Aviation Wrap: Qantas’ $1m community grant, South African Airways restores all services, ANA increases Syd-Tokyo + MORE!
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Qantas grants $1 million to regional communities
Twenty community groups from around Australia will share in the first $1 million round of grants as part of the national carrier’s continued commitment to regional Australia.
The Qantas Regional Grants program offers $5 million in grants over five years to not-for-profit community groups, individuals, charities, projects and organisations that are seeking funding to provide a direct service or benefit to regional Australia.
The successful groups were selected out of more than 1,200 applications from across the country and will receive free flights, cash and marketing support. Go here to see the full list of winners.
LATAM’s first Boeing 787 featuring its new cabins takes off from Santiago
LATAM Airlines Group’s 25th Boeing 787 took off for the first time from Santiago International Airport on 21 November at 09:15AM local time for flight LA750 to São Paulo, Brazil. The group received the new aircraft last week at Boeing’s Delivery Centre in Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
This is the first Boeing 787 to feature LATAM’s new cabin standard. The aircraft will operate from Chile to medium and long-haul destinations, including Sydney, New York, São Paulo, Tel Aviv and Madrid.
South African Airways restores full service
South African Airways (SAA) has restored full service over the weekend, after reaching an agreement with unions to end the industrial action strike which began on 15 November 2019. SAA, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Airways Cabin Crew Association (SACCA), ratified an agreement on 21 November 2019.
Domestic, regional Africa and international flights are in operation and on schedule. Customers holding a confirmed itinerary may proceed to departure airports.
Cathay Pacific upgrades inflight experience
Cathay Pacific has revamped its premium travel experience. An array of enhancements to the service, soft products and culinary offerings are rolling out on board its Business and First Class cabins. These enrichments are designed to offer passengers a more holistic, sensory experience that begins from the moment they begin their journey.
Business Class travellers can bask in an enriched sleep proposition that includes newly introduced and greatly enhanced bedding and slippers, ensuring passengers arrive at their destinations refreshed and ready for what awaits them.
First Class passengers travelling beyond Hong Kong can now enjoy a new, more bespoke service centred on enjoying inspired flavours, calming fragrances and refined textures whenever they travel. New bedding and amenities along with wellness options and tableware have all been elevated with new and enhanced offerings.
Cathay Pacific has also partneres with UK lifestyle brand, Bamford. Renowned for its ethical and sustainable principles, Bamford has designed a range of exclusive amenities, travel kits and plush bedding for the airline’s travellers in both cabins that are certain to delight the senses.
Emirates firms up US$8.8 billion order for 30 Boeing 787s + Adelaide Festival continue partnership into 2022
Emirates has announced that it has signed a full purchase agreement for 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, worth US$ 8.8 billion at list prices, at the Dubai Airshow 2019.
Under its agreement with Boeing, Emirates has exercised its right to substitute the B777x with B787s.
This deal includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with deliveries commencing in May 2023 and continuing for the next five years. For the B777X, Emirates will enter into discussions with Boeing over the next few weeks on the status of deliveries. This takes Emirates’ total order with Boeing to 126 aircraft.
The airline has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Adelaide Festival until 2022, one of the world’s major celebrations of the arts. The Festival, set to take place from February 28 to March 15 2020, will celebrate 60 years of the premier arts and culture event in South Australia, with Emirates a ‘Major Partner’ for the event.
Featuring a range of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, world-class musicians, dance pieces, renowned writers and striking visual arts displays, the Adelaide Festival has become a benchmark for cultural events across the board.
ANA to increase frequency on Sydney to Haneda route
All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be increasing the frequency on the Sydney to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) from next year with an additional daily daytime flight. Reservations and ticket sales are scheduled to begin in mid-December with the flight schedule and the start of service to be announced at a later date.
Sydney to Haneda double-daily operations will generate more options in terms of international connections at Haneda Airport, particularly to and from USA and Europe.
Haneda Airport is key to building a comprehensive network of domestic connections, and ANA’s increased presence at the airport will aid inbound tourism and business travel beyond Tokyo itself.
