Latest news with #FlightCentreTravelGroup
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
‘The new Tahiti': Cook Islands emerge as latest Aussie tourist hotspot and only a five hour flight from Sydney
If your ideal holiday includes warm tropical weather, relaxation and crystal clear water, then there is a new holiday destination that Aussies are adding to their wish list. Located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii is the Cook Islands, which Flight Centre Travel Group's leisure CEO James Kavanagh have deemed 'the new Tahiti'. Locals have described Rarotonga (the largest of the 15 islands that make up the nation) as 'what Hawaii was 50 years ago', while others say it's a great alternative to Bali and Fiji without the crowds. The Cook Islands have cemented their status as one of Australia's fastest-growing holiday escapes, with new figures showing leisure bookings to the Pacific paradise have soared 28 per cent in the first half of the year. Often touted as a more affordable, closer-to-home alternative to Tahiti, the island nation is luring couples, families and retirees with its blend of crystal-clear waters, soft-sand beaches and a laid-back pace that still offers plenty to do. 'We've seen a significant increase in Australians heading to the Cook Islands,' Mr Kavanagh said. 'It's the perfect destination, enough activities to keep the whole family busy, but quiet enough for couples looking for a restful retreat.' Jetstar is now capitalising on the surge in demand, announcing it will launch its first-ever direct Brisbane–Rarotonga route from May next year, joining its already sold-out Sydney service, which began in 2023. The new flights will cut travel time from up to 20 hours with layovers to just five hours, opening up the possibility of quick long-weekend getaways. From next year, Jetstar will operate four Sydney flights and three Brisbane flights weekly, offering a record 110,000 seats annually to and from the Cook Islands. Current sale fares start at $279 one-way from Sydney. While Rarotonga remains the top draw, many couples continue on to Aitutaki — a tiny island of just 1800 people and home to a lagoon often ranked among the world's most beautiful. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says tourism is 'the backbone' of the country's economy, accounting for about 75 per cent of GDP. 'We're always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles,' he said. Australian flight search engine Webjet also reports a 7 per cent increase in searches and a 1 per cent rise in bookings since last year, underscoring the Cook Islands' rise as a rival to Bali, Fiji and Hawaii in the Aussie travel stakes.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Holiday hotspot bookings soar with new direct flights
If your ideal holiday includes warm tropical weather, relaxation and crystal clear water, then there is a new holiday destination that Aussies are adding to their wish list. Located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii is the Cook Islands, which Flight Centre Travel Group's leisure CEO James Kavanagh have deemed 'the new Tahiti'. Locals have described Rarotonga (the largest of the 15 islands that make up the nation) as 'what Hawaii was 50 years ago', while others say it's a great alternative to Bali and Fiji without the crowds. The Cook Islands have cemented their status as one of Australia's fastest-growing holiday escapes, with new figures showing leisure bookings to the Pacific paradise have soared 28 per cent in the first half of the year. Often touted as a more affordable, closer-to-home alternative to Tahiti, the island nation is luring couples, families and retirees with its blend of crystal-clear waters, soft-sand beaches and a laid-back pace that still offers plenty to do. 'We've seen a significant increase in Australians heading to the Cook Islands,' Mr Kavanagh said. 'It's the perfect destination, enough activities to keep the whole family busy, but quiet enough for couples looking for a restful retreat.' Jetstar is now capitalising on the surge in demand, announcing it will launch its first-ever direct Brisbane–Rarotonga route from May next year, joining its already sold-out Sydney service, which began in 2023. The new flights will cut travel time from up to 20 hours with layovers to just five hours, opening up the possibility of quick long-weekend getaways. From next year, Jetstar will operate four Sydney flights and three Brisbane flights weekly, offering a record 110,000 seats annually to and from the Cook Islands. Current sale fares start at $279 one-way from Sydney. While Rarotonga remains the top draw, many couples continue on to Aitutaki — a tiny island of just 1800 people and home to a lagoon often ranked among the world's most beautiful. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says tourism is 'the backbone' of the country's economy, accounting for about 75 per cent of GDP. 'We're always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles,' he said. Australian flight search engine Webjet also reports a 7 per cent increase in searches and a 1 per cent rise in bookings since last year, underscoring the Cook Islands' rise as a rival to Bali, Fiji and Hawaii in the Aussie travel stakes.
