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NTSB INVESTIGATORS LOOKING INTO BOEING 787 SMOKE EVENT IN BOSTON
Jan. 7, 2013
WASHINGTON– Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are gathering information regarding reports of smoke aboard a Boeing 787 at Boston’s Logan Airport today.
The Japan Airlines 787 was on the ground and empty of passengers at the time of the incident.
The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to Boston. Based on a review of the factual information gathered, the NTSB will determine the extent of its investigation.
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First Emirates A380 Flight Departs from New Concourse A
Emirates world’s largest A380 fleet to call new facility home
DUBAI, UAE – 7th January 2013 – Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, achieved another first with the inaugural departure today of an A380 flight from the new and world’s only dedicated and purpose-built A380 concourse at Dubai International Airport.
Part of the airport’s Terminal 3 complex, Concourse A will become the “home of the Emirates A380”, from where passengers will connect to more than 20 Emirates A380 destinations around the world, including A380 flights to Europe on Australian airline, Qantas, in terms of the global partnership announced recently which is pending the approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The departure of flight EK003 at 14h30 to London Heathrow marked the start of flights from four gates which opened at Concourse A. This also forms part of on-going operational trials and testing to ensure a smooth and seamless passenger experience before it officially opens and becomes fully operational during the first quarter this year.
More than 500 passengers across First Class, Business Class and Economy Class became the first travellers to experience boarding through the unique double decker air contact bridges connected to the aircraft, one of the key features of the facility.
“This is an historic and momentous occasion, marking another world first from Emirates. The new A380 hub is another example of Emirates being a leader in providing innovative products and services that give customers an unsurpassed travel experience,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai Airports. “We are confident that our customers will find the new concourse to be a remarkable world class facility befitting of our flagship Emirates A380 aircraft.” “I would also like to congratulate Dubai Airports on achieving this major milestone in the development of Concourse A.”
With 528,000 m2 spread across eleven floors and the capacity to handle 15 million passengers a year, the concourse offers Emirates customers a seamless and unrivalled experience in terms of comfort, convenience and choice of facilities. From direct lounge boarding for First Class and Business Class customers to an expansive duty free shopping area, food courts, cafes and fine dining options, a Timeless Spa and the largest First Class and Business Class lounges in the world. The concourse also offers a dedicated hotel floor with both a four and five star offering. Passengers are transported between Terminal 3 and Concourse A by underground trains and shuttle busses from where they can depart through 20 gates when the facility becomes fully operational.
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NEW UPS WORLDWIDE EXPRESS FREIGHT SERVICE OFFERS FASTER INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IN MORE LANES
INDIA, Jan. 8, 2013 – UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced a new express air freight service, UPS Worldwide Express FreightSM, for urgent, time-sensitive and high-value international heavyweight shipments. This new service is an extension of the UPS Worldwide Express package portfolio and offers customers a seamless experience between shipping express package and express freight.
Customers now can ship pallets over 70 kg (150 lbs.) as easily as packages exclusively within UPS’s global air network from 37 origins to 41 destination countries and territories. This guaranteed, day-definite, door-to-door service features some of the fastest times in transit in the industry, with delivery typically within one to three business days, depending on the destination. For more information on UPS Worldwide Express Freight, visit: ups.com/worldwideexpressfreight.com.
UPS Worldwide Express Freight service offers many of the same features as UPS’s Worldwide Express package service, including automated shipment preparation, online tracking and proactive notification technology. In addition, both express freight and package shipments are consolidated into one bill.
This service will be rolled out across Asia Pacific, covering Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
“With the US and Europe being Asia’s largest export markets and given promising developments within Asia, the launch of UPS Worldwide Express Freight presents immense opportunities for businesses keen to expand their operations beyond their domestic market.” said Brendan Canavan, President, UPS Asia Pacific. “Our customers depend on the speed, reliability and visibility that UPS provides with our package express services. Our continued commitment to match business needs in the Asia Pacific region is testament to our efforts to provide greater flexibility and efficiencies, so that our customers can stay ahead of the game.”
