Corporate Travel News

Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC), via its official website, updated (04-Aug-2017) the status of a variety of applications from Virgin Australia. These include:

• An allocation of 300 third country seats per week, to be used to codeshare with Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways on the Italy route. The Commission received further information from the applicant nominating Tiger International Number1 Pty Ltd as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Virgin Australia International Airlines;
• New Zealand determination [2007] IASC 118, which allocates unlimited passenger and freight capacity. The request for the capacity to be utilised by a wholly-owned subsidiary has been withdrawn;
• US determination [2008] IASC 110, which allocates unlimited passenger and freight capacity. The Commission received further information from the applicant nominating Tiger International Number1 Pty Ltd as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Virgin Australia International Airlines;
• Fiji determination [2013] IASC 106, which allocates 1260 seats of capacity per week in each direction. The request for the capacity to be utilised by a wholly-owned subsidiary has been withdrawn;
• Fiji determination [2013] IASC 107, which allocates 360 seats of capacity per week in each direction. The request for the capacity to be utilised by a wholly-owned subsidiary has been withdrawn;
• Vanuatu determination [2013] IASC 108, which allocates 720 seats of capacity per week in each direction. The request for the capacity to be utilised by a wholly-owned subsidiary has been withdrawn;
• Vanuatu determination [2013] IASC 109, which allocates 180 seats of capacity per week in each direction. The request for the capacity to be utilised by a wholly-owned subsidiary has been withdrawn;
• An allocation of 880 seats per week of passenger capacity on the Samoa route. The Commission received further information from the applicant nominating Tiger International Number1 Pty Ltd as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Virgin Australia International Airlines.

Samoa Airways revealed its new branding and logo as it prepares to launch international services (Samoa Observer, 06-Aug-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, Samoa Airways is being reformed as an international carrier by the Government of Samoa. The start up will be established under an MoU between the Government and Fiji Airways. The logo features an adapted version of the iconic coconut tree which since 1959 has been the symbol of the national carrier.

Virgin Australia launched (06-Aug-2017) twice weekly Perth-Canberra service to operate during Parliamentary sitting weeks. Virgin Australia GM network management Hope Antzoulatos stated: "This service will be particularly welcomed by West Australian parliamentarians and their staff who now have the opportunity to travel direct from Perth-Canberra. The service will be operated by our fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft and is part of our commitment to bring greater competition to the industry and more choice to Australia travellers". Canberra Airport MD Stephen Byron believes the new service would also be a boon for Canberra's business people who are operating nationally and internationally. [more - original PR]

Jetstar announced (07-Aug-2017) a new seasonal three timesm weekly Hobart-Adelaide service from 14-Nov-2017. Jetstar Group CCO Catriona Larritt stated: "Jetstar will be the only airline to connect the two cities, with thousands of travellers currently travelling via Melbourne. Both Hobart and Adelaide are experiencing record tourism numbers, and we expect inbound tourism to the two cities to further strengthen with the addition of our new direct flights". [more - original PR]

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) appointed (07-Aug-2017) a team of international specialists to conduct an independent review of new fatigue rules. The team will review results of investigations into fatigue related accidents and incidents and how CASA's philosophy and approach to fatigue regulation compares with that of other transport regulators and high-risk industries. The team will then benchmark the new fatigue regulations against those of other leading aviation countries and regulators including the European Aviation Safety Agency, New Zealand, the US, UK and Canada. [more - original PR]

New Zealand Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern pledged (06-Aug-2017) to construct a light rail link from Auckland International Airport to downtown Auckland in the next 10 years, if the Labour Party wins the Sep-2017 general election. Ms Ardern also pitched plans for a "Bus Rapid Transit line" connecting the airport and East Auckland, and a third main trunk rail line to serve the commuter and freight rail traffic. [more - original PR]

Australia's Government reportedly plans to consider more stringent security controls on domestic flights, including measures already deployed for international services such as body scans and identity checks (ABC/SMH/AAP, 05-Aug-2017). Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester stated: "I will be relying on advice from our intelligence and security experts and won't be speculating on potential changes to airport arrangements before they are properly considered by cabinet in consultation with the aviation industry". Mr Chester concluded: "Security measures are kept under constant review to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the Australian security environment and respond to new and emerging threats".

Yusen Logistics (Australia) commenced (04-Aug-2017) air and sea freight forwarding operations to and from New Zealand. The company's new facility near Auckland Airport provides integrated supply chain solutions, including air and sea freight, land transport, customs clearance and contract logistics and transport services. [more - original PR]

SkyTrans implemented (04-Aug-2017) InteliSys Aviation Systems' ameliaRES and ameliaCARGO airline reservation and cargo management systems. The airline selected InteliSys as its solutions provider earlier in 2017. [more - original PR]

Qantas confirmed (04-Aug-2017) it will retire five Boeing 747s over coming years in line with the delivery of eight new 787-9 aircraft, to begin delivery in Oct-2017. The first of the 747s to be retired is VH-OJM which was originally delivered to Qantas in 1991 and has transported more than four million passengers over its life of service. [more - original PR]