We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Flights re-routed from Sydney CBD
UPDATED:
Some flights are being rerouted away from Sydney’s CBD over a suspected terror threat in the banking and retail district of Martin Place.
Qantas has tweeted all its flights are being diverted around Sydney CBD but are operating as per schedule. Virgin Australia said it doesn’t fly over Sydney’s CBD airspace and flights are operating as usual.
Airservices Australia said air space had not been shut down.
2. The world’s largest cruise terminal opened in…
Sheikh Hamdan opens Dubai’s new terminal.
Dubai – the destination leading the way when it comes to building designs and on-land activities – has officially opened the world’s largest cruise terminal.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal was inaugurated over the weekend by the Crown Prince of Dubai and the terminal’s namesake, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Built at Mina Rashid port alongside two existing terminals, the new gateway takes up over 28,000-square-metres and is capable of handling up to 14,000 cruise passengers a day.
3. Oman sails into second in Sydney
The first Extreme 40s sailing event to be held in Sydney concluded over the weekend, with Oman’s ‘The Wave Muscat’ sailing into second place.
The vessel, which was bidding for its third consecutive win in the sailing competition, fell behind Swiss ship, Alinghi.
Leigh McMillan, Aussie skipper sailing the Omani ship, said he’s confident the team will take back the title in 2015.
Leigh on the left with his sailing team.
Leigh told KarryOn last week he feels honored representing Oman in the games because the country is incredibly supportive of the sport.
Read more from our interview with Leigh here, or click here for more images from the event.
4. New routes alert! FJ to Wellington/WY to Jakarta
Destinations are quickly opening up to travellers around New Zealand as another airlines introduces new services out of the country.
Fiji Airways has revealed it will expand its network with a new route between Wellington and Nadi starting 25 June next year.
The new service will operate twice weekly, departing Wellington on Thursday and Sunday.
Fiji Airways’ managing director said the new route reflects New Zealand’s importance to the carrier and its commitment to growing a global network.
The announcement follows Air New Zealand’s decision last week to introduce the country’s first direct service to South America.
Commencing December next year, the airline will operate three weekly return flights on its Boeing 777-200 aircraft between Auckland and Buenos Aires.
Click here for more information.
Meanwhile, Oman Air has officially launched on its new route from Muscat to Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
The first flight took off late last week. The airline will operate four flights per week to the destination on its A330-300 aircraft.
Oman Air’s new Airbus A330-300 features 24 new Business Class seats designed by BE Aerospace. Fitted in a 2-2-2 configuration, each comfortable and spacious 21-inch wide seat converts to a 77-inch long, fully flat bed.
The aircraft also features state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system and pioneering mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity can be enjoyed throughout the aircraft.
5. Emirates strikes a pose with new uniforms
Emirates’ female flight attendants serving executives on private flights will no longer fly with the airline’s signature hat to neck veil, as the airline introduces new ‘sleek and stylish’ gear for cabin crew.
The airline has kept the red pill-box hat, but removed the side veil – instead opting for a neckerchief to add a ‘vintage appeal’.
The red and beige colour palate has also been retained on a new sleek red shift dress and a beige cropped jacket.
According to Emirates, the new features offer flight attendants comfort while working and flexibility.
The uniform is currently being worn on all Emirates executive flights aboard the private A319 jet.
What do you think of the new uniform? Fit for executives or bring back the side veil?
6. KarryOn deals of the week
Get some inspiration for your next holiday or your client’s next trip, with some of the best travel deals of the week.
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7. Accor plans 400 new properties in China
Accor has signed a new agreement with a China-based hotelier, the Huazhu Hotels Group, which will see the two groups open up to 400 new Accor branded properties around China.
The long-term alliance signed over the weekend to combine Accor’s brand with the local reputation and development capability of Huazhu.
As well as uniting their current portfolios, the alliance will also combine loyalty programs to give card holders access to some 5,600 hotels globally.
Huazhu said it will also open between 350 to 400 new hotels under the Accor brand in the next five years.
“This agreement will also help us better anticipate customers’ expectations and strengthen our leadership in the Chinese market over the long term.”
Sebastian Bazin, Accor chief executive
8. Syd Airport completes first phase T1 upgrades
Stage 1 of our road/car park upgrades at T1 is now open. Please follow signs and directions from staff, and drive carefully.
— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) December 12, 2014
The road and car park at Sydney Airport T1 have reopened after completing stage one of the gateway’s transformation.
Work, which commenced earlier this year was designed to improve traffic flow to and from the airport, with new faster pick up zones, a new centre road to improve traffic circulation, a dedicated car park for city and west/southbound traffic plus the relocation of car park entry and exit boom gates.
The second stage of upgrades are expected to start early next year and will involve the construction of an expanded T1 taxi-holding bay and renovated limo and car hire facilities.
Earlier this month, Sydney Airport commenced major renovations on the T1 departures zone to provide travellers with more seating, new check-in counters and new eateries such as a Top Juice and Pretzel World, Hokka Hokka and Vietnamese takeout at Roll’d.
9. Merry Christmas from MTA
The annual Kardashian holiday card ain’t got nothing on Christmas snap taken by members of MTA’s head office this year.
The group took out the Santa hats and elf ears for the photo before sending out a big ‘Merry Christmas’ to the travel industry.
Held at the Worongary on the Gold Coast, the group also took time to celebrate a successful 2014, which saw the company’s head office relocate from the Sunshine state to Melbourne.
Merry Christmas MTA!
10. Pregnant traveller’s Nutella deemed a terror threat
Oh no they didn’t!
A pregnant traveller says staff at a London airport confiscated two jars of Nutella on a recent trip because the delicious chocolate spread was deemed as dangerous and potentially a terror threat.
Kara Harrison was flying home to Scotland when she was stopped for carrying two jars of Nutella in her hand luggage.
Security officers at an airport in east London told her the popular spread breached flight liquid restrictions and could not be taken onboard, The Daily Mail reported.
The 35-year-old said she was ‘distraught’ when the jars were taken away, which were purchased the Selfridges department store in Oxford Street.
She said one jar had been purchased for her three-year-old-son and the other for a work colleague.
“I know it seems daft, but I’m feeling a wee bit sensitive at the moment because I’m pregnant, and it is nearly Christmas.”
Kara Harrison, traveller
Think staff should have let Kara board the plane with the nutty goodness?