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Dave

SAUDIA increases London flights to 35 a week

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SAUDIA announced that it will significantly increase the number of flights to major global destinations.

This comes as part of its objectives to bring the world to the Kingdom and strengthen the airlines’ international presence.

The expansion offers convenient connections and more flexibilities for SAUDIA’s guests.

Riyadh: SAUDIA will fly from London21 times a week

From 1 May, SAUDIA will be adding a third daily flight from Riyadh to London.

From 1 July, SAUDIA will increase flights between Jeddah and London to double-daily.

The extra services will boost SAUDIA’s presence at London to 35 flights per week.

There will be 14 flights a week from Jeddah to London and 21 flights from Riyadh to Lodon.

SAUDIA CEO, Captain Ibrahim Koshy said,

We are pleased to offer our guests more flights to Europe’s most important cities.

The increase in frequency also means greater connectivity to our growing network and the opportunity to welcome more visitors to the Kingdom.

Bangkok

From 26 March, SAUDIA will be introducing three additional flights to Bangkok from Jeddah.

As a result, SAUDIA will be serving Bangkok a total of ten flights a week with daily services from Jeddah and three flights per week from Riyadh.

Seoul

From 26 March, SAUDIA introduced non-stop flights to Seoul from both Jeddah and Riyadh.

As a result, SAUDIA will be connecting Seoul with 4 flights a week with 2 non-stop flights a week from Jeddah and two non-stop flights a week from Riyadh.

Guangzhou

From 26 March, SAUDIA began serving Guangzhou from Jeddah three times a week. The company will also introduce two new weekly flights from Riyadh.

Kuala Lumpur

From 26 March, SAUDIA added three services a week between Riyadh and Kuala Lumpur.

The extra services boost SAUDIA’s presence at Kuala Lumpur to 24 flights per week, with 21 flights from Jeddah and three flights from Riyadh each week.

Singapore

From 27 March, SAUDIA started serving Singapore non-stop from Jeddah three times a week.

The new non-stop flights replace the previous one stop flight via Male.

Athens

From 28 March, SAUDIA served Athens from Jeddah three times a week.

The airline will also introduce three new weekly flights from Riyadh to Athens starting 23 June.

Jakarta

From 28 March, SAUDIA added three services a week between Riyadh and Jakarta.

The airline also increased services between Jeddah and Jakarta by adding three more flights per week.

The extra services boost SAUDIA’s presence at Jakarta to 24 flights per week, with 21 flights from Jeddah and three flights from Riyadh each week.

Istanbul

From 23 June, SAUDIA will be adding second daily flights between Riyadh and Istanbul.

The extra services will boost SAUDIA’s presence at Istanbul to 35 flights per week, with 21 flights from Jeddah and 14 flights from Riyadh each week.

Milan

From 23 June, SAUDIA will be serving Milan on daily basis.

The airline will introduce three new weekly flights from Riyadh, in addition to the current four flights per week from Jeddah.

Geneva

From 24 June, SAUDIA will be serving Geneva double-daily. There will be daily flights from both Jeddah and Riyadh to Geneva.

Barcelona

From 25 June, SAUDIA will be introducing flights to Barcelona four times a week from Jeddah.

Vienna

From 23 June, SAUDIA will be serving Vienna on daily basis.

The company will introduce three new weekly flights from Riyadh, in addition to the current four flights per week from Jeddah.

Paris

From 1 August, SAUDIA will increase the current daily flights between Jeddah and Paris to double-daily.

The extra services will boost SAUDIA’s presence at Paris to 21 flights per week, with 14 flights from Jeddah and seven flights from Riyadh each week.

The airline says that, by mid-year, SAUDIA will be operating 56 weekly services internationally to and from 14 destinations, and that the uplift in capacity provides SAUDIA guests with even more access globally, as well as bolstering trade and business opportunities.

SAUDIA has 142 aircraft, including what it calls the latest and most advanced wide-bodied jets presently available: B787-9, B777-300ER, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321, and Airbus A330-300.

Over the past year, SAUDIA’s initiatives have earned it recognition as a 5-Star Global Airline and a DIAMOND rating in the APEX Health Safety category.


Dave

KLM offers passengers more Thalys seats to and from Brussels

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KLM has purchased additional seats on four Thalys trains for transfer passengers travelling between Amsterdam and Brussels this summer. The extra seats form part of KLM’s efforts to scale down its four daily flights still operated between Amsterdam and Brussels. The extended air/rail product will be available from 26 March.

This capacity expansion follows the KLM-Thalys pilot project (July to October 2022), when the airline replaced one of its daily flights between Amsterdam and Brussels with a rail service.

Starting 26 March, passengers transferring between Amsterdam and Brussels will enjoy more opportunities to travel by rail instead of air on this route, with the integrated air/rail product being offered on five different trains.

KLM is an advocate of the Dutch Action Plan for Rail and Air Services, aimed at improving international train travel as an alternative to flying at six priority destinations (Brussels, Paris, London, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Berlin).

