Corporate Travel News

Fiji's Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stated Airports Fiji Limited is expected to issue a dividend payout of FJD43 million (USD21 million) for FY2016 to the Fiji Government (Fiji Times, 29-Jun-2017). The state owned airport authority issued FJD30 million (USD14.4 million) in FY2015. Payment is scheduled to be submitted in Aug-2017.

JetGo Australia, via its official Facebook account, announced (29-Jun-2017) the launch of Albury-Gold Coast service. The carrier also announced plans to launch Wagga Wagga-Gold Coast service on 02-Aug-2017.

Fiji Airways, via its official Twitter account, announced (30-Jun-2017) the launch of twice weekly Nadi-Adelaide service. As previously reported by CAPA, Adelaide will be the carrier's fourth Australian destination after Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The carrier will operate the route with a mix of Boeing 737 and A330 equipment. Adelaide Airport MD Mark Young noted "Fiji has always been a hugely popular destination with South Australian travellers" and added: "This also creates another one-stop connection with the US West Coast". [more - original PR]

Australia's Government announced (29-Jun-2017) new air services arrangements with Kiribati, allowing carriers to launch services in the Australia-Kiribati market. Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester stated air services arrangements with Kiribati are the 13th set of arrangements Australia has in place with Pacific island countries and territories and are a significant step forward in developing Australia's overall bilateral relationship with Kiribati and Pacific countries. The new arrangements allow carriers to operate up to a total of seven weekly services between Australia's major gateways and Kiribati and an unlimited number of services to regional locations, including Darwin, Cairns, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia Group appointed (30-Jun-2017) Etihad Aviation Group chief group support services officer Harsh Mohan as non-executive director, replacing Bruno Matheu effective 30-Jun-2017. [more - original PR]

Chorus Aviation announced (29-Jun-2017) subsidaries of Chorus Aviation Capital completed the acquisition of six ATR 72-600 aircraft with attached leases from Avation PLC. The acquisition was completed using a combination of equity capital from Chorus and term debt financing consistent with previously indicated leverage ratios for the Chorus Aviation Capital business. The aggregate purchase price for the aircraft is consistent with current market values for similar aircraft. The acquisition agreements were previously announced on 24-Apr-2017. The acquired aircraft are between one and four years old. Three are currently on lease to Flybe and three are currently on lease to Virgin Australia. [more - original PR]

New Zealand's Office of the Auditor-General announced (27-Jun-2017) it absolved Wellington City Council from any wrongdoing after it paid Singapore Airlines to launch Singapore-Canberra-Wellington service. The route commenced in Sep-2016, with reports questioning the basis of the decision to provide Council funding to support the route. Members of the public and media raised concerns including: an alleged lack of paperwork and analysis to support or document the funding decision, the ability of the Council's Chief Executive to approve the funding without consideration by the Council and a lack of transparency about the cost to the Council and its ratepayers. The Auditor-General stated: "Based on the information we have seen to date, we do not intend to investigate this matter further." [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, via its official Facebook account, hinted (28-Jun-2017) upgrades to the terminal 4 car park are underway and will be revealed soon. Works include reconfiguring the parking space to include a premium parking area.

Queenstown Airport stated (29-Jun-2017) its ground transportation upgrade project will allow for quick entry and exit of vehicles, reducing the overall number of vehicles on the inner ring road by 40%. Works under the NZD4.6 million (USD3.3 million) project include widening roads, developing a new roundabout inside the airport entrance, implementing a 'Tap & Go' car park payment solution, developing purpose built coach parking, passenger pickup and drop-off areas and additional car park capacity. CEO Colin Keel said: "We've listened to feedback from residents and visitors and done our best to achieve a strong balance between options, affordability and convenience". More technology, products and infrastructure improvements will be introduced over the next 12 to 24 months. [more - original PR]

Queenstown Airport installed (29-Jun-2017) the 'Tap & Go' payment solution at Car Park A and B as part of its NZD4.6 million (USD3.3 million) ground transportation upgrade project, which was completed over 18 months. The solution removes the need for paper ticket and manual payment at a pay station, allowing customers to enter and exit the car park by tapping their credit or debit card at the boom gate. CEO Colin Keel stated "We've listened to feedback from residents and visitors and done our best to achieve a strong balance between options, affordability and convenience". [more - original PR]