Lufthansa Upgrades Offering

Lufthansa has upgraded its in-flight services for First and Business Class passengers. The airline has made a move towards better quality, greater variety and fresher food, including pastries “fresh from the baker”, with meals also displaying clearly identifiable ingredients. 
There is a larger variety of teas, juices and beers to choose from, too. All flights within Europe offer Business Class passengers a full meal, irrespective of flying time, and anything longer than a 76-minute flight includes a sweet treat to round off the meal.
For passengers with special dietary needs, there is a selection of 18 meals on offer, complying with certain nutritional and religious requirements, including Halaal, Kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian and whole food options, among others. There is also a new range of toiletries in the washrooms.

Emirates to Resume Libya Flights

According to breakingnewstravel, Emirates will resume passenger flights to Tripoli from 1 September. The airline will offer three flights a week, served by a Boeing 777-200ER in a three-class configuration, and will make a quick stop in Malta every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Emirates Senior Vice-President Commercial Operations for Africa Luc Grillet said it’s the right time to re-launch flights to Libya to help "support business, international trade and passenger travel to and from Tripoli, as well as strengthen the country’s overall infrastructure.”
 He added that the resumed service will be of particular benefit to passengers with connections to the Indian sub-continent, the Far East and West Asia points. Under the new schedule, Emirates’ flight EK745 will leave Dubai at 09h30 and arrive in Malta at 13h25. The service will depart Malta at 14h45 and arrive in Tripoli at 15h55. 
The return flight will leave Tripoli International Airport at 17h25 and land in Dubai at 01h00. Tripoli will be one of the 23 destinations to which Emirates currently flies in Africa, after launching a daily service to Algiers earlier this year.

New Club Floor at D’oreale Grande

The 5-star D’oreale Grande hotel at Emperors Palace, a few minutes’ drive from O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, has launched its Club Floor and Business Centre Lounge. 
The fifth floor has been converted into accommodation ideally suited to the business traveller. It offers plush VIP rooms and a host of personal and concierge services, including early check-in and late check-out, 24-hour refreshments in rooms, selected complimentary food and beverage offerings, shoe polishing services, complimentary pressing/laundry and casino play vouchers on arrival.
 Club Floor guests will be able to conduct business in the private Business Centre Lounge, whilst enjoying complimentary refreshments, work stations equipped with PCs and Apple products, a meeting room, free Wi-Fi, local and international newspapers and access to a Club Floor Services Manager willing to assist with secretarial services.

KQ to Begin Abu Dhabi Flights in July

According to gulfbusiness.com, Kenya Airways will begin three-times weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi from 2 July.
 Flights are scheduled to depart the UAE capital at 19h25 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The service, on B737-800 aircraft, will be operated in conjunction with Etihad, following the signing of a reciprocal codeshare agreement in February. 
Kenya Airways is already placing its KQ code on Etihad’s daily service from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi, whilst Etihad is placing its EY code on Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to 27 destinations across KQ’s African network.

Qatar to Service Burundi

According to eturbonews, the Burundi government has signed a new air service agreement with Qatar Airways, allowing the two airlines (Qatar Airways and Air Burundi) to fly up to seven times a week between Doha and Bujumbura.
 The agreement covers passenger and cargo services and allows for intermediate stops en route from and to Bujumbura. Burundi is currently the least-connected country in Eastern Africa, with regular air services from Europe only provided by Brussels Airlines, whilst within Africa there are services provided by Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir.
 Burundi is also serviced by Air Uganda within the wider Eastern African region and by South African Airways from within Southern Africa.

BA Boosts African Network

British Airways is increasing its presence in Africa with additional flights to Morocco. In October, the airline will fly to Marrakech 10 times a week and there will be three flights a week to Agadir. 
This complements its 16 other routes in 15 countries across the continent. Other recent schedule increases include three more flights to Johannesburg and double daily direct flights between Cape Town and London during South Africa’s summer peak season. 
In addition to its international network, British Airways’ South African franchise partner Comair operates over 700 domestic and regional departures a week in South and Southern Africa, including the recent addition of Maputo.

