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This year’s Summer in Abu Dhabi will feature 11 headline activities and will be the highlight of a mega promotion with spectacular seasonal deals from Etihad Airways, and across more than 50 of the emirate’s hotels and attractions.

The month-long blockbuster, family-centric edutainment event will run across four halls at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from June 21st-July 19th.

Families heading to Abu Dhabi from the Middle East and Africa can take advantage of special Etihad Airways’ offers which let kids of 11 years and younger fly free when accompanied by a fare paying adult passenger.

Youngsters aged 12-16 will fly for half price when accompanied by a full fare-paying adult.

Before arriving in Abu Dhabi those booking a room at any of 50 participating hotels will get a second room free for a minimum two nights stay, will have free wi-fi in their rooms and receive complimentary tickets to the blockbuster ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ ADNEC festival for guests aged four to 13.

Once in Abu Dhabi guests will be able to get two-for-one deals across headline attractions including Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Al Ain’s thrilling Wadi Adventure surfing, rafting and kayaking park, Emirates Park Zoo and Hili Fun City , Al Ain.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will give a complimentary ticket for every child under 12 years of age when an adult buys a ticket and the Big Bus City Tour will give two complimentary child tickets for every child under 12 years of age when an adult buys a ticket.

Elsewhere, every guest staying in one of the campaign’s participating hotels or hotel apartments will get two free tickets to Al Ain Zoo , while golfers can get two rounds for just AED 399 (US$ 109) at the championship-ready Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club courses from Sundays through to Thursdays.

And the family stay promises to be more entertaining than ever with the ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ festival hosting Show World which will see four character performances every weekday and six on weekends.

The fun this year starts from the very moment Summer in Abu Dhabi goers arrive at ADNEC, where a special train will take families from the car park to the festival entrance.

Once inside, visitors can step back millions of years to the Ice Age Village; over in Adventure World the daring can join in telematch activities in the Lost City or take up the Zorb Ball Challenge over an obstacle-rich course.

Eight challenges and fun activities await in the Galatic Academy including the testing trial of passing through the Laser Room without crossing laser beams and lines. In The Sea Lion Station there are great chances to capture lasting family memories, while families with an artistic bent will love Artsvile, where kids can paint their own T-shirts, plates and even faces!

At the Clown Stunt Academy youngsters can learn how to perform movie stunts, while the daring can get onboard the Big Bag Jump and plunge into a massive air bag from a height of ten metres.

In three adjoining hall, Abu Dhabi Sports Council will host a range of activities and workshops as part of its Summer Sports Festival targeted at sports enthusiasts from five to 35 years of age.

These will include judo, basketball, soccer, table tennis, tennis, badminton and golf.

Entry to ADNEC’s Summer in Abu Dhabi activities, including the three Abu Dhabi Sports Council halls, is AED 40 (US $11) for adults and AED 30 (US $8.5) for children under 12 years of age.

Tickets can be bought at the door. People producing an Etihad boarding pass with validity from May 15th – July 19th get a single entry free.

For more info, please visit the official website.

The British & Irish Lions are pleased to announce that Qantas, Australia’s premium airline, has been appointed as Official Airline for their tour to Australia in 2013.

The partnership will make history as the 2013 Lions squad and coaching staff are flown to Hong Kong for The Lions’ first match in the Far East against the Barbarians.

Qantas will then fly the team and support crew onto Australia for six regional fixtures, culminating in three highly anticipated Test matches against the Qantas Wallabies.

Paul Yankson, Qantas regional general manager of UK and Ireland, said: “Qantas is pleased to sponsor The British & Irish Lions for the first time.

“We’ll be developing packages to ensure all the fans can travel to support their team in Asia and in Australia.”

Qantas Airways will join Thomas Pink and Rhino as well as current sponsors HSBC – Principal Partner, Adidas – Official Kit Supplier and FirstCape who have all signed for a second consecutive Tour in the commercial family of Lions’ Partners, Sponsors and Suppliers for the Tour to Australia next year.

British & Irish Lions tour manager, Andy Irvine, agreed this is a great partnership for The Lions from a player perspective.

“The comfort of the players on flights is vital to us, as the rigours of a Lions Tour mean that players are often out on a training pitch shortly after landing,” he said.

“They have to be refreshed and ready to go, and we know that the quality of operation that Qantas provide means we will arrive in great condition.”

Delta Air Lines has appointed Jeffrey Bernier as managing director – Asia Pacific.

Bernier will have overall Asia Pacific commercial responsibility for all aspects of Delta’s P&L, outside of Japan.

Prior to this promotion, Jeff was the managing director – Pacific sales and affairs.

He has made significant contributions to establish Delta as a leading player in Japan and Asia.

Under his leadership, Delta’s Asia Pacific business has grown by more than 35 per cent over the last three years.

In his new role, Bernier will continue to be the head of sales and will also have the additional responsibility of managing all aspects of Delta’s P&L in all Asia Pacific countries other than Japan.

“Jeff is an exceptional leader and his focus on all aspects of the very complex Asian environment will help ensure profitable growth for Delta Air Lines,” said Vinay Dube, Delta’s senior vice president – Asia Pacific.

“His experience will help taking Delta to the next level as we focus on enhancing the visibility and accountability for performance on a regional scale, providing better support to our global team and improving all aspects of our customers’ experience.”

JetBlue Airways and Turkish Airlines have announced an interline agreement to connect the carriers’ networks at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Through this new partnership, customers will be able to transfer in either U.S. city between Turkish Airlines- and JetBlue-operated flights while enjoying one-stop ticketing and check-in plus hassle-free baggage transfer and other benefits.

JetBlue offers connections to and from dozens of cities throughout the United States including Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This summer, Turkish Airlines plans to bolster its already robust schedule from New York by offering three daily non-stop flights to the thriving city of Istanbul – the most of any airline serving the market.

Turkish also offers daily non-stop service between Istanbul and the U.S. capital.

The carrier’s transatlantic flights are operated in the comfort of its Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 fleet, offering travellers three classes of service, premium meal options, internet connectivity, and a wide array of personal in-flight entertainment choices.

In the United States, Turkish Airlines also serves Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

“Turkish Airlines has quickly established itself as one of the world’s leading airlines, and we are pleased to be partnering with them during this impressive period of growth,” said JetBlue chief commercial officer Robin Hayes.

“With service from Washington plus three daily flights from JFK to Istanbul and beyond, our new partnership with this respected carrier will allow JetBlue customers to travel virtually anywhere on Earth with a single ticket.”

JetBlue Airways, the largest airline in Puerto Rico, is launching its thirteenth destination from the International Airport Luis Muñoz Marín in San Juan(SJU) International Airport Palm Beach (PBI) in Florida. The flights are on sale from $ 93, a track from West Palm Beach starting today until May 25, 2012, at www.jetblue.com / new, for travel between May 29 and June 21, 2012. In addition, to celebrate, JetBlue Getaways is offering a two night package vacation, including hotel and airfare for only $ 325 (c)!

“With the inclusion of West Palm Beach , we are now serving five destinations in Florida from the Commonwealth, which speaks to the popularity of JetBlue into the Puerto Rican community, “said John Checketts , director of route planning for JetBlue. “We look forward with great optimism continued growth as we move to a new home in San Juan and ensure the best experience every day in the air to our customers in Florida and Puerto Rico – including the convenience of frequent flights, excellent customer service and superior product offerings. “

“JetBlue as airline, has been a great partner for our destination,” said Director of Airports Palm Beach County , Bruce Pelly . “We are very pleased to be able to enter a market in the Caribbean and we know that his early success even more doors to open more markets for PBIA.”

We are very excited about this opportunity to connect the old city with an American flag with the first destination resort in America, “said President and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Palm Beach County , Jorge Pesquera . “The markets in the Caribbean and Latin America have great potential for us here in Palm Beach and Boca Raton, and are confident that this new service via JetBlue will allow the Puerto Rican community finally discover the original place of tourism in our region and how best to experience Florida . “

“We are honored to have the support of a major airline such as JetBlue, which has maintained a trend toward expanding throughout this year. The route of West Palm Beach is new to Puerto Rico , provides a new option passengers who want to lead Puerto Rico . These new flights will have an economic impact to the local economy will exceed $ 30 million. It is for this reason that the strengthening and expansion of air access is key to economic development in Puerto Rico and the support and trust placed on the island by the airlines is crucial for everyone, “added the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Trade, Joseph A. Pérez-Riera.

