Australia Travel News - 29 May 2013

PRESS DIGEST-Australian Business News - May 29 Posted: 29 May 2013 02:26 AM PDT Qantas Airways will commence a multi-million dollar effort to gain market share in Western Australia after Virgin Australia's recent acquisition of regional airline Skywest. Qantas will pursue changes in state government regulations to allow it access ... See all stories on this topic »

Qantas Complete Cabin Interior Upgrades with iPads for Business Class Posted: 29 May 2013 02:26 AM PDT The project has cost the airline a total of 20 million Australian dollars and has seen all 15 of the airline's Beoing 767 aircrafts, which operate domestically be refurbished. The new interiors have introduced leather seating into the Business Class ... See all stories on this topic » SkyClub News

Virgin Australia nears Tiger takeover Posted: 29 May 2013 02:26 AM PDT Tiger Airways and Virgin Australia have committed to a joint investment of A$62.5-M (US$60.23-M) to fund development in Tiger Australia, and grow the airline's fleet from 11 to up to 35 aircraft by Y 2018. "By partnering with Tiger Airways, we can use ... See all stories on this topic »

Come fly with me - and British Airways says Orlando Bloom Posted: 29 May 2013 02:26 AM PDT There was no mention of Bloom's Australian supermodel wife Miranda Kerr - who is an ambassador for rival airline Qantas - as he worked the room posing for photos, or in his very short and sweet speech. "I have flown with British Airways since I was a ... See all stories on this topic »

Australians Are Still Being Rorted By Credit Card Surcharge Fees Posted: 28 May 2013 09:43 PM PDT A CHOICE investigation has found that many Australian companies are continuing to ignore Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rules designed to limit credit card surcharge fees. Not surprisingly, taxis and airlines were found to be among the worst offenders. See all stories on this topic »

The World's Worst Economy-Class Cabin Posted: 28 May 2013 09:43 PM PDT So which airline's coach class is the worst of the worst? Business Insider Australia set out to answer that question, using data compiled by airline reviewer Skytrax on such measures as seat comfort, in-flight entertainment, meals, and in-flight service. See all stories on this topic » SmarterTravel.com (blog)

E-Jets tally up 10 million flight hours Posted: 28 May 2013 09:43 PM PDT In the nine years since their launch, the Embraer worldwide fleet of E-Jets has achieved a landmark 10 million flight hours and the completion of seven million flight cycles in May. With more than 1,200 firm orders from airlines worldwide and nearly 1 ... See all stories on this topic » Australian Aviation

Latest salvo in airline war: $720 return fare to China Posted: 28 May 2013 09:43 PM PDT China Southern has released a $720 return economy airfare from Australia to China in the latest salvo in the airline battle on the lucrative route. The cheap fare comes as China Southern prepares to launch its superjumbo A380 flights between Sydney and ... See all stories on this topic » Brisbane Times

Qantas expands WA facilities in push to lift market share Posted: 28 May 2013 09:43 PM PDT With Virgin Australia stepping up its focus on flights to mine sites and regional centres, Qantas has moved to solidify its position as the largest provider of flights in the resource-rich state by expanding its facilities at Perth Airport. It will ... See all stories on this topic »

Fog blanket creates flight dramas Posted: 28 May 2013 05:02 PM PDT Thick fog caused Sydney-bound passengers more delays on Wednesday with hundreds of Melbourne Airport passengers either grounded or having flights cancelled. Two Virgin Australia flights to Sydney, VA811 and VA823, scheduled to leave Melbourne at ... See all stories on this topic »

Qantas announces extra flights to resource centres - ABC News ... Posted: 28 May 2013 04:24 PM PDT Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the airline is increasing the number of flights from Perth for fly in fly out workers, in a move similar to that announced by ... www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-28/qantas.../4717496

Australia approves airline tie-up - Post | IOL.co.za Posted: 28 May 2013 04:24 PM PDT Tiger Airways Australia, the loss-making local subsidiary of Singapore's Tiger Airways, has a history of poor financial and operational performance. www.thepost.co.za/australia-approves-airline-tie-up-1.1522786

MARKETS SPECTATOR: Virgin's two minds Posted: 28 May 2013 07:12 AM PDT ... SPECTATOR: Virgin's two minds. Brett Cole 4 hours ago. Industries · Aviation · Markets · ASX. Virgin Australia's plans for discount carrier Tiger Airways is a risky strategy for an airline in the midst of trying to rebrand itself as a full service ... See all stories on this topic »

Virgin Australia nearing Tiger takeover Posted: 28 May 2013 07:12 AM PDT SYDNEY, May 28 -- Virgin Australia has Tuesday gained the all-clear from the Foreign Investment Review Board for its proposed acquisition of 60 percent of shares in Tiger Airways Australia. Virgin is now another step closer to acquiring Tiger Australia ... See all stories on this topic »