China Airlines to Join SkyTeam

China Airlines has begun the joining process which should lead to its full entry into the SkyTeam Airline Alliance by mid-2011.

Headquartered in Taipei, China Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Taiwan, home to one of the world?s most dynamic technology-driven economies that also possesses abundant tourism opportunities and booming aviation industry prospects.

During an official ceremony in Taipei, China Airlines? President Huang-Hsiang Sun, joined the CEOs and representatives of SkyTeam member airlines in signing an Adherence Agreement, thus formally starting the process of China Airlines joining SkyTeam. The signing ceremony took place at National Concert Hall in Taipei, witnessed by Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board Leo van Wijk, and Chairman Liu Shaoyong of future member China Eastern.

?The inclusion of China Airlines in our network will solidify SkyTeam?s unrivalled presence in the Greater China market, a region that continues to experience significant economic growth,? said Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board, Leo van Wijk. ?In addition to the services provided by our existing members, China Airlines offers an extensive cross-strait operation, linking Taiwan to multiple major destinations in China. Also, Taipei will serve as an alternative Asian hub with services to and from key business destinations in the region.?

Managing Director of SkyTeam Marie-Joseph Mal?, said, ?We are honored and delighted to welcome China Airlines in our midst. We now enter a phase where China Airlines will work closely together with the current members to establish bilateral agreements and fulfill the more than 100 membership requirements. We rely in particular on our Asian members to use their advanced experience in the alliance to guide China Airlines in the joining process and expect our newest member to effectively join SkyTeam around mid-2011.?

The China Airlines network will complement those of Guangzhou-based China Southern and Shanghai-based China Eastern. Cooperation between these three SkyTeam family members will further consolidate SkyTeam?s strong position in Greater China.

SkyTeam will greatly benefit from expanding its regional network in the region. Out of the 93 international routes, China Airlines will bring four new destinations to the network; Okinawa, Miyazaki, Surabaya and Palau.

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Vote for your Favourite Hotels and Airlines

The new 2010 Premier Travel Awards for Excellence are now open, and you can freely vote for your favourite hotels, airlines, restaurants and bars in Asia.

We ask that you base your votes on quality of service, location, value for money, innovativeness, and overall excellence, basically where you would choose to stay. It does not matter if it is an international hotel or if it is 5, 4 or less stars - it only matters that it is your favourite.

Remember these votes are your voice on who is the best - you do not need to fill every entry, if you want to vote for only one hotel in one city that is fine.

 If you do not like hotels and always choose to stay in Serviced apartments then please vote for whichever you prefer.

Feel free to vote in  as many or as few of the below sections as you like. Happy voting ! 

NOTICE - Fake submissions and submissions from the same IP address within short periods of time will simply be ignored and will most likely result in a penalty vote deduction for the hotels being voted for - NOTICE

* denotes fields which must be completed

To submit your vote click on the button above, it may take a few seconds for the votes to go through, so please do be patient.

NOTICE - Fake submissions and submissions from the same IP address within short periods of time will simply be ignored and will most likely result in a penalty vote deduction for the hotels being voted for - NOTICE

To see the lists of past winners and for more information about why we do these awards please visit - Premier Travel Awards for Excellence.

Votes in the 2010 Premier Travel Awards for Excellence will be closed 20 December 2010 for counting and the winners announced early 2011. Thank you for your time.

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American Airlines to Change Terminals @ San Francisco International Airport

American Airlines, which has served the San Francisco market for more than 60 years, will relocate its operations to San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) new Terminal 2 in spring 2011 from its current location in Terminal 3.

In conjunction with the terminal move, American will construct a brand-new Admirals Club lounge for customers to enjoy before, between or after flights.

In the new terminal, American will have 14 ticket counter positions and 20 self-service machines for its more than 30 daily departures at SFO. The approximately 575,000 square foot terminal will boast six security screening lanes, free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, more comfortable lounge areas with ample electrical outlets, plus 12 restaurants and nine retail stores, including a gourmet market with a wine bar and spa.

Once the terminal is completed, it is expected to receive Silver LEED Certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs (LEED) program. In addition, major works of art will decorate the environmentally ? friendly terminal.

Customers will be able to use mobile boarding passes, as well as preferential parking for hybrid cars, and quick access to BART, the Bay Area's public transportation system.

"We are pleased to relocate into a brand-new space that is both functional for our customers and employees, and is environmentally friendly in its design," said Tom Del Valle, American's Senior Vice President ? Airport Services. "The LEED-certified terminal will allow us to provide exceptional customer service while reducing our environmental impact."

American's new Admirals Club lounge is also expected to be a Silver LEED-certified space. Located in Boarding Area D, just beyond the security checkpoint, the Terminal 2 Admirals Club will span more than 9,000 square feet and offer seating for up to 165 guests. Upgraded amenities will include a multi-functional business center with HP PCs, a walk-up cyber cafe with HP TouchSmart computers and complimentary high-speed Internet, a TV lounge with flat-panel TVs and private spa-like showers.

The SFO Admirals Club operates daily from 5 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. Prices for new, annual Admirals Club memberships are based on the level of American AAdvantage membership and range from $350 or 50,000 AAdvantage miles for a new Executive Platinum membership to $500 or 80,000 miles for a regular membership. One-day passes are available for $50 and may be purchased online, at self-service check-in machines, or any Admirals Club location.

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Airlines Enhance Security

Multiple U.S. airlines have begun using Smiths Detection?s portable trace detection systems at boarding gates as part of an initiative to enhance airport security.

The IonScan 500DT and Multi-Mode Threat Detector (MMTD) are being used to check hand luggage for traces of explosives immediately before passengers board flights heading to the United States.

Mark Laustra, Vice President of Homeland Security, Smiths Detection, said, ?We are pleased to help U.S. air carriers make air travel as safe as humanly possible, and these orders are a great example of how the airlines are working with the security industry to intelligently expand layers of security through a variety of technologies.?

The detectors, one desk-top and the other hand-held, provide particle and vapor analysis by using Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technology, detecting both explosives and narcotics from a single, easily gathered sample. Rugged design and portability enable the systems to be readily taken from gate to gate at boarding areas.

Smiths Detection provides training and support to the airlines to ensure maximum functionality and proper care of the detectors.

The company, with major manufacturing plants in eight U.S. states, also supplies industry-leading X-ray inspection systems, bottle liquid scanners and other threat screening technology to around 80% of the world?s airports.

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