Aviation Wrap: Air Canada’s new seasonal services, Singapore Airlines gets new route, Air New Zealand Nelson lounge opens + MORE!

Please stow your tray table and be sure your seat is in an upright position as we prepare to bombard you with all the latest updates, sales and general tat from direct from the aviation industry.
Kia Ora Auckland! Air Canada inaugurates seasonal service from Vancouver
Air Canada’s inaugural flight AC51, 787 Dreamliner service touched down in Auckland on Saturday 14 December, marking the carrier’s launch of its seasonal service between Canada and New Zealand. Flights are now operating four times weekly until the end of March 2020.
Air Canada’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners feature 20 Signature Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy and 214 Economy Class seats with upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft. All Air Canada flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, access to priority services, Maple Leaf Lounges and other benefits.
Etihad Airways to give away one million Velocity Frequent Flyer points
Etihad Airways is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with Virgin Australia with a massive giveaway of one million Velocity Frequent Flyer or Etihad Guest Miles.
All Velocity Frequent Flyers members in Australia, alongside all Etihad Guest members in Australia, can enter the online competition for a chance to win one of 10 prizes – winning either 100,000 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points or 100,000 Etihad Guest Points. This could help the winners get on their way to a once in a lifetime trip to Rome, an amazing chance to visit London, or a luxury Business flight to Bali.
Etihad Guest and Velocity Frequent Flyer members can enter online by answering a simple question about how they would use their points or miles. To find out more and enter the competition, follow this link: EtihadOneMillionPointsGiveaway
Etihad’s one million points giveaway will kick-off from 12:00am, 13 December 2019 and run until 11.59pm, 3 January 2020 Sydney time.
Singapore Airlines to add Brussels to route network
Brussels will become the latest European destination in Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) route network next year, when non-stop flights are introduced from Singapore to the Belgian capital. The first flight will be launched on 25 October 2020.
Subject to regulatory approval, flight SQ304 will depart Singapore on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 2355hrs (local time). The return sector, operated as flight SQ303, will depart Brussels on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1120hrs (local time). SIA will operate the Airbus A350-900 on these flights.
Air New Zealand opens new lounge in Nelson
Air New Zealand has today opened its new regional lounge in Nelson.
The lounge, which will cater for around 130 customers, has almost double the seating of the previous space.
It is located on Level 1 of the new Nelson Airport terminal and has a number of different zones available to customers – including a café, buffet and light refreshments, a self-service drinks station, as well as business, lounge and quiet areas.
IATA to improve efficiency of cargo handling audits
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new programme to raise global standards in cargo handling operations.
The Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme aims to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling facilities.
Qatar Airways launches augmented reality game with Facebook to coincide with the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019
Qatar Airways has launched a new Augmented Reality (AR) experience that allows customers to play an innovative football game where they must ‘Blink to Score.’ This immersive feature lets the player interact through a virtual experience on Facebook.
The award-winning airline has set another precedent, becoming the first regional carrier to leverage the newly launched Facebook AR ads format, enabling consumers to play the AR game directly from Facebook’s newsfeed, without having to install additional applications.
Qatar Airways has launched a creative campaign with football legend Xavi playing the AR game, delivering the first of its kind experience on the Facebook app to millions of football fans across the world. This initiative is directly in line with the airline’s mission of bringing people together.
Emirates touches down in Mexico City + celebrate 27 years of the perfect brew with world’s highest tea appreciation masterclass
Emirates celebrated the inaugural flight of its new daily service from Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona. The Emirates Boeing 777-200LR touched down in Mexico City on 9th December, marking the airline’s first passenger flight to Mexico.
Emirates flight EK255, with a group of VIP guests and media on board, was welcomed by Mexico International Airport with a water cannon salute.
Meanwhile, a master class in the appreciation of Ceylon Tea took place at 40,000 feet when Emirates and Dilmah celebrated a 27-year partnership on board an Emirates A380 flight from Dubai to London this week.
Held at the iconic A380 On-board Lounge by Dilhan Fernando, CEO, Dilmah Tea and the founder of Dilmah, Merrill J. Fernando ahead of International Tea Day on 15th December, the master class was the first of its kind held in the skies.
Emirates and Dilmah have enjoyed a longstanding partnership of brewing the finest teas on board and in Emirates airport lounges around the world. Today, the airline serves a special selection of 12 Dilmah teas catering to the tastes and sensory preferences of all its customers – including an exclusive tea created just for the airline.
AirAsia’s #takemebackairasia campaign hits billboards
AirAsia’s #TakeMeBackAirAsia social media campaign has been brought to life thanks to six West-Australian Instagrammers, who now have their ‘Baligrams’ featured on billboards across Perth.
The winners were chosen as part of a search to find the company’s newest Instagram creative directors, at the same time helping to encourage travellers to visit Australian holiday favourite, Bali.
The winning photos are currently being featured on billboards across Perth including the CBD. AirAsia also awarded one lucky winner with return flights to Bali.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air canada air new zealand airasia emirates etihad airways iata qatar airways singapore airlinesLatest News

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
Qatar Airways has once again been recognized for its outstanding onboard wine offering as it takes home eight honours at Business Traveller’s prestigious Cellars in the Sky Awards. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, won Gold for: Overall Cellar Best First Class Cellar Best-presented Business Class Wine List Best First Class […]

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
Travel activities and experiences booking platform, Klook, held its inaugural Klook Partner Awards event in Sydney last night honouring its top-performing and best-loved merchant partners. Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison, who was invited to the event as the guest of honour, spoke about the importance of experiences. “I think that experiences are absolutely everything,” she said. […]

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.

TravelManagers’ Michael Gazal: ‘Agents are spending a lot of time on bespoke trips’
If you haven't already thrown out your cookie cutter mentality, please do so now.

JP Morgan Chase grows travel offering with tech partnership
Our inner bohemian spirit strongly objects to buying travel from an investment bank. #sorrynotsorry

Helloworld celebrates Valentines Day with Air Ticket sale
Nothing gets travel agents' hearts fluttering more than discounted air fares. It is a love language.

Agents return from Sno’n’Ski Whistler and Vancouver famil
If you want to be really jealous this lunchtime, check out what these four agents got up to in Vancouver.

2025 Taipei Lantern Festival lights up Ximending
We hope our boss currently on the ground is as impressed with the snake lantern in person as we are behind the screen.

Numbers reveal how hard it REALLY is to become ATIA accredited
If you have ever failed to be accredited by ATIA then this article will make you feel better. Dust off that form!

Travel agent STILL waiting on $15k Bamboo Airways refund 16 MONTHS after carrier left Australia
This has motivated us to stop complaining about the time we got one less chicken nugget than expected.

AIME 2025 is underway!
If you're headed down to AIME we hope you brought your networking shoes because it's going to be big!

dnata spends $17m on inflight catering centre at Western Sydney Airport
Airline food has come a long was from the days you would be given a dry roll and a long strip of cheese. Time for lunch?

AYANA Bali invites guests to experience the Sacred Day of Silence
When our Balinese taxi driver informed us that it was 'time to be silent', we just assumed we were talking too much.

Brand USA launches inaugural ‘Ambassador Panel’ for ANZ agents
Interested agents need to send in a video of them singing 'Born in the USA'. Okay we made that up...

Experience Co. calls on marketing expertise of Unique Tourism Collection for Wild Bush Luxury
You no longer need to choose between experiencing bush or experiencing luxury. You can do both!