SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines Raises S$10 billion Of Liquidity

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that the Company has raised S$10 billion or 6,3 billion euro of liquidity through its recent Rights Issue, as well as a mix of secured and unsecured credit facilities.

This puts SIA on a steady footing as it tackles the challenges posed by the global Covid-19 outbreak.

SIA secured S$8.8 billion in liquidity through the successful completion of the rights issue on 5 June 2020.

And more S$900 million was raised through long term loans secured on some of SIA’s Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

Singapore Airlines has also arranged new committed lines of credit and a short term unsecured loan with several banks, which provide further fresh liquidity amounting to more than S$500 million.

Separately, all existing committed lines of credit that were due to mature during the course of 2020 have been renewed until 2021 or later, thus ensuring continued access to more than S$1.7 billion in liquidity.

During this period of high uncertainty, SIA will continue to explore additional means to shore up liquidity as necessary.

For the period up to July 2021, the Company also retains the option to raise up to a further S$6.2 billion in additional mandatory convertible bonds, which will provide additional liquidity if necessary.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong said. “We are grateful for the strong support of our shareholders for our successful rights issue, which has secured the company’s future amid an unprecedented global health and economic crisis. We are also grateful to our relationship banks for their support in extending additional secured and unsecured loans, as well as committed lines of credit. SIA will remain steadfast and agile during this period of great uncertainty, and continue to act nimbly in responding to the evolving market conditions.”

Singapore Airlines has become the first passenger flight to return to New Zealand after lockdown.

Flight SQ285 touched down in Auckland this afternoon as the airline resumes services in Auckland and Christchurch.

Auckland Airport's general manager for aeronautical commercial Scott Tasker says it's a positive step.

We're really pleased today to have Singapore Airlines restart their services that are carrying passengers.

They're reinstating the ability of people to fly to and from New Zealand via Singapore.

Mr Tasker says it's significant New Zealanders can now return home on commercial flights from a major international hub like Changi Airport and not have to rely on repatriation flights.

However, the return of international flight doesn't mean the immediate return of tourists.

At this stage, anyone coming into New Zealand must be a New Zealand resident or citizen and still require a 14 day quarantine."

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Auckland Airport averaged more than 2000 international flights a month, operated by more than 20 airlines.

In the month of June we expected to have about 101 flights operated by 10 airlines, so the volume of flights have reduced significantly, says Mr Tasker.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is the flag carrier airline of Singapore with its hub at Singapore Changi Airport. The airline is notable for using the Singapore Girl as its central figure in corporate branding.

It has been ranked as the world's best airline by Skytrax four times and topped Travel & Leisure's best airline rankings for more than 20 years.

Singapore Airlines includes many airline-related subsidiaries. SIA Engineering Company handles maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) business across nine countries, with a portfolio of 27 joint ventures, including with Boeing and Rolls-Royce.

Singapore Airlines Cargo operates SIA's freighter fleet and manages the cargo-hold capacity in SIA's passenger aircraft. It has two subsidiaries: SilkAir operates regional flights to secondary cities, while Scoot operates as a low-cost carrier.

Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the Airbus A380 - the world's largest passenger aircraft - as well as the Boeing 787-10 and the ultra-long-range version of the Airbus A350-900.

It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of revenue passenger kilometers, and is ranked tenth in the world for international passengers carried.[6] Singapore Airlines was voted as the Skytrax World's Best Airline Cabin Crew 2019.

The airline also won the second and fourth positions as the World's Best Airlines and World's Cleanest Airlines respectively for 2019.

AUSTRALIA: Avani Adelaide Residences And Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences To Open End Of This Year, 2019

Avani Hotels & Resorts will welcome guests to two new properties in Australia.

Avani Adelaide Residences and Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences will both open later this year.

Contemporary, relaxed and imaginative, the Box Hill property will open on the fourth quarter of 2019, while Adelaide will officially roll out the welcome mat from October 2019.

Avani Adelaide Residences, a first for the brand in South Australia, comprises 76 beautifully appointed studios and suites, each with fully-equipped kitchen and laundry facilities.

The hotel also includes a heated pool, cinema, library, AvaniFit gym with steam room and sauna, and even a state-of-the-art golf simulator.

Located in the heart of this cultural capital, guests enjoy stone’s throw proximity to Rundle Mall shopping and cafes, Adelaide Central Markets, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australia Museum.

A convenient alternative to its cosmopolitan city centre sister hotel, Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences has a prime position in in the popular commercial and academic hub of Box Hill.

With a mix of 75 spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with chef-style kitchens, the hotel facilities also extend to a heated infinity pool, on-site sauna, and rooftop amenities with stunning views of the Dandenong Ranges.

Avani Box Hill offers discerning business and leisure travellers easy access to the city and airport, with diverse dining choices and a vibrant shopping centre on its doorstep.

We are delighted to see the continuing growth of the Avani brand in Australia and New Zealand with these new openings, which follow from our initial openings on the Gold Coast, and in Melbourne and Auckland, said chief operating officer of Minor Hotels & Resorts Australia and New Zealand, Craig Hooley.

Travellers the world over have responded to this fresh modern brand with our upbeat service culture that is rooted in traditional Thai hospitality.

We will continue to identify key locations to grow this exciting brand and bring a new level of service to the Australian and New Zealand landscape.

Tourism Observer

NEW ZEALAND: Tourism Boom Driving Up otel Occupancy And Room Rates

New Zealand’s ongoing tourism boom is continuing to drive unprecedented growth in hotel occupancy and room rates, new research from Colliers International shows.

The latest New Zealand Hotel Market Snapshot, released today, shows Queenstown and Auckland are continuing to outperform the hotel sectors in other regions.

In the year to date to March, Queenstown delivered occupancy of 90 per cent at an average daily rate (ADR) of $240 – a 15 per cent increase over the same period in 2016.

Auckland recorded occupancy of 91 per cent and an ADR of $225, an increase of 16 per cent.

Moderate to strong ADR growth was also recorded in other regions, although occupancy rates appear to have generally plateaued in most main centres.

Dean Humphries, National Director of Hotels at Colliers International, says the second quarter of 2017 is also likely to be a record breaker, with strong demand anticipated.

“Auckland has been hosting the World Masters Games, which has helped to drive up occupancy rates with the 25,000 participants visiting the city,” he says.

“This will be closely followed by the upcoming British and Irish Lions Tour in June/July.

“More than 20,000 fans are expected to visit our shores during the month-long tour, which will create a 'spike' in hotel performance, as last witnessed during the previous Lions tour in 2005 and the Rugby World Cup in 2011.”

Humphries says strong market fundamentals, along with high profile international events, will set up the New Zealand hotel sector for potentially its best performing year on record.

“On the back of this exceptional performance, it is not surprising that we are seeing an increasing number of investors and developers reviewing the possibility of new hotel projects,” he says.

However, a number of key challenges such as site availability, protracted approval processes, lack of development funding and constraints in the construction sector still make many projects difficult to convert.

The proposed targeted rating increase for Auckland hotel owners is also concerning many developers as this directly impacts their feasibility.

“We’re also seeing strong interest from global hotel operators, who are attracted by further growth in the region.”

A recent example is the world’s largest hotel operator, Marriott Group, being appointed to manage its first hotel in New Zealand – the 255-room Four Points by Sheraton to be located at 396 Queen Street.

Humphries says that despite some of the development challenges faced at this current point in time, investor sentiment remains strong, based on a recent roadshow to Asia promoting the One Market Square hotel development.

“This opportunity to build a 165 room hotel on a prime waterfront site in the heart of the Viaduct Harbour and has attracted significant offshore interest to date,” he says.

