Marella Cruises customers have jetted off from Manchester on the UK’s only direct flights to Langkawi, Malaysia. TUI Airways is operating the flights from Manchester, as well as Birmingham and London Gatwick, to fly cruisers to the Langkawi homeport for Enchanting Far East and Eastern Sunsets itineraries, forming part of Marella Cruises’ new Asia programme as the cruise line continues its pledge of offering its customers more choice and flexibility.

Manchester Airport celebrated TUI Airways’ cruise-only inaugural flight with a special surprise performance from a Malaysian dance troupe, as well as cake and drinks. The Boeing 787 then took off for Langkawi with excited cruisers onboard.

Marella Cruises is the only cruise line to operate cruise-only flights on its own exclusive airline, providing customers with a seamless end-to-end customer experience. Flying from regional airports, the third largest cruise line in the UK gives customers the opportunity to travel from the airport most convenient for them. The brand new TUI Airways flights to Langkawi will make it relaxing and stress-free for local customers to start their holiday, before enjoying fantastic, adult-only itineraries onboard Marella Discovery.

Managing Director of Marella Cruises Chris Hackney said: “We’re really excited to be launching inaugural flights from the UK to Langkawi in Malaysia. We’re always looking at ways we can offer our customers even more flexibility and choice when it comes to choosing a cruise and the TUI Airways flights mark the next step in our continued effort to give our customers the best holiday experience.

As part of our new Asia programme, our itineraries from Langkawi offer customers amazing destinations to some of the most sought out corners of the world, all alongside nothing but the best service onboard our ships with the friendliest staff at sea.”

Julian Carr, Aviation Director for Manchester Airport, said: “Customers can now get their cruise off to a fantastic start with direct flights from Manchester to Langkawi. South East Asia is a fantastic region to explore and I’m sure the cruises will prove hugely popular with our passengers.”

Transportation software provider Autocab has been gaining national recognition for the game-changing technology it is providing to local taxi firms.

Finalists in the UK App Awards and the UK IT Awards, Autocab walked away as winners in the UK Business Tech Awards, the Engage Awards and the Finance Awards North West.

As one of the fastest growing tech companies in the North West of England, Autocab transformed its business model in 2015 in order to help local taxi companies compete against Uber.

Autocab built the iGo Network after seeing ride-hailing apps shaking up the passenger market, effectively turning the industry on its head. The iGo Network is uniting taxi firms around the world into a cooperative network – allowing passengers to use their local taxi firm’s app to book a taxi wherever they are. By creating equivalent app-based technology, Autocab has been recognised for its role in levelling the playing field for smaller players.

The Cheadle-based firm now has a 52% market share in the UK and is expanding globally, with customers in 20 countries. The SaaS-based business has grown at 43% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last four years.

Safa Alkateb, CEO at Autocab said: “Our team and technology wholeheartedly deserve the amount of recognition they’re getting. We continually strive to provide the best technology to our customers, helping them compete against the ever-growing tech-first transport giants. We know that our customers provide a customer service proposition that Uber cannot match – and by working together through the iGo Network they can now reach people whenever and wherever.”

Customers of Autocab include Manchester Street Cars, who introduced the app to its customers in 2016. Aqeel Arshad, Operations Director of Street Cars, said: “The feedback we’ve received from our passenger app has been phenomenal. Our customers love the convenience of being able to book a taxi with three taps on their phone and now, with iGo, we can offer our regular passengers a taxi anywhere in the country.”

Five lucky travel agents from across the UK have friven away with their very own brand new mini, courtesy of Manchester Airport’s year-long MAG-nificient campaign, which was created for the airport’s 80th birthday to thank travel agents.

For the last 12 months travel agents that have booked holidays from the UK’s third biggest airport have been able to enter the competition, which was drawn this week. Throughout the year bottles of champagne have been given away each week, with the star prize being five minis. Agents were picked from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Northern England and Southern England, all of which collected their keys this morning.

The winners were presented with their minis under the wings of the iconic Concorde, at the airport’s Runway Visitor Park.

They were picked out of almost 13,000 entries and come from Glasgow, North Wales, County Armagh, Yorkshire and London. The winners are:

Ann Jones, Teithiau Menai Travel, Llanrug, Gwynedd
Alana Stewart, Jigsaw Travel, Glasgow
Shelley Cully, Selective Travel, Donaghcloney, County Armagh
Deborah Little, Travel Counsellors, Huddersfield
Joanne Evershed, Love Holidays, London

Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing at Manchester Airport, said: “To mark our 80th birthday we wanted to do something very special which is why we launched our biggest ever trade incentive to mark the occasion.

“Travel agents are hugely important to the airport and we appreciate every booking they make for travel through the airport.

“What better way to celebrate our eightieth birthday and to reward all of the hardworking agents that sell Manchester Airport.

“It was my pleasure to meet all the winners today and hand over the keys to their brand-new minis.”

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is gearing up once again for the traditional Christmas and New Year ‘getaway’, with over 140,000 passengers expected to pass through the Airport over the festive and New Year holiday period.

Passenger numbers have been on the increase throughout 2018 and the Airport expects to see the 5 millionth passenger this year pass through its door at some point during the festive season as annual passenger numbers are set to reach their highest in 7 years.

The Airport is expecting over 4,000 more travellers to pass through the Airport over the Christmas and New Year period – a 3% increase compared to 2017, with this Friday expected to be the one of busiest days with around 15,000 passengers departing and arriving at LJLA.

