Corporate Travel News For Asia

Air China announced (11-May-2017) plans to launch three times weekly nonstop Shenzhen-Melbourne Tullamarine service with A330-200 aircraft from 20-Jun-2017, marking the first nonstop service between the cities - see Route Changes Table for more information. The aircraft is configured with 30 lie-flat bed business class seats and 207 economy class seats with a seat pitch of 32 inches. Air China operates three times weekly service from Melbourne to Beijing and four times weekly service between Melbourne and Shanghai, making Air China the only carrier to provide direct services from Melbourne to three out of four of the top cities in China. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand announced (10-May-2017) a marketing partnership worth up to NZD20 million (USD13.6 million) to promote New Zealand in key offshore markets, with a focus on growing international visitation throughout New Zealand and during off-peak periods. The organisations intend to invest up to NZD10 million (USD6.8 million) each over 12 months for joint activity in Australia, China, North and South America, Japan, Singapore, the UK and Europe. Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon stated the partnership aligns with the carrier's commitment to growing tourism. Tourism New Zealand CEO Stephen England-Hall stated the decision to commit to a further year of joint investment reflects the success the two organisations have achieved together. [more - original PR]

Jetstar launched (10-May-2017) a Vietnam service, becoming the only low cost carrier to fly nonstop to Vietnam. The services to Ho Chi Minh City operate three times a week from Melbourne and four times a week from Sydney on Boeing 787 aircraft, with a capacity of 335 passengers, including 21 business seats. Jetstar CEO Australia & New Zealand Dean Salter stated the new flights are a major milestone for the carrier as Vietnam is one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in South East Asia, and until now has been the largest country in the region without a low cost direct link to Australia. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation chairman Peter Harbison commented (10-May-2017) on the Asia Pacific aviation market stating it will be where the main traffic growth is for the next decade, at least. Mr Harbison believes the US and Europe will remain hard to grow due to US majors protecting their own traffic flows, and competition in Europe from sixth freedom airlines, stating: "Despite coming off an increasingly larger base, double digit growth is continuing in some Asian markets, as new layers of economically enabled travellers emerge. China is the leader in this due to its massive scale, however there are several other Asian countries that will blossom in coming years".

Fiji Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said boosting tourism for the country requires partnering with its neighbours to attract more development (Fiji Times Online, 09-May-2017). Mr Sayed-Khaiyum stated: "There is a very big case for regionalism in tourism and we need to make a concerted effort in this area". Partnerships with organisations such as Fiji Airways, to develop the Singapore route, plus a new codesharing arrangement with India's Jet Airways opened up new markets for visitors who would not only visit Fiji but other island nations.

Air China filed (05-May-2017) an application with CAAC to launch three times weekly Beijing-Brisbane service with A330-200 aircraft from Oct-2017. [more - original PR - Chinese]

Jetstar Group announced (05-May-2017) Jetstar Japan is well placed to capture growth and could ultimately be larger than Jetstar Australia. Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka stated reinvested profits could allow Jetstar Japan to grow and maintain market leadership, with 28 aircraft by FY2019. Jetstar Japan is the largest domestic LCC in Japan with more than 50% market share supported by 10 years of brand presence. [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand announced a new JV for the India market to operate between May-2017 and Apr-2018 (Travel Biz Monitor, 04-May-2017). India travellers to New Zealand increased 14.9% year-on-year for Mar-2017. The campaign, which is designed to further increase the number of Indian visitors to New Zealand through special promotional fares, supports the Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines partnership. Air New Zealand regional GM Scott Carr said India is one of Air New Zealand's fastest growing and emerging markets and there is great potential for this campaign to reach more Indian travellers. Singapore Airlines GM India David Lim confirmed both carriers would provide a vast network to all major destinations in New Zealand and India.

Air New Zealand opened reservations for codeshare service on Christchurch-Hong Kong route, operated by Cathay Pacific from 01-Dec-2017 (Airline Route, 04-May-2017). Cathay Pacific is the only operator on the route, operating seasonally, according to OAG.

Qantas Airways Group passenger numbers up 1% - traffic highlights for 3QFY2017:

• Passenger numbers: 13.0 million, +0.8% year-on-year;
  • Qantas Domestic: 5.2 million, -1.9%;
  • Qantas International: 1.8 million, +6.8%;
  • Jetstar Domestic: 3.4 million, +1.4%;
  • Jetstar International: 1.6 million, +3.5%;
  • Jetstar Asia: 1.1 million, -1.5%;
• Passenger load factor: 80.1%, +0.8ppt;
  • Qantas Domestic: 75.0%, +1.7ppts;
  • Qantas International: 80.6%, -0.6ppt;
  • Jetstar Domestic: 83.5%, +1.1ppts;
  • Jetstar International: 83.3%, +2.6ppts;
  • Jetstar Asia: 81.8%, +0.8ppt. [more - original PR]