Colliers International Group Inc. is a global leader in commercial real estate services with 15,000 professionals operating from 396 offices in 68 countries. With an enterprising culture and significant insider ownership, Colliers professionals provide a full range of services to real estate occupiers, owners and investors worldwide.

Services include brokerage, global corporate solutions, investment sales and capital markets, project management and workplace solutions, property and asset management, consulting, valuation and appraisal services, and customized research and thought leadership.

Colliers International has been ranked among the top 100 outsourcing firms by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals’ Global Outsourcing for 10 consecutive years, more than any other real estate services firm.

Founded in Australia in 1976, Colliers International is the largest locally formed real estate services firm with professionals worldwide. Find out more at www.colliers.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND: Singapore Airlines Rejected Takeoff in Auckland

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800, registration 9V-SKG performing flight SQ-286 from Auckland (New Zealand) to Singapore (Singapore) with about 300 people on board, taxied to the holding point runway 23L via taxiway A1A.

The aircraft subsequently commenced takeoff but rejected takeoff at low speed when the aircraft turned left unexpectedly despite opposite inputs and asymmetric braking resulting in smoke from the tyres at the right hand side.

The crew managed to keep the aircraft on the runway and turn right again, then taxied to the next exit and returned to the apron.

The aircraft remained on the ground for about 6 hours, then departed and is currently enroute at FL400 estimated to reach Singapore with a delay of 7 hours.

The Airport reported the aircraft encountered a problem with the nose gear, a nose wheel was replaced.

A passenger reported the aircraft was “wobbly” veering from side to side.

The captain subsequently announced there was something wrong with the nose gear.

The airline reported the passengers were kept on board during the repairs so that the aircraft could depart as soon as the repairs were completed.

However, an unforeseen delay during the inspection caused a longer stay on the ground than anticipated.

Witnesses reported there was smoke at the right hand side of the aircraft as the aircraft turned left on the runway, a distinct smell of burning rubber was noticed.

Qatar Airways Lands In Auckland In World’s Longest Flight

Qatar Airways has launched a record-breaking service to Auckland, New Zealand, making it the operator of the world’s longest commercial flight.

The flight, which takes 17 hours and 30 minutes to cover a distance of 14,535 kilometres nonstop from Doha, touched down in Auckland.

“Arriving in Auckland on Waitangi Day, and achieving the title of world’s longest flight for the return record-breaking service, makes this an even more momentous occasion for Qatar Airways and provides another accomplishment to celebrate in this our 20th year flying the flag internationally for Qatar,” says Al Baker.

“The launch of our new service to Auckland is an important milestone for Qatar Airways as we expand both in the region and globally across our network providing more options and better connections to exciting business and leisure destinations in Europe and the Middle East.” says Al Baker.
Auckland is the first city in New Zealand to be served by Qatar Airways and will provide a gateway for travellers to visit the country, famous for its spectacular coastlines and lush forest landscapes.

It is also the first new destination launch of the year for the airline that added 14 new destinations in 2016 and plans to launch more in 2017/18 including: Yanbu and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Dublin, The Republic of Ireland; Nice, France; Skopje, Macedonia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina; Libreville, Gabon; Douala, Cameroon; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Canberra, Australia; Medan, Indonesia; and Las Vegas, U.S.

The new daily flight to Auckland is served by a Boeing 777, which has a two-class configuration with 42 seats in Business Class and 217 seats in Economy Class.

It will also offer 116 tonnes of belly-hold capacity every week to support the growing imports of raw, industrial and consumer materials into New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND: Ritz-Carlton Considering Entering New Zealand.

Ritz-Carlton is considering going to New Zealand.

Ritz-Carlton is one of the world's biggest hotel names long tipped for Auckland, along with Hyatt, which last year announced it would return to New Zealand in a new building along Auckland's waterfront.

