Apr 19
Graham McKenzieAfrica Africa, Airlines, Aviation, cheap flights, flights, leisure, South Africa, tourism, travel
The flagship carrier of the Netherlands is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, hosting a main hub at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and headquartered in nearby Amstelveen. Offering both domestic and international service, KLM-Royal Dutch airlines serves over 90 destinations, and is also a member of the world’s second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam.
For the past several years, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines has been part of Air France-KLM, while it has also maintained an operating partnership with Northwest Airlines, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the USA. The two-airline consortium operates a fleet of 607 aircraft that carry nearly 75 million passengers a year to 258 destinations. The Air France-KLM partnership recently obtained even more global reach by purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the Italian carrier Alitalia.
Founded in’19 and the world’s oldest air carrier, KLM ran its first flight, from London to Amsterdam, in May’20. During World War II it ceased operations. The company was accused of helping accused Nazi war criminals escape Germany after World War II, but it has denied the allegations.
While KLM remains the world’s oldest airline, it is no longer the world’s oldest independent airline. Air France and KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines announced merger plans in 2003, marking the end of KLM’s independent run. The merger did affect the ongoing cooperation between KLM and Northwest Airlines, however, as both companies joined SkyTeam in September 2004.
Fliers in first or business class on KLM are given souvenir porcelain reproductions of old Dutch canal houses, the Delftware miniatures filled with a Dutch liqueur. KLM’s practice of handing out the Delft porcelain miniatures began in’52, and, as 2008, the company’s eighty-eighth year in operation; there are 88 models of the houses. Each October 7 the company celebrates the anniversary of its founding with a new Delftware design.
KLM’s mileage program is Flying Blue. Members can accumulate and spend miles on flights on Air France-KLM, and also on other SkyTeam carriers and with a variety of transportation, travel, and financial companies. Flying Blue members earn four membership levels, Ivory, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, determined by their accumulated SkyTeam miles. Members can also earn miles on flights operated by Kenya Airways, which is a Flying Blue partner.
The venerable history of KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines has not shielded it from the current year’s economic turbulence. On account of declining ticket sales and lower cargo traffic, Air France-KLM announced recently that will lay off up to 2,000 workers. These job cuts represent about 3 per cent of the total workforce. The company further plans to reduce its airline capacity by about 2 per cent in the summer of 2009, hoping to compensate for the $653 million loss it posted for the fourth quarter of 2008. Company management has said it has not ruled out even more future job reductions or flight terminations as the company seeks to stabilize its finances and return to profitability.
An airline watchdog group based in Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, announced in February 2009 that it is suing Air France-KLM over price fixing allegations. KLM denies the charges and will defend against the suit. British Airways and Qantas were recently fined $5 million and $20 million over similar price fixing allegations.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica?s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, which includes KLM Airlines amongst others.
Apr 09
Graham McKenzieAfrica Africa, Air Carriers, Airbus A380, Airlines, Arab Air Carriers Organization, Arab League, Arab Nations, Aviation, Body Aircraft, Capital Of The United Arab Emirates, Cargo Capacity, Cargo Carrier, cheap flights, Dubai International Airport, Eleven Years, Emirates Airlines, flights, Government Affiliation, Growth And Profitability, leisure, Low Cost Carrier, Passenger Airline, Passenger Fleet, Regional Airline, South Africa, Southeast Asia, tourism, travel, United Arab Emirates
Based in Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Airlines is the world’s eighth largest airline. Emirates Airlines was founded in’85, and has grown to serve 92 destinations in 55 countries around the world. Not offering domestic service, Emirates nonetheless is the premier airline of the Middle East and also is a market leader in Southeast Asia. It is one of only six airlines in the world to operate a fleet of all wide-body aircraft built by Airbus and Boeing.
Emirates Airlines is unique among air carriers in that it has been consistently profitable. The company has only had one year it marked a loss. Moreover, sales growth has never fallen below 20 per cent a year. During its first eleven years, the company doubled in size every three and one-half years, and it has continued to double in size every four years since. Its efficient, lean workforce gives it all the advantages of a low-cost carrier. The airline is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, founded in’65 by the Arab League as a regional airline trade organization. Open to any carrier based in any member state in the Arab League, the Arab Air Carriers Organization seeks to promote safety, quality, and cooperation among the airlines of the Arab nations.