FastJet Shift SA Launch Date

According to news24, low-cost carrier fastjet has extended its anticipated launch date in South Africa to July, from the original proposed date of 31 May.
 According to Business Day Live, ticket sales for the British-based airline were set to get under way on 16 May, but a glitch in the website apparently scuppered the process.  
The low-cost carrier launched in Tanzania last year and has its sights set on offering a pan-African low-cost flight option. Fastjet has entered the market on Federal Air’s licence, which allows the latter to fly internationally and use large aircraft, including the 737 that fastjet has in mind.

New Flights for RwandAir

RwandAir has announced three new routes to its schedule. Flights to Doula, Cameroon and Accra, Ghana will commence on 1 June.
 On 1 July, the airline will fly its first aircraft to Juba, South Sudan.
“The new routes will be operated from Kigali, the airline’s hub, with five scheduled weekly flights to Accra, four to Douala and three to Juba, which will take the airline’s network to 16 destinations connecting major sub-Saharan cities via Kigali and the Middle East,” said John Mirenge, CEO of RwandAir.

Boost for Smaller Businesses

Visa has launched a new mobile point-of-sales (mPOS) device, with the goal being to make it easier and cheaper for smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accept card payments.
The plug-and-play mPOS device is slotted on to a mobile phone, enabling business owners to accept debit and credit card payments immediately.
Once the mPOS application is downloaded and the device is registered with a local bank, it is ready for use. The device is used in a growing number of countries worldwide and will benefit South Africa’s thriving travel and tourism sector, which generated a total contribution of R315.4bn, or 9.8% of the GDP in 2012, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, along with creating 1.3 million jobs.
Absa, Nedbank and independent payments provider Paycorp Holdings, offer the mPOS device

Avis Combines Group A & M

Avis Rent a Car has consolidated its Group A and M rentals into a single group – Group A.
Now all entry level car rental vehicles, including the Polo Vivo Hatch and the Hyundai i10, will have air conditioning.
Avis Rent a Car started in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1967 and was listed on the Johannesburg, Namibian and Botswana Stock Exchanges in April 1992 under the name Avis Southern Africa.
In 2009, Avis spent about R250-million on upgrading its turnaround facilities and selected rental branches around the country, and in the same year became the first car rental company to become carbon neutral.

Free Shuttle to Birchwood

 Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg, has opened its Birchwood Airport Office opposite the shuttle pick-up point at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
 The office provides a safe waiting area for guests of the hotel and a complimentary shuttle service direct to its main reception. Birchwood offers 665 rooms and just over 50 conference rooms.
The free shuttle also runs to East Rand Mall shopping centre. On-site facilities include a gym, spa, The Local Grill steakhouse restaurant, and Tazza caffe and wine bar.
 Conference facilities can host from four to 1,500 guests for plenary sessions, board meetings, products launches, training sessions or exhibitions.

Proflight Launches New Aircraft

According to eturbonews, Proflight Zambia has made its maiden Boeing 727-200 flight from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka to Livingstone.
The launch of the 105-seater twin-engine jet plane marks an historic development for Zambia's only scheduled airline and will almost double the carrier's seating capacity.
The aircraft will operate on Proflight's routes from Lusaka to Livingstone and Ndola. Philip Lemba, Proflight's Director of Government and Industry Affairs, said the airline had adopted a strategy of steady, careful growth, making it ready to take the next step.
The 737 aircraft will also play a pivotal role in getting delegates to Livingstone for the UN World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in August. The 737-200 can fly at speeds of up to 780kph, compared with the current maximum speed of 546kph of the Jetstream 41 aircraft, which means that Proflight can reduce flight times significantly.
 Its cargo capacity will enable Proflight to offer increased baggage allowances on routes operated with the 737.

