Southwest Airlines launched new southwestgiftcard buying option

New Feature Allows Multiple Customers to Contribute to One southwestgiftcard® For Family & Friends Dallas, TX, US, 2013-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines is making holiday shopping easier today with the launch of a new southwestgiftcard buying option. Only available through Southwest Airlines’ Facebook Fan Page, people may now invite others to contribute to one southwestgiftcard for… Read the full press release

Global restaurateur HMSHost and Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrated opening of the airport’s new restaurant lineup

Grand Rapids, MI, US, 2013-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today (December 18, 2013), global restaurateur HMSHost and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrated the recent opening of the airport’s new restaurant lineup with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception. The event was held inside the brand new Bell’s Brewhouse, aWest Michigan favorite. More cause for celebration included the opening of… Read the full press release

Over 150,000 expected through Northern Ireland’s main gateway the Belfast International Airport as festive rush gets underway

2013-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland’s main gateway, is expecting over 150,000 passengers through its doors this festive season as people return for the Christmas holidays. As well as passengers thousands of meeters and greeters are expected to descend on the airport as they welcome home loved ones for Christmas.  And the airport… Read the full press release

Changi Airport announced the final sixth lucky shopper for the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ 2013

Singapore, 2013-12-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The sixth and final lucky shopper at Changi Airport to qualify as a grand draw finalist for the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ 2013 is a 34-year-old relationship manager from Singapore. Ms Thum Pei Xing joins five other finalists to be in the running for the windfall of S$1 million in cash… Read the full press release

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) staff and contractors restored service to Terminal A after water line rupture

UPDATE No. 4 @ 5:30 a.m. – Final Update San Jose, CA, USA, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) staff and contractors worked around the clock to restore service to Terminal A after a water line rupture affected areas of the terminal on Dec. 16, 2013. Passenger operations have fully resumed in Terminal A in time… Read the full press release

Frontier Airlines announced expansion of its nonstop service from CVG to Denver

Cincinnati, OH, USA, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Frontier Airlines today announced the expansion of its nonstop service from CVG to Denver. The expanded service will begin in May with the addition of two new weekly flights growing to a total of 11 weekly flights by August. Frontier first began service from CVG in May of 2013 becoming… Read the full press release

Finavia Corporation updated its financing policy and its financing-related reporting policy

Vantaa, Finland, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — The company immediately updated its procedures when the 2011 auditing of the accounts found out that Finavia Corporation has acquired structured interest derivatie contracts in 2009–2011. The contracts were non-hedging, i.e. in violation of the Group’s financing policy. The use of derivatives, which started during CAA, the predecessor of Finavia Corporation,… Read the full press release

Ryanair expressed its regret about Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission shortlist

MORE POLITICAL FIDDLING, WHILE UK TOURISM BURNS Shannon, Ireland, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, the UK’s favourite airline today expressed its regret at the shortlist produced by the Davies’ Airport Commission which advocates a potential second runway at Gatwick or two alternatives at Heathrow, but only by 2030, and again by 2050, long after they’ll be… Read the full press release

Ryanair reminded its customers to book their discounted tickets for the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Race Festival 2013

2 FOR 1 RACE DAY ENTRY ON RYANAIR.COM Shannon, Ireland, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s favourite low fares airline, today (17 Dec) reminded its customers to book their discounted tickets for the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Race Festival 2013, which will feature the feature Grade 1 ‘Ryanair Hurdle’ on Sun 29th Dec. All… Read the full press release

Ryanair’s “Fly to Win” scratchcards support UK charity Anthony Nolan with €10,000 donation

Shannon, Ireland, 2013-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s favourite low fares airline, today (17 Dec) made a €10,000 donation to the UK charity Anthony Nolan the latest in a series of charities to receive support from Ryanair’s “Fly to Win” scratchcards. Ryanair’s Michael Cawley presented the €10,000 donation to Nicky Read, Head of Corporate Fundraising at Anthony… Read the full press release

