News for Europe/MEA

Australia Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch believes Cairns Airport should target to attract widebody services to enhance the region's agricultural industry, commenting: "I’m confident we will fill the belly of those aircraft up" (Cairns Post, 26-Apr-2017). Mr Entsch agreed with the airport's decision to postpone terminal expansion plans to focus on developing its business. The Minister hopes to attract airlines like Emirates which operates a majority fleet of widebodies.

Etihad Airways plans to reduce Abu Dhabi–Melbourne capacity in winter 2017/18, effective 29-Oct-2017 (Routes Online, 24-Apr-2017). Both Melbourne frequencies will be downgauged including:

• EY460/461: Boeing 777-300ER replaces A380;
• EY462/463: Boeing two class 787-9 replaces 777-300ER.

The carrier operates daily on the route.

New Zealand's Minister for Economic Development, Transport, Communications & Associate Finance Simon Bridges, via his official Twitter account, stated (23-Apr-2017) the Emirates SkyCargo facility handled 20,000 tonnes of New Zealand export freight in 2016, which has grown by 18% in the past year alone.

Air New Zealand stated CEO Christopher Luxon remains "strongly committed to Air New Zealand", following reports that he had been approached to potentially replace James Hogan as CEO of Etihad Airways Group (The Australian, 25-Apr-2017). Korn Ferry, Etihad's global recruiter, has also reportedly approached some key executives at Qantas Airways. Etihad is also looking to appoint a group CFO to replace James ­Rigney, who like Mr Hogan is Australian. 

New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority is considering additional security checks on Middle East services (Reuters, 23-Apr-2017). New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges said evidence is being reviewed to determine what is appropriate with a decision to be completed by the aviation authority, independent of the government.

New Zealand Government plans to showcase New Zealand at Expo 2020 in Dubai in order to boost trade in the region (NZ Herald, 23-Apr-2017). The expected cost is set to reach NZD53 million (USD37 million). New Zealand Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges said the opportunity was "relatively big play" for the government however the United Arab Emirates had been one of the fastest growing markets of the past decade.

French Polynesia tourism increased 4.7% year-on-year to 192,495 in 2016, according to the Institute of Statistics of French Polynesia (SPTO, 13-Apr-2017). The increase is from all markets except Europe (excluding France), which remains stable. International air traffic increased by 4.2% however, the average length of stay decreased by 2.8% and the average overall stay shortened to 13.8 days.

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) stated (03-Mar-2015) international arrivals to Canada increased 3% year-over-year in Dec-2014, driven by 11% growth from CTC’s overseas markets. Some 17.1 million international visitors came to Canada in 2015, although tourism growth is below the global average of 5%. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (05-Jan-2015) a tourism snapshot for Oct-2014, which found a 9% year-on-year rise in tourism with 1.3 million international travellers. CTC’s overseas markets increased by 15% year-to-date in Oct-2014. The China and South Korea markets reported 36% and 31% rises respectively in terms of visitors to Canada in Oct-2014, while Germany's market increased by 1%, the UK by 9%, and France by 9%. The US market achieved an overall 7% increase in Oct-2014, while the Mexico market increased by 25% year-over-year. CTC’s secondary markets continued to perform strongly in Oct-2014, as traveller numbers to Canada rose 25% year-over-year from Taiwan, 17% from Hong Kong, 15% from Italy, 11% from Switzerland, 7% from Spain, and 2% from the Netherlands. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (26-Nov-2014) a tourism snapshot for Sep-2014, which found a 4% year-on-year rise in tourism with 1.7 million international travellers. CTC’s overseas markets increased by 12% year-over-year in Sep-2014. The China and Japan markets reported 24% and 23% rises respectively in terms of visitors to Canada in Sep-2014, while Germany's market increased by 11%, the UK by 9%, and France by 3%. CTC stated the new CAN+ visa programme in India is "already producing dividends", including a 19% boost in travellers to Canada in Sep-2014. The US market achieved an overall 1% increase in Sep-2014. [more - original PR]