Budget boost as easyJet launches six new UK routes for Winter 2019

The low-cost European airline easyJet, has confirmed it will launch six new routes for this winter from the UK. 

The new routes are;

·         Manchester to Hurghada (Egypt), Rovaniemi (Lapland) and Verona (Italy)

·         Belfast to Marrakech

·         Bristol to Hurghada

·         Liverpool to Tenerife

Air Italy open sales for next summer on Toronto, Los Angeles & San Francisco

All routes currently in summer season are re-confirmed from March 29th 2020 to October 24th 2020

Air Italy is delighted to announce that on March 29th 2020, will be recommencing its flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto, reiterating the airline’s commitment to North America in addition to its existing year-round services to New York and Miami.

The airline announced today the opening of sales for its 2020 summer season confirming Summer 2019 destination portfolio and providing an opportunity for early planning for both the trade and the public.

In addition to the above routes, all of the current 2019 summer schedule to Africa: Cairo, Dakar, Accra, Lagos and Sharm el-Sheikh are also on sale for 2020.

Air Italy will also be continuing to serve daily multi-frequencies and connections with international flights from Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Cagliari and Olbia,

Air Canada Wins for Diversity in Leadership at 2019 Airline Strategy Awards

Air Canada has won the inaugural award for Diversity in Leadership at the 2019 Airline Strategy Awards presented in London, England. The prize recognizes an airline organization that promotes diversity among its senior leadership team.

"We are very pleased to receive this award because Air Canada has made diversity a strategic focus and this has not only enriched our workplace but it has also become a competitive advantage for our company. One way we have done this is by encouraging diversity throughout the company, including in the leadership ranks. That a well-regarded, international organization such as the Airline Strategy Awards is recognizing our efforts is evidence that we are succeeding in building a truly diverse company," said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Senior Vice President, People, Culture and Communications.

"Airlines led by the smartest and most innovative management teams still set the benchmark to which others aspire. The Airline Strategy Awards have recognized the best in boardroom leadership for 18 years, and 2019's winners all excel in this regard," said Max Kingsley-Jones, executive director content at FlightGlobal and host of The Airline Strategy Awards.

Moscow and St Petersburg to get a new Wizz service from Luton

Wizz Air UK, the UK-based, wholly-owned airline subsidiary of Wizz Air Holdings Plc. has confirmed it will launch two news services from its London Luton base to Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport, and Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg.

Flights on the Moscow route will launch on 1 October 2019 and operate daily. The St Petersburg route, on which Wizz Air UK will be the sole British operating carrier, will also launch on 1 October 2019 and operate daily. Fares on both routes start from just £25.99 - one way including all taxes and non-optional charges. This is the first time that Wizz Air will connect its low-fare UK network with Russia’s two largest and most vibrant cities.

is WAB about to emerge from the ashes of WOW air or is the WOW factor about to be reborn?

There has been much aviation media speculation over the last few days regarding a group of investors, including two former directors of the bankrupted WOW air are about to start a new airline called WAB - We Are Back.!

Local Icelandic media frettabladid.is the two former directors are working in conjunction with Irish investment fund Avianta Capital, which is owned by Aislin Whittley-Ryan, daughter of one of the Ryanair founders, to create the new low-cost long-haul airline. Apparently, Avianta Capital will be funding the new venture to the tune of $40 million over three years to get the airline flying.

The group are also looking into getting finance from at least two banks, one Swiss and one Icelandic, plus other investors - including Arnars Más Magnússon and Sveinn Inga Steinþórsson both previously with WOW air. If the plans come to fruition, then it is expected the airline will start operations in the autumn of 2020, it will operate 14 routes to Europe and North America with a fleet of six or so aircraft.  

