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    Warner Music Group joins forces with FIVE Hotels and Resorts for burgeoning record label: FIVE Music

    In a move that is likely to send ripples through the music industry, trailblazing FIVE Hotels and Resorts has forged a progressive partnership with the iconic Warner Music Group for the future of the disruptive luxury brand’s record label, FIVE Music.
    This new joint venture will not only make use of Warner Music Groups’ worldwide network of chart busting talent, but will further bring FIVE’s visionary musically-driven events and taste making to the forefront of the international music scene.
    To kick off the celebrations, FIVE Music – along with Warner Music Central Europe, Dabruck Creative(DC) and FIVE Music’s exclusive music publishing partner Warner Chappell Music – will host an exciting Music Writing Camp from 28th April 2023 to 14 May 2023 at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Dubai with ace artists such as Robin Schulz, Space Motion, Franky Wah and Alle Farben and renowned writers such as KIDDO, Bully Songs, Gez O’Connell (to name just a few) joining the collaborative in creating the ‘Sound of FIVE’ for a new generation of fans on a global stage.
    Now, partnering with Warner Music Group, FIVE continues to up the musical ante – even committing to a state-of-the-art FIVE Music Studio at Dubai’s famous, FIVE Palm Jumeirah – offering a place where producers, musicians and writers from across the globe can collaborate to make their musical dreams a reality.
    Fabian Drebes and Doreen Schimk, Co-Presidents Warner Music Central Europe elaborate,ADVERTISEMENT“We are excited to work with FIVE Music and to be able to offer our artists and writers an excellent and exciting site to perform, write and produce music. With FIVE Music, Dabruck Creative (DC) and Warner Chappell Music, we are sure to have forged an alliance with a true impact on the international music scene.”
    Aloki Batra, CEO, FIVE Hospitality comments on the new joint venture,
    “FIVE’s ethos revolves around first-in-class entertainment driven destinations with our unique ‘Vibe at FIVE’ that attracts a global diaspora of music lovers.  It made perfect sense for us to align with global musical giant, Warner Music Group when expanding our signature label, FIVE Music.
    Kabir Mulchandani, Chairman and Founder, FIVE, summarizes,
    “From beachside to rooftop, there’s no doubt that music runs through FIVE’s DNA and therefore we can’t wait to continue growing this division of our evolving portfolio to flourish alongside such a longstanding and respected musical hit maker.”
    Website: www.fivehotelsandresorts.com

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    Technology to represent central focus at 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

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    Technology to represent central focus at 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

    Representatives from more than 80 of the world’s leading travel technology companies are preparing to exhibit at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 May.
    Over 2,000m2 of exhibition space will be dedicated to industry technology during the 30th edition of ATM, representing a 54.7% increase in sector participation compared to last year’s show. ATM 2023’s Travel Tech space will also be supplemented by a brand-new Sustainability Hub, which will shine a spotlight on the latest environmentally responsible travel trends and innovations.
    The ATM Travel Tech Stage sponsored by Sabre, will host a selection of in-depth panel discussions that will explore how modern innovations such as artificial intelligence, big data and Web3 are enabling seamless operations, professional development, payments, accessibility, sustainable travel and enhanced customer experiences.
    Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to see such strong representation from travel technology professionals at this year’s show. Encouraging innovation is especially pertinent to ATM 2023 as it is a crucial component of our theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. It is essential for our industry to support and invest in the most promising technologies today in order to build a better and more sustainable travel sector for future generations.”
    Sponsored by Sabre, the ATM Travel Tech Stage will host a series of innovation-centric discussions and events throughout the show. The first session, ‘Technology: The Enabler of Sustainable Travel’, will see industry experts discuss how online tools are making it easier for consumers to mitigate their environmental impact when purchasing and planning trips. Moderated by Shashank Nigam, Founder and CEO of SimpliFlying, the panel will feature insights from Tom Kershaw, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Travelport; Lucas Bobes, Group Environmental Officer and Head of ESG Reporting at Amadeus; and Carlo Olejniczak, Vice President and Managing Director of EMEA at Booking.com.ADVERTISEMENTThe ATM Travel Tech Stage will also provide the backdrop for a selection of other panels,  including ‘The Main Trends Impacting Travel in 2023 and Beyond’. In partnership with Sabre, this session will explore the ways in which our industry has harnessed innovation in the wake of the global pandemic, as well as how technology is likely to drive further advancements over the coming years. Moderated by Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, Vice President – Middle East at Sabre, speakers will include Andy Finkelstein, SVP – Global Agency Sales & Delivery at Sabre; Jason Hooper, Head of Digital Solutions at Dnata; and Dean Wicks, Chief Flights Officer at Wego.
    ATM 2023 will feature a Sustainability Hub for the first time in the show’s history. This space will offer a venue for sessions dedicated to the latest sustainable travel trends and innovations while providing the setting for the ATM 2023 Start-up Competition – an event hosted by conference partner Plug and Play, which will see entrepreneurs go head-to-head in a ‘Sustainable Tech Pitch Battle’.
    ATM 2023’s technology segment will host a diverse array of other industry-leading exhibitors in addition to those mentioned above, including Itrip, Traveazy DMCC, TBO.com, WebBeds FZ LLC and Expedia Inc, to name but a few. In total, the ATM Travel Tech Stage will feature more than 20 innovation-focused sessions and events during the course of the four-day event.
    The 30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.
    The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
    ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

