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      Hamad International Airport receives Airport Carbon Accreditation renewal for emissions reductions

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      As part of the global airport industry response to the challenge of climate change, MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airport Operation and Management, successfully renewed its ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Level-3 “Optimisation” for one more year.This successful recertification is a reassurance that the carbon management processes and activities implemented by Hamad International Airport (DOH) have effectively reduced CO2 emissions.
      During the recertification process, MATAR was audited by independent 3rd party verifiers from August 2022 to October 2022, and then further verified by the independent scheme administrator WSP.
      Commenting on the successful renewal, Mr. Michael Mcmillan, Senior Vice President Facilities Management said: “We are very proud to maintain this significant accreditation at the optimization level since 2017, acknowledging the efforts of the MATAR Teams and our stakeholders. Sustainability and Environment stewardship are strategic pillars at Hamad International Airport, as we continue our intension and ambition to demonstrate leadership within our industry and country – notably within our recent expansion project – where we achieved 4 star rating under The Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD) for reducing carbon footprint.”
      Mr. Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific, said: “The renewal of ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation reaffirms Hamad International Airport’s commitment towards sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact and emissions. Airports like Hamad International Airport are leading our industry on a path toward continued success in innovation and sustainability. This achievement demonstrates MATAR’s firm commitment to investing in a more sustainable future for aviation and the region it serves.”In collaboration with its stakeholders and partners, MATAR plays a vital role in monitoring, managing and reducing Hamad International Airport’s carbon emissions to fulfil the airport’s long-term environmental objectives of carbon emissions reduction by 30% by 2030 – driving for continuous environmental improvement and sustainability.
      ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is an internationally recognized accreditation programme by Airports Council International (ACI) that sets out the world’s only institutionally-endorsed, international carbon management programme for airports. The accreditation offers a six-level certification that reflect incremental challenges in measuring, managing and improving carbon emissions.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2022, Hamad International Airport was once again named the World’s Best Airport for the second year in a row by the prestigious Skytrax awards. The airport was also named the Best Overall Airport and the Best Airport in the Middle East at the 19th Global Traveller Tested Reader Survey Awards.

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts announces new flagship boutique property in London under Hotel Indigo brand

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts announces new flagship boutique property in London under Hotel Indigo brand

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has announced an exciting new signing in London, UK, for its upscale boutique brand Hotel Indigo.Hotel Indigo London K West Shepherds Bush will be one of the brand’s flagship London properties due to its individual design and superb location and has been signed in partnership with the Lancaster Landmark Hotel Company.
      Due to open in Spring 2025, Hotel Indigo London K West Shepherds Bush will be the sixth Hotel Indigo in London. With 252 stylish bedrooms, the brand-defining property will undergo a significant refurbishment and will feature a distinctive new design with an exquisite destination restaurant and bar – the true hub of the hotel – plus a boutique spa with hydrotherapy pool and state-of-the-art business facilities and function rooms. Just like no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, and guests will also benefit from the reassurance of booking with a global hotel group.
      All Hotel Indigo properties provide a gateway to discover some of the world’s most inspiring localities. Shepherds Bush is a thriving West London neighbourhood with excellent transport links to central London. Local attractions include Westfield London and the re-purposed Television Centre (the former BBC headquarters) in White City; Holland Park with its open-air theatre programme, Portobello Road’s eclectic market and trendy Notting Hill with its art house cinemas and independent shops.Hotel Indigo is the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand and in Europe alone, boasts 41* open hotels with a further 16* in the planning stages. Each Hotel Indigo operates under the ethos ‘to serve the curious’, providing an immersive hospitality experience in a lively neighbourhood location. From the design of the property through to the menus, each hotel draws on the story of its local area.
      (Mrs) Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to have added Hotel Indigo London K West Shepherds Bush to our ever-growing UK portfolio. As one of IHG’s luxury & lifestyle brands, Hotel Indigo is continuing to grow in popularity, and this is reflected in the interest we are seeing from owners and investors.”
      Mr Fergus Stewart, CEO Lancaster Landmark Hotel Company, said: “The signing of Hotel Indigo London K West Shepherds Bush is a wonderful moment, and we look forward to collaborating closely with our partner IHG Hotels & Resorts. The hotel will be in a prime West London location, and we look forward to making the hotel a destination in itself.”ADVERTISEMENTEstablished in 2004, Hotel Indigo is IHG’s upscale boutique brand which now has a presence globally with 143* open hotels and over 119* hotels in the pipeline. The brand is set to double its portfolio presence over the next three to five years and continue its growth as one of the largest boutique brands.

