Jet Airways to terminate all expat pilots

Faced with huge losses in the first quarter, the country’s largest private carrier by market value, Jet Airways will complete the process of replacing expat pilots with Indian pilots by the end of the current fiscal. Last November, Jet had discontinued the service of 32 foreign pilots. The company has a total of 1,100 pilots out of which 250 are expats. The contracts of nearly three dozen expat pilots will expire in October while some more will run out in December with the rest by March next year. The objective of the exercise is to control costs. Foreign pilots charge a huge salary premium over Indian pilots. A foreign pilot, on an average, is paid a monthly salary of Rs 5 lakh plus an accommodation allowance of Rs 2 lakh.

Indian pilots, on the other hand, draw around Rs 3.6 lakh a month. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had earlier said all domestic airlines should have only Indian pilots by July 2010. Jet has already reduced capacity by 20% on domestic routes and by half on international routes in the last two quarters. Capacity is a measure determined by number of operational aircraft and seats occupied in an airline. Analysts say Jet will not need too many pilots after capacities have been reduced. "Laying off foreign pilots will help the company in controlling costs and stay afloat," said an analyst with a domestic brokerage firm. Earlier, the airline has issued termination notices to 43 cabin crew on probation. It has also terminated contracts of 110 employees, of which 60 had superannuated and the rest were probationary cabin crew staff.

Air Asia to fly twice daily to Trichy

Good news for those who travel often to Tiruchirapalli as low-cost carrier AirAsia will be adding a second daily flight to the Indian city starting Sept 1. To celebrate the introduction of the flight, AirAsia will be offering an all-in fare of RM129.00 for a travel period between Sept 1 this year and April 30 next year. The booking period for the flight will be from Tuesday to Aug 2. AirAsia Group commercial regional head Kathleen Tan said the airline was proud to be servicing an underserved route and opening up this market to the world. Tiruchirapalli was AirAsia’s first destination in India since its inception on Dec 1 last year. AirAsia is also offering its guests free rooms in various destinations when they book at its partner hotels via goholiday.airasia.com

Jet Airways and JetLite launch ‘Boarding Card Delights’

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline and JetLite, Jet Airways’ all-economy subsidiary have launched ‘Boarding Card Delights’, an initiative offering the airlines’ guests a range of special benefits and discounts against their boarding cards, at various partners across India. This initiative, comes into effect on July 23 and is valid until October 15, 2009. ‘Boarding Card Delights’ currently has 13 established brands as programme partners, across four categories- Hotels, Dining/Restaurants, Car Rentals and Retail. These include Marriott® International hotels in India, Domino’s Pizza India Ltd, Welcome Heritage, The Park Hotels, Sarovar Hotels, The Lemon Tree Hotels, Preferred Hotel Group, Sterling Holiday Resorts, Hertz, Avis, William Penn, Collection I, Ferns n Petals. To avail of this attractive offer, guests need to present their Jet Airways/Jet Airways Konnect or JetLite boarding cards, at the various partner establishments/outlets.

Boarding cards generated through the Web, SMS and Kiosk Check-in, will be accepted along with their respective photo identification. Marriott® International hotels in India will offer Jet Airways’ guests 50% discount on food at select restaurants across India, while they dine between 7pm and 9pm on any day in the week. Furthermore, Guests may book 3 nights using the unique promotion code Y0L, present their boarding cards at check-in and enjoy the 3rd night free, plus a US$50 dining credit at participating Marriott International hotels in India.Dominos Pizza India Limited, Jet Airways’ partner in the dining category will offer a discount of Rs.100 on purchase worth Rs.400 and above. This offer is valid at all Dominos Pizza outlets across India. Similarly, guests can upgrade to the next room category and avail of a 10% discount on Food and Beverages at select Preferred Hotels Group properties in India.

Jet Airways’ guests can enjoy special rates, discounts on select services and complimentary stay for their spouse at select properties of The Park Hotels and at WelcomHeritage properties in Rajasthan. Guests can check-in to Sarovar Hotels and enjoy a FREE night stay upon presenting their boarding cards at participating hotels. Additionally, they can also enjoy a 10 percent discount on food & beverage (excluding alcohol) at select Food & Beverage outlets. Guest may avail of flat 15% discount on the Best Available Rate (BAR) with Lemon Tree Hotels in India. This offer is available online at www.lemontreehotels.com using a promotional code ‘Jet’ OR on presentation of a Jet Airways boarding pass at the time of check in. At Lemon Tree Hotels and at their participating hotels guest may enjoy 15% discount on the ‘Best Available Rate’, on presentation of boarding pass. Similarly, guests can upgrade to the next room category and avail of a 10% discount on Food and Beverages at select Preferred Hotels Group properties in India.

