KUCHING, 19 MAY 2025: The Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) presents the Gawai Dayak Open House 2025, which will take place on 7 June 2025 at Rumah Veriland, Engkeranji, Layar, Betong, Sarawak.
The cultural event, which is open to the public, is hosted in collaboration with the Betong Resident Office and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.
The STF Gawai Dayak Open House 2025 returns for its third year, celebrating cultural unity and supporting rural tourism. It will take place from 1700 to 2400 at Rumah Veriland, Engkeranji, Layar, Betong. The event will feature traditional music and dance, cultural exhibitions, storytelling, and hands-on workshops on Dayak customs.
Visitors can enjoy local food, browse a handicraft bazaar, and experience the special Gawai-Kaamatan Concert, a unique collaboration between the Dayak and Kadazan-Dusun communities.
This year, there are glamping options for those who wish to stay overnight and enjoy the beautiful surroundings with a touch of comfort and Dayak hospitality.
“This year’s Gawai Dayak Open House is not just a celebration of our heritage but also a reflection of innovation in rural tourism,” said
Sarawak Tourism Federation President Mdm Audry Wan Ullok. “We’re proud to introduce glamping and the Gawai-Kaamatan Concert as new features to attract more visitors, especially among youth and cultural enthusiasts.”
Supporting partners include the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, the Betong Resident Office, the Betong District Office, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Betong, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak and Business Events Sarawak. They were praised for their unwavering commitment to promoting Sarawak’s cultural vibrancy and community spirit.
STF Gawai Dayak Open House 2025 is a free public event celebrating heritage, harmony, and hospitality.
For those looking to explore more of Betong and its rich surroundings, various tour packages are available for purchase, ranging from three days and two nights (3D2N) to six days, five nights (5D4N).
Options include the 3D2N Gawai in the Head-hunters Heartland, 3D2N Gawai Glamping, 3D2N Gawai Harvest Festive, and 6D5N
Each Sarawak Gawai Festival offers a unique way to immerse in local culture and rural charm.
KOTA KINABALU, 19 MAY 2025: Sabah’s international tourism profile will increase after Lufthansa City Centre (LCC) invited the Sabah Tourism Board to join the prestigious LCC General Assembly in Malta this November.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment cum Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, welcomed the invitation as a timely opportunity to raise Sabah’s visibility on the global stage.
Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum STB Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai with LCC International managing director Heiko Brix (second left) and STB deputy chairman Datuk KL Tan (second right) at the dinner last Thursday.
He said the summit, which brings together over 500 travel agency owners and decision-makers from more than 85 countries, provides a valuable platform for Sabah to present its unique offerings.
“This opens doors for us to showcase Sabah’s strength in nature, culture, and community-driven experiences, as well as our growing MICE potential,” said Joniston.
He added that such international exposure aligns with Sabah’s long-term tourism strategy and efforts to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The invitation was extended by LCC International managing director Heiko Brix during a dinner hosted by the Sabah Tourism Board last Thursday.
Scheduled for November 2025, the global LCC gathering in the Mediterranean destination of Malta is a high-level biennial gathering of global travel leaders focused on industry strategy, innovation, and collaboration.
The agenda includes sessions on travel and geopolitical trends, AI-driven transformation, evolving traveller behaviour, and resilient leadership.
Brix has described Sabah as a new but promising destination within LCC’s global network of travel agencies.
Having personally experienced Sabah, he said the visit gave him a clearer view of how to position and promote the state to international travellers.
“Sabah has strong appeal as both a natural explorer destination and an emerging MICE destination. Sabah has what international travellers are looking for – authentic nature, culture, and space to disconnect,” said Brix.
LCC members are currently in Sabah for their Asia Pacific regional meeting, where they also have the opportunity to explore the state’s tourism offerings.
SINGAPORE, 19 MAY 2025: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with global consultancy ICF, has today launched a new framework urging the entire Travel & Tourism sector to unite in tackling one of its toughest challenges: scaling up the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels.
The report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, sets out a practical roadmap for how every business in the sector, no matter its size or role, can help address transport-related emissions and accelerate the shift to cleaner fuels.
