Corporate Travel News

WOW air CEO Skuli Mogensen confirmed plans to seek a partner within the next two years to 2019 (Bloomberg/E24, 01-Sep-2017). Mr Mogensen said the ideal partner should invest more than just monetary value: "We need someone who can help us get into new markets, and anyone who can make sure we get good deals on new aircraft, which is our biggest expense at the moment". The carrier reportedly received several expressions of interest from international companies.

China's Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian met with Etihad Airways CEO Peter Baumgartner on 28-Aug-2017. Mr Baumgartner said the carrier attaches great importance to the Chinese market, adding it will further increase investment in the Chinese market, seeking to expand new routes to China and continuously improve the level of service. Mr Ni said the rapid development of China-UAE relations in recent years has resulted in increasing travel from China to the UAE, adding the cooperation potential between the countries is "huge". [more - original PR - Chinese]

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) agreed (04-Sep-2017) to match the discounts being offered by Qantas as a percentage of landing charges at Mount Isa Airport. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier introduced a discounted fares scheme to reduce economy class airfares in Mount Isa for travel to Townsville and Brisbane. Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter stated the council will "continue to keep pressure" on other airlines to reduce airfares in regional Queensland. [more - original PR]

EU Commission approved (04-Sep-2017) the German Government's plans to grant a "temporary" EUR150 million bridging loan to airberlin. The Commission expects the measure "will allow for the orderly wind down of the insolvent airline Air Berlin without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market". German public credit institution KfW will provide a credit facility of up to EUR150 million to airberlin over the coming months. The Commission noted the loan will be paid out in installments under "stringent conditions", which include airberlin demonstrating its liquidity needs on a weekly basis, and new installments will only be paid when all existing liquidity has been used. The Commission confirmed Germany is "committed to ensure that either the loan will be fully repaid, or Germany will submit a winding down plan for Air Berlin". [more - original PR]

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport reported (04-Sep-2017) its 'small bags only' security lanes trial saw 95% of passengers wait between zero and 10 minutes. As previously reported by CAPA, Schiphol trialled a dedicated security lane for passengers with no baggage or small bags during Jul/Aug-2017. Additionally, 15% to 20% more passengers passed through the 'small bags only' security lanes compared to regular security lanes. Schiphol subsequently extended the service up to and including the autumn holiday period. [more - original PR - English/Dutch]

Samoa Airways appointed Aviation Online as its General Sales Agent for the New Zealand and Australia markets (Samoa Observer, 04-Sep-2017). Subject to regulatory approval, Samoa Airways will operate six times weekly to Auckland and twice weekly to Sydney using 170 seat two class Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The carrier plans to commence service from 14-Nov-2017 from Faleolo International Airport.

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport surpassed (04-Sep-2017) 35 million passengers in 12 months for the first time in the year to Jun-2017. CEO Lyell Strambi stated: "The reality is that... our passenger volumes are only going to continue to grow - and to do so strongly", reinforcing the need for a third runway. Mr Strambi said: "We're now coming to the limits of our capacity and we need to expand to meet the aspirations of Melbourne and Victorians". Mr Strambi added: "We're confident the airport is on track to welcome 60 million passengers annually, as soon as 2033". [more - original PR]

Qantas Frequent Flyer launched a new campaign developed in partnership with BWM Dentsu Sydney (bandt.com.au/marketingmag.com.au/Campaign Brief, 04-Sep-2017). The six week campaign is live from 04-Sep-2017 on TV, outdoor, in airport terminals, digital, social media and Qantas-owned channels including eDMs, inflight entertainment, the inflight magazine and qantas.com and qantaspoints.com. Qantas chief marketing officer Stephanie Tully stated: "With nearly 12 million members and having just turned 30, the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is well-known but not everyone knows about the breadth of the program. The 'Why Not?' campaign is about showing people how easy it is to earn and use points and the benefits and recognition that come when you fly with us frequently, like access to our renowned lounges and upgrades".

Qantas Airways launched (04-Sep-2017) a codeshare agreement with El Al Airlines on 04-Sep-2017 for travel from 12-Sep-2017. Qantas will codeshare on El Al operated services from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Johannesburg to Tel Aviv, while El Al will codeshare on Qantas operated services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Hong Kong, as well as on Sydney-Bangkok and Sydney-Johannesburg services. [more - original PR]