SINGAPORE, 13 August 2025: Air Arabia, a Middle East and North African low-cost carrier operator, confirmed this week it will launch two new direct routes connecting Ras Al Khaimah to Yekaterinburg and Kazan in Russia.
The new flights will commence in October, further expanding the airline’s growing network from its Ras Al Khaimah hub.
Starting 27 October 2025, Air Arabia will operate a single weekly flight to Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo International Airport every Monday. Meanwhile, the non-stop service to Kazan International Airport will begin on 31 October 2025, with a weekly flight every Friday.
“We are happy to introduce our new non-stop services from Ras Al Khaimah to Yekaterinburg and Kazan, further expanding our growing network from the Ras Al Khaimah hub,” said Air Arabia Group Chief Executive Officer, Adel Al Ali.
“Russia remains a key market for us, and these additions reflect our commitment to offering more travel options while supporting the continued growth of tourism and trade between the UAE and Russia”.
The launch of the new routes to Yekaterinburg and Kazan marks Air Arabia’s continued expansion from its Ras Al Khaimah hub, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to offering affordable and convenient connectivity to Russia. With existing direct flights to Moscow, the addition of these two cities further strengthens Air Arabia’s footprint in the Russian market. It enhances travel options for both leisure and business travellers.
In addition to the new routes, Yekaterinburg is also served with non-stop flights from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. At the same time, Kazan is accessible from Sharjah, offering passengers across the UAE multiple gateways to Russia through Air Arabia’s network.
Directly from Ras Al Khaimah, Air Arabia serves a growing network of 10 international destinations, including Cairo, Jeddah, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Calicut, Moscow, Tashkent, as well as the newly added Yekaterinburg and Kazan.
Bookings are open for the direct flights to Yekaterinburg and Kazan on Air Arabia’s website, as well as through the airline’s call centre or authorised travel agencies.
MUMBAI, 13 August 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel, are expanding the scope of their spiritual tourism portfolios across pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customised tours.
Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable, marked by long journeys, limited connectivity and infrastructure.
Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial ‘darshans’ (viewings), guided tours and VIP access for auspicious darshans.
Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage’, the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers — from GenS (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions, multi-generational families to millennials and GenZ travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness and cultural discovery — seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.
“Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival — it has become a year-round experience,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale. India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos, while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture. This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India.”
Key highlights
A curated portfolio of 11 iconic pilgrimage sites across India’s vast geography, covering temples, shrines and sacred rivers across India and the Indian subcontinent.
Certified local tour experts who offer deep insights into the history and cultural significance of each site, while facilitating seamless access and VIP/escorted darshans at key pilgrimage locations.
Special aartis (offering of light), pujas (messages) and spiritual rituals conducted with accompanying pandits (scholars) for a personalised spiritual experience.
Pure Vegetarian/Jain meal options to align with travellers’ religious and dietary preferences.
Premium aerial darshans (via helicopters) at select pilgrimage sites for faster, more comfortable access to remote & high-altitude spiritual circuits.
Top group tour pilgrimage circuits
Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) — The Himalayan spiritual circuit of great reverence via aerial darshans.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — A sacred journey to the abode of Lord Shiva via aerial darshans.
Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Bodh Gaya Yatra — Sacred sites along the river Ganga, steeped in mythology and history, rites and rituals.
Dwarka Somnath Yatra — Gujarat’s twin pilgrimages celebrating Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
Tirupati to Trivandrum — South India’s iconic temple circuits for spiritual fulfilment.
Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra — Spiritual wellness on the banks of the Ganges
Ujjain Omkareshwar to Bhimashankar Grishneshwar Yatra — sacred Shiva circuits in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra
Kashi to Kathmandu to Muktinath to Janakpur — Bharat Nepāl Mahayātrā covering spiritual landmarks across both nations.
Puri Jagannath Yatra — is a cornerstone of India’s Char Dham circuit and a key spiritual landmark in Odisha.
Ramayan Yatras — covering India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Short Getaways — Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Rishikesh, Mathura, and Velankanni.
SOTC Travel Limited President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar said: “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites. There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain.”
BANGKOK, 10 August 2025: Four years after navigating one of the most turbulent chapters in its history, Thai Airways International PCL is back trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand — and back on a path to profit.
The national carrier officially resumed trading on 4 August with the opening price reaching THB10.50 per share, representing a 134.4% increase from the capital increase offering price of THB4.48 per share, with a market capitalisation of nearly THB300 billion.*
It suggests an unwavering focus on profitability and premium business travel. THAI is no longer in survival mode. It’s in ascent.
From crisis to comeback
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a near-fatal blow to Thai Airways, forcing it into bankruptcy protection with over USD11 billion in debt. Years of financial mismanagement, bloated costs, and political interference compounded the crisis. The airline filed for rehabilitation in May 2021 under court supervision — a move some called its final lifeline.
But that rehabilitation has proven transformative. Between 2020 and 2023, the airline slashed debt, sold non-core assets, exited unprofitable routes, and restructured labour and fleet operations. By early 2024, Thai Airways had returned to the black.
Profit/Loss Summary (2020–2025)
• 2020: Loss of THB141 billion
• 2021: Loss of THB55 billion
• 2022: Loss reduced to THB12 billion
• 2023: Net profit of THB12.5 billion
• 2024: Net profit of THB18.7 billion
• 2025 Forecast: Net profit expected to exceed THB21 billion with a 25% net margin
Ten consecutive profitable quarters — including typically weak Q2 and Q3 — support this optimism. Bookings for H2 2025 remain strong, bolstered by business travellers from Europe, Australia, and regional hubs, despite regional tourism dips.
Fleet: From bloated to balanced
Before bankruptcy, Thai Airways operated a vast, inefficient fleet of 103 aircraft, including multiple aircraft types—ranging from the Airbus A340-600 to the Boeing 747-400—that incurred heavy maintenance costs.
Post-rehabilitation (2025)
The fleet has been streamlined to 67 aircraft, including:
• Airbus A350-900 (new flagship for long-haul) photo
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Airbus A320 (regional and short-haul)
• Decommissioned: 747s, A340s, and older 777s
In late 2023, Thai Airways placed a landmark order for 45 Boeing aircraft (mostly 787 Dreamliners), with options for 35 more. Deliveries begin in 2028 — well after current US-Thailand trade talks — discrediting rumours of political influence. Chairman Lawaron Sangsanit reaffirmed that fleet decisions are “commercial, not political”.
THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri added his assurances to the narrative, saying further acquisitions will be guided by route demand, fuel efficiency, and long-term returns.
Investor confidence improves
On 4 August 2025, Thai Airways resumed trading on the SET. Within 48 hours, its share price had tripled, climbing from THB4.48 to THB13.80. The rally, analysts said, reflects genuine investor confidence rooted in operational turnaround, lean cost structure, and renewed brand equity.
“This is not a bubble,” Chai noted. “We’ve built a business model that’s profitable year-round, not just in high season.”
Strategic shift: Profit over politics
Unlike its pre-2020 incarnation, the reborn Thai Airways is decisively profit-driven. The company has pivoted away from reliance on low-yield leisure traffic and now prioritises high-value business routes to Europe, Australia, and regional capitals.
Resumption of daily flights to Cambodia despite ongoing regional tensions illustrates this resolve. “Our operations are based on business logic, not fear,” said Chai. “We are resilient and agile.”
Should net profit surpass the 25% threshold in 2025, THAI will consider issuing dividends, marking a significant milestone for shareholders and government stakeholders.
SWOT Analysis: The new THAI
Strengths
• Strong profitability and cash flow
• Strong brand recognition
• Lean, modern fleet under renewal
• Focus on premium markets
Weaknesses
• Limited aircraft availability until 2028
• Still rebuilding international alliances
• Smaller fleet restricts network growth
0pportunities
• Expansion into high-yield business routes
• New code-sharing and alliance partnerships
• Regional premium tourism markets
Threats
• Geopolitical instability
• Fuel price volatility
• Delays in aircraft delivery
Thai Airways International now stands as a symbol of resilience. No longer weighed down by debt or outdated equipment, it has rebuilt itself as a competitive global carrier—proudly independent of political meddling, and with investors, regulators and passengers once again on board. “Discipline and data, not deals and diplomacy, will drive our future,” said Chairman Lawaron.
*THAI announcement 4 August 2025.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a British-born, Bangkok-based travel journalist and editor with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. A former hotel general manager, he has worked with renowned brands including the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Shangri-La Hotels. He is currently A&P Media CEO. A long-time resident of Thailand since 1991, he is also a past President of Skål International Bangkok, Thailand and Skål Asia.
SINGAPORE, 8 August, 2025: In a historic first, Princess Cruises announces its most expansive Japan season ever in 2027, featuring two Japanese-built, sister ships — Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess — sailing from the Tokyo region throughout the entire season.
This is the first time that Princess Cruises will base two ships in Japan in one season.
Photo credit: Princess Cruises.
Marking a significant milestone for the brand’s legacy in Asia, the 2027 programme includes 78 departures across 50 itineraries, with voyages ranging from seven to 28 days, making it Princess’s most robust Japan deployment to date.
The March–December 2027 Japan season opens for sale on 20 August 2025. Before the Japanese season 2027, both ships will homeport in Singapore from December 2026 for sailings around Southeast Asia.
“This upcoming 2027 season is more than an expansion – it’s a homecoming,” said Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha. “Our story in Japan has deepened over time and experience, and in 2027, we return promising unforgettable experiences, including the renowned cherry blossoms, seven spectacular festivals and journeys that immerse you in the awe and wonder of this destination.”
2027 Deployment Overview
Two Japanese-built ships: 2,670-guest Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – both built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki
45 cruise destinations across six countries
78 total departures and 50 itineraries from the Tokyo region
Itinerary Highlights
Cherry Blossom Voyages (9–24 days): Timed to follow the blooming season from south to north across all four of Japan’s main islands.
Festival Cruises (8–24 days): Celebrate Japan’s most vibrant summer festivals, including the Aomori Nebuta, Tokushima Awa Odori, and Kochi Yosakoi with late-night stays.
Circle and Grand Japan Voyages (9–28 days): Circumnavigate the country with visits to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and more.
Okinawa & Taiwan Itineraries (9–18 days): Explore the subtropical beauty of Okinawa and the cultural richness of Taipei and Hualien.
Japan Explorer Cruises (9–13 days): Discover iconic cities like Shimizu (for Mt Fuji), Kobe (for Kyoto), and Kagoshima.
DUBAI, 8 August 2025: Emirates has entered a landmark seven-year partnership with FC Bayern Munich, 34-time Bundesliga champions and six-time UEFA Champions League titleholders.
The agreement positions Emirates as the Platinum Partner of FC Bayern Munich’s first team from the 2025-26 season through to the 2031-32 season.
The football powerhouse is one of the most widely supported and respected clubs worldwide, with a highly engaged global fanbase of more than 140 million people, enjoying strong brand recognition rooted in a unique Bavarian identity. FC Bayern also enjoys a robust club membership of 410,000, one of the largest in the football world, demonstrating deep community support and engagement. It also has fan clubs spanning more than 100 countries, reflecting its massive international appeal.
The multi-year partnership provides Emirates with prominent brand visibility on the perimeter stadium and LED boards seen by global audiences, as well as two premium pitch cam carpets. The agreement also includes exclusive ticket and hospitality allocations, plus a dedicated Emirates skybox at the club’s home stadium, Allianz Arena. Additionally, Emirates will have access to FC Bayern Munich’s collective player images. The airline’s branding will also feature prominently in Club TV backdrops during press conferences, flash zone interviews and other public and digital events.
Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said: “We are immensely proud to partner with FC Bayern—Germany’s most iconic football club and a true global sporting giant. This landmark partnership represents far more than a commercial agreement; it embodies our deep commitment to Germany, which stands as a cornerstone of our European network. By aligning ourselves with this legendary sporting institution, we’re forging a connection to the club’s rich heritage and its extraordinarily passionate community. Few forces match sport’s remarkable capacity to unite hearts and minds across cultures and continents, and we look forward to building meaningful relationships with millions of devoted FC Bayern fans around the world, while celebrating excellence, a value that defines both Emirates and FC Bayern.”
