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Volume 3, Issue 4, January 28, 2010 |
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Visitors traveling to the United States from countries with visa waiver agreements are now required to obtain pre-travel authorization before flying.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization can take up to 72 hours to be approved, but travellers can complete ESTA any time before travelling to the United States. This replaces the previous system where air passengers from countries with a Visa Waiver Programme completed a form on board before arrival.
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After months of speculation and rumours, Japan Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection on Jan. 19 under Japan’s Corporate Rehabilitation Law. JAL’s debts are estimated at USD 25.6 billion.
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Cathay Pacific will increase its flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Jeddah (JED) via Dubai (DXB), from four times a week to daily from March 28. Cathay launched its service to Saudi Arabia’s second major commercial city last October.
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Kobe’s tallest hotel has been rebranded by InterContinental Hotel Group and All Nippon Airlines as the ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe. One of Kobe’s key landmarks, the 593-room, 37-story hotel is the 10th ANA Crowne Plaza hotel in Japan, and the second in the Kansai area.
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Relais & Châteaux added six new properties to its collection on Jan. 1 including three unique boutique hotels in China, India, and Thailand. In China’s Shanxi province, Jing’s Residence is located in a former silk merchant’s house within Pingyao — a historic city that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Qatar Airways, Qatar Science and Technology Park and Qatar Petroleum are working toward developing sustainable bio jet fuel, with the support of Airbus. As well as analysing engineering and economic aspects the group will also investigate production and supply.
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Can’t get enough of flying? Singapore Airlines is promoting hotel and flight packages out of Hong Kong to visit the Singapore Airshow 2010 in February. Singapore Airshow is one of the world’s top three air shows and Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition.
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Emirates’ Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in Australia’s Blue Mountains is promoting an indulgent two-night package until April 30. Rates start at AUD 1,660 per person (based on a maximum of two sharing) for the Heritage Suite or from AUD 1,488 per person (based on a maximum of four sharing) for the Wollemi Suite.
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Philippines Airlines is offering special Web fares that make it easy to add a short trip to the Philippines on to a visit to China. Return fares from Shanghai start from RMB 1,400 with this special Web-only promotion.
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The 100-day countdown to the opening of Shanghai World Expo began on Jan. 21. With a finite number of hotel rooms available in central Shanghai, organisers are advising visitors to book accommodation early to secure a room and enjoy special rates.
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Regal Hotels International is offering special promotional rates to celebrate the opening of the Regal Master Hotel, its first hotel in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. Located at South Renmin Road, the 5-star Regal Master Hotel is 10 minutes from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), and close to the main commercial, entertainment and shopping areas of the city.
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