Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Hong Kong Airlines and Fiji Airways signed (03-Aug-2017) a new codeshare agreement, covering Fiji Airways' Nadi-Hong Kong and Nadi-Auckland services and Hong Kong Airlines' services between Hong Kong and Bangkok, Tokyo and Osaka. Fiji Airways MD and CEO Andre Viljoen stated: "This partnership is a key part of our growth and presence in the region, and the three destinations are welcome additions to our network. The arrangement will allow through check in of customers and their luggage all the way to their final destinations, offering convenient transit options in Hong Kong and Nadi". Fiji Airways onboard service will now include Asian menus and availability of Mandarin and Cantonese interpreters on every flight between Hong Kong and Nadi. [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand signed (03-Aug-2017) an MoU with Chinese online travel agency Ctrip to promote New Zealand to the agencies 300 million members. Tourism New Zealand GM Asia Gregg Wafelbakker stated: "China is New Zealand's second biggest tourism market and our top priority is to continually improve the travel quality and experience for Chinese travellers. Our partnership with Ctrip will see the launch of the first online flagship store for New Zealand-based travel providing Chinese travellers with all the information they're looking for about our country, activity and accommodation recommendations, and reservation capacity". [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (04-Aug-2017) plans to increase Auckland-Honolulu capacity by 75% between Apr-2018 to Oct-2018. The carrier will operate an additional 94 return services during the period, moving from four times weekly to daily and up to nine times weekly during the Jul-2018 school holiday period. Services will be operated by Boeing 787-9 and 777-200 aircraft. [more - original PR]

Darwin Airport raised its capital investment programme from AUD60 million (USD47 million) to AUD70 million (USD55 million) (NT News, 02-Aug-2017). CEO Ian Kew stated despite slower passenger and economic growth: "I am a definite believer that it will bounce back". Mr Kew explained: "Around 85% of market is domestic travellers and we are operating in a climate of expensive airfares which adds to the problem of a flat economy". The airport expects to receive six million passengers p/a by 2037.

Air New Zealand announced (03-Aug-2017) plans to increase Vancouver-Auckland capacity by 20% between Jan-2018 to Jul-2018. Frequencies will increase from seven to eight times weekly during Jan-2018; from five times weekly to daily during Feb-2018; from four to five times weekly during Mar-2018 and Apr-2018; and from three to five times weekly during May-2018 to mid-Jun-2018. [more - original PR]

Australian Airline Pilots' Association (AusALPA) called (02-Aug-2017) for changes to airport security to bring Australia's aviation security regime up to world's best practice. AusALPA president Captain Murray Butt stated: "While airline crews, passengers and air-side retail staff were thoroughly screened, other airport workers were not. We believe it would enhance airport security if all airline staff who have access to aircraft, were screened to the same level as personnel entering through the terminal." AusALPA is also concerned that passengers can board domestic flights without adequate ID checks. [more - original PR]

Tourism Research Australia released (02-Aug-2017) its annual tourism forecast for 2017. The forecast includes a decade long view on changes in: international inbound arrivals; the purpose of travel for inbound arrivals; visitor nights and expenditure; outbound travel by Australian residents and the main country they visit. Highlights of the report include:

• Expenditure:
  • AUD151.4 billion (USD120.4 billion) overnight spend in 2026-27;
  • Up 50% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 4.1%;
• International visitors:
  • 15 million in 2026-27;
  • Up 75% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 5.8%;
  • China: AUD26.2 billion (USD20.8 billion), up 168% on 2016-17;
  • New Zealand: AUD3.9 billion (USD3.1 billion), up 44% on 2016-17;
  • US: AUD6.3 billion (USD5.0 billion), up 77% on 2016-17;
• Domestic spend:
  • AUD97.5 billion (USD77.6 billion) in 2026-27;
  • Up 21% on 2016-17, with an annual growth of 1.9%;
  • Domestic overnight: AUD75.5 billion (USD60.0 billion);
  • Day trip spend: AUD21.9 billion (USD17.4 billion);
• Outbound trips:
  • 14.8 million in 2026-27;
  • Up 47% on 2016-17, with an annual growth 3.9%. [more - original PR]

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced (31-Jul-2017) increased aviation security identity card (ASIC) verification requirements. The new identity verification requirements came into effect from 01-Aug-2017 and include new categories of identification documents and verifying identity in person with the issuing body. [more - original PR]

Flight Centre Travel Group acquired (02-Aug-2017) Quebec based travel company Les Voyages du Vallon (LDV). Flight Centre Travel Group MD Graham Turner stated the acquisition would fast-track the company's growth in another key global location. The deal includes acquisition of 75% of LDV with a rolling put and call option in place for the remaining 25% to be exercised after 31-Jul-2019. [more - original PR]

Illawarra Regional Airport stated (01-Aug-2017) the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will be conducting special flight path safety checks at the aerodrome on 06-Aug-2017. The safety checks will be conducted by Corporate Air using a twin engine Cessna Conquest aircraft. CASA requires aerodrome flight path safety checks to be carried out every three years. [more - original PR]