News in brief: June 8 2009

News in brief from IATAThe International Air Transport Association: IATA represents and serves the airline industry, with a membership made up of around 230 airlines. The association seeks to raise awareness of how aviation benefits the economy, fight for airline's interests and ensure industry regulations are sensible. IATA helps its members directly by offering advice on reducing costs while improving efficiency and on improving safety standards. It also provides professional support in the form of publications, training and consulting. and TAP, Sofitel, Germanwings and Lufthansa Systems, Travelport GDS and Air New Zealand

TAP launches IATA carbon offset programme

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched its global carbon offset programme with Portuguese airline TAP.

The IATA-administered industry-wide scheme is a ready-made tool enabling airlines to offer their passengers the ability to compensate for their carbon emissions with contributions towards carbon reduction projects in developing countries.

TAP's ceo Fernando Pinto said: "We at TAP are deeply concerned about the environment and feel it is our responsibility to summon up all possible energies and resources to preserve it and protect our planet. 

"Therefore, we are enthusiastic to be the launch airline for the IATA carbon offset program."

The offset project chosen by TAP is the Aquarius Hydroelectric Project, a Brazilian renewable energy project.

www.iata.org   www.flytap.com

Sofitel strengthens Middle East and China portfolios

French-based Sofitel Luxury Hotels has announced five new properties strengthening its Middle East and China portfolios.

In the United Arab Emirates, Sofitel is developing the Sofitel Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road and the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Capital Plaza. In China, three new contracts have been signed in the country's eastern and south eastern regions.

These five properties, representing 2,000 rooms, are already under construction and scheduled to begin opening at the end of 2010.

The announcement comes ahead of the launch of the 438-room Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach in September.

www.sofitel.com

Germanwings cuts fuel costs with Lufthansa IT systems

The Lufthansa Group's subsidiary IT company, Lufthansa Systems (LS), has signed a five year contract with Germanwings for the use of the Lido Operations Center (Lido OC) flight planning system.

Lido OC calculates the optimal route for each flight, which LS says leads to fuel savings of up to 5%.

"Reducing operating costs is more important than ever in the current economic climate," said Michael Knitter, flight operations manager at Germanwings.

"Lido OC supports our operational flight planning and calculates optimal routes to significantly cut flying time, fuel consumption and flight costs."

www.lhsystems.com   www.germanwings.com

Selective Travel signs to Travelport GDS

Global distribution system (GDS) provider Travelport GDS, operating both the Galileo and Worldspan platforms, has renewed its agreement with Belfast-based TMCTravel Management Company: An agency which manages business travel for a company. Selective Travel.

Selective Travel will continue to use Travelport's Worldspan Go! platform, which includes customised reservations screens and front and back office integration.

Terje Tjostolvsen, Travelport GDS country manager, Ireland, said: "Selective Travel has praised the productivity of our technology products as well as the fact that we have a dedicated Irish-based support team in place for them - we are delighted to have them sign with us once again."

Along with the Worldspan Go!, the new contract will provide Selective Travel with Travelport GDS' shopping platform e-Pricing, Travelport e-Tracker, which allows tracking of unused tickets.

www.travelport.com   www.selective-travel.com

ANZ cuts London-Hong Kong services

Air New Zealand (ANZ) has announced will reduce its flights on the London-Hong Kong route from seven services a week to five. 

NZ38/39 flights scheduled to depart on Wednesdays will cease effective from 23 September and NZ38/39 flights on Mondays from 12 October. Services between Hong Kong and Auckland are unaffected.

Scott Carr, ANZ's general manager, UK and Europe, said: "As everyone is well aware the airline industry is facing exceedingly tough times at the moment and regrettably, the Asia markets have been hit hardest. It is in this context that Air New Zealand has taken the decision to reduce flights on the London-Hong Kong route."

Air New Zealand started flying to Hong Kong from London in November 2006.

www.airnewzealand.com