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SpiceJet connects Tiruchirapalli with Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai
SpiceJet Ltd, India’s most preferred low cost airline, now connects Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu with services to Delhi and Mumbai (via Chennai). The airline is connecting Tiruchirapalli with state capital Chennai
New Delhi, Delhi, January 8, 2013 /India PRwire/ — SpiceJet Ltd, India’s most preferred low cost airline, now connects Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu with services to Delhi and Mumbai (via Chennai). The airline is connecting Tiruchirapalli with state capital Chennai.
All commercial flights on these routes will commence on from January 15, 2013. Booking of tickets for these destinations are open now.
“With the launch of these flights Tiruchirapalli now would be connected to national network. SpiceJet is committed to offer best services at affordable fare,” SpiceJet Chief Executive Officer Neil Mills said.
The airline would be deploying Bombardier Q400 aircraft on these routes. The Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft can accommodate 78 passengers and is widely accepted as the best short-haul aircraft globally.
Tickets can be booked through www.spicejet.com or Toll Free Reservation at 1800 180 3333 / 0987 180 3333 and through Travel Agents. For more details on schedule and fares please log on to www.spicejet.com.
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QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES POLAND SERVICES TO GO DAILY
Capacity Upgrade On Doha – Warsaw Route From February 1
Airline Adds New Flights Less Than Two Months After Route Launch
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways today announced a capacity increase to daily scheduled services on the Doha – Warsaw route, effective February 1.
The current four-times-a-week service is scheduled to move to a daily operation less than two months after the launch of flights to Poland’s capital city.
The frequency rise follows a pledge by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker in December to introduce more flights on the Warsaw route once there was strong passenger demand.
“I have been pleasantly surprised how well the route has performed since adding the latest European gateway to our ever-expanding global network last month,” he said.
“When we enter new markets, we do so carefully with limited capacity and then develop routes with more capacity once we see evidence that additional flights are warranted. Today’s development is welcome news for the people of Poland with more choice of flights and a great international network to choose from, specifically to Asia, Australia and the Middle East.”
Similarly, Al Baker explained that passengers from around the world will have more connectivity into Poland each day of the week.
“Serving popular routes with multi-frequency flights is one of our key strategies. We were confident that the Doha – Warsaw service would become a highly popular route, but didn’t expect this to happen so soon,” added Al Baker.
Marking Qatar Airways’ 32nd destination in Europe, the Doha – Warsaw route was launched on December 5th with a grand welcome reception at the city’s Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport.
Warsaw became the 12th and final new route of the year in the airline’s expanding global route map covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Qatar Airways offers the fastest connection times between Warsaw via the airline’s Doha hub to popular Asian destinations such as Hanoi, New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Male, Riyadh, Bangkok and Colombo.
All flights on the Doha – Warsaw route are operated with a modern Airbus A320, featuring 144 seats in a two-class configuration of 12 in Business Class and 132 in Economy. The aircraft offers seatback TV screens providing passengers with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment system and a choice of more than 800 audio and video on demand options, together with an SMS text messaging service from each seat.
One of the world’s fastest growing airlines, Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 15 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 116 aircraft to 123 key business and leisure destinations worldwide, the latest being to Gassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the airline’s first route launch of 2013.
Over the next few weeks and months, Qatar Airways will launch flights to a diverse portfolio of new routes, including; Najaf, Iraq (January 23); Phnom Penh, Cambodia (February 20); Chengdu, China (March 19); Chicago, USA (April 10); and Salalah, Oman (May 22).
The DOHA – WARSAW daily schedules, effective 1 February 2013 –
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
QR980 Depart Doha at 0920 hrs arrive Warsaw at 1320 hrs
QR981 Depart Warsaw at 1535 hrs arrive Doha at 2255 hrs
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
QR982 Depart Doha at 0230 hrs arrive Warsaw at 0630 hrs
QR983 Depart Warsaw at 1105 hrs arrive Doha at 1825 hrs
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NTSB PROVIDES INVESTIGATIVE UPDATE ON BOEING 787 FIRE INCIDENT IN BOSTON
Jan. 8, 2013
WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board today released an update on its formal investigation of Monday’s fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston. There were no passengers or crew on board at the time. One firefighter received minor injuries.
In addition to an investigator already on scene who visually inspected the airplane last night, the NTSB has sent two additional investigators to Boston and formed investigative groups to look at airworthiness and fire and airport emergency response. Senior Air Safety Investigator David Helson has been designated as the investigator-in-charge.
