Passengers ready for world's longest flight on Singapore Airlines
The plane's interior features higher ceilings, larger windows and an extra-wide cabin. (Photo: AFP/Remy Gabalda)
Passengers were getting ready to board the world's longest flight on Thursday (Oct 11) - a marathon 19 hours in the air between Singapore and New York.
Two pilots, a special "wellness" menu and more than seven weeks' worth of film and television entertainment were expected to accompany travellers on the 16,700km journey to the Big Apple.
Singapore Airlines Flight SQ22 will use the long-range Airbus A350-900ULR, configured to carry 161 passengers - 67 in business class and 94 in premium economy.
For the flight crew - which also includes two first officers and a 13-strong cabin contingent - the work load will be broken up, the airline said, with each pilot having a minimum eight hours' rest during the flight.
But for passengers, the challenge will be what to do with all that down time up in the air.
For those not packing a weighty novel (or two), there will be 1,200 hours of audio-visual entertainment to choose from.
Dining options will include dishes the airline says have been selected to promote well-being in the skies, with organic dishes on the menu.
The cabin has higher-than-normal ceilings, larger windows and lighting designed to reduce jet lag - all part of an effort to lessen the stresses that can accompany almost a day on a plane.
"Research has shown that hydration and food intake are important factors (to consider), such as avoiding foods that cause gas or bloating as well as excessive alcohol," Rhenu Bhuller, a healthcare expert at consultancy Frost & Sullivan, told AFP.
"The biggest concern is Deep Vein Thrombosis from a combination of sitting for too long and also from dehydration," said Gail Cross, an associate consultant at the National University Hospital in Singapore.
"RACE BETWEEN AIRLINES"
The twin-engine plane that will make the journey uses a modified system that burns 25 per cent less fuel compared to other aircraft of a similar size, Airbus said.
The flight from the city-state to Newark Airport can take up to 18 hours and 45 minutes under normal weather conditions, but the pilots will have something in reserve in an aircraft capable of flying more than 20 hours non-stop.
Singapore Airlines originally flew the route for nine years using the gas-guzzling, four-engine A340-500 before abandoning it in 2013 because high oil prices made the service unprofitable.
But the carrier is hoping that the introduction of more fuel-efficient planes will set cash registers ringing even as crude prices soar above S$80.
Thursday's flight will top the current longest direct link between cities - Qatar Airways Flight 921 from Auckland to Doha, which takes 17 hours 40 minutes.
"It's turning out to be a race between a few airlines eyeing the longest routes inter-continentally," said Shukor Yusof of aviation consultancy Endau Analytics.
"They are hoping to capitalise and exploit a very niche market," he told AFP.
Facing increasingly strong competition in recent years, Singapore Airlines has consolidated its low-fare subsidiaries and is strengthening its premium segment.
"Ultra-long haul services comprise an important component of that strategy," an airline spokesman told AFP.
The company is the first airline in the world to operate the A350-900ULR plane. It received the first aircraft in September. Six more are due for delivery by the end of the year.
"We are optimistic about the demand for non-stop services to the US," the spokesman said.
Analyst Shukor, however, said it remained to be seen whether the airline and other operators of marathon flights can withstand the pressure from rising oil prices.
Source: AFP/zl
Jewel Changi Airport tenants to include A&W, Pokemon, Shaw Theatres
The return of fast food chain A&W, an 11-screen cineplex, a Pokemon merchandise store and other new-to-Singapore brands will be what travellers and local consumers can expect when Changi Airport’s mega retail and lifestyle development, Jewel, opens in the first half of next year.
A S$1.7 billion project, the 10-storey complex – consisting of five storeys above ground and five basement floors – will be home to more than 280 shops and food and beverage (F&B) outlets.
Jewel Changi Airport Development said on Thursday (Oct 11) that nearly 90 per cent of the sprawling 53,800 sq m leasable space has been taken up thus far.
Among those unveiled at a media briefing include A&W, which is returning to Singapore after more than 10 years. Its menu will be “the first of its kind in Asia” combining best-selling items from its restaurants around the world, including coney dogs, curly fries and a cream cheese burger from Japan.
