Take off with our jam-packed airline wrap. See what we did there? Ok, sorry, we’ll TAKE ourselves OFF your mailing list. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Emirates anticipates high passenger traffic for spring break

Travel is expected to peak this weekend for Emirates, as the airline expects yet another busy period with visitors passing through Terminal 3 ahead of the spring break holiday.

The busiest time for departures will be on Friday 23rd March in the morning and continuing all day on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March.

With road works and infrastructure enhancements happening around the main airport highways and roads during this time, Emirates urges customers to build in extra time to their journeys to avoid potential delays. Customers are reminded to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departures. Passengers can physically check in at the airport as early as six hours before departing on their flight, and are requested to check in no later than 2 hours prior to departure, regardless of class of travel.

Customers who check in less than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel. Customers can also check in online on both their desktops and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.

Cathay Pacific Wake Up Fresh Sale

Aussie travellers looking to travel to the old continent this year have the opportunity to discover the culinary delights and cultural attractions of a variety of destinations across Europe. Cathay Pacific has launched a new exciting promotion on fares from all Australian ports to Europe, from just AUD$975 return.

With morning flight arrivals in 13 popular cities across the UK and Europe, including Cathay Pacific’s newest destinations Dublin, Brussels and Copenhagen, passengers will arrive energised and ready to explore from the moment they land.

On all flights passengers can experience Cathay Pacific’s award winning Economy Class and Premium Economy Class, which are designed to make the travel journey a comfortable and seamless experience.

The sale runs from today until Monday, 26 March for select 2018 departures, offering travellers the chance to visit iconic European destinations and live a life well-travelled.

Finnair adds frequencies to Japan and Europe for upcoming European Winter

Finnair has announced additional frequencies to some of the airline’s popular destinations for the 2018/2019 European Winter season.

Finnair Corporate Sales Manager Australia, Sanna Ruuskanen said the increase of flights between Helsinki and various popular destinations offered greater availability for Finnair passengers from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia during the European Winter Season.

The additional capacity includes:

• Tokyo – Two additional weekly frequencies between 28 October and 5 December for a total of nine flights per week
• Nagoya – One additional weekly frequency between 29 October and 4 December for a total of six flights per week
• Lisbon – One additional weekly frequency on Mondays for a total of four weekly flights during the entire European Winter
• Alicante – A year-round route for Finnair with two additional weekly frequencies on Thursdays and Sundays for a total of two weekly flights during the entire European Winter
• Malaga – One additional weekly frequency on Wednesdays during December 2018 and January 2019 for a total of seven weekly flights
• Geneva – Two additional weekly frequencies on Mondays and Fridays between January and March 2019 for a total of 13 weekly flights

Emirates Group shines a spotlight on unsung roles at Careers UAE 2018

The Emirates Group returned once again to Careers UAE 2018 with new and distinctive career opportunities for UAE Nationals. An employer-of-choice for Emiratis, the group has recently unveiled a campaign that recognises the “unsung heroes” within the workforce – the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to contribute to Emirates’ success story in roles that may not be as obviously associated with the aviation business as flight crew or engineers.

The campaign, which commenced last week and ran on the Emirates Group’s National Recruitment Instagram account, Rehlaty, features the stories of Emirati employees representing distinctive roles.

The Instagram posts and videos told the stories of six remarkable Emirati employees who dedicate their time to look after Emirates’ staff and customers. Click here to get to know them and their stories.

Over the years, the Emirates Group has employed UAE Nationals in a variety of roles across the group. Whether with Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, dnata, the global air services provider or Group-wide business units such as Human Resources, IT, Procurement, Facilities Management, Internal Audit and Finance, the Emirates Group caters to all interests and educational backgrounds.

Sabre CONNECT session kickstarts new partnership with Air Niugini

Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, and their new partner Air Niugini recently co-hosted Sabre CONNECT, an immersive programme for travel business owners and managers based in Papua New Guinea. This marks the first in-market activation to be organised for travel industry professionals since Sabre and Air Niugini announced their partnership.

