Carry On: News for business travellers

Fiji flies in style
Air Pacific has gone premium in sealing partnerships to furnish its first-ever new purchases – three Airbus A330-200 airctaft, due to start arriving in June next year when the airline relaunches as Fiji Airways. The cabin interiors will be designed and built by Singapore Airlines Engineering Company, one of world’s leading suppliers, while Panasonic will supply its eX2 in-flight entertainment system. This includes on-demand audio/video, games, communications and applications for other devices. Business class will have 15.4in LED screens while economy will get 9in touch screens. Zodiac Aerospace’s Texas-based Weber Aircraft will provide the seats (chief executive David Flieger and Massey-trained first officer Adrianna Tiko are shown in business class). The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce's Trent 700 engines, The A330-200’s will fly on routes to Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

Qantas has its say
Qantas says it has no argument with the government of Fiji that it should substantially own and control Air Pacific. But it does take issue with claims that it has any further “rights” than to appoint four directors to the nine member board (where a two-thirds majority is required to endorse major decisions). Qantas has no other “veto rights” and no ability to unilaterally control the operations of Air Pacific, its spokeswoman Olivia Wirth says in a posting on the Australian Financial Review website in response to a story. “We expect our appointed directors to comply with their legal obligation and make all decisions in the best interest of Air Pacific – even if that conflicts with the interest of the Qantas Group,” Ms Wirth says. “Despite this, the Fiji government has made clear its intention to unilaterally take absolute control of the airline under a new decree. “ She says the Air Pacific articles of association have clear provisions for a potential sale of Qantas’ shares. “We have simply said to the Fiji government that we expect it to abide by these provisions and requested that an independent international arbitrator be appointed if a purchase price cannot be agreed. It is unfortunate that the government has seen fit to publicly attack Qantas for upholding the agreement between us.”

Singapore drops Abu Dhabi, Athens
Singapore Airlines (SIL) will stop flying to Abu Dhabi and Athens from October 26 due to lack of patronage. SIL has been flying to Athens since 1972 and Abu Dhabi since 2006. Abu Dhabi is currently served three times per week, while Athens is served two times per week, rising to three times per week between early July and late September. Travellers already booked beyond October 27 will get refunds or receive other travel options.

Czechs show off sleazy sights
The Prague Crony Safari, organised by CorruptTour, offers sightseeing trips to places associated with alleged dirty dealing in the Czech Republic. While the capital is best known for its wealth of historic medieval and baroque buildings, outraged locals believe it is more famous for its political sleaze that has flourished during the post-communist era. Only this week, the governor of the Central Bohemia region was arrested in a police sting operation while carrying a box stuffed with seven million Czech koruna $460,000). A 2-3hr tour in English costs €25 while special tours cost 499 koruna ($33). More details at CorruptTour.

New route of the week
Fast-expanding Qatar Airways has extended its daily Doha-Budapest service to the Croatian capital of Zagreb, the first Gulf-based airline to do so. Budapest’s Ferenc Listz International Airport is worth a visit in itself. Monocle magazine praises the new Skycourt – a large shell-shaped steel and glass structure linking two terminals – for its huge windows and extensive shopping and dining facilities. Designed by Hungarian architect Zoltan Tima, it “was constructed to change the experience of flying,” says airport CEO Jost Lammers. As for Zagreb, the greater area boasts a population of 1.1 million and dates back to 1094 when it was declared a diocese by Hungarian King Ladislaus.When part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire it was known as Agram. It remains the centre of Croatian culture and during World War II became an independent state under pro-Nazi rule. Independence was again established after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991. It has about 30 historic and artistic collections in museums and galleries, while the well-preserved Upper Town dates back to medieval times.