Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve attracts new species Highlights success of conservation efforts

26th April 2010: The discovery of six new species at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) consolidates its status as theregional benchmark for sustainable tourism and affirms its standing as a leading conservation haven in the Middle East. Two new varieties of birds, a new reptile species, two new species of insects and an additional plant species have recently been discovered at DDCR. The presence of these new species further demonstrates the success of DDCRs extensive conservation programme. Tony Williams, Senior Vice President, Resorts & Projects, Emirates Hotels & Resorts said: At 225 square kilometres, the DDCR is the largest protected wildlife reserve in the UAE and is already home to over 230 different varieties of birds, plants and animals. Since DDCR was established in 2001 the team has worked hard to promote and manage the natural habitats back to their original and historic status, prior to the impacts of growing human population and urbanisation; and to re-introduce all possible species indigenous to this region. These new arrivals are therefore a testament to the hard work of the team and the success of our conservation programme. Commenting on the new arrivals, Greg Simkins, Conservation Manager, DDCR said: We will build on this success by continuing to manage the eco-system in a way that allows natural processes such as breeding, predator-prey interaction as well as seed dispersion and germination to take place. The longer the DDCR is under conservation management the more it will be able to attract and allow other new species to become established. The animal and plant species were discovered in the last six months as part of the conservation teams continuous surveys to monitor DDCRs flora and fauna. They include: * Bluethroat bird (Luscinia svecica), a small migratory songbird,similar in size to the European Robin. It is brown with a distinctive black tail and red side patches. The Bluethroat bird can be seen in the UAE/DDCR during migration * Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is similar to the Golden Eagle but slightly smaller in body length and belongs to the bird of prey family. This migratory bird is under threat of extinction in Europe * Persian Leaf-toed Gecko (Hemidactylus persicus) is from the reptile family. Its a nocturnal gecko species that prefers rocky habitats. Within the UAE it is only found on Quarn Nazwa which forms the northern point of the DDCR * Black Pennant Dragonfly (Selysiothemis nigra), is a small, rare, migratory species of dragonfly that stands out because of its disproportionately large head, broad wings and the shape of the pterostigma or the outer wing, which resembles the equals sign. The wings are also clear and shiny making the veins difficult to see. The Black Pennant Dragonfly is found in open spaces rather than in waterways and settles on stunted grass. * Mediterranean Pierrot (Tarucus rosacea,) is a small butterfly that feeds on the Sidr, a tree species * Gisekia pharnaceoides plant is a prostate annual species with reddish-violet stems and is uncommon and only recorded in the Northern Emirates. The new species are not common in other desert systems. However, some like the migratory birds are more usually seen in other habitats, such as wetlands and fodder fields. The migrant species such as the Bluethroat, Eastern Imperial Eagle and the Black Pennant, are using the DDCR as a resting ground during their annual migration. The DDCR, in which the award-winning Emirates property Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is located, was accepted in 2008 as an official member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the worlds global environmental organisation and leading authority on conservation and sustainable development. It is the first wildlife and conservation area in the UAE to be formally declared by IUCN as a Protected Area, and places the DDCR alongside some of the worlds greatest conservation areas and national parks, including Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks in the USA, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Africas largest national parks and wildlife reserves. The Emirates conservation department has maintained overall responsibility and management of the DDCRs activities and operations. Emirates, as the leading driver of tourism in the region, has already invested AED 10 million in the DDCRs conservation and wildlife management programmes.

Alaska Airlines And Horizon Air Launch New Year's Fare Sale

Alaska Airlines (IATA CODE AS) and Horizon Air have launched a New Year's sale with airfare to several popular Hawaiian destinations starting at $159. Fares are available for travel throughout the Lower 48 states and Hawaii, and are good for travel between Jan. 11 and Feb. 17, 2011. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 12, 2011, and are available for purchase at www.alaskaair.com and www.horizonair.com.

Sample one-way fares:

$29* between:
San Jose and Sacramento, Calif.

$ 49* between:
Los Angeles and San Jose
Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore.
Spokane and Seattle

$ 59* between:
Boise, Idaho, and Portland
Los Angeles and Reno, Nev.
Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and San Jose
Oakland, Calif., and Seattle
Portland and Sacramento
Seattle and Sacramento
Seattle and San Francisco

$ 69* between:
Los Angeles and Portland
Ontario, Calif., and Portland
Portland and Santa Ana/Orange County, Calif.
Portland and San Francisco
Seattle and Santa Ana/Orange County

$ 79* between:
Burbank, Calif., and Portland
Burbank and Seattle
Los Angeles and Medford, Ore.
Los Angeles and Seattle
Portland and San Jose
San Diego and Seattle

$ 89* between:
Las Vegas and Seattle
Palm Springs, Calif., and San Francisco
Portland and Santa Rosa, Calif.

$ 159* between:
Honolulu and Portland
Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and San Jose
Kahului, Maui, and San Diego
Maui and San Jose
Maui and Sacramento

A complete list of fares is available at www.alaskaair.com or www.horizonair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 800-392-0228).

For more news and ticket reservations, visit alaskaair.com.

*General terms and conditions: Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. A ticket purchased at an Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air airport location or through a reservation call center will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. Travelers are responsible for the following taxes and fees, as applicable: Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 (amount depends on itinerary), Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per segment (takeoff and landing), September 11 Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement. All taxes and fees shown are based on one-way travel and may be doubled if traveling roundtrip. Tickets are nonrefundable. A $20 baggage fee will apply for each of the first three bags. Other restrictions, such as fare rules, change fees, and advance purchase requirements may apply. See www.alaskaair.com or www.horizonair.com or call Alaska Airlines' reservations at 1-800-252-7522 or Horizon Air at 1-800-547-9308 for more information.

