Corporate Travel News

French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch believes Aeroport De Tahiti (ADT) is best suited to operate Papeete Faaa Airport and will discuss the issue with French Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne (Radio NZ, 12-Jul-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, the French court ordered the termination of ADT's 30 year concession to operate the airport following claims that the concession was awarded without undergoing a tender.

Serko announced (12-Jul-2017) a partnership with Air New Zealand to provide enhanced content and services to business customers. The partnership includes showing features such as seating, videos, imagery and branding that represents the different fare options offered by the airline within the Serko platform. Serko CEO Darrin Grafton stated: "We are keen to see a seamless experience for all traveller bookings, where the customer is experiencing the way that the airlines want their seats and other services sold. It is great to be partnering with Air New Zealand to enable this for business travel". [more - original PR]

Tigerair Australia introduced (11-Jul-2017) a new programme allowing customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by offsetting their share of carbon emissions. Customers can choose to reduce their carbon footprint by donating between AUD0.63-AUD4.85 (USD0.48-USD3.7) per person depending on sector length. Contributions will go to sustainable offset projects that are certified as Australian carbon credit units. [more - original PR]

dnata Newrest announced (11-Jul-2017) it will delivering onboard and inflight catering services in Johannesburg to Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft on six times weekly Sydney-Johannesburg service. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia issued (11-Jul-2017) a request to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) seeking to renew the following determinations allocating capacity on routes which are due to expire within the next 12 months:

• [2007] IASC 118, allocating capacity on the New Zealand route;
• [2008] IASC 110, allocating capacity on the United States route;
• [2013] IASC 106 and [2013] IASC 107, allocating capacity on the Fiji route;
• [2013] IASC 108 and [2013] IASC 109, allocating capacity on the Vanuatu route. [more - original PR]

China Southern Airlines plans to launch three times weekly Guangzhou-Cairns service on 13-Dec-2017, operating with A330-200 aircraft, as per a 10-Jul-2017 GDS inventory and timetable display.

Virgin Australia applied (11-Jul-2017) to the International Air Services Commission seeking an allocation of 880 seats per week of passenger capacity on the Samoa route. Virgin Australia intends to commence five frequencies per week between Australia and Samoa from 13-Nov-2017 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 176 seats. The capacity will be utilised by Virgin Australia or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, granted for a period of five years and fully utilised by 13-Nov-2017. The closing date for making an application is 25 July 2017. [more - original PR]

Adelaide Airport announced (11-Jul-2017) construction work commenced on the 165 room Atura Hotel, located adjacent to the airport's domestic and international terminal. The AUD50 million (USD38 million) hotel will be developed and operated by Event Hospitality & Entertainment Ltd (EVENT) over the next 18 months, scheduled to complete in Dec-2018. Airport MD Mark Young said: "Atura Hotel will be a focal point of our long term vision to create an easy, seamless connection between our aeronautical activities and our planned Airport Business District". Passengers will have direct access from the hotel to the airport's check-in area on level 2. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said the airport will require a new runway and fifth terminal soon to accommodate growing traffic (Herald Sun, 09-Jul-2017). Mr Strambi urged the federal government to consider funding these expansion projects in addition to the proposed rail link. As previously reported by CAPA, the airport is expected to handle 70 million passengers by 2037.

Virgin Australia, via its official website, announced (10-Jul-2017) changes to its frequent flyer programme with Air New Zealand. From 01-Nov-2017, points can only be earned for travel on Air New Zealand operated domestic flights within New Zealand and Air New Zealand operated Trans Tasman flights. Other changes to the programme include Velocity points and status credits not being earned on Air New Zealand Trans Pacific flights to and from the Americas.