Parties to the investigation are the Federal Aviation Administration and The Boeing Company. In addition, the Japan Transport Safety Board has appointed an accredited representative and Japan Airlines will assist the JTSB as technical advisors.
Initial investigative findings include:
• The NTSB investigator on scene found that the auxiliary power unit battery had severe fire damage. Thermal damage to the surrounding structure and components is confined to the area immediately near the APU battery rack (within about 20 inches) in the aft electronics bay.
• Preliminary reports from Japan Airlines representatives indicate that airplane maintenance and cleaning personnel were on the airplane with the APU in operation just prior to the detection of smoke in the cabin and that Boston Logan Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting were contacted.
• Rescue and fire personnel and equipment responded to the airplane and detected a fire in the electronics and equipment bay near the APU battery box. Initial reports indicate that the fire was extinguished about 40 minutes after arrival of the first rescue and fire personnel. One firefighter received minor injuries.
Further investigative updates will be issued as events warrant. To be alerted to any updates or developments, please follow the NTSB on Twitter at twitter.com/ntsb.
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Embraer Selects Pratt & Whitney PurePower® Geared Turbofan™
Engine as Exclusive Power for Second Generation of E-Jets
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 8, 2013 – Embraer today announced it has selected Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower Geared Turbofan™ engine as the exclusive power for its new second generation of the E-Jet aircraft family. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
Planned to enter service in 2018, the Embraer E-Jets equipped with PurePower PW1700G and PW1900G engines will offer significant reductions in fuel burn, emissions, noise and operating costs compared to today’s aircraft. With this announcement, Embraer becomes the fifth aircraft manufacturer to select Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower engine.
“Pratt & Whitney’s Pure Power engines allow us to offer our customers the very best technology and lowest operating costs,” said Embraer President & CEO Frederico Fleury Curado. “Pratt & Whitney’s extensive engine testing and validation process has positioned them to meet our economic and environmental improvement targets as well as the program timeline for the new generation of the E-Jet aircraft family.”
“The Geared Turbofan has proven to be truly innovative by setting new standards for fuel burn, emissions and noise reduction,” said Pratt & Whitney President David Hess. “Embraer’s selection of the PurePower engine is another significant endorsement of this game-changing technology.”
“We are proud that Embraer has recognized the unmatched value of the PurePower engine, and we are committed to supporting a successful launch of the new E-Jet aircraft family,” Hess continued. “To date, Pratt & Whitney has completed more than 4,200 hours and 12,400 cycles of full engine testing for the PurePower engine family, demonstrating the benefits and reliability of the engine architecture.”
Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine’s fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core delivers double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental emissions as well as a 50 percent reduction in noise.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
This release includes “forward looking statements” concerning anticipated business opportunities that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including with regard to the programs described in this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the impact of deterioration or extended weakness in global economic conditions on demand for our products and services, the financial strength of customers and suppliers and on levels of air travel; and challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products and services. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC’s 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed with the SEC.
For more information, visit www.purepowerengines.com
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Lufthansa Systems adds powerful visualization module to its flight planning solution Lido/Flight
January 08, 2013
Integration of Lido/Flight Winds – More efficiency for flight planning process
Lufthansa Systems today announced that it has added the powerful module Lido/Flight Winds for visualizing flight paths and other information to its well known flight planning solution Lido/Flight. This enables airline dispatchers to better monitor active flights until landing and to offer support to pilots when necessary. This new module enables airlines to increase the efficiency of their flight operations and the punctuality of their flights. By integrating Lido/Flight Winds, the airline IT specialist has once again enhanced the range of features offered by Lido/Flight.
“The integration of Lido/Flight Winds once again underlines how we continually invest in innovative technologies,” said Stefan Auerbach, SVP Airline Solutions at Lufthansa Systems. “This boosts the value of our products and makes a significant contribution to improving our customers’ competitiveness.”
Lido/Flight is one of the most powerful flight planning solutions in the world and is used by airlines of all sizes with a wide variety of business models. The solution calculates the most efficient route for each flight from countless possible combinations while taking all current flight-related data into account. This makes it possible to optimize routes in terms of costs, flight time or fuel consumption. Airlines can reduce their fuel costs by up to five percent with Lido/Flight. The integrated Lido/Flight solution also offers numerous additional modules for calculating the optimal takeoff thrust, making the best use of temporary flight paths and automatically generating electronic briefing packets for crews, for example.
