JEDDAH, 8 January 2005 - British Airways (BA) has announced the official launch of its comprehensive online offering - ba.com. "We're particularly pleased to be the first airline across the GCC to launch a wholly integrated online product. The facilities available offer a complete package of simple, quick and effective tools to minimize the time and cost involved when traveling," Richard Hirsch, BA manager for Saudi Arabia, said. As the only online facility to assist airline passengers with their pre-departure requirements, the website enables them to take control of their travel arrangements. The website not only helps them find a destination at a price that suits them, but they can also book and pay online for their ticket, all from their own home or office. By using the website, passengers can have more control and convenience and benefit from the variety of services that it provides. These services enable them to plan their trip from start to finish and include tools like planning, booking and managing the trip, as well as online check-in. The "About my journey" facility links directly into all airport systems and allows passengers to search by flight number route or airport to display real-time information regarding arrival and departure times. Executive club passengers can now manage their accounts online. They are able to verify that BA miles and tier points have been awarded after they have flown. Redemption bookings can also be made online. "The Gulf has become an advanced market and we believe that passengers deserve a sound and reliable method of planning and managing their travel arrangements," Hirsch said.
Emirates Gets Best First Class Accolade
DUBAI, 8 January 2005 - Forbes.com has selected Emirates as offering the "Best first class 2004" from among 10 top contenders. Recently the airline had been selected by US-based publication Globe Traveler for providing the "Best overall amenity kit" in first and business Class. Both honors come in the wake of the start of Emirates' services to New York in June, with its "A340-500 aircraft that offers first class passengers mini-suites, personal mini-bars, room service and complete privacy. Forbes.com evaluated the first class service of top airlines on the basis of 13 criteria that included flat beds, privacy screens, on-demand TV and food, limousine service, massage chairs and even pajamas and duvets provided to passengers. Emirates emerged as the clear leader with a 12-point score. Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Air France were the runners-up, at 10 points each. "In the air, passengers are treated to flat beds with massaging chairs, on demand dining and on demand entertainment with over 500 channels. Amenity kits are stocked with Clarins products, and there's a lit vanity built into the seat," The Forbes-com article said. "The fully-flat sleeper beds have a mattress pad for extra cushioning, and passengers are given pajamas, slippers and a blanket. Privacy screens with 'do not disturb' signs can create a cocoon shelter around the bed, ensuring privacy and peace. "This is a great recognition of the Emirates quality service. We know that we treat our first class passengers to an outstanding experience and the Forbes accolade confirms that," Nigel Page, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations the Americas said.
More Perks for SriLankan Business Class Fliers
COLOMBO, 8 January 2005 - Passengers on SriLankan Airlines now have an additional 130,000 reasons to travel business class. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the airline is offering 130,000 miles to the Skywards member who earns the most number of miles in business class by Aug. 31. The prize equates to one free business class return ticket between Colombo and any of SriLankan's European destinations or two free economy class tickets between the same destinations. Alternatively, this amounts to five upgrades to business class between Colombo and the Middle East. The air miles are valid for three years and the tickets or upgrades can be gifted to others. SriLankan Airlines' business class service includes check-in at the Emirates' premium departures hall at Dubai International Airport, with its rapid customs and emigration facilities, plus use of the Dubai-based carrier's lounge. To come is a new business class lounge at Colombo, due to be unveiled shortly. Cabins have a 2-2-2 seating configuration with each seat having a 49-inch pitch, plus the latest in-flight technology with seat-back screens offering a choice of movies, sport, comedy, drama, news, children's channels, games, live flight cameras plus a range of audio options. In addition, business class passengers have access to a dedicated film library with an extra choice of 34 videos, while further facilities include in-seat satellite telephones and laptop recharging. SriLankan Airlines was created in April 1998 when Air Lanka, was privatized following the establishment of a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Emirates Airline.
Intra-Arab Travel Drives Middle East Tourism
DAMASCUS, 8 January 2005 - Increasing intra-Arab travel is a driving force in Middle East tourism development, according to a key Syrian government official. Announcing the country's official participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2005, the region's premier travel and tourism exhibition, Nedal Mashfej of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism said growing intra-Arab tourism is cushioning the region from a fall-off in European traffic. "Though the unrest in Iraq has affected the number of European arrivals to Syria over the past two years, the number of Arab tourists increased and is steadily rising," said Mashfej. He revealed that in the first 10 months of 2004, inbound arrivals to Syria from the GCC rose almost 18 percent on the same period last year. "In the first 10 months of last year we recorded some 530,000 visitors from the GCC - in the same period this year, the figure rose to 625,000," he added. "Syria, which is one of the fastest-developing destinations within the Middle East, is becoming a preferred holiday choice," said Mashfej. Syria is now hoping to build its intra-regional traffic with plans to open a tourism office within the region. "We're planning to send a senior official delegation to ATM 2005," said Mashfej. "ATM has helped put regional destinations on the map and at the 2005 event, the ministry will unveil a series of new tourism projects within the country." Syria is among 10 Middle Eastern destinations so far registered for ATM 2005, which is organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions and is set to become the biggest in the show's 12-year history.