The new partnership also marks Emirates’ official return to the German football league. With the club’s fanbase rapidly expanding in key markets across Asia and the US, Emirates is perfectly positioned to strengthen that connection through its extensive global network and world-class service.
Football remains one of the most celebrated sports within Emirates’ portfolio, exemplified through prestigious partnerships with global football clubs and premier tournaments. The airline’s ‘Fly Better’ logo features on the football jerseys of leading European clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, AC Milan, Benfica SL and Olympique Lyonnais, in addition to naming rights to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Emirates’ logo will also feature on the back of Al Ain FC’s First Team’s Training Shirt throughout the 2025/2026 season. Emirates has also been the Title Partner of The FA Cup for almost a decade, known as The Emirates FA Cup, the oldest and biggest domestic football tournament in the world. In its home base of the UAE, the airline supports the UAE Pro League. For more information on the airline or to make a booking, visit www.emirates.com.
KUCHING, 8 August 2025: BESarawak reports that the recent 14th International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (CITA 2025) and the 29th International Conference on Asian Language Processing (IALP 2025) hosted in Kuching stressed the importance of preserving the diversity of Asian languages within the development of artificial intelligence, particularly in an era where large language models shape global communication.
The opening ceremony for the CITA 2025 and IALP 2025 took place earlier this week.
CITA 2025 and IALP 2025 also highlighted the significance of AI and disruptive technologies in transforming industries and education systems, stressing the need for ethical, responsible implementation.
The CITA 2025 conference focused on information technology, with a theme of “Embracing Disruptive Technologies for a Transformative Digital Future.” It was held from 5 to 6 August 2025, at the Borneo Cultures Museum and served as a platform for researchers and industry professionals to discuss new developments in IT. Topics focused on: Artificial Intelligence; Cybersecurity; Internet of Things (IoT); Cloud Computing and Big Data & Data Science.
The 29th International Conference on Asian Language Processing (IALP 2025) is the flagship conference of the Chinese and Oriental Languages Information Processing Society (COLIPS). It focuses on advancing research in Asian language processing. The event was held from 4 to 6 August 2025, at the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching. Discussions and keynote presentations focused on: Natural Language Processing (NLP); Speech recognition and synthesis; Machine translation and Large Language Models
Business Events Sarawak Deputy CEO Jason Tan.
MBEW 2025
Meanwhile, during the Malaysia Business Event Week (MBEW2025), 4 to 6 August, BeSarawak’s Deputy CEO Jason Tan shared insights under the keynote address theme “Legacy Impact Through Business Events”.
The presentation outlined how Sarawak’s business events industry evolved with a powerful statement: “Economic impacts like delegate arrivals and tourism receipts are just the tip of the iceberg.
The social, economic, and environmental growth driven by this industry is tremendous yet still unspoken.
“Sarawak’s presence at the Malaysia Business Events Week goes beyond networking, but to strengthen our position as Malaysia’s legacy capital of business events.”
MBEW 2025 took place in Kuching, themed “Spicing Up Business Events” and highlighted an onsite authentic ‘Spice Market’, one of many presentations illustrating Sarawak’s appeal for meetings and incentives.
MANILA 8 August 2025: Philippine Airlines is reviving its seasonal direct service between Manila (MNL) and Sapporo (CTS), Japan, effective 24 November 2025.
The airline served the route from 2018 to 2020 when it suspended the seasonal flights due to the COVID pandemic
Photo credit: PAL
Three weekly flights will be reinstated during the upcoming northern hemisphere winter season that runs from 24 November 2025 to 27 March 2026.
Flight Schedule
PAL will operate flights on the Manila-Sapporo route three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using a 168-seat Airbus A321neo aircraft, configured with 12 business class seats and 156 economy class seats.
PR406 departs Manila at 0630 and arrives in Sapporo at 1215. PR405 departs Sapporo at 1315 and arrives in Manila at 1810.