As for Ritz-Carlton, "we continuously look for opportunities to expand The Ritz-Carlton presence in New Zealand," a Singaporean spokeswoman Michele Lv said.

The Ritz-Carlton has been rumoured to be lined up for a proposed skyscraper planned by Chinese businessman Furu Ding's company, NDG on a central car park site bounded by Elliott St.

The project has initial resource consent but is rumoured to have been delayed.

Dean Humphries, Collier's hotel specialist, said many hotel brands had been keeping an eye on New Zealand for years, including Ritz-Carlton, and some were now moving in.

Accor, Marriott-Starwood and Hilton were all in expansion mode, with Hilton's DoubleTree brand taking over Christchurch's Chateau on the Park recently and IHG announcing a new Holiday Inn in Queenstown and an "express" hotel in Christchurch.

Also looking on were the Asian hotel brands such as Shangri-La, which was not yet here. Singaporean chain Naumi Hospitality was opening its first hotel at Auckland Airport

These big names brought their loyalty programmes with them and a level of luxury which was stirring up existing players and prompting a wave of refurbishments, Humphries said.

"At the end of the day they do normally attract a different clientele than say a mid-market hotel, but of course it does mean that all the five star hotels are going to have to lift their game."

New Zealand is suddenly on the radar of international retailers and hotel operators because of the high tourism numbers which are lifting hotel room revenues and spending.

Arrivals from China have quadrupled in the last decade, and Chinese tourists spend more than other nationalities on products to take home.

AUSTRALIA: Tourism Industry Affected By Higher Passport New Airport Fee

Australian passports will rise in price by $20 from January 1, 2017.

TOURISM will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Federal Government through a range of budget initiatives that have disappointed industry members.

Although there are some positives for the “supergrowth sector” such as tax cuts for small business operators, tourism officials lamented the lack of measures to foster growth.

In a series of blows for the industry:

— the cost of an Australian passport will jump $20 from January 1, 2017 to $274 raising $173 million over four years

— trial visa arrangements for certain countries including a user-pays fast track service will raise $1.5 million over four years

— backpackers will pay 32.5 cents on every dollar earned in Australia from July 1

— airport operators will be charged a commercial fee to provide “premium border clearance services” for international air passengers, initially at Sydney, Melbourne and Perth Airports

— Tourism Australia’s funding trimmed to $140 million from $144 million

Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director Peter Shelley said they were very disappointed the planned backpacker tax had not been wound back.

“We’ve been working with government to try to reduce the percentage (from 32.5) and we’ve seen no response to that in this budget,” said Mr Shelley.

“It’s not competitive with other countries and makes a working holiday in Australia much less attractive.”

Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said she hoped successive budgets delivered an increase to Tourism Australia’s funding.

“We’re pretty disappointed there’s been no action on the Tourist Refund Scheme and the backpacker tax, and we will be pushing those arguments during the election campaign,” said Ms Osmond.

“Any increase in taxes on airports is not good news either but the concept of premium processing is a good one.”

On the upside, $26.2 million has been earmarked over four years to establish permanent border clearance services at Townsville and Sunshine Coast airports in Queensland.

The move should allow for regular international services out of the airports, that currently operate seasonal flights into either Bali or Auckland.

There is also $115.1 million over two years for works at the Western Sydney Airport site at Badgerys Creek.

The sum includes $26.2 million to “undertake concept design for the provision of rail services

through the site”.

Three states can also look forward to more money for projects that encourage tourists to visit a destination, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground rooftop walk.

Almost a third of the $15.2 million “demand driver infrastructure fund” will go to New South Wales ($4.8 million), Queensland will score $2.9 million and Victoria $2.8 million.

Allocations for other states and territories will remain unchanged.

CHINA: Chinese New Year Brings Growth And Change

As we look ahead to what ‘the year of the monkey’ has in store for the tourism sector it’s a good time to reflect on the changing face of our active Chinese market.

Growth from China has been accelerating with a staggering 34.4 per cent increase for the 2015 year over 2014. Although recent media attention points to a cooling Chinese economy we’re not expecting tourism growth to slow down any time soon with the current New Zealand summer set to be the strongest yet.

Increased air capacity from the two direct carriers, China Southern Airlines and Air New Zealand has been supplemented with new players Air China and China Eastern also establishing year-round services in 2015. The China Southern flights directly to Christchurch have also opened a direct route to the South Island.

Chinese New Year is the most significant holiday period for both domestic and international travel on the Chinese calendar. We’re expecting to welcome around 70,000 Chinese visitors in the four weeks surrounding the actual holiday, 8 February. This would set another new record for China and be 30 per cent higher than last year’s golden travel period of 55,000.

Of more significance than volume is the benefit to the New Zealand economy in terms of value. Average expenditure per Chinese visitor was $5,100 (Sept IVS); a whopping 30 per cent increase for the year. Put into context, the China market is now on a par with our more mature markets of the UK and US average expenditure per arrival at $5,400 and $4,800 respectively.

In addition to outstanding growth, the face of Chinese travel has changed significantly, with the China market maturing more quickly than any other market. As recently as two years ago, the Chinese market was much more heavily skewed towards guided tours (53 per cent) with just 17 per cent in the FIT segment.

The market has progressed quickly to more independent style travel with FIT now comprising 31 per cent of the market. More Chinese visitors are choosing to rent a car and self-drive now than ever before which means we’re seeing more Chinese nationals venturing off the well-beaten Auckland-Rotorua-Queenstown track and exploring further afield. And as the Chinese are becoming more experienced independent travellers they are participating in more activities too. The most popular activities among Chinese visitors are visiting beaches and other natural attractions, geothermal areas, seeing native birds and visiting farms and orchards. Chinese holiday visitors now stay an average of 8.3 days compared with 6.2 days in 2010.

The China market has grown quickly, diversified quickly and is maturing quickly. We can’t predict the future with certainty, but we can prepare for it by learning and sharing as much as possible about catering for new markets and doing what we can to enhance visitor satisfaction.

Media reports have recently raised capacity issues with some operators reporting to have been fully booked for several months prior to Chinese New Year. Part of Tourism New Zealand’s four-pronged strategy to deal with high-season capacity issues is to drive shoulder period travel as hard as possible. We’re also focussed on attracting the highest-value segments from every market, spreading visitors throughout the country and minimising the impact of tourism on the environment.

Tourism New Zealand’s China Toolkit is available along with a range of other market insights to help you develop and deliver products Chinese visitors value and enjoy.

MBIE’s recently completed China FIT Visitor Market Research is being shared with industry currently and points to opportunities to support up-and-coming independent travellers in need of good quality professional guidance. It also emphasises the need for more Mandarin speakers and translated information.

Tourism New Zealand is also involved in a number of cross-agency initiatives to support safer driving by international visitors. These initiatives, tailored to individual markets include a video by Chinese celebrity influencer Huang Lei with key messages on keeping safe on our roads. Filmed in New Zealand, this video showcases our unique set of driving conditions and is promoted by TNZ’s in-market China team. Also, Tourism New Zealand’s online safer driving training module for travel trade has been completed by more than 2,000 offshore agents since it launched in July 2015.

It’s great to see an increasing number of Chinese New Year festivals and parades which are most prevalent in our main centres. This year, some celebrations in Auckland occurred two weeks early so as not to coincide with Waitangi Day celebrations. Let the celebrations continue!

CHINA: Measles Warning On China Southern Auckland-Bound Flight

Health officials are warning about an outbreak of measles after a plane touched down in Auckland from China with an infected passenger.

Passengers on board China Southern Airlines flight CZ305 which touched down on January 30 may have all been exposed to the disease.

"A passenger on this particular flight had measles and was infectious while travelling. It creates a health risk to other passengers on board," said Dr Richard Hoskins from Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).

The flight departed Guangzhou Baiyun International airport at 2:00 a.m. and arrived in Auckland on January 30 at 5:50 p.m.

The passengers were most likely to experience symptoms from February 6, health officials said.

"Passengers who feel unwell should immediately telephone their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice. Measles is highly infectious and you could infect other people in the medical centre waiting room, therefore it's very important to phone in advance," Hoskins said.

ARPHS staff have contacted people who would have crossed paths with the infected traveller as well as passengers who sat nearby on the aircraft.

"Measles cannot be treated once you get it. The only way to protect from measles and the best way to avoid its complications is to be fully vaccinated. My plea would be for parents and families to check that their immunisations are up-to-date," Hoskins said.

"Measles is rare in New Zealand thanks to immunisation. We had two big outbreaks in 2011 and 2014 from people who were infected overseas. People tend to underestimate measles - the reality is it can be a nasty disease."

The disease is so easily contracted, you can even get it just from walking past an infected person or sitting next to them. The risk is increased if you have not had the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or if you received only one dose.

The first symptoms are a fever, and one or more of a runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. After a few days a red blotchy rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

The infectious illness can be passed on to other people well before the rash appears and is easily transmitted from one person to another.

One in 10 people with measles need hospital treatment.

NEW ZEALAND: New Plymouth-Bound Passenger On Wrong Plane, Lands In Tauranga

Two Hong Kong brothers have been reunited after one of them got lost in transit in New Zealand.

Last week, after spending 24 hours in the air, a sleepy Roger Ting accidentally got on the wrong connecting flight in Auckland and ended up in 310 kilometres away from his destination.

The 17-year-old New Plymouth Boys' High School student was on his way back from Hong Kong with his younger brother Andrew.

Once in New Zealand he was meant to fly from Auckland to New Plymouth, but mistakenly boarded the Air New Zealand flight to Tauranga.

"I was supposed to go to gate 47, but I went to 46," Roger said.

"I went to Tauranga. I didn't have any clue what to do when I got there and I didn't know where my brother was."

His brother Andrew was still at the Auckland Airport, after dashing off the New Plymouth bound plane when he noticed his brother was missing.

"I didn't know where he was," Andrew said.

"He was missing and I was shocked when I heard he was in Tauranga."

Although both boys now find the experience mildly amusing, it was no laughing matter at the time.

Roger, who is spending his third year in New Zealand, said he did not know how he was allowed to gain access to the wrong flight, but the Air New Zealand staff were extremely friendly afterwards.

"After I went to the wrong place, they helped me a lot. They paid for me to stay there, and for the ticket back to Auckland and from Auckland back to New Plymouth as well."

Andrew, who wants to be a pilot, wasn't quite so lucky.

"Air New Zealand told me I had to pay for my own new ticket to New Plymouth because I hopped off the plane by myself.

"But then, eventually, they paid for me."

The brother's New Zealand guardian Patricia Rowe said the boys' family was distraught when they heard Roger had gone missing and upset to hear Andrew had been left at the airport alone.

"They were so relieved when Roger turned up in Tauranga," she said.

"And when Andrew was safe. They are two lovely young men and Andrew wanted to make sure his brother was OK.

"But we still don't know how Roger managed to get on the wrong plane."

On Monday a spokesperson for Air New Zealand said it was unlikely anyone would be available to respond to questions about the incident until Tuesday.

FIJI: Fiji Airways Outlines A330-300 Operation in 16Q1

Fiji Airways earlier this month has outlined planned Airbus A330-300 operation, as the aircraft scheduled to join the airline’s operation in 16Q1.

As of 15DEC15, planned A330-300 operation from January to March 2016 as follow.

Nadi – Auckland
06JAN16 – 14JAN16 Day x127
15JAN16

Nadi – Los Angeles
16JAN16 – 30JAN16 Day 6
02FEB16 – 08FEB16 Day 12
14FEB16 – 20FEB16 Day 67
27FEB16 – 19MAR16 Day 6
24MAR16 – 26MAR16 Day 46

Nadi – Sydney
16JAN16 – 30JAN16 Day 6
11FEB16

Configuration of the A330-300 is C24Y289.

PHILIPPINES: Philippine Airlines Now Flying To Auckland

The new flights will operate four times a week from the home base of Philippine Airlines in Manila to Auckland, with an intermediate stop in the Australian resort city of Cairns, using a 156-seater Airbus A320 aircraft.

Late night Flights leave Manila on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2315, with a scheduled arrival in Auckland at 1630 the next day. The return flights leave Auckland in the evening on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 1930 and arrive Manila at 0330 the next day.

Auckland is PAL’s 38th international destination and the airline continues to expand its presence in the region with another new service starting 18 December from Manila to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. PAL also has regular services to Darwin, Brisbane and Melbourne.

More and more passengers are choosing to fly with Philippine Airlines as their unique combination of competitive fares and friendly on-board service makes them a great alternative to flying with heavily advertised airlines whose services depend upon connections through airports in the Gulf region.

We recommend giving Philippine Airlines a try next time you are heading down south

ARGENTINA: Aerolineas Argentinas To Code Share On New Route From Buenos Aires To Auckland

The new service will operate three times a week into Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires and will be flown on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft wth Business Premier beds and comfortable new Premium Economy seats.

Aerolineas Argentinas also offer codeshare flights on Air New Zealand's services from Auckland to Sydney and Melbourne.

We recommend the world to travel to Argentina, one of the hidden gems of world tourism and can be sure that a mutual love of rugby and the outdoors will mean more and more kiwis will travel to this amazing country.

CANADA: Air New Zealand Increases Capacity On Vancouver - Auckland Route

This will be the first time Air New Zealand has operated four return services on the route during this time period. With the fourth flight departing Vancouver on Saturdays, the airline will add more than 3,700 seats to the route, representing a 33 percent boost in capacity compared to the previous year.

Air New Zealand is adding an additional return service on its Vancouver-Auckland route ahead of the upcoming peak northern summer period between April 2 and May 7, 2016.

The popularity of the airline's service between Auckland and Vancouver will see the airline step up frequency next year from three to four return services per week.

This will be the first time Air New Zealand has operated four return services on the route during this time period. With the fourth flight departing Vancouver on Saturdays, the airline will add more than 3,700 seats to the route, representing a 33 percent boost in capacity compared to the previous year.

The latest increase is part of Air New Zealand's overall capacity increase on the Vancouver-Auckland route and marks the third capacity lift over the past year.

Air New Zealand Vice President of the Americas Chris Myers says, "We are very pleased with the continued growth out of our Vancouver gateway, and with the introduction of the refurbished Boeing 777-200ER on the route, it's only fitting that we are able to offer our Canadian customers more scheduled services when traveling to New Zealand or Australia."

The route will be consistently operated by the refurbished Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from October 25, and customers can now book the airline's revolutionary Economy Skycouch™ and Premium Economy product.

Premium Economy: In the Premium Economy cabin, travelers can relax in comfortable and luxurious ink-colored leather seats with individual armrests and a leg rest with extendable foot support.

Economy Skycouch: The award-winning and innovative Economy Skycouch - a trio of seats which transforms into a flat, flexible space to stretch out and relax is particularly popular with couples or families.

Air New Zealand offers a convenient overnight service to New Zealand, departing from Vancouver early evening and arriving into Auckland early in the morning, allowing for same day connections to 21 domestic New Zealand and eight Australian gateways.

Air New Zealand's additional return service on the Vancouver-Auckland route offers greater flexibility and connectivity to New Zealand and Australia.

NEW ZEALAND: Kiwi Regional Airlines Starts Selling Regional Airfares

Kiwi Regional Airlines has started selling tickets for services between four centres despite being uncertified.

The airline has also released photos of its 34-seat SAAB 340A aircraft before it undergoes a paint job.

Hamilton city councillor and Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA) chief executive Ewan Wilson said from October 27, subject to regulatory approval, KRA would begin servicing Dunedin, Queenstown, Nelson and Hamilton.

Fares went on sale on Wednesday for services between Hamilton and Nelson, Nelson and Dunedin, and Queenstown and Dunedin.

Dunedin to Queenstown fares started at $99, Hamilton to Nelson fares started at $139 and Dunedin to Nelson fares started at $149.

"Fares on Kiwi flights will be completely transparent, with no unexpected add-ons," Wilson said.

There would be no taxes, credit card charges or other fees added automatically when customers booked online, he said.

"What you see on your computer or phone screen will be what you are charged."

KRA would not increase fares closer to flight dates, he said.

Wilson, who founded the failed no-frills trans-Tasman Kiwi International Airlines in 1994, has previously said KRA would not fly on existing direct Air New Zealand routes.

The airline has previously indicated it wants to service Tauranga, Blenheim and Palmerston North and Auckland's North Shore using Whenuapai airbase.

But for that Wilson would need approval from Royal New Zealand Air Force approval and other consents.

NEW ZEALAND: Airline's Holidays Store Staff Face Uncertainty

Staff at the Air NZ Holidays Store in Wanganui face an uncertain future as the airline looks to sell off about half its stores around the country.

A spokesman for the carrier confirmed yesterday it aimed to sell 10 of its 22 stores to another travel operator but would not say if the Wanganui store was one of those or who the potential buyer was.

But Cam Wallace, Air NZ chief sales and commercial officer, confirmed that stores not sold would close.

Staff at the Wanganui branch would not comment , but they were told the plans at a meeting in Auckland about a fortnight ago.

Mr Wallace said Air NZ had started talking to holidays store employees regarding the proposed sale, "but we are not in a position to provide further information about specific stores ... The travel distribution landscape is rapidly evolving and we've determined that retail stores are no longer core business for the airline.

"We've entered into a conditional sale-and-purchase agreement for 10 stores which, if the proposal goes ahead, would see ownership transfer on November 30. The remaining 12 stores would close on that date."

Should the proposal go ahead, customers would still be able to buy Air NZ flights online, via the airline's contact centre or through any other travel agency including the 10 stores that would transfer to new ownership.

The airline would not say if any affected staff would be offered redundancy or relocation.

In September last year, the Wanganui store moved across Victoria Ave from its stand-alone premises to the Bank of New Zealand building.

At the time, Air NZ said the move was one of a series of similar co-locations which had happened around the country and meant BNZ and Air NZ customers were able to take care of their travel bookings and banking needs in one place.

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Hotel Council

New Zealand Hotel Council is an Incorporated Society whose members include the international chain, independent, privately-owned and boutique hotels throughout the country.

The Council is actively engaged in activities that provide tangible benefit and leadership to its members.

The New Zealand Hotel Council:
• Represents the interests of New Zealand’s international chain, large independent and privately owned hotels around the country.
• Has over 120 members, largely in eight tourism centres (Auckland, Rotorua, Central Park, Wellington, Blenheim/Marlborough, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown), account for around 80% of total hotel capacity and close to 100% of ‘large hotel’ inventory.
• Collectively, NZHC members operate over 17,100 hotel rooms, control assets with a capital value in excess of NZ$3.3 billion, generate annual revenue of over NZ$825 million, and employ in excess of 9500 full and part time staff.


Contact Details

Contact
Rachael Shadbolt

Phone
+64 4 495 0814

Mobile
+64 21 679 664

Address
Travel and Tourism House
79 Boulcott St
Wellington
New Zealand
PO Box 1697

Email
exec@nzhc.org.nz

Website
www.nzhc.org.nz