JKIA Earns Re-Certification

According to eturbonews, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has re-certified Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in accordance with guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
JKIA was granted an initial certificate in 2008 and has been regularly inspected and issued with renewals by the Kenyan Airports Authority, a mandatory requirement by ICAO for airport operators. Key elements in the inspection and audit process are the existence of updated manuals and the adherence and compliance, with emphasis on safety and security management.
 JKIA has not been given FAA Category One status, largely due to the airport’s current inability to separate the passenger streams, which focuses on keeping arriving passengers apart from departing passengers.
JKIA is currently undergoing substantial building, as it looks to complete the new Terminal Four before embarking on the construction of a new runway and a new “mega terminal”, which is estimated to cost about $650 million. Terminal Four is expected to open some time in mid-2014, at which stage the current terminals one to three will be refurbished and upgraded.

Mantis Marks Presence on All Continents

According to breakingnewstravel, 5-star property group Mantis has become the only hotel group in the world to have a presence on all seven continents.
 The group has signed with a collection of unique bush camps in Australia, called Wild Bush Luxury, giving Mantis its seventh continental footprint. Mantis has also recently partnered with ICS Group in India, forming a joint venture focusing on providing hospitality services to high-end boutique hotels and lodges, primarily in nature destinations.
 Continuing to expand their brand under the vision of “unearthing the exceptional”, this year has also seen Mantis embark on the development of a 5-star hotel on the island of St. Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean, 2,000km from the nearest major land mass.
The island is currently only accessed by the last commercially operating Royal Mail Ship, but will be opening its own airport in January 2016.

News DoubleTree by Hilton

According to breakingnewstravel, DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of two new hotels in London under franchise agreements with Westmont Hospitality.
 The latest additions are DoubleTree by Hilton London - Hyde Park and DoubleTree by Hilton London - Ealing, both of which are in the final stages of extensive refurbishments totalling £20 million, and will join seven other DoubleTree by Hilton properties across the capital city.
Doubletree by Hilton London - Hyde Park, located on Bayswater Road, is situated opposite the Kensington Gardens, close to the popular Hyde Park, and is a short walk from the Notting Hill and Queensway underground stations.
The hotel’s refurbishment has created a spacious 24-hour fitness centre, as well as 12 new guest rooms on the first floor, taking the total number of guest rooms to 228. Located only a few minutes’ walk from London Ealing underground and overland station, the 189-room DoubleTree by Hilton London - Ealing offers spacious in-room work areas, as well as tech-friendly stations in the hotel’s public spaces, which also provide a relaxed setting for informal meetings.

Chapman Freeborn Turns 40

 Chapman Freeborn celebrated 40 years of successful aircraft chartering in May.
 In 1973, Chris Chapman and partner started the business by arranging contracts for Alaska International Air’s L-100 Hercules, from an office in London. Today, it supplies passenger and freight aircraft charters to major corporations, private individuals, aid agencies and governments, supporting 450 employees and over 30 offices globally.
 Its first humanitarian project involved the World Food Programme’s first ever charter programme from Port Sudan across Africa.
 The company’s private jet business is growing and seeing increased activity in the emerging markets of Africa, China and South America.

Airlink Turns 21

Privately-owned South African Airlink will celebrate its 21st birthday on the 11th of June. Rodger Foster and Barrie Webb, the airline’s founders, bought liquidated Link Airways and turned what was a failed business into a thriving venture.
From 32 staff members to nearly 1,000, and from 25,000 airplane seats per year to more than one million passengers annually, Airlink has successfully navigated the economic uncertainties by showing growth in every year of operation.
A motley collection of twin-prop Chieftain planes has been slowly replaced by an extensive fleet of over 30 aircrafts, including 10 four-engine British Aerospace Avro RJ85 aircraft. Airlink currently flies to more than 30 destinations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Madagascar and Lesotho.
 “Airlink has been truly fortunate in having stakeholders of the highest calibre, from our support staff on the ground to our flight crews in the air, including our shareholders,” said Foster, Airlink’s Managing Director and CEO.

