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Air New Zealand to expand Code Sharing arrangements with Lufthansa
Air New Zealand will re-establish its code share
connection to Munich via Los Angeles following the re-instatement of the
services of its Star Alliance partner, Lufthansa German Airlines effective
March 2003. Lufthansa withdrew its Los Angeles - Munich services after the
September 11 events of last year.
In addition, Air New Zealand will expand its current code
sharing arrangements with Lufthansa, to include NZ code on the airline’s
services to Munich from Hong Kong (from three to six services per week) as
from March 2003.
Air New Zealand currently flies between Auckland and Hong
Kong daily and Lufthansa recently commenced code sharing on these services
beginning December 1, 2002.
Air New Zealand’s senior vice-president of sales and
distribution, Norm Thompson stated that, like all code share arrangements,
this would create flow on benefits for the airline’s New Zealand and
international customers.
“The code sharing arrangement provides an additional
gateway for European travelers to New Zealand - and New Zealanders to Europe
- on Air New Zealand services via Hong Kong as well as Singapore and Los
Angeles,” he said.
Air New Zealand currently also code shares on Lufthansa
operated services to Frankfurt from Singapore, Los Angeles and Hong Kong,
with connecting services from Frankfurt to several German/European cities.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) increases Melbourne services
In response to the growth of the Australian travel
market, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase its services to Melbourne
from the end of March 2003.
SIA is the largest foreign carrier operating to and from
Australia and already operates double-daily flights between Melbourne and
Singapore.
From March 31, SIA will commence an additional three
weekly flights, bringing to 17 the number of non-stop flights between
Melbourne and Singapore. The addition represents an 18% capacity increase on
SIA’s Melbourne services.
The three additional flights will be operated by Boeing
777-200 aircraft on the following schedules: Monday, Wednesday and Sunday,
SQ237 - departs Singapore 2345hrs, arrives Melbourne 0900hrs the next day.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, SQ238 - departs Melbourne 1035hrs, arrives
Singapore 1615hrs.
The late night departure allows for better connections to
Australia for passengers making connecting flights from around Asia. For
passengers departing Australia, the flights also allow for easier
connections to Indian destinations, as well as more connections for
destinations in North Asia.
The extra services mean that SIA will provide 73 non-stop
scheduled services between Singapore and Australia each week. SIA commenced
services to Melbourne in 1972 and increased the frequency to double-daily in
1998.
Phuket opinion poll shows most people think prices are too high
Thailand is trying to market itself as a shopping
paradise. However in Phuket, some are complaining that prices are generally
too high. A local publication decided to do a survey on its website. So what
did the opinion poll show about Phuket’s prices in general? As of December
16, 2002, 1,866 readers voted and the figures were as following: Far too
high: (48.6%), Substantially higher than other provinces, save Bangkok:
(39.0%), Reasonable: (8.9%), Very low - real bargains to be found (3.5%).
The breakdown
Thai Nationals
Far too high: (45%)
Substantially higher than other provinces, save Bangkok:
43%
Reasonable: 9%
Very low - real bargains to be found 3%
Local Foreign Residents
Far too high: 46%
Sthan other provinces, save Bangkok 43 %
Reasonable: 8%
Very low - real bargains to be found: 3%
Tourists / Visitors to Phuket
Far too high: 50%
Substantially higher than other provinces, save Bangkok:
37%
Reasonable: 9%
Very low - real bargains to be found: 4%
The publication made it clear that the poll is not
scientific and reflects the opinions of only those who have chosen to
participate in it. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions
of the public as a whole, or of Thais, resident foreigners, or foreign
tourists generally. But the results so far have produced some interesting
data as to consumers’ ideas of how they react in these times of economic
uncertainty when it comes to loosening their purse strings.
Partnership with United Airlines has no consequences for Lufthansa
Lufthansa partner United Airlines has filed for
protection under the so-called “Chapter 11”. This allows the company to
intensify its efforts to restructure itself financially and operationally.
This move, however, has no consequences for Lufthansa’s customers and
their travel plans: All tickets will remain valid. Passengers will also be
able to continue collecting and redeeming bonus miles and using the Red
Carpet Clubs and the First Class Lounges.
United will continue it’s operations without
restriction, leaving Lufthansa customers 330 code share flights daily at
their disposal. This applies similarly to all other flights which United
operates together with its Star Alliance Partners.
All potential risks for Lufthansa have been evaluated and
found to be small and manageable. Juergen Weber, CEO of Lufthansa said,
“In the past we have seen a number of examples where airlines restructured
themselves successfully under the Chapter 11 process. I am convinced that
our friends in United Airlines will succeed with their efforts too. This is
why we are currently investigating how we - in addition to commercial
measures already initiated - can assist United Airlines financially without
any risk to Lufthansa.”
Earn bonus miles for THAI’s new destinations
Thai Airways International (THAI) offers ‘bonus
miles’ for Royal Orchid Plus’ members traveling on THAI’s flights to
any of 5 new destinations, namely Xiamen, Geneva, Abu Dhabi, Chittagong, and
Bahrain, valid from now until January 31, 2003.
Tasnai Sudasna, THAI’s commercial executive
vice-president, said this special offer aims to promote THAI’s five new
destinations as well as to offer additional benefits to THAI’s Royal
Orchid Plus (ROP) members. ROP members will earn up to 3,500 bonus miles or
double miles with each flight.
For more information, please contact THAI’s reservation
office at telephone 02-628-2000.
Light and sound presentation at Temple of Dawn is a public service; performances are free
The “Nights at Wat Arun” light and sound presentation
traces the history of Wat Arun Ratchavararam Ratchavoramahavihan, more
popularly known as “Wat Arun” or the Temple of Dawn.
