Carry on: Faull's Saudi hotel, expanded Q400 and more

Faull nets four-star Saudi hotel
NBR Rich Lister Gavin Faull’s Swiss-Belhotel International has signed up a management contract for a new four-star hotel in Al Khobar, an eastern province Saudi Arabian business and resort centre, which is expected to start operating by the end of this year. “[It is] well-known for its fair share of regional and international companies and the beautiful expanse of the Corniche, the Golden Belt Walk, Al-Rashid Mall and many other attractions,” Mr Faull says. The hotel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Bombardier expands Q400

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has introduced a 90-seat version of its Q400 turbo-prop, which is the main aircraft in Air New Zealand’s regional fleet. Bombardier’s vice president of marketing, Patrick Baudis, says the new aircraft will meet growth demand in the number of passengers per departure in the turboprop market. “This new segment solution is ideally suited for current and future short-haul and high-demand markets," he says.

Qatar codeshares with Comair
Qatar Airways has added three new African destinations in a new code-share agreement with Comair, a franchise of British Airways, Comair is based in South Africa and has hub operations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. From February 23, Qatar will have its code on Comair flights that have British Airways livery, from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Port Elizabeth as well as flights operated by Comair from Cape Town to Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Chinese order for Boeing 737s
China's Okay Airways has signed a commitment for 12 Boeing 737MAX jets worth $US1.3 billion at list prices. The deal was signed at the Singapore Airshow and also includes options for another eight 737MAX planes.

United welcomes Haneda move
United Airlines has welcomed the US and Japanese governments' announcement of an amendment to their air transport agreement that enables US carriers to operate daytime flights to and from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, which is closer to the city than Narita.

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