News in brief: Friday March 1

The 2012 global accident rate for Western-built jets was the lowest in aviation history, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The rate, 0.20, is the equivalent of one accident every 5 million flights, marking a 46% improvement on 20122 when one acccident was seen for every 2.7 million flights. IATA's more than 240 member airlines recorded no Western-built jet hull losses in 2012.

The new $120 million domestic terminal at Perth Airport is now open, following its official launch today by minister for defence and federal member for Perth Stephen Smith. It is the first terminal to be constructed at the airport in 26 years.

Evergreen Tours has named Judith Hainke as marketing manager. She was previously manager of communications and brand EMEA for American Airlines, based in London.

Royal Caribbean is offering onboard credits of up to US$200 per cabin and half price deposits for bookings made between Sunday March 3 and Wednesday March 6.

The offer applies to all worldwide sailings departing from 1 May 2013 through to April 2014.

Queensland's 13 regional tourism organisations (RTOs) can apply for a share of $3 million in additional funding for projects on top of the $4 million in core funding available for RTOs in 2013-14, tourism minister Jann Stuckey has revealed.

Africa specialist Bench International will return to Madagascar with a new range of itineraries, 15 years after it first started operating in the destination. The firm cited improved infrastructure, growing demand and a sense of stability in the country as behind the move.

Viva! Holidays has launched a range of Disneyland packages, priced from $1912 per adult and $1274 per child. The itineraries are on sale until March 17 for travel from May 5 to 26,

Meanwhile, TRIP agents will have the chance to win a trip to the 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix with Qantas Holidays, by booking and depositing the highest number of Grand Prix packages with the firm during the February 15 to March 7 for travel from March 14 to 17.

Emirates will become the official stadium naming rights partner of Lancashire County Cricket Club under a 10-year deal which will see the club's home ground renamed Emirates Old Trafford. The Emirates brand will also appear on the front of the team's t20 playing kits with stadium branding and a number of marketing rights also part of the deal.

Tempo Holidays is discounting its 10-day Nile in Style tour of Egypt by 30% when booking and paying in full by 31 March. Under the deal, the tour is priced from $1291 per person and is valid for travel until September 27.

Anantara's Bophut Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand will close from April 16 to November 15 as it undergoes a THB 170 million makeover with the majority and rooms, facilities and public spaces to be revamped.

The 317-room Pullman Dubai Deira City has opened, taking Accor's tally of hotels in the city to 11. The firm will open an additional two hotels in the UAE by mid-2013.

Air Pacific has selected two international aviation banks for European export credit financing for its three new A330-200 aircraft as it rebrands as Fiji Airways. The two banks are German-based KfW IPEX-Bank and Helaba.

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