SINGAPORE, 26 September 2024: Air Astana, in partnership with Airbus, is enhancing the efficiency of its long-haul flights by installing additional fuel tanks on its Airbus A321LR.
This will enable nonstop flights over long-haul distances without technical stops.
The airline plans to resume nonstop flights on the Almaty to London route starting on 4 October 2024. The route has been operating with a technical stop in Aktau since March 2022.
With the new modifications, the route will become fully nonstop and more comfortable, reducing the overall flight time by one hour and 30 minutes to nine hours and 35 minutes. This will make it one of the longest narrow-body routes in the world.
This modernisation is a key component of Air Astana’s long-term strategy to enhance operational efficiency. It incorporates all necessary technical and safety aspects, providing passengers with more comfortable conditions for long-haul flights and improving the airline’s operational performance.
About Air Astana Group Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions in terms of revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 56 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. The Group provides scheduled, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Middle East, India and Europe.
BANGKOK, 26 September 2024: Vietjet Thailand launches ‘School Holiday’s Special’, offering fares starting at THB699* across its domestic network and THB1,699* on international routes.
The airline gives very little wriggle room to book as the offer closes at midnight on 27 September, but the travel period runs from 16 October 2024 to 31 May 2025.
The fares apply on Vietjet Thailand’s entire domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, as well as Vietjet Thailand’s international network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, China, Fukuoka, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Taipei, and from Chiang Mai to Osaka.
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2024: Emirates has announced its continued commitment to support rugby and expand its reach to new, untapped markets by serving as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby.
The new multi-year partnership allows the airline to enable Asia Rugby to invest in stage 7s and 15s series tournaments and Asia Rugby Championships, with participation from 36 countries in Asia.
From left to right: Asia Rugby President, His Excellency Qais Al-Dhalai and Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark.
Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said: “Emirates has a long history of supporting rugby, dating back to our early days as an airline. Since then, we’ve deepened our presence within the sport across every level, from supporting global organisations and tournaments like World Rugby, five consecutive Rugby World Cups, and the global 7s series to headlining the Emirates Dubai 7s and growing the footprint of the UAE Rugby Federation.
“We’re particularly proud to extend our support to Asia Rugby to take the sport into new markets and boost its appeal, as well as open untapped possibilities for younger athletes to develop their skills and realise their full potential. And this is just the start. We will continue harnessing the power of grassroots sporting activities that forge strong bonds with the communities we serve to contribute meaningfully to their growth and resilience.”
Asia Rugby President, His Excellency Qais Al-Dhalai said: “I am delighted to welcome Emirates as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand the reach and impact of rugby across our 36 members and across Asia. With Emirates’ support, we are poised to bring the excitement and values of rugby to a new generation of athletes and fans. Our growing reputation for reliability, credibility and professionalism has given Emirates the confidence to associate their brand with ours. With the UAE serving as the headquarters of Asia Rugby, this partnership with Emirates feels like a perfect synergy. The UAE has become a centre for rugby activities, providing a strategic base to coordinate and grow the sport across the continent. Emirates is synonymous with premier rugby events globally, and this collaboration is set to elevate the sport’s profile across Asia.”
He continued: “In the last five years, we have established Asia Rugby as a brand with more tournaments and increased our social media reach with all our events live-streamed to bring rugby to Asia. Our shared goal is to empower athletes, build a robust talent pipeline, and cultivate a passionate fanbase to sustain the sport for years.”
As part of the agreement, the airline will be the title sponsor across Asia Rugby competitions and tournaments, including the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series and age-grade competitions cutting across several age groups. These tournaments offer a pathway to premier regional and global competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the HSBC SVNS Series, and the World Rugby Sevens Challenger.
The airline’s iconic ‘Fly Better’ branding will appear on match official jerseys, match balls, support staff bibs, post pads, and stadium branding, among other benefits, for 21 different tournaments over the span of three years.
The first of more than 20 tournaments where Emirates will have a strong presence is the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Men’s and Women’s Round 2, set to begin on 21 September 2024 in Hangzhou, China. The tournament will feature the top eight men’s and women’s teams fighting for ranking spots for the final round, which will be played in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.
Asia Rugby, the regional association of World Rugby, is based in Dubai and represents 36 member unions across the continent, including China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, to name a few. The association organises a mix of Sevens and Fifteens competitions for both men and women across different age groups, including U18s and U20s.
With Asia home to 60% of the world’s population and 80% of its youth, the potential to cultivate a new generation of players and enrich the pipeline of talent and love for the game through a strong fanbase in local communities is in line with Emirates’ shared objective with Asia Rugby to empower athletes from the ground up.
