China starts longest bullet train service

China starts longest bullet train service

China started service yesterday on the world's longest high-speed rail route, the latest milestone in the country's rapid - and, sometimes, troubled - rail network.

The opening of the 2,298km line between Beijing and Guangzhou means passengers will be whisked from the capital to the southern commercial hub in just eight hours, compared with the 22 hours required previously.

State broadcaster China Central Television showed a 9am departure of the first train live from Beijing West Railway Station and its arrival later in Guangzhou at about 5pm.

It also carried live reports from inside the train, showing passengers toting cameras to snap commemorative photos.

Another train departed from Guangzhou for the capital at 10am, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Trains will travel at an average speed of 300kmh over the line, which includes 35 stops in major cities such as Zhengzhou, Wuhan on the Yangtze River and Changsha.

The Beijing-Guangzhou route was made possible with the completion of a line between Zhengzhou and Beijing.

High-speed sections linking Zhengzhou and Wuhan, and Wuhan and Guangzhou, were already in service.

China's high-speed rail network was established in 2007, but has fast become the world's largest with 8,358km of track at the end of 2010.

That is expected to almost double to 16,000km by 2020.

The network, however, has been plagued by graft and safety scandals, most notably a deadly bullet-train collision in July last year that killed 40 people and sparked public outrage.

The authorities said they have taken steps ahead of the line's opening to improve emergency-response measures, and maintenance and inspection of infrastructure, including track and rolling stock.

According to a ministry booklet, "the emergency-rescue system and all kinds of emergency pre-plans are established to improve emergency-response ability".

The start of the train service means that it will be in service over the Chinese New Year holiday period, which falls in the middle of February next year.

Hundreds of millions of people travel across the country during that period to visit their ancestral hometowns in the world's largest annual migration. --AFP

Scoot cancels flights to Shenyang & Qingdao

Scoot cancels 20 flights from Singapore to Shenyang and Qingdao

Singapore Airlines' long-haul budget airline subsidiary Scoot has cancelled some 20 flights from Singapore to Shenyang and Qingdao, citing regulatory approval problems.

All flights to both destinations between 27 November this year to 8 January next year are affected as the airline has not been able to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals for the routes.

Scoot had indicated on the flights selection page of their website and in the passengers' flight itineraries that the flights are subject to regulatory approval.

A Scoot spokesperson contacted said that it is standard practice for airlines to launch destinations and sell fares even before getting regulatory approval.

The airline declined to say how many passengers were affected.

Channel NewsAsia understands however that each Boeing 777-200 can seat 402 people.

Scoot's fleet currently comprises of four Boeing 777-200s.

Affected passengers will have to make alternative travel arrangements.

Currently, Scoot tickets for flights from Singapore to Shenyang and Qingdao after 8 January next year are still available for sale.

However, these flights are still subject to regulatory approval.

～News courtesy of Channel Newsasia～

Heavy traffic expected at checkpoints

Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints over Deepavali

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects traffic flow through the checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas to be heavy over the coming weekend ahead of the Deepavali public holiday on November 13.

ICA advises travellers to car-pool or make use of public transport.

In addition, Singaporeans who are issued with the BioPass or are registered with the National Registration Office, are encouraged to use the enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) lanes at the bus halls for immigration clearance.

Travellers leaving Singapore by the Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoints are advised to check on the traffic situation at the checkpoints before they start their journey.

The various platforms available are TrafficWatch on radio, the Land Transport Authority's One Motoring website, and the traffic information hotline at 68630117.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

明年5月吉隆坡新机场启用

全球最大廉航机场　明年5月吉隆坡新机场启用

全球最大的廉价航空机场——吉隆坡第二国际机场（KLIA 2），将于明年5月1日正式投入运作，预计首年乘客量将达2000万人次。

根据《星洲日报》报道，马来西亚机场控股有限公司建筑总经理莫哈末再夫丁指出，吉隆坡第二国际机场目前经已完成70％工程，主要建筑物将在明年1月竣工，基础设施则在明年3月底完成。他预计4月底可完成一切准备工作，并在5月1日启用。

《联合早报》

Hello Guesthouse - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodian Bus Transport

S'pore Consulate in Pekanbaru closes on Oct 31

Singapore Consulate in Pekanbaru closes on Oct 31

The Singapore Consulate in Pekanbaru will cease operations 31 October 2012.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will stop processing visa applications and other consular matters from 30 October 2012.

