Airlines & airports From Johannesburg to Cairo SOUTH African Airways (SAA) and Emeco Travel, the airline's general sales agent in Egypt, celebrated yesterday the new code share agreement with EgyptAir. Travellers can now enjoy a non-stop service between Johannesburg and Cairo following the code agreement between the two carriers. This new travel option forms part of SAA's aim to increase its frequencies within the African continent as embodied in the airline's African strategy and to provide customers with better connectivity. The agreement with EgyptAir comes more than 20 years after SAA had presence in the North African market. "We believe these new partnerships will benefit both business and leisure travellers between South Africa and Egypt allowing for greater trade, development and tourism opportunities," says Nomfanelo Megwenthshu, SAA general manager buisness development. SA 7206 departs on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Cairo at 01:30 to arrive in Johannesburg at 09:30 the same day whereas SA 7205 departs from Johannesburg same days at 21:45 to arrive in Cairo at 05:45. SAA offers connections from Johannesburg to 20 other destinations in the African continent. All for kids CHILDREN travelling on long haul flights of Emirates airlines have big surprises starting January. They receive a brand new bumper bag of goodies to make flying fun, in addition to the airlines' extensive inflight entertainment package. The new toys come in one of two must-have bags: a colourful rucksack (presented on flights outbound from Dubai) and a bag (presented on inbound flights). Each one comes in five different colour combinations. Among them is a new soft toy exclusive to Emirates called Querk, an animal that loves to travel and can take on the guise of various animals from destinations around the world. This lovable character comes in a soft fabric bag with one of five costumes: Salaam the Lion, Yorkie the Eagle, Sydney the Koala, Paris the Rabbit and Delhi the Elephant. The classic stories from Dr Seuss will also feature onboard in paperback, the result of an exclusive deal between Emirates and the publishers. Emirates will rotate 10 classic children's stories. Along with the book, there's a fun magazine, e-kids, produced exclusively for young Emirates fliers. "We are constantly enhancing our onboard product. For our young passengers, we have created a completely new range of toys, games, puzzles and reading material and will rotate the items so that children enjoy much more variety on every flight," said Terry Daly, Emirates divisional senior vice president of service delivery. For entertainment via the personal seatback television screens, children on Emirates have their own Skyriders channel with comedy and cartoons, movies and music, and an interactive channel offering 18 games. To complete their enjoyment, children can listen and watch with specially-designed kiddie-sized headsets available in bright colours. Office opening BRITISH Airways has moved its office from downtown to InterContinental Residence Suites in the City Stars Complex in Nasr City. The inaugural ceremony was attended by the British ambassador, the head of the Egyptian Tourist Authority, Egyptian businessmen, journalists and travel writers. The ceremony included addresses by commercial manager Mervat Alfi, the British ambassador and a video on British Airways history. There are currently 16 flights operating each week between London and Egypt. Cairo remains the main destination, with daily flights carrying a mix of business travellers and tourists. There are four non-stop flights a week between London's Heathrow and Alexandria operated by British Airways franchise partner BMED. At the end of 2004 British Airways inaugurated flights to the Riviera, operated by another franchise partner, GB Airways. Flying from London's Gatwick Airport in the winter time, flights are five per week to Sharm and two per week to Hurghada. Hotels & resorts New Chinese year STARTING 18 February, Four Seasons Nile Plaza will celebrate the Chinese Year at Spice Restaurant. Special New Year decorations and a mouth-watering eight-course menus will be prepared specifically for the event. Guests will have the opportunity to savour the most authentic Chinese specialties from steamed crystal dumplings, King Crab soup, stir fried prawns and sweet lotus soup within a warm and welcoming atmosphere, accompanied by Spice's immaculate service and overwhelming Nile views. The Chinese New Year is traditionally celebrated as family gatherings and is a time for reunion and thanksgiving. Its underlying message is peace and happiness. In order to enhance the true ambiance, special flower decorations in the lobby and customary Chinese decorations in the restaurant will ensure a truly welcoming and memorable evening. "We are delighted to be able to offer guests a truly authentic experience at Spice, similar to one you would find in China or Hong Kong," says Olivier Masson, general manager of the hotel. "Chef Dickey and his team of experienced chefs have