AVIATION

‘Treasure your health’ package from Cathay Pacific

Health is wealth and Cathay Pacific Airways now teams up with another world-class entity - Raffles Hospital - to offer you an opportunity to safeguard yourself against life’s little hazards with a health screening package at Asia’s premier healthcare hub, Singapore.

Health food on a Cathay Pacific flight

Today Singapore is more than just a leisure or business destination. It has earned a reputation for its superlative healthcare system complete with an excellent international patient liaison service to assist in appointments, referrals, admissions, follow-up care, interpretation services and all the other details that ensure complete peace of mind.

Cathay Pacific’s Health Screening Package at Raffles Hospital offers a choice: Raffles Deluxe - designed to maintain health at the prime of life by screening for lifestyle diseases and the more premium Raffles Executive - to ascertain health risks that come with middle age.

Both options are available with special screening for ladies.

The package includes return airfare to Singapore, hotel accommodation for three nights and four days with breakfast, return airport transfers and the health-screening package. Passengers of course have the option of choosing accommodation at a range of three to five star hotels and can also opt to extend their stay or upgrade to business class. The offer is now open and ends on December 31, the last day of travel under the scheme.

Raffles Health Screeners enables you to take charge of your health and have an evaluation to minimize health risks through early detection, allowing you to maintain your health and wellness.

With over 30 years of experience, a professional team offers a one-stop comprehensive health screening service for individuals and corporate organisations.

State-of-the-art technology combined with personalised attention makes you comfortable and you will receive a detailed medical report followed by a private consultation with your doctor.

Sales and Marketing Manager Ruhan Abbas for Cathay Pacific Airways Colombo explaining the airline’s objective in providing this invaluable package said: “Health is of great importance and our health screening package at Raffles Hospital makes it easy for passengers to enjoy a world-class medical check-up and perhaps also attend to business needs, or combine the experience with a great shopping spree. Our package makes the visit worthwhile, enjoyable and comfortable.”

 JETLITE TO CUT STAFF BY A THIRD

In a major restructuring exercise, JetLite, the Naresh Goyal group’s value carrier, will be trimming its 2,300 staff strength by roughly a third to cut costs and integrate some key functions with its flagship carrier Jet Airways.

Confirming this, Jet Airways’ CEO, Wolfgang Prock-Schaeur, said, “In the process of integrating the airlines, which is a must to keep JetLite afloat, there will be a shift of certain employees from JetLite to Jet and the workforce for both the airlines will be combined.”

He added that “the majority of the workforce - at least two-thirds - will be integrated with Jet” and others will get a voluntary separation scheme.

The Company was not, however, ready to discuss details of the VSS for employees, but said it would be an “attractive one”.

A JetLite executive said the downsizing would take place in functions such as airport services, security, sales and marketing and HR.

(Courtesy Business Standard India.)

 Sri Lankan ‘special’ for fasting passengers

Emirates staff are both eager and ready to welcome passengers to the airline’s brand new home at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport.

SriLankan Airlines has made arrangements for the convenience of passengers of the Islamic faith during the annual Ramadan Fasting Period until October 1.

A limited quantity of dates, fruits and other items are being carried on board SriLankan flights which will be in the air at the time of breaking the fast in the evenings.

The airline is even providing takeaway packs for passengers on Jeddah bound flights that touch down shortly before 6 p.m, since they may need to break their fast while still at the airport.

Passengers are requested to inform the airline of their special requirements at the time of booking their flight, to their Travel Agent or to the SriLankan Airlines Ticket Office.

Passengers who book through the Internet on www.srilankan.aero should also notify the airline through the “Meal Request” column in the on-line form.

This is especially important where groups of fasting passengers are travelling, so that arrangements can be made well ahead of the flight, as regular flights are only prepared for a limited number of fasting passengers with special needs.

 Emirates taxiing for take-off from new terminal

With the announcement of the phased opening of Terminal Three [T3] from 14th October, the spotlight has now turned firmly on Emirates’ much-anticipated move to its dedicated new home in Dubai.

In a carefully-orchestrated move, the first phase of Emirates’ operations from T3 will launch all flights to the GCC and the Americas - 40 flights a day, around 15 per cent of the airline’s total services.

Phase Two will include flights to the rest of the Middle East and Africa as well, increasing operations to 99 flights every day, 37 per cent of all flights. Flights to Europe will take-off in the next phase, escalating operations to 168 daily flights or 60 per cent of all Emirates’ services. The fourth and final phase will include flights to the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Australasia and bring the total to 269 flights every day.

Each phase will commence after receiving a “clean operational chit” from the previous one to ensure customers enjoy a smooth, seamless Emirates experience.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group said: “October 14th marks another red-letter day on the Emirates calendar.

Emirates is effectively throwing open the doors of its new home, inviting cherished customers to enjoy the spacious luxury and state-of-the-art facilities; relax in the soothing ambience; and travel globally with family and friends in total comfort. With five dedicated A380 gates, our flagship fleet will soon be flying from its rightful home.” Emirates’ dedicated terminal is planned as a lifestyle destination in its own right, Sheikh Ahmed added.

Emirates has designed an entire floor of luxurious, themed lounges in the 10-storied concourse for its premium passengers, with a capacity for more than 2,000, serving the finest international cuisine and offering full-fledged spa facilities. Lounges for unaccompanied minors and special needs passengers are specially-designed to take the stress off travel.

From this month, Emirates and its travel trade network will proactively inform passengers of the change in the Terminal, which will also be reflected in the reservations and ticketing systems and channels.