Etihad grabs another slice of Virgin
Etihad Airways’ equity stake in Virgin Australia Holdings has now reached 4.99 per cent. The Abu Dhabi-based company said it "remains interested in building a larger stake over time but will only do so after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals".
More KLM connections from Australia
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will increase flight connections from Australia through the addition of three new nonstop flights between Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam.
KLM code shares with Malaysia Airlines on flights from five Australian cities to Kuala Lumpur. The new flights will increase to 68 the number of weekly departures that KLM offers from Australia.
Air Astana spreads its wings
Air Astana, the first carrier from Russia /CIS /Eastern Europe to be awarded the 4-Star rating in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, has launched a new direct flight connecting Almaty to Kazan, capital of Tatarstan, Russia.
The service is operated three times a week (Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday) using Embraer 190 airliners in 98 seat, two class configuration.
The new service from Almaty to Kazan is Air Astana’s seventh destination in the Russian Federation, with existing services operating from Almaty to Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Samara, as well as those operating from Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, to Moscow, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg.
Cathay’s new S&M manager for Australia
Julie Reid has been appointed sales and marketing manager for Cathay Pacific Airways in Australia. She joins the airline from HRG Global Travel Services.
Emirates arrives in HCMC
Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has further expanded its global network with the start of a non-stop, daily service between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City.
With the start of flights to Vietnam, the airline’s eighth route launch of 2012, Emirates now operates to 13 cities in 10 countries in the Far East.
SAA adds Perth flight
South African Airways (SAA) will add an additional flight serving Perth from August 16.
South African Airways’ country manager for Australasia, Tim Clyde-Smith, said SAA’s decision to go daily out of Perth is based on increased interest in Africa as a growing tourist and commercial destination and that the airline is seeing an uptake in travelling to Europe, South America and the US via South Africa.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026