This agreement is in line with Air France and Air Europa's strategies for growth between Spain and France. It adds impetus to the strong partnership signed by the two airlines in July 2003 and paves the way for Air Europa's eventual membership of the SkyTeam alliance as an associate airline member.

Flights operated by Air Europa between Paris, Alicante and Palma are already sold under the 'AF' code. Air France also markets flights operated by Air Europa beyond Madrid to destinations such as Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Malaga, Minorca, Palma, Santiago de Compostela and Tenerife; and beyond Barcelona to Ibiza, Lanzarote, Minorca, Palma de Majorca, Seville and Tenerife.

As for Air Europa, the airline uses the 'UX' code to offer their customers flights operated by Air France on routes between Bilbao, Seville, Valencia, Valladolid and Paris.

Set up in 1986, Air Europa operates a modern fleet of 31 Boeings. In addition to the Iberian peninsular, the airline flies an extensive network of destinations which stretches from Europe to North Africa and includes several long-haul destinations in the US, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Venezuela.

During fiscal 2002-2003, Air France carried 42.9 million passengers to 187 destinations in 84 countries. Air France is a member of SkyTeam, a global alliance made up of Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines Delta Air Lines and Korean Air.

31.03.2026
Opening of Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven marks the first International Hotel Brand in southern Beijing
The Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing is the first International hotel in Southern Beijing. This hotel is InterContinental Hotels Group’s 44th hotel in Greater China and the 4th Holiday Inn in Beijing.

“Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing, together with the other three Holiday Inns in Beijing will become a strong alliance to capture the increasing travel arrivals in Beijing. The opening of this hotel signifies the strong preference and affinity that consumers have with the Holiday Inn brand and it also reinforces our leadership in Beijing and in China,” commented Mr A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, InterContinental Hotels Group.

Located in close proximity to the prestigious and historical landmark of the Temple of Heaven, the close to 250-guest room Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing is within a stone’s throw of the city’s famous tourist attractions and historical sites. The hotel is conveniently located as it is only 40 minutes from the Beijing International Airport and 15 minutes from major business districts.

Guests staying at Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing will have the opportunity to appreciate the quality service and amenities that are associated with the Holiday Inn brand. These include the friendly, genuine and professional staff with a Positive Can-Do Service; high quality and comfortable beds and bedding with pillow choices and duvets to induce A Great Night’s Sleep; ergonomic rooms with proper lighting for relaxing and reading, and soothing aromatherapy treatment to create A Great Room Experience; quality bathroom amenities that include fluffy towels and shower heads with a massage function to provide A Refreshing Bathroom Experience.

Guests staying at the Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing will appreciate the modern and tastefully decorated guest rooms, having the option to stay on the two Executive Floors or perhaps in one of the 20 Suites that have value-added amenities. To ensure that the hotel caters to the various needs of its guests, the hotel is equipped with comprehensive health facilities as well as banqueting and conference facilities. Guests have a choice to host functions in the more than 500 square-meter ballroom, catering to 350 guests or in one of the 12 multi-function meeting rooms, the largest of which can cater up to 250 guests. To enhance the dining experience of its guests, the hotel has created several food and beverage options including the Heavenly Café, which serves western and Asian food; the Cypress Court, which features Sichuan specialties; Made in Heaven, which provide various traditional Chinese noodles; a coffee bar, a tea house and guests can also enjoy live nightly entertainment at the Cellar Bar.

From now until April 30th, 2004, Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing is organising a promotional Introductory Offer, which includes a special room rate of RMB 398.00+15% surcharge with one complimentary American Buffet Breakfast and free use of its in-door swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam bath.

Among the additions since the Summer 2003 timetable, then, Bordeaux and Toulouse are now accessible by daily direct flights operated by Regional Airlines, which will also be making two week-end flights to Nantes. SN Brussels, for its part, started a daily connection to Marseilles on 1 March.

Also absent from the Summer 2003 timetable, we note the daily flights to Edinburgh by Duo Airways, Helsinki by Bue 1 (a SAS subsidiary), Venice by FlyBaboo, and also the twice-weekly flights to Tripoli with Afriqiyah. All these flights have been operational since the Winter 2003-2004 timetable.

