NEW ZEALAND: Air New Zealand Makes Emergency Landing Christchurch Airport

A passenger on a plane that made an emergency landing at Christchurch Airport has described the panic as passengers scrambled to evacuate, jumping "into the arms" of ground staff.

The Air New Zealand plane, flying from Christchurch to Dunedin, returned to the ground soon after taking off about 2pm on Monday after a smoke indicator light illuminated about 15 minutes after take off.

Well-known Christchurch garden enthusiast Robyn Kilty​ was one of the 65 passengers on board, and felt Air New Zealand minimised what was a really scary incident.

The passengers were not told anything when the plane turned back to Christchurch and it seemed to be very panicky towards the end, she said.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Lauren Bowerman​ said the pilots could not say anything as they had to put oxygen masks on when the light illuminated, but reports of there being smoke in the cockpit were incorrect. Rather a faulty smoke detector was to blame.

About 10 minutes before the plane landed, passengers were told the plane had turned back to Christchurch and they should prepare for an emergency landing, she said.

Staff told us to look at the card and the brace position, which I think everybody did, and people braced, Kilty​ said.

The plane seemed to come down very steeply. It landed with a few bumps and shaking, but then it sort of settled on to the runway.

The passengers clapped, thinking the incident was over.

We sat there for about five minutes and then all of a sudden, over the loudspeaker came an urgent message: evacuate, evacuate, evacuate, Kilty said.

They said leave your belongings behind … it was a bit of a panic. They opened emergency exits, you had to scramble out.

"I clambered out and jumped out into the arms of people hi-vis people who were there to help.

Bowerman​ said after landing, the pilots stopped on the runway to assess the situation, then taxied towards the gate.

When the aircraft was parked by the gate, cabin crew told the captain there might be smoke in the toilet and passengers had to evacuate immediately.

Most passengers evacuated through the emergency stairs at the back of the aircraft, but some got out through an emergency exit window at the front.

Ground staff helped passengers down to the tarmac, she said.

Passengers got their belongings back after they were checked by Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff.

Engineers inspected the aircraft and found a faulty smoke detector caused the problem, she said.

The plane returned to the skies on Tuesday morning.

As well, a passenger flight heading to Wellington was forced to return to Christchurch due to an engineering problem.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said flight NZ5346 from Christchurch to Wellington had to return to Christchurch on Wednesday morning.

Pilots decided to go back as a precaution because of a potential engineering issue.

She said the aircraft landed without incident about 10.40am.

Customers will be accommodated on alternative services and the aircraft will be inspected by engineers, she said.


Tourism Observer

Safe And Unsafe Airlines

AEROFLOT OR ANY RUSSIAN AIRLINE

Russian airlines lead the world in crashes and fatalities. The only air disasters in the past ten years that stole the headlines from missing Malaysian Air flights were catastrophic Russian crashes which wiped out the Polish government, a hockey team, and hundreds of vacationers to Egypt.

Aeroflot is Russia’s flag carrier, and it has an ominous record as the airline with the most crashes in the world.

Today Aeroflot is modern and safe and hasn’t had a major incident since 2008, but the list of other Russian airlines, including S7 and Siberian Air and Nordstar, with huge crashes, is too hard to ignore. If you’re flying in or out of Russia, take Finnair.

AIR NEW ZEALAND

Air New Zealand was rated as the safest airline in the world by Skytrax for 2017, the third year in a row they won this prestigious, and important, award.

This is New Zealand’s flag carrier and they have flights to destinations mostly in Asia, but also to the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. The only incident they’ve had is when a flight carrying pilots, technicians, and a safety inspector crashed into the ocean in 2008.

Otherwise, Air New Zealand has never lost a civilian passenger, joining the ranks of Air Canada for the safest airline. With fewer accidents, crashes, and deaths than any other airline, rest easy when you’re traveling on Air New Zealand!

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

Pakistan's flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, is one of the most messed-up airlines in the world. The airline has a near-zero rating fromairlinereviews.com and is in the top 10 least safe airlines in the Skytrax annual review.

The airline has suffered many crashes resulting in fatalities every single year since they were founded in 1947, and when they’re not crashing or blowing up mid-air, they have a long list of minor accidents caused by pilot negligence and lack of ground maintenance.

FINNAIR

Finland’s largest airline and flag carrier has an impeccable safety record.They haven’t had a fatality since 1963, and have had few mishaps and accidents than any other airline in the world since then.

There were a couple of hijackings and attempts at bombing a Finnair airline, but these were all dealt with efficiently by authorities and passengers and crew were unharmed.

Finnair keeps a fleet of modern, well-maintained aircraft crewed by excellent pilots and professional flight attendants. If you’re flying anywhere in Europe, you can’t go wrong with Finnair.

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES

Malaysian Airlines has had a bad decade. Several large airline disasters have captured the world’s media attention, including the disappearance of Flight 370 in 2014.

What seems like such a shock to the world was no surprise to airline safety agencies and industry watchdogs, such as airlinereviews.com. Malaysian Airlines has a history of minor crashes, unsafe maintenance, corporate corruption and half-trained pilots and aircrew.

When several planes went down more recently, it was a culmination of a bad corporate culture that resulted in one of the most unsafe airlines in the world.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

British Airways was founded in 1974 by a government commission and has since grown to become the largest carrier in the UK. British Airways is one of the safest airlines in the world and hasn’t lost a passenger since 1976 when Flight 476 collided with another aircraft on takeoff, hurting 63 people on board.

This is the only time British Airways has had fatalities. Their pilots and crew are top-notch, and thanks to their fantastic skills several notable disasters have been avoided, like when Flight 900 flew through a volcanic ash cloud and the pilots glided the aircraft to a safe landing.

Qr the time a windshield blew out and the pilot was sucked out of the aircraft, but hung on while the co-pilot landed the plane safely. Nobody was hurt.

AIR INDIA

Air India is an Indian government owned airline founded in 1932. It has a dubious safety record, with a habit of exploding in mid-air.

Thankfully modern security screening has drastically reduced airline bombings around the world, but that doesn’t stop things like Air India flights randomly catching fire, or skidding off the runway, or simply driving into parked airplanes at the terminal loading docks.

Skytrax rates Air India as one of the least safe airlines due to a lot of negligence-caused accidents on the part of pilots, aircrew, and ground maintenance.

AIR CANADA

Air Canada has a proud and long history as one of the safest airlines in the world. Canada’s flag carrier was founded in 1937 and has never had a single fatality in all that time. They have flights to 207 cities around the world, making them one of the top 10 largest airlines and one of the top five oldest.

They’ve had the odd mishap, like in 2017 when the pilot accidentally turned off his radio while coming into San Francisco International Airport and landed on a runway full of taxiing airplanes.

This was the most serious incident in the airlines, history, and nobody was hurt. The pilot was suspended and the airline launched a full investigation. Air Canada flights are modern, well-maintained, and professional.

THAI AIRWAYS

Thailand’s national carrier has had a tough run as a world-class airline. They try really, really hard to be safe, but bad things just keep happening. In 2001 an entire wing blew up thanks to a fuel leak, resulting in one death on board.

In 2009 a flight crash-landed on a runway, while another plane dove into a rice paddy in 1998, killing everyone on board. For the most part, Thai Airways is safe, as they’ve had very few fatalities.

It’s just that things keep blowing up or falling off their airplanes, which shows a lack of maintenance and, as is usually the case with airlines from the developing world, corporate corruption which stops new parts and aircraft from reaching the fleet.

CATHAY PACIFIC

Cathay Pacific was one of the most luxurious airlines in the world at one point, winning the coveted “best airline” year after year. It has since fallen from the top spot, replaced by newcomers such as Qatar Airlines and Emirates.

Cathay Pacific still holds on to its stellar safety record, however. Hong Kong’s flag carrier reaches destinations around the world, and its last disaster was in 1972 when a bomb took down a flight, which can’t really be held against the company.

Their airplanes are known to be well-maintained and crewed by professionals, and their customer service is the best in all of Asia!

JETSTAR PACIFIC

Jetstar Pacific is a budget-airline out of Vietnam. Officially called Jetstar Pacific Airlies Joint Stock Aviation Company, this airline is near the bottom of Skytrax’s annual airline safety list.

According to aeroinside.com, which tracks airline incidents, Jetstar Pacific has had numerous safety incidents including tail strikes on takeoff, when the plane rotates the nose up to takeoff, the pilot is supposed to lift the plane off the ground or the tail will smash into the runway, known as a tail strike.

Other reports include landing gear malfunctions, noxious fumes in the cabin, and failure to pass a safety inspection at an Australian airport.

LUFTHANSA

Lufthansa was founded in the 1920s and then regrown after World War II and is one of the largest airlines in the world today. You can catch a Lufthansa flight to pretty much anywhere in Europe, and rest confident that you’ll actually get there alive. The airline isn’t without incidents, however.

Between 1959 and 1993, Lufthansa had several major accidents resulting in fatalities. The past 25 years have been very safe, with no fatalities and very few accidents. Although they are expensive, you’re getting what you pay for when you choose to fly with Lufthansa.