West Australian
06-08-2025
- West Australian
Essential tips for travelling with power banks
After a mid-air fire, Virgin Australia has new policies for power banks, joining many international airlines who have tightened policies for on-board battery pack use, storage and charging. The fire in an overhead compartment was on a Virgin Australia 737-8FE flight from Sydney to Hobart late in July. An overheated battery is suspected to be the cause — and it emphasises the need for them to be in the cabin, where the airline's trained crew can contain the fire, rather than in the aircraft's hold. FCM Travel handles business travel for Flight Centre Travel Group, and is urging passengers to be aware of new requirements. FCM Travel general manager ANZ Renos Rologas says a lot of international carriers that fly in and out of Australia have introduced new requirements. They include Singapore Airlines and its low-cost carrier, Scoot, along with China Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air and Korean Air. Renos explains: 'A lot of Asian carriers are introducing the new requirements, and it includes many that Australians know and frequent, so it's important that travellers understand these new restrictions and the impact they will have on them. 'Safety is the priority, but there are workarounds and other strategies to make sure you're keeping charged and connected, particularly on the longer-haul trips.' Renos adds: 'My biggest tip is to consider the best device for your journey — laptops are hard to charge on the go, and are a bulky, heavier option. I prefer to have a tablet in my carry-on that has similar functionalities to a laptop, but it's easier to charge onboard and travel with. The FCM Travel team has these tips for staying connected and charged up amidst the new portable charger requirements, in their own words: 1. Make sure you are familiar with your airline's specific policies before you travel — these are available on each carrier's website and vary across airlines and are beginning to change. 2. Get on the flight with a fully charged device — and if you are using your phone, laptop or tablet while you're at the airport waiting to board, try to find a charging port to keep the battery full while you wait to fly. Whether you've got lounge access or are sitting in a cafe at the airport, there are generally plenty of charging ports around. 3. Pack a charging cord in your carry-on that has a USB connection. Most planes, particularly on those longer-haul flights, will have USB plugs that you can plug into directly to charge while you fly. 4. Think about the device you are taking onboard with you — sometimes a laptop is not the most effective way to stay connected, continue working on, or keep entertained from the sky. You can't charge a laptop via the USB plugs onboard. A tablet tends to be the best way to go for a bigger screen, full functionality, and easy charging capability. 5. Make use of the in-flight infotainment systems when they are available. Rather than draining your battery watching a movie on your own device, use the built-in systems where possible. 6. It is important to be aware of where you are plugging in, though. Public USB ports can be compromised by cybercriminals, and places like airports can be hotspots for this. 7. Make sure you are purchasing certified power banks from reputable manufacturers to ensure you and your fellow passengers are not at risk. 8. Never pack your portable charger in your checked luggage. By aviation requirements globally, they must always be carried in the cabin with you.