Wizz Air makes schedule changes to its Kyiv flights in August

Wizz Air, the fastest-growing airline in Europe and a leading low-cost carrier in Ukraine, announces schedule adjustment to its Kyiv flights schedule due to operational reasons caused by aircraft delivery delays. Between 3 and 20 August 2019, there will be slight adjustments to the frequency of several routes. Passengers who have already booked tickets on affected routes will be contacted today, informed about the changes and offered rebooking to another flight (to the same route but different date or to some selected destinations), 100% reimbursement of the price of the purchased tickets or 120% reimbursement of the price of the original tickets in WIZZ credit. Wizz Air sincerely apologizes to all affected passengers for the inconvenience this change might have caused.

Important information for passengers who booked their tickets via online travel agencies instead of wizzair.com: These passengers should contact their online travel agency partner, as Wizz Air has no access to the email addresses or any other contract information they have provided, resulting in Wizz Air not being able to contact them. 

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts partner with BDMS Wellness Clinics for wellness resort in Bangkok

It’s official: BDMS Wellness Clinic partnered with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts to open the 1st Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort in the heart of Bangkok (Thailand). Surrounded by 1.2 acres of lush greenery, this new property is a true haven of peace for its travellers… Discover it now.

The 2 companies complement each other perfectly. The opening of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok joins the growing network of more than 85 Mövenpick hotels and resorts in 25 countries. It will introduce a brand new concept to the market. Nestled in the heart of Sukhumvit, this new address is the Group’s 3rd Mövenpick property in Bangkok, joining the Mövenpick Bangkok Sukhumvit and the Mövenpick Residences Ekkamai Bangkok.

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing

Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for celebrating the important things in life. Mooncakes are a hallmark of this jubilant holiday, and sharing them is a traditional way to honour the harmonious bonds of friends and family.

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing would like to extend best wishes to everyone with a sumptuous surprise of two traditional mooncake packages that are the perfect gift to show appreciation to those around us.

Classic Mooncake (5 pieces) - Lotus seed with egg yolk paste (2 pieces), matcha paste, dried tangerine peel and red bean paste and custard paste. CNY 328 per box.

Deluxe Mooncake (4 pieces) - Two pieces of lotus seed with double egg yolks, ham and assorted nuts, perfect for those who love traditional flavours. CNY 368 per box.

Radisson brand to debut in Algeria

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of the Radisson Hotel La Baie d’Alger in Algiers; its second hotel in Algeria and first Radisson-branded hotel in the country. The new hotel will be a strong addition to the group’s portfolio of almost 100 hotels in operation and under development across 32 countries in Africa.

The capital of Algeria, Algiers is the political, economic and cultural centre of Africa’s largest country. It is a cosmopolitan city that enjoys a prominent location on a bay along the Mediterranean coastline. Algeria itself continues to show a spike in tourism. According to WTTC, international arrivals are expected to reach 4.5 million by 2027 and the direct contribution of the travel and tourism industry to the GDP is forecasted to rise by 4.5% per year from 2015 to 2025.

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We are pleased to be adding our second hotel to Algiers, the capital of Algeria and the largest urban area in Africa, with the introduction of our Scandinavian-inspired Radisson hotel brand. Algeria is a growth market for us in Africa and Algiers is a key city for hotel expansion. This new hotel will complement the Radisson Blu Hotel, Algiers Hydra, which opened its doors last month. There is a limited quality supply in the market and our people and brands will no doubt contribute to transforming the hospitality landscape in this promising country”.

Air Italy confirms Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto for summer 2020

All routes currently in summer season are re-confirmed from March 29th 2020 to October 24th 2020

Air Italy is delighted to announce that on March 29th 2020, will be recommencing its flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto, reiterating the airline’s commitment to North America in addition to its existing year-round services to New York and Miami.

The airline announced today the opening of sales for its 2020 summer season confirming Summer 2019 destination portfolio and providing an opportunity for early planning for both the trade and the public.

In addition to the above routes, all of the current 2019 summer schedule to Africa: Cairo, Dakar, Accra, Lagos and Sharm el-Sheikh are also on sale for 2020.

Air Italy will also be continuing to serve daily multi-frequencies and connections with international flights from Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Cagliari and Olbia,

SWISS carries more passengers in the first six months

Swiss International Air Lines SWISS1 transported 8,791,179 passengers in the first six months of 2019, a 3.2% improvement on the same period last year. A total of 73,265 flights were operated in the period, a 4.8% increase on January-to-June 2018.

