Bringing Tahiti ‘more into the minds of Kiwis’ is one of the three key goals in 2020 for Air Tahiti Nui as it starts the year in new premises in Auckland’s Queen Street.

Air Tahiti Nui has a new team and central Auckland location.

Agents who sell a Singapore Airlines ticket and book a Singapore Stopover Holiday in the same itinerary will be into win return Premium Economy Class flights for two to Singapore, with accommodation and Singapore Explorer Plus passes.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says just released global passenger traffic data for October 2019 shows that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) climbed 3.4% compared to the same period a year ago.

One of the most popular multi-supplier travel trade road shows in New Zealand has announced its dates, venues and participants for 2020.

The first of Fiji Airways’ two new A350-900s arrived into Nadi over the weekend, on delivery via Brisbane and Sydney.

Sid Sharma is now Singapore Airlines’ account executive national corporate, based in Auckland.

Qantas has officially turned 99 years old, beginning its 100th year on Saturday.

Air New Zealand’s new Regional Lounge at Auckland Airport will open to customers tomorrow.

Travel agents were amongst the 100-strong reception committee for Singapore Airlines’ inaugural A350 service into Wellington on Friday.

American Airlines will offer a direct service to the US from the South Island when it launches LAX-CHC next October.

Air New Zealand will launch a non-stop service between Auckland and New York using its 787-9 Dreamliner in October 2020. But it will come at a cost to NZ's daily Los Angeles-London service which will cease from October 2020.   

NZ's acting chief executive officer Jeff McDowall says while it’s hard to farewell such an iconic route, the airline must remain focused on markets with the greatest opportunity for long-term profitable growth.

LATAM has launched its new service to the capital of Brazil, reducing travel time by four hours between Santiago and Brasilia.

Air New Zealand and other legacy airlines are increasingly looking at 'micro-segmentation' in their cabins and taking price sensitive customers more seriously, says Air New Zealand's chief revenue officer, Cam Wallace.
Speaking at today's CAPA NZ Aviation and Corporate Travel Summit, Wallace pointed out that when the airline introduces its new Economy Stretch option it will have five distinct products aimed at specific market segments (along with Business Premium, Premium Economy, Skycouch and standard economy).

A 10 seater private jet joining the GCH Aviation fleet early next year will change the face of private luxury air charter in New Zealand, says the company’s group marketing manager Caroline Blanchfield.

LATAM Airlines Group has unveiled the first image of its Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge-inspired aircraft, following the recent opening of Star Wars Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Air Chathams is already aiming for a second service to Norfolk Island following the launch of its weekly flight on Friday.

‘Historic data from when other airlines operated the route (including Air New Zealand) indicates that is very possible,’ says Air Chathams general manager Duane Emeny who draws parallels with the airline’s Chatham Island services.‘We have been

Aircraft from Asia and America could soon be landing at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport with the completion of recent upgrades.

Air Canada’s sales from this market, in advance of the coming direct service between Auckland and Vancouver mid December, have already exceeded expectations, says the airline’s general manager Australia and New Zealand Vic Naughton.

A ground-up rebuild of the Singapore Airlines mobile app has resulted in enhanced booking and check-in flows, improving transaction time by up to 60%.

Air Tahiti Nui will soon be advertising for three new roles, following the announcement late last week that the carrier will take on the full, solus management of its New Zealand and Australian distribution, sales and marketing activities later this year.

Qantas has new perks for customers travelling to Australia, offering discounts on local experiences.

Air Vanuatu (NF) is updating trade on its flights that are using a Nauru Airlines aircraft from Auckland to Vanuatu and vice versa.

Fiji Airways has been awarded the coveted Skytrax four-star rating at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, joining a select group of airlines in this category.

Hamilton Airport is to undergo a multi-million dollar upgrade to its terminal buildings and carpark.

Having a premium economy product on the AKL-SFO route now puts United Airlines on a par with joint venture partner Air New Zealand, says Julie Reid, director Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti sales for UA.
‘Most airlines have premium economy and people are prepared to pay a bit more for a good middle ground product,’ she says. ‘It is already proving popular on the AKL-SFO route.’

