Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com First LCC in SEA to offer in-fl ight Wi-Fi PHILIPPINES – Come mid next year, passengers on board Cebu Pacifi c's A330 aircrafts will have the option of utilising the internet using the in-fl ight Wi-Fi. The in-flight Wi-Fi will be available via OnAir; a leading provider of IT solutions and communications services to the air transport industry and Airbus. Cebu Pacific is the first low cost carrier in Southeast Asia, to offer the in-flight Wi-Fi. The introduction is timely as it goes in line with the airline's initial deployment of long haul services via the A330, planned for launch in the third quarter of 2013 for non-stop fl ights to regions within the aircraft's 11-hour flying range. But it isn't all gloomy and disconnected for those who plan to travel short-haul. The airline is looking at extending the service to its A320 fleet as well, which services short-haul flights, as part of its next phase of development. "Cebu Pacific has a highly social community of over 600,000 likes on Facebook and over 380,000 Twitter followers. We are very happy to provide our guests with the convenience of online connectivity while in-fl ight. CEB can now engage passengers through innovative web-based solutions that will further enhance their flying experience with us," said Candice Iyog, CEB vice-president, marketing and distribution. "Cebu Pacific's focus on social media makes in-flight connectivity an obvious option, both so that passengers can stay connected throughout their journey, and so the airline can Angsana Ihuru's new look SINGAPORE – Clear blue waters, pristine house reefs, picture-perfect sunsets. These descriptions are apt to be used on Maldives where the newly refurbished Angsana Ihuru unveils its refreshing look for 45 beachfront villas on July 1, 2012. With 20 per cent more indoor space, several of the resort's villas can now take up to four guests, ideal for families or groups of friends travelling on a dive- centric holiday. Underwater paradise is just 20 minutes away from Male in the North Male Atoll. The area encircling the island teems with vibrant marine life and coral just steps from the beach. Divers also have access to sister resort Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru's stunning house reef. Both resorts are passionate about their reef conservation projects which serve to combat devastation of Maldivian corals in 1998 from high water temperatures. One of the villa bedrooms at the newly refurbished Angsana Ihuru www.travelweeklyweb.com World-class facilities can also be found through Angsana Ihuru's fi ve-star PADI Gold Pal Dive Centre that boasts of training facilities and courses in major languages. The resort is also the fi rst to offer what it calls the SNUBA, which merges the safety of snorkelling with the experience of scuba diving without the need for deep water submersion. SNUBA is even safe for kids ages four to six. Readers keen to know more about Angsana Ihuru's re-opening celebration offer of up to 25 per cent discount on best available rates, can log on to www.angsana.com. 10 JULY 2012 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 3 CEB chief executive adviser Garry Kingshott, OnAir regional accounts director Sylvain Guilbon, CEB president and CEO Lance Gokongwei, CEB GM for Long Haul Alex Reyes and cabin crew celebrate another innovation in the Philippines' aviation industry. continue reaching its passengers," said Ian Dawkins, chief executive offi cer of OnAir. Passengers can use the in- flight Wi-Fi to make calls using the Voice Over IP applications, or access the internet using their Wi-Fi enabled devices such as Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry or laptops, during their flights on Cebu Pacifi c.

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