Air traffic controllers at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport prevented a potentially fatal collision at the last moment yesterday.The incident occurred as an Italian passenger plane taxied to take off from a runway where an Israir airliner was in final preperation for landing.

Also yesterday, in an unrelated incident an El Al plane bound for Hong Kong made an emergency landing at Tashkent in Uzbekistan, after suffering an engine malfunction.

The Italian aircraft, belonging to the troubled national flag carrier Alitalia had entered Ben Gurion's only operational runway accidentally and without being instructed to do so. Fortunately El Al pilots waiting for takeoff permission behind the Italian plane noticed the mistake and immediately informed the control tower of the impending disaster. Air traffic controllers quickly warned the Israir pilot not to land. The IAA (Israel Airports Authority)immediately launched an investigation into the incident, which it later called a serious safety failure.

Meanwhile in Uzbekistan the Israeli Boeing 777 that landed at Tashkent carrying 235 passengers, where the malfunction was later traced to the engine fluids, was the third reported safety incident in less tha a month involving El Al planes in Asia. Only last month, an El Al plane was forced to layover in Bangkok after a bird flew into its windshield;and prior to that, also in Bangkok, an El Al aircraft carrying 178 passengers was found to be fitted with the wrong type of landing gear.

The Tashkent emergency landing disrupted El Al's global flight schedule as the national airline sent another aircraft to pick up the stranded passengers from Tashkent and made arrangements to fly passengers waiting to fly from Hong Kong to Tel Aviv. El Al arranged hotel accommodations for the stranded passengers.

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the country's major gateway to the world, has suffered a poor safety record in recent months and has attracted a worrying reputation for near collisions in the past few months.

A report in August on a near collision on February 8th this year revealed a number of serious safety violations and criticsiced out of date and antiquated equipment at the airport.

The report crucially named neglected infrastructure as the main reason for these operational malfunctions. The report further stated that although large amounts of money have been invested in the construction of a new terminal, no significantfunds had gone towards the improvement and refurbishment of the control tower, air traffic control equipment and the runways. Today only one of the airport's three runways is equipped for automated landing.

The report recommended installing automated landing equipment on all the runways and building a new control tower or renovating the old one, as well as reconsidering its location.

How long will travelers have to wait for the outcome of this report to be put in to practise?

Etihad Airways launches new Singapore and Brisbane services Last Saturday, September 29th, Etihad Airways launched its new three times a week service to Singapore and Brisbane, the state capital of Qeensland, Australia. The flight EY470, departed on schedule Saturday morning from Abu Dhabi airport at 10.05 am bound for Singapore before continuing to Queensland's state capital, Brisbane. Etihad now has 5 routes in South East Asia with Singapore added to Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, and the Kuala Lumpur route launched in January 2007. Brisbane has become Ethiad's second Australian destination following the successful launch of the route to Sydney in March 2007. Pre launch seat demand for the new Singapore Brisbane route has been very strong;Ethiad report seat factors of 70% in economy and 65% in business for October, the first month of the services operation. Etihad utilises a 2 cabin A330-200 on the new route and is configured to carry 262 passengers,22 in business and 240 in economy. The UAE has been building strong cultural and business links with both Singapore and Brisbane for some years and it is envisaged the new Etihad flights will give these further consolidate these links. Outside South East Asia and Australasia Etihad has been busy launching services to several other parts of the world, since the beginning of 2007 the airline has launched services to Dublin and Milan in Europe along with two new destinations in the Indian sub continent, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum) in the south India state of Kerala.

Phuket Air Crash - Latest Update

The latest news on the aftermath of the crash of the One-Two-Go, flight OG269, on Sunday September 16, 2007 which killed 89 people and injured 41 others is that 12 people are still in hospital, mainly in Bangkok, 9 of whom are Thais. News in today claims the accident has claimed its 90th victim with the death of a 22 year old woman from Wales, United Kingdom, who was being treated at Bangkok General Hospital after surviving the crash landing of the One Two Go flight was confirmed dead today as a result of severe burns.The victim Bethan Jones, 22, received 50% severe burns to her body in the fire that followed the crash and was flown from Phuket to Bangkok on September 18. Miss Jones, from Porth in South Wales, was on a round-the-world trip with her boyfriend, Alex Collins, 22, who also died in the crash.

Police announced that all bodies of the victims had now been handed over to their relatives and the Disaster Victim Identification Unit was now closed.The Phuket police chief Maj General Decha Butrnampetch said investigators were gathering evidence and would question experts in aviation techniques over the next few days. Provincial Police Region 9 commissioner Lt General Thanee Tawichasri thanked the relevant authorities for their help in identifying victims.

In a further development Chicago, USA, based chartered law firm Ribbeck Law has announced it will represent a group of the One-Two-Go air-crash victims in a lawsuit against the Boeing Company for the recent Phuket air disaster.A press conference is to be held later today in the luxury 4 Seasons Hotel in Bangkok It is not yet known how many victims, survivors and relatives will be represented by the law firm.

