Corporate Travel News

Deutsche Lufthansa AG plans to remove Germanwings' '4U' IATA code from 25-Mar-2018, as Germanwings further consolidates into Eurowings operations (aeroTELEGRAPH, 23-Aug-2017). The change will enable Germanwings services to operate under the 'EW' code for the summer 2018 season.

Switzerland's Canton of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) approved (23-Aug-2017) adoption of a new infrastructure plan for Zurich Airport, known as 'SIL'. The plans include runway extension provisions, in order to increase the "safety margin" of operations and improve punctuality. Adaptation of the plan had been delayed due to environmental concerns. FOCA waived the originally planned new flight path over the city of Zurich, at the request of the Canton. Adoption of the plan will also require less night flights. [more - original PR - German] [more - original PR - German - II]

Bolzano Dolomiti Airport issued (Aug-2017) a non-binding tender for "economic operators" interested in purchasing a shareholding in the company, for either a business lease and/or management of the airport. As previously reported by CAPA, Italy's South Tyrol jurisdiction is seeking an investor for the airport, and is willing to close the airport if no investor is found. Expressions of interest are invited until 29-Sep-2017. [more - original PR - Italian]

Thomas Cook Group announced (22-Aug-2017) plans to relaunch its holiday programme and outbound UK services to Tunisia, effective 13-Feb-2018. Thomas Cook Group head of customer welfare Carol MacKenzie said: "We're starting in just a few resorts, mainly near to Hammamet, and only eight hotels... We benefit from having had a holiday programme and resort team in place for our German, Belgian and French customers, whose governments did not recommend against travel to Tunisia". Prior to the suspension of services, Thomas Cook Airlines handled more than 200,000 UK passengers to Tunisia in 2014. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon said there is a "set of options from both Airbus and Boeing that we would be interested in" for the carrier's next long haul aircraft purchase (Reuters, 23-Aug-2017). Air New Zealand has announced it intends to invest NZD1.5 billion (USD1.1 billion) into its fleet over the next four years, including acquisition of existing orders for A320neo, Boeing 787-9s and ATR 72 aircraft. The carrier is reportedly assessing the A350 and 777X to replace its fleet of eight 777-200s from 2021 onwards.

Australia and Nepal are preparing to sign their first bilateral air service agreement, which would facilitate a potential expansion by Nepal Airlines to Australia (Kathmandu Post, 23-Aug-2017). Nepal's Civil Aviation Ministry officials said the Australian government had responded positively to the proposal, and sent its feedback on the draft ASA prepared by Nepal. Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Under Secretary Pramod Nepal stated: "We are preparing to send our views to Australia... Once both sides agree on a common agenda, the draft will be tabled at the Cabinet for its approval to sign the ASA... Negotiations will begin after the Cabinet's clearance". The date and venue for signing an agreement would be finalised after the two sides agree on the items in the agreement. Nepal is reportedly seeking 14 weekly services with any type of aircraft, with Australia reportedly expressing willingness to permit seven weekly services to key gateway such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with unlimited services to/from other destination. Third country codeshare agreement, fifth freedom traffic rights, multiple designations, free pricing and unrestricted cargo has also reportedly been proposed by Nepal.

flyadeal received (23-Aug-2017) the first of eight A320 aircraft from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) in Hamburg. All eight aircraft are from DAE's direct order with Airbus and are powered by CFM 56-5B4/3 engines. The aircraft is configured with 186 Recaro economy class seats. The remaining aircraft will be delivered in 2017 and 2018. The airline is a new customer for DAE. flyadeal will commence operations on 23-Sep-2017. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II] [more - original PR - III] [more - original PR - IV]

Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo reported (22-Aug-2017) the latest Investment Monitor by Tourism Research Australia shows there are 173 projects worth a combined AUD59.8 billion (USD47 billion) in the tourism investment pipeline, including those in the aviation, accommodation and arts, recreation and business services sector. [more - original PR]

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) CEO Chris Mills stated (23-Aug-2017) he is confident Townsville Airport will continue growing passenger traffic, following 6.1% year-on-year growth in Jul-2017. Mr Mills said: "With all market sectors showing signs of growth and Townsville being the logical hub for FIFO activity in the region, we are positive about the year ahead". QAL reported an overall increase of 2.3% in passenger numbers across the four airports under its management: "While these airports are still well below their peaks of several years ago, we are encouraged by these positive signs". [more - original PR]

airberlin's creditors committee concluded (23-Aug-2017) its first meeting and "made initial decisions" regarding insolvency proceedings. As previously reported by CAPA, airberlin appointed specialist insolvency lawyer Dr Frank Kebekus of Kebekus et Zimmermann and Dr Lucas Flöther of Flöther & Wissing for insolvency proceedings. Dr Kebekus said: "The committees have decided unanimously to enable the continuation of the business and to continue the insolvency proceedings in self administration". Dr Flöther said: "We will press ahead... Our goal is and will be to quickly reach viable contracts and to keep as many jobs as possible". [more - original PR - German]