Read on for the top ten 10 travel news stories you need to know today. Click here and enter for your chance to WIN movie tix.
1. Australian airport eyes int’l flights
QantasLink became the first commercial airline to use the airport last year.
Toowoomba’s Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport may become Australia’s newest international airport and Queensland’s fifth international gateway later this year.
Plans to welcome international flights come less than two months after the airport received its first passenger service.
Now the airport’s general manager, Phil Gregory is reportedly looking to expand the privately owned gateway’s services and has already started negotiations with an undisclosed international carrier, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’ve got some big plans internationally in the short- to medium-term, actually.”
Phil Gregory, Wellcamp Airport general manager
He said the process of starting international operations is slow and a struggle mostly due to politics.
2. Hawaii says Mahalo with special agent discounts
Image: Deborah Kolb/Shutterstock
Hawaii is saying thank you to Australian travel agents for their ongoing support and sales of the destination with special consultant discounts.
Mahalo month, which launched today, is designed to show gratitude to the industry for selling and promoting Hawaiian Islands to Aussie travellers.
As part of the thank you, Hawaii’s tourism bureau is providing travel professionals with special rates and offers from Hawai‘i’s travel industry, including discount accommodation and touring options.
3. VIP terminal to woo more celebs Down Under
Kim and Kanye are among the big names that will be able to avoid the cameras at the airport when the VIP terminal opens. Image: Stargist
If being rich and famous wasn’t enough, celebrities travelling to Australia will soon have their very own ‘world-class’ terminal to fly in and out of on their private jets.
Businessman Paul Little is the man behind the 24-hour VIP jet base, which will cost more than $30 million to build at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, Mr Little said the project could take anywhere between 18- to- 24-months before it is operational.
Targeting wealthy Asian business travellers and celebrities, Mr Little said it will be ‘globally of a higher-standard’ compared to the existing private jet terminals in Australia.
As well as its own runway capable of handling 10- to- 15-jets at one time, it will also have its own customs clearance, check-in, guest lounges, boardroom facilities and bathrooms with showers.
Unlike other terminals, it will not have a curfew, so celebrities can fly in and out of the country at any time.
4. Special ANZAC service
Image: Steve Heap/Shutterstock
Australians holding a ticket to the centenary ANZAC commemoration service but have not yet purchased their flight to Turkey are in luck.
Qantas has announced a special return flight to Istanbul’s Sabiha Göeçken International Airport that will depart Australia on 21 April and return on 28 April.
Flight number ‘100’ will be operated on a Boeing 747 aircraft and fly via Perth. This allows travellers to fly to Turkey from the West and East Coast of Australia.
Flight information:
QF100 Sydney – Perth 21st April 2015 2130 0030 (22nd April)
QF100 Perth – Sabiha Göeçken 22nd April 2015 0230 1230
Flight Route Date Depart Arrive
QF100 Sabiha Göeçken – Perth 28th 2015 1400 0920 (29th April)
QF100 Perth – Sydney 29th April 2015 1100 1715
5. Cricket fans remember late player
Cricket fans from around the world can now pay tribute to late player Phillip Hughes at a new plaque unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Mounted outside the Australian change rooms, it features an image of the 25-year-old player and text honouring the cricketer.
As well as unveiling the plaque, Australia’s cricket team stepped on to the SCG today for their first match since Hughes’ passing.
Regardless of the somber mood, Captain Steve Smith told ABC News the team would play the final Test of the summer with the same aggression they brought to the first three games.
“It’s going to be tough but I’ve got to try and hold back the emotions and do what I do for the team and try and score runs.”
Captain Steve Smith
Hughes passed away after he was hit in the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match in November last year. The ball hit a main artery, which led to severe hemorrhaging.
6. CTM completes international acquisitions
Corporate Travel Management’s business has officially expanded, with confirmation the group has completed its acquisition of two new international companies.
The two latest businesses to join CTM are US-based Diplomat Travel and Europe-based Chambers Travel.
The acquisitions are part of the company’s strategic plan to establish stronger bases in the UK/European markets and continue its expansion around North America.
