Industry News
September 2011
Sydney Airport upgrade continues
Sydney International Airport has finished the first stage of its planned upgrades with the completion of the $26 million runway resurfacing project. Another $25 million will now be spent on installing stop bar lights at the taxiway entries to three runways. Construction will be carried out from 11pm to 5am to minimize service disruptions.
Emirates opens new premier lounge in Dubai
Emirates has opened its second, first class lounge in Dubai International Airport. The Terminal 3 lounge is available for first class passengers departing from any of the gates in Concourse 1. A quiet zone, two dining areas, shower facilities, a business centre, workstations and a smoking area are all included in the lounge's 1058 sqm. The lounge has complimentary wireless LAN internet connection, full bar service and both formal and informal seating in the dining area.
Virgin offers free in-flight services
Virgin Australia has upgraded services for corporate and government customers travelling between Canberra and Sydney with a new Capital Connect shuttle service. New for passengers is Capital Connect's complimentary in-flight services including newspapers before midday, snacks and beverages. The service operates eight daily return services, with plans to increase to 10 return services by October.
Cairns Airport upgrade
The international departure lounge at Cairns Airport is undergoing a $15 million upgrade. The refurbishment will streamline the passenger processing areas and deliver a new walk-through duty free store, and revamped food and beverage outlets.
Hilton opens first DoubleTree in India
Hilton Worldwide Hotel group has opened The DoubleTree Hilton Delhi-Mayur Vihar in India. The 196-room hotel is located near the central business district of Mayur Vihar and offers complimentary internet access in every guest room. The property features a 24-hour business centre, 16-seat boardroom and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 750 people.
Cathay introduces premium economy
Cathay Pacific is introducing premium economy on its new 347-seat Boeing 777-300ER jets. Cathay's new Boeing aircraft design includes 40 business, 32 premium economy and 275 economy seats. The premium economy cabin will be phased in 2 March 2012, operating on select days between Hong Kong and Toronto.
Direct Cathay flights to Adelaide
From 24 November 2011 Cathay Pacific will add three non-stop weekly flights from Hong Kong to Adelaide. The services will operate Monday, Thursday and Saturday during the Australian summer. These direct services will allow for same day connections to 36 other international destinations.
New car park for Sydney Airport
A new eight-storey car park is being built at the Sydney International Airport terminal. The $47 million dollar car park , due for completion next year, will provide an additional 2,300 parking spaces. The new car park will be located north of the existing multi-levelled parking facility.
Gold Coast welcomes new hotel
Hilton Hotels & Resorts has opened its latest Gold Coast property Hilton Surfers Paradise. The luxury 169-room hotel is the first high-end property to open on the Gold Coast in the past 10 years.
Hertz expands electric vehicle project
Car rental company Hertz is introducing its electric vehicle program to China. The company plans to start operating its electric vehicle rental program in Shanghai and has partnered with Chinese car manufacturer BYD. An electric vehicle car sharing service is also now available at Hertz's downtown San Francisco depot.
Austrian Airlines upgrade aircraft
Austrian Airlines has finished refitting 32 of its Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. The aircraft, used for short and medium-haul flights, now have leather seats and give passengers 10cm more legroom. Renovations for the long-haul fleet have been earmarked for the end of 2012.
Qantas flights to Chile
Qantas will start offering services from Australia to Chile April 2012. The thrice-weekly flights to Santiago will replace the carrier's current services to Buenos Aires.
Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand expand partnership
The alliance between Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand has been expanded and now includes flights from Auckland to London, via Shanghai. The service is offered three times weekly.
Sofitel opens new African property
Sofitel Luxury Hotels has officially opened the Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf Hotel on Bioko Island in Africa. The 200-room hotel is designed for both business and leisure travel and features an 18-hole golf course.
Crowne Plaza Adelaide increases MICE offering
The Crowne Plaza Adelaide is boosting its conference and events facilities with two new rooms, which are set to open in November. The new rooms will have capacity for up to 50 guests in a theatre style setting and up to 30 guests in banquet style. The facilities can be used together or independently for training sessions, cocktail parties or boardroom meetings.
QantasLink boosts WA services
Regional carrier QantasLink is boosting services in Western Australia with new services between Perth and Geraldton. The carrier is also increasing existing Perth and Exmouth services. New Perth - Geraldton services start 21 November 2011, with twice daily services on weekdays and daily services on weekends.
Korean Air opens premium lounge at Seoul airport
Korean Air has opened a new Prestige Class Lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport. The new 160-seat, 1,100sqm lounge is located adjacent the existing lounge. Guests can enjoy showers, free wi-fi, entertainment, food and drinks. Korean Air has also outlined plans to also upgrade the First Class Lounge.
Korean Air boosts Sydney flights
During Christmas Korean Air is adding three additional weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Sydney. The extra services will operate from 12 December 2011 until 30 January 2012 Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Hertz in Bangladesh
Car hire company Hertz has opened two new offices in Bangladesh. The office are located in Malibag and Gulshan, Dhaka. Both offices operate an extensive fleet of cars including sedans, sports utility vehicles and minivans. The company also offers airport transfers, chauffeur drivers and long-term rentals.
Virgin - Skywest alliance boosts regional air travel
The alliance between Virgin Australia and WA carrier Skywest will see the October introduction of new daily return flights from Brisbane to Port Macquarie and twice daily week-day services from Brisbane to Gladstone. An ATR 72-500 aircraft will be operated on both routes. Additional daily return services on the ATR 72-500 will also be offered between Canberra and Sydney.
Virgin Australia phases-in 737 business class
Virgin Australia plans to roll out its new domestic business class product on its 737 aircraft by the end of the year. The carrier will receive 12 new 737s this year with the business class seating already in-built. The existing fleet is also currently being reconfigured for business class.
Etihad adds Dusseldorf
From 16 December 2011, Etihad will offer new services between Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf in Germany onboard A330-300 aircraft. Services will initially operate four times weekly, with plans to increase flights to daily operations by April 2012.
Trans-tasman pact for Virgin and Air NZ
Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia have launched the first stage of their new alliance with a combined network and schedule on flights between Australia and New Zealand. Members of each airline's loyalty programs can earn and redeem points from either company on applicable Tasman fares. This frequent flyer reciprocal agreement covers trans-Tasman, Australian and New Zealand domestic routes, but does not include flights for Pacific Island.
