DUBAI UAE, 13 June 2025: Emirates and Air China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic framework for expanding their existing reciprocal interline cooperation.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the 81st Annual General Meeting (IATA AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi.
The MoU was signed by Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and Air China’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Yan Fei, accompanied by senior executives from both sides.
Adnan Kazim said: “Our partnership with Air China commenced 26 years ago (July 1999), and since 2018, approximately 18,000 Emirates customers have benefited from the expanded connectivity offered through our interline agreement.
Building on this success, we’ve recently announced the launch of two new Chinese cities—Shenzhen and Hangzhou—which will strengthen our East Asia operations. Shenzhen will feature our best-in-class products, including our brand-new Premium Economy cabin. As we continue expanding our investments in the Chinese mainland, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Air China to meet growing travel demand in this strategic market and create new pathways for travel and trade between China and the global community.”
Yan Fei said: “Air China highly values the cooperation with Emirates. The signing of this memorandum marks a significant milestone in the deepening of cooperation between the two sides. Air China continues to implement the “Belt and Road Initiative”. By collaborating with Emirates, we will further expand our route network in China-UAE and the global market and jointly promote global connectivity.”
Under the MOU, Emirates and Air China will explore a reciprocal codeshare on select routes across each other’s networks. This would allow each airline to place its code on the other’s flights on China-UAE trunk routes as well as beyond Beijing and Dubai to an expanded list of points. *
Emirates and Air China will also develop a framework for cooperation across cargo operations and respective frequent flyer loyalty programmes, enhancing their value proposition for both travellers and businesses.
To further ensure seamless connectivity for customers, the two carriers will explore coordinating flight schedules or adjusting minimum connecting times. Once activated, customers of both airlines will benefit from a seamless booking process, single-ticket itineraries, and wider lounge access to new and exciting destinations.
Beyond commercial cooperation, both carriers plan to exchange best practices in areas such as revenue management, data analytics, digitalisation, brand management and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), among others, through joint knowledge sharing and familiarisation visits.
Emirates in the Chinese mainland
From 30 July, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai as well as daily flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. The airline’s continued expansion into the Chinese mainland reflects the deepening bilateral ties between the UAE and China, underscoring Emirates’ longstanding commitment to advancing the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative.
For more information on the airline and to book flights visit: www.emirates.com.
BANGKOK, 13 June 2025: BWH Hotels invites travellers to discover more and earn big with 5,000 bonus Best Western Rewards points on the latest campaign.
BWR members will earn 5,000 bonus points for every three nights stayed at participating hotels across Asia between 12 May and 1 September 2025. Stays do not need to be consecutive, and each member can earn up to 20,000 bonus points during the promotion.
This offer is available at Best Western and SureStay Hotels-branded properties in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. To participate, BWR members simply need to sign in to their account and register before booking.
About BWH Hotels BWH Hotels is a leading global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. With 18 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
SINGAPORE, 13 June 2025: Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national flag carrier, celebrated the expansion of the China network at a media reception in Guangzhou on Wednesday.
Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster attended the event along with Kazakhstan Minister Counsellor Kuanysh Amantay and Air Astana Senior Regional Manager for China and Mongolia Islam Sekerbekov.
Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster.
The recent launch of Air Astana services from Almaty to Guangzhou marked a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion in China. The service not only became the fifth direct connection between Kazakhstan and China, but it also represents the first Air Astana flight linking southern Kazakhstan with southern China.
This expansion underscores Air Astana’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and fostering closer ties between the two countries. Passengers from Guangzhou arriving in Almaty can enjoy convenient onward connections to destinations throughout Central Asia, the Caucasus, Middle East, South Asia and Europe.
“China has always been an important strategic market for Air Astana,” said Foster. “The launch of the Guangzhou service marks a significant step in expanding our Chinese route network in line with our long-term growth objectives.”
“Air Astana has a proud reputation for delivering outstanding in-flight service, with passengers from China destined to enjoy high standards of cabin comfort and warm Kazakh hospitality.”
Air Astana has continuously expanded its route network in China since launching the Almaty to Beijing route over 20 years ago. The airline now operates five routes between Kazakhstan and China: Almaty to Beijing, Astana to Beijing, Almaty to Urumqi, Almaty to Hainan and Almaty to Guangzhou, with a total of 23 weekly flights. Air Astana predominantly operates the Airbus A321LR on China routes.
