The airline has called a press conference in London County Hall on November 25, claiming it will be announcing “massive news for London”.

It is believed the services from Stansted will launch early next year, with fares from around £350 return.

Air Asia X, part-owned by Sir Richard Branson, is a subsidiary of Air Asia, the region’s biggest low-cost airline.

Its CEO Tony Fernandes is coming over to London for the launch.

Qantas Regional General Manager Western Australia, Mr Ian Gay, said Qantas was pleased to be able to commence east-west flying from the regional centre of Kalgoorlie Boulder.

“The new Kalgoorlie-Adelaide service will not only provide the mining, business and tourism sectors with the opportunity to travel between Kalgoorlie and Adelaide, but will enable people to utilize Adelaide as a convenient connection point to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.

“These services will operate on Sundays and Tuesdays, offering a total of 460 seats on the route each week. They will depart Kalgoorlie at 12:20pm arriving into Adelaide at 4pm. The return service is also conveniently timed with an Adelaide departure of 4:45pm arriving into Kalgoorlie at 5:40pm.”

Mr Gay said Qantas would also increase its Kalgoorlie-Perth services from 21 services to 24 services each week from 26 February 2009.

“This revised schedule will include, for the first time, an early morning departure from Kalgoorlie at 6:15am Monday to Wednesday. We will overnight an aircraft in Kalgoorlie to achieve this, which will result in an arrival time in Perth of 7:20am. This will ensure that customers who wish to start their business day in Perth by 8:30am are able to do so,” Mr Gay said.

The new Kalgoorlie-Adelaide service is on sale between 21-27 November 2008 for AUD$179 one-way, for travel between 1 March – 30 June 2009.

A 3 night New Year city break in Bucharest from £669 per person including flights

See in the New Year in Belle Époque style in Bucharest, Romania’s capital city. With its wide, tree-lined boulevards and fondness for the high life, it’s easy to see why this bustling metropolis was known as “Little Paris” in the early 1900s.

Stay in splendour at the historic Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, a 5* hotel built in 1914 in the heart of the city with its own indoor pool, a La Prairie beauty spa and a selection of sophisticated bars and restaurants - perhaps you could try your New Year luck at the hotel’s casino?

The bustle of Bucharest is right on your doorstep - take in a concert at the nearby Romanian Athenaeum, stroll through the Cismigiu Park, just around the corner from your hotel or visit the nearby Vitan Mall for some retail therapy.

Price: from £669 per person for 3 nights at the 5* Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, including breakfast, return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow and all airport taxes and security charges.

New Year in Dubrovnik from £433 per person for 3 nights including flights

 Often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik is at its best over New Year, away from the crowds and heat of the summer. Overlooking the picturesque Dalmatian coast, Croatia’s capital city is an eclectic mix of ancient traditions and modern café culture.

Staying at the 3* Hotel Argosy on the Babin Kuk Peninsula, explore the historic buildings of Dubrovnik, which boasts many stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. The city comes alive at New Year, when live music floods the city, especially the Old Town and the main square of the Babin Kuk Peninsula.

Price: from £433 per person for 3 nights in a Double Room at the 3* Hotel Argosy based on two sharing, including breakfast and a New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow and all airport taxes and security charges.

3 Night of New Year Luxury in Kyiv from £599 per person including flights

Check into Kyiv’s newly-opened Radisson SAS Hotel for 3 nights of pampering and see in the New Year in style. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is the ideal spot from which to explore Kyiv’s highlights. Cultural musts include the catacombs of the impressive Caves monastery, the gold-domed Mykhaylivsky Orthodox Church and the Rodina Mat for a great view of the Dnipro River. Stroll through the cobbled slopes of Andriyivsky Uzviz where market stalls sell all sorts of paintings and traditional souvenirs. Settle in at any of the city’s excellent restaurants, lively bars and pavement cafes, the perfect place to see in the New Year over one of the delicious local beers.

After a day’s sightseeing, your hotel has everything you could need for some pampering and relaxation as well as a choice of great restaurants and bars.

Price: from £599 per person for 3 nights at the Radisson SAS Hotel based on two sharing a standard room, including breakfast, return flights with Ukraine International from London Gatwick, all airport taxes and security surcharges and return airport transfers.

Air Sylhet will begin short haul flights to Vienna and Dubai from Stansted and Manchester when it launches next month.

The move comes at a tough time for the airline industry – but the private investors behind Air Sylhet believe they can exploit a gap in the market by targeting destinations currently poorly served by other airlines, while using major airports popular with travellers.

The launch of the airline – the inaugural flight is on November 9 – is the culmination of more than three years planning.

As well as Vienna and Dubai, Air Sylhet aims to provide a service to Bangladesh, starting up next year.

The carrier’s chairman is Kabir Khan, leading the team of investors which has successfully leased its first Airbus A320-200, capable of carrying 180 passengers.

Mr Khan said he was confident the potential market for the new service was huge, even in the current economic climate.

He said: “We recognise that we are bucking the trend by launching a new airline at a time when others have struggled, but the difference between our offering compared to others is that we provide a complete service to high and exacting standards, but we offer it at a rate which is value for money.

