Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Air Canada announced (03-May-2017) the expansion of its international network with the introduction of seasonal Vancouver-Melbourne service. The service will operate four times weekly between 01-Dec-2017 and 04-Feb-2018 with Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Air Canada president passenger airlines Benjamin Smith stated: "Vancouver-Melbourne is our third route to Australia, in addition to year-round service to Sydney and Brisbane. Our seasonal Melbourne service will provide additional options for business travellers between North America and Australia as well as Australians seeking a Canadian winter vacation experience". [more - original PR - I] [more - original PR - II]

Air Niugini welcomed (03-May-2017) ten engineers back to Papua New Guinea after successfully completing their four year engineering cadet programmes at the Air New Zealand Training institute and Cairns Aviation Skills Centre. The programme was fully funded by Air Niugini at over PGK5 million (USD1.6 million) and aims to develop young Papua New Guineans to be fully licensed aircraft maintenance engineers with careers in aircraft engineering at Air Niugini. Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo emphasised that it is committed to the training, skilling and development of human resources by investing in employee training. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (04-May-2017) expected targets for 2017, stating: "Based on the current market environment and expectations for the average jet fuel price in the second half of the year of USD65/bbl, we are targeting 2017 earnings before taxation to be in the range of NZD475 million (USD327 million) to NZD525 million (USD361 million)". [more - original PR]

Qantas plans to increase Perth-Broome frequency from 19 to 24 times weekly from 03-Jul-2017 to accommodate an expected increase in passengers generated by oil and gas activity in the offshore Browse Basin, about 425km north of Broome (The West Australian, 03-May-2017). The additional weekday frequency is scheduled to depart Perth at 13:30 return from Broome at 17:00.

Northern Territory Government announced (03-May-2017) the NT Budget for 2017-18. A total of AUD43.2 million (USD32 million) in funding will be invested into tourism marketing and associated activity. Tourism NT stated the 2017 Budget enhances the Territory lifestyle and promotes tourism which will ensure Northern Territory tourism products are supported and NT stories are shared with the world. [more - original PR]

Tourism Australia and Visit Victoria announced (03-May-2017) a series of culinary events across North America, Europe and Asia showcasing Australia's best produce through the eyes of celebrated Australian chef Dan Hunter. Tourism Australia MD John O'Sullivan said supporting Dan Hunter's global tour was an important way to generate advocacy and continue to tell the 'Restaurant Australia' story to the world, continuing the momentum of The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's SkyBus signed (02-May-2017) a partnership with Mastercard to implement the Masterpass digital payment solution across all checkout processes. The Masterpass payment solution allows customers to store their card details in a digital wallet for mobile and online payments. With the SkyBus partnership, customers purchasing tickets online can select the Masterpass button to finalise their purchase, eliminating the need to fill out online checkout forms. [more - original PR]

Rossair Charter Services enters the West Australian market with the acquisition of Perth-based Ad Astral Aviation (Business News Western Australia, 03-May-2017). Rossair CEO Warren Puvanendran said the company would initially target the resource industry, with the focus to then include VIP tourism business in 2018.

Hahn Air Systems announced (03-May-2017) a partnership with Pelican Airlines, making it available for HR-169 ticketing in 10 global distribution systems worldwide, under the H1 code. Travel agents can now book the carrier's domestic services and issue tickets for Pelican Airlines using their standard reservation and ticketing process. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lyell Strambi forecast (02-May-2017) "sustainable growth" in international traffic to Melbourne stating: "The most important thing we can do is ensure that development of the airport keeps pace with this growing traffic, so that we do not become an artificial constraint on Victoria's growth". Mr Strambi stated the growing trend of "lighter, longer-range aircraft" such as the Boeing 787 and A350 will help airlines open up "new point-to-point services over longer distances than ever before". [more - original PR]