EGYPTAIR

Egyptair is Egypt’s national airline, with flights to nearly a hundred countries around the world. It’s also rated by Skytrax as one of the ten least safe airlines.

Even if you discount the company’s disasters, such as Flight 804 flying into the Mediterranean in 2016, or Flight 990 flying head-first into the Atlantic in the 90s, you still have an airline with a long history of mishaps.

In 2016 a plan caught fire while sitting on the runway. Another’s engine fell off during takeoff. There have been multiple hijackings of Egyptair flights in recent years, which makes for an uncomfortable vacation.

EMIRATES

Emirates has a decent safety record. They’ve never had a fatality on any of their flights, although they have had several mishaps on takeoff and landing.In 2004, and again in 2009, Emirates flights ran out of runway and plowed through landing lights and fences.

Nobody was hurt, but come on, really?In both cases, the investigators blamed the pilots for not lifting off and blamed Emirates for not giving the pilots enough rest between flights.

The odds of such an exciting start to your travels are rare, so instead sit back and enjoy Emirates world-famous comfort and service.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of The Philippines and is also one of the safest Filipino-operated airlines.Unfortunately, they aren’t the safest in the world, with a string of accidents, most of them minor.

Philippine Airlines flights have also been targeted by terrorists in the past, with al-Qaeda blowing up an airliner in 2007, and local extremists knocking down local propeller-driven craft now and again.

For the most part, you’ll survive your flight with these guys, but they still remain accident prone. Engines seize up mid-flight, landing gear doesn’t retract, planes fall off the runway, minor stuff.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Asian-based airlines seem to have a fantastic safety record. Eva, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines are all represented in the top 10 safest airlines in the world.Singapore Airlines isn’t without incidents, however.

In 1991 Pakistani militants hijacked Flight 117, until Singapore Special Forces stormed the aircraft and freed all the passengers while dispatching all the terrorists.

In 2000, Flight 006 took off from the wrong runway in Taiwan and crashed into some construction equipment, and 86 people lost their lives. There haven’t been any other fatalities in the airline's history and they’ve had an accident-free 18 years!

CHINA AIR

China Airlines is the largest air carrier in China and is partially government owned. If you’re heading to China, chances are you’ll end up booked on a China Air flight.

They fly to more than a hundred cities around the world, and is considered the 10th largest airline in the world! China Air also has one of the worst safety records of all the major airlines, with more than 30 catastrophic crashes and hundreds of minor accidents.

Most of their pilots are well-trained and come from a military background, but it seems that the aircraft themselves are not well maintained, and the company tends to skimp on spending the money necessary to keep their fleet safe.

EVA AIR

Eva Air is a Taiwanese airline launched in 1989. They have one of the best safety records of all the Asian airlines, and to date has not had a single aircraft incident or passenger fatality.If you’re flying Eva Air you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.

I’ve never flown Eva, but passenger reviews online tell a story of friendly, professional treatment, comfortable flights and average food.If you’re heading anywhere in Asia, try Eva Air. At the very least you’ll get there alive.

CUBANA

Cubana Airlines is considered one of the most accident-prone airlines in the world, with an accident rating 60 times higher than British Airways! Cubana is Cuba’s national airline, wholly owned by the Communist government.

It was founded in 1930 as a subsidiary of Pan-Am Airlines, but after Castro’s takeover, it was nationalized. Today it is known as Crashbana by Cubans and Mexicans.

In 2018 it had a catastrophic crash with 107 fatalities, which came only a year after another crash, which was eight months after another crash. If you must go to Cuba, fly on Air Canada.

JAPAN AIRLINES

Japan Airlines is one of the safest airlines in the world, having only one catastrophic accident in its history. That was when Flight 123 flew face-first into a mountain back in 1985, taking 520 passengers with it.

The company has since fired all of its kamikaze pilots and passengers can expect a relatively comfortable flight. I’ve flown JAL several times and was once even upgraded to first class, the only time in my traveling career, so I have a soft spot for them.

According to airlinerratings.com, JAL has a 7.2 out of 10 rating, making them one of the top 10 safest in the world!


Tourism Observer

NEW ZEALAND: EVA Air Leases Its Boeing 777 To Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand will use a leased plane from Taiwan's EVA Air to cover for Dreamliner aircraft that are still affected by Rolls-Royce engine problems.

An EVA Boeing 777-300 will be used on Auckland-Vancouver and Auckland-Nadi routes for a fortnight from later this month.

It is the second leased 777 Air New Zealand is using.

During a six-week period until early September, the airline has an ex-Singapore Airlines 777-200 on the Auckland Honolulu route as it works through checks and repairs, if needed, to different parts of Trent engines.

The EVA plane is believed to be about nine years old, six years younger than the ex-Singapore aircraft which has been praised as roomy but has had problems with its in-flight entertainment system.

Air New Zealand said that it was leasing planes because continuing to get customers to their destinations has been its first priority as it worked through disruption from engine issue.

EVA Air is a fellow Star Alliance member.

This particular aircraft is of a similar standard to our Air New Zealand fleet with business, premium economy and economy class seating, the airline said.

There are 38 business class seats, 64 premium economy and 221 economy seats.

We are pleased to confirm that Air New Zealand crew and pilots will be operating this aircraft, who will provide the friendly Kiwi service our customers are familiar with.

Earlier this year the airline wet leased older Airbus A340s from charter operator Hi Fly that needed to be staffed by its Portuguese crew.

Air New Zealand's flight schedules have been badly affected because nine of its 11 Boeing 787s have engines subject to inspections of compressors and range some can fly from airports has been restricted.

Engines have been flown to Singapore to replace cracked compressor blades, a job that can take 10 days but also stretch for weeks depending on what else is needed.

The intermediate compressor problems, and earlier turbine blade problems led to groundings and severe disruption for airlines, including Thai and LATAM which also serve this market.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines' regional carrier Scoot have also been affected by problems with Trent Package C engines, used by about a quarter of the Dreamliner fleet.

EVA Air started flying in 1991, has 78 aircraft serving 63 destinations. It had more than 12 million passengers across its network and the US is its biggest market outside of Asia Pacific.

The airline was awarded best business class and premium economy class in Asia, at the 2018 TripAdvisor Awards which are determined by airline reviews and ratings submitted by travellers worldwide.


Tourism Observer

NEW ZEALAND: Overflowing And Overcrowding With Tourists, But Challenged By Shortage Of Facilities

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis says the last thing we want is for international tourists to leave New Zealand with a bad experience.

Speaking in reference to the pressure that the growing number of tourists is bringing to New Zealand and the mess caused by a lack of facilities, he is right.

But overflowing rubbish bins and dirty public toilets may not be what ruins the holiday.

There have been many reports of tourists overwhelming small towns with their waste.

Davis knows that Kiwis are starting to view international visitors not only as contributor to the economy and a source of national pride, but as a creator of pollution and congestion.

A survey released at the start of the year showed 40 per cent of respondents were concerned about the impact of international tourists.

The risk for the tourism industry, now arguably the largest in the New Zealand economy, is real.

If the population turns against visitors in a significant way it will be the lack of welcome which ruins the New Zealand experience.

The growing concern is no surprise. There have been many reports of tourists overwhelming small towns with their waste.

With some conspicuous examples aside, this is usually because the country is ill prepared, not because the tourists are irresponsible.

If we cannot cope now, the situation will not simply correct itself.

Visitor numbers are currently running at around 3.8 million a year, the best part of a million more than three years ago.

In just five years, if government forecasts are right, another million a year will be coming.

Towns once regarded as backwaters are experiencing visitor booms and more will in the future, so long as the goose which lays the golden egg is protected.

To do this, it is clear that New Zealand needs a marked increase in the level of funding for facilities. But who will pay? Or rather, how will they pay?

Davis has confirmed a visitor levy is coming, but ideas about how it will work need to be socialised with the industry.

The Tourism Industry of Aotearoa has fretted at the prospect of a visitor levy charged at the border, saying the situation may be unworkable.

A levy at the border may though, be the least bad option available.

Some commentators have mooted a bed tax, but this creates issues of fairness.

Much of the negative impact of tourism is showing up in areas where there is a high proportion of freedom camping, which would not be covered by a levy on hotels.

Why should an Australian couple on a short but expensive weekend in Wellington pay for the impact of a lack of toilets in Twizel?

A levy could be added on rental vehicles, but this too would miss some of the impact.

Trying to capture every individual sector would create a system of levies likely to be difficult and costly to administer.

Visitor levies are not without problems. Establishing who should not pay is critical because this should not simply be a tax on international travel.

But it is the tourism industry which stands to lose if the problems which are emerging are not sorted. If it has a better idea on how to solve the problem, speak up now or live with what Davis comes up with.

While the alternative accommodation made for a unique cultural experience for the visitors, it illustrates how New Zealand's tourism boom is stretching infrastructure to the breaking point.

With 3.5 million short-term arrivals last year - 480,000 more than had been projected only two years earlier - a lack of capacity may end up harming the nation's biggest foreign exchange earner.

