THE Indian government is mulling a second international airport in Delhi-NCR, through the amendment of an existing clause within India’s airport infrastructure policy which disallows airports to be built within 150km radius of one another.

The plan was revealed to the press on Wednesday by Mahesh Sharma who took over as the new minister of state for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.

“The new airport at Jewar is in the wider interest of the country. Considering the industrial growth in Noida and Greater Noida belt, there is a need to develop infrastructure, like a new airport.

“We will discuss the proposal within the civil aviation ministry and with prime minister Narendra Modi before moving ahead with it,” said Sharma.

The proposal to have a greenfield Taj International Airport and Aviation Hub at Jewar was first mooted in 2001 by the state government of Uttar Pradesh, and land spanning 35 villages was acquired in 2003 for the purpose.

However, the state government had scrapped the project, citing the restrictive airport infrastructure clause.

“If needed more land can be acquired for the project. Delhi-NCR’s population is projected to increase to 2.4 million by 2030 from the current 1.6 million.

“Considering the growth of air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a new airport near the Indian capital is needed,” Sharma added.

A decision is expected to be made by year-end.

EMIRATES Singapore is shifting into high gear in order to grab a bigger slice of the corporate market, creating a new global sales position here to drive demand for the airline’s five daily flights to Dubai, the most recent of which was launched in August.

Country manager Singapore and Brunei, Andrew Bunn, said that the opportunity to develop the local market had only materialised in December 2012 when Emirates introduced an A380 for one of its daily services permanently, which pumped up capacity by 46 per cent.

The airline now has 35 flights a week between Dubai and Singapore, with 28 of them nonstop and seven via Colombo, in addition to daily services from Singapore to Brisbane and Melbourne.

He commented: “Before my time (Bunn came onboard in April after 17 years at Lufthansa), we would be crying out for seats from inventory control for point-of-sale Singapore. Our connectors from Brisbane and Melbourne were always operating with very high loads, with seats being sold by Australia and the UK, or other markets.”

While only 15 to 20 per cent of revenue from Singapore is corporate, Bunn wants to grow this by reaching out not just to TMCs and business travel agencies, but also travel managers and end-users by building up loyalty through Emirates’ frequent flyer programme.

The new global sales executive hired a month ago would target Singaporean companies that have a regional footprint or South-east Asian companies that may not have a global deal in place.

Bunn elaborated: “What Emirates has traditionally done is focus more on the volume market. But over a period of time, especially with such a great business class product, we can go directly to the corporates. That also protects the yield.

“Singaporean companies have always traditionally picked one carrier, but that is changing. We’re able to position ourselves right up against the competition because of our network and product…Why not take a big aircraft into and out of Dubai and have product consistency all the way rather than connecting somewhere in Europe onto a small aircraft? As our network grows, we’re able to offer that.”

Emirates has no doubt been rapidly expanding its network, with routes launched in recent months including Boston, Chicago, Brussels, Budapest and Oslo. Next March, it is also stepping up frequency on New York (JFK) with a fourth daily flight using an A380.

Calling the new destinations a game changer in being able to attract the leisure market as well, Bunn said: “It’s been almost a little surprising how well received Budapest and Oslo have been with Singaporeans. There’s a real desire to travel and explore. They want to see the Northern Lights and also sail up the Danube.”

These have helped turn Singapore, which has traditionally been strong in transit traffic, into a market in its own right, he added. From a “high percentage” before, transit passengers now generally account for 35 to 40 per cent across all flights.

GERMANY is witnessing fast growth in leisure travel from the Indian market, which was previously largely corporate-focused, according to the latest statistics of the German National Tourism Office (GNTO).

For January-August 2014, leisure and business travel shares stood at 42 and 58 per cent respectively, compared with last full year’s 30 and 70 per cent respectively.

GNTO India director of sales and marketing, Romit Theophilus, said: “Earlier, Indian tourists didn’t consider Germany as a holiday destination, but now they realise there is a lot to explore in Germany for leisure. Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin are now hugely popular among Indians as leisure destinations.”

GNTO kicked off yesterday in New Delhi a multi-city roadshow that will also cover Bengaluru and Mumbai. More than 10 suppliers from Germany are participating in these roadshows.