The government of the UAE both owns and operates Emirates Airlines, but it neither provides capital nor interferes with its day to day affairs. This unique arrangement allows Emirates the advantages of government affiliation without the downside, powering its unmatched growth and profitability.
Emirates Airlines also runs a cargo carrier, Emirates SkyCargo. Also based at Dubai International Airport, Emirates SkyCargo functions like a passenger airline. It operates nine aircraft, and also uses the cargo capacity of the passenger fleet.
Emirates was among the first airlines to use the Airbus A380, accepting delivery in July 2008. They fly the Airbus A380 on routes between Dubai and JFK in New York, between Dubai and Heathrow in London, and on the runs to Sydney and Auckland.
While Emirates sole hub is Dubai, it serves over 100 destinations in 56 countries. It maintains agreements with Singapore and Australia that allow it offer connections from their countries to even more destinations throughout the world.
Emirates passengers enjoy the perks of Skywards, allowing them to accumulate or spend frequent flier miles on Emirates or any of its Skywards partners, including Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Virgin Blue, South African Airways, Continental, Kingfisher, and United.
Emirates also maintains a stake in Dnata, the leading travel service provider in the Middle East. Dnata’ 6,500 employees provide technical, ramp, cargo, and passenger services at Dubai International Airport.
Dnata, Emirates SkyCargo, and Emirates Airlines are all subsidiaries of The Emirates Group, an international public holding company also with headquarters in Dubai. The airline currently employs about 35,000 staff.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica?s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, which includes Emirates Airlines amongst others.
Mar 20
Mike SmithSouth Africa Cape Town, Johannesburg, South Africa, South Africa World Cup, travel, World Cup Football
The Football World Cup 2010 South Africa will be the first sport tournament of its kind to be hosted by this country. This will be the 19th tournament of the FIFA World Cup. It is the only sports event that has just as many competing countries as the 2008 Summer Olympics had.
To meet requirements of the FIFA they had to build five new stadiums and make improvements to another five to be able to fit the expected number of fans. They have expanded on their transportation systems and made improvements where needed.
Since one of the top concerns of visitors and players from these many countries is their safety the government has spent ninety million dollars on updated security equipment. Security cameras have been installed in the stadiums. High tech bomb defusing equipment was bought along with special body armor for the additional 55,000 police officers who have been hired for this event. They bought command vehicles and extra helicopters for surveillance purposes.
Danny Jordaan who is the organizing committee’s president feels that the South Africans will be gracious hosts. He has tried to convey to the people the importance of displaying their country as one that is willing and able to host future events of this magnitude. He hopes their attitudes and demeanor are gracious and hospitable. It will be a great chance to build their nations unity.
Right now Spain has the best team in this sport. Every position on the team is being played by a world class athlete. The champions of the 2008 European Championship are the team going to South Africa. As displayed in each and every game they have a teamwork that far surpasses any other.
This does not suggest that they will win the cup. There are many teams qualified to fulfill that dream. Take for instance, Argentina with their star player Lionel Messi. His abilities to play this game are unsurpassed. He does it so effortlessly he is in a class by himself. Along with his talent and his coach, Diego Maradona this country has a great chance of taking home the cup. Diego was one of the greatest players ever. In the world of soccer he is a legend.
Although the USA is not known as great soccer players they have developed a team that is capable of winning this tournament. They beat the Spanish side of the Confederations Cup and came very close to winning the cup except for the exceptional performance by Brazil. Americans need to show some enthusiasm for the sport and support our team during this month long tournament.
Hopefully this event Football World Cup 2010 South Africa will change the history for this country. Let’s hope that their love of this game can bring them together for this international sporting event. We are all hoping that they can be hosts to another major event again in the future. I am sure that is what their government is hoping also.
Mike is Operations Manager of Global Village South Africa Travel Guides helping visitors get the best out of this great country during the 2010 Football WC.This article is freely available for distribution provided the contents of the resource box remain attached and unchanged.
