Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia announced (06-Oct-2017) development plans for Kutaisi Airport in 2017 and 2018. Mr Gakharia confirmed the commencement of new terminal construction and plans to launch a railway line to the airport. The railway line will connect Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi and is scheduled to open from Mar-2018 (Bizzone.info, 10-Oct-2017). [more - original PR]

Qantas and Emirates announced (11-Oct-2017) additional network changes under their joint partnership, to offer greater year round frequency and more services between Australia and New Zealand. The carriers stated the changes reflect customer demand and the airlines' respective network strengths and provide more options for customers to travel between Australia and New Zealand to Asia, the UK/Europe, Middle East and Africa.

• Enhanced trans Tasman connectivity:
  • Emirates:
    • Airline to halt services from Melbourne and Brisbane to Auckland from Mar-2018;
    • Carrier to focus on nonstop Auckland-Dubai service;
    • Emirates will retain existing daily A380 Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch route. The airline is also evaluating potential new nonstop services between New Zealand and Dubai;
    • Emirates will reschedule Australian flights to create a better spread of departure times throughout the day.
  • Qantas:
    • Qantas will increase Australia and New Zealand frequencies. Melbourne-Auckland to increase by seven weekly frequencies. Brisbane-Auckland to add two weekly frequencies. Some services to be upgauged from Boeing 737 to A330 equipment;
    • Emirates will codeshare on Qantas' new trans Tasman services. Qantas will offer seamless connections to its London services via Perth or Singapore and to Emirates' services between Australia and Europe via Dubai.

These changes are included in the airlines' application to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and New Zealand Ministry of Transport for the extension of authorisation of their joint business for another five years (until 2023). The airlines' joint submission also includes Qantas' re-routing of its Sydney-London service via Singapore rather than Dubai and Emirates' new, fourth daily A380 Sydney-Dubai service. [more - original PR]

Emirates: "Reauthorisation of the partnership will allow us to leverage our combined network strengths to offer customers even more flight choices and reciprocal benefits for our millions of frequent flyer members. It will enable us to continue developing world-class customer experiences, and contribute to stimulating increased opportunities for international trade, tourism and commerce", Sir Tim Clark, president. Source: Emirates, 11-Oct-2017.

Jazeera Airways delayed a planned expansion into long haul operations to focus on extending its existing network to serve the Indian subcontinent (Live Mint, 10-Oct-2017). Jazeera, which has previously been limited to operations within the Middle East, will commence service to Hyderabad in India and Lahore in Pakistan in Oct-2017, before adding Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai by the end of 2017, according to Jazeera Airways chairman Marwan Boodai. On plans to commence inter-continental services, aided by an alliance with a major airline based in Europe or Asia. Mr Bodai said the plan remains "alive," but not for 2017 after the carrier reset its priorities in light of surging short haul demand. "The opportunity for the Indian subcontinent was so overwhelming we had to redirect our resources to that", he said.

Pico Airways announced its official public launch (radiopico.com, 10-Oct-2017). Pico Airways, via its official website, stated its objective is to ensure "adequate air access to Pico" and the Azores Islands as a whole, identifying the "real air transport needs" and the major markets for the islands, in order to ensure a sustainable business strategy. The start up is the idealisation of Pico Island business entrepreneurs and will operate initially, as a charter company.

Condor Airlines announced (10-Oct-2017) plans to launch twice weekly Frankfurt-New Orleans service operating with 259 seat Boeing 767-300ER equipment, effective 17-May-2018. Condor currently operates 16 EU-North America services and also plans to launch Phoenix service in 2018. According to OAG, Condor will be the sole operator on the route. [more - original PR]

Jazeera Airways, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (09-Oct-2017) the introduction of the first A320 aircraft featuring the airline's new logo, livery and seats. The carrier also launched new crew uniforms. The new livery and cabin interiors will be rolled out across the fleet over the next three months and will be complete by the end of 2017. [more - original PR - English/Arabic]

SAS reportedly postponed establishment of its London Heathrow Airport base due to delays with aircraft deliveries (Check-in.dk, 10-Oct-2017). The carrier was scheduled to open the London base in late Oct-2017, ahead of the winter 2017/18 schedule. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier also plans to open a new base in Malaga, Spain.

fastjet, via its official Facebook account, stated (09-Oct-2017) its first Embraer 190 aircraft will arrive in Tanzania "this week". The aircraft will enter service following regulatory approvals, replacing A319 equipment. The arrival of a second E190 is expected in mid Nov-2017. Fleet changes will temporarily impact schedules for services between Dar Es Salaam and Mbeya.

Montenegro's Prime Minister Duško Marković announced (09-Oct-2017) the Government could "initiate procedures to take responsibility for" and pay off Montenegro Airlines' obligations to creditors. Mr Marković added: "Only irresponsible individuals, politically frustrated politicians and political calculators can criticise the Government's commitment and its intention to support Montenegro Airlines and bring it to the stage when the problems that the Montenegrin Airlines' business represents for the Government and the budget will be better resolved". [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in its analysis of Airbus' delivery and order information for Sep-2017, stated (09-Oct-2017) TAP Portugal has appeared to cancel orders for two A330-900neos.