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Sustainable fuel is the single biggest game-changer for Travel & Tourism, but supply falls dangerously short of demand. If we don’t act together, we risk rising costs, limited availability, and stalled climate progress.
“Every hotel, tour operator, travel agency, cruise line and airline has a role to play. This framework gives them the blueprint. Sustainable fuel is not just an environmental necessity; it’s a business imperative, and governments must incentivise the production of SAF, not just set targets for the sector.”
Today, SAF accounts for just 0.3% of global jet fuel use. To meet net-zero targets by 2050, production must increase more than 400-fold — from 1.25 billion litres today to over 450 billion litres. That will require as many as 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide. Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) faces similar supply and infrastructure constraints.
Unlike other decarbonisation options, SAF is a ‘drop-in’ solution. It works with existing engines and aircraft. However, high production costs, limited infrastructure, and feedstock competition have kept volumes low and prices high, up to 10 times that of conventional fuel.
The new WTTC-ICF framework offers clear, tiered actions for Travel & Tourism stakeholders to engage, whether as Collaborators, Promoters, Adopters, or Investors. From joining campaigns and supplying waste products to funding production facilities or purchasing sustainable fuel certificates, the report clarifies that every business can contribute.
ICF Managing Director Daniel Galpin stated: “Decarbonising transport is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable tourism sector. While transport industries, particularly aviation, focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), have recognised the importance of sustainable fuels and are courageously working towards a new era, a significant journey remains ahead. The broader tourism ecosystem needs to take action and provide support to meet the targets set and implement the operational and strategic changes required.
“ICF is proud to have collaborated closely with WTTC to identify the roles tourism stakeholders can adopt and the actions they can take to facilitate the sector’s decarbonisation, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.”
Real-world case studies show how action is already underway. The Erawan Group is turning hotel waste oil into SAF in Asia, whilst Jet2 has invested in a UK-based SAF plant using recyclable household waste.
Crucially, the report warns that unless the sector collaborates, SAF mandates introduced by governments, requiring a 5% to 10% blend by 2030, could increase travel costs and limit consumer choice.
With Travel & Tourism forecast to generate USD16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, scaling up sustainable fuel isn’t just an environmental challenge. It’s an economic imperative.
For more information and to access the full report, visit WTTC’s Research Hub
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2025: AirAsia and Tourism Western Australia (TWA) are partnering with a joint campaign to boost travel between Malaysia and Perth, a key Australian destination for AirAsia out of its Kuala Lumpur hub.
As part of the partnership, AirAsia is giving away MYR400,000 in discount codes for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, with each code valued at MYR200. The campaign also complements Western Australia’s ‘Walking On A Dream’ global tourism brand, designed to elevate the state’s profile as a unique and aspirational destination.
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia and Anneke Brown, Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia, at an event at Botanica + Co at Bamboo Hills, Kuala Lumpur, to commemorate the partnership.
To benefit from the MYR200 discount, AirAsia guests must key in the promo code ‘AAPERTWA’ when booking their flights until the cut-off date of 31 July 2025 for travel until 31 December 2025.*
AirAsia Malaysia CEO Fareh Mazputra said: “Perth has long been one of AirAsia’s most popular destinations in Australia. Since the route was launched in November 2007, we’ve flown millions of guests to the city, and for many Malaysians, it truly is our ‘home away from home’. We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with Tourism Western Australia to reignite travel interest and provide more value-driven options for those eager to explore this stunning destination.”
Tourism Western Australia Managing Director Anneke Brown added: “With our Walking On A Dream tourism brand, we set out to showcase WA travel experiences that feel both otherworldly and are deeply rooted in nature and culture. Malaysia is one of our key international visitor markets, partly thanks to its close proximity to Western Australia, Perth’s strong aviation links with Kuala Lumpur, and our shared time zones, and we look forward to sharing the magic of WA with more Malaysian travellers to come.”
