Air Catering War to Break Out During May Holiday

(SinoCast Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)SHANGHAI, Apr 24, 2006 (SinoCast via COMTEX) --With the May Holiday drawing near, wars among China's domestic airline firms and foreign counterparts become fiercer. The coverage is not only limited in the ticket price, but also spread into air catering.


China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd. (China Southern Airlines), leader of China's airline firms based in Guangzhou, declared on April 19 that it would hold an Air Gourmet Festival on about 6,000 domestic and foreign flights. From May 1 to 7, Shanghai passengers will have the opportunities to taste many kinds of Guangzhou's famous foods provided by China Southern Airlines.

In May Day Holiday, China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. (China Eastern Airlines) will also provide 2,000 kinds of foods for passengers.

Besides, Hongkong Dragon Airlines Ltd. (Dragonair) co-operate with a top-class restaurant to supply delicious air catering.

Foreign airline firms also involve in this campaign. Deutsche Lufthansa AG, a world-leading airline, achieved agreement with enlisted Hong Kong firm Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts on its air catering.

From www.nbd.com.cn, Page 1, Friday, April 21, 2006
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Retail sales of China’s lodging and catering industry up 14.2%

Apr. 27, 2006 (China Knowledge) - The retail sales of China's lodging and catering industry rose by 14.2% year-on-year to RMB 254.12 billion in the first quarter this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

During the first three months of this year, there were 220 new foreign-invested lodging and catering enterprises. Contractual foreign funds came up to US$540 million, up 7% and utilized foreign funds was US$180 million, rising by 75.4%.

The retail sales of the sector came to RMB 94.35 billion in January, RMB 82.57 billion in February and RMB 78.15 billion in March, up 16.1%, 9.8% and 16.8%, respectively.

Copyright 2006 www.chinaknowledge.com

Catering Contractor Banned After Fraud Uncovered

JEDDAH, 29 April 2006 — The Ministry of Health has blacklisted the catering company that was involved in the embezzlement of public money by presenting exaggerated bills for undelivered meals to hospitals in the Makkah region, an official source at the ministry said.

The catering contractor’s fraudulent practices were first brought to the ministry’s attention by Abeer Al-Masoodi, who worked as a dietician at the company.

Responding to the allegation that the whistleblower’s complaints were initially ignored by ministry officials, the source said involvement of any government official in the scam has not been proved. “The ministry will announce the findings about the role of the related officials in the issue without concealing anything,” the source said.