News in brief from the Convention Centre in Dublin, Qantas, Boeing and Aegean Airlines
Dublin gets carbon neutral convention centre
The Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD), has claimed to be the "first carbon neutral international convention centre".
"This iconic landmark, which is still in construction, can be considered carbon neutral due to the use of low carbon cement throughout the building and through offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions," CCD said.
CCD is Ireland's newest international conference centre at a cost of €380m. It will have space for 8,000 delegates.
CCD said it was committed to "long-term environmental sustainability" in line with international standards.
www.theccd.ie
Qantas sheds first class seats
Qantas has scrapped first class cabins after falling demand hit passenger numbers.
Services to San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Melbourne-Hong-Kong-London will no longer offer the luxury seats.
Instead Qantas will offer business, premium economy and economy seats only.
The Australian airline said the measure was temporary and aimed to bring back first class on the routes "as soon as possible".
It said demand for premium and luxury travel had fallen as a result of the global economic downturn.
Last month Qantas forecast a loss of A$188m (€101m) in the second half of 2009, its worst result in six years.
Qantas said it would attempt to stem its losses by cutting capacity and axing 1,750 jobs.
www.qantas.com
Boeing Dreamliner still on track
Boeing said its B787 Dreamliner was on course for its maiden flight later this quarter.
The aircraft manufacturer made the announcement during a broadcast to investors in which it reported a sharp drop in net income.
Boeing's ceo Jim McNerney said: "Performance across the overwhelming majority of our programmes remains solid, and we are making progress to our milestones on the 787 and other important programmes."
The Chicago-based company saw net income fall to $610m in the first quarter from $1,211m year-on-year.
Boeing and rival Airbus have suffered in the economic downturn. Many airline customers continue to defer or cancel orders for new aircraft.
Boeing said B787 cancellations had been "partially offset" by orders for its C-17 military aircraft.
www.boeing.com
Aegean to join Star Alliance
Greek carrier Aegean Airlines is to join Star Alliance, with the process expected to take around 12 months.
The airline serves 23 routes within Greece and a further 24 international destinations including London Stansted.
Star Alliance's ceo Jaan Albrecht said: "Aegean Airlines is a welcome addition to the Star Alliance network.
"Its home market Greece is of strategic importance due to its geographic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, acting as the main south-eastern access point into the European Union."
Star Alliance has 21 airline members. Five are now confirmed as future members - Aegean, Air India, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines and TAM.
www.staralliance.com www.aegeanair.com