Qantas and Perth Airport have reached a historic commercial agreement that will unlock a multi-billion dollar wave of investment and deliver new international and domestic flights giving a major boost to Australia’s tourism industry.

As part of the 12-year agreement, Perth Airport will invest around $3 billion in new terminal facilities and a new parallel runway that will generate immediate and ongoing economic growth and job creation.

This will form part of a $5 billion capital investment program by Perth Airport – the largest ever private infrastructure development in Perth –   which will also deliver two multi-storey carparks, major access roadworks, and the airport’s first hotel.

Qantas and Jetstar will relocate all services to a new terminal in the Airport Central precinct that will, along with the airline’s major investment in new aircraft, enable the growth to turn Western Australia into a major domestic and international hub for the airlines.

Qantas and Jetstar plan to add 4.4 million seats to and from Perth per annum by the time the new terminal opens in 2031.

The hub will significantly enhance inbound tourism and give Australians more options when travelling to Asia, Africa, India and Europe.

The new terminal is set to offer passengers a world-leading travel experience, with seamless domestic and international transfer, as well as state-of-the-art check-in and bag drop facilities. Qantas will work with Perth Airport on plans for a multi-lounge precinct for international and domestic passengers with a new signature design and bespoke dining and wellness initiatives.

As part of the agreement, Qantas plans to build a new engineering hangar in the Airport Central precinct.

Perth Airport will also invest in upgrades to Terminals 3 and 4, the current home of Qantas domestic and international flights, to create additional capacity in the interim while the new terminals are built. Jetstar will relocate its domestic services to Terminal 2 from September 2024, unlocking further growth opportunities for both airlines, before moving into the Airport Central terminal when complete.

The Terminal 3 and 4 upgrades will enable Qantas to add services and more destinations, including Auckland and Johannesburg from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements.

The works will also include gate upgrades to accommodate ultra-long-haul aircraft, including its Project Sunrise Airbus A350s which arrive from 2026.

Qantas and Perth Airport have also agreed on the need for and timing of the new parallel runway which is expected to be open in 2028.

The agreement resolves all outstanding commercial issues in dispute between Perth Airport and Qantas.

Two American heavyweights have announced plans for a ‘business plus’ category, upgrading the first row of business cabin with more perks and luxury in the sky.

Following the likes of Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand and JetBlue, for example, American Airlines and United Airlines want to give their business passengers the option of a little more.

American Airlines

American Airlines ‘Flagship Suites’ will boast all of the usual business class features with more: think privacy doors, more space, a memory foam pillow, larger screens and wireless charging and audio. Food and drink options will be the same as the rest of the business class offerings.

It’s not yet been announced how American Airlines will roll out this special category of seats.

United Airlines Plans

Following a survey sent to Mileage Plus members, United Airlines is ‘considering the introduction of a limited number of new seats within the Polaris business class cabin. These seats would be more spacious than the standard Polaris seats. In addition to the more spacious seat, United is exploring premium amenities that would only be offered to customers in the upgraded seats.”

Some survey responses asked for:

• private check-in
• being able to skip the airing list for a table in the Polaris Lounge dining room
• being first to board the plane
• a Press for Champagne button at the seat

As always, we’ll keep you posted on how these plans develop for both American Airlines and United Airlines.

Step into a realm of opulence where you encounter timeless elegance and impeccable refinement at every corner. Enjoy exclusive room rates tailored for your corporate and meeting needs. Elevate your business gatherings with the Dusit’s comprehensive amenities and personalized service, ensuring a seamless and productive experience for all.

Stay in a Deluxe Laguna Room (single or twin occupancy) from SGD 388++ per room, per night and receive:

• Buffet breakfast at Greenhouse

• Full Day Meeting Package (includes 2 coffee breaks, and lunch)

Contact ATPI Events today for a quote and availabity at this superior property for your next meeting or event  au.corporateevents@atpi.com or 1300 780 120.

• 600+ modernisation initiatives are being rolled out as part of the airline’s £7bn transformation plan, as it invests in every part of its business
• A new website, mobile app, free onboard messaging, new short-haul seats and a new First suite are among the airline’s latest plans
• Multi-million-pound leading-edge technology systems, AI and machine learning will help flights depart on time, along with 350 new jobs at Heathrow and the first ever bespoke Microsoft Connected Teams ground-to-air customer care solution
• The BA network continues to grow, with two of the airline’s most popular Asia destinations to return from October and November
• The airline is also investing in a new lounge space in Dubai, as well as the previously announced refreshes for Lagos, Seattle, Heathrow and Edinburgh

British Airways has announced an array of new initiatives to transform the airline, unveiling a £7bn transformation plan at its first ‘In the Skies’ showcase event in London. Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle outlined his modernisation plan, committing to delivering a world class customer experience, modernising IT, growing pride among colleagues and focusing on sustainability, as well as driving on-time performance.

