Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/919364
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2017 Events 46 12 December, 2017- Emirates an- nounced today its Hello 2018 fare sale, offering special deals on Economy Class flights to popular destinations for Maltese travel- lers. For those looking to take their dream holiday or visit their loved ones, take advantage of these at- tractive fares by booking between 8 January and 21 January 2018. The special sale includes 24 des- tinations across Emirates' global network for a travel period begin- ning on 15 January 2018 and end- ing on 30 June 2018. Passengers who travel Emirates can enjoy over 2,500 channels of entertainment and films, through ice, Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment system. Passengers across all cabins will be served a variety of fine wines and regionally inspired cuisine prepared using fresh ingredients. They will also experience the famed hospitality of the airline's multi-cultural cabin crew, includ- ing crew from Malta. For the Hello 2018 fare sale the luggage allowance to all destinations is 20 kg, except for Australia where the allowance is increased to 30 Kg. Emirates' 2017 Milestones From welcoming its 100th A380, to announcing refreshed interiors for its B777 aircraft and a refurbished A380 Onboard Lounge to introducing Newark via Athens, Phnom Penh and Za- greb to its global network, Emir- ates continues to expand both its f leet and its product, maintaining its role as an industry leader and striving to exceed passenger's ex- pectations. Other 2017 accomplishments for Emirates include being rec- ognised as the Best Airline in the World at the inaugural Tri- pAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for Airlines, winning four awards at the 2017 Business Traveller Awards, another two awards at the prestigious UL- TRAS 2017 Awards, a Passenger choice award for Best Entertain- ment at the 2017 APEX Passenger Choice Awards and winning the World's Best Inf light Entertain- ment award for a record 13th year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2017.Emirates looks for- ward to continuing its expansion in the coming years, with 40 new Boeing 787 Dreamliners on or- der and rapidly increasing their network even further thanks to a partnership with f lydubai. To book your next f light with Emirates contact your local travel agent or visit www.emirates.com/mt Emirates' Hello 2018 welcomes the new year with attractive fares HSBC Malta rings in Christmas with free shopping for customers THE echoes of Burl Ives "Holly, Jolly Christmas" at The Point shopping mall were interspersed with the unmistakable bell of Santa Claus who surprised HSBC customers by offering to pay for their purchases. Customers had a lovely surprise when instead of authorising pay- ment through their own HSBC cards, cashiers called on none other than Father Christmas himself, who – after lots of hugs and kisses – proceeded to pay for HSBC's customers. The fun and excitement were captured on a video now posted on HSBC Malta's website as well as its popular community page facebook.com/HSBCMalta and HSBC Malta YouTube channel. The video opens with an actor dressing up as Santa Claus and a variety of hidden and visible cameras being installed in vari- ous retail outlets in the mall. The featured customers can be seen pulling their cards from their wallets and purses whilst cash- iers refuse to accept the payment and instead call in Santa Claus. Customers can be seen saying "Oh, it's fantastic!" and saying "Surprised and happy, thank you very much HSBC". The Christmas video is fast be- coming an annual HSBC tradi- tion, bringing together elements of traditional banking, commu- nity involvement, and new me- dia. Last year, a video of three first-time HSBC home buyers receiving a waiver on their De- cember repayment during a home visit by bank officials was viewed thousands of times. HSBC Malta uses the initiative to wish all its customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Customers thanked HSBC and said they were "surprised and happy" 5th AutoLiquigas fuelling station in Mellieha LIQUIGAS Malta continues to ex- pand the supply of the alternative cleaner fuel - Liquified Petrolium Gas (LPG) for vehicles and has opened the 5th AutoLiquigas Fill- ing Station at Santa Maria Service Station in Mellieħa. This is a con- venient location for people living and working in the northern region of Malta, and also for those who are going or coming from Gozo. Around 2,000 vehicles have been converted from petrol to LPG since the launch of AutoLiquigas in Mal- ta in 2012. Estimates show that in 2016 vehicles running on LPG have reduced over 500 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), in addition to sig- nificant reductions in nitrogen ox- ides (NOx) and particulate matter. Four other operational stations are offering AutoLiquigas. These are at Malta International Airport Service Station in Gudja; J Micallef Service Station in Triq Buqana, Rabat; Wembley Service Station in St Andrew's Road, Swieqi; and VC Service Station in Naxxar Road, Għargħur. Two more AutoLiqui- gas dispensers are planned to be completed by the beginning of 2018, including one in Gozo. Liquigas continues to keep its promise on the price of AutoLiqui- gas. With the selling price of LPG at €0.65 per litre, it is 50% cheaper than unleaded petrol (currently at €1.31), and 45% cheaper than diesel (currently at €1.18). Car conver- sions are particularly cost effective for those car owners who use their vehicles daily to commute or for transportation. Liquigas Malta CEO, Roberto Capelluto, said: "As more drivers are switching their cars to LPG, we reaffirm our commitment to offering an adequate spread of Au- toLiquigas filling stations across Malta. Apart from cheaper run- ning costs, consumers are becom- ing more aware of LPG as a safer fuel alternative as it reduces the carbon footprint on average by 12% when compared with petrol. Clean and efficient combustion means that LPG vehicles also produce fewer harmful pollutants. "The financial incentives in this regard are, in effect, a contribution not only in cleaner air, but they go a long way towards improved health and well-being of Maltese citizens, together with the targets of CO2 reduction required by the EU," added Mr Capelluto. Vehicle LPG conversions are be- ing carried out by seven authorised autogas installers across Malta. LPG conversion results in a dual- fuel car - that is a car that can run on either LPG or petrol at the flick of a switch, even while driving. Car owners can apply for the govern- ment's gas conversion scheme from Transport Malta which grants up to €200, subject to some condi- tions. Government has further extended the scheme in the 2018 budget. The new AutoLiquigas fuelling pump at Santa Maria Service Station in Mellieha