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AirAsia introduces flights to Nepal

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 12 August 2024: AirAsia will introduce a new service to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

The new Bangkok Don Mueang-Kathmandu route will begin with four weekly flights using an A320neo aircraft on 2 October 2024.

AirAsia introduces the route with a promotional fare starting at NPR9,990 per trip (USD74.35). Bookings are open until 25 August 2024 for travel from 2 October 2024 to 28 March 2025. On popular booking sites, such as Skyscanner, Google Flight, and Trip.com, THAI quotes a roundtrip fare of USD337 flying from BKK and Thai Lion sells a fare at USD271 flying from DMK. Outside of the above promotion, AirAsia quotes a roundtrip fare at USD188 flying from DMK.

AirAsia’s arrival on the airline scene between Bangkok and Kathmandu will see four airlines serving the route: two from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and two from Don Mueang Airport (DMK). AirAsia will join Thai Lion, which flies three roundtrip flights to Kathmandu from DMK. From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Airways flies to Kathmandu twice daily and Nepal Airlines three weekly.

Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya said: “This is AirAsia’s 16th destination in South Asia since we resumed near full-scale operations post-pandemic. This region has tremendous growth potential, which has only made us work even harder to roll out more flight services to meet the demand for tourism, trade, and business purposes.”

Nepal is a must-visit for its cultural beauty. Visitors can see Swayambhunath, a temple complex featuring the Buddha’s eyes of wisdom looking out in each of the four directions on its main stupa. Boudhanath, Nepal’s largest pagoda, was registered as a World Heritage site in 1979. Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, in the millennium-old capital of Bhaktapur, is one of the many historically rich places to see on a trip to Kathmandu.  

Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, is located close to the Indian border and is an essential destination for Buddhist pilgrims.

For nature enthusiasts, Nepal offers the most stunning mountain views in the world. In nearby Pokhara, there is the famed Annapurna Base Camp, where hikers can be thrilled by Phewa Lake before setting off to Everest Base Camp, a top spot for mountaineering.

AirAsia now operates 16 routes to South Asia, offering 87 flights a week to Jaipur, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Gaya, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Tiruchirappalli, Hyderabad, Dhaka, Colombo, Maldives, and its latest addition, Kathmandu.

AirAsia schedule for BKK – KTM

Flight FD182 departs DMK at 1150 and arrives in KTM at 1400
Flight FD182 departs KTM at 1500 and arrives in DMK at 1935.

Flights are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

(SOURCE: OAG Schedules Analyser data)

Jetstar Asia flags low-fare flights to Colombo

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 15 August 2024: Jetstar Asia (3K) will become the only low-cost carrier to fly direct from Singapore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when the new service takes off on 21 November 2024.

The Singapore low-cost carrier will operate five return services each week using its fleet of Airbus A320s, offering more than 90,000 low fares between the two destinations each year.

The split schedule offers morning and evening departures from Changi Airport, providing a choice for those starting their journey in Singapore and easy connections for those travelling via Singapore on Jetstar Airways (JQ) daily service from Melbourne or up to six weekly flights from Perth.

To celebrate, Jetstar Asia has launched a one-way sale on fares from Singapore to Colombo starting from SGD149*, making Sri Lanka more accessible than ever. Club Jetstar members can access even lower fares, starting from SGD139*.

Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone said Colombo was the gateway to Sri Lanka and the perfect destination for those looking for adventure, a romantic getaway or a family holiday.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to introducing exciting new destinations, and I want to thank Changi Airport Group, Sri Lanka Tourism, Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka and Hayleys for their ongoing support.”

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Chalaka Gajabahu said Jetstar Asia’s direct flights between Singapore and Sri Lanka will supercharge the growth of the tourism industry.
“Jetstar Asia is making history as the first low-cost carrier to offer direct flights from Singapore to Colombo, opening opportunities for travellers to visit Sri Lanka,” Gajabahu said. “On behalf of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, we congratulate Jetstar Asia and look forward to a successful partnership that ensures memorable journeys for all our valued customers.”

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Chair Athula Galketiya welcomed Jetstar Asia’s announcement of scheduled flights between Singapore and Sri Lanka, highlighting its positive impact on tourism growth.
“This connectivity will enhance the travel experience for both local and international travellers, and we thank Jetstar Asia for choosing Bandaranaike International Airport,” Galketiya concluded.

Centara showcases unity conferences

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK 14 August 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is advancing its people development programme by organising the “Centara Unity Conference 2024” with the theme “Unity is Strength, One Team with One Vision” at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Huahin. 

Led by Centara’s Executive Vice President — Commercial, Ron Cusiter, the conference provides an opportunity for marketing and sales personnel from all Centara hotels and resorts worldwide to convene, collaborate on business planning, and exchange ideas to enhance planning, management, and communication. 

