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Volume 2, Issue 12, March 19, 2009 |
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Airports Council International announced the top performing airports in its Airport Service Quality Survey — an airport customer-service benchmarking programme available to airport management teams.
The survey captures passengers’ perception of the quality of more than 30 aspects of service they have experienced at the airport. Passengers were interviewed every day of the year to ensure coverage of all peaks and troughs.
In the category Best Airports Worldwide, and for the fourth year in a row, the top three performing airports in the world were in the Asia Pacific region, with Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea winning the coveted Best Airport Award.
Passenger satisfaction with the new Terminal 3 promoted Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) into second place this year, with Hong Kong International Airport (HKT) coming in at a close third.
The top performing airports in other regions were Zurich (ZRH), Halifax (YHZ), Guayaquil (GYE), Tel Aviv (TLV) and George (GRJ). In the five categories based on annual passenger traffic size, top honours went to Halifax (fewer than 5 million), Central Japan (NKM) (5–15 million), Taipei (TPE) (15–25 million), South Korea (25–40 million) and Hong Kong (over 40 million). 
Thai Airways International has confirmed that all of its operations will return to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) starting March 29. A total of 23 domestic flights will move from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Suvarnabhumi Airport. To handle the increased number of passengers, the airlines said it will provide more check-in counters for domestic, premium/business and economy class passengers. THAI will also extend its lounge areas by a total of 300 square meters.
Philippine Airlines will ramp up services to major international and domestic destinations during the upcoming summer travel period, highlighted by the upgrading of its Manila (MNL)–Vancouver (YVR) service to a daily frequency and the addition of flights to local tourist hotspot Busuanga (USU). PAL will add one weekly flight each to its popular trans-Pacific services from Manila to the U.S. West Coast gateways of Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) for the duration of the summer.
Japan Airlines has improved its in-flight meal service on U.S. and Europe routes. Passengers travelling on JAL's Executive Class Seasons — the airline's international business class — can sample exquisite Japanese or Western cuisine. The Japanese menu, created by Kyoto cuisine Mebaekai, includes delicacies like sashimi-style bream, baby sardines with Japanese pepper and butterbur sprouts with sake or shochu.
Delta Air Lines has started renaming more than 50 airport lounges worldwide as part of the merger with Northwest. The new moniker, Delta Sky Club, will replace the current Delta Crown Room Club and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs names. New Delta Sky Club signage is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Crown Room Club and WorldClubs members may continue to use their current credentials and one-day passes until the end of 2009.
Singapore Airlines has launched flights between Kuwait (KWI) and Singapore (SIN), via Abu Dhabi (AUH). SQ458 departs Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 13:05 to arrive in Kuwait at 18:30. For the return leg, SQ457 will depart Kuwait at 21:20 to arrive in Singapore at 12:30 the next day. This new four-times weekly service will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, using Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
3 Travessa Sao Domingos
Macau City, Macau
Tel 853 331 818
Bustling Macau with all its neon lights may be too much at times, so it was a delight when I discovered this cosy, discreet restaurant, which provides a much-needed escape.
Restaurante Platão is a restaurant located in a small alley near the Senate Square, serving Portuguese cuisine in a clean decorated ambience.
The outdoor seating area of this small outlet is perfect for a little daydreaming, and the friendly atmosphere is welcoming.
I visited on a rainy afternoon, so I was ushered inside, which got a little crowded. The service is professional and the staff is always ready to serve you promptly and with a smile. A meal for two costs approximately around MOP 350.
Portions were fairly large. I enjoyed the seafood bacalhau very much. Bacalhau is a Macau specialty dish with salted fish and is cooked in various forms — fried rice, cooked with seafood in a cheesy cream sauce and cooked with tomatoes.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
InterContinental Hong Kong has launched a new package that pair special culinary experiences with stylish accommodation. Priced at HKD 5,888, the gourmet getaway allows guests to enjoy a one-night stay in a Contemporary Deluxe Plazaview Room with complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner for two, access to Club InterContinental and round-trip Mercedes limousine transfers from the airport.
For businesspeople tired of running from one meeting to the next and shopaholics who’ve clocked up too many miles in designer boutiques, Hotel Jen in Hong Kong has launched a series of Sleep and Spa packages combining great value hotel accommodation with a selection of spa treatments. Priced at HKD 888, the Stress Soother package offers guests the choice of either a soothing 30-minute Ayurveda head / scalp massage or 75 minutes of Holistic Foot Reflexology.
From April 19 to May 12, guests staying at the One&Only Reethi Rah can enjoy complimentary yacht transfer. The scenic voyages aboard a 55-foot luxury yacht on arrival and departure between Male International Airport (MLE) and the resort are normally priced at USD 330 per person. One&Only Reethi Rah is a sheltered hideaway set on one of the largest islands in North Male Atoll. The secluded resort provides the perfect retreat for discerning travellers seeking exclusive accommodations and bespoke services.
Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort in Phuket has launched a Luxury Experience promotion for couples. Priced at BHT 13,000 in a Serenity Room, the package includes accommodations for two nights, complimentary á la carte breakfast, a three-course lunch or dinner at the Turquoise Restaurant and late check-out time of 1800 hrs. Guests can arrange to explore neighbouring islands or be pampered in the Well Being Centre.
The U Chiang Mai has launched a Cool Summer Saver promotion with room rates starting from BHT 3,599 for a superior room and BHT 4,599 for a deluxe room. The rates include one-night accommodation, breakfast for two, WiFi Internet access in the hotel and free use of bikes. The U Chiang Mai is a new bijoux deluxe hotel, located 20 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX).
