Author: News Team

Virgin Trains has announced changes in its scheduled services due to improvement work to be carried out by Network Rail, the UK-based company that owns and operates most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain. The schedules for Friday, May 4, 2012, to Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, 2012, are being implemented due to improvement work on the lines, while Virgin Trains will be operating at its full capability on Friday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoon and evening. On the upcoming Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the holiday weekend, work will be carried on various segments between Euston and Rugby;…

Greenwich, a borough close to central London, will be hosting a large cruise liner terminal, once the authorities grant approval for the development. The cruise liner terminal will have the capacity to allow anchoring of large cruise ships beyond the Thames Barrier. The new dockyard will be able to offer anchorage to ships up to 240 metres in length and receive around 100 ships every year, once it is completed. Construction of the project is expected to commence by November 2012, and be complete in around five years’ time. Approximately 40,000 passengers will be able to disembark at the terminal,…

Heathrow Airport is facing massive queues at immigration, creating a nightmare scenario for airlines operating out of the airport, and for arriving passengers. Earlier, the British Air Transport Association (BATA), an association of 10 UK-based major airlines and 13 small airlines, along with several members of the UK parliament, had warned that visitors to the UK could experience long delays at airport immigration counters that could lead to queues and possible airport gridlock. Passenger delays at UK airports are likely to escalate with the large numbers of visitors expected during the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games. BATA had earlier stated…

Virgin Holidays has announced the opening of a new store at Addlestone, in Surrey, England. The new store is located in the Tesco Extra shop in Addlestone, providing local residents the opportunity of experiencing the brand’s signature holiday offerings. The store can advise on the brand’s products and holiday experiences as well as offering the advice of holiday experts for customisable holiday packages to many destinations around the world. Each of the Birgin Holiday stores has dedicated areas for the type of holiday required, like Virgin Holidays Cruises and Virgin Holidays+HIP Hotels options, as well as an exclusive Virgin Holiday…

Corporate flight bookings are set to increase in 2012, as the travel industry experiences a growth phase. AirPlus International Inc, a US-based company that provides a suite of business travel payment solutions, has reported an 11 percent increase in flight bookings for corporate travel in the first three months of 2012. The company has announced that it is expects the upward trend to continue in the next few months of 2012. Patrick Diemer, the company managing director, said, ‘These figures are proof of the confidence most businesses have that travelling is relevant to their development, especially in view of the…

Birmingham Airport, located close to the city of Birmingham, has announced plans for new services to China. The airport is hoping to offer new routes between England and China once a runway extension is completed at the airport. The airport runway extension is scheduled for completion in 2014. The airport chief executive officer, Paul Kehoe, recently visited Chengdu, in China, for the Routes Asia Aviation Conference, and has been exploring the possibility of airlines offering direct flights to Birmingham from China. Kehoe said, ‘We hear so much from BAA about the UK losing lucrative new routes because of the capacity…

Ryanair, the Ireland-based budget airline, has announced an addition to its service to Munich, Germany, from London Stansted Airport. The airline is offering additional flight from London Stansted Airport to Munich for the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League final to be played on May 19, 2012, between English club, Chelsea, and German club, Bayern Munich, at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The winner of the tournament will be playing the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League winners in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup, and will also be entering the semi-finals of the 2012 FIFA Club World Championship, as the…

The London Pet Show, an annual show, is due to open on May 12 and 13 2012, at Earls Court Two, in London, UK. The show will display many different animals and also include several active displays. Talks and seminars on animal behaviour will also be provided. Visitors have four distinct zones to enjoy, featuring dogs, cats and small furry animals, with the aim of offering animal lovers a place to learn more about their passion. The show has moved to a bigger venue this year and there will be more animals, bigger rings and displays, additional viewing space and…

Concur, a US-based company that offers on-demand Employee Spend Management services, has reported that in 2011, London has remained the favourite destination for business travellers. London has topped a chart of the 25 most visited global business destinations in 2011, according to a new study submitted by Concur. Other cities on the list are Shanghai (China), Singapore, Beijing (China), Toronto (Canada) and Hong Kong (China). European destinations on the list are Paris (France), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Madrid (Spain), and Dublin (Ireland). However, London is also the sixth most costly destination for corporate travel in terms of the cost…

Marriott International Inc (NYSE: MAR), a US-based company that owns and operates hotel properties, has announced complementary hotel stays for its loyalty programme members. Marriott Rewards members who complete two stays between June 1 and August 31, 2012, will be able to earn a complimentary night redeemable against a future stay, for maximum of three nights, at all Marriott International properties worldwide. The offer remains valid for all participating company brands, including JW Marriott, EDITION, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott,…