MAS ranked 5-star airline

JEDDAH: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has been ranked as a 5-star airline for the 4th consecutive year by Skytrax, the leading research advisers to the world's airline and air transport industry, according to Shahrunnawi Mohamed Saleh, sales manager and acting area manager of the airline. This year, he added, MAS' crew won the World's Best Cabin Crew award by Skytrax for the sixth time. "Our airline has launched its stimulus package, which covers domestic, ASEAN and international travel. The package offers something for everyone with nine deals covering First, Business and Economy class travelers," he said. "MAS will match the price of one's previous travel on another airline for flights above three hours. This applies to First and Business class passengers," Saleh said while explaining the stimulus package. "Those who pay Economy class fares will be able to enjoy Business class travel privileges," he added. During the recent MATTA Travel Fair, MAS revenue increased about three times to 11.7 million from 3.4 million ringgit, he said. The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair in February recorded a 36 percent growth to 95 million ringgit in 2009 compared to 70 million last year.

Emirates awards contract to Marriott

DUBAI: Emirates airline and Group, claimed to be the largest aviation and travel services provider in the Middle East, has signed a contract to partner with Marriott International, a major multi-brand hotel management company. Marriott has been appointed hotel operator of the Park Towers, a 1,614-room twin-tower hotel and apartment property, which Emirates is currently constructing on Sheikh Zayed Road, adjacent to Dubai’s premier Business Bay district. Under Marriott management, the property will be branded as one of the top-of-the-line JW Marriott Marquis luxury hotels. This will include two guestroom towers rising from a six-story building housing lobby and public space. The first 807-room tower is scheduled to open in 2011 and the second tower in 2013. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates airline and Group, said: “The development of the new property reflects our commitment to, and confidence in, the city’s ongoing success.” Edwin D. Fuller, president and MD, international lodging, Marriott International, said: “Marriott has always had a strong commitment toward Dubai, and we believe this relationship with Emirates cements our position as a regional hospitality leader.”

Top hotels make summer offers

JEDDAH: Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, which count landmark hotels and world famous destinations among their collection of worldwide properties, have announced “Bringing you the world” summer offers for the Middle East. Raffles Dubai, Raffles Hotel in Singapore, Swissotel The Bosphorus in Istanbul, the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Swissotel the Howard in London and The Fairmont Dubai are among the properties making the offer. Special rates and packages on offer are subject to availability. Coming soon to the collection are new properties including Fairmont Abu Dhabi Creek in summer this year, Fairmont Nile City in November and Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel in early 2010.

Celebrity chef joins Sheraton Dammam

DAMMAM: Sheraton Dammam Hotel and Towers has announced the arrival of well-known Chinese chef Le Ming Chui at its Asahi Pan-Asian Restaurant. Graduated from Yang Chou Cuisine College in China, specialty chef Le Ming was determined to hone his craft. He developed his style and approach to cooking Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese cuisine. He is an expert and a professional chef with more than 20 years of experience. “Chef Li Ming has traveled around the world, from Shanghai Shangri La China to South Africa then to Dubai and now at Sheraton Dammam Hotel as head chef for the restaurant located on the top floor with panoramic views, and delicious Asian cuisines like Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura and Teppanyaki show cooking,” said Irfan Khan, deputy director of sales, Sheraton Dammam.

Etihad Airways announces new drive

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways is strengthening its offer of global reach and luxury by announcing a new campaign for business class passengers traveling from Saudi Arabia to 10 destinations that cover Europe, Australia, Africa and the Far East regions. The promotion follows a series of other campaigns, which are part of the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s strategy of increasing competitiveness in the industry by enhancing Etihad’s offer of its extensive route network around the world. The business class promotion destinations include popular destinations such as Johannesburg for SR1,500, for Frankfurt, Geneva, Manila and Brussels for SR6,500, and for Sydney and Melbourne for SR8,000. The launch of the promotion from Kuwait via Abu Dhabi comes in the midst of its expansion strategy, which is aimed at improving its competitive offering. Etihad Airways’ Head of Corporate Communications Hareb Al Muhairy said: “Our new promotional fares mirror our commitment to further developing Etihad’s operations in Saudi Arabia, in addition to catering to the growing demand from business and leisure travelers for flights to many popular international destinations.”

Nasair operates to 8 new destinations

RIYADH: Nasair, described as the 1st Saudi budget airline, participated at the four-day Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which ended in Dubai on Friday. According to Walter Prenzler and Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Maria Hanne, the carrier started operating to eight new destinations from April 1 as part of its expansion drive. More destinations will be added to its network in the second half of the year. Juan Arbelaez Escallon, director of marketing and distribution said the destinations newly launched included Dammam, Damascus and Kuwait (from Riyadh). Two other new destinations will be launched within a week from Riyadh to Latakia and from Jeddah to Kuwait. The other three destinations are to be launched in a month to Sanaa in Yemen, and Sharm Al-Sheikh and Assuit in Egypt.