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    Central German airports witness surge in demand for tourist flights during Q1 2023

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    Central German airports witness surge in demand for tourist flights during Q1 2023

    The Central German airports continued to register increasing demand during the first three months of this year, particularly for tourist flights.Far more passengers were recorded at Dres-den and Leipzig/Halle Airports than in the previous year. The demand for flights to Spain, Egypt and Turkey was particularly high.
    The recovery in passenger numbers from the consequences of the pandemic continued at the Central German airports during the first quarter of this year. Overall, 415,793 passengers passed through Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Airports – 96.5 percent more than in the comparative period in 2022. The number of aircraft movements rose by 4.8 percent to a total figure of 22,695 take-offs and landings.
    The number of passengers using Dresden Airport rose to a figure of 146,228 between January and March. This represents an increase of about 100 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. The number of aircraft movements increased by about 18 percent to a figure of 3,898 during the first three months of the year.
    Passenger numbers at Leipzig/Halle Airport increased by more than 95 percent to a figure of 269,565 during the first quarter. The number of aircraft movements grew by 2.4 percent to a figure of 18,797 take-offs and landings from January until March compared to the previous year.
    Viewed in terms of the situation prior to the pandemic, the Central German airports had reached roughly 57 percent of the passenger numbers recorded in 2019 by March 2023. This development also reflects the ongoing restricted number of flights available and the German national situation, which is below the European average.ADVERTISEMENT

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    Blue Islands selected to fly European tourists to Jersey and Guernsey this summer

    European tour operators have once again selected Blue Islands to fly their clients from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland for seven-night holidays in Jersey and Guernsey this summer.
    Rob Veron, CEO Blue Islands said, “We are proud to have been once again chosen as the trusted airline to deliver charter operations for our tour operator partners; we look forward to playing our part in welcoming guests to enjoy our beautiful islands of Jersey and Guernsey this summer.”
    Blue Islands’ 2023 inbound European summer charter programme commenced with the first visitors arriving in Jersey from Stuttgart; this activity will see guests depart from airports across Germany every Saturday throughout the summer for 28 weeks on behalf of Globalis.
    Flights from Groningen and Rotterdam on behalf of Sunair depart from 30 April for 20 weeks, while there will be 15 weeks of flights from Zurich starting 13 May. The full programme could mean up to 39,000 visitor nights and a spend of up to £4.2m in the Channel Islands visitor economy.
    Rob added, “From attractions and transport, to retail and hospitality; with seven-night stays representing a potential of up to 39,000 visitor nights, these guests will enjoy a rich holiday experience, as such spend will reach many elements of the visitor ecosystem, supporting the visitor economies of Jersey and Guernsey.”ADVERTISEMENTJersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “This is a real show of confidence in Blue Islands as a carrier, and in Jersey as a European visitor destination, and the industry will be looking forward to welcoming visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland – and far beyond – both this summer and in the future.
    “Whether visitors are staying here for the duration of their trip, or using Jersey as a springboard to explore the wider Channel Islands, these charter routes enhance Jersey’s emerging status as a regional connectivity hub. I look forward to working with industry partners to sustainably build on this position in future.”

