Record month for Dubai international

Dubai International registered a record 5.8 million passengers in March, according to the monthly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports.

Passenger traffic in March surged by 20.6 per cent, the highest since August 2012, to 5,846,297 compared to 4,848,320 in March 2012, the fourth consecutive month with more than five million passengers and a double-digit growth.

The strong showing has boosted the year to date traffic to 16,486,417, up 15.6 per cent compared with 14,261,606 recorded during the first three months of 2012.

The largest increase in total passenger number were recorded on the Western European routes - driven mainly by Emirates airline and flydubai services to destinations in the region registering the largest increase in total passenger numbers (up 227,830), followed by the AGCC (up 209,737), and the Indian subcontinent (up 202,703).

Growth remained subdued (up 2,532) on South American routes while Middle Eastern routes registered moderate growth (up 36,479).

In terms of percentage growth, eastern Europe was the fastest-expanding market (up 67.9 per cent) driven by Emirates airline’s launch of new services to Poland and flydubai’s service to Macedonia, followed by Asia Pacific (up 26.5 per cent).

Dubai International recorded a total of 31,713 aircraft movements in March, up 8.3 per cent compared to 29,276 in March 2012.

The year to date movements increased 5.9 per cent to reach 91,130, compared to 86,014 recorded during the first three months in 2012.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive, Dubai Airports said: “We have had a very successful first quarter highlighted by record growth and the opening of the world’s first purpose built A380 facility.

“I am particularly pleased that we are now not only the world’s second busiest international hub but also one of the most efficient with 208 passengers per aircraft movement thanks to our growing number of A380 operations which led the world in 2012 with 7,259 A380 flights to 28 destinations.”

He added that traffic looked set to continue its upsurge in the second quarter adding to the import of Dubai Airports’ ongoing expansion projects at Dubai International.

Paradise Island Resort in the Maldives prepares for World Travel Awards

Indian Ocean paradise destination the Maldives is preparing to hose the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony on May 12th.

It will be the first time the awards ceremony has visited the destination, with the prestigious event acclaimed globally as a premier networking platform in the travel industry.

The Gala Ceremony will be an elegant and glamorous five-star island-style event, synonymous with the idyllic Maldives.

The event also marks a double celebratory year, with the Maldives celebrating 40 years of tourism, while the World Travel Awards is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

Paradise Island Resort & Spa, part of the Villa Group, will host the event, welcoming an array of personalities and leaders from the region.

Hosting the ceremony will be internationally acclaimed television and film personality Shereen Mitwalli, who has hosted events around the world and will bring her experience, warmth and glamour to the evening.

Lets go Maldives - a leading consortium of experienced travel professionals who passionately promote the marketing of this exquisite region – will also offer its support the global event.

Mohamed Riyaz, managing director, Lets go Maldives, said: “We are honoured to be part of World Travel Awards; an event that truly celebrates the spirit of travel and tourism worldwide.”

Over 58 awards will be presented and categories including Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort, Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Line, and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Brand.

Mohamed Adam, acting managing director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation said: “We are extremely privileged and proud to be hosting the most prestigious event of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in the Maldives this year.

“Being the celebratory year of the 40th year of tourism in the Maldives, it brings us extra pleasure in extending a warm welcome to the delegates of World Travel Awards to the… sunny side of life.”

World's tallest hotel open for business

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Dubai rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for a roster of celebrities that included British singer Leona Lewis to help open the tallest hotel in the world.

In a city already oozing with glitz and glamour, the opening party for the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai amped up the voltage escorting 1 200 party guests into the hotel with fire dances and stilt walkers under the constant flicker of flashbulbs.

At just 26 meters shy of the Empire State Building in New York, the world‘s tallest hotel stands at 355 meters and consists of twin towers each with 77 floors.

Performances included a headline act by British singer Leona Lewis, while the guest list included appearances by fashion designer Donna Karan, and local celebrities such as singer Salha and the Million Dollar Band, as well as Dubai TV personality DJ Bliss.

The hotel‘s nine restaurants and five bars, which serve a variety of cuisines including Asian-Fusion, Italian, American, German, and steakhouse fare, are now open.

Other Guinness world record holders in Dubai include the Burj Khalifa, which at 828 meters is the tallest man-made structure on land, and the Dubai Mall, the largest of its kind in the world.

Plans are also afoot to build the largest Ferris wheel in Dubai, with the Dubai Eye.