Fans of Pokemon can also look forward to the game franchise's only permanent retail store outside of Japan. Apart from merchandise sold in Japan, the Pokemon Center Singapore will also be stocked with exclusive toys, stationery, trading cards and video games created just for Jewel.
F&B brands that are setting up shop in Singapore, and the region, for the first time also include Swiss artisanal chocolatier Laderach, Norwegian casual seafood restaurant Pink Fish and American fast food chain Shake Shack.
In addition, cinema-goers will be delighted as Shaw Theatres is set to open a cineplex with 11 screens, including a digital Imax theatre, Jewel Changi Airport Development’s head of leasing, Tan Mui Neo, confirmed at the media briefing.
Jewel will also be home to a long list of homegrown brands, including design retailer Naiise, gallery store Supermama and Tiger Beer which will be launching a first-in-the-world Tiger Street Lab at level 5 offering exclusive seasonal brews.
Local chef Violet Oon will open her largest restaurant to date – more than 350 sq m – offering local delicacies, such as dry laksa.
Meanwhile, Nike is planning its largest store in Southeast Asia spanning 1,000 sq m. The sporting giant will take up one of the 11 duplex, large-format stores in Jewel, together with Naiise and Shake Shack.
To be sure, Jewel, which began construction more than three years ago, is positioning itself as more than just a mall with shopping and dining options.
Apart from a distinctive dome-shaped facade made of glass and steel, other highlights include a sprawling 14,000 sq m rooftop park featuring play attractions, gardens and walking trails.
The mixed development, located in front of and directly connected to Changi Airport’s Terminal 1, will also be home to Forest Valley, Singapore’s largest indoor garden, and a 40m-tall indoor waterfall that will transform into a light and sound show at night.
Dining at Canopy Park. (Photo: Jewel Changi Airport Devt)
This aims to create a unique retail experience where shoppers can enjoy a seamless experience of nature and retail all under one roof, according to Jewel Changi Airport Development.
With travellers being more discerning about their destinations and their choice of airports for stopovers, there is a need to position Jewel as a “one-of-a-kind, multi-dimensional destination”, said its chief executive Hung Jean.
“We hope to showcase Singapore to the world, positioning it as the platform where local brands will be exposed to an international audience, while simultaneously bringing new and familiar global brands to Singapore.”
Ms Hung said Jewel, which will also be linked to Terminal 2 and 3 via air-conditioned pedestrian bridges, aims to welcome 40 to 50 million visitors a year. Of which, 60 per cent will likely be locals, and the rest made up of tourists.
Source: CNA/mn
AirAsia announces direct flights between KL and Tianjin from Dec 2
AirAsia is expanding its footprint in China with an exclusive direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Tianjin, a coastal city in China.
Beginning Dec 2, the new route will connect more than 15 million people in Tianjin with South-East Asia and beyond.
AirAsia’s long haul affiliate, AirAsia X, will not only provide direct services between the two cities, but also stimulate regional demand through great value airfares, enabling more people to travel.
AirAsia will also beef up its direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Changsha, doubling the current number of seats on the popular route in response to demand, by operating its fleet of larger wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft commencing Oct 29.
He said this will significantly boost tourism, trade and economic growth while paving the way towards China’s Year of Tourism and Culture 2020, envisioned by the leaders of both Malaysia and China.
“Together with our existing routes into China, today’s announcement means we are further strengthening our foothold in Northern China and increasing our overall capacity to China - one of our fastest growing markets.
“We will continue to look for expansion opportunities that not only maintain AirAsia Group’s dominance as the largest foreign carrier to China by capacity, but also enable us to remain committed in our quest to making air travel affordable for everyone,” said Benyamin.
With the launch of Tianjin as its latest destination, AirAsia will fly to 20 cities in China with 550 weekly direct flights from hubs in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
~News courtesy of The Star~
移民与关卡局推出 试验性电子入境卡
电子入境卡最终将取代现有的纸质入境卡，到时，“白卡”将正式走入历史。
移民与关卡局今天起推行为期三个月的试验性电子入境卡，试验地点包括兀兰和大士关卡、樟宜机场、新加坡游轮中心、丹那美拉渡轮码头、樟宜尾渡轮码头和樟宜渡轮码头。
电子入境卡（Electronic Arrival Card）最终将取代现有的纸质入境卡，到时，“白卡”将正式走入历史。至于什么时候会全面落实电子入境卡，移民与关卡局昨天发文告表示，详情会在试验计划结束后公布。
目前，所有入境新加坡的外国旅客都须在关卡填写俗称“白卡”的入境卡，卡上包含航班记录和住宿地址。收集旅客信息对于边境管制和当局的安全与保安措施十分关键，例如一旦发现传染病，能及时通报其他旅客。
一旦落实电子入境卡，当局预料将有助于提高入境手续效率，加快外国车辆通关时间，改善关卡阻塞情况，国人也将从中受益。
为确保电子入境卡能顺利推行，移民与关卡局从今天起，在本地海陆空入境关卡展开为期三个月的试用期。在试用期间，从这些关卡入境但还未填写纸质入境卡的旅客，可能会被在场的官员要求参与试验计划，填写电子入境卡，并提出意见。旅客的反馈，有助于让当局改善现有程序，提供更好的用户体验。
移民与关卡局指出，电子入境卡落实后，旅客将能在抵达新加坡前，通过官方网站或手机程序提交个人信息和旅程详情。“当他们抵达关卡时只需出示护照，入境系统就能自动提取他们之前提交的电子入境卡。”
另外，电子入境卡也将推出不同语言版本，并且让与家人或小团队一同出行的旅客能一次过提交团队申请。团队申请将自动复制航班详情、最后过境地点、预期的入境和出境日期，以及在新加坡的地址。
利用手机程序提出申请的旅客，个人资料也会获得保存，下次入境时会自动填写，为旅客提供便利。
当局在文告中强调，试验计划并不影响新加坡公民、永久居民，以及持有工作证和学生证者，因为他们回国时无需填写入境卡。
另外，当落实电子入境卡、入境通关走向无纸化后，也可为环保尽一分力。移民与关卡局表示，电子入境卡不仅能提高效率，也是走向无纸化入境程序的重要一环，预计每年能因此节省4800万张纸质入境卡。
住在新山、在本地工作的新加坡永久居民郑永强（38岁，销售主管）每天开车往返两地，他表示日后当启用电子入境卡时，将可提升效率和加快通关时间。他说，他曾试过开车通关时，因前方车辆的旅客忘记填白卡，导致他在后方多等了近10分钟。
不过，当局推行电子入境卡，也引起一些年长的外国旅客担心。住在柔佛东甲的林月娥（63岁）每月都会搭巴士前来新加坡探望儿孙。她说，虽然到时孩子会代为填写电子入境卡，但万一孩子出国或自己临时决定来新加坡时，她担心自己不会上网填写电子入境卡。
~联合早报~
ICA to launch electronic arrival card for foreign visitors to Singapore after three-month trial
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be launching an electronic arrival card that will eventually replace the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card that foreign visitors are currently required to submit on arrival, said the authority in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 3).
To ensure smooth implementation of the new electronic arrival card, a trial will be conducted by the ICA for foreign visitors for three months from Thursday.
The trial will be conducted at most of the air, land and sea checkpoints such as the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, Changi Airport and the four cruise/ferry terminals.
During the trial period, foreign visitors who arrive at these checkpoints but have not yet completed the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card may be approached by ICA officers to participate in the trial and provide feedback.
The trial will not affect Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders (such as students and workers) returning to Singapore, as they do not need to submit any disembarkation/embarkation card.
More details of the implementation of the system will be announced at a later date, after the trial is completed.
When the electronic arrival card is fully implemented, travellers can submit their personal information and trip details through the ICA website or via a mobile application before arriving in Singapore.
The travellers will then need to produce only their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival.
