Corporate Travel News

Delta Air Lines subsidiary Delta Private Jets appointed (18-Jul-2017) Virgin Australia former COO Gary Hammes as president. Mr Hammes will be responsible for both financial and operational performance, growing the Delta Private Jets brand and the travel solution, as well as transforming the customer service platform. [more - original PR]

Singapore Airlines plans to increase Singapore-Sydney frequency from 33 to 35 times weekly, effective 05-Dec-2017 to 31-Jan-2018 and replace A330-300 with Boeing 777-200ER equipment on one of four daily Singapore-Perth frequencies, effective 01-Mar-2018 (Airline Route, 18-Jul-2017). The airline will operate the additional Singapore-Sydney frequencies with 777-200ER equipment. The carrier also operates Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne services, according to OAG.

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said Air New Zealand is considering more Boeing 777 services to Apia Faleolo Airport (Radio NZ, 19-Jul-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, Virgin Australia has also applied to Australia's International Air Services Commission, to increase seats offered to Samoa.

Auckland Airport announced (19-Jul-2017) GM aeronautical operations Judy Nicholl will be leaving the company in Oct-2017 to pursue the position of Counties Power CEO. Recruitment for Ms Nicholl's replacement will commence "in the coming weeks" said CEO Adrian Littlewood. [more - original PR]

The Loop Duty Free revealed (18-Jul-2017) the first phase of its newly renovated duty free store at Auckland Airport's International Departure hall. The renovation is part of the airport's wider international terminal redevelopment project that began in late 2015. Renovation will continue to complete the upgrade by Dec-2017. [More - original of PR]

Tigerair Australia launched (19-Jul-2017) 'Fare Freeze', a new product enabling consumers to hold a fare price for 48 hours before purchasing. Priced at AUD3 (USD2.37) per person per sector, Tigerair expects the product to allow passengers to have extra time to confirm travel plans. Fare Freeze is only available on fares that are available more than 27 days from date of departure, and have the Fare Freeze symbol displayed at the bottom of the online booking page. Tigerair Australia commercial director Andrew Maister said: "Like many airlines worldwide, our fares are dynamic, and increase as demand increases, closer to the travel date... We recognise there are often a number of factors involved when sitting down to book your next holiday and it's not always as simple as being able to purchase the first airfare you see". [more - original PR]

Tourism New Zealand (Tourism NZ) stated (18-Jul-2017) travellers from South Korea to New Zealand increased 14% year-on-year in the past 12 months. Tourism NZ partnered with Korean Air and Auckland International Airport to "capitalise on this trend" with a joint advertising promotion, referred to as 'Fall in love with Pure New Zealand charm'. Tourism New Zealand manager Korea Hee Jeong Kwon said: "Over the coming month visitors to the Korean Air site and its online social media channels will have a glimpse of what they can enjoy in New Zealand including tailored itineraries for solo travellers, couples, families, and older travellers". Korean Air has around 9.9 million frequent flyers and over 500,000 social media followers. [more - original PR]

Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) appointed Nauru Airlines CEO Geoff Bowmaker as chairman for a one year term, succeeding Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo (PNG Post-Courier, 18-Jul-2017). Mr Bowmaker said: "I am honoured to be elected to lead ASPA for the next 12 months as chairman and I appreciate the good work of Mr Foo who has greatly assisted my transition into the role".

Destination New South Wales (NSW) tourism and event agency appointed (17-Jul-2017) Celine Dong as business development manager for Shanghai, effective immediately. Ms Dong will be responsible for building relationships with airlines, travel trade partners, wholesalers, retailers and online agents, to increase the awareness and sales of NSW tourism destinations and products in Eastern China. NSW welcomed more than 700,000 Chinese visitors in the year ended Mar-2017, contributing AUD3 billion (USD2.34 billion) in tourism spending. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways commissioned (14-Jul-2017) its first Boeing 737-800 (VH-VXM) with a repainted and updated livery. The updated livery and kangaroo logo was launched in Oct-2016, to coincide with plans to introduce the Boeing 787 into service in late 2017. Qantas expects the updated branding to be completed across the fleet by 2020. [more - original PR]