ANA will also expand their International Network in 2020 by adding 5 new cities with the introduction of flights to Istanbul, Milan, Moscow, Shenzhen and Stockholm.
This will be a part of the 12 new routes that ANA will serve out of Haneda Airport starting in 2020.
Air New Zealand takes off for Seoul
Air New Zealand’s inaugural flight between Auckland and Seoul has taken off from Auckland International Airport.
Flight NZ75 departed just before 12.30pm and is expected to land in Seoul around 7.50pm local time.
With a flight time of 12 hours northbound and just over 11 hours southbound, Air New Zealand’s direct Auckland–Seoul service, operated by its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, will depart Auckland on Monday, Thursday and Saturday as follows:
Flight Number | Departs | Arrives | Frequency | Aircraft type |
NZ75
NZ73 | Auckland 1125
Auckland 1105
Auckland 1035
Auckland 1155 Auckland 1420 | Seoul 1920
Seoul 1900
Seoul 1830
Seoul 1950
Seoul 2215
| Monday
Wednesday (25 December – 19 February)
Thursday
Saturday Sunday (29 December – 16 February) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
NZ76
NZ74 | Seoul 2155
Seoul 2215
Seoul 2210
Seoul 2355
| Auckland 1305 +1
Auckland 1325 +1
Auckland 1320 +1
Auckland 1505 +1 | Monday
Wednesday (25 December – 19 February)
Thursday & Saturday
Sunday (29 December – 16 February) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
Fiji Airways accepts delivery of first A350-900 XWB
Fiji Airways has accepted delivery of its first of two Airbus A350 XWB aircraft as part of the airline’s widebody expansion plans in partnership with majority shareholder, the Fijian Government. The new luxury aircraft which touched down in Nadi on Saturday, received a traditional Fijian welcome.
The aircraft, ‘Island of Viti Levu’ will go into commercial service on December 1st 2019 flying Nadi to Sydney. Following this, the aircraft will rotate out on the Sydney and Los Angeles routes, with the second Airbus A350 XWB arriving mid-December 2019. From January 1st 2020, the A350 will fly daily between Nadi and Sydney as well as Nadi and Los Angeles.
Hahn Air joins IATA’s 25by2025 diversity and inclusion initiative
Hahn Air supports the improvement of gender balance in the aviation industry by signing IATA’s industry-wide 25by2025 campaign.
With 39 per cent of its leadership positions occupied by women, the German airline and distribution specialist already surpasses the desired 25 per cent gender ratio of the initiative. Representing Hahn Air at the signing ceremony during IATA’s Wings of Change conference in Berlin on November 19, was Hahn Air’s General Director, Kirsten Rehmann. Among the 29 signatories are other key industry players, such as China Eastern, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.
Aussie travellers can experience a white Christmas this festive season, as Changi Airport becomes a Frozen Wonderland
Buckle up for a fun-filled winter adventure at Changi Airport this festive season, where visitors and passengers can immerse themselves in a wonderland inspired by Disney’s Frozen 2.
For the first time, Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel), will be transformed into an enchanting wintry world where Aussies can walk through ‘snowfall’ at the Forest Valley, enjoy an exclusive festive rendition of the Rain Vortex light and sound show, or create their very own handcrafted gifts for loved ones at a festive market and much more.
From now to 5 January 2020, get ready to be mesmerised by a dizzying range of delightful experiences across multiple locations in Changi’s terminals and Jewel, set to delight the young and young-at-heart.
Air Astana announced new service from Paris to Almaty
Air Astana has a new service from Paris to Almaty launching in June 2020. The flights will operate three times a week using the carrier’s new Airbus A321LR, which entered revenue service on the Air Astana network last month. Air Astana made its debut on Paris-Astana (now Nur-Sultan) in Spring 2015, using a B757.
The service between the French Capital and Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial centre and second city, will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with departures from Paris at 19.20 local time, arriving in Almaty at 06.35 local. The return flight from Almaty will depart at 14.15 local time and arrive in Paris at 18.00 hrs local. Flight times are 7 hours, 45 minutes and 7 hours and 15 minutes, respectively.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?