Singapore Airlines Adds Riyadh To Network, Increases Frequencies For Dubai and Istanbul

Singapore Airlines has announced the addition of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, to its network. The airline will fly the route four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays via Dubai using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

 

Flight SQ 454 departs Singapore at 1250hrs, arriving into Dubai at 1625hrs. The aircraft departs Dubai at 1725hrs to arrive in Riyadh at 1820hrs. The return flight SQ 453 departs Riyadh at 2015hrs, arriving Dubai at 2250hrs before departing for Singapore at 2350hrs for a next day arrival at 1105hrs. Operations are scheduled to commence on 14 December 2008 subject to regulatory approval.

 

Riyadh is the second destination for SIA in Saudi Arabia. The airline will continue to fly 3 times a week to Jeddah via Abu Dhabi.

 

From 26 October 2008, Singapore Airlines will also fly to Istanbul in Turkey 6 times a week via Dubai. The new flights will depart Singapore on Mondays and Fridays, enabling the Singapore-Dubai-Istanbul route to operate daily except Wednesdays. With the increased frequencies, Singapore Airlines will fly 16 times weekly between Singapore and Dubai and 20 times weekly with commencement of the new Riyadh flights.

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 To Complete 100th Transatlantic Crossing

Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to complete her 100th Transatlantic crossing since entering service in 2004 today. The 148,528 gross tonne ocean liner left Southampton, England for a 6-day crossing to New York City on September 21.

 

On arrival, the liner will mark several milestones since entering service in 2004 including:

• 711,288 nautical miles sailed, of which 316,729 nautical miles were on Transatlantic crossings
• More than 229,000 guests and 450 pets carried across the North Atlantic
• 97,000 pounds of lobster, 2,700 pounds of caviar and 206,200 bottles of champagne served
• Enough tea served onboard to fill nearly 5 Olympic-sized swimming pools

 

Following her crossing, Queen Mary 2 will cruise on the east coast of North America before returning across the North Atlantic to Southampton. She is the largest ocean liner ever built and her onboard facilities include 15 restaurants and bars, 5 swimming pools, a casino, theatre, ballroom and a planetarium for up to 2,592 guests.

More Budget Flights for Singapore-Kuala Lumpur Route

Singapore budget carriers Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways have announced more frequencies for flights on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route. From December 1, Tiger Airways will operate 5 flights each direction daily while Jetstar Asia Airways will fly 19 times a week.

 

Low cost carriers were given access to the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route, once dominated by Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, in February 2008 under the liberalisation of air services between the two Southeast Asian countries. Under the agreement, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways each operate 1 return flight per day while Malaysia’s Air Asia flies 2 return flights daily.

 

The frequency increase is set to take advantage of the next stage of liberalisation of flights between Singapore and Malaysia which will begin in December. Services will be operated by both carriers using 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.

Atlantis, The Palm Opens in Dubai

Kerzner International has opened its Atlantis resort on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah. Located on the center of the man-made island’s crescent, Atlantis, The Palm, is the emirate’s first integrated entertainment attraction and is set to enhance its booming tourism industry. Each of the 1,539 rooms and suites at the ocean-themed resort offer magnificent views of the Arabian Gulf or the Palm Jumeirah from a private balcony.

 

Developed jointly with Dubai’s Istithmar World at a cost of US$ 1.5 billion, the resort covers 46 hectares of premium real estate accessible through a 6-lane underwater tunnel and a monorail system. Attractions include the Aquaventure water theme park with a variety of rides and water slides (including 2 that pass through shark-filled lagoons), a marine habitat of 65,000 marine animals and a private beach. The resort also boasts of a collection of over 24 luxury boutiques and 17 dining outlets, including 4 celebrity chef restaurants.

 

Atlantis, The Palm, joins the One&Only Royal Mirage to become Kerzner International’s second managed property in Dubai. The company is expanding its portfolio in the Middle East with the development of a casino resort in Morocco scheduled to open in 2009.

Star Cruises to Redeploy Asia-based Ships for Winter Season

Star Cruises has announced its winter sailing schedule for its Asian fleet and the redeployment of ships based in the region.

 

The 76,800 tonne Superstar Virgo, currently the largest cruise ship in Asia, will be transfered from Hong Kong to Singapore and offer cruises to the Straits of Malacca and Andaman Sea from 24 October. There are also plans to relaunch cruises to the Malaysian island of Redang in 2009.

 

The Superstar Aquarius will be homeported in Hong Kong to operate cruises to the South China Sea, Hainan Island and Vietnamese ports. The ship will call on Da Nang, Vietnam’s fourth largest city and a popular beach destination.

 

Superstar Libra, currently cruising in Taiwan and Japan, will be sailing from Singapore and Port Klang in Malaysia. The vessel will offer 3-night cruises to Penang and Langkawi, as well as 4-night cruises to Phuket, Thailand.

 

Star Cruises is Asia’s largest cruise operator, operating 8 ships in the region. The company was incorporated in 1993 and headquartered in Hong Kong.

Airbus Delivers First A380 to Qantas

Airbus has delivered to Australia’s Qantas Airways its first A380 jet. The aircraft, registered VH-OQA and named Nancy Bird-Walton, was handed over in an elaborate light and sound ceremony on Friday evening. In attendance at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France were Airbus officials, Qantas executives led by CEO Geoff Dixon and CEO-Designate Alan Joyce and members of the media. 

 

Each Qantas A380 is configured to carry up to 450 passengers in 4 cabin classes (14 First, 72 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 332 Economy) created by internationally renowned designer Marc Newson. The airline will use the jet initially on its Los Angeles services from the cities of Melbourne and Sydney, before placing it on Kangaroo Route flights to Singapore and London early next year.

 

Following the ceremony, the aircraft departed Toulouse near midnight bound for Sydney. It is scheduled to arrive on September 21st following a brief stopover in Singapore. Qantas has ordered 20 A380s and is the third airline to take delivery of the type (after Singapore Airlines and Emirates).

Starwood Opens St. Regis Bali Resort

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has opened a new St. Regis property on the Indonesian island of Bali. The St. Regis Bali Resort is located at the southern district of Nusa Dua and features 79 luxury suites, 42 private villas and 2 exclusive Residences. With its beachfront location, the resort offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.

 

In line with other St. Regis properties around the world, guests enjoy the renowned St. Regis Butler Service ensuring personalized treatment. The St. Regis Bali offers a variety of restaurants and bars, as well as the signature Remede spa together with facilities to meet guests’ business and leisure needs.

 

The St Regis Bali Resort joins other St. Regis hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Bora Bora.

Singapore Airlines Receives 6th Airbus A380

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of a new Airbus A380 from the French manufacturer. The aircraft, registered 9V-SKF, landed at Singapore Changi Airport on Thursday morning from Toulouse. It will be used by SIA to operate a second daily flight to London.

 

With the addition of this aircraft, Singapore Airlines now has 6 A380s in service operating flights to London, Sydney and Tokyo. The carrier has ordered 19 of the world’s largest passenger jet, carrying 471 passengers in a 3-class configuration.

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