According to CTM, Chambers Travel matures the company’s presence in eight key European countries such as France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. And purchasing Diploma Travel expands CTM’s coverage to the East Coast – meaning CTM now covers all time zones in the USA and operates out of 18 cities across eight states.
The latest purchases are also expected to contribute approximately $4 million in earning over six months trading to CTM’s FY15 results. The company will provide refined FY15 guidance next month.
Meanwhile, CTM announced on Twitter it is now the platinum sponsor of the Brisbane City Football Club. The announcement was accompanied with the image above.
Their contributions will support development of next generation A-League soccer players.
7. Gender segregation, not us: Saudi Airlines
Image: Serdar Tibet/Shutterstock
Saudi Airlines has denied rumours that it plans on introducing gender segregation on its flights, claiming it was a social media misunderstanding.
The false reports started circling the Internet over the weekend and suggested the airline was looking to follow Saudi Arabia’s strict policy of gender separation in public spaces after allegedly receiving numerous complaints from male passengers.
Media particularly highlighted one case where a flight from New York to Tel Aviv was delayed for half an hour because an Orthodox Jewish man refused to sit between two women.
However, according to Saudi Airlines’ online statement, an announcement for gender segregation was never made by an airline official. It was actually suggested in a Tweet from one of the official’s followers.
The individual pointed out to vice president of marketing, Abdul Rahman Al-Fahda that his flight had been delayed by 15 minutes because of an issue over seat arrangements for families. The individual suggested a solution to the problem could be seat segregation.
In reply, Mr Al-Fahd said the airline is working on introducing solutions, which was then wrongly interpreted by media.
“We would like to emphasize that no SAUDIA official has made any statement on gender segregation.”
Saudi Airlines
Meanwhile, the carrier stressed that its website already has a system in place that allows families to select nearby seats for their members while booking. This option is not available to late reservations.
8. Thing get a little Snow-y on Viking’s first ocean ship
When Viking Cruises’ first ocean ship launches later this year it will do so with the first Snow Grotto at sea onboard.
The new spa experience will see guests enjoy traditional spa offerings while snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air.
The spa draws upon century old Nordic traditions, in which holistic wellness philosophy played a large role.
Viking’s first ocean ship, Viking Star, is scheduled to launch in May this year. She is the first of four Viking ocean vessels setting sail in 2015 and 2016.
The ships will carry 930 passengers in five accommodation categories. Onboard there will also be an infinity pool, indoor pool, outdoor public spaces and an Explorer’s Lounge.
9. Aww! See the cutest (and most epic) airport proposal
It took four songs, an airport, a speech, two costume changes, a mascot and around 30 dancers for this young man to propose to his girlfriend.
The 10 minute proposal (yes 10 minutes) was staged inside Changi Airport and saw the future bride led by a group of dancers from the cafe where she was enjoying her pre-flight coffee to the check-in counters.
There she was greeted by more dancers who kicked off a performance to One Direction’s hit ‘That’s What Makes You Beautiful’ before her now fiance strutted out and sand the second verse of the popular song.
After another two dance performances, the young man read a speech and eventually popped the big question.
Thankfully she said yes.
Think an airport is the best proposal spot? Let us know your ideal proposal location below.
10. Elvis planes going once, going twice
It’s true, the King of Rock n Roll’s private jets are going under the hammer.
Luxury planes ‘Lisa Marie’ and ‘Hound Dog II’ will join a number of other Elvis memorabilia in a sealed bid auction at Julien’s Auctions.
Named after the King’s only child, ‘Lisa Marie’ was originally purchased by the music legend from Delta Airlines in April 1975 for $250,000. The Convair 800 jet features a penthouse bedroom and a bathroom with gold faucets and washbasin. The plane is now valued over $600,000.
The ‘Hound Dog II’ is a Lockheed JetStar and was also purchased in 1975 while ‘Lisa Marie’ underwent refurbishments.
The auction house said she was purchased for $900,000 and carries eight- to- ten passengers.
If you could own any celebrity’s private plane whose would it be?
