Dubai Int’l world’s leading hub for Airbus A380: data

Dubai International, the fastest growing airport in 2012 according to OAG statistics and the second busiest airport for international passenger traffic according to Airports Council International data, can now claim the title as the world’s leading hub for A380 operations according to published airline industry flight schedule data for 2012.

Published schedule data for 2012 shows the airport had 7,259 A380 scheduled flights to 28 destinations, with all but 88 of those flights scheduled by Emirates airline, the world’s biggest operator of the double-decker aircraft.

Taking second spot during 2012 with 6,653 A380 scheduled operations to 19 destinations was Singapore Changi. London Heathrow holds third position with 3,697 flights to six destinations followed by Frankfurt with 3,071 A380 flights to 12 destinations and Sydney with 2,697 flights to eight destinations.

The opening of Concourse A earlier this year was a $3 billion validation of our intention to be the world’s premiere A380 hub,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “This new facility is purpose built for the aircraft with two-tiered gates facilitating boarding directly from the first and business class lounges.”

Rounding out the top ten during 2012 were Paris Charles de Gaulle (2,613 scheduled flights to 11 destinations), Hong Kong International (2,145 scheduled flights to nine destinations), Los Angeles (2,048 scheduled flights to seven destinations), New York JFK (2,004 scheduled flights to six destinations) and Melbourne (1,710 scheduled flights to seven destinations).

Fleet size and network structure had a direct bearing on the carrier contributions to A380 scheduled operations in international hub airports. Although home carriers Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air France/KLM and Emirates operate the lion’s share of super jumbo scheduled flights in their home markets, that was not the case for London Heathrow (Qantas), Hong Kong (Emirates), New York JFK and Los Angeles (Singapore Airlines).

“Based on Emirates’ order book, the new Qantas A380 operation and our $7.8 billion expansion plan, Dubai International is well placed to continue to hold the top position for A380 operations in 2013 and beyond,” predicted Griffiths.

Dubai International Airport is now the world's leading hub for the A380 aircraft's, with most of the flights operated by the national carrier Emirates. There are more frequent travelers to  Dubai for holidays or business proposes, and since Dubai Airport has expanded more people are transiting though Dubai Airport and having flights with Emirates. I think throughout the years, the data will show increase in passenger numbers and A380 flights with Emirates. However recently Emirates and Qantas have made a global partnership, with connecting destinations worldwide with two leading A380 aircraft airlines. 

TripCase Named 'Best Mobile Solution' by EyeForTravel

As a complement to TripCase, TripCase Connect is a unique web platform designed to help agencies, corporations, airlines, hotels and other travel suppliers connect with travelers before, during and after their trips. Because TripCase uses location data and other triggers to know where the traveler is in the trip, TripCase Connect partners are able to send travelers targeted, branded messages to deliver operational information, policy reminders and service messages. TripCase Connect users can also choose to provide traveler documents in one of more than 22 languages.

"TripCase helps brands extend their service and uniquely keeps travelers connected to their supplier and their latest trip details. Winning the Best Mobile Solution award is an honor. It gives us a tremendous opportunity to tell our story to a community of great industry leaders and an audience who truly understands the value of offering a differentiating service," saidWill Pinnell , director of marketing and sales for TripCase.  

TripCase is a website and mobile app that provides travelers with the information and ideas they need to be prepared for their trip. It organizes trip details in one place and keeps travelers connected with free flight alerts, alternate flights, road maps, relevant offerings, sharing capabilities and more. TripCase provides travelers with the tools they need to take better trips.

I think TripCase Connect is a useful platform, which will help travel agencies, different corporations, hotels and airlines in a better way to connect with its customers. This software also sends out targeted messages with relevant information for customers, so companies will be having repeat in business by advertisement from TripCase Connect. It also provides customers information through a mobile app and an website, so it is easily accessible. 

Computer snafus could lead to more airline delays, experts say

Nearly a week after a computer glitch grounded hundreds of its planes, American Airlines has yet to disclose the exact cause of the problem that frustrated passengers stuck in crowded terminals across the country.

In a video apology, Chief Executive Tom Horton said only that "we had a software issue that impacted both our primary and backup systems."

But as airline computer systems become more interactive and complicated, computer experts warn that outages may become more common if airlines do not regularly test and maintain their systems.

"We are pushing the limits of human capabilities with these things," said Bill Curtis, senior vice president and chief scientist at Cast, a software analysis and measurement company in New York. "What’s happening is these systems have gotten larger than any single person or single team can handle."