Sterling Hotels will offer guests 20% discount on the best available rate at participating properties. Jet Airways has also tied up with two leading car rental companies, Hertz and Avis.With the Avis partnership, Jet Airways’ guest may avail of a 20% off on rack rates on Chauffeur Drive rentals with Avis Car Rentals at participating airports in India. Guests can enjoy a 15% Discount on Airport Transfers and Chauffeur Drive rentals or One day FREE on Self Drive rentals when they rent a car with Hertz in IndiaWilliam Penn offers a Flat 10% off on select brands on purchase of Rs.2000 and a Free Schaeffer 500 worth Rs.1395 on purchase of merchandise worth Rs.4500. This offer is valid at all William Penn stores across India.“Collection I” offers Rs.2000 off on exclusive range of furniture on minimum purchase of Rs.20000 at participating stores. Ferns n Petals offers up-to 15% discount, on purchases made at their outlets.

Oman Air exhibits at Salalah Tourism festival

The Oman Air stand at the Municipal Entertaining Centre, the main venue of the Salalah Tourism Festival has proved to be a major drawcard attracting visitors who are eager to learn about Oman Air's new destinations, products and services. Hamed Al Harthy, Oman Air's District Sales Manager Salalah, said: 'Every year the number of visitors to Salalah increase as the region comes alive with a unique festival atmosphere. Salalah is a tourism magnet during the cooler climate experienced during the Khareef season but the hot offers we have this year has raised the temperature. This autumn we commence new services to Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Colombo and the Maldives with our brand new fleet of Airbus widebody aircraft and people are eager to see the new Oman Air product offers.

The major attraction apart from our red-hot holiday offers is our new Business Class seat which many people are mistaking as a First Class seat due to the 82' length and 180 degree lie flat bed. However, I'm spending most of my time assuring people that our 4 abreast Business Class seating is for real and they will have to wait until 17th August when we unveil our First Class seat at a gala event in Muscat.' Barry Brown, Oman Air's Chief Commercial Officer added: 'Oman Air has worked tirelessly with the Oman Ministry of Tourism to highlight the wonderful weather in Salalah during the Khareef and the Salalah Tourism Festival makes a visit a must to beat the hot summer experienced in other parts of the Gulf and Middle East.'

'Under our banner 'Partnership Oman' a number of public promotions were conducted throughout the GCC and I'm pleased to say that the increased number of visitors is recognition that our efforts have been duly rewarded.' The Oman Air pavilion is strategically located near the main entrance- gate No 1 where all major sponsors are positioned. This allows visitors easy access to obtain the latest information including special holiday package offers, scheduled flight and airfare information.

Oman Air appoints Black Sheep PR

Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has appointed London-based Black Sheep Public Relations to provide UK public relations support. Peter Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said: 'We are delighted to welcome aboard Black Sheep PR and we look forward to working with them to position and build the Oman Air brand in the UK.' Agencies have also been appointed in France and Germany. The appointment comes as Oman Air expands its international network and prepares to introduce new aircraft and new onboard products to a number of routes, including London to Muscat. Having moved its UK operations from Gatwick to Heathrow earlier this year, the airline is the only carrier to offer daily, direct, non-stop flights between London and Oman.

Peter Hill continued, 'Oman Air's international expansion has this year seen the introduction of daily London Heathrow and Bangkok services. In September we will be launching daily non-stop services from Oman to Germany, with four Frankfurt and three Munich flights. October will see the introduction of four non-stop flights from Oman to Paris, Charles De Gaulle and four flights to the Maldives, whilst Colombo in Sri Lanka will receive daily flights with four wide-body and three narrow-body aircraft. These new routes, together with our new aircraft and fantastic new products represent carefully-planned and sustainable growth and confirm Oman Air not just as a major Middle East carrier, but as an important world airline.'

'This transformation is the result of sound strategic planning and long-term investment, and provides the foundation for further sustainable growth over many years to come. It also provides an important element of Oman's ongoing inward investment programme,' he said. Oman Air offers some of the most competitive prices for seats between London and Muscat, with Economy Class fares and Business Class fares.

