AIRWAY TO HEAVEN

The Pope has joined the likes of Richard Branson and Michael O’Leary by launching his own airline. The inaugural flight departs this earth later this month, flying from Rome to Lourdes (www.mistralair.it ). Headrests in the cabin will be emblazoned with the airline’s motto – “I’m searching for your face, Lord” – and if the venture proves successful, further departures to destinations such as the shrine of Fatima in Portugal and the shrine of the Madonna of Guadalupe in Mexico are planned.

JUMBO NEWS

The new A380 superjumbo will make its first commercial flight on October 25, it has been announced. Singapore Airlines, the first carrier to buy the Airbus double-decker – the largest passenger plane ever built – will fly the A380 from its base at Changi airport to Sydney. If you want a ticket for the historic takeoff, though, you’d better get your wallet out. The 471 seats will be auctioned for charity on eBay, starting next Monday – and thanks to the excitement the revolutionary aircraft has caused, prices are expected to go sky high.

EASYCRUISE 2 FOUNDERS

Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s European river-cruising concept has hit the rocks. Operations ceased on August 17 after Boonstra Riverline, the company running the vessels used by EasyCruise, went under. EasyCruise says it is “in contact with all passengers booked to travel with EasyCruiseTwo and is offering a full refund for their cruise and travel arrangements, as well as a complimentary cruise on EasyCruiseOne, to be taken by the end of 2008”.

ANGKOR AT RISK

Archeologists from the Greater Angkor Project have warned that rampant building work around Cambodia’s Angkor temples poses a grave threat to the site. New research shows that the temple complex – now one of Southeast Asia’s biggest tourist attractions – was once at the heart of a city covering an area of 400 square miles. “Delicate traces of that city remain and are of great archeological significance, but they are under serious threat from uncontrolled development in the Siem Reap area,” said the group.