Asian carriers also benefited from an upsurge in demand on Asia-Europe routes, as travellers shifted to alternative routings following airspace closures and operational disruptions at Middle East hubs.

For the month, a combined total of 33.9 million passengers flew on the region’s carriers, representing an 8.5% year-on-year increase. Demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by a solid 11.3%, reflecting strength on longer-haul routes. This increase in demand significantly outpaced the 1.9% year-on-year expansion in available seat capacity. As a result, the average international passenger load factor rose markedly, by 7.4 percentage points to a record high of 87.6% in March.

Supply chains were also disrupted by the war, leading to flight cancellations and the rerouting of Asia-Europe cargo flows away from key Middle East hubs. Against this backdrop, international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), rose by 2.5% year-on-year in March, supported by an increased demand for timely shipments. Offered freight capacity rose by 3.8%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 62.3%.

Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Wong Hong said: “The aviation industry faced multiple challenges in March, as military conflict in the Middle East led to flight cancellations and a sharp increase in jet fuel prices. Asia-Pacific airlines responded swiftly by making network adjustments, including adding flights on key Asia-Europe routes and trimming unprofitable routes amid higher fuel and operating costs. This supported both passenger and cargo demand during the month, bringing first-quarter growth to 6.2%, with 102 million international passengers carried, and a 5.7% increase in air cargo demand.”

Wong Hong added: “However, the impact of the Middle East conflict has begun to weigh on what had been an encouraging start to the year. Already grappling with high operating costs due to persistent supply chain issues, airlines are now facing additional strain, with jet fuel prices up by 80% year-on-year to an average of USD156 per barrel in March, compared to US$87 per barrel a year earlier. Fuel remains the single largest cost item for Asia Pacific carriers, accounting for around 30% of total operating expenses.”

Looking ahead, he concluded: “The duration of the Middle East conflict is going to add uncertainty to the global economic outlook and air travel demand. Against this backdrop, Asia-Pacific airlines continue to exercise vigilance over cost controls while maintaining international connectivity. The region’s airlines remain committed to the highest safety standards, and to working closely with governments and industry stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient and sustainable operations.”

(Source: AAPA)

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Using an A320 aircraft with 180 seats, the airline operates four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with a flight time of three hours and 40 minutes.

The new route is an important addition to the airline’s Southeast Asian network, mainly serving leisure travellers seeking budget-friendly options between the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and Phuket, a popular resort island in southern Thailand. 

Flight Schedule 

9C8781 departs Shenzhen (SZX) at 0555 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 0840. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).
9C8782 departs Phuket (HKT) at 2320 and arrives in Shenzhen (SZX) at 0405 (plus a day)  

Shenzhen is a major hub for Spring Airlines, and the route to Phuket complements flights to Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand, from other hubs such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Based on current flight logs and schedule filings, the route is part of the airline’s Spring/Summer 2026 schedule expansion, which officially took effect on 29 March 2026.

While the airline’s other regional routes to Singapore and Japan had earlier restarts, the Shenzhen-Phuket direct connection was scheduled to capture the 2026 post-Songkran and early-summer travel demand.

Spring Airlines is scaling up its presence on the Shenzhen (SZX) to Phuket (HKT) route, aiming for daily flights by the end of September.

This daily schedule is designed to coincide with the start of the peak travel season on Phuket Island, which kicks in October. The expansion is part of a broader optimisation pursued by Chinese LCCs this year that focuses on turning existing successful routes, such as the Shenzhen-Phuket flights, into high-frequency corridors rather than on opening new routes to new destinations.

(Source: FlyTeam, Spring Airlines)

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The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to fostering tourism development and enhancing travel experiences.

Agoda and TPO are aligning their strengths through this strategic partnership, combining TPO’s intercity network with Agoda’s global travel insights. By launching a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two organisations aim to support cities in transitioning from ad-hoc tourism promotion to data-informed, long-term stewardship of visitor economies. This approach positions tourism as a catalyst for urban resilience, cultural vitality, and inclusive growth.

The cooperation will focus on three key pillars: leveraging data insights for informed decision-making, developing tourism professionals through capacity-building and leadership programmes, and launching destination marketing initiatives on Agoda’s platform.

Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities, Secretary General Kang Da-eun remarked: “This partnership represents a pivotal moment in repositioning tourism from a promotional activity to a core urban policy. Building on Agoda’s global data and platform capabilities, TPO will support its member cities in developing more sophisticated and sustainable tourism strategies.”

