p5 news Apr17 15/4/09 21:29 Page 5
ttglive.com
news
In brief
‘Thai troubles not over’
■ Air France-KLM and Qantas slash 4,700 jobs
Air France-KLM is to cut up to 3,000 jobs in the
Chris Gray.
next two years by not renewing contracts and THAILAND could see further
“There is internal
remains the case, things
like this may flare up
not replacing retiring staff. Its profits have been protests – but tourists should
instability in
again. But it is not
decimated as a result of the recession and last not be put off visiting the
year’s soaring oil prices. Qantas also announced country, according to Aito
Thailand. While
targeted at tourists,”
said Moore.
this week it was slashing its profit forecast for the chairman Derek Moore.
that remains
Thailand was just
second half of the financial year and planned to He said visitors should be
cut another 1,750 jobs. aware there could be repeats
the case, things
going into its low season
and political stability
of the protests that paralysed
like this may
would hopefully return
■ STA unveils high-tech agency and rebrand Bangkok and left two people
STA Travel has started a multimillion-pound dead this week while political
flare up again”
by the start of the next
peak in July, he added.
rebrand by opening its first new-look branch, in tensions remained. Thomson Worldwide
Sheffield, and unveiling a redesigned website. But he emphasised that pro- and Hayes & Jarvis had a
The shop has consoles for browsing online and testers were not targeting tourists, and there total of 31 customers in Thailand but none took
the website includes social networking content was no reason for travellers to avoid the country. up an offer to return home.
from STA customers, and destination information. Moore was speaking as the Foreign Office The two operators offered people due to fly
dropped its advice against all but essential travel up to Wednesday a free cancellation or change
■ Tui Travel breaks into Russia and Ukraine to Bangkok after protests calling for the return of booking, and changed an itinerary for 12
Tui Travel has agreed a deal with a Russian of exiled ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra passengers to avoid Bangkok. They restored
investment company to develop its presence in subsided. However, the state of emergency normal booking conditions on Wednesday.
Russia and Ukraine. The venture with S-Group declared on April 12 remained in force. Gold Medal had about 500 customers either
Capital Management involves Tui taking a 75% Aito has 27 members operating in Thailand in Thailand or set to depart this week. Kuoni
stake in Russian travel agent and operator VKO and Moore said about a dozen had customers in had 37 customers in the region who were all
Group and another 75% in Voyage Kiev, an agent the country. One had rebooked customers on confirmed safe.
and operator based in Ukraine. Tui has also a flight direct to their beach resort to avoid A Thomas Cook Signature spokeswoman said
signed a letter of intent with Mostravel, a Turkey Bangkok and another moved three groups from a “minimal” number of customers were booked
and Egypt destination specialist in Moscow. a downtown Bangkok hotel to one at the airport. to travel last week. One opted to take a different
“The underlying point is that there is internal flight to travel directly to their resort rather than
■ Manchester airports recruits new sales boos instability in Thailand at the moment. While that stay overnight in Bangkok.
Manchester airport has appointed William Pearson
as head of aviation sales, responsible for attract-
ing airlines to the airport. He joins after spending
17 years with Airport Coordination. Manchester is
likely to concentrate on attracting new routes to
the Far East and new destinations in the US.
Manchester seat capacity dives 16%, p6
■ P&O Ferries to sue the French government
P&O Ferries is to take legal action against the
French government to recoup “millions of
pounds” lost as a result of a blockade of Channel
ports this week. Thousands of travellers were
stranded on Wednesday by French fishermen
blockading Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk in
protest over EU fishing quotas. SeaFrance,
Norfolkline and LD Lines were also affected.
■ Cheapflights sets up site for Australia/NZ
Cheapflights has launched a travel search
website for flights and packages from Australia
and New Zealand. The company has also
developed more than 1,000 custom travel guides
V
IT
for the site, at
cheapflights.com.au. STRAIGHT OUTTA HELL: P&O Cruises is offering customers the chance to get up close
and personal with Hell’s Kitchen star Marco Pierre White on three cruises this summer.
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
The chef will be on Ventura running Heaven’s Kitchen cookery sessions for groups of up
from the travel industry, visit
ttglive.com to eight in one of the ship’s galleys. The sessions cost £75 per adult and £35 for children.
17.04.2009 05
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64