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      Qantas unveils $100m plan to revolutionize lounge experience with new flagship lounge at Heathrow

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      Hamad International Airport receives Airport Carbon Accreditation renewal for emissions reductions More

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      ANA and Joby to showcase air taxi services at 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan

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      ANA HOLDINGS, INC. (hereinafter “ANAHD”) and Joby Aviation (hereinafter “Joby”) have been selected by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to operate demonstration flights during the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The two companies, who first announced they were partnering in February 2022, will work together to develop plans for flight connections between the Expo venue and at least one other location in Osaka.
      ANAHD and Joby have been working together for over a year on establishing air taxi operations in Japan, collaborating on all aspects of this revolutionary form of transportation, including infrastructure development, pilot training, flight operations, public acceptance and the regulatory requirements to operate.
      In October 2022, Joby became the first foreign air taxi manufacturer to formally apply for its aircraft design to be certified for use in Japan. The demonstration flights will form part of the Expo’s Smart Mobility section and introduce this new form of transportation to the 28 million guests expected to visit the Expo between April and October 2025.Koji Shibata, CEO, ANAHD, said: “The Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan provides ANA with a global stage to demonstrate what our partnership together with Joby can deliver. As Japan’s largest airline with 70 years of experience delivering safe and reliable flights to customers, being selected for this prestigious opportunity underscores our dedication to bringing together innovation and operational experience to showcase this revolutionary new service.”
      JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby, added: “This is a truly unique opportunity to introduce our aircraft to the world and we’re proud to be working alongside ANAHD to demonstrate what this technology can deliver. The World Expo has long been the home of radical transportation innovation and we’re pleased to be playing a leading role in continuing that trend.”
      Joby is a California, U.S.-based developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that plans to begin delivering commercial passenger services in 2025. Their piloted, five-seat aircraft has a maximum speed of 320 km/h and is designed to fly up to 240 km. The company has completed more than 1,000 test flights since its establishment in 2009 and is also partnered with Toyota Motor Corporation.ADVERTISEMENT

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      Qantas announces tens of thousands of new international reward seats for frequent flyers

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      HOLIDAY INN SINGAPORE ATRIUM APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF F&B AND DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING More

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      ABU DHABI ANNOUNCES ¥1 BILLION YEN SPONSORSHIP OF TEAMLAB PHENOMENA ABU DHABI

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      The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX), through its subsidiary Japan Oil Development, Co., Ltd. (JODCO), for ¥1 billion Japanese yen (US$ 7.646 million) sponsorship of the upcoming teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.
      The MoU was signed by HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, and Mr. Hiroshi Fujii, President and CEO, JODCO.
      The experiential art space is being developed by DCT Abu Dhabi in partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, and Tokyo-based international art collective teamLab. Visitors and residents will be able to access the unique experience, based on the ‘environmental phenomena’ concept by teamLab, after construction has completed in 2024.
      teamLab Phenomena is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, which is the home of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat. It is also site of several key cultural projects that are currently being developed, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
      HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The UAE’s longstanding ties with Japan span several generations over half a century. Now, this partnership will allow us to inspire a new generation, heralding a new era of knowledge exchange and collaboration. This will present new opportunities to engage youth and unlock the potential of the younger generations. I look forward to working together to fuel curiosity, ignite imagination, and spark the ideas of the future.”ADVERTISEMENTHE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As we make excellent progress with the construction of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, we are delighted to announce a multiyear sponsorship that will act as a catalyst for future collaborations. This MoU demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a destination for commercial partnerships that progress the emirate, add mutual value, and enrich lives.”
      Takayuki Ueda, President & CEO of INPEX: “We are delighted to be sponsoring teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi as part of our educational, cultural, and environmental activities supporting the core energy business of our subsidiary Japan Oil Development, Co., Ltd. (JODCO), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. teamLab’s inspiring work truly cannot be described in words, and we look forward to bringing Emirati children and youth to the art space upon its completion to help nurture and enhance their curiosity, imagination, and creativity. Meanwhile, we look forward to supplying low-carbon energy solutions to Japan and other countries in partnership with Abu Dhabi over the next 50 years, and further enhancing the collaboration between the UAE and Japan through social responsibility programs.”
      As part of the MoU, JODCO has agreed to sponsor teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, contributing to the enrichment of the UAE’s cultural landscape, and will pursue the execution of an official sponsorship agreement following discussions on specific terms. After the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the company intends to invite Emirati youth to the art space to contribute to the development of their curiosity and imagination.