Agoda Chief Commercial Officer Damien Pfirsch stated: “Through this collaboration, we aim to leverage our digital travel platform to bolster city-level tourism strategies across global urban destinations. We are thrilled to announce this partnership and look forward to sharing best practices to help develop the tourism ecosystem across destinations.”

(Source: Agoda)

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 A new dedicated segment explores how culture, technology, and lifestyle are reshaping premium travel demand.

The luxury segment responds to a clear market shift. Experiences rather than possessions increasingly drive demand in China’s high-end travel sector. 

At ITB China 2026, luxury travel will take centre stage across both the exhibition floor and conference programme. The B2B event is particularly relevant for travel buyers sourcing luxury and tailor-made products, industry professionals tracking developments in the premium travel segment, and media representatives covering the ongoing evolution of high-end, experience-driven travel. The goal is to explore how luxury travel is changing in one of the world’s most dynamic outbound markets.

Why luxury travel is changing

Luxury travel in China is entering a more mature phase. Growth is no longer driven by scale alone, but increasingly by quality, meaning, and emotional value. Experiences are becoming more curated, more personal, and more closely linked to individual identity and lifestyle.

Multiple industry studies support the transformation. Hurun 2026 and Bain 2025 both point to a continued rise in travel, wellness, and experience-led spending among affluent Chinese consumers.

The Virtuoso Luxe Report 2026 confirms strong global demand for luxury travel. It highlights cultural immersion, wellness journeys, and multigenerational travel as key drivers of growth.

At the same time, the Amadeus Travel Trends 2026 report shows that AI is accelerating the rise of hyper-personalised travel experiences. Personalisation is no longer a premium feature. It is becoming the baseline.

Luxury travel segment at ITB China 2026

The dedicated luxury travel segment at ITB China 2026 will explore how luxury is being redefined across global markets and evolving lifestyles, with a strong focus on experience-driven value creation. It connects market insights with real business opportunities and brings together key players shaping the future of premium travel. 

Top exhibitors include premium destinations, high-end hotels, resorts, and tailor-made travel specialists such as Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Gran Canaria Spain, Century Cruises, Luxury Global Travel Polar travel, Luxury Lodges of Latin America, Re ’em Yarra Valley at Helen & Joey Estate, Robane Luxury Lodge, Rowland Safaris, StarRides, Tahiti Tourisme, The Islands of The Bahamas, The Reverie Saigon @ Times Square (Vietnam) Investment Joint Stock Company, Tourism Seychelles China Office, Vedana Lagoon & Pilgrimage Village resorts, Vietnam, Wild Latin America Travel Co., Limited, Xinjiang Tag Travel, Tourism Fiji. Designed as a business platform, it enables discovery, networking, and the development of long-term partnerships.

The segment will also be reflected in the ITB China Conference programme, where it highlights the growing intersection between travel and adjacent industries such as art, fashion, wellness, and culture, reflecting broader shifts in consumer expectations. Within the conference context, discussions will address how luxury is evolving in response to these changes, how personalisation and technology are reshaping premium travel, and how travel experiences are increasingly used to express identity, meaning, and active participation.

Against this backdrop, the segment will focus on four strategic themes:

• The redefinition of luxury through evolving consumer values;

• The integration of travel with culture, wellness, art, and fashion;

• The shift beyond customisation toward identity-driven experiences;

• The strengthening of collaboration with leading luxury brands and media partners.

(Source: ITB China)

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The awards highlight the highest-rated experiences and attractions around the world and in the US, based on millions of Tripadvisor reviews and ratings from its global community.

The Top Experiences, both in the US and globally, are recognised tours that bring travellers closer to their destinations, exploring culture and natural surroundings. 

The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Centre has reclaimed the No 1 Top Experience in the world for the second time, winning in both 2024 and this year. Travellers love this tour for its coverage of Porto’s history, architecture, and local food and drink recommendations.

In the US, outdoor exploration dominates the rankings, with the Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour with Lunch taking the No 1 spot. This full-day experience features stunning Southwest landscapes and is led by a local Navajo guide who explains the canyon’s geology and cultural significance.

Claiming the top spot on the newly introduced New York City list is the Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours, with thousands of five-star reviews. Travellers praised the knowledgeable local tour guides, the photo opportunities along the way, and noted this tour as the best way to see all the highlights of one of the world’s most iconic parks.

