Corporate Travel News

Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) secretary general Abdul Wahab Teffaha commented on the EU's list of banned airlines, stating: "We believe it's not helpful, and we believe that instead of being passive - identifying some things and not doing anything about it - the EU has to be proactive" (Arabian Aerospace, 11-Oct-2017). Mr Teffaha called for the EU to support the improvement of aviation safety and security for banned airlines and countries, commenting: "They have to teach those lessons".

fastjet, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (12-Oct-2017) plans to commence nine times weekly Maputo-Beira, daily Maputo-Nampula and four times weekly Maputo-Tete services, effective 03-Nov-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, the airline entered a brand licence agreement with Solenta Aviation Mozambique for the launch of fastjet Mozambique.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA CEO Bjørn Kjos, speaking on the sidelines of CAPA-ACTE Global Summit, stated the carrier "could very well use the slots" of bankrupted Monarch Airlines "but it's not that easy to actually transfer slots" (Reuters, 12-Oct-2017). Monarch Airlines operates from London Luton Airport to 33 destinations across Europe and Middle East. Norwegian's subsidiaries Norwegian Air International and Norwegian Air UK operate from London Gatwick Airport.

Avinor CEO Dag Falk-Petersen stated (12-Oct-2017) the airport operator pursued an aggressive airport infrastructure and capacity expansion strategy in north west Norway "for many years", in order to support to dynamically increasing tourist traffic in the region, relative to the rest of the country. The strategy has included Avinor's New Bodo Airport development project, as well as assessment of new airport structures in Lofoten, Ofoten, Vesterålen and Helgeland. Mr Falk-Petersen said Avinor is now revising its north west strategy and will publish the details in 2018. [more - original PR - Norwegian]

Garuda Indonesia plans to increase Denpasar-Melbourne frequency from daily to eight times weekly, effective 15-Dec-2017, according to director of marketing and IT Nina Sulistyowati (Jakarta Globe/Liputan6.com/Investor Daily, 12/13-Oct-2017). She reported load factor of 75% to 87% across the airline's Australia services and said: "We hope the additional flight frequency will accommodate the increasing number of tourists from Australia, especially Melbourne".

Auckland Airport secured (13-Oct-2017) an additional AUD110 million (USD86 million) from its Sep-2027 AMTN issue. The fixed rate bonds mature in 9.9 years and are rated A- by S&P Global. This was the second AMTN issue into the Australian market following its inaugural issue in Mar-2017. The issue priced at a margin of 118 basis points over swap, with CBA and Westpac as joint lead managers for the transaction. [more - original PR]

Aircalin CEO Didier Tappero said (12-Oct-2017) the decision to purchase two A320neo aircraft and two A330neo aircraft from Airbus will drive the airline's strategy forward in the Asia Pacific region, along with its "ambition to promote the development of tourism in New Caledonia". Aircalin firmed up its order for two A320neo narrowbodies and two A330-900 widebodies earlier in Oct-2017. [more - original PR]

Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme Point Sud (NCTPS) reported (12-Oct-2017 ) the reception of Approved Destination Status by China will see it intensify promotional work and coordination with the Chinese tourism industry. A first New Caledonia-China charter flight has been scheduled for Feb-2018, to be operated by Aircalin. China was identified as a potential market for the development of Caledonian tourism in Jun-2016. NCTPS stated the local tourism industry needs to be made aware of Chinese expectations, air connections need to be simplified, local destinations need to be publicised, and certain administrative obstacles need to be managed. NCTPS has organised local 'China Ready' workshops to inform tourism industry professionals of their requirements. A future China Destination Contract is being drawn up, while the New Caledonian Government is putting into place a banking agreement to accept the Union Pay credit card system, and NCTPS is preparing a strategy to "ensure a lasting presence in the market". [more - original PR]

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) announced (06-Oct-2017) a fresh determination allocating unlimited capacity to Qantas to operate cargo services to Thailand. The determination is valid for 10 years from 28-Sep-2018. [more - original PR]

Qantas announced (13-Oct-2017) its Los Angeles based aircraft will be powered by biofuel from 2020, reducing the airline's carbon emissions on its services operating between the US and Australia. Over the next ten years, the airline will purchase 30 million litres of renewable jet fuel p/a from SG Preston. The fuel will be used by Qantas' aircraft operating from Los Angeles International Airport to Australia and follows the Qantas Group's successful domestic biofuel trial flights in 2012. The fuel consists of 50% renewable jet fuel produced from non-food plant oils, blended with 50% traditional jet fuel. Compared to standard jet fuel, the biofuel emits half the amount of carbon emissions per gallon over its life cycle. Qantas International and Freight CEO Gareth Evans said the commercial biofuel agreement is the first of its kind in Australian aviation history. [more - original PR]