FirstGroup: Transport Scotland announced Serco to operate the new Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise from 1 April 2015

Aberdeen, Scotland, 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Transport Scotland has announced today that Serco will be operating the new Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise, with effect from 1 April 2015. Caledonian Sleeper services, which currently form a small part of the Group’s ScotRail franchise, will become a new, separate franchise and as a result the Group… Read the full press release

Loews Don CeSar Hotel to help educate and inform visitors about the natural environment and sea life of St. Pete Beach, FL

ST. PETE BEACH, 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Loews Don CeSar Hotel, the iconic seaside property in famed St. Pete Beach, FL has partnered with Tampa Bay Watch, the Pinellas Education Foundation, and students from St. Petersburg’s Campbell Park Elementary School, to create a series of permanent education stations, and sea life mural, designed to inform… Read the full press release

Hilton Worldwide to open new Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Abu Dhabi, UAE

DUBAI, UAE/MCLEAN, Va., 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a new Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded hotel for Abu Dhabi, UAE. The hotel, currently known as Abu Dhabi Al Maqta, will rebrand and re-open as Hilton Abu Dhabi Capital Grand in Summer 2013. Described as an ‘architectural masterpiece’, the 281-room conversion property is… Read the full press release

Aeroflot’s low-budget airline Dobrolet announced half of its tickets for June booked during the first day of sales

Moscow, 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — More than a half of all tickets offered by low-budget airline «Dobrolet» for June were booked during the first day of sales. The sale was opened on May 26 at 23:17 Moscow time, and within the first 24 hours 13.7 thousand tickets were booked on Moscow-Simferopol-Moscow route. From June 11 to June 22, the load factor on flights from Moscow to Simferopol is 99.9%,… Read the full press release

Christchurch Airport to introduce new car parking choices from June 9

Christchurch, New Zealand, 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Christchurch Airport is following its customers’ parking desires with new car parking choices from June 9. The changes follow a year-long review which included extensive market research to gather customer feedback. Chief Commercial Officer Blair Forgie says the review considered feedback from more than 1500 customers and included… Read the full press release

Robert H. Gleason reappointed Board Chair of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer

SAN DIEGO, 2014-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Robert H. Gleason has been reappointed Board Chair of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. The City Council unanimously approved his reappointment on May 21, 2014. Gleason was originally appointed to the Board by former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders in 2009… Read the full press release

China: Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau tourism offices jointly hold activities to showcase tourism destinations in cities along high-speed rail

Macau, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Zhongshan Tourism Bureau, Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau as well as Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) jointly hold activities to showcase the three tourism destinations this week in Zhengzhou and Wuhan, together promoting regional tours in cities along high-speed rail among their residents and trade. To expand their tourist… Read the full press release

Adventure Travel Trade Association launched new online store offering its original research papers and data for download and purchase

SEATTLE, WA, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA; www.adventuretravel.biz) launched a new online store this week where association members and other organizations in the travel industry can download original research papers and data. As a benefit to members of the ATTA, many downloads are available free of charge, while others within the industry… Read the full press release

HMSHost, AIRMALL and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar open Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Fans join in grand opening celebration; HMSHost’s fourth Sammy’s location CLEVELAND, OH, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Travelers at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will now be able to experience the city’s rock and roll culture without ever leaving the airport, at Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill, a new restaurant opened by HMSHost, AIRMALL and Rock ‘n’ Roll… Read the full press release

ALPA warns proposed DOT rule regarding airfare advertisements may lead to less transparency, increased airfares, and harm U.S. aviation jobs

WASHINGTON, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) May 21 announcement about its notice of proposed rulemaking regarding airfare advertisements. The DOT released a 118-page proposed rule yesterday that claims to benefit the traveling public. In ALPA’s view, on… Read the full press release

Etihad Airways exhibits The Marina Picasso Legacy Collection lithographs in its premium lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

PARIS, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Etihad Airways has opened a unique new art exhibition showcasing lithographs from The Marina Picasso Legacy Collection in its premium lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The lithographs come from the acclaimed collection of Pablo Picasso’s granddaughter, Marina Picasso. The Etihad Airways lounge is one of a few… Read the full press release

airberlin appoints Helmut Weixler COO and Accountable Manager

Berlin, Germany, 2014-5-28 — /Travel PR News/ — From 1st August 2014, Helmut Weixler (56) will take over the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Accountable Manager at airberlin. He will be taking over from Helmut Himmelreich (62) who is leaving the business for personal reasons. Until 1st August, Oliver Lackmann (45), Postholder Flight Operations, will… Read the full press release

Shannon Airport: United Airlines re-introduced its seasonal nonstop service between Shannon and O’Hare International Airport

Shannon, Ireland, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — United Airlines today re-introduced its seasonal nonstop service between Shannon and its Chicago hub, O’Hare International Airport. The summer service will operate during the period May 23 to Sept. 15, 2014, a longer period than last year. The frequency of the service is five flights weekly during the periods… Read the full press release

West and Central Africa’s largest airline Arik Air awarded 4 loyal customers with all-expense paid trip to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup

Ikeja, Nigeria, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline has rewarded four of its loyal customers with an all-expense paid trip to Brazil following the conclusion of draws in the Brazil 2014 sales promotion inaugurated in March. The four lucky winners were picked on Thursday May 22nd, 2014 from the… Read the full press release

Historic Scotland: Duff House opens new exhibition ‘Being Somewhere’ by artist Olivia Irvine

