to this, the last Touch Down newsletter of 2005. Which, I hasten to add, has been both challenging and interesting, but above all an exciting 12 months for us all.

Some of the challenging times have been during extremely busy periods often through little fault of our own. For instance the BA strikes during the summer put extra pressure on us all. The interesting times, amongst others, have been the relocation a year ago to our brand new HQ at Brooke Court and the subsequent opening of new regional Travel Centres in Hull and Liverpool.

However, the exciting times have also been numerous, not only with the introduction of many new clients and team members, but also the development of new areas of travel within the Group. Our sports travel division has been received fantastically well by all who have used it, and also the significant development of TD Holiday Options, our leisure travel division.

Over and above everything, what is more than evident throughout the year, is the complete loyalty, understanding and consideration shown by both the fabulous team of people that make up TD, and the many valuable customers that ensure that the TD Travel Group continues to be successful and grow.

For this especially, sincere thanks to you all.

Have a great Christmas and prosperous 2006.

Simon King
Jt. Managing Director

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TD Travel Group's 24-hour emergency service

Did you know that TD operates an out of hour’s emergency service? The sole purpose of this facility is to enhance our overall service levels to our customers. We do this by ensuring that if you have an emergency need that cannot wait until office hours, (08.30 thru 18.00) then you can be comfortable in the fact that by calling the TD office they will be directed to the TD Business travel team member that is managing the service at that time.

For any further information please speak to any TD team member or should you have any comments relating to the service in the past then we would welcome them by email to Samantha@tdtravelgroup.com

TD Travel Management are invited to join the itm

The TD Travel Group are delighted to announce that we are now supplier members of the Institute of Travel Management or better known as the ITM.

The main focus of the ITM is to serve the needs of Corporate Business Travel Buyers and has been around for almost 50 years. Individual membership of the ITM is open to those who exercise a significant influence on corporate travel purchasing.

Further information can be found on their web site, which is www.itm.org.uk

Emirates

New A380 Is The Star Of The Show

Emirates new double decker A380 wowed the crowds at this year's Dubai Air Show. The aircraft, in full Emirates livery, was given a spectacular send off accompanied by the Patrouille de France, France's national acrobatic air force team.

The A380 redefines the meaning of comfort for all passengers – whether they are premium customers in First and Business class, or leisure travellers in the Economy cabin.

Its double-deck passenger cabins are wider than the largest airliner in service today, offering the possibility for wider seats and aisles on the A380, along with more open spaces and access to optional passenger amenities such as business centers and rest areas below the main deck.

Emirates Places Largest Ever Order of Boeing 777s

Emirates Airlines has also announced firm orders for 42 Boeing 777 aircraft, to be powered by GE90 jet engines, in a deal worth Dhs 35.7 billion (US$9.7 billion) at list prices.

This is the largest-ever order for the Boeing 777 family of aircraft and consists of: 24 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LR Worldliners and eight 777 Freighters, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2007. In addition, Emirates will have purchase rights for 20 more 777 aircraft.

KLM & Air France

KLM Expand Amsterdam Self Service Check-In

Fourteen new baggage drop-off points and sixteen self-service check-in machines will replace check-in rows 13 and 14, located in Departure Hall 2. As a result of the expansion, 75% of KLM’s check-in capacity will be “self-service.”

Work will last until January and during the transition period use of the present check-in machines will be significantly intensified. The expansion will also be used as an opportunity to further improve the self-service concept.

Air France Launches New Non Stop Service to Chile

Air France is now offering a non-stop service from Paris to Santiago de Chile, with three weekly flights operated by a Boeing 777-200. This non-stop flight is the longest on the Air France network and offers a time-saving of three hours compared with the flights via Buenos Aires.

The shortest flight connections between Europe and Chile are now possible thanks to these flights.

bmi

Route Expansion Planned

bmi has announced plans to increase its services from Heathrow to Mumbai to a daily service and to introduce a three-times-weekly Heathrow to Jeddah service.

British Airways

British Airways is set to invest £100 million in a major overhaul of its long haul business class, which the airline's CEO Willie Walsh claims will be the "best in the air".

The enhanced changes will be introduced from mid 2006 and will include a revamp all aspects of the journey - both on the ground and in the air. The airline is also planning a major upgrade to its in-flight entertainment system in all four cabins, also to be introduced from summer 2006.

All of the above prices and offers are subject to change and availability so book early! Please call Manchester on 0161 488 3504 or Yorkshire on 01430 471 860 or email leisure@tdtravelgroup.com where the team will be happy to help.
 

Going to Dubai?

TD Sport & Travel now has access to unique in house negotiated tour operator rates for airfares, meet & greet transfers and accommodation rates for Dubai.

Contact us to check availability and request a quotation for your next visit to Dubai.

Wanting something different but special whilst in Dubai?

