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Seaplane Asia completes Lake Toba trials

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Newsdesk
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LAKE TOBA, North Sumatra, 7 October 2025: Seaplane Asia Group, a regional pioneer of commercial amphibious air services, has reached a crucial milestone in its journey with the successful completion of its first seaplane demonstrations, including flight and water landings, in Indonesia.

The achievement was led by Santai Seaplane Indonesia, a member of the Seaplane Asia Group alongside Siam Seaplane (Thailand) and Samra Seaplane (Cambodia), in collaboration with Marianna Resort at Samosir Island, Lake Toba. 

Santai Seaplane completes its first amphibious seaplane demonstration flight — water landing and take-off at Lake Toba, North Sumatra, in collaboration with Marianna Resort.

This inaugural flight underscores the group’s mission to deliver safe, seamless, and sustainable water-based aviation across Asia’s most iconic destinations.

The demonstration flight serves as a key requirement for establishing official water landing sites, with commercial seaplane operations expected to begin by 2026.

“The success of this inaugural flight reflects our vision to establish Seaplane Asia as the leading network for last-mile air mobility and amphibious seaplane services across the region. We are proud to bring world-class standards to Asia’s skies, runways and waterways, connecting travellers directly to destinations once considered remote,” said Seaplane Asia CEO Dennis Keller. “This milestone is more than just a successful landing. It reaffirms our commitment to pioneering new frontiers in premium air mobility across Asia.”

The Governor of North Sumatra, Bpk Bobby Nasution and Vandiko Timotius Gultom, Regent (Bupati) of Samosir, joined the inaugural flight that departed from Silangit Airport and landed at Marianna Resort’s dock on Lake Toba. The demonstration flight showcased the potential of amphibious aviation as a safe and efficient means of transportation. Several additional demonstration flights also took place on routes to and from Medan’s Kuala Namu Airport.

“This is one of the innovative transportation modes that can serve Lake Toba and Samosir Island. With premium accommodations now serving as landing points for amphibious aircraft, we are opening new opportunities for tourism and economic growth across North Sumatra,” said the Governor of North Sumatra. “The provincial and regency governments will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the necessary regulatory frameworks and approvals are in place.”

Bpk Vandiko Timotius Gultom, Regent (Bupati) of Samosir (left), and Bpk. Bobby Nasution (right), Governor of North Sumatra, following the successful demonstration flight at Lake Toba.

Santai Seaplane aims to open new opportunities for travellers and communities across the archipelago through fast connections: Medan (30 minutes), Silangit (15 minutes), scenic flights with sightseeing journeys across Lake Toba, and additional potential future routes such as to Nias Island and nearby islands.

“I am excited to lead Santai Seaplane in forging seamless, elegant, and innovative connections that bring hidden gems closer to travellers across this archipelago,” said Santai Seaplane CEO Wirmandi Sugriat.

Santai Seaplane is a member of Seaplane Asia, with similar innovations being developed by its sister companies in Thailand and Cambodia.

Qatar extends codeshares to the Americas

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 7 October 2025: Qatar Airways is now providing access to 18 additional routes in the US through expanded codeshares with its International Airlines Group (IAG) partners, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. 

With the latest enhancements, Qatar Airways has strengthened its partnership with IAG and its carriers to expand global connectivity between the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

Following the successful codeshare launch with Aer Lingus in 2024, Qatar Airways has grown its partnership with Aer Lingus to share code on the Irish carrier’s flights from Dublin Airport (DUB) to 11 US cities, including Boston, Bradley International in Connecticut, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, and soon to Las Vegas.

Additionally, Qatar Airways has re-introduced its codeshare agreement with LEVEL, the leading long-haul operator at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), to share code on LEVEL flights to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and soon to Santiago. LEVEL is the International Airlines Group (IAG) long-haul airline based in Barcelona (Spain).

Qatar Airways’ latest partnership enhancements are part of its codeshare portfolio with all IAG carriers, including British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling, solidifying its position in the European market.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios credits on these codeshare flights with Aer Lingus and LEVEL. Members can use their Avios on travel and lifestyle rewards of their choice, including bidding on money-can’t-buy experiences with Privilege Club Collection.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

Air India Express flies Indore – Goa route

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Newsdesk
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DELHI, 7 October 2025: Air India Express will introduce daily flights between Indore and Goa (Dabolim International Airport), starting from 26 October. 

Bookings are now open on the airline’s website, its mobile app, and primary booking channels.

Photo credit: Air India Express.

Goa remains a sought-after destination for its culture, beaches, cuisine, and heritage, making it a year-round favourite for tourists. The addition of this new service builds on the airline’s existing flights between Indore and North Goa, offering travellers more choice and flexibility when planning their trips to one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. In addition to booking flights, travellers can also take advantage of the Air India Express ‘Xpress Holidays’ platform, offering curated holiday packages, including accommodation, transport, and activities.

From Indore: Air India Express operates more than 45 weekly flights, connecting directly to 36 domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, North Goa, and Pune, as well as internationally to Sharjah. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 25 domestic destinations: Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hindon, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Patna, Ranchi, Srinagar, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and seven international destinations including Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, Muscat, and Phuket.      

