NEWCASTLE

Corporate Travel NewsJUNE 2016

Newcastle Airport’s car parking has been designed to ensure you have a range of parking and pricing options available to suit your specific needs.This month the names of Newcastle Airport car parks have changed to help you choose which car park is best for you. Platinum became Premium, Gold and Silver 3 became Short Stay, Silver 1 and Silver 2 became Long Stay, & Bronze became Long Stay Saver.If you’re planning to park at Newcastle Airport, you can estimate your parking costs by using the Car Parking Calculator on the Newcastle Airport website.Also, you may have noticed on your flight out of Newcastle Airport there is a lot of work going on at the north end of the runway. RAAF is currently working on a project called the New Air Combat Capability (known as the

NACC). The NACC project is to extend the runway at both ends in readiness for the new Joint Strike Fighters (F35) that arrives into the RAAF fleet from 2018. The runway is being extended by 335 meters (1,100 foot) to south east (RWY 30) and 275 meters (900 foot) to north west (RWY 12). When finished, the runway length will be 3,048 metres (10 000 foot). It’s not just the runway that’s being changed. All accompanying parts of the runway, such as the airfield lighting and approach lighting, are being changed and upgraded to work in with the extensions. It is anticipated the works will be completed by mid-2018. So, while Newcastle Airport doesn’t manage the runway, this is the sole responsibility of the RAAF, the flights into and out of Newcastle Airport do offer a pretty great view of the works that are underway.

AIRPORT NEWS

Sydney International Airport American Express LoungeEligible American Express Card Members can now experience the new American Express Lounge before boarding. Jump online with free high speed Wi-Fi and enjoy complimentary dining, wine and cocktails from a locally inspired menu. Whether you’re passing through for business or leisure, relax and unwind with the exceptional service you’d expect from American Express. Simply swipe your eligible American Express® Card at reception for entry*.Eligible Cards include Platinum cards, ANZ Black Amex, Westpac Black Amex, Commonwealth Bank Diamond Amex, At the discretion of American Express, other American Express Card Members may also enter the American Express Lounge or be issued with a One-Day Pass for entry into the American Express Lounge from time to time.

Plaza Premium Lounge Brisbane BRISBANE Airport’s new independent airport lounge Plaza Premium has opened, welcoming everyone regardless of airline or class of travel. This is a pay for use lounge with entry starting from $66 for 5 hours. The lounge offers everything for you to unwind in comfort. Located at level 4, International Terminal in Brisbane Airport. You can enjoy comfortable seating, food and beverage, Wi-Fi and internet workstations, TV channels, international newspapers and magazines.

It has been announced that China’s HNA Group will take a 13% stake in Virgin Australia.HNA is the largest privately owned Airline Group in China, last year carrying a whopping 77 million passengers on ten carriers. It also owns 16 airports, the Swissport ground handling operation, and 450 hotels across China and Hong Kong, It has also been revealed that Air New Zealand is looking to sell part of its 26% stake in the airline to the Chinese conglomerate, Nanshan Group. The privately-owed Nanshan Group is ranked as one of China’s top 500 firms and has interests across a range of industries including aviation, launching the Qingdao-based Qingdao Airlines two years ago, which operates a fleet of Airbus A320s across China. Both deals are still pending regulatory approvals. With these two new partners, it will mean that Chinese carriers will own about one-third of Virgin Australia.These new alliances are seen as giving Virgin Australia access to Australia’s 1.2million and growing inbound arrivals from China annually. To capitalise on these partnerships, Virgin Australia has requested from the regulators to operate daily A330 services into Beijing and Hong Kong, with the intention for these

services to commence by June 2017. Virgin Australia has also formally unveiled the deployment of its new ‘pointy-end’ product, retrofitted on its Boeing 777-300ER jets flying to Los Angeles & Abu Dhabi. Dubbed ‘The Business’, the product features 37 individual and private seats, configured in a 1-2-1 layout, along with a new Business Class Bar and Lounge. Seats stretch to the length of a queen size bed at 80” in lie-flat mode and are equipped with 18” High Definition touchscreens - the largest screens available between Australia and North America. There’s an array of Signature Services, including the option to have breakfast at the bar rather than in the Suite. Virgin Australia expects to have all five 777s refitted by Q3 of this year.Additionally, Virgin Australia have unveiled their new “Economy Space +” product. This is offered in the first five rows of the main cabin on its Boeing 777-300ER long haul aircraft, and features extra leg room, check-in via dedicated Premium counters, pre-boarding, preferred overhead locker, dedicated crew members, guaranteed first meal choice, and noise cancelling headsets. This will be available on flights from the end of August and can be prebooked from an extra A$135-$165 one-way, depending on route.