“We are not looking to compete with ‘low frills’ airlines. We are concentrating on a more distinct approach of safe, value-driven, point-to-point services which provide consistent, reliable products and fares appealing to both leisure travellers and the business community.”

“We offer services which have almost disappeared in the cost-driven low frills end of the market. Air Sylhet passengers get reserved seats, a generous 35 lb baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight food and drinks, no hidden extra charges, and the opportunity to travel in comfort,” he added.

Air Sylhet was formed by ex-patriot British-Bangladeshi businessmen from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.

Mr Khan said: “In order to be able to provide this service we have had to invest in the very best people – people with the experience and expertise to deliver the quality we are looking for. We have chosen to fly initially to Vienna and then to Dubai, though, given Vienna’s location, it makes it an ideal base to expand our services to include long haul flights to Bangladesh a little further down the line.”

The airline will fly twice a week from Stansted to Vienna/Dubai, and once a week from Manchester to the same destinations.

Thomson has launched its new first edition brochure for Winter 2009/10, available in store and online. Highlights include a larger focus on experiences whilst on holiday, plus a host of new properties for holidays in Morocco, Costa Blanca, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.

Featuring a variety of destinations, the new Winter Collection brochure offers winter holidays to suit all tastes and budgets. Thomson is introducing a host of new short and mid-haul properties which benefit from plenty of winter sun. The Canary Islands feature 3 new properties in Lanzarote, Tenerife and Fuerteventura. The all-inclusive 4T Riu Olivina Resort in Lanzarote is making its debut in the Winter Collection and offers 3 salt water swimming pools, fine dining and a variety of activities and entertainments. New additions also include the 4T Elba Carlota in Fuerteventura and the 4T El Medano in Tenerife.

NEW: THOMSON LAUNCHES ACTIVITY CENTRED EXPERIENCES

Thomson will help customers choose destinations based on the kind of activities they like to pursue whilst on holiday. Complete a scuba diving PADI course at the Reef Oasis Blue Bay in the Scuba Diving School in Sharm el Sheikh; join a guided walk at the Savoy Gardens Hotel in Madeira; follow the stars of Strictly and waltz to the Santa Lucia in Majorca where dancing can be the centre of the holiday. Thomson also has specific resorts perfectly suited for holidays centred on bowls, tennis and golf.

NEW: THOMSON PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS

 The 4T Flamingo Oasis in Benidorm has had a special re-design for winter 09/10. It is now able to offer penthouses, converted into exclusive VIP Club Rooms and suites which benefit from the use of a adults only private roof top swimming pool, bar and lounge. Especially designed with Thomson customers in mind and completed with a dedicated check-in at the hotel.

NEW: WINTER COLLECTION PREMIER RESORT IN MARRAKECH

Thomson offers two new all-inclusive properties in Morocco which benefit from all-inclusive facilities coupled with luxury accommodation. The particular highlight is the inclusion of the brand new Riu Tikida Palmeraie in Marrakech, a 4T+ resort style hotel boasting a huge pool with an array of facilities and activities whilst providing all the Platinum benefits including extra luggage allowance, VIP priority check-in and priority transfers - and available to stay for a choice of 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 14 nights. Longer stays give guests the opportunity to explore further a field, such as day trips to the coastal resort of Essaouira and the Atlas Mountains.

NEW: THOMSON EXPANDS PLATINUM OFFERING

Thomson has revised its exclusive Platinum Collection for inclusion into the Winter Collection brochure which sees the brand new all-inclusive 5T Riu Tikida Palmeraie in Marrakech and the 5T Royal Atlas Hotel in Agadir Morocco where customers can walk straight from the hotel pool and on to the beach.

 The exclusive Platinum 5T Marylanza Golf Resort in Playa de las Americas, Tenerife is now included in the Winter Collection. It’s a luxury resort featuring 3 lagoon style pools, chic, modern accommodation and fine dining options. Further inclusions to the Platinum offering include the 5T Le Meridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Malta which incorporates 3 fine dining restaurants, rooftop and indoor swimming pools and evening entertainment.

NEW: THOMSON INCLUDES CHIC & UNIQUE RESORTS FOR WINTER 09/10

Following the 2009 launch of the all new stand alone brochure for Chic & Unique in September which offers a collection of quirky properties in some idyllic locations, the new Winter Collection sees the inclusion of 5 new Chic & Unique resorts. The 3T+ Rocamar in the Algarve incorporates stunning sea views with modern and chic facilities including a brand new infinity pool. The glass fronted 5T Hotel Gran Sol in Majorca is a brand new hotel and a new addition to the Thomson line up. Located on the beach, it offers an oasis of style and luxury. There are a further 3 new Chic & Unique properties in Madeira.

Lead-in: Thomson offers a three night holiday in Morocco at the 4T+ Riu Tikida Palmeraie from £299 and seven nights from £449 per person based on two adults sharing. Prices include accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, flights, transfers and all taxes and charges.

Lead-in: Thomson offers a seven night holiday in Tenerife at the 5T Hotel Marylanza Golf Resort from £515 per person based on two adults sharing. It includes accommodation on a half board basis, flights, transfers and all taxes and charges.