Scenic walks across volcanic plateaus and through snow-capped alpine valleys are becoming congested, while small towns servicing adventure activities like jet-boat rides down surging rivers or guided walks across 7000-year-old glaciers are finding their sewerage systems over-loaded.

If we don't fix these things and look to the long term, we'll be putting a cap on our own growth, said Quinton Hall, chief executive officer of Ngai Tahu Tourism, one of the country's biggest adventure tourism operators.

We've got a natural cap on our peak period right now because we just don't have the accommodation in New Zealand. Even if they wanted to come, they couldn't find anywhere to sleep.

Tourist numbers jumped 12 per cent in 2016 and are forecast to reach 4.5 million by 2022, almost matching the current population of 4.7 million.

Government research last year identified a likely shortage of more than 4500 hotel rooms by 2025, after taking into account existing construction plans for about 5200 new rooms.

Hotel occupancy in Auckland averages 94 per cent in February and about 86 per cent over the year, with the nation's largest city frequently full.

If immediate solutions aren't found, it is unlikely we will continue to grow at current levels, said Dean Humphries, national director of hotels at Colliers International.

If we are going to continue to see more tourists come into the country, where do they go?

In the regions, the influx is causing different problems, with infrastructure like car parks and toilets straining under the load.

At the 19.4-kilometre Tongariro Alpine Crossing thousands of tourists are overwhelming facilities designed to be used by a few hundred people a day.

In Glenorchy where Ngai Tahu offers jet-boating, canoeing and horseback trail rides, the company is forced to bring in chemical toilets during peak season because the small town's waste-water facilities are insufficient.

There's a similar issue at Franz Josef where untreated sewerage was pumped into a nearby river after a surge in tourist numbers.

The overloading is fuelling concern that a bad tourist experience will harm New Zealand's clean-green image and dent an industry that earned $14.5 billion from foreign visitors last year, a fifth of all export receipts.

Funding the infrastructure that's required is now sparking debate.

Many of New Zealand's natural attractions are remote, and the nearest towns don't generate enough local taxes to pay for the car parks and rest stops visitors need.

Regional councils recently estimated $1.4 billion needs to be spent on tourism infrastructure to keep pace with demand. The government, which disputed that figure, has allocated $17.5 million.

The association representing tourism operators wants more, noting that foreign tourists contribute $1.15 billion annually to the government's coffers in sales taxes alone.

Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand's chief executive officer, said last year he supported a national bed tax and a border levy on visitors to help fund tourism investment.

There are also growing calls for visitors to pay to enter national parks, as they do most days at the Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks in the US

We provide all sorts of things free of entry, but not free of costs, said David Simmons, professor of tourism at Lincoln University in Christchurch.

We need an informed discussion about user pays.

Solving the accommodation shortage will be in the hands of private investors such as Auckland International Airport and Tainui Group Holdings.

They are building a 250-room five-star hotel near the international terminal under Accor SA's Pullman brand, due to open in late 2019.

Until then, Jenny Nuku can expect more calls for emergency lodgings at Te Puea Marae, whose entire hall can be rented for $500 a day.

That's less than $10 per person for the 53 American tourists who bedded down there last month and got the added bonus of an authentic encounter with Maori culture.

They said they'd travelled around New Zealand, and this was the first real cultural experience they'd had, Nuku said with a chuckle.

They had their phones and iPads out, taking selfies. We were just happy to be of assistance.

Waves of tourists are overcrowding New Zealand's national parks, not just in summer.

For the de facto mayor of Mt Cook, there is no respite.

Visitors to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park have increased 25 per cent from last year. Half a million would soon visit the park annually, during times that were once quiet.

Crowding is one of the challenges facing New Zealand's national parks, which have more visitors than ever before, at all times of the year.

Davies runs the small Mt Cook village.

During peak season, accommodation bookings in the village reached 90 to 100 per cent. Most visitors brought cars and left waste.

Tourism New Zealand has been really effective at marketing New Zealand and getting people here. The next phase is managing them when they're here, he said.

Trying to manage vehicles is going to be our biggest challenge. They've marketed that you hop in a vehicle and visit these places, gone are the days when a whole lot of people hopped on a bus.

At least half of all international tourists visit a national park while in New Zealand.

At Tongariro National Park in the central North Island, visitor numbers have reached breaking point. Tourists bring about $20 million a year to the region, but crowding has started to devalue the experience.

The number of visitors walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has risen from 20,000 in 1992 to 109,000 last year – a 450 per cent increase.

It's my belief that the numbers can't keep growing like this. Either the numbers and/or the experience will crash somehow, Tongariro-based Department of Conservation scientist Dr Harry Keys said.

The alpine crossing has capacity for 600 people a day. Beyond that, the experience suffered, research showed.

Last year, 55 per cent of days had more than 600 visitors on the crossing. On three days, there were more than 2000.

Crowding was now a major complaint, and was referenced in 40 per cent of online visitor reviews on the crossing, Keys said.

More visitors brought more risks, which added costs to the free rescue service run in the park.

A group of tourists had to be rescued after walking barefoot to Mt Ngauruhoe, in an homage to its role as Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Last year, rangers rescued their first baby from the crossing, Keys said.

I believe this overcrowding of the Tongariro alpine trail needs some kind of solution.

It's a multi-faceted solution, not a single solution, whatever it is.

Last year we hosted 3.7 million international visits, a 7 per cent increase on 2016. At the same time, average spending per person per visit was down by 4 per cent.

A tourist says, "a friend of mine from Europe ordered a one-shot Johnny Walker Red Label whisky in a Picton cafe. I ordered a coffee".

"I wish I had ordered something stronger to counter my shock when my friend emerged from paying the bill to say his whisky had cost $25"

"Now, it's just possible that a mistake had been with the bill, he assured me the coffee was not included but it did bring home how expensive New Zealand has become and not just if you're reckless enough to order spirits in a bar."

Over the following two weeks of travelling around the country, including tourism hotspots such as Queenstown, you will be taken aback by not just the prices but by the lapses in service and facilities that often accompanied them.

I travel overseas for up to six months every year taking tours in all corners of the world, and almost every year over the past few years I've been on a New Zealand road trip with overseas guests.

I am pro-tourism, understand how important it is to our economy and how many people depend on it to earn a living.

However, this last tour around the country has convinced me that it's time to further discuss where our tourism industry is heading.

The obvious overcrowding of places such as Mt Cook and Queenstown is one concern – we do not seem to be coping well with increasing tourist numbers and if action is not taken soon, we could kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

In fact, in some places that goose is already looking sick.

Last year New Zealand received 3.7 million international visits, a 7 per cent increase on 2016. At the same time, average spending per person per visit was down by 4 per cent.

I know it's dangerous to make the link but after paying for overpriced food and drink around the South Island I can't help wondering if the decreased spending is visitors voting with their wallet.

Although I'm dead against tourists eating in our soup kitchens I can now almost see why they might.

I've travelled to plenty of places overseas that I wouldn't hesitate to call a tourist trap but I rather naively thought that in New Zealand we were somehow better than that and were giving our visitors value for money.

Now I'm not sure that's the case.

A meal out in a seafood restaurant in Queenstown: Bistro style, no ambience to speak off, booth seating; three glasses of wine, two entrees (one scallop, one chowder), two mains (one mussels, one pasta with cockles) one shared dessert. Total bill $185 for two?

A truly awful frozen pizza in a cafe in a national park that cost nearly $30 where the manager holding the liquor licence was away from the premises over a peak time, so no-one who wanted a wine or a beer was able to purchase one.

If you are going to charge $250 a night for a cottage, albeit one in a stunning location, then there are some essentials you need to provide.

Bedside lamps, guests should not have to resort to wearing a headtorch so that they can read in bed or not be blinded by an overhead light.

Wine glasses lacking? New Zealand should be proud of its wine serving them in plastic glasses is not the way to show this.

Nowhere to hang towels. This was the case in almost every holiday home or Airbnb property some tourists used. It's not such a problem if you're staying only one night but it is if you are staying longer.

If you have jumped on the Airbnb bandwagon then you need also to provide some basic hospitality if you're on site when your guests arrive.

Staying seated in your lounge playing on your laptop when you meet your guests for the first time is not how it's done.

A friend from Europe decided not to buy a local sim card because he was sure that New Zealand would have lots of free wi-fi available. He was embarrassed to discover that in many places we don't.

Popular cafes/restaurants in Picton, Wanaka and Queenstown and places en route either had none, or had systems so complicated that it was time to leave before one had worked out how to log on.

And if you are charging premium rates for your accommodation then providing internet access is an essential.

I know it was Chinese New Year and in peak holiday season but I was deeply disturbed by the scenes I saw at the Hooker Valley carpark in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

There were so many vehicles trying to park in what already seems the size of a supermarket carpark strewn with rubbish that vehicles were parked along both sides of the road for several hundred metres along the access road.

Mt John Observatory now costs $8 per car to drive up to the lookout and cafe. The fee is to pay for road maintenance but not apparently to provide a large enough carpark at the top.

