Corporate Travel News For South Pacific

Qantas Group provided (23-Aug-2023) the following fleet renewal overview:

• The company is on track to receive the first two QantasLink A220 aircraft by the end of 2023. Subsequent deliveries are expected to be delayed by up to four months as a result of supply chain disruption;
• The first of seven mid-life A320 family aircraft to meet growing resources flying and Jetstar Asia recovery are expected to arrive before the end of Dec-2023;
• 22 of previously announced Embraer E190s wet leased from Alliance Airlines are scheduled to join the Qantas fleet by the end of Dec-2023;
• Two more A321 converted freighters are expected to arrive by the end of Dec-2023;
• Jetstar Airways 18 A321LRs are on track to enter the fleet by the end of 2024, with a further 20 A321LRs and A321XLRs set to be delivered by 2029;
• The first of 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise are due to arrive in FY2026. [more - original PR]

Brisbane Airport, via its official Twitter account, confirmed (23-Aug-2023) scheduled Airtrain track closures will take place on 26/27-Aug-2023. During the closure Translink plans to run timetabled railbuses to replace train access to the airport.

Sichuan Airlines plans to commence three times weekly Chengdu Tianfu-Sydney service with A330-200 equipment on 30-Oct-2023, as per a 22-Aug-2023 GDS inventory and timetable display. The airline will increase frequency to five times weekly from 19-Nov-2023.

Qantas Group announced (21-Aug-2023) plans to add over 250,000 seats on the following services:

• Sydney-Bali: A330 aircraft will replace daily Boeing 737 flights from Oct-2023, with more premium seats and fully-flat beds in business class;
• Sydney-Auckland-New York JFK: Frequency will increase from four times weekly to daily from Aug-2024;
• Sydney-Johannesburg: A380s will operate to South Africa for the first time from Jul-2024, nearly doubling capacity during peak periods;
• Melbourne-Los Angeles: Capacity will increase by around 20% with more A380 flights on the route from Jul-2024;
• Sydney-Los Angeles: Frequency will increase from eight to nine times weekly from Jul-2024, operated with a mix of Boeing 787 and A380 aircraft.

Qantas Group is currently at around 80% of its pre-COVID international capacity levels, which has almost doubled in the past year. This is expected to reach 100% by Mar-2024, with the additional flying taking it beyond that level from Jul-2024. [more - original PR]

Korean Air, via its official online booking system, confirmed (Aug-2023) plans to increase Seoul Incheon-Brisbane frequency from five times weekly to daily, commencing 29-Oct-2023. The airline is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Internet Travel Solutions (ITS) introduced (10-Aug-2023) new solutions to support the ability to show new distribution capability (NDC) fares in side by side displays, inclusive of both NDC and traditional EDIFACT airline fares. ITS also introduced the ability to book NDC fares on specific airlines. ITS added Accelya and Sabre NDC shopping and booking paths and combined them with EDIFACT fares. By upgrading to the current Accelya NDC platform, ITS enables users to book NDC fares with American Airlines, Qantas Airways and United Airlines via both agent telephonic support and proprietary booking tools and technology. Next steps include plans to connect to more NDC selling sources and airlines, including additional Accelya hosted airlines and Navitaire NDC hosted airlines. [more - original PR]

Qantas plans to commence three times weekly Brisbane-Honiara service from 29-Oct-2023 with Embraer E190 aircraft, according to OAG. Solomon Airlines is also scheduled to operate the route.

Solomon Airlines announced (07-Aug-2023) plans to resume Munda-Brisbane service from Oct-2023. The SBD60 million (USD7.17 million) construction of Munda Airport's terminal building is due for completion by the end of Sep-2023 under the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project. [more - original PR]

Solomon Airlines announced (07-Aug-2023) plans to increase Honiara-Brisbane frequency to five times weekly from 02-Oct-2023. The service is operated with A320 aircraft, according to OAG. Qantas Airways is also scheduled to operate the route. [more - original PR]

Singapore Airlines announced (07-Aug-2023) plans to increase frequency across its Australian network. Details include:

• Singapore-Cairns: Frequency to increase from four to five times weekly from 31-Mar-2024. SIA will upgauge aircraft on the service from Boeing 737 MAX 8 to A350-900, deploying a widebody aircraft on the route for the first time in over 20 years;
• Singapore-Darwin: Frequency to increase from five times weekly to daily from 31-Mar-2024. This will restore frequencies to Darwin to pre pandemic levels;
• Singapore-Melbourne: Frequency to increase from four to five times daily from 26-May-2024. The extra frequency will be with A350-900;
• Singapore-Perth: Frequency to increase to 25 times weekly from 24-Nov-2023 and four times daily from 31-Mar-2024. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]