Northstar

www.travelweeklyweb.com www.travelweeklyweb.com JULY 2014 | TRAVELWeekly AsiA ■ | 9 Etihad - 100th aircraft BRUSSELS – American Airlines has become the first airline to use the SITA Common-use Beacon Registry. This new service from SITA will mean passengers can look forward to getting up-to- date and relevant information on their mobile devices in airports everywhere. iBeacon is a technology Apple introduced with iOS 7 that uses Bluetooth Low Energy and geofencing to trigger the display of location-relevant information on devices at the right time and in the right situation. With beacons, airlines can easily provide passengers TEchNology Amadeus gains approval from IATA for Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) certification within Mainland China American Airlines becomes the first airline to use SITA's new Common-use Beacon Registry with indoor directions, walk times to gates, lounge access and alerts about boarding. Knowing where a passenger is before sending information enables more effective communication. The SITA Common-use Beacon Registry defines standard data sets and beacon types to be positioned at gates, retail areas or checkpoints. This will allow airlines and airports to share beacons to get location information and provide personalized services to passengers. An API is available for app developers who want to use these beacons for developing travel-related apps. The airline now operates three Airbus A321, with seven more on order. BANGKOK – Travel agents in Mainland China are poised to benefit as Amadeus has just gained approval from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) certification within Mainland China. Amadeus' IATA BSP certification in China means that the GDS is one step closer to allowing authorised travel agents the ability to fulfil the entire billing and ticketing process of travel products offered by foreign BSP airlines. Amadeus' IATA BSP certification brings many benefits for travel agents using Amadeus in mainland China. With IATA BSP, ticketing is simplified with electronic ticketing, billing and collection. Reporting and remittances are consolidated, and quality control is improved overall with a streamlined, electronic system. This allows travel agents to grow their business and streamline their processes. Amadeus' IATA BSP certification follows approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in January, allowing authorised international airlines to be bookable via Amadeus in China. Etihad Airways reaches the 100 th aircraft milestone ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways has celebrated a major milestone as the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation history, when it took delivery of its 100th and 101st aircraft on the same day. The one hundredth aircraft, a new Airbus A321-231 (registration A6-AEC), was delivered from the Airbus Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg. On arrival in Abu Dhabi, the aircraft was welcomed by over 500 Etihad Airways employees at a specially organised photo- shoot to mark the occasion. Said James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, "This is an important day for an airline which launched operations just over ten years ago. Etihad Airways continues to grow, to prosper and to lead the way in innovation and service. Today, we fly the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient aircraft available, setting new standards in comfort and reliability." The airline now operates three Airbus A321, with seven more on order.

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