HL CRUISES ANNOUNCES MIELE CULINARY SCHOOL ADDITION TO ITS EUROPA 2 SHIP, OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL, GOURMET CUISINE

Guests on board Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ EUROPA 2’s maiden voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon (which begins May 11th 2013) will have access to seven top-class restaurants and exclusive cookery courses from the Miele Culinary School. With cuisines on offer spanning everything from Asian to French, guests will also have the chance to enjoy private dining in the ‘Speisezimmer’.

Specialities ranging from Asian to Mediterranean
Guest on board the EUROPA 2 will experience a “culinary journey of discovery”, which is totally appropriate for a cruise experience. They can choose from eight different restaurants (including the ‘Speisezimmer’), ranging from classic Italian to modern Asian cuisine. With a total capacity of 266, the largest restaurant on board the EUROPA 2 is the ‘Weltmeere’. It stands out because of the generous amount of space. Chef de cuisine Wilke and his colleagues serve both international and refined vegetarian menus.

The ‘Yacht Club’ is the second largest restaurant on board the EUROPA 2 and it provides specialities fresh from the grill and variety from the buffet for up to 276 people. Special feature: guests can dine “alfresco” here if they wish (134 alfresco places). The chefs can also be seen working their magic in front of the passengers as they prepare to put the food onto the plates. Fans of French cuisine will be at home in the ‘Tarragon’ (44 seats). Passengers can experience Asian delicacies in ‘Elements’ (48 seats) with its plethora of aromas from aniseed to lemon grass.

The ‘Serenissima’ (56 seats) provides high quality Italian cuisine. Here guests can enjoy Mediterranean classics and also modern interpretations of Ligurian, or Neapolitan cooking. The culinary “around the world journey” on board is completed by the ‘Sakura’ sushi restaurant (58 seats), which offers the celebrated miso soup and fish specialities plus green tea ice cream for dessert. Classic wines from all over the world with accompanying dishes are available for guests on the EUROPA 2 in the ‘Grande Reserve’ wine bar. Individual wine tastings can also be arranged here with real vine rarities for a maximum of twelve people.

Private Dining in the Speisezimmer, with its maritime style
As well as a wide variety of restaurants, the EUROPA 2 also offers the option of private dining for very special occasions. It is possible for guests to book the Speisezimmer exclusively at a cost of 1,500 Euros for an evening, so they can relax and be indulged in a small group. The price includes an aperitif, amuse-bouche with caviar and a dinner with lobster. There is the opportunity to book before the cruise in order to ensure absolute perfection in the planning.

Cookery course in the Miele Culinary School
If guests feel like cooking themselves, they may book a cooking course in the Miele Culinary School. Here the chef de cuisine of the Tarragon - the French style restaurant on board – will demonstrate to his students the cuisine of EUROPA 2's various cruise destinations. The cooking courses take place in the morning and they can be booked as an alternative to a shore excursion. Participation costs 80 Euros per person, which includes accompanying wines, cooking aprons and recipes.

No fixed meal times or table allocations
Guests on the EUROPA 2 enjoy pure, informal luxury as there are no fixed eating times, or fixed table allocations in the restaurants within the opening times. Another plus point: the meals are included in the cruise price (except drinks).

For a visual impression of the gourmet concept, please see the HL Cruises film online at: www.hl-cruises.com/press/passagentv/

CL 27/04/2013

GLASGOW AIRPORT PUTS HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE FRAME

Glasgow Airport is putting health & safety firmly in the frame with the launch of a new initiative which will highlight the importance of maintaining a safe working environment.

As part of its Safety First campaign, Glasgow Airport’s assurance team has produced a DVD which demonstrates the very real risks of ignoring potential hazards. The DVD will be rolled out to the 4,500 people who currently work on the airport campus and will encourage staff to challenge or report anything they believe to be unsafe.

The Safety First campaign is the latest in a long line of initiatives undertaken by the airport which has received a host of awards for its excellent health & safety performance. In 2012, it received a Healthy Working Lives Gold Award, an International Safety Award, and a Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Gillies Crichton, head of assurance at Glasgow Airport, said: “The health and safety of our customers and staff has always been our number one priority and whilst we are extremely proud of our track record in safety, it is important we do not rest on our laurels. We have a well framed and well managed health and safety policy which has improved performance levels across the business and our Safety First campaign will help us to build on this.

“We want everyone who visits or works at the airport to be safe. Not only will our DVD promote good working practices, it will hopefully embed a safety culture whereby every member of staff has the confidence to take preventative action and reduce the risk of accidents.”

George Adam MSP for Paisley added: “Glasgow Airport continues to be a beacon for best practice. I think most people in Renfrewshire are aware of the way those employed by the airport go about their business, in the most professional way. This new safety campaign continues the good work that has won the airport so many safety awards over the years.”

