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Phuket to Chiang Rai flights stop

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TTR WEEKLY
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CHIANG RAI, Thailand, 14 May 2024: Thai Vietjet has cancelled direct flights between Chiang Rai in far north Thailand and Phuket Island, a popular destination on the Andaman Sea coast in South Thailand.

The low-cost airline has not released a statement regarding the suspension. Still, its timetable for 1 to 31 May, filed with Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport and posted on its Facebook page, shows the last flight scheduled was on 12 May.

Flight Aware, a tracking service, confirmed that Flight VJ400 landed on time at Chiang Rai airport at 1025 on 12 May and that it was the last flight recorded on the route. 

The airline started the direct route between Phuket and Chiang Rai in November 2023, using a 180-seat A320. It flew four times weekly: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The average roundtrip fare on the route was USD140.

Flight VJ400 departed Phuket at 0837 and landed at Chiang Rai airport at 1025.
Flight VJ400 departed Chiang Rai at 1055 and landed at Phuket airport at 1305.

Chiang Rai Airport lost its status as an ‘active’ international airport during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when all international flights lapsed. Until the pandemic, a few Chinese airlines served Chiang Rai mainly with scheduled charters. It was possible to fly to Kunming in Yunnan province, and Hong Kong Express flew from Hong Kong three times a week. However, efforts to persuade Thai AirAsia to fly to Singapore failed after a single season back in 2019. Chiang Rai Airport is international in name only, and that will continue until the Airports of Thailand is prepared to waive landing fees and underwrite airline promotional campaigns to build traffic. It requires a long-term investment to support passenger and cargo flights to and from China. It might also help if the Chiang Rai skies were clear of smog rather than asking airlines to write off three months annually due to unhealthy air pollution.

Even Vietjet’s direct domestic flight from Phuket Island to Chiang Rai was doomed to failure as the airline’s fare on the direct Phuket – Chiang Mai route was considerably cheaper than quoted on the Phuket – Chiang Rai route. The two cities are just 180 km apart. Travellers flew to Chiang Mai and took the Green Bus to Chiang Rai, saving up to THB5,000 roundtrip on airfares. For a family on holiday, the difference in ticket pricing mounts up. Also travellers often combine visits to both cities and hire a car in Chiang Mai to explore the northern region.

The latest suspension leaves Chiang Rai Airport with five airlines concentrating entirely on serving the Bangkok – Chiang Rai route. There are no other domestic flight options from Chiang Rai.

During May,  Vietjet, Thai Lion and Thai Airways International each fly three daily flights on the route. Nok Air flies twice daily, and AirAsia leads with five flights daily. The average roundtrip fare on Vietjet is USD40, Thai Lion USD67, AirAsia USD85 and THAI USD97.

Price checks show that USD30 roundtrip would be considered a bargain post-pandemic. Over the last 42 days, the best fares have been around USD40, which is pegged as high on the value scale. It suggests Chiang Rai residents deserve a better deal when flying to Bangkok. Fares out of Chiang Mai are likely to be lower, and there is a choice of other domestic destinations. 

WorldHotels debuts in Hangzhou

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 May 2024: WorldHotels announces the signing of Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel, a stylish hotel and conference venue in China that has staged major international events and overlooks the iconic, culturally rich landscapes of West Lake. 

It has become the newest member of WorldHotels Distinctive, the curated collection of upscale hotels worldwide.

Located on West Lake Avenue in the vibrant Shangcheng District of Hangzhou, the capital of eastern China’s Zhejiang province, the landmark hotel offers uninterrupted views of West Lake, a charming UNESCO World Heritage site. Well-suited to business travellers, leisure seekers and meeting planners alike, it became WorldHotels’ first location in Hangzhou and its 20th hotel in China.

First opened in 2007, Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in 2021. Guests can now stay in a selection of 196 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, all equipped with modern amenities and connectivity. A selection of dedicated business and family options are available, and many of the rooms command views of West Lake. An Executive Club Lounge is a sanctuary for guests staying in the hotel’s premium rooms, with elevated services and panoramic vistas.

Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy all-day international dining at the Lake View Restaurant, savour exquisite Chinese cuisine at ZhongWei Palace, which includes private dining rooms for life’s special occasions, or simply relax and enjoy refreshments at the Lobby Bar. An indoor swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and mahjong rooms provide myriad ways to unwind. 

With 1,500 square metres of state-of-the-art meeting space, Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel has hosted prestigious international conferences, including the 2016 B20 Summit, the 2019 Asian Games, and the 2021 World Association President Conference & Service Industry Development Forum. The impressive 800-square-meter Goethe Hall has a 24-metre-high atrium topped with a glass dome and a Ferrari-branded piano.

The hotel is easily accessible, with two subway lines nearby from the hotel and Hangzhou International Airport, which is located only 27km away. 

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel, which becomes an excellent addition to our WorldHotels Distinctive collection in China. With its striking design, breathtaking views of the UNESCO-listed West Lake, remarkable facilities and world-class conference and banqueting venues, this is an outstanding option for visitors to Hangzhou. We look forward to assisting this exceptional hotel step into an exciting new era with WorldHotels,” said BWH HotelsVice President – APAC Olivier Berrivin, 

For more information about WorldHotels, visit www.worldhotels.com. 

About WorldHotels 
WorldHotels™ is a privately held hotel soft brand within the BWH Hotels global enterprise. Founded by independent hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, WorldHotels offers one of the finest portfolios of independent hotels and resorts around the globe, expertly curated to inspire unique, life-enriching experiences that connect people and places. WorldHotels comprises four unique collections, each with its personality and style to appeal to the needs of today’s traveller. The collections include WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Crafted and WorldHotels Distinctive. For more information visit www.WorldHotels.com.  

Emirates returns to Edinburgh

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE: 13 May 2024: Emirates will resume daily flights to Edinburgh in Scotland starting 4 November 2024, complementing the airline’s A380 daily flight to Glasgow.

The Dubai to Edinburgh route will be served using an Emirates A350-900 aircraft in a three-class configuration: 32 lie-flat seats in business class, 21 seats in premium economy, and 259 seats in economy class.

Emirates flight EK23 will depart Dubai at 1450 and arrive in Edinburgh at 1905, local time. The return flight, EK24, will depart Edinburgh at 2040 and arrive in Dubai at 0805 the following day.

Customers can book flights on emirates.com, or Emirates Sales Office.

Back to the Highlands

Emirates first launched operations to Edinburgh in 2018 using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline will now resume operations to the city using its new A350 aircraft, which has spacious cabins, high ceilings, and customised mood lighting.

Customers travelling from Edinburgh can also access the airline’s extensive network of more than 130 destinations via Dubai, including popular destinations such as Maldives, Bangkok, Sydney, and Bali. 

Emirates’ daily flight to Edinburgh will also boost cargo capacity and enable Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo arm, to uplift 16 tonnes of cargo per flight. This will support local businesses, improve trade links with global markets, and increase popular exports such as salmon, shellfish, and whisky.

Edinburgh heritage

Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination. The city’s Old and New Town are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With charming streets, historic castles, and a thriving arts and culture scene, the city has something for everyone.

Visitors will be captivated by its rich history, architectural attractions, and thriving literary scene, which offers plenty of choices for galleries, museums, and musical performances.

Emirates’ A350 takes to the skies

Emirates recently announced its new A350 aircraft, scheduled to enter service in September 2024, will serve 9 destinations across the Middle East, GCC, West Asia, and Europe. Customers can look forward to more opportunities to experience the airline’s highly lauded Premium Economy cabin and sample its next-generation Business Class cabins.

Edinburgh will be Emirates’ eighth destination in the UK. The world’s largest international airline serves the UK with 133 weekly flights across seven gateways, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow. Its fleet consists of Emirates A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Customers onboard will also enjoy the airline’s regionally inspired gourmet meals, premium beverage selection, and award-winning inflight entertainment on ice with up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment – including Scottish talent with Brian Cox starring in hit TV series Succession and Scottish director Charlotte Wells’ hit Aftersun starring Paul Mescal.

For more information, visit emirates.com.

Utopia of the Seas begins sea trials

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 May 2024: Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas is almost ready for its debut as the next in the lineup of Oasis Class ships embarked on its open ocean sea trials on 10 May, just 10 weeks ahead of the new vacation’s homecoming party and official introduction in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024.

