Corporate Travel News

Tourism Queensland estimated (01-Sep-2017) Hainan Airlines' new Shenzhen-Cairns service, due to be launched in Dec-2017, will attract an additional 30,000 Chinese visitors over a two year period. Queensland State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new service was secured through the Queensland Government's AUD10 million (USD8 million) Attracting Aviation Investment Fund and would allow Cairns to capitalise on Queensland's most valuable and fastest growing international market. Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said the new direct route from Shenzhen "will provide more opportunities for visitors from China and beyond to holiday in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland." According to Mr Carter, most international visitors to Cairns arrive and depart on domestic flights. [more - original PR]

Western Australia State Government (WA State Government) amalgamated (30-Aug-2017) a number of government departments, reducing the overall number from 41 to 25, and appointed eight directors general to the new departments. Mark Webb has been appointed director general, department of biodiversity, conservation and attractions, and Stephen Wood has been appointed director general, department of jobs, tourism, science and innovation. [more - original PR]

EgyptAir plans to increase Cairo-New York JFK frequency from five times weekly to daily, effective 13-Dec-2017 (Airline Route, 31-Aug-2017). The airline operates the service with Boeing 777-300ER equipment. The service is the only nonstop connection between Egypt and the US, according to OAG.

South African Airways (SAA) CEO designate Vuyani Jarana said: "There will be no miracles at SAA", adding: "You need management and a board that is committed to transform the airline and return it to profitability" (Bloomberg, 01-Sep-2017). Mr Jarana stated: "There is a strategy in place to 'stop the bleeding' and I am confident that it will succeed, and that we can negotiate plans for refinancing. The exciting part will be in re-engineering the commercial and growth strategy and improving customer satisfaction". Mr Jarana also commented: "I would want to see more people with airline and international experience joining me at SAA".

Deutscher ReiseVerband (German Travel Association - DRV) received (30-Aug-2017) confirmation from Greece's Ministry of Tourism regarding plans to introduce an accommodation tax as of 01-Jan-2018. The tax rate depends on the type of accommodation. Details include:

• EUR0.50 per room and night in a one or two star hotel;
• EUR1.50 per room and night in a three star hotel;
• EUR3 per room and night in a four star hotel;
• EUR4 per room and night in a five star hotel;
• EUR0.50 per night in a holiday apartment.

The tax is to be collected and paid by the Greek accommodation companies alone. More detailed information is planned to be provided during Sep-2017. DRV "expressed... disagreement" with the measures. [more - original PR - German]

Copenhagen Airports A/S issued (31-Aug-2017) a DKK50 million (EUR6.7 million) tender to expand Copenhagen Kastrup Airport's T2 airside area by 4000sqm, and rebuild the existing T2 retail areas. The scope of works includes establishment of a new arrivals area and general refurbishment, along with a new second floor. Bidders are invited until 22-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary affirmed plans to submit a binding bid for Alitalia, adding the while the carrier "struggles to make money... it's still a very good brand in Italy" (Bloomberg/Reuters/Milano Finanza, 31-Aug-2017). Mr O'Leary said Alitalia's brand would be retained, as would most of the carrier's Rome based aircraft. He said: "The jets are all leased, so we would want those leases, but we would want the bankruptcy administrator to restructure them". Mr O'Leary reportedly stated pilots and engineering employees are also planned to be retained. He however noted competition concerns around the combined market share of the two carriers, with Ryanair already being the largest airline in Italy. In the event of competition concerns affecting acquisition, Ryanair would pursue around 90 aircraft instead, according to Mr O'Leary. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, Alitalia operates a mix of A320 family aircraft, A330-200s and Boeing 777-200ERs.

New Plymouth District Council approved (01-Sep-2017) New Plymouth Airport's new terminal proposal stating the design is fit for purpose. The project is estimated to require between NZD21.7 million (USD15.5 million) and NZD28.7 million (USD20.6 million). The council established a separate company, named Papa Rererangi i Puketapu (PRIP) meaning 'the airport at Puketapu', which will operate as a council-controlled trading organisation responsible for overseeing the execution of the project. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Airport chief of aviation Simon Gandy reported (31-Aug-2017) China is "currently our largest inbound tourism market for Victoria" with 570,000 visitors p/a. [more - original PR]

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (Aug-2017) international scheduled passenger traffic to/from Australia for the 12 months to Jun-2017 increased 6.7% year-on-year to 38.7 million. [more - original PR]