Etihad Airways launches Free Luxury Stopover Promotion

Etihad Airways is rewarding its premium guests who book Diamond First or Pearl Business class tickets between now and 31 January 2011, with a complimentary stopover and stay at either the luxurious Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort or the Yas Hotel in the UAE.

Garuda Indonesia to Join SkyTeam

Garuda Indonesia has signed an agreement to join the SkyTeam airline alliance in 2012.

Garuda will expand SkyTeam’s presence in Southeast Asia, adding 30 new destinations to the alliance network. Some of the 30 new destinations in the SkyTeam network are Surabaya in East Java, Medan in North Sumatra and Perth in Australia.

New Year’s Eve in New York

On 31 December 2010 hundreds of thousands of revelers will fill New York city’s Times Square to watch the famous New Year’s Eve Ball descend from One Times Square and to celebrate the start of a new year. The 106-year-old tradition continues as friends and families gather to count down to 2011.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in HK launches Travel Trade Promotion

The Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in Hong Kong is offering travel industry personnel, including hoteliers, travel agents, airline staff and industry media, 20% off until 31 March 2011 (inclusive). Rates start from as low as HK$584 plus 10% service charge per night.

AirAsia X Launches Paris Promotion

AirAsia X is offering a promotional fare between Kuala Lumpur and Paris from RM499 (€99) one way. Paris is AirAsia X's second European destination after London.

The promotional fares are available for booking online from 22 to 24 November, 2010 (22 November – 00:00 hrs Paris time, 7am Malaysia) for the four times weekly direct flights which will commence on 14 February 2011 between Paris- Orly International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal. The travel period for the special fare is between 14 February and 10 November, 2011.

Turkish Airlines launches Ex-Hong Kong Promotion

Turkish Airlines is to launch a special airfare promotion for Hong Kong travellers beginning 30 November 2010.

This new promotion celebrates the additional weekly passenger flight between Hong Kong and Istanbul, which will commence on that day.

Centara Launches Phuket Promotion

Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering a seven-night package with special benefits for guests staying at the Centara Villas Phuket, at Karon, or the Centara Sawaddi Resort Patong, at Patong Beach, during the winter season.

The Exotic Winter Sun Holidays package is available at either resort until 31 March 2011.

JAL to Launch Premium Economy Service on Narita - Bangkok Route

Japan Airlines is to launch a Premium Economy service on one of its 2 daily flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Bangkok starting from 16 January 2011 using a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft that is also equipped with the airline's award-winning JAL Shell Flat Seat in executive class.

How Technology is Shaping Airports

Investment in IT infrastructure by airports during the downturn has continued as airports prepare for rising passenger numbers, according to the results of a new global survey released this week.

Investment as a percentage of revenue rose to 3.6 percent in 2009 and 78 percent of airports expect budgets to remain the same or increase in 2011. In return for this investment, technology is being challenged to deliver even greater efficiencies and cost reductions.

Singapore Visitor Arrivals in September 2010

Singapore visitor arrivals in September 2010 registered a growth of 18.4% to reach 947,000, the highest number of arrivals received in the month of September and the tenth consecutive month of record visitor arrivals for Singapore.