Thomson 2009/10 brochures will also include Early booking discounts on selected units & Free child places available, subject to availability.

These services add to the existing routes from London Stanstead, Dublin and Shannon.

The winter launch of these new routes is a direct attribution to the attractiveness of the Algarve as a year-round holiday destination.

Antonio Pina, President of the Algarve Promotion Bureau stated, “We are delighted that Ryanair has increased its flights from the UK and Ireland and we are positive that these routes will not only draw in crowds for the summer period, but highlight the appeal of the region during the non summer months.
These new regional flights aid the promotion of the Algarve’s winter campaign which is targeting regions in UK and Ireland, specifically the cities of Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Glasgow, Shannon and Belfast.”

The Algarve Promotion Bureau’s winter campaign, which will run until December, features 40 branded taxis including seats and payment receipts, 1,400 roadside advertisements of six sheets, 12 Backlights of 48 sheets, City Digital screens and 20 second Transvisions in the main train stations.

Ryanair’s new routes from Liverpool and East Midland Airport, operate three times week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Glasgow Prestwick.

For more information about the Algarve please visit www.visitalgarve.pt

 ”This itinerary immerses us in the timeless China of old. This area is an anthropological epicenter of fabulous variety and proportion, by far China’s most culturally rich province. Each tribe has its own distinct language, dress and history, and to this day their ancient traditions are in tact.”

The trip is timed so guests can share the excitement of the Gyalthang Horse Festival, a traditional gathering of expert horsemen from the Kingdom of Kham in Eastern Tibet. They compete for prizes and glory, while locals in heavy turquoise and colorful hand-woven brocade create a scene of timeless splendor. Land costs start at $6,995 per person double occupancy.

The 14-day/13-night journey includes: Immersion in the festivities of the Gyalthang Horse Festival; 36 distinct tribes: Naxi, Bai, Manchu, Tibetan, Mongolian; remote, traditional Shaping tribal market; UNESCO-listed old town of Lijiang; Stone Mountain Grottoes, treasure of the Bai tribe; Tiger Leaping Gorge; and the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. Asia Transpacific can also customize a private journey for a family or group, with an expert guide and boutique hotels in authentic style.

Land cost per person/per day starts at $350 per person per day for Custom China Travel. Asia Transpacific Journeys is a Boulder, Colo.-based tour operator specializing in custom journeys and small group trips to Asia and the Pacific region since 1987.

For more information, see www.AsiaTranspacific.com

American, in conjunction with The Royal Chef Darren McGrady, is unveiling newly refreshed International Flagship Service, which features dishes that embody ingredients typical of English cuisine, and flavors that have broad appeal. New menu items are the result of a collaborative effort between McGrady, Alpha Flight Services, and American Airlines flight attendants and customers. These new signature entrees will be clearly identified on redesigned printed menus which will rotate monthly.

Some new items include cottage pie, stuffed chicken and beef roulade.

For more information, visit www.theroyalchef.com

At $149 one way for flights less than 1,000 miles, or $179 for longer flights, United’s prices are simple and more economical than similar overnight services offered by other luggage shipping services. Door-to-Door Baggage may be purchased on www.united.com and shipments can be easily tracked online.

Up to 10 days prior to travel, customers may visit www.united.com/doortodoor where they select their appropriate trip and then schedule and pay for their shipment.

Next, customers print their shipping documents that will be attached to the bags by the courier service. On the scheduled pickup day, the bags are picked up at a home or office — generally between noon and 6 p.m. — or dropped off at any of the courier’s authorized shipping centers. By 4:30 p.m. the next day, the bags are delivered to the customer’s final destination.

In addition to the new Door-to-Door Baggage service, customers may further enhance their travel experiences with other services from United’s Travel Options portfolio.

For example, starting at $14 one way, customers may sit in United’s Economy Plus seating section that has up to five more inches of legroom (for elite customers, access to Economy Plus is complimentary). Also, with United’s Award Accelerator offering, starting at $9, customers may earn travel awards faster by multiplying the amount of miles they receive when they fly.

For more information, visit www.united.com/traveloptions

VIP (0844 557 3119;

www.vip-chalets.com) offer 7 nights at Aspen Lodge, Val d’Isere (sleeps 6-8) now £529per person (Saving £100pp) on a catered accommodation basis. Price includes return flights and transfers.

Departing on 14t December.

11th January Departures

Snowline (0844 557 3118;

www.snowline.co.uk)  offer 7 nights in the Leaman Suite at Summit View, La Plagne (sleeps now £599per person (Saving £240pp) on a catered accommodation basis.

Price includes return flights and transfers.

Departing on 11th January.

Snowline (0844 557 3118;

www.snowline.co.uk)  offer 7 nights at the Chalet Isba, Meribel (sleeps 21) now £599per person (Saving £260pp) on a catered accommodation basis.

Price includes return flights and transfers. Departing on 11th January.

18th January Departures

Snowline (0844 557 3118; www.snowline.co.uk) offer 7 nights at the Chalet Pierre, Meribel (sleeps 18) now £629per person (Saving £180pp) on a catered accommodation basis. Price includes return flights and transfers. Departing on 18th January.