PAL’s press statement says reinstating the route is a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Philippines-Japan geo-market. “It provides a convenient travel option for Filipino tourists and overseas workers, offering direct access to Hokkaido, a popular winter destination known for its skiing resorts and the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.”
PAL already has a comprehensive network of flights to other major Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka
BANGKOK, 8 August 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its latest Repeat Visitor Ranking, spotlighting the Asian city destinations that travellers just can’t resist revisiting.
Based on booking data from the first half of the year, the ranking reveals the top 10 destinations with the highest number of repeat visitors. Topping the list for the second consecutive year is Bangkok, followed by Tokyo, Seoul, Bali, and Osaka, each offering their charms that keep travellers revisiting.
Photo credit: Agoda. 2025 Return Visitor Rank
Top 10 destinations for revisits*
Bangkok Thailand
Tokyo Japan
Seoul South Korea
Bali Indonesia
Osaka Japan
Taipei Taiwan
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Da Nang Vietnam
Johor Bahru Malaysia
Hong Kong
*Agoda Repeat Visitor Ranking
Repeat visits are a positive benchmark for tourism boards that see a high percentage of return visits as an endorsement for their promotional strategies.
Travellers often find themselves drawn back to their favourite destinations, year after year, or explore lesser-known destinations having already visited the capital city or main resort destinations. Agoda’s data shows that many travellers even return to the same destination multiple times.
Bangkok, the perennial favourite, continues to captivate visitors with its street life, dining, and cultural landmarks. This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching special promotions and campaigns with industry partners aimed at boosting inbound travel.
In addition to Bangkok, Agoda’s data found that Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai also saw high numbers of return visitors, underscoring the country’s broad appeal across diverse regions. Thailand is enhancing transportation infrastructure, particularly inter-city rail systems, domestic airport upgrades and improvements to public mass transit systems.
Agoda, Country Director Akaporn Rodkong shared: “Nothing speaks more to a destination’s success than the loyalty of returning travellers. Bangkok’s enduring popularity reflects its vibrant culture, exceptional cuisine, and the collaborative efforts of Thailand’s tourism sector and government to deliver experiences that leave a lasting impression and invite travellers back time and again.”
Agoda’s “Repeat Visitor Ranking” is a study and report that highlights destinations with the highest number of repeat visitors. This ranking, based on Agoda’s booking data and surveys, reveals which cities or countries travellers are most likely to revisit.
Key takeaways
Top Destinations: The ranking frequently features major travel hubs in Asia, with cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Bali often appearing at the top of the list.
Reasons for repeat visits: Agoda’s surveys have identified several key reasons why people revisit their favourite destinations. The most common factors cited are:
Ease of travel
Local cuisine
Convenient location
Safety and cleanliness
A previous positive experience
Traveller demographics: The data often provides insights into the behaviour of different nationalities. For example, reports have shown that a significant percentage of travellers from places like the Philippines, Vietnam, and India are eager to revisit their favourite spots. The purpose of these trips also varies, with reasons like “adventure,” “food,” and “reuniting with family/friends” being frequently mentioned.
Loyalty programmes and benefits: While the Repeat Visitor Ranking is a report on travel trends, Agoda also has customer loyalty programs that reward frequent users. The Agoda VIP programme, for instance, has different tiers (Member, VIP Silver, VIP Gold, and VIP Platinum) that are achieved based on the number of bookings a user makes. Higher tiers offer exclusive discounts and other perks. Agoda also has a “PointsMAX” feature, which allows customers to earn airline miles or other loyalty points from partner programmes when booking accommodations
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 8 August 2025: Air Astana and its subsidiary FlyArystan announced this week financial results for the second quarter and six months ended 30 June 2025.
Air Astana CEO Peter Foster commented: “We continue to perform strongly with rising revenues and improved margins in H1, driving growth of 24.1% in EBITDAR and 132% in PAT. This is underpinned by an increase in both capacity and traffic of 17.8% and 17.3% respectively, despite the widely publicised macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges.
“Our performance highlights once again the benefits of our central location and agile approach as we successfully optimised costs and allocated capacity to our key markets to maximise margins.