Sea-Air Transport for East Africa

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Djibouti International Airport for the provision of sea-air and air-sea cargo transport of goods in East Africa.
 Ethiopian Airlines is the biggest cargo operator in Africa, flying to 25 destinations across the globe with six dedicated freighters, of which two are Boeing 777-200 LR Freighters. The B777-200LRF is the most technologically-advanced cargo aircraft, with a carrying capacity of 103 tons.

Kenya Airways Flies to Maputo

Commencing 10 June, Kenya Airways will introduce an additional flight from its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Maputo, Mozambique.
 This brings to four the number of flights operated by the airline. The flying time is just over four hours, but the one-hour time difference between Kenya and Mozambique should be factored into scheduling.
 Flight code KQ740 will depart Nairobi on Mondays at 10h50 to arrive in Maputo at 13h55, whilst flight code KQ741 departs Maputo at 14h45 to arrive in Nairobi at 19h50.
The additional capacity is aimed at meeting the rising travel demand to the Southern Africa country, while allowing its customers in Mozambique to take advantage of the airline’s growing route network.

Ethiopian Flies to Seoul

On 18 June, Ethiopian Airlines will commence scheduled four weekly flights to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul is the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world, after Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles. The city is also known for a number of modern landmarks including Lotte World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, and Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. With this new flight, Seoul will be connected to dozens of cities in Africa via Ethiopian’s main hub in Addis Ababa, with connections to and from major African cities such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra and Dar-es-Salaam. Seoul will be Ethiopian’s 73rd international destination. The inclusion of Seoul is part of Ethiopian’s Vision 2025 of connecting Africa with the major world economic and financial hubs.

Urban Hip Hotels Unveils The Highlander

 Urban Hip Hotels has refurbished the Peebles Country Retreat & Spa in the town of Dullstroom in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
The luxury hotel, renamed “The Highlander” has 13 rooms, offers free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, photocopying and ironing services. Guests can choose from cottage, standard double room and luxury suite accommodation – select rooms have a private fireplace and/or patio.
The hotel is used regularly by international and local tour operators who find its location to be an ideal stopover when travelling to and from the Kruger National Park, Sabi, Sabi Sands and other attractions on the Lowveld. “We are also very excited about the launch our new restaurant, Chapter 1,” said Kobus Botha, Urban Hip Hotels’ managing director.
“The kitchen brigade will be led by our executive chef, Jacques van Eck, and we expect our guests will enjoy tucking into his version of contemporary South African country cuisine. Jacques has done extensive research on the menus and sourced suppliers far and wide, enabling him to use only the freshest and healthiest seasonal ingredients available.”
Future plans include the refurbishment of the Rivendale Spa on the property in June as part of the second phase.

Comair Celebrates Inaugural Maputo Flight

 British Airways (operated by Comair within southern Africa) has launched its flights between O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Maputo International Airport in Mozambique.
 It’s a 65-minute flight and British Airways’ fleet of Boeing 737-300 and 400s will operate this route with daily return flights and a double daily service on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Flights have been timed to enable ease of connectivity for international travellers transferring through ORT to Maputo. Passengers on this route will have a choice of two cabins: Club (Business Class) or Traveller (Economy Class).
Club customers can check in for their flight at the dedicated Club check-in counters and relax in the departure lounges, while waiting for their flight. All customers are provided with complimentary onboard refreshments, appropriate to the time of day.

SAA and Etihad Sign MOU

South African Airways and Etihad Airways have signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the two airlines to introduce a comprehensive range of codeshare and interline air services, as well as explore synergy and efficiency opportunities.
 The new collaboration will see SAA codeshare on 12 Etihad flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond; Etihad will have access to 10 cities in South Africa and the African continent; the airlines will explore joint procurement, training and maintenance opportunities; there will be provision for reciprocal ‘earn and burn’ with frequent flyer programmes.

