We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to! Read on for the top 10 travel industry news stories of the day that we think you need to know.
1. Virgin Atlantic ditches four in favour of one
Virgin Atlantic repositions itself as a transatlantic airline, ditching four major cities in one foul swoop. In a momentous decision, Virgin Atlantic, have announced they are pulling out of their services to Tokyo, Mumbai, Vancouver and Cape Town. Instead, the airline giants have decided to focus on the UK and USA.
Their transatlantic timetable will be given a boost, with a fifth flight added to their Heathrow to LAX service. A few extra flight paths will increase in service, More precisely, London to Detroit and Manchester to Atlanta. Read more
2. Qantas boss takes home $2 million pay packet
Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce was reportedly paid $2 million in the last financial year alone, despite electing to give up 5% of his salary and receiving no bonus, according to a report in the Australian.
The news comes after the airline posted its biggest loss, ever, at $2.8 billion for the 2013/14 financial year. As the airline continues its cost-cutting plans, which includes 5000 job cuts, Mr Joyce reportedly decided to forgo 5% of his salary from January 1 2014, according to the report. Mr Joyce received a $3.33 million pay packet for the previous year.
The report states Qantas International head, Simon Hickey was paid $948,000 in 2013/14, down from $1.5 million from the previous year, and Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka’s salary dropped by $323,000 to $1.04 million.
Qantas Domestic head Lyell Strambi was paid $1.08 million, a fall of $353,000, the paper reports.
The airline’s entire remuneration bill for all executives was $6.93 million in 2013/14, down 32% year-on-year, the paper said.
3. Flight fears as fresh eruptions continue over Iceland
Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano continues to erupt, maintaining flight alerts.
Iceland’s second-highest peak, Bardarbunga, erupted in a spectacular mountain of lava and has placed flights over the region under question.
According to the NBC, the third eruption to take place this week alone sent 60 metre lava jets into the air from a fissure on the north side of the peak.
Bardarbunga has been thwart with hundreds of tremors throughout August, sparking fears that the volcano could explode.
Iceland had initially enforced a flight ban, during peak travel times, in fear that the eruption would release a plume of ash. Read more
4. South African legislation to impact Aussie families
South African Airways (SAA) has advised its travel partners and customers of new South African Government laws for travel with children under 18 to and from South Africa.
Changes will impact both parents and guardians traveling with children and unaccompanied minors traveling alone or in groups (such as for school or sporting excursions). The legislation comes into effect from October 1, 2014, so relevant passengers on flight SA281 on September 30 from Perth to Johannesburg will be impacted.
“Earlier this year the South African Government passed legislation that requires additional documentation to be provided when a parent or guardian is traveling with children under 18 or when unaccompanied children travel,”
SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia, Tim Clyde-Smith said this week.
“Unless parents with children under their care or unaccompanied children by themselves have the proper documentation, we will be unable to check them in for their flight to South Africa.”
“In future, parents traveling into and from South Africa with a child under 18 will be required to produce an original or certified copy of a child’s birth certificate which details both parents. Parents or guardians traveling by themselves with children will also need an affidavit less than three months old that has been sworn by a notary public that gives permission to travel with the child or children.”
“Unaccompanied children will need additional documentation before being permitted to board an SAA flight to South Africa from Australia and New Zealand.” Click here for more information.
5. Jetwing donates water to the Yala National Park
Yala National Part, Sri Lanka
The Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s renowned wildlife sanctuary is to close for the month of September due to a prevailing drought – one that affects the animals far more than usual, due to unexpected severity. To ease suffering and the possibility of ranged scavenging, Jetwing Yala has teamed up with the Tissamaharama Independent Jeep Drivers’ Association to provide more than 190,000 liters of water to the resident wildlife in the park.
6. Ethiopian Airlines launches Seychelles departing from Paris CDG
Ethiopian Airlines will launch on September 27, departing from Paris CDG, an air link to the Seychelles, initially with 3 flights per week from Paris CDG via Addis Ababa and 2 flights per week departing from Mahé with an onward connection to Pars CDG.
Available GDS flights will be operated at the rate of 3 flights per week from Paris to Mahé (via Addis Ababa) and 2 flights per week from Mahé to Paris.
The company launches an offer in Business class called HONEY MOON – “BUY ONE, GET ONE”: the 2nd ticket is free excluding airport taxes, subject to availability. (Issued only by Ethiopian Airlines on presentation of a marriage certificate).
7. Compagnie to become Ponant
Compagnie Du Ponant has changed its name to become just – Ponant, as it is shorter, easier to remember and has a stronger visual impact, according to the company. The allegory of the ‘three sails’ of the logo has been retained with firmer lines to convey a new energy, Ponant stated.
8. Suite-as Baby
The luxury, all-suite non-gaming hotel, Delano Las Vegas has opened bringing a touch of South Beach to The Strip. MGM Resorts International and Morgans Hotel Group gathered to officially unveil Las Vegas’ newest hotel earlier this week, and said it marks a “new chapter in the Las Vegas hotel experience, ushering in elevated levels of personalised service, style and attention to detail”.
“We’re challenging the quintessential over-the-top Vegas experience by introducing a new brand focused on understated luxury, appealing to in-the-know travellers,” General Manager Matthew Chilton said.
9. helloworld heads to Hollywood
helloworld is set to focus on maximising agents’ success at its upcoming Owners Managers Conference (OMC) on 2-4 October to be held in Los Angeles.
CEO Elizabeth Gaines is expected to detail her strategy for helloworld moving forward, and will take the stage to unveil a number of “major initiatives to empower” its members, according to the company.
“Our Owners Managers Conference is a time to celebrate our successes, share our plans for the future and hear from inspirational speakers who have the knowledge and experience to help our members take full advantage of their potential,”
Ms Gaines said.
OMC will kick off with an exclusive Universal Studio Experience, providing delegates with behind the scenes access to a range of popular shows and movies.
The Keynote Speakers for the conference include Motivator of People and Companies Dr John Izzo, Woolworths’ Director of Business Transformation Julie Coates, celebrity chef Neil Perry, entrepreneurs Chris Gardner and Chris Bashinelli and bestselling author Debbie Mayo-Smith.
10. Mantra Group celebrates high achievers and support for Red Cross
Australian hoteliers, Mantra Group, acknowledged their brightest stars and highest performers from their 114-strong network across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia at their annual awards held at Soul Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. The Group also took the opportunity to present a $100,000 cheque to charity partner Australian Red Cross which represents a year of fundraising by hotel staff across the network.
The Mantra Group Corporate Social Responsibility Award announced on the evening, was presented to the Northern Queensland region. The team was acknowledged for their coordination of various fundraising events which raised more than $16,000 for Red Cross and also their contribution to the opening of the Pat Gosper Wellbeing Centre in Cairns. In addition to helping present the award on the evening, Red Cross Executive Director – QLD, Kevin Keeffe was in attendance to accept the $100,000 cheque from Mantra Group (pictured).
“Mantra Group recognised in the beginning, the importance of working together to make a difference to those less fortunate and formed a partnership with Australian Red Cross”
Bob East, CEO
See the full list of awards presented on the night here.