As schools finish for Christmas towards the end of this week, families from across the region are expected to head off on flights over the holiday period with passengers travelling to a mix of destinations in search of some much needed Winter sun, to go skiing, visit relatives, or looking for Christmas and New Year festivities across a range of European cities.

The Airport will once again be helping passengers get into the festive mood on Friday with a Christmas DJ, face painters and even Father Christmas finding time during his busy schedule to meet with passengers young and old.

As usual, popular flights for passengers over the coming days are expected to be Winter ski destinations such as Geneva and Tenerife for some warmer Winter weather, whilst closer to home flights between Liverpool and Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man will be amongst the busiest with passengers travelling to be with friends and families.

LJLA Management are once again keen to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time to pass through the Airport during this busy period and that restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage are still in place. Passengers are also reminded to think carefully about what items they are intending to pack in hand luggage, before they set off for the Airport – especially those who are travelling with presents for friends and relatives.

To avoid disappointment at the security search point and to help keep security queues to a minimum, passengers are being asked to travel with their presents unwrapped if they are to be carried in hand luggage.

Robin Tudor, Head of PR for LJLA commented, “The Christmas and New Year period is one of our busiest times of the year and we expect this year to be one of the busiest for some time, as thousands of passengers from across the region take advantage of the convenience of flying via Liverpool, without any of the hassle.

We pride ourselves for being faster, easier and friendlier and would like to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time, come prepared and think carefully about what you are carrying in your hand luggage.”

Ashfield Healthcare Communications, a global micro network of connected agencies, part of UDG Healthcare plc, has expanded its business by opening an office in the heart of Manchester, UK. It’s ninth office in the UK and it’s 16th office globally including London, Brighton, New York, Boston and Chicago.

The company, which specialises in providing communications services across the life sciences sector, currently has over 50 staff based in the office with ambitious plans to accommodate 75 as part of its significant growth and recruitment strategy.

Bolstered by the new office, Ashfield aims to continue its UK-wide recruitment success in the coming year by creating numerous roles for experienced communications professionals and training 80 medical writers through its dedicated training programme, Allegro.

Doug Burcin, president of Ashfield Healthcare Communications said: “Manchester is a key location for Ashfield Healthcare Communications and our new office is an essential part of our ambition to recruit and retain the best talent available to support our continued growth and the expansion of our services.

“Our need for new talent has been driven by an increase in demand for our services and a broadening of the range of skills we need to offer to stay ahead of industry trends.” Burcin added: “The city is one of the Europe’s fastest growing and home to one of the most creative and technology talent hubs. We’re thrilled to be part of such a thriving, innovative and ambitious creative community.”

Leading regional set Kings Chambers has been spreading Christmas cheer by participating in a quartet of charitable activities for regional good causes across the festive season.

The chambers raised more than £3,300 to purchase Christmas presents to donate to Wood Street Mission’s Christmas Appeal; where toys and gifts are given to children and families in need across Manchester and Salford.

Debra Andres, Chambers Director at Kings Chambers said: “We are delighted to support Wood Street Mission’s Christmas Appeal as our chosen Christmas charity. Everyone in Chambers likes to be involved and we’re delighted to have been able to hand over so many presents this year helping the charity in supporting so many families in the local community.”

Omnia Retail, a leading Dutch pricing and online marketing automation software provider, has appointed PR Agency Oneto establish and expand its business in the UK.

The company, which opened a London office in September, uses proprietary, machine learning software to help retailers regain control, save time and drive profitable growth by automating their pricing and online marketing.

Since launching in the Netherlands in 2013, the business has gone on to secure over 100 major clients, such as Samsung and Decathlon. Omnia has already helped these existing clients to see up to 50% improvement in sales and margin uplift, alongside 400% growth on marketing channels like Google Shopping. Now, after receiving several million pounds investment, Omnia is rolling out to the rest of Europe, with a particular focus on the UK retail market.

PR Agency One will be tasked with overseeing and implementing Omnia’s strategic UK PR and communications output. It will look to significantly raise brand awareness and credibility within the UK retail market and demonstrate the company’s expertise in dynamic pricing and online marketing.

The agency’s dedicated retail and technology teams are very familiar working with companies similar to Omnia, and have repeatedly produced high-quality results for retailers, such as Decathlon, and innovative tech companies. Both teams will work together to boost lead generation, reputation and sales for Omnia and – as the original performance PR specialists – will measure the impact of ongoing communications activity through its unique, in-house evaluation system.

James Crawford, managing director at PR Agency One, said: “Despite the ongoing struggles of the high street, e-retailers are booming as more consumers opt to shop online. But, many online brands aren’t making the most of this sales-boosting opportunity and are destroying their profits with clumsy pricing strategies. This is a great opportunity for Omnia to get retailers on board by highlighting how it can help them make the most out of every sale. Our retail and technology teams have a wealth of experience dealing with innovations such as Omnia and we can’t wait to shout about their unique offering.”

Sander Roose, founder and CEO at Omnia Retail, said: “Partnering with PR Agency One was the clear choice for us considering its proven success working within our relevant sectors. And as a fast-growth business itself, the agency understands the journey we are on and can support us accordingly.

“It’s been a turbulent few months for UK retail businesses, with recent headlines showing that virtually no-one is safe if they do not provide innovative solutions to issues which really matter to customers – such as price. We currently work with over 100 leading retailers to achieve this, and look forward to helping UK retailers drive smart, sustainable growth over the coming months.”