New Mmeber to OneWorld Alliance

Another  Feather  to ONEWORLD Airline Alliance

Airberlin has become became part of oneworld, adding the second biggest airline in Germany and the sixth biggest in the continent overall to the world’s premier global airline alliance.
Austria’s NIKI, also a member of the airberlin group, joined oneworld as an affiliate member at the same time - as the clocks struck midnight in Berlin this morning.
Both airlines are from today offering oneworld’s services and benefits - and substantially expanding the alliance’s network in Germany, Austria and throughout central and south Europe.
Joining oneworld will strengthen airberlin’s competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.
Airberlin’s addition makes Germany a home market for the alliance - stepping up competition for some 200 million passengers a year flying to, from and within Europe’s biggest economy.
Currently Germany is one of only a handful of countries worldwide served by all oneworld’s active member airlines.
Airberlin’s addition more than triples the number of cities served by the alliance there to 25, while NIKI doubles its coverage of Austria to six airports.
Worldwide as one of Europe’s major airlines, airberlin serves a total of 162 destinations in 40 countries.

Indian Aviantion's Bright Future

Latest Airbus Forecast Indian Aviation’s Bright Future

Airbus’ latest market forecast, Indian carriers will require 1,043 new aircraft valued at US$145 billion between now and 2030 to satisfy surging annual demand.
India’s market for new aircraft makes it the world’s fourth largest in both number of aircraft and value.
Indian annual passenger traffic growth rates of 7.2 per cent are well above the regional Asia Pacific average growth rate of 5.9 per cent and the world average 4.8 per cent.
Of the requirement for 1,020 new passenger aircraft, some 860 will be for growth and 160 to replace the eldest aircraft in the existing fleet of 327.
India’s passenger fleet will be more than triple to some 1,180 aircraft by 2030.
The new passenger aircraft include 646 single aisles like the A320 and A320neo Family, 308 twin aisles like the A350 XWB and A330, and 66 very large aircraft such as the A380.
Growing urbanisation and population concentrations combined with a growing middle class and dynamic economic growth are driving demand and this trend is expected to continue.
Despite near term challenges, the Indian economy is forecast to continue expanding, helping India’s growth in domestic air travel to reach even higher growth rates of nearly ten per cent annually, making it one of the fastest growing aviation markets anywhere in the world.
India’s economy is forecast to be the fourth largest in the world creating exceptional potential for growth in the aviation sector by 2030.

VS restarts Mumbai Servcice

Virgin Atlantic restarts Mumbai Service
Virgin Atlantic is relaunching its London Heathrow-Mumbai route after almost three years.
The new service commences on October 28 and will use an Airbus A330. The airline predicts that the investment will create 100 jobs in India and the UK.
The new Mumbai service is being launched on the back of another Indian success story with the Virgin Atlantic New Delhi to London and New York service enjoying 20% growth in passenger numbers in 2011, which celebrates 12 years of flying this summer.
Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic said, “Virgin Atlantic is proud to be flying to Mumbai again, linking this wonderful city to our key destinations of London, New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago.
“India’s phenomenal growth continues to drive travel to the UK and the USA and we know our passengers are going to love the connections the new flight offers.  
“We are passionate about providing a unique service to customers and our new Airbus 330-300 will feature our brand new Upper Class Dreamsuite.
“We’ll continue to offer Indian entertainment and delicacies on board served by local Indian crew.
“Importantly the plane is also our most fuel efficient aircraft, delivering Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to flying a lower carbon fleet.”

New Service to Washington DC

EK New Service to Washington DC

America’s Capital will soon enjoy enhanced international connections through a non-stop link to Emirates’ global network, after the airline announced that it would start flights to Washington Dulles International Airport beginning on September 12th, 2012.
Emirates will operate the American manufactured Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft on its Washington, DC route, providing eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 304 seats in Coach.

“As Emirates’ seventh U.S. gateway and our third new American route to launch in 2012, Washington, DC is a significant next step as we continue to expand our services across the country,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. “From opening new gateways and creating thousands of American jobs through our aircraft orders; boosting trade and creating U.S. export-related jobs by bridging America with key markets across the world; to enhancing the services our customers enjoy in the air and on the ground through continuously upgrading our product, services and fleet, Emirates is a committed supporter of U.S industry.”
Customers travelling to and from the United States can also benefit from Emirates’ partnerships with Jet Blue, American Airlines, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. Passengers connecting to or from Emirates’ U.S. flights from these airlines will enjoy a range of benefits, including one-stop check in and checked through baggage.
Starting September 12th, EK 231 will leave Dubai daily at 2:20 am and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 8:50 am. EK 232 will depart Dulles at 10:55 am arriving in Dubai at 8:00 am the following day.
Washington, DC will be Emirates’ 11th new route to launch in 2012. So far this year, the airline has started services to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka and Harare. Flights to Ho Chi Minh City start on June 4th and Barcelona and Lisbon will join the Emirates’ network on July 3rd and July 9th respectively.