T-bazaar on the ground floor of Traders Hotel|china travel

The T-bazaar’s bar section, with the restaurant behind it. [China Daily]

T-bazaar, a stylish bar and restaurant located on the ground floor of Traders Hotel, is changing the staid face of this conventional business hotel and its busy commercial neighborhood.

"It's the first cafe with a food bazaar concept to open in a high-end hotel in the capital's Central Business District (CBD)," says Nora Li, assistant communications manager of the hotel.

It is open from 10 am to 10 pm, can hold more than 200 people and, according to Li, is always full at lunchtime, when takeaways are also available.

The caf's contemporary design is aimed at creating a fun and relaxed ambience.

Inspired by the concept of a bazaar, or outdoor shopping area, T-bazaar is no stiff high-end restaurant. It's chic, comfortable and convenient.

There are five open kitchen areas right behind the counters, each offering a different style of food.

Guests can find a variety of dishes from fresh salad to signature dishes from the south, such as Hainan chicken rice, which, for many, is a must try dish at T-bazaar.

The chicken is first cooked in boiling water, and flavored with garlic and ginger. It is then put into ice-cold water and hung up. This helps the skin separate from the meat, says Yang Guoliang, a senior chef, who has been with the hotel for more than 20 years. The rice is then sauted in garlic, ginger and chicken lard, before it is boiled in the chicken broth. It is then served with the chicken.

Another highly recommended dish at T-bazaar is Bak Kut Teh, or pork rib tea soup, a soup widely available in Malaysia and Singapore.

The name literally means "meat bone tea", and, at its simplest, consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices, such as star aniseed, cinnamon, cloves, danggui (a kind of root used in traditional Chinese medicine), fennel seeds and garlic, for hours, which give the soup its characteristic flavor.

Fly in style, stay in style with Emirates

2nd May 2010: Emirates Airline has teamed up with Armani Hotel Dubai and The Address Downtown Dubai to offer its First and Business Class passengers flying to or via Dubai, luxurious complimentary hotel stays. First Class passengers receive a two-night stay with breakfast at the newly opened Armani Hotel Dubai, while Business Class passengers get a one-night stay with breakfast at The Address Downtown Dubai. With the offer, premium passengers also get the chance to experience literally being on top of the world with priority tickets to the ‘At the Top, Burj Khalifa Valid from 1st June 2010 to 31st August 2010, the offer is applicable to Emirates First and Business Class passengers travelling to or via Dubai who hold a valid return ticket. Travel must originate outside the UAE and the entire booking must be made either in First or Business Class. Some restrictions will apply for certain points of origin and fare types. Armani Hotel Dubai is the worlds first hotel developed by Armani Hotels & Resorts. An integral component of Burj Khalifa, every element of the Armani Hotel Dubai has been personally designed by global fashion legend, Giorgio Armani. Flanked by The Dubai Mall, The Address Downtown Dubai is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, with Burj Khalifa and the stunning Dubai Fountain at its doorstep. Details of this offer are subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. This offer may not be available in some countries. Travellers are advised to contact their local Emirates office for further information.

Danba: lost horizon found|china travel

Danba county has a mixed charm of grandiosity and tranquility.

Danba county has a mixed charm of grandiosity and tranquility.

Translated and edited from Sina.com.cn

Danba county has a mixed charm of grandiosity and tranquility. Some 400 kilometers from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and situated in eastern Tibet Prefecture, Danba is known for its raw and sedate natural scenery. The county sits by the bank of the Dadu River, which cuts the surrounding high-rise mountain ranges into deep gorges.

In addition to its primitive landscape, Danba is the cradle of ethnic culture and Tibetan traditions, among which are intricate costumes, archery and horse racing. Danba is also nicknamed the "valley of beauty" for its many attractive young and virtuous women.

How to get there

Tourists can take buses from Chazidian Bus Station in Chengdu to Danba or take a train from the city's North Train Station. Tickets cost about 100 yuan each.

China Southern Honored “Best Business Class Airline in China

Third Time Awarded By TTG Travel Magazine

GUANGZHOU, China - April 28, 2008 - China Southern Airlines, ( HKSE: 1055, ) - www.csair.com/global - the newest member of SkyTeam and the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China was awarded the “Best Business Class Airline in China at the annual TTG China Travel Award ceremony held in Shanghai. This is the third time for China Southern to receive a TTG travel award since it was honored the “Best China Airline by TTG Asia Magazine in 2002 and 2004.

Singapore Airlines was this year’s winner of “Best International Airline Serving China. The ceremony was attended by more than 400 professionals in the tourism business industry. China Southern Airlines President Mr. Si Xianmin accepted the award on behalf of the company.