Maritim Hotels director of international sales, Mark Spivey, shared: “We are seeing an increase in leisure business from India.

“Indian leisure traffic is predominantly South Germany-centric. Families who have done Switzerland and Austria are looking at Germany as a great value-for-money destination. Indian leisure business has also picked up for theme parks.”

The hotel group has recorded 30 per cent year-to-date growth from the Indian market.

“The demand for leisure travel is coming from markets like New Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat. However, we are also looking to tap other markets like Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” he added.

ACCOR’S no-frills brand has landed in South Korea with the opening of the 195-unit Ibis budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun.

The most affordably priced in the Ibis umbrella of brands, this Ibis budget in the centre of Seoul is near Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Myeong-dong District, Cheonggyecheon Stream, shopping malls, and subway lines 2, 4 and 5.

Rooms come with twin-, double- or triple-sized beds, a bathroom with shower, a TV with a multimedia hub, Wi-Fi, a working table, a safe, a mini-refrigerator and a tea/coffee-maker.

Other facilities include a restaurant, a sauna room, a gym, a laundry room, an indoor car park, and a business corner with free internet access and printing services.

Patrick Basset, COO for Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines, said: “With the successful opening of our Ibis hotels in Seoul and Busan, we are proud and excited to introduce the first Ibis budget hotel in South Korea.

“We saw an increasing demand in Seoul for international-standard accommodations coupled with affordable pricing. We therefore believe this hotel will become a favourite among domestic and international travellers visiting this vibrant city.”

LUFTHANSA will launch its Premium Economy Class this month, nine days ahead of its original scheduled date due to early completion of the new cabin.

The new travel class will be available on November 22, on all routes flown by a Boeing 747-8.

Passenger benefits include free baggage allowance double that of Economy, access to the Lufthansa Business lounges prior to take-off for 25 euros (US$31) and a welcome drink on board.

Each seat in the cabin comes with travel accessories, a water bottle, a power socket and 50 per cent more seating space than Economy. Meals will be served on china tableware.

The airline is offering 15 per cent discount for booking of the Premium Economy seats, up to December 9. Economy passengers can also upgrade to the new class for a fee prior to their flight.

GLOBAL travel management and events company ATPI Group has announced its second acquisition in less than 12 months – the purchase of Griffin Travel, for an undisclosed sum.

In January, the Group had bought Australia’s largest independent travel management company, Voyager Travel.

The purchase of Griffin, which has an international operation of wholly owned offices in 13 countries and joint ventures in a further nine, increases the Group’s global office footprint to over 100 locations around the world.

CEO Graham Ramsey said: “In 2013, the ATPI Group business delivered gross sales of over £720 million (US$1.1 billion), and achieved its third successful MBO deal in six years. With the acquisition of Griffin, coupled with our significant business growth, in 2014 this will reach in excess of £1.2 billion.

ATPI’s business is funded in partnership with specialist asset manager ICG, and seven major banks comprising Lloyds, ING, HSBC, RBS, Investec, Aimco and Bank of Ireland.

INDEPENDENT Thai hospitality management brand, Manathai, has entered the market with the launch of four properties across the kingdom.

Manathai is currently focusing on rebranding and repositioning its refurbished properties, according to COO Christopher Berger.

Berger said that while the brand will ensure a consistent level of service across its portfolio and its F&B brand Pad Thai, care will be taken to ensure each hotel remains unique.

“Customers appreciate that no two properties are alike. All the properties are located in prime Thailand resort locations – Surin beach Phuket, Lamai beach Koh Samui, Bangsak beach Khao Lak, and Hua Hin,” he said.

He added that the company is aiming to provide “a genuine Thai experience” in resort locations, and that target source markets are Thailand, Australia, Scandinavia, the UK, Germany, Russia, China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“We will also be targeting honeymooners, families and young couples, depending on the hotel, through traditional travel agency channels, as well as social media,” said Berger.

The company is currently offering reduced pre-opening rates for its Samui and Khao Lak properties that are due to open later this month.

Hua Hin is already operational while Phuket will be closed for refurbishment until next July.

Manathai has also acquired Royal Phuket Yacht Club, which is set to come online towards the end of next year.