Nigerian elections: Arik flight cancellations

Thu, 0707 Apr 2011 10:12:25

ARIK Air will cancel all its domestic flights on April 9 and 16 due to the Nigerian elections, which are being held on these days.

The Nigerian Government has imposed road restrictions from 07h00-17h00 on these days and, as a result, passengers arriving in Lagos during these times will not be able to leave the airport buildings until 17h00.

However, flight W3 104 from Johannesburg will operate as scheduled. The airline’s website is currently being updated and inventory amended. Passengers holding bookings for cancelled flights will be contacted.

The airline is expecting similar restrictions on April 26 but this is subject to confirmation by the relevant authorities.

New SA carrier to takes to the sky

Thu, 1717 Mar 2011 12:32:52

AFTER months of speculation, Velvet Sky Aviation (Velvet Sky) a new Durban-based, low fare carrier has finally announced its launch.

Says the carrier in a statement: “As a start-up airline offering the lowest possible ticket prices, our corporate philosophy mandates cost saving through all levels of our operation. It was this mandate that dictated Durban, with its lowered operating costs away from the bustle of our competition, as the administrative hub of the business.”

The group established in 2009 describes Velvet Sky ass an independent operator and the first airline in South Africa to be managed and run out of KwaZulu Natal. The airline says it has no affiliation with any other start-up airline.

The airline will initially be operating between Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, offering a “competitively priced and punctual service” to business and leisure travellers in the domestic air travel market. Velvet Sky will be operating the acclaimed Boeing 737 series which have been sourced from international aircraft leasing company, Aergo.

“Having spent the last two years assessing the trends and demands of the airline industry, we are extremely eager to enter this market and believe that now is, without doubt, the perfect time to do so,” confirms Cecil Reddy, Chairman of Velvet Sky. Reddy outlines, “Velvet Sky will offer passengers more choice when making their travel arrangements through realistic scheduling, competitive pricing and adding capacity to the busier routes. “
He continues, “Our approach to launching Velvet Sky has been particularly cautious, as our aim is to guarantee an operation that will ultimately delight the South African travelling public. The increased volume of air passengers has led us to believe that the market is ready for a new entrant to bring us back to the hallmarks of air carriage.

In-flight service will consist of pre-ordered snack boxes and drinks which are available online as part of the booking process. You can also book meals at the check-in desks in the terminals. LSG Skychefs, which are part of the Lufthansa group and the world-class market leader in SA, will be providing on board catering. Alcohol is unavailable on our flights, for now.

The lighter side: kulula.com to pay royal lobola on behalf of Prince William

Fri, 1818 Feb 2011 11:21:57

KULULA.COM is providing a uniquely South African twist to the UK royal wedding by delivering a herd of cows to Buckingham Palace.

For every flight booked until April 28, kulula will make a contribution to the cost of a herd fit for a royal lobola. The move by kulula is made as a gesture of ‘über-ubuntu’ on behalf of all South Africans as proud members of the Commonwealth. An advertising campaign has been launched to encourage local flyers to make a contribution when booking air tickets.

“Wills has been a big fan of South Africa and we’re big fans of him and his bride-to-be. With all there is to arrange (not to mention all that polo to play) he probably hasn’t considered fully the benefits of the lobola tradition. We’re more than happy, alongside our kulula fans, to be sending him the finest cows we can get our hands on in order to make their happy day even more special,” said Nadine Damen, marketing manager at kulula.

The cows will be sourced locally in the UK (to avoid shipping local cows to an uncomfortably chilly climate and save on carbon emissions) following their acceptance by Kate’s family. In order to calculate an appropriate bride price, kulula is inviting South Africans to register on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/iflykulula, their opinion on the size of the herd that would make a suitable lobola.

The airline also has ‘Special Romantic Royal Wedding Lobola Nice Flights’ flight specials on offer in a bid to coax the royal couple down to South Africa for their honeymoon and to allow local lovebirds to also take flight (without having to sell any wedding presents).

“Let’s face, it weddings are expensive and times are still tough. With all the royal pomp the Brits demand, we’re sure the royal couple will be looking for some cheap, but lovely deals in a warm climate to get over the whole thing,” added Damen.

Peacock Travel and Tours throws a chrismas party for orphans

Mon, 0303 Jan 2011 14:46:12

REFILWE ORPHANS CHRISTMAS PARTY

As part of our initiative to contribute to the community and social reponsibilty, Peacock Travel & Tours South Africa hosted a Christmas Party for 200 orphans and abandoned children of the Refilwe Township near Cullinan, Gauteng. The party was held on Saturday 11^th December 2010 at the Tshepang Community Center where the orphans converge daily to be fed. The event was aimed at giving those less privileged children who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, a special Christmas to remember, and to make them feel special and loved. Peacock’s Social Committee comprising of Rose, Antionette and Palesa spent 2 days shopping for all the groceries, decorations and gifts. By Friday evening prior to the D-day, everything was ready including the sound system, the jumping castle etc. Since Refilwe is about an hour drive from Centurion, we all agreed to meet at the office before 7am so that we can depart at 07h00 precisely; to which everyone complied.