According to world-renown tourism magazine TTG, the annual TTG Award aims to choose and award the most outstanding company in the tourism business in China through public appraisal. 34 awards including “Best Business Class Airline in China are conferred to those committed to best quality services, products, and establishment. Readers of “TTG Asia Magazine “TTG China Magazine “TTG MICE and TTG-Btmice recognized and highly rated China Southern’s brand building efforts, flight safety, high quality service and extensive air network as well as easily selectable flight schedule and high quality staff. The readers considered China Southern Business Class service second to none in China. After two months of global voting, the readers rated China Southern as “Best Business Class Airline in China

In 2007, China Southern’s flight punctuality rate reached 83.89%, ranked #4 among the 24 Chinese carriers and #1 among the three biggest Chinese airlines. China Southern Airlines Guangzhou and Beijing hubs were ranked #1 for flight punctuality. Meanwhile, China Southern expanded its business activities in E-ticketing, on-line check-in, city centre check-in, mobile phone check-in, and airport check-in, with more than 840,000 passengers experiencing the above latest listed services. China Southern joined SkyTeam in November 2007 and enlarged its global network to 841 destinations, connecting 162 countries and regions. China Southern’s reliable, punctual and convenient service won recognition not only from passengers, but also from the society. One out of three passengers chose to fly China Southern. In 2007, China Southern carried a total number of 57 million passengers, ranked #1 in terms of annual passenger traffic in The People’s Republic of China for 29 executive years. China Southern Airlines is the only Chinese carrier entering into world Top Ten passenger airlines. In 2007, China Southern was honored the “Outstanding Contribution To Society Award by Xinhua News Agency; “Best China Airline by TTG China and the “CCTV China Annual Best Employer 2007 by the CAAC.

The year 2008 is China Southern Airlines “Brand Service Year We will enhance our services to a new level to ensure Olympic flights quality service and offer the best air services in China.

The newest member of SkyTeam www.skyteam.com and the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China for the past 29 years, China Southern Airlines connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as International service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Lagos, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

For China Southern Airlines reservations and information, please contact your local travel agent.

China Southern Establish Cargo Joint Venture With Air France-KLM

Istanbul, Turkey - June 2, 2008 - China Southern Airlines, ( CZ,) - www.csair.com/global - the newest member of SkyTeam and the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China today signed a framework agreement with the Air France-KLM Group to set up a cargo joint venture operation.

The agreement was signed in Istanbul between China Southern Airlines Chairman Liu Shaoyong and Air France-KLM Vice-Chairman Leo Van Wijk. Present at the signing were Air France-KLM Chairman Jean Cyril Spinetta, China Southern Airlines President Si Xiamin, KLM CEO Peter Hartman and senior management of both airline organizations.

Details of the joint venture will be further discussed and studied with all preparations estimated to be completed by year’s end.
China Southern Airlines Chairman Liu Shaoyong said, “Signing the framework agreement is an important milestone for China Southern Airlines to enhance its strength and competitiveness. The framework pact is a key step for both parties to establish a cargo joint venture, which will give full rein to China Southern’s advantage in route network. This joint venture program is an effective integration of the both sides strategic targets and common benefits. We are fully confident in its success. br>
Air France-KLM Vice-Chairman Leo Van Wijk said, “Air France-KLM Group is very happy to work together with China Southern Airlines for the establishment of a cargo joint venture. This project will undoubtedly further enhance the both parties strength in cargo market, bringing about long-term benefits not only to the cargo business for both sides but also to our customers. br>
The cargo joint venture between China Southern and Air France-KLM will boost the network transport capacities for international cargo, offering practical benefits to the consignors and customers and driving the further development of aviation logistics between China, Europe and the United States.

For example, clothing and electronic products made in China will be transported to the varied markets in Europe and the United States in a faster and more convenient method. Similarly, those mechanical equipment and high-tech components manufactured in Europe and the United States will enjoy more channels into the Chinese marketplace, providing more choices to both the customers and consumers of China, Europe and America.

The newest member of SkyTeam www.skyteam.com and the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China for the past 29 years, China Southern Airlines connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as International service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Lagos, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
For China Southern Airlines reservations and information, please contact your local travel agent.

Emirates scores with first airport pitch

10th June 2010: From Brisbane to Baghdad to Beijing, billions of football fans across the globe will be glued to the pitch at Soccer City in South Africa as the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Friday. While each of the 22 players will be battling it out to be the star of the show on opening night, there was no doubt about the leading light on the pitch laid specially for the Berlin Air Show. All eyes were on one of Emirates 10 A380s, which at 73 metres long and with a wingspan of 79m took centre stage on the pitch which is believed to be the first to be laid at an airport that meets official international specifications. Italy’s Franco Baresi a legend of the game, having played in two FIFA World Cups, amassing 82 international caps during a glittering career - scored the first goal on the surface which took a 20-strong team 48 hours to create The former star of AC Milan, the Italian club which Emirates will be the shirt sponsor of next season, was joined on the pitch by two football freestylers who showcased their tricks to hundreds of visitors, including German model Eva Padberg. Despite the celebrities in attendance, the pitch - which measured 90m x 40m - was the unmistakable star attraction of the show, with almost 5000 square metres of artificial turf transforming a runway at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. However, it was dwarfed by the giant aircraft, which was toured by more than 4000 industry professionals over two days. The eco-efficient A380 is so large in fact that it would not even fit on the much larger Soccer City pitch, which measures 105m x 68m. Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President Corporate Communications, said: “As an Official Partner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup the pitch at Berlin was the perfect platform to announce our latest A380 order. “Seeing the aircraft on a football pitch is a tremendous way to put its size into perspective. Seating more than 500 passengers, it truly is a giant of the skies and - as we take delivery at a rate of almost one a month - it is exciting that more and more of our passengers will soon be able to enjoy the A380 experience. “Emirates is looking forward to playing a major role in what will be an unforgettable festival of football. We serve South Africa with five daily, non-stop flights from Dubai into the three gateways of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and will be connecting thousands of fans from across our network of 102 destinations. During the Berlin Air Show, the Dubai-based airline placed a $US 11.5 billion (AED 42.2billion) order for 32 more super-jumbos. The order was in addition to the 58 A380s listed at $48 million that the carrier is already taking delivery of at a pace which will soon make it the largest airline in the world.

British Airways and Iberia merger to go-ahead

Shareholders of British Airways and Iberia have voted in favour of a merger between the two airlines.

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British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh, said: “We’ve had a strong relationship with Iberia for more than a decade and this merger will enhance both airlines’ strategic and financial positions, creating benefits for our customers, shareholders and staff.

“The merger will create a new holding company International Airlines Group that will be ideally placed to lead future consolidation within the aviation industry.

“It will also create annual synergies of €400 million from the fifth year.

“British Airways and Iberia will retain their individual brands and airline operations.

“The merged company will benefit from the two airlines’ complementary networks with our strong presence in North America, Asia and Africa and Iberia’s strong presence in Latin America and our combined presence in Europe.”

It is intended that the new company, International Airlines Group, will begin operations around January 21, 2011.

Alaska Airlines Nonstop Portland-Honolulu Service

Alaska Airlines (IATA CODE AS) announced it will add a second nonstop flight between Portland, Ore., and Hawaii, with year-round, daily service to Honolulu beginning Sept. 20, 2010. The airline already flies between Portland and Kahului, Maui.

"We're excited to provide our Portland customers with additional nonstop service to the Hawaiian Islands," said Joe Sprague, Alaska's vice president of marketing. "With its beautiful beaches, historic sites and endless sunshine, Honolulu is a great complement to our existing Portland-Maui nonstop service. Including these new flights, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will serve the Portland market with 90 daily departures more than twice that of any other airline."

Summary of new service:

Start Date

City Pair

Departure Time Arrival Time Day of week Sep 20 Portland-Honolulu 7:25 a.m. 10:25 a.m. Daily Sep 20 Honolulu-Portland 11:25 a.m. 8:10 p.m. Daily Times are based on local time zones.

Flights will be available for booking on April 15, 2010, at alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228). They are timed for convenient connections to and from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air points in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

The new flights are operated with fuel-efficient Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. Special Hawaiian-themed service includes Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and a complimentary Mai Tai or POG juice, as well as Hawaiian-themed meal-for-purchase options for $6. Inflight service includes Alaska Airlines' digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features.

Alaska Airlines Vacations offers a full line of vacation packages for travel to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. Packages include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and tours. For more information about Alaska Airlines Vacations, visit alaskaair.com/vacations.

Together, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air currently offer more nonstop flights (serving 27 different destinations), more daily flights (89) and more California service (39 flights daily to 13 California destinations) from Portland International Airport than any other carrier.

For more news and ticket reservations, visit alaskaair.com.

Two Chinese dead, 10 foreigners injured in N China road accident | china travel

HOHHOT - A road accident in north China on Monday resulted in the deaths of two Chinese, as well as injuries for 10 foreigners and their Chinese driver, local safety authorities said Tuesday.

The accident happened at 1:31 pm Monday in the city of Erenhot in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, safety authorities said in a statement.

Two Chinese died at the scene when their car collided head-on with a Beijing-registered business van, which was carrying 10 foreigners and a Chinese driver.

The 10 foreigners included three Swiss, two Spaniards and five Mongolians.

One Spaniard was in serious condition while the others, including the driver, suffered minor injuries, according to the statement.

Five senior doctors from the Affiliated Hospital of the Inner Mongolia Medical College were rushed to Erenhot, about 380 km north to the regional capital city of Hohhot, to provide medical treatment.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.

Monarch traffic figures for February 2010

04 03 2010

Award-winning low fares airline Monarch has seen further strong demand for scheduled flights in February 2010, with average load factors across the network reaching 82.3% - a 3.2% increase on the same period last year. Flights to Alicante on the Costa Blanca, to Faro in the Algarve, and to Tenerife in the Canary Islands all saw the biggest year on year improvements, while the Canaries success story continued with Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, both recently added to Monarch’s scheduled network, seeing over 5,000 passengers each travelling during February. Commenting on the February traffic figures, managing director of Monarch Flights and Holidays Tim Jeans said: “We’re very pleased to have recorded a load factor of over 82% in these challenging times, demonstrating the loyalty of our customer base who choose to fly with us time and again. “Our Canaries routes are performing very well, showing that the onboard service offered on Monarch’s scheduled flights, which includes extra legroom seating, a great range of tasty hot and cold food, and selected inflight entertainment is over and above the levels provided by most low fares airlines, and is perfectly suited for longer flight sectors such as the Canary Islands.” Monarch operates scheduled flights to Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Cyprus and Turkey from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports. In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch also offers a unique range of onboard meals and snacks with prices from £3.00. To avoid a last minute free-for-all when boarding, seats can be pre-booked from £7.50 per one-way flight, or from only £15, extra-legroom seats are available, which offer up to six inches of extra space. Passengers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues at the airport and take advantage of online check-in which is available between seven days and 4.5 hours prior to departure. In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance. For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk. - ends -

Air China Through Check-In Service

fast track Check-In Service

Air China launched a through check-in service which allows passengers to stopover in Beijing without having to collect their baggage. After obtaining a domestic or international boarding pass at the departure city, passengers can benefit from this convenient “one ticket” stopover service.