Kuwait Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Airlines weigh Middle East cancellations after US strikes
American, European carriers cancel flights to Gulf • BA cancels London flights NEW YORK: Airlines on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the US attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself. Cancellations in recent days to typically resilient aviation hubs such as Dubai, the world's busiest international airport, and Qatar's Doha by international carriers show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated. The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Zionist entity began strikes on Iran on June 13, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Finnair was the first to announce a prolonged suspension of flights to Doha, with cancellations until June 30. Leading Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, which described the situation as 'fluid', moved to cancel flights to Dubai through to Tuesday, having previously cancelled only its Sunday service. Air France KLM, IAG-owned Iberia and British Airways, and Kazakhstan's Air Astana all cancelled flights to either Doha or Dubai both on Sunday and Monday. Air France also cancelled flights to Riyadh and said it would suspend flights to and from Beirut, Lebanon until Wednesday included. A spokesperson for Iberia said the carrier has not made a decision regarding later flights. BA said its teams were keeping the situation under review. Carriers are likely avoiding airports in UAE and Qatar and, to a lesser extent, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, due to concerns that Iran or its proxies will target drone or missile attacks on US military bases in these countries, aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions said. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the US attacks. Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group said it is getting a small number of customer requests to route journeys to Europe away from Middle Eastern hubs. 'The most common transfer hubs that we're seeing requested are Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Johannesburg, or even direct between Perth and London,' said Graham Turner, CEO of Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. Airspace risks Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines, as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic. Location spoofing and GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation. Flightradar24 told Reuters it had seen a 'dramatic increase' in jamming and spoofing in recent days over the Gulf. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, late on Sunday said it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed in 24 hours there. Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organization that shares flight risk information, said US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region. This could raise additional airspace risks in Gulf states like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it said. In the days before the US strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai. They have yet to resume. While international airlines are shying away from the region, local carriers in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are tentatively resuming some flights after widespread cancellations. Zionist entity is ramping up flights to help people return home as well as leave. A handful of so-called rescue flights landed in the country on Monday morning, with 24 in total scheduled for the day. The country's Airports Authority said that airlines would resume outbound flights on Monday, with a limit of 50 passengers. Airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day. BA cancels flights Meanwhile, British Airways cancelled flights between London's Heathrow Airport and Dubai and Doha on Sunday following US strikes on Iran and fears that the situation in the Middle East could deteriorate. 'As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew,' a BA spokesperson said, confirming that outgoing and incoming flights between Heathrow and Dubai or Doha were cancelled. A British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Dubai was diverted to Zurich on Saturday night, according to the tracking website Flightradar24. The BA website showed no flights available for Sunday or Monday when AFP checked for those routes, but flights were still available from Tuesday onward. BA did not confirm when the flights would resume, but said it would keep the situation under review. The airline typically flies three times a day between London Heathrow and Dubai, and two times to the Qatari capital. The US carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites overnight Saturday to Sunday after over a week of deadly missile exchanges between Zionist entity and Iran. Zionist entity closed its airspace after it launched a bombing campaign against Iran on June 13 - briefly reopening it on Sunday for repatriation flights. Several airlines last week cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran and other Middle East destinations, with Iraq, Jordan and Syria also closing their airspaces at the start of the latest fighting. Emirates and Qatar Airways were still running flights from Heathrow to Dubai and Doha. — Agencies
Observer
23-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Airlines weigh Middle East cancellations after US strikes in Iran
Airlines on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself. Cancellations in recent days to usually resilient aviation hubs like Dubai, the world's busiest international airport, and Qatar's Doha by international carriers show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated. The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Leading Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, which described the situation as "fluid", moved to cancel flights to Dubai through to Tuesday, having previously cancelled only its Sunday service. IAG group member Iberia cancelled Sunday's and Monday's Doha flights after making its own assessment, a spokesperson said. It has not made a decision regarding later flights. Air France KLM cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday, and Finnair cancelled flights from Doha until at least Tuesday. Kazakhstan's Air Astana cancelled flights to Dubai on Monday. However, some international airlines were expecting to resume services. Flightradar24 departure boards show British Airways, owned by IAG, was set to resume Dubai and Doha flights on Monday after cancelling routes to and from those airports on Sunday. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the U.S. attacks. Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group said it is getting a small number of customer requests to route journeys to Europe away from Middle Eastern hubs. "The most common transfer hubs that we're seeing requested are Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Johannesburg, or even direct between Perth and London," said Graham Turner, CEO of Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. AIRSPACE RISKS Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines, as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic. Location spoofing and GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation. Flightradar24 told Reuters it had seen a "dramatic increase" in jamming and spoofing in recent days over the Persian Gulf. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, late on Sunday said it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed in 24 hours there. Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information, said U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region. This could raise additional airspace risks in Gulf states like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it said. In the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai. They have yet to resume. While international airlines are shying away from the region, local carriers in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are tentatively resuming some flights after widespread cancellations. Israel is ramping up flights to help people return home, and leave. The country's Airports Authority says that so-called rescue flights to the country would expand on Monday with 24 a day, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers. From Monday, Israeli airlines will start to operate outbound flights, the authority said. Israeli airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day.
