Business Aviation

Singapore Airlines makes history again

Flies first A380 flight to London:

Singapore Airlines, the world’s most awarded carrier, has set another milestone in the world of civil aviation, as the Airline now flies the world’s first commercial A380 flight to Europe.

The Singapore Airlines A380, carrying 449 customers on board flight SQ308, took off from Singapore’s Changi Airport last week.

Over 15 customers from nine different countries, who flew on the world’s first A380 commercial flight to Sydney in October 2007, join Singapore Airlines in setting this milestone. Eight of these customers also intend to fly straight back, flying both first flight sectors.

Singapore Airlines is the first to fly the A380, and is currently the only airline to operate the superjumbo.

Since the launch of A380 operations to Sydney in October last year, Singapore Airlines has seen a very high level of interest and demand from customers, keen to experience the Airline’s A380 cabin products, and a level of inflight service even other airlines talk about.

“Seats on both legs of the inaugural flight to London were snapped up soon after flight details were announced in late January this year, and forward bookings for A380 scheduled services there are strong,” said Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing and the Regions, Huang Cheng Eng.

“The strong demand we are witnessing highlights the superiority of the Singapore Airlines A380 product, and we are extremely heartened that customers all over the world are relishing the opportunity to experience comfort and luxury when they fly with us,” Huang said.

The Singapore Airlines A380 features the new Singapore Airlines Suites, where each Suite is the customer’s very own private cabin in the sky.

It is also configured with the new award-winning Business Class, which boasts the widest seat in its class in a spacious 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck, as well as the New Economy Class, which delivers more comfort and legroom thanks to the use of innovative design.

The Singapore Airlines A380 will operate daily flights to and from London following the inaugural flight.

Emirates Flight Catering serves a winner to Malaysia Airlines

Emirates Flight Catering Company was awarded the prestigious “Malaysia Airlines Best Caterer” prize at a special presentation ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur recently. The ceremony was attended by Malaysia Airlines’ Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, board members and other senior management.

Emirates Flight Catering Company warded off stiff competition from Malaysia Airlines’ other 55 catering stations worldwide to take the top accolade.

The award was adjudicated according to stringent quality standards and procedures and the working relationship between Malaysia’s flag carrier and its flight caterers.

Receiving the award, Faysal Moufarrej, Vice President Airport Catering Services, said, “This award is a testament to the efforts of Emirates Flight Catering Company’s 5,400 staff who work around the clock, every day of the year, to ensure that a consistent standard of excellence is achieved in our catering facilities and beyond.

We are currently preparing more than 85,000 meals for over 250 flights per day from Dubai International Airport.

Every flight has different requirements, ranging from preferences for particular ethnic foods to other dietary specifications, and our ability to deliver these volumes in a hygienic and timely manner is an incredible feat.”

“Festival of Food and Dance” in Shanghai

The Consulate of Sri Lanka together with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and the Mount Lavinia Hotel organised a “Festival of Food and Dance” at the Marriott Hotel in Shanghai recently.

In 2007 China and Sri Lanka marked another milestone in Sino-Lanka relations with the Opening of the Sri Lanka Consulate in Shanghai. This was the first occasion Sri Lanka has organised a “Festival of Food and Dance” since opening the Consulate in Shanghai over two months ago.

The festival ran for one week giving for the first time Chinese people living in East China an occasion to savour Sri Lanka cuisine and witness the rich cultural tradition of Sri Lankan dance. The Chinese high level participation was witnessed for the event.

Over 100 Chinese nationals participated at the banquet which included a large number of travel agencies and also representatives of leading print and electronic media institutions. The print and electronic media coverage has given Sri Lanka an impetus to position ourselves in the Shanghai market as “A Land Like No Other”.

Vice Mayor of Shanghai Tang Dengjie said that he hoped that we could further development cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and tourism. Ambassador Karunatilake Amunugama in his speech stated that in the past most Sri Lankan events were limited to Beijing.

AirAsia unveils AT&T

AirAsia has unveiled the world’s first commercial A320 aircraft with a Formula One team livery. The unveiling of the aircraft, whose livery is an exact look-alike of the AT&T Williams racing car, was held to coincide with the Malaysian Grand Prix and to mark AirAsia’s extended three year partnership with the AT&T Williams Formula One team.

Dato’s Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Berhad Tony Fernandes said, “I am very impressed at how well the AT&T Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula One teams with 16 Formula One World Champions titles to date. The partnership with AirAsia forms part of the airline’s long term branding strategy to build a global brand.