“We’re on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7bn over the next two years to revolutionise our business,” Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said. “We’re going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability. We’re also heavily investing in the development of a new ba.com website and app and are laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers.”

WiFi enhancements for customers 

With more customers looking to remain connected with the world from their seats, from April 3, British Airways Executive Club Members will start to be able to send messages free of charge on a single device using the airline’s WiFi – whatever cabin they’re travelling in. The service will be available on every WiFi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date*.

The airline has also become the first to offer a WiFi-enabled inflight customer care solution to solve issues in the moment – even at 35,000ft. Created especially for British Airways by Microsoft, customer care teams on the ground are now able to connect with cabin crew colleagues across more than 300 flights a day. The functionality allows crew to help solve any unexpected issues before a flight lands at one of the airline’s more than 200 destinations.

Operational excellence 

The airline is investing £100m in machine learning, automation and AI across its operation, driving improvements from bookings to baggage handling and helping to revolutionise its operation, speed up departures and respond to disruption. Innovative new tools are helping to predict delays (prompting pre-emptive action to reduce disruption) and analyse real-time weather, aircraft capacity and customer connections data to help teams make better decisions. Since the introduction of the systems, alongside a number of new processes and ways of working, the airline has seen improvement to its on-time departures.

British Airways is also creating around 350 new roles at Heathrow to improve customer experience at its home and hub airport, and is investing in new equipment, such as baggage tugs and towing vehicles.

The airline is also investing £750m in its IT infrastructure to move 700 systems and thousands of servers to the cloud by early next year.

New lounge design concept 

The airline is proud to announce that it is set to open another brand-new lounge, this time in Dubai, which is relocating to a new larger space at Dubai Airport later this year. This lounge will be the first to feature British Airways’ new lounge design concept, followed by the opening of its Miami lounge in 2025. The new Dubai lounge will replace the existing lounge facility at the airport, offering more space and more features for customers. The airline has also announced lounge refreshes in Lagos and Seattle, these follow recent lounge refurbishments at Heathrow Terminals 5 and 3, as well as Edinburgh.

New cabins and seats 

New short-haul seats and cabin interiors will feature on the next generation of British Airways’ Airbus A320neo and A321neos, with eight aircraft set to arrive from May this year. The airline is working with the best of British suppliers from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the new short-haul Euro Traveller and Club Europe seats reflecting a modern yet classic British interior. The re-designed cabins will also be fitted with extra-large bins for overhead luggage.

Investment in First  

As the only European carrier to offer First Class between the UK and US, British Airways is to introduce a brand-new and exclusive First suite. The airline expects the new seat to make its debut at the end of 2025 into early 2026 as part of its A380 aircraft refurbishment.

New Routes 

British Airways’ flights from London to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are set to return. The services will re-start in October and November respectively, further demonstrating British Airways’ commitment to expanding its network to Asia post pandemic.

The airline will operate daily flights between the Malaysian capital city and London Heathrow on a 787-9 aircraft, as well as three flights a week between the Thai capital and London Gatwick on a 777-200ER.

British Airways is also returning to Abu Dhabi on April 20, as well as welcoming Agadir in Morrocco on March 31 and adding Izmir in Turkey to its network on May 18.

Sustainability 

Taking significant and urgent action to address aviation’s impacts is critical to make the industry much more sustainable in the long term. Through the BA Better World programme and its commitment to People, Planet, and Responsible Business, British Airways continues to innovate to drive continual improvement in its environmental, social, and governance business performance and meet its net zero target by 2050 or sooner.

Last week the airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG) announced its largest SAF purchase agreement to date with e-SAF (power-to-liquid) producer ‘Twelve’, which will supply advanced e-SAF made from carbon dioxide, water and renewable energy to support IAG’s five European airlines, including British Airways. The next-generation fuel will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% versus conventional jet fuel. IAG is the first European airline group to announce an e-SAF deal, and the agreement will enable it to continue increasing its SAF use towards the goal of 10% by 2030.

The newly unveiled The Sebel Sydney Martin Place is located in the desirable and prime location of Martin Place, Sydney, boasting sophistication and style with a bespoke, intimate and upscale experience.

Discover this 86 room boutique-like hotel featuring Classic, Superior and Deluxe rooms fitted with playful patterned carpet, in-room kitchenettes with signature Italian design marble, microwave, tea and coffee items including Nespresso machine, luxury bathroom amenities, and mini-bar with a selection of Australian snacks and beverages including cocktails from renowned Maybe Sammy.

The Sebel Sydney Martin Place also offers complimentary WiFi, 24/7 host desk and in-room dining with partners Bastardo and Piccolo Me.