XOJET reports 33% increase in EBITDA and 56% increase in new program sales in 2014

On-Demand Private Jet Charter Company Exceeds Projections—Remains Undisputed Alternative to Fractional. 33% increase in EBITDA and a 56% increase in new program sales, with retail charter sales up 19% overall Increased number of vetted aircraft to over 1000 jets XOJET experienced particular growth in the northeast market, with flights originating or ending in the New… Read the full press release

31 destinations now available as part of the interline agreement between Toronto-based Porter Airlines and New York-based JetBlue Airways

Connecting at Boston and Toronto hubs means new destinations for passengers TORONTO, 2015-2-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The first wave of 31 destinations are now available as part of an interline agreement between Toronto-based Porter Airlines and New York-based JetBlue Airways. Passengers can book flights directly on Porter’s website, www.flyporter.com. Porter and JetBlue announced… Read the full press release

Porter Airlines adds second weekly flight to Stephenville, NL

TORONTO, 2015-2-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Porter Airlines is adding a second weekly flight to Stephenville, NL, this summer, as it seeks to improve travel options for southwestern and western Newfoundland. Increased service begins June 20, 2015, connecting non-stop to Halifax. “The Stephenville route was very popular last year, so this schedule enhancement will meet growing… Read the full press release

Tourism Toronto announces new records in tourism by welcoming 14.3 million overnight visitors in 2014

TORONTO, 2015-2-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Toronto set new records in tourism by welcoming 14.3 million overnight visitors in 2014, Tourism Toronto announced today. Key drivers were a fourth consecutive year of growth in visitors from the U.S. and the highest number of overseas visitors ever in the destination. Additionally, Toronto led the country in… Read the full press release

The European Commission supports the Centralised Services with funding from the Trans-European Transport Network

Brussels, Belgium, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The European Commission has announced that it is supporting the Centralised Services (CS) with funding from the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T 2013 Multi-annual Work Programme 2013 in the field of Air Traffic Management (ATM)). “This is good news for Europe, as advanced technology coming out of the Single… Read the full press release

Airport Operators Association commissioned ComRes poll: vast majority of voters agree that APD rates should be consistent across the UK

LONDON, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — A ComRes poll[1] of the 40 most marginal constituencies commissioned by the Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade association representing UK airports, found that: Three in four voters (75%) agree that if passengers in Scotland were able to pay a lower rate of Air Passenger Duty (APD), this… Read the full press release

Textron Aviation Inc. displays special missions-configured Beechcraft King Air 350ER at Aero India’s biennial event in Bengaluru, Feb. 18-22

BENGALURU, India, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today it is showcasing its special missions and commercial capabilities at Aero India’s biennial event in Bengaluru this week. Exhibiting with sister companies, Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems, the company is displaying a special missions-configured Beechcraft King Air 350ER… Read the full press release

The Australian Financial Review launches new dining and awards program, Australia’s Top Restaurants, presented by Qantas & Vittoria Coffee

SYDNEY, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — A brand new dining and awards program launches today. The Australian Financial Review Australia’s Top Restaurants, presented by Qantas & Vittoria Coffee, is the only national awards program that is decided solely by a peer voting process – restaurateurs and chefs themselves are responsible for voting for the… Read the full press release

SriLankan Airlines announces new codeshare agreement with Jetstar Asia

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — SriLankan Airlines customers will soon enjoy greater access to cities throughout South East Asia and Australia as part of a new codeshare agreement with Jetstar Asia. From 5 April 2015, SriLankan customers will be able to travel on codeshare services operated by Jetstar Asia on seven routes from… Read the full press release

WestJet expands Encore service to Kamloops from Edmonton International Airport (EIA)

WestJet begins daily service between Kamloops and EdmontonWestJet begins daily service between Kamloops and Edmonton Edmonton, AB, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — WestJet today announced expanded Encore service to Kamloops from Edmonton International Airport (EIA). The new daily flight will leave Edmonton at 2:45 pm and arrive in Kamloops at 3:15 pm. Edmonton-bound travelers will… Read the full press release

IHG to appoint Ms Anne Busquet as an independent Non-Executive Director

Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (“IHG”) today announces that Ms Anne Busquet is to be appointed as an independent Non-Executive Director of IHG. She will join the IHG Board with effect from 1 March 2015. Anne is President of independent consulting firm AMB Advisors, where she advises companies… Read the full press release

Newquay Cornwall Airport: Flybe to fly daily to London Stansted during peak summer season

Cornwall, England, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Europe’s leading regional airline will now fly daily to London Stansted during peak summer season Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has added eight more flights to its brand new peak summer service between Newquay Cornwall and London Stansted airports, meaning that Cornwall customers now have the choice… Read the full press release

Dubai-based flydubai launches flights to Ahwaz, Hamadan, Esfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz in Iran

Dubai, UAE, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Dubai-based flydubai today announced the launch of flights to Ahwaz, Hamadan, Esfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz in Iran. The announcement will see flydubai’s Iranian network grow to seven points, adding to the launch of flights to Tehran and Mashhad in 2014. Flights to Shiraz, Esfahan and Ahwaz will commence on 8,… Read the full press release

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong marks its 10th anniversary with prestigious Forbes and Travel & Leisure awards

Hong Kong, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong marks its 10th anniversary by winning prestigious 2015 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards with triple Five Star distinctions across all three categories for hotel, spa and restaurant. At the Travel & Leisure 2014 Annual Travel Awards, The Oriental Spa also earned the coveted… Read the full press release

Amadeus reached agreement with Innsbruck Airport to deliver a range of new airport solutions

Innsbruck Airport to transform the way it operates thanks to Amadeus Airport Common Use Service along with two other key solutions: Amadeus Baggage Reconciliation System and Amadeus Passenger Verification Airports, airlines and ground handlers all to benefit as solutions will enable the airport ecosystem to use its resources more intelligently, improving the passenger experience Madrid,… Read the full press release