American Airlines' computer outage, which lasted two or three hours Tuesday, will probably cause the airline to move ahead with caution when it begins its merger with US Airways, said Farokh Bastani, a computer science professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Once the merger is approved, US Airways plans to transfer its reservations data to American's computer system, officials from both airlines said.

“If some problems happen before any merger is taking place, it raises the possibility of problems when they integrate the systems,” Bastani said.

At the end of the week, American’s system seemed to be operating normally. Still, the airline and its regional carrier, American Eagle, canceled several hundred flights because of a non-technical problem: foul weather around Dallas and Chicago.

This type of customer error was a impact for American Airlines. As they would have lost a lot of profit and revenue, as the planes got delayed. Technology is advanced now a days, and I think airlines should make their reservation systems, and check- in procedures more easier for passengers and staff with less errors. Most airlines have the self check in kiosks which are much used now a days with passengers self checking in, however the reservation systems and airline computer bookings should be made easier for staff, with regular monitoring of the system.  

Marunouchi Hotel Increases Website Revenue By 900% with Pegasus Solutions

Tokyo Hotel Drives Online and Mobile Bookings with OpenView Internet Booking Engine

Tokyo's Marunouchi Hotel realized dramatic online and mobile revenue growth with Pegasus Solutions. In addition to the global distribution and booking solutions delivered with Pegasus Connect+, Marunouchi increased revenue from online bookings by 900% in 2012 using Pegasus' OpenView Internet Booking Engine (IBE).

"The previous internet booking engine we had was designed for local use, and made the booking process too complicated for international guests to follow." Said Keiichi Mogi, director of sales and marketing for Marunouchi Hotel. "OpenView from Pegasus makes it much easier for guests to find and book what they're looking for. As a mobile booking engine, OpenView also significantly increased our presence among smartphone and tablet users. We are seeing the mobile audience grow rapidly as bookings keep pace with new mobile users."

With the dramatic increase in profitable direct bookings, more guests are enjoying the Marunouchi Hotel's upscale amenities. The hotel, situated directly in front of Tokyo Station, showcases stunning modern Japanese décor in an impressive array of room choices to suit every guest's needs. Ideal for business or leisure travelers, Marunouchi also features French, Japanese and Teppanyaki Grill restaurants, a cigar bar, meeting rooms and unique shops.

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4060236.html

As more people use advanced technology there is great business and revenue growth for the hospitality and tourism industry. Marunouchi Hotels have increased their online and mobile booking revenue by 900% and Pegasus Solutions have helped them build their marketing though their 1000 channels. More people are finding bookings for hotels online often and on their Ipads, Iphones etc as its again an easier way for customers to access the information with one touch away. Their Openview engine is designed in a way to increase mobile bookings and its easier for guests to find and book rooms. 

New air platform vindicates Travelport stance, says GDS boss

Travelport chief executive Gordon Wilson hailed the company's new platform unveiled yesterday as a first for global distribution systems (GDSs).

Speaking at the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Abu Dhabi, Wilson said: "Everything will be on one screen."

Wilson told Travel Weekly: "We are working with easyJet, British Airways, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, KLM. There will be so much content."

Travelport, parent of GDSs Worldspan and Galileo, argues the platform will let airlines distribute however they choose and differentiate services while aggregating everything on a single screen for agents.

Wilson said: "We don't want customers worrying about the plumbing."

Travelport is working to incorporate American Airlines' direct connect technology into the platform after the companies signed a new distribution agreement and dropped their competing legal claims in the US last month.

Wilson said: "We reached a long-term agreement acceptable to both parties, with a guarantee of access to all existing and future content.

"American Airlines will plug their technology into our Universal Desktop. We are working on the plans with American at the moment.

"The capability is in place and should be available within months."

Wilson said the deal "vindicated" Travelport's stance through the dispute with American, transatlantic partner of British Airways.

"We always said it was never a question of technology," he said. "We were not the logjam."

He declined to discuss the duration of the deal with American, but the agreement is believed to be for a minimum five years. Wilson said 70% of Travelport customers moved to one of the company's new desktops in the past year.

Travelport which is a parent company of GDS systems Worldspan and Galileo will include the everything on one desktop screen according to the GDS boss. I think this will make the Global distribution more easier and accessible for travel agents and major airlines. While making flight tickets, hotel accommodation and extra packages for customers, it will be more quicker and easier to do these things. Technology is so advanced now and there was always this concept that GDS would get more easier for people to access air tickets and itineraries, with all data and information being on one screen. 