The Action Plan was drawn up in late 2020 by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Dutch rail network operator ProRail, KLM and NS Dutch Railways.

KLM’s approach to sustainability focuses on reducing emissions and noise impact, and the ongoing development of its air/rail product forms part of these efforts.

During the 2022 pilot, customer surveys showed that several improvements were needed such as easier transfers for air/rail passengers at Schiphol, assistance for rail customers with luggage, and communication with customers who are often unfamiliar with Thalys.

The airline claims “these obstacles must be removed before KLM can permanently replace flights to and from Brussels with rail capacity”.

Boet Kreiken, Executive Vice President Customer Experience KLM said,

We’re proud to be expanding this air/rail product.

We remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth customer journey, making the train an ever-better alternative to air on short‑haul routes in Europe.

We’re working closely with our partners to achieve the necessary improvements for our customers.

Dave

Spectacular new gourmet dishes in Air France lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle

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Air France is offering new culinary delights in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

The Ducasse Paris teams have developed new dishes to be enjoyed in the long-haul lounges in terminal 2E. For the short and medium-haul lounge in Terminal 2F, Servair corporate chef François Adamski, Bocuse d’Or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), has teamed up with the young and talented chef Chloé Charles to create gourmet dishes with a summer flavour.

Ducasse Paris in the long-haul lounges

In the long-haul lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle located in terminal 2E, halls K, L and M, customers can now enjoy the new “Burgal” signed by Ducasse Paris, a fully veggie and healthy alternative to the traditional hamburger made from locally produced French cereals and vegetables. It is composed of a vegan brioche bun, a vegetable and legume patty, a spicy vegan mayonnaise with pickles and an aubergine caviar condiment, and the recipe is compatible with all dietary needs.

Ducasse Paris also offers a salad and a signature condiment featuring unrefined produce and seasonings with no added fat or sugar. For dessert, a chocolate praline finger from the Manufacture Ducasse is offered, prepared exclusively for the company’s customers.

Ducasse Paris burgal
Ducasse Paris dessert

François Adamski and Chloé Charles in the short and medium-haul lounge at terminal 2F

In the short and medium-haul lounge in terminal 2F, Air France has teamed up with Servair corporate chef François Adamski, an undisputed emblematic name in French cuisine (winner of the Bocuse d’or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France), and the young and talented chef Chloé Charles at the forefront of responsible catering. Through this alliance, Air France is both illustrating its determination to take inspiration from the very roots of French haute cuisine, which it has supported since the company’s beginnings, and its ambition to promote the promising young talent behind today’s inventive cuisine with a view to transferring and sharing know-how. The two chefs are presenting new hot dishes, including a vegetarian offer, which will be unveiled progressively over the coming months for lunch or dinner.

Chloé Charles (left) and François Adamski

On the menu in September 2022 –

  • Smoked shrimp, tangy sauce and seasonal vegetables by François Adamski;
  • Shoulder of lamb with spices, reduced juice, semolina with candied vegetables by François Adamski;
  • Camargue rice sautéed and flavoured with West Indian spices and spring vegetable brunoise by Chloé Charles.

Before a flight or while waiting for a connecting flight, Air France welcomes its Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers in spacious and quiet lounges where they can relax and rest, eat or work in peace. In these privileged spaces, gastronomy is in the spotlight with a rich and varied catering offer, highlighting French cuisine. The culinary offer available in the lounges changes throughout the day.

In the spirit of French bistros, a large choice of hot and cold dishes is available at all times, with cocktails, simmered casseroles, pancakes for breakfast, etc.

Special culinary events are regularly organised.

A wine and champagne list presented by Paolo Basso, world’s best sommelier in 2013, is also available in the lounges.

A more responsible catering offer

Since 1 June, 2022 in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle – and by the end of 2022 on all its flights departing from Paris – Air France has committed to offering 100% French meat, dairy products and eggs, bread and pastries, as well as fish from sustainable fisheries. The airline offers a selection of fresh, local and seasonal products. A vegetarian offer is also available.

The company is also committed to recycling and eliminating 90% of single-use plastic on board its aircraft by early 2023. It also pays particular attention to the selective sorting and recycling of catering items. In accordance with French regulations, it also provides its customers with water fountains in its lounges to limit the consumption of single-use plastic.


Kelly

Bristol: easyJet launches second daily Paris flight, increases aircraft count and adds Milan, Brindisi and Biarritz flights

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easyJet has announced a number of expansion developments at its Bristol base. The airline will position a 17th aircraft at its South West base and has added three brand new routes to the Bristol network. easyJet will also provide even more frequent flights to some of Bristol’s most in demand destinations, providing great value trips or low-fared commutes for even more passengers.

Brand new easyJet routes to Milan and Brindisi in Italy and Biarritz in France will launch in July. The airline will add a second daily flight between Bristol and Paris from July to allow day trips for business travellers

A further 186-seat Airbus A320 aircraft will now be based in Bristol and joins seven 156-seat Airbus A319 and nine 186-seat A320 aircraft currently serving the airline’s customers in the South West. The additional aircraft will provide 93,000 additional seats for customers looking to travel to and from Bristol this summer.

Three new routes have joined the easyJet Bristol network, bringing the total routes now available to 74.

A route between Bristol and Milan Malpensa will operate four times a week throughout the year on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with first flights taking off on 1 July. Flights between Bristol and Brindisi in Southern Italy will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays and will launch on 3 July and flights between Bristol and Biarritz in the South of France will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays with flights launching on 2 July, both operating throughout the summer season.

easyJet will also increase its Bristol – Paris Charles de Gaulle frequency, adding an additional daily flight to and from the French capital, providing even more opportunity for customers to enjoy a city getaway and a convenient schedule will allow for great value day trips for commuters from businesses across the South West.

The airline now operates up to 770 flights a week from Bristol across 74 routes, 10% more flights compared to summer 2018.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said:

We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating further expansion at Bristol Airport. The addition of another aircraft and even more routes will help us to deliver long term, sustainable growth at the base providing passengers with an even greater range of convenient flights to a fantastic variety of destinations across our network – all with low fares and great service.

We’re putting flights on sale, allowing our customers to book early and take advantage of our lowest fares to some of our most popular business and leisure destinations.

Our ongoing growth at Bristol demonstrates easyJet’s long-term commitment to providing connectivity for the South West. We continue to be the largest airline at Bristol and in the coming weeks we will carry our 55 millionth passenger, showing that our customers continue to book with confidence.

Nigel Scott, Business Development Director for Bristol Airport said:

This is fantastic news as easyJet continues to invest in Bristol Airport and basing seventeen aircraft at its second largest base. The additional aircraft will provide extra flights to Paris, and an additional three new destinations of Milan, Brindisi and Biarritz to the route network from Bristol Airport. The additional flight to Paris will provide twice daily flights to this hub city, particularly required by businesses in the region for the long-haul route connectivity. These new routes increase the choice of destinations available to passengers in the South West and Wales region, selecting to fly from their local airport.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management commented:

Paul Baker, Global Travel Management Sales Director

easyJet’s expansion at Bristol gives passengers greater flexibility and more options. At Global Travel Management, we take care to create the most efficient flight itineraries for customers. These added services will mean we can create travel itineraries that match our customers’ requirements even better. So, as well as the great value that low-cost airlines like easyJet provide, we can tailor trips that perfectly match customers’ travel requirements by combining routes across any carrier.

easyJet’s expansion gives Global Travel Management even more opportunities to create cost-saving, time-saving trips for customers.

Contact your GTM Account Manager next time you need to book an easyJet flight, or when you have a trip from, to or via Bristol.

Paul

Paris – Terror Suspects in Siege Close to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

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Please note that we (GTM) have been advised of the following news report this morning which is affecting flights in to and out of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

A shoot-out is unfolding close to Charles de Gaulle Airport as the hunt for the two suspects in Wednesday’s terror attack in Paris continues.

According to the live Twitter feed of French newspaper Le Monde, two of the airport’s runways have been closed, several landings have been aborted and flights cancelled as police helicopters gather in the area.

Reports say the suspects have taken at least one hostage in the building of a printing business on an industrial park about five miles from the airport.

Shots have reportedly been fired in a car chase near the airport as Elite armed police close in.

Paul

New British Airways Check-in Area In Paris CDG.

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From 17 to 30 June 2013, the British Airways check-in area at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport will be temporarily located in Hall 8 of the departure level in Terminal 2A. This is to accommodate a redesign of the existing check-in area.

Once completed the redesign will streamline the check-in area for British Airways customers, with new counters and seating areas, including a premium area for Club Europe and Silver and Gold Executive Club members.

From 1st July 2013, the new check-in area will be located at door 9, level 0, in Terminal 2A. Access to the new check-in area is via two entrances, firstly, two lifts in terminal 2A, or escalators and stairs from terminal 2C.

Lastly, and again from 1st July 2013, Club Europe, plus Silver & Gold Executive Club members will also have access to two new OneWorld lounges : the Cathay Pacific First & Business Class lounge, or the American Airlines lounge also opening 1st July.

Paul

New International Routes For Cambridge Airport.

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Swiss regional carrier, Darwin Airline, is set to start four new services from Cambridge Airport this September.

The airline will operate fifty flights a week, starting 2nd September, to Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan & Paris.

Darwin Airline offers economy and Premium Economy cabins on board their aircraft, plus online check in and in-flight catering.

Paul

Important Eurostar Information.

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Please note that Eurostar are operating to a revised timetable on their London to Paris route.

From Tuesday 12th March until Saturday 13th April, trains from Paris to London will depart up to 15 mins earlier. Going in the opposite direction, trains from London to Paris will arrive up to 12 mins later from Monday 25th March until Saturday 13th April.

This is due to engineering works which will be taking place between Arsy & Hattencourt on the French section of the high-speed line.

Trains between London, Brussels and Disneyland Paris are unaffected.