AirAsia Group flies direct from Kuala Lumpur to three destinations in Australia: Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. It will add Darwin (with four weekly flights to commence on 27 June 2025). That will give the group 22 weekly flights to destinations in Australia. The group also comprises Indonesia AirAsia (QZ), which serves Darwin and Cairns three times weekly and Perth up to 28 weekly from Bali. Indonesia AirAsia will soon also fly to Adelaide (with four new weekly services commencing 25 June).
*The promo code is valid only for the base fare and applies to AirAsia return flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth. The promo code ‘AAPERTWA’ will need to be keyed in at the homepage.
Each MYR200 promo code will be applied as RM100 for the KUL–PER sector and MYR100 for the PER–KUL sector. Any unused balance will be forfeited and is not redeemable for future use. A total of 2,000 promo codes will be allocated for the campaign until 31 July 2025, with a monthly cap of 666 codes on a first-come, first-served basis.
BANGKOK, 19 May 2025: Bangkok Airways Plc has released its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a total revenue of THB7,821.30 million, a slight decrease of 0.1% year-on-year, and a net profit of THB 1,686.1 million, down 10%.
Passengers carried stood at 1.28 million, representing a 2.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor stood at 81.5%.
Bangkok Airways Plc President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth noted that the airline continues focusing on destinations with strong connectivity, particularly routes to and from Samui. During the first quarter, the airline served 1.28 million passengers, representing a slight decline year-on-year due to a drop in domestic and regional routes, which saw a 13.5% decrease. However, the number of passengers travelling to and from Samui increased by 4.7%.
In Q1 2025, the company reported an operating profit of THB2,343.7 million, a 2% decrease from the previous year. Nevertheless, the average ticket price increased due to high demand for Samui-bound flights. At the same time, significant operating costs, namely fuel and aircraft maintenance expenses, decreased year-on-year.
The company reported EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) of THB2,882.4 million and a net profit of THB1,686.1 million for the period, of which THB1,674.9 million was attributable to the equity holders of the company. Earnings per share stood at THB0.80
In its concluding remarks, the company said it remains committed to conducting business with long-term sustainable growth in collaboration with all stakeholders. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are central to this approach, focusing on addressing climate change. Under the campaign “Low Carbon Skies by Bangkok Airways,” the airline aims to align with global aviation industry targets, including the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
SINGAPORE, 19 MAY 2025: Air Astana expanded its route network to Vietnam by operating an inaugural flight from Astana to Danang on 14 May 2025.
The 169-seat Airbus A321LR aircraft departed Astana International Airport at 2255 and arrived at Danang International Airport at 0825 local time. Flight time: Seven hours and 30 minutes.
Air Astana operates direct scheduled flights to Danang twice weekly on Wednesday and Sunday.
Flight schedule
KC259 departs Astana (NQZ) at 2255 and arrives in Danang (DAD) at 0825 plus a day. KC260 departs Danang (DAD) at 1000 and arrives in Astana (NQZ) at 1545.
Danang is a picturesque coastal city in central Vietnam, renowned for its white-sand beaches, cultural landmarks, golf courses and well-developed transportation infrastructure. Just an hour away lies the historic town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised as one of the best-preserved examples of a Southeast Asian trading port.
During Air Astana’s summer schedule, weekly flights to Vietnam have increased to 11. The airline currently operates flights to Nha Trang four times a week from Almaty and three times a week from Astana. Flights to Danang are scheduled twice weekly from Astana, and starting on 4 June 2025, they will also operate twice weekly from Almaty.
Kazakhstan citizens can stay in Vietnam visa-free for up to 30 days.
BANGKOK, 19 May 2025: Asia Aviation Plc (AAV), the sole shareholder of Thai AirAsia (TAA) reported its 1Q2025 performance last week, posting a core profit (excludes foreign exchange impacts) of THB1.299 billion, up 6% year-on-year.
Revenues from sales and services came in at THB13.225 billion, down 4% YoY, largely due to a decrease in international tourist demand.
In line with Thai AirAsia’s cost leadership focus, operating costs improved during the quarter, with Cost per Available Seat Kilometre (CASK) down 12% YoY to THB 1.73. CASK excluding fuel declined 3% to THB1.13. Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre (RASK) stood at THB 1.97, down 10% YoY.
