how companies are using modern technology to ensure claims are properly approved and efficiently managed.

Business travellers and travel managers are encouraged to take part to help improve understanding of one of the most contentious aspects of corporate life.  To participate, simply follow this link and complete the simple online questionnaire.

www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=492793439828

4/18/2007 8:00:54 AM UTC    Comments 

British Airways was the big winner at the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards held in association with TravelPlus in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal at a gala dinner on Tuesday 17 April at The Landmark in London.

Her Royal Highness presented the coveted Spirit of Flight trophy for Airline of the Year to British Airways CEO, Willie Walsh. British Airways also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline, and best airline based in Western Europe.British Airways last won the OAG Airline of the Year Award back in 1988 and now ties with Singapore and Virgin Atlantic in having won the title on five separate occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982.

Other multiple winners on the night were Continental Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Continental Airlines retained the “Best Business Class” title for a fifth successive year as well as being voted best airline in North America for a fourth consecutive year – just pipping American Airlines who were commended. Singapore Airlines retained “Best International First Class” and was voted the best airline in Asia. Last year’s Airline of the Year, Cathay Pacific, retained its crown as “Best Transpacific Airline”.

Seoul Incheon International fought off extremely stiff competition to win the “Best Airport” crown. It just edged out last year’s winner Singapore Changi which was commended, and also beat Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and San Francisco International. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air, shortlisted for the first time this year, winning “Best Economy Class”.

The complete list of winners for the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards 

OAG Airline of the Year 2007: British Airways
Best Airline Based in Asia: Singapore Airlines
Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas
Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean: Aeromexico
Best Airline Based in Western Europe: British Airways
Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines
Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates
Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways
Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways
Best Transpacific Airline: Cathay Pacific
Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: British Airways
Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: JetBlue
Best Economy/Coach Class: Korean Air
Best Business/Executive Class: Continental Airlines
Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines
Best Airport: Seoul Incheon International

4/18/2007 7:57:00 AM UTC    Comments 

Due to high customer demand, Wizz Air has decided to bring forward the launch of some of its flights. New routes to Warsaw and Katowice will now start more than one week earlier than planned.

• London Stansted to Katowice - 28 May
• Belfast to Katowice - 28 May
• Coventry to Katowice - 20 July
• Durham Tees Valley to Warsaw - 20 July
• Belfast to Warsaw - 21 July

The launch of flights from London Stansted, Belfast, Coventry and to Durham Tees Valley will also add brand new destinations to the Wizz Air network.

The following routes will also be added to our network:

• Bournemouth to Katowice - 14 July
• Doncaster to Gdansk - 15 July

www.wizzair.com

4/18/2007 7:54:06 AM UTC    Comments 

OAG, has announced that easyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards to be held on Tuesday 17 April at The Landmark in London.

HRH The Princess Royal will present Sir Stelios with his award that recognises the impact that easyJet and the easyGroup have made on the European aviation and travel scene.  Previous recipients include Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge; Maurice Flanagan CBE; and Alan Whicker CBE.

The finalists for the coveted title “OAG Airline of the Year 2007”, currently held by Cathay Pacific which is nominated in three categories, will comprise the winners of the eight regional awards. Winners of “Airline of the Year” over the previous 25 years include British Airways, British Caledonian, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Swissair and Virgin Atlantic.

Nominees for the world’s best airport sponsored by TravelPlus – the only non-airline award – include Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and Singapore Changi plus first-time nominees San Francisco International and Seoul Incheon International.

The annual “OAG Airline of the Year Awards” celebrates the very best in global air travel and publicly recognises the highest standards within the industry.  The Awards are in association with TravelPlus; Le Royal Hotels is the Official Sponsor of the event, and Boeing is the champagne reception sponsor.

4/16/2007 2:18:19 PM UTC    Comments 

www.hyatt.com

4/13/2007 2:38:12 PM UTC    Comments 

Accor Hotels has opened the doors to 24 new Mercure hotels across the UK. The properties, formerly run by Madonald Hotels, have a total of 2511 rooms.

Mercure is Accor Hotels’ mid and upper-mid market brand. Until now Accor Hotels have operated 2 Mercure hotels in the UK, Mercure London City Bankside and recently opened Mercure Brigstow, Bristol. This now creates a UK network of 26 Mercure hotels.
 
Roger Smith, Director of Marketing and Distribution said, “With its reputation for good service, good food, and excellent ‘Les Grands Vins’ we believe that the Mercure brand will add another dimension to the hotels we shall now be managing.”

Examples of hotels converted to the Mercure brand include The Castle Hotel, Windsor; Queens Hotel, Cheltenham; Holland House Hotel and Spa Cardiff and Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen.

www.accor.com

4/13/2007 12:35:32 PM UTC    Comments 

Zoom Airlines announce a revolution in low-cost transatlantic air travel with the introduction of London – New York flights from £129. The low-fares, full-service airline is to operate daily flights from London Gatwick to New York JFK from Thursday 21 June. Zoom will operate an ‘easyJet-style’ booking service with flexible one-way fares and the New York flights will offer economy and Premium economy services with designated seating, meals service and ‘plenty of frills’. 