Total first-half passenger capacity was raised 1.7% from its 2018 level in available seat-kilometre (ASK) terms. Total traffic volume, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 2.2% on the prior-year period. Systemwide seat load factor rose accordingly: the 82.0% for the period was a 0.5-percentage-point improvement on January-to-June 2018. 

Bombardier’s Global 7500 bizjet reaches new heights in the Swiss Alps

Photo Matthias Geiger

The Canadian transport company, Bombardier has announced that its Global 7500 aircraft is the largest, most spacious, purpose-built business jet to operate out of Gstaad’s Saanen airport in Switzerland – one of the most notable airfields located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, requiring short-field performance – showcasing its true four-zone cabin during an event earlier this month before continuing its journey to the Middle-East and reaching Dubai directly from Gstaad Saanen airport.

“This demonstration strengthens the Global 7500 jet as a jet that simply has no peer in terms of combining size and real-world capabilities,” said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Not only can it access demanding airfields in hot and/or high locations, but it also delivers uncompromising value to customers under any conditions, at any time, without the need for tailwinds and a signature smooth ride through exceptional wing flexibility.”

Passenger numbers expected to rise for Lufthansa Group despite the 'Greta' effect.

The German mega-airline Lufthansa says it expects its passenger numbers will rise about 4% this year, despite the movement spearheaded by teenager Greta Thunberg to curb air travel. 

Carsten Spohr the firms CEO told German newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, “At this time we don’t see restraint - in fact, the opposite. In comparison to last year, already a record year, we’re expecting passenger growth of about 4% (Lufthansa unit) Swiss International Air Lines is also showing growth. The discussion of climate change is not leading to restraint with bookings. People want to fly.”

There has been widespread media speculation that a supposed “Greta effect”  would curb the demand for air travel, as people follow the 16-year-old environmental evangelist's efforts to reduce carbon emitting activities - including flying. Indeed a 'Flight-strike' by environmental protestors targeted Swiss International at Zurich Airport on Saturday, chanting, handing out flyers trying to convince people not to fly in 2020, according to news agency Reuters. 

Passenger numbers rise in June for Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss International Air Lines SWISS1 transported 8,791,179 passengers in the first six months of 2019, a 3.2% improvement on the same period last year. A total of 73,265 flights were operated in the period, a 4.8% increase on January-to-June 2018.

Total first-half passenger capacity was raised 1.7% from its 2018 level in available seat-kilometre (ASK) terms. Total traffic volume, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 2.2% on the prior-year period. Systemwide seat load factor rose accordingly: the 82.0% for the period was a 0.5-percentage-point improvement on January-to-June 2018. 

Icelandair Group sells 75% share in its hotels to foreign property group.

The troubled Icelandair Group has signed a sales deal with Berjaya Property Ireland Limited, a subsidiary of Berjaya Land Berhad, for a majority share in Icelandair Hotels and related real estate

Berjaya Land Berhad is a listed Malaysian-based corporation that operates in multiple sectors, such as hotels and resorts, property investment and retail. Berjaya Land Berhad and its affiliate companies have around 4000 employees and annual revenue of around USD 1,6 billion. The founder and Executive Chairman of the Berjaya Group is Tan Sri Dato Vincent Tan.

Icelandair Hotels operate hotels all around Iceland, with a total of 1,811 rooms. In addition, the Company will open a new 145-room hotel at Austurvöllur Square in Reykjavik's Parliament district in collaboration with Hilton Hotels in 2020. In 2018, the revenue of Icelandair Hotels amounted to USD 97 million and the total number of employees was 699. The EBITDA of the hotel operations amounted to USD 7 million and rental income from real estate amounted to USD 5 million. The total size of the Company’s real estate is 17,738 sqm and includes Hilton Canopy Reykjavik, Icelandair Hotel Akureyri, Icelandair Hotel Mývatn and Icelandair Hotel Hérað.