Services provided and all other responsibilities currently undertaken by the Consulate in Pekanbaru will be undertaken by the Singapore Consulate in Batam.

MFA says the closure of the Consulate in Pekanbaru is part of its efforts to streamline the delivery of consular services, with the opening of the Consulate in Batam in 2009.

The Singapore Consulate in Batam is located at the following address: 8th floor, Sumatera Convention Centre, Jalan Engku Putri, Kav. 01,Batam Centre, Batam 29461, Indonesia.

The telephone and fax numbers are: Tel: 62 (0778) 470070, 470071, Fax: 62 (0778) 470076.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

S'pore - Cape Verde travel and trade links

Trade, travel links between Singapore and Cape Verde set to grow

Trade and travel links between Singapore and the island country of Cape Verde are set to grow.

Two agreements will be signed during the visit of Cape Verde's Prime Minister José Maria Neves.

A Memorandum of Understanding to promote investments was signed on Friday, while an air services agreement will be signed on Monday.

Mr Neves, who is here on his first official visit, met President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana, where he was given a ceremonial welcome.

He also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and was hosted to lunch.

Mr Lee said the agreements will strengthen Singapore's partnership with Cape Verde, which lies off the west coast of Africa.

"We should not leave it there. Africa is on the move. It is the second fastest growing region in the world after Asia. There are more opportunities for Singapore companies to pursue in Africa, and vice versa," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee also urged businesses to explore these opportunities using platforms such as the Africa Singapore Business Forum. Some 500 delegates and ministers attended this year's forum, including several from Cape Verde.

During the forum, the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) and International Enterprise Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote business collaboration between Singapore and Africa.

Mr Lee said that Singapore companies can leverage the IFC's wide networks and experience in Africa and Asia to grow economic links and strengthen their positions as trading hubs. He also offered Singapore's assistance.

"We are also happy to help Cape Verde develop their human capital through the Singapore Cooperation Programme. So far, we have trained more than 6,000 officials from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in areas like public administration, information and communications technology, port management, health and aviation. We would be happy to do the same for Cape Verde officials," said Mr Lee.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

新航乘客可使用无线上网和数据漫游服务

新航乘客飞行中可使用 无线上网和数据漫游服务

昨天起，新航乘客可以在机舱内享用无线上网及数据漫游服务，也能随时接收及传送电邮、浏览网页，收发手机短信等。 

至11月30日的促销期间，乘客只需支付一笔费用，就能使用无线上网服务。

手机漫游服务方面，新航将与新电信合作，推出优惠价配套。 

新航目前只在14架客机上提供这项新服务，包括：5架从新加坡直飞美国纽华克（Newark）和洛杉矶的长途A340-500型客机。飞往澳大利亚的航线也将提供服务。

飞行中无线上网数据量上限与费用

10MB：10美元（约12新元）

30MB：25美元（约31新元）

备注：以每封没有附件的电邮约20KB来计算，10MB可以收发500封电邮，30MB可收发1500封电邮。

～以上新闻转载自OMY～

新加坡下个月起 飞不丹无需转机

新加坡下个月起　飞不丹无需转机

从下个月起，新加坡人将能从新加坡飞往享有“最后的香格里拉”美誉的不丹王国，不丹皇家航空开拓往返新加坡和不丹的新航线，乘客日后无需到泰国或印度转机，行程缩短到大约6个小时。

目前，从樟宜机场出发的乘客，得到泰曼谷或印度的加尔各答（Kolkata）等城市转机，续程飞往不丹唯一的国际机场帕罗（Paro），整个行程至少12个小时。

樟宜机场集团昨天发表文告宣布，不丹皇家航空（Drukair）将从下月1日开始，每个星期提供4趟往返新加坡和帕罗的航班服务。航线所使用的是共有114个座位的空中巴士319型客机，航班将从樟宜机场第一搭客大厦起降。

客机昨天首次登陆新加坡，随行的嘉宾包括不丹公主扬宗（Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck）、不丹资讯及通讯部长，以及多名高级政府官员。

游不丹有最低消费 每人每天200美金

根据不丹旅游局的数据，越来越多新加坡人前往不丹旅行，不丹去年全年接待6万4000名访客，其中约1300名是新加坡人，比2010年的多出70％。

专门代理不丹旅行团队的Druk Asia负责人尊尼哈里申（Joni Herison）说，旅游旺季的往返机票约1550元。他指出，不丹政府规定，每名游客每天至少200美金的最低消费，其中35％用在不丹的建设上。 往返不丹班机时间

