Corporate Travel News

Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines signed (Sep-2017) a codeshare agreement covering flights between Nadi and Honiara, effective 30-Sep-2017. Both carriers will codeshare on each other's services between the two destinations. Solomon Airlines CEO Brett Gebers said the the new codeshare was great news for both airlines, extremely timely and presented a major boost for the Melanesian region's tourism and business aspirations. According to Mr Gebers, the codeshare "improves inter-island connectivity in the Pacific and provides Solomon Islanders with another seamless opportunity to connect with the USA and beyond". [more - original PR]

Ryanair announced (15-Sep-2017) plans to cancel 40 to 50 services per day over six weeks until the end of Oct-2017 to "improve its system-wide punctuality which has fallen below 80%". Ryanair head of communications Robin Kiely added: "By cancelling less than 2% of our flying programme over the next six weeks... we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90%". Mr Kiely also attributed recent reductions in on time performance to pilots' annual leave, and ATC capacity delays and strikes. [more - original PR]

Air Canada appointed (15-Sep-2017) former Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe to its board of directors, effective 30-Sep-2017. Mr Fyfe's appointment coincides with the retirement of Joseph Leonard. [more - original PR]

Hawaiian Airlines announced (17-Sep-2017) plans to increase Honolulu-Auckland frequency from three to five times weekly on 21-Mar-2018, in response to strong demand. The carrier deploys A330 aircraft on the route. Air New Zealand also operates the route, according to OAG. CEO and president Mark Dunkerley said he believes there will be enough demand to accommodate the capacity increase in 2018, noting the carrier may even increase the frequency to daily if demand warrants (NZ Herald, 18-Sep-2017). [more - original PR]

Queensland State Government Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones announced (17-Sep-2017) the agreement with Air China to launch Beijing-Brisbane service was finalised on her recent trade mission to Beijing. The Queensland State Government estimates the new service will bring nearly 170,000 passengers to Queensland over the next four years. Direct service to Brisbane allows Chinese tourists to select the city as their entry point to Australia while also providing easy access to other destinations in Queensland. China is Queensland's largest international market, generating close to a fifth of Queensland's total tourism expenditure, with visitors spending approximately AUD1 billion (USD800 million) over the past 12 months. [more - original PR]

Adria Airways Switzerland CCO Christian Schneider confirmed "we are considering the option of applying" to become a Star Alliance member (Routes Online, 14-Sep-2017). Mr Schneider said becoming a member would "provide our passengers the benefits such membership entails for them".

Mauritius and Portugal signed (14-Sep-2017) a bilateral air services agreement (BASA) on 14-Sep-2017. The main provisions are multiple designation of airlines by each party for up to seven weekly frequencies, third and fourth freedom traffic rights for the designated airlines and codesharing possibilities with airlines of either party and with airlines of third countries. The agreement is expected to enable Air Mauritius to expand its visibility in the Portuguese market. The airline intends to codeshare on Air France's Paris-Lisbon and Paris-Porto services. The agreement is expected to lead to growth in tourism between Mauritius and Portugal. [more - original PR]

Turkish Airlines chairman İlker Aycı announced plans to reinvent AnadoluJet (Hurriyet Daily News, 15-Sep-2017). Mr Aycı said: "We will recreate it completely with its colour, image and flight destinations. I like Norwegian Airlines, which flies short and long distances with low costs. We will create a similar but more advanced model". CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Turkish Airlines part 3: seeks to boost partnerships in Asia and Australia' stated Turkish Airlines is considering expanding LCC brand AnadoluJet into long haul low cost operations. Turkish CEO Bilal Ekşi said there is "some strategic discussion" on using Anadolujet to expand into the long haul market.

Turkish Airlines chairman İlker Aycı stated the carrier plans to expand its presence in Asia Pacific and Latin America (Hurriyet Daily News, 15-Sep-2017). Mr Aycı identified Mexico City and Sydney as planned destinations. Mr Aycı said: "It is not possible to fly directly from Mexico City. Instead, we plan to have a direct flight by refuelling in Cancun". Mr Aycı added the launch of service to Sydney is expected in 2018. CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Turkish Airlines part 3: seeks to boost partnerships in Asia and Australia', stated the carrier previously considered serving Melbourne and Sydney via Bali, Jakarta or Singapore, however CEO Bilal Ekşi said one stop flights to Australia are not currently in the network plan.

Airservices Australia media officer Sarah Fulton said Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is "still working on a backlog from yesterday" following strong winds reducing the airport to single runway operations (ABC/SMH, 15-Sep-2017). Around 20 services were cancelled on the morning of 15-Sep-2017, after up to 100 cancellations on 14-Sep-2017. Ms Fulton said passengers are "advised to check with their airlines if they're travelling both at Sydney and Melbourne because Melbourne will also be experiencing strong winds".