innovation and information

Qantas International Fare Increase

Qantas has announced fare increases on selected International routes.
 
The new fare levels will apply to point of sale Australia for ticket issued on/after 18 December 2009.   The fare increases apply to the following destinations and classes; 
 

  First cabin fares will increase by up to 3% on the following markets: United Kingdom/Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Africa

  Business cabin fares will increase by up to 3% on the following markets: Japan, United Kingdom/Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Africa, Indonesia and
Philippines

  Premium Economy cabin fares will increase by up to 5% on the following markets: North America, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, United Kingdom/Europe

  Economy cabin fares will increase by up to 5% on the following markets:  Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Honolulu, South America, Singapore, Thailand, Africa, North America, United Kingdom/Europe 
 
If you have any  existing  bookings, full payment  must  be  received  on/before  17  December  2009,  otherwise  the increased fare levels will apply.   
 

Malaysian Airlines - MHmobile

Malaysia Airlines have announced the launch of MHmobile - flymas.mobi -the most comprehensive menu of mobile phone functionality available to airline passengers anywhere in the world. This allows passengers to book, pay, and check-in and board their flight simply using their mobile phone. In a world first, it also harnesses the capabilities of smart phones to offer passengers context-aware services using geolocalisation. It is also the first mobile airline application which connects bookings to Facebook, TripIt and Dopplr enabling friends and colleagues to be informed about each other's travel plans.

In another major first, it allows passengers to check the status of a delayed bag using flymas.mobi because the application can link to SITA's WorldTracer, the industry-standard, fully-automated system for tracing lost and mishandled passenger baggage used by over 440 airlines and ground-handling companies worldwide.

Jetstar's World-first SMS boarding pass

A WORLD-FIRST Australian technology will soon allow Jetstar passengers to receive their boarding passes via SMS. The new technology means a unique boarding code, which is scanned in lieu of the traditional paper boarding pass, can be sent to any mobile phone regardless of whether it has Wireless Application Protocol or internet connectivity. Jetstar is combining the SMS code with an automatic check-in option that allows customers who buy a ticket on its website to request that the airline check them in 24 hours prior to departure.
The system automatically sends them the SMS code, which they call up on their mobile phone display and present for scanning as they board the plane. Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan told an aviation conference in Sydney the technology was a first for the aviation industry and aimed to make travelling through airports more convenient and hassle-free. ``We've effectively turned every mobile phone into a web check-in device and that's really the strength of it,'' Mr Buchanan said yesterday. ``We wanted to find a device that didn't have compatibility problems.''

V Australia tol launch daily flights between Sydney and Fiji

V Australia will launch daily flights between Sydney and Fiji from 18 December, reducing to 6 days per week from 01 February. All-inclusive one-way fares start from $199 in economy class, $469 in premium economy and $649 in business class. Jetstar is assessing whether its plans to fly to Fiji are still viable without daily frequency. Jetstar had planned to start flying in April 2010. Air Pacific has vowed to protect its market share on the Fiji route and plans to ramp up capacity from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne over Christmas.

Perth Airport upgrade

A multi-billion dollar plan to improve Perth's airport facilities, including merging the domestic and international airports, has been approved by the federal government.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said he had approved the airport's master plan which sets out a 10-year, $2.4 billion investment program in response to Perth's growing need for modern, well-planned aviation infrastructure.

The plan includes the phased relocation of all regular passenger services to the international airport site.

"In addition, the commonwealth and state governments are working together to identify how road and public transport links to and from the airport can be improved," Mr Albanese said today.

A $3.5 million study to identify road and public transport links will be finished next year.

The airport operators would have to take a number of steps to improve the way it engaged with nearby communities and responded to their concerns, Mr Albanese said.

"In future, residents must be informed and consulted about all major changes to the airport's operations and significant construction projects," he said.

"This communication should involve direct mail, community leaflets, briefing to local councils, improved website information and provision of contact details for public inquiries."

The main runway of the airport will be resurfaced early next year during a seven-week period.

Mr Albanese said Airservices Australia should ensure Perth residents were fully aware of temporary flight changes during the resurfacing.