Australia Travel News - 24 May 2013

Data of little concern to Port's happy travellers Posted: 23 May 2013 11:32 PM PDT That's according to the newly released data from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport encompassing 58 airports across Australia. Almost one in three flights to and from Sydney were delayed by more than 15 minutes last month. Sydney commuter ... See all stories on this topic »

Apps and gadgets for your next flight Posted: 23 May 2013 11:32 PM PDT Etihad, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, United and Garuda are some of the airlines offering Wi-Fi on selected flights in and out of Australia, with prices ranging up to US$25. Some airlines also allow you to use your mobile phone to make and receive ... See all stories on this topic »

The plane truth about flying revealed Posted: 23 May 2013 11:32 PM PDT Lights are dimmed upon landing so that passengers eyes can adjust to the natural light and in the event of an incident makes identifying sparks or flames easy, according to a major Australian airline. 6. Is alcohol more potent at higher altitudes? Not ... See all stories on this topic »

Air Asia's Tony Fernandes to 'fire up' investors Posted: 23 May 2013 06:37 PM PDT This is an interesting proposition, as it does help save some travelling cost and can also be seen as a dividend of sorts until such time that the airline decides on a dividend policy. AAX now flies to 14 destinations across Asia on to Australia and Nepal. See all stories on this topic » The Star Online

Jettison your e-reader, Qantas launches in-flight books Posted: 23 May 2013 01:41 PM PDT This week Australia's flagship airline announced a new partnership with publisher Hachette to provide Platinum One members – their most frequent flyers – with bespoke paperbacks for long haul flights. The two companies collaborated with agency Droga5 ... See all stories on this topic »

Lion Air plans Thai subsidiary Posted: 23 May 2013 08:56 AM PDT Meanwhile, the carrier's chief executive Rusdi Kirana told media earlier this year it was exploring its options to start a subsidiary in Thailand as well as Australia. According to the report, the airline has apparently reached an agreement to acquire ... See all stories on this topic »

Safety regulators lashed over air crash failings Posted: 23 May 2013 08:56 AM PDT INVESTIGATIVE and regulatory procedures at Australia's air safety watchdogs were deficient and produced a flawed report into the ditching of a Pel-Air aircraft in the ocean off Norfolk Island in 2009, a Senate committee has found. The highly critical ... See all stories on this topic »

Labor's Glenn Sterle backs tax breaks for Qantas Posted: 23 May 2013 08:56 AM PDT THE federal government needs to look at tax breaks for Australian airlines to help them compete against government-backed international competitors, according to West Australian Labor senator Glenn Sterle. "There's no doubt there are massive pressures ... See all stories on this topic »

Jetstar set to fly daily to Darwin from Adelaide Posted: 23 May 2013 08:56 AM PDT "This is a slight improvement in services to Adelaide but Malaysia, Cathay Pacific and Singapore airlines are doing a much better job bringing international tourists to South Australia than Qantas or Jetstar," he said. The additional flights from ... See all stories on this topic »