This initiative aligns with Centara’s strategic goal of becoming one of the top 100 hotel operators by 2027.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com. 

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts operates 93 properties spanning all major Thai destinations, plus properties in the Maldives, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology.  The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2020 as an experiential luxury collection. It invites guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality, starting with Centara Reserve Samui.

Pandaw presents Hornbill Festival

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 August 2024: Located in India’s Northeast, on the border with Myanmar, Nagaland state is often called the “Land of Festivals.” 

It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes and is home to 17 major tribes with unique traditions, languages, and customs. The Naga tribes, such as the Angami, Ao, and Sumi, are known for their vibrant festivals, intricate craftsmanship, and fierce warrior traditions, offering a cultural richness that will intrigue travellers.

One of the most celebrated events is the Hornbill Festival, held annually in December. This festival showcases the diverse cultures of the Naga tribes through music, dance, and traditional sports. The region’s picturesque landscapes, including lush hills and dense forests, add to its allure, making it a must-visit destination for cultural enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The Hornbill Festival is held annually from 1 to 10 December, and this is undoubtedly the best time to immerse in the Nagaland experience. 

Must-see attractions

  • Kisama Heritage Village: A living museum of Naga traditions showcasing different tribes, their lifestyles, and artefacts.
  • Tribal Villages: Visit villages like Khonoma, Dzukou, or Longwa to immerse yourself in the local way of life.
  • Kohima War Cemetery: A solemn tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Imphal, showcasing the state’s historical importance.
  • Dzukou Valley: Known as the “Valley of Flowers,” this breathtaking landscape features distinctive flora.
  • Shilloi Lake: A serene lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for nature lovers.
  • Mount Saramati: This is the highest peak in Nagaland for adventure enthusiasts, offering stunning views.

Nagaland is a northeastern state in India known for its rich tribal culture, stunning landscapes, and its annual Hornbill Festival. It shares its borders with three other Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, and Manipur to the south. The Hornbill Festival village is 421 km from Nagaland’s international border with Myanmar.

Pandaw offers a unique opportunity to visit this most famous festival during a 16-night fully guided land and river tour, which includes the festival at Kohima, an exploration of Nagaland, and an expedition along the mighty Brahmaputra River. Availability is limited for this truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so book your place today while spaces remain.

To make a booking visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw sales team at [email protected].

Nagalands Hornbill Festival and Brahmaputra Expedition
DIMAPUR – GUWAHATI – DIBRUGARH
16 nights
From USD7,745

For more information on the Nagaland expeditio

Trip highlights

Combined with a cruise of the Brahmaputra River, guests embark on an overland side trip to attend the Nagaland Festival that opens up the amazing destination of Nagaland during the first week of December

The visit highlights the annual Hornbill Festival and begins with an orientation of Nagaland and its people through a guided tour of Kohima town. Some of the places to visit include Kohima village, Nagaland State Museum, and the Kohima War Cemetery, one of the most iconic WWII battlefields in the world, also known as the ‘Stalingrad of the East’. 

Then, on to the Kisama Heritage Village, the main venue of the Hornbill Festival. There is never a dull moment at the festival venue, with dances, music, food, and drinks. You can enjoy interaction with different people from several tribes wearing their colourful attire and enthusiastically engaging in traditional sports. 

Must-try local dishes

Nagaland boasts a unique culinary scene. Here are some must-try dishes served at the festival.
Pork: This is a staple in Naga cuisine. Try smoked pork, pork with bamboo shoots, or pork curry.
Akini: A fermented soybean dish rich in protein and flavour.
Chilis: Nagaland is famous for its fiery chillies. Be prepared for a spicy adventure.
Rice Beer: A traditional Naga drink made from fermented rice.

Enjoy the festival and explore beyond

A visit to the neighbouring Angami village of Kigwema is high on the list of must-do activities. The Night Carnival rounds off the festival’s celebrations, which are refreshed daily throughout the week.

Be assured each day is a different experience during the festival, and you can enjoy the colourful dances and several traditional games performed by members of various tribes. But you can also venture away from the main festival and visit Khonoma, also known as ‘India’s first green village’, and an important home of the Angami tribe. On reaching this village full of history, you will see the Naga age-group houses (Morungs), forts, ceremonial gates and the Angami way of living through an engaging village walk. 

A trek to  Mount Puliebadze (2300 m) just outside Kohima is one of the many signature activities when visiting Nagaland. It takes one to two hours, depending on fitness. While walking up Puliebadze, one can imagine the much more challenging climb embarked upon by the Allied soldiers during the battle of Kohima in WWII. A hike on the legendary Mount Puliebadze is always an excellent way to connect with nature, and you will also get to enjoy spectacular views of Kohima and the surroundings from the peak. 

