AirAsia improves booking service
A TECHNICAL glitch in budget carrier AirAsia's online booking system resulted in some customers being overcharged, or charged wrongly, for tickets bought.
It was brought about by high traffic volume to the website and irked many, who aired their woes on blogs and forum websites.
Network manager Esther Chen told my paper that she was wrongly charged $3,000 for nine plane tickets about three years ago. She tried to book a getaway to Bangkok with her family over the Chinese New Year period that year. But, when the 29-year-old tried to confirm her ticket purchases online, the AirAsia website displayed an error message. She did not receive any order confirmation or receipt from the airline.
Thinking that her order was not processed, she went on to buy the tickets from another budget airline. About a month later, Ms Chen was shocked when her credit-card statement reflected charges for the AirAsia tickets.
She rang the airline's call centre immediately to ask for a refund. She said: "The call-centre personnel were unable to direct me to the manager or provide a solution. There also wasn't a procedure in place for me to file my refund request formally."
An AirAsia spokesman told my paper: "The problems that these customers encountered were due to a technical glitch in the booking system, as a result of high traffic volume on the website.
"We take these issues seriously and we have mechanisms in place to address them."
For instance, the airline implemented a new booking system last year to improve its capacity to handle online traffic volume. This was done to "serve more customers simultaneously".
-News courtesy of Omy-
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Singapore: 3rd most expensive city in Asia
Singapore ranks 3rd most expensive city in Asia
Singapore is the third most expensive location in Asia to live in, according to the latest accommodation reports from consultancy firm ECA international.
Taking the top spot is Tokyo, followed by Hong Kong in the second place, and Seoul clinching the fourth spot.
Rents have been on the rise in Asia, boosted by economic growth, strong Asian currencies and the region's growing expatriate numbers.
ECA, which provides solutions for companies placing their staff overseas, said that Singapore's rental prices for an unfurnished two-bedroom property fell by about 17 per cent in 2009 during the global recession.
This pattern was reversed last year when rents in Singapore rose 15 per cent to US$2,810 a month.
However, when Singapore rents are quoted in the local currency, they have increased at the lower rate of 9 per cent year-on-year.
In fact, globally, Singapore went up to 5th position, from 6th in the annual ranking last year.
Regional Director at ECA Asia, Lee Quane said that the assignee numbers are up again in Singapore, following falls during the economic downturn.
Quane added that this has placed pressure on rental accommodation here, particularly in areas popular with expatriates.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong has recorded some of the biggest price increases worldwide, up to 3rd position from 9th over the year.
Between 2009 and 2010, the price of renting two-bedroom property rose by 22 per cent to US$2,830 a month. This contrasts with decline in rentals of around 25 per cent the previous year.
Rents in Shanghai and Beijing, globally ranked 24th and 45th, rose last year after falls in the previous year.
Shenzhen, taking the 114th position, is the cheapest location in China for two-bed apartments, reflecting the big variations in costs across the country.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Singapore is the third most expensive location in Asia to live in, according to the latest accommodation reports from consultancy firm ECA international.
Taking the top spot is Tokyo, followed by Hong Kong in the second place, and Seoul clinching the fourth spot.
Rents have been on the rise in Asia, boosted by economic growth, strong Asian currencies and the region's growing expatriate numbers.
ECA, which provides solutions for companies placing their staff overseas, said that Singapore's rental prices for an unfurnished two-bedroom property fell by about 17 per cent in 2009 during the global recession.
This pattern was reversed last year when rents in Singapore rose 15 per cent to US$2,810 a month.
However, when Singapore rents are quoted in the local currency, they have increased at the lower rate of 9 per cent year-on-year.
In fact, globally, Singapore went up to 5th position, from 6th in the annual ranking last year.
Regional Director at ECA Asia, Lee Quane said that the assignee numbers are up again in Singapore, following falls during the economic downturn.
Quane added that this has placed pressure on rental accommodation here, particularly in areas popular with expatriates.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong has recorded some of the biggest price increases worldwide, up to 3rd position from 9th over the year.
Between 2009 and 2010, the price of renting two-bedroom property rose by 22 per cent to US$2,830 a month. This contrasts with decline in rentals of around 25 per cent the previous year.
Rents in Shanghai and Beijing, globally ranked 24th and 45th, rose last year after falls in the previous year.
Shenzhen, taking the 114th position, is the cheapest location in China for two-bed apartments, reflecting the big variations in costs across the country.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Friday, February 11, 2011
All train services on KTM lines restored
All train services on KTM lines restored
After nearly a week of disruptions due to floods in Malaysia, commuters from Singapore are now able to travel by train to Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Railway (KTM) said all affected services have been restored and are operating normally.
But while departure times have not been affected, commuters can still expect delays in their arrival times, by more than 30 minutes.
KTM said the trains will still need to slow down at certain stretches where works to repair the damaged tracks have just been completed.
Train services on KTM's southern and eastern sectors were disrupted following floods on January 30.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
After nearly a week of disruptions due to floods in Malaysia, commuters from Singapore are now able to travel by train to Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Railway (KTM) said all affected services have been restored and are operating normally.
But while departure times have not been affected, commuters can still expect delays in their arrival times, by more than 30 minutes.
KTM said the trains will still need to slow down at certain stretches where works to repair the damaged tracks have just been completed.
Train services on KTM's southern and eastern sectors were disrupted following floods on January 30.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Sing dollar expected to strengthen
Sing dollar expected to strengthen
The Singapore dollar, which has risen 11 per cent in the past one year, can climb even higher. Analysts said it could reach 1.20 against the US dollar by the end of this year.
For some exporters, it is a problem. In a survey by the Singapore Business Federation, 52 per cent of Singapore companies have cited the stronger currency as a challenge this year.
But market watchers said the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) top priority is to tame inflation. And to do that, the central bank may allow for faster appreciation of the Singapore dollar when it reviews its monetary policy in April.
Last year, the MAS allowed the Singapore dollar to appreciate at a rapid clip to pre-empt rising inflation.
With inflationary pressures in Asia continuing to mount, the MAS and other central banks are seen maintaining a hawkish stance, which means higher interest rates as well as stronger currencies.
China's central bank raised interest rates for the third time in four months on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, it fixed its US dollar-yuan reference rate at a record high. That drove Asian currencies higher on Wednesday.
Thio Chin Loo, senior currency strategist at BNP Paribas, said: "That will lend a hand to Asian currencies because before the China rate hike, Asian currencies were doing better already from a weaker USD in general, but also the market seems to be rewarding currencies where central banks are seen to be trying to tackle inflation."
A strong dollar, which is Singapore's main weapon to deal with inflation, makes locally manufactured goods more expensive in Western markets.
But with other central banks in the region also tightening policy, most Asian currencies may rise in sync. And that, experts said, will protect Singapore's export competitiveness.
David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting at Action Economics, said: "They are always going to be nervous about a potential loss of competitiveness, but as long as China continues to allow some appreciation, the others would not feel quite so vulnerable, and at the same time, as long as the growth continues strong, maybe they will feel a little more willing to tolerate appreciation."
Economists said Singapore's non-oil domestic exports will record a healthy 12 per cent growth this year. While that is half of last year's growth, the export performance will still be in line with global economic expansion, which is threatened by sovereign debt worries in Europe, uncertain recovery in the US and tensions in the Middle East.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
The Singapore dollar, which has risen 11 per cent in the past one year, can climb even higher. Analysts said it could reach 1.20 against the US dollar by the end of this year.
For some exporters, it is a problem. In a survey by the Singapore Business Federation, 52 per cent of Singapore companies have cited the stronger currency as a challenge this year.
But market watchers said the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) top priority is to tame inflation. And to do that, the central bank may allow for faster appreciation of the Singapore dollar when it reviews its monetary policy in April.
Last year, the MAS allowed the Singapore dollar to appreciate at a rapid clip to pre-empt rising inflation.
With inflationary pressures in Asia continuing to mount, the MAS and other central banks are seen maintaining a hawkish stance, which means higher interest rates as well as stronger currencies.
China's central bank raised interest rates for the third time in four months on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, it fixed its US dollar-yuan reference rate at a record high. That drove Asian currencies higher on Wednesday.
Thio Chin Loo, senior currency strategist at BNP Paribas, said: "That will lend a hand to Asian currencies because before the China rate hike, Asian currencies were doing better already from a weaker USD in general, but also the market seems to be rewarding currencies where central banks are seen to be trying to tackle inflation."
A strong dollar, which is Singapore's main weapon to deal with inflation, makes locally manufactured goods more expensive in Western markets.
But with other central banks in the region also tightening policy, most Asian currencies may rise in sync. And that, experts said, will protect Singapore's export competitiveness.
David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting at Action Economics, said: "They are always going to be nervous about a potential loss of competitiveness, but as long as China continues to allow some appreciation, the others would not feel quite so vulnerable, and at the same time, as long as the growth continues strong, maybe they will feel a little more willing to tolerate appreciation."
