Cathay Pacific is adding 20 extra Hong Kong return flights a week during its winter schedule. The additional flights are between Hong Kong and Cebu, Denpasar (Bali), Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Surabaya and Taipei. The new schedule will operate until 24 March, 2001.
Taipei-San Jose Non-Stop
American Airlines will launch a daily non-stop service between Taipei and San Jose, California, starting on April 1, 2001. The airline will operate flights on the route with 235-seat Boeing 777 aircraft. "Our ability to launch major new international routes like Taipei-San Jose is a tribute to the robust economies that embrace the two cities," says Donald Carty, American's chairman and chief executive officer. "Both areas benefit from tremendous resources of high-tech leadership and strategic geographical location."
Airfares Soaring
Airfares in the Asia-Pacific region experienced moderate increases in the third quarter of 2000. The American Express Airfare Index recorded increases across all airfare classes since the last quarter, with Business Class and Discount Economy incurring the highest increase of 1.7% and First Class increasing 1.4%. Eric Meierhans, director of American Express Consulting Services Group, says the two main contributors are fuel costs and local currency exchange rates to the US dollar. Many exchange rates are either at the same or worse levels than during the 1998 economic crises. Over the past year, the First Class airfare index increased 6.5%, Business Class increased 7.1% and Full and Discount Economy both increased 5.7%.
Playing Your Cards Right
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and American Express recently launched a co-brand credit card that helps card members earn KrisFlyer miles faster. Through the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card, members can consolidate their everyday spending to earn mileage with KrisFlyer, SIA's frequent flyer program. A gold version of the credit card will be available in Hong Kong.
HK To NY Direct
In April next year, United Airlines will begin a daily nonstop service between Hong Kong and New York's John F Kennedy Airport. United says that at 7,339 nautical miles, the flight will be the longest non-stop passenger service in the world. It says the 15-hour, 25-minute flight will be the fastest service from Hong Kong to New York.
Chinese Characteristics
I-Quest Corp has launched a Chinese version of its business travellers' portal - worldroom.com - with wireless application protocol (Wap). Chinese.worldroom.com and wap.chinese.worldroom.com offer both traditional and simplified Chinese text. Worldroom.com offers information for business travellers, such as local city guides with interactive maps to key Asian cities, regional and travel news, stock market updates, trip technology news, business travel tips, flight and hotel booking, universal email checker and an online forum.
Under the Hammer
Asia Miles has launched "iAuction", a mileage-based Internet auction site. Asia Miles iAuction allows members to bid their Asia Miles for products such as award flights, travel packages and events, online at the Asia Miles website. iAuction will offer member discounts on award flights and the opportunity to bid their Asia Miles for special offers.
Asia Miles iAuctions are held every two weeks with each auction lasting between four and seven days. Members can view and bid for products at the iAuction site in the members' area. They are automatically notified via email if they were outbid and they can go online to bid again. Winners are immediately notified of their success via email once the auction closes. Visitors to the site can also view the auction.
"Asia Miles iAuction broadens the scope of mileage redemption and confirms our commitment to develop more exciting ways to reward our members," says Ron Mathison, general manager Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programs.
For details: www.asiamiles.com