Sept 21, 2011 – Singapore’s Changi Airport handled 3.86 million passenger movements in August 2011, an increase of 11.2% over the same month last year. Aircraft movements grew 14.9% year-on-year to 25,700.

Regional traffic to and from Northeast and Southeast Asia continued to underpin passenger demand at Changi. Growth was strongest for Bangkok, Bali, Hong Kong, Manila and Tokyo, with each registering double-digit growth. Traffic between Singapore and Tokyo (12.0%) and all of Japan (14.4%) grew for the second consecutive month.

Low-cost airlines (LCCs) carried 26.3% more passengers compared to a year ago, while full service carriers grew 6.8% albeit from a bigger base. LCCs accounted for a quarter of all flights at Changi.

Year-to-date, passenger movements at Changi grew 11.2% to 30.4 million.

Source From: onlinetravelfair

Aug 11, 2011 – Singapore Airlines (SIA) has agreed to order eight more Boeing 777-300ERs. The order is valued at US$2.3 billion at list prices, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the 2013-14 financial year.

Powered by General Electric GE90 engines, the aircraft will join 19 B777-300ERs already in service with SIA. They will be configured in a three-class layout, serving medium- and long-haul routes.

“These additional B777-300ERs will help support our ongoing programme to further strengthen the Singapore Airlines network, providing more travel options to our customers,” said SIA’s CEO, Goh Choon Phong.

“The order is in line with our longstanding policy of operating a young and modern fleet. This enables us to offer our latest cabin products which have proven extremely popular with our customers.”

SIA’a fleet currently comprises 106 wide-body aircraft. Including this agreement, the airline will have firm purchase or lease orders for a further 70 aircraft.

Source From: traveldailyasia

Aug 13, 2011 – Indian low-cost carrier, IndiGo has confirmed that it will commence flights to Singapore from 10 October 2011. Sales for the services commenced on Friday. The Mumbai-Singapore route will be served daily using IndiGo’s Airbus A320 aircraft. Services will depart Mumbai at 0840, with the return flight leaving Changi airport at 1650.

The airline also announced that it would launch another new international route – Mumbai-Muscat – on the same day, operating four flights per week.\

Source From: traveldailyasia

Aug 15, 2011 – Expedia has reported a positive response from travel agents for its recently-launched Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) in Singapore. According to the online travel agency, more than 400 agents have signed up for TAAP since its launch in June, exceeding Expedia’s expectations for the programme.

AAP members have direct access to Expedia’s global inventory of more than 140,000 hotels, and can take advantage of the company’s platform to check hotel room availability and make bookings while earning commission. A dedicated call centre is also available to support TAAP affiliates.

“TAAP allows us to form a positive partnership with travel agents. Expedia’s portfolio is without a doubt the industry’s best. With such a substantial offering of hotels, flights and dynamic packages at attractive rates, TAAP is able to provide agents a comprehensive inventory, competitive commissions and outstanding service and support,” said Charee Guico, Expedia’s Travel Agent Distribution Manager for Southeast Asia.

“The success of the programme in its first two months of launch highlights the fact that travel agents are already recognising the benefits of using TAAP. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Ms Guico added.

Singapore marks the entry of TAAP into Southeast Asia with subsequent launches planned in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand in the coming months. The scheme was first launched in Italy in 2002 and has since expanded to the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US. The programme currently has more than 80,000 members worldwide.

Source From: traveldailyasia

Aug 16, 2011 – Royal Caribbean has partnered with Singapore’s Parkway Cancer Centre to offer a special ‘Health Voyage’, featuring health seminars by doctors and well-being workshops. Taking place on the 16 December 2011 sailing of the Legend of the Seas, the themed cruise aims to raise awareness for and funds for the Singapore Cancer Society. This will be the first time Royal Caribbean has organised a healthy living theme cruise in Asia.

Dr Ang Peng Tiam, Medical Director of Parkway Cancer Centre and Vice Chairman of Singapore Cancer Society, will present ‘Cancer – Stories of Hope’, that explains different case studies of cancer types, the advances in treatments, and stories of individuals’ successful battles with cancer. Dr Khoo Kei Siong, Deputy Medical Director of Parkway Cancer Centre and Vice President of Singapore’s Council of the College of Physicians, will share information on ‘Truths about Breast & Colorectal Cancer’ on how to prevent, detect and treat two of Singapore’s most common cancers.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend a workshop on breathing techniques to better manage stress, and another on the benefits of acupoint massage and its use to relieve injuries and stress-related conditions.

Royal Caribbean will be donating all its net proceeds from the registration fees to the Singapore Cancer Foundation. In addition, the cruise company will match the net proceeds dollar-to-dollar.

Source From: traveldailyasia