Aviation

Airlines prepared for Swine Flu

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasised that airlines are prepared for the heightened level of alert following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to move to Phase 5 of its pandemic preparedness plan.

IATA has worked with WHO to prepare guidance materials for frontline staff at airlines, including cabin crew, maintenance workers, cleaners, passenger agents and cargo/baggage handlers.

“We are following the advice of the World Health Organization. Safety for passengers and crew is our top priority. People getting on planes should be reassured of two things,” Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO said. First, even under normal circumstances, airlines have equipment and measures in place to keep the cabin environment safe. For example, modern aircraft have air filtration systems similar to those in hospitals.

Aircraft are regularly disinfected as part of normal cleaning routines and crew are trained in handling procedures for passengers who might become ill on board aircraft. Secondly, the years of planning for the possibility of avian influenza have prepared the industry to deal efficiently with the unfolding situation by following the recommendations of WHO.

WHO advises there should be no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.

WHO is not advising any travel restrictions. We hope that Governments take decisions and coordinate their actions in line with WHO recommendations,” Bisignani said.

Some Governments, however, are adjusting immigration procedures, which can create confusion for travellers.

IATA is collecting new requirements through the IATA Travel Centre. Passengers can get the most up-to-date information on travel documentation requirements at www.iatatravelcentre.com

Emirates Holidays:

A New World of Choice

Emirates Holidays unveiled its ‘A World of Choice’ 2009-2010 brochure.

For the first time its extensive range of exciting holidays to over 120 destinations across the world has been consolidated into one comprehensive, easy to use format.

“Despite the general downturn, getting away and having a holiday remains important and we are there to bring it all together. We have a proactive approach to holiday making which is accessible to everyone.

However much you are prepared to invest in the kind of break you want, we provide tailor made holidays to suit your needs and requirements,” John Felix, Senior Vice President, Emirates Holidays, said.

Emirates Holidays has an ongoing commitment to improve its products and services. The decision to combine the Emirates Holidays brochures was made early last year due to direct feedback we received from both travel agents and our customers to make their research for holiday packages easier, Felix said.

Having one brochure will also simplify our distribution process and display logistics. By using less paper, it’s a more environmentally friendly way for us, our partners and our customers to work together.

The near five hundred page brochure will be distributed to Emirates Holidays shops and travel agents across its international network. There will be also a dedicated brochure on the UAE, tailored editions for Russia, Mediterranean regions, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Plus, an Arabic language brochure for exclusive distribution in the Middle East and Arabic speaking parts of Africa.

To mark the launch of the A world of choice 2009-2010 brochure, Emirates Holidays had Emirates Holidays World, a three-day interactive travel event at the InterContinental Hotel Convention Centre, Dubai Festival City from May 1-3.

Cathay Pacific packages:

Irresistible facets of Thailand

Cathay Pacific has unveiled an array of packages to Thailand to make the forthcoming holidays memorable.

Whether you want to shop for exclusive fashion statements in Bangkok or experience the exhilaration of water-sports in Pattaya or enjoy a quiet family get away during Vesak, viewing the glory of Thai temples in the golden city, Cathay offers you a fabulous choice of three days and two nights.

All packages include air ticket, hotel accommodation with breakfast, return airport transfers while a host of added benefits too are on offer.

The Bangkok package includes a city tour with a drop off at Sunday Market or MBK to shop to your heart’s content plus an entrance ticket to the Siam Park and King Power Duty Free shop discount voucher. Equally scintillating is the Pattaya Package on twin sharing basis. The fun-packed resort retreat includes Coral Island Tour with lunch and Alangkarn - the famous Thai cultural show that also features Thai arts and crafts, fireworks and magic shows.

The most exciting Bangkok and Pattaya Combo offers one night at each destination on twin sharing basis. The package also bundles up the entrance ticket to Siam Park, Coral Island Tour with lunch, exclusive discounts at Alangkarn and a discount voucher to shop at the King Power Duty Free.

This is a fantastic opportunity to combine shopping in Bangkok and then relaxing in Pattaya, enjoying its famous water sports.

The Temple Tour package is ideal for Vesak and designed for the whole family with twin sharing.

Thai celebrates 49th anniversary

The aviation industry is one of the most competitive, most demanding and challenging commercial activities.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has followed through and managed to survive through these challenges. Thai Airways International was set up in 1960 as a small regional operation with only three 60-seat DC-SB aircraft serving only nine Asian destinations.

The development in route network was Thai’s concentration to cover most of the Asian region, including major business and tourist centres by providing the first scheduled jet service to exotic places as Bali and Kathmandu.

With the new fleet in 1968 of Caravelle SE-210, THAI became the first all-jet airline in Asia that continued to expand and upgrade its fleet over the following decades with new, more customer appealing jetliners as they were launched.

Thai started to operate flights to Colombo on November 3, 1976, completing the 33 year this coming November and currently operates four flights per week to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Thai, at present, has 85 modern aircraft with some of the newest and most fuel-efficient types available that covers a network reaching out from Bangkok to over 70 destinations across four continents with almost 200 million passengers annually.

The popularity of Thai among its passengers over the years has been due to many factors, particularly its emphasis on “Thainess”. The airline’s vision has always been to create an atmosphere and standard of service on its flights that reflect the traditional Thai values of hospitality.