|
Volume 3, Issue 19, May 13, 2010 |
   |
The United States Transportation Department proposes awarding four routes to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) to American, Delta and Hawaiian airlines. The department will announce its final decision after a 17-day comment period ends on May 24.
The four new routes, negotiated in December during the U.S.–Japan Open Skies Agreement, are earmarked to go to American Airlines at New York (JFK), Delta Air Lines at Los Angeles (LAX) and Detroit (DTW) and Hawaiian Airlines at Honolulu (HNL). Continental Airlines, Continental Micronesia and United Airlines also applied to operate the routes.
The D.O.T. noted Hawaiian Airlines currently does not fly to Japan, and said it would be a new competitor in this market. A fourth runway at Haneda goes into operation in October and the carriers must begin flying to the airport by Jan. 29, 2011.
Haneda is mainly used as a domestic airport; however, its location close to downtown Tokyo is attractive to international carriers, as they are currently restricted to Narita International Airport (NRT) located about 35 miles from the city centre.
Currently, the journey time from Narita to downtown Tokyo is 51 minutes by rail, however, when a new rail line, Narita Sky Access , opens on July 17, travel time will be shortened to 36 minutes.
European judges have ruled the maximum claim for lost airline luggage within the European Union is EUR 1,135 (USD 1,450). The judges' ruling came as they threw out a claim from a Spanish passenger who claimed "non-material" damages of EUR 500 on top of EUR 2,700 for the baggage lost by low-cost carrier Clickair. The European Court of Justice applied the rules of the Montreal Convention, signed in 1999, which limits the damages airlines have to pay customers if they lose luggage, unless the passenger declares in advance that the baggage is valuable and pays a supplement.
AirAsia X has launched four direct flights per week between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Mumbai (BOM) using a new A330. The long-haul affiliate of low-cost carrier AirAsia, AirAsia X will offer passengers on this route the chance to try its new premium-class lie-flat seats. AirAsia X first launched in 2008 with non-reclining seats that it admits were uncomfortable. Now AirAsia X is retrofitting all its aircraft, and is the first low-cost carrier to offer lie-flat seats in premium class. The flatbed seats are 20 inches wide with a 60-inch pitch and stretch out to 77 inches in full recline position. AirAsia Group has a total of 148 flights weekly to various points in India which include Tiruchirappalli (TRZ), Hyderabad (HYD), Kolkata (CCU), Kochin (COK), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Bangalore (BLR), Mumbai, New Delhi (DEL) and Chennai (MAA).
Malaysia Airlines has added five flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), bringing the total number of flights to the largest city in Vietnam to 19 weekly non-stop flights. The carrier said it has increased frequencies to Ho Chi Minh City due to an increase in demand and passenger loads have been encouraging. Malaysia Airlines now offers three daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, and a daily flight to Hanoi (HAN). "We are committed to the Vietnamese market. These additional frequencies will provide more options to our customers to suit their travel plans," said Dr. Amin Khan senior general manager, network and revenue management, Malaysia Airlines.
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Emirates Business Rewards to offer a 10 percent discount off the best available rate for stays at all Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts worldwide. The new agreement is an extension of the longstanding partnership between Jumeirah and Emirates. Emirates Business Rewards is an online rewards programme for small and medium enterprises. The business earns Business Rewards miles, while individual travellers continue to earn Skywards miles (Emirates' rewards programme) or Sirius points (Jumeirah's rewards programme) upon their arrival at a Jumeirah hotel or resort. The offer is not valid in conjunction with any other special offer or promotion, and is subject to availability. Rates are payable in local currency and subject to local taxes and service charges. Bookings must be made online at Jumeirah.com.
As part of Dragonair's 25th anniversary celebration, the Hong Kong-based carrier is introducing a new promotional menu of traditional Chinese cuisine. The menu was created in partnership with the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong's Michelin-starred Dynasty Restaurant. Dragonair passengers across all cabins on flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), Taipei (TPE) and Kaohsiung (KHH) can enjoy dishes from a specially designed in-flight menu until April 2011. Other anniversary activities this year include super saver promotions and an enhanced series of in-flight services including more duty-free sales items, monthly lucky draws and the launch of a home delivery service.
Free weekends are always appreciated, and Starwood is offering free weekend nights with the Starwood Preferred Guest Free Weekends promotion. For every three stays at SPG properties between May 1 and July 31, SPG members earn a free weekend night award redeemable through Dec. 19. Guests can redeem awards any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night with no blackouts at more than 920 properties worldwide across all nine Starwood brands, including W, St. Regis and Sheraton. Register for SPG Free Weekends and start earning and redeeming awards at SPG.com/free weekends before June 30, 23:59 EDT. Non-members may join the program and register simultaneously.
Asia Miles members can earn double Asia Miles at The Upper House by Swire Hotels this summer. Promising a luxurious home away from home, The Upper House is located just above Pacific Place, Hong Kong. The promotion rate is HKD 3,500 per night for a 730-square-foot Island View Studio 70. Additional benefits from the summer promotion at The Upper House include a complimentary upgrade from Studio 70 to Studio 80 if available, daily breakfast for two at Café Gray Deluxe, one-way hotel transfer from or to the airport or anywhere in Hong Kong, except outlying islands, and late check-out. The promotion period is June 1–Aug. 31. When booking via upperhouse.com quote the code CXSP10; present your Asia Miles membership card at check-in.
Mandarin Oriental, Macau is offering its first guests an attractive package to mark its launch. Scheduled to open in June as part of Macau’s huge One Central complex, the new Mandarin Oriental, Macau will blend stylish, chic modernity with subtle inspirations from the territory's Portuguese heritage, to create a premier property on the Macau Peninsula. The Mandarin Oriental, Macau's opening package is valid from June 30 to Sept. 30 and includes: one night's accommodation, one complimentary consecutive night's accommodation or a dining or spa credit valued at HKD 388 and complimentary use of steam and sauna at The Spa. Package rates start from HKD 2,188 per night plus tax. Advance reservations are required and can be made from May 17 via www.mandarinoriental.com.
Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is set to open the Swissôtel Kolkata Neotia Vista in June, the Swiss hospitality chain's first in India. The deluxe 5-star Swissôtel Kolkata has 147 guestrooms and suites including 11 Executive Club rooms and suites with a private outdoor whirlpool. To celebrate the opening, special introductory rates starting from INR 7,500 per night plus taxes are available from June 15 to Sept. 15. Rates include one night in a Classic room, daily buffet breakfast for one or two persons at Café Swiss, a buffet dinner with international, Swiss and Indian dishes for one or two persons at Café Swiss (once per stay) and late check-out until 16:00. Offer is subject to availability for stays of two nights or more. For enquiries and reservations, email kolkata@swissotel.com or visit www.swissotel.com/kolkata.
Looking for a fresh, healthy lunch in Beijing? Café 99 at The Regent Beijing recently expanded its popular lunch buffet. As well as its range of Western and Asian favourites, its new Japanese corner includes Japanese delicacies such as sushi and sashimi plus a tempura station, noodles and steamed food, a teppanyaki and yakitori bar, Japanese desserts and a choice of saké and Japanese beverages. The buffet lunch costs RMB 188 per person plus tax and is available every day from 11:30 to 14:30. A set dinner at Café 99 is available from May 8 to June 30 for RMB188 per person plus tax and includes saké and three selected courses.