Economists said Singapore's non-oil domestic exports will record a healthy 12 per cent growth this year. While that is half of last year's growth, the export performance will still be in line with global economic expansion, which is threatened by sovereign debt worries in Europe, uncertain recovery in the US and tensions in the Middle East.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Pay more due to higher fuel surcharge
Passengers to pay more due to higher fuel surcharge
Passengers will have to pay more this year as various airlines increase their fuel surcharge.
Earlier this month, both Qantas and British Airways raised their fuel levy, while Singapore Airlines (SIA) has increased its surcharge twice in the last two months.
Analysts said airlines are scampering to cover the cost of rising jet fuel, which has jumped 33 per cent from a year earlier to around US$116 per barrel.
Apart from raising fares, airlines are also taking other steps to protect their margins from being eroded by more expensive fuel.
Vacations and business travel this year will become costlier.
Analysts said airlines are raising prices and surcharges as the aviation industry revives and as jet fuel price soars.
Jet fuel, which is derived from crude oil, has seen its price rise as the current unrest in Egypt stokes fears of disruptions in supply of crude from the Middle East.
Shailaja Nair, managing editor, Platts, said: "The volatility in crude prices will always affect the final prices of jet fuel. The fear was that if the unrest became worst and if the strikes affected labour at the Suez Canal, whether people will be able to come to work and all...so that was the fear that if there was disruption in the Suez Canal, then international crude prices will go up because obviously crude can't move. "
The benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil futures hit a 28-month high of above US$102 early this month. It is a level not seen since the peak of around US$140 before the financial crisis.
To sidestep the volatility in jet fuel prices, most airlines hedge their exposure.
Analysts point out that some airlines like SIA and Southwest have been very successful at this.
SIA said its general policy is to hedge between 20 to 60 per cent of its annual fuel requirement.
According to analysts, another way to save fuel cost, which accounts for about 40 per cent of operating cost, is to fly fuel-efficient aircraft.
Shukor Yusof, aviation analyst at Standard & Poor's, said: "Flying fuel-efficient aircraft does not mean you are going to reduce your cost. It only works if you can fill your fuel-efficient plane with enough passengers to make it economically viable. But at the end of the day, it still its better to fly fuel-efficient aircraft like the A380, the upcoming A350 and 787 Dreamliner, because that would mean at least a 10-15 per cent reduction in your fuel cost. "
Overall, the International Air Transport Association expects jet fuel to cost US$110.5 per barrel, on average, this year.
Meanwhile, it might be cheaper to fly budget airlines, as a particular low-cost airline in Singapore said all its airfares are without surcharge.
Tiger Airways' Singapore Managing Director, Stewart Adams, said that "customers enjoy the lowest fares, and do not pay any fuel surcharge, because we are successfully managing our own costs."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Passengers will have to pay more this year as various airlines increase their fuel surcharge.
Earlier this month, both Qantas and British Airways raised their fuel levy, while Singapore Airlines (SIA) has increased its surcharge twice in the last two months.
Analysts said airlines are scampering to cover the cost of rising jet fuel, which has jumped 33 per cent from a year earlier to around US$116 per barrel.
Apart from raising fares, airlines are also taking other steps to protect their margins from being eroded by more expensive fuel.
Vacations and business travel this year will become costlier.
Analysts said airlines are raising prices and surcharges as the aviation industry revives and as jet fuel price soars.
Jet fuel, which is derived from crude oil, has seen its price rise as the current unrest in Egypt stokes fears of disruptions in supply of crude from the Middle East.
Shailaja Nair, managing editor, Platts, said: "The volatility in crude prices will always affect the final prices of jet fuel. The fear was that if the unrest became worst and if the strikes affected labour at the Suez Canal, whether people will be able to come to work and all...so that was the fear that if there was disruption in the Suez Canal, then international crude prices will go up because obviously crude can't move. "
The benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil futures hit a 28-month high of above US$102 early this month. It is a level not seen since the peak of around US$140 before the financial crisis.
To sidestep the volatility in jet fuel prices, most airlines hedge their exposure.
Analysts point out that some airlines like SIA and Southwest have been very successful at this.
SIA said its general policy is to hedge between 20 to 60 per cent of its annual fuel requirement.
According to analysts, another way to save fuel cost, which accounts for about 40 per cent of operating cost, is to fly fuel-efficient aircraft.
Shukor Yusof, aviation analyst at Standard & Poor's, said: "Flying fuel-efficient aircraft does not mean you are going to reduce your cost. It only works if you can fill your fuel-efficient plane with enough passengers to make it economically viable. But at the end of the day, it still its better to fly fuel-efficient aircraft like the A380, the upcoming A350 and 787 Dreamliner, because that would mean at least a 10-15 per cent reduction in your fuel cost. "
Overall, the International Air Transport Association expects jet fuel to cost US$110.5 per barrel, on average, this year.
