Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Australian economist Michael Pascoe, speaking at the CTC Sydney Corporate Travel Summit & Awards, stated (23-Nov-2023) a big feature of the Australian economy now and in the years to come is the "multi speed" economy.

Collinson announced (21-Nov-2023) an exclusive partnership with Delaware North which will enable Collinson's Priority Pass Members to access 13 F&B outlets across the following airports in Australia and New Zealand:

• Adelaide Airport:
  • Coopers Alehouse;
  • Pantry;
  • Precinct;
• Auckland International Airport:
  • Best Ugly Bagels (Domestic);
  • Best Ugly Bagels (International);
  • Orleans Chicken & Waffles;
  • Blue Marble Lane;
  • Oma Artisan Bakery & Café;
• Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
  • The Local Taphouse (opening in late Nov-2023);
  • Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie;
  • Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall;
• Perth Airport:
  • Coffee Quarter;
  • Hatchery Collective Bar & Grill.

The partnership enables Priority Pass Members to redeem lounge credits for dining credits of set menus at the locations. [more - original PR]

VietJet Air launched (22-Nov-2023) five times weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Perth-Adelaide service on 21-Nov-2023. VietJet is the first Vietnamese carrier to fly to South Australia and Western Australia. The LCC also operates services to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. [more - original PR]

Flight Centre announced (20-Nov-2023) Corporate Traveller analysed the change in same day and one to six day domestic flight bookings in Australia from 01-May-2023 to 31-Oct-2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Short stay trips decreased by an average of 3.9% year-on-year while longer trips increased by an average of 4.6%. The company reported decreases in same day (-2.3%), two day (-1%) and three day (-8.4%) trips. Bookings consistently increased for trips longer than three days, with 3.8% growth in four day trips, 4.2% growth in five day trips and 5.8% growth in six day trips. Global MD Tom Walley stated: "The shift to longer business trips is influenced, in part, by changing work patterns. Many executives in hybrid and flexible working arrangements can base themselves anywhere on their remote working days and remain productive. This flexibility is encouraging business travellers to take extended stays, which then gives them freedom outside of working hours to add on leisure activities in a new destination". [more - original PR]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport reported (20-Nov-2023) it handled 3.5 million passengers in Oct-2023, an increase of 17.6% year-on-year and a decline of 12.4% compared to Oct-2019. The airport reported a 45% increase in the number of South Korean passport holders in Oct-2023, owing to "strong seat capacity between Sydney and Seoul". CEO Geoff Culbert added: "In the 12 months to October, almost 14 million passengers have passed through our international terminal, more than double the number we saw in the previous 12 months. We continue to see markets roaring back to life. In the run up to Christmas there is extra capacity coming on across several key overseas destinations including China, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam". [more - original PR]

Tourism Council Western Australia (WA) announced (15-Nov-2023) Jetstar Airways plans to launch three times weekly Sydney-Busselton Margaret River service from 26-Mar-2024 with A320 aircraft. Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the new service is expected to bring 50,000 passengers to the region p/a. Mr Hall added: "The flight creates opportunities for new itineraries for interstate travellers, such as road trip circuits from Busselton, taking in Albany and the Great Southern". Jetstar Airways also operates four times weekly Melbourne Tullamarine-Busselton Margaret River service, according to OAG. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Asiana Airlines announced (15-Nov-2023) plans to commence twice weekly Seoul Incheon-Melbourne Tullamarine service on 26-Dec-2023, subject to government approval. The airline will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Hainan Airlines plans to commence three times weekly Haikou-Auckland service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 08-Dec-2023, as per a 13-Nov-2023 GDS inventory and timetable display. The airline will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

South Australian Tourism Commission confirmed (08-Nov-2023) Singapore Airlines plans to increase Singapore-Adelaide frequency from daily to 10 times weekly from Oct-2024. The increase is expected to create 105,000 seats between the destinations p/a. Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison stated: "It is essential that we continue to strengthen our relationships with leading airline providers and pursue new opportunities for South Australia to secure new airlines, increase number of flights and reinstate flights that link South Australia with key tourism markets interstate and international business hubs". Eight international airlines currently operate 45 flights each week to Adelaide, with additional capacity already confirmed for the coming months. The international incoming flights are currently bringing just over 11,000 passengers per week into South Australia. [more - original PR]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport announced (08-Nov-2023) Singapore Airlines plans to increase Singapore-Sydney frequency from four to five times daily from 27-Oct-2024. The increase, to over 12,000 seats per week to Sydney, makes it the largest port outside Singapore for the carrier. [more - original PR]