Corporate Travel News

Singapore Airlines announced (27-Jul-2017) plans to operate seasonal Sapporo service from 02-Dec-2017 to 06-Jan-2018. The airline will also increase Paris frequency from seven to 10 times weekly and increase Adelaide, Christchurch and Sydney frequency to cater for higher demand during the northern winter season between 29-Oct-2017 and 24-Mar-2018. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Airport, via its official Instagram account, announced (27-Jul-2017) an Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 will arrive at the airport for the first time on 28-Jul-2017. As previously reported by CAPA, Air New Zealand will add the aircraft to its existing A320 service during the peak period from 26-Oct-2017 to 25-Mar-2018. The Boeing 787-9 is expected to operate on the route three times weekly.

Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) appointed (28-Jul-2017) Alison Roberts as inaugural CEO. A4ANZ chair Graeme Samuel AC welcomed Dr Roberts to the role and stated: "Alison is well equipped to work with our member airlines to pursue regulatory reform on issues that impact the aviation sector and affect Australian and New Zealand travellers". Dr Roberts will commence with A4ANZ from 01-Aug-2017. [more - original PR]

Regional Express (Rex) announced (26-Jul-2017) plans to launch three times weekly Adelaide-Port Augusta service from 11-Sep-2017. Rex will utilise Saab 340 equipment on the route, providing up to 10,000 seats p/a. Rex GM of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge stated: "Rex is extremely pleased to be in a position to resurrect a regional air service for Adelaide-Port Augusta following the exit of Sharp Airways on 31-May-2017". [more - original PR]

Australia's Government awarded (27-Jul-2017) Vision-Box an AUD22.5 million (USD17.9 million), three year contract to deliver upgraded biometric technology in Australian international airports, to be used by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection to process passengers. The investment is part of the Government's "contactless traveller" initiative. The technology will deliver the capability for known travellers to self-process through the border without the need to physically use a passport, entirely relying on facial recognition technology. Australian Airports Association CEO Caroline Wilkie welcomed the contract, stating: "The contactless traveller initiative will not only improve the passenger experience, it will be able to use state of the art biometric technology to further strengthen the protection of Australia's borders". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II] [more - original PR - III]

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport welcomed (27-Jul-2017) Qantas Airways' plans to launch seasonal three times weekly Sydney-Osaka service with A330 aircraft from 14-Dec-2017 to 24-Mar-2018. Sydney Airport stated the route "will help meet the growing demand for services to Japan during this popular time of year". Sydney Airport MD and CEO Kerrie Mather added: "Japan is our sixth largest inbound market with an incredible 32% growth last year alone... Osaka is our largest unserved market, so this is great news for our customers and for the local visitor economy". 67% of travellers between Sydney and Japan travel for holiday purposes. [more - original PR]

Qantas announced (27-Jul-2017) plans to launch three times weekly Sydney-Osaka seasonal service between 14-Dec-2017 and 24-Mar-2018 with A330 equipment in response to demand for travel between Australia and Japan. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Parafield Airport launched (24-Jul-2017) a public consultation for its draft master plan. The airport is estimated to support 1100 jobs on-site and 261 jobs off-site. Airport MD Mark Young stated: "In the next five years, with the development of aviation training and commercial developments, the numbers of jobs on the airport will increase by a further 750 people". Public consultation closes on 18-Oct-2017. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Australia Minister for Immigration & Border Protection Peter Dutton, retweeted (27-Jul-2017) reports that the government will invest AUD22.5 million (USD18 million) over the next three years to install 105 SmartGates across Australia's borders. The service will be extended to passengers with selected foreign passports (Sunrise, 27-Jul-2017). Mr Dutton said the Australian border handled 40 million passengers in 2016, with traffic expected to reach 50 million by 2020.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) police urged political protestors to end the blockade at Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport (Radio NZ, 27-Jul-2017. PNG police commissioner Gary Baki stated the police "are talking to the people to try and appreciate the fact that the electoral process has nothing to do with the operations of the airport".