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    Wizz Air invests £5 million in sustainable aviation fuel company, Firefly, to reduce CO2 emissions

    Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most environmentally sustainable airline globally**, today announces a £5 million investment in a biofuel company, Firefly.
    This is Wizz Air’s first equity investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research and development. The partnership with Firefly will allow the airline to supply SAF to its UK operations from 2028, up to 525,000 tonnes over 15 years. The agreement has the potential to save 1.5 million tonnes of CO2-eq.
    Firefly specialises in a process, which converts sewage sludge, a low-value waste product available in large quantities, into SAF. More than 57 million tonnes of sewage sludge are produced in the UK each year, with the potential to produce 250,000 tonnes of SAF.
    Firefly’s SAF, which will be independently certified against the leading sustainability standard RSB, is projected to deliver a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel on a life cycle basis***. Firefly aims to have its first commercial plant operating within the next 5 years****.
    The agreement with Firefly and investment in new SAF technology represents the latest milestone in Wizz Air’s broader sustainability strategy, including its ambitious fleet renewal plan and already efficient low-cost operations with the latest technology aircraft and high seat density and load factors. This will further strengthen Wizz Air’s position as an industry leader in sustainability and drive its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions per passenger/km by 25% by 2030.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2022, Wizz Air achieved its lowest-ever annual carbon intensity which amounted to 55.2 grams per passenger/km, representing a 15% reduction year-on-year. To achieve this, the airline has invested heavily in its fleet by adding new and replacing older aircraft with the Airbus A321neo aircraft. The Airbus A321neo aircraft incorporates the latest technology, offering significant environmental benefits and can currently fly with up to 50% SAF blend. The share of the new “neo” technology Airbus A320 family aircraft has already surpassed 50% of Wizz Air’s fleet. In addition to its ambitious fleet renewal programme, Wizz Air is constantly working on fuel efficiency initiatives and improving its data analytics.
    Michael Berlouis, Head of Strategic Projects at Wizz Air, said: “In addition to fleet renewal and operational efficiency, SAF is crucial for reducing carbon emissions from aviation. However, feedstock availability remains the key challenge for the industry. Our investment in Firefly and its sewage sludge SAF technology is a major step forward for Wizz Air in securing its long-term ability to provide low-cost fares to its customers in an ever more environmentally sustainable way. From 2028, we are aiming to procure 525,000 tonnes of SAF from Firefly over a period of 15 years. This has the potential to reduce our emissions by 100,000 tonnes CO2-eq per year, which is equal to the emissions of over 12,000 return Wizz Air flights between London and Budapest”.
    James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels, said: “We are thrilled to be establishing a partnership with Wizz Air. The investment will accelerate the commercialisation of our game-changing Firefly process, with the binding offtake agreement saving a staggering 1.5m tonnes of carbon emissions. Firefly will facilitate a step change towards the future of air travel. The feedstock, sewage sludge, is available in vast quantities globally and with Firefly we can put it to a truly beneficial use, reducing the use of fossil fuels in the hardest to decarbonise areas.”
    * Тhe saving is based on the IATA carbon emission factor, where 1kg of Jet fuel translates into 3.16 kg of CO2.** According to the CAPA – Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2022*** Based on independent calculations by Cranfield University**** SAF must be blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements for use within the aircraft.

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    Iberia and UNICEF Spain celebrate 10 years of alliance for child vaccination programs

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    Iberia and UNICEF Spain celebrate 10 years of alliance for child vaccination programs

    Coinciding with World Immunisation Week, Iberia and UNICEF Spain celebrate the strategic alliance that has brought them together for ten years to support regular vaccination programmes for vulnerable children.
    A decade in which this alliance has made it possible to vaccinate more than one million children thanks to the support of the airline’s customers and employees.
    During this time, the airline has been committed to vaccination as the most effective, economical, and straightforward way to save lives, supporting UNICEF in the national child immunisation programmes of Afghanistan, Angola, Chad, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Yemen.
    In this way, the alliance contributes to the supply of routine vaccines that UNICEF administers regularly as part of extensive immunisation campaigns, as well as to the distribution of supplies to reinforce the cold chain so that the vaccines are stored properly. It also supports, for example, the training of health professionals and the launching of campaigns to promote the importance of vaccines, all leading to strengthening national health systems and guaranteeing the protection and survival of children against preventable diseases such as polio and measles.
    In the most difficult moments of the pandemic, the alliance also supported COVAX, the global mechanism for the equitable distribution of vaccines against COVID-19, in which UNICEF played a key role. Thanks to donations from Iberia customers, UNICEF was able to supply 29,000 people in low- and low-middle-income countries with COVID-19 vaccines.ADVERTISEMENTLikewise, for the last two years the alliance has been active in a new area of collaboration that, beyond strategic financing, contributes and puts the knowledge and experience of Iberia’s logistics teams, fleet, and commercial routes at the service of children. And this is possible thanks to the addition of IAG Cargo to the alliance as logistics facilitator. Under this new collaboration framework, in November 2021 a shipment of humanitarian supplies was sent to Haiti following the earthquake that shook the southwest of the country.
    “We must congratulate ourselves on the great impact that the Iberia-UNICEF Spain alliance has had every day for ten years. At a time when we are seeing the greatest setbacks in childhood vaccination worldwide in decades, it is essential to continue having the support of committed companies such as Iberia, which are evolving and providing more and more value for children. It is precisely this type of long-term alliances that guarantee systemic and lasting changes in the lives of the most vulnerable boys and girls”, said the president of UNICEF Spain, Gustavo Suárez Pertierra.
    For his part, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, CEO of Iberia, said, “We are truly proud of our collaboration with UNICEF, and very grateful for both the work carried out by this organisation and the generous contributions of our customers. We hope that you will continue to support this project and that, together, we can contribute to providing better healthcare to more children around the world”.
    Micro-Donations to Support Child Vaccination
    Iberia was the first airline globally to activate the micro-donation system to support UNICEF with the online purchase of plane tickets. In this way, Iberia customers who buy a ticket through Iberia.com may support the work that UNICEF carries out with vaccination programmes for vulnerable children.
    Donations (between €3 and €20) are made through the ticket reservation and payment platform developed by Amadeus within the framework of its global alliance with UNICEF. As of today, the funds mobilised among the airline’s passengers thanks to this agreement exceed €1.3 million.

