The Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City has become InterContinental Hotel Group's first limited service hotel in the Middle East. The hotel comprises 244 rooms over four floors and is located in the Dubai Knowledge Village complex.

Michel Augier, Acting Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East & Africa, said, "Currently, hotel options in the Middle East for travellers on a budget are quite limited, with many people having to select more expensive accommodation in order to guarantee themselves satisfactory levels of amenities and service. This will now change with the opening of Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City."

Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City, one of four planned for Dubai, is the first of 22 hotels planned across the GCC countries and Jordan by the end of 2010.

www.ichotelsgroup.com

7/13/2007 9:20:36 AM UTC    Comments 

The European Parliament has decided that airlines should provide financial protection to passengers in the event of an airline failure and that carriers should be legally obliged to offer fares inclusive of taxes, fees and charges.

The decision has to be ratified by the European Council at a meeting set for October 1.  It will then take another two to three months for the new regulations to be implemented.

However, this consumer protection will come at a cost and the passengers are likely to bear the brunt through higher fares.

EU figures show 50 airlines went bankrupt between 2000 and 2005, leaving more than 63,000 passengers stranded abroad.

Travel agents and tour operators are required to provide bonding and financial guarantees under European legislation to protect customers against financial failure.  There is currently no such protection against airline failures.

7/13/2007 8:49:44 AM UTC    Comments 

Now, for a limited time, US Airways Dividend Miles offers two new promotions for Dividend Miles members: Members can sample Preferred status through US Airways' Trial Preferred Program. For a fee, members will get priority check-in and boarding, unlimited upgrades to First Class and more during a 90-day trial period.

Dividend Miles members and non-members alike can also test out the US Airways Club. When they purchase and fly on a First Class ticket on US Airways by August 31, travellers will receive a complimentary day pass for use at US Airways Clubs at 16 airports for the date of travel. Travellers can take advantage of the club amenities and grab a complimentary snack, relax in comfort away from the crowd or even get some work done before their flight. While visiting the US Airways Club, travellers interested in earning 2,500 Preferred-qualifying miles can use their Dividend Miles number and mention promo code BFC25 when signing up for a Club membership. Club representatives are available to assist non-member travellers in enrolling in the Dividend Miles programLast month, US Airways enhanced the already award-winning Dividend Miles Program by unveiling its Off-Peak Saver Award.

www.dividendmiles.com www.usairways.com/club  

7/11/2007 9:25:31 AM UTC    Comments 

Austrian Airlines have begun daily services to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan via Beijing, working in co-operation with future Star Alliance partner Air China. The co-operation will allow Austrian to offer 42 new weekly flights between Austrian and China with excellent connections from London.

Austrian Airlines is to introduce a new three times weekly schedule in co-operation with Air Astana to the Kazakhstan capital Astana on 4 September 2007. The flights have good connections to and from Heathrow.

www.aua.com

7/11/2007 8:30:28 AM UTC    Comments 

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was unveiled to the world for the very first time on July 8 in a ceremony at their factory in Everett, near Seattle, Washington State. 

The rolled out aircraft was in Boeing livery and included the All Nippon Airways logo as they are the launch carrier. ANA have ordered 50 787’s, the largest launch order in the history of the aircraft maker.

The 787 is the world’s first truly 21^st century aircraft and includes technological innovations that were previously unachievable.  50% of the aircraft by weight is composed of composite materials bringing significant weight savings. This coupled with new engines, means the 787 will be 20% more economical than other aircraft of a similar size. 

The extensive use of composite materials – essentially the entire fuselage – has enabled Boeing to incorporate new environmental control systems, simulating conditions closer to those on the ground, with higher pressure and humidity than other aircraft.  The passenger experience will be thus more comfortable.  Bigger windows and other new architectural features will add to the sense of well-being.