Cars and camper vans are parked on crazy angles beside the narrow road, including on bends on the road. What worries even more is that the increase in foot traffic on the slopes around the cafe has made vegetation there almost non-existent and the hillside becoming bare.

I love this place and was so proud of the entrepreneurial locals who started it, so I found this all very sad.

So, what are we doing to our country and our reputation? I am 100 per cent behind a tourist tax to help with essential improvements to our infrastructure but now I've also been made very aware that we need to be offering our visitors value for money and not develop a reputation as a rip-off destination.

What about following the model of high value, lower impact, lower volume tourism used by the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan?

And high value does not mean high costs we need to be giving people good value for the dollars they are spending and I'm not sure we are uniformly doing that.

Do we want to get to a point like some destinations that are already limiting visitor numbers or who are seriously considering doing so?

Do we want people leaving our shores, as my friend did, having thoroughly enjoyed his visit and the Kiwis he met but who remarked that that he never thought he'd find New Zealand more expensive than most European destinations.

There were, of course, shining examples of fantastic hospitality and wonderful guest facilities among the less than special.

So, here's a bouquet to the bed and breakfasts in which my guest stayed in Nelson and Timaru.

He loved both places and not just because they were exceptionally comfortable but because the hosts understand the concept of hospitality.

We need to treat our tourists like guests, but equally make sure they treat our beautiful country with respect.

Other countries set guidelines for visitors, New Zealand shouldn't be afraid to do so too, give them value for money and not give into the temptation to see them as walking cash machines.


Tourism Observer

Nepal Airlines Pilot Shortage Delays Y12E Aircraft Importation

Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) has delayed the import of its last two Y12E aircraft ordered from Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation, China, citing a lack of qualified flight crews. Nepali news site Online Khabar reports that the carrier has only one pilot qualified to fly the aircraft.

The Nepali carrier signed an agreement with AVIC in 2013 which saw the Chinese firm donate one MA-60 and one Y12E on condition that Nepal Airlines take three more Y12Es and one more MA-60 on soft loans from China's Exim Bank. Nepal has slowly taken delivery of the promised aircraft, but has complained of their unsuitability for Himalayan terrain.

Quoting a source, Online Khabar reports that Nepal Airlines has around 70% of the flight staff it requires, and a recent call for more pilots was largely unsuccessful.

In addition to the two Y12Es currently in storage, the rest of Nepal's fleet consists of two MA-60s (in storage), two DHC-6s, one B757-200(M) and two A320-100/-200As. A fleet renewal plan was green lit in 2016 which will see the carrier acquire two A330-200s later this year. Nepal Airlines has not responded to repeated ch-aviation requests for comment on the current status of its MA-60 fleet.

About Nepal Airlines
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Kathmandu
Aircraft 7
Destinations 9
Routes 8
Daily Flights 10


Philippine charter operator Platinum Skies (Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) is offering flights between Zamboanga and Jolo in the province of Sulu. The service, which commenced May 1, is the first flight to the conflict-ridden region since Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) stopped serving the area in March 2015.

The 6x weekly flights are run on behalf of Islands Airlink on board Do328-100 RP-C9258 (msn 3036).

Sulu is considered by authorities as quite dangerous, with the US Department of State, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) all advising against travel to the archipelago, owing to the presence of Jihadist militant group Abu Sayyaf. In mid-2016, two Canadians – Robert Hall and John Ridsdel – were beheaded by insurgents. A Norwegian who had been kidnapped at the same time, Kjartan Sekkingstad, was released later that year.

ABS CBN News reports that security at Jolo airport has been improved, and the carrier's Facebook page says that "Safety and security is our priority!" Local groups hope that the air connection will help the island's economy, which is largely dependent on agriculture and fishing.

About Platinum Skies
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l
Aircraft 2


Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland Int'l) has announced it has further delayed deliveries of the seventeen A320neo Family jets it plans to acquire.

In an Investor's Day presentation, the carrier said the arrival of its first of thirteen A320neo jets had been delayed from July 2017 to July 2018. Similarly, its first of four A321neo is now also scheduled to only arrive in September 2018.

As it stands, the revised delivery timetable will see Air New Zealand add six owned and four leased A320neo Family jets during its 2019 Financial Year (i.e. July 1, 2018, through to June 30, 2019). During its 2020 Financial Year (i.e. July 1, 2019, through to June 30, 2020) it will add two owned and one leased A320neo Family jets.

The delay will allow Air New Zealand to outfit the A321neos with a redesigned interior featuring 214 seats against the originally planned 209 seats.

Air New Zealand said it will extend existing lease periods on five A320ceo aircraft as a precaution against any delays in A320neo Family deliveries.

About Air New Zealand
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Auckland Int'l
Aircraft 54
Destinations 52
Routes 89
Daily Flights 384


Ulyanovsk Baratayevka airport remains officially closed until at least September due to delays in the delivery of essential equipment, reports Kommersant. The international airport has been undergoing renovations since June 2016. Despite the completion of the runway, the airport is still waiting on its SP-200 navigation system.

The Minister of Industry, Construction, Housing and Communal Services, and Transport of the Ulyanovsk region, Dmitry Vavilin, has said that they expect to receive the equipment from Krasnodar, where it is currently temporarily installed, in early June, with certification of the airport occurring sometime in July.

However, Aeroflot (SU, Moscow Sheremetyevo), which plans to serve the airport, has said that it has been officially told that it will not open before September 1. RusLine (7R, Moscow Domodedovo), UTair (UT, Khanty-Mansiysk) and Red Wings Airlines (WZ, Moscow Vnukovo) currently use the region's second airport Ulyanovsk Vostochny until Ulyanovsk Baratayevka is opened.

About Aeroflot
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Moscow Sheremetyevo
Aircraft 191
Destinations 149
Routes 244
Daily Flights 934


Emirates (EK, Dubai Int'l) will suspend its daily Sydney Kingsford Smith, Australia – Auckland Int'l, New Zealand A380-800 flight, effective July 13. Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) has announced that it will step in for its partner, offering a 2x daily A330-200 service in its place. Qantas will also offer a 3x daily B737-800 service, increasing its weekly Sydney-Auckland frequency from 32 to 35 flights. The Australian carrier has said it may upgauge the B737 flights dependent on demand.

Qantas CEO Gareth Evans has said the network change is possible because of the close partnership the two airlines enjoy. "These schedule changes also mean customers travelling to and from New Zealand have more convenient options to connect with the broader Qantas and Emirates network, especially into Asia," he said.

Moreover, the new timings will more greatly appeal to business travellers from New Zealand, with the addition of another early morning service.

The Sydney-Auckland trans-Tasman market currently has a weekly capacity of almost 22,000 seats, with Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland Int'l) taking 31.8%, followed by Qantas at 23.8% and Emirates with 16.5%. The change in schedule will essentially see Qantas be the dominant single airline on this route, ahead of Air New Zealand.

About Qantas
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Sydney Kingsford Smith
Aircraft 118
Destinations 84
Routes 174
Daily Flights 641


Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca) has commenced operations following its inaugural scheduled passenger flight on Thursday, June 1, between its Larnaca base and St. Petersburg, Russia. Services to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion in Israel, and Rhodes and Heraklion in Greece are expected to launch through month-end.

Though operations are currently on-board a single A319-100, leased from Miramonte, more aircraft are expected to be inducted as more destinations are added.

Charlie Airlines, the carrier's legal name, is a 40/60 joint-venture between Russia's S7 Group and a consortium of Cypriot investors. It acquired the right to the Cyprus Airways brand in July last year.

As it stands, Cyprus now has three active commercial airlines that, aside from Cyprus Airways, include Cobalt (CO, Larnaca) and Tus Airways (U8, Larnaca). The last of the start-ups - Orion Airways (FOH, Larnaca) - is currently in the process of securing its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) followed by an Air Services Licence (ASL).

About Cyprus Airways
Type Scheduled Carrier
Base Larnaca
Aircraft 1
Destinations 2
Routes 1

Best Airline Experiences, But With Which Airlines?

Airline photos from the 1950s capture the glamour. The passengers, dressed to the nines, recline in comfort – yes, even in economy. Instead of dining off meal trays, armed with plastic cutlery, they feast on generous serves of roast beef carved on a trolley, washed down with champagne served in a crystal flute.

These days, things look very different. Instead of an elite activity, flying has become an everyday event, albeit one with some distinctly unpleasant aspects. Shuffling barefoot through security, peeling the lid off airline meals that can be not so much as inedible as unidentifiable; all too often, flying becomes a test of endurance.

Planes that are quieter and more comfortable than ever before. A dizzying array of entertainment choices, in-flight bars and on-the- ground lounges are little luxuries that can take the rough edges off even the longest trip. And it's not just happening at the pointy end of the plane.

Conventional wisdom would have it that Boeing's long-awaited and admittedly fairly sexy 787 Dreamliner is the world's best aircraft. It is, after all, extremely quiet, fuel efficient, has larger windows than any other commercial jet and a lower cabin pressure to reduce jet-lag. And yet, it's still not as good as the Airbus A380.