FAA order formally lifts Dreamliner grounding

Federal regulators are telling airlines they can fly Boeing's 787 Dreamliners again as soon as they replace its problematic lithium-ion batteries with a revamped battery system.

A Federal Aviation Administration safety order posted online Thursday applies to all U.S. airlines, but only one airline - United - currently has 787s in their fleet. They have six. The FAA estimated the repair costs for those planes at $2.8 million.
 

The planes have been grounded since mid-January, following a battery fire on a 787 parked at Boston's Logan International Airport, and a smoking battery that led to an emergency landing by another 787 in Japan. There are 50 of the planes in service worldwide, but Boeing has purchase orders 840 more planes. Newly delivered will come with the revamped system.

Normal operations to resume as furloughs end

The Federal Aviation Administration said Saturday afternoon that normal operations of its system would resume by Sunday evening after Congress passed legislation that allowed the agency to end furloughs.

In a statement Saturday, the FAA said it has suspended all employee furloughs and that air traffic facilities "will begin to return to regular staffing levels over the next 24 hours."

The House cleared legislation Friday that allows agency to shift $253 million from other accounts to end furloughs that began Sunday. The Senate approved the measure Thursday night. On Friday, Lawmakers said the furloughs could end immediately after President Obama signs the bill into law. White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Obama would sign the bill, though he wasn't sure when.

About 40% of delays last week were a result of not enough controllers in towers, the FAA said, with 1,200 delays blamed on staffing on Monday, 1,025 on Tuesday and 863 on Wednesday.

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This Weeks Top Leisure Specials...

​THAILAND - OLD PHUKET KARON BEACH - 8 NIGHTS 3*Star

Price from R 6 400.00 per person sharing (excluding taxes of R4 620.00pp) Web Ref#: ROH485 Destination:Thailand - Phuket When can I go?: 1 April 2013 - 31 October 2013 Description: Pay 4, Stay 8 = 4 FREE nights

BOOK EARLY & SAVE WITH MSC CRUISES

Local Cruise Prices from R 2 179.00 per person sharing Choose between the MSC Opera & MSC Sinfonia  Contact us or visit our site to view the available cruise itinerary's link:  http://www.holidaycafecruises.com/#!local-cruises/c1eeh MAURITIUS - 4*STAR TAMASSA Price from R 14 445.00 pp ex JNB (including airport taxes) Destination:Mauritius When can I go?: 15 July 2013 - 20 September 2013 Includes: * Return flights to Mauritius; * Return transfers; * Departure taxes; * 7Nts accommodation; * Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily incl. local drinks; * Beach basket; * Most land and watersports 4*STAR KWA MARITANE BUSH LODGE (2NIGHTS) Self-Drive from R 2 965.00 per person sharing Web Ref#: NWPG Destination:Pilansburg National Park When can I go?: 1 May 2013 - 31 August 2013 Description: Break, Dinner and 1 Game drive per day included

Boston service back, lockdown lifted

Police cornered and captured the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing Friday night, two hours after limited public transit resumed and an earlier police request for businesses to close and residents and visitors to "shelter in place" was lifted. According to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Twitter feed, all forms of public transit except commuter rail have been reinstated.

Taxi service, which had been halted earlier Friday morning, has been restored and flights continue to operate from Logan Airport, which is under a "heightened state of alert." But most major airlines - including American, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US Airways - were waiving change fees, and about a third of Logan departures and arrivals were delayed, the Boston Globe reports.
 

Amtrak, which had halted Acela Express and Northeast Regional service in the Boston area and terminated Northeast Corridor trains at New York Penn Station, announced at that limited service would resume Friday night with a regular schedule expected Saturday.

Early Friday morning, Massachusetts shut down all mass transit, including buses and trains, in Boston and surrounding suburbs.
 

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is providing updates on its website, says Friday operations were suspended at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the Hynes Convention Center. The bureau also notes that Lexington police shut down the area around the historic Battle Green and were asking all tours to bypass the town. Among other attractions closed Friday: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, the Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts and Children's Museum. Friday night's Red Sox-Royals and Bruins-Penguins games were postponed.

THE BLUE TRAIN - Out with the Old & In with the New

The Blue Train, South Africa‘s "Blue Jewel" has undergone various upgrades which are sure to continue to set it apart from its competitors. These upgrades include soft refurbishments of the train‘s interiors, upgrading its technology as well as all its critical safety components.

