Corporate Travel News

Australian Airports Association (AAA), with support from the Australian Logistics Council, Regional Aviation Association of Australia and Royal Flying Doctor Service, launched (18-Oct-2017) the 'Protect Regional Airports' campaign designed to improve safety and access for passengers at rural and regional airports. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the contribution regional airports make to Australia and to encourage the Australian Government to commit to the following funding proposals:

• Extend and expand the Regional Aviation Access Programme (RAAP) to AUD15 million (USD11.8 million), allowing remote communities to also benefit;
• Develop a new AUD25 million (USD19.6 million) p/a programme similar to the RAAP that would allow regional centres to apply for funding.

Funding contribution would be evenly split between local/state governments and the Australian Federal Government, with applications to be assessed on a case by case basis. The proposed funding would enable a range of safety improvements, including improved lighting, runways and animal fencing. There are more than 2000 landing strips and airports in Australia, including 250 that provide public transport. Regional airports employ and support more than 4000 staff and account for 45% of Australia's tourism revenue, according to AAA CEO Caroline Wilkie. Ms Wilkie said independent analysis shows an AUD170 million (USD133.4 million) shortfall in maintenance and infrastructure funding at regional airports and costs for airports are expected to increase 40% over the next 10 years. [more - original PR]

Townsville Airport achieved (18-Oct-2017) Airports Council International's Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2 'Reduction' accreditation, becoming the 200th airport worldwide to be accredited under the programme. The airport developed a carbon management plan and a register of reduction initiatives to track its progress compared to emissions targets. The airport also formed a carbon management committee to implement the management plan and identify future reduction initiatives. Initiatives include replacement of terminal lighting with more efficient LED fixtures, installation of a 30kW solar panel system, purchasing fuel efficient vehicles and upgrading street and carpark lighting to low energy lights. In future, the airport plans to use solar power for the terminal, upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and improve monitoring of power consumption. [more - original PR]

IAG CEO Willie Walsh, speaking on CAPA TV, commented (Oct-2017) on Aer Lingus's planned connecting service partnership with Ryanair at Dublin Airport, stating: "There's a good business case for it. We're always argued that if the customer wants to do it then we should try and make it easy for the customer... I'd be optimistic that we will have something in place for next summer [2018]". Mr Walsh also ruled out participating in easyJet's connecting service initiative at London Gatwick Airport. [more - CAPA TV]

Emirates regional manager West Africa Afzal Parambil said the airline is in discussions with Nigeria's Government on resuming a second daily Dubai-Lagos frequency (The Nation, 17-Oct-2017). He said: "We stopped our second flight between Lagos and Dubai because of operational reasons. We are discussing with the Minister to restoring the routes. Very soon, you will hear from us on the matter". The carrier may also resume Abuja service. Mr Parambil said: "There is indeed possibility to return to Abuja".

Cobalt Air CEO Andrew Madar, speaking on CAPA TV, stated (Oct-2017) "what we foresee in about five years is a handful of long haul routes to China, India, South Africa and US and connecting them to shorter routes within Europe and Middle East". [more - CAPA TV]

Air France-KLM reported (16-Oct-2017) it expects to take delivery of 15 new Boeing 787s by the end of the winter 2017/18 season. KLM is slated to receive 10 787s to serve 18 destinations, including Dubai, Mauritius, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Minneapolis, Calgary, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Cartagena, San José, Osaka, Colombo, Mumbai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu and Shanghai. Air France is slated to receive five 787s to serve seven destinations, including Cairo, Toronto, Boston, Panama City, Sao Paulo and Abidjan. [more - original PR]

Norwegian partnered (17-Oct-2017) with Groupon UK to enable Norwegian Reward loyalty programme members to earn points when purchasing Groupon UK offers. Norwegian Reward MD Brede Huser said: "There's never been a better time to partner with an internationally renowned brand like Groupon as Norwegian rapidly expands into the USA, Asia and South America". [more - original PR]

South Australian Tourism Commission Rodney Harrex, via its official YouTube account, stated (16-Oct-2017) it was a "good" 3Q2017 for the state, while noting that the state welcomed 6.6 million domestic and international visitors in the 12 months to 30-Jun-2017. Chinese expenditure and visitor growth has been "phenomenal", with Mr Harrex noting that China is now the second largest visitor market for the state. He welcomed the launch of the vwai app for the Chinese market, which has made it easier for South Australian businesses to engage and interact with this core market. Over 850 South Australian businesses are part of the pilot phase. Mr Harrex also noted that the cruise season starts in Oct-2017, with 67 cruise ship visits scheduled with capacity of just over 159,000 passengers and crew. [more - YouTube video]

Blue Air invited (17-Oct-2017) passengers to propose new destinations from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, to operate in summer 2017. Blue Air sales and marketing manager for North West UK Elena Signorelli said: "This is a great opportunity for us as to get to know the local people and to help Blue Air choose a new destination for next summer". The carrier currently operates services from Liverpool to Alicante, Bacau, Bucharest, Cluj, Milan Bergamo and Rome Fiumicino, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Cairns Airport reported (Oct-2017) passenger numbers exceeded one million over a two month period for the first time in Jul/Aug-2017. Domestic traffic increased 2.4% year-on-year in Aug-2017, with combined passenger numbers on Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney services increasing 2.5% and offsetting a decline on jet operated services to other interstate cities. Passenger numbers on Queensland regional services operated with turboprop aircraft increased 3.3%. Cairns-Bali passenger numbers increased 45%, exceeding the 30% capacity growth resulting from the addition of a fourth weekly frequency by Jetstar. The service is popular with European visitors to Cairns. [more - original PR]