It's the feeling of spaciousness that really sets this behemoth apart. Sure, there might be something like 500 people on board with you, but the A380 never feels crowded. Favoured by Emirates and Qantas for their long-haul journeys, these Airbuses are like cruise ships of the sky.

Their spacious upper decks, unique to the A380, are reserved solely for business and premium economy passengers on Qantas, while on Emirates it's business and first class only, with a stand-up bar area at the back of the plane.

On the A380's lower deck, meanwhile, there might be more people crammed in, but there are still ample toilet facilities, windows that appear deceptively large and let in plenty of light, and low noise levels despite the four huge jet engines blasting away just outside. Plus, with the connection of multiple air bridges, the A380s tend to unload surprisingly quickly.

The sad news for fans, however, is that despite their popularity with passengers, worldwide demand for A380s is waning among airlines, due to the superior cargo haulage and running costs of Boeing's 777s,plus the fact many airlines are favouring smaller planes over shorter routes, meaning these huge jets could soon become a thing of the past.

Singapore Airlines is so well known for high-quality service that it's almost a cliche to mention them here. But really it's impossible to avoid, because SQ's reputation for excellence is more than just a good marketing ploy: the Singapore experience is a cut above the rest.

It starts from check-in, where staff are friendly and helpful, and continues on through the whole flight. Unlike many other airlines, the "Singapore Girls" – and, given it's the 21st century now, Guys seem to be genuinely interested in ensuring you enjoy your experience.

Need help with your hand luggage? They're on it. Feel like a drink? It will arrive. Getting hungry mid-flight? They'll sort out a snack.

There are plenty of airlines that offer this sort of service up the front of the plane, but few who continue that attention to detail right the way back into economy. Singapore, however, does.

On SQ flights there's a dedicated drinks run as soon as the seatbelt sign has been switched off, so you'll be relaxing with a glass of wine and, if you insist, a glass of water before you know it. Food is served on large, spacious trays with proper cutlery and a real glass. Staff treat passengers like valued customers, rather than a source of annoyance.

In fact the entire flying experience is delivered with such professional courtesy and almost automaton-like efficiency that you're never left questioning why Singapore has earned its reputation as the clear leader in the field.

This recommendation should come with a serious caveat: not all Singapore Airlines economy class cabins are created equal. If you're flying on one of the old 777s, which occasionally still operate out of Sydney, you'll wonder what we're on about here.

Those clunkers have tiny, low-res entertainment screens, limited facilities and fairly outdated cabin designs. Blergh. On the newer planes, however the A380s and the new or retro-fitted 777s life in SQ economy class is beautiful.

How beautiful? Start with the service. No need to wait hours for the meal run to get your hands on a cocktail, the SQ staff begin the flight with a lap of the drinks trolley, meaning you'll have a Singapore Sling in front of you as the opening credits roll on your movie of choice.

Those movies, too, are a pleasure to watch on Singapore's high-res 10.6- or 11.1-inch screens, and you can still track your flight mid-movie on a separate mobile phone-sized screen below. There are more than 1000 options to choose from on Singapore's in-flight entertainment system, including more than enough English and foreign-language TV shows and movies to get you through long-haul hell.

There's more good news, too: seat pitches on Singapore Airlines economy range from 32 inches to 34 inches, which is slightly more than standard on other full-service carriers. Those seats are also extremely comfortable for this class, and all on the A380s have AC power, as well as Wi-Fi access.

The food is also excellent, with both Western and Asian options designed by SQ's "International Culinary Panel" of eight renowned chefs, including Australia's Matt Moran and Frenchman Georges Blanc.

There aren't many airlines that have committed so fully to the premium economy concept as Qantas. Some offer larger seats, but with the same food as economy class. Some feature AC power outlets for laptops, but without enough space to get your elbows out and start working. Others still offer better entertainment than economy, but with the same lousy headphones as everyone up the back of the bus.

Qantas, however, has gone the whole hog. Seat pitches range from 38 inches on standard planes to 42 inches on the A380, as opposed to 31 inches in economy.

All seats have laptop power through an AC outlet. Passengers are allowed 10 extra kilograms of checked-in luggage, get priority check-in and boarding through a dedicated lane, begin the flight with a glass of sparkling wine just like the fancy people in business class, plus are given noise-cancelling headphones and a new Country Road amenity kit with eye-mask, socks, toothpaste and toothbrush.

The highlight of Qantas' premium economy offering, however, is the food. As well as being able to pre-order your meal through the Q-Eat system (Qantas's online food directory), there's a permanent snack bar available on the A380s, and on all flights the meals are inspired by Neil Perry (though admittedly we're not entirely sure what that means) and are served up on proper tableware, a la business class.

No more plastic containers with foil lids for you. And when those meals include dishes such as barramundi with yellow curry, and tagliatelle with grilled chicken, washed down with a glass of premium Australian wine, you'll never want to go back to cattle class again.

There's plenty to like about Emirates' business class, starting with the complimentary limousine service to the airport, an efficient and courteous check in, and a good lounge with full bar service, tasty food and plenty of seating.

On board, multi-lingual staff tends to professionalism over overt friendliness, which results in quick response times and both cabin and loos kept clean and tidy. The brilliant in-flight entertainment system, with its choice of 190 movies and dozens of TV channels, can be accessed in any class, but A380 business-class seats are the most comfy in the skies in which to lie back and enjoy the show.

Seats extend two metres, allowing you to fully stretch your legs; have an in-built mini-bar and massage system; and come with a woollen blanket and down pillow. Useful little storage compartments allow you to have all your belongings within arm's reach. Meals are good, attentively dished up on Royal Doulton and never hurried through by flight attendants.

On the A380, a bar-lounge at the rear offers some rare alternative space in which to relax and chat to fellow passengers. And finally, it's hard to resist the amenities bag, one of the best in the skies, with Bulgari products and a decent toothbrush that doesn't bend at a touch.

In short, while no one aspect of Emirates' business-class service is necessarily better than that of some other airlines, it's the cumulative considerations that quickly add up, bringing you close to that unattainable goal, a pleasurable long-haul flight.

Forgetting the gorgeous lounge experience and cutting straight to onboard, they have us at hello – the tip of Qantas' pointy end is also the zenith of its generally excellent people power.

Those perky back-of-the-bus attendants are charming, but there's an elite squad up here, who know your name and seem to be very much looking forward to attending to your every whim, starting with a glass or two of vintage bubbles and a discussion of the Neil Perry menu before take off.

That menu is among the best in the sky, with recipes lifted from Perry's much-lauded Rockpool restaurant offerings played out with intriguing high-end ingredients. The accoutrements: amenity kits, comfy pyjamas and on some flights, virtual reality goggles are top notch.

The space per passenger is, well, very spacious, with room to invite someone over to dine with you. The privacy level is highly adjustable and the seat/bed, with its swivel-capability, massage functions and quality sleep accessories including sheepskin underlays and warm Doonas do everything an inanimate object possibly can to ensure you arrive refreshed.

The large screens, plentiful entertainment, thoughtful touches such as an easily-found countdown to landing clock are all just so. And look, we know, lots of airlines have their versions of those things. But it's that crack team of flight attendants who elevate the experience above and beyond.

They make you feel special with a way that is a deft mix between flawless silver service and friendly Australian character. And they are the reason Qantas First Class has won numerous awards.

Despite its slightly unfortunate slogan – "Enjoy ICE" – the Emirates in-flight entertainment system really is the one you would want on the journey of your dreams. There's a reason, after all, that Skytrax has awarded Emirates "World's Best In-flight Entertainment System" for 11 years running.

The system's name stands for "Information, Communication, Entertainment", and it features more than 2500 channels to keep you occupied through the flight. The information section has features such as the flight tracker, news and sports headlines, and three onboard cameras. In communication, you have "Wi-Fi in the sky" – all passengers get 10MB of free data – in-seat phone, SMS and email, and seat-to-seat messaging. However, it's the entertainment section that is the most exciting.

On selected Boeing 777s, passengers are able to watch live sport, as well as live news programs from the likes of BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera. On all flights there's a huge amount to both watch and listen to, from new-release and classic movies from Hollywood and the world, to box sets of great TV shows, plus selected episodes of thousands of other programs, music videos, documentaries, radio stations and even podcasts.

And passengers can navigate through all of this on Emirates' industry-leading 13.3-inch seatback screens in business class those screens blow up to 23 inches wide, and it goes up to 32 in first class, which is pretty much the IMAX of the skies.

It takes almost 14 hours to fly from the east coast of Australia to Dubai, but you'll still walk off the plane wishing you'd had time to watch just a few more shows.

Never underestimate the civilising effect of a scone. Halfway through a long flight, smoothing jam and clotted cream onto a warm cake transports you to a calmer, more Zen place. At least, that's the effect it has on me. And that's what I enjoy most about Emirates' economy food. More than their multicultural menu – ranging from chicken biryani to Szechuan prawns (yes, in economy) – it's the small indulgences. A dessert, cheese and crackers AND chocolate? Yes, please.

