IN BRIEF

MH Enters Kolkata

Malaysia Airlines (MH) launched its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata recently with a thrice-weekly flight that will depart Kolkata on monday, wednesday, and saturday and connected the economically affluent city of Kolkata to Malaysia.

The flight was ushered in amongst great fanfare at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. M K Sengupta, director tourism, government of West Bengal welcomed the delegation, which was led by Ybhg Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, managing director, Malaysia Airlines. Accompanying him were several members of the international media fraternity, Malaysian tour operators and travel agents and performers from the Malaysian cultural troupe.

Ybhg Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Dahlaan had announced on January 31, 2005, that Malaysia Airlines was looking at the welcome opportunity to widen their network in Indian through the open skies policy and would soon be seen at the key gateways of Amritsar and Tirchi. Subsequently, the airline opened its branch office in Kolkata the same day to cater to its client base in the Eastern region, following the launch of the direct Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur flight, wherein passengers can now obtain direct access for reservations, ticketing and customer service.

The other dignitaries who graced the function were Dinesh Chandra Dakua, minister of tourism, West Bengal, Ybhg Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, managing director - Malaysia Airlines, Syed Abdillah Aziz, regional manager - South Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Mohamed Safri Abdullah, area manager East India, Malaysia Airlines and several members of the city’s elite circle.

Air Jamaica Appoints Griffon As Indian Representative

Air Jamaica, the airline of Caribbean Holidays, has decided to extend its marketing activities to the Indian subcontinent and have duly appointed Griffon as their representative in India.

Air Jamaica flies non-stop from London to Montego Bay airport in Jamaica, which is the largest English speaking Island in Caribbean. In Jamaica, visa is granted on arrival to Indian nationals and they do not need a USA visa. Even baggage, two per passenger, can be booked directly from India to Jamaica and vice versa.

In view of their growth, Air Jamacia has floated a promotional fare for the Indian market. It flies the state- of-the-art Airbus A340 aircraft carrying 278 passengers in three classes. Its economy class, called ‘Lovebird Class’ offers seats with a pitch of upto 34 inches in a 2-4-2 configuration, while its Top Class has flat bed sleeper seats.

Jamaica and the surrounding islands offer fun-filled holidays to all visitors. Holidays in Caribbean offer Indians international culinary delicacies, bearing in mind the cost conscious Indian traveller. For accommodation, the visitors have ample choice ranging from regular three- star hotels to all inclusive ultra-deluxe hotels. Air Jamacia has extensive intra-Caribbean network and flies to other Caribbean islands namely Grand Cayman, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenado, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Antiqua etc.

China Eastern Airlines Flies Mumbai - Shanghai Non-Stop

China Eastern Airlines will operate four weekly non-stop flights from March 29, 2005 between Mumbai and Shanghai. These flights will go onwards to Beijing. The airline through this flight offer the shortest flying time into Shanghai the ‘commercial and business hub’ of China. Flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday arriving in Mumbai at 03:10 hrs and departing at 04:10 hrs. The arrival into Shanghai will ensure that passengers get convenient and hassle free connections to USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea.