Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) approved (09-Jun-2017) Pacific Air Express' request to increase Determination [2013] IASC 126, which currently allocates one service per week of freight capacity on the Nauru route, to unlimited freight capacity, valid for 10 years from 19-May-2018. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon commented that the carrier is "really perceived as being quite innovative" and that the airline has a "disproportionate weight and prominence in the aviation industry relative to our size in the global economy", which generates strong international interest in its activities (Stuff, 09-Jun-2017). Air New Zealand is looking at "digital retailers" and at businesses such as Disney for models on how to link culture with management of customer services.

Airnorth increased (09-Jun-2017) Brisbane West Wellcamp-Melbourne frequency from twice to three times weekly from 09-Jun-2017, and Melbourne-Brisbane West Wellcamp-Cairns frequency to three times weekly on 10-Jun-2017. Airnorth now offers 36 frequencies a week between Wellcamp Airport and Melbourne, Cairns, Townsville & Darwin. [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand appointed (09-Jun-2017) Gregg Wafelbakker to the role of general manager Asia, effective 03-Jul-2017. Mr Wafelbakker joins Tourism New Zealand from Westland Milk Products where he has been based in Shanghai as GM China and GM marketing for the past three years. [more - original PR]

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) approved (09-Jun-2017) Qantas' request to renew Determination [2008] IASC 103 on the US route. The renewal of this allocation includes unlimited passenger and cargo capacity for a period of 10 years from 02-Apr-2018 with the following conditions:

• The capacity may be utilised by Qantas or another Australian carrier which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qantas;
• The capacity may be used by Qantas to provide joint services with any wholly-owned subsidiary and by any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group to provide joint services with Qantas;
• The capacity may be used by Qantas to provide services jointly with American Airlines. [more - original PR]

Australia's International Air Services Commission announced (07-Jun-2017) decisions related to the following determinations for the Qantas Group:

• Determination [2011] IASC 123 allocating to Qantas 35.6 B747 equivalent units and 26 third country code share frequencies of passenger capacity per week on the Thailand route. The determination is valid for five years from 01-Jul-2017;
• Determination [2007] IASC 116 permits the use of the capacity on the Singapore route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017;
• Determination [2011] IASC 123 permits the use of the capacity on the Thailand route for code sharing between Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd and Finnair. The permission is valid for the duration of the determination commencing from 07-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Airport, via its official Twitter account, welcomed (08-Jun-2017) the opening of Krispy Kreme store at the airport on 08-Jun-2017.

New Plymouth Airport received a majority vote in support of the 'iconic' new terminal, according to results from public submissions (Radio NZ, 08-Jun-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, the council opted for the more expensive 'iconic' terminal design instead of the functional design. The cost difference is around NZD19.7 million (USD14.1 million). The council expects to commence construction in 2018.

Alliance Airlines confirmed (08-Jun-2017) the contract to supply dedicated scheduled FIFO charter flights for BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHPIO) has been extended through the exercise of an of an option by BHPIO. Alliance MD Scott McMillan stated: "We are very pleased with the continuation of the contract and look forward to continuing to provide BHPIO with our services between Perth and the BHPIO owned and operated Coondewanna and Barimunya airports". [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand partnered (08-Jun-2017) with Australian lifestyle programme the Weekend Today to encourage viewers to visit New Zealand for a ski holiday. The breakfast programme will broadcast twelve live segments from Mt Hutt and Tekapo, with weather presenter Steve Jacobs showcasing the ski field and surrounding area. Tourism New Zealand is working with Air New Zealand and Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism to bring the Today Show to the South Island. Tourism New Zealand GM - Australia stated "promoting New Zealand as a ski holiday destination for Australians is a key priority for Tourism New Zealand".[more - original PR]