"The Blue Train has been the market leader in luxury rail travel and winning the coveted World‘s Leading Luxury Train and Africa‘s Leading Luxury Train for consecutive years of 2009 to 2011 and 2009 to 2012 respectively at the World Travel Awards, is testament to this. Technology is an ever-evolving façade and it is critical for The Blue Train brand, as a market-leader to stay abreast of these new technological advancements for the benefit of our valued guests," comments Hanlie Kotze, The Blue Train‘s Executive Manager.

Some of the upgrades include:

Safety critical components on the exterior and interior of the train; which have been upgraded with the latest technology. These include the braking system, air-cushion suspension system, fire and smoke detectors.

The interior includes the refurbishment of the décor, reupholstering the furniture, and re-carpeting of the entire train. The on-board personnel are always away from home for a minimum of 3½- days a week and to make their stay away from home even more comfortable, their staff coach has also been refurbished and fitted with an entertainment system for recreational purposes.

For the guests‘ viewing and listening pleasure, the train‘s on-board entertainment system has been upgraded to be more interactive and allows guests to choose from a wider variety of movies and music on offer. Guests can now rewind, pause and skip from one movie to the next - an option that was not available before as the movies were automatically programmed.

Other technological advancements include:

The driver‘s eye view camera that has been upgraded and can still be viewed in guests‘ suites and the Club Car (smoking lounge); the train is now equipped with Wi-Fi throughout which is available to guests free of charge; new and improved butler mobile phones have been secured to enable effective communication with the guests and easy availability.
The exterior of the train has been repainted for a new look and feel.

"All these upgrades are not only for the betterment of The Blue Train brand, but for enjoyment by all our guests. We get one opportunity to make a good and lasting impression to all our visitors so that they never forget us and recommend us to friends and family members the world over, as they subconsciously become our brand ambassadors.

There are other developments that are still underway, such as the re-design and development of a new website and reservations system, the fitment of an improved GPS system that will not only indicate the areas the train traverses but will also inform the guests via text and video of these areas. These upgrades would take approximately six months to complete. So watch this space!" concludes an obviously elated Kotze.

10 night Barcelona Stay & Med Cruise

Overview: 

​Your journey begins with a flight and travel to Barcelona. In Barcelona you'll spend 3 nights in a 4* hotel. You will then set sail on a 7 nights Costa Favolosa cruise from Barcelona, visiting Barcelona, Palma, Majorca, La Valletta, Catania, Italy, Naples, Savona and finally Barcelona. Your journey ends with a flight back home.

Fares
Inside: from R15,999.00 pp
Outside: from R17,999.00 pp
Balcony: from R19,999.00 pp
Suite: SOLD pp

inc. flights & taxes
inc. free hotel stay

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A new approach to cruising

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled the first details of its Quantum-class ships.

They will see the introduction ‘game-changing’ cruise options such as a skydiving experience that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air; venues that include what is believed to be the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms to date.

The new, larger staterooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort, including virtual balconies.  Every stateroom on Quantum of the Seas will have a view.

Other highlights will include North Star, a jewel-shaped, glass capsule that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree views.

Two70° is a multi-level room that offers 270-degree panoramic sea views through vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls spanning almost three decks at the stern of the ship. There is a comfortable space for guests to sit back and relax and in the evening guests will be entertained by a combination of live shows. Guests can also look forward to the Music Hall which will host live performances, DJs, night parties, billiards and more.

For multi-generational families, Family-Connected staterooms deliver more flexibility, using three different stateroom categories that connect to form a special layout with separate bedrooms and bathrooms.  With Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean also introduces the largest variety of stateroom categories, including new Studio staterooms, some with balconies for single travellers, three Junior Suite categories and larger Loft Suites.

Quantum of the Seas will sail out of the New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty on 7- to 12-night itineraries during the 2014/15 winter season.  Bookings will be open to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members starting May 27 before opening to the general public on June 4.

Breaking news: Boston travel suspended

The Massachusetts Bay Transport Agency (MBTA) has suspended all modes of travel as a major police operation is continuing after a police officer was shot and killed during the hunt for the Boston marathon suspects.

The MBTA has advised that individuals not wait at any bus or train station stops.

Officials at Logan Airport confirmed that the airport is open and operating under heightened security. Passengers are urged to check with their respective airlines for flight status updates before heading to the airport.

One suspect has been killed, but Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, urged all of Boston to stay indoors as the massive manhunt continues for the second suspect in the recent Boston bombings.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN - QUANTUM OF THE SEAS LAUNCHED!!!!!

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