Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways take on unused vacation days with special low fares

Seize Your Vacation Days with Southwest Airlines and AirTran with Fares Starting as Low as $59 One-Way to Select Nonstop Destinations Nationwide 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and wholly-owned subsidiary AirTran Airways are taking a stand against unused vacation days.  According to a survey by Harris Interactive Inc., Americans left an average… Read the full press release

Spirit Airlines announced it begun searching for marketing communications partner

Miramar, Florida, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Spirit Airlines (NASDAQ: SAVE) is conducting a search for a marketing communications partner and has engaged Ark Advisors to manage the search for the airline’s U.S. agency of record. “We’re looking for the best marketing communications partner to be a member of our relaxed, friendly, fun and playful team as… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines to operate twice-weekly flights on the Seattle – Steamboat Springs/Hayden Colorado route

SEATTLE, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Airlines will begin new seasonal service between Seattle and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colo., this winter. The twice-weekly flights will operate from Dec. 18, 2013, through March 29, 2014. “This will be Alaska Airlines’ first Colorado ski destination, giving our customers in the Pacific Northwest the first-ever nonstop service to world-class skiing… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways and Carnegie Mellon University to collaborate on education, scientific research and social development

Doha, QATAR, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Qatar Airways has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Carnegie Mellon University for collaboration in the fields of education, scientific research and social development. The MoU was signed by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Dean and CEO, Dr. Ilker Baybars. During the signing… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways upgraded its narrow-body Airbus 321 to a wide-body Airbus 330 for the Doha – Kochi route

Operating Aircraft Upgraded To Wide-Body A330 11 Flights-A-Week From Kochi Offering Excellent Connections Via Doha To Popular Cities Across GCC And To Europe Kochi, INDIA, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, has announced a significant increase in the capacity of its flights from Doha to Kochi being upgraded… Read the full press release

Qatar national airline Qatar Airways to start weekly flights to Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, Addis Ababa

African Expansion Continues With Three Weekly Flights To Addis Ababa New Route Will Take African Network To 20 Destinations Doha, QATAR, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is set to begin three-flights-a-week to Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, on September 18, 2013.  The new service from… Read the full press release

5th Annual Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull for Special Olympics at O’Hare International Airport September 21, 2013

CHICAGO, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Think you’re strong enough to pull an airplane? Here’s your chance to prove it! Gather your friends, family and co-workers to participate in the 5th Annual Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull for Special Olympics at O’Hare International Airport on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. Men and women are invited… Read the full press release

Serbia national carrier Jat Airways and airberlin sign codeshare agreement

2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — From today, airberlin and Jat Airways, the national airline of the Republic of Serbia, will offer their passengers selected flights under shared flight numbers, subject to government approvals. The codeshare agreement is valid for flights from 1st August 2013. Under the agreement, airberlin will offer the non-stop Jat Airways flights between Belgrade… Read the full press release

airberlin and Virgin Australia to start codeshare flights as of 1st August 2013

Six new destinations in Australia added Linking of the topbonus and Velocity frequent flyer programs 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Effective 1st August 2013 and subject to government approvals, airberlin and Virgin Australia will commence a range of codeshare services in Australia and Europe, in addition to offering reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for members of the respective… Read the full press release

Lufthansa Group reports on first-half 2013 passenger and freight traffic figures

2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — The aircraft of all airlines in the Lufthansa Group –  Lufthansa German Airlines (including Germanwings and Lufthansa Regional), SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo –were better utilised in the first half 2013. Increased utilisation is attributable to more demand-driven and more flexible steering of capacity measured in seat and freight-tonne kilometres than… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines pilots approved new five-year contract with 67 percent voted in favor of the agreement

SEATTLE, 2013-07-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Airlines pilots on Wednesday approved a new five-year contract. With nearly 94 percent of 1,343 eligible pilots casting a ballot, 67 percent voted in favor of the agreement. The contract increases pay by nearly 20 percent over the life of the agreement and contains job security and work rule improvements…. Read the full press release

Heathrow reports 6.5 million passengers in June 2013

2013-07-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Heathrow saw 6.5 million passengers in June, a 4.6% increase on June 2012. June 2013 saw some recovery of traffic due to the extra Jubilee Bank Holiday last year, which was only partially offset by the French ATC dispute disrupting operations on the 11th and 12th. Adjusting for these effects would result… Read the full press release

Ethiopian Airlines first in Africa started regular flights to Incheon Airport Korea

2013-07-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — On June 19th, 21:05 Korean time, Ethiopian Airlines (ET), one of the biggest airlines in Africa, has started a new Incheon-Hong Kong-Addis Ababa air route as the first African-nation airline. Ethiopian Airlines operates between Incheon and Addis Ababa (via Hong Kong) four times per week (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sun.) using B767- 300… Read the full press release

Abu Dhabi Airports Company welcomed Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo’s newly launched flight operations to Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) welcomed on the 14th of June the newly added Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The aircraft arrived to Abu Dhabi International Airport at 2305 local time, where it was saluted with the traditional water cannons. This flight is the… Read the full press release

Excess Baggage Company to join Heathrow’s Terminal 2 when it opens in 2014

New shops and left luggage facilities to enhance the retail offer at the UK’s newest terminal 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — When Heathrow’s Terminal 2 : The Queen’s Terminal opens in summer 2014, two new outlets from Excess Baggage Company will be among the offers at the new development. In the departures area, a bright and contemporary… Read the full press release

Marriott Rewards and United MileagePlus teamed up to provide their most loyal members with unprecedented travel benefits