As a result of disciplined operational execution, TAA carried 5.6 million guests in the first quarter of 2025, up 2% YoY, with a robust load factor of 87%. Seat capacity increased by 9% to 6.4 million seats, driven by additional flights and frequency enhancements. The airline also expanded its fleet with the addition of one Airbus A321neo during the quarter, bringing the total to 61 aircraft, 55 of which were in operation. TAA received one aircraft in April and remains on track to receive four more aircraft in the latter part of 2025 reaching a total of 66 aircraft to support its future growth plans.
AAV and TAA Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya stated: “Thai AirAsia’s performance in the first quarter of 2025 highlights the company’s adaptability and resilience toward long-term financial sustainability. We are proud to have achieved a record-high 42% share of the domestic market, the highest in the country as of the end of March 2025.
“This milestone is primarily driven by our dual airport strategy, which enables us to serve domestic routes from both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports. As the only carrier to fully leverage Bangkok airports, we offer unmatched convenience, capacity and connectivity for Thai travellers – a unique competitive advantage that strengthens our market leadership.”
Domestically, operational momentum remained solid with 3.7 million passengers, marking a 9% increase YoY, representing 67% of the airline’s total passengers for the quarter, with a high passenger load factor of 91%.
During the quarter, TAA continued to expand its flight network from its Suvarnabhumi Airport hub, launching two new routes to the Northeast region — Khon Kaen and Udon Thani in February. In addition, the airline also opened ticket sales for three additional routes: Suvarnabhumi to Surat Thani, Buriram, and Narathiwat, with services set to commence this 1 July.
The international market is rebounding steadily, and we are actively tapping into new growth corridors. While some East Asian markets namely China, Hong Kong, and Macau remain soft, strong performance from South Asia and upcoming new fifth freedom routes like Chiang Mai–Taipei–Sapporo are set to balance the pace of recovery.
“We remain optimistic about meeting our 2025 passenger target of 23 to 24 million with a strong load factor at 90%, and our planned fleet expansion to 66 aircraft by year-end strategic moves that will position us well for the peak season and beyond,” said Santisuk.
HUA HIN, 19 MAY 2025: Thailand’s once-thriving tourism sector is now navigating turbulent waters. Foreign arrivals are falling short of expectations, with a sharp dip in Chinese travellers, growing regional competition, and a stubborn hangover from global shocks and conflicts. Meanwhile, hotel occupancies are dwindling, and trust in the government’s response is wavering.
A controversial proposal presented by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports recommends that THB800 million be spent supporting foreign-based OTAs. It has drawn fire from the Thai Hotels Association, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is quietly adjusting its lofty 2025 target of 40 million arrivals down to a more sobering 35.5 million — matching last year’s numbers.
Photo: Wat Traphang Thong or Golden Lake Monastery in Sukhothai, the ancient UNESCO-listed city that’s considered the cradle of Thai culture
The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is sounding the alarm and preparing a direct appeal to the Prime Minister. With tourism still seen as Thailand’s last economic engine, the time for action is now.
Beyond the Crisis: A 10-Point Plan to Help Build-Back-Better Tourism in Thailand
If the last few years have taught us anything, returning to “business as usual” isn’t good enough. Thailand’s future lies not just in numbers but in the quality of experiences we offer — and in protecting what makes us special.
1. Look Beyond the Numbers: Protect What Matters.
Tourism is not just GDP. It’s culture, community, and ecology. Growth must be measured by how well we safeguard local identity and avoid the trap of overtourism, not by the benchmarks of arrivals and receipts. Our future generations — our children — deserve to inherit more than crowded beaches and overbuilt hillsides.
Recent signs of international tourist misbehaviour — particularly in Phuket and Pattaya — are deeply concerning. Locals are becoming tired of such unruly behaviour and know they have a choice. Local anger and frustration are unsuitable for tourism — a potential death knell. Reports of fighting, public drunkenness, and the open use of cannabis are harming Thailand’s family-friendly image and deterring more conservative travellers, especially the older generation. The unmistakable waft of drug smoke in public areas has become a frequent complaint. Zoning for cannabis use and stricter enforcement in tourist areas must be considered if Thailand wishes to attract higher-value, responsible tourism.