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      Oman Air celebrates country’s first female Captain

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      Bab Al Shams, Dubai’s Iconic Heritage Desert Resort is Now Open More

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      WTTC reacts to statement from the Presidency of the EU Council

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      WTTC reacts to statement from the Presidency of the EU Council on easing restrictions for travellers from China to the EU
      After a prolonged period of post-pandemic disruption, we welcome the latest statement from the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council, to facilitate easing restrictions for travellers from China, to the EU.
      This is an important step forward for EU economies.
      It will be a major boost to businesses across the Travel & Tourism sector in the region, as well as for families and friends reconnecting and society generally returning to post-COVID normality.
      In 2019, before the pandemic, nearly 10 million Chinese tourists visited the EU with inbound revenue worth US $12.2 billion, creating jobs and boosting regional economies. The return of Chinese travellers to the EU is very welcome.ADVERTISEMENT

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      FOCUS ON SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT ITB BERLIN

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      Emirates recycles more than 500,000 kilograms of plastic and glass in one year More

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      FOCUS ON SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT ITB BERLIN

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      The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention features climate change action, resilience and regeneration as key topics. BTN’s Sion Rapson looks at the events taking place at this year’s event.
      Socially responsible tourism has long been on the agenda of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. This year’s ITB Berlin, which is taking place from 7 to 9 March 2023, is again raising awareness for social responsibility in tourism with a wide range of panel discussions, seminars and lectures. The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention (until 2020 the CSR Day) and the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals (known until 2020 as the Pow-Wow for Tourism Professionals) are a significant part of this. As well as the Responsible Tourism track, the Sustainable Destination track and Diversity & Inclusion Track will also feature experts and representatives of selected exhibitors talking about socially responsible tourism, equal rights, diversity, inclusion and sustainable tourism development.
      At ITB Berlin, responsible tourism stands for environmentally and socially responsible tourism around the world. Hall 4.1 is where traditionally numerous exhibitors with a strong commitment to socially responsible tourism are gathered. Thus, there will again be a combined stand with Tourism Watch, the Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism, ECPAT Germany, The Code and Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, together with the stands of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and UNESCO. In Hall 4.1, exhibitors with a focus on environmentally responsible tourism will include My Climate, Atmosfair and Forum Anders Reisen. From 7 to 9 March on the ITB Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1, the focus will be on the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals. Exhibitors in Hall 4.1 and leading international experts representing every tourism market, business and science will discuss topics including overtourism, marine protection and pollution, regional foods in hotels and restaurants, biodiversity, alternative mobility and cycle tourism. On Thursday, the last Day of ITB Berlin, the popular on-stage ITB Responsible Tourism Network Event will be taking place again. This is co-organised by ITB Berlin and its longtime Responsible Tourism partner The Blue Yonder.
      Focus on the future at the Responsible Tourism track on Thursday, 9 March
      On Thursday, 9 March, the Responsible Tourism Track with climate change action, resilience and regeneration as its key topics will again be an unmissable event at the ITB Berlin Convention. At the Responsible Tourism track on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a an interim assessment will be given on the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. How the tourism industry can live up to its promises on the environment while becoming a more equitable sector will be the subject of debates, scientific reports and critical panel discussions, with best practices provided as evidence. At 2 p.m. the topics of climate change, rising sea levels and resilience will be addressed in a speech by Abdulla Mausoom, tourism minister of the Maldives, followed by a session on practical problem-solving with regard to tourism.ADVERTISEMENTAt 4 p.m. at the session entitled ’Shaping a just and equitable industry transformation’, the focus will be on employment conditions in tourism. Following a keynote speech by Dirk Meyer, department head, Global Health, Economy, Trade and Rural Development at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the panel members Leila Ben-Gacem, social entrepreneur and founder of Blue Fish, Benjamin Owen, project manager, UNWTO, Anjana Raza, head of Social Sustainability, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Merten Sievers, global coordinator, Value Chains and Entrepreneurship SME Unit, International Labour Organization (ILO), will discuss how to achieve sustainable jobs, a socially and ecologically responsible industrial transformation, climate adaptation and resilience against the backdrop of climate change and the impact of external shocks.
      On Thursday, 9 March at 5.45 p.m., the Responsible Tourism track will conclude with an open reception on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a. As part of the industry dialogue entitled ’Tourism for Sustainable Development’, the Agency for Business and Economic Development, the cooperative network Business Scouts for Development and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are extending an invitation to an open exchange with policymakers, representatives of the private sector and civic organisations.