Photo release: Arrival of the brand new Thomas Cook Airbus 321 aircraft at Belfast International Airport

Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2013-12-16 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Photos from the launch of the brand new Thomas Cook airbus. This brand new aircraft is the first new A321 into the Thomas cook fleet and will be based at Belfast International Airport. Pictures from Harrison Photography, Belfast. ### Notes to editors: About Thomas Cook Airlines UK Thomas Cook Airlines UK (TCX)… Read the full press release

Airports Council International and International Air Transport Association to jointly develop Smart Security (SmartS)

Geneva, Switzerland / Montreal, Canada, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) jointly to develop Smart Security (SmartS). With the MoU, ACI and IATA can better align their resources and expertise to improve the journey from curb to boarding. Passengers will be… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific to move its freighter operations from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC)

Dubai, UAE, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Cathay Pacific announced today that it will move its freighter operations from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) from 01 February 2014. Dubai is Cathay Pacific’s transit hub for its European destinations including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Paris and Milan. The airline currently operates 7 weekly… Read the full press release

UAE national airline Etihad Airways to start flying daily to Perth, Western Australia from July 2014

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will commence daily flights to Perth, Western Australia on July 15, 2014. The non-stop services between the airline’s hub and its fourth Australian gateway bring to 351 the number of weekly flights which Etihad Airways operates between Australia and Abu… Read the full press release

JAL Group (JAL) estimates 405,778 passengers travelling on its international flights during the Japanese New Year vacation period

Tokyo, Japan, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — JAL Group (JAL) estimates a total of 405,778 passengers travelling on its international flights during the Japanese New Year vacation period from December 20, 2013 to January 5, 2014 based on current reservation figures. The total number of people travelling to and from Japan is expected to retain the same level… Read the full press release

Cape Town International Airport hosted party for 200 children from informal settlement to spread the Christmas cheer

Cape Town, South Africa, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — As part of caring for our communities, Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town International Airport has been involved in various initiatives to spread the Christmas cheer to all those who are in need. The airport recently hosted a party for 200 children from an informal settlement near the airport…. Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines installed Water Vapor Sensing Systems on 87 Boeing 737 aircraft to help improve weather forecasting

Southwest Airlines teams up with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide a missing link in weather forecasting data Dallas, TX, United States, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) recently completed installation of Water Vapor Sensing Systems (WVSS-II) on 87 Boeing 737 aircraft. The water vapor initiative, a result of a partnership between Aeronautical Radio… Read the full press release

Chef Richard Corrigan to create in-flight menu for Malaysia Airlines premium passengers on London – Kuala Lumpur route

Acclaimed Chef to create in-flight menu for premium passengers on London to Kuala Lumpur route Subang, Malaysia, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Malaysia Airlines has partnered with Chef Richard Corrigan, one of the UK and Ireland’s most esteemed chefs and restaurateurs, to create and launch a limited edition in-flight menu from February 2014. Drawing inspiration from his two… Read the full press release

HMSHost’s Heineken Lounge at Edmonton International Airport (EIA) expects to reach 60,000 guest milestone this month in its first year

“Going Dutch Has a Whole New Meaning” Edmonton, AB, Canada, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — One year ago, global restaurateur HMSHost opened the Heineken Lounge to travellers in the new Domestic-International Passenger Lounge at Edmonton International Airport (EIA), as part of the airport’s expansion efforts. Heineken Lounge has been very popular and expects to reach the 60,000 guest milestone this… Read the full press release

Finavia and Plan Pastilli fund raising boxes raised over €100,000 from Helsinki Airport passengers for children in developing countries

Air passengers have donated more than €100,000 to the work of Plan over five years at Helsinki Airport. The Plan Pastilli fund raising boxes, designed by Eero Aarnio, have been used for the fund raising efforts. Helsinki, Finland, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Cooperation between Finavia and Plan was launched in 2008 when five Plan Pastilli fund raising… Read the full press release

