DELHI, India, 11 November: IndiGo will launch daily direct flights between Pune and Dubai from 22 November 2024.
The new route will enhance IndiGo’s international network from Pune by providing direct connectivity to Dubai, one of the most sought-after tourist and business destinations for Indian travellers in the UAE.
With this new addition by IndiGo, the airline will now operate 383 average weekly flights out of Pune, offering direct connectivity to over 25 destinations in India and two international destinations.
IndiGo’s direct connectivity from Pune to one of the most important financial centres will significantly contribute to the economic growth in both Pune and western Maharashtra.
IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said: “With the introduction of these flights, IndiGo will now operate over 100 weekly, direct, flights to Dubai from 13 cities in India, and now proudly offers a wide choice of more than 225 weekly flights into the UAE from 18 cities in India.”
Pune, one of the largest IT and auto hubs in India, will significantly benefit from direct connectivity to Dubai. The new connectivity promises to stimulate seamless trade and commerce, fostering economic growth and opportunities across these regions. This strategic move bridges geographical distances and paves the way for stronger business collaborations and cultural exchanges.
Dubai is also known as a global aviation hub and the main commercial centre of the United Arab Emirates. Connectivity between Dubai and Pune will not only boost tourism in the cities but also open newer trade opportunities and promote economic growth as Dubai is a crucial commercial hub.
SINGAPORE, 11 November 2024: Royal Brunei Airlines introduced a new direct flight on 5 November between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai, India.
The airline schedules three weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using its A320neo on the route.
Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has been awarded a Four-Star Major Airline rating for 2025 by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). Badarudin Hj Bagol, the airline’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, received the award.
Royal Brunei’s inaugural flight landed at Chennai International Airport on 5 November and was greeted by a water cannon salute. The new connection signifies a significant expansion in RB’s global network and marks the 40th anniversary of cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties between Brunei Darussalam and India.
The airline celebrated the launch in Chennai through a series of events at the ITC Grand Chola in collaboration with the Brunei High Commission in India, the Brunei Economic and Development Board (BEDB), and Brunei Tourism (BT).
RB’s CEO, Chief Commercial Officer, STIC Travel Group (RB’s GSA in India), and Brunei Tourism representatives hosted a joint press conference following the flight’s arrival.
“Launching this new route is more than just a flight connection; it is a bridge between two nations. We are excited to open new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Brunei and India,” Royal Brunei Airlines CEO Captain Sabirin bin Hj Abdul Hamid told the media. “This route connects Bruneians and our international guests to the vibrant city of Chennai and the many experiences it has to offer, and it enhances travel options for those from India wishing to explore the peaceful beauty of Brunei Darussalam.”
Due to the codeshare agreement with Air India, passengers flying to and from Chennai from their home cities in India can connect to other major destinations on arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan served by RB’s network, such as Melbourne, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Manila, and Taipei.
Since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1984, India and Brunei have enjoyed a lasting partnership enriched by a shared heritage and a commitment to development. This new route launch aligns with India’s Prime Minister Modi’s vision for an ASEAN-India Tourism Year in 2025 and supports increased travel, business exchanges, and cultural interactions.
Captain Haji Sabirin noted: “This new route exemplifies our support for Brunei’s Wawasan 2035 vision to create a dynamic and globally connected economy. We are delighted to be part of this journey, promoting Brunei as a hidden gem for Indian travellers who wish to experience tranquillity, natural beauty, and a unique cultural heritage.”
Flight schedule
Flight BI121 departs from Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) at 2000 and arrives in Chennai (MAA) at 2250 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flight BI122 departs Chennai at 2350 and arrives in Bandar Seri Begawan at 0755 (plus a day). Flight time is five hours and 20 minutes.
There are no competing airlines on the route. During November, the roundtrip average fare is likely to be USD600. A search on Kayak shows the roundtrip fare pegged at USD275 on 11 November.
RB has a fleet of five Boeing 787-8 and five A320neo aircraft. The new flight between Chennai and Badar Seri Begawan connects conveniently with RB’s flights to Hong Kong, Seoul and Melbourne. RB sells flights beyond Chennai through a codeshare with Air India.
Formerly known as Madras, Chennai’s economy is driven by diverse industries. The city is in Tamil Nadu state on the southeast coast of India.
Automobile Industry: Chennai is often called the “Detroit of India” due to its prominence in automobile manufacturing. It houses major plants of renowned brands like Hyundai, Ford, Renault-Nissan, and BMW.
