Singapore Airlines announced (02-Sep-2011) that the advance selection of Economy Class seats on SIA-operated flights is now available through all booking channels.

Previously, the ability to perform specific seat selection in Economy Class was exclusively available to customers who booked via the SIA website, while only generic seat requests were available for bookings made through travel agents, other airlines or SIA Reservations & Ticketing offices and call centres.

AA extends with Sabre

American Airlines extended a deal that will keep its flights listed on reservations systems run by Sabre Holdings Corp (CNBC, 30-Aug-2011). The agreement was set to expire on 31-Aug-2011. The companies agreed to extend it until after American’s anti-trust lawsuit against Sabre is over, which is expected in 2012.

Arrivals to Japan cut by half

Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) stated (31-Aug-2011) the number of international visitors to Japan halved during the Apr-2011 to Jun-2011 period, as a result of the 11-Mar-2011 earthquake and tsunami and subsequent Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

Tourism expenditure from foreign visitors declined 47% to JPY120.8 billion (USD1.6 billion) with consumption per traveller remaining unchanged, at around JPY110,000 (USD1430). By country, China had the highest total expenditure level at JPY29.9 billion (USD389 million), followed by South Korea (JPY16.8 billion/USD218 million) and Taiwan (JPY16.7 billion/USD217 million).

EVA Air launches smartphone app

EVA Air launched (30-Aug-2011) a new iPhone/iPod touch/Android app, available in three languages – English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. EVA will release an iPad application in Nov-2011.