130% RISE IN OMAN AIR’S INTERNET PACKAGE SALES

MUSCAT - Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, has announced a major growth in uptake of its inflight mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity by passengers.

A press release said that between January 2012 and January 2013, the airline experienced a 130 per cent increase in Internet package sales and an 180 per cent increase in connectivity revenues.

Oman Air’s Muscat to London Heathrow service saw the greatest use of inflight connectivity, and the most popular method of accessing the Internet was via smartphones.

The airline’s Muscat to Bangkok services reported the second highest rate of uptake.

Wayne Pearce, chief executive officer, Oman Air, was quoted as saying in the release, “Oman Air was the first airline in the world to offer both mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity inflight, and I am delighted that our customers value this service so much. The increase in passengers’ use of the service in 2012 underlines their growing expectation that levels of connectivity available in the air should be similar to the levels available on the ground. I am pleased that the continued increase in uptake since we introduced the service in 2010 shows that Oman Air still leads the field in this area.”

The release said that Oman Air’s inflight Wi-Fi connectivity is available in a range of packages. Vouchers can be purchased for use with smart phones and tablets (excluding iPads) aboard the airline’s Airbus A330 long haul fleet at the rate of US$5 (RO1.9) for up to 3MB of data or US$15 (RO5.7) for up to 10MB of data.

Vouchers for iPad and laptop connectivity can be purchased for US$15 (RO5.7) for up to 10MB of data and US$30 (RO11.55) for up to 25MB. Usage beyond these data allowances is charged per MB. Coverage is available throughout Oman

Air's range of long haul services, except when flying over countries such as India, which prohibit onboard mobile phone and Wi-Fi communications, the release said.

This was a really interesting article I found online, about Oman Air's internet package sales. Its really good that now airlines are getting aware that a lot of people use the internet, and airlines as Oman Air are increasing their profits by selling internet vouchers aboard. As Oman Air is providing this type of internet packages on-board their flights then I think most people would want to travel with them, as now days people want to access their Facebook, mail or use the internet while travelling, and this way passengers won't get bored on long haul flights. I personally think that not only Oman Air will get increase usage of internet packages but this would make their profits go high and more passengers will be travelling with them.  

British Airways criticised over scheme that uses Google to identify passengers

British Airways has come under fire over the privacy of passenger information.

Some 2,000 airline staff have access, via iPads, to passenger data in the ‘Know Me’ scheme, which BA argues will create a more efficient and personalised service for customers.

Staff will be able to find out details such as a customer's travel and complaints history, while using Google Images to search for pictures so they can spot a passenger the next time they take a flight.

Around 4,500 passengers a day are expected to be greeted personally by staff by the end of the year. But the initiative has been criticised by privacy groups.

Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, said: ‘Fundamentally British Airways have not asked their passengers’ permission to search Google to find their picture or any other information.

‘This goes to show that major international companies now recognise the best way to find out personal information about its customers is to ask Google.’

BA defended the scheme, saying it would help staff, for example, to resolve complaints more efficiently.

A spokesman said: ‘The most recent advancement of the system enables the British Airways team to search Google Images for a photo of specific customers, so they can recognise them as soon as they enter the airport or aircraft and proactively approach them.’

BA’s head of revenue and customer analysis, Jo Boswell, added: ‘Solving problems at the point of failure is a lot more powerful than waiting until after the event. It is more powerful when customers don’t have to repeat their stories to different departments within BA.’

‘High-profile travellers’ and those who have experienced problems are expected to receive particular attention.

Ms Boswell said the carrier was trying to recreate the ‘feeling of recognition you get in a favorite restaurant when you’re welcomed there, but in our case it will be delivered by thousands of staff to millions of customers’.

I think the "the know me" scheme is a great idea when a passenger travels with British Airways, as I think the airline want to create a recognition for its passengers. However again some customers may not want British Airways staff/ company to search their photos on Google, and look through their private information. British Airways should maybe ask their passengers by emails and post if they would let the company access their past travel information, so this would create their journey in the future with BA in an comfortable way. As head of revenue says solving a problem at the point of failure is a lot more powerful then waiting until the end, as this would mean the customer complaints can be solved in a efficient way and the staff would know beforehand how to deal with a particular situation.