World News | forimmediaterelease.net

... press releases & Breaking World News

New passenger record achieved at FRA

by

FRAPORTFRAPORT

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) served more than 69.5 million passengers in 2018, thus posting a new record high in the airport’s history.

Compared to 2017, traffic at Germany’s largest airport grew by some 5 million passengers or 7.8 percent. This strong growth resulted from the launch of more routes to new destinations from FRA and from airlines increasing flight frequencies.


eTN Chatroom for Readers (join us)

Commenting on the 2018 traffic figures, Fraport AG’s executive board chairman Stefan Schulte said: “The previous year has proved once again that there continues to be great demand for flying. In Frankfurt, we have achieved the highest absolute passenger growth in our history. This underscores Frankfurt Airport’s position as one of Europe’s leading aviation hubs. At the same time, the extraordinary growth in air traffic overall has caused major challenges for us and the entire aviation sector. Together with our partners, we are taking efforts to restore and enhance punctuality and reliability in air

traffic.”

In full-year 2018, aircraft movements at FRA rose by 7.7 percent to 512,115 takeoffs and landings in 2018. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) also increased by 5.1 percent to some 31.6 million metric tons. Cargo throughput (airfreight + airmail) posted a slight 0.7 percent decline to about 2.2 million metric tons, reflecting growing uncertainties in global trade, particularly during the second half of the year.

In December 2018, more than 4.9 million passengers traveled via Frankfurt Airport – an increase of 7.8 percent compared to December 2017. Aircraft movements climbed by 9.0 percent to 38,324 takeoffs and landings, while accumulated MTOWs grew by 6.5 percent to about 2.4 million metric tons. Cargo throughput (airmail + airfreight) expanded by 1.9 percent to 183,674 metric tons in the reporting month.

Airports in Fraport’s international portfolio also reported noticeable growth in 2018. CEO Schulte commented: “In addition to Frankfurt, most of our Group airports worldwide also achieved new passenger records last year. We continue to invest in the airports of our international portfolio, thus ensuring their long-term development. To create additional capacity, we are currently carrying out major expansion projects at our Group airports, particularly in Greece, Brazil and Peru.”

In Slovenia, Ljubljana Airport (LJU) posted a 7.7 percent traffic increase to over 1.8 million passengers in 2018. Combined traffic at the two Brazilian airports of Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) rose by 7.0 percent to some 14.9 million passengers. Traffic at the 14 Greek regional airports advanced by 8.9 percent to a total of almost 29.9 million passengers. The three busiest gateways in Fraport’s Greek portfolio were Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) with some 6.7 million passengers (up 7.1 percent), Rhodes Airport (RHO) witharound 5.6 million passengers (up 5.0 percent), and Corfu Airport (CFU) where traffic soared by 15.3 percent to nearly 3.4 million passengers.

Lima Airport (LIM) in the capital of Peru welcomed more than 22.1 million passengers in 2018, representing an increase of 7.3 percent.

On the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the Twin Star airports of Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ) closed the year with combined traffic growth of 12.2 percent to about 5.6 million passengers. Antalya Airport (AYT) in Turkey saw traffic advance by 22.5 percent to almost 32.3 million passengers. Pulkovo Airport (LED) in St. Petersburg, Russia served more than 18.1 million passengers – an increase of 12.4 percent. Some 44.7 million passengers used Xi’an Airport (XIY) inChina, up 6.7 percent.

PATA Micronesia Chapter: New Board of Directors and Chairs

by

This past month marked the end of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Micronesia Chapter’s directorship for 2017 – 2018. For the past four years (two-year consecutive terms), Pilar Laguaña has led the Micronesia Chapter as the Chairwoman alongside Vice Chairman Bermance Aldis, Secretary Faustina Marugg, Treasurer Judy Torres, and alternate Board Member Paula Monk.

The Chapter has five executive standing committees – (1) Marketing, (2) Membership, (3) Education, (4) Culture, Heritage & Environment and (5) Public Relations. Chairman Mark Manglona and Vice Chairman Kadoi Ruluked led the Marketing Committee; Chairwoman Barbara Taitano led the Membership Committee; Chairman Casey Jeszenka led the Education Committee; Chairwoman FaustinaMarugg and Vice Chairman Don Evans led the Culture, Heritage and Environment Committee; and Chairwoman Catherine Perry led the Public Relations Committee.

Each board member and committee leader took an active role in trying to achieve PATA Micronesia’s mission, which is “to assist in the development of our regional tourism industry with strategies that are environmentally sensitive, respect Micronesian cultures, adhere to high operational standards and provide an opportunity for education, training and gainful employment among the resident populations of our Micronesian membership.” The chapter successfully held tri-annual meetings throughout various islands of Micronesia; held co-sponsor tourism-related training, workshops and seminars; and worked to solicit United Airlines for complimentary or discounted airfare for the trainer(s), speaker(s) or presenter(s), among many other responsibilities.