AUCKLAND, 13 June 2025: Stats NZ reported on Wednesday that New Zealand received 3.36 million international visitors in the year ended 30 April 2025.
Tourism New Zealand noted that the number was around 176,000 more than the previous year (+5.5%) and represented a recovery of 86.5% to the 2019 calendar year before the pandemic.
Photo credit: Tourism New Zealand.
Holiday arrivals increased to 1.68 million (+13% compared to last year), representing an 85.0% recovery from 2019 levels.
Of the total visitation pool, there were 1.4 million Australian visitors (+12% year-on-year), 380,000 American visitors (+1%), 248,000 Chinese visitors (+12%) and 188,000 UK visitors (+11%).
Data on international visitors arriving in New Zealand is produced by Stats NZ and commissioned by Tourism New Zealand. The International Visitor Arrivals (IVA) is published monthly, based on border crossing information collected through Customs (passport data) and arrival cards.
100% Pure New Zealand revived
Meanwhile, New Zealand invites the world to find their 100% Pure New Zealand in a new global campaign that was launched on 12 June.
The campaign brings the iconic 100% Pure New Zealand brand to the forefront, inviting visitors to find their 100%.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy said: “This is our call for people around the world to be connected, present, inspired and fulfilled in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.”
Launching across global social media channels and paid media in the US on Thursday, the campaign will roll out across New Zealand’s key visitor source markets, utilising digital, social, trade, and industry activities. The campaign aims to encourage the 155 million people actively considering a New Zealand holiday to make their booking now.
The campaign features dozens of regions and experiences from across the country, such as whale watching and creative culinary experiences in Kaikōura, sampling world-class food and wine in Queenstown, Hump Ridge track hiking in Fiordland, exploring Hobbiton in Matamata, and enjoying Auckland’s Tiritiri Matangi wildlife haven.
Tourism New Zealand worked alongside regional tourism operators and the wider industry to create the campaign. It will continue to take a collaborative approach to campaign-related activity over the coming months.
Developed alongside agency TBWA \ New Zealand, the campaign creative breathes fresh life into 100% Pure New Zealand’s enduring 25-year history. It showcases a diverse range of travellers experiencing rich cultural and emotional experiences throughout the country, each one embodying the meaning of “finding their unique 100%”.
“This is a rejuvenation for the 100% Pure New Zealand brand and for travellers considering a trip here. We’re inviting the world to discover that New Zealand isn’t just a place you visit; it’s a place which fosters a deep connection with the locals, with those you’re travelling with, leaving you fulfilled”, de Monchy said.
“We know a trip to New Zealand is about more than just landscapes and landmarks. There truly is something for everyone, whether that’s adventure-seeking thrills, finding total rejuvenation in nature, or enjoying our world-class culinary scene.”
Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure New Zealand brand has been running for over 25 years and is one of the world’s longest-running destination marketing campaigns. This iteration of the brand replaces the successful If You Seek campaign, which has been running since 2022.
Rolling out alongside the campaign is the new Experience Planner to help people create their 100% Pure New Zealand itinerary, as well as tools and resources for travel agents worldwide.
MANILA, 13 June 2025: As Europe gears up for its summer holidays, digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Thailand remains the most searched Asian market by European travellers for the second consecutive year.
Following closely are Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia, with Vietnam making its debut in the top five.
The findings from Agoda’s ‘Europe to Asia Summer Travel Trends’ are based on accommodation searches for travel during July and August, the peak summer months for European travellers.
Among the top destinations, Malaysia experienced the largest increase in interest, with a 20% rise in searches compared to last year. China, benefiting from visa waivers introduced for several European markets, recorded a 14% rise, while Sri Lanka experienced a 13% increase.
The UK, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands continue to lead as the European markets generate the most searches for travel to Asia. Meanwhile, Greece (+23%), Turkey (+21%), and Poland (+17%) emerged as trending origin markets, reflecting the growing interest in Asian destinations from these regions.
