Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

South Australia's Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell stated (29-May-2017) a strong tourism sector is vital to the economic future of the state, with public-private co-operation "stimulating visitor demand, attracting more events, tourists and business travellers - who are spending a record AUD6.3 billion (USD4.7 billion) a year". [more - original PR]

Sydney Airport CEO and MD Kerrie Mather stated (30-May-2017) the airport is working on its 2039 Master Plan, which is due for release by May-2018. The airport is planning further expansion at terminal 1 International to include three new gates, baggage handling system and additional apron capacity as well as development of new T4 to provide capacity for international gates adjoining to T2/T3 domestic precinct. [more - original PR]

New Zealand's Ngai Te Rangi CEO Paora Stanley proposed consolidating Tauranga Airport, Whakatane Airport and Rotorua Airport into one major airport at Paengaroa to attract international services to the region (NZ Herald, 28-May-2017). The local leader stated he is in talks with four international investors that are interested in this project. The project is estimated to require investment of up to NZD1 billion (USD705 million) and will take 20 years to complete. Mr Stanley stated the main obstacle is getting regulatory approval for it: "The problem isn't about building it, the issue is the red tape and for the city to decide it's a good idea".

Airbus Group Australia Pacific acting VP for fixed wing Martin Ball confirmed (29-May-2017) New Zealand and Australia based MRO organisation Safe Air will be renamed as Airbus New Zealand Limited from Jul-2017. The company's contracts and agreements and its operations in Blenheim, Ohakea, Auckland and Melbourne (Australia) will remain unaffected by the change. Safe Air was acquired by Airbus Group Australia Pacific from Air New Zealand in Jun-2015. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Airport chief of aviation Simon Gandy welcomed (29-May-2017) Japan Airlines' (JAL) announcement it will launch Tokyo-Melbourne service from 02-Sep-2017, operating daily frequency with 186 seat Boeing 787-8 equipment. The aircraft is configured to provide a larger than normal allocation of premium seating, to capture business links between Japanese companies and Melbourne. This is the first time a Japanese carrier has operated to Melbourne. [more - original PR]

Fiji Bureau of Statistic reported (26-May-2017) total visitor arrivals to Fiji rose 18% year-on-year in Apr-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 68,495, +17.8% year-on-year;
  • Australia: 30,951, +13.8%;
  • New Zealand: 13,804, +21.7%;
  • US: 5922, +30.5%;
  • China: 3875, +9.4%;
  • UK: 1449, -1.5%;
  • Canada: 1099, +34.4%;
  • South Korea: 634, +6.4%;
  • Japan: 467, +25.2%;
  • India: 396, +72.9%;
  • Hong Kong: 76, +123.5%. [more - original PR]

SriLankan Airlines announced (29-May-2017) daily nonstop service to Melbourne, commencing 29-Oct-2017. The carrier will operate A330-200 aircraft on the route and will facilitate passengers from the Middle East and South Asia seeking onward connectivity via Colombo to/from Australia. SriLankan Airlines' CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte stated: "Our presence in Australia cements the long-standing relationship between both countries, who recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The addition of Melbourne signifies our strategy of optimising the carrier's network in line with our restructuring". The service is scheduled to depart Colombo at 23:50 and return from Melbourne at 15:25. [more - original PR]

Australia's Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann announced (28-May-2017) Forrestfield-Airport Link development project commenced work on the Airport Central Station, Perth Airport's underground rail station that connects to the airport's terminal 1 and 2. The AUD1.9 billion (USD1.4 billion) project to develop the 8.5km railway track and three train stations including Perth Airport Central Station, will transport passengers from the airport to Perth's CBD in 18 minutes upon completion in late 2020. [more - original PR]

Hobart Airport completed (28-May-2017) the northern extension of its runway, as part of the AUD38 million (USD28 million) runway extension project. The next and final stage of the project will extend the southern end by 380m. As previously reported by CAPA, the 500m runway extension will allow the airport too support larger passenger and freighter aircraft, capable of operating nonstop service to China and other markets in Asia. The project is on schedule for a Mar-2018 completion. [more - original PR]

Pacific Air Express issued (26-May-2017) a request to Australia's International Air Services Commission seeking an allocation of unlimited freight capacity on the Brisbane-Guangzhou route. The proposed service will operate on Boeing 757-200F aircraft with 32 tonnes of freight capacity. [more - original PR]