Updates of Air China's Through Check-in Service (as of April 30, 2009):

1. Domestic to Domestic via Beijing
   46 cities with TCI available: Shenyang, Hohhot, Chengdu, Xi’an, Shenzhen, Dalian, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shantou, Yantai, Urumqi, Harbin, Hangzhou, Hefei, Nanning, Shanghai (Hongqiao and Pudong), Yinchuan, Nanchang, Lanzhou, Qiqihar, Changchun, Wenzhou, Weihai, Guilin, Baotou, Chongqing, Qinhuangdao (suspended), Changsha, Zhengzhou, Guiyang, Taiyuan, Haikou, Xining, Ningbo, Dandong, Ordos, Jinan, Lhasa, Zhangjiajie, Beihai, Zhuhai and Sanya
   
   
2. Domestic to International via Beijing
   36 cities with TCI available: Shanghai (Hongqiao and Pudong), Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Guiyang, Wenzhou, Dalian, Weihai, Guilin, Xiamen, Yantai, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Qingdao, Hohhot, Chengdu, Xi’an, Chongqing, Taiyuan, Shenzhen, Jinan, Changchun, Shenyang, Harbin, Nanchang, Wuhan, Urumqi and Hefei, Nanning, Yinchuan and Baotou, Changsha, Haikou, Xining, Lhasa and Zhangjiajie
   
   
3. International to Domestic / International via Beijing
   30 cities with TCI available: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Jakarta, Seoul, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Munich, Frankfurt, Delhi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Rome, London, Stockholm, Busan, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Bangkok, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Ho Chi Minh city, Athens, Sydney, Melbourne, Nagoya, Paris, Tokyo and Moscow

China Southern Airlines Switch to T3 for Delhi flights

Dear passengers,

From July 28, 2010, please go through check-in formalities for CSN flights beginning with CZ at Terminal 3 of India Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

Wish you a happy journey!

For more than 32 years, China Southern has been the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China and is headquartered at the ultra-modern Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. China Southern operates a fleet of 432 modern aircraft and serves 172 cities in 30 countries and regions, forming an extensive network with Guangzhou and Beijing as its hubs.

China Southern is a member of SkyTeam and together with the alliance’s nine member airlines and two associate airlines, offers its 384 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 13,000 daily flights covering 898 destinations in 169 countries.

China Southern Airlines

December 8, 2010

Notice on the Opening of the International Terminal of Hangzhou Airport

Dear passengers,

The International Terminal (Terminal A) of Hangzhou International Airport will officially open at 00:00 on July 3, 2010. From this time onward, all passengers taking Air China international (regional) flights departing from Hangzhou are requested to go to the International Terminal (Terminal A) of Hangzhou International Airport for the relevant pre-flight procedures. Those wishing to pick up arriving passengers may meet them at this terminal. We politely request that you heed this information to ensure that your travel experience runs smoothly and without delays. Thank you very much for your understanding.

Monarch launches new flights to Calabria

15 09 2010

Leading leisure airline, Monarch has announced new flights to the Italian region of Calabria, which will operate for Summer 2011. Fares start from £219 return and are now available to book via www.monarch.co.uk.

Monarch’s charter flights will operate weekly on Saturdays* between Gatwick and Lamezia, providing direct flights to the beautiful region of Calabria in South West Italy. Famed for its stunning white sand beaches which sit along the regions 780km of coastline facing onto the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas, the area is also home to a host of cultural delights and its Greek occupation is still visible through much of the architecture in the towns and villages. Predominently a mountainous region where tiny traditional villages can be found nestled into the mountainside, the region is also home to the Sila national park which is a stunning high level plain, incorporating lakes, rolling hills and woodland, making it an ideal location for walking, hiking and cycling.

Commenting on the launch of flights to Calabria, Managing Director of Monarch Airlines, Tim Jeans said, “We have seen increasing demand from a number of tour operators this year to offer flights to Calabria and we are delighted that we are now able to do so. The service will operate from Gatwick for Summer 2011, but if demand continues to grow as expected, services will expand to operate from other bases in the future.”

Monarch currently operates a fleet of 30 aircraft, serving over 100 destinations world-wide. Services are split between scheduled and charter flights, with the airline carrying almost 6.5 million passengers per year. Monarch is the oldest airline in the UK still operating under its original brand name, and has this year celebrated its 42nd year of flying.

In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance.

For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk.

- ends -

*Monarch’s Gatwick – Lamezia flights operate between Saturday 30 April and Saturday 22 October 2011

Monarch’s new flights to Paphos take to the skies!

13 04 2011

Leading leisure airline Monarch (www.monarch.co.uk) is strengthening its network from London Gatwick and Manchester airports with new scheduled flights to Paphos taking to the skies this week.

From today, up to two flights a week will operate to Paphos from London Gatwick and Manchester, with flights from Birmingham also launching from 01 May.

Flight times are as below:
Wednesdays
Outbound: Gatwick – Paphos 09:30 arrives 15:45 / Return 17:15 arrives 20:10
Outbound Manchester – Paphos 09:40 arrives 16:20 / Return 17:50 arrives 20:40

Sundays
Outbound: Manchester – Paphos 08:00 arrives 14:45 / Return 15:45 arrives 18:50
Outbound: Gatwick – Paphos 18:45 arrives 01:00 / Return 02:20 arrives 05:00

Commenting on the launch of these new scheduled services, Managing Director of Monarch Airlines, Kevin George said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our network to Cyprus by introducing new flights to Paphos in addition to our existing routes to Larnaca and have been overwhelmed with how well these new services have been received.