Agoda Senior Vice President Supply Andrew Smith shared: “Asia’s allure as a summer escape for European travellers remains undeniable, with Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan holding their spots as perennial favourites. What’s even more exciting is the rising interest in destinations like Malaysia, China, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. This shift highlights a growing curiosity among European travellers to explore Asia’s diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and hidden gems during their summer adventures. Being the Asia Expert, Agoda is proud to offer great deals for travel to Europe’s favourite Asian destinations and beyond.”
When it comes to specific destinations, Bali in Indonesia leads the pack, followed by Bangkok and Koh Samui in Thailand. Notably, Koh Samui has replaced Tokyo in the top three, potentially influenced by the global popularity of HBO’s ‘The White Lotus,’ a TV show which showcased the island’s charm.
SINGAPORE, 13 June 2025: Princess Cruises will be homeporting two ships in Singapore for the second time when Sapphire Princess joins Diamond Princess for the 2026-27 season.
This will mean that both ships will offer a broader range of itineraries and more sailing dates for guests to choose from for the Singapore 2026-27 season including several festive sailings.
Photo credit: Princess Cruises. Sapphire and Diamond dual homeport.
The first time that these two sister ships were based in Singapore was in 2018-2019. Sapphire Princess was the first Princess ship to homeport in Singapore for six seasons from 2014 to 2020. Both ships can accommodate up to 2,670 guests each.
The Diamond Princess will return to Singapore for the upcoming season, from December 2025 to February 2026, marking her third season in the region.
Key highlights of Sapphire Princess’ Singapore season 2026-27
Sapphire Princess will offer 18 itineraries from Singapore, including roundtrip Southeast Asia and Far East sailings, as well as special holiday cruises. Many itineraries include late-night stays in destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
Specific Itineraries
33-night Los Angeles to Singapore: On 15 October 2025, Sapphire Princess will embark on a repositioning voyage from Los Angeles before crossing the Pacific to visit several destinations in Hawaii, Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong & Vietnam) and Yokohama before sailing for Singapore.
Christmas and New Year: A 14-day Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam itinerary visiting eight destinations, including stops in Kuala Lumpur,
Penang & Langkawi: Ho Chi Minh City; Sihanoukville in Cambodia;
Phuket & Koh Samui including an overnight stop in Bangkok.
Chinese New Year/Valentine’s Day (6 February 2027): Guests can celebrate the welcoming of the Year of the Goat onboard as the ship embarks on the first day of Chinese New Year for a 14-day cruise, visiting 10 ports in Southeast Asia.
Roundtrip Southeast Asia: 10- to 16-day roundtrip sailings from Singapore, visiting Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Key highlights of Diamond Princess’ Singapore season 2026-27
The Diamond Princess’ extended season in Japan offers 35 itineraries featuring voyages of seven to 28 days, sailing from February to November 2026. Thereafter, she sails to Singapore, where she will offer cruises to 28 destinations across eight countries on 11 sailings from November 2026 to March 2027.
Other highlights
The season begins and concludes with sailing between Singapore and Japan, offering a variety of options ranging from 14 to 31 days via Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Christmas & New Year: A 14-day holiday cruise with visits to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok.
Chinese New Year/Valentine’s Day: 16-night cruise to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam with Halong Bay scenic cruising.
10- to 16-day roundtrip sailings from Singapore visiting Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
SINGAPORE, 13 June 2025: CresentRating, a leading researcher and promoter of Muslim travel, announced the winners of its Halal In Travel Awards on Thursday.
Now in its fourth edition, The Halal In Travel Awards 2025 honours the remarkable achievements and innovations in the Muslim-friendly travel sector. It underscores the global impact of destinations, service providers, and marketing campaigns that have exhibited exceptional dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the Muslim travel market.
Halal in Travel Awards presented during the annual summit.
The awards honoured 15 outstanding recipients, recognising excellence across four categories.
Halal Travel Personalities of the Year
These awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting and enhancing halal travel, recognising their dedication and influence in the industry.
Halal Travel Personality of the Year: Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar of the Philippines is honoured as the Halal Travel Personality of the Year for her instrumental role in advancing Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines.
As a leading voice in highlighting the potential of this market to stakeholders nationwide, she has been a pivotal figure in developing Department of Tourism (DOT) guidelines to help hospitality service providers offer Muslim-friendly services and amenities.
Backed by no less than Halal Tourism champion, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco Abubakar has pushed for initiatives such as the DOT MFAE (Muslim-friendly Accommodation Establishment) Recognition Programme, providing a more welcoming and respectful environment for Muslim travellers throughout the archipelago.
The Halal Travel Influencer of The Year Award recognises an individual who has dedicated themselves to promoting Muslim-friendly travel through creativity, passion, and authentic storytelling.
This year, the award goes to Hassan Bulbul in the UK. Hassan has inspired thousands with his travel adventures and insights, showcasing Muslim-friendly destinations, halal dining, and experiences that make travel more inclusive for everyone.
The Halal Travel Scholar of The Year Award recognises individuals whose research and thought leadership have shaped the halal travel landscape.
This year’s award goes to Dr Nurhafihz Noor of Singapore. His work embodies the synergy between academia and industry that is vital for the future. By translating research into actionable insights, scholars like Hafihz provide the entire travel ecosystem with the critical understanding needed to innovate and create more inclusive, meaningful experiences for Muslim travellers worldwide.
HalalTrip Travelers Choice Awards
These awards highlight destinations that offer enriching and authentic halal-friendly travel experiences, enhancing the overall journey for Muslim travellers.
The Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of The Year Award goes to Switzerland Tourism, which teamed up with Indonesian brand Buttonscarves to create an eye-catching campaign that blended fashion with destination marketing. Featuring influencers wearing headscarves printed with Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes
The Muslim Women Friendly Destination of the Year Award goes to Taipei City, Taiwan, recognised as the Muslim Women-Friendly Destination of the Year for its outstanding commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and respectful spaces for Muslim women travellers. From accessible prayer facilities to a strong emphasis on safety, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable tourism, Taipei City continues to empower Muslim travellers to explore with confidence and peace of mind.
Muslim-Friendly Service Provider Awards
Recognising the paramount importance of catering to the specific needs of the Muslim community, these awards celebrate establishments that have excelled in providing exceptional and tailor-made services for Muslim travellers.
The Muslim-friendly Hotel Chain of The Year Award goes to Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the first hotel chain in the Philippines to have six of its properties accredited by CrescentRating. Their commitment includes halal-certified kitchens, dedicated prayer rooms, and amenities tailored to Muslim guests, all reflecting Filipino warmth and hospitality.
Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year: Mira Hong Kong has set a new benchmark for Muslim-friendly hospitality in Hong Kong. As a Crescent Rated Five Hotel, The Mira offers halal-certified dining options, including breakfast at Yamm and signature halal Cantonese specials at its Michelin-recommended restaurant.
Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, is a Crescent Rated Five Hotel that has been a pioneer in Muslim-friendly hospitality in Hong Kong. All dining outlets at Kowloon Shangri-La offer a selection of halal dishes or Muslim-friendly menus—from Japanese at Nadaman to Italian at Angelini, International at Lobby Lounge, and even in-room dining—creating a vibrant extension of their commitment to a Muslim-friendly environment.
Muslim-friendly Attraction of the Year: Ngong Ping 360 Limited, Hong Kong SAR, China. Ngong Ping 360 offers facilities such as prayer rooms, water-friendly washrooms for ablution, and a halal-certified restaurant serving Middle Eastern cuisine.
The Outstanding Contribution to Hong Kong’s Halal Dining Landscape Award goes to the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, known as BOT.
BOT in Hong Kong has been instrumental in promoting halal dining by issuing halal certifications and supporting restaurants to cater to the needs of the growing Muslim population and visitors. Their efforts have shaped Hong Kong’s vibrant halal dining landscape. Over the last 18 months, the number of halal-certified restaurants has increased from 80 to 160.
The Muslim-friendly Convention & Exhibition Centre of The Year Award goes to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. HKCEC has enhanced its facilities with separate prayer spaces for male and female users, Qibla direction indicators, prayer mats, and water-friendly washrooms equipped for ablution. It also offers Halal food options and has received a Gold rating by Crescent Rating.
The Muslim-friendly Restaurant Chain of The Year Award goes to Mohd Chan Group Berhad, Malaysia. Since 2007, Mohd Chan Group Berhad has grown into one of Malaysia’s largest halal Chinese restaurant chains, serving over 5,000 customers daily. With its authentic Cantonese-style cooking, the group ensures that every dish is halal and tayyib, bringing Chinese cuisine closer to the Muslim community.
Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) Awards
These awards celebrate destinations that ranked high in the GMTI 2024, having gone above and beyond to create a welcoming and accommodating environment for Muslim travellers.
The Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year Award goes to Malaysia, a country known for its warm hospitality, diverse halal culinary scene, and unwavering commitment to Muslim travellers.
The Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year Award (non-OIC), recognising a non-OIC destination that has excelled in catering to Muslim travellers, goes to Singapore.
With its wide range of halal dining options, accessible prayer facilities, and vibrant multicultural landscape, Singapore continues to lead the way in providing exceptional experiences for Muslim travellers.
The Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year Award goes to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. This destination has made significant strides in the last 18 months in becoming more inclusive and accessible for Muslim travellers.
Hong Kong has transformed its hospitality landscape with over 60 hotels offering Muslim-friendly services and more than 160 halal-certified establishments. This remarkable progress reflects their commitment to creating a welcoming environment for Muslim travellers.
About CrescentRating CrescentRating (Crescentrating Pte Ltd) is the leading authority on Halal travel and tourism. The company utilises insights, industry intelligence, lifestyle, and behavioural research on the needs of Muslim travellers to deliver authoritative guidance on all aspects of halal travel to organisations worldwide. Founded in 2008, CrescentRating services are utilised by every tier of the tourism industry, from government bodies and tourism agencies to hospitality service providers, to serve the needs of the Muslim traveller better.
SAMUI ISLAND, 13 June 2025: The Koh Samui hotel and tourism market is demonstrating solid growth through the first four months of 2025, supported by strong air and cruise arrivals, stable hotel performance metrics, and impressive European market engagement.
From January to April 2025, Samui International Airport recorded 1,127,832 passenger arrivals, representing a 9% increase over the same period in 2024. This follows a strong performance in 2024, which saw total air arrivals reach 2.78 million—an increase of 21% year-on-year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to consulting group C9 Hotelworks’ newly released Samui Hotel & Tourism Market Review 2025.
Banyan Tree Koh Samui owned by Thai conglomerate Asset World Corporation (AWC).
Cruise tourism also contributed to overall growth. The island welcomed 35 cruise ships carrying 65,792 passengers in the first four months of 2025 — a 6% year-on-year increase. In 2024, Samui hosted 50 cruise liners, nearly doubling the number of arrivals compared to the prior year.
“Samui is increasingly attracting wellness-focused travellers who are contributing to a shift in the island’s tourism profile,” said C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett. “Properties such as Kamalaya continue to lead the way in capturing this segment, characterized by year-round visitation and longer average stays. We’re seeing Thailand — and Samui in particular — benefiting from a global uptick in wellness tourism, which offers strong potential for sustainable, high-value growth in the hospitality sector.”
Hotel sector performance remained resilient. Occupancy levels peaked in January 2025, with an 8% year-on-year increase. While there was some softening in Q1 during the Chinese New Year period, overall occupancy in 2024 rose 12% compared to 2023. Average Daily Rate (ADR) continued to climb, with a 9% year-on-year increase in 2024 and a notable 21% year-on-year rise recorded in April 2025.
“Samui’s hotel performance in early 2025 reflects a steady and encouraging trend,” said STR Area Director Asia Pacific Jesper Palmqvist. “We see meaningful growth in both occupancy and average daily rates, signalling sustained demand in key source markets and a positive pricing environment. The market is not only recovering but also showing signs of structural stability, supported by disciplined supply growth and targeted international connectivity.”
Europe remains the leading international source region, accounting for 56% of arrivals in 2024, driven by travellers from Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. Growth in these markets has been supported by expanded codeshare agreements between Bangkok Airways and 30 global carriers. Another boost to airlift is the Singapore Airlines Scoot service, which not only serves regional travellers but also links to SQ’s Lion City hub for easy transit of long-haul passengers.
“The long-haul market has performed exceptionally well for us this year. It’s been a key strategic focus, and we’re pleased to see that effort translating into strong results,” said Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi Area General Manager Remko Kroesen.
The hotel development pipeline signals continued investor confidence. Koh Samui currently has 634 registered accommodation providers with 24,188 keys. While overall supply has remained stable with a five-year CAGR of 1%, new branded properties are scheduled to open in the near term, including Nivata Koh Samui (Tapestry Collection by Hilton, opening Q4 2025) and SO/ by Sofitel and Fivelements Samui (both expected in 2026).