Arik Air donated Toyota Hilux pick up van to Police Command at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest commercial airline on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 donated a Toyota Hilux pick up van to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Police Command, as part of efforts to assist security agencies with logistics to improve security around the airport. Ikeja, Nigeria, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The donation according to the… Read the full press release

Arik Air marks the fourth anniversary of its New York – Lagos route

Arik Air, West Africa and Central Africa’s leading airline, celebrated the fourth anniversary of the airlines popular non-stop New York, John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Lagos, Nigeria Murtala Muhammad airport flight. Ikeja, Nigeria, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The inaugural flight from JFK to Murtala Muhammad airport took place on November 30th 2009. The launch of this route became… Read the full press release

Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) students offered internship placements at Auckland Airport

For the second year in a row, students from Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) have been offered internship placements at Auckland Airport. Auckland, New Zealand, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The internship programme, facilitated by Auckland Airport and MIT, was inspired by Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative and initially piloted in December 2012.   The pilot programme proved such a… Read the full press release

Auckland Airport recognised for excellence in corporate governance in the Deloitte/Management Magazine Top 200 Award ceremony in Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Auckland Airport has been recognised for excellence in corporate governance in the Deloitte/Management Magazine Top 200 Award ceremony in Auckland on 28 November.  The Chair of the board of directors of Auckland Airport, Sir Henry van der Heyden, said, “The board is delighted to have been recognised for excellence in… Read the full press release

Zurich Airport voted the third-best airport worldwide at the renowned World Travel Awards

Zurich, Switzerland, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — After being named best airport in Europe on ten consecutive occasions, Zurich Airport was voted the third-best airport worldwide at the renowned World Travel Awards. The World Travel Award was presented for the 20th time. It is considered to be the “Oscar” of the travel industry and is awarded on… Read the full press release

Thomas Cook Airlines’ first new Airbus A321 aircraft to start holiday flights from Belfast

Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2013-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the recent arrival of Thomas Cook Airlines UK @FlyTC first new A321 into its fleet, registration G-TCDC, the aircraft is now set to take up its role based at Belfast International Airport taking holidaymakers from Northern Ireland on holiday to destinations across Europe and North Africa.  The aircraft, which was this week… Read the full press release

Vancouver Airport Authority welcomed All Nippon Airways’ first flight to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Richmond, BC, Canada, 2013-12-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Vancouver Airport Authority today announced the upcoming arrival of All Nippon Airways (ANA) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The new daily non-stop service to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) begins March 30, 2014 and marks ANA’s first flight to Canada. “This new service will offer B.C. businesses more options to reach… Read the full press release

Global passenger traffic increased by 4.9% in October 2013, Airports Council International

Montréal, Canada, 2013-12-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Council International announced traffic results showing that global passenger traffic continued along its growth path for the month of October increasing by 4.9% from the previous year. With global passenger growth in the realm of 3% year-over-year for the last twelve months, October represented a banner month for passenger traffic… Read the full press release

Brussels Airlines staff to take part in the Bike for Africa campaign in support of African children

Brussels, Belgium, 2013-12-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Five days on the road, covering a distance of 240 kilometres, 75 of which involve rough terrain: From 31 January to 4 February 2014, 29 Brussels Airlines staff and roughly the same number of representatives of other Belgian companies will switch to another mode of transport as part of the Bike… Read the full press release

Lufthansa Group welcomed 7.8 million passengers aboard their aircraft in November 2013, 1.1% up YoY

The Lufthansa Group airlines improved sales (measured in revenue seat-kilometres) in November by 2.1 per cent year-on-year The passenger load factor rose Group-wide by 0.4 per cent to 75.9 per cent A total of 7.8 million passengers flew with a Lufthansa Group airline (an increase of 1.1 per cent year-on-year) Cargo business also developed positively,… Read the full press release