Big Fat Airline Wrap
airberlin and Alitalia extend partnership
airberlin and Alitalia today announced that they will strengthen their commercial agreement to expand their flight offering between Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italia.
Their mutual passengers will benefit from up to 25 percent increased weekly frequencies on non-stop flights to Italy including a new airberlin route from Dusseldorf hub base to Bologna with three flights a day, starting 2 May.
airberlin will also add capacity from Dusseldorf to Florence and Venice with the current daily operation to both Italian cities increasing up to three services a day.
The commercial agreement between the two airlines, both members of the Etihad Airways Partners group, will see the carriers codeshare on more than 1,400 flights a week on 91 different routes including 56 non-stop services and 750 weekly flights between Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to destinations such as Rome, Milan-Linate, Venice, Bologna and Florence, for example.
Scandinavian Airlines signs up for Amadeus Fare Families
Customers of Scandinavian Airlines will soon be able to select all the ancillaries they want with full fare transparency and in just one click thanks to Amadeus Fare Families.
These Amadeus Fare Families will be available to travellers for indirect bookings when the new fares are implemented in April.
Travel agents will find that Amadeus Fare Families will improve their ability to customise their offers and to identify upselling opportunities.
Etihad Airways Group USD700 mil finance agreement
Etihad Airways Partners’ (EAP) US$700 million landmark finance transaction in 2015 has been recognised with a third key international award after being named Innovative Deal of the Year by the prestigious publication, Airfinance Journal.
The five-year bond agreement involved Etihad Airways, its subsidiary Etihad Airport Services and five of the carrier’s strategic equity airline partners – airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia and Jet Airways – within EAP.
Seen as the first joint financing deal of its kind in the airline industry, the ground-breaking transaction was aimed at funding EAP’s expansion.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, was joined by his finance team, including Chief Financial Officer James Rigney and Group Treasurer Ricky Thirion, at Airfinance Journal’s awards ceremony in Miami last night.
CEO of Malaysia Airlines Berhad departure
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) today announced that CEO and Managing Director Christoph Mueller will leave the company in September 2016, following his request to depart before the end of his three-year contract.
In ensuring continuity and an orderly succession, Mueller will serve a six-month notice period to September 2016. Following this, he has expressed his intention to the MAB Board of Directors (BOD) to remain with the airline as Non-Executive Director.
The Board has acknowledged Mr Mueller’s plan to leave ahead of time, which is due to his changing personal circumstances, and has commenced a search for a new CEO, which will encompass both internal and external potential candidates.
MAB chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said, “we are very disappointed to lose Christoph as CEO but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this. On behalf of the Board, the management team and the employees, I want to thank Christoph for his immense contribution to the restructuring of Malaysia Airlines. Since he joined, Christoph has made a significant impact in putting the airline on the desired trajectory towards full recovery and we appreciate all his efforts.”
China Southern adopts Travelport Rich Content and Branding
Travelport and China Southern Airlines today jointly announce the extension of their multi-year content agreement. The agreement ensures Travelport customers worldwide will continue to have full access to the airline’s fares and inventories via the Travelport Travel Commerce Platform.
As part of this agreement, China Southern Airlines is now live with Rich Content and Branding, Travelport’s industry-leading merchandising solution. This means that China Southern Airlines is now able to retail and display its product offering more effectively via enhanced descriptions and rich visual imagery.
In addition, China Southern Airlines will now be able to make tailored or personalised offers to both individual travel agencies and/or the corporations that a Travel Management Company services via Rich Content and Branding, improving its engagement with targeted agents.
The addition of China Southern Airlines means that all four of China’s largest carriers are now live with Rich Content and Branding, along with over 150 other carriers globally.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airberlin alitalia china southern etihad Scandinavian AirlinesLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!