We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Australia’s new airport takes off
QantasLink inaugurated Australia’s new airport yesterday, as the first passenger airline to touch down at West Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, Brisbane.
The new airport was built in less than 18 months and can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 (carrying a maximum of 660 passengers).
It is one of Australia’s longest regional runways and the second longest regional runway in Queensland.
2. Qantas, China Eastern bid for new flights from Australia to China
Qantas and China Eastern have applied for an expansion to their joint venture, which will include new flights between Australia and China.
Subject to regulatory approval, the five-year agreement will commence mid-2015 and will see the two airlines bid to open up new routes from new cities, such as Brisbane and Perth to Shanghai.
Additionally, the two will share operations in Terminal 1 at Shanghai International Airport.
3. MSC completes ‘stretching’ of MSC Armonia
MSC has added extra capacity to its fleet without purchasing a new cruise ship, by successfully ‘stretching’ MSC Armonia.
‘Stretching’ means the ship was sliced down the middle and a new prebuilt block was inserted to become the new ‘midship section’.
The ship can now carry 2,680 passengers – an increase from 2,069 before the upgrade.
MSC Armonia is the first of four MSC ships to undergo the ‘stretching’. MSC Sinfonia will enter drydock on 12 January; MSC Opera on 2 May; and MSC Lirica on 31 August.
4. Close call! Air collision warning rise in Sydney
Image: 06photo/Shutterstock
New figures show flying in Sydney is getting a little risky, with an increase in the number of air collision warnings during the first six months of this year.
Twelve out of 28 warnings were made while airborne in Sydney, according to an Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report.
All incidents happened during visual approaches and 10 of them were made on Sydney’s runway.
Interestingly (and somewhat frightening), 10 warning involved one airline. The group didn’t specific which carrier, saying: “It is not a function of the ATSB to apportion blame or determine liability.”
ATSB said it will complete an investigation at Sydney Airport later this year, however, Sydney Airport told eGlobal its runways are safe and efficient.
5. SureSave’s new agents-only policy
SureSave has introduced a new 12-month insurance policy available exclusively to travel agents in Australia.
The Annual Frequent Traveller Policy (AFTP) provides agents and their accompanying partner of dependents under 25, with coverage on domestic and international trips last up to and including 50 days.
It replaces SureSave’s Annual ‘Shop’ Policies and is available to agents who actively sell SureSave products in Australia.
Describing it as a ‘competitive’ policy, SureSave national sales director Talbot Henry said AFTP is a show of appreciation to Australia’s agents.
“They work hard to understand our products and sell our policies to their customers, so it’s only fair that we reward them for all their ongoing support and advocacy,” he said.
6. Man charged US$1,200 for in-flight wifi
We knew wifi was going to be expensive, but didn’t realise just how costly it could be until a Canadian man racked up a US$1,200 internet bill while flying Singapore Airlines from London to Singapore.
If you’re wondering how many online movies it takes to chalk up such an amount, the answer is none.
Jeremy Gutsche, the founder of trend website Trend Hunter, told his readers he viewed 155 pages (mostly emails) and uploaded a 4MB Powerpoint document.
“That document probably cost me US$100 to upload, so I hope my team liked it. I actually even e-mailed them a warning that my upload was taking a while. And yes, the pricing per MB was disclosed on sign-up, but I bought the US$30 package, slept through most the flight, and really didn’t think I’d end up a thousand bucks past the limit.”
7. Hollywood working on a new cruise ship show?
Hollywood could be heading back out to sea, with rumours of a new TV show set on a cruise ship.
The comedy series will be called ‘Port of Miami’ and will centre around the ship’s bartenders making it a mix of hit 80s shows ‘The Love Boat and ‘Cheers’, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
If the show sets sail, it could help build further buzz around the growing industry.
8. 72-hour sale hotel sale
Oaks Hotels & Resorts are having a 72-hour sale with savings on all its Australian properties.
A night at Queensland’s Oaks Aspire in Ipswich is selling from $99* and a one bedroom apartment at Oaks Festival Towers in Brisbane is available from $129 per night*.
Rates at Oaks Pacific Blue Resort in Port Stephens start from $129 per night, Victoria’s Oaks on Collins has a contemporary studio selling from $149 per night* and a spacious one-bedroom apartment at Oaks Liberty Towers in South Australia is available from $149* per night.
In Western Australia, Oaks Broome has 54 percent off regular rates, with some rooms priced from $109* per night.
*Minimum two-night stay.
9. NSW opens world’s largest rollercoaster zip line
Australia is now home to the world’s longest rollercoaster zip line – a one kilometer long, tree-based ride in the Central Coast.
Dubbed the next generation in zip lining, TreeTop Crazy Rider takes adventure-seekers through trees, through 360-degree loops all while suspended 18 metres above the ground.
The $200,000 ride took 5,000 hours to construct and is located at the TreeTop Adventure Park in Ourimbah State Forest and is the first in the world to use high wire technology.
“Zip lines usually travel in a straight line but we thought it would be incredible to build some to go around the trees, up and down, and even with 360 degree loops to really ramp up the fun factor. The result is amazing. It’s a twisty, curly, thrilling ride in the tree tops and we’re proud to offer something truly unique and ground breaking to Australian eco-Tourism.”
Sandrine Gaymard and Fred Galimard from TreeTops
10. New trade agreement to boost Aus, China tourism
Tourism bodies have welcomed the new China Free Trade Agreement, saying it will benefit local tourism.
The agreement made between Australia and China this week will see Australia grant visas to around 5,000 Chinese workers and holidaymakers.
Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) acting chief executive, Carol Giuseppi said the hotel sector will benefit from having access to a larger pool of labour.
“Their availability will come at a time of record growth in Chinese inbound travel and will cater for the many hotel groups seeking Mandarin-speaking staff.”
Carol Giuseppi, TTA acting chief