The supplementary module Lido/Flight Winds generates precise cartographic visualizations of the flights planned with Lido/Flight. These can be superimposed with data from other sources, such as weather radar images or information on the airspace situation.
The user-friendly graphical display of the flight situation enables airline dispatchers to make prompt tactical decisions while tracking a flight, such as whether to fly around areas of bad weather or airspaces with capacity bottlenecks. This can increase flight punctuality and reduce the costs associated with delays.
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Maini Group outlines expansion plans at Aero India 2013
• Becomes a direct sub-tier partner with two global aerospace prime contractors
• Enters its fourth decade of successful industrial build up
Bangalore, January 09, 2013: The Maini Group today announced that it would be sharing details regarding its expansion plans at The Aero India 2013. The group has acquired industrial land in preparation for its expansion of plant facilities and is concentrating on long term aerospace and defense strategic plans spanning the next two decades. For this purpose, it is currently in talks with global and domestic aerospace leaders in order to explore the right opportunities. The Maini Group is all set to court growth in the Indian aerospace industry, which is growing at an exponential rate.
The Maini Group is participating and exhibiting its products at Aero India 2013 in Bangalore on 6th to 10th February 2013. They will be present at Hall B, Stall B1.5.
The group also announced that Maini Precision Products Pvt. Ltd. (MPP), has achieved a unique distinction in India in the year 2012 by becoming a direct sub-tier partner with two global aerospace prime contractors, supplementing its already impressive list of customers who are the global who-is-who of aerospace domain. MPP has been steering its aerospace aspirations through a dedicated team of domain skilled people, which has been christened as Maini Global Aerospace (MGA).
“MGA is proud to be associated with global majors as direct suppliers and also to a host of global aerospace leaders like Snecma, Eaton, Magellan, Marshall, Parker, Avio, GE, MTU, HAL, SnecmaHAL and Hamilton Sundstrand. The MGA strategy is to grow up the value chain in the domains of aerospace parts manufacture such as aero structures, precision and aero-engine parts and aircraft systems.” said Mr. Naresh Palta, CEO, Maini Global Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.
MGA is also one of the few selected Indian Offset Partners (IOP) with global aerospace majors. Having already commenced supplies against offset programs, the MGA team has recently begun the manufacture of mechanical parts for space applications.
The Maini Group also enters its fourth decade of successful industrial build up in 2013. From its modest beginning of manufacture of precision components and assemblies for the automotive, hydraulic, material handling and engineering industry by its flagship company Maini Precision Products Pvt. Ltd. (MPP), the group has grown to become a six company entity today. Widely known for its innovative and revolutionary electric car ‘REVA’ and eco- friendly material handling solutions, the group diversified into aerospace activities in 2005 by manufacture of precision machined parts for the Snecma’s widely used CFM 56 engines.
With a high focus on leveraging its diverse strength in design, manufacture, innovation, integration, international joint ventures, strategic alliances, and technology absorption, The Maini Group aims to propel itself as a strong aerospace and defense entity in the country.
For further information on company please log on to http://www.mainigroup.com/
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Tiger Airways launches tigerconnect with Changi Airport Group
Come 1 February 2013, passengers of Tiger Airways and its partner airlines will be able to make hassle-free transfers at Singapore Changi Airport without the need for travel visa to enter Singapore, immigration clearance, and the retrieval and checking-in of their luggage a second time for onward flights.
Tiger Airways and partner airline, Mandala Airlines, in collaboration with Changi Airport Group (CAG), announced today the launch of tigerconnect, a seamless and hassle-free transfer service. The new service is provided jointly with CAG, and rides on the Changi Connects platform that was launched by CAG in November last year.
With tigerconnect, passengers making connecting flights will be able to collect their onward travel boarding passes at the transfer desk at Singapore Changi Airport transit area upon arrival. Thereafter, they can proceed to enjoy the myriad of amenities at the airport, without worrying about baggage transfers, before boarding the second leg of their flight to Tiger destinations such as southern India, China, Macau, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Sydney, Taipei, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Thomas Cook India awarded “Best Corporate Travel Management Company” by World Travel Brands
Mumbai, Jan 9, 2013: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s largest integrated travel and travel related financial services company was chosen the “Best Corporate Travel Management Company” by World Travel Brands.
