DOHA: Qatar Airways has launched a promotion in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its frequent flyer program, Privilege Club. The airline’s award-winning loyalty scheme, launched in 2000 when the Doha-based carrier was just three years old, has grown to become one of the aviation industry’s most innovative, attractive and highly rewarding programs, according to Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker. To mark the anniversary, Privilege Club is offering a number of special benefits for its loyal members, including bonus Qmiles and numerous redemption discounts. Members can earn 10,000 bonus Qmiles in addition to the normal Qmiles, when flying 10 sectors within 10 weeks from May 1 until July 10. Between May 1 and 31, Privilege Club members can also earn double Qpoints on Qatar Airways’ flights enabling them to achieve a higher status much quicker within the program. As part of the celebrations honoring members’ loyalty, Privilege Club card holders can enjoy the benefits of upgrading to Business Class for just half — 50 percent less — Qmiles than normal by booking selected Economy Class tickets during the month of May. Those members looking to fly on May 2 — Privilege Club’s 10th birthday — can redeem Economy Class award tickets for just 10 percent of the normal Qmiles required. Since February, Qatar Airways continued its aggressive expansion program by launching scheduled flights to Bangalore, Copenhagen and Ankara. Flights to Tokyo began on Monday (April 26) and will be followed in June by services to Sao Paulo in Brazil and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

RIYADH: Guests at Movenpick Hotel Riyadh are to benefit from ABB’s user-friendly room management system in all of its rooms and suites. ABB, a power and automation technology group, is to implement Room Master solution in the 447-room Movenpick Hotel Riyadh, which is under construction. When completed in 2011, the first Movenpick Hotel to be built and operated in Riyadh will be the largest hotel in the capital with 447 rooms and suites. Situated on King Fahd Road, two kilometers from the city center, the hotel will focus on attracting business travelers looking for upscale accommodation. The Room Master — the central device for the entire electrical installation within the hotel room — will allow guests to control all the application inside their hotel room, including lighting, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, as well as room access and shading. “The smart room technology will provide our guests with even more comfort while allowing the hotel to be the first green property in the capital due to the significant energy savings that we will benefit from,” said Paul Papanicolaou, general manager of Movenpick Hotel Riyadh. “By implementing the smart room management system, the Movenpick Hotel Riyadh is not only reducing its power consumption by a double-digit percentage but it is also offering guests a unique service. Movenpick guests will be able to enjoy one room control for all of their needs,” said Ali Nazzal, senior sales and operation manager, Smart Home and Intelligent Building Controls, ABB Saudi Arabia.

JEDDAH: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has introduced its services to Munich with a recent inaugural flight operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Singapore Changi Airport to the German city. The carrier is operating flights five times a week. Home to Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival and many renowned international companies, the city is also well known for famous landmarks. These include Neuschwanstein Castle, often depicted as the fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II and the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, as well as the spectacular Bavarian Alps. Munich is SIA’s second destination in Germany after Frankfurt, which is served with two daily flights, one of which carries on to New York. The addition of Munich to SIA’s network will provide passengers with greater connectivity and ease in traveling to the city and the surrounding region.