Aviation wrap: Qantas’ fresh plane order, Air Vanuatu’s new non-stop service, Western Sydney Airport update + MORE!
Felt a little in the dark lately about what’s been happening in the world of commercial aviation? This wrap should provide all the illumination you need.
Qantas group updates Airbus order with extra-long-range A321
The Qantas Group has secured up to 36 Airbus A321 XLR (extra long range) aircraft for delivery from financial year 2024 onwards, in an update of its existing order.
The update will see 26 of the group’s existing A321 NEO orders converted to A321 XLRs and add a further 10 XLRs – taking the total order from 99 aircraft to 109. The order includes significant flexibility for the Qantas Group to make adjustments to delivery schedules depending on market conditions.
The fuel efficient, longer-range XLR will improve fleet flexibility and network options for potential use by different airlines in the Qantas Group. Its ability to fly longer distances means it can be used to open up new destinations or replace wide-body aircraft on existing routes, improving overall economics.
The A321 XLR has a range of around 8,700 kilometres, which is 15 per cent longer than the A321 LR. Depending on cabin configuration it can carry up to 244 passengers. It offers a 30 per cent lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation aircraft.
Key to the XLR’s flying range are additional fuel tanks in the belly of the aircraft plus, improved aerodynamics and a 25 per cent increase to maximum take-off weight compared with the group’s existing A320s Classics, which are used across Jetstar and in resources markets with QantasLink.
Air Vanuatu commences new non-stop service between Melbourne and Port Vila
Air Vanuatu, Vanuatu’s national carrier, today commenced its new non-stop service between Melbourne and Port Vila, Vanuatu, with the inaugural flight touching down in the South Pacific capital at 12.30pm local time.
The direct route marks a new era in travel for Air Vanuatu, expanding the airline’s offering in Australia and bringing the South Pacific nation closer to Melburnians.
Air Vanuatu’s Boeing 737-800 is flying the route, providing eight business class seats and 162 economy seats. The aircraft will depart Melbourne at 07.00 (local time) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Port Vila at 12.30 (local time) with a flight time of just over four hours.
Port Vila is a hub for greater Vanuatu, with Air Vanuatu providing onward connections to 28 destinations across the island archipelago.
The return leg from Port Vila will depart at 16.15 (local time) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving in Melbourne at 20.15 (local time), with a flight time of just over five hours. Flight times are subject to change.
Emirates offers competitive fares this end of financial year
As the end of financial year approaches, Emirates is encouraging Australians to book their next adventure now with competitive fares to more than 50 destinations in its global route network, when booked by 1 July 2019 for select travel periods.
Emirates flies to more than 40 European destinations, including soon to launch service to Porto, as well as its cosmopolitan hub Dubai which is the perfect stopover or holiday destination in itself for all Australians.
Economy Class passengers can enjoy fares starting from $1,229 to Dubai, $1,359 to Manchester, $1,369 to Porto, $1,469 to Paris and $1,529 to Rome.
While Business Class passengers can enjoy fares starting from $7,049 to Dubai, $7,279 to Porto, $7,429 to Manchester, $7,449 to Paris and $7,539 to Rome.
Qatar Airways Touches Down For the First Time in Davao, Philippines
The first Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Davao, Philippines, touched down today at Davao International Airport, where it was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute. Qatar Airways flight QR936 departed Hamad International Airport (HIA) on Tuesday, 18 June at 02.45 and landed in Davao at 17:20 local time.
Air France-KLM and Accor announce new enhanced loyalty program partnership
Accor Group and the Air France-KLM Group are strengthening their existing partnership by offering, for the first time in the European travel industry a dual reward scheme to their entire global loyalty customer base.
Every time our customers travel on a flight marketed and operated by Air France and/or KLM, or stay a night at an Accor hotel, they will now simultaneously earn both Flying Blue Miles and Le Club AccorHotels Reward points.
Architects shortlisted for terminal design competition
Western Sydney Airport has shortlisted five architectural teams to participate a design competition for the Airport’s terminal that attracted global interest.
The five parties will now create their vision for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport’s terminal precinct, which includes a plaza, a public transport interchange and the integrated international and domestic passenger terminal.
The architectural teams that have been invited to participate in the design competition are:
- Design Inc & Foster + Partners
- Architectus, Gensler, SAA and Surbana Jurong
- Cox and Zaha Hadid
- Woods Bagot and RSHP
- Hassell and Pascall Watson
Discover the World drives Dohop expansion
Dohop, the innovative Icelandic flight booking and connection platform, has appointed Discover the World as its global sales partner as it targets ambitious growth.
The agreement will see Discover leverage its extensive global network as well as its close working relationships with its airline partners to increase uptake of Dohop’s revenue generating platform across the industry.
Qantas Dreamliner to fly across the Tasman over summer
Qantas will operate its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner across the Tasman between Sydney and Auckland over the peak summer season.
From 4 December 2019 to 28 March 2020, customers travelling on one of five of the airline’s daily flights between Sydney and Auckland will experience the Dreamliner’s next generation Economy, Premium Economy and Business cabins.
The flights are an opportunity for Qantas to showcase the 787 across the Tasman before more Dreamliners arrive and begin operating across the airline’s long-haul international network in 2020.
Airservices Australia cuts aviation charges
Airservices Australia will reduce aviation charges for the first time from July 1 as the organisation seeks to minimise operational costs for the airline industry and light aircraft operators.
Aviation charges will be cut by two per cent next month following a price freeze in 2015 and the consolidation of an efficiency program at Airservices for the non-operational divisions of the organisation.
The program, which quarantined air traffic control and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services, delivered savings of more than $170 million, creating the headroom to reduce charges for the first time. The price cut will result in multi-million dollar savings for Australia’s airlines and aviation industry.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air france-klm air vanuatu airservices australia american airlines Dohop qantas qatar western sydney airportLatest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]