新加坡→不丹：每逢星期四及星期日，上午6时从樟宜机场起飞，在加尔各答逗留40至45分钟再续飞，飞抵帕罗的时间预计为当地时间上午9时45分。

不丹→新加坡：每逢星期三及星期六出发，在当地时间上午7时20分起飞，途中在加尔各答逗留，并在本地时间下午3时零5分抵达樟宜机场。

～以上新闻转载自OMY～

Firefly starts weekly flights to Haadyai

Firefly starts weekly flights to Haadyai

FIREFLY started its four weekly services between Subang and Haadyai, Thailand, when its inaugural flight FY3614 took off with 96% passenger load yesterday.

Passengers and media delegates, who boarded the 80-minute flight at 9.50am from the airport in Subang were given a warm reception by a Thai cultural group.

They were welcomed with flower garlands and gift bags by Thai authorities as they disembarked at the Haadyai International Airport.

The Firefly aircraft was also given the traditional aviation industry welcome of water-spraying guard of honour.

“We have been anticipating for the launch of this new destination, as this service adds another milestone in Firefly’s regional network and strengthens our Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle agenda.

All smiles: Ong (second from right) with Firefly Captain Shahrul Affendi and crew introducing the route to passengers. All smiles: Ong (second from right) with Firefly Captain Shahrul Affendi and crew introducing the route to passengers.

“A new destination certainly is an encouraging indication of an airline’s successful growth and that is exactly the path that we are at and in which we will continue heading towards.

“The celebration of Firefly’s two other new routes between, Kota Baru-Singapore and Penang-Koh Samui just last week, further reiterates the achievement of our expansion plan which was announced earlier this year.

“As we continue to market our new routes and destination, we assure passengers of our commitment to providing top-notch service coupled with our signature warm hospitality.

“A positive customer experience is a part of our brand promise and we intend to keep it,” said Firefly chief executive officer Ignatius Ong .

Firefly’s head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez said, “Malaysians are attracted to Haadyai for its extensive shopping options and a vast variety of delicious authentic Thai food.”

“Haadyai is also the gateway to Satun and Trang provinces, which are popular island destinations in the southern coast of Thailand.

“We expect passengers travelling from Subang to Haadyai to comprise Malaysians and members of its expatriate community in search of a quick convenient getaway.

“We also anticipate it to include in-bound tourists who choose to get a taste of Thailand while in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.

“As for passengers from Haadyai, upon arrival in Subang, they will find the city airport to be strategically situated due to its close proximity to international universities, theme parks such as Sunway Lagoon, and the vibrant Kuala Lumpur City Centre, which is just 30 minutes drive away.

“Resorts World Genting is also a popular attraction with this market and it is only about an hour’s drive from Subang,” she added.

In conjunction with yesterday’s inaugural flight celebrations, Firefly will be offering an all-in one way deal that starts from RM99 for this new destination.

Booking period is from now to Aug 26 for travel from Aug 24 to Oct 31.

Ticket purchases can be made from Firefly’s website (www.fireflyz.com.my), mobile application, airport and city ticketing offices, call-centre and through travel agents.

~News courtesy of The Star~

马来西亚烟雾情况恶化

烟雾情况恶化，雪兰莪州蒲种地区昨天被浓浓烟雾笼罩，当地民众都减少户外活动。（图／中国报）

马来西亚半岛烟雾情况恶化，截至昨天傍晚5时，共有七个地区的空气污染指数超过100点，处于不健康水平。

由于印度尼西亚苏门答腊烧芭的关系，西马半岛多个地区昨天被浓浓的烟雾笼罩，尤其是雪兰莪及吉隆坡，空气素质处于不健康水平的地区从前天的三个增至七个。

《联合早报》

与新马相同 印尼拟10月底统一全国时区

与新马相同 印尼拟10月底统一全国时区

（雅加达讯）印度尼西亚政府计划从今年10月28日起，统一全国时区，与新加坡、马来西亚、越南、中国北京和上海相同，以促进经济发展和政府机构效率。

　　印尼报章报道，经济统筹部长哈塔上周在雅加达召开的监控通货膨胀工作组会议上表示，他已正式向总统汇报，而总统表示同意。因此，若可以办到，10月28日起，实行统一时区，即采用印尼中部时间（GMT+8）。