Minor names VP Commercial Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 14 August 2024: Minor Hotels has named Richard Beh Vice President of Commercial – Asia, reporting directly to Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, and Ian Di Tullio, Chief Commercial Officer.

He is based at Minor Hotels’ headquarters in Bangkok. Before joining Minor Hotels, Beh was the Trip.com Global Vice President of Hotel Chains.

A Malaysian national, Beh will spearhead the overall regional strategy, adopting a holistic approach to sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue and distribution across the group’s brands in Asia, including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, NH and NH Collection. 

Paris Olympics a tourism booster

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 August 2024: As the Olympic Games Paris closed on 11 August, Visa’s latest data confirmed the Games’ positive impact on tourism and spending in France. 

Paris attracted 42% more Visa cardholders in the first week of the Olympic Games than in the same period in 2023. Still, other cities hosting Olympic sports also saw significant increases in visitors and spending, especially among fans who attended the competitions.

Paris leads as a global destination 

  • 42% increase in the number of Visa cardholders who travelled to Paris during the first week of the Olympic Games Paris 2024
  • Other Paris 2024 host cities benefited from the Olympic Games, with Lille seeing a 188% increase in visitors, Saint-Etienne 150%, and Marseille 48%
  • Visa cardholders from the US are the largest share of visitors from any country, with a 72% year-on-year growth, followed by Latin America (+62%) and Asia Pacific (+57%)
  • In Europe, fans from the UK (+53%) and Germany (+53%) showed a strong interest in attending the Games
  • Parisians didn’t flee the city as previously expected. The number of Parisians travelling overseas remained consistent with the previous year, with a minor uptick (from 4% to 5%) in Parisians travelling outside of Paris during the Olympic Games.

Top spending patterns

Visa cardholders spent more in Paris than in the previous year, with the UK leading the year-on-year growth with a 42% increase in their spending, followed by Latin America (+34%) and the US (+32%) 2

Visa cardholders who attended Games competitions spent 24% more than those who did not, with 39% of European fans (excluding France) spending more.

The most significant year-on-year increase in spending levels in Paris was seen in theatres and museums +205%, restaurants +67%, food and grocery +54%, retail goods +53%, and fast food restaurants 53% .

Visa Europe Chief Executive Officer Charlotte Hogg said: “Our data shows a significant boost for the Parisian economy from hosting the Games. Paris has consistently been the most visited city in the world, but I’m sure that the amazing experience of being in the city for the Games or watching the events at the iconic venues from far away will draw many more visitors in the years to come.”

Visa’s responsibility to provide payment systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a robust and venue-specific plan combined with large-scale operations. Working hand-in-hand with the Organising Committee for the last three years, Visa has built a custom payment network across Paris and beyond, which ensures Visa contactless payments are accepted at 3,500 points of sale across 32 Olympic venues and 16 Paralympic venues.

THAI reports a slimmer Q2 net profit

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 14 August 2024: Thai Airways reported its operational performance results for the second quarter of 2024, declaring declines in net profits for the Q2 and its half-year results compared to the same periods in 2023. 

In Q2/2024, THAI served 3.81 million passengers. The average cabin factor was 73.2%.

THAI Reports Operational Performance Results for the Second Quarter of 2024.

Revenue Q2 2024

In the second quarter of 2024, THAI Airways International reported revenue of THB43,981 million, 17.7% higher than Q2 2023, when the airline group reported revenue of THB37,381 million. However, second-quarter revenue fell 4.3% compared with Q1 2024 due to a dip in travel demand. Expenses rose to THB38,056 million, an increase of 32.1%, mainly due to increased variable costs. This was attributed to yield pressures and the return of more capacity to the market, which impacted expenses.

THAI reported an operating profit of THB5,925 million, before financial costs and excluding one-time transactions, down from the THB8,576 million operating profit recorded in Q2 2023. 

Due to a loss in foreign exchange and asset impairment, the airline group reported a net profit of THB314 million, down from a net profit of THB2,273 million recorded for the same period last year.

Half-year results 2024

The airline’s half-year results for 2024 recorded a total revenue of THB89,936 million, 14.0% higher than the same period last year.

Total expenses stood at THB72,935 million, 27.3% higher than the half-year 2023 results. THAI reported an operating profit, before financial costs and excluding one-time transactions, of THB17,001 million, down 21.3% compared with the same period last year.  

The airline group’s financial costs reached THB9,403 million. THAI and its subsidiaries had one-time items mainly due to loss from foreign exchange and asset impairment, resulting in a total expense of THB4,847 million. Consequently, THAI and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of THB2,738 million compared with a net profit of THB14,795 million for the same period last year.

