Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Talofa Air announced it will begin services to Tonga from 01-Jul-2017 (SPTO, 07-Jun-2017). The Samoa carrier, which launched in 2016, will begin services to Tongatapu with plans to expand this later in 2017. Talofa Air CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter stated the carrier is launching four times weekly service to Tonga, two from Fagalii on Upolu and two from Pago Pago.

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced (07-Jun-2017) the appointment of Shane Carmody to the role of director of aviation safety for a term of five years. Mr Carmody has been acting in the role since Oct-2016 and was chosen after an international search for the best available person to further develop CASA as a world leader in aviation safety regulation. CASA chairman Jeff Boyd stated: "Mr Carmody is committed to working with the aviation industry and the wider aviation community to achieve the best possible safety outcomes". [more - original PR]

Auckland Airport revealed (08-Jun-2017) plans to invest around NZD1.8 billion (USD1.3 billion) on aeronautical infrastructure between 2018 and 2022, and will be introducing new aeronautical prices to facilitate these investments. Infrastructure projects planned during this period include:

• Expanding and upgrading the international departure experience;
• Providing three more contact gates for international aircraft, such as the A380 and Boeing 787;
• Building a new domestic jet terminal joined onto the existing international terminal;
• Improving the international arrival experience by expanding the border processing area and public arrivals space;
• Upgrading the international check-in area;
• Investments in public transport, road and walking projects.

The new aeronautical rates target a return on investment of 6.99%. The airport also expects to commence earthworks on the second runway around 2020 or 2021. A runway land charge of NZD1.19 (USD0.85) will be introduced per passenger once the project breaks ground. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport chief of retail Andrew Gardiner stated the first phase of terminal 2 redevelopment project is scheduled to complete in mid Jun-2017 (Duty Free Magazine, 06-Jun-2017). The AUD50 million (USD37.5 million) project aims to revamp T2's retail offering by expanding duty free area, develop a luxury retail precinct featuring 11 premium brands with lavish interiors and upgrade the gourmet food & beverage precinct among others.

Virgin Australia confirmed it is looking at Beijing and Shanghai as possible destinations in China (Brisbane Times, 06-Jun-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, Virgin Australia is set to launch Melbourne-Hong Kong service in Jun-2017, however is planning on launching other routes to greater China with the help of a new partnership with HNA Group. Virgin Australia executive John Thomas stated: "We will continue to aggressively ask for slots within China, but they are just so hard to come by. Beijing and Shanghai are on our list, but given the reaction we've had from Melbourne-Hong Kong, people are asking 'when are you going to fly from my city'".

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon stated he believes the proposed extended laptop ban would not have too much of an impact in New Zealand (Stuff, 07-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Mr Luxon stated he "was not sure exactly what problem the laptop ban was trying to solve, it is up to governments to work out what any threats were. The industry and passengers needed to be vigilant and aware of potential security threats, but the ban in its current state would not really affect New Zealand".

Air New Zealand announced it will begin reviewing options for its next widebody aircraft from the end of 2017 to service ultra long range routes into the North or South America (NZ Herald, 06-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon stated the aircraft which could be purchased include newer versions of the Boeing 787, a larger version of the A350 XWB, or the next generation of the 777 which is still under development and won't be available until the 2020s. Mr Luxon continued, ''really our objective is to move deeper into North America and South America".

Qantas confirmed its partnership with Emirates is still important despite announcing nonstop service between Australia and London (Reuters, 07-Jun-2017). Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cancun, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated "even when we start flying direct to London, Dubai will still play a big role. Emirates has 40 destinations in Europe. We're never going to fly direct to places like Venice and Prague".

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) welcomed (06-Jun-2017) the ACT Government's 2017-18 Budget, which includes additional investment in major events and Canberra's transport network. TTF CEO Margy Osmond stated the Budget embraced the potential for the ACT to also grow its visitor economy, with the establishment of a new Major Events Fund and additional funding to promote Canberra as a holiday and business tourism destination. [more - original PR]

Qantas and Jetstar announced (06-Jun-2017) an expanded codeshare arrangement for travel between Australia-Vietnam. Qantas will add its code to Jetstar's recently launched services from Melbourne and Sydney-Ho Chi Minh City (10-May-2017), effective the week beginning 05-Jun-2017, and operated by Jetstar's Boeing 787 fleet. This code will allow Qantas customers travelling between to Ho Chi Minh City to choose the nonstop Jetstar service to Ho Chi Minh City on one direction of travel, while travelling via Singapore on Qantas and Jetstar Asia in the other direction. [more - original PR]