Carry On: News for business travellers

World airlines losses mount
Airline losses hit $US1.5 billion in the first three months of 2012, according to IATA’s latest Airlines Financial Monitor. of 55 carriers. A year ago the figure stood at a positive $US17 million. Operating profits also suffered badly, being halved to an estimated $US1.26 billion. IATA says the first three months of the year are seasonally weaker “but nevertheless this is evidence of deterioration.” Performances across the regions have varied, with North America improving on a year ago while European airlines saw even larger losses.

Emirates specials South Africa, South Asia
Among the many hot travel offers around, Emirates has special economy class return fares, on sale until July 6, for travel from Auckland and Christchurch to South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and Dubai. The new fares, which apply to departures between July 8 and November 30, include Johannesburg and Cape Town for $2429 and Mumbai for $1929. Other special round-trip rates are to Durban ($2529), Dubai ($2449), Delhi ($1949) and Colombo ($1919). The fares to South Africa, India and Sri Lanka include the option to break the journey in Dubai and are inclusive of all taxes and levies. Some conditions apply. Travellers from Wellington, Dunedin and Queenstown can book connections with the Emirates flights for $150 return.

Highs and lows at Qantas
Qantas shares plunged to all-time lows this week, prompting some to recall how public outrage in Australia stopped a takeover five years. The offer then was $A5.60 a share; this week they closed at just 97Ac. The bid from a consortium called Airline Partners Australia in December 2006 valued the airline at $A11 billion. Now it is worth just over $A2 billion in market capitalisation. The APA offer was described by the Qantas board at the time as too good not to refuse. But the public and government said no, which goes to prove those who promote state ownership of businesses do not do so on the basis of business sense.

Extra flights to London
Singapore Airlines is introducing a fourth daily flight between Singapore and London Heathrow. SIA plies the route with A380 superjumbos but the additional flight, which starts operating on September 9, will be rostered for a B777-300ER equipped with the latest premium class seating. The move comes as a surprise as SIA last increased the frequency of its London-Singapore operation way back in 1998. But the airline says the main reason has been the difficulty with obtaining the relevant slots at Heathrow. It is planned to increase the fourth flight to a daily basis from October 21.

Tahiti easier for Aussies
Air Tahiti Nui is expanding its Australian presence from next month through a new codeshare service with Qantas to Tahiti from Melbourne and Brisbane. The new services will connect with flights operated by Air Tahiti Nui to Auckland from July 1.