Collectively, they have done an outstanding job over the past four years considering where the Chapter is today. The members would like to take this opportunity to thank their outgoing leaders for their hard work, dedication, innovative ideas, strategic thinking, and most especially their valuable efforts and commitment to improving the region of Micronesia.

At this time, the PATA Micronesia Chapter is pleased to announce and welcome their incoming Board of Directors and Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2019 – 2020. Let us welcome Chairwoman Stephanie Nakamura, Immediate Past-Chairwoman Pilar Laguaña, Vice Chairwoman Paula Monk, Secretary Marstella Jack, Treasurer Mark Manglona and Alternate Board Member Perdus Ehsa Jr. who will lead the Chapter from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2020. Additionally, let us also welcome Marketing Chairwoman Lori DeBrum and Vice Chairman Luciano Abraham; Membership Committee Chairwoman Lou Aguon-Schulte and Vice Chairwoman Vicotria Blas-Toves; Education Committee Chairwoman Denise Mendiola and Vice

Chairman Don Evans; Culture, Heritage & Environment Committee Chairwoman Rita Nauta and Vice Chairwoman Sandra Okada; and lastly, Public Relations Committee Chairwoman Judy Torres and Vice Chairwoman Catherine Perry.

The PATA Micronesia Chapter would like to express their gratitude to United Airlines for their continued support with airfare and for all instructors who volunteered to provide educational training from 2015 – 2018. The Chapter will forge ahead to continue promoting tourism to and from the beautiful islands of Micronesia!

Lufthansa and Fraport Extend Ground Handling Partnership at Frankfurt Airport

by

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is entrusting Fraport AG Ground Services with the provision of ground handling services to all Lufthansa aircraft at Frankfurt Airport for another seven years. On Thursday (December 20), the two companies signed a respective contract, to become effective on January 1, 2019, and run until March 31, 2026. Both partners agreed not to disclose the contract volume.

Fraport AG’s executive board member and Labor Director Michael Müller said: “We are pleased to extend the long-standing and successful partnership with Lufthansa as our most important customer at Frankfurt Airport. Following a series of constructive talks, we submitted a competitive offer. The new agreement contains an extensive package of services and agreed quality standards.”

Under the agreement, Fraport’s ground handling unit will be responsible for a range of services, including loading and unloading of Lufthansa passenger aircraft, baggage and cargo transportation, passenger bus transfers to and from the aircraft, as well as pushback, supply and waste disposal services.

The two partners have defined a number of key priorities in the new agreement, with a focus on punctuality, transfer quality, baggage claim times and standards for process stability. This will contribute to ensuring Frankfurt Airport’s position as a leading aviation hub, now and in the future.

Moreover, Fraport and Lufthansa plan to implement a number of innovations in various processes over the term of the agreement, all aimed to further raise ground handling efficiency and continuously enhance service quality.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Bartlett mourns the death of Senator Frank Pringle

by

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the family of former Minister of Tourism, Senator Donald Frank McKenzie Pringle, who died yesterday, at the age of 88.

“On behalf of the Government of Jamaica, I offer my condolences to the family and loved ones of Ambassador Pringle – especially his daughter, Kerstin and two grandchildren, Israel and Isabell.

The tourism industry has certainly suffered an extreme loss and we remain very grateful for the invaluable contribution he has made to the development of the sector,” said Minister Bartlett.

Senator Pringle was a Cabinet Member and Minister of Tourism from 1989 to 1992, while also serving as senator. He was also a Member of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Director on the Board of Air Jamaica, as well as Jamaica’s representative to the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

“Senator Pringle dedicated much of his life to Jamaica’s tourism industry, serving both in the public and private sector. He was very passionate about the growth of our tourism product and did an incredible job to ensure that our industry was not only successful, but that it also benefited the people of the country. He was selfless, always putting country above himself and saw the vision of how far tourism could go. His legacy is indelibly etched in our history and will be remembered for years to come,” said the Minister.

Over the years, Ambassador Pringle has served as a diplomat, Justice of the Peace and a member of the Jamaica Parish Council. He was also the Founder and Director of The Tryall Club and founder and President of the Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments.

Additionally, he was involved in the founding of Round Hill Hotel & Villas, and served as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General.

“It was my hope to honour Ambassador Pringle, while he was alive at the Golden Tourism Day Award Ceremony taking place on Sunday. His sudden passing indeed came as quite a surprise and I am very saddened to know he is no longer with us,” said the Minister.