“The increase in passenger numbers alongside capacity demonstrates the demand for our new routes across the fastest-growing regions in Asia, particularly the megamarkets of India and China, as we offer connectivity with the CIS region. Our codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines, announced last week, is another essential step in developing this connectivity further.”
Group passengers carried increased 15.6% to 2.5 million (Q2 2024: 2.2 million) with average load factor remaining stable at 81.9% (Q2 2024: 82.8%).
Astana Group’s fleet now consists of 61 aircraft, made up entirely of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 767s, and is expected to increase to 63 aircraft by the end of 2025 and to 84 aircraft by the end of 2029.
H1 Highlights
Strong growth and continued focus on yield management deliver 24.1% increase in EBITDAR
Total revenue and other income increased 12.1% to USD658.2 million (H1 2024: USD587.2 million).
EBITDAR increased 24.1% to USD157.0 million (H12024: USD126.5 million).
EBITDAR margin improved by 2.3 pp to 23.9% (H12024: 21.6%).
PAT increased 131.9% to USD10.7 million (H12024: USD4.6 million).
ASK up 17.8% to 10.3 billion (H12024: 8.7 billion).
RPK increased 17.3% to 8.4 billion (H12024: 7.1 billion).
Unit revenues continue to be managed ahead of unit cost inflation, extending the positive trend from Q4 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of the group’s ongoing efficiency measures and currency hedge.
RASK decreased 4.9% to USD6.41¢ (H12024: 6.74¢).
CASK decreased 6.2% to USD5.97¢ (H12024: 6.36¢).
Group passengers carried increased 11.6% to 4.5 million (H12024: 4.0 million) with a stable average load factor of 81.7% (H1 2024: 82.0%).
Group fleet expanded to 61 aircraft with the delivery of six A320 family aircraft.
Q2 Highlights
Robust revenue growth and double-digit EBITDAR expansion – underscoring increasing demand, cost efficiency and operational resilience.
Total revenue and other income increased 13.5% to USD365.8 million (Q2 2024: USD322.4 million).
EBITDAR increased 17.2% to USD97.1 million (Q2 2024: USD82.8 million).
EBITDAR margin improved by 0.8 pp to 26.5% (Q2 2024: 25.7%).
PAT increased 11% to USD18 million (Q2 2024: USD16.2 million).
ASK up 21.7% to 5.6 billion (Q2 2024: 4.6 billion).
RPK increased 20.4% to 4.6 billion (Q2 2024: 3.8 billion).
Despite the impact of geopolitical uncertainty, unit revenues and costs remain well-balanced, reflecting operational resilience.
RASK decreased 6.8% to USD 6.57¢ (Q2 2024: 7.05¢), driven mainly by local currency depreciation.
ASK decreased 6.5% to USD 5.87¢ (Q2 2024: 6.27¢) due to efficiency measures as well as the reduction in Tenge-denominated costs and lower fuel costs.
Group passengers carried increased 15.6% to 2.5 million (Q2 2024: 2.2 million) with average load factor remaining stable at 81.9% (Q2 2024: 82.8%).
SINGAPORE, 8 August 2025: Air Arabia will increase flights from Sharjah, UAE, to Bangkok, Thailand, with the addition of a third daily frequency starting 26 October 2025.
The increase to three daily flights between Sharjah International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to offering enhanced connectivity, greater convenience and more flexible travel options between the UAE and Thailand.
Schedule to Bangkok, effective 26 October 2025 (all times local):
Air Arabia Group Chief Executive Officer, Adel Al Ali, said: “We are glad to expand our service to Bangkok and remain dedicated to enhancing the travel experience of our customers while also contributing to the growth of trade and tourism ties between the UAE and Thailand”.
Air Arabia operates a fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft. The cabin configuration across the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat pitches of any economy cabin.
In addition to ‘SkyTime’, its complementary in-flight streaming service, and ‘SkyCafe’, its onboard menu. Passengers benefit from ‘Air Rewards’, the airline’s loyalty programme in the region.
Customers can now book direct flights from Sharjah to Bangkok by visiting Air Arabia’s website, calling the call centre, or through a travel agency.
