Category: News

  • News: IAG and British Airways select the A350

    After a radical selection process, International Airline Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as component to the airline’s on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy.

    IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots which may result in firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is able to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.

    The number of the A350-1000 follows British Airways’ decision in 2007 to purchase 12 Airbus A380s, the primary of so that it will be delivered this summer. Operating the A380 and A350 together delivers real value to the world’s leading airlines since it lets them match aircraft capacity to traffic demand on any route.
    “The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet. Its size and range might be a great fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there’s a chance to function a brand new range of destinations profitably. This may increasingly not just bring greater flexibility to our network but additionally more choice for our customer,” said Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive.

    Across all its aircraft families Airbus’ new angle ensures that aircraft share the very best commonality in airframes, on-board systems, cockpits and handling characteristics. This reduces significantly operating costs for airlines. Further, with only minimal additional training, pilots can transition between these aircraft more efficiently.

    “This is a crucial announcement from among the many world’s most valuable and influential airline brands,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A380 and the A350 are perfectly matched for greener long haul operations and demonstrate environmental leadership. We’re simply delighted that British Airways has chosen the A350 to spread its global wings and its iconic livery.”

    The A350-1000 is the most important member of the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family seating as much as 350 passengers in three classes, with a variety capability of 8,400 nautical miles (15,500 km). The A350 XWB Family includes the A350-900 and A350-800 seating 314 and 270 passengers respectively, offering airlines the power to check the aircraft to their network needs and thereby guaranteeing optimum revenue potential. In comparison with its nearest established competitor, the A350 XWB Family reduces fuel burn by 25 per cent.

    British Airways currently operates a complete of 112 A320 Family aircraft. It really is some of the world’s only airlines to function all members of the A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321). British Airways first became an Airbus operator in 1988, when it all started flying A320s. The airline added the A319s to its fleet in 1999 and the A321 in 2004.

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  • GTA renews partnership with Accor at Arabian Travel Market

    GTA has renewed its distribution handle the leading hotel operator Accor ensuring businesses selling leisure travel can book greater than 3,500 hotels in 92 countries available under its brands.

    Together Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Ibis Styles, Ibis budget and hotelF1 serve the wishes of a wide variety of travellers with a wide range of accommodation options.

    Accor continues to learn from GTA’s growing business and unrivalled global footprint, which brings tens of thousands of travel bookings day by day.

    Martin Jones, GTA senior vice chairman for global sourcing & product development, said: “Thanks to the continuing strength of our longstanding relationship with Accor, customers can book an excellent greater number of accommodation for his or her clients.

    “Some 85 per cent of Accor’s hotels are inside the Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions which are key to GTA’s longevity and success.

    “The deal further extends the diversity of rate options for accommodation which we sell in over 190 countries.”

    GTA provides dynamic inventory and rates to reinforce its connections with people that sell fully independent travel.

    Its fast, flexible and reliable technology saves partners money and time and supports year-round business by helping them comply with seasonal fluctuations and market forces.

    “I am delighted to resume our strong partnership with GTA.

    “This agreement is completely according to our technique to develop connectivity solutions with major partners and may help us reinforce and optimise outbound flows from key emerging feeder markets into our European hotels, in addition to in Accor’s other high-growth countries, comparable to the Asia Pacific region,” said Carlo Olejniczak, senior vp, global sales, Accor.

    By sourcing global product with selective focus, GTA is engineering greater success for tourism businesses and giving consumers a much broader choice when booking through travel retailers.

    “It implies that retailers can provide customers the appropriate prices within the most effective destinations, but additionally access to a chain’s full portfolio of properties including the ‘long tail’ of less renowned accommodation.

    “Accor’s hotels further enhance GTA’s portfolio of 60,000 accommodation options, services and experiences, which pulls over 21,000 bookings day-to-day, selling 12 million room nights in additional than 25 languages online and inside the world.”

  • News: Grand Hyatt Hotel announced for Changsha China

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered right into a management agreement with an affiliate of Huayuan Property Co., Ltd for a Grand Hyatt hotel in Changsha, Hunan Province in central China.

    “Changsha has established itself as a chief hub for global business and entertainment, and we’re honored to be able to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to one of these great city,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation on the agreement signing in Changsha earlier today. “Throughout our 40 years in China, now we have showed thousands of guests how our associates can meet and exceed their needs, and we glance forward to bringing Hyatt’s signature authentic hospitality to one of these dynamic and historic city.”

    Grand Hyatt Changsha can be centrally located within the most prestigious commercial and business areas along the Xiangjiang River in downtown Changsha. The hotel may be portion of “The Central,” a mega mixed use complex with a view to incorporate high-end residential buildings, office spaces, and comfort shopping facilities. Situated at the upper floors of an iconic 268-meter-high skyscraper, Grand Hyatt Changsha will enjoy unobstructed views over town and the river, and is anticipated to become the brand new landmark of Changsha. The 324-room hotel will feature an array of restaurants and bars, multi-purpose meeting and banquet facilities, a gymnasium, a pool and a spa, and is predicted to create over 500 new jobs.