Amadeus: Lufthansa is the first to select Amadeus’ patent-pending Altéa Corporate Recognition

Altéa Corporate Recognition will allow Lufthansa to better recognise and serve corporate travellers throughout the entire journey, driving loyalty and customer satisfaction by offering a more personalised corporate travel experience. Madrid, Spain, 2015-2-19 — /Travel PR News/ — For too long airlines have been unable to effectively personalise and differentiate offers specifically for corporate customers…. Read the full press release

Singita partners with New Southern Energy to transfer its first South African lodge in the Kruger National Park onto solar power

Kruger National Park, South Africa, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Environmentally conscious safari specialist, Singita, partners with New Southern Energy on a significant environmental project in the Kruger National Park to transfer its first South African lodge onto solar power This March, Singita Lebombo and Sweni Lodges in Singita Kruger National Park will start… Read the full press release

Travelport announces new multi-year deal with The Appointment Group

Langley, UK, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Travelport (NYSE:TVPT), a leading Travel Commerce Platform providing distribution, technology, payment and other solutions for the $7 trillion global travel and tourism industry, today announced a new multi-year deal with The Appointment Group (TAG). TAG is an award-winning global, independent travel and event management company which tailors travel… Read the full press release

The new Eurowings to have its first base outside Germany in Vienna

Two Airbus A320s to be stationed there initially from autumn 2015 – staffed by crews from Austrian Vienna, Austria, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The new Eurowings will have its first base outside Germany in Vienna. Following close consultation with Austrian Airlines and at the carrier’s own request, two Airbus A320 aircraft are to be… Read the full press release

Ukraine International introduces full ticket refund guarantee in case of visa refusal

Kyiv, Ukraine, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — To minimize financial losses that passengers might suffer, Ukraine International informs on introducing full ticket refund guarantee in case of visa refusal. Full refund applies for fares originating Ukraine and is subject to the following conditions: Refund request is submitted no later than 3 days prior to scheduled… Read the full press release

Massachusetts Port Authority: Hainan Airlines expands nonstop Boston-China flights

NONSTOP SERVICE TO SHANGHAI STARTS JUNE 20 BOSTON, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Governor Charlie Baker, the Massachusetts Port Authority and Hainan Airlines today announced an expansion of China’s only certified Skytrax® five-star airline service from Logan International Airport with Boston becoming Hainan’s first US city with service to Shanghai. Service to Shanghai will start on… Read the full press release

Accor signs sale and management-back agreement for the Zurich MGallery with a private investor for €55 million

PARIS, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Accor announces the signing of a sale and management-back agreement for the Zurich MGallery with a private investor, already an Accor franchisee, for a total of €55 million (€355K per room). This amount includes the sale price of €32 million and a commitment from the buyer to carry… Read the full press release

Anantara Kihavah Villas Maldives names Mr. Jean-Marc Ma-Poon new General Manager

MALDIVES, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Anantara Kihavah Villas is delighted to welcome Mr. Jean-Marc Ma-Poon as our new General Manager. Born and raised in Mauritius, Jean-Marc’s hospitality career has taken him to USA, UK, Jordan, Bali & Maldives.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from Glion Hotel School in Switzerland… Read the full press release

Aeroflot and Charity Fund Galchonok launch new campaign ‘Good New Year’ to help children with neurological development disorders

Moscow, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Aeroflot launches new campaign Good New Year together with the Charity Fund Galchonok in order to help children with neurological development disorders. The campaign is dedicated to the Chinese New Year and will be held in the period from February 18 to February 22 on Aeroflot flights from Moscow to four destinations in China. During the boarding passengers of the SU204 flight… Read the full press release

World Travel & Tourism Council CEO David Scowsill: South Africa is leading the world in many areas of its Travel & Tourism development

LONDON, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — “South Africa is leading the world in many areas of its Travel & Tourism development and President Zuma’s commitment to reform visa regulations should enable the country to maximise the industry’s potential for economic growth and social advancement”, says David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism… Read the full press release

Eurostar reports 10.4 million passengers in 2014, up 3% YoY

Year-on-year growth of 3% in passenger numbers 2014 business travel increased by 4% year-on year Eurostar e320 trains scheduled to enter service at the end of 2015 New Lyon-South of France service proving popular with customers LONDON, 2015-2-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Eurostar, the high speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, today… Read the full press release

Airports Council International announces the recipients of the prestigious 2014 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards

Montreal, 2015-2-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Airports Council International (ACI) is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2014 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. As the industry’s most comprehensive passenger service benchmarking tool, the ACI ASQ Survey has reliably captured passengers’ immediate appraisal from check-in through departure at the gate at more than 300… Read the full press release

Entries to the 2015 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards now open until April 30

New categories in Youth, Adventure Travel, and Mobile Travel Application; Deadline for Entries April 30 BANGKOK, 2015-2-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Travel and tourism industry organisations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions in successfully promoting the travel industry in the Asia Pacific region are encouraged to submit entries to the 2015 Pacific Asia Travel… Read the full press release

Pacific Asia Travel Association and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand to share insights and information in a new partnership

A new partnership is set to benefit New Zealand’s tourism industry and see it contributing at a global level BANGKOK, 2015-2-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will focus on four main areas of co-operation:… Read the full press release

Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch Airport launched new campaign promoting the South Island of New Zealand as the ultimate destination for Australians

SYDNEY, 2015-2-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch Airport have launched the latest campaign promoting the South Island of New Zealand as the ultimate destination for Australians. The “Every day a different journey” campaign targets the eastern seaboard of Australia and highlights the diversity of naturally hidden gems and experiences. General… Read the full press release