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Dusit International makes its grand debut in Qatar

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With a view to capture major market share in Qatar’s hospitality sector, Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is set to make its Qatar debut with the launch of Dusit Doha Hotel on 25 April 2019.

Located in the heart of Doha’s vibrant West Bay area, adjacent to the breezy Corniche, Dusit Doha Hotel is a five-star modern oasis only 20 minutes by car from Hamad International Airport, and just a five-minute walk from Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, the City centre Mall and The Gate Mall, making it a perfect stopover for business and leisure travellers alike.

Designed to provide luxury experiences at excellent value, the full-service property comprises 261 well-appointed guestrooms and suites and 96 elegant apartments for short- and long-stay guests. Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, honed and developed over more than 70 years, ensures guests can expect memorable, personalised service delivered with genuine care, warmth and respect. Rooms and suites at Dusit Doha Hotel are designed to provide the utmost in comfort and convenience, with expansive living areas ranging in size from 41 sq m for a Superior Room to 131 sq. m for a Suite. Apartments are available in one-to three-bedroom configurations and provide spacious living areas ranging from 95 to 193 sq. m.

Leisure and recreation facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, children’s pool, and a sundeck area offering panoramic views of West Bay. Guests will also find a wealth of dining outlets to choose from, including three restaurants, a classic French café, and a relaxing rooftop lounge.

Ready to welcome guests by the hotel’s opening date is Taste, a contemporary all-day dining restaurant serving tantalising dishes from around the globe and also hosting regular theme nights. This will soon be joined by Dusit’s signature Thai restaurant, Benjarong, which serves Royal Thai cuisine made using the finest local and imported ingredients.

Other upcoming outlets include Antoinette’s Café, bringing a taste of Europe to Doha via fresh French pastries and other baked treats, and The House, offering premium steaks and seafood.

Ideal for weddings, corporate meetings, and memorable social gatherings, the hotel also offers a versatile 574 sq. m ballroom which can accommodate up to 500 people. Spacious and bright with abundant natural light, this atmospheric venue features its own private terrace and can be divided into two smaller venues, each with a separate entrance.

Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa is also set to open at the hotel, offering a wide range of luxury massage therapies and wellness treatments conducted in elegant, private treatment rooms. Designed to promote maximum relaxation, the elegant spa will occupy the entire 29th floor of the hotel, offering separate male and female sections.

“A modern oasis for people to meet, dine, stay and relax, Dusit Doha Hotel delivers the ultimate in luxury and comfort for locals and international visitors alike,” said Mr Gerhard Stutz, Cluster General Manager, Dusit Doha Hotel. “Qatar is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of tourism, and its reputation as a destination of choice is only set to be cemented further when the FIFA World Cup is held here in 2022. As such, there could not have been a more opportune time to launch Dusit Doha Hotel. We now look forward to delighting guests with our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality while positioning the hotel as the market leader in Doha.”

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Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina opens at the end of April

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Dusit International has signed a Franchise Agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, to upgrade the former Dusit Residence Dubai Marina to the Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina.

Located at the Marina, a popular tourist destination and preferred residential area just off the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, which includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, the 146-key property is currently being refurbished and will comprise Serviced Apartments, Holiday Homes and Residential units in a choice of one, two or three-bedroom configurations.

Designed to facilitate business and leisure, the upgraded property will feature meeting facilities, a fully equipped gym, a spa, a wellness-focused restaurant serving healthy and organic foods, and a bakery.

Damac Metro and Tram Stations, the Marina Mall, and The Beach Mall are all within walking distance. Attractions such as Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall, Emirates Golf Club, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Park and Wild Wadi Water Park can all be reached in 10 – 15 minutes by car. The Dubai World 2020 Expo site is also only a short drive away.

“We are delighted to sign this franchise agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC for Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “The comfort and convenience of the Dusit Princess brand, and the property’s prime location, make it an attractive proposition for anyone looking for a short- or long-term base in the city, especially with the Dubai Expo 2020 coming up.”

H.E. Abdulla Alnuaimi, Chairman, Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, said, “By signing this franchise agreement we can further position the property to delight residents and guests with Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality. And we look forward to establishing Dusit Princess Residences Dubai as the premier place to live, stay, visit and conduct business.”

Known globally for its distinctive brand of gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values, Bangkok-based Dusit International opened its first hotel in the Middle East more than 15 years ago, in Dubai. Today, the company operates five hotels across the region, including three in the GCC – namely Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. According to its plans, Dusit will have nine hotels in operation in the GCC by the end of the year.

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai will be the third Dusit-branded property in Dubai, following Dusit Thani Dubai and dusitD2 Kenz. A fourth Dusit-branded property, Dusit Princess Rijas, is slated to open in 2020.

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Centara identifies technological and social trends that will shape the hospitality industry in the next 10 years

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Global hospitality is at a crossroads. In the last 20 years, technology has transformed every aspect of the guest journey, from online bookings to in-room services to post-stay feedback. But as technology continues to evolve and advance, what will the hotel industry look like 10 years in the future?

In the past, digitalization was largely driven by companies, as new solutions were introduced to enhance efficiency and target customers more effectively. In the modern era however, it is customers who are demanding greater connectivity. This is especially true in the hotel industry, which is driven by modern lifestyle trends and the “always-on” mindset of millennial travelers.

In light of these trends, Markland Blaiklock, Centara’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, explains his vision for the future of the hospitality industry in the next decade:

“Ten years from now, I’m sure we will look back and see that the hospitality industry changed much more than predicted, and Asia will continue to be a major catalyst for change. This evolution will be part social and part technological, but the overall goal will be the same: to meet and exceed guests’ expectations,” he commented.

According to Mr. Blaiklock, Centara foresees three significant trends shaping its business, and the entire industry, going forward:

Travel and work life will become inseparable thanks to improved technology and faster connectivity. This trend will occur in all countries but will be led by China and the rest of Asia, which are currently driving the growth in overseas travel. The launch of Centara’s new “Meetings Redesigned” MICE initiative will help to accommodate this shift, by allowing companies to be more flexible and creative with their event agendas.

Robotics and artificial intelligence will create hyper-connected hotel experiences. The Internet of Things (IoT) will seamlessly connect every hotel touchpoint, which will be personalized to the unique preferences every guest. In addition, big data insights will enable hotel staff to improve service quality in real time.

Delivering emotional experiences will be the ultimate goal of hotels. As technology takes over, many guests will go in search of authenticity, human interaction and genuine hospitality. The ability to predict and identify human emotions will be key to the success of hotels in the coming decades.

The big question for hoteliers now and in the future will be: how do we successfully integrate technology to improve the guest’s entire journey, whilst also retaining our distinct personality and brand loyalty?

For Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, this balance is at the core of its strategic vision. In the coming years decades, the group will focus delivering warm Thai hospitality in line with the latest social and technological trends to create exceptional customer experiences.

Centara has proven adept at developing new brands that embrace innovation. The most recent example is COSI, which caters for young-minded and tech-savvy travelers with friendly, simple and affordable accommodation and state-of-the-art amenities like smartphone integration, self-service check-in and a 24-hour lifestyle café concept. It is no surprise that this contemporary concept, which made its debut in Koh Samui in 2017, is now a key driving force behind Centara’s expansion strategy.

In many ways, COSI represents the future of hospitality. Its combination of connectivity, comfort and convenience enables guests to blend business and leisure travel, a key trend identified by Mr. Blaiklock. Across all of Centara’s six brands however, the group continues to roll out innovative new digital experiences.

Recent initiatives range from revamping the Centara website and mobile app for a seamless online experience, to launching a new central reservation system and revenue management system for global coordination. The new Chinese language, China-hosted website, social media pages and payment solutions are also positioning Centara to compete successfully in the world’s largest travel market.