The World Travel Brands is one of the most coveted of Travel Awards, honouring powerful brands, exceptional individuals & innovative businesses from the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality industries, that have excelled in customer service and developed innovative ways to carve an emphatic identity for themselves. With the winners being selected on the basis of comprehensive profiling of the brand, quality of services and consumer perception, this award is yet another a reiteration of the leadership position of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Representatives across Travel, Tourism & Hospitality industries, including travel agencies, tour and cruise operators, airlines, restaurants and hotels, were present at the event, and the awards were handed over by India’s leading ad film director & ad guru Prahlad Kakkar.
As one of the largest buyers of travel and travel related products and services countrywide, Thomas Cook India’s Corporate Travel Management offers an array of customized corporate solutions that leverage the power of negotiated pricing coupled with the diversity of its product service portfolio. Flexibility in the offering is enhanced by both online and offline solutions and the backing of Thomas Cook India’s 24×7 India Contact Centre. Today, Thomas Cook India effectively manages the travel budgets of business travellers across the corporate segment, including large multinationals, Indian Corporate Houses and SMEs.
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has leveraged its pioneering heritage of over 172 years, to bring expertise and innovation to the ever demanding and evolving Corporate Travel market – via its customer centric services, focused cost savings & control solutions, automation and process development.
From travel and accommodation arrangements to in-house visa and travel insurance processing, to 24X7 emergency support services, foreign exchange, domestic & international holiday packages, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events (MICE) and more, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd provides an entire bouquet of services under one umbrella.
Thomas Cook India’s partnership with ITP (International Travel Partnership), one of the world’s fastest growing networked alliances of independent travel management, brings further advantage to its corporate customers. ITP is a consortium in which each travel management company is locally owned & managed and is a market leader in its own right.
Corporate travel services at Thomas Cook (India) Ltd are an outcome of extensive in-house research of the Indian business traveller, conducted by a team of experienced professionals. The Company’s relentless focus on research was highlighted via the release of the Thomas Cook Corporate Travel Whitepaper titled ‘Corporate Travel: Convergence of Travel and Technology 2012’, showcasing global developments and trends in the travel technology front with its impact to the travel purchase cycle and the travel ecosystem, while drawing parallels to the India context.
Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd said, “We are delighted with the unique honour of being awarded the “Best Corporate Travel Management Company” by World Travel Brands. Being sensitive to the unique requirements of today’s corporate traveller, our relentless focus on innovation and customized solutions has made us an invaluable partner for our business customers.”
He added, “As India’s largest integrated travel and travel services company, we successfully leverage our immense buying clout into exceptional value driven customized products for our Corporates. This coupled with the personalized care of our Service Excellence Centre ensures delivery that is par excellence.”
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NTSB TO ASSIST WITH INVESTIGATION OF HELICOPTER CRASH IN PERU
Jan. 9, 2013
WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team of investigators to Pucallpa, Peru, to assist the Government of Peru with its investigation of yesterday’s crash involving a Boeing helicopter. According to the U.S. Department of State, the accident claimed the lives of five American citizens.
On Monday afternoon, in Pucallpa, Peru, a Boeing-Vertol 234 helicopter, operated by the U.S. operator Columbia Helicopters, crashed shortly after takeoff. The helicopter had departed from FAP Captain David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport, Pullcapa, Peru enroute to Tarapoto, Peru. It has been reported that all seven persons aboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries.
The NTSB has designated senior air safety investigator, Paul Cox, as the U.S. Accredited Representative. He will be accompanied by two NTSB investigators with expertise in helicopter systems and operations, a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration, and a representative from Columbia Helicopters. The team is expected to arrive in Peru tonight.
The Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes de Aviacion (CIAA) Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones – MTC of Peru will release all information concerning the investigation. They can be reached at: Tel: 51-1-6157488 (website: http://www.mtc.gob.pe)
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JAL and KYOCERA to Support “TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013” Program to Send Tsunami-Stricken Area Students from Japan to the U.S.
