We’re flying high after after putting together this tasty Airline Wrap. And while we admit that was a poor pun, rest assured you’ll be an AV expert by the end of this article.

Adelaide Airport and Amadeus partner to roll out Australasia’s first fully automated airport management system

Adelaide Airport will replace its key operational IT systems with automated and scalable systems provided by Amadeus. These sophisticated aeronautical airport data management systems are the first cloud hosted systems in Australasia and this partnership positions Adelaide Airport as a leader in airport operational data management. Amadeus’ cloud based technology will streamline Adelaide Airport’s management of aircraft parking, boarding gates, check-in desks, customer information and other mission critical airport terminal services.

The roll out will see the implementation of three Amadeus Airport Solutions in Adelaide Airport: Airport Operational Database, Airport Fixed Resource Management Solution, and Flight Information Display System.

Some of the key benefits of these include:

• Accurate and timely flight and passenger data.
• Automated resource optimisation
• Advanced scenario modelling.
• Industry leading flight and baggage information displays.

AeroMexico Announces New Routes to the USA

Starting April 1st, the airline will operate direct daily service between Mexico City and Detroit, in addition to  new services between Monterrey and Detroit, starting May 1 st. 

 On July 1, Aeromexico will start to operate a new flight between Guadalajara and San Jose, which will become its sixth destination in the state of California. 

These new routes will be operated using Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft except for the Monterrey-Detroit route, which will be operated with Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft. Check Aeromexico website, for details on the new routes’ operation.

Cathay Pacific “Book & Go” sale is on now for 5 days only!

Cathay Pacific today introduced their newest fare promotion, “Book & Go” to help make 2017 the year of travelling well, more often.

The new and exciting “Book and Go” Sale lasts for five days only, from March 03 to March 07, 2017 and offers incredible fares to select origin and destinations for immediate departure.

Huge savings are available for six destinations including Melbourne to Manila from just $574* return, Sydney to London from $1,046* return or Perth to Los Angeles from just $962* return.

For full details of sale destinations please visit www.cathaypacific.com.au

Women in Travel Join Now to Beat Breast Cancer

Australia’s largest and most successful breast cancer research fundraiser, the annual Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) returns for its’ 20th year, and Aussie women are encouraged to participate. 

More than 105,000 Australians in more than 100 locations will join together on Sunday May 14 for thebreast cancer research walk and run, taking part in an entertaining day that offers people of all ages the chance to participate in a non-competitive, inspiring and fun walk/run that raises vital funds for breast cancer research.

The Mother’s Day Classic will be held in more than 100 locations, from capital cities to remote towns, all around Australia.

Registrations are open now at www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/register

Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand extend services between Hong Kong and New Zealand

Cathay Pacific will introduce a new seasonal service between Hong Kong and Christchurch from December 2017, directly linking the two cities by air for the first time and complementing the airline’s existing services to Auckland.

The non-stop Christchurch service will operate three times per week, departing Hong Kong on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using technologically-advanced Airbus A350 aircraft. 

Subject to regulatory approvals, the new service will operate between 1 December 2017 and 28 February 2018 and will complement Cathay Pacific’s current seasonal double daily flights to Auckland as well as strategic partner Air New Zealand’s daily service between Hong Kong and Auckland. 

Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand will also extend their strategic alliance partnership on services between Hong Kong and New Zealand for a further five years until 2022, subject to continuing regulatory approvals.  

Cathay Pacific has expanded its long-haul network significantly in recent times. In March, the airline will commence a four-times-weekly service to Tel Aviv, while July sees the introduction of a four-times-weekly seasonal operation to Barcelona. These new services follow the addition of both Madrid and Gatwick in 2016.

SIA AND SILKAIR will Fold Fuel and Insurance Surcharges into Base Airfares

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir have already been showing the full price payable in their airfare advertising, inclusive of taxes and surcharges, since 2008. With the removal of the fuel and insurance surcharges as a separate component, customers will be presented with a single base airfare when purchasing tickets.

This will not result in immediate changes to “all-in” fares, which will continue to be determined by market supply and demand, but is intended to provide a more simplified fare structure for customers.

The folding of surcharges will be implemented progressively by region, starting from 28 March 2017. It is expected to be completed by May 2017.

Fuel and insurance surcharges will also no longer apply to KrisFlyer frequent-flyer programme redemption bookings2, with effect from 23 March 2017. Other changes will be made to the KrisFlyer programme with effect from the same day, including the removal of a 15% discount for redemption bookings made online rather than via the call centre.

Virgin Australia and St Hallett Winery produce a High Altitude Wine

Virgin Australia and Barossa Valley winery St Hallett have called the wine, The Duo. It will be served exclusively on board Virgin Australia flights in Business Class and can be sampled in Virgin Australia lounges.

Environmental shifts when at altitude, such as atmospheric pressure and drier air conditions, affect the taste of food and beverages. Virgin Australia worked with St Hallett winemaker, Shelley Cox over a number of months to create the customised wine that focuses on delivering balanced acidity and texture when consumed in the air.

Ms Cox said The Duo is a blend sourced from both the Barossa and Eden Valleys to achieve a perfect balance at altitude. Whilst some airlines select wines based on their characteristics at altitude, it is believed this is the first blend specifically created to suit the conditions at altitude.

The Duo is now available on board Virgin Australia aircraft and in Virgin Australia lounges. 

Malaysia Airlines Report a Strong Quarter Four, 2016

Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) reported a strong result for Q4 2016. Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew said that bookings accelerated in the last quarter thanks to a focus on the premium business traveller and all-inclusive economy fares.

Passenger load factors improved in Q4 2016 to 81% year on year from 70% Q4 2015, achieving 90% in the month of December. Malaysia Airlines has maintained our fare discipline despite competitor fares dropping. We remain focused on cost control and have identified a further RM400 million of cost reductions in 2017 to offset US Dollar strength. The airline finished 49% ahead of our budgeted loss for the year 2016.

•  Load factor in the quarter grew to 81% – with a load factor of 90% in December
•  Load factor for Q4 grew by 11ppts compared to Q4 2015
•  Average fares fell 3% to RM484 per passenger quarter on quarter
•  Traffic grew 5% to 3.8 million customers quarter on quarter
•  Quarterly ex-fuel costs fell by 2%
•  Currency volatility increased during Q4 and remains a threat
•  Expansion in China continues with Haikou, Nanjing, Wuhan and Fuzhou all performing well
• Customer satisfaction was up 7 percentage points year on year, and reached an all-time record in October