Corporate Travel News For Asia

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (22-Mar-2018) the overall domestic on time performance for Jan-2018. Details include:

• On time departures: 85.5%;
  • Qantas: 88.9%;
  • Virgin Australia: 88.6%;
  • Regional Express: 87.0%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 87.0%;
  • QantasLink: 84.9%;
  • Jetstar: 79.0%;
  • Tigerair: 74.0%;
• On time arrivals: 84.3%;
  • Qantas: 87.7%;
  • Virgin Australia: 86.8%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 84.1%;
  • QantasLink: 83.8%;
  • Regional Express: 83.5%;
  • Jetstar: 81.3%;
  • Tigerair: 72.3%;
• Cancellations: 1.3%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 3.2%;
  • Tigerair: 2.3%;
  • QantasLink: 2.1%;
  • Virgin Australia: 1.2%;
  • Jetstar: 1.1%;
  • Qantas: 1.0%;
  • Regional Express: 0.5%. [more - original PR]

Northern Territory Government released (21-Mar-2018) the 'China Ready Program'. The programme will support the territory's 'Tourism Vision 2020', with objectives to grow the value of the visitor economy, address supply constraints and improve the visitor experience. The Northern Territory Government stated making the territory a 'China Ready Destination' is one of five strategic focus areas for Tourism NT to guide the efforts of industry and the government, with a goal of attracting 30,000 Chinese visitors with an estimated expenditure of AUD46 million (USD35.7 million) by 2020. Under the China programme, tourism operators can apply for one-off support funding of up to AUD5000 (USD3885) to support 'China Readiness'. Tourism NT is also offering the following assistance for operators:

• Translation/printing of restaurant or room service menus;
• Production of a product/destination video with Chinese subtitles or Mandarin voice over;
• Translation/production of signage and safety cards;
• Purchasing hotel room amenities;
• Production of a welcome letter, hotel fact sheet, and local map;
• Production of an in-room TV Chinese language information video;
• Subscription to a Chinese language newspaper for hotel guests. [more - original PR]

AirAsia launched (21-Mar-2018) a brand campaign targeting Australians across digital, social, cinema and out of home channels. The campaign highlights the airline's range of 130 destinations. AirAsia Group head of branding Rudy Khaw said: "Consumer research undertaken in Australia told us that while travellers knew about the AirAsia brand and our products and services, they did not have full visibility of our network". [more - original PR]

Air Tanzania MD Ladislaus Matindi said the airline intends to initially use its first Boeing 787 aircraft for routes to China and India, followed by Europe in a second phase (The EastAfrican, 19-Mar-2018). Mr Matindi confirmed talks are underway with Boeing and Tanzania's Government to acquire a second 787. As previously reported by CAPA, the airline is expected to receive one 787-8 by the end of Jul-2018.

London Heathrow Airport marked (19-Mar-2018) 10 years of A380 operations at the airport. London Heathrow Airport director of airline business development Simon Eastburn commented: "It's been fantastic to see nine of our airlines welcome the Airbus A380 over the past decade. Ten years from first flight, this pioneering aircraft has helped us reduce noise and improve efficiency whilst supporting continued passenger demand for long haul routes. This is one of the most popular aircraft for many passengers so we look forward to celebrating this milestone with them". British Airways, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways operate the aircraft from Heathrow. [more - original PR]

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) confirmed (16-Mar-2018) a determination allocating to Virgin Australia seven frequencies per week of capacity on the Hong Kong route. The determination is valid for five years. The capacity is planned to be used to provide services jointly with Hong Kong Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. The Commission notes that there are no other applicants seeking capacity on the route and Virgin Australia is an established international carrier, and is reasonably capable of obtaining the necessary approvals and of implementing its application. To date, Virgin Australia has a total capacity allocation of seven frequencies on the Hong Kong route. Virgin Australia is required to fully utilise the capacity from no later than 28-Feb-2019. Only Virgin Australia is permitted to use the capacity, which may be used by Virgin Australia to provide codeshare service with Virgin Atlantic in accordance with the codeshare agreement between Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic made on 18-Dec-2017. Virgin Australia must apply to the Commission for approval of any proposed variations to its codeshare agreements with Hong Kong Airlines and/or Virgin Atlantic which would change the relevant commercial aspects of the relevant agreement(s) from a free sale codeshare arrangement to a block space, or vice versa, or if the airlines propose to add third country routes to the agreement. [more - original PR]

Air Canada CFO Mike Rousseau said the airline is confident of agreeing a JV with Air China in the coming months following more than a year of talks (Routes Online, 18-Mar-2018). Mr Rousseau said a meeting was scheduled in May-2018 to "put the finishing touches"on the agreement. "We want to make sure that on both sides we get it right... And certainly our expectation is that Air China will be a great partner for us", Mr Rousseau said. The two Star Alliance carriers already have a codeshare and lounge agreement, which will be expanded from Ap-2018.

Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO Peter Ingram stated the carrier sees the potential for continued growth in aviation between Asia and Hawaii, having added service throughout the Asia Pacific region since 2010 (CNBC, 16-Mar-2018). The carrier is "really looking forward" to the opportunity to expand as it brings on the Boeing 787 aircraft from 2020, Mr Ingram said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) director of business and tourism events Rosie Douglas welcomed (16-Mar-2018) news that Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef secured 46 corporate and association business events worth AUD45 million (USD34.7 million) to the Cairns regional economy for FY2016-2017. TTNQ noted that almost half of both the secured events and the leads have been international clients wanting to take advantage of increased flight access to Cairns and the competitive AUD. TTNQ also noted Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef particularly appealed to the Asian business events market with direct flights to China, Singapore and Japan ensuring easy access to a destination with a similar time zone. [more - original PR]

VietJet Air and Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) signed (16-Mar-2018) an agreement for nonstop Ho Chi Minh City-Brisbane service, expected to commence in 2019. BAC CEO and MD Julieanne Alroe reported 8% p/a growth in travel between Vietnam and Queensland over the last five years and said Ho Chi Minh City is one of Brisbane's top five markets without nonstop service. Airfreight between Vietnam and Queensland tripled in the last four years. BAC secured the service with the support of Queensland's Government under the attracting aviation investment fund, along with partner Tourism and Events Queensland and support from Trade and Investment Queensland. Brisbane will be VietJet's first destination in Australia and the airline will be Brisbane Airport's first international LCC. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]