![]() Korean Air’s Lounge at Incheon International Airport has been voted No.1 among 109 candidates in the Asia Pacific region by Priority Pass, a U.K.-based company that provides worldwide cross-airline airport lounge access. / Courtesy of Korean Air |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Korean Air's Lounge at Incheon International Airport Concourse A has been named "Priority Pass Lounge of the Year 2010" in Asia Pacific by Priority Pass, a UK-based company that provides worldwide cross-airline airport lounge access.
In a survey of its one million-plus members worldwide this year, Priority Pass says Korean Air's Incheon lounge was voted No.1 among 109 candidates in the Asia Pacific region.
"We are very pleased that our efforts in providing our customers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience have been recognized by this prestigious award. We would like to thank our customers and all Priority Pass members for their continued support," Chi Chang-hoon, President and Chief Operating Officer of Korean Air, said.
"This award serves to remind all of us at Korean Air to continue to work towards providing the best travel experience to our customers from ground to air. It also sits well with our 'Excellence in Flight' corporate slogan," added Chi. "Priority Pass Lounge of the Year" was created to honor excellence in airport lounge services worldwide and encourage enhancements.
Korean Air has partnered with Priority Pass since 1999 and currently has 13 lounges in the program, including New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.
Singapore Airlines and Marina Bay Sands sign MOU
Singapore Airlines and Marina Bay Sands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the Integrated Resort as a destination for customers travelling to Singapore, according to the airline. The agreement, signed on March 12, will see the two parties jointly funding publicity and promotional activities targeting trade partners, international media and overseas markets.
"With its central location, extensive entertainment offerings and state-of-the-art facilities, Marina Bay Sands is set to become an iconic landmark and attraction for tourists visiting Singapore,"said Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines' Executive Vice President Marketing and the Regions. "We are pleased to be working with this integrated resort to promote Singapore as a major convention and tourist destination, and Singapore Airlines as the carrier of choice for overseas visitors."
In addition, Marina Bay Sands joins the list of hotels available under SIA's Singapore Stopover Holidays programme, bringing the number of partner hotels to 40. Singapore Stopover Holidays offers overseas customers special accommodation rates during their stay at Marina Bay Sands, complimentary airport-hotel transfers, as well as discounts on shopping, dining and selected attractions in Singapore.
"We're excited about our partnership with Singapore Airlines which brings together two premium, iconic brands synonymous with the Singapore brand and symbolic of the country's tourism industry,"Marina Bay Sands President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Arasi said.
Located along Singapore's scenic Marina Bay close to the heart of the central business district, Marina Bay Sands combines business and leisure in one unique destination.
Visitors will be able to eat cuisine created by internationally renowned chefs, enjoy entertainment in two theatres, along the waterfront event plaza and in a casino.
Its three hotel towers, soaring 55 storeys above the Marina Bay waterfront, will house 2,560 rooms and suites. Set atop the towers 200 meters above ground is the iconic Sands SkyPark, a tropical oasis which offers visitors an unparalleled 360-degree view of stunning Singapore.
Budget Carriers to Fly to Guam, Osaka
Jin Air and Air Busan will start services to Guam and the Japanese cities of Osaka and Fukuoka between late March and mid-April.
Jin Air will launch its second overseas route, flying seven times a week between Incheon and the U.S. resort island of Guam starting March 29, said the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Thursday.
Jin Air opened its first overseas flight, linking Incheon to Bangkok, in December.
Air Busan will provide its first overseas flight service, seven times a week, connecting Busan, South Korea's largest port city, to Osaka and Fukuoka starting from April 20.
Jin Air is a wholly owned unit of Korean Air Lines, while Asiana Airlines holds a controlling stake in Air Busan.
Jeju Air Co., the nation's biggest budget carrier, has been providing international flights to Osaka and Kitakyushu as well as to Bangkok.
Eastar Jet Co., another budget airline, said in January that it will fly to the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Shenyang from late April this year.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr