Corporate Travel News

CHOICE released (27-Apr-2017) the results of its annual International Airline Survey, with LCC Jetstar ranked last out of more than 70 competitors from eight different countries. The international survey collected 11,273 responses from eight countries, and was coordinated by 10 consumer advocacy groups including Euroconsumers, Consumers International and CHOICE. Jetstar responded (28-Apr-2017) to the survey, stating the veracity of the report is questionable. Emirates was ranked in first position with the other major Australian carriers, Qantas and Virgin Australia ranking 36 and 51 respectively. [more - original PR]

New Zealand Government Acting Tourism Minister Nicky Wagner announced (27-Apr-2017) tourism spending by both international and domestic visitors continued to grow in 2017. Data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates shows tourism spending is up in all regions in the year to Mar-2017. The fastest growing regions are: the West Coast, increasing 11% to NZD522 million (USD358 million); followed by Nelson, up 10% to NZD343 million (USD235 million); and Tasman, up 10% to NZD303 million (USD208 million). [more - original PR]

Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo, via his official Twitter account, announced (27-Apr-2017) the signing of an Australia and Saudi Arabia air services agreement to drive trade, tourism and investment.

Fiji Bureau of Statistic reported (27-Apr-2017) total visitor arrivals to Fiji fell 3% year-on-year in Mar-2017. Details include:

• Visitor arrivals: 54,407, -2.8% year-on-year;
• • Australia: 23,489, -12.3%;
  • New Zealand: 8253, -0.1%;
  • US: 6068, +15.1%;
  • China: 3481, +0.1%;
  • UK: 1553, -5.8%;
  • Canada: 1154, +5.0%;
  • South Korea: 732, +7.6%;
  • Japan: 460, -7.3%;
  • India: 409, +28.6%;
  • Hong Kong: 35, +6.1%. [more - original PR]

Tourism Australia, via its official weekly newsletter, stated (26-Apr-2017) Tourism Australia and Qantas are launching a major marketing initiative in Indonesia and Singapore during Apr-2017 in the lead up to the busy school holiday travel period. The campaign will be led by promotional fares.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), via its monthly newsletter, advised (26-Apr-2017) the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester issued a new Statement of Expectations to the CASA Board. The document sets out the strategic directions the Government expects CASA to head in between Apr-2017 and mid-2019. It also sets out how CASA is meant to perform its functions and lift performance in a range of key areas. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand passenger numbers up 5% - traffic highlights for Mar-2017:

• Passenger numbers: 1.6 million, +5.2% year-on-year;
• • Short haul: 1.4 million, +6.0%;
  • Domestic: 1.1 million, +8.3%;
  • Tasman/Pacific: 332,000, -1.0%;
  • Long haul: 190,000, -0.7%;
  • North America/UK: 112,000, -0.7%;
  • Asia/Japan/Singapore: 78,000, -0.9%;
• Passenger load factor: 81.9%, -2.6ppts;
• • North America/UK: 84.0%, -1.4ppts;
  • Domestic: 83.9%, +1.8ppts;
  • Short haul: 82.3%, -1.8ppts;
  • Long haul: 81.6%, -3.2ppts;
  • Tasman/Pacific: 81.3%, -4.0ppts;
  • Asia/Japan/Singapore: 77.8%, -6.1ppts. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand: "For the financial year to date, Short Haul passenger revenue per ASK (RASK)* decreased 5.9% and Long Haul RASK* decreased 14.9%. Removing the impact of foreign exchange, Group-wide RASK* decreased 8.6%, and Group-wide yields for the financial year to date decreased 6.6% on the same period last year." Source: Company statement, 27-Apr-2017.

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) purchased (26-Apr-2017) and immediately leased back one Embraer 190 (MSN 19000202) to Virgin Australia. The aircraft is the first of six to be delivered under a wider agreement signed earlier in 2017. [more - original PR]

Skytrans announced (25-Apr-2017) a new flight schedule which will see same day services introduced into some of the most remote communities around Cape York. Queensland Government Treasurer Curtis Pitt stated the carrier will offer 15 same day return services into seven remote communities including Aurukun, Lockhart River, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Coen, Horn Island and Weipa. Skytrans' new schedule will enable patients from Aurukun, Lockhart River, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw to fly to Weipa for day treatment at a Health Clinic - as opposed to flying into Cairns - which often requires an overnight stay. Services for the new schedule commence from Tuesday 02-May-2017. [more - original PR]

Australian Airports Association (AAA) discovered (21-Apr-2017) around one third of the 74 Australian regional aerodromes surveyed stated the main challenge in 2017 is raising revenue, followed by the need for major infrastructure investment and declining asset conditions. AAA CEO Caroline Wilkie noted: "Concerns about financial viability for smaller aerodromes have come to the forefront in the last few years, overtaking issues related to regulation and compliance". The nature of regional airport's limited revenue opportunities and high capital and operating costs mean many require financial assistance to continue operation. Ms Wilkie urged "the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments do more to invest in…aviation access for regional and remote communities across Australia". AAA estimates there will be AUD170 million (USD127 million) funding gap over the next 10 years to maintain regional airports. [more - original PR]