Friday, August 14, 2026
Home Blog Page 125

Ethiopian plans Lyon service

SINGAPORE, 8 January 2026: Ethiopian Airlines will launch a new thrice-weekly passenger service to Lyon, France, via Geneva, Switzerland, starting 2 July 2026.

With the addition of Lyon, Ethiopian Airlines will expand its network in France to three destinations, in addition to Paris and Marseille, further strengthening its presence in Europe.

Photo credit: Ethiopian.

Flight schedule

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO  Mesfin Tasew commented: “We are delighted to expand our presence in France with the addition of Lyon to our extensive global network. France has long been a key market for Ethiopian Airlines. With over five decades of connecting the country to Africa and beyond, we remain committed to strengthening our services to and from France and the region.”

Ethiopian Airlines’ flights between Europe and Africa offer seamless connectivity to more than 65 destinations in Africa.

(Source: Ethiopian Airlines)

Qatar Airways flies to Hail

HAIL, Saudi Arabia, 8 January 2026: Qatar Airways on Monday launched three weekly direct flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, and Hail International Airport (HAS), making it the 13th destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The new route underscores the airline’s strategic focus on expanding its presence across the Kingdom and highlights the importance of the Saudi market to its global network.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

Aligned with Qatar Airways’ long-term commitment to enhancing regional connectivity, the new service is set to boost travel from Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to the north-central region of Saudi Arabia.

With the addition of Hail, Qatar Airways will now operate over 150 weekly flights to 13 Saudi destinations, including Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, The Red Sea, and Yanbu. Voted the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025, Qatar Airways offers passengers from across the Kingdom seamless and world-class connectivity to more than 170 destinations globally through its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.

Hail Province, located in north-central Saudi Arabia, is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and distinctive desert landscapes, making it an appealing destination for travellers seeking nature experiences and adventures. 

Historically a key stop along ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, the region is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites featuring rock art that reflects thousands of years of human presence. Today, Hail continues to grow as an important cultural and regional centre within the Kingdom.

Flight schedule
Departs every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday:
Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Hail International Airport (HAS) — Flight QR1228: Departure 1420; Arrival 1630;
Hail International Airport (HAS) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) — Flight QR1229: Departure 1730; Arrival 1925.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

Scoot kicks off 2026 with special fares

BANGKOK, 8 January 2026: Scoot, the low-cost airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), is welcoming 2026 with special fares, inviting customers to start the year with affordable travel across Asia, with one-way fares from Thailand starting at just THB1,420.

The limited-time promotion covers many popular destinations via Singapore, such as Tokyo, Bali, and Sydney, reinforcing Scoot’s commitment to delivering value and flexibility. 

Photo credit: Scoot: Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.

Special one-way fares from Thailand

  • Chiang Rai – Singapore from THB2,500 (new route)
  • Phuket – Singapore from THB1,420
  • Bangkok – Singapore from THB1,550
  • Chiang Mai – Singapore from THB3,100
  • Samui – Singapore from THB3,250

Complementing the January Travel Deal, Scoot has also recently launched its Chiang Rai–Singapore service. The new route commenced on 1 January 2026 and is operated by the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with five weekly flights. 

One-way fares to popular regional destinations, including taxes

Bangkok – Taipei from THB2,800
Bangkok – Tokyo (Narita / Haneda) from THB5,000
Bangkok – Osaka from THB5,000
Bangkok – Jakarta from THB2,200
Bangkok – Bali from THB3,000
Bangkok – Sydney from THB6,200

All flights will include a stopover in Singapore.

Ticket sales are open until 13 January 2026 (2359 GMT+7) via Scoot’s website and mobile application for travel between 24 February and 24 October 2026. 

The airline emphasised that the sale and introduction of the Chiang Rai–Singapore route underscored Scoot’s long-term commitment to Thailand, supporting both leisure and business travel, offering greater flexibility, and strengthening regional and international connectivity through Singapore.

(Source: Scoot)

MAI flies to Nanning in China

SINGAPORE, 8 January 2026: Myanmar Airways International introduced a new weekly flight between Yangon, Myanmar, and Nanning, China, effective 7 January.

The weekly service scheduled every Wednesday follows a special inaugural flight operated on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, between Yangon’s international airport and Nanning Wuxi International Airport in southern China.

Photo credit: MAI. The inaugural flight to Nanning.

The inaugural flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute, and passengers received special commemorative gifts to mark the occasion.

Nanning is the capital of Guangxi, a region in southern China near the border with Vietnam. Nanning Wuxi International Airport is 32 km from the regional capital.

Myanmar Airways International operates two routes in mainland China, with direct flights from Yangon using its A321 aircraft, configured with 134 seats. In addition to the  Nanning flights, it serves Guangzhou (CAN) with departures from Yangon on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Nanning flight schedule

8M720 departs Yangon (RGN) at 1700 and arrives in Nanning (NNG) at 2100 (Wednesday)
8M791 departs Nanning (NNG) at 2200 and arrives in Yangon (RGN) at 2315( Wednesday)

MAI promotes the service on its Facebook page, but flight details and fares to Nanning are not live on its website or booking page. However, on Skyscanner, the flights and fares are active, with the starting fare for the two-hour and 30-minute flight flagged at USD133 one-way and USD277 round-trip.