Meanwhile, it might be cheaper to fly budget airlines, as a particular low-cost airline in Singapore said all its airfares are without surcharge.
Tiger Airways' Singapore Managing Director, Stewart Adams, said that "customers enjoy the lowest fares, and do not pay any fuel surcharge, because we are successfully managing our own costs."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Sunday, February 6, 2011
KTM restores nearly all train services
KTM restores nearly all S'pore-Malaysia train services
Commuters from Singapore will soon be able to travel by train once more to Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Railway or KTM said services have almost been restored, after those in the southern and eastern sectors were disrupted by floods on 30 January.
But it did not state the actual date of re-starting the services.
KTM added that for now, three services remain cancelled.
These are between Singapore and the Malaysian towns of Tumpat, Gemas and Kuala Lipis.
However, all other services are operating as per normal.
KTM added delays may be expected as trains will need to slow down in areas where work to repair the damaged tracks has just been completed.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Commuters from Singapore will soon be able to travel by train once more to Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Railway or KTM said services have almost been restored, after those in the southern and eastern sectors were disrupted by floods on 30 January.
But it did not state the actual date of re-starting the services.
KTM added that for now, three services remain cancelled.
These are between Singapore and the Malaysian towns of Tumpat, Gemas and Kuala Lipis.
However, all other services are operating as per normal.
KTM added delays may be expected as trains will need to slow down in areas where work to repair the damaged tracks has just been completed.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Friday, February 4, 2011
Algeria to lift state of emergency
Algeria to lift state of emergency
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said on Thursday that the country's 19-year state of emergency would be lifted "in the very near future".
The state of emergency was installed solely in response "to the fight against terrorism" Bouteflika said in remarks cited by APS news agency, denying it had "interfered" with the country's political process.
Made during a cabinet meeting, the president's announcement came amid mounting calls by members of civil society and opposition parties to lift the state of emergency in Algeria, which endured a brutal 1990s conflict with Islamist insurgents that killed tens of thousands of people.
Bouteflika said he would task the government "to tackle without delay the drafting of appropriate texts" to continue the fight against terrorism.
He also said protests like those that have taken place in recent weeks were allowed apart from in Algiers, where there is a decade-old ban against demonstrations.
"To be sure, the capital is an exception in this aspect for well-known reasons of public order and certainly not to stop any sort of expression," Bouteflika said.
The pro-democracy Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) has said it plans a march in Algiers on February 12.
The LADDH forms part of a group calling itself the National Coordination for Change and Democracy, set up in the wake of January riots that left five dead and more than 800 injured.
The group demands the end of the government and the state of emergency.
Bouteflika spoke as mass demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt descended into violence, and in the wake of the overthrow of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in neighbouring Tunisia.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said on Thursday that the country's 19-year state of emergency would be lifted "in the very near future".
The state of emergency was installed solely in response "to the fight against terrorism" Bouteflika said in remarks cited by APS news agency, denying it had "interfered" with the country's political process.
Made during a cabinet meeting, the president's announcement came amid mounting calls by members of civil society and opposition parties to lift the state of emergency in Algeria, which endured a brutal 1990s conflict with Islamist insurgents that killed tens of thousands of people.
Bouteflika said he would task the government "to tackle without delay the drafting of appropriate texts" to continue the fight against terrorism.
He also said protests like those that have taken place in recent weeks were allowed apart from in Algiers, where there is a decade-old ban against demonstrations.
"To be sure, the capital is an exception in this aspect for well-known reasons of public order and certainly not to stop any sort of expression," Bouteflika said.
The pro-democracy Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) has said it plans a march in Algiers on February 12.
The LADDH forms part of a group calling itself the National Coordination for Change and Democracy, set up in the wake of January riots that left five dead and more than 800 injured.
The group demands the end of the government and the state of emergency.
Bouteflika spoke as mass demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt descended into violence, and in the wake of the overthrow of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in neighbouring Tunisia.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Cairo unrest: 7 killed in past 24 hours
Cairo unrest: 7 killed in past 24 hours
Gunfire aimed at anti-regime protesters killed four people in Tahrir Square early Thursday, taking the death toll from clashes that have rocked central Cairo in the past 24 hours to seven, a medic said.
"All (four) were killed by gunshot, with one hit in the head," said Dr Mohammed Ismail, at a makeshift clinic in Abdulmenem Riad Square, next to Tahrir Square.
Dr Amr Bahaa, another medic treating people wounded in the clashes, had earlier reported receiving a wave of protesters hit by bullets.
"Most of the casualties came in in the last three hours, many with gunshot wounds," he told AFP early morning, putting the total wounded toll since Wednesday at more than 1,000 people.
