The contract was announced at a ceremony this week at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, attended by Capital A Chief Executive Officer and Advisor to AirAsia Group, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft Lars Wagner.

The event took place in the presence of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada and the Honourable Christine Frechette, Premier of Quebec.

The purchase agreement makes AirAsia the first customer to order a 160-seat version of the  A220, an increase of 10 seats, made possible by adding extra overwing exits on each side of the aircraft.

The A220 complements AirAsia’s existing Airbus fleet and will play a key role in advancing the group’s network and growth. The aircraft will service destinations across ASEAN and into Central Asia, freeing up larger aircraft to fly longer routes.

“We have built AirAsia by making bold decisions at the right moment, not the easiest moment. This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions. The A220 unlocks new markets and routes and brings us closer to building the world’s first true low-cost network carrier,” said Capital A CEO and Advisor to AirAsia Group Tony Fernandes. “Our partnership with Airbus spans more than two decades and has been central to everything we have achieved. Today is another milestone in that journey, and there are many more to come.”

“The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the range that will enable the carrier to open new routes across Asia and beyond,” commented Airbus CEO Commercial Aircraft Lars Wagner. “Airbus and AirAsia teams have been working tirelessly to reach this landmark agreement, which is fully aligned with the airline’s new network strategy.”

The A220 can carry between 100 and 160 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km). At the end of March 2026, 501 A220s had been delivered to 25 operators worldwide.

(Source: Airbus)

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Vio Travel’s Indonesian operations are the first to gain certification, following an independent audit confirming full compliance across the standard’s four core pillars: responsible management, people, nature and climate. Other Vio country offices will follow.

The audit confirms 100% compliance across all audited areas across the company’s Indonesia operations:

• Responsible management – ensuring all management and business practices are legal and responsible;
• People – upholding people’s well-being and human rights;
• Nature – protecting nature and the environment;
• Climate – actively reducing and mitigating climate impacts.

Indonesia is the first destination to achieve certification, with the same standards set to be progressively extended across Vio Travel’s network of 15 destinations. Importantly, this milestone reflects validation rather than transformation, formal recognition of practices already embedded within the business.

The official award ceremony took place in Bali on 30 April 2026, after working with local suppliers on sustainable practices.

Vio Travel’s Sustainability Coordinator, Novita Rosiana Dewi, led the certification process from the ground up, translating the company’s long-held values into the required documented frameworks.

Vio Travel Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Dominik Schaufler, commented: “We act as an extension of our partners’ businesses on the ground. The standards we uphold — and the suppliers we work with — directly shape the experiences their clients have. Our roadmap is clear: to progressively extend this sustainability framework across our network, applying the same rigorous standards that earned certification in Indonesia.”

Vio Travel operates across 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific, serving company partners with travel agents and tour operators globally, managing ground operations, supplier networks, and itinerary delivery in markets where trusted local execution is critical. Its corporate headquarters are in Bangkok, Thailand.

Preferred by Nature is one of the world’s leading sustainability certification bodies. Its Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.1 is a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Recognised Standard – the global benchmark for credible and transparent sustainability standards in tourism.

(Source: Vio Travel)

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The decision expands earning opportunities for travel advisors and reinforces the brand’s long‑standing commitment to being a trusted, long‑term partner to the travel agency community.

Effective with the launch of new itineraries, covering the 2028 Summer and 2028-2029 Winter seasons and 2028 and 2029 Around the World voyages, published commission rates will apply to the full commissionable cruise fare.

Travel advisors will earn more commission on every booking, while guest‑facing pricing and overall value remain unchanged. New-season launches are set to open for sale from May to June this year.

“Travel advisors are central to Oceania Cruises’ growth strategy—today and long into the future,” said  Oceania Cruises Chief Sales Officer Nathan Hickman. “Eliminating the non‑commissionable cruise fare increases advisor earning potential on every booking and reflects our commitment to building the most advisor‑centric commercial model in luxury cruising.”

By removing NCFs entirely on newly launched sailings, the company is simplifying advisor compensation, improving earnings transparency, and reinforcing its position as the partner of choice for travel advisors worldwide.

This strategic shift comes as Oceania Cruises enters its next phase of growth, including the recent announcement of an order for the fifth ship in its Sonata‑class fleet. As capacity expands and long‑term demand grows, the company continues to invest in travel advisors as the cornerstone of its commercial strategy.

(Source: Oceania Cruises)

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The signing ceremony, witnessed by YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, marked an important step forward in strengthening Penang’s position as a premier destination for business events, corporate engagement, and industry networking.

Speaking at the ceremony, PCEB Chief Executive Officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said the partnership reflects a shared ambition to create value beyond the event itself.

“The Penang Golf Challenge is envisioned as a platform where business naturally happens. It brings together decision-makers, industry leaders, and corporate stakeholders in an environment that encourages genuine interaction and stronger relationships,” he noted.

Penang’s Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, commented: “The partnership demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that will continue to support Penang’s growth. Marriott International is a globally recognised brand, and its involvement brings credibility, visibility, and access to wider corporate networks. This partnership aligns with Penang’s broader aspirations under Penang2030, as we continue to strengthen our competitiveness.”

The Penang Golf Challenge should evolve into an annual signature event that not only enhances business networking opportunities but also further positions Penang as a destination for business events and corporate engagement. 

Both PCEB and Marriott International Malaysia expressed confidence that this collaboration will deliver lasting value to the local industry and contribute positively to Penang’s continued development as a leading business events destination.

(Source: PCEB)

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Celebrating a landmark 50^th anniversary, the sporting spectacular will run from 19 June to 1 July. The boat races also bring a festive programme to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, spanning 13 days and featuring traditional culture, interactive workshops and performances. 

