Corporate Travel News

Airways New Zealand announced (28-Jun-2017) it will continue to deliver ATC services to Niue, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Tonga after the renewal of the contract for a further five years. New Zealand's Transport Minister Simon Bridges stated: "The Pacific Upper Airspace agreement we have with these four countries is a significant part of Airways New Zealand's involvement with the Pacific region." [more - original PR]

Tourism Research Australia released (28-Jun-2017) the State Tourism Satellite Accounts report, which examines tourism for 2015/16 and highlights its importance to each Australian State and Territory's economy. Highlights include:

• New South Wales:
  • Consumption: AUD38.1 billion (USD29.1 billion) up 5.2%;
  • Employed: 164,000 down 0.2%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD16.3 billion (USD12.5 billion) up 6.6%;
• Victoria:
  • Consumption: AUD29 billion (USD22.2 billion) up 8.4%;
  • Employed: 134,100 up 2.3%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD11.3 billion (USD8.6 billion) up 9.2%;
• Queensland:
  • Consumption: AUD30 billion (USD22.9 billion) up 7.6%;
  • Employed: 137,600 up 3.9%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD12.6 billion (USD9.6 billion) up 9.5%;
• Western Australia:
  • Consumption: AUD15.4 billion (USD11.8 billion) up 4.6%;
  • Employed: 71,800 up 3.2%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD6 billion (USD4.6 billion) up 7.1%;
• South Australia:
  • Consumption: AUD8.1 billion (USD6.2 billion) up 3.2%;
  • Employed: 36,700 down 5.7%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD3.1 billion (USD2.4 billion) up 2.1%;
• Tasmania:
  • Consumption: AUD3.7 billion (USD2.8 billion) up 3.0%;
  • Employed: 71,200 down 3.3%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD1.3 billion (USD1 billion) up 4.3%;
• Northern Territory:
  • Consumption: AUD3.2 billion (USD2.4 billion) up 4.2%;
  • Employed: 9200 down 2.0%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD1.2 billion (USD0.9 billion) up 5.7%;
• Australian Capital Territory:
  • Consumption: AUD2.5 billion (USD1.9 billion) up 1.1%;
  • Employed: 9700 down 4.9%;
  • Gross State Product: AUD1 billion (USD0.8 billion) up 1.2%. [more - original PR]

Tourism Queensland responded (28-Jun-2017) to Tourism Research Australia's 2015/16 State Tourism Satellite Accounts data, which shows tourism is worth AUD25 billion (USD19.1 billion) to the Queensland economy and supports more than 225,000 direct and indirect jobs. Queensland's Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones stated the data shows tourism continues to play a vital role in the State's economy and it is pleasing to see the State's Gross State Product from tourism is growing at a faster rate than the national average, at 8.7% versus 6.9%. [more - original PR]

Tourism WA responded (28-Jun-2017) to Tourism Research Australia's 2015/16 State Tourism Satellite Accounts data, which shows the number of jobs created by tourism in Western Australia (WA) increased by 4000 year-on-year. Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall stated tourism has now created more than 100,000 jobs in WA, overtaking industries such as mining. [more - original PR]

Air Niugini, via its official Facebook page, stated (27-Jun-2017) it met with the National Airports Corporation and the Federated States of Micronesia's (FSM) President Peter Christian to discuss several issues relating to the airline industry, including Air Niugini's service to Pohnpei and Chuuk. Mr Christian acknowledged Air Niugini for providing Micronesia-Port Moresby service and confirmed the government's support, stating "we are extremely happy with this new service and my government will continue to work with Air Niugini to ensure the route is sustainable". Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo stated demand for the route is increasing and the airline will continue to work closely with the FSM Government, business community and the tourism sector to ensure the new service grows.

Queenstown Airport announced (29-Jun-2017) the two minute passenger 'drop and go' lanes in front of the terminal will be re-introduced from 01-Jul-2017. The kerbside drop-off lanes were restored as part of a NZD4.6 million (USD3.3 million) ground transportation upgrade project. CEO Colin Keel stated: "We originally moved drop-offs there because of safety concerns, but the improvements mean it can now be safely reinstated". [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways awarded (27-Jun-2017) chef George Calombaris an agreement to develop the menu for the new A380 Melbourne-Doha service. The menu will be available to first and business class passengers between 01-Jul-2017 and 30-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]

Qantas advised (28-Jun-2017) it was one of a number of carriers worldwide which experienced issues with the Amadeus booking system, resulting in intermittent outages. Amadeus said the outages were due to a hardware issue and are unrelated to the ransomeware attack that has impacted other companies. Services are operating as scheduled and the system is back to normal. [more - original PR]

Australia's Federal Government announced it is willing to fund the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rail link to the CBD if the Victoria State Government is unwilling to do so (AAP/3aw, 28-Jun-2017). Acting Public Transport Minister Luke Donnellan said the state wants to conduct a joint state-federal study on the project before it commits any funds. The rail link is expected to be delivered in 15-30 years and projected to require around AUD5 billion (USD3.7 billion).

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, via his official Facebook and Twitter accounts, said (27-Jun-2017) the carrier will resume Adelaide service "if we get right deal for airport". As previously reported by CAPA, AirAsia X suspended Kuala Lumpur-Adelaide service in Jan-2015.