The event, which took place at Port Moresby’s Grand Papua Hotel, brought together over 50 travel agents from across the country. The first event of its kind, Sabre CONNECT featured an immersive programme for travel business owners and managers to experience.

The one-day session began with compelling presentations that looked at current trends, insights and key challenges facing the industry today. Throughout the afternoon attendees also had a chance to explore the Sabre solutions that are now available to them under this new agreement, and to network with Sabre staff and peers.

LOT Polish Airlines Commercial Appointment in Australia and New Zealand

Aviation Online has entered into an agreement with LOT Polish Airlines to be their General Sales Agent (GSA) and representative in Australia and New Zealand.

The operation will run from Aviation Online’s head office on Clarence Street in Sydney and the appointment will further develop the LOT Polish airlines sales, marketing and distribution strategy in the region.

LOT Polish airlines pays five per cent commission on long haul flights.

LOT will depart Singapore three times weekly on Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 15th of May and four times weekly from July.

Lead-in fares are from AUD 449.00 + taxes and surcharges, connections to Singapore are via Qantas and Singapore airlines ex MEL, PER, BNE and SYD.

AirAsia to surf its way across Australian beaches

AirAsia and Australia’s leading surfing bodies today announced a joint partnership that will see the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier become Surfing’s Official Airline Partner in Australia.

Announced on the Gold Coast alongside the World Surfing League’s (WSL) Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast event with pro surfers Connor O’Leary and Paige Hareb, the deal between Surfing Australia, State territories and the WSL’s Australian professional series would encourage Australians to adventure beyond their own backyard and explore the hottest surf spots of Asia.

To celebrate, the airline has launched its Surfs Up, Fares down sale alongside a special offer that will allow Surfers to pack and travel with their surfboard free of charge to selected destinations on the AirAsia network.

Vietnam Airlines teams up with celebrity chef Luke Nguyen to reinvigorate its inflight offering

Bestselling author and TV host Luke Nguyen has been appointed Global Cuisine Ambassador for Vietnam Airlines in a bid to further promote Vietnamese culture and cuisine to the world.

The three year contract will see Luke develop eight of his own mouth-watering culinary creations that will be introduced on the Business Class menus of all flights departing Australia to Vietnam, as well as input into the current offering of 50 dishes served globally.

Creating a dish that tastes good up in the air and appeals to both continents is no mean feat according to Luke Nguyen who is currently looking for new ideas to spice up the airline’s culinary offering.

Emirates set to close US$600 million Sukuk

Emirates is pleased to announce a successful execution of a US$600 million sukuk (Islamic finance issuance). The issuance received a good response from both local and international investors.

The issuance of the Trust Certificates, in the principal amount of US$600 million will be repaid in an amortizing format over 10 years with legal maturity in March 2028. The proceeds from the issuance will be used for general corporate purposes including aircraft financing and working capital.

Following investor outreach and marketing efforts commencing 8 March 2018, the Certificates were priced on 15 March 2018 at a profit rate of 4.50 per cent, equivalent to 183.2 basis points over the five year USD Mid-swaps.

The Certificates are expected to be issued on 22 March 2018 and admitted into listing and trading on the regulated market of the Irish Stock Exchange and on NASDAQ Dubai.

Flying High: celebrating native Australian ingredients with Qantas

The Australian Superfood Co. has enjoyed recent collaboration with two Australian cookie manufacturers on their in-flight snack ranges for Qantas. Innovative cookie company Charlie’s Cookies has created a specially curated range of shortbread Artisan Bites for the airline, featuring finger lime supplied by TASC. The bushfood specialist also provided Davidson Plum to be used as the highlight ingredient for Byron Bay Cookie Company-owned Lukken & May in its on-board “Butterburst” biscuit range.

Both cookie companies have maintained a meaningful partnership with Qantas which places great emphasis on celebrating local Australian food. The airline’s decision to embrace native Australian ingredients is a fundamental part of its role to showcase some of the country’s best local producers.

The partnership with these local cookie companies and Qantas is a significant stepping stone for TASC, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supply native ingredients to iconic Australian brands. It also re-enforces the company’s vision to raise awareness and recognition of the ingredients themselves.

Sunshine Coast Airport records 15 per cent increase in passenger growth over summer

Sunshine Coast Airport has recorded its highest ever passenger numbers with over 310,000 passengers flying in and out of the airport in the three months of summer, ending February 2018, a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.

Maintaining its position as the fastest growing airport in the country, the airport’s passenger number and airline capacity records were broken each month over the summer season.

The period’s growth was spread across the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide routes flown by Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia.

British Airways extends its Sale to the UK, Europe and Singapore

British Airways is announcing incredible savings on flights from Australia to the UK, Europe and Singapore including special fares in World Traveller economy class. The extended sale is available for booking from now until midnight of April 4, 2018 and is valid for travel until November 30, 2018.

The further discounted return fares to the UK and Europe start from AUD$1,157* in World Traveller economy class and from AUD$649* to Singapore. Customers travelling with British Airways have the extra benefit of transiting through two of the world’s award-winning airports, Singapore Changi Airport and London Heathrow, for onward flights within the UK, Europe and beyond.

British Airways is investing AUD$8 billion (£4.5 billion) for its customers over the next five years, covering the installation of the best quality Wi-Fi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft.

SIA Group February 2018 operating results 

In February 2018, SIA Group airlines’ passenger load factor (PLF) improved 0.2 percentage points to 80.9 per cent. Passenger carriage (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) increased 4.2 per cent compared to last year, outpacing capacity (measured in available seat kilometres) injection of 4.0 per cent.

Singapore Airlines’ passenger carriage was flat compared to last year, against a 0.8 per cent increase in capacity. Consequently, PLF declined by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year to 79.9 per cent, due to softer demand to Bali (Denpasar) as a result of volcanic eruption threat, and political unrest in Maldives (Male). PLF for Europe declined as capacity growth outstripped demand. The operating landscape remains challenging, with efforts focused on balancing yields against loads, amidst competitive pressures.

SilkAir’s systemwide passenger carriage increased by 16.5 per cent, ahead of capacity growth of 14.9 per cent. Consequently, PLF increased 1.0 percentage point to 74.1 per cent. The improvement in PLF was led by growth in demand in North Asia, which exceeded capacity injection, due to the shift in Chinese New Year to February.

Scoot recorded passenger carriage growth of 16.7 per cent, exceeding capacity expansion of 13.1 per cent. Consequently, PLF rose by 2.7 percentage points to 86.9 per cent. PLF on selected routes to Thailand, India and Australia, as well as fifth freedom routes to North Asia, continued to improve. During the month, Scoot commenced services to Kuantan, its sixth destination in Malaysia.

Qatar Airways wins four awards at APEX Passenger Choice Awards Ceremony in Shanghai

Qatar Airways has been awarded the APEX Passenger Choice award for ‘Best Overall Airline: Middle East’; ‘Best Food and Beverage: Middle East’; ‘Best Cabin Service: Middle East’; and ‘Best Seat Comfort: Middle East’ by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX).

The latest set of awards were presented to the airline during a ceremony at APEX Asia held on 14 March in Shanghai, where the airline also received a 2018 Five-Star APEX Official Airline rating.

The APEX awards come in tandem with a series of recent innovations announced by the airline to continually improve the passenger experience, including enhancements to the airline’s in-flight catering, with a new bespoke Pre-Select Dining service for its First and Business Class passengers, giving them even more choice and freedom to create a personalised à la carte dining experience every time they travel on long-haul flights from Doha. The airline also recently launched a premium global chauffeur service for passengers, offering door-to-door seamless transfers.