AVIATION

Two New Destinations, Many More Frequencies And Better Connections In KLM's 2006 Summer Schedule
AMSTELVEEN, February 23, 2006 - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be introducing Chengdu (China) and Billund (Denmark) as new destinations in its 2006 summer schedule.
In Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, the new schedule will feature many more frequencies on existing routes and better flight connections via Schiphol for passengers traveling with KLM and its partner airlines. Read more.


Huge success 2005 for Malév Hungarian Airlines in the Belgian market
Malév achieved highly dynamic passenger traffic growth in the Belgian market in 2005. The team around Country Manager Björn Brandt, who joined the company in the beginning of 2005, has contributed to an increase in passengers of more than 20% compared to the previous year. While strongly growing in terms of passengers, Malév flown revenue generated by Belgian travel agencies and TO's also scored very positively : plus 10%. Read more.

Response From Thomas Cook Airlines UK Ltd to Airline Users Council Report on Charter Airlines' On Time Performance
MANCHESTER, England, February 22 -- A Thomas Cook spokesperson said, "We are bitterly disappointed to have slipped from 3rd to 4th place for On time performance in the UK Charter Market and are taking steps to remedy the situation.
We have launched an 'On time, On Target' programme for the forthcoming season involving our staff, and all who work with us, to ensure they recognise the importance of punctuality."

Austrian Airline Group: Contract Of Sales Of Airest To Save Group Signed
The detailed negotiations over the sale of Airest GmbH between Austrian Airlines AG and the Italian SAVE Group have come to an end, and the contract of sale has been signed on 22 February 2006. The volume of the contract is approximately EUR 30 million. The transaction will require the consent of the competition authorities. The companies are expecting to receive approval for the deal under competition law within the next few weeks. Read more.

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 22, 2006 -- The Boeing Company named Ross Bogue vice president and general manager for Boeing's 747/767/777 programs and the Everett site, replacing Dan Becker, who announced his intent to retire on April 30. Bogue will report to Carolyn Corvi, vice president and general manager Commercial Airplane Production.

Embraer a annoncé la vente de deux appareils d'affaires Legacy 600 en Asie, ce qui amène à huit Legacy 600 la flotte de ces appareils dans cette région. Les deux nouveaux jets seront livrés en 2006. L'un de ces appareils sera exploité par PT Ekspres Transportasi Antarbenua (Premiair), firme basée à Djakarta et l'autre par une compagnie de la région dont le nom n'a pas été annoncé.

VLM Airlines propose désormais le Business Class sur sa ligne Bruxelles - Londres
Anvers, le 22 février 2006 -- VLM Airlines proposera une Classe Business sur ses six vols quotidiens entre Bruxelles et Londres dès le mercredi 1 mars 2006. En savoir plus.

The Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines AG has decided to appoint Alfred Ötsch, 52, as the successor to Vagn Soerensen as the Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mr Ötsch will join the company as a member of the Board of Management on 1 April 2006 and assume the position of Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2006.

Air Namibia is offering half price business class flights from as little as £1,297 per person from London Gatwick to Cape Town and Johannesburg (via Windhoek) and £1,319 for a stopover in Windhoek. Both fares include taxes.

The oneworldTM airline alliance has appointed Philip Lewin as its Market Development Manager for Germany and Switzerland.
He will work with the sales and marketing teams of oneworld's member airlines to build their and the alliance's share in these two key target markets. Philip will be based in Zurich, and report to oneworld Commercial Director Filip Lemmens.

HONOLULU, Feb. 17 -- Aloha Airlines formally exited bankruptcy today with new investors joining longtime stakeholders to create a financially solid company that positions the privately held Hawaii-based carrier for future growth. Aloha's emergence from Chapter 11 completes a wide-ranging reorganization begun in December 2004.
"Today, the 60-year-old tradition of Aloha Airlines has been reborn with a renewed commitment to serve the inter-island and transpacific markets with the finest and friendliest service in the sky," said David A. Banmiller, Aloha's president and chief executive officer.