The aircraft's Black Box has been recovered and investigations are now at an advanced stage. The plane's pilot was medically fit and the aircraft was in good condition.Radio communications between the tower and the pilot of an Orient Thai Airlines MD82 plane that landed four minutes before OG029 showed there was wind shear and the pilot had asked controllers to alert the next plane due to land.The tower duly informed the OG029 pilot of weather and runway conditions, but it could not bar him from landing as that was his decision, he said.Investigations are continuing and the airport is now fully operational again.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, the authority who run most of Scotland's passenger airports with the exceptions of Aberdeen Glasgow and Edinburgh have recently announced a number of new passenger facilities at its air hub in Inverness and several other airports under its control.

It is now possible to book and pay for parking online at Inverness airport. A sample trial booking for 7 days from the 10th to the 17th of October '07 shows the very reasonable price of £28 for the week. Making it perhaps the cheapest onsite airport parking in Britain. Full details and booking facility can be found at:

https://www.parkbcp.co.uk/bcpclientweb/?id1=web2349

Pre booking offers a saving of 15% off the turn up at the gate rate, but the down side is there is a four day minimum stay for the Long Stay car park. Parking is fenced, floodlit at night and security patrolled, and just a few yards walk from the airport terminal. A detailed map of Inverness Airport Parking and directions to the airport can be found here:

https://www.parkbcp.co.uk/Resources/PDFs/IN2.pdf

Airport parking reservations can also be made by telephone on 0870 195 9827. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08.00 - 21.30 & 09.00 - 17.30 on Saturday and Sundays.

In another significant development for the airport they have teamed up with local coach operators Rapson's who have taken delivery of 9 new environmentally friendly Volvo buses to operate in the Inveness and Nairn to the Airport corridors. The new service named, unsurprisingly, Jet is now in operation, with its flagship service from Holme Park and Inverness city centre the most popular. Bus interiors are luxurious, comfortable and spacious, all seats are fitted with restraint belts. Luggage and passenger security is covered by CCTV.

Buses from Nairn run more or less hourly on the hour between 09.00 and 17.00 with a journey time of 25 minutes. No buses to the airport operate on Sundays from Nairn.  Services from Holme Park and the city centre run approximately every 30 minutes from 06.10 to 23.00, a full timetable can be found here: http://www.ptslhosting.com/thejet/Images/Jet%20Timetable%2011.pdf

The single fares from Nairn is currently £2.30, and from Inverness city centre £2.90. All fares and further information and online booking facilities can be found at: http;//www.thejet.co.uk

Thomas Cook Travel have recently announced the expansion of their popular summer flight programme from Inverness to the Island of Majorca and to the mainland Spanish destination Reus. Flights will operate weekly June 28th 2008 until August 9th 2008. Flights can be booked online at: http://www.thomson.co.uk or by contacting Thomson Holidays on 0870 165 0079 or visit the local Inverness branch in the Eastgate Centre.

Live flight information for Inverness, Stornaway and Kirkwall are now available from the Highlands and Islands Airports web site:

For Inverness: http://www.hial.co.uk/inverness-flights.html

For Stornoway: http://www.hial.co.uk/stornoway-flights.html

For Kirkwall: http://www.hial.co.uk/Kirkwall-flights.html 

All the new facilities should come as no surprise to anyone who flies to Inverness and the Western Isles. Highlands and Island Airports Ltd (HIAL) reported a significant rise in passenger traffic in a report published on Tuesday (September 25th 2007).

The report states that Airports in the north and west of Scotland are on track to record their seventh consecutive year of growth, according to passenger figures released today by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

HIAL carried 585,000 passengers through its10 airports from the beginning of April until the end of  August, a 6% rise on the same period in 2006. Aircraft movements for the five months totalled 47,000 for the first time.

New routes, increases to the frequency of scheduled flights and the introduction of the corporate targeted Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme in May 2006 all contributed to HIAL's passenger growth.

HIAL’s airports handled a record 1,233,000 passengers in 2006/07, early indications are that these figures will  almost certainly be broken in the year ending March 2008.  During the years 1999 to 2007, annual passenger numbers at HIAL’s airports increased by almost 60%. HIAL's airports ate located at: Inverness, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Campbeltown, Tiree, Islay, Barra, Benbecula, Sumburgh and Wick

Inglis Lyon, the managing director of HIAL said: “This year’s performance demonstrates continuing demand for air services in the region for business and leisure travel. The enhancements to the air network achieved in conjunction with our airline partners in recent years continue to stimulate traffic.

He went on to say  “Economic and community development in our region is heavily dependent upon effective transport links. We are therefore focussing upon maintaining existing connectivity and developing new air connections where this is achievable.”