For main meals, there's usually fresh salad followed by four main-course choices, including meat, fish and vegetarian options. Signature Chinese dishes such as tender braised beef are excellent. Cheese plates tempt with interesting choices (all-Swiss cheese on a Zurich flight, for example); chocolates and Illy coffee follow. Breakfasts, often a poor afterthought on flights, are worth waking up for: plenty of juices, smoothies, berries with cinnamon-flavoured muesli, and fluffy omelettes that actually taste like eggs.

Interesting wines in business class start with Billecart-Salmon champagne from a family-owned French producer, offered on boarding. Regular promotions highlight regional wines or certain wine styles, such as a recent Argentine promotion featuring three Malbecs and a Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon, with an informative accompanying leaflet describing both the wines and Argentine wine regions.

The airline carries about 80 wines from other countries such as Australia, Austria, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and the US.

At the back of the plane in business class on an Emirates A380 there's a semi-circular bar with adjacent sofas and dedicated bar tender. At 38,000 feet, you can order a martini, served up in a proper glass, toothpick, olive and all. Striking up a chat with an adjacent passenger, you get to feel like Daniel Craig, probably minus the sharp suit. Or the physique. Or the license to kill.

Trust an airline run by an Italian-Australian, born in a small town near Rome, not to tolerate the sludge that has long substituted for in-flight coffee. John Borghetti's Virgin Australia has done more than most, if not any, airline by collaborating with Nespresso and B/E Aerospace to deliver, initially on its A330 domestic business class, a near enough to cafe-standard coffee in the clouds.

The catch is that, internationally, you can only enjoy it on the carrier's business class Boeing 777 services as well as in the newly-introduced in-flight bar and in its "refreshed" premium economy. But, hey it's a start.

The modern frequent flyer might travel by air as often as people in the Golden Age rode in cars. But that doesn't mean we don't still want a sense of occasion. That's where Virgin Atlantic's fabulous Upper Class check in at Heathrow excels.

The theatre starts as soon as your chauffeur pulls into the drive snaking around a huge, gold, suspended sculpture and a concierge shepherds you and your luggage into the Upper Class Wing, a sexy gold- and red-accented private check in. Whiz through the private security channel and in no time and no stress, you're sipping Grey Goose martinis in the Clubhouse.

Designed by Studioilse, the London-based design studio led by Ilse Crawford, The Pier feels more like a luxury apartment than an airport lounge. They deliberately chose art, plants, furnishings, music and considered lighting to help any traveller forget they are in a transitory state. There's also a complimentary foot massage, showers, day suites for snoozing and an a la carte restaurant. The only downside is looking at the screen to realise your flight is boarding.

It used to be that you would dread a long layover in Santiago, Chile. It's far from the world's most exciting airport. However, Santiago is now a joy thanks to the recent opening of LATAM's new business class lounge, a two-storey monstrosity that's the largest in South America, and comes equipped with proper lie-flat beds in a darkened room, plus showers, dining rooms, meeting rooms, and even a video game and entertainment room.

While flying around South America on LATAM Airlines there were always frequent announcements made by pilots revealing the day's soccer scores. These were invariably met with a cacophony of whooping, clapping or jeering depending on the result. In an age of increasingly serious air travel, such incidents provide a welcome injection of humour and a wonderful reflection of the culture of one of the world's liveliest continents.

The trolley pulls up and there's a moment of recognition on the face of the flight attendant. She shoots a glance at my frock and then hands me the Kate Spade amenity kit in the exact same pattern. No need to buy a clutch for a night on the town at my destination then. Inside the Kate Spade and Jack Spade (for men) kits are superlative Australian-made ASPAR by Aurora Spa products, plus all the essentials including toothpaste and brush, earplugs, eye mask and travel socks.

It all started in 2009 with air crew in body paint. Air New Zealand has turned safety videos into an art form, collaborating with the likes of Peter Jackson, Bear Grylls and the All Blacks to produce a succession of entertaining instalments. The result? Passengers actually watch them and the all-important safety message is delivered with wit and panache. Many other airlines have tried to follow suit, but Air New Zealand still sets the benchmark.

Since a significant, much needed re-design last year, Qantas is the leading in-flight read. The editorial content is an engaging mix of inspiring travel, business and culture pieces with a clean, classy design that places a heavy emphasis on strong photography. The publication has also been well integrated with its corresponding app, website and social media portals.

Scoot around eBay, and you'll see American Airlines' PJ sets for sale alongside other fashion items. Undoubtedly, the airline doesn't condone the on-sale, but the fact that there's a black market for them – black being the operative word – is testament to the appeal of AA's new sleepwear.

While some in-flight PJs of lighter hues can be a tad revealing of what lies beneath, AA's version is a flattering black with a red trim and comes with matching slippers and a drawstring bag.

We types who like to change from street wear to comfy flying gear inflight know a thing or two about what makes a good plane loo. So too, do parents with infants and other small children who might need nappies and full sets of clothes changed. The main thing is space. And the Emirates A380 business class loos have it in spades. You could hold a conference in one of those cubicles. Combine that with frequent cleaning, nice-smelling amenities, great lighting and a pretty bunch of fresh flowers.

CHINA: Hainan Airlines To Buy 13 Percent Of Virgin Australia For A$159 million

Billionaire Chen Feng’s HNA Group agreed to purchase a stake in Virgin Australia as the Chinese conglomerate adds to its more than $91 billion of assets worldwide.

The owner of Hainan Airlines will buy 13 percent of Virgin Australia for A$159 million ($114 million) and plans to raise that stake to about 20 percent over time, the Australian carrier said on Tuesday. Brisbane-based Virgin Australia already counts Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways PJSC as major shareholders.

Branson 'a great believer in Virgin Australia'

Virgin Australia, with net debt of A$2.1 billion, has been reviewing its capital requirements and shares in the airline jumped in Sydney as it announced the fresh funds from HNA. The Chinese group’s toehold in Virgin Australia continues a multi-billion dollar spree that has scooped up everything from airlines to hotels and supermarkets.

In an alliance with HNA, Virgin Australia plans to start direct flights to and from China next year and fly some of those visitors on its network at home. Qantas Airways currently dominates that market. Last year, more than 1 million Chinese travellers visited Australia and by 2020, the number will climb to 1.5 million, Virgin said.

“We carry almost no traffic from China on our domestic network,” Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. “This will change the dynamics. The way that China is growing, direct services in and out of China are very important.”

Virgin Australia stock rose as much as 7.1 percent to 30 Australian cents, matching HNA’s purchase price for its new shares. That’s still 46 percent lower than the price in April last year.

Two decades ago, HNA founder Chen walked the aisle of his startup Hainan Airlines’s single airplane serving refreshments. Last month, his conglomerate agreed to buy Swiss airline-catering company Gategroup Holding AG for about $1.4 billion. And yesterday, Air France said it’s in talks to sell half of its catering unit Servair to HNA.

HNA said in a statement Tuesday it will appoint one person to Virgin Australia’s board. The group will support the outcomes of Virgin Australia’s capital review, the Australian airline said in its statement.

That assessment won’t be completed “for a little while”, Borghetti said. Morgan Stanley previously estimated Virgin Australia needs a further A$700 million in financing, while Citigroup has said the requirement might be as high as A$853 million.

“It’s hard to say whether this is a big enough capital injection to change their fortunes,” said Daniel Mueller, an analyst at Forager Funds Management in Sydney.

The deal with HNA, which needs Australian competition and Chinese regulatory approvals, also complicates a potential shakeup among Virgin Australia’s largest investors after Air New Zealand in March said it may sell its 26 percent stake.

That stoked speculation that Singapore Air would snap up the stake. Billionaire Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group owns around 10 percent of Virgin Australia, said last week that Air New Zealand’s holding had attracted several potential buyers.

Singapore Air supported the HNA deal, while Air New Zealand wasn’t consulted because it no longer has a seat on Virgin Australia’s board, Borghetti said in the interview. Representatives for Air New Zealand and Singapore Air declined to comment on the deal.

Major shareholders will see their shareholdings diluted. Air New Zealand’s stake will fall to 22.5 percent from 25.9 percent; Singapore Air’s will decline to 20.1 percent from 23.1 percent; and Etihad’s will decrease to 21.8 percent from 25.1 percent, a Virgin spokeswoman said. Virgin Group goes to 8.7 percent from 10 percent.

NEW ZEALAND: $130m Fund To Pay For Tourism Infrastructure Sought By Tourism Officials

A bed tax and increased border levies are proposed to help raise $130 million for tourism infrastructure.

A report released today calls for a 2 per cent national levy on all accommodation including campervans and Airbnb, and a $5 increase in the border levy (currently $20).

It comes just days after Auckland mayor Phil Goff suggested a visitor tax to raise up to $30 million to pay for city marketing and major events.

The report was commissioned by the chief executives of Air New Zealand, Christchurch and Auckland airports and Tourism Holdings to promote debate on funding options.

It estimated $100m needed to be spent immediately across 20 local authorities where the rise in visitor numbers had outpaced their ability to provide infrastructure such as roads, carparks, toilets and environmental protection.

