Corporate Travel News

Qantas Group published (06-Dec-2017) a summary of its tax affairs for FY2016/17, reporting it paid and collected a combined total of AUD3.2 billion (USD2.4 billion) in FY2016/17, an increase of 14% year-on-year. Due to carry forward tax losses, Qantas was not required to pay any company tax in FY2016/17. This stems from almost AUD3 billion (USD2.3 billion) in accumulated tax losses from prior years, which now sit at AUD951 million (USD723.2 million) due to recent strong financial performance. Once these losses are exhausted, Qantas will return to paying company tax among the other taxes it pays and collects. [more - original PR]

Finnair announced (05-Dec-2017) plans to introduce new cabin textiles, amenities and interior elements to its A350 aircraft in phases, commencing in 2018. Finnair cabin interior development head David Kondo said the new interior elements will "have a fresh and modern aesthetic that is inspired by Nordic homes and landscapes", and will include seat covers, pillows, blankets and chinaware with prints provided by Finnish design house Marimekko. The elements will be implemented for both business and economy class cabins. [more - original PR]

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport introduced (05-Dec-2017) Alipay payments at the Sheremetyevo Duty Free Heinemann store, in partnership with VTB24. Alipay is also available at the airport's Urozhay and Kroshka-Kartoshka cafes. Alipay Russia and CIS business development director Bogdan Zadorozhny said: "The number of Chinese passengers in the previous year increased by 16%, Sheremetyevo is a key airport for Chinese tourists with 15 flights from 10 Chinese cities daily". [more - original PR - Russian]

Aviation Australia assisted (05-Dec-2017) with the development of an aviation trade engineering course for the Chengdu Aeronautic Polytechnic College (CAP). The partners developed EASA and CAAC approved B1.1 and B2 courses. This project was Aviation Australia's first project in Chengdu and its second major project in China. Aviation Australia expects to return to China to review the course modules in Aug-2018. CAP College is aiming to begin delivery of the course towards the end of 2018. [more - original PR]

Tourism Australia announced (05-Dec-2017) the addition of the following new air services from China to Queensland in Dec-2017:

• China Southern Airlines launched three times weekly Guangzhou-Cairns service with A330 equipment on 05-Dec-2017;
• Air China intends to launch four times weekly Beijing-Brisbane service on 12-Dec-2017.

The new routes follow China Eastern Airlines' move to increase Shanghai-Brisbane frequency from four times weekly to daily during Nov-2017. According to Tourism Australia, Chinese travellers can now fly to Australia from 17 cities, with 10 airlines operating around 150 direct services per week to six ports in Australia. The new services follow the signing of a new Australia-China aviation agreement in Dec-2016, which allows Australian and Chinese airlines to offer unlimited services to and from any points in Australia and China, including international airports in regional Australia. This is the first time China has signed such an agreement with any country. China and Australia also designated 2017 as the year of China-Australia tourism. [more - original PR]

Qantas conducted (06-Dec-2017) the final purchase of its AUD373 million (USD283.7 million) on market share buy back scheme, repurchasing 974,770 shares for a total consideration of AUD5.4 million (USD4.1 million). The carrier repurchased 63.1 million shares. The highest price paid was AUD6.52 per share (USD4.959) on 18-Oct-2017. The lowest price paid was AUD5.42 per share (USD4.122) on 05-Dec-2017. [more - original PR - Qantas 1] [more - original PR - Qantas 2]

French Blue updated (30-Nov-2017) its regulatory situation regarding the launch of twice weekly Paris Orly-San Francisco-Papeete service with A350-900 equipment, planned for 11-May-2018 (Outremer Aviation, 05-Dec-2017). French Blue stated a "legal difficulty has arisen over a possible conflict with a US operator with a close name". French Blue therefore lodged an application with the US DoT under the name 'French', instead of French Blue. As previously reported by CAPA, the airline is still waiting US authorisation for landing rights in San Francisco. [more - original PR]

Aircalin formally signed (05-Dec-2017) contracts with Rolls-Royce for Trent 7000 engines to power two A330neo aircraft. The engines are supported by Rolls-Royce's TotalCare engine service. The TotalCare agreement includes a Parts Availability option whereby Rolls-Royce will ensure the airline has guaranteed parts provision on site and necessary tools worldwide to maximise service efficiency. This is the first time Aircalin will use Rolls-Royce engines. The A330neo is exclusively powered by the Trent 7000 engine. [more - original PR]

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) announced (04-Dec-2017) it will pilot a mobile airline check-in and baggage drop service, in partnership with Off Airport Check In Solutions (OACIS). ICC Sydney is the first venue of its kind in Australia to offer the service. The initial trial took place at a conference held during late Nov-2017. International and interstate visitors were able to check-in and drop off their luggage at an OACIS counter within ICC Sydney on the final day of the conference, travelling to Sydney Airport luggage-free and collecting the luggage at their final destination. [more - original PR]

SAS announced (05-Dec-2017) plans to expand the 'SAS Go Light' concept, which offers a lower price to passengers travelling without checked baggage, to passengers travelling on services from Scandinavia to the US, commencing 14-Dec-2017. 'SAS Go Light' was launched for passengers travelling to destinations in Europe in 2015. [more - original PR - English/Swedish]