From Goa: Air India Express operates 40 weekly flights, connecting directly to six domestic destinations: Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, as well as internationally to Dubai. 

Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 27 domestic destinations: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati, Gwalior, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Patna, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and five international destinations including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bangkok, Kathmandu, and Muscat.

(Source: Air India Express)

Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship

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TTR WEEKLY
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PATTAYA, Thailand, 6 October 2025: The 4th edition of the Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship returns for the second time this year, in response to popular demand. The event will take place on 8 to 9 November 2025, at Pattaya’s Fitz Club – Racquet, Health, and Fitness. 

The event organiser, Royal Cliff, invites young tennis enthusiasts aged 4 to 14 years, of every skill level, to join this exciting tournament. It’s the perfect chance to meet fellow players, improve your game, and gain valuable competitive experience. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn points towards their national ranking in Thailand.

Ahead of the tournament, at 1800 on 7 November 2025, a Tennis Clinic and Challenge will be led by certified tennis and fitness coaches, allowing participants to warm up with exercises and participate in a mini competition. 

The evening will feature a special lucky draw, where 10 children will be selected to challenge Royal Cliff’s CEO, Vitanart Vathanakul. Anyone who can beat the CEO with a score of 10–0 will win a cash prize of THB 10,000. Booking is required. 

For more information about the Tennis Clinic, visit: https://form.jotform.com/231011243791041. 

The championship is more than just a tennis competition; it’s a family-friendly event filled with activities for both adults and children. Highlights include:

Fun activity & games booths from Funtasea – Kids Club

Recovery & sports massage for players by Vitala

Relaxing massage by professional therapists from Cliff Spa

A special welcome pack sponsored by Supersports and K-Swiss

Refreshing beverages from Carabao and high-quality competition tennis balls from Tecnifibre

Live food stations, buffet dinner, and live music

Registration is now open until 24 October 2025. Register at: https://www.royalcliff.com/rcjt/. Special room rates are available for tournament participants. For bookings, contact 038250421 ext. 2820–24, email [email protected] or Line ID @Royalcliff. 

Fitz Club, the elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, continues to cement its reputation as a premier destination for professional and recreational athletes. Renowned past ATP players, such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke, and Denis Istomin, have trained at this facility, utilising its courts designed to replicate the conditions of the Australian Open. 

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub 

(Source: Your Stories — Royal Cliff Group)

Star Princess sails maiden voyage

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 6 October 2025: Princess Cruises celebrates the maiden voyage of its newest Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, which has departed Barcelona on an 11-day Inaugural Western Mediterranean journey. 

Star Princess now sails as the 17th ship in the Princess fleet.

Photo credit: Princess Cruises. Star Princess Piazza, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Original Theatrical Show: Meridian.

The 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Star Princess features 30 dining and bar venues, elevated entertainment and activity offerings, and luxurious accommodations. 

Here is a closer look at the ship’s inaugural season, the highly anticipated naming ceremony, exciting entertainment offerings, and services:

Maiden Season 

The 11-day Inaugural Western Mediterranean Voyage (October 4-15, 2025) sailed from Barcelona with visits to Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena (Spain), and Gibraltar, before returning to Barcelona.

After a seven-day Mediterranean voyage, Star Princess sails a transatlantic voyage before debuting in Fort Lauderdale for her Caribbean season and official naming ceremony on 6 November 2025.

After a winter 2025 through spring 2026 season of Caribbean cruises, visiting the best destinations the region has to offer, Star Princess sails through the Panama Canal to Seattle for a debut season of seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises in the summer of 2026. 

(Source: Princess Cruises)

Disney Treasures rescues catamaran crew

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 6 October 2025: The new Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Treasure, rescued four people from a catamaran as it sailed to Florida, USA, ahead of making its maiden commercial voyage.

CBS News reported that the catamaran was taking on water some 265 miles from Bermuda last Sunday.

Photo credit: Disney Cruise Line. Disney Treasure.

“The US Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City shared the news, saying it coordinated with the cruise ship, which was the closest vessel to the 50-foot catamaran at the time,” CBS News reported.

“Once it located the stranded vessel, the ship launched a lifeboat and got all four people off the catamaran, named the Serenity.

“A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson shared with CBS News that the Disney Treasure was on its way from the Netherlands to its future homeport, Port Canaveral, Florida.

“We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril. Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety,” Disney Treasure Captain Marco Nogara said in the statement.

Disney Treasure sails with 1,256 staterooms and will embark on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral starting on 21 December.

(Source: CBS News via MSN)

Lanson Place names Area General Manager

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 6 October 2025: Lanson Place announces the appointment of Cecilia Lo as the Area General Manager of Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and Lanson Place Waterfront Suites, Hong Kong. 

A seasoned hospitality professional with over two decades of experience across Hong Kong’s luxury hospitality landscape, Cecilia brings an exceptional blend of industry knowledge, strategic acumen, and leadership skills to the role.