SAA Borrows R1.5bn for Operations

According to fin24, South African Airways has borrowed R1.5bn from two banks to keep operations running while the airline comes to grip with high fuel prices and its loss-making long-haul business. Chief financial officer Wolf Meyer told South Africa’s Business Day that this was until the country’s cabinet adopted the airline's turnaround plans. SAA had used a R5bn state guarantee extended to it last year to secure the loan. Meyer said all the legal documents for the loans were being finalised and awaiting the minister's final approval. The loans were believed to have been extended by Rand Merchant Bank and Investec, the newspaper reported. However, Meyer refused to confirm this, and told Business Day only that the loan was split "50-50" between two local banks. "We require it (the loans) for working capital... this was always our plan to use part of the guarantee to raise money," he was quoted as saying. SAA would repay the loan once it had gone ahead with its bond issue.

Grace Hotels Expands into North Africa

 According to breakingnewstravel, luxury boutique hotel group, Grace Hotels, is expanding into the North Africa region through the acquisition of the Les Terres M’Barka, a property located near the village of Tameslouht, 22 kilometres south-west of Marrakech, Morocco. Grace Marrakech will compromise 18 suites and lofts, a restaurant, bar, library, outdoor heated pool, traditional farm kitchen and fully serviced spa with traditional hammam and whirlpool. Les Terres M’Barka will close in June and after a full refurbishment, it will re-launch as Grace Marrakech in the fourth quarter of the year. Grace Cafayate, situated on a residential and sporting estate with vineyards in north-west Argentina and Grace Panama, a contemporary boutique hotel within the dramatic ‘Twist Tower’ in Panama City, are due to open later this year.

Etihad and Air France Strengthen Ties

 Strategic partners Etihad Airways and Air France have announced a number of new codeshare destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe for 2013.
The expansion of codeshare services follows last October’s agreement between the respective national carriers to foster closer commercial ties, build an expanded global network, and deliver unrivalled travel options for customers.
Now placing its EY flight code on Air France flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Oslo and Stockholm, Etihad Airways expects to build on the existing joint codeshare routes from Paris-CDG to Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Madrid, Nice and Toulouse.
Subject to further regulatory approvals, Etihad also expects to be able to place its EY code soon on Air France flights between Paris-CDG, Lisbon and Marseilles. The UAE flag carrier flies twice daily between Abu Dhabi and Paris. Air France is placing its AF code on Etihad Airways’ daily flights from Abu Dhabi to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and to two cities in Australia – Melbourne and Sydney.
 The French carrier expects to be able to place its AF code shortly on Etihad services between Singapore and Brisbane (Australia). Furthermore and subject to regulatory approvals, Air France foresees placing its AF code on routes between Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu (Nepal).
 The airline already places its AF code on Etihad’s operated flights between Paris-CDG and Abu Dhabi, and onwards to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Mahé (Seychelles) and Male (Maldives).

Travelport and Webjet Extend Partnership

Travelport has announced that, following the recent acquisition of Zuji, Webjet has appointed Travelport as Zuji’s global distribution partner. Webjet, which has a long-term partnership with Travelport, has already begun the migration of Zuji onto its GDS platform. Webjet, the largest online travel agency in Australia and New Zealand, enables customers to search and book domestic and international flights, travel insurance, car hire and hotel accommodation worldwide. Travelport has been the exclusive GDS and air content provider for Webjet for many years. With this extended partnership, Zuji customers in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong will soon have access to Travelport’s technology and content – including airlines’ web fares and full published inventories.

Codeshare for Air Seychelles and SAA

South African Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles. The first phase of the agreement will see South African Airways place its ‘SA’ code on Air Seychelles’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and Seychelles. South African Airways will also place its code on flights between the two largest islands of Seychelles, Mahé and Praslin, subject to approval. Following the launch of the partnership between the airlines, they will look into expanding the agreement to include Air Seychelles placing its 'HM' code on South African Airways’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and destinations across South Africa. The deal follows a strategic move by Air Seychelles to increase its connectivity throughout South Africa and continental Africa. Ticket sales are set to open on 29 April, for travel from April 30. In March, Air Seychelles introduced an enhanced schedule and additional weekly service on its Johannesburg route, bringing the flights to three return services per week with daytime departures and arrivals.