Edinburgh, Scotland, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — A new exhibition charting the theme of ‘Coming Home’ has opened at Duff House. The exhibition, entitled ‘Being Somewhere’ by artist Olivia Irvine, will see 18 paintings on display, influenced by places that the artist visited or lived in. The artworks – painted in oil on canvas or oil… Read the full press release

oneworld® celebrates Qatar Airways new home base at Hamad International Airport with 15% dicsount on the alliance’s Visit Middle East pass

•  15 per cent cut in oneworld Visit Middle East prices to mark move into new Doha gateway •  Alliance airlines transfer today into state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport New York City, NY, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — oneworld® is celebrating today’s full opening of Hamad International Airport – the new Doha home base for its member airline… Read the full press release

Emirates marks 10 years of operations to Austria

Vienna, AUSTRIA, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates, a global connector of people and places, operated a one-off A380 service last night to mark its 10-year anniversary and continued commitment to Austria. This important milestone signals the first ever commercially scheduled A380 service to Vienna International Airport. Emirates has been flying to Austria since May… Read the full press release

AAAE Elects Salt Lake City Department of Airports Director Randy Berg as its chairman for 2014-2015

Alexandria, VA, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Randy Berg, A.A.E., Director of Airport Operations at the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, took office May 21 as Chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for 2014-2015. Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at… Read the full press release

Thavorn Hotels and Resorts properties in Phuket Thailand received TripAdvisor 2014 Certificate of Excellence awards

Bangkok, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Thavorn Hotels and Resorts announced that both their properties on the sunshine island of Phuket, Thailand have received TripAdvisor 2014 Certificate of Excellence awards. Thavorn Beach Village and Spa and Thavorn Palm Beach Resort received the accolades in recognition of consistently achieving outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor. To qualify… Read the full press release

Enjoy Brazilian Football Fiesta 13 June – 14 July onboard the Star Cruises fleet homeported across Asia

Hong Kong, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — In conjunction with the most anticipated sporting-competition event of 2014 and with football fever reaching a high among footy fans everywhere, Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia Pacific is pleased to invite travellers for one of the most colourful, joyous and fun Brazilian Football Fiesta onboard… Read the full press release

Ethiopian Airlines to operate four daily services to Nairobi with the latest B737-800 New Generation with Sky Interior

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable African airline, is pleased to announce that it will offer four daily services to Nairobi with the latest B737-800 New Generation with Sky Interior, starting from 1 June 2014. Flight No. Aircraft Days From To Departs Arrives ET 0833 B737-800 Daily… Read the full press release

Swissport plans to move load control services to its existing “Central Load Control” locations

Opfikon, Switzerland, 2014-5-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Swissport International Ltd. (Swissport), the world’s leading provider of ground and cargo handling services to the aviation industry, today announced its plan to increasingly move load control services to its existing “Central Load Control” (CLC) locations over the coming years. This will allow Swissport to further combine and raise… Read the full press release

British Airways launches free smart phone app to deliver personalised, relevant and time sensitive travel information

LONDON, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — British Airways has seen an increase in the number of people booking via mobile devices by 290 per cent in just two years, and today it launches its most advanced smart phone app yet. The intuitive app delivers personalised, relevant and time sensitive travel information at the touch of a… Read the full press release

British Airways’ apprentices selected as finalist of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014

LONDON, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — A team of nine British Airways’ apprentices, based at Heathrow, has been selected as a finalist of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014. This prestigious nationwide award recognises, among other attributes, achievement in team building and communication, both essential skills for those starting out in their careers. After three months… Read the full press release

George Best Belfast City Airport awards £2 million contract to GRAHAM Facilities Management

George Best Belfast City Airport has awarded GRAHAM Facilities Management with a substantial £2 million contract to last three years. Belfast, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The contract will see a team of 22 GRAHAM members of staff provide a mix of services including grounds maintenance, cleaning, energy management and electrical and mechanical services. Speaking on… Read the full press release

George Best Belfast City Airport opens new and luxury lounge

Belfast, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — All passengers travelling from George Best Belfast City Airport are invited to enjoy the comfort and luxury of the new ‘Aspire Lounge’, opened today by Dame Mary Peters. The lounge, which is operated by Swissport, formerly known as Servisair, further enhances the facilities at Belfast City Airport, which transports over… Read the full press release

Chicago Department of Aviation: United Airlines to begin Chicago’s first-ever flights to Edinburgh, Scotland this summer-season

CHICAGO, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — United Airlines today begins Chicago’s first-ever flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, with summer-season service through Oct. 5, 2014. “United is pleased to add new seasonal nonstop service from Chicago to Scotland’s capital,” said Charles Duncan, United’s vice president of the O’Hare hub. “This new route will offer direct service between the two… Read the full press release

Chicago Department of Aviation to welcome more than 1.5 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway International Airports over Memorial Day weekend

CHICAGO, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is ready to welcome more than 1.5 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway International Airports over a six-day travel period covering Memorial Day weekend that begins today, Thursday, May 22 through Tuesday, May 27. At O’Hare, passenger traffic is expected to remain steady at 1.1… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways adds four new flights a week to Jakarta

Extra flights to commence 4 June 2014 to the Indonesian capital DOHA, Qatar, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is increasing its operations to Jakarta with the addition of four new flights a week. The increase in frequency will bring the total to 18 flights per week resulting in a significant enhancement to flight options… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways to host 70th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit at Doha between June 1 and 3

Qatar Airways To Host International Three-Day Event Local Sponsors Include Ooredoo And Alfardan Automobiles Doha, Qatar,  2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Final preparations are well under way to welcome more than 1,000 delegates to one of the aviation world’s most significant events – the 70th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World… Read the full press release