Airlines
Dubai airport post record numbers in 2011
Dubai International had another record year in 2011, handling 50.98 million passengers -- and increase of 8% over the 47.2 million travellers it welcomed in 2010. In its newly released annual traffic report, Dubai Airports notes that December passenger numbers reached 4.69 million, an increase of 10.2% compared to 4.26 million recorded during the same month in 2010. Aircraft movements totalled 29,519 in December, an increase of 7.7% from the 27,398 registered during the same period last year and 326,317 for the full year up 6.2% versus 2010. Average passenger numbers per passenger aircraft...
CHA taking care of business in the Bahamas
Caribbean Marketplace 2012 was officially opened this week with much pomp and circumstance at Atlantis in The Bahamas with attendees including Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The annual travel show has attracted a total of 1,190 delegates from 18 countries, including Canada, the most in three years. Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Josef Forstmayr noted that 2010 was a record year for "stop-over" arrivals in the Caribbean with 23.1 million visitors and said the forecast for 2011 is a 4% increase on this. "There is no question that our buyers who are attending Caribbean Travel...
Emirates, Alaska launch new partnership
Emirates and Alaska Airlines have launched a new frequent flier partnership, offering passengers the opportunity to accrue Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles when they fly to any of Emirates' 118 destinations worldwide, including points across Africa, India and the Middle East. Emirates Skywards members can also accrue miles across the Alaska Airlines network in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada and Mexico. "As part of our commitment to Seattle, we are launching our service by partnering with Seattle's hometown airline to offer customers the convenience of a frequent...
Lufthansa launches private jet service in NA
Lufthansa will introduce its premium Lufthansa Private Jet service to the North American market on Feb. 1, 2012. The move has been made possible by an expanded relationship with NetJets Inc., and the new service builds upon the popular Lufthansa Private Jet product that is already operated in Europe in conjunction with NetJets Europe. Lufthansa Private Jet will provide flights tailored to the customer's itinerary throughout North America on a fleet of aircraft managed and operated by NetJets. Lufthansa Private Jet service in North America is available through an interchange program with...
Fairmont inks mileage agreement with Qatar Airways
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched a new marketing alliance with Qatar Airways. As part of the new partnership, Fairmont guests on qualifying stays will now have the opportunity to earn 500 Qmiles or more in Qatar Airways' Privilege Club program. Qualifying stays are subject to hotel availability at published rack, corporate or package rates. Members of Fairmont President's Club will also have the option of earning additional frequent flyer Qmiles....
Priceline ready with Travelport 360
Priceline reports that it has successfuly implemented Travelport's 360 Fares -- the global fares and pricing system that powers all fares and pricing transactions for Travelport's global distribution systems. Built on open systems architecture, Travelport's 360 Fares platform utilizes the latest server technologies to deliver an accurate and comprehensive stream of direct airline and agency filed fares and rules at industry leading fare data load times. Travelport's Mark Ryan said: "Priceline.com is taking advantage of our technical innovation to create significant new opportunities while...
Air France trading on Bluenext
Air France trading on Bluenext Air France has announced that it began trading on Bluenext in January, becoming the 108th member of Bluenext. At the beginning of January this year, all airlines flying to and from Europe were required to cover their carbon dioxide emissions. Air France is the first airline to register for trading in emission rights directly on Bluenext. The carrier indicated that it is "thoroughly prepared for its compliance" and its Bluenext membership is a new expression of its long-lasting environmental commitment." The airline industry is the largest industry -- after the...
ALTA lends a helping hand
During its recent 8th Airline Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ALTA participants donated US$103,000 to Sociedade Viva Cazuza, a charity benefiting children, as part of a silent auction and fundraiser that took place during the event. In addition, ALTA unveiled its newest charity initiative - the ALTA Helping Hands Program - which is dedicated to raising funds to contribute to the welfare of under-served children communities at the destinations where the ALTA Forum is organized in Latin America and the Caribbean. ALTA's executive director, Alex de Gunten commented: "These donations are...