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. Further cancellations in Bali due to ash cloud
AirAsia and Virgin Australia cancel flights as Mt Rinjani continues to wreak havoc in the skies.
Frustrating news for Aussies stuck in Bali over the weekend following the closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali due to volcanic ash cloud in the area. The airport is scheduled to reopen today at 8:45am local time, but whether or not flights will reusme depends on the conditions of the skies.
As a result of the volcanic ativity, several AirAsia flights were either cancelled, diverted or rescheduled. Guests are advised to check their email and phones for the latest status updates.
2. Strikes planned today at Australian international airports
A 24-hour strike was launched at midnight earlier today across eight international airports across the country in response to government cuts on rights, conditions and take-home pay.
The strike is expected to affect thousands of passengers departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Cairns today.
To compensate for the expected delays both Qantas and Virgin Australia have advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure time.
The day-long industrial action is an escalation of earlier two-hour strikes in September this year.
“These Border Force officers work on the front line in keeping Australia safe and they take no pleasure in disrupting travellers’ plans. They’re giving up a day’s pay to strike because the Federal Government and the Department are not listening to them.”
Nadine Flood, National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
Australia’s peak national tourism body, the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has expressed disappointed over the strike saying that it has the potential to harm Australia’s reputation as an appealing tourism destination.
“The tourism industry wants to see a swift end to industrial action at the border and a renewed focus on customer service to ensure we are giving our international visitors the best welcome possible.”
Margy Osmond, CEO, Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF).
3. Etihad to add another two Boeing 777 to its fleet.
The Abu Dhabi based airline announced over the weekend at the Dubai Air Show that it would be expanding its fleet by taking delivery of two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft.
The additional aircraft are valued at US$637 million at list prices and will be delivered next year.
The new planes will be added to the Etihad Cargo fleet, the airline’s freighter arm which is worth than US$1 billion. Business appears to be booming for the company, recording a 13 percent increase in freight carried in 2013 and taking out a string of awards recently such as Best Cargo Airline Middle East, Cargo Operator of the Year and Cargo Airline of the Year.
“Etihad Airways is delighted to exercise options for two freighters that will join our fleet next year, demonstrating our confidence and commitment to our partners at Boeing and to the global freight market.”
James Hogan, President and CEO, Etihad Airways
Etihad’s wide network of cargo-only destinations includes Houston, Guangzhou, Bogota, Chittagong and Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo.
4. Amadeus maintains growth for first nine months of 2015
Amadeus have released its year-on-year financials for the first nine months of 2015 and have reported increased revenue and operational growth.
The new report details the company’s strong growth in 2015 and its competitive position in the market.
5. New campaign to boost Chinese tourism to NSW
Qantas in partnership with Destination NSW have launched a new campaign to promote more Chinese tourists to Sydney and regional NSW.
The new campaign is a result of talks between NSW Premier Mike Baird and Qantas China-based executives in Shanghai last week. Both parties want to see more Chinese tourism in this part of Australia – a trend that is unlikely to waver anytime soon.
In fact, the number of Chinese visitors coming to Sydney and NSW increased by an impressive 24 percent in the last year for a grand total of 526,000 visitors. China is NSW’s largest inbound tourism market, bringing into the country an estimated $2 billion each year.
6. Air New Zealand prepare to announce two new international routes
In an effort to grow Air New Zealand’s passenger base and bring more people to the beautiful country, the airline is in the final stages of evaluating two new long-haul flight services.
Just where exactly remains a mystery.
Speculation from certain camps in the industry, including House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas, propose the new route will service somewhere in the Pacific Rim. But we’ll have to wait until the end of the year to find out the first one at least.
The new routes will be in addition to Air New Zealand’s Buenos Aires and Houston services which commence next month.
7. Fiji Airways to fly direct to Singapore next year
As of 5 April next year Fiji Airways will launch a twice weekly direct service between Nadi and Singapore.
The new service to Changi Airport will expand the carrier’s network in order to meet growing demand.
The scheduling of the new service will make it possible for Fijian passengers to travel onwards to India and South East Asia.
8. Lucky sales and marketing staff explore Cambodia and Vietnam thanks to Scenic
Fresh on Australian soil, a group of lucky marketing and sales staff recently had the chance to explore the heart of South East Asia with Scenic on a nine-day famil.
On a trip that took them from Siam Reap in Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, the agents got to explore the acnient ruins of Angkor Wat in Siam Reap, float down the Mekong River, feast on delectible local Khmer and Vietnamese food and explore the bustling metropolisis of Ho Chi Minh.
Scenic certianly don’t shy away from showing agents just what they can offer their customers. Recently, 16 equally lucky agents had the pleasure of exploring South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe in last month with Scenic.
9. Virgin Trains creates its own brew Hop on Board
Passengers are in for a liquid treat on their next train jounrey travelling between London, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, with Virgin Trains getting in on the craft beer revolution and serving their own brew onboard on all east coast routes
Made exlusively for Virgin Trains, the “Hop on Board” branded brew is a full-bodied ale that combines traits of both a bitter and pale ale. To add that eztra cool factor, the new beer will be bottled in a new “Hoptimist” pint glass that will make the bottle always appear half full.
The company are optimistic about the future and expect to sell over 55,000 bottles this year.
10. P&O Cruises release new video of Melbourne Cup Day
The cruising specialists got in the mood for the Melbourne Cup by recording a video of their shannegaons on the day.
Entitled “The Cruise to the Cup,” highlights of the 60 second video show the girls frocking up in their best dresses and dancing, posing for glamour shots, their special pavilion at the races, as well as their pre-drinks event aboard a decked out cruise ship.
Watch the video here.