United goes to Washington

United are celebrating their new direct service from Dublin to Washington which takes off on the 8th June. “We are delighted to have this new service and we want to thank the trade for their support even at this early stage“, said Yvonne Muldoon (Sales Manager Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). There was a fantastic turnout of over 100 trade staff in the well named Lost Society club in Dublin. Suzanne Reynolds (Cassidy Travel) was particularly happy as she won two tickets on the new service in a draw that was made by Pat Dawson (CEO ITAA).

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Happy Birthday Star Alliance

Fifteen years ago, Star Alliance was launched as the first truly global airline alliance. The founding carriers, SAS, Air Canada, Lufthansa, THAI and United all realised with growing globalisation, the need for more international travel to a wider range of destinations would become increasingly important. As no airline on their own would be able to achieve this, the five airlines established the Star Alliance network with the aim of becoming the ‘leading global airline alliance for the high value international traveller’. “I want to thank the Irish travel trade for the tremendous support they have given over the last 15 years”, said Alan Sparling (SAS and Chairman Star Alliance Ireland).

Dubai Tourism & Etihad announce winner at trade function

Dubai Tourism (Ingrid Aagesen) and Etihad (Karen Maloney) joined with Jabel Ali International (Ross Park) to run a trade night to pick the final member of the trade to go on the forthcoming Fam to Dubai sponsored by all three companies.    All three sponsors made presentations and the winner of the final place was Orlagh Hogan (Travelmood) who joins Clodagh Connolly (Fahy Travel), Orla Barcoe (Manning Travel), Lynn Dempsey (Newbridge Travel), Jennifer Dineen (Newbridge Travel), Siobhan Geraghty (Cavan Travel) and Majella Greene (O'Callaghan Travel).

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Insight launches winter programme

Insight Vacations has announced the launch of its programme for 2012/13 Winter Europe including the Eastern Mediterranean and Christmas Markets. The new collection features 28 premium autumn, winter and spring itineraries including three new fully escorted tours. Running between Europe’s autumn, winter and spring seasons, the new programme provides agents with a comprehensive range of hassle-free holiday options taking in some of the most exciting destinations in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean including Italy, Spain, Portugal, The Alps and Central Europe, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Israel.

Amadeus 3rd week competition winner

Declan McGrath (Atlas Travel) was the winner of a €200 voucher for the 3rd week of the Amadeus/Travelbiz competition. The winner of the 4th and final week, will receive a €400 weekend break and will be announce later this week in Travelbiz. “We were thrilled with the response to the Travelbiz competition, which received many hundreds of replies”, said Volker Lorenz (Manager Amadeus Ireland).

RCCL treats agents onboard in Cobh and Waterford

RCL got the 2012 season of cruise ship visits to Ireland off to a start with two ships calling to Cobh and Dunmore East. Lorraine Quinn and Jenny Rafter were joined by agents onboard Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas when the ship created a spectacle with a two-day visit to Cobh. Lorraine and Jenny travelled across to the south east to welcome another group of agents onboard Azamara Club Cruises' Azamara Journey when it visited Dunmore East in Waterford. Agents on Independence of the Seas were treated to a tour of the ship for a taster of its many innovative onboard features such as the rock climbing wall and FlowRider surf simulator. Similarly, agents visiting Azamara Journey were treated to a taster of the upmarket travellers’ boutique hotel-style ambience with a ship tour followed by afternoon tea, complete with cucumber sandwiches and petit four sweet treats.

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John Donohue (Aereps) checks out Sea Dream

Jenny Wright (Director Business Development Sea Dream Yacht Club) and John Donohue (Ireland Representative Sea Dream Yacht Club) flew to Malaga to welcome Sea Dream 1 back to the Mediterranean for her first European Voyage of the 2012 season. The Five-Star Luxury Mega-Yacht Sea Dream 1 and her twin sister ship Sea Dream 2 will spend the summer 'Yachting' in Europe. John Donohue, fresh from the first European Voyage of the 2012 season said, "Sea Dream 1 is looking fantastic following a recent refurbishment, the boutique Yacht holds a maximum of 112 guests who are pampered by the best staff in the Industry". John will be conducting training clinics with a number of travel agent cruise specialists throughout Ireland. Give them a ring to join in.

AirFrance KLM Agents Fam Trip to Disneyland Paris

Winners of the recent AFKL.Biz competition went to Disneyland Paris. As well as spending a fun filled day visiting Disneyland, they were taken on a hub visit of Charles De Gaulle Airport. It just shows that it’s worth entering the AFKL.com competitions.

Aer Lingus Regional new service to London Southend

The first Aer Lingus Regional Dublin to London Southend services were officially launched by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar T.D. at Dublin Airport recently. Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Aer Arann) now flies three daily return flights between London Southend and Dublin offering great choice for business and leisure passengers. “A key feature of this new service is that passengers from London Southend will be able to take advantage of transatlantic connections through Dublin on Aer Lingus flights to the USA, as well as benefiting from the US Customs and Immigrations pre-clearance facilities at Dublin Airport. This is a real benefit to the transatlantic services operated at Dublin Airport”, said the minister.

Emirates brings forward 777 arrival in Ireland

Emirates have introduced a larger aircraft on its Dublin route two months early due to surging demand. The 360-seat Boeing 777-300ER has been deployed to Dublin which has become one of the airline’s most successful new passenger services. Popular destinations so far include Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Karachi. The 777-300ER brings a raft of products to passengers in all classes, including the much enjoyed ice entertainment system, where travellers can immerse themselves in more than 600 channels of movies, television programmes, games, audio books and music from across the world.

Ryan Tubridy launches Clifden programme

Clifden in county Galway is celebrating 200 years next weekend when a host of events and celebrations will kick off from May 25^th to June 4^th.   Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, a self-confessed Clifden fan launched the full programme of events which includes a regatta, music sessions, genealogy seminars, garden events and plenty of partying!

Malaysia Airlines to join oneworld® alliance

Malaysia Airlines is on schedule to join the oneworld® alliance by the end of this year. As it prepares for its alliance membership, the airline has developed bilateral links on code-shares with oneworld® partners, the latest being Cathay Pacific and Royal Jordanian. It has also added its network to the Global Explorer; the round-the-world fare offered by all members of the alliance and selected other airlines. When it becomes part of oneworld®, Malaysia Airlines' customers will gain access to the alliance's truly global network.