Corporate Travel News For Asia

EVA Air extended (28-Aug-2023) its distribution agreement with Amadeus. The airline also confirmed plans to implement Amadeus' Altea new distribution capability (NDC) solution to optimise distribution of NDC content via the Amadeus Travel Platform. [more - original PR]

China Eastern Airlines, via its official Twitter account, announced (25-Aug-2023) plans to increase Shanghai Pudong-Sydney frequency from daily to 11 times weekly, commencing 08-Sep-2023, and further increase frequency to 18 times weekly from 29-Oct-2023. The airline also plans to increase Shanghai Pudong-Melbourne Tullamarine frequency from daily to 10 times weekly, commencing 09-Sep-2023, further increasing to 17 times weekly from 29-Oct-2023. The airline is the sole scheduled operator on both routes, according to OAG.

AirPlus International reported (23-Aug-2023) Austrian companies spending on flight tickets increased by 46% year-on-year in 1H2023, with China as the second most popular long term destination after the US. Highlights for Austrian business travel in 1H2023 include:

• The number of Austrian business class travellers increased from 5.3% in 1H2019 to 7.2% in 2023, with a decrease in number of employees travelling in economy class from 94.4% to 92.2%;
• The number of domestic flights decreased from 3% in 2019 to 1.3% in 2023, while the number of continental flights increased from 82.9% to 86.6%;
• Companies booked airline tickets at less short notice, at an average of 27.4 days before travel compared to 23.7 days in 2019;
• Trips lasted longer, at an average of 5.7 days compared to five days in 2019, while one day short trips that previously accounted for 13.6% declined to 6.7%;
• Just over 13% of business trips started on a weekend;
• Austria ranked seventh as a business travel destination in Europe after Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. [more - original PR]

Bangkok Airways announced (22-Aug-2023) it will collect information by weighing passengers, including carry on baggage, at boarding gates from 15-Sep-2023 to 31-Oct-2023. The carrier said the weights survey is in compliance with Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand regulations regarding the use of standard passenger and baggage weights for weight and balance calculation purposes. [more - original PR]

Qantas Group provided (23-Aug-2023) the following fleet renewal overview:

• The company is on track to receive the first two QantasLink A220 aircraft by the end of 2023. Subsequent deliveries are expected to be delayed by up to four months as a result of supply chain disruption;
• The first of seven mid-life A320 family aircraft to meet growing resources flying and Jetstar Asia recovery are expected to arrive before the end of Dec-2023;
• 22 of previously announced Embraer E190s wet leased from Alliance Airlines are scheduled to join the Qantas fleet by the end of Dec-2023;
• Two more A321 converted freighters are expected to arrive by the end of Dec-2023;
• Jetstar Airways 18 A321LRs are on track to enter the fleet by the end of 2024, with a further 20 A321LRs and A321XLRs set to be delivered by 2029;
• The first of 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise are due to arrive in FY2026. [more - original PR]

Sichuan Airlines plans to commence three times weekly Chengdu Tianfu-Sydney service with A330-200 equipment on 30-Oct-2023, as per a 22-Aug-2023 GDS inventory and timetable display. The airline will increase frequency to five times weekly from 19-Nov-2023.

Qantas Group announced (21-Aug-2023) plans to add over 250,000 seats on the following services:

• Sydney-Bali: A330 aircraft will replace daily Boeing 737 flights from Oct-2023, with more premium seats and fully-flat beds in business class;
• Sydney-Auckland-New York JFK: Frequency will increase from four times weekly to daily from Aug-2024;
• Sydney-Johannesburg: A380s will operate to South Africa for the first time from Jul-2024, nearly doubling capacity during peak periods;
• Melbourne-Los Angeles: Capacity will increase by around 20% with more A380 flights on the route from Jul-2024;
• Sydney-Los Angeles: Frequency will increase from eight to nine times weekly from Jul-2024, operated with a mix of Boeing 787 and A380 aircraft.

Qantas Group is currently at around 80% of its pre-COVID international capacity levels, which has almost doubled in the past year. This is expected to reach 100% by Mar-2024, with the additional flying taking it beyond that level from Jul-2024. [more - original PR]

Korean Air, via its official online booking system, confirmed (Aug-2023) plans to increase Seoul Incheon-Brisbane frequency from five times weekly to daily, commencing 29-Oct-2023. The airline is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam announced (15-Aug-2023) government will extend the length of temporary residence visas from 15 to 45 days for citizens of the following countries:

• Germany;
• France;
• Italy;
• Spain;
• UK;
• Russia;
• Japan;
• South Korea;
• Denmark;
• Sweden;
• Norway;
• Finland;
• Belarus. [more - original PR - Vietnamese]

Philippines Department of Transportation, via its official Facebook account, announced (12-Aug-2023) vaccination certificates for inbound travellers will no longer have to be presented upon entry in the country, following the Department of Health's circular, effectively lifting entry screening protocols.