83RD ANNUAL SPAA DINNER JUST WEEKS AWAY!

The 83rd Annual  SPAA Dinner in 2013 is just a few weeks away - to be held, once again, at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow - on Thursday 28th February.

Another great evening is planned - with two well known speakers and - a first in 2013 - 'After Dinner Nightcaps' with some mood music to give guests time to catch up with old and new friends over a few drinks (sponsored by British Airways).

The main speaker for the evening will be Ted Wake, Director of Kirker Holidays and the second speaker, sponsored by Travelport, will be Kirsty Wark - Journalist and Presenter of  BBC Newsnight. There will also be a greeting from the Scottish Parliament - from Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP.

The cost for tickets this year will be £85 + VAT; bookings by e mail remain open but space is going fast.

Secretary JaniceHogarth can be contacted at jhogarth@spaa.org.

MTB 19/01/2013

'FLEXIBLE, RESILIENT' SCOTTISH TRAVEL SECTOR WILL SUCCEED!

In his final message of the year, SPAA President Kevin Thom has expressed his view that 'flexibility and resilience' will lead the Scottish travel sector through a successful 2013.

The President said, "At the very end of a year of often frustrating news from Government, but positive product and route development news from airports, airlines and operators, it's heartening to note the announcement this week from Thomas Cook of its plans to level the pricing playing field once and for all. As always, the detail will tell the story - but the SPAA certainly endorses and supports the principle and we encourage our other commercial partners to follow suit.

We're also delighted to see a well-known brand - albeit in a new guise - return to Scotland next year, following the announcement by Air Canada of its new Air Canada Rouge service between Edinburgh and Toronto. It would be great to think that this may just be the start of something bigger, but for now we must concentrate on giving strong support to AC's new service - and indeed all the new routes and services announced by airlines in recent months."

Commenting on 2012, he said, "From 'flight plus' to 'commission minus'; from bidding well-respected bmi farewell to welcoming bmi Regional and Virgin Atlantic, and from the 82nd Annual SPAA Dinner in February to STAR in late November it's been a another full-on year. But it's been a year in which the Scottish travel community has derived much positive news - on product and route development, and on a more measured and mature approach to pricing and discounting.

Above all, we in the SPAA - Council, Members and Associates alike - have amply demonstrated what are possibly our two most important strengths - flexibility and resilience, which along with our many other strengths will undoubtedly carry us through a successful 2013! So, let's have NO Rab C Nesbit-style 'Seasonal Greet'. To all of us, our families, friends and colleagues - best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year!"

MTB 22/12/2012

SPAA CHRISTMAS LUNCH RETURNS TO 29 CLUB

Just on 100 SPAA Associates, Members and guests descended on Glasgow's exclusive 29 Club, Thursday 13 December, for the now traditional annual Christmas Lunch.

Taking the opportunity to wind down from another extremely busy and challenging business year, the guests were treated to drinks followed by a traditional roast turkey lunch - and a few well placed remarks by SPAA Vice President Jimmy Martin, standing in for President Kevin Thom.

One surprised guest was well-known past President and SPAA Council Member Roddie Macphee - whose 50+ year career has spanned BEA, Border Travel, Jetset, A T Mays, ATM Travel, Stewart Travel and Barrhead Travel. Roddie, who has long been involved with both the SPAA and ABTA, was awarded Honorary Membership of the Association, and he spoke of his pleasure and satisfaction at the rise in the SPAA's profile and level of respect from Principals and politicians alike.

Lunch was followed by some energetic entertainment from The Co-operative Travel's resident crooner James Grant and Travel Counsellor Muriel Morgan.

The first pictures from the event can be seen at www.spaa.org on the home page carousel, and a full gallery will be published, week commencing 17 December.

MTB 14/12/2012

VIRGIN FOLLOWS EDI + ABZ-LHR PLANS WITH DL STAKE AGREEMENT

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways have reached an agreement for a new joint venture that will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America, offering greater benefits for customers travelling on those routes.  

