Carry on: Beechcraft farewells, South African visas and more

Beechcraft phase-out schedule posted
Air New Zealand has posted a tentative schedule for its final Beechcraft 1900 regional flights next year. These will be removed on a continual basis, from March 27 until Auugust 26, 2016.
Wellington-Timaru will be the first to go from March 27, followed by Wellington-Hamilton on March 28 and Wellington-Blenheim on April 21. Christchurch-Blenheim and Christchurch-Hokitika will be next on May 1, with Wellington-Gisborne on July 31 and finally Wellington-Palmerston North on August 26.

Air NZ codeshares with Aerolineas Argentinas
Air New Zealand has opened reservations for its codeshare services with Aerolineas Argentinas that depart for Brazil from the two airports in Buenos Aires, starting on December 1. The routes operated by Aerolineas Argentinas 
will be Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Rio de Janeiro, 
Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Sao Paulo,
 Buenos Aires Jorge Newbury-Rio de Janeiro and
 Buenos Aires Jorge Newbury-Sao Paulo.

Southwest launches 'Transfarency' campaign
Southwest Airlines, which pioneered budget travel in the US, has a new ad campaign called “Transfarency” that focuses on its low-fares and lack of fees for luggage, booking changes and other hidden charges. The move comes as Southwest is due to open a new international concourse at Houston’s William P Hobby Airport and begins offering flights to six Latin American and Caribbean destinations.

South Africa’s visa rules cut tourist numbers
New visa requirements for families have been blamed for a sharp drop in the number of tourists since June. International arrivals of families have dropped 9.8% and the total international travellers in general have also declined.

The new requirements state that anyone who travels with someone under the age of 18 must present an unabridged birth certificate at port entry as well as a passport and visa. These regulations are intended to counter human and child trafficking but are now turning well-meaning visitors away.

In addition, international visitors must apply in person to tourism bureaus for their visas to gather biometric information through fingerprints. The government has pledged to review the arrangement to try to reverse the declining tourism figures.

Singapore expands KrisFlyer scheme
Members of Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer scheme can now earn miles when flying on Scoot and Tigerair, the airline’s two budget subsidiaries. The points accrue when travellers purchase a PlusPerks bundle or FlexiCombo fare for their flights. The option for KrisFlyer members to redeem miles for vouchers for travel on Scoot and Tigerair, or to pay for selected products offered by the two low-cost carriers, was made available earlier this year.

Cathay boosts Adelaide service
Cathay Pacific is increasing its Hong Kong-Adelaide operation from December 2 by adding a new flight on Wednesdays from Hong Kong, Thursdays from Adelaide. The increase from four to five weekly runs until March 26. The service uses A330-300 aircraft.