Aviation

SriLankan Holidays launch booking system

SriLankan Holidays is further enhancing its customer-friendly nature by installing a fully automated reservation system for the use of travel agents making bookings on behalf of their customers.

General Manager SriLankan Holidays, Amith Sumanapala said, “We at SriLankan Holidays are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the user-friendly nature of our products.

This system will further increase efficiencies, help broaden our product range and expand our distribution network.” The new system from Rezgateway was selected after careful evaluation of various systems. It is scheduled to be operative from mid 2009.

“With this system, our business will gain and our customers and agents will have the best facilities. Our suppliers including hotels, tour operators around the globe and specially the travel agents, will find it much easier to work with the new system and to complete a sale.

Its features will enhance efficiencies in a travel agents day to day life, as hotel inventories will be uploaded and visible to an agent to make a real time booking,” said Sumanapala. The system includes a reservation system, a back office system, integration to inventory providers and has the capability to integrate to in-house and third party systems.

Rezgateway is a leader in providing software solutions for the travel industry. Headquartered in the United States, its main operation centre in Colombo. SriLankan Holidays is the leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines, and specializes both in inbound and outbound travel.

It invites visitors to savour and experience the magic of a vast number of popular destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

It offers specially crafted and conceived inbound and outbound packages, while tours can also be customised to suit particular tastes. Attractive travel deals have become the trademark of SriLankan Holidays, which range from leisure travel for individuals, couples and families to business travel, adventure travel, sports tourism, cultural tours and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions).

HSBC finances airbus A380 for Emirates

Emirates Airline has taken delivery of an Airbus A380 that has been financed by HSBC.

The aircraft is now in service, flying between Dubai and London.

The carrier financed the purchase of the aircraft through HSBC Middle East Leasing Partnership, a new venture from HSBC Bank Middle East Limited which provides competitive and flexible finance to Gulf-based companies for assets such as aircraft, ships, turbines, and other moveable assets.

“We are delighted to have closed this first transaction with a high-profile and long-standing HSBC customer such as Emirates,” said Declan Hegarty, HSBC’s Co-Head of Global Banking in the Middle East.

“Emirates is a world-class name, and we have delivered a world-class transaction for them with the financing for this acquisition.”

Nirmal Govinda Das, Vice President of Financing from Emirates added:

“Emirates is the largest carrier in the Middle East, and it is fitting that a Middle East financial company is helping up to execute our growth strategy. Emirates has the support of major banking and financial institutions and is well placed to meet its financing requirements.”

“We have created the partnership with one objective in mind,” added Hegarty, “to offer a flexible, innovative and - importantly - locally-based finance partner for Gulf companies.

HSBC Middle East Leasing Partnership expects to be closing further transactions in future in the aviation sector, as well as in other areas such as Power, Shipping, Energy, Construction and Infrastructure.”

Oman Air flies to Heathrow

Oman Air commenced daily services from Muscat to Heathrow by an Airbus A310 wide-bodied aircraft with a two-class configuration.

The flights have been timed to give travellers transferring flights at Heathrow sufficient time and likewise those passengers connecting to/from many of the 29 airports across their domestic, Mid East and Asian network will benefit in Muscat.

Oman Air recently added another aircraft to its rapidly expanding fleet. The new Boeing 737 - 800 NG, arrived from Seattle, USA at Muscat International Airport on 21 December 2008. This latest aircraft increases Oman Air’s B737 NG fleet to 11.

Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air Peter Hill, said that this latest addition is in line with Oman Air’s plans to expand the company’s network of short and medium haul flights within the Middle East and South Asia.

“Oman’s growing prominence as a key player in regional economic and business fora and Oman Air’s steady growth as the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has made fleet-growth and expansion in terms of destinations and frequencies imperative.

We intend to link Muscat through direct flights to the major regional cities and also offer convenient connections to an increasing number of long haul destinations,” former SriLankan CEO said.

Oman Air currently operates a fleet of 11 Boeing 737 NG aircraft, on short and medium haul regional routes, 2 Airbus A310-300 aircraft to London and Bangkok and 2 ATR 42-500 aircraft on domestic and oilfield support operations. Aircraft on order include more Boeing 737 NG’s, 7 Airbus A330-200/300’s and 6 Boeing 787’s.

North South Lines (Pvt) Ltd a member of the Hayleys Group is the General Sales Agent for Oman Air in Sri Lanka.

Kuwait Airways adds more amenities

Kuwait Airways International new first-class and business lounge is adding more amenities to meet the growing demand.

The Dasman Hall, which will replace the old first class lounge, has a capacity for more than 150 people and offers complimentary food and beverages from a Costa Coffee Shop and an international buffet, offering complimentary lunch and dinner. The Dasman Hall also features high-speed internet access, shower facilities and a prayer room and is said to be the biggest in the region.

The other features include eight computer cabins with high-speed Internet service and smoking areas. There is a special room equipped with various toys for children of all ages. In addition, the restrooms are equipped with showers and towels and also a prayer room.

The Dasman Hall cost about KD 500,000 and we are offering its services for first-class and business-class passengers of 30 companies, including Kuwait Airways.

In the future, this hall will be open to all passengers after certain fees are paid,” said District Sales Manager Kuwait Airways, Sudesh Rupasinghe. He said that this facility is also offered for Sri Lankan passengers in transit.

The airline is expected to purchase more aircraft this year to introduce new routes to the world.

“There is a growing demand for the airline,” he said.

“The airline is also looking at introducing flights to Australia and this lounge would be even more lively,” he said.

Accolade for Emirates in-flight catering

Emirates has been awarded ‘Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier Middle East 2008’ at the Pax International Magazine Readership Awards 2008.

The award, voted by readers of Pax International Magazine, is highly competitive with airlines from across the region competing in the category.

As one of the world’s leading travel catering industry publications, Pax International Magazine runs a Readership Award Poll which is highly regarded for their recognition of outstanding performance, achievement and product development. Senior Vice President Aircraft Catering Bob Ferguson, said:

“ Pax International Magazine Readership Awards have long been the benchmark for excellence within the travel catering industry and we are pleased that the industry and importantly, our customers have recognized our efforts to provide the best possible in-flight catering.

“In-flight catering is a fundamental part of the Emirates travel experience and this award is testament to our continued commitment in producing high quality cuisine across our extensive network.”

Emirates in-flight menus are tailor-made according to several factors including; length of flight, flight destination and passenger profile to determine the best possible menu options for a particular flight.

All Emirates in-flight meals are freshly prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. Emirates has continuously been voted as the best in the world across the full range of its operations.

The group now boasts more than 400 international awards.

Cathay offers special package

Cathay Pacific Airways has offered a special package timed for the Hong Kong Sevens to cater to Rugby fans from March 27 to 29.

The rugby packages from Cathay Pacific include tickets for this year’s sell-out rugby spectacular as well as air tickets.

Passengers who take the package will be eligible for bonus Asia Miles on both Business and Economy flights.

Rugby fans taking advantage of Cathay’s Hong Kong Sevens package have the added advantage of requesting the Airline to book their hotel accommodation.

Sales and Marketing Manager for Cathay Pacific Airways Colombo Ms. Ruhan Abbas said, “On this occasion we have teamed up with Hong Kong business partner, HSBC excitement.”