Mar 16
Dawie BesterSouth Africa airline travel, Airlines, Aviation, flights, South Africa, travel
If you are a regular traveler in South Africa and looking for the cheapest airfare on local flights then this article will give you some useful tips. Go through them, write them down and adopt it next time you are looking for flights.
If you’re looking to save money on a domestic flight, try booking through smaller airlines such as 1Time, Mango or Kulula. These flights are usually cheaper than they are with standard airlines such as British Airways or SAA. Remember also to compare several different airline prices before you actually buy your ticket.
Perform a search online, at www.bestflights.co.za to find available seats and cheapest airfare, by comparing fares of different airlines. Online verification can reach you to get a cheap airfare ticket suitable for your budget. So spend some time in it.
In South Africa, for instance, the best time to find a cheap flight is during the off-peak hours or on the weekends, when air traffic is lighter. If you are flying to or from the major cities like Johannesburg or Cape Town, you will find that the weekday flights are usually full and much more expensive. So if you fly on the weekend or during the early morning or late evening hours, you will find cheaper fares.
Some airlines in South Africa do charge for paper tickets. Get your ticket online and print only the boarding pass. Do this printout at the airport, and you’ll avoid additional, needless charges.
If you’re going to be flying to a place not too far away, then make sure to check for separate planes to go and return instead of booking a round trip ticket. This could be much cheaper unless you find an airline that’s offering a big sale on round trip tickets.
It is better to check the websites of local airlines, because there is a chance you may get some very good deals. As advertised, it may show that if you book your tickets earlier you’ll get a cheaper ticket. But if local airlines are flying empty, then there are chances that you may get a good discount on the rates as no one likes to fly an empty plane.
These are the few tips that may help you the next time you fly locally in South Africa. Depending on your schedule and flexibility, the price of your ticket may vary every time you travel. Hence if your tour travel date is flexible and you will follow the tips then there would be some definite savings. Just try it.
To get more information on how to get a Flight to East London visit the author’s site at Best Flights.
Mar 14
Albert La GrangeSouth Africa Accommodation, destinations, Guest Houses, Hermanus accommodation, Hermanus guest houses, Holidays, Hotels, leisure, South Africa, travel, Vacations
Over 40 guest houses in Hermanus beckon to you as you arrive, possibly from the nearby Cape Town Airport. The sites are along the ocean, area including adventures in many water attractions. Described as the Southern Riviera, it is a favorite destination located on Walker Bay on the south coast. Once there, you have many choices for your activities.
Southern White whales play in Walker bay. They can be seen from the cliffs above the town generally from June through December. September is a great season, as the town has a Whale Festival every year to celebrate the mating season for the whales. Most of your accommodations are located within easy walking distance of the famous cliff paths above the bay.
If golf is part of your agenda, you can stay on the site of the old Hermanus Golf Clubhouse, where a guesthouse now occupies the site. The golf course is outside your door, and still the cliff paths overlooking the scenic Walker bay are but steps away.
For the more adventurous, Hermanus offers boat based whale watching tours. For still more adventure, you can engage in shark cage diving to observe the Great White Shark in the cold Atlantic. The tours will take you from your accommodation to the boating and diving locations.
In town, there are many quaint and unique shops that offer boutique items including locally made jewelry, gifts, and locally collected abalone shells with their iridescent pearl-like interiors. Points of interest in and around town include nature activities such as bird watching, a visit to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a and the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory. All these points are close by the location of your guest house.
The owners and managers, many of whom are couples, take special care to make your stay with them a warm and memorable experience. You will make new friends with your fellow guests in an intimate atmosphere not found in hotels. Both the area and your particular accommodation will be uniquely intimate.
You can dine in a family atmosphere or in a more formal five star like experience depending on the guest house you choose. In any case, be prepared for stunning vistas of the sea, mountains and gardens as you relax after your adventures. You can enjoy a swim or time in the spa. Enjoy the best in European style hospitality and service. Guest houses in Hermanus are closely tuned to the environment of the town and the surrounding area. Your stay will be long remembered and enjoyable.
Hermanus boasts an endless selection of water related attractions and has been described as the Rivera of the South. More than forty guest houses in Hermanus offer you a fantastic array of choices and sightseeing attractions. We have got the best inside scoop on guest houses in Hermanus .
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