Corporate Travel News

Ivory Coast's Minister of Transport Amadou Kone said the Government is in talks with Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways to launch direct Abidjan-US service by late 2017 or Jan-2018 (Bloomberg, 09-Oct-2017). Discussions with Ethiopian Airlines are more advanced than those with the other carriers. Mr Kone said: "I'm pushing for it to happen, that we have a flight at the end of the year or in January 2018. That's my objective. I'm not saying it will be easy but I'm working on it".

Ryanair COO Michael Hickey is to resign (Irish Independent/The Evening Standard/The Guardian, 07-Oct-2017). Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said: "He will be a hard act to replace, which is why we are grateful he has agreed to continue in an advisory role to smooth the transition to a successor and to complete a number of large projects he is currently working on including a multi-year engine maintenance contract and new hangar projects in Seville and Madrid".

Munich Airport stated (06-Oct-2017) intercontinental routes posted a "somewhat stronger growth rate" than traffic within Europe in Sep-2017. Munich Airport handled 5.5 million passengers in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 7.5% year-on-year. Traffic to North America saw "double digit" growth, while traffic to Delhi and Mumbai posted a 20% increase and Singapore a 62% increase. Traffic on domestic routes increased 3.6% to about 7.4 million. [more - original PR - English/German]

Air New Zealand started (09-Oct-2017) trialling its new inflight WiFi service on one of its long-haul Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The airline is rolling out WiFi capability across its international jet fleet, beginning with the 777-300 fleet. Further WiFi enabled aircraft will become available progressively over the next couple of months. Air New Zealand has selected the Inmarsat global GX satellite constellation for connectivity and has partnered with Panasonic Avionics as the in-cabin technology supplier. Air New Zealand is initially launching inflight WiFi as a trial, to gather customer feedback and ensure the system meet customers' needs before it is rolled out across its international fleet. The service will be available progressively with the installation of inflight WiFi on the 777-300 fleet expected to be completed by Jun-2018 and its 777-200 fleet rolling out from Apr-2018. Air New Zealand chief digital officer Avi Golan says the airline has been working closely with its partners to prepare for the launch of inflight WiFi which will enable customers to access email, social media channels, web browsing and go shopping while travelling. [more - original PR]

Finnair is reportedly considering plans to launch services to Tokyo Haneda and Sapporo Chitose, as part of a wider plan to expand its Asia network by 15% (Nikkei Asian Review, 07-Oct-2017). Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo said the carrier narrowed its choice of new Japanese destinations to two or three destinations. Finnair currently operates services to Nagoya, Tokyo Narita, Osaka and Fukuoka, according to OAG. The carrier currently operates 87 weekly services between Helsinki and Asian cities, increasing to 97 in FY2018 and 100 by FY2020.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Royal Schiphol Group stated (06-Oct-2017) the new Dutch Cabinet is considering an aviation tax, with a view to generate EUR200 million p/a from the sector. The companies referred to the absence of an air tax in Belgium, adding the German Government also "came up with 20 points to strengthen German aviation, including the abolition of the airline tax". The companies emphasised a national Dutch airline tax "does not help the environment" and interferes with maintaining a competitive aviation market. They added: "Aviation in the Netherlands is the only transport sector that fully pays its own infrastructure and its security... In recent years, airlines have contributed more than EUR750 million to sound insulation and compensation for plane damage, which is unique in the world". [more - original PR - Dutch] [more - original PR - Dutch - II]

Qatar Airways announced (08-Oct-2017) plans to commence daily Doha-St Petersburg service on 19-Dec-2017. The airline will operate the service with A320 equipment configured with 12 business class and 120 economy class seats. CEO Akbar Al Baker said: "There is enormous potential for extending our reach in Russia, thanks to its huge population and economic significance". The carrier also operates three times daily Doha-Moscow Domodedovo service. [more - original PR - English/Arabic]

Air New Zealand announced (09-Oct-2017) the first of its refreshed Boeing 787-9s (tail number ZK-NZL) arrived in Auckland. The aircraft features a new cabin configuration increasing the number of 'Business Premier' seats from 18 to 27 and 'Premium Economy' seats from 21 to 33. The new aircraft is Air New Zealand's tenth 787-9. The carrier's next four 787 deliveries will be in the same configuration, in response to growing demand for premium travel. The aircraft is scheduled to enter service on 15-Oct-2017, operating a service to Sydney. It will be deployed onto the Auckland-Houston route in Dec-2017, the first time a 787 will regularly service one of Air New Zealand's North American routes. [more - original PR]

China's Ambassador to France Zhai Jun announced New Caledonia has been awarded approved destination status, permitting Chinese tour operators to organise travel to the country in guided groups, as well as offering streamlined travel arrangements and a control mechanism to guarantee safe and reliable tourism services (Radio New Zealand/Loop PNG, 06-Oct-2017). New Caledonia is the seventh Pacific Islands country to receive approved destination status.

Tourism Tasmania reported (05-Oct-2017) it is investing AUD2.5 million (USD1.9 million) in its 'Go Behind the Scenery' media campaign. Advertising includes print, digital, cinema and outdoor media, with a call to action on the decicated campaign microsite. It also includes articles and video content produced by publishing partners. Tourism Tasmania's domestic marketing targets people within the 25-39 and 40+ age brackets, residing along the Eastern seaboard. To support the introduction of nonstop Jetstar service between Adelaide and Hobart, the campaign will also include the Adelaide market. [more - original PR]