    “We are more than happy to work with Hyatt on such a thrilling and important project. We glance forward to our collaboration with Hyatt in further developing the high-end hotel market in Changsha,” said Ren Zhiqiang, Chairman of Huayuan Property Co., Ltd.

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  • ONYX brings Amari brand to Indonesia with Bali property

    Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group was appointed to function a 435-room property at the Indonesian island of Bali.

    Amari Pecatu is a three way partnership between STA Group Property Division and PR Bali Pecatu Graha.

    This can be ONYX’s first step for expansion into Indonesia for the Amari brand.

    The property is scheduled to open in 2015.

    Located at the southern peninsula of Bali, Pecatu is easily-called a surfer’s paradise with limestone cliffs and lovely, secluded beaches.

    Amari Pecatu might be portion of the 400-hectare Pecatu Indah Resort, an integrated development with planned facilities including a shopping center and conference venues that may accommodate as much as 12,000 people.

    It is already home to an 18-hole golf course, designed by famous golf architect Ronald Fream.

    ONYX president Peter Henley said: “We are very excited to be interested by this massive-scale venture inside the Pecatu Indah Resort project.

    “This could be the first Amari property in Indonesia, and as such, a major milestone for us.

    “We look ahead to the exciting times ahead as we work closely with our partners to support the on-going development of Pecatu as a colourful tourism destination in Bali.”

    Amari Pecatu will feature 385 deluxe rooms, ten junior suites and 40 villas starting from 54 to 400 square metres in size.

    All accommodation options offer the decision between two breath-taking views, the luxurious green of the golf green or the panoramic vista of the Indian Ocean.

    The design concept for Amari Pecatu is a collaboration between Bangkok based Outdoor Studio and Broadway Malyan, both companies have a wealth of expertise designing notable hotels and resorts all over the world.

    The resort will offer a ramification of dining options, including two destination restaurants, a lounge and bar, sea view swimming pool, Breeze Spa, gymnasium, in addition to a retail area throughout the central reception area.

    For those wishing to plot a special day, the resort may also provide various options for weddings and events.

    Amari Pecatu may even offer investment opportunities for those wishing to buy a vacation home.

    In return for an initial investment, owners will then receive a number of privileges including annual rights of stay and warranted rental returns.

  • News: Travelport set to inspire at Arabian Travel Market 2013

    Travelport, the leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and knowledge for the worldwide travel industry, has announced its exciting agenda the 2013 edition of Arabian Travel Market.

    Set under the umbrella of its new ‘Inspire’ brand campaign, Travelport will lead the technology debate on the event through a varied programme of cutting-edge technology showcases, an industry-shaping seminar programme, in addition to several high profile announcements.

    Taking place from 6 May – 9 May, the most important annual travel and tourism exhibition will again function a platform for the worldwide distribution system (GDS) provider to enhance its position because the world’s leading provider of informed travel choice.

    As such, this year Travelport will use the highly popular exhibition as a platform to unveil the hot and improved Travelport Rooms and More – its industry leading hotel booking engine. The hot features of the upgraded accommodation portal include a fresh feel and look, improved functionality and a brand new user-friendly interface.

    Another innovation that Travelport might be showcasing at its stand in Hall 1 is Travelport Merchandising Platform, which was launched inside the lead-as much as the exhibition and is already changing the way forward for airline distribution.

    Visitors could also expect to be Inspired by interactive showcases of Travelport’s industry leading agency solutions including Travelport Smartpoint App, Travelport’s powerful point of sale solution, and Travelport Mobile Agent, the Travelport app for agents on-the-go. Tablet technology will be available at Travelport stand, allowing visitors to try and test the products themselves.

    Following the widely reported findings of recent Travelport co-sponsored PhoCusWright study at the growth of online travel, Travelport will also give centre stage at ATM to online travel with solutions such as Travelport Universal API, the leading edge technology that enables online and traditional travel agencies to streamline the booking process. The research showed that the online travel market in the Middle East is expected to reach $15.8b by 2014.

    Innovation in travel technology and online opportunities will form the basis of Travelport’s industry-shaping seminar programme, which might be held at the Travelport stand throughout the exhibition. Travelport experts will even participate in technology-focused panel sessions at Google Technology Theatre: ‘Harnessing the power of travel industry eLearning to drive growth and expertise’ on 6 May at 16:35pm, and ‘Tech Showcase – Back by popular demand. Using the GDS to make Big Bucks’ on 9 May at 13.30pm.

    “With our exciting and information-packed agenda, Travelport will lead the technology debate at this year’s ATM,” commented Rabih Saab, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Travelport. “Every year, ATM gives us a wonderful opportunity to engage with the travel industry, and this year we have a range of new technologies to showcase to the trade – all created to drive growth and long-term success within the travel and tourism sector. I therefore personally invite everyone to visit Travelport stand this year to find out the latest trends and solutions available within the travel technology sector.”

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