The delivery of the first aircraft to ANA is scheduled for May 2008. ANA is planning to fly its first 787 on routes to China, in time for the Beijing Olympics.

www.boeing.com  www.anaskyweb.com

7/10/2007 4:16:50 PM UTC    Comments 

The European Parliament is to decide today whether airlines should be forced to provide financial protection to passengers in the event of an airline failure. It will also decide whether airlines should be legally obliged to provide fares inclusive of taxes, fees and charges.

According to the European Commission, 50 airlines went bankrupt in the between 2000 and 2005, leaving more than 63,000 passengers stranded abroad without a return ticket.

Travel Agents and Tour Operators are required to provide bonding and financial guarantees under European legislation to protect customers against their financial failure, there is currently no such protection afforded by customers against airline failures.

7/10/2007 2:56:31 PM UTC    Comments 

The newly refurbished Crowne Plaza Bahrain has launched a 'Stay, Spend and Win' grand summer promotion, offering guests a special rate of £55.00 per room per night and the opportunity to win a luxury Jaguar X-Type in a raffle draw.

Guests who wish to use the Crowne Plaza's restaurants and bar can also be eligible to enter the draw by spending £40.00 in any food and beverage outlet.

The grand raffle draw will take place at the Crowne Plaza on September 9, 2007. The offer is valid until August 31, 2007.

www.ichotelsgroup.com

7/10/2007 2:53:28 PM UTC    Comments 

A Chartered Management Institute survey has found 63% of senior executives will not take all of their annual leave this year, up from 40% in 2003.

Asked why they were prepared to sacrifice their time off, 33% cited excessive workloads, 6% ‘poor personal planning’ and 6% ‘enjoyment of work’. This was despite 94% believing holidays helped them to recharge their batteries and 77% to cope better with work stress.

The survey also found that, when managers did go away, they intended to travel as far as possible despite rising concerns about the impact of aviation on the environment. The majority (72%) said they would not change their travel plans as a result, with just 14% claiming they might fly less and 1% that they would no longer travel by air.

Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the CMI, commented: ‘Taking time off for a proper break is not a sign of weakness, so individuals should be encouraged to use their holiday entitlement to the full.’

7/10/2007 2:42:35 PM UTC    Comments 

300 million seats offered in a month for the first time.

The number of seats offered on flights operating this month (July) has reached an all-time high, with a capacity of 309.7 million seats worldwide – equivalent to an airline seat for the entire population of the United States*.  According to the latest statistics from OAG, the world’s authority on flight information, this represents 19.9 million extra seats (a 7% increase) available to travellers compared with the same month last year. 

The number of flights for July 2007 has increased by an additional 129,373, a rise of 5% year on year. A total of 2.6 million flights are timetabled this month, topping the previous industry high of 2.51 million reported for May 2007, and up from 2.47 million for July 2006. 

Within this global figure of all scheduled passenger flight operations, the low cost sector shows a 23% increase of over 76,000 more flights year on year and a 27% rise in the number of seats available, representing an extra 12.9 million low cost seats compared to July 2006. The low cost sector for this month now accounts for 16% of all flights (up from 13% a year ago) and 20% of all seats (up from 16%).

The figures are revealed in the latest OAG Quarterly Airline Traffic Statistics, a regular snapshot of airline activity around the world.  Flight information and data solutions company OAG, collates data from more than 1000 scheduled airlines, on a daily basis, which gives an accurate overview of anticipated travel demand. 

7/10/2007 10:39:19 AM UTC    Comments 

If you travel on American Airlines in First or Business Class between London and New York this summer, be prepared to see a big jump in your AAdvantageâ miles. American is offering triple AAdvantage miles for round-trip travel on eligible First or Business Class tickets between London’s Heathrow Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) completed by Aug. 31, 2007.