　　他指出，统一时区的计划虽没人反对，但还需普及化。否则在实施过程中会出现问题。“弄不好到了工作时间，人家还在睡觉。”

　　印尼工商会金融、财务与公共决策副主席哈尔雅迪表示，统一全国时区有利于经济发展。“因为我们在同一时间行动。若国内与区域时间相同，将加强竞争力。”

　　他指出，印尼与本区其他国家有相同的工作时间，将促使经济活动更有效。“交易所及银行结算时间也相同。”他指出。一个国家实施单一时区，并非新鲜事，中国就在全国实施单一时区。

　　经济师卡蒂卜说，统一时区必须即时落实，因对印尼有利，经济交易料增长20%。

　　他指出，由于统一时区所产生的各种问题，政府应即时加以调整，譬如，印尼西区的上学时间须提前，学生得提早起床，职员的上班时间也要提前一些。

　　万自立银行经济师德斯特利认为，统一时区对经济活动有利。一向以来，区域的市场先动起来。例如资本市场，印尼比新加坡迟了一个小时。“当区域市场受到压抑，我们只好逆来顺受。若同时区，后果可能不同。”

～以上新闻转载自早报网～

Entering M'sia? No need for arrival cards

Entering M'sia? No need for arrival cards 

 Starting from June 1, foreigners entering Malaysia need not fill in arrival cards issued by the Immigration Department, the Home Ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

Chief Secretary of the Home Ministry, Mr Mahmood Adam, said the procedure would not be required because the Immigration Department had already introduced a biometric recording system for every foreigner upon arrival, under the National Enforcement Registration System (NERS), the Bernama news agency reported. "

Through the NERS system that was introduced on June 1, 2011, the data of foreigners will be recorded and stored. The procedure will also fulfil the requirement of the Tourism Ministry to record data and number of tourist arrivals," he said in the statement quoted by the agency. 

Mr Mahmood said the decision was made after consultations with the Immigration Department, Home Ministry and Tourism Ministry, and that the NERS system was a much faster way to record the data of foreigners. 

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

S'pore, Colombia ink air travel deal

S'pore, Colombia ink air travel deal 

SINGAPORE: The airlines of Singapore and Colombia will have the flexibility to operate any number of direct passenger services between both countries. 

They can also operate, under certain restrictions, up to seven weekly passenger services and seven weekly cargo services between, and beyond, both countries. 

These have been made possible by an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Singapore and Colombia. 

The agreement was signed by Singapore's Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew and Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar on Monday. 

The signing took place on the sidelines of a state visit by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón. Mr Santos is on a three-day state visit to Singapore, from Sunday to Tuesday. 

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

新墨国民免签证入境

新墨国民免签证入境

墨西哥政府发表单方面声明宣布，从前天起持有外交和政府官员护照的新加坡国民，在入境墨国时享有免签证待遇，而新加坡人之前已经可以免签证就能入境墨西哥。

外交部昨天发表文告对墨西哥政府的这个新举措表示欢迎，并认为此举将能加强和提升新加坡和墨西哥两国的联系。

新加坡没规定墨西哥国民入境新加坡时需申请签证。随着新措施的宣布后，从前天开始，两国国民在入境对方的国门时，都享有免签证待遇。

～以上新闻转载自OMY～

新航747型飞机结束服役

新航747型飞机结束服役

为新加坡航空公司服役近40年的波音747飞机，今天最后一次启动引擎，展开往返新加坡及香港的纪念之旅。这趟纪念之旅是新航最后一次采用波音747飞机执飞，不但延长飞行时间，也安排特别餐饮服务和娱乐节目，让乘客踏上一段难忘的纪念之旅。

新航免费邀请朝阳学校的学生同行，并请他们到香港迪斯尼乐园游玩。

《联合早报》

Firefly launch of new route

Firefly treats kids to lunch in conjunction with launch of new route

Firefly celebrated the launch of its newest route by treating 50 children with a hearty luncheon filled with a series of activities with renowned local singers and actors here.

Pop singer Ezlynn, nasyid group Al-Mawlid and actress Fiffi Natasya had feted the children from Yayasan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Kelantan (YAATIM) and PEKA YATIM at a restaurant in town.

The company’s head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez said Firefly had made it a point to include children or the less fortunate in significantly celebrate the milestone.