      Diversity & Inclusion track and Sustainable Destination track as platforms for discussing the development of sustainable destinations on Tuesday, 7 March
      The ITB Diversity track sees itself as a discussion platform for raising awareness in order to make tourism more inclusive and fair and to ensure respect for human rights in tourism. Authentic speakers will report on activities setting examples around the world and in every tourism market. The programme will feature discussions on LGBTQ+ tourism, gender equality, inclusion, equal rights. the rights of indigenous peoples and on how war and geopolitical events impact tourism.
      At the LGBTQ+ session entitled ’LQBTQ+ Tourism und Resilience’, an announcement will also be made on the winner of the ITB LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award. The session will begin at 12.10 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. On Thursday, 9 March at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, on the last day of ITB Berlin, the ITB Diversity Gala will take place for the first time in support of the IGLTA Foundation. During the event a silent auction will conclude in support of the foundation.
      Destinations and companies need to invest in intelligent, sustainable development and place an emphasis on the quality of life of local communities and their supply chains. Destination development in the future must above all focus on resilience – at the Sustainable Destination track on Tuesday, 7 March, on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, speakers championing ideas on this subject will present their views, implementation practices and applied sciences.
      On Tuesday, 7 March from 2 to 2.45 p.m., in addition to the long-established TO DO! Award for socially responsible tourism, Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung will for the third time present the TO DO! Human Rights in Tourism Award on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. ITB Berlin will also be on the jury. Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung has presented this award annually since 2017. It honours initiatives, projects and individuals for outstanding achievements in protecting and defending human rights principles throughout the entire tourism value chain.
      Inspiring stories which show how destinations all over the world are trying to make tourism more resilient and sustainable by making a positive contribution to the local community and environment – these are being honoured by ITB Berlin. On Tuesday, 7 March, at 4.35 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, the Green Destinations Group will present the Green Destination Story Awards. The award recognises the most inspiring initiatives in six categories out of all the entries for the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. At ITB Berlin three finalists per category will receive awards. The ceremony will also honour the winners of the ITB Earth Award and People’s Choice Award. The ITB Earth Award honours destinations displaying initiative and global leadership in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction and in support of sustainable tourism. At the presentation of the Green Destination Story Awards the destination voted for by the public will receive the People’s Choice Award. The complete stories of the nominated destinations can be found under nominated stories.
      Full details of the programme of theme tracks can be found here: Responsible Tourism Track, Diversity & Inclusion Track, Sustainable Destination Track. https://www.itb.com/
      Highlights marking International Women’s Day on 8 March
      8 March, which is International Women’s Day and a public holiday in Berlin, will provide an opportunity for additional events on gender equality. On 7 March, the day before International Women’s Day, at the ITB Berlin Convention at the Diversity & Inclusion track on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, a session will take place on gender equality. This will examine whether tourism can help further empower women around the world and drive emancipation, and to what extent gender equality can better assist fighting the climate crisis. On 8 March at midday at the hybrid studio in Hall 5.3, an event will take place with the winners of the International Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition, which was co-founded by ITB Berlin. The number of entries is very high. On Wednesday, 8 March, from 3.30 to 4.15 p.m. at the hybrid studio, the presentation will take place of the fifth Celebrating Her Award, a collaboration between ITB Berlin and the Indian representatives of the International Institute for Peace in Tourism (IIPT), which honours women for their outstanding achievements in tourism. Images of previous years’ winners will be on display at a small exhibition in Hall 7.1. Afterwards, at 4.45 p.m., the presentation will take place for the first time of the Gender Equality Champion of the Year award held by the NGO Equality in Tourism, in cooperation with ITB Berlin. The first award of its kind in the tourism sector, it honours tourism organisations for their outstanding achievements in supporting gender equality. The idea is to celebrate successes, but also to drive improvements and encourage tourism companies to integrate gender equality in their policies and the day-to-day working environment. Last year, the organisation was itself the recipient of the Human Rights Award of the Studienkreis für Tourismus. The session and both awards ceremonies can also be followed live on ITBxplore.
      Over the three days of ITB Berlin donations will be collected on the exhibition grounds for a welfare project chosen by this year’s host country Georgia. This year, donations will be going to support the Georgian Farmers‘ Association (GFA). This non-profit organisation was established in 2012 and currently numbers 4,000 farmers from all parts of Georgia.