Information Technology (IT) and Software Services: Chennai has emerged as a major IT hub in India, with a thriving IT sector that includes software development, IT consulting, and business process outsourcing (BPO) services.
Medical Tourism: Chennai is a popular medical tourism destination that offers affordable healthcare facilities. It attracts patients worldwide for various medical treatments, including organ transplants, cardiac surgeries, and orthopaedic procedures.
Hardware Manufacturing: Chennai has a strong presence in the hardware manufacturing industry, producing a wide range of electronic components and devices.
Financial Services: The city has several financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and stock brokerages.
Textile Industry: Chennai has a long-standing textile industry, particularly known for its production of cotton textiles and ready-made garments.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2024: Travelport, a global technology company for travel suppliers worldwide, and the airline TAP Air Portugal, have signed a multi-source content distribution agreement that includes both NDC content and traditional content for Travelport’s agency customers.
“This upcoming launch of our NDC content in Travelport+ will be a pivotal moment in our decades-long relationship,” said TAP Air Portugal Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer Mario Cruz. “Together, we are looking to deliver a solution that makes it easy for agents to access, sell, and service-tailored NDC content and offers from TAP Air Portugal through the Travelport+ marketplace.”
Travelport will deliver TAP Air Portugal’s NDC content so that agents can access its wide range of fares and offers. Agents using Travelport’s API, Smartpoint Cloud, and Smartpoint Desktop solutions will be able to view and compare the airline’s NDC offers alongside traditional content and book the best offers for their travellers. Travelport’s comprehensive solutions also enable agents to service NDC bookings for their travellers.
“Our updated agreement with TAP Air Portugal highlights our mutual dedication to creating a modern, personalised shopping and service experience for agents and travellers with NDC,” said Travelport Global Head of Travel Partners Damian Hickey. “With the future delivery of TAP Air Portugal’s NDC content and servicing in Travelport+, we’re continuing our mission to ensure that agencies can easily shop, compare, book and service the best offerings from leading airlines, all in one place.”
KUCHING, 8 November 2024: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), in collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines, presented Sarawak’s distinct travel attractions to Taiwanese audiences at the Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) 2024 earlier this week at Nangang Exhibition Hall 1.
With nearly 350,000 attendees, the event highlighted Sarawak’s diverse tourism pillars, aligning with the Taiwanese preference for authentic cultural experiences and nature-focused holidays.
Sarawak’s UNESCO World Heritage sites — Mulu and Niah National Parks — stood out as primary attractions, alongside popular wildlife tours and cultural heritage sites, such as the Sarawak Cultural Village and longhouse stays. Taiwanese visitors also showed keen interest in Sarawak’s culinary offerings, including the Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee.
STB’s booth emphasised Sarawak’s CANFF pillars (Culture, Adventure, Nature, Festivals, and Food), offering a well-rounded representation of its natural and cultural riches. These experiences continue to draw Taiwanese tourists who seek immersive travel options, providing a vibrant introduction to Sarawak’s heritage and landscapes.
Third from left: Mr Dylan Redas Noel, Marketing Director of North Asia and New Markets, with STB representatives and ITF exhibitors.
Three Taiwanese travel companies introduced exclusive Sarawak travel packages, garnering significant interest. Royal Brunei Airlines further enhanced Sarawak’s appeal by promoting a dual-destination package, allowing Taiwanese tourists to explore both Kuching and Brunei, offering them an enriched travel experience.
“We are thrilled with the positive response from Taiwanese travellers at ITF 2024,” remarked STB’s Director of Marketing for North Asia and New Markets Dylan Redas Noel. “Sarawak’s offerings align seamlessly with Taiwan’s market preferences, and we are confident that the enthusiasm generated will increase Taiwanese visitor arrivals.”
Earlier in 2024, a successful B2B session in Taipei and Taichung increased Taiwanese visitor interest, positioning Taiwan as one of Sarawak’s top 10 markets. With Taiwan’s outbound travel rising, STB is committed to enhancing its regional presence and providing Taiwanese travellers with unforgettable Sarawak experiences.
The Taipei International Travel Fair, showcasing 1,500 booths from 111 countries alongside prominent Taiwanese travel agencies, hotels, airlines, and attractions, remains a premier platform for global travel. STB’s participation highlights its commitment to engaging this growing market and positioning Sarawak as a top holiday destination.