More than 900 specialists in naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design are on Utopia to push the ship to its limits and ensure it’s ready for smooth sailing. 

The teams are carrying out tests on how the ship moves through the open water and the operation of its navigation systems, as well as engine performance and back-of-house technical checks. The trials will cover more than 1,000 miles over five days, and once completed, the ship will enter the final phase of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Starting 19 July 19, Utopia will welcome vacationers on three-night weekend and four-night weekday cruises. 

Princess Cruises maps mega 2026 season

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 May, 2024: Princess Cruises is going big in Europe for 2026 with the “Love Boat” line announcing that its 2026 European cruise and cruisetour season will be its biggest ever, with five Princess cruise ships sailing the region.

The lineup includes the new Sun Princess. Set to sail on a record-breaking 222 cruises, guests will have unparalleled opportunities to explore Europe’s beauty and diversity. 

The European season runs March through November 2026 and features 59 itineraries, visiting 101 destinations across 29 countries and ranging from five to 42 nights. Highlights of the upcoming season include an opportunity to experience the 2026 total solar eclipse and sail on the cruise line’s newest ship, Sun Princess. Roundtrip cruises from Copenhagen return, and there are itineraries from Rome. The season goes on sale on 23 May 2024. 

Highlights  

Sun Princess will sail 7, 14, and 21-night Mediterranean voyages departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Piraeus (Athens), and Barcelona. Guests on a 14 and 21-night voyage can enjoy an itinerary without calling to the same port twice for a Grand Mediterranean Adventure. One of the itineraries includes a seven-night Mediterranean voyage roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens) to Barcelona, calling at Santorini, Kotor, Corfu, and Messina (Sicily).  

The 3,660-guest Sky Princess will return to its seasonal home port in Southampton for its sixth year. Sky Princess takes guests on itineraries ranging from seven to 28 nights to destinations including Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean. 

What’s New

On 12 August 2026, Sky Princess will sail directly into the “path of totality” on a special 14-night Total Solar Eclipse Cruise, which also visits France, Spain, and Portugal. The cruise departs Southampton on 8 August 2026.  

New for 2026 is a 28-night Northern Europe and Mediterranean itinerary sailing roundtrip Southampton and calling to Skagen, Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), Stockholm (overnight), Helsinki, Tallinn, Visby, Zeebrugge (for Brussels/Bruges), Southampton, Vigo, Cadiz (for Seville), Malaga, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Bilbao, Le Verdon (for Bordeaux). Departs 12 September, 2026. 

New for 2026, the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess offers Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), ranging from five, seven, eight and 14 nights.  

For the first time, the 3,560-guest Majestic Princess is sailing roundtrip from Southampton, offering British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries ranging from 11, 12, and 14 nights. British Isles voyages take guests to historic ports across England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, while Northern Europe itineraries include stops in Scandinavia, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. 

Princess Cruises returns to Copenhagen after six years with the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess, providing 12-night Northern Europe itineraries. Before sailing from Copenhagen, the Sapphire Princess sails in the Mediterranean for two months between March and April 2026 from Barcelona, plus itineraries sailing roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome).  

F&B kingpins gather at Bangkok show

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 May 2024: The countdown is on for the THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024, the largest food and beverage trade show in Asia, that will open on 28 May and run until 1 June 2024 at the city’s IMPACT Muang Thong Thani exhibition complex.

The mega F&B show is hosted by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand (TCC), the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and show organiser Koelnmesse Asia Pacific.

Themed “Beyond Food Experience”, the event will provide a platform for food and beverage businesses, retailers, supermarkets, department stores, hotels, hypermarkets, restaurants, and those seeking to find partners and negotiate business deals to connect with leading Thai and international companies. 

Business negotiations will take place over five days, and on the final day, 1 June, the event will open to the general public.

