Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Stay Informed With The Latest Updates

Qantas introduces digital boarding passes for international services

18 May, 2017

Qantas announced (19-May-2017) the introduction of mobile check in and digital boarding passes for customers travelling between Australia and New Zealand. The new technology allows eligible customers to finalise check in and passport checks online, only requiring them to pass through immigration and security. The offering will be initially made through web and mobile (Qantas.com) before being extended to the Qantas app in Jun-2017. Qantas international and freight CEO Gareth Evans stated the initiative had been on the carrier's agenda for a long time, customers accessing services and information through their mobile a big priority for Qantas right now. Implementation of the technology is expected to be completed across all relevant airports by 2Q2018. [more - original PR]

Sunshine Coast Maroochydore Airport selects Beca Consultants to design new runway

18 May, 2017

Sunshine Coast Maroochydore Airport awarded (18-May-2017) Beca Consultants Pty Ltd the contract to design a new 2450m x 45m compliant runway, as part of the airport's wider expansion project. The AUD1.9 million (USD1.4 million) contract was awarded following a competitive tender process. Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson commented the new runway will "open up" the airport to international markets in Asia and Western Pacific upon completion in late 2020. The airport expects to announce the construction contractor soon. [more - original PR]

New Zealand MBIE releases results of Convention Activity Survey

18 May, 2017

New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released (May-2017) results of the Convention Activity Survey which measures the annual contribution of multi-day convention and conference activity to the New Zealand economy for the year ending Mar-2017. The report findings include:

  • The number of delegates attending all events increased to 3.6 million, from 3.4 million in the year ending Mar-2016;
  • The total number of delegate days increased to 4.5 million, from 4.2 million in the year ending Mar-2016;
  • The number of events for the year ending Mar-2017 was 45,700;
  • The number of delegates attending conferences and conventions increased to 592,400, from 538,800 in the year ending Mar-2016;
  • The number of conferences and conventions decreased to 5100 in the year ending Mar-2017, from 5600 in the year ending Mar-2016. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia improves net debt position

18 May, 2017

Virgin Australia Group announced (18-May-2017) its Q3FY2017 trading update highlighting a reduction in debt. During Q3FY2017, the Virgin Australia Group's debt was reduced by more than AUD200 million (USD148.4 million), which along with accelerated debt repayments of AUD169 million (USD125.4 million) during HHFY2017 has further improved the Group's Net Debt position. As at 31-Mar-2017, the Group's Net Debt has reduced by AUD627 million (USD465.2 million) or 33% compared to 30-Jun-2016. [more - original PR]

ACCC grants authorisation to Virgin Australia and Alliance Airlines

18 May, 2017

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced (18-May-2017) it granted authorisation to a Charter Alliance Agreement between Virgin Australia, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines and Alliance Aviation Services. Under the proposed Charter Alliance, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines and Alliance Aviation Services propose to jointly bid for and contract with corporate charter customers in relation to the provision of fly-in fly-out services. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia Group announces Q3FY2017 update on Better Business programme and fleet

18 May, 2017

Virgin Australia Group announced (18-May-2017) its Q3FY2017 update on the Better Business programme and fleet simplification. Key highlights from the update include:

  • Virgin Australia remains on track to cease all Embraer 190 operations by the end of 2017;
  • Virgin Australia announced that it will remove all six ATR 72-500 and two ATR 72-600 aircraft from its fleet;
  • Virgin Australia remains on track for net free cash flow savings increasing to AUD300 million (USD223.8 million) per annum from the Better Business programme by the end of FY2019. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia Group releases Q3FY2017 trading update

18 May, 2017

Virgin Australia Group announced (18-May-2017) its Q3FY2017 trading update. Performance was impacted by costs associated with the Group's fleet simplification programme, the adverse effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on debt and operating costs, subdued domestic industry trading, withdrawal of Tigerair Australia's Bali operations and Queensland weather events in Mar-2017. Key highlights from the update include:

  • Underlying Loss Before Tax of AUD62 million (USD46 million) for Q3FY2017;
  • Statutory Loss After tax of AUD69 million (USD51 million) Q3FY2017;
  • Underlying Loss Before Tax of AUD20.2 million (USD15 million) for FY2017;
  • Statutory Loss After tax of AUD90.6 million (USD67.6 million) for FY2017;
  • The Group remains on track to meet its full year Financial Leverage target of between 4.0x and 4.5x as at 30-Jun-2017;
  • During Q3FY2017, the Group's debt was reduced by more than AUD200 million (USD149 million);
  • The Group continues to maintain a strong cash balance and liquidity position, which has increased 50% year on year. [more - original PR]

Tourism Australia: Australia leaves lasting impression on the global culinary scene

18 May, 2017

Tourism Australia released (15-May-2017) initial results of its latest phase of the Restaurant Australia campaign, the hosting of The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards:

  • The project generated over 4000 media articles with an audience reach of 3.9 billion and an Equivalent Advertising Value of over AUD42 million (USD31.2 million);
  • Victorian restaurants saw a 50% increase in restaurant bookings for the week of the event programme;
  • Brae Restaurant, which entered The World's 50 Best Restaurants list at #44 received over 16,000 website views in the hours after the awards, marking an increase of 3900% from a daily average of 400 views;
  • More than 679 flights and 1162 rooms being booked across the 250 itineraries organised by Tourism Australia;
  • Over 2600 bottles of wine from 42 Australian regions were tasted by the international sommeliers, chefs and media throughout the event programme. [more - original PR]

Tahiti International Airport firefighters strike causing major disruptions and cancellations

18 May, 2017

Tahiti International Airport firefighters have been on strike since 15-May-2017, causing major disruptions and cancellations to services (Le Journal De L'Aviation, 17-May-2017). All major carriers including Air Tahiti, Air France and Air New Zealand have had services impacted with several hundred passengers having to prolong their stay in French Polynesia. Negotiations are expected to continue before firefighting services are resumed. Local Tourism has asked hotels and tourist carriers not to transfer their customers to the airport, and to offer an extension of their accommodation.

Wellington Airport reviewing contingency measures in case runway extension project is rejected

18 May, 2017

Wellington Airport is reviewing "a range" of contingency measures in the event its 350m runway extension project is rejected due to the proposed 90m runway end safety area (Stuff, 17-May-2017). The airport reportedly requested quotes for an engineered materials arrestor system that aims to reduce the speed of an aircraft within a short distance.

< 1 2 ... 557 558 559 560 561 ... 578 579 >