Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

New Zealand Customs Service introduced (11-Jul-2023) a digital arrival declaration option for passengers entering New Zealand. The option is available at Christchurch International Airport and Wellington Airport and will be expanded to Queenstown Airport from 20-Jul-2023 and Auckland International Airport in Aug-2023. Paper declaration forms will continue to be available. [more - original PR - I] [more - original PR - II]

Nexus Airlines commenced (10-Jul-2023) Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome service, its first commercial flight under the expanded Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN). The route serves regional residents by enabling them to fly direct between regional centres, instead of having to travel through Perth. Nexus Airlines has exclusive rights to operate the IRFN until Jun-2027 under a four year deed of agreement with Western Australia's state government. As previously reported by CAPA, government granted Aviair a monopoly right in 2019 to assist in the establishment of the IRFN service. Government has now committed AUD4.05 million (USD2.70 million) over four years to enhance the service and extend the network to Geraldton. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia announced (08-Jul-2023) plans to refresh the interior cabins on its remaining Boeing fleet, as part of an investment of approximately AUD110 million (USD73.57 million). The interior refresh and product upgrade will commence later in 2023, with work due to be completed in the next two years, subject to operational requirements. The upgrade includes:

• Installation of in-seat power for all business class and economy seats;
• Installation of new business class seats, consistent with the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft;
• Installation of new or refreshed economy seats, with seat design to be consistent with the new 737 MAX 8;
• Introduction of inflight WiFi and complimentary inflight entertainment via a guest's own personal device.

An entirely new seat configuration will also be rolled out through the introduction of a new design cabin divider between business class and economy. The divider will allow for greater floor space in the economy cabin and the subsequent installation of between six and 12 additional economy seats. The refurbishment will also include the replacement of one economy X row with economy seating on all Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka stated the group anticipates the fleet renewal programme and other fuel efficiency initiatives will support over 80% of its 2030 interim target to reduce carbon emission intensity by 22%. Virgin Australia Group chief customer and digital officer Paul Jones stated the cabin interior reconfiguration will enable the group to add more seats to the market. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia received (08-Jul-2023) its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on 08-Jul-2023. The aircraft is one of 33 737 MAX 8s and 737 MAX 10s on order, with more due to be delivered in the coming months. With the arrival of the aircraft, Virgin Australia also revealed its new business class and economy cabin interior featuring the following:

• In-seat power for all business class and economy seats;
• Larger overhead lockers, with capacity to stow up to 50% more carry-on baggage;
• Wider business class seats which also feature leg rests with extendable footrests, storage compartments, tablet/device holders and water bottle holders;
• A new economy seat design, featuring a ribbed backing;
• A personal tablet/device holder for all economy seats.

The 737 MAX 8 is scheduled to operate the carrier's Cairns-Tokyo Haneda service from 30-Jul-2023, as previously reported by CAPA. [more - original PR]

Citilink plans to launch twice weekly Jakarta-Perth service from 29-Jul-2023 with A320 aircraft, according to OAG.

Citilink plans to resume daily Bali-Perth service from 19-Jul-2023 with A320 aircraft, according to OAG.

Aircalin, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (05-Jul-2023) the launch of Noumea-Singapore-Paris CDG service on 01-Jul-2023, under a codeshare agreement with Air France.

Air New Zealand announced (30-Jun-2023) the following amendments to long term fares from Australia to the US for sales and travel, effective 10-Jul-2023:

• Revised low and shoulder seasonality periods;
• Removal of SLUS1Y, SKLUS1Y and SHUS1Y fares;
• Introduction of new ELUS501Y, EKUS501Y, EHUS501Y, ELUS141Y, EKUS141Y, EHUS141Y, ZUS1201Y and ZUS21Y advance purchase fares;
• Amendments to all fare levels. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport announced (29-Jun-2023) Hainan Airlines resumed twice weekly Haikou-Melbourne service with A330 equipment on 29-Jun-2023, following a suspension since Feb-2020. The airport noted the resumption "marks the return of seven of the eight mainland Chinese carriers that operated out of Melbourne in 2019". The airline is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Regional Express (Rex) launched (29-Jun-2023) daily Adelaide-Sydney service on 29-Jun-2023 with Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said the carrier has already seen "strong demand" for the service. [more - original PR]