Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace commented on ultra low cost long haul carriers, noting "We haven't seen that emerge in this part of the world yet" (NZ Herald, 01-Aug-2017). Mr Wallace however confirmed: "We are looking at other airlines that have started with low cost short haul... We're not looking at it [ourselves] but if it did come here how would we compete with it and how would we measure up".

Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace noted 11 new airlines commenced operating to Auckland International Airport over an 18 month period, adding: "We think we are well geographically positioned... we're in the middle of the fastest growing region in the world" (NZ Herald, 01-Aug-2017). "It's going to still be intensely competitive", he said, with more Chinese secondary carriers also interested in the New Zealand market. "What that will mean for customers is still great value and great choice", he concluded.

Etihad Airways, via its official website, noted (Aug-2017) enhanced security measures at major Australian airports. Etihad stated: "While there is no direct impact on Etihad Airways' operations, guests travelling from Australia are advised to arrive at the airport early and expect a longer process than usual... The safety and security of our guests is our top priority and we will continue to work with the Australian authorities to support the enhanced security measures". Etihad Airways also stated it's aviation security team is "assisting the Australian Federal Police with its investigation" around security (Reuters/AFP/SBS, 01-Aug-2017).

Australia's Visit Victoria said the Chinese market still has great potential for development in the future, adding it expects annual Chinese visitors to the state to reach 900,000 in 2020 (TTG China, 28-Jul-2017). China is Victoria's largest international source market.

Qantas Group issued (31-Jul-2017) a notice on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), stating: "foreign persons held relevant interests in 46.73% of the issued share capital of Qantas" as at 20-Jul-2017. Qantas reiterated foreign persons are permitted to hold relevant interests of no more than 49% of the issued share capital of Qantas under the Qantas Sale Act 1992.

JetGo Australia, via its official Facebook account, announced (31-Jul-2017) it will update the airline's "booking and reservations system and web page" on 31-Jul-2017.

Air Niugini stated (31-Jul-2017) it will resume service at Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport on 01-Aug-2017, following an announcement from the National Airports Corporation that the airport has reopened. The airline stated it suspended all services to and from Mount Hagen during the week ending 30-Jul-2017 due to political unrest. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation stated (31-Jul-2017) Qantas Airways retired a Boeing 747-400 (VH-OJM; serial number 25245), as recorded by the CAPA Fleet Database. The airline has 10 remaining 747 aircraft in service.

Fiji Bureau of Statistic reported (31-Jul-2017) total visitor arrivals to Fiji for Jun-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 76,598, +4.8% year-on-year;
  • Australia: 32,833, +0.1%;
  • New Zealand: 18,590, +10.4%;
  • US: 9167, +11.8%;
  • China: 3712, +3.9%;
  • UK: 1465, +8.1%;
  • Canada: 865, +13.5%;
  • South Korea: 733, +13.5%;
  • India: 430, +27.2%;
  • Japan: 407, -7.7%;
  • Hong Kong: 58, +728.6%. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia applied (31-Jul-2017) for renewed exemptions authorities from the US Department of Transportation to codeshare with Delta Air Lines on services within Australia, for a period of at least two years. The existing authorisation is set to expire on 11-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]