Business Traveller Middle East articles from January 2004

Business Traveller Middle East archives from January 2004

This issue.(effects of security measures key issues for travellers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Out with the old, in with the old. Security concerns continue to plague the airline industry at the start of 2004, much as they did throughout last year. The subversive and clandestine nature of terrorist activity and intelligence...

Security checks.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... The decision to fingerprint and photograph visa-travelling passengers arriving in the US is certainly a sensible move but I can only see the concept being successful if there's a level playing field globally. Ironically Brazil's angry...

Restrain passengers.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... It never ceases to amaze me how many times I see passengers stand up before the aircraft has docked safely at the gate--usually while the seatbelt sign is still illuminated. It's more noticeable in economy, given the numbers of people doing it,...

Awkward silences.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Why has British Airways decided not to make boarding announcements in its executive lounges? This policy means that passengers now have to watch the monitors for boarding details. However, if a flight is being delayed by an absent...

Low-cost appeal.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... The arrival of Air Arabia in the region seems to have been well received so far--which is hardly surprising, given its range of discounted fares (Dhs 99/$27.50 for a one-way ticket between Sharjah and Muscat). We are now entering a more...

Breaking news.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... It's great to see more hotels offering digital newspapers--although given that most of us can get our news free on the internet, some of the charges could be significantly lower. Still, it's a good service for those who want their favourite...

Terrorism fears prompt schedule chaos.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... It wasn't a particularly happy new year for many Middle East and US-bound passengers with flight cancellations and delays prompted by fears of terrorism strikes. British Airways pulled four flights between London Heathrow and Riyadh...

Chinese take away travel red tape.(Airports)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A new airport service has been launched in mainland China, promising red-carpet treatment to executives whenever they land. China Fast Track offers personal escorts on arrival and departure, baggage handling, a special immigrations and...

Emails fuel heartache.(Technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Next time you're about to fire off that strongly worded email, think again. The UK's Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College carried out a 48-person study and found that staff's blood pressure rose most when messages were sent from...

Emirates cuts back Business seats and boosts wireless connectivity.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Emirates is pulling seven seats from Business Class on its two-class A330s and six from First Class on its three-class A330s, providing passengers with a more spacious flying experience. The refit sees 27 seats in Business Class with pitch...

Air Miles ups discounts.(Loyalty Schemes)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Quicker issuing of award tickets and better airline offers are among the features of the biggest shake-up in Air Miles' 15-year history. Deadlines for booking tickets have tumbled from 14 to three days and flights are now offered with 18...

BA trials Sleeper Service.(Airlines)(British Airways PLC)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Business class services on British Airways' overnight flights are set to become more flexible following the trial of a new Sleeper Service in Dubai. If successful the concept will be featured on overnight flights to other Middle East...

Train takes Heathrow strain.(Airports)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Executives travelling to and from London Heathrow in the next 30 years will have to board more trains or be prepared to pay higher charges for parking their car. The long-awaited publication of the UK's White Paper on airport travel...

Net gains from hunger pains.(Hotels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Save valuable time and telephone expenses next time you want a bite to eat by clicking on Starwood Hotels & Resorts' new web-based restaurant service. Diners across the region can book tables at any of 42 restaurants, ranging from Chinese...

Oman speeds into smart era.(Airports)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The days of passport stamping in Oman now look numbered following the launch of machine-readable smart cards. Compulsory for nationals and expatriates, each ID card features the individual's thumbprint, name, picture, date and place of...

Emirates' new destinations in 2004 are Lagos/Accra (January), Shanghai, Glasgow (both April 10), Vienna (May 1) and New York (daily from June 1).(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Emirates' new destinations in 2004 are Lagos/Accra (January), Shanghai, Glasgow (both April 10), Vienna (May 1) and New York (daily from June 1). Shanghai and Vienna services start four times weekly and go daily from May 15. New York flights...

Gulf Air has signed an aircraft leasing agreement with Boeing that increases the size of its fleet to 36 aircraft, with three new A340-300s entering service early this year.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Gulf Air has signed an aircraft leasing agreement with Boeing that increases the size of its fleet to 36 aircraft, with three new A340-300s entering service early this year. The ongoing expansion, a key part of the airline's restructuring, will...

