734 million The operating profits in pounds sterling achieved by British Airways during the nine-month period up to December 31, 2007. The carrier says this figure is 28.5 per cent up on the same period in 2006, despite an increase of £72 million in fuel costs in the third quarter of 2007.
36.7 million The number of passengers travelling through Singapore’s Changi airport in 2007. The airport also says it set a record for the largest number of passengers passing through Changi in one day, with 125,000 travellers recorded on December 15, 2007.
2.13 million The number of passengers carried by Air Astana in 2007. The Kazakh carrier saw an increase in passengers of 46 per cent last year, with its fleet growing to 18 aircraft during 2007.
9,900 The percentage increase in Aer Arann passengers since 1999. The airline carried over 1.15 million passengers last year, compared to 12,000 eight years previously. Aer Arann says it was the third-largest carrier into Dublin airport last year.
59.3 The percentage of businesstraveller.com readers who say they would not use their Blackberry or PDA in-flight. For a look at the technology allowing us to use mobiles on planes, see the forthcoming March edition of Business Traveller.
58 The percentage load factor on Silverjet flights in its first year of operation (January 25, 2007 – January 31, 2008). The airline currently serves New York Newark twice daily and Dubai daily, both from London Luton Airport.
27 The number of hotels opening under Golden Tulip management in Germany this month. The franchise agreement sees the former Mercure properties rebranded as nine four-star Golden Tulip properties and 18 three-star Tulip hotels.
One The first transatlantic service from London City airport has been announced. From 2009, BA will fly from LCY to New York using an Airbus A318, although the flight will require a stopover, probably in Ireland.
By Mark Caswell
