We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Airlines re-route planes away from Sinai
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that there were no Australians amongst the 224 travellers killed in a plane crash over the weekend.
A Russian A321 was travelling from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in south Sinai bound to Saint Petersburg when it crashed into the mountainous area of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula late Saturday.
According to DFAT, there were 214 Russians, three Ukrainians and seven crew on board. Twenty five of the 224 are believed to have been children.
2. Qantas goes ‘All Black’ after losing Air NZ wager
Qantas staff may be green and gold at heart but today their souls (and outfits) will be painted ‘all black’ after the carrier lost a Rugby World Cup (RWC) wager to Air New Zealand.
What started out as friendly banter between the two competing carriers on social media quickly turned into a heated #AirlineWager with the pair putting bets on what the other should do if their national team lost the game.
They considered painting the opposing team’s colours on their aircraft, but that seemed a little drastic. They even tossed about the idea of telling their pilots to speak the other airline’s name during select flights.
3. How many Aussies were arrested overseas last year?
We know Australians like to have fun, drink a little and get a little rowdy while holidaying, but we didn’t realise so many were ending their trips in an overseas four-by-four cell.
According to a new Consular State of Play report released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) today, around 1,256 Aussies were arrested while on holidays over the 2014/15 year – up 49 on the prior year and up 116 compared to five years ago.
Although high, the figure is only a small percent of the 1.83 million Australians that travelled overseas over the 12 months.
4. Flight Centre enters aviation
Watch out airlines, Flight Centre may not need your aircraft in the future.
The travel group took its first step into the aviation industry today by purchasing a 51 percent stake in Brisbane-based private charter company, AVMIN Pty Ltd.
The purchase gives the company a leading share of the business, while Founder, Paul O’Brien, and GM, Amrit Wijesuriya, retain the remaining 49 percent interest and continue to manage the day-to-day operations.
5. Another budget airline touches down in Melbourne
Scoot will join Tigerair Australia and Jetstar as the newest low cost carrier flying to and from Melbourne airport.
The carrier launched non-stop services to the city today, its fourth Australian destination after Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast.
Services will operate daily with TZ022 departing Singapore on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1.00pm and arriving in Melbourne at 11.20am. On Tuesday and Wednesday the flight will depart at 12.10pm and arrive at 10.30am.
6. One month to go
There’s only one month to go until helloworld’s managers make their way to Wellington for the annual Owners and Managers Summit.
Running from 27 to 29 November, the event includes a full program of expert speakers and workshops that will provide helloworld Owner Managers with valuable insight, tools and networking to help harness their full potential as leaders.
The keynote speakers for the Summit include one of the most respected figures in Australian sport Paul Roos, CEO of Air New Zealand Christopher Luxon, global training expert and CEO PeopleInProgress Terry Hawkins, CEO of Carnival Australia Ann Sherry and web celeb Kylie Bartlett.
“We have a fantastic agenda for this year’s Owner Managers Summit, full of motivational speakers and engaging workshops to provide our Owner Managers with the tools and skills to maximise success.”
Elizabeth Gaines, helloworld CEO
“The Owner Managers Summit is the perfect time for us to celebrate the successes of the year, learn from the experience of others and be inspired and motivated for the year ahead.”
7. Australian man still missing in Canada
Search teams have been unable to find the 27-year-old Sydney man who went missing last week after a Canadian whale-watching boat capsized.
The man identified as Rav Pillay was onboard the MV Leviathan II with his girlfriend and her family when the boat was hit by a rogue wave.
Five passengers, including the girl’s father, were confirmed dead.
Passengers who survived the incident say they attempted to hold on to the Sydney-based man, who was unconscious in freezing cold waters. However, they lost their grip and he slipped ‘into the darkness’.
KarryOn will continue to update readers on the situation as more information comes to hand.
8. A retro Qantas is a charitable Qantas
Qantas’ retro aircraft aren’t just fun to fly in, they’re also doing a lot to raise money for Australian charities.
According to the carrier, the 1970s-inspired plane which launched last year raised more than $114,000 for the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.
The money was collected during a one-off charity flight from Sydney to the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach.
The initiative follows Qantas’ recent increase in community contribution including the $1.4 million donation to the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and the $2.5 million corporate gift to promote contemporary Australian art overseas.
Click here for more information on Qantas’ charity work.
9. G Adventures named ‘Leading Tour Operator’
Additionally, the tour operator took out the top spot for Australasia’s Responsible Tourism Award, recognising its not-for-profit arm Planeterra.
Belinda Ward, Managing Director for G Adventures Australia and New Zealand said she was thrilled G Adventures was officially recognised for the second year in a row as a leader in the tour and travel sector.
Late last month, G Adventures revealed it was becoming more popular amongst female travellers, particularly those heading overseas on their own.
Click here for more information.
10. Arriba! Infinity adds more in Mexico
Agents will start to receive their copy of Infinity Holidays’ 2016 Mexico brochure from next week.
The new Mexico & The Caribbean program features several new additions including increased focused on cruising plus new places to stay.
Among the biggest changes is three new cruises on a double page spread, including a brand new cruise ship – Carnival Vista.
There’s also the addition of a new property – Blue Waters in Antigua – as well as a new activity in Jamaica – Zipline Canopy.
Click here to check out the online version.
