New Qantas Lounges in LA, Singapore and HK
Qantas is to invest almost $400 million in new international lounges, new inflight entertainment and aircraft refurbishment as part of the Qantas Group’s five-year plan. CEO Alan Joyce said: “Qantas will construct a new First Lounge and Business Lounge in Los Angeles, three times...
Seychelles Authorities Close Beach After Second Shark Attack
Beaches on the island of Praslin have been closed and diving halted by the Seychelles authorities after a 30-year-old British honeymooner was killed while snorkelling off Anse Lazio beach by a shark. A Frenchman was also killed by a shark two weeks ago off...
Aer Lingus Decides Against US West Coast and Funchal Routes
Aer Lingus has decided not to re-open a route to the US West Coast – or to commence a Dublin – Funchal service to Madeira after SATA pulls off that route this autumn.
In spite of a call from Dublin Chamber of Commerce working with...
Qantas, JAL and Mitsubishi Form Jetstar Japan
The Qantas Group, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Mitsubishi Corporation today announced today the launch of Jetstar Japan – a new low-cost airline that will commence domestic operations by end-2012 from Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai International), with other destinations under consideration including Sapporo, Fukuoka,...
Will Your GAA Hurling Club be the Best Club Down Under?
Etihad Airways, sponsor of the GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship, is looking to send one club to Australia to play the challenge match of a lifetime. Etihad is asking clubs around the country to tell them what their greatest achievement is. Log on...
Thomson Summer Collection 2012 On Sale Thursday
The Thomson Summer Collection 2012 brochure goes on sale this Thursday, 18th August. Early booking offers including savings of €140 per couple, free places for groups, free room and board upgrades, and free child places.
The Premier collection features Sensatori – affordable 5-star hotels, Couples...
Automated ePassport Gates at Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport, together with the UK Border Agency, has introduced improvements in the immigration halls that help to reduce queue times and provide a better service, including new automated ePassport gates with facial recognition technology and a dedicated lane for families.
The immigration halls...
20 Rescued after 18 Hours in German Cable Car
Emergency helicopters have rescued 20 people who were trapped in a cable car in southern Germany for over 18 hours. The passengers were stuck overnight after a paraglider tandem flight crashed into its cable on Friday and strong winds hindered the rescue.
The 19 tourists...
Serious Design Flaws in Chinese High-speed Trains
The high-speed train crash in China that killed 40 people was caused by serious design flaws, the country’s safety chief has said. Luo Lin, who is heading the inquiry into the crash, said the accident near Wenzhou was “completely avoidable”. He did not say...
TO Licence for WTC
The Commission for Aviation Regulation has granted a tour operator licence to World Travel Centre of Dublin, number 256, which expires on 31st October 2012. The CAR has also issued a travel agency licence, number 712, to Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland...
Athlone to Dublin Airport in 1h 20m
Clients travelling from Athlone to Dublin Airport can save money by taking Bus Éireann’s daily services from Athlone to Dublin Airport on its Expressway Route X20. The direct service takes only 1 hour and 20 minutes, which means customers don’t have to worry about...
UK Apprentice Speaker and Social Media Programme at WTM
One of the advisors on the UK ‘Apprentice’ show will speak at this year’s World Travel Market seminar ‘Talk Business: Fight to Survive’. Karren Brady will be joined on the panel of guest speakers by Steve Byrne, Chief Executive of Travel Counsellors; David Jones,...
13/8/2012 to be Busiest Day Ever at London Heathrow
Advise your clients that Monday 13th August 2012, the day after the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, is set to be London Heathrow Airport’s busiest day ever: 218,000 bags are expected to leave the airport, compared to 160,000 on the previous busy...
PATA Analyses Asia Pacific MICE Sector
The Pacific Asia Travel Association has published a 24-page analysis of the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (MICE) industry in Asia. The report, in the latest edition of PATA’s Issues & Trends, shows that Asia accounts for 16% of total meetings worldwide. The next...
London Airports Road Restrictions on Sunday
Parts of London’s M25 and other major roads serving London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports will be closed or have restricted use for most of Sunday (14th August) due to the London-Surrey Cycle Classic race, an Olympic test event. A map of the affected...
Travelport Launches Smartpoint App
Travelport today launches Travelport Smartpoint App, a new add-on application for the Galileo Desktop, which represents a significant advancement in Travelport’s graphical, point-and-click technology.
The application infuses the cryptic environment (Focalpoint) with a hybrid of native and point-and-click navigation, plus graphical user interfaces to speed...
Irish Ferries Dublin Swift Sails on Alone
In fast ferries, Irish Ferries’ Dublin – Holyhead Dublin Swift will have the sea to itself from mid-September, the first time this has happened since it entered service 12 years ago. From 14th September onwards, it will become the sole fast ferry service operating...
Aer Lingus Website Now Offers “The Complete Holiday Solution”
Scroll down to the bottom of the Aer Lingus website homepage and click on “Holidays” and you are now presented with online booking of sun holidays, city breaks and escorted holidays from ClickandGo.com and TheTravelDepartment.ie under the banner of ‘The complete holiday solution with...
New Boeing Aircraft and Business Class Seat for Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it is has agreed to purchase four new Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft and eight Boeing 777-200 freighters. The airline is also developing a new Business Class seat and building a new cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport,...
New Surfing Safety Campaign
The opportunity to enjoy Ireland's breathtaking beaches is too often tempered with news of tragic aquatic fatalities. Irish Water Safety has partnered with the Irish Surfing Association to proactively address the safety of surfers nationwide by producing a key safety...