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    Finavia and Helen team up to launch Helsinki Airport’s first high-power charging station for EV’s

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    Finavia and Helen team up to launch Helsinki Airport’s first high-power charging station for EV’s

    Finavia and the energy company Helen will launch a new charging station for electric cars in front of Helsinki Airport.
    This is the first high-power charging station at Helsinki Airport.
    “The demand for electric cars has increased significantly, and it is great that, in cooperation with Helen, we are opening a new charging station for electric cars close to the airport,” says Jukka Isomäki, Head of Parking and Landside Traffic at Helsinki Airport.
    The high-power charging station offered by Helen will be taken into use at the airport service station in early autumn 2023. The charging station will be available 24-hours a day and serve not only air passengers and the people who drive them to and from the airport, but also, for example, taxis and the customers of car rental companies.
    “Charging an electric car at Helsinki Airport will become considerably faster. The charging station is Helen’s largest to date, and the total capacity of its eight charging points is 600 kilowatts,” says Kati Andersin, Head of E-Mobility at Helen.ADVERTISEMENTAll in all, Helsinki Airport has nearly 400 charging points for electric cars.
    “Our parking halls P1 Premium and P2 have excellent facilities for electric cars, as they offer hundreds of charging points for electric cars. The third floor of the P2 building is entirely reserved for electric cars,” says Isomäki.
    Electric cars can be charged in all of Finavia’s parking halls at Helsinki Airport.

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    Japan Airlines (JAL) Partners with Ghibli Park to Promote the World of Studio Ghibli

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    Japan Airlines (JAL) Partners with Ghibli Park to Promote the World of Studio Ghibli

    Japan Airlines (JAL) becomes an official partner of Ghibli Park – the place where guests can step into the world of Studio Ghibli – based on the concept of “Creating a park that will be loved for 100 years to come”.
    Continuing the principles and achievements of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN, Ghibli Park is located in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, creating a park that can be enjoyed by a diverse range of users.
    JAL has a long and strong relationship with both Studio Ghibli and Aichi Prefecture. “Porco Rosso”, a co-production between Studio Ghibli and JAL released in 1992, is one Studio Ghibli’s most successful animated films. In 2012, JAL operated a Boeing 787-8 with designs supervised by director Hayao Miyazaki on international flights. As the official airline of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN, JAL welcomed guests from various countries. Currently, JAL is engaged in activities to promote the attractiveness of Aichi Prefecture throughout Japan.
    Based on previous achievements, JAL became an official partner of Ghibli Park and will promote the concept and attractions of Ghibli Park, where visitors can enjoy the world of various Studio Ghibli works on its vast grounds, not only to Japan but also to countries around the world.
    JAL will also contribute to the revitalization of Aichi Prefecture and the surrounding areas through the creation of a park that will continue to be loved by many visitors from Japan and abroad for many years to come.ADVERTISEMENTWhat is Ghibli Park?Three areas – ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse’, ‘Hill of Youth’, and ‘Dondoko Forest’ – were opened last November in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) as park facilities expressing the world of Studio Ghibli’s works. This year, the second phase of the park is scheduled to open ‘Mononoke Village’ this autumn and ‘Valley of Witches’ in March 2024.Please visit the official website for more information : https://ghibli-park.jp/en/

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