DITP  Director-General Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit said: “The food industry is one of the most important sectors contributing to Thailand’s exports. In 2023, food exports expanded by 2.7% from the previous year, amounting to USD39,892.89 million or approximately THB1.37 trillion. For 2024, Thai food exports are expected to increase by around 2%, estimated at approximately USD40,690.75 million US dollars or over THB1.4 trillion. This growth is supported by the recovery of developing and emerging economies and the tourism and service sectors, as well as the favourable exchange rate of Thai baht, which benefits Thailand’s export sector. In addition, the El Niño phenomenon has reduced agricultural production, leading to increased demand for food.”

This year, THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA will feature over 3,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries/regions, occupying over 6,000 booths. Over the course of five days, the event is expected to attract over 80,000 visitors from all around the world. The estimated total value of orders placed at the event this year will exceed THB100 billion.

A surge in international participation at THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA will see more than 2000 overseas exhibitors showcase their products at the exhibition, 12% more than the previous year.

India’s flybig boosts commuter flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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CHANDIGARH, India, 13 May 2024: Flybig, an Indian regional airline, announced this week it is increasing flights between Bathinda, Ghaziabad, and Ludhiana. 

Saying it responding to a surge in demand for air travel, flybig will increase frequencies from two to four flights per week to increase regional connectivity in line with the government’s vision for inclusive growth and economic empowerment across the nation.

Flybig is an Indian regional airline based in Gurugram, Haryana, India. It began operations in December 2020 and is focused on connecting smaller cities, or tier-2 cities, within India. As of March 2024, it had 24 destinations with a fleet of three aircraft covering three states. In November 2023, It temporarily ceased operations in Arunachal Pradesh, citing supply chain challenges as the primary reason for the suspension. Its current destinations are mainly in north and northwest India.

Flybig Chairman and Managing Director, Sanjay Mandavia said: “Our mission is to ensure that regional air travel is accessible and affordable for every individual, irrespective of their economic background. The decision to increase flight frequency between Bathinda, Ghaziabad, and Ludhiana reflects our commitment to meeting the growing demand for air travel on these routes.”

Flybig offers competitive fares on flights between Bathinda, Ghaziabad, and Ludhiana, with an average fare of INR 999 before taxes. 

It flies DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, with 19 seats, and recently announced an INR99* airfare scheme for travellers across all routes from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, which has been extended during the remainder of May. The airline operates flights on 11 routes, including destinations such as Pantnagar, Azamgarh and Shravasti from its base in Gurugram, India and serves tier-2 and tier-3 cities within India. 

THAI: QT2024 operating profit shrinks

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 May 2024: Thai Airways International reports revenue increased 10.7% to reach THB45,955 million during the first quarter of 2024, but operating profit tallied THB11,075 million, down THB1,959 million when compared with Q1 2023, representing a 15% decline.

In the first quarter of 2024, the public-listed company and its subsidiaries reported total revenue at THB45,955 million, 10.7% higher than the same period last year, which was THB41,507 million. This increase was attributed to a substantial increase in passenger revenue following the resumption of flight services and flight increases on routes to Europe, Australia, and Japan.

THAI’s management reports Operational Performance Results for the First Quarter of 2024.

Total expenses stood at THB34,880 million, up THB6,407 million (22.5%), when compared with QT2023 total expenses that stood at THB28,473 million. The increase was due to higher production, increased traffic, flights, routes, and passenger traffic, baht depreciation, ground service fee and raw material price also impacted expenses. These factors resulted in high expenses, including passenger handling expenses, flight service expenses, and aircraft and spare part maintenance. 

THAI and its subsidiaries reported the operating profit, before financial costs, excluding one-time items, at THB11,075 million, which was 1,959 million baht or a 15.0% decrease when compared to Q1/2023.

Financial costs reached THB4,608 million. Net one-time items such as expenses amounted to THB4,036 million mainly due to loss from foreign exchange at THB5,372 million impairment of aircraft, right-of-use assets and rotatable aircraft’s spare parts at THB3,338 million, while outdated passenger ticket revenue adjustment at THB4,136 million, gain on debt restructuring at THB493 million and share of profits from investments in the company at THB36 million t. Consequently, THAI and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of THB2,423 million. 