Technology, however, is only one element of a successful strategy. Hotel guests will always be human beings, and the majority of humans visit a destination to experience its charm and culture, not to look at a screen. For Centara, the ability to deliver authentic Thai hospitality is something that can never be replaced by technology. By harnessing big data and personalization tools however, hoteliers can enhance every human interaction. Intuitive and rewarding loyalty programs like CentaraThe1 will play a major part in anticipating and delivering tailored experiences.

So digitalization really is the key; by using smart technology to identify and satisfy guest preferences, the hoteliers of the future will be able to create truly bespoke experiences for every guest.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 68 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands -Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centers and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travelers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty program, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

For more information about Centara, please visit centarahotelsresorts.com.
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Treatment and rest in one place: Resorts that help overcome addiction

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There are millions of people that need treatment for drugs addiction across the world. Many resources are currently available for people that need help to beat their addiction and mental health disorders. For most people, recovering from drug addiction is generally intimidating.

When a person is not sure whether they can overcome addiction, they find the idea of entering an ordinary rehab downright unappealing. As such, they may opt to enter a resort that helps people overcome addiction. This facility is different from a low-end clinic where people might share bathrooms or have small beds. It’s a resort-style rehab center that features luxurious amenities.

Many celebrities with addiction problems as well as stress, fear, and worry of visibility go to these facilities. Even executives that have trouble beating addiction go to these centers.

What is Resort-Style Rehab?

A drug rehab resort is a facility at provides treatment for drugs addiction in a luxurious surrounding and a vacation-like ambiance. The goal of establishing such a facility is to make recovering from drug abuse and alcoholism as easy and enjoyable as possible.

In addition to offering behavioral therapies and detoxification, residents in these centers participate in fun activities with an aim of promoting healthy living. A resort-style rehab can combine high medical care level with luxury amenities, a welcoming setting, and extracurricular activities that enhance addiction recovery

What are the Benefits of Rehabilitation Resorts?

When battling addiction, some individuals, like celebrities and executives, are concerned about their social status. Research indicates that social factors play a crucial role in recovery from addiction. The social status of some individuals is one of the reasons why they opt to go to resort-style rehabs.

What’s more, resort-style rehabs are situated in beautiful places like at the beach, desert, or mountains. This makes them hospitable and welcoming. Essentially, the focus is on the overall experience and comfort of the individuals undergoing treatment.

When a person has been struggling with addiction every day, going to a rehab in an idyllic, scenic location is more welcoming. It also offers a glimpse into the sobriety life’s beauty. Confidentiality and privacy are also protected in a rehab resort.

What Facilities Do They Offer?

Resorts that help individuals overcome addiction offer more than the amenities of the ordinary rehab centers. They go beyond creating the therapeutic atmosphere required to relax individuals into a recovery mode. Some of the facilities offered at these resorts include swimming pools, spas, gourmet restaurants, and first-class fitness centers.

Swimming pools provide a refreshing and revitalizing midday dip or downtime lounging. Spas provide aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture, hair and nail styling which help with personal hygiene and tension prevention. Gourmet restaurants provide chef-curated menus, health-conscious cuisine, seasonal and local ingredients, while catering for special dietary needs of patients. First-class fitness centers have different equipment, enough space, group classes, beautiful views, and personal trainers.

These facilities are important because they make undergoing treatment for addiction enjoyable. Individuals also get a chance to rest while undergoing treatment in one place. Things like nutrition and exercise are also important for addiction recovery. They give patients something to look forward to every day.

How Resort-Style Rehab Improves Treatment

Resort rehabilitation centers put the body and mind at ease. Inpatient treatment for drug addiction is generally a challenging process. It involves intensive schedule that needs the best efforts of the patients. Many people face withdrawal insomnia in the early sobriety stages. Getting sleep hygiene back on tract is therefore important.

Resort-style addiction centers provide treatment and rest in one place. This is very important for the overall recovery process. Intensive therapy work and fitness training are both important.

Resort-style facilities provide accommodation that is stylish and comfortable. This contributes to the recovery of patients by making the rehab a restful sanctuary. At the end of the day, patients have a place to relax and recharge.

