Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Air New Zealand opened an office in Buenos Aires as part of the carrier's South American growth project (Hosteltur, 16-May-2017). Air New Zealand GM for South America Alex Obaditch stated: "Since Air New Zealand entered the market in Dec-2015, there has been a 200% increase in the number of Argentines flying to New Zealand". Air New Zealand operates to Buenos Aires three times weekly, with service moving to four times weekly from Dec-2017 to Mar-2018.

Tourism Australia released figures showing demonetisation had little impact on Indian tourist arrivals in Australia (NAM New Network, 17-May-2017). The number of Indian tourist arrivals in Australia for Dec-2016 stood at 29,500 compared to 26,100 in Dec-2015. Tourism Australia country manager India and Gulf Nishant Kashikar stated: "We have not seen any significant impact on tourist arrivals after demonetisation kicked off. In fact, in Dec-2016 we saw the largest ever increase in tourist arrivals in any single month from India to Australia which was 13%".

Tourism Australia, via its official weekly newsletter, announced (17-May-2017) the results of the Mood of the Nation survey which measures Australians' perceptions of tourism. Tourism Australia stated:

• 94% of Australians believe that international tourism is good for the country;
• 83% are proud of how Australia is promoted overseas;
• 73% of Australians still under-estimate the true value of the country's tourism industry;
• 8% correctly identified tourism as Australia's biggest export services earner.

Tourism Australia, via its official weekly newsletter, celebrated (17-May-2017) 50 years since the Australian Government started promoting Australia to business and leisure travellers. Over the past five decades Australia has grown from a destination attracting 220,000 overseas visitors and contributing AUD74 million (USD55 million) annually to one that welcomed, in 2016, over eight million visitors a year who spent AUD39 billion (USD29 billion).

Airways Aviation announced (11-May-2017) the appointment of Leo O'Reilly as GM of its Australia operation to lead the company's ongoing Asia Pacific expansion. [more - original PR]

Australia Minister for Infrastructure Darren Chester stated (18-May-2017) Bendigo Airport is applying the "finishing touches" to its AUD15 million (USD11 million) redevelopment project. The project is scheduled to complete in late May-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, the project included development of a 1600m runway, associated taxiways, lighting, signage and fencing infrastructure, as well as strengthening existing apron and taxiways. The new runway allows the airport to accept freight aircraft carrying up to 30 tonnes or passenger aircraft carrying up to 75 people. [more - original PR]

Sydney Airport commissioned (17-May-2017) light installations across all three terminals in support of Vivid Sydney, an annual light, music and art festival hosted by Destination NSW. Airport CEO Kerrie Mather stated the airport is "thrilled to be a Vivid Supporter for the first time this year", an event that welcomed more than 2.31 million attendees in 2016. [more - original PR]

Nelson Airport awarded Gibbon Construction, Naylor Love and Fulton Hogan main contracts for the NZD32 million (USD23 million) terminal development project (Stuff, 16-May-2017). Construction is scheduled to commence in 2Q2017. The new terminal will be two times larger than the current one, providing capacity for 1.4 million passengers p/a. As previously reported by CAPA, the terminal is expected to be ready by 2018.

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed the Virgin Samoa JV will not be continuing (Radio NZ, 16-May-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, the Samoa Government extended the JV by five months to allow for negotiations to continue. Mr Malielegaoi stated "once the joint venture is wound up, the national carrier will be re-established". The Virgin Samoa joint venture has operated for ten years.

New Zealand Government committed USD13.8 million towards an initiative to upgrade Solomon Islands regional airports, with Solomon Islands government to contribute USD4 million (Radio NZ, 16-May-2017). The funds will cover the following projects:

• Facility upgrade at Munda Airport to accommodate international services, due to complete in late 2017;
• Upgrade Seghe Airport in 2018;
• Upgrade Suavanao Airstrip in 2018;
• Install approach lights at Gizo Airport.