And it’s not just behaviour. The rising cost of travel to Thailand is beginning to bite. When combined with a global tourism slowdown and reduced outbound Chinese travel, Thailand must fight harder for every tourist dollar without compromising its values or long-term vision.
2. Wellness Beyond the Spa: Retreats of the North
From forest therapy in Phayao to herbal medicine workshops in Kalasin, we can evolve wellness into a more meaningful, healing journey. Let Northern Thailand become Asia’s sanctuary for spiritual and physical renewal.
3. Embrace the River: Mekong & Ping as Slow Travel Arteries
Launch immersive river journeys through the Northeast and North, guided by local wisdom, supported by riverside homestays, and powered by the calm of slow travel.
4. Rise of the Rail: Revive Thailand by Train
Reimagine Thailand’s railways as a nostalgic, sustainable alternative to domestic flights. Think gourmet sleeper services, heritage routes, and curated stopovers along the way.
5. Expand the MICE Map: Spread business tourism across the map. Offer incentives to take conferences to secondary cities like Khon Kaen, North Phuket or Nakhon Ratchasima, with cultural side trips to boot.
6. Thematic Trails in the Northeast: Introduce themed, multi-province trails — spiritual journeys, heritage circuits, and culinary pilgrimages — that encourage longer stays and deeper connections.
7. “Live Like a Local” Homestay Programmes: Scale up authentic, regulated homestays. Let visitors share morning chores with buffalo farmers, weave silk with master artisans, or join temple festivals — the heartbeat of Thai village life.
8. Culinary Tourism Renaissance: Food is Thailand’s most persuasive invitation. Expand immersive culinary experiences: market tours, regional food trails, and farm-to-table dining, especially in lesser-known provinces.
9. Eco & Agro-Tourism for Urban Escapees: Build demand for weekend green escapes, such as mushroom foraging, birdwatching, organic farming, and more. Partner with schools and universities for nature-based education programmes. Introduce art classes and painting workshops.
10. Expand the “Half-Half”: Travel Subsidy to Expats
TAT’s “We Travel Together” scheme has shown strong results. Expanding it to Thailand’s 3 to 4 million expats could inject THB1.7 billion into the economy with minimal extra investment.
That’s not just a smart investment — it’s a strategic one. With careful targeting, it needn’t fuel overtourism. Quite the opposite: it can direct visitors to quieter provinces, mid-week travel, and low seasons.
Final takeaways – Slower, Wiser, Kinder
Tourism is not only about economics — it’s about the memories we shape, the communities we touch, and the landscapes we leave behind. Let’s resist the urge to chase volume for volume’s sake. Instead, let’s craft a tourism future that’s slower, wiser, and kinder to all who call Thailand home — now and in the years to come.
The Kingdom has everything it needs to succeed. All that’s left is the courage to choose a better path.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, hotelier, and tourism lecturer with over four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. A former general manager of several leading hotels in Thailand and a regular speaker at international tourism forums, he is widely recognised for his insight into emerging travel trends and his passionate advocacy for Thailand as a world-class destination.
DOHA, 16 MAY 2025: Qatar Airways announced on Wednesday that it has placed the largest aircraft order in its history with manufacturing partner Boeing.
As part of its strategic fleet growth plan, the landmark order includes up to 210 Boeing widebody jets — 160 firm and 50 option — which is the largest widebody order and the largest 787 Dreamliner order in the American aerospace company’s history.
Photo credit: Qatar. Trump harvests a whopping airline deal for Boeing.
The deal was announced on Wednesday during President Trump’s visit with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar.
Qatar Airways has also signed an agreement GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) for more than 400 engines, including 60 GE9X and 260 GEnx engines, with additional options and spares, to power its next-generation Boeing 777-9 and Boeing 787 aircraft — the largest widebody engine purchase in the history of GE Aerospace.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history. This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”
Order details
130 787 Dreamliners is the long-range, ultra-efficient widebody aeroplane family that has delivered a 25% fuel-use improvement and superior passenger comfort.