“We’re seeing a significant rise in demand for our services to Cyprus and the addition of Paphos means even more people can take advantage of our low fares and award-winning onboard service to this popular sunshine island this summer.

“The onboard service offered on Monarch’s scheduled flights, which includes extra legroom seating, a great range of tasty hot and cold food and selected inflight entertainment is over and above the levels provided by most low fare airlines and is perfectly suited for longer flights such as Cyprus.”

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- ends -

Faster but more costly, high-speed train sparks controversy before peak travel season

When waves of people anxiously begin their journey back home for the Spring Festival, the Chinese lunar New Year, migrant worker Liu Weidong finally was able to purchase three tickets for his family, and now has a lighter purse but heavier heart.

"We only were able to get tickets for the high-speed trains. They were more costly than the ordinary ones," said the man in his 40s.

Liu and his wife are from east China's Jiangxi Province and began working in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang province, a few years ago.

In the past, the ordinary train tickets cost them 76 yuan (about 11 U.S. dollars) apiece. This year, due to the operation of high-speed trains, the number of ordinary trains in service was reduced and cheaper tickets for traveling in these ordinary trains were hard to get.

Liu's wife queued for five hours, but still could not purchase tickets for ordinary trains and the price of a ticket for a second-class seat on the high-speed train plying the railroad between Hangzhou and Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi, was 199 yuan. Therefore, a rail journey back home this year will cost the family an extra 400 yuan, which was about one-third of Liu's monthly salary.

"The time for the rail journey will be, indeed, cut by several hours by traveling in the high-speed train, but I would rather stand for 40 hours in the ordinary train, which is normally crowded," Liu said.

"To us, 400 yuan is a lot of money. With the money, we can buy many things for the festival."

MORE SPEEDY, COMFORTABLE, BUT EXPENSIVE

In fact, Liu's remarks reflected the concerns of many migrant workers and students.

Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb.3 this year, is the most important traditional festival in China and an occasion for reunions of family members and friends.

The peak travel season during the festival, or Chunyun, which has been dubbed as the "largest migration on the planet", will start on Wednesday.

An estimate by the Ministry of Railways suggests that during the 40-day period, about 230 million trips will be made on China's railway system.

China has the ambition to build the world's fastest rail network as rail cars with the name "China Railway High Speed (CRH)" began appearing in growing numbers in recent years.

According to the Ministry of Railways, China will have a rail network of 110,000 kilometers by 2012, with 13,000 kilometers of high-speed rail.

The latest milestone were high-speed trains between Shanghai and Hangzhou, which began service last October. The prices for first- and second-class seats from Hangzhou to Shanghai soared by 108 and 56 percent, respectively.

At the same time, the number of ordinary trains in service has dwindled.

"Before 2010, about dozens of ordinary trains shuttled between Hangzhou and Nanchang," said Liu Weidong, the migrant worker.

"After four pairs of CRH trains were put into service, however, only ten ordinary train services are still available, making it harder to get cheaper train tickets."

The situation is similar elsewhere. A high-speed train service between Shanghai and Jiangsu province started operating on July 1 last year. Meanwhile, 25 express trains between Shanghai and Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu, ceased operations.

Ma Xinhua from the Zhejiang University of Technology said that 90 percent of the students in his department chose to travel in high-speed trains, though many of them had their expenses doubled because of the travel.

Han Xiaoyang, another college student, feared that ordinary trains would be gradually replaced by high-speed ones.

Her expense budget was 600 yuan a month. Yet the ticket for the lowest-class seat on the high-speed train from Chengdu to Beijing would cost her 322 yuan.

At the same time, trains are becoming increasingly luxurious, which have also helped push up ticket prices.

Dubbed the "most luxurious trains in history", high-speed trains plying between Shanghai and Chengdu, as well as Shanghai and Chongqing, started operations on Jan. 11. Soft berths on trains on both rail routes were all equipped with audio-video displaying system. Within high-class sleeping carriages with cushioned berths on the trains, there were also small meeting rooms. The highest price for a soft berth in the trains plying between Shanghai and Chengdu tops 2,330 yuan, about the price for a night in a 5-star hotel.

CRITICISM AND SUGGESTION

Sun Zhang, a transportation professor with Shanghai-based Tongji University, suggested that in the peak travel season, limited traffic resources be reserved for the needy, low-income passengers.

"Like the migrant workers, they can only go home once a year," he said. "They would rather stand. So can we transform the berth to seats to reduce the cost and improve the capacity?"

Also, columnist Xin Haiguang suggested that government provide subsidies to the railway system to reduce ticket prices.

"To some extent, the railways in China are linked to the public interests and we shouldn't solely pursue commercial profits," he said.

Migrant worker Liu Weidong said he was lucky, as some of his fellow migrant workers who couldn't get ordinary train tickets nor afford the high prices for tickets to travel in high-speed trains, had to give up on the idea of going home during the Spring Festival.

"The high-speed and luxurious trains were for the rich, which has nothing to do with us," Liu said.

"If there is not a fast train, we can take a slower one. If there are no seats we can stand during the journey," he said. "But don't leave us one choice."

Source: Xinhua
http://posts.people.com.cn/bbs_new/bid=4181078&channel_id=90000&id=7264596

Tickets on sale for Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail

Retired teacher He Zhijun shows newly-bought tickets of the Beijing-Shanghai high speed railway at a ticket agency in Shanghai, east China, June 24, 2011. Ticket selling of the Beijing-Shanghai high speed railway started at 9 a.m. Friday. The 1,318-kilometer rail, which will officially start operation on June 30, is expected to significantly ease the transportation strain between the two metropolises and promote development and coordination between regional economies. (Xinhua/Pei Xin)

Finally, it's official! China's railway ministry yesterday announced June 30 as the start date for the Shanghai-Beijing high-speed rail service. The first trains will leave both cities at 3pm that day.

