Warning: US hotel staff could soon be on strike

Imagine booking a conference, or even a room, at a hotel and then finding that the staff are on strike.

More than 13,000 hotel workers in four US cities may vote for strikes in the coming weeks.

It is predicted that picket lines could disrupt meetings and conventions, travel media portal Skift reports.

Contract talks at Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Omni properties in Boston, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Providence, Rhode Island are currently underway.

Unite Here, the union representing the workers, said voting will begin on August 6 at 125 hotels in the four locations. 

If workers vote to authorise strikes, they could begin any time after contracts expire. Contracts in some cities have already expired, while others run out in the coming weeks.

In total, over 40,000 hotel workers with the Unite Here union have contracts up for renegotiation this year in more than 20 cities across the US and Canada. 

“Momentum is building for strikes this year because workers are at a breaking point while the hotel industry is making record profits,” said Unite Here International President Gwen Mills. 

Among the demands of workers are a raise in wages and the reversal of staffing cuts that have led to fewer employees doing more.

Any strike puts event planners in a tough spot. Cancelling or changing venues will cost money but many attendees may want to show support for workers.

Image: Marco Simola, Scop.io

AirAsia Group boosts its fleet

AirAsia has continued its rapid bounce back post pandemic with the AirAsia Group today announcing the delivery of four brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The additions expand the airline’s total fleet to 221 aircraft.

With the addition of these four A321neos, AirAsia now has eight operational A321neos serving AirAsia Malaysia and Thailand.

As the longest-fuselage aircraft of the Airbus’ single-aisle A320 fleet, the A321neo’s advanced technology and fuel efficiency align perfectly with AirAsia’s goals of reducing operational costs while maintaining a superior travel experience for its guests, the airline said in a statement.

The aircraft's versatility allows it to land at smaller airports, serve secondary cities, and scale up operations with 30% lower costs compared to wide-body aircraft.

The much anticipated arrival of the four aircraft saw the immediate commencement of its flight operations across the two airlines, while providing greater flexibility on short to medium-haul routes such as Kuching, Tawau, Shenzhen, Kunming, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and more.

“This year marks a pivotal year for AirAsia's growth as we resume our Airbus A321neo deliveries, aligning with the strong forecast demand," said Bo Lingam, CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group.

"These new aircraft are game-changers, allowing us to enhance our route network, offer longer-range flights, and improve operational efficiency.

“Looking ahead, we anticipate our fleet to exceed 300 aircraft within the next five years, carrying over 100 million guests annually. This expansion marks the beginning of AirAsia’s new era as the world's first low-cost network carrier, with the aim to connect Asean with the world and vice versa.”

In the first half of 2024, AirAsia launched 20 new routes across the group, serving over 130 destinations and carrying more than 31 million guests.

The new plan to rescue the Australian wine industry

A new plan to help lift the wine industry in Australia was unveiled today in Adelaide.

Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia have launched the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan at the Wine Industry Update 2024 conference.

Developed to support the sector’s recovery from a period of ongoing challenges, the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan aims to chart a clear path of action and to reflects "the sector’s resilience and commitment to forge a vibrant and prosperous future".

The Plan provides the framework for collaborative and co-ordinated action for the sector, as well as a roadmap for achieving the sector's goals and vision articulated in Vision 2050.

Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive Officer Lee McLean said the Plan’s development is the result of extensive consultation across the entire sector.

“Grapegrowers, winemakers, exporters, industry associations, researchers, business and suppliers have shared their views, insights, aspirations, concerns and expectations on the challenges and opportunities for the sector,” McLean said.

“As a result, the Plan launched today, provides greater linkages to existing plans, such as Vision 2050, demonstrates stronger industry leadership, collaboration and coordination, and provides practical action and guidance for all.”

The Plan provides the framework for collaboration and coordination among all sector players to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in Vision 2050. Six key themes shape the roadmap for sector success:Our place and product: consumers, customers and community; markets, sustainability, people, systems and infrastructure.

“The breadth of the Australian grape and wine sector is its strength; from family-owned grapegrowers, commercial and premium winemakers, to vertically integrated businesses and corporates," says Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Cole.

"The strength of the Plan lies in our ability to share the load to optimise the opportunities ahead..

“But success is dependent on action: collaboration and shared responsibility, to learn from the past, acting on the challenges of today, to set the course for sector success."

The One Grape & Wine Sector Plan can be downloaded from agw.org.au or wineaustralia.com.

Image: Emanuele Lattarulo, Scop.io 

Emissions target "too hard" for Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has officially abandoned its 2030 target to cut carbon emissions. 

The New Zealand flag carrier is the first major airline to do so, saying meeting the target was too hard.

It blamed the problems of sourcing sustainable jet fuel and delays in getting more fuel-efficient planes, news website Travelmole reported.

The airline says it remains committed to cutting emissions and the overall goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

It says it will devise a new short-term emissions target.

“In recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, it has also become apparent that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to achievability,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said.

Just two years ago, the airline adopted a more ambitious target of cutting emissions.

New Zealand’s location and the size of the aviation market is also playing a part in the lack of viable sustainable aviation fuel development locally.

No not so clean and green. 

Vietjet proving a serious success story

The Australian aviation industry may be a tale of woe right now, but in Asia, airlines are reporting impressive profits. 

The closure of Bonza, and Rex being placed into administration impacted flyers in Australia, but successful Vietnamese airline Vietjet saw its revenue grow by 15% in the first half of 2024. 

The independent carrier also reported profits 21% higher than its annual target and recently flew its 200 millionth passenger.

Founded in 2007, tt was the first privately owned airline to be established in Vietnam.

In the first six months of 2024, Vietjet’s operations outperformed pre-pandemic 2019 with the airline transporting a total of 13.1 million passengers on 70,154 safe flights from January-June 2024.

In the second quarter of the year, Vietjet reported a pre-tax profit of VND517 billion (approx. US$20.57 million). 

Vietjet is now operating over 149 routes across Vietnam and internationally, including 38 domestic and 111 international routes.

In Australia, Vietjet has added two routes from Hanoi to Melbourne and Sydney, bringing its total number of routes between Vietnam and Australia to seven. 

Together with the first five routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the five largest cities in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney), Vietjet is now the airline operating the most routes between Vietnam and Australia with 58 flights per week.

Vietjet is offering a week-long promotion from August 2-8 (GMT+7), with tickets priced for as low as $199 on international routes connecting Australia and Vietnam and other Vietnamese domestic routes. 

The travel period is from September 4, 2024, to May 222, 2025. The availability of discounted seats varies depending on the route and travel dates.

* Check out my report on the Vietjet experience coming up in October. 

See www.vietjetair.com

Coonawarra winemakers hit the road

It isn't that easy to get to Coonawarra, so its winemakers are bringing their wares to cities and towns across Australia. 

The 2024 Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow will be held in four capital and two provincial cities with up to 26 premium producers travelling across the land to show off some of their best drops. 

Attendees will be spoilt for choice with between 100 and 170 wines featuring on the wine lists at the various events. 

Here is the line-up: 

SYDNEY | Sydney Masonic Centre - Wednesday August 14 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-in-sydney/
NOOSA | Sunshine Beach Surf Club – Friday August 16 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-roadshow-noosa/
BRISBANE | The Calile Hotel - Sunday August 18 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-roadshow-brisbane/
GEELONG | Novotel Geelong – Wednesday August 21 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-in-geelong/
MELBOURNE | RACV City Club – Thursday August 22 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-in-melbourne/
ADELAIDE | The National Wine Centre – Friday August 30 https://coonawarra.org/event/2024-coonawarra-roadshow-adelaide/

“The Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow is an enduring regional showcase, much anticipated by wine lovers around Australia," says Wynns Coonawarra Estate winemaker Sarah Pigeon. 

"It’s a great way to get a snapshot of the current wine styles across Coonawarra and meet the people behind your favourite wines, while discovering some new ones. 

“Direct connection with wine lovers is always a valuable two-way conversation that invigorates our wine community.”