Corporate Travel News For Europe/MEA

Fiji Bureau of Statistics released Fiji visitor arrivals numbers for Apr-2017, which reached a record 68,495, an increase of 17.8% year on year (Fiji Sun, 10-Jun-2017). The main increases in visitor numbers for Fiji included: Rest of Asia by 35.6%; South Korea (22.1%); New Zealand (15.9%); China (10.6%) and the US (10.0%). The only decrease was recorded for visitors from the UK, down 1.5%.

Australia's International Air Services Commission announced (07-Jun-2017) decisions related to the following determinations for the Qantas Group:

• Determination [2011] IASC 123 allocating to Qantas 35.6 B747 equivalent units and 26 third country code share frequencies of passenger capacity per week on the Thailand route. The determination is valid for five years from 01-Jul-2017;
• Determination [2007] IASC 116 permits the use of the capacity on the Singapore route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017;
• Determination [2011] IASC 123 permits the use of the capacity on the Thailand route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Qantas announced it will uphold bans set by several Middle Eastern countries who have cut ties with Qatar by not allowing Qatari nationals to board services passing through select airports (Reuters, 07-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans stated affected travellers will be offered alternative routes or refunds.

Qantas plans to launch nonstop service for Sydney-London as soon as the technology is available (Stuff, 08-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated the carrier was talking to Boeing about new 777Xs, and to Airbus about super long-range A350ULRs.

Air New Zealand announced it will begin reviewing options for its next widebody aircraft from the end of 2017 to service ultra long range routes into the North or South America (NZ Herald, 06-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon stated the aircraft which could be purchased include newer versions of the Boeing 787, a larger version of the A350 XWB, or the next generation of the 777 which is still under development and won't be available until the 2020s. Mr Luxon continued, ''really our objective is to move deeper into North America and South America".

Qantas confirmed its partnership with Emirates is still important despite announcing nonstop service between Australia and London (Reuters, 07-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated "even when we start flying direct to London, Dubai will still play a big role. Emirates has 40 destinations in Europe. We're never going to fly direct to places like Venice and Prague".

Qantas and Jetstar announced (01-Jun-2017) a long term component pooling services agreement with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to support its fleet of Boeing 787s. This brings the total number of 787 customer airlines contracted by AFI KLM E&M to 15. The contract covers pool access and repairs and applies to a total fleet of eight 787-9s to be operated by Qantas, and the 11 787-8s in service with Jetstar. Qantas executive manager engineering Chris Nassenstein stated: "We are pleased to award AFI KLM E&M the 787 Component Pooling Contract. As a long term supplier with a proven track record in supporting our A330 and A380 fleets we look forward to increasing our successful business relationship which is key to the On-Time Performance and operational efficiency of our fleets". [more - original PR]

Tigerair Australia launched (01-Jun-2017) four times weekly Brisbane-Perth service. Tigerair Australia will be the only LCC to operation in the route. The carrier intends to operate a year round base schedule, which will increase in frequency during peak periods such as school holidays. The new service, which will utilise A320 equipment, will deliver over 80,000 additional seats p/a through Brisbane Airport and Perth Airport. Tigerair Australia CEO Rob Sharp stated the carrier is confident the new services will prove popular with budget and leisure travellers, providing a welcome economic and tourism boost to Queensland and Western Australia. Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) CEO and MD Julieanne Alroe stated Tigerair's network expansion is a keystone for BAC's continued growth as the most connected airport in Australia. [more - original PR]

Qantas announced (31-May-2017) it will introduce twice daily upgauged A330 Sydney-Auckland service from 13-Jul-2017, when Emirates withdraw from the route. Bookings can be made on both Qantas and Emirates websites. Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans commented: "One of the advantages of the Qantas-Emirates partnership is the flexibility we have with our combined fleets". [more - original PR]

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (31-May-2017) the following international traffic highlights to/from Australia for Mar-2017:

• Passengers: 3.1 million, +1.7% year-on-year;
• Available seats: 4.3 million, +6.2%;
• Flights: 16,155, +3.3%;
• Cargo: 96,220 tonnes, +9.6%;
• Aircraft movements: 16,155, +3.3%;
• Top 10 international carriers:
  • Share of passengers carried:
    • Qantas: 16.4%, +0.8ppt;
    • Jetstar: 9.3%, -0.4ppt;
    • Emirates: 8.3%, -1.0ppt;
    • Singapore Airlines: 8.2%, +0.2ppt;
    • Air New Zealand: 7.4%, -0.3ppt;
    • Virgin Australia: 5.9%, -0.8ppt;
    • Cathay Pacific Airways: 4.9%, -0.4ppt;
    • AirAsia X: 4.1%, +0.5ppt;
    • Etihad Airways: 3.1%, +0.2ppt;
    • China Southern Airlines: 2.9%, -0.1ppt;
  • Share of cargo carried:
    • Singapore Airlines: 16.3%, -1.3ppts;
    • Qantas: 12.8%, -1.0ppt;
    • Emirates: 10.0%, -2.8ppts;
    • Cathay Pacific Airways: 7.2%, -0.3ppt;
    • Air New Zealand: 5.5%, +0.4ppt;
    • Malaysia Airlines: 3.5%, +1.0ppt;
    • Etihad Airways: 3.2%, +0.2ppt;
    • Thai Airways: 3.2%, -0.3ppt;
    • Qatar Aiways: 3.0%, +0.5ppt;
    • China Southern Airlines: 3.0%, -0.2ppt. [more - original PR]

BITRE also reported LCCs AirAsia X, Cebu Pacific Air, Indonesia AirAsia, Jetstar, Jetstar Asia and Scoot accounted for 17.2% of total international passenger traffic to/from Australia in Mar-2017. LCC share in Mar-2016 was 17.8%.