Passengers will be able to buy tickets in advance, from 9am today, at prices ranging from 410 yuan to 1,750 yuan (US$270).

The service will be the first in Shanghai to offer paperless boarding, meaning that Chinese travelers holding the latest version of IDs need only scan their ID cards to get on the train.

Older versions of the ID cards doesn't work with the check-in scanner.

The Beijing-Tianjin high-speed link already uses paperless boarding.

However, the paperless service will not be available to foreigners, officials said. They will still need paper tickets before boarding.

But with their passports, they can purchase tickets from the national railway service's website, www.12306.cn.

Having obtained a voucher number, they can then go to designated ticket booths at the city's three railway stations or other outlets in the city to pick up tickets, officials said.

Railway officials say the new service will boost Shanghai's total rail capacity by 14 percent, or 270,000 passengers.

Some current train services will be cut after the opening of the new route, especially on the Shanghai-Nanjing line, and timetables will be updated.

"Locals should watch out for the changes, which would affect many of the current shuttle times," Zhu Wenzhong, Shanghai's chief railway official, said.

All the high-speed trains will arrive and leave from Hongqiao Railway Station, which will replace Shanghai Railway Station as the city's busiest railway terminal after July 1.

The earliest service to Beijing will leave the city at 7am and the latest at 5:55pm, officials said.

About 54 percent of the new bullet trains will travel at speeds of up to 300kph, the rest will operate at 250kph, officials said.

The travel time to Beijing's South Railway Station, where the line terminates, will be 4 hours 48 minutes, 4 hours 55 minutes or 5.5 hours, depending on the number of stops.

The 250kph service, which stops at more stations, will take just over eight hours.

The railway authority yesterday also announced a 5 percent reduction in ticket prices on the Shanghai-Nanjing bullet train. A second-class ticket at present costs 146 yuan.

Officials wanted to lower fares on the older service to avoid losing too many passengers to the new one.

Railway officials also said they had signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines to integrate services in future. An initial program would allow passengers booking airline tickets to and from Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong, to also book train tickets between Shanghai and cities in the Yangtze Delta Region.

Ma Xulun, general manager of China Eastern Airlines, said the high-speed service was expected to take 15 percent to 20 percent of passengers from domestic airlines initially.

But after six months, air passenger volume on the route would recover to the same level as before, Ma said.

Source: Shanghai Daily
　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 http://posts.people.com.cn/bbs_new/bid=4331951&channel_id=90000&id=7419221

No off-season for traveling Chinas Ness lake in NW Xinjiang

KANASI, Xinjiang, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A photographic festival was held on the second day of the new year in the Kanasi Nature Reserve, known as the most alluring resort in northwest China's Xinjiang, as the reserve's winter scenery was opened for tourism for the first time.

Kanasi, whose name means "rich, beautiful and mysterious" in Mongolian, boasts pristine lakes, glaciers, forests and grasslands. The Kanasi Lake is also China's deepest alpine lake, reputed for mysterious lake creatures similar to "Nessies" in Scotland.

Chi Chongqing, an official from the Xinjiang regional tourist bureau said that the festival was held to draw photographic fans to catch the beautiful sceneries and cultures and life of locals in Kanasi, which would help promote tourism.

The reserve used to be open for tourism from June to October. Winter season lasts for seven months here, when the lowest temperature can reach 37 degree Celsius below zero.

However, with the convenient air travel directly to Kanansi and better facilitated tourist infrastructures, the reserve now has the condition to receive tourists in winter, said Chi.

Kanasi host 752,000 tourists from home and abroad in 2010.

Yunnan issues travel passport nationwide

Starting in 2010, South China's Yunnan Province, a major tourist destination, is tap issuing its "Travel Passport" nationwide. the "passport" allows holders to enjoy preferential services and discounted prices when they visit nearly 100 designated scenic spots that have joined the program in Yunnan.

The "Travel Passport" has two versions, a red one and a blue one, according to the Yunnan Tourism Association. The red version is issued for important events. The first edition of the red version, which is valid for two years, was issued on June 1, 2010, just before the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The blue version, with a valid period of five years, was first promoted on January 1, 2010. It is being distributed as a gift to applicants of the "colorful Yunnan themed credit card" issued by the China Merchants Bank.

The blue version of the "Yunnan Travel Passport" integrates introductions to nearly 100 tourist attractions, including Grand View Park, Butterfly Spring, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Heshun old town, Gaoligong Mountain Nature Park and Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park.

Holders of the travel passport can enjoy a 15% to 60% discount on admission tickets to the designated tourist attractions.

Mainland tourists celebrate first Spring Festival in Taiwan

Thousands of Chinese mainland tourists have enjoyed their first Spring Festival holiday in Taiwan this year, thanks to the warming ties between the two sides in the past year.

More than 10,000 tourists had arrived in Taiwan from Sunday to Thursday, the first five days of the Chinese lunar New Year vacation, according to the Taiwan tourism department.

The arrivals peaked on Monday, the first day of the lunar New Year, when more than 3,000 mainland tourists landed on the island.