“It is wonderful to see an excited group of young individuals who have built a strong bond over a short span of time with the artistes who have volunteered to collaborate and make this event possible together with Firefly’s team.”

An interactive session took place between the local celebrities and the children

with the day ending with Firefly’s staff presenting gifts to their guests.

Fernandez said that Kota Baru has been one of the most popular destinations among Firefly’s passengers.

“Since the inception of this route, we have received continuous support from the residents here who also contributed to the expansion of this sector.”

Firefly’s service between Kota Baru and Johor Baru would commence on April 26 with flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Due to popular demand, the airline would also increase its frequencies to seven daily flights between its city hub in Subang and Kota Bahru from April 6.

～News courtesy of The Star～

Beware of phone calls offering zoo tickets

Beware of phone calls offering zoo tickets

If you receive a phone call telling you that you have won free admission to the Singapore Zoo, do not celebrate.

It is likely to be a scam to steal personal details like your name and identity-card (IC) number.

A handful of people turned up at the zoo earlier this month only to find out that the tickets they had "won" did not exist.

They also learnt that the person who called them did not work for the zoo.

In a statement issued to my paper, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which runs the zoo, confirmed that it has uncovered a recent spate of phone scams.

The victims were requested to reveal their IC numbers over the phone in exchange for "free zoo tickets", WRS said in the statement.

Ms Isabel Cheng, director of marketing and communications at WRS, advised members of the public to make a police report if they receive such calls.

The scam came to light after the Singapore Zoo received several inquiries, in person and over the phone, about the free tickets.

~News courtesy of Omy~

Thai - Lao Crossborder Train

为提高经济效率 印尼或统一国内时区

为提高经济效率　印尼或统一国内时区

印度尼西亚目前共有三个时区。

海峡时报网站根据印度尼西亚媒体报道，印尼或统一国内区域时差，以提高国家经济竞争力与效率。

目前，印尼西、中、东部的时区分别 GMT+7、GMT+8、GMT+9。根据报道，印尼考虑把全国时区设为GMT+8（与新加坡相同）。

根据报道，印尼经济扩展机构（Expansion and Acceleration of Indonesia Economic Growth）发言人 Edib Muslim表示，国内分三个时区，导致在商务营业时间相同的情况下，能够交集的时间变少，影响经济效率。

~omy~

Amazing Thailand

Terminal 4 to replace Budget Terminal

New Changi Terminal 4 to replace Budget Terminal

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Budget Terminal will be closed on September 25 and demolished to make way for the construction of a new Terminal 4 at Changi Airport.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) gave this confirmation after Channel NewsAsia first broke news of the impending closure on Wednesday.

In a statement, CAG said construction of Terminal 4 will begin in 2013 and is expected to be ready by 2017.

The new terminal will be a larger passenger building, with the capacity to handle 16 million passengers per annum.

It will be designed to enable efficient passenger processing and quick turnaround of aircraft, and will not have aerobridges.

Unlike the present Budget Terminal, Terminal 4 will also have a wide choice of retail and food and beverage offerings, as well as passenger amenities that will better serve the needs of travellers.

To facilitate the construction of Terminal 4, airlines currently operating in the Budget Terminal will move their operations to Terminal 2 and will start operations there from September 25 at 6am.

The affected airlines are Berjaya Air, Cebu Pacific, Firefly, South East Asian Airlines and Tiger Airways.

CAG said it has had discussions with the airlines operating at the Budget Terminal since late last year regarding the terminal's closure, and it will work with the respective airlines to ensure a smooth transition of their operations, and minimise inconvenience to passengers as far as possible.

It said more details on each airline's operations at Terminal 2 will be provided nearer the effective date.

CAG said the new terminal will help to sustain the long-term growth of Changi Airport.

It said the existing Budget Terminal handled more than 4.6 million passenger movements last year.

And Changi Airport, with a total capacity of more than 70 million passengers per annum, still has room to accommodate air traffic growth.

CAG said it believes in planning ahead to ensure there is capacity to handle further increase in traffic demand.

Over the past decade, passenger traffic at Changi Airport has increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.2 percent. In 2011, Changi handled a total of 46.5 million passenger movements, a year-on-year increase of 10.7 percent.

