Corporate Travel News

Qantas Airways conducted (19-Sep-2017) a buy back of 967,331 shares, with total consideration payable of AUD5.64 million (USD4.5 million). In total, Qantas plans to buy back shares having a total consideration of AUD373 million (USD298 million). The remaining consideration to be paid under the buy back is AUD367 million (USD293 million). [more - original PR]

Refining New Zealand stated (18-Sep-2017) repairs to the fuel pipeline are on schedule and expected to complete between 24-Sep-2017 and 26-Sep-2017. The company estimates it will take another 30 hours for the jet fuel to settle and for recertification to be obtained before fuel for final use is able to reach Auckland Airport. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Berlin Tegel Airport reportedly saw delays of more than 15 minutes on 29.9% of services from Jan-2017 to Jul-2017, according to a report citing internal documents from Flughafenverband ADV (German Airports Association - ADV) (Bild am Sonntag, 17-Sep-2017). Tegel was ranked the lowest in OTP compared to 18 other German airports.

Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization reported tourist arrivals to Iran decreased 1.1% year-on-year to 2.1 million in the first five months of the current Iranian year, which commenced on 21-Mar-2017 (Financial Tribune, 18-Sep-2017). The top source markets were Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tourist numbers decreased 5.1% in the first three months of the year. The decrease was attributed to Iran's political relations with Saudi Arabia and the US.

Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), via its official newsletter and website, posted (17-Sep-2017) a report stating QCAA plans to sign additional air transport agreements in 2017 (Qatar Tribune/The Peninsula, 17-Sep-2017). Chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey said: "Despite recent challenges, we have high expectations for the rest of 2017". QCAA signed eight air transport agreements so far in 2017.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said the airline expects to sign an agreement with Zambia's Government and private equity investors by Nov-2017 on the establishment of a JV airline in Zambia (Bloomberg, 15-Sep-2017). The JV would provide Ethiopian with a southern Africa hub in Lusaka. Ethiopian is also in discussions on the creation of a new national carrier in Chad and is seeking to acquire a stake in strategic partner Congo Airways.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Aegean Airlines: operating leases will dominate new refleeting orders for 45-60 Boeing or Airbus', stated (17-Sep-2017) while Aegean currently operates Airbus narrowbodies, it is equally evaluating the new generation A320neo family and 737 MAX. A decision is expected before the end of 2017. Although the airline is currently an Airbus operator, it has experience with Boeing aircraft, with its narrowbody fleet being all Boeing up until 2006. It will continue to use operating leases as its preferred means of funding aircraft acquisitions and believes that lessors have ample capacity to place. The last of its 737s exited the fleet by the end of 2010, highlighting the flexibility coming from its predominant use of operating leases. [more - CAPA Analysis]

TravelCar, via its official LinkedIn account, reposted (17-Sep-2017) a report confirming Transavia France invested in both the French car sharing start-up and Wiidii, a personal assistance interface (L'Aerien/Air Journal, 15/16-Sep-2017). Transavia France president and CEO Nathalie Stubler said the airline sector is "bubbling with innovative and dynamic companies" which are offer "differentiating assets".

Air China announced (17-Sep-2017) plans to launch Beijing-Brisbane service from 11-Dec-2017, operating four times weekly with A330-200 equipment, with 198 economy and 28 business class seats. The new service will add nearly 100,000 seats between Beijing and Brisbane p/a. Air China is the 32nd airline to operate to Brisbane. The carrier offers access to 18 points in Europe, nine points in North America via its Beijing hub, along with an extensive network of destinations in China and the rest of Asia. [more - original PR]

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (18-Sep-2017) the following traffic highlights for Australian domestic airlines for FY2017:

• Passengers: 59.3 million, +1.5% year-on-year;
  • Top ten domestic city pairs:
    • Melbourne-Sydney: 9.0 million, +2.0%;
    • Brisbane-Sydney: 4.7 million, +1.9%;
    • Brisbane-Melbourne: 3.5 million, +1.8%;
    • Gold Coast-Sydney: 2.7 million, +0.4%;
    • Adelaide-Melbourne: 2.4 million, +2.1%;
    • Melbourne-Perth: 2.0 million, -3.5%;
    • Gold Coast-Melbourne: 2.0 million, +4.9%;
    • Adelaide-Sydney: 1.9 million, +0.9%;
    • Perth-Sydney: 1.7 million, -1.3%;
    • Hobart-Melbourne: 1.6 million, +4.8%;
  • Load factor: 78.4%, +0.9ppt;
    • Melbourne-Sydney: 83.9%, +1.2ppts;
    • Brisbane-Sydney: 81.7%, +0.6ppt;
    • Brisbane-Melbourne: 80.4%, +1.0ppt;
    • Gold Coast-Sydney: 86.0%, +0.6ppt;
    • Adelaide-Melbourne: 79.6%, +0.7ppt;
    • Melbourne-Perth: 81.2%, +0.7ppt;
    • Gold Coast-Melbourne: 84.9%, +2.3ppts;
    • Adelaide-Sydney: 81.3%, +1.4ppts;
    • Perth-Sydney: 81.2%, +0.8ppt;
    • Hobart-Melbourne: 79.8%, -0.1ppt;
  • Passenger traffic (RPKs): +0.9%;
  • Capacity (seats): 77.2 million, stable;
  • Flights: 636,614, stable. [more - original PR]