We got to Refilwe at about 8am and everyone set out on their duties which had already been prearranged- some were at the kitchen to help with the cooking while the rest were at the Community Center’s hall to organize it and have it ready for the party. While all this was happening, the jumping castles was set up outside to keep the children busy, and with much delight they were all jumping around. Here I must say- we really made a great impression on the children because it was an exciting entertainment activity for them in that poverty stricken lifestyles and environment.

At the hall, we set up the chairs, packed the gift items for the teenagers, decorated the hall as well as set up the sound system which was also a major hit with these young folks. At exactly 10am the program started. An opening prayer was shared by Pastor JC who is one responsible for running the kitchen and programs for the kids. Shortly afterwards, there was a brief introduction of Peacock Travel & Tours particularly on our services and our contribution to the occasion. A Peacock representative was asked to share something with the children and this was handled by Tunde who did a fantastic job motivating the children with a speech titled “Dare To Dream”. As soon as he finished there was another talk by the Pastor’s daughter who shared some scriptures from the Bible. Meanwhile the Santa Claus (Tunde) was getting ready as he took pictures with the children outside. As soon as the lady was done, the Father Christmas was invited in and distributed the gift items with the children as prearranged.

In an attempt to entertain us all, the children’s dance troupe gave us an overwhelming dance display in Cha-Cha-Cha and Tango. It was quite interesting to see that children with such background could display such awesome talent. The dancing is part of the programs run at the Community Center to keep the children off the streets.

After the dance was over, the children were dispatched and were told to converge at 1pm for lunch and whole lot of them gathered in front of the kitchen as they waited eagerly for the food. At this time the whole lot of delicacies were ready and finishing touches were been put here and there to serve the children. As soon as the food was ready, the children filed out in a long queue and everyone was treated to a sumptuous meal and drink. As if that was not enough, there came a dessert afterwards and this made the children to come ask if they were going to be fed like this every day from then onwards. Their care-givers also confessed to us that we are the first company/sponsor since the place was established to have given them such an outstanding treatment. Apparently the whole community was very surprised and very appreciative.

Peacock travel really made a lasting impression in the hearts of those children and the care givers.

SAA opens premium lounge in Lagos

Tue, 1414 Dec 2010 16:03:18

SAA officially opened a Premium Class departure lounge at Murtalla Muhammad International Airport in Lagos earlier this month.

The new lounge is available to business-class passengers, Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum members.

The African-inspired design is in line with SAA’s other new and renovated airport lounges in South Africa. Expansive wall-to-wall windows offer views of the runway and facilities include bar service, self-service food and beverage area, showers and a smokers’ lounge.

The lounge facilitates SAA’s aggressive expansion into Africa, as well as providing improved and upmarket facilities and service for its growing number of customers on the continent and, in particular, Nigeria.

The decision to build the lounge came as a result of growing trade and cultural links between South Africa and Nigeria, which contribute significantly towards the increased traffic between Johannesburg and Lagos.

Peacock Travel & Tours Launches Shuttle Service & Day Tours

Wed, 2020 Oct 2010 15:33:23

Travel trade can now book shuttle service and day tours through Peacock Travel & Tours.

To kick start the service, Peacock Travel & Tours recently acquired two new vehicles: a 15-seater Toyota Quantum and Toyota Corolla 1.6 sedan. “The fleet will grow as the need for the service grows. The Peacock Travel & Tours’ transportation service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can also be tailored to the clients’ needs,” says business development manager, Rose Mabua.

Transportation services include chauffeur drive, airport meet-and-greet service, door-to-door service between Gauteng airports and home/office, special transfers, groups and conferencing transfers, complete ground-handling services, sports events, concerts, functions and dinner transfers.

At OR Tambo International Airport, Peacock Travel & Tours will soon launch its on-ground Protocol Officers to service clients who need assistance moving between terminals, renting a cellphone, obtaining foreign exchange or whatever their needs may be while at the airport before transporting them to their respective destinations. This also includes collecting documents, luggage, etc. and handing these over to the client’s guests on their arrival at the airport.

“Trained professional drivers will ensure our clients’ safety and comfort at all times,” says Mabua.

On the leisure side, Peacock Travel & Tours offers tailor-made tours according to the clients’ need and budget, including tours in and around Gauteng: Soweto tour, Gold Reef City Theme Park tour, Johannesburg City tour, Jozi by night, Pretoria city tour, Sun City and Pilanesburg National Park, Cradle of Humankind, Hartebeespoort Dam, Lesedi Cultural Village, and Heia Safari and Mzumba Dancers. Also on offer are special-interest tours like horse riding, hot-air ballooning, diamond tours, student educational tours like the SABC Studios for the little ones etc.

Problems with Nigerian Consulate online visa payments

Mon, 1818 Oct 2010 12:27:44

eTNW has received reports from agents that the Nigerian Consulate’s online visa payment system has been down since Tuesday.

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg has said it cannot confirm this as the online payment system is managed in Nigeria and not South Africa. But the consulate says that, although travellers are still submitting their visa forms, there seems to be a problem with the type of credit card being used.

If clients are experiencing problems with online payments, the consulate advises them to get in touch with the call centre, whose number appears on the online payment website.