For more information on World Heritage National Parks and Sarawak’s diverse travel experiences, visit: https://www.sarawaktourism.com
BANGKOK, 8 November 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has launched the ‘Make Time for Travel’ offer.
The offer provides guests with up to USD 200 hotel credit to enhance their stays with curated dining, wellness, and cultural experiences at selected Dusit properties worldwide – exclusively for bookings made via dusit.com.
Available for bookings of two or more nights made from now until 15 December 2024, with stay dates extending until 15 February 2025, the offer invites travellers to immerse themselves in captivating Dusit destinations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Egypt, Greece, Guam, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, and The Maldives.
From chic urban escapes to tranquil beachside retreats, the offer empowers guests to make the most of each destination’s unique offerings, with the included hotel credit adding greater value to personalised adventures and meaningful stays.
Notably, the offer includes stays at Dusit’s reimagined flagship, Dusit Thani Bangkok, which recently reopened after a stunning transformation. Here, each elegant guest room offers spectacular views over Lumpini Park, providing a luxurious sanctuary in the heart of the city.
For members of Dusit’s loyalty programme, Dusit Gold, the Make Time for Travel offer is even more rewarding, with exclusive privileges such as up to 20% off stays, up to 30% off dining, complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and Dusit’s signature ‘Instant Delight’ rewards. Enrolment in the Dusit Gold loyalty programme is free and can be completed online at dusit.com/signup.
About Dusit Hotels and Resorts Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.
About Dusit International Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.
Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.
BANGKOK, 8 November 2024: Anurak Community Lodge beside Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand has won the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) 2024 Responsible Tourism Award in the “Responsible Tourism Accommodation” category.
The five winners, including Willem Niemeijer, co-founder of Anurak Lodge, and the CEO of owner-operator YAANA Ventures, received the award on stage from Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong who was attending the World Travel Market in London, on 5 November.
After receiving the award, Niemeijer said: “The result means a lot because the judges were looking at a broad range of factors such as environmental, cultural, community engagement, and helping guests to travel more responsibly in Thailand. I believe Anurak Lodge did well on all those fronts because we take a holistic approach to responsible guest experiences.”
Located beside the magnificent Khao Sok National Park, Anurak Lodge offers 19 eco-friendly units and champions a “Rainforest Rising” tree-planting project initiated by the Forest Restoration and Research Unit at Chiang Mai University. Guests are invited to plant indigenous trees to support reforestation efforts, contributing directly to the maintenance of the project.
The lodge integrates sustainability into daily operations by recycling food waste into its gardens, composting, and using energy-efficient LED lighting. Non-motorised activities such as cycling, hiking, and bamboo rafting are encouraged, reflecting Anurak’s commitment to low-impact tourism. Guests can also explore an educational, signposted nature trail that highlights the region’s unique flora, fauna, and spectacular limestone formations.
Earlier this year, Anurak Lodge expanded its guest offerings by adding nine new mountain bikes, enhancing its fleet to 15, and refurbishing its open-air Hornbill restaurant, which now offers extended hours and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest.
Anurak Lodge’s dedication to sustainable practices has been consistently recognised. Since 2019, it has held Travelife Gold Certification, a globally endorsed environmental certification by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The lodge also received the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Grand Award for Sustainability in 2020.
Anurak Lodge’s award was among five winners at the TAT Responsible Tourism Awards 2024, which celebrated diverse contributions to conservation, community tourism, animal welfare, and local guiding.
Other winners in the awards were Bang Rong Community-based Tourism in the Responsible Community Tourism category, Khao Lak Merlin Resort in the Responsible Conservation category, Wipaporn Ord in the Responsible Local Guide category, and Elephant Hills in the Responsible Animal Welfare category.
The range of guest experiences offered at Anurak Lodge is available at anuraklodge.com
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2024. D-Edge hosted an “Inspiring Afternoon at D-Talks Bali” at Artotel Sanur Bali together with 51 prominent hoteliers from across the Bali region and featured leading tourism experts from Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network), D-Edge, STR, and Gustodian.
The event provided actionable insights for the hospitality industry in the context of Bali’s hotel industry. The agenda fostered collaboration, shared industry insights, and provided actionable strategies for optimising operations in the hospitality sector.
Featuring expert speakers from leading companies, the event sought to educate attendees on the importance of technology integration, data-driven decision-making, and maximising revenue through innovative tools and systems.