TD Sport & Travel are proud to offer you the very best in Hospitality at the home of ‘The World’s Richest Horse Race’ at Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai.

Experience the panoramic views of the race circuit with views of the golf course whilst enjoying the unique and relaxed atmosphere in our very own luxurious facility.

Located in a prime position within the Millennium Grandstand, our glass fronted facility offers excellent views of the finishing straight and the lively public areas below.

With race meetings taking place every Thursday evening until mid April 2006, you have every chance to experience the very best in Dubai Hospitality!

Your Platinum Package will include:

Entrance tickets to Nad al Sheba Racecourse Access to TD Sport & Travel’s own facility with Panoramic views Open Bar facility to include fine wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks* Four Course Dinner to include Cheese Board Waiter service throughout British Management in attendance

We even bring Two Jockeys or Trainers into our facility to run through or review the Race Card with you!

Exclusive price to TD Sport & Travel clientele £99.00 per person**

Contact us to check on availability:

For further information on this or on any other sporting event, please visit our website www.tdsport.co.uk, email us on sport@tdtravelgroup.com or call us on 01430 471 861.

* Bar facility opens 30 minutes prior to first race and closes 30 minutes after final race.
** Separate package and costs applicable to the Dubai World Cup are available

TD RoomFinder is pleased to announce the arrival of a new member of staff!

Stephanie Edwards joined Steve Marshall's flourishing department in November. Steph comes from a hotel background and has extensive product knowledge.

As ever, RoomFinder have access to the lowest corporate rates and special promotional deals at over 60,000 hotels worldwide and they are directly at our fingertips, so pick up the phone and call us for your hotel needs on 0161 488 3501 or email steve.marshall@tdtravelgroup.com.
 

TD Special Events - an eventful year.

The team in TDSE led by Joy Wilson has had a very busy but exciting year helping put together and manage an array of Groups, Incentives and Corporate Events both in the UK and Overseas.

Over 400 delegates from around the world to Japan, China and Hong Kong in April for a valued client of many years proved to be an exciting, challenging and extremely successful event. Naturally all who took part found that experiencing the World Expo, visiting manufacturing plants and being generally entertained to be totally beneficial and enjoyable.

Other projects managed by Joy and her team have been;

• A press tour for 40 in May to the Far East for media reporting on green issue policies.
• Sending the England Netball Team to the USA in August and South Africa in November.
• A World Conference for 50 in Estepona for a Solutions Provider.
• A Pharmaceuticals Conference in Las Vegas for 20.
• A European Users Conference for 200 in Marbella.
• Numerous product Launches in both the UK and Overseas.
• A number of small and large private aircraft charters for various clients.
• A group of 50 Estate Agents with a production team to Tenerife for team building and training
• Numerous one and two day incentive trips to European cities.

Plus many more of all sizes and for differing purposes.

New team members join the group

We are delighted to welcome on board some great new recruits.

Claire Rogers joins our Business Travel team in Wilmslow. Claire has been with Cresta Travel in Altrincham for the past 5 years.

Louise Blacklock again joins us in Business Travel in Wilmslow having spent the past 5 years with STA Travel in Manchester dealing mainly with special and creative fares. Louise brings with her great skills and qualifications in customer service, zero complaints achievements and lots more.

Lorraine Doyle joins TD Holiday Options again at HQ having managed CO-OP Travel in Bramhall for a number of years. For all holiday requirements Lorraine and Eva can be contacted directly on 0161 488 3504 or Contact Mel or Martyn at our Hull office direct on 01430 471 860

 Kath Evans Joins the Business Travel Team in Hull having spent many years with The Travel Company formerly Corporate Travel International (CTI) in Hull.

Steph Edwards has joined TD Room Finder based in our Wilmslow office.

As always, a warm welcome to all our new clients and a special thank you for the continued support of our long standing ones.
 

With over 376 aircraft in operation, 1,800* daily flights and 200* destinations in 88 countries Air France has always been one of Europe's leading airlines but following the successful merger of Air France and KLM earlier this year, the group are now the world's largest air transport group in terms of revenue.

A further development of the merger is the consolidation of the two airlines frequent flyer programmes into one. Flying Blue has now replaced Air France's Fréquence Plus and KLM’s Flying Dutchman.

The programme is both innovative and easy to use. It contains four membership levels – Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Flying Blue will enable its members to benefit from many advantages of the combined networks of Air France and KLM.

Together with mote than 30 partner airlines, Flying Blue enables travellers to earn Miles and use them very advantageously on the 18,000 daily flights to 900 destinations. Furthermore, some 100 non-airline partners have joined the program, increasing the opportunities to earn and burn Miles.

For further information about Air France or about the Flying Blue frequent flyer programme please contact your local TD Office.

For your chance to win 2 economy class tickets from Manchester to Paris with Air France simply answer the following questions: