Business Travel News – July 26
AIRLINES
Australia to expand digital arrival declaration
Australia is set to expand its digital arrival declaration, with the online system expected to become available to all international travellers over the next two years. The Australia Traveller Declaration has been trialled on selected Qantas flights arriving into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane since October 2024. The pilot will extend to Perth and Adelaide before the end of 2026. From 2027, the declaration will be available to all travellers arriving at Australian international airports and seaports via a webform, regardless of airline. The Government will continue working with airlines to integrate the declaration into airline apps, while traditional paper arrival cards will remain available for travellers who cannot access the digital system.
Qantas and Jetstar announce Western Sydney flights
Qantas and Jetstar have confirmed their first services from Western Sydney International Airport. Jetstar will operate the airport’s first commercial passenger flight when it opens on 25 October 2026, serving the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Brisbane. QantasLink will add Melbourne and Brisbane services from 28 March 2027, with tickets now available.
Qantas prepares Project Sunrise for sale
Qantas is moving closer to launching its ultra-long-haul Sydney-London service, with tickets expected to become available from February 2027. Daily non-stop flights are scheduled to begin in October 2027 using the airline’s A350-1000ULR aircraft. The aircraft will feature 238 seats across four cabin classes, with the new service expected to reduce current one-stop travel times by up to four hours.
Qantas reconnects Gold Coast and Auckland
Qantas has restored flights between the Gold Coast and Auckland, marking the airline’s return to international operations from the Queensland airport. The service will operate three times a week. It is the first time in more than five years that Qantas has flown the route.
Brisbane Airport expansion plans progress
Brisbane Airport’s 2026 Master Plan has received Federal Government approval, paving the way for major investment across the precinct. More than $5 billion will be spent over the next five years, including planning for a new Terminal 3. The terminal is expected to open in the early 2030s and will be positioned between the parallel runways to improve aircraft access and reduce taxi times.
Qantas lifts Melbourne-Tokyo capacity
Qantas will add more capacity between Melbourne and Tokyo for the peak northern winter season. From December 2026 to March 2027, flights will increase from daily to 11 services per week. The additional flying will place about 30,000 extra seats on the route.
Qantas Group adjusts domestic and trans-Tasman network
Qantas Group has confirmed a series of network changes linked to higher operating costs and the passenger movement charge increase. Jetstar will end Sunshine Coast-Auckland and Cairns-Christchurch flights on 24 October. Qantas will suspend Melbourne-Alice Springs and pause Darwin-Singapore from 25 October. Jetstar will also add Auckland-Melbourne frequency, start Sydney-Christchurch, and bring back Sydney-Busselton and Gold Coast-Darwin services.
Virgin extends COVID credit deadline
Virgin Australia customers with remaining COVID travel credits have been given more time to use them. The airline has extended the travel window to 27 May 2027, giving eligible customers almost an additional year to redeem their credits.
Singapore Airlines builds new Melbourne lounge
Singapore Airlines has started work on a new SilverKris Lounge at Melbourne Airport, with completion expected by the end of 2026. The new lounge will be located on level three of the international terminal, above Gate 10, and will include separate spaces for business and first class passengers. The current SilverKris Lounge will remain open during construction.
Qantas sets new Wi-Fi rollout target
Qantas has revised the timing for international onboard Wi-Fi across its widebody aircraft. The airline now expects the service to be available across the international widebody fleet within nine months.
India introduces digital health declaration
Travellers arriving in India, including Australians, must now complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 Passenger Health Self-Declaration Form within 24 hours before departure. The temporary measure has been introduced in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. After submitting the form, travellers will receive an acknowledgement by email, which must be presented to immigration officials on arrival. Indian authorities have confirmed the health declaration is separate from the country’s electronic arrival form and existing visa application process.
Qatar Airways keeps route suspensions in place
Qatar Airways has extended suspensions across 13 routes for the period from 16 September 2026 to 27 March 2027. The affected network includes Hamburg, Malta, Venice, Sofia, Mogadishu and several Saudi Arabian airports.
Qatar swaps A380 from Sydney route
Qatar Airways has removed the Airbus A380 from its Sydney operation and will use the Boeing 777-300ER instead. The airline had intended to return the A380 to Sydney from 16 September. The aircraft change will reduce capacity to Sydney, including first class availability.
Asiana confirms Star Alliance exit
Asiana Airlines will leave Star Alliance on 16 December 2026 as the carrier is integrated into Korean Air. Star Alliance loyalty members can continue earning on Asiana until 15 October, while status benefits and redemptions on Asiana services will remain available until 16 December.
China Eastern begins Adelaide-Shanghai flights
China Eastern Airlines has launched direct flights between Adelaide and Shanghai. The service will operate three times weekly until 2 August. The airline joins China Southern Airlines, which already connects Adelaide with Guangzhou.
China Eastern adds Brisbane and Sydney flying
China Eastern Airlines will increase services from Shanghai Pudong to Brisbane from seven to 10 flights per week from 11 December. Sydney will also gain an extra service from the same date, taking the route to three flights daily.
Melbourne Airport moves to new transport hub
Melbourne Airport will stop kerbside pick-ups and drop-offs from October, directing passengers to new dedicated areas inside the T123 Transport Hub. The hub will become the main pick-up and drop-off point for Qantas, Virgin and international passengers, with separate areas for private and commercial vehicles and increased passenger handling capacity.
Perth Airport unveils T1 refresh
Perth Airport has completed a refresh of its T1 international retail and hospitality precinct. The upgrade includes 14 new or refreshed outlets, including Roll’d Vietnamese, Sushi Jiro, WA Cellar, Matso’s Brewhouse, The Jerky Co and an expanded Perth Duty Free. The precinct also features updated seating, shuttle bus services and improved terminal transfers.
Starlux considers Australia and New Zealand expansion
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines is considering new services to Sydney and Auckland in 2027, subject to final review. The plans were outlined at the airline’s shareholder meeting, alongside proposed routes to Barcelona and Zurich. Starlux is also assessing further expansion into the United States.
Velocity adds cinema points partnership
Velocity Frequent Flyer has expanded its non-travel earn and redemption options through new cinema partnerships. Members can now earn one Velocity Point per $1 spent at Event Cinemas and Village Cinemas. Movie tickets can also be redeemed from 2,000 points.
Qantas Project Sunrise aircraft takes first flight
Qantas’ first A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise has completed its initial test flight in Toulouse. The aircraft is intended for future non-stop services linking Australia’s east coast with London and New York. Qantas has not yet confirmed commercial timing.
Asiana retimes Sydney-Seoul service
Asiana Airlines will move its Sydney-Seoul service to an evening schedule from 8 June. Flights will depart Sydney at 9pm and arrive in Seoul at 6.30am the next day. The new timing gives travellers a full day in Korea on arrival.
Philippine Airlines moves towards oneworld
Philippine Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join oneworld. The move will add 31 destinations to the alliance network and improve connectivity across Asia Pacific. Once the carrier joins, Mabuhay Miles members will be able to earn and redeem across oneworld airlines, including Qantas, with top-tier members gaining partner lounge access.
United introduces chef-led long-haul menus
United Airlines will add new chef-curated meals on selected long-haul flights from 1 August through its Chef’s Table partnership. The menus have been developed by 11 chefs from four continents and will include multi-course options inspired by Californian, Asian and Latin American cuisine.
Qatar Airways adds premium mocktails
Qatar Airways has introduced a new non-alcoholic drinks range for first and business class passengers travelling from Australia and New Zealand to, or via, Doha. Created with mixologist Lorenzo Antinori, the collection includes five mocktails, such as Sunrise Punch and Virgin Bloody Mary, and is available in the A380 in-flight lounge.
HOTELS
Waldorf Astoria opens London reservations
Bookings are now available for Waldorf Astoria London, Admiralty Arch, which is scheduled to open on 1 March 2027. The 114-room luxury hotel sits opposite Buckingham Palace and will open following the restoration of the historic London landmark.
Novotel St Kilda prepares for relaunch
The former St Kilda Beach Hotel is now taking bookings ahead of its October relaunch as Novotel St Kilda. The 80-room property is being updated with a contemporary coastal design. It will also feature Urban Kitchen & Bar, a 120-seat venue for guests, private functions and corporate events, plus meeting space for up to 40 guests.
Hilton debuts Canopy brand in Southeast Asia
Hilton will open Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit on 1 August, marking the Canopy brand’s first property in Southeast Asia. Located in Bangkok’s Asoke precinct, the hotel is close to the Asoke BTS Skytrain station and BTS-MRT interchange. It will offer 174 rooms and suites, four dining venues, a rooftop pool, fitness centre and social spaces.
Hyatt opens beside London Olympia
Hyatt Regency London Olympia has opened next to the Olympia event venue, which is undergoing a major transformation. The hotel gives guests access to the precinct’s exhibition spaces, convention centre, theatres, music venues, restaurants and offices. The property is set within a restored 1937 Art Deco building.
Adina opens extended-stay hotel in Brisbane
Adina Apartment Hotels Chermside Brisbane is now welcoming guests in Brisbane’s northern corridor. The 148-room hotel is positioned near Brisbane Airport, major hospitals and Westfield Chermside. It offers studios and apartment-style rooms with kitchen and laundry facilities, along with meeting spaces, undercover parking and flexible living areas.
The Luxury Collection returns to New York
Marriott has brought The Luxury Collection back to Manhattan with the introduction of The London. Located at 151 West 54th Street in Midtown, the 54-storey hotel is close to Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Broadway theatres and dining precincts. The property includes 562 all-suite rooms, many with skyline views.
Millennium Premier Times Square reopens
Millennium Premier Hotel New York Times Square has reopened after a full renovation of its 124 guestrooms and public areas. The updated rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows, new furniture, fixtures and finishes, and layouts suited to working travellers. The lobby lounge and fireplace lounge have also been redesigned, with a club lounge due in October.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Geelong opens new convention centre
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention Centre is now open, adding a major business events venue to Victoria. Operated by the Victorian Convention and Event Trust, the centre includes a 1,000-seat theatre, exhibition areas, meeting rooms, conference facilities, flexible event spaces and a public outdoor plaza. Accommodation is available next door at Crowne Plaza Geelong.
Fullerton Sydney adds major ballroom screen
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will install a 190m² permanent LED screen in its Grand Ballroom from 1 September, which the hotel says will be the largest hotel LED screen in Australia. The upgrade will remove the need for projectors and portable screens, supported by new production cameras, 4K vision processing, lighting and audio.
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