Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Qantas plans to launch weekly Brisbane-Broome seasonal service from 11-Jun-2017 to 27-Aug-2017, with the service to operate with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, as per a 04-May-2016 GDS and inventory timetable display.

Rockhampton Regional Council stated a Japanese developer proposed developing a new regional airport in Capricorn Coast, Queensland capable of handling corporate jets and charter services (The Morning Bulletin, 06-May-2017). The investor is reportedly in talks with Rockhampton Airport for it to manage and operate the new airport.

Jetstar Group announced (05-May-2017) Jetstar Japan is well placed to capture growth and could ultimately be larger than Jetstar Australia. Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka stated reinvested profits could allow Jetstar Japan to grow and maintain market leadership, with 28 aircraft by FY2019. Jetstar Japan is the largest domestic LCC in Japan with more than 50% market share supported by 10 years of brand presence. [more - original PR]

Jetstar announced (05-May-2017) plans to introduce a cabin enhancement programme for its fleet of A320/A321s, set to begin in Aug-2017. Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka stated that the programme, which involves reconfiguring 43 of its aircraft to allow for an increase in six seats per aircraft, would deliver up to a 3% unit cost benefit without the purchase of additional aircraft. [more - original PR]

Qantas Group announced (05-May-2017) delivery of the second group of four Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be between Jul-2018 and Nov-2018. Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans stated that the carrier had brought the delivery forward by a few months than earlier expected. The announcement, which was made as part of the 2017 Qantas Investor Day, suggested that Qantas would be looking to identify new route opportunities for these aircraft. [more - original PR]

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) urged (05-May-2017) the Australian Federal Government to recognise the importance of Australia's tourism and transport sectors and support their growth with continued investment via the Federal Budget, set to be released the week beginning 08-May-2017. TTF CEO Margy Osmond called on Treasurer Scott Morrison to take advantage of the potential of both sectors to turbocharge Australia's visitor economy by boosting the nation's marketing budget, investing in critical transport infrastructure, improving visa competitiveness and establishing a bidding fund for international business events. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (08-May-2017) plans to open its new lounge at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport on 09-May-2017. Located on the ground floor of the terminal, the lounge includes five different spaces for close to 250 guests, a self-service food buffet, two self-service drink stations and a barista station. Air New Zealand GM customer experience Anita Hawthorne said seating has been increased by 50%, with the lounge part of the carrier's four year programme to develop its network of lounges and follows the opening of new lounges in Sydney and Brisbane as well as in Auckland, Nadi, Wellington, Queenstown, Hamilton and Invercargill. [more - original PR]

Perth Airport's Forrestfield-Airport Link reported (05-May-2017) works are underway across all four major construction sites in preparation for tunnelling works which are scheduled to commence in Jul-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, the AUD1.86 billion (USD1.38 billion) project to develop a 8.5km railway track and three train stations including the underground station at Perth Airport, will transport passengers from the airport to Perth's CBD in 20 minutes. [more - original PR]

Brisbane Airport Corporation GM assets Krishan Tangri believes "increased collaboration" among "ATC services, airlines, handlers and airports" is "the key" in advancing automation for boarding processes and data sharing for a seamless passenger experience (International Airport Review, 04-May-2017). GM operations Stephen Goodwin added: "At the moment, everyone, particularly government, wants to maintain their own networks because they don't feel they can share information securely" continuing "We need trust and transparency" which "will ultimately result in a more efficient outcome as a single network".

Tourism New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand announced a new JV for the India market to operate between May-2017 and Apr-2018 (Travel Biz Monitor, 04-May-2017). India travellers to New Zealand increased 14.9% year-on-year for Mar-2017. The campaign, which is designed to further increase the number of Indian visitors to New Zealand through special promotional fares, supports the Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines partnership. Air New Zealand regional GM Scott Carr said India is one of Air New Zealand's fastest growing and emerging markets and there is great potential for this campaign to reach more Indian travellers. Singapore Airlines GM India David Lim confirmed both carriers would provide a vast network to all major destinations in New Zealand and India.