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      Air India’s Direct Flights to Delhi from Vienna Airport Resume

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      Heathrow’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Incentive Scheme Triples Use in 2023

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      Greener, cleaner jet fuel has become a hot commodity at Heathrow as the airport embarks on the second year of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel incentive scheme.In 2022 Heathrow launched a world first – an airport SAF incentive programme which aimed to cover up to 50% of the extra cost, making the fuel more affordable for airlines to use. With last year’s scheme oversubscribed, Heathrow is now aiming to triple the percentage used in 2023 to approximately 1.5%, putting the airport on course to be one the world’s largest users of SAF this year. Participants of the scheme include IAG, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Air France, KLM and JetBlue.
      SAF is a proven technology that reduces carbon emissions by up to 70% compared with traditional jet fuel. It can be made from a variety of sources, including waste, animal fat and cooking oil. SAF can work in existing aircraft without the need for technical modifications, and with advancements in aircraft technology like electric or hydrogen-powered flight still some way from commercial implementation, SAF is the key to unlocking material reductions in carbon today.As a global SAF leader, Heathrow is committed to progressively increasing the SAF used each year, with the airport targeting 11% SAF usage by 2030. This year alone the SAF incentive is expected to save over 81,000 tonnes of CO2 and with a proven track record of success, Heathrow’s incentive scheme can now serve as blueprint for other airports to follow suit and introduce SAF into their own operations.
      Heathrow’s innovative SAF programme marks the next step in the airport and the UK aviation sector’s plan for net zero flying, but the airport recognises that the sector could move more quickly and cut carbon faster if Government injected pace into the expansion of SAF with supportive policy making. High costs and low production volumes mean it remains in short supply with few able to access it at commercially viable rates.
      The appetite to invest is there, but investors want certainty in the longer-term use of this technology before pouring in their capital. The US have acted directly to shore up SAF’s economic and Net Zero impact: the Inflation Reduction Act – which includes a tax credit scheme designed to lure SAF investors to America – is leaving the UK at risk of missing out on the multi-billion-pound industry. Government must act now to support a SAF industry for the UK, which learns from but does not seek to replicate the US system. This can be achieved by introducing a “contracts for difference” price support mechanism –which would help to cut the price premium between SAF and fossil fuel and was successfully used to boost technologies in the UK like solar and wind.Government must also act swiftly by committing into legislation a 10% mandate for SAF use by 2030 this year, before the impetus and the value is lost. Delay could mean that the UK SAF industry suffers and cannot keep up internationally. By delivering both, the UK will see an immediate and tangible impact – with investment, jobs and skills seen right across the UK.
      Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Sustainable aviation fuel is not just about protecting the benefits of aviation in a net zero world – it’s about economic opportunity, creating jobs here in the UK and securing the country’s future energy supplies. Heathrow has led the way on decarbonising aviation by incentivising airlines to use SAF, and Team Heathrow is now probably the biggest user of SAF in the world. But it is currently all imported.  If Britain really wants to compete with the scale of ambition and the credible action seen from the US and Europe, supportive Government policy is needed and it is needed now.”ADVERTISEMENT

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      MSC Group Sends Relief Aid on Board MSC Aurelia to Earthquake-Hit Areas in Turkey and Syria