It is just over a year ago now since Bangkok's 'love it or loathe it' Don Muang airport finally shut the hangar doors as the nation's flagship international airport. Me, I loved it, making my first visit there on a 3 day stop over on the way to Australia in 1970, and making my last visit missing a connection back from Australia to the UK in 2004. I had a particular fondness for this airport, 34 years of using Don Muang, that's the passing of just about half a lifetime, have written entire chapters in my catalogue of travel experiences each with its own 'Don Muang moment'. Love, excitement, exhaustion, apprehension, anger and even tears have arrived or departed with me from this airport.

OK, it was a dump; cramped, smelly, sweaty and crowded; crowded 24 hours a day, relentlessly. But this was the way I liked it, either as a stopover or for one of many visits to Thailand; the noise the chaos and the smells, an atmosphere unique to Don Muang.

Getting to or leaving leaving the airport however was another matter, without doubt one of the most distressing journey's  anywhere on the planet. At it's worst during the eighties and nineties  3 hours in either direction by road was not unusual, nor was missing flights, because of it.  On one particular occasion it took me 7 hours to drive to the airport to collect a friend and drive back downtown; the friend had been waiting for over 2 hours, and that was pre-cell phone days.

But no matter, I was more than a little saddened to hear of its passing last year as the new 'landmark' airport at Suvarnabhumi opened. Granted it looks very nice and early indications pointed towards the end of chaos when arriving or  leaving Thailand. But all is not well at this gleaming monolith of the skies, early minor birthing pains have turned into major problems, that are now threatening the operation and integrity of the airport.

A recent poll conducted among airline executives by the Siam Technology College's Siam Techno Poll Research Centre reveals that the airport is in danger of  losing its competitive edge to other Southeast Asian airports, due to a list of problems that include cramped offices, smelly toilets, damaged floors, defective runways and taxiways, inadequate toilets, lighting, air- conditioning and signage and illegal guides and taxis. Not bad in under 12 months.

Commenting on the poll's findings, Suvarnabhumi's general manager Serirat Prasutanond said many of the improvements proposed during the college's forum, including additional seating, provision of WiFi services, cheaper food options offering a wider choice of foods in more outlets and better security, would be discussed at the airport's next board meeting this month (September 2007).The airline executives, made up of 10 representitives of domestic and international airlines based in Bangkok, told the forum the airport was in danger of falling behind, because of continuing problems. "The damaged runways and taxiways cause stress to both pilots and passengers," said Dr Polkrit Tantiyanukool, the research centre's assistant director.

So it was reassuring to hear that back in March Don Muang Airport re-opened, initially just for the national carrier, Thai International, to operate its non-connecting domestic flights. In recent months however they have been joined by Nok Air and One-Two-Go, both scheduled domestic carriers, the latter of course losing one of its aircraft earlier this month in the fatal crash at Phuket with the loss of more than 80 lives. Rumours abound at present that more airlines are keen to get back to the old airport including some international carriers. Whilst the rumours may or not be true, and for as long as it lasts...Welcome back Don Muang.

Asian Airlines and Airports Week

Just a reminder...we are devoting most of this week to the airports,airlines and operations of  Asia's commercial air travel industry. Please send any feedback, comments, contribution, images or critiscism you have.

We are concentrating mainly on the airports of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, The Philippines and Indonesia.

Airports and Airlines of China.

Basic Facts and Figures.

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic games now less than a year away China Has,possibly rather belatedly and perhaps slightly cynically,cleaned up its commercial and civil air industry to something approaching an organised System.How long this continues after the games,or certainly at what pace, remains to be seen.

Strict anti pollution and air traffic control measures have already been put in place and it looks likely that more will follow before the games. Civil aviation in China is managed by the CAAC, which was set up in 1949 soon after the communist regime started,and apart from a few changes in 1987 has remained pretty much untouched.

There is no civil air traffic control system in operation in China; this is handled by the Central Military Commission, and focuses mainly on commercial passenger traffic as their are still very few private planes in the country.

It is difficult to give an accurate assessment of the operational details of the burgeoning Chinese commercial aviation industry as circumstances are changing daily. As an example China has 47 new airports currently under construction:that's almost twice the number of passenger airports the United Kingdom has opened in the past 70 years.

China has approximately 300 air routes,about 90% of which are domestic, covering a distance of about 150,000 miles, whilst it international routes amount to almost 70,000 miles.It is estimated that over 150,000 people work directly within the industry.

Equipment has improved over recent years with the country increasingly turning to the West for the planes with the best safety and environmental reputations.That said much of the current equipment is made up of ageing Antonov, Boeing, Tupolev,Hawker Siddeley Trident,Ilyushin,Lockheed and Beechcraft aircraft and rather worringly a couple of old British Vickers Viscounts.

Airports in China

AAT Altay
ACX Xingyi
AKA Ankang
AKU Aksu
AOG Anshan
AQG Anqing
AVA Anshun
AYN Anyang
BAV Baotou
BFU Bengbu
BHY Beihai
BPX Chamdo Bangda
BSD Baoshan
CAN Guangzhou Baiyun International
CGD Changde
CGO Zhengzhou Xinzheng International
CGQ Changchun Longjia International
CHW Jiuquan
CIF Chifeng
CIH Changzhi
CKG Chongqing Jiangbei International
CNI Changhai
CSX Changsha Huanghua International
CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International
CZX Changzhou
DAT Datong
DAX Daxian
DDG Dandong
DIG Diqing
DLC Dalian Zhoushuizi International
DLU Dali
DNH Dunhuang
DOY Dongying
DYG Dayong
ENH Enshi
ENY Yan an
FOC Fuzhou Chengle International
FUG Fuyang
FYN Fuyun
GOQ Golmud
GYS Guangyuan
HAK Haikou Meilan International
HEK Heihe
HET Hohhot Baita International
HFE Hefei Luogang International
HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
HJJ Zhijiang
HKG Hong Kong International,AKA. Chek Lap Kok.
HLD Hailar Dongshan
HLH Ulanhot
HMI Hami
HNY Hengyang
HRB Harbin Taiping International
HSC Shaoguan
HSN Zhoushan
HTN Hotan
HYN Huangyan Luqiao
HZG Hanzhong
HZH Liping
INC Yinchuan Hedong
IQM Qiemo
IQN Qingyang
JDZ Jingdezhen
JGN Jiayuguan
JGS Ji an
JHG Xishuangbanna Gasa
JIL Jilin
JIU Jiujiang Lushan
JJN Quanzhou Jinjiang
JMU Jiamusi
JNG Jining
JNZ Jinzhou
JUZ Quzhou
JZH Jiuzhaigou Huanglong
KCA Kuqa
KHG Kashgar, AKA.Kashi.
KHN Nanchang International
KMG Kunming Wujiaba International
KOW Ganzhou
KRL Korla
KRY Karamay
KWE Guiyang Longdongbao
KWL Guilin Liangjiang International
LCX Longyan
LHW Lanzhou
LJG Lijiang
LNJ Lincang
LUM Luxi Mangshi
LXA Lhasa Gonggar
LYA Luoyang
LYG Lianyungang
LYI Linyi
LZH Liuzhou
LZO Luzhou
LZY Nyingchi
MDG Mudanjiang
MFM Macau International
MIG Mianyang
MXZ Meixian
NAO Nanchong
NAY Beijing Nanyuan
NDG Qiqihar
NGB Ningbo Lishe International
NKG Nanjing Lukou International
NNG Nanning Wuxu International
NNY Nanyang
NTG Nantong
NZH Manzhouli
PEK Beijing Capital International
PVG Shanghai Pudong International
PZI Panzhihua
SHA Shanghai Hongqiao International
SHE Shenyang Taoxian International
SHP Qinhuangdao Shanhaiguan
SHS Shashi
SJW Shijiazhuang Daguocun International
SWA Shantou
SYM Simao
SYX Sanya Fenghuang International
SZV Suzhou Guangfu
SZX Shenzhen Bao an International
TAO Qingdao Liuting International
TCG Tacheng
TEN Tongren Daxing
TGO Tongliao
TNA Jinan Yaoqiang
TNH Tonghua Liuhe
TSN Tianjin Binhai International
TWY Tawa
TXN Huangshan Tunxi International
TYN Taiyuan Wusu
URC Urumqi Diwopu International
UYN Yulin
WEF Weifang
WEH Weihai
WHU Wuhu
WNH Wenshan
WNZ Wenzhou International
WUA Wuhai
WUH Wuhan Tianhe
WUS Nanping Wuyishan
WUX Wuxi
WUZ Wuzhou Changzhoudao
WXN Wanxian
XEN Xingcheng
XFN Xiangfan
XIC Xichang Qingshan
XIL Xilinhot
XIY Xi an Xianyang International
XMN Xiamen Gaoqi International
XNN Xining Caojiabu
XNT Xingtai
XUZ Xuzhou
YBP Yibin
YCU Yuncheng
YIH Yichang
YIN Yining
YIW Yiwu
YNJ Yanji
YNT Yantai Laishan
YNZ Yancheng
ZAT Zhaotong
ZGC Lanzhou Zhongchuan ,also known as Lanzhou West
ZHA Zhanjiang
ZHG Chaoyang
ZYI Zunyi
??? Qiangjiang Zhoubai, Currently under construction.

Airports by Province.

Anhui Province.

Anqing Airport (AQG), Bengbu Airport (BFU), Fuyang Airport (FUG), Hefei Luogang In
Wuhu Airport (WHU)

Beijing Province.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Nanyuan Airport (NAY)

Chongqing Province.