30 777- 9s, the world’s largest twin-engine aeroplane, is designed to set new standards in efficiency by reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the aeroplanes it replaces while elevating the passenger flight experience.
Options for an additional 50 787 and 777x aeroplanes.
Qatar Airways operates over 150 Boeing aeroplanes, including 777 and 787 passenger jets and 777 freighters. With this new purchase, Qatar Airways will become the largest Dreamliner operator in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways’ Largest Widebody Engine Deal in GE Aerospace History
The new GE Aerospace agreements solidify the company’s commitment to Qatar’s thriving aviation industry and build on the previous order for 188 GE9X engines, bringing the total to 248 engines. The addition of GEnx engines for the Boeing 787 fleet supplements their existing 124-engine order, further strengthening the national carrier’s commitment to efficiency and performance. The two deals also include service agreements to cover the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GEnx and GE9X engines.
DUBAI, 16 MAY 2025: With global travel at an all-time high, Emirates has confirmed its busiest year for baggage handling yet. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates handled more than 2.8 million bags each month, averaging 100,000 per day, from Dubai to 140 global destinations.
These figures mark a 3.7% increase in total bags from last year. Despite its complex operation, Emirates has maintained a 99.9% baggage handling success rate from its Dubai hub.
Emirates’ excellent statistical record for baggage handling places it as the top performing airline worldwide. 99.9% of all baggage coming from Dubai or transferring through reaches its owner on time at the correct destination. Emirates ‘baggage mishandling rate, which can be defined as ‘delayed, lost or misplaced baggage,’ is minimal at 1.4 in 1000 at the Dubai hub – almost 30 times lower than some other providers.
On a global level, when Emirates customers’ bags are unavoidably delayed, 91% are reunited with their owners within 72 hours. Internationally, this rate is notable because Emirates mainly manages international baggage and international transfer baggage, so the luggage goes on long and complex journeys that require a significantly higher level of attention than domestic travel.
Lost and found is another area where Emirates excels, with 94% of valuable items proactively recovered and returned to customers in Dubai within 60 minutes, thanks to a dedicated team. These items are found either on Emirates aircraft or at the Emirates hub in Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3. They are marked as ‘valuable’ because they are essential items for Emirates customers’ travel experience – passports, wallets and phones.
Latest developments for Emirates Baggage Handling
In 2024, the airline introduced Emirates Bag Connect. This tool is available to customers on the Emirates app and website and offers a comprehensive view of the baggage journey with timely baggage status tracking. An additional feature was also introduced to allow customers to track mishandled bag delivery, and this service is now available at 80 stations across the Emirates’ network.
In the Emirates Dubai hub, from 2.8 million bags handled monthly, an average of 2300 bags are found without baggage tags. Emirates and dnata teams work together to track the owner proactively. An average of 80% of these bags are recovered and loaded onto the aircraft before the flight’s departure, ensuring no disruption to the customer.
Various scenarios may have occurred on the rare occasion that baggage is delayed. Sometimes baggage tags are accidentally torn off, or occasionally, a bag could fall off the underground baggage belt as its rounds a corner. A transfer flight may be unavoidably delayed due to weather or a sick passenger, making it impossible to remove and reload the bag onto the passenger’s transfer flight in time. In this case, the customer’s bag is immediately loaded onto the next flight. This is done automatically by combining complex systems, such as the baggage handling system by Dubai Airport, the baggage reconciliation system by Dnata, and Emirates Bag Connect.
Emirates attributes its best-in-class baggage handling to robust systems and high-tech procedures, including a multimillion-dollar investment into software that Emirates has tailored to specific needs, providing full visibility of entire journeys. On an average Emirates journey from Dubai, a customer’s luggage goes on its own trip, interacting with many of the Emirates team. Steps can include a porter’s trolley to a check-in agent and baggage belt, to the ‘Boss Room’ where baggage is scanned with high tech security, to being loaded into dnata baggage containers and onto the moveable dollies bound for Emirates aircraft before it travels across the world, to meet the baggage handlers at a new destination.For information on the airline and to book flights, visit www.emirates.com.
