AIRLINE & TRAVEL NEWS

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has been awarded "Best Foreign Airline" by the Jakarta regional government at a recent gala event held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Presented by the Governor of Jakarta province, the Adikarya Wisata award is considered to be the pinnacle of tourism awards locally. It is presented to organizations and service providers that have shown significant achievement, dedication and contribution to the development of tourism in Jakarta. Commenting on the achievement, Emirates' Area Manager for Indonesia John Rotikan said, "We are honored to win this award and deeply appreciate the administration's recognition of Emirates' contribution to Jakarta's tourism sector. "Emirates is committed to the Indonesian market. We will continue to contribute to the tourism industry, by actively promoting business and leisure travel traffic between Jakarta and the many other destinations which our airline serves." Emirates received its first Adikarya Wisata award in 1997, followed by a certificate in Karya Bhakti Adi Karya Wisata in 2001. This year, it beat fierce competition from other illustrious international carriers to win the "Best Foreign Transportation" award. Emirates operates ten flights a week from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Dubai and destinations beyond. The fast-growing airline currently serves 77 major cities in 54 countries with a modern fleet of wide-bodied aircraft. In 2005, Emirates will introduce Seychelles, Seoul, Hamburg and Geneva to its expanding route network. About the awards Adikarya Wisata translated means "Extraordinary Performance in Tourism Industry". Initiated in 1991, this award is part of the regional government's vision and strategy to raise quality standards in tourism, and develop tourism industry products and services in Jakarta, Indonesia. It aims to motivate the tourism industry to greater achievements, and also to recognize industry players who have made significant contributions to tourism. The Karya Bhakti Adi Karya Wisata is awarded to companies and institutions that have supported the Jakarta regional government in providing excellent service to the Jakarta community. Dec 20, 2004

Emirates will launch a second daily flight between Dubai and Birmingham (UK) June 1 2005 using a 285 seat A330-200. Dec 10, 2004

EUjet's future seems assured for the next two years following an announcement by PlaneStation plc, the new owner of the Kent International (Manston) Airport, that it had raised a [pounds sterling]30m rescue package. Eight destinations are to be added and the airline says it expects to carry 800,000 passengers next year. Since its first flight in September 71,000 people have flown on EuJet according to managing director PJ McGoldrick. http://www.eujet.com Dec 20, 2004

Eurofly will operate thrice-weekly seasonal scheduled flights from Bologna to New York JFK with A330-200s from June until Sept. The airline said it expects to sign an agreement with a US carrier for onward connections from JFK. The service could increase to daily from May 2006 if the seasonal trial proves profitable, it added. The privately held Italian leisure airline at present operates eight A320s and two A330s, plus a wet-leased A330 from Star Airlines of France. Dec 20, 2004