Travel

Halving Emissions by 2050:

Aviation brings its targets to Copenhagen

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) brought the aviation industry's environmental goals to Copenhagen. Airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers are calling for a global approach to reducing aviation emissions and are united in a commitment: to improve fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5% per year to 2020; to stabilize carbon emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth; and to a net reduction in carbon emissions of 50% by 2050 compared to 2005.

"We are the only global industry coming to Copenhagen with a strong track record and a commitment to cut our emissions in half by 2050.These goals clearly show that the aviation industry is even ahead of its regulators in its approach to climate change," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, as he presented the industry position to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen.

Bisignani's presentation was part of an official side meeting hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN's specialized agency for aviation. The Kyoto protocol gives ICAO the responsibility for aviation's international emissions. Throughout ICAO's 65-year history, it has worked with industry to create the global standards that governments around the world have implemented to ensure that aviation is safe, secure and efficient and environmentally responsible.

Bisignani urged governments to act.

'The only way that we can meet our targets is by working in cooperation with governments through ICAO.

I call on governments in Copenhagen to give ICAO a clear mandate to report back to COP-16 with a Global Sectoral Approach that will enable the aviation industry to deliver real results against concrete targets,' said Bisignani.

A Global Sectoral Approach, through ICAO, to manage aviation's emissions will ensure a level playing field.

The approach consists of three main elements:

Full accounting for aviation's emissions as a global industrial sector, not by state Global coordination of economic measures to ensure that aviation will not pay more than once for its emissions Access to global carbon markets

A Global Sectoral Approach through ICAO can accommodate the needs of developed and developing nations.

"A good precedent is when ICAO tackled the tough issue of noise, working with the industry. We set global standards that accommodated the needs of developed and developing nations.

Today air transport is 75% quieter than four decades ago.

Working together in a similar way, we can meet our environmental challenges," said Bisignani.

The aviation industry is already working towards its climate change goals through its four pillar strategy.

The strategy focuses on investing in new technology, flying smarter, building efficient infrastructure, and taking advantage of positive economic measures.

MoU signed to use Colombo as future home port:

Aquamarine makes maiden voyage

Aquamarine, operated by Louis Cruises Ltd (LCL) the fifth largest cruise operator in the world made its maiden voyage from Cochin to Colombo early last week. It will call Colombo port every Monday and leave on Tuesday.

On board the maiden voyage of Aquamarine to Sri Lanka were 500 passengers which included 200 travel agents together with Deputy CEO Louis Cruises Louis Loizou and MD Louis Cruises India Oneil Khosa.

The vessel MV 'Aquamarine' is a luxury cruise ship, which has 405 cabins and can carry 1200 passengers. Captained by Stathis Romeos, it is the first regular fixed day cruise operation to Sri Lanka in recent times, The vessel will ply between Cochin, Male and Colombo with weekly calls at the Colombo Port.

An MoU was signed on this occasion between Louis Cruises and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, on board the luxury vessel. This document will address the possibility of using Colombo as a future home port, the necessity for and advantage of keeping the ship longer in the Colombo port, and also of making the ship available during World Cup Cricket Tournament. Arrival of cruise ships would enhance Sri Lanka's popularity as a tourist destination, which will cater to a different segment of visitors to the country. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Tourism is currently having discussions with the industry as well as with the authorities concerned, with a view to using the sea around the island as well as inland waterways for recreational activities, including introduction of houseboats - another novel concept to Sri Lanka.

Minister of Tourism, Achala Jagoda said, the weekly calls of Louis Cruises will promote Colombo as a destination.

At present around 85,000 Indian tourists visit the country annually and I hope that it will increase by about 20,000 due to this cruise liner.

He said that today the growth rate in Asia is higher than the growth rate in Europe and cruise tours which were limited to the European region is being extended to the Asian region as a result of these economic giants.

At a time the country is rebuilding its economy the government is laying more emphasis on the tourism industry to accelerate growth.

