Corporate Travel News

Bundesverband der Deutschen Luftverkehrswirtschaft (BDL - Federal Association of German Air Transport), via its official website, reposted (10-Dec-2017) a report confirming commentary from BDL president and Fraport chairman and CEO Dr Stefan Schulte (PLATOW, 10-Dec-2017). Dr Schulte stated Fraport is applying for participation in the operation of New York Newark Liberty International Airport's new terminal A.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) announced (11-Dec-2017) EUR270 million will be loaned to Uganda's Government to help finance the construction of a new international airport in the Kabaale region. The airport will be Uganda's second international airport, opening access for the delivery of equipment, materials and services. UKEF's finance will help support work on the construction of the runway, taxiway, cargo terminal and other necessary infrastructure to be undertaken by Colas UK. Work is scheduled to commence in Jan-2018. Additional financing will be provided by Standard Chartered. A second phase of development is planned to improve the airport's capacity to support tourism and international trade at a later stage. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation stated (11-Dec-2017) Qantas Airways received a new Boeing 787-9 (VH-ZNB; serial number 29039), as recorded by the CAPA Fleet Database. The airline now operates two 787-9 aircraft with six remaining on order.

Fiji Airways MD and CEO Andre Viljoen stated the carrier will open the Fiji Airways Lounge on Level 1 of Nadi International Airport's upgraded terminal building on 18-Dec-2017 (Fiji Sun, 11-Dec-2017).

Dublin Airport opened (11-Dec-2017) 'South Gates', a new EUR22 million boarding gate area. The new boarding facility features five boarding gates serving nine aircraft parking stands and will primarily be used by Aer Lingus for its UK and continental Europe services. South Gates forms part of the airport's wider EUR100 million improvement programme for new facilities and existing passenger and airfield areas. [more - original PR]

Cebu Pacific aims to commence Manila-Melbourne service by mid 2018, according to VP of corporate communications JR Mantaring (Manila Standard/bworldonline.com, 11-Dec-2017). Mr Mantaring confirmed an application is "still pending" with the Philippines' Civil Aeronautics Board. The carrier already operates Manila-Sydney service and increased frequency on the route from five times weekly to daily on 01-Dec-2017. Australian tourists visiting the Philippines totalled 166,993 in the first eight months of 2017.

Air Vanuatu, via its official Facebook account, confirmed (11-Dec-2017) 30 years of service to Sydney. Air Vanuatu operates six times weekly from Port Vila to Sydney and three times weekly to Brisbane, according to OAG.

Georgia's Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development announced (11-Dec-2017) the tourism sector is expected to bring USD2.7 billion in revenue in 2017. Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Dimitri Kumsishvili said USD2.5 billion was received in the 10 months ended Oct-2017. [more - original PR - Georgian]

Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo stated (12-Dec-2017) spending by Chinese tourists in Australia reached a new record, exceeding AUD10 billion (USD7.5 billion) for the first time. The International Visitor Survey (IVS) noted the AUD10.3 billion (USD7.8 billion) record from Chinese tourists and an overall record AUD41.2 billion (USD31 billion) in spend by more than eight million international visitors, who accrued a record 268 million visitor nights during the 12 months ended Sep-2017. The growth was led by key Asian markets including China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan. During the past 12 months Australia welcomed 1.33 million Chinese visitors, just shy of the largest arrivals market of New Zealand with 1.35 million. Another market that has seen consistent growth is the US, with visitors and spending both growing by 40% over the last three years. Youth travellers to Australia are also growing strongly with a 10% increase in spend in the 12 month period. Tourism Australia, through its 'Aussie News Today' campaign, will continue to grow the sector, which makes up 46% of all international spend. Spending by international visitors remains strong across the States and Territories, with Tasmania seeing a 33% increase and the ACT a 27% increase in the 12 month period. [more - original PR]

European Commission concluded (11-Dec-2017) negotiations with Tunisia for "a far reaching aviation agreement", to improve market access for airlines and provide better connectivity. The new agreement is expected to bring an additional 800,000 passengers over a five year period and could increase traffic between the regions by up to 13% p/a. Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said the agreement will also "contribute to the highest safety, security and environmental standards". The parties agreed to move to signature "as soon as possible and following their respective internal procedures", according to the Commission. [more - original PR]