Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

China Southern Airlines plans to launch three times weekly Guangzhou-Cairns service on 13-Dec-2017, operating with A330-200 aircraft, as per a 10-Jul-2017 GDS inventory and timetable display.

Virgin Australia applied (11-Jul-2017) to the International Air Services Commission seeking an allocation of 880 seats per week of passenger capacity on the Samoa route. Virgin Australia intends to commence five frequencies per week between Australia and Samoa from 13-Nov-2017 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 176 seats. The capacity will be utilised by Virgin Australia or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, granted for a period of five years and fully utilised by 13-Nov-2017. The closing date for making an application is 25 July 2017. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Airport announced (11-Jul-2017) construction work commenced on the 165 room Atura Hotel, located adjacent to the airport's domestic and international terminal. The AUD50 million (USD38 million) hotel will be developed and operated by Event Hospitality & Entertainment Ltd (EVENT) over the next 18 months, scheduled to complete in Dec-2018. Airport MD Mark Young said: "Atura Hotel will be a focal point of our long term vision to create an easy, seamless connection between our aeronautical activities and our planned Airport Business District". Passengers will have direct access from the hotel to the airport's check-in area on level 2. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said the airport will require a new runway and fifth terminal soon to accommodate growing traffic (Herald Sun, 09-Jul-2017). Mr Strambi urged the federal government to consider funding these expansion projects in addition to the proposed rail link. As previously reported by CAPA, the airport is expected to handle 70 million passengers by 2037.

Virgin Australia, via its official website, announced (10-Jul-2017) changes to its frequent flyer programme with Air New Zealand. From 01-Nov-2017, points can only be earned for travel on Air New Zealand operated domestic flights within New Zealand and Air New Zealand operated Trans Tasman flights. Other changes to the programme include Velocity points and status credits not being earned on Air New Zealand Trans Pacific flights to and from the Americas.

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced (10-Jul-2017) it will now use the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) as a tool to complement their oversight of non-Australian registered airlines operating to/from Australia. CASA will use IOSA following the signing of a MoU with IATA. IOSA will help reduce the number of audits foreign airlines need to undergo in order to operate to and from Australia, while maintaining a high level of safety oversight through adhering to the global standards and recommended practices which are the basis of IOSA. Australia is the first country in the Asia Pacific region to use IOSA as part of its safety oversight of airlines. [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand launched (10-Jul-2017) a new North Island touring campaign focused on marketing driving tours and attractions of New Zealand's North Island. Tourism New Zealand manager Australia Tony Saunders stated: "The North Island touring campaign is all about promoting the themed highways in New Zealand's central upper North Island. The campaign highlights great experiences and activities along the main routes while showing more of New Zealand's stunning scenery during commentary about safe driving". As part of the North Island touring campaign, Tourism New Zealand has secured segments on Channel 9's Garden Gurus programme. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Tourism Fiji plans to conduct a tourism roadshow in India over late Jul-2017/early Aug-2017, travelling to six cities: Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bengaluru (Tourism Breaking News, 05-Jul-2017).

Sydney Airport, via its official Twitter and Facebook account, announced (07-Jul-2017) the Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport will be opening in Jul-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, the 136 room hotel is located near Domestic Terminal T2/T3 precinct.

Queenstown Airport technology manager Wayne Stiven stated (07-Jul-2017) the introduction of car park barrier arms and 'Tap & Go' solution was "just the start" of a new wave of technology advancements being unveiled at the airport. The airport said its parking facilities "felt the pressures" of significant passenger growth "over the last few years". Following public feedback, the airport launched a NZD4.6 million (USD3.3 million) ground transportation upgrade project. [more - original PR]