This year’s Once in a Lifetime section highlights life-changing experiences, such as snorkelling between tectonic plates in Reykjavik, Iceland. One of the world’s most dramatic snorkelling sites, it’s a glacier meltwater-filled rift formed by the drift of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

“This is hard-won recognition, shaped by millions of travellers who booked, showed up, and rated what was actually worth their time,” said Tripadvisor Group. Chief Communications Officer Laurel Greatrix.

“There’s a clear theme in this year’s winners: they bring out what makes a destination unique. These aren’t experiences that fill an itinerary — they’re the experiences that give you a better way to understand a place.”

Top Experiences

From immersive city tours and a four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu to pub crawls and scenic boat cruises, this year’s list spans a world of adventure and culture across the most sought-after destinations.

(Source: Tripadvisor)

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Etihad customers can book flights from across its network to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to their final destination. 

Beyond the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap offers night markets, traditional Khmer cuisine, and rich cultural experiences that draw visitors from around the world. Air Cambodia passengers will also be able to book Etihad’s service between Phnom Penh and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said: “Cambodia is an important and growing market within our network, with increasing demand for travel to and from the destination. This partnership with Air Cambodia enables us to extend that reach, providing our guests with seamless access between Siem Reap and the wider region through a single booking via Abu Dhabi.”

Air Cambodia Chief Commercial Officer Eng Molina added: “The partnership with Etihad strengthens connections between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Our passengers gain direct access to Abu Dhabi, an important hub for business, trade, and tourism, while Etihad’s customers can explore Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to discover the wonders of Angkor Wat and beyond.”

Additionally, Etihad guests can access Air Cambodia’s Vietnam network through the airlines’ interline partnership, opening up further travel options across Southeast Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc.

Etihad introduced flights to Phnom Penh in October 2025.

Etihad postpones return to Chiang Mai

Meanwhile, online booking sites confirm that Etihad Airways will not resume direct flights between its home base in Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand during its summer timetable. The airline had previously planned to fly the route four times weekly, effective the first week of  April.

Instead, the airline has now scheduled its Abu Dhabi-Chiang Mai service to resume on 25 October at the start of the winter timetable with daily direct flights on a 170-seat A321neo. Flight time will be five hours and 40 minutes.

The suspension is part of broader regional adjustments following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel, the US and Iran since February. During the winter 2025/2026 season, Etihad Airways operated direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai, starting on 4 November, 2025, with four flights weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Daily flights scheduled on 25 October

EY426 departs Abu Dhabi (AUH) at 2115 and arrives in Chiang Mai (CNX) at 0505 (plus a day).
EY427 departs Chiang Mai (CNX) at 0850 and arrives in Abu Dhabi (AUH) at 1305.

(Source: Etihad and online timetable data)

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These resumptions follow the airline’s recent announcement confirming the return of daily services to Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ) from 23 April 2026, and to Damascus (DAM) from 1 May 2026, providing passengers with greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity across the Middle East and beyond.

Building on this momentum, Qatar Airways is advancing the phased restoration of its global network, enhancing passenger access to key markets across six continents.

However, Qatar Airways advises passengers to regularly check its official website or app and ensure their contact details are correct and up to date.

Passengers holding tickets issued by 30 April 2026, with travel dates between 28 February and 15 September 2026, are eligible for:

Complimentary date changes to a new travel date up to 31 October 2026 when rebooking on flights operated by Qatar Airways, subject to availability and fare seasonality.

A refund of the unused ticket value – standard fare rules apply. Refunds may take up to 28 working days to be processed.

If a flight is impacted, passengers will be eligible for:

Additional fee-free changes until 31 October 2026, maintaining the same cabin originally booked, irrespective of fare seasonality.

A refund of the unused ticket value, without penalty. Refunds may take up to 28 working days to be processed.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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This achievement highlights Saudia’s leadership in onboard products and services, reflecting consistent excellence across all cabin classes and throughout the guest journey, and marking the transition toward a new generation of onboard products and experiences now being progressively rolled out across the fleet.

Recognised as one of the industry’s leading platforms celebrating innovation in onboard hospitality, the 2026 Onboard Hospitality Awards honoured Saudia with Best First Class Food Service (Lunch & Dinner), Best Amenities: Economy, in addition to a Highly Commended distinction in the Best Wearable Textiles category.

The TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards 2026, widely regarded as a global benchmark for excellence in onboard comfort and design, awarded Saudia six recognitions, including five Gold awards across key categories: Economy Class Amenity Kit, Economy Class Blanket / Comfort Item, Business Class Meal Serveware, First Class Sleeper / Lounge Suit, and Business Class Amenity Kit (The Middle East). The airline also received a Highly Commended distinction in the First Class Ladies Kit category. It was awarded the TravelPlus Passenger Amenities Five-Star Rating 2026, a distinction granted to only a select number of airlines worldwide.