Popular Destinations for Resort-Style Rehabs

Research shows that residential rehabilitation is considered the last resort for individuals with serious substance abuse problem. But, with so many resources for addressing and even overcoming addiction available, this should not be the case. Today, there are many locations with resorts that help with addiction treatment.

Popular destinations for these rehabs include Wickenburg in Arizona, Malibu in California, Crossroads in Antigua, and London in England. If you or a loved one wants to recover from addiction at a resort-style facility, visit one of these places.

About the Author

Frederick Moore is a columnist who focuses on drug use/abuse in the sport. His works aim to prevent athletes from improper drug use showing the consequences of abuse.

Travel News | eTurboNews

A dog’s paradise unveiled at Melia Orlando Suite Hotel

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Meliá Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration, a hotel near the magic of Disney World and Universal Studios, has just opened a dedicated Dog Recreation Park that’s perfectly designed to ensure our furry friends get a vacation too.

The recreation park includes:

• 2 sections for the dog park
• 1 large dog section
• 4 obstacles
• 1 fire hydrant (to both pee and play on!)
• Picnic table with umbrella
• Dog poop station
• Trash can
• 2 adirondack chairs
• 6-8 dog capacity

• 1 small dog section.
• 2 obstacles
• Fire hydrant
• 2 adirondack chairs
• 4 -6 dog capacity

Meliá Orlando Suite Hotel offers an old-world charm meets new world design and contemporary comfort. Wild orchids grace tabletops and large-scale impressionist paintings combine with mosaic walls, that sets an atmosphere that is both European – an homage to its Spanish brand roots – and American Chic. In addition to the dog park, the hotel offers a 360-degree vanishing pool with a zero-entry point for kids to play in and around, perfect for sunset relaxation while the dogs play.

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Genting Cruise Lines welcomes Explorer Dream to its fleet

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Genting Cruise Lines welcomed the third member of its Dream Cruises’ fleet with the christening and inaugural homeport deployment of Explorer Dream in Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. Explorer Dream is the first newly-launched cruise ship of the post-recalibration period in the Chinese cruise industry and her arrival also marks Dream Cruises’ debut in Eastern China, with the cruise liner purposely-built and recently renovated for the Asian and Chinese luxury market. Leveraging on the deployment of Explorer Dream, Dream Cruises’ first 200,000-tonne Global Class ship, set to debut in 2021, will also celebrate her inaugural deployment in Shanghai as the largest cruise ship to homeport in the Asia-Pacific.

Honorable guests Mr. Su Ping, Vice Magistrate of Shanghai Baoshan District Government and Mr. Hui Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Genting Hong Kong were joined by management executives and over 500 guests at the ceremonial launch event. The christening ceremony featured Ms. Grace Chen, the godmother of Explorer Dream and one of the most influential fashion innovators in China. The innovative christening was activated by her magic wand of dreams and aspirations and the spirit of exploration was symbolised by a majestic unicorn that led the iconic Dream Cruises’ mermaid out of the ocean and into a new realm, where she will embark on the quest to discover new horizons across the seas. With the traditional breaking of the champagne bottle against the bow of the ship, Explorer Dream officially begins her journey with Dream Cruises.

“Dream Cruises is the most recognized cruise brand in Southern China due to World Dream being positioned in the dual homeports of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. However, as we all know, the Eastern and North Chinese market is five times larger than the south and Dream Cruises will be building two 204,000 gross ton “Global Class” ships to be launched starting early 2021 in Shanghai and Tianjin to accommodate this market. These two ships, being built in our own shipyards Germany, are also designed to be the most advanced and intelligent cruise ships ever to be constructed,” said Mr. Hui Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Genting Hong Kong. said, “In order to prepare the foundations and increase Dream Cruises’ brand awareness in East and North China, we are pleased today to welcome “Explorer Dream” in Shanghai as the third ship in our Dream Cruises fleet.”