Set against Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline, the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will bring together teams from around the world from 27 to 28 June, transforming the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront into a vibrant hub of culture, sport and entertainment.

The grand scale of the event belies its humble beginnings.

What started five decades ago as a competitive extension of a local cultural ritual has evolved into a dynamic, citywide celebration that blends heritage with sports.

Dragon boat racing in Hong Kong traces its roots to traditional rituals performed by fishing communities, where vessels were once used to dispel bad luck and pray for peace and safety.

In 1976, the city hosted its first international race in Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter, welcoming just 10 teams and marking the birth of modern international dragon boat racing.

Fast forward to today, this year’s races will welcome over 220 elite teams from 16 countries and regions over the two-day race schedule on 27 to 28 June, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia.

For more information about the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, visit the event website: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/dragon-boat-festival.html.

(Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)

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Switzerland Tourism is the destination marketing organisation responsible for promoting Switzerland as a travel destination. Working in partnership with the tourism industry and the public sector, it positions the country as a high-quality, sustainable and year-round destination for leisure and business travel.

Headquartered in Zurich, ST is active in 35 offices across 21 source markets in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. In total, the organisation has around 280 employees, corresponding to 255 full-time equivalents (FTEs).

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Switzerland is known for its unique alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and wide range of year-round experiences for both leisure and business travellers. We look forward to working together to support sustainable tourism growth and further strengthen Switzerland’s position as a high-quality destination on the global stage.”

Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger said: “Joining WTTC enables Switzerland Tourism to engage more closely with global tourism leaders, contribute Swiss perspectives to international discussions, and help advance a tourism sector that is sustainable, resilient and economically strong. As a nationally mandated, but independently managed body co-financed by taxpayers and industry partners, Switzerland Tourism wants to benefit from WTTC’s industry-led ecosystem, which facilitates direct engagement with global business leaders.”

(Source: WTTC)

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The tooling is powered by an AI-driven multimodal content system that helps travellers across Agoda’s platform in a more intuitive way.

When browsing hotels on Agoda, travellers previously viewed photo galleries and reviews in separate sections. To verify if a pool photo matched traveller feedback, for example, they had to search through reviews manually. Agoda’s new feature surfaces relevant review snippets alongside images, bringing visual content and guest opinions together in a single view.

The system processes over 700 million images and millions of reviews across 40+ languages. Using a topic-based approach, the platform maps images and reviews to common attributes such as ‘breakfast’, ‘pool’, or ‘location’. When a traveller views breakfast photos, they immediately see guest comments about breakfast quality and an aggregated sentiment score.

Agoda Chief Technology Officer Idan Zalzberg said: “There is a clear benefit for travellers to connect what they see with what others experienced. Previously, this required time and effort, with travellers jumping between different sections. With the new multimodal content system, travellers get the full picture right there in the photo gallery, making it simpler to make the right choice for their trip.”

The system runs across Agoda’s entire property inventory, curating the best images for each topic and extracting the most relevant review snippets. Each topic shows up to 15 images, guest quotes in the traveller’s language, and a sentiment breakdown showing positive, negative, and neutral feedback percentages.

(Source: Agoda)

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Led by aviation veteran Datuk Bernard Francis, the airline made history as the first Indonesian airline to be recognised by Changi Airport Group for achieving the highest passenger growth in Southeast Asia.

TransNusa commencing operations at Changi Airport on 20 November 2023. 

“Our regional and domestic network connectivity expansion is based on the needs and demands of our passengers, among other variables,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that TransNusa had developed new routes specifically to meet the changing needs and demands of its passengers,” said the airline CEO. 

CAG Chief Executive Officer Yam Kum Weng presented the award to Datuk Bernard at the award ceremony last week, which was attended by about 90 airlines and aviation partners.

(Source: TransNusa)

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Flights to the Middle East were temporarily suspended in March due to airspace closures resulting from geopolitical developments in the region.

In line with prevailing airspace conditions and guidance from relevant authorities, IndiGo reinstated its schedule of over 60 weekly flights to Doha from seven Indian cities — Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, and Mumbai.

The resumption of services reinforces IndiGo’s commitment to offering reliable and seamless connectivity to key destinations, while prioritising the safety and security of its customers, crew, and aircraft. 

As a key transit point, Doha plays a vital role in connecting India to important international markets, and IndiGo’s restored operations will offer affordable, convenient travel options for customers flying to the city. On the other hand, customers travelling from Qatar will also be able to connect to multiple cities in India and beyond, on the airline’s extensive network.

Schedule of Flights to and from Doha, effective 1 May 2026

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The property should open later this year and will represent a significant milestone in the group’s continued expansion across Australia.

Developed by APPL Group and operated by Mandala Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Perth will form a key part of SCQ, a major mixed-use development designed as a connected village that brings together residential, commercial, and lifestyle elements in one integrated destination.

The hotel will feature 120 rooms and studios, complemented by a rooftop bar and restaurant, meeting spaces, a swimming pool, and a strong focus on guest engagement through art and curated experiences. 

Its location in West Perth offers strong connectivity to the CBD, key commercial hubs, and major transport links, supporting balanced corporate and leisure demand year-round.

Perth continues to strengthen its position as a key gateway to Western Australia, supported by a diverse economy, strong corporate base, and growing tourism appeal. Ongoing infrastructure investment and urban renewal projects, including developments across West Perth and the CBD, are expected to drive sustained demand for well-positioned hotel assets.

About Radisson Hotel Group 
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group operating in EMEA and APAC, with more than 1,600 hotels in operation and under development across more than 100 countries.

(Source: Radisson Hotel Group)

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