"I was moved by the kindness of local people," said Yu, a tourist from Beijing who declined to give her full name. She arrived on the lunar New Year's eve together with her 80-year-old father and teenage daughter.

Like many others arriving on the same day, they were greeted with a banquet dinner and a party organized by local travel agencies.

"I feel comfortable as the customs and foods here are quite the same as we have in Beijing," she said.

Taipei's "National Palace Museum", home to about 600,000 items of cultural relics taken from Beijing's Forbidden City in 1949, was often the first stop on the agenda of mainland tourists.

"They were obviously absorbed by the collections here. They stayed much longer than we expected," said Gu, a tourist guide of the local Far Step Travel Service who led a group of 22 Beijing tourists.

Many mainland tourists also came to meet family and friends.

"About 20 percent of our clients went to Taiwan for family reunions," said Liu Xiaojun, spokesman of the Shanghai CYTS Tours Corporation which organized travel for about 400 Shanghai people during the vacation.

Lo Sheng-lai, a pastry chef from Taiwan who works in Shanghai, sent his son and daughter with a tour group.

"This is their first Spring Festival with grandma and grandpa in Taiwan," he said. "For years, I had thought of taking them to see where I grew up, but it was too much trouble for my family to travel across the Straits because my wife is not a Taiwan resident."

Improving cross-Straits relations and key policy changes in the past year facilitated reunions and the booming tourism business.

At a historic meeting between the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in June last year, Taiwan agreed to open to mainland tourists in July. They can stay in Taiwan for 15 days.

At the meeting, the mainland agreed to allow residents from 13 provinces and municipalities to tour Taiwan. On Jan. 20, it extended the arrangement to another 12 provinces.

The two sides also worked to improve air services.

Before last July, charter flights were only available during four major traditional Chinese festivals and flights had to cross the Straits by way of Hong Kong airspace.

The two sides added the charter flights at weekends in July and then daily in December.

Also in December, flights were allowed to directly cross the Straits for the first time since 1949.

A direct flight from Taipei to Shanghai is only about 80 minutes, down from two hours and 42 minutes for the Hong Kong route.

"More than 95 percent of our seats to Taiwan were booked," said a clerk with the Shanghai Airlines. The company operated eight return flights to Taiwan daily during the Spring Festival vacation.

The Taiwan tourism department expected about 14,000 mainland tourists to come to Taiwan from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1.

"If every mainland tourist spends about 290 U.S. dollars a day in Taiwan for seven days, they will bring about 28.4 million dollars of revenue," said Chen Jaw-ming, a senior official with the Taipei Association of Travel Agents.

"We had made careful preparation for the first high season travel by mainland tourists," Yao Ta-kuang, chairman of the Taiwan Travel Agent Association, told Xinhua.

The association sent staff to airports and main tourist sites and assist local travel agencies to receive mainland visitors and solve potential conflicts between the two sides, he said.

"Judging from the feedback we received so far, mainland tourists are spending a happy Spring Festival on the island. There was no problem."

Birds Nest to become shopping center

Citic Group said here on Friday it will in three to five years build the National Stadium into an entertainment and shopping center, while seeking to hold more sports games and cultural performances.

The "Bird's Nest" will continue to develop tourism as its major business, while gradually tapping its auxiliary commercial facilities and turning them into a station for entertainment and shopping, said the Citic Group.

It will also actively hold sports games and entertainment performances, said the company, adding that it seeks to further promote the brand of the National Stadium, the major venue for the Beijing Olympics.

An individual company was established by Citic Group, Beijing Urban Construction Group and Golden State Holding Group Corporation to focus on the operation of the "Bird's Nest" business.

According to the company, maintenance of the 250,000-square-meter National Stadium will annually cost 60 million yuan (about 8.82 million US dollars), making it particularly hard to make profit.

Mainland tourists spend US$25mln in Taiwan during holiday

About 13,400 Chinese mainland tourists flocked to Taiwan last week, spending 850 million New Taiwan dollars (25.5 million U.S. dollars) in their first Spring Festival holiday on the island.

Each visitor spent a daily average of about 9,000 NTD from Jan. 26, the first day of the Spring Festival or lunar New Year, to Feb. 1, said Chang Shi-Chung, of the Taiwan tourism authority, Monday.

About 60 percent of mainland tourists opted for a seven-night schedule, and the arrivals peaked on Jan. 26 when more than 3,000 arrived, he said.

Taiwan's Sun-Moon Lake drew the most mainland visitors, attracting 12,647, followed by Ali Mountain at 10,690.

Warming mainland-Taiwan relations and key policy changes in the past year have boosted the cross-Straits tourism business.

At an historic meeting between the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in June last year, Taiwan agreed to open to mainland tourists in July. They can stay in Taiwan for up to 15 days.

At the meeting, the mainland agreed to allow residents from 13 provinces and municipalities to tour Taiwan. On Jan. 20, it extended the arrangement to another 12 provinces.

The two sides also worked to improve air services.

Before last July, charter flights were only available during four major traditional Chinese festivals and flights had to cross the Taiwan Straits by way of Hong Kong airspace.

The two sides added weekend charter flights in July and daily services in December.

Also in December, flights were allowed to directly cross the Taiwan Straits for the first time since 1949.

A direct flight from Taipei to Shanghai is only about 80 minutes, down from 2 hours and 42 minutes for the Hong Kong route.

Chang said the first major mainland Spring Festival season had been satisfactory for both visitors and local tourism operators, although it left room for improvement in traffic and crowd management.

He expected numbers of mainland tourists to increase steadily.