Cathay Pacific Airways has announced the order of eight Boeing 777 freighters and four 777-300ER (extended range) airplanes from the American aerospace giant. Cathay Pacific won the title of World’s Leading Airline Business Class at the World Travel Award in 2010.

Virgin Atlantic has recorded a pre-tax profit of £18.5 million for the financial year, but warned rising fuel costs and weakening consumer confidence in the UK could take a toll in coming months. Revenues at the carrier – which was last year recognised as the World’s Leading Airline Business Class and World’s Leading Transatlantic Airline by the the World Travel Awards - grew 13 per cent to £2.7 billion.  

Viceroy Hotel Group has been selected by Aldar properties to take over the operation of the iconic Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi, marking the first foray in the region for the American-based group. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at what the decision might mean for what is already considered one of the finest hotels in the Middle East.

A record number of travellers visited Abu Dhabi over the first half of 2011, with guest numbers, guest nights, occupancy, revenue and length-of-stay all up, according to the latest figures. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority itself was also recently recognised as the World’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards.

Sandals Resorts has confirmed it will invest $US500 million to expand its offering in the Caribbean over the coming decade. Sandals has enjoyed a glittering run of success at the renowned World Travel Awards in recent years, most notably being recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Company in 2010.

Etihad Airway’s Peter Baumgartner has sought to dispel a number of lingering rumours around the carrier at the Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit in Sydney. Dismissing claims of government subsidy and even slave labour, the airline’s chief commercial officer went on to outlined a clear agenda for dominance in the region.