As to increased flight frequencies, it may be noted that Middle East Airlines is now flying to Beirut four times a week, and Hapag Lloyd Express five times to Cologne.

All in all, forty-one scheduled airlines will be operating at Geneva International Airport this Summer, with Swiss serving 10 destinations, easyJet 8, and the other airlines 68.

In the area of charter flights, 29 destinations will be offered this Summer, mainly to southern destinations. It should be noted that SN Brussels Airlines is making its entry into this market, with 7 destinations. A total of 23 tour operators are offering charter flights from Geneva.

29.03.2026
Unique in Europe: Lufthansa dispenses with central seat on continental flights
After launching its new Business Class on long-haul routes, Lufthansa is following suit with an improved product of the highest quality standard on continental flights. Starting with the summer flight schedules on 28 March, it will be Europe's only airline to keep all central seats free in Business Class on flights in Germany and Europe. Business-Class passengers will enjoy up to 50 per cent more room as well as better inflight cuisine and service as well as more stowage space for luggage, making their stay on board an entirely more pleasant experience. Into the bargain, steps are afoot on the ground to enhance punctuality: Almost nationwide in Germany from early April, Senators as well as Frequent Travellers and Business-Class passengers will have privileged use of priority check-in and fast lanes to speed their passage through the terminal. In Economy Class as well, Lufthansa is offering customers a broad range of diverse tariffs, from flexible tickets to "bargain fares".

More privacy, more elbow and legroom, more stowage space: The new Business Class on continental flights allows passengers to work or read undisturbed in more peace and comfort. Extra table-top space makes working on board easier. With only aisle and window seats available in the cabin, boarding and disembarkation is very much simpler. Lufthansa passengers gain time and enjoy more comfort.

Top-quality inflight service: Lufthansa is laying on a wider range of menus for Business-Class passengers. Cooked and cold meals will be served from a greater choice of fine ingredients. That translates into more variety, especially for frequent travellers. In addition, Lufthansa and its inflight caterer subsidiary LSG Sky Chefs are placing greater emphasis on light and fresh food. Newly designed crockery adds a further touch to the timely inflight cuisine. In Economy Class, too, free service with drinks and snacks or menus is part and parcel of the Lufthansa quality product.

On-time arrival: Lufthansa has taken a number of steps in recent years to improve time-keeping. But progressive as those steps have been, the airline is still not satisfied. It is resorting to yet further measures to improve on-time arrival in flight operations. By de-congesting peak traffic times and spreading flights out more evenly during the day at Lufthansa's major hub in Frankfurt, the airline is making a decisive impact on the punctuality of intra-German and European services. Less congestion on the ground and fewer holding patterns in the air are making flight operations more reliable and shortening passengers' journey times. Not only that: optimized processes are reducing fuel consumption to the benefit of the environment.

Mobile check-in and fast-tracking on the ground: Alongside the exclusive privilege of priority check-in, Lufthansa is offering frequent flyers the additional option of fast check-in wherever they happen to be, by allowing them to reserve their seat per SMS or with a WAP-enabled mobile phone, which makes for even greater flexibility. All Lufthansa passengers, regardless of their customer status or the class in which they are travelling, can check in on the Internet. The installation of more Security Fast Lanes at almost all German airports saves queuing for Business-Class passengers as well as Senators and Frequent Travellers by speeding-up and easing their passage through to their departure gate.

Flexible fares for Business and Economy Class: Business-Class passengers can as ever re-book their flights at no charge or obtain a full re-fund. Business travellers attach major importance to flexibility, even when they do not book Business Class. With an Economy-Flex fare, passengers flying in Economy Class can also re-book their flight free of charge or obtain a full re-fund: They also earn more mile credits with an Economy-Flex ticket than with other Economy-Class fares. For price-conscious travellers, Lufthansa is still offering standard Economy fares as value-for-money tickets on all intra-German and European routes. Additionally, in the summer flight schedules, Lufthansa is offering special "basement bargain" fares. For example, a one-way flight from Dusseldorf to Nice and Palma costs just 49 euros, including taxes and charges.

As the leading European airline, Lufthansa is serving more than 110 destinations in 40 countries in Germany and Europe alone in the 2004 summer timetable.