In parallel, the PAX International Readership Awards 2026, which reflect the voice of the global aviation industry and its readership, recognised Saudia for Best IFE and Connectivity – Middle East and Best Children’s Amenity Kit – Middle East, highlighting its continued progress in inflight entertainment and onboard innovation.

Saudia continues to invest in enhancing the guest travel experience to new levels of comfort and refinement, supported by the largest guest experience investment program in its history. This includes the introduction of advanced digital solutions powered by artificial intelligence, comprehensive cabin upgrades, high-speed in-flight connectivity, and ongoing enhancements to onboard products and services, all delivered through the lens of authentic Saudi hospitality.

(Source: Saudia)

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This collaboration marks PKFARE’s expansion into hotel packaging services. Under the collaboration, Wano manages flight distribution, AirAsia MOVE drives consumer demand, and PKFARE powers the underlying technology infrastructure that integrates inventory, pricing, and real-time packaging capabilities into a unified system. It also reflects a broader shift in travel behaviour, as AI-driven trip planning and more connected booking journeys push travellers away from standalone flight and hotel purchases towards packaged, experience-led itineraries. 

Flight + hotel packaging

The PKFARE, Wano, and AirAsia MOVE packaging model is built around AirAsia Airlines’ real flight schedules, route-level demand, and airline promotional campaigns. This ensures hotel offers are positioned within relevant travel flows, instead of being surfaced through broad, non-specific search results.

PKFARE’s packaging engine dynamically builds bundles based on live flight availability and hotel pricing, improving competitiveness, enhancing conversion, and reducing friction between flight and accommodation components.

PKFARE, Wano and AirAsia MOVE packaging solution enables hotels to tap into airline-driven demand, shape it, optimise occupancy, and diversify their distribution mix as part of a broader revenue strategy. 

PKFARE CEO Jason Song said: “By collaborating with Wano and AirAsia MOVE, we are connecting live airline inventory and route-level demand signals with hotel supply in real time. Unlike static or pre-built bundles, this model allows hotels to participate in packaging with far greater precision — capturing demand that is already intent-driven while gaining access to a distribution layer that is more dynamic, measurable, and scalable than traditional packaging models.”

About PKFARE 
PKFARE, a subsidiary of DerbySoft Group, is a leading global travel wholesaler focused on curating high-quality content and driving efficiency to fuel real growth. Its live inventory includes 600+ airlines (400+ full-service carriers and 200+ low-cost carriers) and a million hotels across 100+ countries, serving more than 2,000 active clients worldwide.

About Wano
Established in September 2025, Wano Connect (Wano) is Capital A’s specialist B2B travel distribution platform and the exclusive distribution system for AirAsia. With a vast network of 16,000 travel agents, 100 OTAs, and aggregators, the company drives superior sales performance and connectivity in the world’s fastest-growing markets.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE is Capital A’s travel platform offering over 700 global airlines and more than a million hotels worldwide, alongside a full suite of travel services including airport transfers, travel insurance, duty-free shopping, attractions, and live-event ticketing. 

(Source: PKFARE)

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The arrival of this aircraft, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, marks an important milestone in Air Canada’s fleet renewal and growth strategy, with a total of 30 A321XLR aircraft (15 to be leased, 15 to be acquired directly from Airbus SAS).

“The Airbus A321XLR introduces a dynamic new component to Air Canada’s growth strategy, greatly expanding our flexibility to launch new international routes and improve our offering on existing markets. This game-changing aircraft will shortly be deployed across the Atlantic from Montréal and Toronto, while also becoming a staple on key North American transcontinental markets,” said Air Canada Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo, Mark Galardo.

“By combining transatlantic range with a significant reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, the A321XLR will further empower Air Canada to unlock ambitious new routes with unprecedented efficiency. We are very proud to see our latest-designed aircraft take flight under the iconic maple leaf,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft EVP Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.

The A321XLR delivery is the latest step in Air Canada’s multi-year fleet modernisation programme, which focuses on customer experience, operational resilience, and fuel-efficiency improvements compared with older-generation aircraft. 

In addition to the A321XLR, Air Canada has announced orders for eight A350-1000s, with deliveries starting in 2030, and 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. It also continues to take deliveries of the Canadian-built Airbus A220, with 23 aircraft remaining on its firm order of 65. Five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on lease are scheduled for delivery in 2026.

(Source: Air Canada)

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