Currently, the card contains information such as details of the traveller's flight to Singapore, his intended length of stay and where he will be staying. These details will still be required under the new electronic card.
The electronic arrival card will be available in various languages, and those travelling in families or small groups can choose to make a one-time group submission. Some information such as last port of embarkation as well as address in Singapore will be automatically replicated for all in the group.
The mobile app will also save information from previous trips for use during the next trip to Singapore.
"The electronic arrival card will enhance operational efficiency and is a significant step towards ICA's vision of paperless immigration clearance, and save up to 48 million paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards a year," said the authority.
ICA said that it studied and took into consideration the practice and experience of countries that have implemented a similar model of the electronic arrival card, as part of the authority's conceptualisation and design process.
Mr Duong Dat, 23, a software engineer from Vietnam who visits Singapore once or twice a year to meet friends, said an electronic arrival card would be great, as it will reduce the waiting time at arrival.
He added that it will also remove the last-minute scramble for him to fill up the information. “Sometimes my itinerary information is not available if I have no Internet connection (on the plane) and I have to write it down at the airport.”
Bruneian Hana Latiff, 24, who visited Singapore twice this year for youth programmes, is happy that the paper use will be reduced.
She also noted that the data-saving feature will be handy as she would not have to fill the form every time.
But Ms Hana, an administrative staff, added: “I might be concerned (about going online), as I am not sure how secure my data will be.”
The move is part of a series of recent high-tech measures by ICA.
Earlier this year, X-ray imaging scanners were introduced at the Tuas Checkpoint to better detect components on buses and vans that have been modified or contain explosives.
A new Web portal called MyICA was also launched by the authority in June to make renewing and applying for a new Singapore passport easier.
In August this year, eye-scan trials were rolled out for Singaporeans and permanent residents at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The trial involves officers scanning travellers’ iris images in addition to fingerprint verification.
~News courtesy of The Straits Times~
Mandarin-speaking officials start duty at KLIA/KLIA2 to woo China tourists
Ready to assist: A MAHB officer attending to enquiries from a couple from Hong Kong at KLIA2.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has deployed Mandarin-speaking officials at the KL International Airport and KLIA2.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said two fluent and four basic Mandarin-speaking officials had been placed at strategic spots such as the satellite building, contact pier, immigration arrival and baggage reclaim areas, effective from yesterday.
The daily morning shift starts from 8am to 3pm with the late shift lasting till 10pm, which is the peak hours for arrival flights from China and Hong Kong.
Loke also said MAHB was also communicating with the Han Cultural Centre Malaysia, Inti College and Linton University College to recruit more part-timers to work as such officials in both KLIA and KLIA2.
He said other airport managements in the region were also spending a lot to woo the Chinese.
MAHB acting group CEO Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said besides the Mandarin-speaking personnel, a special guidebook in that language would also be published.
Malaysia and China have set 2020 as the Year of Culture and Tourism between the two countries to promote greater people-to-people contact and sustainable socio-economic growth.
China tourist arrivals in Malaysia is booming with a 10.2% growth rate over the past year.
It was revealed that there were 1.009 million tourists from China to Malaysia from January to April 2018, which was a 37.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Malaysia eyes 30 million tourist arrivals by 2020
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is targeting 30 million tourist arrivals by 2020.
Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said this would increase the contribution of tourism to the Gross Domestic Product from 14.9 per cent last year, when there were 26.1 million tourist arrivals, to 15.1 per cent.
He said the increase in tourist arrivals proved that tourism promotions had been successful.
“We are now asking for a bigger budget for tourism promotion because it is key to the sustainability of the tourism industry,” he told reporters after flagging off the 2018 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Penang, here, today.
He said there was a need to go all out to promote the country’s tourism industry as there was stiff competition from neighbouring countries.
He urged tourism organisations to use the tagline, Malaysia Truly Asia, in their promotions as it had proved to be effective in wooing tourists.
Bakhtiar said the ministry was working with the Education Ministry to introduce staggered school holiday breaks according to states to distribute the domestic tourist load.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
