Corporate Travel News For Asia

Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) signed (21-Jun-2017) an airframe maintenance service agreement with Jetstar Airways and completed the first C Check on one of the airline's Boeing 787-8 aircraft. HAECO stated its team worked closely with Jetstar Airways onsite representatives to resolve technical issues and redelivered the aircraft on schedule. [more - original PR]

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (22-Jun-2017) overall domestic on-time performance for participating airlines averaged 87.4% for on-time departures and 87.5% for on-time arrivals for May-2017. Details include:

• On-time departures: 87.4%;
  • Jetstar: 77.8%;
  • Qantas: 91.3%;
  • QantasLink: 89.8%;
  • Regional Express: 88.2%;
  • Tigerair: 79.0%;
  • Virgin Australia: 88.6%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 87.0%;
• On-time arrivals: 87.5%;
  • Jetstar: 82.3%;
  • Qantas: 90.8%;
  • QantasLink: 89.7%;
  • Regional Express: 86.3%;
  • Tigerair: 80.0%;
  • Virgin Australia: 88.1%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 84.7%;
• Cancellations: 1.0%;
  • Jetstar: 0.6%;
  • Qantas: 0.6%;
  • QantasLink: 1.3%;
  • Regional Express: 1.2%;
  • Tigerair: 0.7%;
  • Virgin Australia: 1.4%;
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines: 0.3%. [more - original PR]

Batik Air commenced (21-Jun-2017) twice daily Denpasar-Perth service on 22-Jun-2017, operating with Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The new service will add 5040 seats per week on the route. Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown stated Indonesian visitors to Perth increased 17.8% year-on-year for the 12 months ending Apr-2017, adding: "it's important that we continue to facilitate growth through greater flight options". [more - original PR]

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, speaking at the 2017 Paris Air Show, commented on the potential resumption of Adelaide service by AirAsia X, stating: "We had it, we pulled out of it, but at that time were were a different airline. Now I think we are in much better shape, so I hope we can do it in the not too distant future" (AAP, 21-Jun-2017). Mr Fernandes aims to create connectivity to "smaller destinations in Australia" such as Broome. Mr Fernandes added: "I think it is much more important to go to Adelaide than London right now. There are places begging for more connectivity, and South Australia is one of them".

Cebu Pacific Air reported (16-Jun-2017) 43,512 passengers between Manila and Sydney in 1Q2017, representing a 42% market share, according to data from Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics. Total traffic on the route increased 7% year-on-year to 104,446 passengers and Cebu Pacific passenger numbers increased 16%. The airline recorded average load factor of 78% on the route. Cebu Pacific accounts for close to 40% of total seat capacity between Manila and Sydney. The carrier's cargo traffic reached 1131 tons, representing 49% of the total 2325 tons, up from 1567 tons in 1Q2016. Cebu Pacific VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said: "These numbers do not only showcase the Philippines as a flourishing destination, but it also shows our strong commitment to remain and further stimulate our key market in Australia". [more - original PR]

China Airlines announced (16-Jun-2017) plans to increase frequency on Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland route to a daily from Dec-2017. China Airlines has flown to Brisbane Airport since 2003, from its home hub of Taipei, and currently offers four times weekly service between Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland. China Airlines GM Brisbane Branch Ray Chang stated the boosted schedule reconfirmed China Airline's ongoing commitment to Queensland. Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and MD Julieanne Alroe welcomed the announcement stating the additional services would meet growing demand on the route. [more - original PR]

Cairns Airport reported international traffic increased 9.5% year-on-year during May-2017 (Cairns Post, 16-Jun-2017). CEO Norris Carter stated the growth was due to high capacity on Hong Kong Airlines' service, that recorded a 164% increase. Jetstar's Bali service also reported 47% increase in passenger traffic during the month.

High Court of Australia found (14-Jun-2017) air cargo price fixing arrangements entered into between Air New Zealand, Garuda Indonesia and other international airlines between 2002 and 2006 breached Australia's competition law. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took action against Air New Zealand in 2009 and Garuda Indonesia in 2010, alleging the airlines colluded with other carriers on charges for fuel, security, insurance and customs for the carriage of airfreight from Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia to Australia. ACCC was required to establish that the conduct occurred in a 'market in Australia'. The High Court unanimously dismissed appeals by each airline and held that all aspects of the market, including the presence of customers in Australia, need to be considered in deciding whether a market is 'in Australia'. The matters against the airlines will be remitted to the Federal Court for a hearing as to relief, including penalty. ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said "Today's judgment sends a clear message that the ACCC is committed to pursuing cartel conduct that impacts on Australian business and consumers". [more - original PR - ACCC] [more - original PR - High Court] [more - original PR - Air New Zealand]

Tourism Australia reported (13-Jun-2017) visitor arrivals to Australia rose 15% in Apr-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 701,300, +14.8% year-on-year;
  • New Zealand: 116,200, +1.8%;
  • China: 100,700, +3.6%;
  • US: 64,300, +28.1%;
  • UK: 57,500, +21.6%;
  • Singapore: 34,200, +4.3%. [more - original PR]

New Zealand's Transport Minister Simon Bridges stated (13-Jun-2017) the country is "in a strong position to attract airlines, with a liberal international air transport policy that allows most major airlines to operate services to New Zealand without restriction". Mr Bridges noted New Zealand attracted 404,384 inbound tourist arrivals from China for the year ending 31-Mar-2017, an increase of 7% year-on-year. Chinese nationals spent approximately NZD1.5 billion (USD1.1 billion) for the period. The Minister noted that the addition of the new Sichuan Airlines service "raises the number of airlines now operating from China to New Zealand from five to six", and praised it as "a testament to the success of our International Air Transport Policy, which provides additional opportunities for these airlines". [more - original PR]