Corporate Travel News

Mauritius' Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Ghana's Minister for Aviation Cecilia Abena Dapaah held (30-Aug-2017) a meeting on 30-Aug-2017 focused mainly on the possibility of a JV between Air Mauritius and Ghana. Air Mauritius chairman Dr Arjoon Suddhoo said Ghana's Government is seeking assistance from the airline to launch a new national carrier. The parties also agreed on a business plan for Air Mauritius to expand in Africa. Air Mauritius CEO Somaskaran T Appavou said a team from both countries is holding talks on establishing the new carrier. Mr Appavou and Ms Dapaah signed a MoU regarding the project on 31-Aug-2017 (defimedia.info, 01-Sep-2017). [more - original PR]

South African Airways (SAA) confirmed (31-Aug-2017) plans to adjust its domestic and regional network as part of a five year corporate plan designed to return the airline to financial stability. The network changes aim to optimise SAA's schedule by transferring services to other airline partners. SAA will maintain its SA flight code on services operated by "sister airlines". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Antwerp International Airport announced (01-Sep-2017) CityJet plans to suspend London City-Antwerp service, effective 27-Oct-2017. Passengers who have booked travel after the suspension date will offered full refunds. Antwerp Airport stated it is seeking another carrier to operate the "historic route". [more - original PR - Dutch]

Kyrgyzstan's Government reportedly entered a review of plans to sign a MoU on the provision of fifth freedom rights to foreign airlines from the EU, Southeast Asia, Near East and Middle East (Tazabek, 02-Sep-2017). The project would see the development of Bishkek Manas International Airport as a hub for passengers and cargo. A positive decision is expected to help attract investors for the establishment of a national carrier with joint foreign ownership.

Scoot country head India Bharath Mahadevan stated the airline "can operate direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to destinations like Copenhagen, Vienna, Cairo and Manchester", since it possesses the necessary fifth freedom rights to operate direct air services between destinations in foreign countries (Times of India, 03-Sep-2017). Mr Mahadevan reported Scoot would likely charge around INR13,000 (USD203.21) for one way and around INR26,000 (USD406.54) for round trip services between India and Europe. India based LCCs Indigo and SpiceJet are also reportedly exploring plans to launch low cost long haul India-Europe services, possibly in 2018, with London Gatwick Airport likely to be first destination for both carriers.

NIKI founder Niki Lauda commented on interest in the carrier, confirming: "I am preparing a plan to bid for NIKI which has to go in... by the end of the week" (Reuters, 03-Sep-2017). Mr Lauda added: "But I have not decided yet under what conditions I will do it. As previously reported by CAPA, Mr Lauda was scheduled to meet with airberlin's insolvency administrators on 29-Aug-2017.

Destination NSW reported (31-Aug-2017) there were 925,200 inbound seats to Sydney from China for the year ended Mar-2017, an increase of 28.1% year-on-year. [more - original PR]

United Airlines announced (04-Sep-2017) plans to resume San Francisco-Auckland seasonal service on 31-Oct-2017, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The carrier will operate the route six times weekly until 17-Dec-2017, before increasing frequency to daily until the season concludes on 24-Mar-2018. [more - original PR]

Philippine Airlines president and COO Jaime Bautista confirmed the airline will introduce A321neo aircraft in 2018, "including a special longer-range version" (Manila Bulletin/Manila Standard/Business World Online, 03/04-Sep-2017). The aircraft will enable the carrier to commence nonstop Brisbane, Delhi, Mumbai, Perth and Sapporo services and increase frequency to other Asia Pacific destinations, including Melbourne.

New South Wales (NSW) State Government Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall announced (30-Aug-2017) a NSW State Government partn­ership with Beijing Capital Airlines, following a meeting with company executives in Beij­ing. Destination NSW, the state's tourism agency, will work wi­th Capital Airlines and travel trade par­tners to develop and promote itineraries that encourage Chin­ese visitors to spend time in both Sydney and rural and regional NSW. Key opportunities di­scussed with Capital Airlines incl­uded broader travel packaging into rural and regional NSW, the 'Vivid Sydney Fest­ival' and an inaugural partnership campai­gn with the travel trade in Qingdao. Capital Airlines is scheduled to launch Qingdao-Sydney service from 29-Oct-2017. [more - original PR]