Deks Air reps in Singapore

MAI has expanded its Singapore sales by appointing Deks Air Pte Ltd as its General Sales Agent (GSA) to undertake the airline’s sales, marketing and support services for travel agents, trade partners & passengers in the region. MAI operates 17 weekly flights between Yangon and Singapore. 

(Source: MAI)

PATA Nepal Chapter celebrates 50 years

SINGAPORE, 7 January 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter celebrated its Grand Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of supporting Nepal’s tourism development, at an anniversary event hosted at the Royal Tulip Kathmandu on 29 December 2025.

The milestone brought together senior government officials, tourism leaders, former chairpersons, private sector pioneers, international partners, and industry professionals to reflect on five decades of leadership since the Chapter’s establishment in 1975.

PATA Nepal Chapter Chairman Khem Lakai.

The ceremony was inaugurated by Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal, who commended the PATA Nepal Chapter for its significant role in tourism planning, policy advocacy, marketing, human capital development, and tourism recovery initiatives over the years.

In a video clip, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid congratulated the PATA Nepal Chapter on its exemplary contribution to the global PATA network. The celebration opened with welcome music by Sursudha, followed by a cultural dance performance by PATA Nepal Chapter’s Young Tourism Professionals (YTPs), reflecting Nepal’s rich culture and the dynamism of the next generation of tourism leaders.

PATA Nepal Chapter Chairman Khem Lakai expressed gratitude to all past and present leaders — from the founding chairman to the immediate past chairmen — and thanked members and partners for their continued trust throughout the Chapter’s 50-year journey.

Annual Awards

As part of the Golden Jubilee, PATA Nepal Chapter presented its Annual Awards 2025.

• Lifetime Achievement Award to Karna Sakya for his contribution to tourism, sustainability, conservation, and hospitality in Nepal.

• Tourism Trail Blazer Award to Shiva Dhakal for his leadership in community-based and sustainable tourism.

• Tourism Personality of the Year to Bijay Amatya, CEO, Kora Tours, for his consistent contribution to Nepal’s tourism industry and the PATA Nepal Chapter.

• Special Contribution Award to Anthony Lindsay Jones for his pioneering role in rafting, adventure, and cultural tourism in Nepal.

(Source: PATA Nepal Chapter)

Cox & Kings revives ‘Duniya Dekho’ tours

DELHI, 7 January 2026: Cox & King, one of India’s most trusted travel brands, has officially relaunched its legendary ‘Duniya Dekho’ group tour series, a programme that once shaped how Indians discovered the world together. 

As the original custodian of ‘Duniya Dekho’, the brand brings back this beloved offering under its renewed identity following its acquisition by global private equity firm Wilson & Hughes. 

Initially launched in the 2000s, the tours became a household name across metros and smaller towns alike. It stood for something simple yet powerful: the comfort of travelling the world with expert tour managers, predictable budgets, Indian meals abroad, seamless visas and itineraries crafted for first-time overseas travellers.

The revived ‘Duniya Dekho’ introduces a new set of experiences tailored for diverse traveller groups, multi-generational families, seniors seeking safe, structured itineraries, young couples seeking a balance of freedom and guidance, and first-time international travellers who want dependable planning without complexity. The new itineraries retain the trust and familiarity travellers remember but bring a contemporary upgrade.

Speaking on the relaunch, Cox & Kings director, Karan Agarwal, said: “Duniya Dekho was never just a product, it was a comfort system for Indian travellers. As we bring it back, we’ve reimagined it for a generation that values transparency, ease, and deeper cultural experiences.”

The enhanced programme focuses on stronger value planning, guaranteed departures, smoother digital itineraries, smaller, more interactive group sizes, and broader destination coverage across Europe, Japan, Dubai, Vietnam, and more. With the operational backing of Wilson & Hughes, there is also a renewed push on service reliability and customer satisfaction, a core ethos of the brand’s rebuilding phase.

As Indian travellers look for safer, seamless, and culturally familiar ways to explore the world again, the return of Duniya Dekho arrives at an opportune moment. For many, it marks not just the relaunch of a tour series but the comeback of a trusted companion that once made global travel feel welcoming, simple, and endlessly exciting.

About Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings, now acquired by private equity firm Wilson & Hughes, has a legacy dating back over 260 years. Founded in 1758, the brand has long been a pioneer in curated leisure, business, and specialised travel. The acquisition also marks Wilson & Hughes’ deeper entry into the consumer space, following years of strong performance and credibility built in the global manufacturing sector.

(Source: Cox & Kings)

Disney Adventure sails to Singapore

SINGAPORE, 7 January 2026: Disney Adventure has departed the Bremerhaven shipyard in Germany on its voyage to Singapore, where it will homeport and offer cruises in Asia, WDW News Today reports.

The specialised online news service covering Disney parks and cruises reports that Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage is scheduled for 10 March 2026, with the homeporting agreement in Singapore extending for five years.

