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Volume 3, Issue 23, [ACTUALDATE] |
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Boeing and PetroChina have embarked on a project to assess the potential for a sustainable aviation biofuels industry in China. This kind of strategic assessment is the first in China and will take a comprehensive look at the environmental and socio-economic benefits of developing sustainable alternatives to fossil-based jet fuels.
The project supports the broader United States–China Energy Cooperation Program, a public-private partnership, which promotes the commercialization and use of aviation biofuels in China. Other U.S. companies participating include AECOM, Honeywell's UOP and United Technologies. Air China and PetroChina will lead the Chinese team.
“Boeing is actively pursuing biofuel research around the world,” said David Wang, president, Boeing China. “Sustainable biofuels can help reduce carbon emissions while offering the potential to lessen aviation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Through these agreements, China, its aviation sector and its leadership are demonstrating tremendous drive in the quest to develop a clean, sustainable aviation fuel supply.”
In addition to their existing joint efforts investigating algae-based aviation biofuel development, Boeing Research and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Science’s Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology agreed to expand their collaboration to include other research institutions and aviation supply chain entities.
For more information about Boeing's sustainable biofuel development initiatives, visit Boeing’s New Airplane or the more general Sustainable Aviation Fuels website. 
If you prefer to check in online and travel without check-in baggage, Singapore Airlines is offering a new streamlined check-in service at Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN). Currently, passengers with self-printed boarding passes are required to present their travel documents at the check-in counters for verification and endorsement, even if they are not checking baggage. With the new Passenger Reconciliation System, Singapore Airlines passengers with carry-on baggage only can now proceed directly to the immigration access point, where security officers with 2D barcode scanners will verify their self-printed boarding passes. The PRS service is available for all Singapore Airlines flights departing Changi Airport’s Terminals 2 and 3. For more information on PRS, visit Singapore Airlines.
The month-long FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 and will culminate in a final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on July 11. Following high demand for flights to South Africa for the final of the FIFA World Cup, Emirates, the official airline of the tournament, will operate extra flights departing Cape Town (CPT) on July 12 and Johannesburg (JNB) on July 13 for Dubai (DXB). “Emirates is looking forward to flying in football fans from our network of over 100 destinations across six continents that we serve non-stop from Dubai, to South Africa,” said Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president, commercial operations worldwide.
Hilton Worldwide opened its largest hotel in Asia Pacific in Japan. The 1,052-room Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk was formerly known as the JAL Resort Sea Hawk Hotel Fukuoka, and will undergo an approximately USD 20 million refurbishment starting with its executive floors, foyer and other public areas. Located on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island, Fukuoka is considered a strategic gateway city to East Asia, as it overlooks the Korean Strait and is the closest Japanese city to Korea, China and Taiwan. The hotel also forms part of an extensive entertainment complex called Hawks Town. "Hilton Worldwide is committed to creating a network of hotels in Japan to service the needs of domestic and international travelers, and Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk is a very welcome addition to our portfolio," said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
The Marque Christchurch is a new state-of-the-art hotel designed to meet the needs of business travellers in the economic centre of New Zealand’s South Island. Located in the heart of the central business district, The Marque Christchurch has 171 rooms and suites and occupies 15 floors of one of the tallest buildings in the South Island. The Marque Christchurch is operated by the Singapore-based Rendezvous Hospitality Group, which has 15 hotels in operation or under development under the Rendezvous Hotels and The Marque Hotels brands in the Asia-Pacific region. “We’re thrilled with this hotel and believe it sets a new benchmark in service for business and independent leisure travellers. They can come here and know they have everything they need at their fingertips,” said RHG chief executive officer Iqbal Jumabhoy.
Marriott’s fifth Renaissance hotel in Shanghai is now open. The 330-room Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel is located in the northwest quadrant of the city and offers a choice of Asian and international restaurants and extensive meeting facilities. For relaxation, there’s an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness centre and the Marriott’s signature Mandara Spa. The spa’s seven treatment rooms include a special mud therapy suite that features a unique handcrafted heated jade slab. “All five of our Renaissance hotels in Shanghai offer unique and distinctive experiences, representative of the neighborhoods in which they are located,” said Tina Edmundson, senior vice-president lifestyle brands.
United Airlines has a special online deal for flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Washington D.C. (IAD) this June. Round-trip economy-class fares to Washington Dulles start from HKD 8,760. To enjoy this special deal, tickets must be purchased through the United Airlines Hong Kong website, for travel before June 30. United operates daily non-stop services between Hong Kong and the United States on Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The best routing between Hong Kong and Washington Dulles is via Chicago (ORD) with a stopover of two hours.
Ahead of its August opening the Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket is offering 2010 room nights for THB 2010 (USD 59) per night. This opening offer is valid for bookings until Sept. 30, for stays from Aug. 1 through Oct. 31. The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket is the first Westin resort to open in Thailand. Located on Siray Island overlooking picturesque Siray Bay, the island is connected to Phuket by a bridge. The new-build resort will offer 261 stylishly appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, each with ocean views and outdoor balconies. Several guestrooms, suites and villas will also have their own private plunge pools. Click here for more details.
Tourists visiting South Korea this year can travel on a free shuttle bus between four major tourist destinations as part of the Visit Korea Year promotions. If planned correctly visitors, could travel the length of South Korea free of charge thanks to this special shuttle bus service. The bus connects Seoul with the historical cities of Gyeongju and Jeonju. Drop off points are at major hotels in Bomun Lake Resort, Gyeongju and Riviera Hotel in Jeonju. The free bus will also run between Gyeongju and Korea’s southern port city of Busan. Free shuttle bus tickets can be booked online via the Visit Korea Year. Tickets are limited to two per person and there is a limit of 28 free tickets per day. Offer ends Dec. 31.
Two of Australia’s great train journeys, can now be enjoyed in the height of luxury. The Ghan takes passengers from the northern tropics to the red centre and on to the southern ranges. The Indian Pacific takes passengers through the breathtaking Blue Mountains and across the arid Nullarbor Desert. Following the success of Platinum Service on The Ghan, Great Southern Rail has added the deluxe cabins to its Indian Pacific service. From the comfort of a Tasmanian Oak-panelled Platinum Service cabins guests take in the endless breathtaking scenery. The cabins feature double or twin beds, plush high-quality fittings and a full en-suite bathroom. Visit Great Southern Rail for details, rates and seasonal promotions.
Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong is now offering a free roaming iPad service for guests. Tech-loving guests are able to “check out” the iPads for 24-hours at a time free of charge and use the iPad anywhere within the hotel’s WiFi network for checking emails, browsing the Web and magazines, or reading a pre-loaded e-book — free of charge. The iPads are also loaded with Langham Place’s own guide to Hong Kong, a Cantonese–English translator of must-know phrases, as well as a restaurant locator. The hotel’s concierge team is also equipped with iPads to provide interactive information for guests. For more information visit Langhan Place, Mongkok.