Emirates can be found at the centre of the action at almost every international rugby match. Globally, Emirates has been sponsoring the Rugby World Cup (RWC) since 2007 and in 2011 became RWC’s worldwide partner, further cementing the airline as one of the world’s biggest supporters of rugby. The airline also sponsors the jerseys of World Rugby’s Match Officials, who take them to the field in their Emirates ‘Fly Better’ kits. Emirates’ strong rugby partnerships extend to the South African Emirates Lions and their home venue, Emirates Airline Park.
In the airline’s home base of Dubai, The Emirates Dubai 7s tournament has been running for more than 50 years. Emirates was an active partner in growing its international status when it first began its support in 1987 cooperation with World Rugby. Through clear focus and a strong commitment from the airline, the Emirates Dubai 7s has become the largest sports event in the region, with over 100,000 fans joining the three-day tournament every year. In addition, Emirates’ longstanding sponsorship of the Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Club is part of its commitment to growing the sport and connecting young people to the game in local communities in the UAE.
Last October, Emirates renewed its support for the UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) as title and jersey sponsor of the UAE national 15s and 7s teams (men’s and women’s), including the all-Emirati Shaheen and Al Maha teams. It will also remain the federation’s official airline until the end of 2026.
KUCHING, 24 September 2024: The Sarawak Tourism Board hosted a welcoming reception at Pending Port, Kuching, for 126 passengers from the Heritage Adventurer, part of Noble Caledonia’s “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise.
Arriving from Singapore, the passengers — mainly from Australia, America, and Britain — were greeted with a traditional garlanding ceremony and a cultural performance, offering a vibrant introduction to Sarawak’s rich music and dance heritage.
Passengers are enjoying cultural performances by the port, which represents the 6 major ethnic in Sarawak.
The welcoming event featured a cultural performance representing Sarawak’s six major ethnic groups: the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese. This performance aims to provide an authentic and immersive experience, showcasing the region’s diversity and renowned hospitality as passengers descend from the cruise.
During their stay, cruise guests explored iconic destinations such as Kuching City, Fort Margherita, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, and Bako National Park, with convenient city shuttle services available throughout their visit.
These curated excursions created a memorable experience and fostered positive word-of-mouth publicity about Sarawak’s tourism appeal.
The “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise continued its journey from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Derawan Island, Sulawesi, and Bali.
Operated by Noble Caledonia, a UK-based company, the Heritage Adventurer is a 124-metre vessel that can accommodate up to 140 passengers and 84 crew members. It provides an intimate and comfortable travel experience to remote destinations.
For the rest of the year, Sarawak will welcome another two cruise ships, cementing its status as a premier destination for travellers seeking unique cultural experiences and natural beauty.
Sarawak is a kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals. It comprises 34 ethnic tribes with unique traditions, lifestyles, music, and food while sharing warm hospitality. Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, is endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth.
Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq km, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches, where adventures are waiting to happen.
Festivals are hosted throughout the year to celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.
BANGKOK, 24 September 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has officially launched Centara Life, its fresh and exciting new brand identity that will “Elevate the Essentials” with innovative, guest-friendly concepts at hotels and resorts across Thailand and beyond.
An evolution of Centra by Centara, Centara Life is set to revitalise the guest experience with a series of unique offerings that empower couples, families, friends and solo explorers to travel and stay seamlessly.
Every Centara Life hotel will offer check-in anytime and enjoy a full 24-hour stay, providing full flexibility for travellers arriving on late-night or early-morning flights. Guests can use their room until the same time on their day of departure. Continuing the stress-free concept, Centara Life will provide Flexible Breakfasts available until 1600 to suit everyone’s unique schedule. Daily Delights will feature a choice of snacks free of charge throughout the day at the hotel’s restaurant, including local specialities, and Night-time Noodles offer instant noodles to cater to late-night cravings.
With its commitment to comfort, convenience and value for money, Centara Life will surely put a smile on every traveller’s face. Every hotel will feature bright interiors and social spaces that allow guests to unwind and interact.
To celebrate the launch, the “Centara Life: Uplift Your Everyday” promotion is available for bookings until 31 October 2024 and stays taken through 20 December 2024. Members of CentaraThe1 who stay for three nights will only pay for two nights. In addition to the brand’s unique offerings, guests will enjoy “buy 1 get 1 free” deals on selected food and drinks, plus double CentaraThe1 points on every stay. For more information and reservations, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara-life-elevating-essentials.