Chongqing International Airport (CKG); Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport and Qiangjiang Zhoub

Fujian Province.

Fuzhou Chengle International Airport (FOC), Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XM

Gansu Province.

Lanzhou Zhongchuan-Lanzhou West Airport (ZGC), Lanzhou Airport (LHW), Dunhuang Air

Guangdong Province.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Shenzhen Baoan International Airport
(HSC), Zhanjiang Airport (ZHA)

Guangxi Province.

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL), Nanning Wuxu International Airport

Guizhou Province.

Guiyang Longdongbao Airport (KWE), Zunyi Airport (ZYI), Tongren Daxing Airport (TE

Hainan Province.

Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK), Sanya Fenghuang International Airport (

Hebei Province.

Shijiazhuang Daguocun International Airport (SJW), Qinhuangdao Shanhaiguan Airport

Heilongjiang Province. Harbin International Airport (HRB), Qiqihar Airport (NDG),

Henan Province.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (CGO), Luoyang Airport (LYA), Nanyang Airport (NNY), An

Hubei Province.

Wuhan Tianhe Airport (WUH), Xiangfan Airport (XFN), Yichang Airport (YIH), Shashi

Hunan Province. Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX), Hengyang Airport (H

Jiangsu Province.

Nanjing Airport (NKG), Wuxi Airport (WUX), Suzhou Guangfu Airport (SZV), Changzhou
Airport (NTG)

Jiangxi Province.

Nanchang International Airport (KHN), Jiujiang Lushan Airport (JIU), Ganzhou Airpo

Jilin Province.

Changchun International Airport (CGQ), Jilin Airport (JIL), Yanji Airport (YNJ), T

Liaoning Province.

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE), Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airp
(JNZ)

Neimengu,Inner Mongolia Region.

Hohhot International Airport (HET), Baotou Airport (BAV), Tongliao Airport (TGO),
Hailar Airport (HLD)

Ningxia Province.

Yinchuan Helanshan Airport (INC), Yinchuan Hedong Airport ( a 3-letter IATA code i
built)

Qinghai Province.

Xining Airport (XNN), Golmud Airport (GOQ)

Shaanxi Province.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), Hanzhong Airport (HZG), Yan'an Airport

Shandong Province.

Jinan Yaoqiang Airport (TNA), Yantai Laishan Airport (YNT), Weifang Airport (WEF),
(JNG)

Shanghai Province.

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA); Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Shanxi Province.

Taiyuan Wusu Airport (TYN), Datong Airport (DAT), Changzhi Airport (CIH)

Sichuan Province.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), Yibin Airport (YBP), Nanchong Airpo

Tianjin Province.

Binhai International Airport (TSN)

Tibet Autonomous Region.

Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA), Qamdo Bamba Airport, Tawa Airport (TWY)

Xinjiang Province.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), Hotan Airport (HTN), Hami Airport (HMI)
Airport (AKU), Yining Airport (YIN), Karamay Airport (KRY), Fuyun Airport (FYN), A

Yunnan Province.

Kunming Wujiaba International Airport (KMG), Dali Airport (DLU), Luxi Mangshi Airp
Airport (SYM), Zhaotong Airport (ZAT), Lijiang Airport (LJG), Diqing Airport (DIG)

Zhejiang Province.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), Ningbo International Airport (NGB),
Airport (YIW), Zhoushan Airport (HSN)

Major Airlines in China.

Hong Kong (Special Economic Zone.

Airlines

Cathay Pacific
IATA code: CX
Contact Details

Hong Kong (Includes Dragonair details)

Address: Cathay Pacific:
Head Office: 5/F, South Tower, Cathay Pacific City, 8 Scenic Road, Hong Kong Inter

Ticketing Office: 10/F, Peninsula Office Tower, 18 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kow
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800, Sat 0900-1700, Sun/PH 0900-1300

Dragonair:
Head Office: Dragonair House, 11 Tung Fai Road, Hong Kong International Airport, L

Ticketing Office:
Unit 4601-05, 46/F, Cosco Tower, 183 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1600
Reservations: Cathay Pacific: (852) 2747-1888

Office Hours: Mon-Sun 0700-2300

Dragonair: (852) 3193-3888

Office Hours: Mon-Sun 0800-2000
Fax Cathay Pacific: (852) 2560-1411

Dragonair: (852) 3193 3889
Operating Airport Name: Hong Kong International Airport
Airport Phone: Cathay Pacific: (852) 2747-1234 (Flight Schedule Information)

Dragonair: (852) 2180 2180 (Flight Schedule Information)
Airport Fax: Dragonair: (852) 2186 6702
Baggage Services: Cathay Pacific:
Tel: (852) 2747-7838
Fax:(852) 2362-7407
Email: baggage@cathaypacific.com

Baggage Claims

Dragonair:
Tel: (852) 2180 2120
Fax: (852) 2186 6707

Cathay Pacific & Dragonair Offices in China.

Beijing.

Address: Cathay Pacific / Dragonair:
28/F, East Tower, Twin Towers
B-12 Jianguomenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100022, P.R.C.

Cathay Pacific:
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700

Dragonair:
Office Hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700
Reservations Cathay Pacific:

10800-852-1888 (China Netcom Group)
10800-152-1888 (China Telecom Group)

Dragonair:

400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax Cathay Pacific / Dragonair:
(86-10) 5905 7730
Operating Airport Name: Beijing Capital International Airport
Airport Phone Dragonair: (86-10) 6459 0038
Airport Fax Dragonair: (86-10) 6459 2977

Baggage Services Cathay Pacific:
Beijing Aviation Ground Services, Beijing International Airport, PO Box 6910, Chin
Office Hours: 0600-2200
Tel: (86) 10-6459 0629
Fax: (86) 10-6459 0639

Dragonair:
Tel: (86-10) 6459 9523
Fax: (86-10) 6459 2977

Changsha

Address: Dragonair:

Room 61001, 10/F, VIP Tower, Hua Tian Hotel, 300 Jie Fang East Road, Changsha, Chi
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700

Reservations: Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-731) 416 0502

Operating Airport Name:Huanghua International Airport of Changsha
Airport Phone: (86-731) 479 8733
Airport Fax:(86-731) 479 8733
Baggage Services:(86-731) 444 9427

Chengdu

Address, Dragonair:
5/F, Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel, No. 15, Section 1, Ren Min Zhong Road, Chengdu,
Office Hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations: Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-28) 8676 8008

Operating Airport Name: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Airport Phone (86-28) 8520 5797
Airport Fax (86-28) 8520 5798

Baggage Services (86-28) 8676 8828 / 8520 5797

Chongqing

Address:Dragonair:
Room 2906, Metropolitan Tower, 68 Zourong Road, Central District, Chongqing, China
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-23) 6372 9669

Operating Airport Name: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Airport Fax (86-23) 6715 3119

Baggage Services (86-23) 6372 9900

Dalian

Address: Dragonair:
Room 1504, 15/F, Dalian Gold Name Commercial Tower, 68 Renmin Road, Dalian, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300

Reservations: Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-411) 8280 4044

Operating Airport Name: Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
Airport Phone (86-411) 8388 6281
Airport Fax (86-411) 8664 4817

Baggage Services (86-411) 8271 8855

Fuzhou

Address: Dragonair:
Room 1101, World Wide Plaza, 158 Wusi Road, Fuzhou, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-591) 8782 4305

Operating Airport Name: Fuzhou Changle International Airport
Airport Phone (86-591) 2801 3931 / 2801 3932
Airport Fax (86-591) 2801 3930

Baggage Services (86-591) 28013184 / 28013931

Guangzhou
Address: Dragonair:
M02, Garden Hotel,
368 Huanshi Dong Lu,
Guangzhou, China.
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700

Reservations:Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-20) 8383 8478
Operating Airport Name: Guangzhou New Baiyu International Airport
Airport Phone (86-20) 95539

Baggage Services:(86-20) 8612 2913

Guilin

Address:Dragonair:
2/F, Hotel Universal Guilin, 1 Jie Fang Dong Road, Guilin, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations:Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-773) 286 1666
Operating Airport Name: Guilin Liang Jiang International Airport
Airport Phone (86-773) 284 5092
Airport Fax (86-773) 284 5093

Baggage Services (86-773) 286 1555

Haikou

Address: Dragonair:
Departure Hall, Haikou Meilan International Airport, Haikou PRC 572000

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-898) 6855 0311

Operating Airport Name: Haikou Meilan International Airport
Airport Phone (86-898) 6575 1850 / 6575 1770
Airport Fax (86-898) 6575 1851

Baggage Services (86-898) 6855 0312

Hangzhou

Address:Dragonair:
5/F, Radisson Plaza Hotel Hangzhou, 333 Ti Yu Chang Road, Hangzhou, China.
Office Hours: Mon-Sun 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-571) 8506 9808
Operating Airport Name: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Airport Phone (86-571) 8666 0134 / 8666 0135
Airport Fax (86-571) 8666 0136

Baggage Services (86-571) 8506 8388

Kunming

Address: Dragonair:
Room 1405-06, 14/F, Kunming Hongta Mansion, 155 Beijing Road, Kunming, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-871) 356 1593
Operating Airport Name: Kunming International Airport
Airport Phone (86-871) 711 3758
Airport Fax (86-871) 718 2500

Baggage Services (86-871) 356 1208

Nanjing

Address: Dragonair:
Room 751-753, World Trade Centre Nanjing, 2 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-25) 8471 0184
Operating Airport Name: Nanjing LuKou International Airport
Airport Phone (86-25) 5248 0091
Airport Fax (86-25) 5248 0092

Baggage Services (86-25) 5248 0091

Ningbo

Address: Dragonair:
Room 11A, Office Tower, New Garden Hotel, 188 Jie Fang South Road, Ningbo, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-574) 8732 9878
Operating Airport Name: Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Airport Phone (86-574) 8742 7931
Airport Fax (86-574) 8742 7932

Baggage Services (86-574) 8732 9868

North China Beijing, (formerly Peking)

Address:Cathay Pacific :
Beijing, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Neimonggol, Shanxi, Shandong

Reservations 10800-852-1888 (China Netcom Group)
10800-152-1888 (China Telecom Group)

Qingdao

Address: Dragonair:
G/F, Hotel Equatorial Qingdao, 28 Xiang Gang Zhong Road, Qingdao, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-532) 8577 6113

Operating Airport Name: Qingdao Liuting International Airport
Airport Phone (86-532) 8471 7140
Airport Fax (86-532) 8471 7140

Baggage Services (86-532) 8577 6110

Sanya

Address:Dragonair:
5-210B, 2/F, La Floret Shopping Center, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sanya Yalong Bay Natio
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax 86 (898) 8855-1059
Operating Airport Name: Sanya Phoenix International Airport
Airport Phone 86 (898) 8855-1057
Airport Fax 86 (898) 8828-9603

Baggage Services Dragonair:
Room 240, Departure Hall, Sanya Pheonix International Airport, Sanya Hainan PRC 57
Tel: 86 (898) 8828-9600

Shanghai

Address: Cathay Pacific:
Ticketing office :
Rm 2104,No.138,Shanghai Plaza,
Huai Hai Zhong Road,Prc
Tel Number: 86 021 63756000
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700

Dragonair:
Room 2101-2104, Shanghai Square Office Tower, 138 Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai, C
Office Hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700
Reservations Cathay Pacific:
10800-852-1888 (China Netcom Group)
10800-152-1888 (China Telecom Group)

Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax Cathay Pacific:
(86) 21 6249 5399
(852)-25601411

Dragonair:
(86-21) 6375 6700
Operating Airport Name: Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Airport Phone: Dragonair: (86-21) 6834 6798
Airport Fax: Dragonair: (86-21) 6834 6808

Baggage Services: Cathay Pacific:
China Eastern Airlines
Room 11-110, Passenger Terminal Building, Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Tel: 68335040/41
Fax: 68335039
Dragonair:
(86-21) 6834 6793

Shenyang

Address: Dragonair:
Room 417-418, 4/F, Sheraton Shenyang Lido Hotel, 386 Qingnian Street, Heping Distr
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax: (86-24) 2399 0043
Operating Airport Name: Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
Airport Phone: (86-24) 2399 8226
Airport Fax:(86-24) 2399 0043

Baggage Services (86-24) 2399 4988

South China

Address: Cathay Pacific :
Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong (incl Shenzhen), Guangxi, Guizhou, Hain

Reservations 10800-852-1888 (China Netcom Group)
10800-152-1888 (China Telecom Group)

Wuhan

Address: Dragonair:
Unit 422, 4/F, Shangri-La Hotel Wuhan, 700 Jianshe Avenue, Hankou, Wuhan, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300

Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax: (86-27) 8580 2822
Operating Airport Name: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
Airport Phone (86-27) 8581 8582
Airport Fax (86-27) 8581 8580

Baggage Services (86-27) 8580 2821

Xiamen

Address: Cathay Pacific:
Room 201-202, The Marco Polo Hotel, 8 Jianye Road, Hubin Bei, Xiamen, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700

Dragonair:
Room 203-204, The Marco Polo Hotel, 8 Jianye Road, Hubin Bei, Xiamen, China.
Office Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1700
Reservations Cathay Pacific:
10800-852-1888 (China Netcom Group)
10800-152-1888 (China Telecom Group)

Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax: Dragonair:(86-592) 511 7701
Operating Airport Name: Xiamen International Airport
Airport Phone Cathay Pacific: 86 (592) 5736747 / 5738747

Dragonair: (86-592) 5731 130-1
Airport Fax: Dragonair: (86-592) 6029 427
Baggage Services Cathay Pacific:
Baggage Services Offices
Tel: 86(592) 570-8371
Fax: 86(592) 570-8246
Dragonair:
(86-592) 570 8371

Xian

Address: Dragonair:
Room 501, Zhongda International Mansion, No.30 Nan Da Street, Xian, China. Post Co
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
Sat 0900-1300
Reservations Dragonair:
400-88-10288 (Local)
(86-20) 8388 2498 (International Roaming/ Overseas)
Fax (86-29) 8720 3095
Operating Airport Name: Xian Xianyang International Airport
Airport Fax (86-29) 8879 7061
Baggage Services: (86-29) 8720 3025

United Kingdom

Address: Ticket Desk, Area B, Terminal 3 Departures, Heathrow Airport
Reservations: 44(20) 8834-8888
Fax: 44(20) 8741-5477
Airport Name: Heathrow Airport
Airport Phone: 44(20) 8897-9335 (Flight Enquiries)
Baggage Services: 44(845) 408 5988.