Award for InterContinental ORT

The InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport hotel has been awarded the 2013 Skytrax award in the ‘Best Airport Hotel for Africa’ category, for the third time in a row. The results are based on 12 million passenger surveys completed in a 10-month period, covering over 388 airports. The survey evaluates the total passenger experience across 39 airport service and product features. Since 1999, this annual airport customer survey has been respected for clarity and independence, with no airport influence or bias. Further to that, Tsogo Sun’s Garden Court OR Tambo hotel received third place in the same category at the award ceremony held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Geneva, Switzerland.

Tsogo Sun Commit to Big Investment

Tsogo Sun has announced that it has committed $100m towards the group’s hotel expansion in the rest of Africa, outside of South Africa, through the expansion of its hotel in Maputo and an acquisition in Nigeria. This brings the value of Tsogo Sun’s various investment projects under way to about $280m. The group said it will invest $30m in the expansion of its Southern Sun Maputo hotel in Mozambique, involving a complete refurbishment of the existing 158-room hotel.
 In addition to refurbishing rooms, public areas and expanding the restaurant, 110 hotel rooms and new conferencing facilities will be added. Subject to conditions including regulatory approvals, the group will also acquire a 75% stake in Ikoyi Hotels — the holding company of the Southern Sun Ikoyi hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.
Tsogo Sun has managed the hotel for the original developers since it opened in 2009. The group said investment, including loan funding, was about $70m. Tsogo Sun operates hotels in six African countries outside of South Africa, namely Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and the Seychelles.

Ethiopian to Resume Dreamliner Flights

According to news24, Ethiopian Airlines will be the world's first carrier to resume flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, since regulators ordered all 50 planes out of the skies in mid-January, after batteries on two of them overheated. A senior Ethiopian Airlines source told Reuters, "we're flying to Nairobi, Kenya on the normal flight schedule." Another source, who also declined to be named, confirmed the plan to resume flights on Saturday by the airline, the first African carrier to purchase Dreamliner planes. Ethiopian Airlines ordered 10, has received four, and started flying them in August. US regulators approved a new battery design on Friday, clearing the way for installation. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which grounded the planes, is expected to issue an Airworthiness Directive on Thursday (25 April). This applies to US airlines, but other nations are expected to follow suit immediately. Ethiopian Airlines previously said its fleet did not suffer any of the technical glitches experienced by other Dreamliner jets, though it withdrew the planes from service to undergo special inspection requirements mandated by the FAA.

Fastjet to Fly in SA

 According to Bizcommunity, low-cost airline fastjet has signed an agreement with South African investment company Blockbuster, which will allow fastjet to operate services in South Africa by the end of May. It is anticipated that the new entity will be 75% owned by Blockbuster, in compliance with South African law, and 25% owned by fastjet. The airline's chief executive Ed Winter said fastjet sees a strategic gap in the South African market for a pan-continental, low-cost airline operating the yield management model required to keep fares affordable for passengers in the long term. Winter added that they are firmly focused on getting up and running, in order to "create a fresh, unique and commercially sustainable offering which will stimulate the market." Blockbuster has made a commercial arrangement with local operator Federal Airlines, which will allow fastjet to leverage Federal Airline's existing licensing infrastructure and deliver its low-cost airline model to the South African public. In recent months, fastjet has been in discussions with a number of South Africa-based entities to support its market entry strategy, including negotiations regarding a potential purchase of liquidated airline 1time. David Lenigas, fastjet's chairman, said they are not seeking to be a hostile competitor, but rather provide extra seat capacity to South Africans, so that they can travel when and where they want at better prices. Tickets are expected to go on sale in a few weeks, and fastjet is targeting the 31st of May as the launch date for the initial Johannesburg to Cape Town route.