“At Centara Hotels & Resorts, we are committed to delivering exceptional hospitality in every market sector, underpinned by our 40-year heritage of warm and heartfelt Thai service. With the launch of Centara Life, guests can now experience bright, inviting and stress-free stays that work to their schedule. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners to introduce this versatile brand to attractive destinations across Thailand and worldwide,” commented Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.
“We are delighted to officially launch Centara Life, which will breathe new energy and life into the upper-midscale hotel sector. Following an extensive evaluation process, including input from our valued guests, we have crafted an innovative and inviting brand identity that removes unnecessary barriers and gives travellers exactly what they want: complete convenience, comfort and flexibility at an attractive price point,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Brand, Marketing & Digital Vice President Tom Thrussell.
Centara Life hotels can now be booked in Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Samui, Cha-am, Pattaya and Mae Sot in Thailand, and Muscat in Oman, with more destinations set to follow in future. This brand launch forms part of Centara’s five-year goal of doubling its global portfolio and becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027.
BANGKOK, 24 September 2024: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, which opens in Thailand’s capital this November, has hired six seasoned hospitality experts for its management team.
The 260-room Ritz Carlton, managed by Marriott International Luxury Group, overlooks the city’s Lumpini Park.
From left to right: Lewis Quinn, Leon Chan, Tina Liu, Evelyne Hahang, Clément Larre, Glen Cooper.
The newly appointed General Manager, Tina Liu, has 24 years of experience with Marriott. Fluent in Thai, Liu was recognised as Asia Pacific’s first female General Manager for Marriott’s W Hotels.
The Ritz Carlton Bangkok named Lewis Quinn its hotel manager. His 15-plus-year hospitality career has taken him to Switzerland, the US, Singapore, the Maldives, and Thailand.
Evelyne Hahang joins as the hotel’s Director of Rooms and brings with her 15 years in hospitality in the UK, France, Australia, and Thailand.
Leon Chan joins the management team as the Director of Sales & Marketing. Singaporean-born Chan has 15 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development at hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong. He joins Ritz Carlton Bangkok from a previous position in China.
Clément Larre joins as the Director of F&B, and the appointment of executive chef goes to Chef Glen Cooper.
HONG KONG, 24 September 2024: Asia’s first blind-box-style tour, organised by AirAsia and Hong Kong-based CLS Holiday, took off from Hong Kong last Friday. Twenty guests were on the surprise ‘No Clue Escape’ journey to the Indian Ocean island paradise of the Maldives, with a short stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia and CLS Holiday announced the ‘No Clue Escape’ last month, inviting guests to sign up for the surprise trip without revealing the actual destination.
The group only discovered their mystery destination after they boarded AirAsia flight AK139 from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia created special blind boxes and unique souvenirs as teasers for each guest on the special flight. he ‘No Clue Escape’ group departed from Hong Kong International Airport at 1155 on an AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia before connecting to their final destination the Maldives.
Throughout their five-day stay in the Maldives, guests stayed at Bandos Maldives.
Through the “No Clue Escape” campaign, AirAsia aims to enhance awareness amongst travellers in Hong Kong for the airline brand and its extensive network across Asia and the Pacific. Travellers can access up to 130 destinations in the AirAsia network. Hong Kong is connected to all of AirAsia’s key hubs, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, and soon Jakarta, from which guests can connect to destinations across Asia, Australia, and Africa.
The ‘No Clue Escape’ tour marks CLS Holiday’s inaugural partnership venture with AirAsia. The mystery package costs HKD4,888 (including tax) and covers return airfares, 20kg of luggage, meals, accommodation, and local transportation.
CLS Holiday is a new venture by Flyagain Travel Limited and part of the renowned travel website Flyagain.la.
The AirAsia Hong Kong to Maldives flight is a FlyThru service with a seamless connection in Kuala Lumpur. The Fly-Thru is an AirAsia service that conveniently connects passengers’ flights from one AirAsia flight to another without the hassle of collecting bags at the transit hub. It is also available at selected transit stations.
AirAsia currently operates direct flights in Hong Kong/Macau to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Bangkok (Don Mueang), Chiang Mai and Manila, and will soon launch its first flights to Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia this October, marking the first low-cost carrier providing direct services between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2024: Agilysys Inc, a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, released the findings of its 2024 APAC Hospitality Impact Study last week.
The survey questioned 1,000 travellers from Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore unveiling critical insights into guest preferences and spending habits, highlighting substantial opportunities for revenue growth in the hospitality sector.
The study reveals that 68% of APAC travellers would increase their hotel spending for personalised experiences, with 73% willing to pay up to 30% more for room upgrades when offered post-booking. Additionally, 66% of respondents would likely spend more if wait times were reduced across all hotel experiences, and 68% would increase spending when a robust loyalty programme is in place.
