Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Auckland Airport reported (15-Jun-2017) the major upgrade of its international departure area is "now well underway". In addition, the airport is expanding Pier B of its international terminal, which will add two more contact gates that can each accommodate an A380 or two smaller aircraft. Auckland Airport is also progressing the design of the new domestic section of its future combined domestic and international terminal. [more - original PR]

High Court of Australia found (14-Jun-2017) air cargo price fixing arrangements entered into between Air New Zealand, Garuda Indonesia and other international airlines between 2002 and 2006 breached Australia's competition law. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took action against Air New Zealand in 2009 and Garuda Indonesia in 2010, alleging the airlines colluded with other carriers on charges for fuel, security, insurance and customs for the carriage of airfreight from Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia to Australia. ACCC was required to establish that the conduct occurred in a 'market in Australia'. The High Court unanimously dismissed appeals by each airline and held that all aspects of the market, including the presence of customers in Australia, need to be considered in deciding whether a market is 'in Australia'. The matters against the airlines will be remitted to the Federal Court for a hearing as to relief, including penalty. ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said "Today's judgment sends a clear message that the ACCC is committed to pursuing cartel conduct that impacts on Australian business and consumers". [more - original PR - ACCC] [more - original PR - High Court] [more - original PR - Air New Zealand]

Google announced (13-Jun-2017) the launch of Google Flights search engine in Australia. Google Flights allows users to compare flights and prices for varying destinations and dates, with options to search by carrier, time and class. Google stated Google Flights will identify the best available flight options for users by searching for terms like "Flights to Cairns" or "Flights to New Zealand". [more - original PR]

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) welcomed (14-Jun-2017) the planned expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales which it believes will deliver a significant cultural benefit and economic dividend for Sydney. TTF CEO Margy Osmond stated the NSW Government's commitment of AUD244 million (USD185 million) towards the project will increase international cultural visitors, who on average, stay two nights longer and spend almost AUD400 (USD304) more per visitor in NSW than the average international tourist. [more - original PR]

Jetgo Australia Airlines, via its official Facebook page, announced (13-Jun-2017) it will launch services between Brisbane and Melbourne-Hervey Bay. Subject to regulatory approval, the services will commence on 21-Jul-2017, four times weekly from Brisbane and twice weekly from Melbourne.

Alliance Airlines CEO Lee Schofield confirmed the carrier has selected "another company" for ground handling at Bundaberg Airport, although the airline is "not in a position to announce who just yet as we are working to finalise the agreement" (NewsMail, 13-Jun-2017). Aerocare currently provides ground handling services for the carrier. The future of the company at Bundaberg Airport is in doubt as Virgin Australia is pulling its ATR turboprop services from the airport, replacing it with Alliance Airlines Fokker 70 regional jet operations from Jul-2017. Aerocare stated it will be "working pro-actively" with the new ground services provider to "transition as many staff as the new provider may require".

World Bank announced a new USD20 million project aimed at strengthening tourism in Papua New Guinea, which has seen international arrivals grow by an average of 13% since 2002 (SPTO, 13-Jun-2017). The PNG Tourism Sector Development Project will include upgrades to local infrastructure, strengthening of the tourism workforce, and improving marketing and promotion of the area. PNG Tourism Promotion Authority CEO Jerry Agus stated: "PNG's tourism industry has been steadily growing over the past decade, leading to jobs and development across the country. The government is committed to further developing our tourism sector in a way that benefits our people".

Tourism Australia reported (13-Jun-2017) visitor arrivals to Australia rose 15% in Apr-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 701,300, +14.8% year-on-year;
  • New Zealand: 116,200, +1.8%;
  • China: 100,700, +3.6%;
  • US: 64,300, +28.1%;
  • UK: 57,500, +21.6%;
  • Singapore: 34,200, +4.3%. [more - original PR]

Talofa Airways, via its official Facebook page, confirmed (08-Jun-2017) the launch of four times weekly nonstop services from Tonga to American Samoa and Samoa are scheduled on 01-Jul-2017. The Fagali'i-Tonga service will operate on Mondays and Fridays, while the Pago Pago-Tonga service will operate on Sundays and Thursdays. These additional services have been added to the carrier's network, less than a year after it started operating in Aug-2016.