Corporate Travel News

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) established (05-Oct-2017) a register of aviation industry experts who are able to participate in Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to support the work of the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP). Where established, TWGs will provide industry members and relevant technical experts with a forum to provide input on specific technical issues and proposals being considered by the ASAP. Each TWG will be formed as required and disbanded at the completion of the assigned tasks. To build a register of suitably qualified potential TWG members, CASA has launched an EoI process. [more - original PR]

Tourism Australia announced (06-Oct-2017) the launch of its new AUD5 million (USD3.9 million) youth focused campaign, which builds on its recent Working Holiday Maker campaign. The new campaign has a broader youth focus, highlighting the most unique attractions and life-changing experiences for young travellers. Tourism Australia managing director John O'Sullivan said the new campaign would highlight many of the unique destinations and experiences available to youth travellers and working holiday makers in Australia. [more - original PR]

Boeing VP Sales for Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia Marty Bentrott confirmed Emirates will be the launch customer for the 777X (Gulf News/The Seattle Times, 04-OCt-2017). Mr Bentrott said Emirates is "actually ahead of its original mid-2020 schedule to receive its first 777X aircraft". Emirates displaces Lufthansa as launch customer for the aircraft. Emirates ordered 150 777X aircraft in 2013, comprising 35 777-8Xs and 115 777-9Xs.

Iran Air appointed Farzaneh Sharafbafi as CEO, following approval from the Iranian Cabinet (Financial Tribune, 05-Oct-2017). Ms Sharafbafi is Iran Air's first female CEO. She previously served as chairwoman of Iran Air and also as director of human resources development and training.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Malaysia Airlines' fleet strategy: still a work in progress following A330-200 and 787-9 deals', stated (04-Oct-2017) Malaysia Airlines is in final negotiations with a European airport and intends to announce a new long haul route within the next few weeks. As CAPA has previously reported, the airline has been considering several potential destinations in Europe for the last two of its six A350s. Malaysia Airlines has six A350s on order and decided two years ago to use four A350s to replace A380s on its twice daily Kuala Lumpur-London route. Malaysia Airlines initially looked at using the fifth and sixth aircraft for Auckland and other potential routes within Asia Pacific before deciding earlier this year to pursue a new long haul route. Malaysia Airlines previously served four destinations in Europe in addition to London. Amsterdam and Paris were suspended in early 2016 while Frankfurt and Istanbul were suspended in 2015. CAPA stated that "Malaysia Airlines would prefer to wait for its new fleet of 787-9s, which are being delivered from 2H2019, to resume expansion in Europe. However, the airline has determined that it has no other viable option for its last two A350s and needs to somehow utilise the last two aircraft. Essentially Malaysia Airlines has to find a route where it can cover as much of the lease costs on the last two A350s as possible. Once the first batch of 787-9s are delivered in late 2019, this route can potentially be transferred from the A350". [more - CAPA Analysis]

Airbus, via its Oct-2017 State Shareholders Presentation, provided (04-Oct-2017) the following update for the A320 family:

• Narrowbody market remains healthy, with the A320 family "essentially sold out until 2022", protecting production our ramp-up plans;
• 310 A320 family aircraft deliveries for the year to the end of Aug-2017, including 76 A320neo/A321neo;
• Ramp up of A320neo output "remains challenging";
• Customers are still experiencing a number of in-service engine issues;
• Airbus still targets total A320neo deliveries to be around 200 aircraft, but in view of these engine issues, this target becomes "more challenging". [more - original PR]

Qantas announced (05-Oct-2017) it will begin construction on its new domestic Qantas Club and Business Lounge at Melbourne from mid-Nov-2017. To make way for the upgraded lounges, the current Qantas Club will be reduced in size during construction, which will continue until 2H2018. Customer space in the Qantas Club will be limited and during this time there will be some temporary changes to the guest access policy in the Melbourne Qantas Club. The redevelopment will offer customers more space, extra comfort and more dining options. [more - original PR]

Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester stated (04-Oct-2017) he requested the Inspector of Transport Security to review security settings at all 173 security regulated airports in Australia, following a recently disrupted terrorist plot against a commercial aircraft. Mr Chester said he supports aviation security being "led by the advice of our security agencies and being proportionate and appropriate" and that government and industry "must work together to ensure the security of, and public confidence in, our transport systems". [more - original PR]

LATAM Airlines Group launched (06-Oct-2017) three times weekly Melbourne-Santiago service with two class 304 seat Boeing 787-9 aircraft, effective 06-Oct-2017. Premium cabin features priority airport services, full-flat beds, food menu showcasing Latin American cuisine paired with premium Chilean and Argentinean wines. The carrier estimates handling 77,000 passengers p/a on the new route. LATAM CEO Enrique Cueto stated: "LATAM not only demonstrates its commitment to Australia and Asia-Pacific, but also to offering unrivalled connectivity to, from and within Latin America". LATAM also operates daily Santiago-Auckland-Sydney service, handling approximately 190,000 passengers p/a. [more - original PR - English][more - original PR - English][more - original PR - Portuguese]

Air France announced (04-Oct-2017) plans to commence five times weekly Paris CDG-Seattle service with Boeing 777-200 aircraft from 25-Mar-2018. The aircraft is equipped with the latest long haul travel cabins in Business, Premium Economy and Economy. This new destination in the USA is in addition to the flights operated as part of the joint venture with Delta Air Lines. [more - original PR - English/French]