“The growth in flights and routes the airline Jet Blue, and this we celebrate today in West Palm Beach, is demonstrative of the importance that the fate of Puerto Rico has to airlines serving the Caribbean. We are returning the confidence in Puerto Rico , and placing our fate in the rightful place as the ‘hub’ of the Caribbean, “said Luis G. Rivera Marin, Executive Director of PRTC. “The Tourism Company continue to make efforts and developing strategies to solidify the tourism product that represents Puerto Rico , this by developing niche markets, such as weddings, adventure, food, and even nautical tourism and fishing. The latter, in fact, is extremely attractive for passengers of JetBlue, and now, those who come from West Palm Beach , “said Holder pleased PRTC.
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1bS0b)

JetBlue Airways and Turkish Airlines, the fast growing global carrier, today announced an interline agreement to connect the carriers’ networks at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Through this new partnership, customers will be able to transfer in either U.S. city between Turkish Airlines and JetBlue operated flights. JetBlue offers connections to and from dozens of cities throughout the United States including Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Virgin Atlantic is to offer passengers a chance to use their own mobile phones during flights, following a link up with Panasonic-owned AeroMobile.

Passengers flying on the carrier’s A330 service from London-to New York will be able to make calls initially, with as many as 20 planes fitted with the technology by the end of 2012.

However, only six people at any one time will be able to make calls, all of whom must be customers of European carriers Vodafone and O2 or the US carrier T-Mobile.

No word was offered on Virgin Mobile users.

Phones will still have to be turned of during take-off and landing, Virgin Atlantic confirmed.

“Many people will have experienced that moment when you’re about to take off on a ten-hour flight and you need to send an important message to the office, or even reminding a family member to feed the cat,” Virgin Atlantic chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said.

“It is also quite fun to call home and say, ‘Guess where I am’ – not many people would think you’re travelling at 35,000ft above the Atlantic Ocean.”

Phone calls will not be free – passengers will be charged what they usually pay for international roaming calls.

Airline passengers travelling to and from Portugal are set to experience delays as air traffic controllers in the country begin three days of strikes.

Flight schedules – including those at British Airways and TAP Portugal – have been altered to avoid strike periods, while thousands of other passengers are expected to experience disruption.

Portuguese Air Traffic Controllers plan to walk-out today between 07:00-09:00, 14:00-16:00 and 21:00-23:00 with a 24 hour strike planned for tomorrow, carrying on disruption into the weekend.

A similar pattern of action is planned for May 24th and 25th.

Ryanair has condemned the strikes, saying it will mean cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers.

“The summer schedules in Europe are just weeks’ old and already the Portuguese Air Traffic Controllers will be engaging in three days of strikes,” said Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara

“The solution to this problem is simple: remove their right to strike in exactly the same way that Air Traffic Controllers in the USA are prevented by law from striking.”

A statement from the British Foreign Office read: “Disruption to flights to and from Portugal on these dates may be experienced as a result.

“Travellers are advised to contact their travel company or airline for further information.”

Air Zimbabwe resumed its local flights operations with inauguration of Zimbabwe International Trade fair. This comes as a ray of hope for people who have been disappointed after last year’s continual strikes by the airliner’s staff over salary disputes.

Since the suspension of operations, following the questionability whether Air Zim is viable or not, the local flight operations were resumed from Wednesday the 28th of April 2012. The flight to Harare the capital of the country was from Bulawayo. Though it was a positive sign, the mundane passenger list of just 3 people raised a few eye-brows.

As per Chief Executive Mr. Mvhunga, Air Zimbabwe is planning a schedule of 3 flights a week to and from Bulawayo, Victoria falls and Harare on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The plane that operated on the flight has a capacity of just over 120 passengers. There were only passengers on board.

This flight operation was somewhat startling for State Minister Gordon Moyo who said that he was surprised as the Government was still searching for a viable investor who could enter into a partnership in order to revive the airliner and pull it out from the 140 million dollar debt.

Experts have quoted this move as “foolish” and “hoping against hope”. There are no funds to back up such operations. Rejoice Ngwenya, a freelance and independent critic thinks this will be an unproductive exercise adding to the existing financial complications.

Air Zimbabwe has had its planes grounded and impounded I past due to default on payments. A United States aviation firm impounded Air Zim’s aircraft in London following the grounded plane by a South African firm against overdue debt of ground services.

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair was once recognized as a premier event in Southern Africa. Now it has lost its prestige due to a decade long sharp economic decline in the country.

This flight was a temporary resumption of flights and we still need to see if the suggested flight schedule of 3 flights a week finds implementation.