We’re all a bit dusty from yesterday’s massive Travel DAZE event, so if you’d like to know what’s in the airline wrap this week, just click on the story.

Emirates launch daily service to Tunis

Emirates has increased the frequency of flights between Dubai and Tunis from six to seven a week starting 30th October 2017, operating every Monday with an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraf. The added flight will give passengers in Tunis greater access to Emirates’ global route network, particularly destinations in the Middle East, GCC, West Asia, Asia Pacific region and the US, with just one stop in Dubai.

The added frequency will also offer importers and exporters an additional 23 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction. Popular goods carried between Tunis and Dubai include fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen seafood, electronic equipment, truffles and dates.

The inbound service EK747 will depart Dubai at 0920hrs, arriving in Tunis at 1315hrs. While the outbound flight EK748 will depart Tunis at 1455hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2345hrs.

Qatar Airways is the official airline of the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open

As part of this sponsorship, Qatar Airways will have extensive marketing and branding rights at the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open. Millions of overseas spectators are expected to tune in from 28 September to 1 October 2017, when the Open takes place at the Windross Farm golf course in Ardmore, south of the Auckland central business district.

The event features a USD $1.3 million prize purse and will mark the first ever LPGA Tour event to take place in New Zealand.

“It has been eight months since Qatar Airways began operating the world’s longest flight from Auckland, and we have been welcomed with open arms by Kiwi travellers,” Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said.

Cathay Pacific and HKTB offer free Hong Kong tours to stopover visitors

Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have collaborated to enable transit and extended-stay stopover visitors to access a range of exclusive offers in Hong Kong.

Visitors staying in Hong Kong for three nights or more are eligible to one of four complimentary sightseeing tours, ranging from a day-long bus tour to a guided city walk.

Travellers with a transit between six and 24 hours can choose from four unique offers, including complimentary return Airport Express tickets and discounts on popular day tours.

The transit offer includes a trip to Disneyland Walt’s Cafe for $35 (originally $91) and a flash visit for $61 (originally $133).

The extended-stay and transit offers will also coincide with Cathay Pacific’s Christmas Sale. Travellers can fly via vibrant Hong Kong to the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Israel from as little as $1,412^ return.

Tigerair Australia launch direct low cost flights between Hobart and Gold Coast

From 7 December, Tigerair Australia will provide a new route between Hobart and Gold Coast, the only direct, low cost travel option between the two popular tourism destinations.

Four weekly return services between the Island state and Gold Coast will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. At the same time, the airline will also add four additional return services on the existing popular Melbourne – Hobart route. In total, sixteen additional return services will provide close to 3,000 additional visitor seats through Hobart Airport weekly from 7 December.

The new flights will depart Hobart at 8:50am (AEDT) and arrive into the Gold Coast at 10:20am (AEDT). The return services depart Gold Coast Airport at 10:50am (AEDT) and arrive into Hobart at 2:30pm (AEDT).

To celebrate the new services between Hobart and Gold Coast, a limited amount of fares on the new route will be available from just $10 each way (on the first two flights both ways). Fares go on sale today from midday AEST and are available until sold out.

New Sister-Airport agreement with Chongqing

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has entered into a ‘Sister-Airport’ agreement with the Chongqing Airport Group of China which will see the two airports share expertise on operational and commercial development and tourism market development.

The Memorandum of Understanding signifies an agreement to work cooperatively toward a direct service between the mega-market of Chongqing, with its 30 million plus residents, and Brisbane.

The Sister-Airport agreement reflects the close ties between Brisbane and Chongqing developed under the Sister-City relationship since 2005. The MOU signing took place during Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk’s recent business mission to China.

The Lord Mayor said the signing of the Sister-Airport Agreement with Chongqing Airport further strengthened Brisbane’s cooperative relationship with its largest sister city.

Hainan Airlines flight from Shenzhen touches down at BNE

Hainan Airlines’ first flight from Shenzhen, China touched down at Brisbane Airport (BNE) to mark the beginning of twice weekly flights.

Shenzhen has had a Sister City relationship with Brisbane since 1992, making it Brisbane’s longest held Sister City. It is the major city of the Pearl River Delta manufacturing area and home to 12 million residents, located on the China – Hong Kong border, a convenient 90 drive to/from Hong Kong.

Passengers will be able to connect all across China with Hainan Airlines’ extensive network from Shenzhen.

The airline will operate an Airbus A330 aircraft on the route with flights arriving into and departing Brisbane on Thursdays and Mondays.

National Award for Airport Campaign

The “Parking Fairy” jumped for joy at the news Cairns Airport, who has won the award for Outstanding Marketing & Communications in this year’s national Parking Industry Awards.

The prestigious Parking Industry Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams and organisations for excellence, outstanding facilities and innovation throughout the parking sector. Through showcasing best practice and rewarding exceptional contributions, the Awards aim to highlight the industry’s commitment to raising the standards of the parking industry.

Entries to the 2017 Parking Industry Awards were judged by a panel of ten international and national leaders working in the parking industry.

The announcement of Cairns Airport’s win was made at the gala awards night in Sydney on Monday and representatives of the Cairns Airport Marketing and Ground Transport teams were thrilled to accept the award for the airport’s “Meet the Parkers” campaign.

The new Cairns Airport campaign will promote another aspect of the airport’s business and talented locals are urged to keep an eye out on the Cairns Airport Facebook page or website for more information on how they could be part of it.

Qatar Airways launch luxury global chauffeur service

Qatar Airways have partnered with Blacklane to launch a premium global chauffeur service for customers in all cabin classes. This new service provided by Qatar Airways is bookable for a fee online through qatarairways.com and the Qatar Airways app. Qatar Airways passengers can choose from a wide-range of high-end vehicles, provided by top auto manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac to take them to and from their chosen airport.

The service is available for passengers at more than 85 Qatar Airways destinations around the world. Blacklane is also available in over 500 airports worldwide, including the majority of destinations served by the airline’s codeshare and interline partners. Passengers have access to Blacklane’s modern fleet of high-end vehicles, and highly professional drivers, to ensure a safe, comfortable journey. Customers can choose Business Class, business vans, SUVs or First Class cars.

The global chauffeur service features all-inclusive highly-competitive rates – including all taxes, tolls, fees and gratuities – which are confirmed before booking online. Customers also receive up-to-date SMS and email updates and confirmations, which include the driver’s name and phone number.

Qantas partner with Sheridan to launch luxury bedding for first class passengers

Qantas customers travelling in First class are offered a new range of luxurious bedding products from October 2017. The products are created exclusively by Australia’s home and lifestyle brand, Sheridan. The new bedding range marks the first stage of Qantas’ major A380 fleet cabin upgrade, including refurbished First class suites with new contoured cushioning and a larger, higher resolution entertainment screen.

Passengers can choose from a pillow menu featuring a selection of three styles to suit different comfort needs. The ensemble also includes a memory foam mattress, a super-soft Sheridan sheeting, a duvet cover made from soft-touch tencel, a 100% combed-cotton woven throw and a soft-touch bolster cushion.

Sheridan has also designed a soft baby blanket in pure cotton for infants aged under two years of age travelling on all international services in all cabins. The Sheridan designed baby blanket will be available in Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First on all international services and the new bedding ensemble will be available in First class on A380 services to London, Dubai, Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth.