WEST COAST MAIN LINE TO UNDERGO MAJOR IMPROVEMENT WORK

Work on the West Coast Main Line will be carried out this summer to increase
the speed that trains can travel. Four major rail junctions will also be replaced
and enhanced. The work will improve the reliability of the infrastructure and the
punctuality of train services on Britain’s busiest mixed-use railway line.

The £18m improvement scheme will be completed over nine days from Saturday 13
July to Sunday 21 July when four life-expired junctions will be replaced and three
miles of track re-laid.

During the project, over an 18 mile stretch of line near Wigan, trains will be unable
to use the Warrington to Preston section of the route. Train operators will be making
alternative arrangements to help passengers complete their journeys during the line
closure.

Dyan Crowther, route managing director, said: “This scheme represents significant
investment in the railway in this area to increase line speeds and make the railway
more reliable and punctual for our customers.

“There is never a good time to carry out major work on such a busy route and after
careful discussion with the train operators and industry partners, it became apparent
that undertaking this vital investment in nine consecutive days in July would, overall,
cause less disruption.

“Train services are quieter at this time and fewer people are expected to experience
changes to their travel plans compared to the work being staggered over the next two
years, impacting on dozens of weekends and Bank Holidays.”

Usually, Network Rail would have carried out work of this kind over a number of Bank
Holiday weekends requiring train services to be replaced repeatedly by alternative
transport. By carrying out the work in a nine-day continuous spell this summer,
engineers expect to be able to complete the replacement of the four junctions around
16 months earlier and to avoid disrupting rail travel plans for many weekends and
bank holidays over the next two years.

MTB 24/05/13

GLASGOW AIRPORT REPORTS PASSENGER GROWTH FOR APRIL 2013

Passenger growth at Glasgow Airport has continued, with almost 550,000 people travelling through the airport in April 2013, representing an increase of 0.4% compared to the same period last year.

A strong demand for both domestic and long-haul travel, coupled with the launch in April of Lufthansa Regional’s direct service to Dusseldorf, ensured the airport was able to maintain its steady pattern of growth. Wizz Air’s flights to Warsaw and Gdansk - which launched in March - have also continued to prove popular.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “It is always pleasing to report growth and April was yet another busy month in terms of passenger numbers and route announcements.

“Outwith the launch of the new Lufthansa Regional service there were a number of positive developments. We received confirmation from Thomson Airways we will be the first Scottish airport to welcome the Dreamliner when it arrives on 8 July and British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to Glasgow with the launch of its new £800,000 lounge.

“Our multi-million pound investment programme is underway and passengers will begin to notice work within the terminal, particularly in the check-in hall where we are currently creating more space as we approach the busy summer period.”

Glasgow Airport is investing £17 million in refurbishing and enhancing key parts of the main terminal building, including international arrivals - which for many will be the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

DB 18/05/2013

HURTIGRUTEN MARKS 120TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW FJORD CALLS

Norwegian specialist cruise line Hurtigruten is to celebrate its 120-year anniversary with calls to two new "breathtaking" fjords this year and year-round charter flights.

The line made the announcement at a special birthday party for key UK partners, agents and customers, where it also took the opportunity to remind people it was not embroiled in the price wars of the larger cruise lines.

In September and October, Hurtigruten will call at the Hjorund fjord - which is just 35km long and accessed by a very small opening, meaning only small ships like those operated by Hurtigruten can gain access.

For 11 days, to mark its actual birthday on July 2, the line will aloso visit the Lyngen fjord - located 300km north of the Arctic circle.

UK managing director Kathryn Beadle said: "These are truly breathtaking venue for us to go to. It is something that we can offer that's unique from our competitors."

She also revealed that the success of 47 charter flights from eight different airports in winter 2013/14, in addition to its scheduled flying, had given Hurtigruten the confidence to introduce charter flights for the whole year in 2014.