“The pandemic challenged us to rethink luxury through safety, sustainability, and innovation. As travel rebounds, demand from both traditional and emerging markets continues to strengthen Koh Samui’s position as a leading luxury destination,” said Centara Reserve Samui Director of Sales & Marketing Thansita Sirapastuwanon.
Speaking about the prospects through year-end, Barnett voiced optimism: “Barring any external disruptions, sustained demand from European and Asian source markets, combined with limited new hotel supply and ongoing infrastructure investment, is expected to support continued growth in arrivals, hotel occupancy, and rates throughout the remainder of the year.”
To download and read the C9 Hotelworks Samui Hotel & Tourism Market Review 2025 Report CLICK
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2025: The Qantas Group announced on Wednesday a strategic restructuring which supports its historic fleet renewal program and strengthens its core businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
The closure of intra-Asia airline Jetstar Asia on 31 July 2025 enables the Qantas Group to recycle up to AUD500 million in capital, supporting its historic fleet renewal programme.
Thirteen Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 aircraft are to be progressively redeployed to Australia and New Zealand, bringing more low fares and more local jobs.
Only 16 intra-Asia routes will be impacted by the closure of Jetstar Asia, with no changes to Jetstar Airways and Jetstar Japan services into Asia. All of Jetstar Airways’ international services, both in and out of Australia, remain unchanged.
Closure of Jetstar Asia
Jetstar Asia, the Group’s Singapore-based low-cost subsidiary, has faced growing challenges in recent years. The decision has been made, together with majority shareholder Westbrook Investments, to close the airline.
Despite delivering exceptional customer service and operational reliability, Jetstar Asia has been impacted by rising supplier costs, high airport fees, and intensified competition in the region. This has fundamentally challenged the low-cost airline’s ability to deliver returns comparable to the stronger-performing core markets in the Group.
The airline is expected to post an AUD35 million underlying EBIT loss this financial year before the closure decision.
Jetstar Asia will continue to operate flights for the next seven weeks on a progressively reduced schedule, concluding its operations on 31 July 2025.
The closure of Jetstar Asia only impacts the intra-Asia routes operated by the airline from its base in Singapore. It does not impact Jetstar Airways’ domestic and international operations in Australia and New Zealand or Jetstar Japan. Jetstar Airways will continue to fly from Australia to Asia, including all its popular destinations across Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said: “Jetstar Asia has been a pioneering force in the Asian aviation market for more than 20 years, making air travel accessible to millions of customers across Southeast Asia.”
“We are incredibly proud of the Jetstar Asia team and the work they have done to deliver low fares, strong operational performance and exceptional customer service. This is a very tough day for them. Despite their best efforts, we have seen some of Jetstar Asia’s supplier costs increase by up to 200%, which has materially changed its cost base.”
“I want to sincerely thank and acknowledge our incredible Jetstar Asia team, who should be very proud of the impact they have had on aviation in the region over the past two decades.”
Jetstar Asia customers with existing bookings on cancelled flights will be offered full refunds, and the Group will look to re-accommodate customers onto other airlines where possible.
All affected Jetstar Asia employees will be provided redundancy benefits as well as employment support services. Qantas is also actively seeking job opportunities across the Group and with other airlines in the region.
Singapore remains a critical hub for the Qantas Group as its third-largest international airport. Qantas also offers connections from Singapore through nearly 20 codeshare and interline partners to a variety of destinations across Asia.
With the support of Qantas, Jetstar Asia will continue to meet its financial obligations to suppliers, employees and customers.
Recycling of capital to drive improved returns and support fleet renewal
Disciplined allocation of capital is a key pillar in the Qantas Group’s Financial Framework. The closure of Jetstar Asia will unlock up to AUD 500 million in fleet capital, which can be recycled into the Group’s core businesses, thereby improving long-term returns.
Jetstar Asia’s 13 mid-life A320 aircraft will be progressively redeployed to core markets in Australia and New Zealand to support fleet renewal and growth, creating more than 100 local jobs and lowering fares. This redeployment will also replace leased aircraft in Jetstar Airways’ domestic operation, reducing its cost base. Some of the aircraft will also help accelerate fleet renewal in Qantas’ regional operations that service the critical resources sector in Western Australia.
These strategic fleet decisions come as Qantas receives its first Airbus A321XLR later this month and the first Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR in the calendar year 2026.
“We are currently undertaking the most ambitious fleet renewal programme in our history, with almost 200 firm aircraft orders and hundreds of millions of dollars being invested into our existing fleet,” Hudson said.
“We’re making disciplined decisions which recycle capital across our business and prioritise it to stronger performing segments as well as strategic growth initiatives like Project Sunrise.”
The financial impact of the closure of Jetstar Asia
The closure of Jetstar Asia will result in one-off redundancy and restructuring costs as well as the non-cash expensing of historical foreign currency translation losses[1] from equity reserves and asset write-downs from consequential changes in the Group’s fleet structure.
The combined impact is currently estimated to be approximately AUD175 million, with roughly a third in FY25 and the remainder across FY26, which will be taken outside of underlying earnings.
The direct pre-tax cash impact will be approximately AUD160 million, predominantly in FY26, including unwinding Jetstar Asia’s working capital. This will be materially mitigated by working capital benefits from growth in Jetstar Airways utilising the redeployed aircraft and from consequential tax adjustments impacting tax payments across the Group in FY26 and future years.
Key Group financial update for 2H25
The performance of Jetstar Asia deteriorated in the second half and is expected to post an underlying EBIT loss of AUD25 million.
Group Domestic capacity growth for the half is lower than previous guidance, mainly due to Cyclone Alfred in March, which impacted flying across large parts of Queensland. The disruptions from the Cyclone will have a AUD30 million impact on earnings.
Group International’s capacity for the first half is expected to grow by 9%, which is 3% lower than previously guided, due to the impact of industrial action on Qantas’ Finnair wet lease.
The Group continues to see strong demand across both domestic and international markets and expects unit revenue and capital expenditure to be in line with previous guidance.
LANGKAWI, 12 June 2025:Long before Langkawi became a name whispered among travellers seeking beaches and sunsets before the first fisherman ever cast a net here — this land held a deeper story. A geological one: A story etched not in memory but in stone.
Gunung Machincang, one of Langkawi’s most iconic peaks, is more than a backdrop to sweeping cable car views — it’s a time capsule. Its origins stretch back some 550 million years to when the earth was reshaping itself with titanic force as the Australian tectonic plate collided with the Asian landmass. An immense geological ballet evolved, slowly sculpting the face of Southeast Asia.
Langkawi, then part of a vast ancient river delta, lay submerged under shallow seas and sediment-rich waters. Sand settled swiftly in the faster shallows; mud and silt drifted deeper, forming distinct layers. Over unfathomable epochs, these sediments were compressed into the sandstone and mudstone we see today — some of the oldest exposed rocks in all of Malaysia.
And there are moments, preserved in rock, that still take the breath away. One such fossilised wonder rests quietly between the upper observation decks of the Langkawi SkyBridge — ancient ripple marks in fine sandstone, likely caused by dust or volcanic ash settling on a beach long, long ago. It’s like time, caught mid-whisper.
Then there’s the stonework that may have inspired the mountain’s original name — Gunung Mat Cincang. In Malay, ‘cincang’ (pronounced chin-chung) means to chop meat into cubes. And when you peer down from the viewing decks, you’ll see weathered sandstone breaking naturally into square, almost hand-carved-looking blocks — as if some giant spirit had been preparing a feast.
But the island’s geological drama didn’t stop with sandstone. As tectonic pressures folded and warped the Earth’s crust, magma surged upward beneath what is now Gunung Raya. Though it never erupted — the surface tension wasn’t quite enough — the molten rock cooled underground, forming a massive granite dome. This natural plug sealed the vent and, over centuries, became the heart of Langkawi’s highlands. Some of this ancient granite was quarried in more recent decades to build the roads that now connect the island’s towns and beaches — a small, human echo of a grand, geological past.
Today, visitors to Gunung Machincang may come for the view — but those who linger learn that the real story lies beneath their feet. Every stone, every ridge, every fault line is a chapter in Earth’s deep history, laid bare in Langkawi like a library carved in stone. And in that knowledge, a deeper connection emerges — between the land, its people, and the vast arc of time that brought them here.