Dating back to the Ayutthaya period over 200 years ago,
Wat Arun was designated a royal temple during the reign of King Taksin in
1767 and is noted for its architectural splendor. Standing 79 meters tall,
the temple’s glittering “Phra Prang” or pagoda makes it one of the
most striking riverside landmarks.
“Nights at Wat Arun” is a public service offered to
the public for at no charge. There will be 4 performances daily (Monday -
Sunday), each lasting 15 minutes. Show times are 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00
p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The presentation is to be viewed from the river on-board
a dinner cruise, a pleasure craft or any form of river transportation.
However, “Nights at Wat Arun” does not include land transfers, cruises
or river transportation services. Individual arrangements have to be made
directly with hotels, cruise service operators or tour operators and travel
agents.
Showtime schedules are subject to change so to ensure you
have the most updated information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Events Division at telephone number 02-694-1222 (extension 1965-68).
SOS targets Pattaya and Eastern Seaboard
In light of recent global events, the world’s leading
medical assistance company, International SOS, is expanding its marketing
drive to the Pattaya area to meet client demand.
“SOS is simply taking precautious against the higher
level of global insecurity,” said Bangkok-based general manager, Pipat
Kananuwat.
Pipat
Kananuwat, International SOS - General Manager
“Particularly with the resorts popular with foreigners.
Personal security is now a priority. This is especially the case with SOS
emergency air-ambulance evacuation services,” he said. “The planes are
ready to cope with any holiday accidents, at any time of the day.”
International SOS provides medical consultation,
intensive medical care assistance, patient stabilization, as well as air
evacuation.
“At this time of year, Pattaya’s pristine sandy
beaches, idyllic islands, succulent seafood, exciting sea sports, golf
tournaments, and inland adventures, are a real lure to a maximum number of
visitors. We must be prepared, although there is absolutely no imminent
danger in Thailand,” he stressed.
Pipat added that the number of people in the Kingdom
eligible for the service - mainly through their insurance policies - has
increased from 2.7 million in year 2000 to over four million by year-end
2002.
“We are finding a large number of local firms on the
Eastern Seaboard, not just international conglomerates, are interested in
the diverse range of SOS services.”
More than 50 Thai firms are signed up for International
SOS medical services. Since the beginning of this year, the company has
provided 150 to 200 domestic air-rescue flights.
He added that, even on vacation, greater corporate
responsibility over staff security was of paramount importance, for both
individual members and corporate clients alike.
International SOS wants all holiday makers in 2003 to
enjoy the many beautiful attractions of the Pattaya area, with just a small
reminder, that prevention is better than cure, he stressed.
International SOS began its services in Thailand in 1990.
It has expanded its operations in 42 countries. It has 25 alarm centers, 21
international clinics and more than 160 remote site medical facilities
globally.
The medivac company’s major bases are London, Singapore, Johannesburg,
Beijing, Sydney and Tokyo. SOS International Clinics operate in Moscow,
Beijing, Jakarta, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City among other cities.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort wins top environmental award
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort was recently announced as a
winner of the Environmental Impact Award 2002 for best environmental
management practices. The award was given by the Thai government’s
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Minster
of Natural Resources and Environment Prapat Panyachatraksa (right) presents
the 2002 Environmental Impact Award to Panga Vathanakul, managing director
of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort was one of only four hotels
to receive this distinguished award and the only hotel from the Eastern
region to be selected. A total off 300 companies from around the country
were vying for the prestigious accolade.
The resort was also a proud recipient of the
Environmental Impact Award in 1999 when was under the auspices of the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. In 2000, the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort became the first hotel in Thailand to receive the
internationally recognized ISO 14001 environmental management system
certification.
Through the environmental management system, the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort has refined its existing environmental policies,
redeveloped and added new environmental programs and increased awareness
among staff at all levels of the importance of being environmentally
conscious.
A worthy recipient of the Environmental Impact Award, the resort has
various environmental programs which it maintains on a regular basis. These
include its very own water treatment plant where wastewater is treated and
filtered for use in the resort’s gardens; a strong emphasis on the sorting
and recycling of biodegradable waste matter; as well as regular clean up
campaigns of the property, its beaches and the surrounding area.
Qantas/British Airways award top travel agents
Qantas/British Airways, led by Ms. Jane
Furber (seated - third from left), Thailand manager, together with Boonsong
Haruchaiyasak (seated - far right), commercial manager, recently awarded
their top performance Thai travel agents for the year 2001/2002 at their
town office located on Rama IV Road, Bangkok.
(Front
row - seated from left) Kusa Panyarachun, managing director of World Travel
Service, Ms. Tippy Singkorapoom, managing director of Variety International;
Mrs. Supanee Bencharit, managing director of Sea Tours. (Back row from left)
Thanawat Luengsuriya, head of Travel Services Thailand of American Express
(Thai), Ms. Renee Mui, associate director of operations of Carlson Wagonlit
Travel, Wasant Kudedakeng, director of marketing and public relations for
Global Union Express, Boonsong Harnchaiyanant, marketing and sales manager
for 8&7 International Travel, Chuan Suttidechaphon, marketing manager of
Nancy Tours and Travel Centre, Udom Ditsamroeng, managing director of STA
Travel, Ms. Petchdee Pattarawongvisut, manager of Dits Travel (2001), Ms.
Wanida Hongsunirandon, travel manager for Holiday Tours & Travel
(Thailand); and Pallop Sananwathananont, managing director of GM Tour &
Travel.
‘Miss Thailand World’ flies KLM
KLM
general manager for Southeast Asia, Richard Oliver, presented an air ticket
to Ticha Luengpairoj, Miss Thailand World 2002, to fly to last month’s
Miss World 2002 competition.
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