Commenting on competitors in the market, Beadle said: "Our offering is very far removed from the big white ships. In this current market where it's all about price, getting drawn into this (price-driven competition) is not something that we get involved in. We use our difference and our niche as our lever, not price."

She continued: "Customers travel with us because they want to visit the real Norway; really isolated places. We serve local recipes, our staff are local and all our excursions get really involved in the local culture of the area."

She thanked everyone for their support selling Hurtigruten, adding: "In Norway, we're a highly recognised brand but in the UK it's not quite the same. People can't even say Hurtigruten, let alone spell it, so thank you for raising awareness and sales."

DB 18/05/2013

WELCOME TO FRED./ RIVER CRUISES

Fred.\ River Cruises has launched a standalone brochure dedicated to the deluxe MS Mozart river cruise ship which operates on the River Danube. The brochure will be with agents by mid–May and Fred.\ River Cruises is looking to work closely with the trade on this unique product, as well as planning a forthcoming agent fam trip for later this year.

Key selling points of the MS Mozart are that it has cabins for one, two or three people, including some with French balconies. Standard cabins each have a generous 66-square-feet footprint, making them amongst the largest to be found on a river cruise vessel. The ship has facilities including a heated swimming pool with spa, as well as features such as an ocean-style atrium and lobby. Certain cabins are also equipped for people who require kidney dialysis.

What's in it for you?
Trade friendly sales team
Generous commission to you
Fam trips and ship visits
PLUS from now until the end of June any bookings made through Fred.\ river cruises will receive a £25 love 2 shop voucher

To find out more, or to order brochure supplies, register your interest with our agency sales department by visiting http://www.fredrivercruises.co.uk/contact-us/.

(Fred.\ River Cruises a division of Fred.\ – the new tour operator brand of Fred.Olsen Travel and also the General Sales Agent (GSA) for the five star MS Mozart cruise.)

DB 11/05/2013

THOMAS COOK DEDICATED AGENT SERVICES LINE

Thomas Cook is delighted to announce the creation of a dedicated line for all its 3rd-party partners for the following products: Thomas Cook, Airtours, Style Collection, Manos, Club 1830 & Escapades.

Firstly, call 0844 879 8222. Then follow the instructions for the relevant departments:

Administration
Reservations
Weddings
Special Assistance
Customer Relations

For Cancellations
For any bookings made with 24 hours that need to be cancelled, please see the FAQ section on Thomas Cook World, as these now can be processed quickly through this function for Summer 2013 only.
For Winter 2013/2014 and Summer 2014, you can recall the booking and cancel.

For Special Assistance
The new special assistance form can be found and submitted through the FAQ on Thomas Cook World. This form should be used for all special assistance request outside 2 weeks of departure.

DB 11/05/2013

CHANGES TO US AIRWAYS SHUTTLE FLIGHT RANGE

US Airways has announced it will be condensing the shuttle flight range from flight numbers 2000 – 2199 to flight numbers 2140 – 2199. 

This range will be effective for travel August 1, 2013. You may notice that flight numbers 2000 – 2139 will not allow advanced seat assignments. US Airways is working to resolve the issue and will let you know as soon as it has corrected it.

The shuttle will continue to offer hourly service between Boston, New York and Washington, DC, as well as front- and rear-door deplaning and complimentary newspapers, beer, wine and snacks.

RCL CRUISES GOES DIGITAL

RCL Cruises Ltd is pleased to announce that its trade communications will now be brought to you via HTML email.

This transformation means it can provide you with all the latest, greatest offers from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises in a much more streamlined format.

You can look forward to all the great company news and offers you've always had from RCL Cruises, just with a new look! Just one click and you'll be connected to Cruising Power, with access to all the campaign flyers, top offers and collateral you've come to expect - without overflowing your inbox with large files.

RCL Cruises hopes you like the new look communication format, and looks forward to your thoughts and feedback.

Your continued support is much appreciated.

DB 04/05/2013