Business Travel Tips

Singapore Airlines customers will be able to book flights using their Internet-enabled mobile phones.

The airline has added to its SIA Mobile application software — which was already offering check-in facility — booking and selected KrisFlyer services (they include viewing of statements, and checking miles earned and redeemed).

Customers now are able to perform a mobile booking and immediately after select a seat, then check in — which is anytime between two and 48 hours prior to flight departure — using Internet-enabled mobile phones.

They just need to key in m.singaporeair.com into the web browser. Singapore Airlines offers detailed instructions on that at singaporeair.com/mobile.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) said despite a slight recovery in world trade helped lift the number of people flying, total passenger numbers have now recovered about half of last year’s drop.
IATA said that premium and economy passenger numbers are now around 6% points above their respective low points, but are still well below early 2008 levels, with the number of people flying internationally rose 0.2% in October from a year ago, but is down 2.1% from 2007.

In the year to date, passenger numbers are off 5.1%. Premium seating is down 18%, while economy seating fell just 3.6%.

- Markets
Europe was the weakest premium market with numbers down 19.7% form a year ago. Other long-haul markets: North Atlantic numbers were down 5.8% and Pacific 12.1%, respectively, South America up 19.8% and Middle East to Far East markets were up 14.8%.

- Fares
In recession times, with most of companies tightening their budgets the number of business travelers flying fell sharply. That pushed airlines to reduce ticket prices to fill their seats with leisure travelers. Average premium fares dropped an estimated 20% for October, and were down 27% decline in September. (source)

The major airports in the UK in November recorded a 0.8 percent passenger traffic rose over the same month last year, according to data released by airport operator BAA.

BAA’s UK airports handled a total of 9.9m passengers in November 2009.
Among the BAA airports, Heathrow posted a 1.1 percent increase, London Gatwick recorded a 4.5 percent rise — in its last month under BAA ownership, and Edinburgh posted a 1.3 percent increase.
BAA airports reporting declines for November 2009 compared to a year earlier, include London Stansted that fell 2.7 percent, Southampton which was down 2.5 percent, Glasgow was down 4.7 percent and Aberdeen was down 4.2 percent.

Among the major markets, Europe recorded increases of 4.7% in scheduled traffic, the North Atlantic market was down 6.8%, traffic on long haul routes (other than over the North Atlantic) recorded a 4.1% increase and domestic traffic dropped by 1.7%.

BAA, owned by a consortium led by the Spanish company Ferrovial, completed the sale of Gatwick to Global Infrastructure Partners on December 3, 2009.

Hilton Worldwide has opened a Hilton Garden Inn in New Delhi, India. It’s the first Hilton Garden Inn in the Asia Pacific region.

Located the heart of New Delhi’s shopping and recreation district, the Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/Saket is just 30 minutes drive from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The hotel is also in close proximity to business districts such as Nehru Place, Okhla and Jasola, where local and multinational companies are headquartered.

The Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/Saket features 114 guest rooms equipped with a range of amenities including:
- Self-adjusting, pressure-relieving Garden Sleep System bed.
- In-room work space with a clutter-free desk and ergonomic Mirra chair designed by Herman Miller.
- Complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access.
- Secure and remote printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business center.
- 24-hour Pavilion Pantry convenience shop featuring a variety of snack options, microwaveable meals, a selection of beverage options and sundries.

Recreational facilities comprise an outdoor rooftop swimming pool and whirlpool, state-of-the-art fitness centre by Precor and Stay Fit Kits for in-room work outs.
The all-day dining restaurant and bar, the India Grill, offers a plethora of freshly prepared local and international dishes from interactive kitchens. Whether a guest is looking for local cuisine from the Tandoor or a selection of pizzas, this striking open concept kitchen offers something for all palates.

Continental Airlines has launched a new OnePass Elite membership top tier status above Platinum, “Presidential Platinum“. Designed to recognize and reward its top customers, Presidential Platinum is based on their annual spending on travel on Continental.

Beginning January 1st 2010, OnePass Platinum Elite members will be eligible to earn new invitation-only Presidential Platinum Elite status based on their annual spending.
The initial qualification to earn Presidential Platinum Elite status is currently $30,000 in spend in a calendar year.

Presidential Platinum Elite benefits include upgrade priority, fee waiver on the Presidential Plus Mastercard — for members residing in the mainland U.S. and Alaska — that comes with lounge membership and additional bonus miles for flying.