The research uncovered a significant “rebooking paradox” in the APAC market: despite high satisfaction levels (86%) and perceived value for money (61%), only 37% of travellers choose to return to hotels they’ve previously enjoyed.
“Our research uncovers a clear message: APAC travellers are willing to spend more for tailored, efficient, and memorable experiences,” said Agilysys VP and Managing Director APAC Tony Marshall. “Hotels that fail to offer personalised guest experiences are leaving substantial revenue on the table.”
The study identified several key factors driving increased spending among APAC travellers. Staff interactions play a crucial role, with 46% of respondents valuing staff who go the extra mile, 41% appreciating personalised activity recommendations, and 30% being influenced by staff recalling previous conversations. Personalised touches also have a significant impact, as 40% of guests value being given their favourite room, 28% are likely to spend more when restaurant staff remember their preferences and 57% respond positively to small surprises like pillow chocolates.
The 2024 APAC Hospitality Impact Study emphasises the need to shift from traditional Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) metrics to a more holistic Revenue Per Available Guest (RevPAG) approach. This transition allows hotels to capture the full spectrum of guest spending and tailor their offerings accordingly.
“To maximise profitability, hoteliers must leverage advanced Property Management Systems that provide real-time, data-driven insights into guest preferences,” Marshall added. “By adopting a RevPAG focus, hotels can unlock hidden revenue streams, enhance guest satisfaction, and foster long-term loyalty in the competitive APAC market.”
The study offers a roadmap for hoteliers to enhance their guest experiences, increase revenue, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving APAC hospitality landscape.
Agilysys exclusively delivers state-of-the-art software solutions and services that help organisations achieve high return hospitality by maximising Return on Experience (ROE) through interactions that make ‘personal’ profitable.
MANILA, 24 September 2024: Cebu Pacific took delivery of another A320neo last week, its 11th aircraft for the year, as part of its commitment to expanding its network.
The 180-seat, fuel-efficient A320neo will be deployed on new routes starting in October, including flights from Davao to Hong Kong and Puerto Princea.
“We’re thrilled to welcome another aircraft to our growing fleet. This delivery supports our commitment to making air travel more accessible,” said CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao.
Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15% less fuel per flight and produce less noise than the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding decrease in aircraft carbon emissions.
CEB operates nine Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 22 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft.
Meanwhile, the low-cost airline gained recognition for its corporate governance leadership by receiving Three Golden Arrows from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).
This marks the third time CEB was recognised alongside other top publicly listed Philippine companies for exemplary compliance with government regulations.
The prestigious Golden Arrow award is based on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and the Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS), which assess companies across key governance pillars, including board responsibility, transparency, and shareholder protection.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition,” said CEB General Counsel Anne Romadine Tieng. “For millions of Filipinos who trust us with their travel, this award reflects our commitment to not only offering accessible and affordable flights but also maintaining the highest standards of corporate integrity and transparency.”
CEB’s achievement of Three Golden Arrows is a notable improvement from last year’s Two Golden Arrows. According to the ICD, the airline performed exceptionally well compared to other transport sector organisations across several key governance areas, such as shareholder rights protection, stakeholder engagement, transparency, board responsibilities, and governance standards.
SINGAPORE UAE, 24 September 2024: Etihad Airways flew 1.7 million passengers and achieved an average load factor of 89% across the month, reflecting a robust performance during the summer holiday season, the airline reported in its August 2024 traffic statistics released last week.
Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves commented on the results:
“Our passenger numbers in August increased significantly compared to last year, demonstrating our continued growth momentum.
“Year-to-date, we have welcomed 12 million passengers, an increase of 36% compared to the previous year. As of August 2024, our rolling 12-month passenger count reached more than 17 million, almost 70% higher than the full year 2022.
The airline reported a healthy passenger load factor of 89% for August 2024, even though it had expanded capacity compared to 2023.
“This robust performance, particularly during the holiday period, underscores the growing preference for Etihad among travellers,” the CEO reported.
“The fleet has grown to 95 aircraft, up from 79 in the same period last year. The addition of 16 new aircraft in the past year is a result of the ambition and commitment of the entire company, working together to achieve this in exceptional time while consistently delivering a load factor exceeding 86%.”
In August, the airline introduced its last two of the six A321neos due for delivery in 2024 to the fleet and is now flying to 10 more destinations compared to August last year.
“This expansion enhances our network and supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub and a major destination for tourists worldwide,” he concluded.