Oman Air ties up with Shangri La Hotels & Resorts

Oman Air's 'Sindbad' Frequent Flyer Programme has announced a partnership with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts - Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, welcomes business and leisure travellers with award-winning Asian hospitality. The group comprises of 62 deluxe hotels and resorts in key cities throughout Asia and the Middle East in locations comprising Australia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, with new properties under development in Europe and North America. With this partnership, Sindbad members are entitled to 500 miles for every qualifying stay at any of the 62 Shangri-La or Traders hotels within the family of hotels around the world.

In addition, Sindbad Frequent Flyer Programme members who are also members of Shangri-La's Golden Circle guest recognition programme will receive additional Sindbad miles for each qualifying stay. Golden Circle Executive members receive 25% or 125 Bonus Miles and Golden Circle Elite member will be awarded 50% or 250 Bonus Miles. These miles can be claimed simply by providing the Sindbad membership number upon check-in. Barry Brown, Oman Air's Chief Commercial Officer said: 'We are delighted to welcome Shangri-La as a partner in our Sindbad Frequent Flyer Programme. Our discerning members who enjoy the finer things in life will appreciate the exceptional hospitality, upon which Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts have built their solid reputation. We have a close strategic relationship with the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort in Muscat and as we spread our wings this year to Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Sri Lanka and the Maldives the ability for our members to enjoy earning capabilities with this luxury group of hotels is a bonus.'

Commenting on the new partnership, Kent Zhu, group director of sales & marketing, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts said: 'The partnership with Oman Air's Sindbad is an important milestone for us. With their strong base in Muscat and Shangri-La's presence and recognition in the Middle Eastern market, especially with hotels and resorts in Sultanate of Oman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the soon-to-be opened Shangri-La hotel in Doha.' Zhu added, 'This will form a strategic alliance to empower our presence in the region and complements our synergies in terms of future growth with new hotels and routings in destinations such as Maldives and Paris.'

Shah Nagardas to exhibit at Food and Hotel Oman 2009

Shah Nagards Manji and Co. LLC, one of the oldest trading companies in the Sultanate of Oman, will present its full range of branded kitchen and laundry equipment at the Food and Hotel Oman 2009 exhibition, which is scheduled on October 26-28 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. Paresh Shah, owner of Shah Nagardas Manji & Co., said, 'We are glad to confirm our participation as a major exhibitor in this premier exhibition for the vibrant food and hotel industries in the sultanate. This is consistent with our strategy to maintain our position as a leading supplier of kitchen and catering equipments.'

Established way back in 1932, Shah Nagardas Manji & Co. has been operating for over 75 years now, and it has nurtured a good relationship with its clients in that span of time and forged strong partnerships with renowned companies from all over the world. At present, the company is the authorized distributor in Oman for globally known brands, including Fagor, Salva and Sammic from Spain, Simag and Scotsman from Italy, Blanco from Germany, Santos from France, as well as IMC from the UK, Sunnex from Hong Kong, and Lincoln from the US. Shah pointed out that his company's Industrial Kitchen Equipment Division offers a complete range of kitchen equipment, crockery and cutlery, commercial laundry equipment, ice-making machines, refrigeration systems, and all types of catering equipment.

Specifically, among the products available from the company are gas and electric ranges, bakery and pizza ovens, freezers and chiller units, bain-maries and chafing dishes, and a wide selection of food preparation equipments. Apart from simply supplying these products, Shah Nagardas Manji & Co. can also undertake the planning, design and installation based on the existing kitchen layouts. In addition, it is involved in the custom fabrication of kitchen sinks, hoods and worktop tables. The company's full range of products and services has made it the preferred supplier of many major clients such as hotels, catering firms, oil & gas companies, government ministries, and engineering companies.

C.J.Paul, General Manager of Omanexpo LLC, the leading organiser of trade and consumer shows in the sultanate, said: 'The strong presence of Shah Nagardas Manji & Co. at Food & Hotel Oman 2009 will ensure that all our trade visitors will be highly impressed by the wide range of products on display at the exhibition.' Paul explained that Food & Hotel Oman 2009 primarily aims to cater to the growing requirements of the rapidly developing food and hospitality industries in the Sultanate. The three-day trade international exhibition will showcase all types of food products and beverages, hotel supplies and equipment, food processing technologies, kitchen and catering equipment, food packaging systems, and other related products and services.

Food & Hotel Oman 2009 is officially supported by the Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) as well as by AKAH Najwani & Partners LLC as the major sponsor, Salman Hotel and Restaurant Equipment LLC as the platinum sponsor, and ELCO National Trading Co. LLC as the silver sponsor. The OER Dossier is the official publication of the exhibition, while Hospitality News Middle East and Food & Beverage News are the media partners.