Duo, a new corporate-focused airline with 'business class' legroom, has taken to the skies in Europe.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Duo, a new corporate-focused airline with 'business class' legroom, has taken to the skies in Europe. The UK Birmingham-based carrier flys to Berlin, Copenhagen, Geneva, Gottenburg, Lyon, Oslo, Milan, Nice, Stockholm, Stuttgart and Vienna....

Cathay Pacific is offering free three-night stays and up to 4,000 extra Asia Miles for all First and Business Class passengers flying to Beijing until the end of February, to celebrate the launch of its new service to the Chinese capital (valid on return tickets via Hang Kong).(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cathay Pacific is offering free three-night stays and up to 4,000 extra Asia Miles for all First and Business Class passengers flying to Beijing until the end of February, to celebrate the launch of its new service to the Chinese capital (valid...

Royal Air Maroc has taken delivery of two single-aisle A321s.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Royal Air Maroc has taken delivery of two single-aisle A321s, with two more to come, for operation on medium-density routes such as Casablanca-Paris. www.royalairmaroc.com

Qantas is launching low-cost domestic services from Melbourne in May this year.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Qantas is launching low-cost domestic services from Melbourne in May this year. The Jetstar airline will be based at the former Ansett terminal at Tullamarine Airport. www.qantas.com

KLM has taken delivery of the first of 10B777-200Ers which feature 'near horizontal' sleeper seats in World Business Class as well as larger overhead compartments, wider seats and personal interactive video screens.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... KLM has taken delivery of the first of 10B777-200Ers which feature 'near horizontal' sleeper seats in World Business Class as well as larger overhead compartments, wider seats and personal interactive video screens. The aircraft will gradually...

One-way tickets on low-cost Air Arabia from Sharjah cost Dh99 ($27.50) to Muscat.(Airline briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... One-way tickets on low-cost Air Arabia from Sharjah cost Dh99 ($27.50) to Muscat, Dh159 ($44.16) to Bahrain, Dh199 ($55.27) to Beirut, Dh222 ($61.66) to Kuwait and Dh310 ($86.11) to Damascus, all excluding government taxes. Www.airarabia.com

Eygpt adopts Sharm offensive.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Confidence in the Egyptian travel market has been shaken following the crash of a Flash Airlines aircraft off Sharm El Sheikh on January 3 which killed all 148 on board. The B737, due to fly to Paris via Cairo, plunged into the Red Sea...

SIA targets working classes.(Airlines)(Singapore Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Singapore Airlines (SIA) is introducing a new Executive Economy class on certain long-haul routes. It will appear on SIA's new 181-seater, four-engined A345s which enter service on transpacific routes to Los Angeles on February 3, and to...

Conversation killer.(Technology)(Using your mobile while driving is now an offence in the UK)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Using your mobile while driving may be common practice across the Middle East, but it is now an offence in the UK. Mobile-using motorists face a 30 [pounds sterling] ($50) on the spot fine or a conviction of up to 1,000 [pounds sterling]...

The Club Lounge of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa has been upgraded to the hotel's restaurant standards, ensuring guests receive top-notch food and services virtually round the clock.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Club Lounge of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa has been upgraded to the hotel's restaurant standards, ensuring guests receive top-notch food and services virtually round the clock. The $100-a-night rate for Club Lounge access includes...

Marriott's 'Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee' swung into effect on January 1.(Hotel updates)(Marriott Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Marriott's 'Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee' swung into effect on January 1. If you book through Marriott and find a lower publicly rate within 24 hours for the same hotel and room type on the Internet, or with an agency or travel company,...

Hilton has teamed up with MasterCard in a 'precious weekends' promotion valid in 10 Arabian Peninsula properties until March 31 2004.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Hilton has teamed up with MasterCard in a 'precious weekends' promotion valid in 10 Arabian Peninsula properties until March 31 2004. MasterCard customers receive 10% off when booking and paying with their card. Hilton International has...

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai has installed a satellite international news kiosk with access to 114 titles from 47 countries.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai has installed a satellite international news kiosk with access to 114 titles from 47 countries. Customers Insert credit cards into the ATM-style machine, make their selection and the paper is...