The airline plans to become the UK’s leading low-cost Transatlantic airline providing an affordable alternative to BA and Virgin which ‘have been fleecing passengers for too long’. Zoom flights to New York start at £129 each way, including all taxes, fees and charges.

John Boyle one of the owners of Zoom said: “You cannot put a sheat of paper between the prices charged by BA, Virgin and the American carriers on the New York route and it is high time that passengers had a better deal.  We are offering savings of up to 70% on these flights.”

www.flyzoom.com 

4/13/2007 8:21:36 AM UTC    Comments 

Following last month’s announcement that Crerar Hotels has bought the Swallow name, the hotel group has today launched the Swallow website – www.swallow-hotels.com.

Located in some of the most spectacular areas of Scotland and England, and ranging from manor houses to modern city centre properties, each of the 26 Swallow Hotels have their own distinct personality and character. 

Ideal for both leisure and business guests, the website allows visitors to book online, and with a map of the UK highlighting each of the areas the hotels can be found in, it couldn’t be easier to find a hotel in the desired area.  Alternatively guests can search by theme, such as properties with golf courses, conference facilities or character hotels, ensuring guests pick the right hotel to suit their needs.

4/13/2007 8:20:18 AM UTC    Comments 

The average Brit suffers 55 days of bad night’s sleep a year, with UK businesses suffering the consequences in loss of productivity according to new research revealed today. An in-depth study by Travelodge into Britain’s sleeping habits found that a bad night’s sleep has a number of significant effects on work productivity, which include:

Feeling physically run down (57%)
Loss of concentration (54%)
Feeling low and depressed (49%)
Being more prone to illness (26%)
Taking longer to complete tasks (24%)
 
The study revealed the size of the nation’s sleep deficit as only three per cent of respondents claimed they manage the daily recommended eight hours of sleep per night. Saturday night is the main night Brits indulge in a good night’s sleep and Sunday night was voted the worst for sleep deprivation.

When questioned about what the reasons behind their poor sleeping habits, respondents listed work stress (23%) as the second biggest cause behind long working hours. Forty four per cent of respondents said they would feel more productive after a poor nights sleep if employers offered them an opportunity of a Duvet Day.(Employees can choose to have an unplanned lie-in and come to work up to two hours later than usual on a Duvet Day)

To cure sleep deprivation, Brits are spending a yearly total of £6.7 billion on quick fix rejuvenating cures to help them cope with the effects of a bad night’s sleep.

Chris Idzikowski, Sleep expert from Edinburgh Sleep Centre said: “The research highlights lack of sleep is a widespread problem experienced by many people in the UK and with sizeable effects on work productivity. Ironically, the findings reveal that while businesses are suffering the consequences of employees sleeping badly, in many cases they are directly causing the problem, with a quarter of respondents saying that work stress keeps them awake at night. With this in mind, employers should encourage employees to raise any issues they are having with sleep patterns and try to understand what is causing the problem and help them identify how they can help them improve their sleep.”

4/13/2007 8:19:21 AM UTC    Comments 

Service launches 1 June 2007, with fares from £54.00 one way including taxes

Scandinavian Airlines announced the launch of an additional service from Gatwick to Aalesund, Norway, beginning on 1 June 2007. This new service marks the further expansion of SAS’ UK network, and builds on its services from London City and London Heathrow airports to the three Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

4/13/2007 8:17:51 AM UTC    Comments 

CityJet for Air France services have begun operating between London City Airport and five European cities. Aimed at business travellers flights will serve Geneva, Madrid, Nice, Zurich and Belfast (in cooperation with Scotairways).
 
CityJet for Air France uses a fleet of Avro RJ85 aircraft, all equipped with 95 leather seats and passengers will also benefit from Air France/KLM's frequent flyer programme, Flying Blue.

www.airfrance.co.uk

4/12/2007 5:09:05 PM UTC    Comments 

The five star 226 room Millennium Hotel Doha has formally opened this month. All rooms have facilities associated with a five star property and is the sixth operated by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in the Middle East but the first in Qatar.

Manfred P Simons, Vice President of Operations & Development for Middle East & North Africa, says, “The Millennium Hotel Doha aims to set an unparalleled standard of new services in the Middle East and will benchmark for the Arabian hospitality industry.”

www.mill-cop.com

4/12/2007 2:18:32 PM UTC    Comments 

bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, has launched its new business traveller-focused initiative aimed at the airline’s most loyal customers – diamond club members..

All qualifying members will be entitled to complimentary food and drink onboard and priority seating towards the front of the aircraft as well as continuing to enjoy the benefits of one of the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programmes, through the lounge network and rewards scheme.

