Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Western Australia's Government announced (17-May-2023) the launch of a new state carrier, Nexus Airlines, to expand the Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN). The new carrier is owned by Aviair and will provide more routes, upgraded services and cheaper airfares. Nexus Airlines will operate 76 seat aircraft on the expanded IRFN from 10-Jul-2023, operating between Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome along with other regional routes across Western Australia. The larger aircraft will accommodate more than eight times the capacity of Aviair's nine seat planes currently used on the existing IRFN. Nexus has also announced a new Geraldton-Perth service, for which customers will have access to government's Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme. In 2019, government granted Aviair a monopoly right to assist in the establishment of the IRFN service and has now committed AUD4.05 million (USD2.70 million) over four years until Jun-2027 to enhance the service and extend the network to Geraldton. Aviair currently has two Bombardier DHC 8Q-402NGs, according to the CAPA Fleet Database. [more - original PR]

Asiana Airlines announced (17-May-2023) plans to expand its international operations from 355 frequencies per week to 50 destinations, as of 31-Mar-2023, to 413 frequencies per week to 54 destinations by the end of Oct-2023. This is an increase of 172 weekly frequencies and 26 destinations from the airline's international operations in summer 2022, and marks a recovery to 71% of its summer 2019 international capacity. The expansion will include frequency increases on services to Japan, China, the US, Vietnam, Turkey, Australia and the Philippines. [more - original PR - Korean]

Singapore Airlines Group announced (16-May-2023) Scoot will resume Nanning and Shenyang services in May-2023 and Jinan and Nanchang services in Aug-2023. The LCC also resumed services to Haikou, Ningbo and Xian in Apr-2023. Scoot has also increased frequency to Athens, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Langkawi, Makassar, Manado, Penang, Perth, Taipei-Hokkaido, Tianjin and Zhengzhou. Scoot will suspend operations to the Gold Coast in Jul-2023. [more - original PR]

Jetstar Airways announced (16-May-2023) check-in and bag drop will close 40 minutes before departure for Australia and New Zealand domestic flights and 60 minutes prior to departure for flights departing from an international terminal, effective 23-Mar-2023. The boarding gate will now close 20 minutes before departure for domestic and international flights. Jetstar COO Matt Franzi stated: "We know our performance hasn't been up to scratch and we are working hard to boost punctuality and reliability". Mr Franzi added the LCC will also recruit more airport staff, cabin crew and engineering team members. [more - original PR]

Jetstar Airways received (16-May-2023) its seventh A321LR aircraft in Melbourne on 16-May-2023. The LCC is due to receive another 11 A321LRs by the end of 2024, bringing its NG fleet to 18. The A321LRs are operating domestic services and flights between Australia and Bali. They will also operate between Sydney and Rarotonga from 29-Jun-2023. [more - original PR]

Singapore Airlines announced (16-May-2023) the return of A380 service from Singapore to Melbourne for the first time since Jan-2020. The carrier will operate daily SQ237/SQ228 with A380 between the destinations from 16-May-2023 to 28-Oct-2023. The aircraft includes six upper deck suites, 78 business class seats, 44 premium economy and 343 economy. The additional capacity takes SIA's operations to 110% compared to Jan-2020 levels. [more - original PR]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, via its official Twitter account, announced (09-May-2023) Asiana Airlines plans to increase Seoul Incheon-Sydney frequency from daily to nine times weekly, commencing 08-Aug-2023. Korean Air, T'way Air, Qantas Airways and Jetstar Airways also operate the route, according to OAG.

Air New Zealand announced (10-May-2023) its 'Economy Skynest' product will launch on Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago services from Sep-2024. Chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty confirmed the Skynest product will be designed and installed in New Zealand. The six pod sleep zone, the first of its kind, offers sessions for economy passengers to lie down when travelling long haul. Each pod will include a full size pillow, sheets and blanket, ear plugs, a separate reading light, personal device USB outlet, ventilation outlet and lighting designed for rest. [more - original PR]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, via its official Twitter account, announced (02-May-2023) China Southern Airlines plans to increase Guangzhou-Sydney frequency from 10 times weekly to twice daily, commencing 08-Jun-2023. The airline is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

VietJet Air announced (01-May-2023) plans to increase Ho Chi Minh City-Melbourne frequency from three to four times weekly from 17-Sep-2023. [more - original PR]