New Agent Incentives on EY

An Agent Incentive Programme on EY

Etihad Airways has launched Etihad SuperSeller, a travel agent incentive programme that allows agents to earn Etihad Guest Miles on every Diamond First and Pearl Business class ticket sold.  Agents based in the UK, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, France, USA and Australia are eligible to participate.
Etihad SuperSeller is a fully automated system. Agents can enrol at etihadagents.com and receive a SuperSeller APIN number which can then be entered into eligible bookings. Etihad Guest Miles will be automatically credited to agents’ accounts upon completion of the flights.
Agents can log in to etihadagents.com at any time to see miles credited to their personal accounts. The miles can be redeemed at the Etihad Guest online Rewards Shop.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer, said: “We are thrilled to launch an innovative way to reward the support we receive from the travel trade community and to offer our valued travel agent partners the opportunity to reap the benefits of our award-winning Etihad Guest loyalty programme. Agents will be able to redeem miles against a wide selection of more than 2,900 flight and non-flight rewards from over 200 partners.”

Current Events (March 2012)

Dubai International Boat Show

Dubai, 13-17 March, 2012

A celebration to end all celebrations, the 20^th Anniversary of the show is bursting at the seams with exciting and spectacular new things to see and try at Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, Dubai.

• VISIT & WIN: Spectacular prizes to be won every day at the show 
• MUSIC: International DJ and Italian swing band performing for you at the F&B zone
• TRY OUT ZONE: Awesome watersports on offer for you to try, get down to the DIMC sailing beach
• DMEX: The regions only dive exhibition, realise your passion for the underwater world
• MEGA DRAW: Stand a chance to win a 22ft boat, fully-equipped, ready-to-launch.

Best of Britain & Ireland

Birmingham, 14-15 March 2012

Best of Britain & Ireland is an exciting event that invites the consumer to explore the best of Britain and Ireland’s thousands of amazing destinations on their doorstep. Full of heritage, flavours, active, countryside, coast and luxury experiences, this unique event celebrates the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for everyone to discover and enjoy.
The visitor can come and find the perfect holiday destination, the best value-for money short breaks and day trips with a difference.

Australian F1 Grand Prix

Melbourne, 15-18 March 2012

The Australian Grand Prix is held annually and is held to be the pinnacle of motor racing in Australia. The Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia having been held 75 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928. Since 1985 the race has been a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is presently held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne.

Art Dubai

Dubai, 21-24 March 2012

Art Dubai, the leading international art fair in the MENASA (Middle East/North Africa/South Asia), has become a cornerstone of the region’s booming contemporary art community. In 2011, Art Dubai welcomed 20,000 visitors – including 60 international museums groups - and hosted over 70 galleries from 30 countries.

The sixth edition of Art Dubai takes place March 21-24, 2012, at Madinat Jumeirah, and features 75 galleries from 32 countries, in addition to a new programme of artists’ and curators’ residencies, commissioned projects, performative tours, workshops, the unveiling of the works by Abraaj Capital Art Prize winners and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.

Art Dubai is part of Art Week, the umbrella initiative that includes Sikka Art Fair (organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and taking place in Al Bastakiya, March 15-25), Design Days Dubai, and a range of contemporary art and design events, major museum shows, and new gallery exhibitions and artists’ projects, taking place each March.  Art Week positions the Gulf as a place of artistic production and home to multiple cultural centres.

MITT

Moscow, 21-24 March, 2012

MITT (Moscow International Exhibition of Travel & Tourism) is Russia’s leading and largest travel exhibition. With over 3,000 participating companies from 185 destinations, it is the key meeting place for the industry and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and clients. In addition, it enables participants to increase awareness of their destination, gain a real feel for the Russian travel market and gauge demand for their services.

MITT welcomes both trade and consumer visitors, with specific ‘trade only’ days. In 2010, the event recorded an attendance of 79,930, 73% of whom were travel trade professionals. As the demand for travel services in Russia grows and the spending power of Russian travellers becomes more well known, the popularity of the event has continued to grow.

Dubai Tourism @ ITB Berlin

DTCM participation at ITB 2012

Dubai tourism industry will have, for the third successive year, a strong presence at the 2012 edition of ITB, the world’s biggest travel and tourism fair.
The event will open in Berlin tomorrow and will run till March 11.
A strong Dubai delegation will include senior government officials representing DTCM, General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, Dubai Convention Bureau, Dubai Cruise Terminal-DP World, Dubai Camel Racing Club and Dubai Events & Promotions Establishment (DSF, DSS and Eid in Dubai). Also participating are prominent hotels and hotel apartments, tour operators, DMCs and tourism companies.
With more than 170,000 visitors, among these 108,000 trade visitors, and over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries ITB Berlin is the leading B2B platform of all tourism industry offers.

DTCM will be introducing several initiatives like Definitely Dubai Apps and joint promotion by DTCM and Emirates airline at the ITB-2012.

ITB Berlin is a B2B platform where trade visitors have an opportunity to exchange skills, information and experiences and is an ideal forum to promote the tourism sector and highlight what the country has to offer.