Mandarin Oriental Munich launches Ultimate Car Promotion

Mandarin Oriental, Munich has launched a promotion for car enthusiasts which includes four days’ use of a sleek Mercedes Benz to tour the scenic areas of Southern Germany, plus visits to some of the world’s most important car museums and factories: Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Porsche.

The Mandarin Oriental, Munich is a perfect base for visiting the world famous BMW Welt and BMW museum as well as Audi’s largest plant in Ingolstadt, just an hour’s drive away from Munich. Along with all the latest BMW designs, news and history, BMW Welt houses the GINA, one of the world’s first concept cars. Likewise, the Audi museum brings to life the philosophy and history of Audi, with an opportunity to catch an exciting glimpse behind the scenes.

China Airlines to Launch Taoyuan - Wuhan Flights in January

China Airlines (CAL) is to launch direct scheduled flights linking Taoyuan and Wuhan on 26 January 2011.

Wuhan will become the 17th mainland Chinese destination served by CAL since the opening of flights across the Taiwan Strait.

Singapore Visitor Arrivals in October 2010

Singapore visitor arrivals registered 15.8 percent growth to reach 978,000 in October 2010, the highest number of arrivals recorded for the month of October. [See: Singapore Visitor Arrivals for October 2009]

Garuda Indonesia Wraps Up Financial Restructuring

Garuda Indonesia has wrapped up its financial restructuring with creditors, where the last group which are the ECA (European Export Credit Agency) and the Commercial Lenders was signed for the remainder debt of US$ 277 million.

AirAsia to Launch New Low Cost Airline in Philippines

AirAsia, through its fully owned subsidiary AA International, has entered into a partnership agreement with Antonio O. Cojuangco Jr., Michael R Romero and Marianne B. Hontiveros to establish a low cost airline in the Philippines.

Tickets for 2011 Hong Kong Sevens On Sale 22 January

Tickets for what is widely regarded as the greatest Rugby Sevens party on earth, the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, will go on public sale on Saturday, 22 January 2011.

The price of a three-day adult event ticket in 2011 will be HK$1,250, with children’s tickets priced at HK$300 for youth aged 12 and under.

Etihad Airways Launches Flights to Seoul, South Korea

Etihad Airways has launched flights between Abu Dhabi and Seoul’s Incheon Airport in South Korea.

Seoul is Etihad’s 65th destination on the network in just seven years of operations. The inaugural flight, EY876, will depart Abu Dhabi at 10:45pm, arriving at Seoul’s Incheon Airport at 12:05pm on 11 December (local times).

Etihad Airways Opens Airport Lounge in Manchester

Etihad Airways has opened the doors of its latest premium lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1.

Etihad Pearl Business class guests were among the first to enjoy the Etihad premium lounge, following an opening ceremony hosted by Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) manager, Roberto Mancini; Garry Cook, MCFC Chief Executive; and Mike Summerbee, MCFC ambassador.

AirAsia launches 48-Hour Promotion

AirAsia is to launch a new promotion, that will last for just 48 hours, with all-in fares from as low as RM18.

The very special fares are available from all of its hubs in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai) and Indonesia (Jakarta, Bali, Medan and Surabaya).

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.

Tiger Airways to Launch Double Daily Flights to Jakarta

Tiger Airways is to launch a second daily flight on its popular Jakarta-Singapore route, with flights beginning from 11 January 2011.

Tiger Airways announced in July that it had won additional rights to operate a second daily service to Jakarta in the distribution of limited traffic rights by Singapore’s Air Traffic Rights Committee (ATRC). This decision was appealed by a competitor airline but the original decision to award the rights to Tiger Airways has now been upheld.