Corporate Travel News For The Americas

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) appointed (07-Aug-2017) a team of international specialists to conduct an independent review of new fatigue rules. The team will review results of investigations into fatigue related accidents and incidents and how CASA's philosophy and approach to fatigue regulation compares with that of other transport regulators and high-risk industries. The team will then benchmark the new fatigue regulations against those of other leading aviation countries and regulators including the European Aviation Safety Agency, New Zealand, the US, UK and Canada. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (04-Aug-2017) plans to increase Auckland-Honolulu capacity by 75% between Apr-2018 to Oct-2018. The carrier will operate an additional 94 return services during the period, moving from four times weekly to daily and up to nine times weekly during the Jul-2018 school holiday period. Services will be operated by Boeing 787-9 and 777-200 aircraft. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (03-Aug-2017) plans to increase Vancouver-Auckland capacity by 20% between Jan-2018 to Jul-2018. Frequencies will increase from seven to eight times weekly during Jan-2018; from five times weekly to daily during Feb-2018; from four to five times weekly during Mar-2018 and Apr-2018; and from three to five times weekly during May-2018 to mid-Jun-2018. [more - original PR]

Tourism Research Australia released (02-Aug-2017) its annual tourism forecast for 2017. The forecast includes a decade long view on changes in: international inbound arrivals; the purpose of travel for inbound arrivals; visitor nights and expenditure; outbound travel by Australian residents and the main country they visit. Highlights of the report include:

• Expenditure:
  • AUD151.4 billion (USD120.4 billion) overnight spend in 2026-27;
  • Up 50% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 4.1%;
• International visitors:
  • 15 million in 2026-27;
  • Up 75% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 5.8%;
  • China: AUD26.2 billion (USD20.8 billion), up 168% on 2016-17;
  • New Zealand: AUD3.9 billion (USD3.1 billion), up 44% on 2016-17;
  • US: AUD6.3 billion (USD5.0 billion), up 77% on 2016-17;
• Domestic spend:
  • AUD97.5 billion (USD77.6 billion) in 2026-27;
  • Up 21% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 1.9%;
  • Domestic overnight: AUD75.5 billion (USD60.0 billion);
  • Day trip spend: AUD21.9 billion (USD17.4 billion);
• Outbound trips:
  • 14.8 million in 2026-27;
  • Up 47% on 2016-17, with an annual growth 3.9%. [more - original PR]

Flight Centre Travel Group acquired (02-Aug-2017) Quebec based travel company Les Voyages du Vallon (LDV). Flight Centre Travel Group MD Graham Turner stated the acquisition would fast-track the company's growth in another key global location. The deal includes acquisition of 75% of LDV with a rolling put and call option in place for the remaining 25% to be exercised after 31-Jul-2019. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia applied (31-Jul-2017) for renewed exemptions authorities from the US Department of Transportation to codeshare with Delta Air Lines on services within Australia, for a period of at least two years. The existing authorisation is set to expire on 11-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]

Flight Centre Travel Group and Queensland Government announced (25-Jul-2017) a new agreement to market the state around the world. Queensland Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones stated: "The AUD6 million (USD4.8 million) deal would build on a previous agreement that delivered a 38% sales increase at travel expos in New Zealand and the UK. This new 2017-2020 partnership will focus on Tourism and Major Events Queensland's key target markets including New Zealand, UK and Canada and will include a programme of marketing campaigns, consumer promotions, travel agent education and training, product growth and event support, especially around the Commonwealth Games". [more - original PR]

Sydney Airport, via its official Facebook page, released (24-Jul-2017) images of Qantas' Boeing 747 named 'Gosford' landing in Sydney for the final time. On 30-Jul-2017, the aircraft is set complete its final service Sydney-San Francisco before being retired in Mojave Air and Space Port, California.

Qantas, vis its official Twitter page, announced (20-Jul-2017) all eligible Qantas Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members will now have access to selected Alaska Airlines business class lounges as part of a reciprocal codeshare agreement.

Tourism Tasmania released (Jul-2017) its International Market Approach report which aims to grow annual visitor numbers to Tasmania to 1.5 million and generate visitor expenditure of AUD2.5 billion (USD2 billion) by 2020. The report identified Tasmania's highest priority markets, which include North America, Continental Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. [more - original PR]