Qatar, Alitalia, Etihad and HMS Belfast
Qatar plans new routes for 2010
Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch flights from its Doha hub to Tokyo, Bengaluru and Ankara.
Daily flights to Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) in India will launch in February 2010. The south Indian destination will be Qatar's 11th destination on the subcontinent.
Al Baker, Qatar's ceo, said: "India has been, and remains, one of our most important markets and we are pleased to be strengthening economic and cultural ties with one of the world's fastest growing economies."
In early April services will start from Doha to Ankara in Turkey, followed at the end of April by flights to Tokyo, which will be served daily via Osaka.
Seoul, currently served via Osaka will become a non-stop direct service from the end of March.
www.qatarairways.com
Alitalia and Etihad to codeshare
Alitalia and Etihad Airways have confirmed plans to operate a codeshare agreement from April 2010 on flights to Milan, Rome, Naples and middle eastern destinations.
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which confirms the airlines' intentions, subject to government approvals.
The plans mean Etihad will put its EY code on a flights operated by Alitalia from Milan to Rome and Naples, and between Rome and a number of European destinations including Frankfurt, Geneva and Frankfurt. Etihad currently operates its own services to Milan five times a week.
Alitalia will puts its AZ code on Etihad's flights between Milan and its Abu Dhabi hub and on connecting flights to Bahrain, Muscat, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Sydney and Melbourne.
www.alitalia.com www.etihadairways.com
Historic London MICE venue undergoes £250k refurb
HMS Belfast, one of London's more unusual meetings venues, is nearing the end of a £250,000 restoration and refurbishment programme by Sodexo Prestige.
The work has seen the Admiral's Quarters become a private dining room and conference space with views over the Thames.
The Admiral's private dining room and sitting room have been restored to their original 1959 decor, along with the Ward and Ante Room.
The Gun Room and The Ship's Company Dining Room have new carpets, AV equipment and broadband internet connection.
HMS Belfast was completed in March 1938 and served in the Second World War and in Korea and remained. She remained in service until 1965.
The ship is now based near London's Tower Bridge and hosts around 300 events a year.
www.prestigeexperience.co.uk