Supporting Kesennuma students’ visit to express gratitude for the U.S. military’s tsunami relief mission “Operation Tomodachi”
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 9201.T)(herein “JAL”) and KYOCERA Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971)(herein “KYOCERA”) announced today that they will jointly support the “TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013” program taking place in March 2013 as part of the larger TOMODACHI Initiative.
In 2011, a humanitarian relief mission, called “Operation Tomodachi,” (the word tomodachi means friend in Japanese) was launched by the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake to provide assistance and encouragement to the disaster victims. U.S. forces also made tremendous contributions to the restoration of Sendai Airport, which was devastated by the tsunami. The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership led by the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S.-Japan Council to invest in the next generation in both countries and to strengthen the U.S.-Japan friendship, based on the same spirit of cooperation and friendship as “Operation Tomodachi.”
As numerous residents of the tsunami-ravaged city of Kesennuma (Miyagi Pref.) have conveyed their feelings of deep gratitude toward the U.S. Marines and Navy personnel who participated in “Operation Tomodachi,” in order to help the young people of Kesennuma realize their wish to personally thank U.S. service personnel and to support their own individual growth, JAL and KYOCERA will jointly support the “TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013” program, which will transport students from Kesennuma to San Diego, home to numerous U.S. Marine and Navy bases.
Through the program, JAL and KYOCERA also seek to provide participants with an exciting educational and cultural exchange in San Diego, a city with which both companies have close ties: JAL inaugurated the first direct flight to San Diego from Asia with its Boeing 787 on December 2, 2012; and KYOCERA opened the U.S. production plant of KYOCERA International Inc. there in 1971.
An outline of the program follows:
“TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013”
1. Date: March 24 (Sun) – March 31 (Sun), 2013
2. Participants: 7 students of Kesennuma City (to be selected through a screening process)
3. Cost: Transportation between Kesennuma and Narita Airport, airfare, and local transportation and room and board throughout the program will be covered by the organizers
4. Program schedule (tentative):
Day 1 Travel from Kesennuma Station – Sendai – Ueno – Narita Airport;
departure ceremony
Flight JL066 to San Diego
City tour and welcome ceremony Homestay
Day 2 Courtesy call and thank you ceremony at U.S. Navy and/or Marine base Homestay
Day 3 School visit Homestay
Day 4 School visit, KYOCERA production plant visit Homestay
Day 5 Farewell ceremony
Attend University of San Diego vs Oregon State baseball game Homestay
Day 6 Flight JL065 to Narita Airport In-flight
Day 7 Farewell party at hotel after arriving at Narita Airport Stay in hotel
Day 8 Travel from Narita – Ueno – Sendai – Kesennuma
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AirAsia named as ‘Best managed company overall in Malaysia’ and ‘Best managed company in Asia – Airlines/Aviation’ by Euromoney Magazine
SEPANG, 10 JANUARY 2013 – Leading international magazine Euromoney has today named AirAsia Berhad as winner of the overall best managed company in Malaysia as well as the best managed company in Asia in the Airlines/Aviation sector for the Euromoney ‘Best Managed and Governed Companies – Asia poll 2013’.
The poll is based on replies received from a total of 130 of the leading equity analysts at the largest investment banks and research houses in the Asia Pacific region nominating a total of 207 different companies. Analysts were asked to name which companies were the most impressive across a number of factors including; management accessibility, accounting transparency and corporate governance procedures amongst others.
Analysts praised AirAsia for its leading role in promoting transparent communication to investors, citing that “the company has a clear strategy and good visibility”. Analysts also noted that “AirAsia senior management is open to all questions and requests from investors and analysts regarding the company’s performance and external relations are properly maintained.”
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia stated that, “We are very proud of the acknowledgement that Euromoney has given us. This is a conscious effort by the management to ensure the company is committed in ensuring investors and stakeholders confidence are maintained through transparency and good governance. We have always believed we have a strong investment case and will continue to push the barriers by gaining further access to a wider investor base.”
This is the 14th annual ranking of the Best Managed and Governed Companies in Asia that Euromoney has published and is seen as the benchmark survey of the opinions of equity analysts in the region.
Clive Horwood, Editor of Euromoney Magazine, said: “Asia’s best-managed companies are taking advantage of their country’s world-beating growth rates to focus on integration and expansion, while peers from other parts of the world are distracted by the tough global environment. The results of this year’s poll show that analysts are still rewarding prudent gearing, transparency, good governance and clear articulation of strategy.”
Subscribers to Euromoney can access all of the rankings online at www.euromoney.com.
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TUNE HOTELS EXPANDS UK PORTFOLIO WITH FIRST SCOTTISH PROPERTY
New-look Edinburgh hotel offers bedrooms from 25 pounds a night
Photos can be downloaded from www.flickr.com/tunehotels
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 January 2013 – Value hotel brand Tune Hotels continues to expand its global presence with the opening of its first ever Scottish hotel, Tune Hotel Haymarket, Edinburgh. Following the resounding success of the group’s UK entry with its four London properties, the Scottish hotel has stayed true to the brand by offering visitors international class accommodation that offers great value, great savings. Rooms start from 25 pounds a night.
Tune Hotel Haymarket has a different look and feel to other properties and showcases the group’s new, hip branding.
Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels commented: “Introducing the Tune Hotel brand to Scotland was an important business move for us. The demand for a low cost hotel that offers good quality basics and importantly a great night’s sleep is becoming ever more important as tourists and business travellers are swayed by price but unwilling to trade down. Edinburgh is an immensely important trade and tourism hub and we’re excited to take part in and contribute to its continued success. Further Scottish development is definitely on the cards as we look to introduce the brand to a number of Scottish cities.
“Tune Hotel Haymarket brings Tune Hotels’ UK portfolio to five with more on the way. We have 27 hotels globally across five countries and the pipeline includes hotels opening in Melbourne, Australia and Ahmedabad, India this year.”
Scottish Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing commented: “Ensuring we offer visitors to Scotland and Edinburgh a dynamic range of hotel facilities is of the upmost importance. Tune Hotels offers an exciting new product and something a little different to what is already available in the city. We wish the hotel every success.”
Perfectly positioned opposite Haymarket station, Tune Hotel Haymarket has 179 en-suite bedrooms including double bedrooms with and without windows, alongside twin and accessible bedrooms with windows. Continuing with the group’s core vision of providing great quality basics for a great night’s sleep at a price everyone can afford, those who book in advance will be able to enjoy bedrooms for as little as 25 pounds a night.
Tune Hotels has successfully pioneered a branded value hotel brand with the concept of pay-as-you-use that has become hugely popular amongst travellers from across the world. Under the concept, guests only pay for room rates with the option of adding on other amenities like towels & toiletries, air-conditioning, in-room wifi and satellite TV service at selected hotels.
Tune Hotels has received over four million guests since the opening of its first hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur in 2007.
Apart from enjoying great value, great savings at Tune Hotels, guests can also enhance their benefits and privileges by becoming a member of the BIG loyalty programme, of which Tune Hotels is a partner. BIG is a global loyalty programme that has just been launched, allowing card members to accumulate points when travelling and shopping with BIG partners worldwide, and redeem the accumulated points for exciting rewards including flight seats on the world’s best low cost carrier AirAsia. More information on BIG is available at www.tune2big.com.
For booking and more information about Tune Hotels UK please visit www.tunehotels.com.
For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook at www.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels.
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Boeing Rolls Out First 777 at Increased Production Rate
-New rate is highest ever for a Boeing twin-aisle airplane
-8.3 airplanes per month rate raises production by 20 percent
EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has rolled out the first 777 to be built at the increased production rate of 8.3 per month, or 100 airplanes per year. The airplane is a 777 Freighter that will be delivered in February to Korean Air.
The production increase began in October when the first airplane parts entered the Everett factory. Planning for the increased rate has been in work for almost a year.
“As we built the first airplane at the new rate, we saw some of the best production metrics ever,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 777 program and Airplane Development. “Our factory is running smoothly and we’ve reduced the time it takes to build a 777 by one day from 49 to 48 days.”
New manufacturing innovations such as flex-track drilling in the body and wing panels, automated floor drilling and wings painting equipment also contributed.
“Employee involvement teams have been critical to the rate increase,” Fancher said. “Ideas from those teams are saving time while improving quality and safety.”
In the past 31 months, the 777 program has increased rate two times. First from five to an all-time high production rate of seven in 2011, and now going beyond that to an all-time high rate of 8.3 airplanes per month.
1,066 777s have been delivered to date and a total of 1,431 have been ordered from 66 customers around the globe.
