Corporate Travel News For Asia

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) approved (13-Jun-2017) Pacific Air Express' request for Determination [2017] IASC 111, which allocates unlimited freight capacity and frequency on the China route, valid for 10 years from 13-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Australia's International Air Services Commission announced (07-Jun-2017) decisions related to the following determinations for the Virgin Australia Group:

• Determination [2007] IASC 118 permits the capacity allocation on the New Zealand route to be used for codeshare services between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines. It is planned that codeshare tickets would be made available on sale from 19-Jun-2017 for travel from 05-Jul-2017, to coincide with Virgin Australia's commencement of own-operated services to Hong Kong;
• Determination [2016] JASC 107 permits the capacity entitlement on the Hong Kong route to be used for codeshare services between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines. [more - original PR]

Fiji Bureau of Statistics released Fiji visitor arrivals numbers for Apr-2017, which reached a record 68,495, an increase of 17.8% year on year (Fiji Sun, 10-Jun-2017). The main increases in visitor numbers for Fiji included: Rest of Asia by 35.6%; South Korea (22.1%); New Zealand (15.9%); China (10.6%) and the US (10.0%). The only decrease was recorded for visitors from the UK, down 1.5%.

Australia's International Air Services Commission announced (07-Jun-2017) decisions related to the following determinations for the Qantas Group:

• Determination [2011] IASC 123 allocating to Qantas 35.6 B747 equivalent units and 26 third country code share frequencies of passenger capacity per week on the Thailand route. The determination is valid for five years from 01-Jul-2017;
• Determination [2007] IASC 116 permits the use of the capacity on the Singapore route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017;
• Determination [2011] IASC 123 permits the use of the capacity on the Thailand route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand released (08-Jun-2017) its annual Approved Destination Status (ADS) market update for China. Over 100,000 Chinese visit New Zealand each year on a group tour using a special ADS visa. To help maintain high standards for these visitors this market is governed by a Code of Conduct managed by Tourism New Zealand's China Market Development Unit. Highlights of the update include:

• China outbound growth slowing;
• New Zealand China arrivals to reach 900,000 p/a by 2023;
• Greatest growth in FIT arrivals;
• Stronger growth in premium ADS group tour arrivals;
  • Mono destination and longer stay;
• Slowing growth in ADS shopping group tour arrivals (proportional decline);
  • First time travellers;
  • Stimulated by new airline capacity. [more - original PR]

Tianjin Airlines, via its official WeChat account, announced (08-Jun-2017) plans to launch Chongqing-Melbourne Tullamarine service on 31-Oct-2017. Reservation for the service is now available through online travel company Tuniu. The carrier previously planned to commence the three times weekly service on 27-Sep-2017, as per a 23-Jan-2017 GDS and inventory timetable display.

Australia's Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall commented (07-Jun-2017) on China's status as a key origin market for international inbound tourism to New South Wales following the release of International Visitor Survey results for the year ending 31-Mar-2017. Mr Marshall stated: "For the first time, the number of visitors from China exceeded 700,000 for the year and they spent almost AUD3 billion while here". The Minister added that while "China continues to lead NSW's tourism growth" the survey also revealed "a huge jump in visitors from Korea, Japan, India and Indonesia, with these markets growing by more than 15 per cent". Going forward Mr Marshall said the ministry plans to "continue to capitalise on the diverse opportunities on offer in China by actively building new markets, supporting new products and services and develop our industry partnerships". [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia confirmed it is looking at Beijing and Shanghai as possible destinations in China (Brisbane Times, 06-Jun-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, Virgin Australia is set to launch Melbourne-Hong Kong service in Jun-2017, however is planning on launching other routes to greater China with the help of a new partnership with HNA Group. Virgin Australia executive John Thomas stated: "We will continue to aggressively ask for slots within China, but they are just so hard to come by. Beijing and Shanghai are on our list, but given the reaction we've had from Melbourne-Hong Kong, people are asking 'when are you going to fly from my city'".

Qantas and Jetstar announced (06-Jun-2017) an expanded codeshare arrangement for travel between Australia-Vietnam. Qantas will add its code to Jetstar's recently launched services from Melbourne and Sydney-Ho Chi Minh City (10-May-2017), effective the week beginning 05-Jun-2017, and operated by Jetstar's Boeing 787 fleet. This code will allow Qantas customers travelling between to Ho Chi Minh City to choose the nonstop Jetstar service to Ho Chi Minh City on one direction of travel, while travelling via Singapore on Qantas and Jetstar Asia in the other direction. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia Group welcomed (02-Jun-2017) the draft decision of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to authorise Virgin Australia's proposed strategic alliance with HNA Aviation, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express. This decision follows the ACCC's decision to grant interim authorisation for the alliance in Mar-2017. The proposed alliance will enable Virgin Australia to introduce new direct services between Australia and Hong Kong as well as Australia and China. The carrier also plan to introduce a reciprocal partnership between Velocity Frequent Flyer and Fortune Wings Club to offer guests opportunities to earn points and access lounges. Virgin Australia Group CEO John Borghetti stated: "This new alliance will provide significantly more competition and choice for travellers. When the alliance is in place, guests will enjoy an expanded network of destinations across Australia, mainland China and Hong Kong". [more - original PR]