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' Rate Break promotion offers up to 40% off at 41 properties to Golden Circle members, the group's guest recognition programme, until February 29.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' Rate Break promotion offers up to 40% off at 41 properties to Golden Circle members, the group's guest recognition programme, until February 29. Offers start from Dh605 ($168.06) before taxes....

All KLM Flying Dutchman members in the Gulf can avail special deals at the Hawar Resort Hotel in Bahrain with one double room inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner and boat transfers costing BD 23 ($61.17) per person per night based on a twin-sharing basis.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... All KLM Flying Dutchman members in the Gulf can avail special deals at the Hawar Resort Hotel in Bahrain with one double room inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner and boat transfers costing BD 23 ($61.17) per person per night based on a...

The Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Abu Dhabi has introduced 22 new junior suites.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Abu Dhabi has introduced 22 new junior suites, each measuring 55 square metres, and guests staying in them are granted access to Club Rotana facilities. www.rotana.com

The InterContinental Hotels Group is charging full steam ahead into Egypt this year with new properties opening at Abu Soma, Cairo and Taba.(Hotel updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The InterContinental Hotels Group is charging full steam ahead into Egypt this year with new properties opening at Abu Soma, Cairo and Taba. New properties at Aqaba and another Holiday Inn property at Heliopolis in Cairo are scheduled to open...

The Konigshof Munich.(Hotel Check)
January 1, 2004... First impressions: If one were to judge this hotel by its cover you wouldn't make it past the concierge. The drab inner city exterior belies the 'classic' elegance of the interiors that have helped it be recognised as one of 'The Leading Small...

Mina A'Salam, Dubai.(Hotel Check)(Hotel Review)
January 1, 2004... First impressions: There can't be many places with head-high revolving Arabian coffee pots in their entrance doors. It sets the tone for the property-wide classical Arabic design theme. Location: Certainly in illustrious company, with Burj...

Gulf Air First Class.(Flight check: Muscat-Abu Dhabi-London)
January 1, 2004... First Impressions: Muscat International Airport is fairly compact with minimal check-in time--it's even more of a breeze for First class passengers as Gulf Air staff carry out the immigration and security formalities. I went straight through to...

Lufthansa business class.(Flight check: Munich-Dubai)
January 1, 2004... First impressions: The new Terminal Two at Munich International Airport is not only an architecturally impressive monolith it's also the most proficient airport I have been through--I suppose you should expect nothing less from the masters of...

Ask Alex.
January 1, 2004... Dear Alex What happens if I make a booking over the Internet and the price is incorrect but in my favour? Is the airline, hotel and travel agent legally obliged to honour the original price? Ahmed Sadiq, Bahrain Alex replies ...

Prosperous omens: despite the stifling debt to GDP ratio, the Lebanese have every reason to be optimistic about their future economic prospects.(Beirut)
January 1, 2004... A traditionally strong banking sector as well as a growing conference, exhibition and tourism industry has helped push Lebanon back on the commercial map, while efforts to turn Beirut into a retail and leisure hub have added to its renewed...

Bridging the divide: with more major international chains cropping up and better transport links in the pipeline, Mumbai is gradually waking up to its global potential.(Mumbai)
January 1, 2004... As with any of the world's major cities, you don't so much select a Mumbai hotel as the hotel selects you. Given the eye-boggling congestion and almost universally poor infrastructure, canny business travellers pick the venue nearest their...

Energy rush: when it comes to geological and sociological activity few places rival Reykjavik.(Reykjavik)
January 1, 2004... Reykjavik, by its very geological make-up, is bursting with energy. The natural hot springs that push through the IceLandic earth have long provided it with geothermal energy and hydropower. And, it seems, thai bubbling under of creativity...

4 hours in Perth: beyond the facade of this business-minded Western Australian city is a wealth of diverse leisure attractions.
January 1, 2004... (1) Burswood Hotel Burswood Hotel off the Great Eastern Highway boasts the only casino in Perth. There are all the usual slots and gaming tables as well as the Australian 'Two-Up'--where you simply flick two coins from a wooden slot into...

Magnetic force: its high standard of living, low taxation and central location make Geneva popular with multinationals.(Geneva)
January 1, 2004... Geneva is quite possibly the world's most international city. Four in 10 of its residents are not Swiss and the city accommodates more than 200 nations, principally large communities of Portuguese and Italians as well as its fair share of...

Just the e-ticket: leaving home without your airline ticket will soon become the travelling norm--but just how far down the electronic runway are the region's leading carriers now?(E-ticketing)
January 1, 2004... Technology continues to make major in-roads into travel. We've seen the launch of ticket-less airlines, smart card 'e-gates' and now potentially the most influential innovation of all, the e-ticket. Although still presently the young baby of...

Tablet overdose: smart managers, clumsy types, those with flexible necks--we are all firmly in laptop suppliers' sights.(Technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Call me old fashioned, but the lexicon of laptops always confuses me. Suppliers seem to revel in putting out statements that appear at once harmonious and ambiguous. Only those with a degree in software engineering will probably know what a...

Emirates Computers, Dell and Virgin Megastore have teamed up in a promotion for the Dubai Shopping Festival (January 15-February 15).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Emirates Computers, Dell and Virgin Megastore have teamed up in a promotion for the Dubai Shopping Festival (January 15-February 15). Buy a Dell Dimension 4600 desktop and you'll also get a Dell 3-in-1 printer with copier, scanner, Microsoft...

The much-touted 3G mobile network is now available in the UAE.(United Arab Emirates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The much-touted 36 mobile network is now available in the UAE. Third generation wireless services enable greater multimedia services, video telephony, faster data speeds and increased capacity for voice communication.

Kingdom Holding Company has selected Connexion by Boeing for connectivity and direct broadcast television services on board its B747 aircraft.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Kingdom Holding Company has selected Connexion by Boeing for connectivity and direct broadcast television services on board its B747 aircraft. Connexion has also signed a letter of intent with China Airlines to bring high-speed connectivity to...

Acer Computer Middle East is debuting its Italian-inspired Ferrari 3000 notebook.(Dubai Shopping Festival)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Acer Computer Middle East is debuting its Italian-inspired Ferrari 3000 notebook during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Right connections.(Technology)(Hewlett-Packard Co.'s notebook computers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The HP Compaq business notebook nc4000 has up to seven hours' battery life and is compatible with iPAQ pocket PCs, HP mobile printers and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones. Also in the company's series are the nx9010 model, which features...

Covered all angles.(Technology)(Toshiba Corp.'s laptop 3500 Tablet PC)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Toshiba claims its Portege M200 is a laptop for all businesses, capable of recording hundreds of sales records or simply converting text to digital ink. Like its 3500 Tablet PC predecessor, the Portege M200 works as an everyday notebook...

Cushion the blow.(Technology)(ThinkPad notebook with airbag technology)(International Business Machines Corp.'s T41 models)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... You wouldn't think steering wheels and laptops had much in common, but then along comes IBM's Centrino-based ThinkPad notebook and you realise just how integrated technology is becoming. The computer giant has incorporated airbag technology...

Taking business to a new horizon: Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai opens Horizon Club.(Executive Club feature)
January 1, 2004... Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai has opened an exclusive executive retreat, the Horizon Club, on its sky-high 40th, 41st and 42nd floors. The opening continues a group-wide Shangri-La tradition, catering towards the special needs of business...

Munich International Airport: the new Terminal 2 is a passenger's dream and all your business needs can be dealt with on site.(Airport update)
January 1, 2004... After three years 'construction and a 1.5 billion [euro] ($1.83 billion) investment, Munich International Airport's Terminal 2 is Europe's most modern and convenient transfer terminal. It can handle 25 million passengers, doubling the airport's...

Corporate demands: more operators are seeking a foothold in the lucrative Middle East executive jets market.(Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition)
January 1, 2004... Emirates and Qatar Airways have had a busy order-packed year and the arrival of new operators such as Etihad Airways and no-frills Air Arabia has also bolstered the region's international profile. Plenty of attention has been dedicated to...

Boeing believes the growth in the Middle East travel industry will continue to exceed the global average.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Boeing believes the growth in the Middle East travel industry will continue to exceed the global average by nine per cent in the next 20 years with the region's commercial fleet doubling to around 1,123 aircraft.

Increased market fragmentation with more smaller planes flying 'point to point' is envisaged by Boeing--in contrast to Airbus.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Increased market fragmentation with more smaller planes flying 'point to point' is envisaged by Boeing--in contrast to Airbus, which believes its 129 firm orders to date for A380 aircraft indicate that carriers intend to operate hub-to-hub...

General Electric and Pratt&Whitney signed a US$1.5 billion engine deal.(Emirates Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... General Electric and Pratt&Whitney signed a US$1.5 billion engine deal with Emirates to supply up to 191 engines for the airline's double-decker A380s.

Qatar is poised to award tenders worth more than US$2.5 billion for the construction.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Qatar is poised to award tenders worth more than US$2.5 billion for the construction of the new Doha international Airport.

Competition: two lucky readers will soon be staying in fabulous new Sheraton properties in Tunisia and Morocco.(Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers)
January 1, 2004... L'Amphitrite Palace, Morocco This Luxury Collection property in Skhirat, Morocco, has been specifically designed to cater to the needs of business and leisure travellers. Overlooking excellent beaches and the crystal-clear Atlantic...

Glasnost on the greens: the spirit of international openness is alive and well at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.(Golf)
January 1, 2004... Andrei Shelukhin was not interested in discussing Chechnya or answering questions about whether the easing of foreign exchange rules would boost Russia's investment climate. He was more interested in resolving his differences with his driver...

Surplus to requirements: Frankfurt's office space supply may currently exceed demand but the cost of doing business has dropped dramatically in recent years.(Frankfurt)
January 1, 2004... It's a clear, bright winter's day and looking across from the south bank of the Main river, Frankfurt's skyline is positively gleaming. By European standards, this compact cluster of skyscrapers (that has earned the city the nickname...

Dead calm: after spending a few days on Kuda Huraa in the Maldives Dominic Ellis' working routine seemed a distant memory.(Great escape)(Four Seasons Kuda Huraa)
January 1, 2004... You could argue Queensland's vast marine scene can't be beaten and more varied geographical appeal exists down south in mountainous Mauritius--but is there really a more idyllic place than the Maldives? From Male's narrow water-wedged...

Thrills and tills.(Middle East)(Dubai Shopping Festival)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) gets under way on January 15 with a range of retail promotions, cultural events and family attractions. Expect large crowds at The Global Village next to the Creek--three million attended last...

Italian carnival.(Europe)(Verona's spectacular carnival)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A grand parade of masks, historical Regatta on the river Adige and traditional distribution of gnocchi (small potato dumplings) are the hallmarks of Verona's spectacular carnival on February 20. After the terrible plague that struck Verona...

February festival.(Middle East)(Eid al-Adha)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Don't expect to fix up too many appointments in the Middle East during the first week of February. The second celebratory feast of the Islamic faith, Eid al-Adha, will be celebrated across the Muslim world with a three-day holiday...

Hong Kong: the biennial Hong Kong Fashion Week.(World in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... HONG KONG: The biennial Hong Kong Fashion Week, scheduled between January 13-16, is expected to attract 13,000 visitors.

London: The Earls Court Exhibition Centre.(World in brief)(The London International Boat Show)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... LONDON: The Earls Court Exhibition Centre will be hosting The London International Boat Show from January 9-17.

Grindelwald: cool artists will be flocking to the 21st World Snow Festival.(World in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... GRINDELWALD: Cool artists will be flocking to the 21st World Snow Festival at the foot of the Eiger glacier in Switzerland between January 12-17.

Singapore: don't plan meetings around the Chinese New Year celebrations (January 22-23) and the Chingay Parade brings Orchard Road to a halt.(World in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... SINGAPORE: Don't plan meetings around the Chinese New Year celebrations (January 22-23) and the Chingay Parade brings Orchard Road to a halt. It's busy in many major Canadian and US cities too.

Sydney: it's opera season from late January.(World in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... SYDNEY: It's opera season from late January with classics being performed inside the city's iconic building.

Melbourne: expect big crowds during the Australian Tennis Open.(World in brief)
January 1, 2004... MELBOURNE: Expect big crowds during the Australian Tennis Open between January 19-February 1.

Dubai: the Dubai Tennis Championships.(World in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... DUBAI: The Dubai Tennis Championships features back-to-back men's and women's tournaments from February 23.

Montreal: the joie de vivre of Montreal.(World in brief)(Winter Festival of Montreal)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MONTREAL: The joie de vivre of Montreal is never expressed better than during Canada's premier Winter Festival between January 25-February 9.