Seven hotels and resorts in Seychelles honored at Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala Ceremony

by

Once again, the Seychellois hospitality is fêted as seven establishments in Seychelles have been recognized for their excellence in the tourism industry at the Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala Ceremony. The 12th edition of the award took place on November 10, 2018 at the Ayana Resort and Spa in Indonesia, Bali.

Amongst the hotels rewarded for their distinction were Eden Bleu Hotel, Cerf Island Resort, Constance Ephelia Seychelles, Constance Lemuria Seychelles, Denis Private Island, JA Enchanted Island Resort and Savoy Resort & Spa Seychelles; all rewarded for their World Class facilities and service excellence provided to their guests.

Seychelles Tourism Board Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis stated her great satisfaction to see many establishments rewarded for high quality standards.

“I do celebrate such good news with our hotel partners. Marketing the destination would not be an easy task if we could not count on the quality of their services. I do believe that it is because of their excellent work that we are able to sell Seychelles as a quality holiday destination,” said Mrs. Francis.

During the ceremony, Eden Bleu Hotel, located on Eden Island, walked away with the ‘Luxury Design Hotel’ award.

Upon winning the award, the General Manager, Mr. Manuel Policarpo, said that it was a great honor to be recognized as the continental winner in the Indian Ocean as the Luxury Design Hotel.

“There is a lot of other beautifully designed hotels around the continent which we needed to compete against. By winning this award we are also promoting Seychelles as a design and modern destination,” said Mr. Policarpo.

Other luxury hotels in Seychelles were also recognised and awarded on the night. Cerf Island Resort, a cluster of 24 spacious villas built to high standards and designed to blend into the surroundings, won the regional ‘Luxury Boutique Hotel’.

Constance Ephelia Seychelles received two continental awards for the ‘Luxury Eco/Green Hotel’ and ‘Luxury Family Resort’.

Another Constance branch in Seychelles, Constance Lemuria Seychelles, located on the second island, Praslin, was honored with the ‘Luxury Golf Resort’ award. The resort will this month be in the limelight as it readies to host the final of the MCB-Staysure 2018 Tour Season.

Talking about the achievement, Mr. Bruno Le Gac, Constance Lemuria General Manager mentioned the hard work and dedication the respective teams have put to achieve the standards to welcome the MCB-Staysure Tournament at the golf Resort. He dedicated the award to our entire team, and particularly to Mr. Wilson Volcere Head Greenkeeper, Mr. Gary Pouponneau Golf Director and their team members.

“Constance Lemuria is delighted to have been awarded “Luxury Golf Hotel” of the Indian Ocean at the World Luxury Hotel Awards that took place in Bali on November 10th. The timing could not be better, as we are going to host the MCB Tour Championship from December 13th to December 16th on our beautiful golf course. This is the most prestigious golf event ever to take place in Seychelles, and we feel very proud to be welcoming all the champions, VIPs and visitors for this occasion,” said Mr. Le Gac

The ‘Luxury Boutique Retreat’ and ‘Luxury Romantic Hotel’ awards were given to Denis Private Island. The resort allows their guests to unplug from the outside world, as there is no signal for mobile phones, no in-room and no cable television. It is the perfect environment to reconnect with your loved-one.

The awards provide a certain validation for the island’s ownership, Denis Private Island PR, Branding and Communications Manager Nicole St Ange said, given the leap it took in developing a unique brand of sustainable tourism on the island.

“Denis doesn’t stake its claim to being a luxury property, but we strongly believe that luxury is a concept that can be applied in many different ways,” St Ange said. “On Denis, you have an incredible freedom combined with this immersion in both nature and isolation. We believe that’s a luxury in its own right and it’s great that others agree as demonstrated by these awards.”

JA Enchanted Island Resort and Savoy Resort & Spa Seychelles were awarded the regional ‘Luxury Boutique Resort’ and regional ‘Luxury Beach Resort’ respectively.

The Group Marketing Director for the World Luxury Hotel Awards, Mr. Michael Hunter-Smith, congratulated all winners for the 2018 Award Year, who through their tireless efforts and endless passion to elevate their guests experience, have received the honor.

“True luxury is not easily attained, it takes a team of highly efficient and dedicated staff willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that every guest feels cared for and no challenged not solved. This is the definition of luxury, this is what makes the winners shine at the World Luxury Hotel Awards event,” said Mr. Hunter-Smith at the award ceremony.

Coming out as a winner of a World Luxury Hotel Award not only inspire the confidence of guests and retain a loyal clientele in this highly competitive market, but it will also stimulate continuous growth and development of your hotel.

The 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards will be organized at Arctic Circle in Finland in October.

MEDIA CONTACT: info@seychelles.travel