Corporate Travel News

Thai Airways will continue to operate Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Auckland service five times weekly with Boeing 777-300ER equipment from 29-Oct-2017 to 14-Nov-2017, cancelling plans to increase frequency to daily and replace 777-300ER with 777-200ER equipment (Airline Route, 31-Aug-2017). The airline will operate the service daily with 787-9 equipment from 16-Nov-2017. The service is the only nonstop connection between Thailand and New Zealand, according to OAG.

Tourism New Zealand announced (01-Sep-2017) the opening of the Auckland i-SITE and Department of Conservation Visitor Information Centre, featuring consultants to provide visitors with a "personalised, insider's guide to New Zealand". Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development, on behalf of Auckland Council, owns and operates the Auckland network of i-SITEs, which includes the new premises on Princes Wharf, and existing premises at Auckland International Airport and SKYCITY. The i-SITEs receive around eight million visits from travellers seeking independent advice about where to go and what to do in a region, and handle NZD64 million (USD46 million) worth of activity and accommodation bookings for the sector. [more - original PR]

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond stated (31-Aug-2017) Western Sydney has potential to become the engine room of the NSW visitor economy and the announced collaboration between the NSW Government, the Western Sydney Business Chamber and Western Sydney Business Connection is needed to begin to unlock the tourism potential of the region. Ms Osmond commented that the Western Sydney region "has all the ingredients to become one of Australia's 'must-visit' destinations, but has lacked a unified approach between government, industry and the community to managing and marketing the area and to developing a single, long-term destination management strategy and plan". Ms Osmond welcomed the Strategy's focus on growing investment and visitation to the region via nine broad strategic directions, including securing and growing business events, developing destination awareness and maximising the potential to capaitlise on emerging markets such as medical related tourism. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation stated (31-Aug-2017) Emirates received one A380 aircraft (A6-EUY; serial number 242) on 27-Aug-2017, as recorded by the CAPA Fleet Database. The airline now operates 97 A380s with 45 on order.

Royal Air Maroc plans to commence three times weekly Casablanca-Bilbao service on 26-Mar-2018, according to a 30-Aug-2017 GDS display. The airline will operate the service weekly with Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines MD Ethiopian International Services Esayas WoldeMariam confirmed the airline is in negotiations for a contract to manage Arik Air, in response to a request by Nigeria's Ministry of Aviation (AP/The Citizen/The East African, 30-Aug-2017). Ethiopian Airlines submitted a proposal and is "bidding with other airlines" for the contract. Mr WoldeMariam said: "We definitely are willing and able to take over the management of Arik Air".

Auckland Airport noted (30-Aug-2017) European visitors increased 24.2% year-on-year during Jul-2017. The strongest visitor growth were from UK (36.2%), France (29.8%) and Spain (26.3%). The positive result was contributed by Emirates upgauging Dubai service to the A380. [more - original PR]

Auckland Airport reported (30-Aug-2017) strong growth in international passenger traffic on Asia and Middle East routes, up 26.8% year-on-year for Jul-2017. This was driven by new routes to China, Hong Kong and Qatar as well as Emirates up-gauging to A380 for its direct Dubai service. Meanwhile traffic on Americas routes decreased 3.3% due to seasonal capacity reduction by United Airlines' on San Francisco service. [more - original PR]

Tourism Fiji reported (30-Aug-2017) 2016 visitor arrivals of 792,320 visitors. Australia was the leading market for visitor arrivals, accounting for almost half of holiday arrivals. [more - original PR]

Wellington Airport reached (31-Aug-2017) an agreement with Uber to enable the ridesharing service to pick up and drop off passengers at the terminal from 01-Sep-2017. Uber drivers will incur the same pick up fee as taxi drivers of NZD3 (USD2.16) per trip (Radio NZ/Stuff, 30-Aug-2017). The airport will open a dedicated pick up area for Uber operations on 01-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]