Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced (24-May-2017) a bilateral agreement on air services between Australia and Peru. The agreement will facilitate opportunities for new services between the countries, supporting tourism, encouraging investment and improving cultural and people-to-people links. Mr Chester stated: "Both Australian and Peruvian airlines will be able to provide air services between countries either using their own aircraft or via codeshare arrangements with other airlines. Australia and Peru have enjoyed a strong tourism, trade and investment relationship which has continued to grow. In 2015, there were 3500 short-term arrivals to Australia from Peru, an increase of 12.7% year on year, while nearly 40,000 Australians visited Peru". [more - original PR]

Pacific Air Express (PAE) issued (24-May-2017) a request to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) seeking to renew Determination [2013] IASC 126, which currently allocates one service per week of freight capacity on the Nauru route. In light of the recent changes to the air services arrangements between Australia and Nauru, which include increasing the freight capacity to 'unlimited frequencies', PAE is seeking for an allocation of unlimited freight capacity valid for 10 years from 19-May-2018. IASC invited submissions regarding the applications, with a closing date of 06-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Air Tahiti Nui, via its official website, announced (24-May-2017) schedule changes and cancellations due to a strike by firefighters at Tahiti Faa'a Airport. While most disputes have been settled and outer island airports have resumed full service, Tahiti Faa'a Airport continues to be affected by the strike (Radio NZ, 23-May-2017). French High Commissioner Rene Bidal warned that firefighters ordered to maintain a basic service will risk jail if they refuse to comply.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau, via its official Twitter account, announced (23-May-2017) it is investigating an inflight engine shutdown involving a Qantas A380, VH-OQG, near Los Angeles on 20-May-2017. According to the ATSB the No 4 engine thrust reduced to about 45% before being shut down by the flight crew and the aircraft returned to Los Angeles Airport. As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview the crew, obtain an engineering report and gather additional information, with a final report being released within several months.

Nelson Airport received a request to enhance public transport options from the airport (Stuff, 24-May-2017). The airport owner, Nelson City Council, will consider plans to trial an extended bus service between popular tourist destinations Tahuna Beach Holiday Park and Nelson i-SITE during summer 2017/18.

Vanuatu National Statistics Office reported (23-May-2017) international visitor arrivals to Vanuatu reached 5610 in Feb-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 5610;
  • Australia: 2328;
  • New Caledonia: 1062;
  • New Zealand: 343;
  • China: 302;
  • Japan: 59. [more - original PR]

Solomon Airlines launched (23-May-2017) a new booking system within its website to assist customers with searches, shopping and booking. The technology is based on Amadeus' e-Retail DX platform, one of the most widely used online booking engine now available on the international aviation scene. Solomon Airlines manager commercial Colin Sigimanu stated the technology is intended to improve both usability and experience for customers accessing the website for flight and product shopping. The website also highlights the expanded routes and international destinations now serviced by Solomon Airlines and its codeshare partners including Qantas Airways, Air Niugini and Air Vanuatu. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand launched (24-May-2017) a new lounge at Palmerston North Airport. Situated on the first floor of the terminal, the new lounge offers seating for more than 100 passengers, almost double the capacity of the previous space. Air New Zealand GM customer experience Anita Hawthorne stated "the new lounge has been designed to enhance the regional flying experience and we look forward to welcoming customers travelling out of Palmerston North to enjoy this new facility". The new lounge forms part of Air New Zealand's four year NZD100 million (USD70.2 million) programme to develop its network of lounges. [more - original PR]

Milestone Aviation Group and GE Capital Aviation Services opened (22-May-2017) a new office in Sydney, Australia, effective 01-May-2017. Milestone EVP commercial Robert Dranitzke stated: "With our new office in place and our continued focus on providing customised financing solutions to our Australian customers, we are expecting exponential growth in the next few years". Milestone Aviation senior VP commercial Antony Snelleman, who will head the new office stated "we are excited to grow our footprint in the Australia market, and we look forward to increasing our business with our fixed- and rotor-wing partners". [more - original PR]

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) CEO Chris Mills stated (22-May-2017) high passenger numbers during school holidays and Easter reflects the strength of leisure markets across airports under its management. QAL owns and operates Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports. The company posted its record highest April passenger traffic in Apr-2017, with a total of 711,193 passengers representing a 7% year-on-year increase. [more - original PR]