Travel Blog

Charterflights

January 27th, 2012 No Comments

The words “Charter flights” invokes different meanings for different people and believe that it has something to do with the general way the terminology is used in various parts of the world. In Europe for example a charter flight is generally a low cost carrier or person that has hired a plane to run a specific route for a special time all at special prices. The service can be considered cheaper than routine flights and most time less reliable due to the volatile nature of the industry and the whole low cost carrier model.

In South Africa a Charter flight is someone who charters a plane for a specific route @ a specific time, generally the likes of a smaller 6 seater plane or Lear jet or similar - not a Boeing or large passenger carrier where seats are resold like in Europe. So next time you ask for a charter flight check which country you are in and what the general meaning of the word is.

TravelCRM survey for Travel Agents

January 16th, 2012 No Comments

Attn all Travel Agents – please assist us with a survey we are running regarding TravelCRM use in the South African market – there are 6 simple questions and it would assist us if you could complete the survey and pass it on if you can.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XB3PSW5

BA Comair: Lanseria Maputo flight suspension

January 10th, 2012 No Comments

from 17th Jan 2012 BA Comair will no longer fly the Lanseria Maputo route

Kulula – check in Chop chop

December 22nd, 2011 No Comments

We are always looking for innovative ways to improve the travel experience for our fans, and this time we’ve out done ourselves. kulula.com fans no longer have to stand in long queues to check-in.

As if self-service kiosks and kulula.mobi weren’t enough, we’ve now introduced “chop-chop agents”. Our friendly agents will be wearing kulula green t-shirts and making use of the latest Acer tablet technology to get fans through the airport process stress free. Anyone can check themselves in, and we want to encourage fans with 3 digit kulula flight numbers to take the power into their own hands.

Check-in, get your boarding pass, drop your baggage off at the counter provided and away
you go! It’s really that easy. Look out for our “chop chop agents” at Cape Town, Jo’burg, Durbs, Lanseria and George Airports.

MH stop flying to SA

December 7th, 2011 No Comments

After having a lengthy conversation with my friend and Sales Executive for Malaysian Airlines, Mohammad Omar, I can herewith confirm the following.

Malaysia Airlines has released their decision to their staff this morning that they will seize operations into South Africa from 01 February 2012.
Their last flight will operate from our shores on the 31st January. A formal press release will follow but their sales team was advised to call their clients to inform them of the decision in the mean time.

Should you have any clients booked beyond this 31 January termination date on Malaysian Airlines you should be looking at alternate options asap.

Beachcomber goes mobile

December 6th, 2011 No Comments

This is certainly a time of things to come. Beachcomber has introduced a mobi site for their offering for info, mini gallery and contact forms. The purpose of a mobi site is certainly to offer a portable way of contact your operator and getting vital info / specials etc. This mini site is fast and effective with a simple contact page which captures all details needed for a quick turn around on the quote. Some critical feedback on the site would be to see the enhancement of the gallery where one can click and zoom in on the images as viewing on a BB the images are nothing more than a glorified thumbnail. The 2nd important change to introduce would be an automatic redirection of their main site to a mobi site when browsing from a mobile device.

Great work beachcomber certainly setting the standards for mobi sites in SA.

American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection

December 2nd, 2011 No Comments

Memorandum
To : IATA Agents

From: Aleks Popovich, Senior Vice President IDFS

Date: 02 December 2011

Subject: American Airlines – (AA /001)

American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on 29 November 2011. The purpose of that filing is to provide protection for the company from its creditors while it reorganizes.

IATA’s position is to do whatever we can to support our Member Airlines which are undergoing a restructuring process, while also protecting the interests of our other Members, IATA Agents and the traveling public.

IATA will be working very closely with American Airlines’ senior management and the Bankruptcy Court to reach an agreement for American to assume and honor its obligations and to provide a security deposit consistent with IATA policy. No such agreement for a security deposit has yet been finalized.

For the time being American appears to intend continuing all flight operations, and has received court approval to continue making transactions through the BSP and CASS processes, with no disruption to data processing, remittances or settlements.

If you have any further questions, please contact your local IATA office. We will keep you informed of any changes to the situation.

Best regards,
Aleks Popovich

World Air Traffic one minute video…(24 hours condensed to 1 minute)

December 1st, 2011 No Comments

World Air Traffic one minute video…(24 hours condensed to 1 minute) – amazing Video

Flight updates via SMS

November 30th, 2011 No Comments

I have recently used this service and it was spot on:

To get Flight Updates, send your Flight Number to 36848 (R1 per SMS)

UK Public Sector Industrial Action – Wednesday 30 November 2011

November 25th, 2011 No Comments

Passengers on flights arriving at a UK airport between 0001-2359 BST on Wednesday 30 November 2011 will experience queues and delays at passport control as a result of industrial action by public sector staff including the UK Border Agency staff.

The management of UK Border Agency will do everything they can to minimise disruption for passengers travelling to the UK whilst ensuring that the UK Border remains secure.

Passengers who have registered for Iris or EU citizens who have an e-passport should use the automatic gates as they may provide a quicker option. It is anticipated there will be less UK Border Agency Staff on duty at the airports therefore fast track channels will not be available
For up to date information please check the UK Border Agency website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Rebooking options for passengers due to land in London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Manchester on Wednesday 30 November 2011
Our flying programme is unaffected by the industrial action on the ground however those passengers scheduled to land in a UK Airport on Wednesday 30 November, who would prefer to avoid the strike day may change their date of travel free of charge.
Rebook to a later flight departing before 4 December 2011
Rebooking is subject to availability in the same ticket class.

Or
Rebook to an earlier flight up to and including 29 November 2011
Rebooking is subject to availability in the same ticket class

Passengers on through tickets involving other carriers can also amend their connection subject to availability in the same ticket class.
Please be aware that if passengers choose to change their date of travel, Virgin Atlantic will not be responsible for or reimburse any consequential costs or losses they may incur, this includes the cost/loss of accommodation, ground transport or connecting flights.

Refunds

As we are still operating our normal flying programme passengers holding non refundable tickets who no longer wish to travel will incur cancellation charges in accordance with the relevant fare rules.

Source – email form Virgin Atlantic dated 25NOV11

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