United States

Chicago

Address: PO Box 66469, Chicago, IL 60666-0469
Reservations: Centralized Reservations Number:
1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Fax: 1(630) 595-7979

Dallas

Address: 9400 MacArthur Boulevard, PMB 308, Irving, TX 75063
Reservations: Centralized Reservations Number:
1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Fax: 1(972) 471-0347

Florida

Address: PMB380, 2400 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Reservations: Centralized Reservations Number:
1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Fax: 1(954) 764-7380

Los Angeles

Address: 1960 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 540, El Segundo, CA 90245
Reservations Centralized Reservations Number: 1(800) 233-2742
Fax: 1(310) 615-0042
Operating Airport Name: Los Angeles International Airport
Airport Phone: 1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Baggage Services: Toll free no: (866) 767-2247 ext zero (within United States)
Tel: 1(310) 215-7252 (Canada and all other areas)
Fax: (800) 456-5870 / 1(310) 417-2199

New York

Address:590 Fifth Avenue, 5/F, New York, NY 10036
Reservations: Centralized Reservations Number:
1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Fax: 1-212-944-6519
Operating Airport Name: John F Kennedy International Airport
Airport Phone: 1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Baggage Services: 1(800)422-9499

San Francisco

Address: 360 Post Street #300, San Francisco, CA 94108
Reservations: Centralized Reservations Number:
1(800) 233-2:742 (Local Toll Free)
Fax: 1-415-397-8731
Operating Airport Name: San Francisco International
Airport Phone: 1(800) 233-2742 (Local Toll Free)
Baggage Services: 1(650) 821-1888

Cathay Pacific Skytrax Star rating: *****

Air China
IATA code: CA
Reservations number (local): (86)(10)6601-3336 (Domestic), 6601-6667 (Int'l)JetAsi

Air Guizhou
IATA code: G4Taiwan
Reservations number (local): (86)(851)549-9253
Reservations number (local): (886)(2)2715-1212 (Taipei office)

China Eastern Airlines

IATA code: MUS
Reservations number (local): (86)(21)6247-2255 (International), (86)(21)6247-5953
Reservations number (local): (886)(2)2717-1230 (Taipei office)

China Southern Airlines

IATA code: CZ
Reservations number (local): (86)(20)8613-3399
Reservations number (US): (323)653-8088 (Los Angeles office)
Skytrax Star rating: ***

Hainan Airlines

IATA code: HU
Reservations number (local): (86)(898)950-718
Reservations number (US): not available
Skytrax Star rating: ***

Shanghai Airlines
IATA code: FM
Reservations number (local): (86)(21)583-19090 (South Pudong Road, Shanghai)

Just to preface our week of comment and information about airlines in Asia we are starting with outline details of airports and major airlines in China. If you feel the list is either incorrect or or incomplete, please contact me with relevant comment.

South East Asian Airports - Are they safe? This week we are going to concentrate on airports and current aviation in general in Asia, with an emphasis on South East Asia.

Please feel free to contribute, comment or criticise 

After last weeks fatal air crash in Phuket in which 89 passengers died, Thai Department of Civil Aviation officials have moved quickly to inspect the aviation safety standards of all Thai domestic full service and no frills airlines to ensure they operate at the same standards, said Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen speaking on Monday (24th Sept). In a move to allay further fears about the state of the nations aviation the DCA will meet with concerned agencies this coming Thursday (Sept 27th) to discuss aviation safety standards and if necessary close any safety loopholes and  control the implementation of all new and pending safety measures.

The Black Box of the ill fated One - Two - Go aircraft has been recovered and it's analysis should reveal voices and sounds from the cockpit as well as information about aviation and control system of the ill-fated aircraft.

 

Less than 2 decades ago Mayor Daley of Chicago was keen to bury the wetlands on the south east side of O'Hare airport beneath thousands of tons of concrete and new runway.

Yesterday, about 17 years on, he appears to have had an environmental 'Road to Damascus' moment as he announced that Chicago City authorities would hand over $2 million to help restore the very land once under threat of destruction.

Whilst some wetland has, and will continue to be lost in the ongoing expansion of Chicago's O'Hares Airport, the new cash and initiative should see more wetlands, particularly in the Calumet region, in place than at the beginning of the airport's expansion.

Work begins next year on saving th 35 acre Heron Pond which sits adjacent to the Calumet river and is home to one of Illinois largest flock of Black Crowned Night Herons.

An environmental information and education center has been promised by 2009.