As part of this joint venture agreement, Delta will invest $360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49 per cent stake currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51 per cent stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate.

Highlights of the agreement include:

> A fully integrated joint venture that will operate on a “metal neutral” basis with both airlines sharing the costs and revenues from all joint venture flights
> A combined trans-Atlantic network between the United Kingdom and North America with 31 peak-day round-trip flights
> Enhanced benefits for customers including cooperation on services between New York and London, with a combined total of nine daily round-trip flights from London Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport
> Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits
> Shared access to Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse airport lounges for elite passengers

The airlines will file an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for antitrust immunity, which will allow a closer relationship and coordination on schedules and operations. The transaction also will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union’s competition regulator and other relevant authorities. The share purchase and the joint venture are expected to be implemented by the end of 2013.

The announcement came just 48 hours after Virgin Atlantic laid out its plans for new Anglo-Scottish services and the SPAA has been assured the airline's domestic flying plans will not be adversely affected by the Delta partnership ...


From Aberdeen to Australia, Manchester to Mumbai and Edinburgh to the East Coast, Virgin Atlantic passengers around the UK will now be able to enjoy seamless connections to the airline’s long haul destinations with the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s domestic flying programme.

Sir Richard Branson’s airline has confirmed that it will challenge British Airways head on by operating 24 domestic flights a day - six daily return flights to Edinburgh, three to Aberdeen and a further three to Manchester - starting from 31 March 2013.

The flights, which will operate from London Heathrow Terminal 1, will go on sale on the 19th December and start from £99 per person return.

Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive, Steve Ridgway commented; “This is the beginning of an exciting new era in Virgin Atlantic history. It’s been a long time coming but the dawn of our short haul service is now just a few months away. We’ve worked hard to produce the sort of operation that consumers have come to expect from us – with customer service and a unique approach to flying forming the key pillars for our new domestic routes.

“Most importantly, passengers will reap the benefits of increased choice and lower fares due to the re-injection of vital competition we can provide on these routes.

“We’ll be offering nine daily services to and from Scotland and three return flights between Manchester and London, giving us the scope to fly around one million passengers per year. Connecting passengers onto our long haul flights means we are truly making the world a smaller place.”

The airline will be providing passengers with the best in British food and snacks on board, including a hot breakfast offering on early morning flights and specially-produced snacks during the rest of the day.
Flying Club Gold card holders and Upper Class passengers connecting onto Upper Class long haul flights with Virgin will have access to airport lounges at their departure airport, plus access to limo transfer services.

The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), which has been vocal in its support for Virgin Atlantic's submission - as the most effective approach to securing vital capacity, robust competition and high service standards on Anglo-Scottish routes - has expressed its satisfaction at the announcement.

SPAA President Kevin Thom commented: "This is excellent news for both business and leisure air travellers in Scotland, whether they are flying to London or onbound to destinations worldwide. It is also great news for Scotland's economy, and it will help expand the market - which will be positive for all airlines serving Scotland’s travellers."

 For further information or to book please contact www.virginatlantic.com or call 0844 2092 770.

MTB 14/12/12

futureSPAA NEWS FROM GAYLE GORDON

Already it’s a year ago since I started sending these Monthly Newsletters – it’s really scary how quick the year has passed! It only feels like yesterday since I mentioned the start of X Factor and, low and behold, this weekend is the final!! My money is on James Arthur.

Last week SPAA and STAN held the annual STAR event in Glasgow. I have to say I am delighted at how successful the event was - everyone was in great spirits and all feedback has been really positive. I believe that STAR may well become an annual diary date.

I am going to start with news from our new Associates.

Firstly, Osprey Holidays, is delighted to, once again, become an Associate Member of SPAA. It is a very exciting time for Osprey as they celebrate 40 years in providing short breaks to some of the world’s greatest cities. Also their 2013 brochure now has over 100 pages! Their winter sports brand, Ski Independence, recently received “Best Specialist Operator” at the 2012 World Snow Awards – well done!

Now, onto our second New Associate - Airways Holidays is delighted to announce direct flights from Glasgow to Guernsey for 2013. This route will be sold exclusively by Airways and will operate every Saturday from 29 June to 14 September and will use a 46 seater ATR-42 aircraft. A seven night package will start from £522.00 per person and bookings should be made on www.airwaysholidays.com. To celebrate the new route there is travel agents’ incentive for bookings made before 31 December 2012 - each booking will earn £10.00 Love2shop voucher. Send your booking references to sales@airwaysholidays.com (maximum of 5 vouchers per branch).

Classic Collection – Don’t forget to claim your £50.00 towards your Christmas Party, simply make three bookings between 01 November and 24 December and email your details to claire.cannnon@classic-collection.co.uk Also, did you know about their new brochure featuring Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro? This brochure, which features flights from Glasgow to Pula & Edinburgh to Dubrovnik, will be despatched just after Christmas.

Austravel - Their Australia 2013/2014 brochure is now on sale and includes both a luxury and a new themed section which covers wildlife & adventure holidays as well as youth adventure holidays for 18-30 year olds, along with weddings & honeymoons. This is a great brochure!

TravelCube is promoting a great daily offer on its top destinations from 01-24 Dec 2012. These offers will include Paris, Venice, Dublin and Dubai with up to 40% discounts and free nights – check-out www.travelcube.com for lots more information.

Travel 2 – Fancy winning an iPad3? All you have to do is make a premium cabin booking with either Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels or Swiss Airlines to be entered into the draw. Don’t forget, they have launched their own free Online Training Portal, T2 Academy. I have done some of it and promise it is very informative and easy to use. For each module you complete, you earn points, which can then be transferred into vouchers. Logon to www.travel2.com

If Only – To celebrate the re-opening of the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, you can earn capital bond vouchers, if you make a booking in December.

Superbreak – Clients stuck for Christmas present ideas? Don’t forget, there are some great offers at the moment, with 4* hotel spa packages in Edinburgh from only £85.00 per person, Newcastle rail breaks from £79.00 per person as well as London rail breaks from only £121.80 per person. Take a look a www.superbreak.com for lots more deals.

JTA has a fantastic incentive for December. You can win two tickets with Virgin Airlines – all you have to do is book an economy flight and you will earn 1 entry, a premium flight will earn 2 entries and, upper class, you will earn 3 entries. This fantastic prize will, I am sure, come in very handy for anyone planning next year’s holiday!!

Keeping with the American theme, Icelandair has a seat sale from Glasgow to Boston, Orlando & Denver. You must book by 21 December and, with fares starting from only £408.00 per person, this is well worth looking at!

New routes from Edinburgh Airport commencing April 2013, include Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice and Santander.

Hurtigruten – Danny, who is currently in Antarctica, has advised that to celebrate their 120 year anniversary, clients will receive £120.00 onboard credit for bookings made before 31 January 2013. With prices for the Spring Voyage starting at only £839.00 this is definitely something to bear in mind for your clients, check-out www.hurtigruten.co.uk

DFDS – Don’t forget, for sailing dates from now until 14 March 2013, you can save up to 40% on a mini-cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam, with prices from just £45.00 per person - book at www.dfds.co.uk/agent

Now last, but by no means least, Norwegian Cruise Lines has embraced the Christmas spirit with their ‘Norwegian Festive Wednesdays’ campaign. They have launched their Alaska brochure which includes new cruise & tour land packages as well as seven night trips to Glacier Bay or Sawyer Glacier from Seattle aboard Pearl and Jewel. All customers who book on 12 December will receive a free festive gift bag.

On behalf of our President Kevin Thom and all SPAA Council members, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry (but not too merry) Christmas & a Happy New Year!!

I’ll be back in 2013, which will, hopefully, be a very busy, busy year for everyone in travel!

GG 101212