Cecilia Lo, Area General Manager of Lanson Place Causeway Bay and Lanson Place Waterfront Suites

Cecilia joins Lanson Place from K11 ARTUS, where she has served as General Manager since 2019. Before that, she spent nearly a decade at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong as Executive Assistant Manager of Sales & Marketing, where she directed a diverse and motivated team through a five-year property-wide renovation while expanding into new markets.

Reflecting on her appointment as Area General Manager, overseeing both Lanson Place Causeway Bay and Lanson Place Waterfront Suites, Cecilia said: “I am honoured to take on this new role with Lanson Place and to lead two properties that embody the brand’s vision of refined comfort and personalised service.”

(Source: Lanson Place).

Cathay’s Asia Miles clock up on Uber

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Newsdesk
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HONG KONG, 6 October 2025: Every Uber Taxi ride in Hong Kong now helps earn Asia Miles after Uber Taxi and Cathay signed a partnership deal. Here’s how Uber Taxi riders can earn Asia Miles:

Photo credit: Cathay Group.

Daily rides: Earn 20 Asia Miles on every Uber Taxi trip in Hong Kong;

Airport trips: Earn 40 Asia Miles on rides to and from the airport;

Welcome bonus: First-time Uber App users get 500 extra Asia Miles on their first Uber Taxi trip.

“This collaboration gives our members even more ways to earn Asia Miles in their everyday lives. Whether it’s a quick ride across town or a journey to/from the airport, Uber Taxi trips now help our members get closer to their next adventure with added convenience and rewards,” said  Cathay  Asia Miles General Manager Flora Hui.

Throughout the partnership, Uber Taxi may roll out bonus miles and limited-time offers, giving Cathay members and Uber app users additional ways to earn points. 

(Source: Cathay Group).

MATTA names event prize winners

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Newsdesk
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KUALA LUMPUR, 6 October 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ 57th edition of the MATTA Fair, held in September 2025, has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the nation’s largest travel show, with 2,049 booths. 

Besides providing a platform to boost the tourism industry in Malaysia, the fair also connected and rewarded visitors through exclusive contests during the event.

Photo credit: MATTA. MATTA Fair names prize winners at 57th show edition.

A crowd favourite at every MATTA Fair, the Buyers’ Contest once again drew great participation with a total number of 6,852 participants, offering visitors who spent a minimum of MYR100 a chance to win prizes including flight tickets, an EV Bike, theme park passes, and hotel stays. This time round, the contest featured 29 main prizes and 92 consolation prizes.

Among the winners during the prize giving ceremony were Nur Zafirah Abdul Aziz, who walked away with the grand prize of a Roundtrip Business Class Ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Paris; Cheah Im Bee, who won a Roundtrip Business Class Ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Brisbane both courtesy of Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG); and Punithamalar Mutaragan, who brought home a Solo 1C Blueshark EV Motorbike courtesy of Easy MotorBike.

The “Ride & Reels: Vlog Your Journey” contest encouraged visitors to capture their experiences aboard the complimentary shuttle bus to the MATTA Fair, underscoring MATTA’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. A total of 1,418 participants took part by sharing their creative videos on social media.

Main prize winners: Wong Eng Joo, who received an Insta360 X5; Muhammad Adhar Onn, who won an Insta 360 Go 3s; Siti Nur Shahira Hairul, who won an Apple Watch SE; Nur Fatin Athirah Che Ismail, who received a Fujifilm Instax Wide 400; Farah Dayana Durra Jamil, who won a Fujifilm Instax Mini 41. Additionally, 10 consolation prize winners were each awarded exclusive travel vouchers.

“MATTA Fair was created to give visitors a trusted, worry-free way to discover travel. With the Buyers’ Contest, they can now add more wonders to their journey, thanks to the support of our valued sponsors. MATTA stands its ground to reward our visitors, making each fair more enjoyable,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong.

Thai AirAsia launches cross-country route

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Newsdesk
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CHIANG MAI, 6 October 2025: Thai AirAsia will introduce a new cross-country domestic route linking Chiang Mai in North Thailand and Udon Thani in the country’s northeast region (Isan) starting 1 December.

Offering four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the service is the only direct route between Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, and Udon Thani in the northeast of the country, located approximately 80 km south of the border with central Laos and its capital, Vientiane. Domestic fares start at THB999, one-way. The promotional fare is on sale until 31 October 2025 for flights operating from 1 December 2025 to 28 March 2026. 

Photo credit: Thai AirAsia.

AirAsia’s Chiang Mai Station Manager Suraphan Homkachon said: “The year-end season is a prime time for travel across Thailand. Chiang Mai and Udon Thani are popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers. By launching this new Chiang Mai–Udon Thani route, AirAsia offers a valuable and efficient option, utilising our Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 seats.

“For those in Chiang Mai, this is a golden opportunity for easier access to Udon Thani or onward to Laos via Vientiane. From Udon Thani, travellers can now visit Chiang Mai directly during the peak travel season.”

Currently, AirAsia operates nine domestic direct routes from Chiang Mai, including Bangkok (both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Khon Kaen, Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and now Udon Thani. The airline also schedules three international routes from Chiang Mai: Hanoi, Taipei, and Sapporo (via Taipei).

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