From January to June 2024, THAI’s fleet comprised 77 aircraft, and the average aircraft utilisation was 13 hours per day. Traffic production (ASK) increased by 15.6%, while passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 10.9%. The average cabin factor was 78.1%, lower than the previous year’s 81.4%. The total number of passengers carried was 7.68 million, an increase of 0.81 million from the same period last year and up 11.8% from the same period in 2023.

Air India Express launches six flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 14 August 2024: Air India Express has launched six daily direct flights daily, further strengthening its domestic network. The new flights operate on the Chennai-Bhubaneswar, Chennai-Bagdogra, Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata-Varanasi, Kolkata-Guwahati, and Guwahati-Jaipur routes.

Five of these routes are new to the airline’s growing network. The newly introduced Guwahati-Jaipur flight is an exclusive route served by Air India Express. To meet the increasing demand on the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram route, previously served with two weekly flights, the airline has now introduced an additional daily service, bringing the total to nine flights a week.

Air India Express Operations:

From/To Chennai: Air India Express now connects Chennai directly to 10 destinations, including Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram domestically, and Dammam, Kuwait, and Singapore internationally. Additionally, the airline offers convenient one-stop connectivity to 24 destinations, both domestic and international.

From/To Bhubaneswar: With this expansion, Air India Express now provides direct connectivity from Bhubaneswar to seven domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The airline also offers 26 one-stop itineraries to a variety of other destinations.

From/To Bagdogra: Air India Express connects Bagdogra directly to five domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and offers access to 26 one-stop destinations, both domestic and international.

From/To Kolkata: Kolkata is Air India Express’s third-largest station, operating 124 weekly flights to 34 destinations, including 12 direct domestic destinations and various one-stop destinations.

From/To Thiruvananthapuram: Air India Express offers 12 direct flights connecting Thiruvananthapuram to domestic and international destinations and connects the city to 23 one-stop destinations.

From/To Guwahati: Air India Express connects Guwahati with eight domestic and 23 one-stop destinations, including domestic and international.

From/To Varanasi: With 42 weekly departures, Air India Express connects Varanasi directly to three domestic and one international destination. The airline also provides convenient one-stop itineraries to several other domestic and international destinations.

From/To Jaipur: Air India Express offers nine direct flights connecting Jaipur to domestic destinations and one international destination. The airline also connects Jaipur to 24 domestic and international one-stop destinations.

AirAsia to fly to Port Blair

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TTR WEEKLY
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SEPANG, Malaysia, 14 August 2024: AirAsia continues expanding its network to and from India from its home base in Malaysia with a new route to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India.

Scheduled for 16 November, AirAsia will fly to the gateway to the Andaman Islands thrice weekly making Port Blair the airline’s 17th destination in India. All, told AirAsia will muster 91 flights per week to destinations in India. In 2024 alone, AirAsia launched eight new routes to the country, including Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, and Kozhikode.

Situated in a cluster of islands in Andaman and Nicobar, Port Blair has long remained on the bucket list of avid travellers who want to explore its pristine waters and marine life. 

The city serves as a popular beach getaway for Indian citizens nationwide. Now, travellers from Malaysia and beyond can experience its charm via AirAsia’s direct flights. From touring the island’s historical landmarks to kayaking on its crystal-clear waters, an adventure awaits everyone. The stretch of islands in the Andamans is also home to ancient tribal communities who have resided there for centuries and are protected by the Indian government. 

To celebrate the launch, AirAsia offers promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Port Blair from MYR199 all-in-one way*. These special fares are available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly airasia Superapp) or airasia.com until 19 August 2024 for travel between 16 November 2024 and 25 October 2025. Malaysians are eligible for visa-free entry to India for tourist visits of up to 30 days until 30 June  2025.

Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Port Blair (IXZ)

*Includes airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees.T&Cs apply.

SQ cuts Houston flight April 2025

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 August 2024: Singapore Airlines will discontinue its flight to Houston, US, at the start of the northern summer 2025 timetable.

The flight stops in Manchester, UK, on its way to Houston and enjoys full fifth-freedom traffic rights. Manchester will remain in the airline’s schedule, with five flights weekly that will turn around in the northern UK city and fly back to Singapore. The Singapore – Manchester – Houston service was first introduced in 2016.

According to advance flight schedules, the airline has “closed reservations for travel to Houston effective 1 April 2025 on the Manchester – Houston sector. 

Until 1 April 2025, the airline will continue to operate the service from Singapore, stopping in Manchester, UK. It uses an Airbus A350-900 on the route for the five weekly flights to Houston (Flights on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun).

Flight SQ052 departs Singapore and arrives in Manchester at 0910.
Flight SQ052 departs Manchester at 1040 and arrives in Houston at 1430.

Flight SQ051 departs Houston at 1845 and arrives in Manchester at 0940+1.
Flight SQ051 departs Manchester at 1115+1 and arrives in Singapore at 0740+2

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