In Q1/2024, THAI had a fleet of 73 active aircraft, an increase of eight aircraft, all of which are Airbus A350-900, that THAI has acquired and utilised for flight services from the previous year. The average aircraft utilisation was 12.8 hours per day. Passenger production (ASK) increased by 10.1%. In comparison, passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 10.1%, affecting an average cabin factor of 83.5%, higher than the average rate of the industry, which was 80.8%. The total number of passengers carried was 3.88 million, an increase of 10.2%. 

In Q1/2024, THAI reported a total passenger revenue of THB38,517 million. 

THAI also enhances customer experiences by refurbishing cabins and seats during Q1/2024, a project that is due to be completed in Q2/2024. In addition, on 1 May 2024, THAI introduced the new version of the “Thai Airways” mobile application with various platforms that facilitate travel services. With this new version, passengers will be able to manage flights and access Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) services more conveniently.

Cebu Pacific flies to two Bangkok airports

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 13 May 2024: Cebu Pacific, a low-cost airline serving the Phillippines, will boost flights to Bangkok with a three-weekly service from Manila to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) starting 16 July.

Cebu Pacific announced the new service in a press statement released last week, confirming it will fly to Bangkok’s second airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday using an A320.

It opens a second Bangkok gateway for the airline, which already flies twice daily from Manila to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Flight 5J863 departs Manila at 1925 and arrives at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) at 2200.
Flight 5J864 departs Don Mueang Airport (DMK) at 2300 and arrives in Manila at 0340 plus a day.

Bookings are open on online travel agency sites quoting a roundtrip fare of USD140 on Cebu Pacific during the latter half of July. The airline will compete head-on with Philippines AirAsia. It flies the same route, BKK-DMK, twice daily (morning and evening) using A320s, with the lowest fare pegged at USD162.

The new service increases Cebu Pacific frequencies to Bangkok to 17 flights a week (twice daily to BKK and three weekly to DMK). Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport is located in the city’s northern suburbs, and Suvarnabhumi Airport is a short distance from the Gulf of Thailand, which is southeast of the capital. The two airports are 50 km apart. 

“Bangkok remains one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, with its majestic pagodas, flavourful cuisine, and vibrant cultural festivals. We are excited to bring more travellers to this beautiful city as we launch our operations in DMK,” said CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao.

Bangkok was one of CEB’s first international destinations, and flights launched there in  2006. In addition, CEB operates direct flights between Clark and Bangkok daily. 

CEB flies to 35 domestic and 24 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Exploring the lower Ganges on Pandaw

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 May 2024: Pandaw Member Jennifer Dunbar recently sailed aboard RV Kalaw Pandaw along the Lower Ganges in India and documented her experiences in a post that first appeared on Silverstreak.sg.

Here’s an excerpt from her remarkable journey and a link to the full blog.

“India, renowned for its vibrant culture, bustling streets, and diverse landscapes, has long been a magnet for travellers. While many opt for organised tours to explore its cities and landmarks that cover all the predictable stops, few venture deep into the country’s core, where the Ganges River winds its way past charming villages and ancient temples

While the prospect of venturing off the standard tourist track may seem daunting, my experience on the seven-night Pandaw Lower Ganges River excursion was anything but that.

“Comfortable and hassle-free, it was a languid and relaxed exploration into the soul and history of India’s historically significant and culturally rich region of West Bengal.

The Ganges River, stretching over 2,500 kilometres and traversing India and Bangladesh, holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for millions of people. Originating in the majestic Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India, it meanders through the Gangetic Plain before merging with the Bay of Bengal. Along its banks lie centuries-old villages, ancient terracotta temples, majestic colonial architecture, forgotten religious monuments and a wealth of wildlife waiting to be discovered.”

New dates and offers

New dates and offers have been added to Pandaw’s Ganges expeditions for 2024/25. To book and experience firsthand this beautiful and dynamic country in Pandaw’s timeless style and comfort, visit pandaw.com or contact the sales team at [email protected] 

THE LOWER GANGES RIVER
7 NIGHTS FROM USD4,050
Save 10%, No Single Supplement & Kids go FREE on selected dates

From September 2024, Pandaw announced that its India expeditions will be all-inclusive, with complimentary local beers, spirits, mixers, and soft drinks for all guests. Select house wines are also included free of charge during lunch and dinner only, subject to availability.

Read the Full Blog here 

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