Explorer Dream is the second cruise ship of Genting Cruise Lines to homeport in Shanghai, made possible by the tremendous support of the Shanghai Baoshan District Government. Mr. Su Ping, Vice Magistrate of Shanghai Baoshan District Government said, “In July 2017, Genting Cruise Lines launched the Golden Sea Route 7-night itinerary in Shanghai, which garnered the Best Itinerary Award during the Shanghai Cruise Tourism Festival. In October 2018, a strategic Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Baoshan District Government and Genting Cruise Lines to forge a new partnership. Now, the inaugural arrival of Explorer Dream, the newest member of Dream Cruises in Shanghai, will bring forth distinctive and premium cruise travel products to propel the optimal development of the cruise industry in China.”

After the inaugural ceremony, Grace Chen presented a spectacular fashion show at sea aboard the ship. Eighteen models showcased her Voyage collection and walked the runway on the Palace Pool Deck, where guests enjoyed a visual feast inspired by the spirit of exploration and discovery, both of which are the brand essence of Dream Cruises.

Since its launch two years ago, Dream Cruises has garnered numerous accolades for its two cruise ships, Genting Dream which debuted in 2016 and World Dream in 2017, including Star Performer Top Ten Ratings in the Large Resort Category, “Most Popular Family Cruise Brand in China 2018” by Global Times, Top 5 Cruise Lines in the Large/Medium sized cruise ship category by Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List and more.

Built with German craftsmanship, Explorer Dream measures 268 meters in length and 32 meters in width. She has a total gross tonnage of 75,338 tons, 928 cabins and lower berth capacity of 1,856 passengers. The signature, luxury “ship within a ship” enclave of Dream Cruises – The Palace, provides an unprecedented “True Asian Luxury” experience to discerning travelers in China and Asia, boasting an industry leading staff to guest ratio, a majority of its suites at over 40 square meters, as well as Proprietary Butler Training endorsed by affiliated company Crystal Cruises – The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line.

A generous variety of culinary options will also be available to cater for every taste – from inspired Asian flavours to exquisite Western delicacies. Acclaimed Australian Chef Mark Best will extend his influence on to Explorer Dream with his Seafood Grill by Mark Best serving up the ocean’s bounty in a spectacular al fresco setting. Signature Dream dining favorites will also take pride of place on the new ship including Umi Uma for Japanese delights, Silk Road for traditional Chinese fare, Blue Lagoon for Southeast Asian comfort food and Palm Court for informal refreshments and breath-taking views. For adventurous foodies, the all new Mozzarella Ristorante e Pizzeria will tantalize with a modern fusion of classic Italian dishes and pizzas with a Japanese twist.

Guests of Explorer Dream can also enjoy thematic programs on their journeys at sea including “The Connoisseurs Circle” bespoke enrichment program, featuring inspirational talks and events that are especially curated for guests of The Palace, such as a fashion talk by Grace Chen, the godmother of Explorer Dream.

As the fastest cruise ship in Asia, Explorer Dream offers a great variety of itineraries and flexibility. Sailings from Shanghai homeport will take guests on cruises to popular destinations in Japan that range from 3-night to 6-night itineraries, such as the 3-night cruises to Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, or the 2-night round-trip cruise to Okinawa. In the month of April, when cherry blossoms in Japan are in bloom, guests can enjoy the dazzling floral display on shore, complemented by authentic Japanese experiences on the cruise, such as specialty dishes featuring Japanese Wagyu beef and pork, tuna cutting performances, Yukata trials, poolside festivals and more.

Starting from 1 July, Explorer Dream will begin her homeport deployment in Tianjin with more summer cruise options for family travelers, who will enjoy the renowned stage productions of Kaixin Mahua at sea. Taking the first step to evolve Dream Cruises into “Asia’s Global Cruise Line” by sailing outside Asian waters, in October 2019, Explorer Dream will homeport in Sydney and Auckland where she will embark on a variety of seven-night weekly itineraries to “Down Under” destinations.

