Aer Lingus Passengers Up 8.2 Per Cent in March
Aer Lingus traffic statistics for March 2012 show that total system flown passenger numbers, comprising Aer Lingus Mainline and Aer Lingus Regional, increased by 8.2%.
Mainline passengers were 736,000, an increase of 6.4% compared to March 2011. Short-haul passengers were 663,000, an increase of 5.4%,...
Virgin Australia Commences Sydney – Darwin Flights
Virgin Australia has launched its new daily Sydney – Darwin service using a B737-800 named ‘Mindil Beach’ after Darwin’s iconic beach. The flight departs Sydney at 09.40, arriving in Darwin at 13.50. The return service departs Darwin at 14.40, arriving in Sydney at 19.25.
Merren...
Etihad Adds 500,000 Passengers, Increases Revenue 28 Per Cent
Etihad Airways continued its growth in the first quarter of 2012 with a 28% rise in revenue to US$989 million over the corresponding period in 2011 and passenger numbers increasing by 500,000 to 2.4 million.
President and Chief Executive James Hogan said: “We met all...
Travelport Fulfills KLM Economy Comfort Seat via EMD
Travelport today announced the first live booking of a KLM Economy Comfort seat using the new industry standard electronic miscellaneous document (EMD). The booking was fulfilled via a travel agent in the Netherlands for a customer travelling from Amsterdam to Beijing. Currently in alpha...
RCI Launches Outdoor Advertising Campaign
In the lead-up to summer, Royal Caribbean International is launching a new marketing campaign featuring a selection of European sailings to ensure summer cruise sales are top-of-mind for agents looking to direct clients to high value-for-money holidays. The new ‘Don’t Wait, book now’ campaign...
Irish Ferries Extends Cabin Sale
Irish Ferries has extended the closing date of its half-price cabin sale on services to France. Now open until 17th April, sale fares deliver savings of up to €258 return and are valid for travel up to 30th May. Covered are all 2-, 3-,...
Belfast – London Southend Start for easyJet
EasyJet increases its routes from Belfast International Airport to London to four today with the start of its new service to London Southend Airport, with a new fast rail connection to London Liverpool Street. There will be two flights daily from Monday – Friday;...
Emirates Launches ‘Hello Tomorrow’ Global Brand
Emirates has today launched a new global brand platform and direction, themed ‘Hello Tomorrow’, which positions the global airline as “the enabler of global connectivity and meaningful experiences”. Emirates is embarking on “an integrated marketing communications campaign with a new brand promise as the...
Dynamic Packaging Survey Reveals 50 Per Cent of Travel Agents Use a Booking Engine
A survey by Irish Travel Trade News of travel agencies nationwide reveals that just 50% of agents use a dynamic packaging booking engine – with Flexibletrips proving to be their top choice, closely followed by Bookabed and Arrow Tours. Agents believe that dynamic packaging...
Declan Mescall to Retire from Irish Ferries
After 42 years of moving people and freight, Declan Mescall, Head of Passenger Sales for Irish Ferries, plans to retire at the end of July – and then to move himself to so-far unexplored places such as China, Australia and South America.
In an interview...
Bollywood Nights with 1STS and Insight Vacations
The ever-resourceful One Stop Touring Shop team donned their saris, had their hands henna’d and noses studded last Thursday to host their Bollywood Night at The Mezz VIP Lounge at Samsara, Dublin.
Business in travel agencies, it seems, is picking up because after a slow...
Claire Somers Wins Trip to Australia
Having won a trip to Washington DC with United the previous week, last week Claire Somers of American Holidays did it again by winning the top prize at the Australia on Tour workshop in Dublin!
Claire won a return Economy Class ticket to Australia with...
Royal Caribbean International Hosts Cork Agents
Royal Caribbean International held a Cork agents breakfast to update trade partners on the cruise brand’s current campaigns, including headline consumer offers of seven-night Mediterranean Cruises from €399 per person.
Over 25 agents turned out to join Lorraine Quinn and Jenny Rafter at the Nash...
Kuala Lumpur Hosts F1 Grand Prix
On 23rd-25th March, Kuala Lumpur hosted, for the 14th time, the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. Overseas visitors to the event stay an average six days in the country and spend an average of €1,714. Tourism Malaysia invited Irish Travel Trade News Editor...
Hatching Last-minute Plans for Easter? ‘Choc Out’ the Chocolate Boutique Hotel!
Want to immerse yourself in chocolate over the Easter holidays? Why not choc into chocopreneur Gerry Wilton’s chic and unique Chocolate Boutique Hotel in Bournemouth for a night or two of heavenly indulgence – you’ll even get a chocolate Easter bunny in your room...
EC Clears IAG Acquisition of BMI
The European Commission has given the go-ahead for the acquistion of British Midland International by the International Airlines Group, parent company of British Airways and Iberia. IAG said: “Some technical conditions need to be finalised before completion, which is anticipated to take place around...
Travelport Adds Chinese Hotels to Rooms and More
Travelport has announced a partnership with TravelSky Technology, a provider of information technology for China’s travel and tourism industry. Travelport-connected agents worldwide will gain access to TravelSky’s hotel content in China via the Travelport Rooms and More booking engine.
TravelSky will receive access to Travelport’s...
Margaret Devaney: a Titanic Survivor
One century ago, on Sunday 14th April 1912, the steamship RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the Atlantic on her maiden voyage from Southampton, Cherbourg and Cobh, Co Cork. The liner was carrying 2,225 people and 1,512 were lost. In the March issue of...
Irish Cricket? Ask Susan!
Following the Irish cricket team’s qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka next September, Ask Susan Travel is planning to offer trips to the finals.
Ireland romped to a nine-wicket victory over Namibia to join Afghanistan as one of two teams from...
