News in Brief: Thursday February 28

News in Brief: Thursday February 28
By admin


January saw international passenger traffic flatten as demand for air cargo strengthened, according to new figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Asia Pacific airlines carried 17.5 million passengers for the month, flat on the same month last year. A 1% increase in capacity resulted in a 0.3 percentage point dip in load factor to 78% for the month. Meanwhile, cargo demand climbed 4.3%.

However, AAPA director general Andrew Herdman stressed the month's figures had been distorted by Chinese New Year.

"We will have to wait for the February traffic data to get a better sense of the underlying trends for passengers and cargo demand," he said.

 

The International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) has revealed Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Spirit as the venue for its 2013 Masters Conference.

US-based sales "guru" Scott Koepf will lead the program of workshops designed to help consultants enhance their sales and marketing techniques.

The cruise ship will set sail from Sydney on November 15, heading to New Caledonia before returning on November 24, with places priced from $1545 per person.

 

G Adventures has reported more than 1600 registrants to date in its Uber Massive Incentive (UMI) which has a total agent prize pool of more than $100,000.

Agents can register for the incentive, which is based on passenger numbers and not revenue, here.

 

China Southern Airlines will launch a three times weekly A330-200 service from Guangzhou to Moscow from June 19, building on its existing one-stop flight via Urumqi in northern China.

Return fares from Australia to Moscow start from $1297 for travel between March 1 and October 31.

 

Etihad has acquired three pairs of Heathrow slots from Indian carrier Jet Airways for US$70 million. The sale and lease back agreement will see Jet continue to operate flight to London using the slots.

Etihad said it will further cement its existing commercial relationship with Jet, with discussions continuing over taking a further investment in the airline.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier will today launch a new global marketing campaign that will feature images of Australia. See www.travelweekly.com.au later today for details.

 

Travel agents are being given the chance to win an eight day cruise for two in Italy by Uniworld. To enter, consultants need to make any Uniworld booking between now and March 31. Winners will be based on the highest number of new bookings made and deposited.

An iPad mini and dinner for two to the value of $200 are also up for grabs.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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