JBC Celebrates One Year

The members of the Johannesburg Boutique Collection have celebrated their first year of collaboration.
 Early 2012 saw five award-winning Johannesburg establishments, comprising Clico Boutique Hotel, Ten Bompas, The Hamilton, The Parkwood and The Peech Hotel come together, with the owners enjoying a co-operation agreement between their stylish, comfortable and well-equipped boutique hotels and guest houses. The benefit of the JBC seals a quality assurance between members, thereby ensuring ease of reservations through agents and tour operators, as well as direct bookings for individuals, corporate travellers and events managers.
As a group, the five hotels and guest houses offer 58 rooms and a central location within the greater Rosebank area, well positioned for quick and easy access to the business and retail hubs of Rosebank, Melrose Arch, Hyde Park, Sandton and the Johannesburg CBD.
Transfers are provided within the greater Rosebank area, whilst most of the hotels are within minutes of the conveniently situated Gautrain stations. The hallmark of the JBC is bespoke luxury, polished, personalised and discreet service, the tranquility of landscaped gardens and understated, yet modern interiors. For booking enquiries, email enquiries@johannesburgcollection.co.za or visit www.johannesburgcollection.co.za.

ExecuJet Extends Maintenance Offering in CT

 ExecuJet Africa is expanding the support capabilities at its Cape Town International Airport facility to cover the Bombardier Dash 8 / Q300* aircraft, due to growing demand in the region.
 One of these aircraft is currently undergoing C-check base maintenance, an extensive inspection needed after a specific number of flight hours, in ExecuJet’s 6,000m² Cape Town hangar. More Dash 8 / Q300 aircraft are expected to undergo maintenance at the facility by the end of April.
 “There are a significant number of these aircraft operating in Africa and there is a need to provide these operators with a maintenance facility capable of performing heavy maintenance on these aircraft types,” said Steve Bothma, Maintenance Director, ExecuJet South Africa.
ExecuJet had previously carried out C-check base maintenance on Dash 8* aircraft at ExecuJet’s Lanseria International Airport facility. ExecuJet Africa’s maintenance capabilities vary from minor inspections and checks to heavy maintenance checks such as C, D and cycle/hour checks, structural repairs, modifications and interior refurbishment, in addition to avionics installations and modifications.
The supporting workshops are able to accommodate wheels, brakes, batteries, composite repairs, paint repairs and interior, as well as full exterior refurbishment activities. ExecuJet Africa’s Lanseria facility is an authorised Bombardier Aerospace, Hawker Beechcraft, Dassault Falcon and Gulfstream maintenance facility, as well as a Honeywell Engine service centre. In addition, the operation holds dealerships for various avionics OEMs, such as Honeywell, Universal, Rockwell Collins, Avidyne and Garmin.
ExecuJet’s Lagos, Nigeria location is part of Bombardier Aerospace’s Authorized Service Facility network for business aircraft. ExecuJet Maintenance South Africa holds South African Civil Aviation Authority and European Aviation Safety Agency Part 145 approvals, as well as other SACAA approvals. The company specialises in maintenance services for most turboprop and business jet aircraft.

Hertz Appoints Holiday Holdings

Hertz has appointed Holiday Holdings International as its exclusive general sales agent in Southern Africa. Holiday Holdings will be responsible for the growth of outbound car rental reservations from South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Botswana to more than 8,800 Hertz locations worldwide in 150 countries.
 Holiday Holdings International has set up a local reservations office and call centre for Hertz in the Randburg district of Johannesburg, to service the travel trade and corporate market.
The new partnership will increase Hertz product awareness among travel trade and grow outbound sales by capitalizing on Holiday Holding's longstanding relationship with the travel industry in Southern Africa.
Travel agents and operators can contact Holiday Holdings for car rental quotations and reservations on 0861 4 HERTZ in South Africa and +27 11 289 8001 from other Southern African countries.