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  • News: IAG places Airbus order to modernise long-haul fleet

    International Airlines Group has confirmed it’s ordering Airbus A350 aircraft for the group’s long-haul fleet.

    For British Airways, there are 18 A350-1000 firm orders, plus 18 options. These are along with 18 Boeing 787 options which IAG announced previously that it plans to transform into firm orders.

    The A350 and Boeing 787 firm orders may be used to exchange 30 Boeing 747-400 aircraft between 2017 and 2023 while the choices may be used to switch aircraft or provide opportunities for growth.

    For Iberia, IAG has also reached agreement with Airbus in addition to Boeing to secure commercial terms and delivery slots that may result in firm orders for A350s and/or Boeing 787s.

    Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is able to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.

    The A350 shall be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

    The order contains a comprehensive maintenance package with total care agreement.

    Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: “The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet.

    “Its size and range shall be an even fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there’s a possibility to function a brand new range of destinations profitably.

    “This shouldn’t only bring greater flexibility to our network but in addition more choice for our customers.

    “Both aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of greater than 20 per cent.

    “This order will even secure jobs in Britain and Spain.

    “The A350’s wings are made in Britain while its horizontal tail plane, horizontal tail plane boxes and lower wing covers are made in Spain. Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines are assembled in Britain.”

    The fleet order is subject to approval by IAG shareholders.

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  • Qantas and northerly Territory sign tourism deal

    The Northern Territory Government and Qantas have reached a landmark $7 million cooperative agreement to advertise the NT within Australia and at the international stage.

    Minister for Tourism and Major Events Matt Conlan said that the agreement will market the Northern Territory as a number one tourist and event destination to the area.

    “This is the most important airline marketing partnership within the Territory’s history,’’ Mr Conlan said.

    “The three-year agreement will target key markets including Australia, US, Japan, Uk and America, and other international regions using various marketing strategies.

    “The Qantas story has its roots inside the Northern Territory and it’s only fitting that this partnership will result in growth for the airline and for the NT,” Mr Conlan said.

    “The agreement will attract more visitors to the Territory, create more jobs and boost the economy.

    “The Country Liberals Government vision is to draw 1.7 million visitors to the Territory annually by 2020, about 400,000 greater than we receive currently, and this partnership may also help deliver that outcome along with one of the vital world’s most precious airlines.

    “The partnership will make the NT more visible with the Qantas Group in international and domestic markets all year round. The deal also allows the Northern Territory to work with other states which have partnered with Qantas to advertise Australia and inspire further regional visitation to the NT.

    “This agreement joins some of the world’s best airlines with among the world’s most iconic landscapes. It’s a win win for Qantas and the Territory.”

    Qantas Executive Manager International Sales Stephen Thompson said the agreement will deliver huge dividends for the Northern Territory, particularly for inbound tourism.

    “Tourism is a big economic driver for Australia, creating jobs and promoting investment and development and Qantas plays a big role in supporting that economic contribution,” he said.

    “We are extremely pleased with this new partnership on the way to increase visitor numbers and tourism spending around the Northern Territory.”

    The partnership will include campaigns advertising special air fares and promotions around major events and activities, and there’ll be a sturdy deal with digital platforms including online and social media.

    Today’s announcement follows similar deals between Qantas and New South Wales and Queensland, and takes the airline’s total joint investment in tourism to $49 million over three years.

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  • News: DoubleTree by Hilton expands in Australia

    Hilton Worldwide has announced it might introduce its fastest growing full-service brand, DoubleTree by Hilton, to Australia when it re-brands four Northern Territory hotels on May 1st.

    The country’s first three DoubleTree by Hilton hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs will open alongside Hilton Darwin inside the Territory.

    “We are delighted in order to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Australian market and so as to add another Hilton Hotel & Resort within the region’s most vital areas of growth,” said Ashley Spencer, vice chairman, operations, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide.

    “We was seeking to enter into the Northern Territory for a while and are committed to creating these properties the leading full-service hotels out there.”

    The Northern Territory hotels are each located at the doorstep of a few of one of the most incredible tourism experiences Australia has to present, in addition to being in prime locations for business travellers within the mining and resources sectors.

    Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to legendary outback destinations equivalent to the Kakadu National Park and the Katharine Gorge.

    With a multicultural population of just 129,000, Darwin is famed for its laid-back lifestyle, markets and festivals, Asian cuisine and large natural harbour – bigger than Sydney’s.

    Alice Springs is found within the ‘red centre’ of the vast Australian continent and is the departure town for visiting Australia’s famous red rock Uluru, a five-hour drive from the town centre.

    “The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton in Australia – our 30th country and sixth continent – marks the start of an exceptionally exciting expansion for our brand,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.

    “We are thrilled to open not one, but three hotels in Australia’s extraordinary Northern Territory and sit up for introducing Australian travellers to the very best level of caring service synonymous with DoubleTree by Hilton – epitomised by our warm chocolate chip cookie welcome for each guest at check-in.”

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  • Ritz-Carlton expands portfolio with Rabat property

    Ritz-Carlton Hotels has unveiled plans to open its first property in Rabat, the distinguished capital city of the dominion of Morocco, for you to become the third property within the brand’s growing North Africa portfolio.

    The owner of the urban resort is Sienna Investment Group, an investment vehicle established in Morocco. 

    The architectural and design team of the posh property contains Scape Design Associates because the Landscape Designers, and designers, WATG.

    Construction is underway, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company expects the resort to open in December 2014.

    The urban resort can be situated approximately ten minutes’ drive from the town center, throughout the grounds of probably the most highly esteemed golf course within the Kingdom, The Royal Golf of Dar Es Salam, designed by Robert Trent Jones over 40 years ago.

    The golf estate which comprises three courses, frequented by Rabat and Morocco’s high society, is ready within a gorgeous 440 hectare oak forest, surrounded by an array of flora and breathtaking lakes, and could provide the scenic backdrop to the Ritz-Carlton, Rabat, located near the 10th tee of the foremost course.

    Herve Humler, president, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company said: “We are delighted to were chosen by Sienna Investment Group to control this kind of unique property, in this kind of prestigious city in Morocco and North Africa. 

    “The heritage of Rabat, a global heritage city by UNESCO, combined with the original location within an international-class golf estate, will provide an extremely appealing proposition for the affluent global traveler.” 

    The city of Rabat is the seat of the Moroccan government and residential to the vast majority of its government agencies, providing the capital with a prominent status.

    Sienna Investment Group, the landlord, noted the significance of choosing the suitable management company: “We chose The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to control this property because it was necessary to select a brand with the identical caliber of prestige because the city of Rabat itself, and one which is in accordance with the grandeur of The Royal Golf of Dar Es Salam.”

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  • Reunion Island launches eco tourism drive

    A new eco-tourism tour is being offered by Reunion Island at the side of the already rich leisure activities of nature on offer at the west side of the island.

    The purpose of just today tour is to find (or rediscover) in an academic way some great benefits of the island’s coral reef.

    A tour organiser will share the secrets of the reef and the island of Reunion in this journey of discovery of the coast, from Cape la Houssaye on the Hermitage lagoon.

    This is a brand new tour, which through innovative teaching will raise awareness of our environment in a fun way.

    The tour encompasses a meeting with officers of the Marine Nature Reserve, at the side of a guided tour followed by a lecture on the Aquarium of l. a. Reunion.

    A traditional breakfast is supplied – a Creole meal cooked over a wood fire with a tasting of clean country juices.

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