Notable opinion leaders
Wilson Napitupulu, Regional Director – Ecosystem & Partnerships – Southeast Asia at TA Network, shared insights on expanding their revenue by directing bookings through B2B channels.
Dian Ayu Sastrokusumo, D-EDGE’s account manager, delivered an enlightening presentation on the importance of having strong website content and an effective digital marketing strategy. She also emphasised the role of a channel manager in optimising hotel bookings and visibility.
Veranica Maidangkay, business development manager at STR, a global leader in hotel data benchmarking, highlighted data’s crucial role in hotel decision-making. She explained how accurate data can help hotels craft strategies to drive growth and performance in the competitive hospitality market. Some insights highlighted included understanding how different customer segments perform concerning each other, hotels analysing revenue trends to refine their pricing strategies to maximise profitability, identifying opportunities in underperforming areas to adjust their offerings and capture more business, and the use of forward-looking data on future bookings for hoteliers to forecast demand and adjust their strategies proactively.
Ayu Rista, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Gustodian, a pioneering property management system (PMS) provider, talked about the importance of an integrated PMS. She explained how it can help profile guests, enhance operational management, and ultimately deliver a superior guest experience, ensuring that hotels remain competitive in an increasingly personalised market.
Thomas Wong, TA Network’s Regional HQ Director – Growth & Partnerships, praised the event’s success in drawing the attention of Balinese hoteliers to the vital role of staying current with the latest digital technologies and solutions.
He highlighted that “with digital transformation advancing rapidly, hotels are facing both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Events like D-Talks Bali are essential for equipping local hoteliers with the tools and insights needed to optimise their business processes, maximise revenue, and enhance guest experiences in a competitive market.”
About D-Edge D-EDGE is a leading distribution technology provider in hospitality. The organisation was created as a merger of two of the largest independent hotel marketing technology companies, Availpro and Fastbooking, under the supervision of one of the most innovative hotel chains in the world.
As a B2B company, D-Edge believes that the first promise is to provide reliable products. D-Edge operates support teams in over 150 countries across Europe and Asia.
About Trip Affiliates Network Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, Trip Affiliates Network provides FIT/group inbound and outbound turnkey solutions and add-on direct supplier connectivity services for travel agents, wholesalers and hotels. High-end platforms include integrated booking systems for flights, hotels, activities and transfers plus dynamic packages and digital payment solutions. www.tripaffiliates.com
About STR STR is the global leader in hospitality data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a robust global presence with regional offices strategically located in Nashville, London, and Singapore. In October 2019, STR was acquired by CoStar Group, Inc.
About Gustodian Gustodian is a forward-thinking service provider that believes in using technology in a useful and user-friendly way, to improve guest engagement and experience through service innovation. With its suite of products collectively called GUSTO – Guest Services Tools Online – the company aims to be a change agent and lead the industry to higher and better levels of guest service and operational effectiveness.
NEW DELHI, 8 November 2024: Air India is embarking on multiple steps to ensure a smooth on-ground customer experience as Vistara merges with Air India on 12 November 2024.
In the first month after the merger, nearly 115,000 customers who had purchased Vistara tickets before the merger are expected to fly on unified Air India.
Vistara’s customers will continue to have the same experience post-merger. Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India and identified by a special four-digit Air India code beginning with the digit ‘2.’
For instance, UK 955 will become AI 2955, helping customers identify them while booking on www.airindia.com after 12 November.
Vistara’s routes and schedule will continue to be the same, as will the Vistara in-flight experience, which includes the product and services. The same crew will also service the aircraft.
Air India has deployed additional resources across touch points in India and is working closely with partner airports to undertake the following steps:
• Help desk kiosks at the curbside, before terminal entry at hubs and metro city airports
• Deploy customer support staff wearing “How may I assist you?” Air India x Vistara branded t-shirts for support
• Work with airport security to guide customers with old Vistara tickets to the nearest help desk or to Air India customer support staff
• Vistara airport ticketing offices will become Air India offices
• Vistara check-in terminals will become Air India
• Deploy customer advisory on Self-Service Kiosks: “For Vistara flights under code AI2, select Air India for check-in starting 12 November 2024.”
Customers calling the Vistara contact centre will be automatically directed to Air India representatives, ensuring a seamless experience during this transition.
Over the last few months, 270,000 customers who had booked Vistara flights have been migrated to Air India and notified about the change. Data for over 4.5 million Vistara loyalty programme members is being migrated to Air India’s loyalty programme.