Virgin Australia

Brisbane’s new SilverKris loungeSINGAPORE Airlines’ new SilverKris Lounge at Brisbane International Airport has officially debuted this month.

Dubbed ‘the home away from home’, the new lounge features tastefully selected art pieces, specially designed productivity pods and spaces tailored for different needs. Singapore Airlines regional vice president Tan Tiow Kor said he was excited to be launching the new Brisbane lounge. “[The lounge] was designed with the guidance of extensive research from customer focus groups, which has helped us deliver a spacious and enjoyable lounge experience,” he said.

New Sydney Airport Hotel Opened

Pullman Sydney Airport is the newest 5 star

hotel at Sydney Airport, including all the

features you would expect from a Pullman

branded hotel. This upscale hotel offers 229

luxurious rooms and suites with extensive

meeting facilities. Each room features open

design, contemporary furnishing, double

glazed windows and block out curtains to

ensure you are well rested whilst in transit.

Perfect for leisure and business travellers who

expect comfort away from home.

Other Airport & Airline News- Tiffany & Co Sydney Airport opening THE first Tiffany & Co outlet at an Australian airport has made its debut at Sydney Airport’s T1 International Terminal.- Fly to Johannesburg via PerthThanks to the opening of Perth’s new world class T1 domestic terminal, Virgin Australia and South African Airways are located under one roof. Travelling to South Africa via Perth is now a seamless transfer experience.- Qantas Business Class MealsNEW Rockpool-inspired Business class meals designed by Neil Perry have launched on Qantas fights between Australia and New Zealand.

We are also celebrating the launch of the Hunter Region Airfare Advantage Program, offering up to 36% off select base fares for our business travel partners in the Hunter Region, with Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines & Silk Air. Contact us at corporate@htg.com.au to find out more.

DoubleTree Fiji opensTHE 120 guest room and bure DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji - Sonaisali Island has opened to guests, becoming the seventh DoubleTree by Hilton branded property in the Australasia region. Located 25mins from Nadi International Airport and just a three minute boat ride off the main island of Viti Levu, the former Sonaisali Island resort has received a full refurbishment and features three restaurants & bars, conference spaces and one of the largest lagoon-style pools in Fiji.

THE longest and deepest tunnel in the world was opened on June 1st under the Gotthard Massif in Switzerland, running for 57kms. Built for train travel, Gotthard Base Tunnel has taken 17 years to construct, lies up to 2.3km below the Swiss Alps and will open to regular operations on 11 December.By overcoming a natural barrier to travel — mountain ranges — the Gotthard Base Tunnel is expected to shave

travel time between Zurich and Milan down to two hours and forty minutes.That’s about an hour quicker than the trip currently takes by rail, and for freight it is hoped that the tunnel will be a vital link connecting the ports of Rotterdam (and) Antwerp with the ports of the Adriatic and will make north-south travel more fluid, curb air pollution, and be a driver of growth in Europe.

Swiss Rail tunnel opening Switzerland

Shanghai Disneyland to open on June 16Shanghai Disneyland, the 6th in the world, will open on June 16th, 2016 . Located near Pudong Airport, Shanghai Disney Park will feature two theme park areas, Shanghai Disneyland, and The Disney Parks Story, and will offer two hotels, The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and the Toy

Story Hotel.

2017 is shaping as a big year for the Disney group with a new resort opening in Hong Kong, Disneyland Paris celebrating 25 years and Pandora, the land of Avatar opening at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Smartraveller UpgradedThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its Smartraveller website, with travellers now able to use a single account to register their trips and subscribe to travel advice.Visiting the Smartraveller website is one of the best, and most accessible, ways to prepare for travel and stay informed.You can view advice about travelling, destination specific alerts and updates, and you can register your intended travel plans so you may be contacted more easily in times of unforeseen crisis.The new site went live this month, with significant enhancements also enabling trip details to be updated when travel plans change.Lists of travellers and emergency contacts can now be saved for reuse in future registrations, and the same account can be used to update subscriptions for travel advice to help travellers stay informed before and during their travel.