created a truly traditional menu for you to enjoy." Thank you MARRIOTT and Renaissance Hotels and Resorts-Egypt recently hosted a one- day appreciation party in honour of their valued clients. Guests enjoyed a fun-filled programme that included flower arrangements, cooking sessions for ladies and golf. The general mangers of the seven Marriott and Renaissance properties in Egypt took the opportunity to personally thank their guests and clients for their support and loyal patronage over the past year. Bee Gees in Cairo BEE GEES fans will enjoy the band's greatest songs at the Nile Hilton's dinner concert event "The UK Bee Gees", performed by The Bee Gees Tribute Band on Thursday 8 February 2007 at the Alf Leila Ballroom. The band is flying in from England to perform at the Nile Hilton for just one night. You'll hear the Bee Gees' all-time hits, "How Deep is your Love", "Islands in the Stream", "Grease", "Staying Alive", "Night Fever", "More than a Woman" and "Massachusetts". The harmony, voices, the look, the mannerisms and the dry humour, are all faithfully recreated in this exclusive one-night performance. For more information call Nile Hilton on 02 578 0475, ext 285/270. From the US to Alexandria MAJOR travel agents and tour operators on an American familiarisation trip visited the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and stayed in Sheraton Montazah Hotel. The visit was meant to explore future possibilities of sending American tourists to Egypt, to Alexandria in particular. Upon their arrival at the hotel, the group was briefed on its banqueting facilities, restaurants and bars, renovated rooms and suites and other business and leisure facilities of Sheraton Montazah. Saudi writers in Cairo A SAUDI press delegation including top journalists and travel writers from the print media and TV recently visited Cairo where they were hosted by Ramses Hilton Hotel. The visit is part of a marketing campaign in the Arab world organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to reinforce Saudi tourism to Egypt. News New deals KAZA Royal Club, a private VIP hotel and restaurant loyalty membership card in Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), has announced an exclusive partnership with EgyptAir and Karnak Travel which adds a new range of airline and travel benefits for its members. Through a wide variety of discounts, vouchers and promotions, Kaza Royal Club members will benefit more from the club than they would with any other loyalty membership programme available in the market. "Egypt is a strategic market for us at TVB Group and we are keen on offering customers in Egypt the most benefits of any programme," said David Home, CEO of TVB Group, the parent company of Kaza Royal Club. Home added that the partnership with EgyptAir and Karnak will solidify Kaza Royal Club's position as the number one loyalty programme in the region. As a result of the partnership, new membership benefits include international business class upgrade vouchers, special discounts on international EgyptAir tickets, free Kaza Club purchased domestic air tickets and other VIP vouchers and services that are available exclusively to Kaza Royal Members, starting today. "Our members already have premium access to the top hotels, restaurants and tourist destinations, but we wanted to give them something more," said Tarek Hamza, president of TVB Group Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "By joining forces with Egypt's state carrier, EgyptAir, which is one of the strongest regional and international carriers, members will be rewarded for their interest in travelling." Partnering with TVB Group also fits in line with EgyptAir's recent expansion programme that includes the addition of 12 Boeing 737-800 as well as new services such as electronic ticketing. And through Karnak Travel, members will get the advantage of receiving travel discounts and arrangements from a leader in the tourism industry. Red Sea luxury LAST week construction commenced on the luxurious real estate project of Serrenia in Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea. The project is being carried out by Ventage Real Estate and the Egyptian Resorts Company and brings together the expertise of 14 internationally renowned companies. The choice of Sahl Hasheesh marks an important step in the Red Sea governorate's plans to transform the area into a world class, high-end destination. Serrenia will be established on a site of three million square metres with a budget of $2.7 billion. Construction work will start at the large marina hub. The project will consist of 1,216 units, including palaces, luxury villas and residential apartments. It will provide around 4,000 jobs during the construction period and about 3,000 jobs will be created on completion. It will also include one of the best spas in the world, a seven-star hotel, an 18- hole championship golf course, a retail centre to attract the most luxurious fashion houses, and an international marina capable of accommodating super yachts of up to 80 metres.