'We are looking at the possibility of positioning this vessel in Hambantota during the 2011 World Cup Cricket,' said the minister.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Tourism is currently having discussions with the industry as well as with the authorities concerned, with a view to using the sea around the island as well as inland waterways for recreational activities, including introduction of houseboats - another novel concept to Sri Lanka.

MD Louis Cruise Lines India Oneil Khosa said that Sri Lanka will be included in all their marketing plans worldwide projecting the country as a vibrant place to visit.

He said, that they plan to bring 30,000 passengers within five months.There are many challenges in developing this project but we are positive and confident that we can overcome them together.

He said that they are also interested in developing the outbound market from Sri Lanka to Cochin and the Maldives. The Louis Group, founded in 1935, is a diversified group of companies functioning internationally, whose core competency stems from its 74 year history in the tourism industry. Louis Cruises is the 5th largest cruise operator in the world, while Louis Hotels is the largest hotel chain in Cyprus and Greece combined. SG

Cinnamon's grand concept:

Nuga Gama : Village in the city

Cinnamon Grand pays tribute to Sri Lanka's rich traditional heritage and culture with its newest concept, Nuga Gama (meaning Banyan village) which is now open to the public. Here tradition beckons in an inspiring journey takes you back to Sri Lanka's rural roots at the village in the city. Bask in the steep traditional atmosphere that hearkens back to a simpler, less urbanised era. Traditional sights to be seen and visited include a karaththa, ambalama, kussiya, salawa, pokuna, gama gedara, kamatha and bissa.

A return to our traditional roots is the driving force behind Nuga Gama, a locale designed by Dipika Dharmadasa. Nuga Gama represents a myriad different aspects of Sri Lankan culture and tradition, long forgotten to most urbanites.

Surrounding the awe inspiring 200 year old banyan tree that is its namesake, Nuga Gama gives patrons the opportunity to experience the ambience of rural life in addition to enjoying typical Sri Lankan cuisine with a taste of truly indigenous flavours.

"The Nuga Gama concept takes its inspiration from its centrepiece; the towering banyan tree," said General Manager Rohan Karr.

"Throughout its existence, it has undoubtedly seen a lot of urbanization but it retains its traditional roots symbolizing survival even through progress.

Malaysia Airlines awarded '5-Star Airline' status

Malaysia Airlines was awarded the "5-Star airline" for the 5th consecutive year by Skytrax, a UK based organization, with 20 years experience in airline research.

Malaysia Airlines has been accredited as a 5-Star airline by Skytrax since 2005. Its cabin crew has won the "World's Best Cabin Staff" award for 2001-2004, 2007 and 2009 - the most for any airline.

Managing Director/CEO, Tengku Dato' Azmil Zahruddin said, "This is great news, particularly in today's tough environment where all employees have been working very hard to deliver products and services that matter to the customer.

What matters to them, matters to us.

This recognition will spur us to intensify our efforts to improve our products and services."

Azmil also said the airline will be rolling out new services such as flight services from buying, boarding and disembarkation on mobile and enhanced online redemption of Enrich points.

"We will also be taking delivery of the new 737-800 Boeing Sky Interior by the end of 2010.

Customers will enjoy better ambience, higher ceilings, mood lighting, Inflight Entertainment on every business and economy class seats which offers audio and video on demand, and latest generation light weight seats.

Mobile connectivity services will be offered in the future".

Skytrax CEO, Edward Plaisted said, "In awarding the 5-Star airline ranking to Malaysia Airlines for 2009/2010, we are recognising the consistent front-line performance of the airline during recent tough times for the industry.

"The 5-Star Airline status is awarded only to airlines achieving the very highest quality performance, and this top tier award for Malaysia Airlines pays respect to their ability to deliver the right combination of product and service.

They are clearly focussing very carefully on not just meeting, but surpassing their customer's expectations".

Malaysia Airlines was also recently voted as "Asia's Leading Airline" by over 180,000 industry professionals in a global poll conducted by the World Travel Awards.