Business travel

Europe's environmental challenge - single European Sky by 2012

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) challenged Europe to deliver a Single European Sky (SES) by 2012.

"After decades of talks and little action, failure to implement an effective SES is Europe's biggest environmental embarrassment. In 2007, this failure resulted in 21 million minutes of delays and 468 million kilometres of unnecessary flight.

This wasted 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This crisis that is gripping the airline industry highlights the fact that airlines cannot afford the EUR 5 billion cost that this brings. And neither can Europe afford the impact on its competitiveness. This must change fast," said IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani in a keynote address to the European Air Transport Summit being held in Bordeaux.

IATA fully supports the European Commission's performance-driven approach. This was proposed in the SES II Package proposed by Vice President Tajani in June.

"We need binding performance targets at the national and community levels, functional airspace blocks (FABs) coordinated by a strong network manager with harmonised safety oversight through EASA, and the enabling SESAR technology to allow a Single European Sky to deliver its promised benefits," said Bisignani.

FABs and SESAR are the critical building blocks for an SES. The plan to combine European airspace into nine cross-national FABs will increase system capacity by 70%, reduce average delays to one minute or less, cut user costs by 50% and reduce the environmental impact per flight by 10% by 2020 while improving safety.

"These nine FABs cannot be kingdoms operating independently. We need a strong network manager to drive efficiencies and meet binding performance targets. And we need an EASA with sufficient resources to provide safety oversight for airports and air navigation service providers," said Bisignani.

IATA linked SES to Europe's proposal to include aviation into the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 2012. "2012 is the year. We need nine FABs in place, delivering benefits against binding performance targets with a strong network manager. This is the minimum requirement. Even if Europe chooses to overlook the major flaws of its ETS proposal - the unilateral approach is illegal and the regional scope is ineffective - the only credibility that is left is the SES. Airlines cannot accept to be charged for emissions in Europe when the inefficiency of the system forces them to waste 16 million tonnes of carbondioxide each year," said Bisignani.

Bisignani attacked two persistent myths surrounding the SES.

"First, job losses are a misplaced fear when there is a global shortage of air traffic controllers and SESAR (the technology component of SES) will generate 200,000 highly skilled jobs in Europe. Second, FABs don't reduce sovereignty. Europe faces the same question with the Euro. Today nobody questions the sovereignty of the Euro-Zone states. SES is no different. Sovereignty is even institutionalised in the independent National Supervisory Authority. These are two myths which we must kill with facts," said Bisignani.

IATA's Four Pillar Strategy to Address Climate Change is delivering results.

The strategy-endorsed by industry and government focuses on technology, operations, infrastructure and positive economic measures-including ETS.

Since 2004, IATA efforts, including route shortening and working directly with airlines to implement best operational practices, has saved 59 million tonnes of CO2 with a cost saving of US$12 billion. An effective SES would be a key contributor to these efforts.

Qatar Airways eyes further growth in china

Qatar Airways second appearance at the China International Travel Mart (CITM) signals further commitment to the airline's expansion plans in China that will benefit the travelling public.

The four-day fair, jointly organised by the China National Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal People's Government and General Administration of Civil Aviation of China is recognised as one of the largest and most influential international tourism fairs in Asia, and this year drew the attention of tourism organisations and personnel from around the world.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was already anticipating next year's event following the airline's successful showing at Shanghai's premier trade and consumer travel exhibition. "The China International Travel Mart has become one of the most prestigious and well-organised travel fairs in the world. It is a top occasion for the Asian tourism industry and Qatar Airways is delighted to be a part of this exciting event," said Al Baker.

"We certainly look forward to increasing our presence at CITM and inviting more passengers from the region to travel with Qatar Airways."

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Commercial for the region, Marwan Koleilat, applauded the CITM organisers for developing a communication platform for the Chinese tourism industry. Koleilat led an airline delegation at the travel fair, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

"In the past decade, China's exceptional economic growth has boosted the development of the tourism industry here, and brought excellent opportunities to global airlines.

We are delighted to be part of this process and we've positioned China as one of our key markets in Asia."

Qatar Airways' stand at the show featured the airline's new corporate look, rolled out earlier this year. Its sleek, clean lines and bold logo presented a freshness and sophistication that exude confidence and success in line with the airline's ambitions, according to Koleilat.

Emirates Friendship Hospital Ship launched in Dhaka

The Emirates Friendship Hospital Ship, a charity venture run by registered NGO, Friendship, and funded by the Emirates Airline Foundation was inaugurated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Emirates' management and officials from the Bangladesh government attended the ceremony.

The Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline's onboard charity initiative that funds projects around the world in aid of underprivileged children, financed the twin-hulled vessel, granting over US$ 750,000 to Friendship.

In addition, the Foundation will fund the annual operating expenses of the vessel, estimated to be US$ 150,000.

Emirates has also signed a management contract for the ship with Friendship.

The ship will ply approximately 250 kilometres along the River Bhramaputra north of the country and serve over three million people living on more than 400 small islands and on the river banks.

The well-appointed mobile hospital ship is equipped with chambers for doctors, primary health care facilities, two operating theatres, two eight-bed wards, paediatric and gynaecology units, a dental room, a pathological laboratory, an X-ray room and an ophthalmic room.

A dispensary onboard will distribute medicine free and the registration room can accommodate up to 24 staff and eight visiting doctors.

The deck of the ship can house 30 to 40 patients in an emergency.

Christmas at Cinnamon Grand

Cinnamon Grand has organised a host of activities and seasonal events for Christmas to offer patrons a chance to celebrate the season of goodwill and cheer.

The season unfolds with traditional carols with the ever popular family event 'Moods of Christmas', with Soul Sounds' at the Atrium Lobby at 7.30 pm, on December 21. One of the most anticipated events of the year, 'Moods of Christmas' features Soundarie David's award winning choir harmoniously captivating carols.

Christmas Eve boasts a plethora of charming dining options; be it a traditional carvery style buffet with a group of raucous friends or a quiet, slow family dinner revelling in the company of loved ones.

Taprobane's international buffet consists of two sittings with the first at 7.00 pm and the second at 9.30 pm giving customers the option to choose the time most suitable to them.

Cheers Pub offers a British carvery buffet from 7.00 pm to 12 midnight for patrons who are looking to have a hearty meal with pleasant company and excellent music.

Cathay Pacific reduces passenger fuel surcharge

Cathay Pacific Airways has been granted approval by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to adjust its passenger fuel surcharge.

In the case of Cathay Pacific, the adjustment will result in a reduction in fuel surcharges, for a two-month period effective December 1.

The adjustments represent reductions of 45% and 40% from the current surcharges.

A Cathay Pacific spokesman said, "Airfares have come down substantially over the past few months as a result of market forces and our own tactical promotions. We believe the reduced fuel surcharges will further help to make air travel and overseas holidays more affordable and attractive."

Jet fuel costs continue to account for about half of Cathay Pacific's net operating costs so far this year, and the adjustments in fuel surcharges can only offset less than half of the airline's increased fuel cost.Cathay Pacific regrets the need to impose fuel surcharge on passengers, but the airline's fuel surcharges continue to lag far behind those imposed by other international airlines on comparable routes outside Hong Kong. As the CAD has pointed out, the surcharges on local routes remain at a lower level.

Most major airlines currently levy fuel surcharges ranging from US$20 to as much as almost US$100 per short-haul sector, while surcharges in the range of US$100-200 for long-haul flights are not uncommon. Some surcharges are higher than US$300.