Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) announced (31-Oct-2023) the Network Aviation pilot group postponed plans to carry out a two day work stoppage on 01/02-Nov-2023. The decision was made following a conference convened by the Fair Work Commission. The parties discussed issues currently preventing the conclusion of an agreement which the workforce will support. If necessary, the commission will facilitate further sessions on 08/09/10-Nov-2023. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport announced (31-Oct-2023) Air India plans to commence three times weekly Mumbai-Melbourne service with Boeing 787-8 equipment on 15-Dec-2023. This will be the first nonstop service connecting Mumbai and Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport chief of aviation Jim Parashos stated: "Australia and India have an open skies air services agreement which has provided Air India the certainty they need to efficiently announce, put on sale and launch these new flights without the uncertainty associated with bilateral agreements". Mr Parashos also noted: "Melbourne is home to Australia's largest Indian population and shares significant cultural ties", adding: "Our data shows that as India's financial capital, Mumbai is currently Melbourne's largest international market without non-stop flights, so we expect this service to be very popular in both directions". [more - original PR]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport announced (30-Oct-2023) Sichuan Airlines resumed three times weekly Chengdu Tianfu-Sydney service on 30-Oct-2023, following a suspension since Feb-2020. The airline plans to increase frequency to five times weekly from 19-Nov-2023. Sichuan Airlines is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways plans to commence twice weekly Sydney-Port Moresby service from 01-Apr-2024 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, according to OAG. Air Niugini also operates the route.

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) reported (25-Oct-2023) revenue increased 36% year-on-year to AUD187.9 million (USD119.4 million) in Q1FY2024. CTM attributed the results to "a combination of FY2023 new client wins now transacting, and large segment accounts gradually recovering in travel activity". MD Jamie Pherous said travel activity by large CTM clients in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand is "gradually improving", adding: "Until now this segment has been a recovery laggard". Mr Pherous reported record client wins from FY2023 totalling AUD2.95 billion (USD1.9 billion). Client wins for FY2024 to date reached AUD500 million (USD317.7 million), "ahead of long term growth and market share aspirations", according to Mr Pherous. [more - original PR]

Bamboo Airways, via its official Facebook account, confirmed (27-Oct-2023) the suspension of the following services:

• Hanoi-London Gatwick: From 18-Oct-2023;
• Hanoi-Seoul: From 29-Oct-2023;
• Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney: From 04-Nov-2023;
• Ho Chi Minh City-Melbourne: From 04-Oct-2023;
• Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt: From 04-Oct-2023;
• Hanoi-Frankfurt: From 04-Nov-2023;
• Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore: From 04-Nov-2023;
• Hanoi-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi: From 08-Nov-2023;
• Hanoi-Tokyo Narita: From 08-Nov-2023;
• Hanoi-Taipei: From 08-Nov-2023.

For the domestic network, Bamboo Airways is maintaining stable operation of routes connecting major hubs, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The carrier added: "We have recently strengthened our personnel to handle support requests and provide assistance as soon as possible. This includes free flight rescheduling or full fare refunds to passengers".

Regional Express (Rex) launched (30-Oct-2023) daily Adelaide-Brisbane service on 30-Oct-2023 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The service will provide an additional 124,000 seats per year between Adelaide and Brisbane. [more - original PR]

Victoria's Government announced (29-Oct-2023) Sichuan Airlines plans to increase Chengdu Tianfu-Melbourne Tullamarine frequency from five times weekly to daily by Sep-2024. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lorie Argus stated: "Chinese travellers are already back to being the largest group of foreign passport holder arrivals into Melbourne, and these extra flights will allow even more to discover Victoria's incredible education and tourism offering". Sichuan Airlines is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways resumed (29-Oct-2023) five times weekly Sydney-Shanghai service on 29-Oct-2023 with A330 aircraft. The service marks the carrier's return to mainland China for the first time in over three years and is the final international destination to return to Qantas' pre-COVID network since borders reopened. The service will initially add over 2500 seats per week between Australia and China, growing to over 4000 seats per week when frequency increases to daily in late Mar-2025. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways announced (29-Oct-2023) plans to launch Perth-Paris service from 12-Jul-2024, with Boeing 787 aircraft. The 17 hour flights will be operated four times weekly initially, decreasing to three times weekly from mid Aug-2024. Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson stated: "Our direct flights to London and Rome have been hugely popular and Paris is the next most requested destination, so we know the demand for this service will be strong as well". The service will add over 75,000 seats between Australia and Europe per year. The launch will coincide with the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and European summer. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]