That’s more than 22,000 bonus miles for each round-trip taken –enough for a free* trip to Europe.

www.americanairlines.co.uk

7/4/2007 11:46:54 AM UTC    Comments 

7 MILLION SEATS ON SALE

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, today launches its comprehensive 2007 winter schedule which, effective 28th October, offers its biggest ever winter seat sale and the introduction of 8 brand new routes along with the reintroduction of popular winter services to destinations across the UK and Europe.

The announcement sees Flybe significantly increasing its offering to winter sun and city break destinations from its regional bases across the UK. With 7-million seats on sale nationwide, the programme further reinforces Flybe’s commitment to bring convenient, low cost travel to the regions and reaffirms its position as Europe’s largest regional airline.

Flybe’s new schedule sees major expansion within the Swiss market with the launch of three brand new routes into Geneva from UK bases including Isle of Man, Jersey and Newquay, opening up Switzerland to these regions for the first time. This is in addition to the reintroduction of popular winter services between Geneva and Birmingham, Exeter, Norwich and Southampton.

www.flybe.com

7/4/2007 11:45:14 AM UTC    Comments 

Alternative Airlines announce a "Be your own Film Star" low-fare, long-haul seat sale. For two weeks only, between the 01st and 15th July, Alternative Airlines have a special range of exclusive long haul fares from five world class airlines, available for booking on its new web site, featuring exciting destinations made famous in classic films. .

Experience Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" via Mexico City; avoid the rain in Mumbai at your own "Monsoon Wedding"; enjoy the Classic "Khartoum" with the ghosts of Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier; or Search for Petra with "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"  through Amman. Visit Alternative Airlines for the widest choice of flights worldwide.

DEALS NOW SHOWING

London to Mexico City from £477 return on Iberia Airlines!
London to Mumbai from £424 return on Srilankan Airlines!
London to Delhi from £424 return on Srilankan Airlines!
London to Khartoum from £417 return on Sudan Airways!
London to Damascus from £380 return on Royal Jordanian!
Manchester to Bridgetown Barbados from £312 return!
Manchester to Antigua from £313 return!

All tickets must be booked on-line before 15th July 2007, all fares are subject to availability at time of confirmation and are fully inclusive of passenger taxes and surcharges. Fares are correct at 28th June 2007.

For more details www.alternativeairlines.com

7/2/2007 2:37:06 PM UTC    Comments 

TravelPlus is giving you the chance to win 2 return tickets with Malev Hungarian Airlines from Gatwick with 2 nights at the four star Hotel Flamenco courtesy of Danubius Hotels.

To enter just take a look at our June issue which can be found on our website click on the front cover and then turn to page 22.

Good Luck

www.travelplus.co.uk

6/28/2007 8:01:51 AM UTC    Comments 

British Airways has confirmed that its flights to Dallas Fort Worth and Houston will move from Gatwick to Heathrow from March 30, 2008 when the “Open Skies” aviation agreement starts. There will be a daily flight to Dallas Fort Worth and two flights each day to Houston.

British Airways’commercial director,Robert Boyle,said: "Open Skies allows us to fly non-stop from Heathrow to Dallas Fort Worth and Houston for the first time. While these routes have been well served from Gatwick, moving to Heathrow makes it easier for our customers to transfer on to our global network via our new home at Terminal 5."

6/27/2007 4:37:59 PM UTC    Comments 

I am dismayed by the disappearance of drinking fountains from BAA airports, in favour of customer and environment unfriendly machines selling expensive bottled water. To make matters worse, we are no longer allowed to take our own water through security. So I am now often faced with a choice between buying bottled water (which I object to on principle) or extreme thirst. When using budget airlines, free drinking water is not even provided on the flight! It is such a relief to arrive abroad, where drinking fountains are still available as a matter of course.

Where is the British sense of public service?

6/27/2007 11:47:31 AM UTC    Comments 

Offering exceptional value at just £175 per person the package includes a night’s stay at the Royal Garden Hotel in a Superior room (based on 2 people sharing), 2 tickets for the new commemorative exhibition, Diana: A Princess Remembered, Afternoon tea and a traditional full English breakfast.