CREDIT: WDW News Today. New Videos Show Disney Adventure Officially En Route to Singapore for Maiden Voyage. https://wdwnt.news/606_01

“The Disney Cruise Line ship began its life as the Global Dream, commissioned by Genting Hong Kong’s Dream Cruises. Construction began in 2018, but Genting collapsed before the ship could be finished. Disney Cruise Line purchased it in 2022. It will be Disney’s largest cruise ship, accommodating approximately 6,000 passengers and will operate exclusively out of Singapore,” according to the WDWNT report.

Cruise sales take off in Singapore

In Singapore this week, Chan Brothers Travel Club hosts its Worldwide Cruise Centre Disney Cruise Line Roadshow at Marina Square, Level 2, Central Court, 1030 to 2100, 8 to 11 January. Up for grabs are SGD100 cruise coupons for each cabin booked on three-day, four-night cruises from March to December 2026. Cruise prices start at SGD746. 

(Source: WDWNT and Chan Brothers)

Starlux takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

SINGAPORE, 7 January 2026: Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first of 18 A350-1000s, becoming the 11th global operator of the largest version of the A350. 

The new A350-1000 will join a fleet of 10 A350-900s already in service, deployed on long-haul services from Taipei to Europe and North America, as well as selected destinations within the Asia-Pacific region. 

Photo credit: Airbus. Starlux’s first A350-1000.

To mark the arrival of its newest fleet member, the airline has unveiled a new livery that reflects both innovation and identity. The design integrates the airline’s signature visual elements with a carbon-fibre motif, representing the advanced composite materials integral to the aircraft’s construction. The prominent ‘1000’ emblazoned on the fuselage highlights the aircraft’s designation as the largest in-production Airbus model, now serving as the airline’s new flagship.

Starlux currently operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising the A321neo, the A330-900, and the A350-900 aircraft. The new A350-1000 will seamlessly complement the airline’s existing fleet. 

The A350’s all-new design incorporates state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics, delivering unmatched operational efficiency and passenger comfort. Its new-generation engines and use of lightweight materials enable a 25% reduction in fuel burn, operating costs, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to previous-generation competitor aircraft. The A350 is equipped with a spacious cabin, wide seats, high ceilings and ambient lighting. 

The A350 aircraft can operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to have its arcraft 100% SAF-capable by 2030.

(Source: Airbus)

SalamAir flies to Damascus

MUSCAT, Oman, 7 January 2026: SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, has opened ticket sales for its new direct flights between Muscat and Damascus, Syria, scheduled to begin on 2 May 2026.

The airline will operate twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

Photo credit: SalamAir.

Damascus is renowned for its historic old city, traditional markets, and rich architectural heritage. It serves as an important hub for commerce, education, and public institutions.  

The addition of Damascus aligns with SalamAir’s ongoing network expansion strategy, which focuses on meeting demand for direct, affordable regional travel. The route is designed to serve the Syrian community in Oman while also strengthening connectivity through Muscat, enabling efficient onward access to SalamAir’s wider network.    

Commenting on the launch, SalamAir’s Chief Commercial Officer Steven Allen said: “Choosing Damascus to be our next route, and to be the first Omani airline to operate to Syria, reflects our strategic and commercially driven approach to network expansion. This service has been carefully designed to meet clear travel needs between Oman and Syria. By enhancing international air connectivity from our home in Muscat, the Damascus route supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, while remaining aligned with our planning framework to ensure sustainable growth, operational reliability, and value for our customers.” 

Damascus is the fourth new destination announced in recent weeks, joining Port Sudan, Medan, and Vienna as destinations to be served from Muscat in 2026.         

Flights to Damascus are now available for booking on the airline’s website and mobile app, with base fares starting at OMR59.99.  

About SalamAir 
SalamAir commenced operations in 2017 and currently operates a fleet of 15 Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, with over 80 daily flights to 38 destinations. SalamAir estimates it has flown over 4 million passengers in 2025, a 25% increase from 3.2 million in 2024. In February 2025, SalamAir announced an order for 10 additional aircraft, with deliveries commencing in Q2 2026. It aims to grow its fleet to 25 aircraft by 2028. 

(Source: SalamAir)

Khiri Travel GSTC-certified across Asia

BANGKOK, 7 January 2026: Asian destination management company Khiri Travel is now Global Sustainable Tourism Council-certified across all destinations where it operates.

The certification applies to all eight countries where Khiri offers services: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. 

Khiri Travel is now GSTC-certified across all its destinations.

Khiri Travel was officially GSTC-certified on 18 December 2025.

Khiri Travel met the standards as assessed by the GSTC-accredited certification body Control Union. The audit process reviewed not only office practices but also field operations and included interviews with Khiri Travel’s local partners and suppliers.

Willem Niemeijer 

Khiri Travel CEO and founder Willem Niemeijer commented: “Certification shows that Khiri is walking the talk on making tourism a force for social and environmental good. It is proof of our commitment to upholding the 4Cs of regenerative travel as defined by The Long Run: conservation, community, culture and commerce.”

In 2025, 14 Khiri Travel staff, including ‘Green Team’ spokespersons across eight Asian countries, also earned the person-based GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.

(Source: Khiri Travel)