Singapore-based carriers - Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia and Scoot - have ordered new aircraft and foreign carriers have also expressed the desire to grow their air links with Singapore.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

大雾笼罩中国 影响往返航班

大雾笼罩中国　影响往返航班

前天和昨天共有约20趟往返新加坡樟宜机场与中国城市及香港的航班延误或取消。部分受影响的航班相信与大雾笼罩中国有关。

樟宜机场网站资料显示，从昨天下午起就有航班被迫取消，情况到了昨天中午左右逐渐恢复正常。

网站资料也显示，过去两天从新加坡往返上海、海口、香港、青岛、西安、成都、昆明和澳门的航线都有班次延误或取消。

《联合早报》

捷星本月6日终止 往返狮城澳门航班

捷星本月6日终止　往返狮城澳门航班

廉价航空公司捷星航空将从月6日起，终止所有往返新加坡与澳门的航班。
捷星航空发表的文告说，公司在对所有航线进行定期的检讨后，做出这项决定。
捷星航空发言人说，停止新加坡与澳门的航线是为了让公司将有限的资源，分配到其他比较受欢迎的航线上。

受影响搭客可更换 航班日期和地点

文告中，捷星对受影响的搭客表达歉意，并表示搭客可以在无需支付附加费的情况下，更换航班的日期和地点。据澳门的新闻报道说，捷星往返新加坡与澳门的航线，去年的总搭客量为7万9600人次左右，和前年相比，少了大约1万2500人次。这个数字也比起捷星在2008年开启航线时的8万2100人次还少。

~omy~

Verifying My Blog on Ping.sg

quekpj's Profile on Ping.sg

Should fat people pay more to fly?

Should fat people pay more to fly?

A former airline executive is suggesting that overweight passengers should pay more to get on flights.

This was a suggestion made by Qantas airline's former chief economist Tony Webber.

In a recent column in an Australian paper, Webber wrote that overweight passengers will increase airplane fuel costs as planes have to burn more fuel to cope with the extra weight.

In light of ever-soaring fuel costs, airlines should therefore implement surcharges based on the weight of passengers.

He suggested that passengers could be weighed together with their luggage according to a set guideline.

Passengers will have to pay surcharges if they exceed allowable weight limits.

For example, if the combined weight exceeds a limit of 100kg, the passenger will have to pay an additionally fuel surcharge.

This way, overweight passengers will pay more while slim passengers will enjoy a discount.

Furthermore, Webber feels that if movie tickets and train fares can be categorised according to the customer's age, airlines should also be able to categorise customers by weight.

On Webber's idea, the Australian media surveyed 2,500 members of the public and found that 70% were against the suggestion.

Many slam the idea for being discriminatory against overweight people and threatened to boycott any airline that implements such a policy.

Qantas airline has clarified that it is not considering this suggestion.

~News courtesy of Omy~

马来西亚发行新硬币

马来西亚发行新硬币

马来西亚新设计的四种硬币将比现有硬币更小及更轻。（图／马来西亚国家银行网站）

（吉隆坡综合讯）继新设计的钞票后，马来西亚国家银行再推出新设计的硬币，新硬币将在本月16日起流通。

国行宣布，新设计的硬币包括5分钱、1毛钱、2毛钱以及5毛钱，将分阶段在市面上流通，并可与旧硬币一起使用，而国行也将逐步淘汰旧硬币。

《联合早报》

Jetstar unveils new routes, services

Jetstar unveils new routes, services

SINGAPORE: Jetstar on Tuesday announced new routes and services, which would add 8,500 seats weekly for the budget carrier's hub here.

The extra capacity includes more than 40 new weekly services added to destinations in Australia, Japan, Vietnam and China.

Jetstar announced a second daily service on the Singapore-Taipei-Osaka route and three new weekly services between Singapore and Darwin, bringing the weekly flights to 10.

As part of network changes announced Tuesday, Jetstar will suspend services between Singapore and Macau from February 5.

The addition of services on popular routes would be crucial in helping the budget carrier build up a "critical mass" across the Asia-Pacific, said Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan.

He added: "The growth in low-fare services from our Singapore hub is creating new travel demand in the region, which then fuels more growth and gives us economies of scale to keep the low fares coming."

While the budget carrier will be focusing on building its Vietnam presence and a new network with Jetstar Japan, Mr Buchanan said the goal is to be the "No 1 low-cost carrier in all of the markets" it operates in.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Happy new year 2012 新年快乐～

Happy new year 2012 新年快乐～