Marriott and United join to offer unmatched recognition and benefits Bethesda, Md. and Chicago, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott Rewards® and United MileagePlus, two of the biggest names in travel, have joined forces to provide their most loyal members with unprecedented travel benefits.  Starting today, “RewardsPlus” offers Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite members MileagePlus Premier Silver status, featuring some… Read the full press release

Finland’s Slot Machine Association RAY opens gaming lounge at Helsinki Airport

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Finland’s Slot Machine Association RAY has opened a gaming lounge at the Helsinki Airport providing passengers with another fun way to spend time while waiting for their flight. Game Lounge features various slot machines and an electronic roulette. The new gaming venue also supplements Helsinki Airport’s service selection for transit passengers. “Gambling… Read the full press release

Helsinki Airport announced new route: Helsinki – Cherepovets Russia starting from 17 July

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Severstal Aircompany (D2) will commence direct connections from Cherepovets, Russia, to Helsinki on Wednesday, 17 July. This is the only direct connection from Cherepovets to Europe. Flights are operated three times per week with a 50-seat CRJ200 (Canadian Regional Jet). For connections, please visit Finavia’s schedule service. ###

Israel-based charter company Arkia Israel Airlines launched connections from Tel Aviv to Helsinki

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Arkia Israel Airlines, an Israel-based charter company, launched connections from Tel Aviv to Helsinki on 5 July. In the summer season, the company will bring tourists (of an Israel-based travel agency) to Finland until 30 August. The company flies from Tel Aviv with a 265-seat Boeing B753 once a week on Fridays…. Read the full press release

Ryanair improves booking system for passengers of reduced mobility

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC), today (15 July) launched an online chat facility for passengers that require additional help when booking special assistance on Ryanair’s Irish and UK website, as part of an improved PRM (passengers of reduced mobility) booking system. The new service will provide even easier assistance access… Read the full press release

Airports Council International (ACI) and Aéroports de Montréal (AdM) partner to promote excellence in airport management

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Council International (ACI) and Aéroports de Montréal (AdM) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), in the presence of Montréal International and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to promote excellence in airport management and operations at airports worldwide through ACI’s Airport Excellence (APEX) Programme. ACI formally launched its APEX in… Read the full press release

Hong Kong International Airport reports air traffic growth for H1 2013

HONG KONG, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reported sustained growth in all three traffic categories for the first half of 2013. During the first six months of the year, passenger volume grew to 28.9 million, marking a 4.7% increase over the same period in 2012. Cargo tonnage increased 2% to 2 million… Read the full press release

Airport Authority Hong Kong to host exhibition and public forum sessions on Environmental Impact Assessment for planned three-runway system project

HONG KONG, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today announced that it will host a four-day exhibition and two public forum sessions on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the planned three-runway system project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), to be held from 1 to 4 August 2013 at the Hong Kong… Read the full press release

Auckland Airport applauds Wellington Airports reconsideration of its future airport prices

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Auckland Airport welcomes the announcement from Wellington Airport that it will review its charges in consultation with its airline customers.  Wellington Airport’s decision follows a report on its pricing from the New Zealand Commerce Commission that its charges were too high. Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s Chief Executive says, “It’s great to see… Read the full press release

Winners of Auckland Airport ‘2013 Airline of the Year Award’ and ‘2013 Aeronautical Service Provider Award’ announced

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Judy Nicholl, General Manager Aeronautical Operations, says the annual awards recognise excellence by the service providers and airlines at Auckland Airport. “The Aeronautical Service Provider Award recognises the achievements of border and government agencies and ground handlers, all of whom play a critical role in the passenger experience and operational success of… Read the full press release

Dubai Airports opens Concourse D to food and beverage operators and retail-service providers

Dubai, UAE, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Dubai Airports is inviting bids from food and beverage operators and selective retail-service providers for the award of concessions in Concourse D at Dubai International. Construction of Concourse D is well underway with the facility’s opening slated for 2015. The opportunity is available to food and beverage providers in the… Read the full press release

Singapore Changi Airport unveiled its latest themed garden

SINGAPORE, 2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Singapore Changi Airport unveiled today its latest themed garden that boasts a dramatic display of vibrant colours and interactive technology – a first for Changi Airport, which has pioneered the concept of airport gardens since its opening in 1981. Located within Terminal 2’s Departure Transit Mall, the new ‘Enchanted Garden’ –… Read the full press release

Inflight calls and Internet introduced on Philippine Airlines flights

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Passengers of Philippine Airlines can now make phone calls and browse the internet while inflight with the installation of OnAir cutting-edge connectivity equipment on PAL’s long-range aircraft. The novel service, called PAL iN AiR, is made possible with the installation of the first inflight connectivity hardware, called GSMConneX, on a PAL Boeing… Read the full press release

Philippine Airlines issues statement on the European Union ban lift on PAL

2013-07-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — The lifting by the European Union of the ban on Philippine Airlines (PAL) to fly to Europe is another testimony to PAL’s reputation as a safe airline. Credit goes to the Philippine government for all its efforts and hard work in successfully addressing this significant concern hounding our aviation industry for years…. Read the full press release

Kenya Airways tops London Heathrow International Airport’s punctuality rankings for June 2013

2013-07-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Kenya Airways had the most punctual flights that flew into and out of London Heathrow International Airport in the United Kingdom during the month of June 2013, latest statistics from the facility have indicated. The airline emerged top in the ranking of punctuality of flights. All Kenya Airways’ flights departing from the… Read the full press release