Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Qatar Airways plans to launch daily Doha-Sydney-Canberra service, effective from 12-Feb-2018, as per a 22-Jul-2017 GDS and inventory timetable display. The carrier will operate with Boeing 777 equipment. CAPA - Centre for Aviation noted the service will increase Doha-Sydney frequency to twice daily, despite restrictions which limit the carrier to operate a total of seven frequencies per week with any aircraft type between Qatar and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. These restrictions do allow for additional frequencies to either of the four cities provided they route via or continue to a non-major Australian city. Qatar will not be allowed to sell Sydney-Canberra sector.

Virgin Australia issued (19-Jul-2017) a request to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) seeking a determination allocating 300 third country codeshare seats per week of capacity on the Italy route, to be used to codeshare with Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines. The request comes as a result of the recent conclusion of revised air services arrangement between Australia and Italy. The request includes:

• The allocation is requested for a period of five years;
• The capacity will be fully utilised by 31-Jul-2018;
• The capacity may be utilised by Virgin Australia, a wholly owned subsidiaries;
• The capacity may be utilised for joint services with Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways. [more - original PR]

Tourism Tasmania released (Jul-2017) its International Market Approach report which aims to grow annual visitor numbers to Tasmania to 1.5 million and generate visitor expenditure of AUD2.5 billion (USD2 billion) by 2020. The report identified Tasmania's highest priority markets, which include North America, Continental Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. [more - original PR]

Qantas issued (11-Jul-2017) a request to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) seeking a determination allocating 300 third country seats per week of capacity on the Italy route, to be used to codeshare with Emirates. The request comes as a result of the recent conclusion of revised air services arrangement between Australia and Italy. The request includes:

• The allocation is requested for a period of five years;
• The capacity will be fully utilised by 31-Jul-2018;
• The capacity may be utilised by Qantas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas and Qantas Group;
• The capacity may be used by Qantas to provide services jointly with Emirates. [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways marked (12-Jul-2017) five years of successful operations between Perth and Doha. Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown stated: "The daily service Perth-Doha service provides more than 4000 weekly seats and connects Western Australia to Qatar Airways' international network of over 150 destinations". [more - original PR]

French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch believes Aeroport De Tahiti (ADT) is best suited to operate Papeete Faaa Airport and will discuss the issue with French Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne (Radio NZ, 12-Jul-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, the French court ordered the termination of ADT's 30 year concession to operate the airport following claims that the concession was awarded without undergoing a tender.

dnata Newrest announced (11-Jul-2017) it will delivering onboard and inflight catering services in Johannesburg to Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft on six times weekly Sydney-Johannesburg service. [more - original PR]

Air Niugini confirmed (06-Jul-2017) it is now an all jet aircraft operator after selling the last of its six Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. Air Niugini's fleet now comprises two Boeing 767s, three 737s, seven Fokker 100s and five Fokker 70s with another four Fokker 70s scheduled for delivery in 2017. Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo stated the carrier is streamlining its fleet to reduce the number of different aircraft types and ensure commonality in its operations. [more - original PR]

Destination NSW announced (05-Jul-2017) NSW overtook Queensland as the most popular State in Australia for international travellers to experience Aboriginal tourism, with the sector growing by 62% in visitor participation in the year ending Mar-2017. NSW's Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall stated the NSW Aboriginal tourism sector attracted visitors from around the world, including travellers from China, the US and UK. More than 332,000 international travellers to NSW took part in an Aboriginal cultural experience in the year ending Mar-2017. These visitors spent an estimated AUD1.3 billion (USD1 billion) during their visit. [more - original PR]

Australia's Government announced (04-Jul-2017) new air services arrangements with Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Carriers will be able to offer new and extended passenger services to Europe, as well as new airfreight service opportunities. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester stated the new arrangements are part of the Government's plan to expand Australia's aviation footprint in the region. The new arrangements mean carriers of the countries can operate services to Australia either using their own aircraft or via codeshare with other airlines. [more - original PR]