Last month, customs officials at the Gongbei Port of Entry began using Sanbot, a humanoid robot designed and built by QIHAN Technology Company, to help increase efficiency, security and customer experience at the busy border crossing. According to QIHAN, Sanbot is a service robot powered by a cloud-enabled app ecosystem designed to be deployed in a wide variety of settings including retail locations, schools, hospitals and more. “The use of Sanbot by Gongbei Customs demonstrates just how versatile Sanbot’s AI platform truly is,” said Zhuang Yongjun, chief technology officer at QIHAN. “We truly believe that robots like Sanbot have the…

Air New Zealand has today welcomed customers to the airline’s first lounge dedicated to regional travelers out of Wellington. Located on the first floor of the airport’s main terminal building ahead of the new centralised security screening point, the lounge offers seating for more than 100 customers. Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod says the new space is open to all lounge eligible customers but was designed specifically for those travelling to regional ports. “The lounge’s proximity to regional gates will give customers travelling on regional services more time to relax or get some work done…

Emirates has partnered with LinkedIn to provide select LinkedIn Learning courses on ice, its award-winning inflight entertainment (IFE) system. Emirates, which offers five daily New Zealand services operated by double-decker A380 aircraft, is the first international airline to make these courses available on board. The new offering on ice is available from this month and is part of Emirates’ continued commitment to providing new and diverse IFE content. The free expert-led LinkedIn Learning courses range from 20 minutes to over two hours long and cover topics such as Leadership, General Management, Marketing, and Creative Lifestyle. The courses feature high-quality, personally…

Air New Zealand has announced more than 80 extra flights to and from Auckland to transport Adele fans from throughout the country to see the global superstar perform her first New Zealand tour. The airline will operate extra services between Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown in the days leading up and following the singer’s sold-out shows in March 2016. In an effort to move as many fans as possible, Air New Zealand will use one of its 312 seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft normally dedicated to international routes on some Christchurch-Auckland services, with the rest operated by the A320…

Air New Zealand will today notify the Environment Court that it will seek to be represented at the upcoming hearings of the resource consent application for the proposed Wellington Airport runway extension. Air New Zealand believes the application made by Wellington Airport not only fails to present the full facts but also contains serious analytical flaws. The airline will present additional information to the Court in the interests of fully informed deliberations. Air New Zealand Chief Strategy, Networks and Alliances Officer Stephen Jones says, “As an airline we are usually supportive of airport developments, but this idea has no customers…

Economic report shows strong economic growth from Jetstar’s regional expansion  First year GDP boost estimated at up to $40 million, equating to nearly 600 jobs  Low fares stimulate passenger growth in all regions An economic impact report estimates that additional visitor spending following Jetstar’s expansion to Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North will result in GDP growth of up to $40 million for the regions in the first year of operation. The report, prepared for Jetstar by Wellington firm Infometrics, says a GDP jump of this magnitude has the potential to support nearly 600 jobs across the…

With Christchurch and Auckland services upgraded, Emirates now has five daily A380s to and from New Zealand Emirates notched up a momentous double-header today when it introduced its flagship A380 double-decker aircraft on two New Zealand routes on the same day. The airline’s step-up in capacity on both its Christchurch service and its non-stop Auckland-Dubai flight means that Emirates now has an all-A380 offering across its five daily New Zealand services. On the same morning, flight EK448 set off from Dubai on its 16-hour journey to Auckland, signalling the start of daily scheduled A380 services on the non-stop route previously…

Emirates has signed an agreement with Thales to equip its new Boeing 777X fleet with Thales AVANT inflight entertainment system. The airline will work in partnership with Thales to develop and enhance the state-of-the-art inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system to be fitted on its Boeing 777X aircraft due for delivery starting in mid-2020. This major investment underscores Emirates’ continued commitment to providing the best possible passenger experience, and its strategy to ensure the best and latest technology complements its young and modern fleet. “Our partnership with Thales represents a significant investment and emphasis on customer experience, which has always…

The US$11 million refurbishment project took two years to complete and is part of the airline’s continuous investment to improve and upgrade its products for a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. Emirates’ premium customers, including those on the airline’s five daily New Zealand services to Dubai and beyond, can now look forward to an enhanced lounge experience with three new distinct concept areas within the Emirates Business Class Lounge. The latest food and beverage concepts cater to diverse tastes and include a barista experience in partnership with Costa Coffee, a Health hub with Voss water featuring healthier options, and an…

Emirates Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates airline, has partnered with Dubai Duty Free, one of the leading airport retailers in the world, for instant Miles redemption at participating stores. Emirates Skywards members can spend their Miles at Dubai Duty Free stores at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International at Dubai South. Emirates’ five daily New Zealand services all go through Dubai International Airport. Emirates customers travelling to or from its hub at Dubai International Airport or passing through on transit or direct connections to over 150 destinations in its global network, can look forward to 34,000…

Emirates will launch a daily service between Dubai and Fort Lauderdale on December 15, 2016, serving the South Florida area, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. This will be Emirates’ 11th passenger route in the United States. The airline will operate a GE-powered US-built Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in a three-class configuration on the route, offering eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class lie-flat beds and 216 Economy Class seats for travellers, and up to 15 tonnes of bellyhold cargo for shippers. “Fort Lauderdale and Miami are two of America’s most exciting destinations for leisure and business travel,” said…