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Volume 3, Issue 27, [ACTUALDATE] |
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India’s airports provide a chaotic if colourful welcome to the country, but things finally appear to be changing with the opening of a third terminal at the capital’s Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Estimated to have cost over USD 3 billion, Terminal 3 will go some way to easing queues with its 78 gates, 97 automated walkways and 95 immigration counters spread over 5.4 million square feet.
While China has been charging ahead, building new airports as part of its ambitious infrastructure development plans, India has been slow to build capacity. However new airports have opened in Hyderabad (HYD) and Bangalore (BLR) over the last year and a new terminal is due to open in Mumbai (BOM) in 2012.
“A good airport would signal the arrival of a new India,” said India’s Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the July 3 opening in New Delhi. “Analysts predict that domestic traffic can reach 160–180 million people, and international traffic in excess of 50 million by 2020. India also occupies an important geographical place in the air route structure of the world. Many key international air traffic services cross the air space in which India is responsible for providing services. Hub traffic out of Delhi and Mumbai will increase particularly in the coming years.”
Dr Singh stressed the need for safe, secure, efficient and environment-friendly systems for India's civil aviation sector, which is now the ninth largest aviation market in the world. “We now have 10 scheduled airlines operating, compared to two in 1990. In the same period, the number of aircraft deployed by Indian carriers has gone up four times to about 400,” he said. The new terminal began handling international flights on July 14.
Langham Hotels International plans to change the way we think about airport hotels with the opening of the 372-room Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport next month. Located next to Beijing Capital International Airport’s (PEK) Lord Norman Foster-designed Terminal 3, the hotel is 10 minutes to the New China International Exhibition Centre and 15 minutes from downtown Beijing on the Airport Express railway. Travellers can take advantage of the complimentary “Langham pink” airport shuttle bus service too. “We are not just creating a convenient stopover hotel but one of the most fun places to be in the capital of the world’s largest nation.” said Mark Francis, general manager. “We aim to make staying at the airport in Beijing an exciting thing to do.”
Mainland Chinese travellers became the world’s fourth biggest tourism spenders last year and are gearing up to travel more — looking at regional destinations first. According to a joint survey by the Pacific Asia Travel Association and Visa, conducted in May 2010, Mainland Chinese travellers are planning for 7.4 business and leisure trips in the next two years. In line with the 2009 survey results, Asia Pacific continues to be the number one destination region for travellers from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, followed by Western Europe and North America. The top five Asia Pacific destinations that the travellers from Mainland China are considering visiting in the next two years are: Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
Emirates passengers flying on its two daily flights between Shanghai (PVG) and Dubai (DXB) can now enjoy the luxurious facilities at the new Emirates Lounge at Shanghai International Airport. Designed for Emirates first- and business-class passengers as well as Gold members of Skywards, the airline’s frequent flyer programme, the lounge is located in the international departure concourse next to gate 75. It is the first dedicated lounge in Terminal 2 and also the only lounge in the airport that offers an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes, as well as a full bar service. Other amenities include designer shower rooms, cream leather lounge couches, 52-inch plasma televisions and a fully equipped business centre with Internet access and WiFi.
Avis has expanded its services in Vietnam with a new branch in Ho Chi Minh City. The company says it is meeting the demand from visitors and multinational corporations based in Vietnam. Given Vietnam’s challenging traffic conditions, a professionally trained and experienced English speaking local driver — an Avis ambassador — will also be included as part of the car hire. The new branch offers the full range of car rental, car leasing and chauffeur drive services. Avis offers latest range of compact, mid- to large-size, sports and luxury vehicles from popular brands such as Mercedes Benz, Toyota and Audi.
Tiger Airways Singapore has launched a new service for passengers who want priority boarding without using up rewards points. Called boardmefirst, the new service is available on Tiger Airways’ international flights and costs SGD 6 per passenger per flight sector, when purchased online. The airline charges a SGD 1 administration fee if passengers buy the service through a call centre. Meanwhile Tiger Airways is adding an extra mid-day flight to its popular Hong Kong (HKG)–Singapore (SIN) route, launched in February increasing service frequency from two to three flights daily.
Following the successful launch of Short Stays — three innovative movies by young and talented Chinese film directors set in and inspired by its hotel rooms — The Opposite House has partnered with Apple and Canon to launch Suitcase Cinema, a weekend break package which gives travellers all they need to make their own short movie in Beijing. Suitcase Cinema includes a stay at a spacious Studio 70 at The Opposite House fitted with a 24-inch iMac and Canon camcorder to capture images of Beijing in their own creative way and make their own Beijing short reel with Apple’s iMovie. The RMB 2,800 package includes breakfast for two and the use of a bicycle, a map and a limited edition Short Stays DVD.
Visit The Opposite House for more details.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has partnered with Citibank, to launch a selection of exclusive offers. Through Aug. 31 Citibank credit cardholders and co-branded cardholders using their cards at HKIA will receive on-the-spot immediate sales discounts, and entry into lucky draws to win instant prizes, HKD 50,000 air ticket vouchers and around-the-world business-class air tickets for two. The promotion includes dining, entertainment, shopping discounts and free gifts. For more information join the HKAirportPromo group on Facebook, or visit the HKIA website.
Air China's PhoenixMiles frequent flyers now receive extra frequent flyer rewards for every international or domestic flight ticket they buy through the Air China website. PhoenixMiles members will be awarded 500 kilometres for every one-way domestic flight or 1,000 kilometres for every round-trip flight journey. An Air China free ticket can be traded for at least 8,000 kilometres, and can be exchanged for even less when combined with other promotions. For example, for the Beijing (PEK)–Shanghai(SHA/PVG) route, the normal mileage award is 1,088 kilometres, now members earn 1,588 kilometres. Three round-trip flights between the two cities would earn a free ticket. PhoenixMiles members will receive an additional 2 kilometres for every 10 RMB spent on international airfares.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, the SkyTeam airline alliance is offering discounts on its ’Round the World fare pass. Economy and business-class passengers can save between 5 and 30 percent on bookings made before Sept. 30, depending on where their journey starts. Travel must be completed before June 30, 2011. All 13 member airlines are participating in SkyTeam’s ’Round the World fare pass offer, so travellers can plan their trip using a selection of carriers. Contact your local SkyTeam airline or a travel agent for details and bookings.
Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur has a special promotion promising guests Better Tomorrows. The summer package offers savings of 50 percent off any second night stays. Rates start from MYR 400 plus taxes per night. Located at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, the nation’s transportation hub, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is well positioned for guests to explore KL. Major retail and departmental stores at sights such as the Petronas Towers are just minutes away via monorail. Alternatively guests can relax beside the tropical free-form outdoor pool and cool down in its unusual partially submerged sun chairs, or take on a well-earned rejuvenating spa treatment. The Better Tomorrows special offer is valid for Friday, Saturday or Sunday through Oct. 31
For reservations or enquiries email lmkl@lemeridien.com.