On 30th June 2007 a commemorative exhibition, Diana: A Princess Remembered, opens at her former home, Kensington Palace. This audio-visual exhibition has been curated to celebrate Diana’s life whilst also remembering the 10th anniversary of her death. It will mark her life as a Princess, mother, fashion icon and humanitarian with over 200 photographs and film footage: the largest collection of images of the former Princess displayed for the public this year. Interviews with designers, photographers and charities Diana worked with will give those who visit a much deeper insight into her life.

The Royal Garden Hotel’s Royal Portrait package at £175 per room per night includes a one night stay over a Friday, Saturday or Sunday in a Superior room, two tickets to the new exhibition at Kensington Palace moments away from the hotel, Afternoon Tea for two in the elegant Park Terrace restaurant and a full English breakfast.   With its iconic view of Kensington Palace, The Royal Garden Hotel is without doubt one of the best places to remember Diana.

www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk.

6/27/2007 10:04:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Low fare airline Tiger Airways has launched its latest Flight Combo between Singapore and the Australian city of Melbourne, Victoria. Fares start from an amazing S$119.99 (one way excluding taxes and fees)* with flights starting 1 December 2007.

Flights will be operated by Tiger Airways between Singapore and Darwin and it’s new Australian domestic Airline, Tiger Airways Australia will operate between Darwin and the new T4 at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne. Flights between Darwin and Melbourne are subject to government approval.

Tiger Airways popular Flight Combos allow customers the convenience of booking two sectors of their journey with just one payment and with flight sectors allowing passengers sufficient time to clear the necessary immigration and check-in for their onward flights. Darwin International Airport is well equipped to handle Flight Combos with its streamlined layout. Darwin provides easy and quick international immigration facilities enabling customers to complete their journey to Melbourne as a domestic passenger.

www.tigerairways.com

6/27/2007 7:05:25 AM UTC    Comments 

SWISS will offer daily service to Los Angeles, Johannesburg and Santiago de Chile (via São Paulo) from mid-July onwards. Riyadh will also receive an additional weekend flight during the summer months. In offering these further intercontinental fights, together with service to more European destinations, SWISS is meeting its customers’ demands for greater flexibility and choice.

SWISS is also broadening its European network this summer. Connections to Salzburg were introduced on 4 June, with Cirrus Airlines offering up to three flights a day under a codeshare agreement, and services to Italy have also been expanded: SWISS began offering daily flights to Naples and Catania at the beginning of May in codeshare with Air One. SWISS now operates its own services to 43 European destinations; and a further 16 points within Europe are served by SWISS in collaboration with codeshare partners.

www.swiss.com/uk

6/26/2007 1:24:41 PM UTC    Comments 

On 27 June Air France will launch its new hub facility in the boarding satellite of terminals 2E and 2F at Paris-Charles de Gaulle2 airport. This is the first phase in the airline and its SkyTeam alliance partners plan to build the hub of the future.

6/26/2007 1:23:35 PM UTC    Comments 

Nearly one in five employees has cheated their employers through their expense claims according to a new survey released today by KDS, European leader in on-demand travel and expense.  The company’s online survey of almost 400 business travellers conducted in May and June reveals that the Americans and French are most inclined to fiddle their expenses, followed by the Germans and then the British.

The survey revealed that 21.4% of American and 20.6% of French respondents had cheated on expense claims, compared with 16.1% of Germans and 13% of British respondents.  The majority of people who confessed to having inflated their expenses felt that the amounts involved were insignificant at less than €5. However, around 11% of UK based respondents and nearly 20% of French respondents who admitted to cheating had falsified their expenses by €50 or more.

The majority of respondents were submitting average expense claims of between €500 and €1,000 at a time.

A full report on the KDS expense survey is available for download at www.kds.com.

6/26/2007 1:22:38 PM UTC    Comments