Philippines urged to scrap airline taxes

The taxes in question are the common carriers tax (CCT) and the gross Philippine billings (GBP), duties that make the country’s tourism industry far less competitive than that of its neighbours. The CCT and GBP taxes have been repeatedly cited by many foreign airlines for halting direct flights to the Philippines. The most recent was Air France/KLM, which announced late last year that it would stop direct flights between Manila and Amsterdam. – ANN

 

Surfing in the sky

Passengers on Emirates A380s can now surf, share, email or tweet their way across the Emirates network with the launch of wireless Internet connectivity. Users can access the “Wi-Fi in the Sky” onboard using connectivity compatible with smartphones, tablets and laptops. Price plans start at just US$7.50 for mobile devices and $15 for laptops. The service will initially be available on 11 of the 20 Emirates A380s currently in service, with the system due to be installed both now and in the future across the entire fleet of 70 Emirates A380s on order.

 

Changi makes way for Terminal 4

Changi Airport’s Budget Terminal will be closed on September 25 to make way for the construction of Terminal 4. To facilitate the construction of the new terminal, airlines currently operating in the Budget Terminal will move their operations to Terminal 2, starting operations there from 6am on September 25. The new terminal, which is designed for efficient passenger processing and quick turnaround of aircraft, will have an annual capacity of 16 million passengers.

 

New management for Jetstar Pacific

Vietnam Airlines and Australia's Qantas Group have announced a new partnership for the Vietnam-based budget carrier Jetstar Pacific Airlines, which they jointly own. The Vietnamese airline announced that the state's stake in the beleaguered low-cost carrier, previously managed by Vietnam State Capital Investment Corp (SCIC), has been transferred to it following a Government decision on January 16. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, the airline plans to operate both domestic flights in Vietnam and to international destinations, among them Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. – ANN

 

Direct from Abu Dhabi to Washington DC

Etihad Airways is planning to launch non-stop daily flights to Washington, DC, its fourth destination in North America, from March 31. The direct flights will be operated by a three class A340-500 aircraft. Each flight will offer 12 Diamond First class, 28 Pearl Business class and 200 Coral Economy seats, for a total 3,360 seats per week. The Washington region is home to America’s second largest market flying to the Middle East, after New York. Etihad Airways’ new service will link DC with Abu Dhabi, a vibrant and growing hub for business, culture and tourism.

 

Arizona park reopens

The Oracle State Park in Arizona has reopened after being closed for two years with visitors allowed to enter the park on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm between February and April and September and November. The park is also open to school groups on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Visit http://AZStateParks.com.