Travel News | eTurboNews

The Great Move: Turkish Airlines moves to Istanbul Airport

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The biggest logistical operation in the world aviation history was held between 5 and 6 April 2019. In a total of 33 hours, 12 hours earlier than expected, all airlines moved from Atatürk Airport to their brand-new home Istanbul Airport. For Turkish Airlines alone around 1,800 personnel transferred approximately 47,300 tons of equipment. The combined size of it covered 33 football pitches.

The whole moving operation went smoothly and exactly as planned. In the afternoon of 6 April, all airlines and their passenger systems become fully operational in the new mega hub. Kadri Samsunlu, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board at iGA Airport Operations, expressed his excitement about the new beginning: “This exercise was simply unprecedented: No move between two globally-important hub airports has ever been attempted on anything like this scale before. Yet we achieved it without disruption, especially to the hundreds of thousands of travelers who continued to transit seamlessly between Asia, Africa and Europe over Istanbul Airport, while benefitting from the most advanced passenger experience technologies combined with superb shopping and eating. The smooth move to our new home, follows a record five-year fast-build, and firmly sets Istanbul Airport on the path to growth as one of the world’s most significant air transport centers.”

Istanbul Airport, the world’s new hub, officially opened on 29 October 2018, the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. Once fully completed, including four phases with six runways, the airport is set to serve 200 million passengers annually. At full capacity, Istanbul Airport will become a global aviation hub with flights to over 300 destinations around the world. With its exclusive passenger services, Istanbul Airport will create the best passenger experience for people all over the world.

In addition to this, passenger comfort, convenience and connectivity are central to Istanbul Airport. A mix of latest technical advances, a smart way-finding system, excellent design and a wide choice of shopping and retail experiences will enhance the passenger experience. The airport is also well connected by train, bus and car, thus offering passengers a variety of reliable ways to travel to and from Istanbul Airport.

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Uganda Airlines firms up orders for two Airbus A330neo aircraft

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Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, has firmed up its order for two A330-800 airliners, the latest version of the most popular A330 widebody airliner.

Fitted with the new Airspace by Airbus cabin, the A330neo will bring a range of benefits to Uganda Airlines and its customers, offering unrivalled efficiencies combined with the most modern cabin.

Uganda Airlines plans to use the A330-800 to build its medium and long-haul network with the aircraft offering cutting-edge technology along with more efficient operations

Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality. It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems, amongst others.

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Istanbul New Airport: First flight was to Ankara and a proud Turkish Nation is celebrating

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The Great Move to Istanbul Airport concluded. A proud city, a proud country and a proud airline are celebrating today in Turkey.

Turkish Airlines says that 10,000 pieces of equipment weighing 47,000 tonnes are to be moved to complete the shift later today from Ataturk Airport to the newly built Istanbul Airport

Turkish Airlines’ first flight from its new home, Istanbul Airport, after its final transfer operation, was to the capital, just like the first flight of the flag carrier 86 years ago.

Atatürk Airport was the witness to the flag carrier airline’s steady local and global rise since its founding and Turkish Airlines’ final passenger flight from this transfer hub was the Singapore flight that took place at 02:00 today.

After this significant final flight that will find itself in the annals of Turkish Airlines, another similarly important flight was the first one from Istanbul Airport following the “Great Move” process. Just like the first flight of the national flag carrier 86 years ago, the first flight from Istanbul Airport was bound for the capital. TC-JSY tail coded plane took off from Istanbul Airport at 14:00 to Ankara Esenboğa Airport with its 172 passengers and 8 cabin crew.

Sharing his thoughts about this first flight which followed the final moving operations, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı stated; “As we enter a new era where we will find to great successes as Turkish Airlines, we are happy start with a bit of nostalgia. You may know that, 86 years ago, our first domestic flight was bound for Ankara. Today in our new home, we open the doors of a new adventure and fly to our capital once again for our first flight. In the future, we will leave many 86 years behind us while feeling the pride of flying our flag in every corner of the world as the family of Turkish Airlines with the capabilities offered to us by our new home, this “Monument of Victory.”

