Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Etihad Airways plans to reduce Abu Dhabi-Melbourne capacity in winter 2017/18, effective 29-Oct-2017 (Routes Online, 24-Apr-2017). Both Melbourne frequencies will be downgauged including:

• EY460/461: Boeing 777-300ER replaces A380;
• EY462/463: Boeing two class 787-9 replaces 777-300ER.

The carrier operates daily on the route.

Air New Zealand was named the most reputable company in Australia in the annual Reputation Index produced by research group AMR and the Reputation Institute (The Australian, 26-Apr-2017). Air New Zealand increased five places from 2016's sixth-placed ranking, beating other carriers Qantas and Virgin Australia who also made the top 30 list.

New Zealand's Minister for Economic Development, Transport, Communications & Associate Finance Simon Bridges, via his official Twitter account, stated (23-Apr-2017) the Emirates SkyCargo facility handled 20,000 tonnes of New Zealand export freight in 2016, which has grown by 18% in the past year alone.

Air New Zealand, via its official YouTube account, posted (23-Apr-2017) its latest South America campaign, based on its 'Better Way to Fly' campaign. The one minute TVC features Dave the Goose exploring Buenos Aries' culture, food and wine. [more - TVC]

Air New Zealand stated CEO Christopher Luxon remains "strongly committed to Air New Zealand", following reports that he had been approached to potentially replace James Hogan as CEO of Etihad Airways Group (The Australian, 25-Apr-2017). Korn Ferry, Etihad's global recruiter, has also reportedly approached some key executives at Qantas Airways. Etihad is also looking to appoint a group CFO to replace James ­Rigney, who like Mr Hogan is Australian.

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) varied (19-Apr-2017) Determination [2007] IASC 118 to permit the capacity entitlements on the New Zealand route to be used for codeshare services between Air Canada and Virgin Australia. IASC added the following conditions:

• The capacity may be used by Virgin Australia for code share services with Air Canada to be conducted in accordance with Australia's air services arrangements with New Zealand and the codeshare agreement between Virgin Australia and Air Canada dated 01-Apr2017;
• Virgin Australia must apply to the Commission for approval of the use of the capacity if there are variations to the codeshare arrangement which would change the relevant commercial aspects of the codeshare arrangement from a freesale codeshare arrangement to a block space, or viceversa, or if Virgin Australia proposes to add third country routes on which the airlines will codeshare where Australian capacity will be used for services on the route;
• To the extent that the capacity is used to provide codeshare services on the route, the airlines must take all reasonable steps to ensure that passengers are informed, at the time of booking, of the carrier actually operating the flight. Nothing in this determination exempts the airlines from complying with the Australian Consumer Law.

Under the Australia-New Zealand air services arrangements, there is unlimited capacity for Australian carriers to operate scheduled passenger and freight services between Australia and New Zealand, via and beyond to third countries. [more - original PR]

Fiji Airways and Fiji National University (FNU) signed (21-Apr-2017) a three year MoU to establish a collaborative effort between the two organisations by providing certain selected students with practical work experience. The MoU will provide selected candidates from FNU the opportunity for intern positions within the Fiji Airways Group. [more - original PR]

Airports Fiji Limited communications officer Christopher Chand stated aviation authorities are working to identify a suitable site for the proposed New Labasa/Vanua Levu International Airport (Fiji Times, 24-Apr-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, the new airport aims to facilitate growing tourism demand at Vanua Levu island as existing airports on the island, Savusavu Airport and Labasa Airport, are constrained by land.

New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority is considering additional security checks on Middle East services (Reuters, 23-Apr-2017). New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges said evidence is being reviewed to determine what is appropriate with a decision to be completed by the aviation authority, independent of the government.

Qantas was issued with an investigation notice by Queensland's Department of Environment Heritage and Protection (EHP) over the toxic chemical spill at Brisbane Airport (9news, 21-Apr-2017). EHP executive director Andrew Connor stated the notice put the onus on Qantas to monitor and report the effects of the spill and could attract a penalty of up to AUD182,850 (USD138,212). Preliminary test results of the waterways around Boggy Creek show levels of the chemical have dropped to safe levels for recreational purposes, however, warnings remain in place to avoid eating marine animals caught in the area.