Under the new initiative diamond club will see the introduction of a new tier – blue plus – which is automatically awarded once 3,000 status miles have been earned in a 12 month period. Holders of blue plus, silver and gold cards will receive the complimentary in-flight meal as well all other diamond club benefits.

www.flybmi.com/frequentflyers

4/5/2007 11:41:36 AM UTC    Comments 

The Gatwick Express train service, which was threatened with closure, is to remain but the franchise will change in May next year from National Express to Govia-owned Southern. This is good news for passengers, Gatwick Airport and the airlines that have campaigned for the service to continue.

Service changes from December 2008 will see the number of express trains between London and Brighton double at the busiest times.

4/5/2007 11:14:25 AM UTC    Comments 

Turkey’s leading low cost scheduled airline that was founded as a joint venture by Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is to launch two new routes on Saturday, 28 April from London Stansted to Izmir (Turkey) and Ercan (Northern Cyprus).

The new twice-weekly scheduled services will link London to Izmir, which is Turkey’s third largest city, second largest port, and the gateway to the Aegean Coast. Ercan is the international airport that serves the resorts and towns in Northern Cyprus. The new routes are in addition to SunExpress’ existing twice-weekly service launched in February between London Stansted and Antalya on the Turkish Riviera.

www.sun-express.co.uk

4/4/2007 7:51:39 PM UTC    Comments 

In response to growing demand, Afriqiyah Airways now offers a daily service between Gatwick and Tripoli. Previously the Libyan airline was operating the route up to 6 times a week.

Carol Bray, Sales and Marketing Manager for Afriqiyah Airways, UK, commented, “As well as satisfying demand for this route, this addition to the schedule increases opportunities for onward connections to other Afriqiyah destinations, including popular Lagos and Accra.”

Fares between London and Tripoli start from £180 excluding taxes and charges.

4/4/2007 7:50:35 PM UTC    Comments 

In response to agent demand, Air Astana, the national airline of Kazakhstan, is introducing e-ticketing on 8 major routes.

Air Astana is the only carrier to fly directly from the UK to Kazakhstan. It operates a twice weekly service from London Heathrow to Almaty.

www.airastana.com

4/4/2007 7:49:44 PM UTC    Comments 

Virgin Atlantic passengers' can now print off boarding passes from home in selected destinations where online check in is available.

On arrival at the airport, passengers can hand over their luggage at the ‘Bag Drop’ desk and go straight through to the boarding gate. This new service will also enable passengers carrying hand baggage only to go straight to security, avoiding check-in or Kiosk Check In.

Steve Ridgway, CEO of Virgin Atlantic said, “We are excited to be able to offer this convenient facility to our passengers which means that from the comfort of their own home, they can simply log on, check in and print off the boarding pass ensuring themselves a seamless journey through the airport.”

Currently up to 27% of Virgin passengers check in on line and the airline predicts this will grow to around 40% by the end of the year.

www.virgin-atlantic.com

4/4/2007 8:19:40 AM UTC    Comments 

In response to demand, Continental Airlines has increased its non-stop flights between New York Newark Liberty International Airport and Hong Kong from six to seven times a week.

www.continental.com

4/4/2007 8:04:52 AM UTC    Comments 

From 31 March 2007, the Australian Government introduced new security measures to limit the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that can be taken through the screening-point for people flying to and from Australia, and on domestic sectors within Australia which are part of an international flight. These measures are being progressively introduced by countries around the world.

All containers with drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste and similar substances should not exceed 100ml each and will have to be carried in a re-sealable clear plastic bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm, and be inspected separately. There is a limit of one plastic bag per passenger.

Passengers flying to and from Australia may take on board liquids, aerosols and gels purchased after the final screening point, including duty free goods. If passengers are transferring to a different flight enroute they will be subject to re-screening at the transfer point. As a result Qantas would recommend that any purchases of duty free liquids, aerosols or gels which exceed 100ml should be made on the last international flight sector, or on arrival. If passengers are transferring to an onward flight they must ensure any liquids, aerosols and gels purchased after the screening point are packed in accordance with the security measures in place at the transfer airport.

Exceptions will be made for medication and baby food. However, these items may be subject to additional security checks.

Qantas recommend passengers travelling on international flights departing from Australia between 31 March and 30 April 2007 arrive at the airport up to three hours before departure to allow extra time for security screening during the implementation of these new Government measures.

www.qantas.com  

4/4/2007 7:53:12 AM UTC    Comments 

Afriqiyah Airways has increased its flights from six a week to a daily service between London Gatwick and Tripoli.

The service offers economy and business cabins and fares start from £180.00 excluding taxes and charges.

UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Carol Bray, said, "As well as satisfying demand for this route, this addition to the schedule increases opportunities for onward connections to other Afriqiyah destinations, including popular Lagos and Accra."

www.afriqiyah.aero  

4/3/2007 11:19:50 AM UTC    Comments