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Volume 3, Issue 10 March 11, 2010 |
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Four major aviation organizations have devised a new take-off procedure for A380s that saves fuel and emits less carbon dioxide and keeps noise levels down.
Over the last year, Singapore Airlines, Airbus and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) have been working with NATS, an air traffic organization serving aircraft flying in U.K. airspace, and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic. The new procedure saves an additional 300 kg of fuel per flight, equating to one metric tonne of carbon dioxide emissions on a flight from London to Singapore (SIN), as well as reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.
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Preliminary figures released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association show the numbers of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region only fell by 3 percent year-on-year in 2009. The result was better than expected, as arrivals were down 6 percent for the first half of the year.
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Emirates has opened its first dedicated passenger lounge in India, at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM). The first lounge operated by an international carrier in India, it will be available for Emirates’ first- and business-class passengers as well as Skywards Gold members.
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Reports in the South Korean media say both the nation’s leading airlines Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will increase the number of flights between Seoul (INC) and the United States and China, ahead of the summer holiday season.
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Following a USD 58 million redevelopment by Hilton Worldwide, The Beach House Maldives has been officially renamed The Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection. The first Waldorf Astoria property in Asia Pacific, The Beach House is located on Manafaru in the Haa Alifu Atoll.
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Vietnam Airlines recently launched its first direct flights between Hanoi (HAN) and Yangon (RGN). Vietnam Airlines’ new service flies four times a week using a 70-seat Fokker aircraft.
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Both the Mandarin Oriental-managed The Excelsior in Hong Kong and the Grand Lapa in Macau are offering Easter packages. At The Excelsior, HKD 1,399 covers a superior room, complimentary tea for two, a selection of spa discounts, a HKD 200 dining voucher, and opportunities to upgrade to executive floors or suites for HKD 500 or HKD 800.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is offering two noteworthy packages for Formula 1 enthusiasts during the week of the Malaysian Grand Prix (April 1–5). The USD 250,000 Podium package includes a limousine transfer to the airport from where a Ritz-Carlton-outfitted private jet will fly guests to Malaysia. Chefs and massage therapists accompany the flight.
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Raffles Tianjin is launching with special offers valid March 9–June 30 this year. The Grand Room rate from CNY 1,288 per night also buys daily breakfast, a CNY 300 dining credit, welcome drink, access to the fitness centre and lounge, daily newspapers and a souvenir.
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Tailor-made tours company Exotissimo Travel is offering a five-day eco-friendly and charitable tour of Laos, centred on Luang Prabang. Highlights including a full-day tour of the town on emissions-free electric bikes, petanque games with locals and participation in local religious rites as a means to understanding them.
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Air France is offering discounts on business-class fares from Hong Kong (HKG) to a number of major cities in Europe. Destinations include Barcelona (BCN), Madrid (MAD), Lisbon (LIS) Copenhagen (CPH), Helsinki (HEL), Stockholm (STO), Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH), Milan (MIL), Rome (ROM), Frankfurt (FRA) and London (LHR) for HKD 24,060, with a minimum stay of seven days and maximum of one month. Flights to Paris start at HKD 26,770.
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