Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Air New Zealand released (31-Jul-2017) its Monthly Investor Update for Jun-2017 as follows:

• Passengers: 1,357,000, +8.3% year-on-year;
  
  • Short haul: +9.3%;
  • Domestic: +9.4%;
  • Tasman/Pacific: +9.2%;
  • Long haul: +1.5%;
• Revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 5.4% with a 5.5% capacity (ASKs) increase:
  
  • Short haul: +10.0%;
  • Domestic: +11.0%;
  • Tasman/Pacific: +9.5%;
  • Long haul: +1.5%;
• Group load factors increased 0.1% to 80.8%;
  
  • Short haul: +0.1ppts;
  • Domestic: +1.2ppts;
  • Tasman/Pacific: +0.6ppts;
  • Long haul: unchanged 80.7%. [more - original PR]

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed (30-Jul-2017) additional security measures including additional checks of cabin and checked baggage are implemented at Australia's major airports including Sydney Airport, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Brisbane Airport, Darwin Airport, Perth Airport, Adelaide Airport, Canberra Airport, Cairns Airport and Gold Coast Airport, with Hobart Airport to follow, amid counter terrorism raids in Sydney on 27-Jul-2017. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester stated: "Some of these measures will be obvious to the travelling public, others will not… These additional measures complement the security arrangements already in place". Travellers are advised to arrive at airports at least two hours before their scheduled flight departure time regardless of fare type, and to limit the amount of carry on and checked baggage to help to ensure security screening is efficient. Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said "people can expect…an increased police and security agency presence" as well as "longer delays to make sure that more screening is being done on baggage, both hold luggage as well as hand luggage". [more - original PR] [more - original PR II] [more - original PR - III - Melbourne Airport] [more - original PR - IV - Mackay Airport]

Qantas confirmed it will stop using potentially toxic firefighting foam in Australia after a spill in the Brisbane River in April-2017 (ABC, 28-Jul-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, on 10-Apr-2017, 22,000 litres of firefighting foam spilled from a Qantas hangar with about one quarter leaking into the environment and water system. Qantas stated it would begin phasing the foam out from Jul-2017.

Qantas, via its official website, confirmed (30-Jul-2017) additional security screening at Australian domestic and international airports by the Australian Government may impact services. Qantas recommended passengers arrive at the airport two hours before domestic services and three hours before international services to allow ample time for screening. Recommendations also include limiting the amount of carryon and checked baggage, however no official changes to what can and cannot be carried onboard the aircraft have been implemented.

Western Australia Government announced (30-Jul-2017) tunnelling has begun on the 8km rail link connecting the CBD to the airport. The Forrestfield-Airport Link will be comprised twin rail tunnels, providing a direct link between the growing foothills and the CBD, with three new train stations at Forrestfield, Airport Central and Belmont. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said the carrier aims to add two routes to mainland China, noting that the carrier has a five year plan of expansion to take advantage of carriers owned by or affiliated to HNA, which has around a 19% stake in Virgin Australia(Bloomberg, 28-Jul-2017). HNA includes Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Lucky Air. Mr Borghetti commented: "Connectivity in China is important... If you can tap into two hubs where their airlines feed, that gives you a big advantage". The carrier is also considering the addition of one more destination in Asia within the next five years, while there are no plans to operate to Europe or the Middle East, or extend Virgin Australia's network beyond Los Angeles in the US.

Singapore Airlines announced (27-Jul-2017) plans to operate seasonal Sapporo service from 02-Dec-2017 to 06-Jan-2018. The airline will also increase Paris frequency from seven to 10 times weekly and increase Adelaide, Christchurch and Sydney frequency to cater for higher demand during the northern winter season between 29-Oct-2017 and 24-Mar-2018. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Airport, via its official Instagram account, announced (27-Jul-2017) an Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 will arrive at the airport for the first time on 28-Jul-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, Air New Zealand will add the aircraft to its existing A320 service during the peak period from 26-Oct-2017 to 25-Mar-2018. The Boeing 787-9 is expected to operate on the route three times weekly.

Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) appointed (28-Jul-2017) Alison Roberts as inaugural CEO. A4ANZ chair Graeme Samuel AC welcomed Dr Roberts to the role and stated: "Alison is well equipped to work with our member airlines to pursue regulatory reform on issues that impact the aviation sector and affect Australian and New Zealand travellers". Dr Roberts will commence with A4ANZ from 01-Aug-2017. [more - original PR]

Regional Express (Rex) announced (26-Jul-2017) plans to launch three times weekly Adelaide-Port Augusta service from 11-Sep-2017. Rex will utilise Saab 340 equipment on the route, providing up to 10,000 seats p/a. Rex GM of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge stated: "Rex is extremely pleased to be in a position to resurrect a regional air service for Adelaide-Port Augusta following the exit of Sharp Airways on 31-May-2017". [more - original PR]