The proposed levies would raise $65m a year from the industry with matching funds from the government taking the total to $130m a year.

The report said the government could cover its contribution from an estimated $2.8b annual in GST paid by tourists, growth in returns from tourism-related businesses such as this year's $145m special dividend from Air New Zealand, and taxes paid by the tourism industry.

It also suggested an independent Crown entity be formed to allocate the money.

The study commissioned by the four industry leaders focuses on infrastructure which is used by both locals and tourists, and is primarily owned by local or central government.

According to the study 33 local councils did not increase infrastructure spending in line with growth in visitor stays, and 13 council had actually decreased infrastructure spending despite visitor growth.

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule said his organisation had backed the idea of a tourist levy for some time but it was important the money was spent where it was really needed.

"Which is not only on toilets, freedom camping facilities and car parks, but also on major infrastructure like wastewater, which are some of the most costly pieces of work small communities are faced with.

"Making sure the ongoing maintenance and operation of facilities is funded is also critical - it's not just about building it."

Hospitality New Zealand general manager accommodation Rachael Shadbolt welcomed further discussion on national visitor levies.

"We're heartened that they've cast the net wider into campervans and non commercial accommodation providers. I still think this conversation needs to go wider than just accommodation. It needs to be a discussion about how all businesses who benefit from tourism contribute towards this fund."

Wellington airport chief executive Steve Sanderson supported more infrastructure investment but opposed a border levy on all travellers including New Zealanders.

"It needs to undergo a rigorous and robust analysis before proceeding."

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) chief executive Chris Roberts said a national solution was preferable to a range of local and regional approaches and it was a matter of sharing the cost fairly.

"There are opportunities for greater user pays and better use of council balance sheets. But there is also a valid argument that the industry and its customers should contribute to ensuring tourism can sustainably grow,"

TIA is doing its own assessment of tourism infrastructure priorities and expected to release the results early next year.

NEW ZEALAND: $130m Fund To Pay For Tourism Infrastructure Sought By Tourism Officials

A bed tax and increased border levies are proposed to help raise $130 million for tourism infrastructure.

A report released today calls for a 2 per cent national levy on all accommodation including campervans and Airbnb, and a $5 increase in the border levy (currently $20).

It comes just days after Auckland mayor Phil Goff suggested a visitor tax to raise up to $30 million to pay for city marketing and major events.

The report was commissioned by the chief executives of Air New Zealand, Christchurch and Auckland airports and Tourism Holdings to promote debate on funding options.

It estimated $100m needed to be spent immediately across 20 local authorities where the rise in visitor numbers had outpaced their ability to provide infrastructure such as roads, carparks, toilets and environmental protection.

The proposed levies would raise $65m a year from the industry with matching funds from the government taking the total to $130m a year.

The report said the government could cover its contribution from an estimated $2.8b annual in GST paid by tourists, growth in returns from tourism-related businesses such as this year's $145m special dividend from Air New Zealand, and taxes paid by the tourism industry.

It also suggested an independent Crown entity be formed to allocate the money.

The study commissioned by the four industry leaders focuses on infrastructure which is used by both locals and tourists, and is primarily owned by local or central government.

According to the study 33 local councils did not increase infrastructure spending in line with growth in visitor stays, and 13 council had actually decreased infrastructure spending despite visitor growth.

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule said his organisation had backed the idea of a tourist levy for some time but it was important the money was spent where it was really needed.

"Which is not only on toilets, freedom camping facilities and car parks, but also on major infrastructure like wastewater, which are some of the most costly pieces of work small communities are faced with.

"Making sure the ongoing maintenance and operation of facilities is funded is also critical - it's not just about building it."

Hospitality New Zealand general manager accommodation Rachael Shadbolt welcomed further discussion on national visitor levies.

"We're heartened that they've cast the net wider into campervans and non commercial accommodation providers. I still think this conversation needs to go wider than just accommodation. It needs to be a discussion about how all businesses who benefit from tourism contribute towards this fund."

Wellington airport chief executive Steve Sanderson supported more infrastructure investment but opposed a border levy on all travellers including New Zealanders.

"It needs to undergo a rigorous and robust analysis before proceeding."

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) chief executive Chris Roberts said a national solution was preferable to a range of local and regional approaches and it was a matter of sharing the cost fairly.

"There are opportunities for greater user pays and better use of council balance sheets. But there is also a valid argument that the industry and its customers should contribute to ensuring tourism can sustainably grow,"

TIA is doing its own assessment of tourism infrastructure priorities and expected to release the results early next year.

2017 Best Airlines

For many locals and expatriates in the UAE, frequent travel is a part of life. They spend a great deal of time in the stratosphere, jetting off to another country three times a year, on average, according to a study. This is why choosing the best airline to travel with is very important for a lot of people.

AirlineRatings.com, which regularly reviews carriers around the world, has recently released its list of top 10 airlines for 2017, to let flyers know which ones excel in offering safety, comfort and service in the sky, and are able to maximise their profits at the same time.

According to the ratings agency, the airline that shows "exceptional performance" is Air New Zealand.

Winning the "airline of the year" award for the fourth time in a row, the Kiwi airline bested other carriers for its exemplary financial performance, in-flight innovations, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff.

“In our objective analysis, Air New Zealand came out number one in virtually all of our audit criteria, which is an exceptional performance,” said AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas.

Also worthy of high praises are other airlines that comprise the rest of the top ten list for 2017: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic/Virgin Australia, British Airways, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Eva Air and Lufthansa.

AirlineRatings picked the top ten airlines using four major international industry and government audits and nine key criteria, including fleet age, passenger review ratings, profitability, investment rating and key product offerings.

Emirates, included in last year’s edition, is missing in the top ten, but it did get the best in-flight entertainment award.

“The crash of the 777 was a serious blow to the airline’s safety record and thus, it has slipped out of the top ten,” Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief, AirlineRatings.com, said.

Qantas scooped three awards for offering the best domestic airline service, catering and lounges.

The UAE’s Etihad Airways earned the award for having the “best first class”, while Virgin Australia won best business class.”

The “best cabin crew” award went to The Virgin Group
- Virgin Australia
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin America.

For excellence in long haul travel, the following airlines did it best:
- Delta Air Lines (Americas)
- Virgin Atlantic (Europe)
- Etihad (Middle East/Africa)
- Singapore Airlines (Asia/Pacific).

In terms of value and safety in the low-cost airline sector, the following stood out:
- Virgin America (Americas)
- Norwegian (Europe)
- Kulula.com (Africa/Middle East)
- Scoot (Asia/Pacific)

NEW ZEALAND: WanakaThe Leader In New Zealand,

Dunedin's winter tourism push may be bearing fruit, with a strong rise in tourism expenditure for August.

Wanaka was again the leader in New Zealand, with its 16.3% annual increase continuing strong expenditure growth.

Those increases helped Otago to become the second fastest growing tourism region after Nelson, which topped the list at 11.7%.

Otago’s tourism expenditure for the year to August was up 9.6% to $3.2 billion.

The figures are the latest from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s monthly regional tourism estimates.

Dunedin’s figures for August showed $45 million was spent in the city, a 13.2% increase on the same month last year.

Enterprise Dunedin joined local tourism operators, Air New Zealand, TripAdvisor and others to create the Where the Wild Things Are campaign earlier this year, promoting Dunedin to the Australian and domestic visitor market as a destination during winter.

Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the increase was what could be expected considering the national increase in tourism, and the work the city had done.

The push in the Australian market "we know anecdotally is having an effect".

"We are definitely aware of the fact that people from Australia are coming here."

Mr Christie said that had been noticeable at the iSITE centre in Dunedin.

People arriving at the centre had mentioned the campaign.

"You don’t normally get that direct feedback."

Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore said the area had been tracking at between 18% and 20% through summer.

Winter was already a strong season so it was hard to maintain that level of growth.

Mr Helmore said Wanaka had experienced both an increase in numbers, and an increase in the value of tourists’ spending.

Clutha was the only district in Otago showing an annual drop in tourism expenditure, with a 0.4% decrease.

NEW ZEALAND: Air New Zealand Restricts Inflight Use Of Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Air New Zealand is the latest airline to restrict the inflight use of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, over concerns its batteries could explode.

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Tiger Airways and other airlines around the world have banned passengers from switching on or charging the recalled phones onboard.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said: "On recommendation from the Federal Aviation Administration all Air New Zealand customers carrying Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices must ensure that they are carried in the cabin only and not turned on or charged while onboard any Air New Zealand service.

It is understood flight attendants are advising passengers of the ban as part of the pre-flight safety briefing.

Earlier this month, Samsung announced an unprecedented recall of 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s worldwide just two weeks after the phone was launched.

The move came after Samsung's investigation into reports of fires found rechargeable lithium batteries manufactured by one of its suppliers were at fault.

Samsung said it had confirmed 35 cases of the Galaxy Note 7 catching fire as of September 1, most of them occurring while the battery was being charged.