After the last passenger flight from Atatürk Airport, which was bound for Singapore, both Atatürk Airport and Istanbul Airport were closed to all passenger flights between 02:00 and 14:00 today. Operations after the move began with the national flag carrier’s first flight from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboğa Airport took off at 14:00. Following this flight, Turkish Airlines operations from Istanbul Airport will be increased in stages according to the set plan.

Earlier Turkish Airlines conducted its last passenger flight from Atatürk Airport with its scheduled Singapore flight on 02:00 today. Atatürk Airport, the longtime transfer hub was the immediate witness of Turkish Airline’s consistent local and global growth since its founding.

The farewell flight that concluded the successful adventure of the global carrier on Atatürk Airport was met with great interest of the passengers. The flag carrier’s TK54 Istanbul – Singapore flight, operated with TC-JJY tail coded aircraft with 319 passengers and 18 cabin crew, has already become a memorable milestone in the history of Turkish Airlines.

Sharing his views about this last flight from the Atatürk Airport, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı said; “As we bid farewell to the place that has been our home for the last 86 years, we send off our passengers on our Singapore flight from this special facility for the last time. They say that some places gain a voice of their own over time. This is exactly what we feel as we stand in Atatürk Airport today. As we experience these moments full of emotion, our singular comfort is that we will host our passengers in a state of the art facility from now and with that opportunity we will experience the unstoppable rise of our brand.”

Besides that, Turkish Airlines passed almost 24-hour mark of its moving process. Turkish Airlines’ move to its new home Istanbul Airport which is the biggest airport project of the world, will continue in the following hours. Unique in global aviation history, the moving operation will take 45 hours in total and it will be concluded on April 6 Saturday night at 23:59.

Ataturk Airport and Istanbul Airport are closed between 02:00 and 14:00 following the Turkish Airlines’ scheduled TK54 Istanbul – Singapore flight from Atatürk Airport which is the last passenger flight from this old home.

Operations with the “Great Move” will begin with the Ankara flight of the national flag carrier, which will depart from Istanbul Airport on April 6 at 14:00. Following that, the flights from Istanbul Airport will be increased in stages according to a set plan.

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American Airlines: New cabin, larger overhead luggage bins

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American Airlines is starting scheduled flights with the first of its 100 new Airbus A321neo aircraft on order. These aircraft come equipped with an all-new cabin interior designed for enhanced passenger comfort and convenience, including larger Airspace XL overhead luggage bins that increase carry-on bag capacity.

American is the launch customer for the Airspace XL bins, which provide approximately 40 percent more overhead storage space for passengers on board the 196-seat aircraft. In addition to equipping its new A321neos with the XL bins, American also plans to retrofit its entire in-service fleet of earlier A321 models – more than 200 aircraft – with the cabin features included on the new A321neos.

Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus’ Vice President of Cabin Marketing said: “We are very pleased that American Airlines’ first A321neos with the Airspace XL bins are now entering service. We constantly work with airline customers to improve our aircraft cabins, and American in particular played an instrumental role with us in developing our biggest and best overhead bins to date.”

The Airspace XL bins accommodate larger luggage – up 24” x 16” x 10” – allowing standard roll-on bags to be loaded on their sides instead of being inserted flat. This creates room for up to four bags in each bin instead of the current three. The larger bins will significantly reduce the number of passenger bags checked at the gate, and sent to the cargo hold.

American‘s selected cabin layout allows the airline greater flexibility in seating arrangements and use of cabin space. The two class cabin will gain an additional row of first-class seats, bringing the total to 20. Outfitting the A321neo with a free wireless inflight-entertainment (IFE) system allows passengers to select a wide-range of options from their own devices. LED mood lighting will enhance the cabin environment.

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines and ETOPS certified for lengthy over water flights, the A321neo will allow American to carry larger loads on its longer, more densely travelled routes such as Los Angeles and Phoenix to Orlando, or West Coast hubs to Hawaii.

 

The A321neo is the largest member of the A320 Family, seating up to 240 passengers, depending on cabin configuration. Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances, and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of at least 15 percent per seat from day

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