CL 27/04/2013

AIRPORT EVENT ALLOWS NEW SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO TAKE OFF

The opening of a brand new airport facility (which took place on April 17th) provides the backdrop for the formal launch of an eye-catching new safety campaign.

Within the last few weeks, passengers have begun to use a state-of-the-art consolidated car rental centre near the airport terminal, freeing up vital space within the main building for future development and providing a brand new facility for the 80,000 people that rent a car each year at Aberdeen International Airport.

That centre has now been given its official opening.

At the same time a new campaign called “Play the Clown, Pay the Price” went live - the result of a unique collaboration between Aberdeen International Airport, RGU and a group of Aberdeen design and marketing agencies.

They worked together to find a new way of addressing the age-old question, “how do we keep health and safety alive?” Following a competition process, the clown campaign is being adopted by a number of companies across the area. Some of the winning artwork will be on show within the car rental facility at the opening, and the event will be attended by a number of the companies who have already committed to showing the campaign.

It is available free of charge to anyone interested in taking health and safety promotion one step further. The campaign has elements which will be of just as much relevance in an airport or any other dynamic operational environment as it will on a construction site, an oil platform, in a school, an office or to the general public.

Aldrich Blignaut is the airport Head of Health and Safety. He said: “H&S can often get a bad press, and I believe this campaign has the ability to change all that. We want people to start thinking about safety in a fresh new way. Whilst it is clearly of paramount importance across the airport campus, this campaign will look just as at home in a cross-section of industries.”

Roger Hunt is the Operations Director at Aberdeen International Airport and will be speaking at the launch event. He said “Holding the safety campaign launch in our new facility is a great fit. Both of these initiatives have provided us with yet another opportunity to work in partnership with a range of valued stakeholders.

“As a result of this approach we have delivered a successful build on the car rental centre, completed safely, within both timescale and budget. It is through this partnership that we have also been in a position to champion such a unique safety programme, which I believe has the ability to really make people think about the important part they play in their own safety and that of people around them.

The new car rental centre is situated within the car rental car-park. The old desks within the terminal are set to be removed to expand the floor space for future development.

The safety campaign packs can be viewed online at www.aberdeenairport.com/playtheclown

DB 21/04/2013

VIRGIN ATLANTIC REVEALS JUMBO OCTOBER SCHEDULE FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT

Virgin Atlantic has announced additional capacity on its popular Florida flights from Glasgow Airport this October.


Almost 2,000 extra seats will be made available as a result of the airline’s decision to deploy a Boeing 747 aircraft on its Orlando route during the month.


This will allow Virgin Atlantic to meet the high demand associated with the school holiday week, which is traditionally one of Glasgow Airport’s busiest periods of the year.


The 455 seat jumbo jet will replace a 314 seat Airbus A330 for seven return flights in October, with Scots keen to visit the Sunshine State benefitting from a total of 1,974 additional seats.


The Boeing aircraft also features the airline’s award winning Upper Class in addition to the Premium Economy and Economy products available on the Airbus, which is normally deployed by Virgin Atlantic on the Florida route outwith the peak months of June and July.


Edmond Rose, Virgin Atlantic’s director of commercial and revenue planning, commented: “October is proving to be an exceptionally busy month for Scottish holidaymakers travelling out to Florida. To meet this increased demand Virgin Atlantic has taken the decision to bring one of its Boeing 747 aircraft onto the route, adding a significant number of seats.


“We are working really closely with Glasgow Airport and hope to continue to increase capacity out of Glasgow.”


Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Since launching in 2007 the Florida flights have been a huge success, carrying nearly 40,000 passengers in 2012, and we are very proud to have such a strong brand as Virgin Atlantic here at Glasgow Airport.


“Florida is a popular destination among Scottish holidaymakers and the decision to increase capacity on this route through the use of a larger aircraft is a clear demonstration of Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to the Glasgow market. We will be working closely with the airline to ensure capacity continues to rise.”


Ends

DB 21/04/2013

NEW KLM BAGGAGE ARRANGEMENTS LAUNCH ON 22 APRIL

KLM is reminding travel agents and passengers that as of 22 April 2013, travellers in Economy class will
have the option to fly with just carry-on baggage, or to check in baggage at a fee when travelling across Europe¹.

KLM are, they say, "taking another step in putting customers in control of their trip, letting them decide on the comfort to suit their personal or professional needs. Already, travellers can opt for extra comfort seats, paid upgrades and lounge access ."

"We are pleased to offer all Flying Blue members, corporate contract holders and BlueBiz members one free checked baggage. Why not invite clients to join our Frequent Traveller programme, Flying Blue? Existing Flying Blue Elite Plus members continue taking advantage of two checked baggage of 23kg each. All passengers continue to take advantage of 1 piece of hand luggage up to 12kg plus a laptop or handbag as well as enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks."