DUBAI - Emirates has opened First and Business Class Lounges at Sydney's Kingsford-Smith International Airport and at Perth Airport. Both lounges are modelled on Emirates' First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai. The Emirates Lounge in Sydney is 880 square metres in size and caters for 160 guests, while the Emirates Lounge at Perth Airport is 585 square metres in size and caters for 106 guests. The facilities are available to Emirates First and Business Class passengers and Gold members of Skywards, the frequent flyer program for Emirates and SriLankan Airlines.

HONG KONG - Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific has postponed the launch of a three-times-per-week service to the Russian capital Moscow, and then on to the British city of Manchester, envisaged as a codeshare service with partner Aeroflot. The airline announced in December last year that flights would start on March 27th, pending final government approval. Cathay Pacific is still waiting upon regulatory formalities for Manchester and hopes to begin the service later in 2006. Passengers who have made a confirmed booking to Manchester will be given an alternative routing through London, while those who have booked to Moscow will be able to travel on Cathay's codeshare service operated by Aeroflot.

BANGKOK - Bangkok Airways and Fah Thai Holidays have launched a series of promotions to various destinations on the airline's network. These include a Yangon package from 21,200 Baht, a Phuket package from 8,300 Baht (US$211), a Koh Chang package from 7,100 Baht and a package to Siem Reap from 19,100 Baht. www.bangkokair.com/ -- www.fahthaiholidays.com/

L’Irlande fête la Saint Patrick le 17 mars Chaque année, tous les Irlandais, n’importe où dans le monde, fêtent la Saint Patrick. Cette coutume remonte au 7ème siècle et, depuis lors, constitue une tradition ininterrompue. Cette année encore, le jour de la fête nationale irlandaise ne passera pas inaperçu. En savoir plus.

Nieuwe Nederlandstalige gids Deense Margriet Route Naar aanleiding van het 15-jarig jubileum van de Deense Margriet Route is zojuist bij Uitgeverij Hugo Service een nieuwe Nederlandstalige gids verschenen over de belangrijkste toeristische route van Denemarken. De nieuwe gids (2e druk) is geheel in kleur uitgevoerd, bevat 106 pagina’s en is voorzien van vele kaartjes en foto’s. Gemakshalve is de route opgesplitst in veertien subroutes, elk voorzien van een eigen kleur. De gids is zowel in Nederland als in België verkrijgbaar. Lees meer.

Rembrandt 400 jaar
2006 is de 400ste verjaardag van de geboorte van Rembrandt van Rijn in Leiden.
Er zal een ruim aanbod aan tentoonstellingen en evenementen zijn in Leiden en Amsterdam. Lees meer.

Katrina Can't Blow Mardi Gras 2006 Away! NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 17 -- Parades, king cakes, beads, masks, stars, floats and millions of visitors will return to the streets of New Orleans as the city welcomes visitors back after enduring the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. Despite Katrina's fury, residents and businesses of the Crescent City have fought back and are determined to throw a successful Mardi Gras. More homes than ever are decorated and flags are flying from seemingly every home in the city. "It will take a lot more than a little storm like Katrina to knock down the spirit of the New Orleans people," longtime resident Rhonda Fitzmorris said. Read more.

France Has Beer ?
Alsace Lorraine Region Boasts Rich Beer History
GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 17 -- While Europe's finest beers are often associated with the fields of southern Germany, a few connoisseurs have discovered that a remarkable collection of beers has flowed freely for hundreds of years in the Alsace Lorraine region of northeastern France. With a little planning and a thirst for beer-related knowledge, travelers can get their fill with Michelin's two-day "beer tour" of France's easternmost region. Read more.


Top Ten Florida Watersports
Across the entire USA, Florida is second only to Alaska in terms of coastline. This fact, together with the year-round warm climate, makes it no surprise then that there are a host of exciting watersports on offer throughout the Sunshine State. The friendly locals are more than keen to share their enthusiasm for and expertise in water based activities with visitors, so pack your towel, your togs, and your sense of adventure, and make the most of the following opportunities, our Top Ten Florida Watersports ... Read more.