Businesstraveller.com brings you the news which counts. This week: Middle East development, Changi airport, BAA, VLM, Etihad, Rezidor, mobile phones in-flight, Ryanair, Eurostar, the London Eye.
3.63 trillion The amount in US dollars being invested in hotels, aviation developments, leisure projects, cruise lines, tourism promotion and supporting infrastructure across the Middle East between now and 2020. The figure is according to research by Global Futures and Foresight.
1.75 billion The amount in Singapore dollars spent on the new terminal at Changi airport. The new Terminal 3 has a capacity of 22 million, raising the airport’s total passenger capacity to 70 million a year.
150 million The number of passengers travelling through BAA airports in 2007, an increase of 1.6 per cent on 2006. The operator says it handled 68 million passengers at Heathrow alone, with Gatwick seeing a rise of 6.2 per cent, taking it to a 12-month total of 35 million passengers.
88,000 The number of passengers carried in 2007 by Belgian carrier VLM on the London City-Antwerp route. The figure represents a 6 per cent increase on 2006, and contributed to the total number of 745,781 VLM passengers last year.
30,000 The number of UK members who have joined the Etihad Guest loyalty scheme since it launched in 2006. The carrier now partners with 60 companies on the scheme, allowing members to redeem miles against more than 600 awards.
20,000 The total number of rooms Rezidor Hotel Group says it will add to its portfolio by 2009. The group operates hotel brands Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts, Regent International Hotels, Park Inn, and Country Inns and Suites across Europe, the Middle East and Africa
86 The percentage of businesstraveller.com readers against the introduction of mobile phones in-flight. To take part in our latest survey click here.
20 The percentage rise in ticket sales since Eurostar moved from Waterloo to St Pancras, according to the rail operator. The company says it carried 8.26 million passengers in 2007, a 5.1 per cent increase on 2006.
One London Eye without a sponsor. British Airways has announced it is ending its association with the big wheel, eight years and 27 million visitors after the attraction launched. Virgin’s Paul Charles said the carrier would be “contacting the owners immediately”.