Contact: P: 02 4940 2244 E: corporate@htg.com.au or conferencetravel@htg.com.au

Address: 144 Hannell St, Wickham NSW 2293 W: www.htg.com.au

American Airlines will be starting a direct daily Sydney to Los Angeles service from 19 December 2015 operated by its new B777-300ER featuring lie-fl at seats in First and Business.

*T&C’s apply. Airfares are ex Sydney and include taxes and surcharges. Prices are subject to availability and may fluctuate due to currency, fuel surcharges & taxes. Prices can be withdrawn at any time. Further conditions apply, please speak to your travel advisor before booking. Hunter Travel Group Pty Ltd. ABN 39 183 096 957. A11468

Cruise industry swells 15% CRUISING continues its reign as the fastest growing sector of the travel industry, with Australian ocean cruise numbers up by 135,000 (14.6%) in the last year according to the latest CLIA Cruise Industry Source Market Report released this month.The growth means Australia once again leads the global cruise industry in terms of market penetration, with the equivalent of 4.5% of the total population taking a cruise last year. About a quarter of the 1.06 million Australian cruisers in 2015 took a voyage which departed from a local homeport, with CLIA chairman Steve Odell saying Aussies are responding to the wider array of cruises on offer. “In 2015 we saw a range of new shorter coastal cruises sailing from Australian homeports and these have clearly captured the imagination of Australians, who see them as a new way to explore their nation,” Odell said.

NORWEGIAN Cruise Lines has announced that Alaska-based Norwegian Jewel will home port year-round in Sydney from October 2017. Fifteen itineraries have been scheduled through until March 2018, with bookings for the inaugural season to open from 29 June. A five-day sampler voyage exploring Tasmania will depart 12 November giving passengers a taste of Norwegian’s flexible and “freestyle” approach to life on board. Other highlights of the inaugural season include a 9 day voyage exploring regional

destinations such as Eden, Kangaroo Island and Burnie (departing 14 December), a 10 & a 16 day trip to NZ. The Norwegian Jewel will offer the Australian market something a little more boutique and unique... a different style of cruising to what Australians are experiencing today. Guests cruising on board Jewel’s inaugural season can look forward to regionally-sourced beef, lamb, seafood, fine wines and ales on all her voyages from Sydney as a nod to the vessel’s new home port.

Another new ship to call Sydney home

Australian tourism’s record yearARRIVALS into Australia are continuing to surge, with all time high numbers of International visitors for the year ending March 2016, Tourism Research Australia (TRA) figures released this month reveal. A record $37.9 billion in international visitor spending flowed into Australia during the period, 17% more than the previous year. The Chinese market maintained its uphill trend, with 23% more visitors and a spend of $8.9b, lapping the UK’s $3.9 billion in spending, up 10% despite a 2% drop in nights. Not far behind was the USA, delivering $3.6b, followed by New Zealand’s $2.6b & Japan’s $1.5b. “What these annual numbers show is that for every international visitor we attract to Australia, our visitor economy is benefiting to the tune of around $5,000,” explained Tourism Australia md John O’Sullivan. “With international spending now growing at more than twice the rate of visitor arrivals, we are really starting to see the economic benefits of pursuing a high yield tourism strategy.” More than half (56%) of arrivals were for leisure, while a quarter came for education. Spending on package tours jumped by 22% to hit $4.4 billion, while shopping rose 21% to $3.8 billion, an additional 28% opted to visit a winery and there was a 23% spike in participation in sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

FlyPelican’s 1st BirthdayHappy 1st birthday FlyPelican!It was 1 June 2015 when FlyPelican had its inaugural flight between Newcastle Airport and Canberra. Now, one year on, FlyPelican has direct services that fly to Sydney, Mudgee, Ballina, Canberra, and from 18 July 2016, Dubbo! Offering twice daily return services, and fares starting from just AUD$99 one way.