Air India will serve 90 domestic and international destinations and over 800 more through codeshare and interline partners. The airline’s narrow-body fleet continues to be upgraded with new aircraft being delivered, legacy aircraft being refitted with entirely new interiors and Vistara’s catering has also been extended to Air India.
Air India’s widebody fleet has also been augmented with the entry of six A350 aircraft that have started to fly between Delhi and London and Delhi and New York. Air India has started its retrofit program with the first A320neo narrow-body aircraft being sent for retrofit. 27 narrow-body legacy aircraft will be totally refurbished and retrofitted, and this retrofit is likely to be completed by the middle of 2025.
The retrofitted A320neo aircraft will feature eight luxurious business seats, 24 extra-legroom seats in premium economy, and 132 seats in economy.
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 November 2024: Tourism Malaysia welcomes the resumption of AirAsia’s direct flights connecting Dalat, Vietnam (DLI) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Dalat flights resumed earlier this week, plus a brand new route was introduced on 2 November from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Rai (CEI), in North Thailand. It’s the only international flight to Chiang Rai to be established since pre-Covid 2019, when various Chinese airlines flying from major cities in mainland China served the Thai destination that shares river borders with neighbours Myanmar and Laos.
A welcome for flights arriving in KUL from Dalat and Chiang Rai.
These new services demonstrate AirAsia’s dedication to enhancing regional connectivity, making it easier for travellers to explore Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung hosted a special welcome reception at Terminal 2, KLIA, where guests and passengers enjoyed a celebratory event upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur. The welcoming gesture reflected Malaysian hospitality and the ongoing collaboration between AirAsia and Tourism Malaysia in promoting Malaysia as a prime travel destination in the ASEAN region.
The resumed AK 572 Dalat to Kuala Lumpur service operates four times weekly, departing Dalat at 1240 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 1555, using an A320 aircraft with 180 seats.
Flight Schedule KUL-DLI
Flight AK571 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1100 and arrives in Dalat (DLI) at 1210 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Flight AK572 departs Dalat at 1240 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 1555.
The new AK872 Chiang Rai to Kuala Lumpur route flies three times weekly, departing Chiang Rai at 1345 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 1755. The route provides a convenient link for travellers between northern Thailand and Malaysia and is served by an A320 aircraft.
Flight schedule KUL-CEI
Flight AK871 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) 1125 and arrives in Chiang Rai (CEI) at 1315 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Flight AK872 departs Chiang Rai at 1345 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 1755.
As of September 2024, Malaysia logged 1,216,809 and 265,068 tourist arrivals from Thailand and Vietnam, respectively.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2024: Lufthansa marks a significant milestone in its history: the 65th anniversary of its inaugural flight from Hamburg to Bangkok.
The milestone highlights the airline’s long-standing commitment to the Thai market and the Mekong region, connecting cultures, facilitating travel, and fostering business relationships between Germany and Thailand.
Lufthansa’s first flight to Thailand took off from Hamburg, Germany, 1 November 1959 opening a new chapter in international air travel.
LH640, then known as the Super Constellation, took off for the Far East from Hamburg via Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Cairo, Karachi and Calcutta to Thailand on a spectacular journey lasted nearly two days.
Today, Lufthansa operates multiple weekly flights between Europe and Thailand via its hubs in Munich and Frankfurt. In addition to the mainline carrier, the Lufthansa Group’s airlines connect Thailand with Europe via additional hubs in Zurich (Switzerland) and Vienna (Austria), with up to 31 weekly flights between Thailand and Europe.
Lufthansa Allegris First Class Suite Plus.
Lufthansa Group Vice President Asia Pacific & Joint Ventures East, Felipe Bonifatti commented: “This anniversary is a testament to our dedication to serving our customers and connecting them with the world. Bangkok has been – and remains – a vital destination for us, and we look forward to continuing to enhance our services as we celebrate the rich Lufthansa history in Thailand. With a legacy that stretches more than six decades, we operate more flights to Thailand than any other European airline group and are delighted to have resumed A380 services to Bangkok just last month.”
Turbo-charged first-class suites on India flights
Meanwhile, Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class experience will launch in November on flights to Bangalore and Mumbai in India. The new cabin on long-haul routes will launch on the route to Bangalore on 9 November and Mumbai on 15 November. Two individual suites and the Suite Plus experience are featured on the A350-900.