In a statement, the company said it was not aware of any incidents occurring in New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND: Growing Number Of Tourists Boosts Air New Zealand

Strong tourism will continue to support Air New Zealand's growth, but the company says increasing competition is a challenge.

The national carrier has released an investor presentation.

Its profitability was being buoyed by the record numbers of tourists coming to New Zealand while lower fuel prices also helped make the outlook to continue to look favourable.

Travel routes closer to New Zealand would be a source of growth in passengers, including Australia and Asia, it said.

Its strategy would continue to invest in the business and keep a lid on costs, in order to maximise revenue and profits.

On the other side of the coin, some challenges in the near term included more competition.

While 2017 earnings were expected to be solid, they wouldn't be as strong as this year, the company said.

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand's Reputation As A Safe Destination Has Made Tourism The Top Foreign Exchange Earner.

Booming tourism is set for even faster growth with a surge in the number of buyers from overseas coming to the New Zealand industry's trade event this week.

The Trenz event in Rotorua has attracted more than 350 tourism and trade buyers from 28 countries, numbers not seen for more than a decade.

Tourism now tops dairy as New Zealand's biggest foreign exchange earner, bringing in more than $11 billion from overseas visitors in the past year, according to industry calculations, and worth close to $30 billion annually when domestic travel is counted.

It is on track to reach a goal of being a $41 billion industry by 2025.

The conference not only attracts buyers who sell packages to future visitors but key industry figures and politicians who are grappling with the consequences of the pressure more than three million overseas tourists a year are putting on tourist facilities and local infrastructure.

The Tourism Industry Association manages Trenz and its chief executive, Chris Roberts, said interest in the three-day event was incredibly strong this year.


"The event is at capacity, with waiting lists for both exhibitors and buyers. That's great news for New Zealand, as a buoyant, high growth tourism industry drives economic wealth and supports thousands of jobs all over the country."

The event was enjoying big growth in buyer numbers out of Australia, China and the United States.

Air New Zealand's new Buenos Aires to Auckland service was also stimulating interest out of Argentina, with seven buyers heading to Trenz, up from three last year.

"New air links between Auckland and other growing Pacific Rim economies, such as Vietnam, have also generated buyer interest from those markets, again highlighting the importance of air connectivity to the tourism industry," said Roberts.

Westpac economist David Norman said New Zealand is benefiting from a global surge in travel, helped by lower air fares and a shift in patterns of consumption.

"We've got this shift towards consumption spending on things like travel services. People are buying less stuff that they fill their houses with and they are switching to online services whether it be streaming video or audio and to travel," he said.

This was apparent in China where the transition to consuming services such as travel was happening at breakneck speed. While Chinese may not be spending at the same rate on places to live or furniture, they are travelling in record numbers and are New Zealand's fastest growing market.

"That's good news for us in many ways, not so good for forestry exports but good news for tourism," said Norman.

New Zealand was benefiting from its reputation as a safe destination.

"You've got a lot of uncertainty in Europe with terror attacks and parts of Asia and anecdotally the interest in parts of Asia of flying to Europe dried up overnight."

In tourism centres there were big shortfalls in accommodation especially in three to five star hotel range.

"We're seeing massive shortfalls in accommodation capacity. There's a missed opportunity and we could be cashing in on that," said Norman.

The shortage in capacity was allowing strong growth in accommodation prices in the major centres pushing domestic tourists out of these markets, especially in the high season. However, regional tourism centres were benefiting from this.

Key themes in tourism
Too much of a good thing?

Research commissioned by Tourism New Zealand and the Tourism Industry Association found 30 per cent of 1000 surveyed were worried future growth may be too high. The Government is poised to spend more to help small towns cope with the influx of visitors.

Building capacity

Healthier airlines are pouring capacity to New Zealand. Hotel building hasn't kept pace but there are some new ones underway and a new government push to attract investment is about to be launched. New generation mega cruise ships are struggling to squeeze into our ports.

Keeping it pure

Tourism organisations are concerned about the state of our lakes and rivers and are pushing hard for stronger action to clean them up. There's also been a multi-pronged campaign to get Wicked Campers with offensive slogans off the road.

Becoming one

Australia and New Zealand's tourism industry groups are calling for a permanent transtasman visa that would allow international tourists to travel between both countries with a regional visa. This moves on and off the political agenda in both countries.

VANUATU: Vanuatu Airport Problems Could Hit Economy

The suspension of Air New Zealand's flights to Port Vila could be catastrophic for the country's economy, the president of a Vantuatu tourism organisation says.

Air New Zealand yesterday suspended all flights to and from Vanuatu because of the condition of the runway at the airport in the capital, Port Vila.

Vanuatu Hotel & Resorts Association president Bryan Death said other carriers who fly to Port Vila could follow Air New Zealand's lead and that would be disastrous for the tourism industry, which has been recovering from Cyclone Pam last year.

Mr Death said a film crew was working on a campaign to attract people to Vanuatu this coming winter.

The footage that had been shot may never be used, as there was no point in running the campaign if no one could travel to the country, he said.

Air New Zealand said it would take passengers who are already in Vanuatu home on a final flight tomorrow, and refund people who have booked flights.

Air Vanuatu is also reviewing the situation, and will make a decision within days.

The airline said one possibility included shuttling passengers to the island of Santo, and operating international flights from there.

NEW ZEALAND: Air New Zealand Not Flying To Vanuatu

Air New Zealand has told Vanuatu that interim repairs on the runway of its main international airport, Bauerfield, are not adequate enough for it to resume servicing the route.

After Air New Zealand and Qantas withdrew their service to Port Vila in January, citing concerns over the safety of the runway, Vanuatu activated a $US60 million World Bank loan for an aviation overhaul.

The package included a long term upgrade of the Bauerfield runway as well as emergency interim repairs designed to get it up to the required standard for the following year.

Works began last month and the contractor Fulton Hogan has completed the first phase of the Bauerfield Repair, a "surface enrichment sprayed treatment".

The remaining work, involving asphalt patch repairs, was scheduled to be complete by mid-April with the Vanuatu government hoping for full capacity by the start of the tourist season in May.

But in a statement, Air New Zealand said it had now advised the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu that it would only consider resuming services once a permanent solution for the runway had been fully funded, designed to a satisfactory standard and contracted to a competent contractor.

Air New Zealand's General Manager Flight Operations, Stephen Hunt, said that while interim repairs were currently underway the one year lifespan of these repairs did not provide sufficient operational certainty to build a sustainable service on.

"We continue to monitor the situation in Port Vila and we're encouraged with the Vanuatu government progressing the current World Bank Pacific Aviation Investment Program in relation to Bauerfield," said Mr Hunt.

The statement said Air New Zealand was hopeful that the current proposed works to permanently resolve the operational integrity concerns at Bauerfield would proceed without further delay, strengthening the prospect of a resumption of services later this year.

Meanwhile, other airlines continue to fly their jet planes to Port Vila, including Air Vanuatu, Air Caledonia and Air Pacific.

NEW ZEALAND: Tourists Support Air New Zealand Growth

Strong tourism will continue to support Air New Zealand's growth, but the company says increasing competition is a challenge.

The national carrier has released an investor presentation.

Its profitability was being buoyed by the record numbers of tourists coming to New Zealand while lower fuel prices also helped make the outlook to continue to look favourable.

Travel routes closer to New Zealand would be a source of growth in passengers, including Australia and Asia, it said.

Its strategy would continue to invest in the business and keep a lid on costs, in order to maximise revenue and profits.

On the other side of the coin, some challenges in the near term included more competition.

While 2017 earnings were expected to be solid, they wouldn't be as strong as this year, the company said.

Customers Seek Compensation For $26k Shopping To Replace Lost Luggage

A couple who lost a suitcase full of expensive clothes on a flight to England have lost their argument that Air New Zealand should repay the $26,000 they paid to replace them.

The pair, referred to in court proceedings only as Mr and Mrs Green, flew to England in November 2015 to attend an important event and related social functions.

When they arrived, they discovered their suitcase was stuck in Los Angeles. They did not receive it for nine days.

The couple was told by staff that they could replace the missing items but should keep the receipts.

Mrs Green said she specifically asked whether the clothing could be replaced on a "like-for-like" basis and was told it could.

The couple spent more than $26,000 on replacing the items they had lost. They recovered $1900 from an insurer on a travel policy and sought the rest from Air New Zealand.

They brought a claim in the Disputes Tribunal for $15,000, the extent of the Tribunal's jurisdiction.

Air New Zealand did not argue that the clothes bought were similar to those lost but said the reimbursement was governed by the Montreal Convention, which covers airline's compensation payments, and limited to $2125.90.

But the Disputes Tribunal hearing found the Greens should be reimbursed the full amount because Air New Zealand had made a representation they relied on to their detriment.

Air New Zealand made an application for judicial review of that decision, heard in the High Court. It argued the case would set important issues of principle and precedent.

The judge in the Christchurch High Court found the Disputes Tribunal had made an error of law and set the claim aside.

Air New Zelaand will only have to pay the amount the $2125.90 specified in the convention.