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      MSC Group Sends Relief Aid on Board MSC Aurelia to Earthquake-Hit Areas in Turkey and Syria

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      The MSC Group and the MSC Foundation have organized an urgent response to support the population in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.A wide effort is underway across the MSC family and the company is closely coordinating with the Turkish authorities, the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Vatican. MSC Aurelia, normally used as a passenger and vehicle ferry, departed from the Port of Naples on 16 February heading for the port of Iskenderun (Alexandretta).
      MSC Aurelia, with a cargo capacity of 40 trucks and 400+ cars, loaded basic necessities and first aid items collected by the MSC Group and the MSC Foundation, together with the Rava Foundation. The cargo onboard includes 60 pallets of medical supplies, food, hygiene items, warm clothing and blankets, as well as toys and crayons for children. An additional 50 boxes of thermal shirts are being carried on behalf of the Vatican.
      We express our gratitude to the EcoEridania Group for participating in the initiative with an in-kind donation and for assisting with logistics for the relief shipment.
      Once it reaches its destination, the MSC Aurelia will be available as emergency accommodation, providing the impacted communities with over 1,000 beds and leisure spaces including a restaurant and cinema, as well as video-game entertainment for children.
      In addition, thanks to the collaboration between the MSC Foundation and the UN Refugee Agency – also known as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – a further 100 containers carrying first aid supplies (including blankets, mattresses, sleeping bags, kitchen sets, jerry cans and lamps) are departing from Jordan via Haifa, the headquarters of the UN Refugee Agency’s warehouses. The containers will be destined for Gaziantep and other cities hit hardest by the earthquake and will be at the disposal of the relief workers already onsite caring for survivors.ADVERTISEMENTFurthermore, MSC Türkiye has set up temporary accommodation at Iskenderun port using empty containers for 300 MSC Group employees and their families who unfortunately lost their homes in the earthquake disaster. MSC Türkiye is also arranging for the distribution of food, beverages and items to meet basic needs. In the same way, the MSC Group, in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, is carrying and providing thousands of empty containers to four of Türkiye’s hardest-hit provinces: Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay and Kahramanmaraş. The containers will provide temporary shelter for the earthquake survivors.
      The support of the MSC Group and the MSC Foundation also includes a global fundraising campaign among employees of the group. Every donation by an employee of MSC will be matched by the MSC Foundation and will be used to support organizations working on reconstruction projects in Türkiye and Syria.
      “We feel a strong sense of obligation to act promptly in order to support the people most in need by all means. We are a part of a global organization that can set in motion a large-scale operation by involving foundations and associations that we collaborate with all around the world. As soon as the terrible earthquake in Türkiye and Syria struck, we immediately took action to collect funds, supplies and food, which we can deliver on our ships within a short period of time. This is where the valuable collaboration with the Francesca Rava Foundation comes in, which we thank for immediately joining this initiative. The departure of MSC Aurelia from the port of Naples is an initial example of what we are doing, while we keep on working to provide associations and governments with what we can, so that by sea and by land some comfort can reach those who are presently living in dire situations and, in the future, for the rebuilding of cities and the environment. It is not the first time that MSC Foundation and the MSC Group have been on the front lines of emergency relief operations: in 2022, we provided extraordinary funding worth millions of euros to offer aid to refugees from Ukraine and led eight emergency relief initiatives in nine countries, strengthening our global emergency capabilities,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation.
      Mariavittoria Rava, President of the Francesca Rava Foundation, said: “We are wholeheartedly close to the children and families affected by this immense tragedy, which brought back memories of the terrible earthquake that destroyed the very poor Haiti in 2010. As always in emergencies, Francesca Rava Foundation’s goal is to act quickly and in agreement with local institutions and partners, as was the case on this occasion also with Joy For Children Aps and Salaheddini Eyyubi Yardim Dernegi, which have already been operating for several years on the Turkish-Syrian border. I am deeply grateful to the MSC Foundation for this important and valuable synergy, which allows us to bring further concrete help to the earthquake victims. In emergencies, it is always very important to identify the most urgent needs right away and develop targeted and timely action. To continue to help we need funds: stay close to us, together we can make a difference in the lives of those who suffer. Thank you.”

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      The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda,

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