● Exemptions on new paid-option baggage :


All Flying Blue members including Ivory
Corporate contract holders
BlueBiz members
SkyTeam Elite (Plus) members
Passengers holding a fully flexible ticket (Y/B classes)
Infants (until 2 years old)
Marine offshore/ NGO traffic



Fees for the first checked baggage:

Channel                                                 Fee
KLM.com                                             15€
GDS                                                     15€
At the airport                                         30€



For more information, please visit our Trade Website, www.afkl.biz

MTB 13/04/2013

EDINBURGH AIRPORT INTRODUCES FREE WI-FI

Edinburgh Airport has launched free Wi-Fi from April as part of its wider commitment to provide passengers with the best experience possible.

The new service allows passengers to benefit from internet access anywhere in the terminal and offers users two free hours of internet access per day and per device, whether on a mobile phone, laptop or tablet.

Speaking about the launch, David Wilson, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are committed to giving our passengers the best experience possible when they travel with us and providing free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal is part of this.

“We listen to customer feedback and work hard to give people what they want.  Having recently launched our Passenger Commitments, we believe this exciting new service will help make people feel more at home at Edinburgh Airport.”

The new Wi-Fi service will provide a fast and reliable internet connection which is five times faster than the average UK airport, allowing access to email and the internet while waiting in the departure lounge or elsewhere in the airport.

The launch of free Wi-Fi comes just days after Scotland’s busiest airport was named the best in Britain for passenger satisfaction, and one of the three best airports in Europe, at the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards for 2012.

No other British airport appears in the European shortlist and this is the second year in a row that Edinburgh Airport has featured in the top three.

MTB 13/04/2013

LITTLE RED LAUNCHES IN EDINBURGH

Edinburgh Airport is celebrating the launch of Virgin Atlantic Little Red, the latest addition to its rapidly growing list of airlines.

Little Red officially launched at Edinburgh on Monday, with Sir Richard Branson taking centre stage. The new daily service marks the first domestic flights in the airline's 29 year history. Scotland's busiest airport is continuing to provide its passengers with the best choice of destinations and airlines. Virgin Atlantic Little Red will offer six daily flights to London Heathrow, opening Edinburgh up to the rest of the world.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic Little Red to Edinburgh. We are passionate about providing choice and this new service does exactly that, it offers choice about how our customers travel to London, as well as opening up a new set of onward destinations. It is great news for Scottish passengers. We're excited to be welcoming Sir Richard Branson and his team for the official launch of Little Red and hope he gets to sample all that our great city has to offer."

MTB 11/04/13

HAPAG LLOYD PUBLISHES CLASSICAL MUSIC CRUISE BROCHURE FOR EUROPA

Hapag Lloyd Cruises has created a 6-page folder for its Classical Music cruises on board MS EUROPA - Berlitz Guide's 'best cruise ship in the world'. The cruises are :

EUR1315 – June 30 – July 18, 2013 to Iceland and Norway – the Stella Maris Vocal Competition takes place on board

EUR1328 – November 19-30, 2013 in the Western Mediterranean Sea - the Ocean Sun Festival takes place on board

The brochure will be printed within the next two weeks and copies can be ordered from salesteam@hlkf.de or on +49 40 3001 4580.

With the hastening arrival of Hapag Lloyd's new luxury ship Europa 2, the cruise line has produced a film on the new vessel :

http://www.hl-cruises.com/ships/ms-europa-2/on-board/photos-videos/ms-europa-2-imagefilm

MTB 05/04/13

VIRGIN ATLANTIC HIGHLIGHT LITTLE RED KEY SELLING POINTS

Virgin Atlantic has published a series of 10 key selling points for travel agents to make use of when selling the airline's newly-launched UK domestic services between Aberdeen and London Heathrow and Edinburgh and London Heathrow, branded as Little Red :

1. Competitive fares from Scotland – Heathrow starting at £99.00 rtn including taxes.

2. Passengers connecting onward to a Virgin Atlantic international flight receive complimentary 75 mile radius private car transfers when booked in the appropriate Upper Class fare. Four cars in total, two in UK and two at destination. (Please note some destinations may vary).

3. Private car transfers can also be used between LHR and LGW but will count as your UK allowance.

4. Seats can be booked free of charge within 90 days of travel date.

5. 10kg of hand baggage and 23kg of check-in baggage included in fare.

6. Complimentary breakfast roll on early morning flights and snacks through-out rest of the day.

7. Complimentary tea/coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks on-board.

8. Common-rated fares with London when connecting to a Virgin Atlantic international flight.

9. The use of a dedicated Fast transfer bus straight from Little Red to Terminal 3 when connecting onward to a Virgin Atlantic international flight.

10. The use of local Servisair lounges at ABZ, EDI and Terminal 1 LHR for all Upper Class and Gold Card passengers.

MTB 05/04/13