Witnesses said that there were many people wounded by fire coming from the October Bridge where partisans of embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were positioned.
Health Minister Ahmed Hosni Farid had said that three people were killed and 639 wounded in bloody clashes on Wednesday between pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters in the centre of Cairo.
The fighting erupted when Mubarak loyalists stormed into Tahrir Square Wednesday afternoon in what appeared to be an attempt to end protests calling on the president to quit.
Sporadic gunfire started around 4:00 am (0200 GMT) and lasted for about two hours, while some of the army tanks positioned around the square appeared to move from their positions but stayed in the area, an AFP correspondent reported.
Egyptian Jurists Alliance said in a statement that anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square were coming under fire and that several were killed or wounded.
"Everyone should move to rescue the youth of Egypt," the statement said.
"Fighting started at 4:00 am. Policemen dressed as civilians opened fire from the October Bridge," a witness told AFP at the Kasr El-Aini hospital where many ambulances were arriving.
Civilian cars also rushed casualties to hospitals. One sedan car was packed with wounded people, with one unconscious man carried on the engine hood.
Al-Arabiya television reported that army troops fired warning shots to fend off gunmen shooting from cars speeding along the October Bridge.
Gunfire targeted anti-government demonstrators in the Abdulmenem Riad Square, which is next to Tahrir Square, the television said.
After sunrise, anti-government protesters in Abdulmenem Riad Square and Mubarak supporters on the October Bridge were seen throwing rocks at each other.
An AFP photographer in Tahrir Square said thousands of opposition protesters spent the night in the square. Many stood around 5:30 am (0330 GMT) to perform the dawn prayer while others lit wood fires to warm themselves.
Protesters organised themselves in groups gathered at the barricaded entrances leading to the square in preparation for a feared storming attempt by Mubarak supporters.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Gunfire aimed at anti-regime protesters killed four people in Tahrir Square early Thursday, taking the death toll from clashes that have rocked central Cairo in the past 24 hours to seven, a medic said.
"All (four) were killed by gunshot, with one hit in the head," said Dr Mohammed Ismail, at a makeshift clinic in Abdulmenem Riad Square, next to Tahrir Square.
Dr Amr Bahaa, another medic treating people wounded in the clashes, had earlier reported receiving a wave of protesters hit by bullets.
"Most of the casualties came in in the last three hours, many with gunshot wounds," he told AFP early morning, putting the total wounded toll since Wednesday at more than 1,000 people.
Witnesses said that there were many people wounded by fire coming from the October Bridge where partisans of embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were positioned.
Health Minister Ahmed Hosni Farid had said that three people were killed and 639 wounded in bloody clashes on Wednesday between pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters in the centre of Cairo.
The fighting erupted when Mubarak loyalists stormed into Tahrir Square Wednesday afternoon in what appeared to be an attempt to end protests calling on the president to quit.
Sporadic gunfire started around 4:00 am (0200 GMT) and lasted for about two hours, while some of the army tanks positioned around the square appeared to move from their positions but stayed in the area, an AFP correspondent reported.
Egyptian Jurists Alliance said in a statement that anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square were coming under fire and that several were killed or wounded.
"Everyone should move to rescue the youth of Egypt," the statement said.
"Fighting started at 4:00 am. Policemen dressed as civilians opened fire from the October Bridge," a witness told AFP at the Kasr El-Aini hospital where many ambulances were arriving.
Civilian cars also rushed casualties to hospitals. One sedan car was packed with wounded people, with one unconscious man carried on the engine hood.
Al-Arabiya television reported that army troops fired warning shots to fend off gunmen shooting from cars speeding along the October Bridge.
Gunfire targeted anti-government demonstrators in the Abdulmenem Riad Square, which is next to Tahrir Square, the television said.
After sunrise, anti-government protesters in Abdulmenem Riad Square and Mubarak supporters on the October Bridge were seen throwing rocks at each other.
An AFP photographer in Tahrir Square said thousands of opposition protesters spent the night in the square. Many stood around 5:30 am (0330 GMT) to perform the dawn prayer while others lit wood fires to warm themselves.
Protesters organised themselves in groups gathered at the barricaded entrances leading to the square in preparation for a feared storming attempt by Mubarak supporters.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Happy New Year 新年快乐
在此祝福各位网友
新年快乐
天天好天
年年有余
岁岁平安
事事顺心
Wishing everyone a prosperous new year! Gong xi fa cai!
新年快乐
天天好天
年年有余
岁岁平安
事事顺心
Wishing everyone a prosperous new year! Gong xi fa cai!
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