Singapore Airlines’ destination of the month is South Africa.

Aircalin has special fares starting from $249 one-way AKL-NOU, including taxes, for sale until 26 April 2019.

Strong turn-outs in the provinces, with a particularly pleasing attendance from brokers, mean the JAWS (Joint Airline Workshops) format is alive and well after some 25 years, organisers say.

The number of New Zealanders travelling to South Africa has held up better than may have been expected with the visa woes and difficulties in the past year, according to Tim Clyde-Smith, country manager Australasia with South African Airways.

Macao’s mascot, Mak Mak, has taken to the skies with her image painted on the livery of one of Air Macau’s new aircraft.

The ease and convenience of using Vancouver Airport as a gateway to other points in North America (either in transit or combined with a stopover) is being emphasised to the New Zealand trade from Air Canada as the airline prepares for the introduction of direct AKL-YVR seasonal service later this year.

Singapore Airlines has extended its HighFlyer Agent Incentive that gives agents a chance to win a return trip to Southeast Asia.

AirAsia will start services from Bangkok to Brisbane from 25 June 2019. Operated by its Thai affiliate, Thai AirAsia X, the service will fly from Bangkok’s low cost hub, Don Muang International Airport.
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) secured the services with Queensland Government support under the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), along with partners Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing.
AirAsia X will fly four times-a-week and expects to attract close to 25,000 visitors every year. Thailand is one of Queensland’s emerging markets – 19,000 Thais visited over the last year and spent A$44m.

Etihad Airways has operated the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel.

Philippine Airlines will launch new non-stop services between Manila and Delhi, India; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Singapore Airlines hosted 100 Christchurch travel agents to an A350 promotional evening this week, held at the South Bar, Christchurch Airport.

There is some confusion around the new relationship between Air New Zealand and Qantas that follows the cessation of the current NZ-VA partnership, says Cam Wallace, chief revenue officer with Air New Zealand.

The airport is not the destination – it is actually an obstacle between the customer and where he or she wants to go, the TAANZ Summit hosted by Air New Zealand heard last week.

Air New Zealand has unveiled an initial-concept multiplayer spatial computing gaming experience in Los Angeles at the first L.E.A.P. conference.

Can agents expect any compensation for the time and effort they have put into solving issues for clients who have been affected by the 787 Rolls Royce engine issues?

Singapore Airlines has launched its A350 premium economy and business class seat display at Christchurch International Airport, running until Sunday 14 October, with the chance to win flights for two in premium economy class.

• At The Beasley in Christchurch…... At The Beasley in Christchurch…...
• Corey Marshall, Canuckiwi; with Justine... Corey Marshall, Canuckiwi; with Justine...
• Howie Yee, Orbit Corporate Travel;... Howie Yee, Orbit Corporate Travel;...
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UA’s Trivia roadshow kicked off last Tuesday in Christchurch with the city’s agents updating their knowledge on United, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Cruising in the USA, Memphis & Alamo car hire.

Hong Kong Airlines will add Macao to its network from tomorrow, following the signing of a codeshare agreement with ferry services company, TurboJET.

Lufthansa crews have taken off in traditional Bavarian costume, in time for Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Virgin Australia accelerate is now available to New Zealand registered businesses.

Cathay Pacific is closely monitoring approaching Super Typhoon Mangkhut which is expected to make landfall on Sunday.

The resumption of the seasonal service from Auckland to Los Angeles on 30 October, as well as the recent announcement of a short term increase in base commission to 10% were among the key messages to trade from American Airlines’ vice president Asia Pacific Sales, Shane Hodges when he visited New Zealand last week.

Emirates is bringing an early Hogmanay treat for New Zealanders heading to Scotland next year with a $1599 return fare to Edinburgh, among other earlybird fare offers covering its Europe network.

Sabre Corporation has recently implemented Sabre Branded Fares for Hong Kong Airlines, now giving agencies the ability to create tailored offers for travellers.