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Volume 2, Issue 23, June 4, 2009 |
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While April’s passenger numbers for Asia Pacific’s major airlines are down on last year, the figures are better than the first three months of this year. The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines says that there are tentative signs that its members may be through the worst of the economic downturn.
AAPA’s preliminary figures for April showed that its 17 member airlines carried a total of 11.1 million international passengers in April, 5.8 per cent fewer than in the same month last year.
“The April figures, although poor, are not quite as bad as the declines we experienced in the first three months of the year. Despite the slump in exports, some Asian economies are holding up reasonably well, with mainland China seeing a strong rebound in domestic travel after a weak performance in 2008. Nevertheless, the outlook for the remainder of the year is one of continued challenges,” said Andrew Herdman, director general AAPA.
“For the first four months of the year, AAPA international passenger numbers were 9.6 per cent lower than in the same period last year. Demand for first- and business-class seats has been particularly weak as companies have tightened their travel budgets… Business conditions for airlines remain extremely difficult, with a combination of aggressive revenue-generating and parallel cost-cutting initiatives proving critical to riding out the ongoing economic storm,” he said. 
On June 1, Emirates launched the first commercial Airbus A380 flights to Bangkok (BKK). The A380 will serve the Bangkok – Dubai (DXB) route on a daily basis. Emirates launched its first A380 flights in Asia between Sydney (SYD) and Auckland (AKL) and Dubai in February 2009. The aircraft has a three-class configuration (14 first-, 76 business- and 399 economy-class seats) spread over two levels with the upper deck dedicated to first- and business-class passengers. The Emirates A380 in-flight product features flat-bed massage-equipped private suites and onboard shower spas in the first-class cabin plus an onboard lounge for first- and business-class passengers.
Amid fireworks and festivities, Macau’s latest giant entertainment and casino complex, City of Dreams opened its doors to the public on June 1. Located just across the Cotai Strip from the gigantic Venetian Macau, the new USD2.1 billion integrated resort includes the Crown and Hard Rock hotels each with 600 rooms. City of Dreams also features a 420,000-square-foot casino floor with 519 gaming tables and 1,350 slot machines. NASDAQ-listed developer Melco Crown Entertainment is also hoping to win over non-gaming visitors with the resort’s contemporary design, plenty of shopping, 20 restaurants and bars, and an audio-visual multimedia theatre extravaganza called Dragon's Treasure.
Qantas recently announced plans to stop offering first-class service on three of its long-haul routes for four months from July 6 to Oct. 31. The routes include four flights between Sydney (SYD) and San Francisco (SFO), three between Sydney and Buenos Aires (EZE) and the daily Qantas flights between Melbourne (MEL) and London (LHR) via Hong Kong (HKG). Qantas will be offering business, premium economy and economy only on these routes. The airline says it will not be altering the configuration of the planes so former first-class seats will be used for business-class passengers.
After a USD25.9 million refurbishment programme, the InterContinental Bangkok has revealed its new look. As well as refurbishing guestrooms and suites the hotel has added Thailand’s first InterContinental Concierge Lounge where guests are welcome to sit down, relax and chat with the hotel’s multilingual concierge team in a lounge setting. Popular dining venues have been refreshed and the hotel has added a new Italian restaurant, Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar, which is a partnership with Australian restaurateur, author and celebrity chef Guy Grossi. Renovated health and fitness areas include Infinity Fitness, Spa InterContinental and a free-form rooftop swimming pool with terrace.
Fiji’s Air Pacific and Alaska Airlines have entered into a new codeshare agreement and expanded their frequent flier partnership. The new partnership allows Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members to earn and redeem miles on Air Pacific flights to the South Pacific and beyond. The airlines also announced they have established a co deshare agreement for service between Fiji’s Nadi International Airport (NAN) and Vancouver (YVR) via Los Angeles (LAX) on Alaska Airlines-operated flights. Air Pacific noted that the six weekly Boeing 747 flights to Los Angeles would provide more convenient, comfortable and competitive travel options than the twice-weekly Boeing 737 flights via Honolulu (HNL) that this codeshare replaces.
Asia Miles members can enjoy more savings on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights this summer. Members can fly for as little as 10,000 Asia Miles with a 20 per cent discount on one-way and round-trip redemption upgrades, plus round-trip companion ticket awards on eligible Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights. For example, eligible flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and London (LHR) are CX257, CX253, CX252 and CX256 only. Tickets must be booked online and issued before Aug. 14 for travel between July 17 and Aug. 14. For details visit the Asia Miles website.
Stay Friday night at any Millennium & Copthorne hotel in Asia and enjoy Saturday and Sunday nights for free. The Singapore-based hotel group is giving away more than 3,000 room nights in this buy-one-get-two-free promotion at its 11 participating hotels in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. Room rates start from USD115 plus tax. The Weekends for Free promotion is available for stays until July 31, but bookings must be made before June 8 via Millennium & Copthorne’s website.
Opened in April 2009, Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites, is offering a City Break promotion that makes it easy to explore Bangkok at your own pace. Although located in a quiet street, the serviced suites are just 100 metres away from the main road and the Ratchadamri BTS Sky Train station, which quickly connects travellers to major shopping and business areas. The package costs USD205 plus tax for a one-bedroom suite and includes two one-day Sky Train passes, breakfast, Internet access and a fully equipped kitchen. Anantara’s City Break package is available until Oct. 31 and also includes a complimentary upgrade for stays of more than two nights.
Sofitel Hotels will help you enjoy the outdoors in style this summer with its Chic Picnic package, available for a minimum stay of three nights before Aug. 31. Designed to provide a chance to dine al fresco in a park or by the beach, guests can enjoy a luxurious picnic hamper tailored for the guest by the hotel chef. The Chic Picnic includes a 4 p.m. late check-out, a picnic basket filled with salads, sandwiches, pastries, fruit, a bottle of wine and soft drinks. For bookings made before July 5, Sofitel will offer a free night’s accommodation for every four nights of a qualifying stay.
United Airlines Mileage Plus members can earn double miles for stays at participating Hyatt Hotels & Resorts before July 15. Participating hotels in Asia Pacific include the elegant new Park Hyatt hotels in Beijing and Shanghai, the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong, Dubai and Bangkok as well as the new Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin and Hyatt Regency Tokyo. For details visit Hyatt. Members must quote their Mileage Plus card number and mention offer code UA309 when making a reservation.
