GURUGRAM, India, 1 April 2024: Vistara launched five weekly flights between Mumbai and Paris using Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 last week.
The inaugural flight departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 1350 on 28 March and arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1855.
With this new route, Vistara connects Paris to two Indian airports — Delhi and Mumbai. This is also Vistara’s sixth long-haul direct route between India and Europe.
Vistara Chief Executive Officer Vinod Kannan said: “We are delighted to commence direct connectivity between Mumbai and Paris. This new route, in addition to our non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Paris, reflects the increasing preference of our customers to fly Vistara for seamless travel between India and France. This strategic expansion also enables us to aid the growing traffic between the two countries, given the burgeoning cooperation across sectors, including trade, investment, science, technology, and academia. We are confident that customers will appreciate flying India’s best airline on this additional route, further solidifying our presence in Europe.”
BANGKOK, 1 April 2024: Banyan Group has announced the signing of the Banyan Tree Residences Sichon, located on a beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand, and owned by Urasaya Property Co Ltd, a real estate developer.
The recent opening of a new international terminal at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport will open up the beach resorts in the southern province to a wider audience of lifestyle-seeking travellers.
Brand partnership signing: Urasaya Property Managing Director Gary Bowen (fourth left) and Banyan Group Property Development Managing Director Stuart Reading (fourth right) with the teams from Urasaya and Banyan.
The residences will be built on 2.5 hectares of beachfront land, a 35-minute drive from the newly expanded Nakhon Si Thammarat International Airport. Banyan Group will develop a new rental programme and branding for private residences under its Banyan Living brand, which will partner with the management team of the Nakhon Si Thammarat project. Banyan Tree Residences Sichon will feature four-bedroom pool villas with open-plan interiors that showcase contemporary design and state-of-the-art amenities.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 1 April 2024: Turkish Airlines confirms it will start increasing flights on its Istanbul to Colombo route effective 1 April, adding a flight on Thursday.
Until 1 April, the airline served the IST-CMB route with four weekly flights, using its A330-300 aircraft, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Photo credit: Bandaranaike Interntional Airport.
In an announcement posted by Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, featuring a graphic of the planned flight increases, the airline confirmed it is increasing flights from four to five a week starting today, 1 April and then increasing to six flights a week on 14 May and again increasing on 28 October to daily flights.
Flight TK730 departs Istanbul (IST) at 1835, arriving in Colombo (CMB) at 0520. Flight TK731 departs Colombo (CMB) at 0740, arriving in Istanbul (IST) at 1415.
The airline introduced four direct flights weekly to Colombo in October 2023 after it closed a service that made a stop first in the Maldives before landing in Colombo.
Meanwhile, the airline reports it has resumed flying to Tripoli, the capital of Libya, effective 28 March. Turkish Airlines operates 62 destinations across the African continent. The airline will operate flights to Tripoli three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
SHANGHAI, 1 April 2024: Capital A announced on Sunday that it has signed a comprehensive partnership with China’s leading global travel service provider, Trip.com Group, to enhance its travel offerings and market reach across Asia.
The collaboration encompasses multiple business lines, including AirAsia and AirAsia MOVE, for key areas of cooperation on innovative solutions spanning flights, accommodations, attractions and tickets, car-hailing, and payments.
Photo credit: Capital A.
Building upon a successful strategic partnership, first announced in 2020, this extension underscores the commitment to expanding the ongoing relationship between the two entities. Together, they will continue to broaden AirAsia and AirAsia MOVE’s reach and portfolio of offerings by leveraging Trip.com Group’s innovative solutions, such as merchandising and Virtual Interline products. Additionally, the collaboration will focus on developing technological solutions to increase revenue and optimise cost efficiencies.
The two sides will strengthen information sharing on customer trends and market intelligence while committing to improving customer service through collaborations between AirAsia and Trip.com Group’s customer service teams.
Meanwhile, TripLink – Trip.com Group’s financial technology arm – will provide AirAsia Aviation Group with payment solutions. These synergies will create further value for both entities while enabling them to drive innovation and provide better customer value.
Trip.com Group Chief Executive Officer Jane Sun said: “This expansion of the strategic partnership between both companies is an affirmation of the positive outcomes we have seen since we signed our initial agreement in 2020. Trip.com Group has continually invested in technology to improve our processes and customer experiences, and we are excited to leverage the power of technology as we continue working with Capital A.”
“Our collaboration extends beyond promoting AirAsia flights and ancillary on Trip.com Group’s platforms,” said Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes. “AirAsia’s inventory and growth plans are focused on China and then getting Trip.com Group’s customer base into ASEAN. AirAsia MOVE will collaborate on Trip.com Group hotel inventory and offer MOVE activities, tickets, and ride collaborations for Trip.com Group users. Together, we will leverage each other’s extensive network and resources to offer enhanced travel experiences to our customers, delivering mutual growth and success for our two organisations.”
The latest partnership comes as global flights show healthy growth during Q1 2024, with bookings on Trip.com Group’s platforms increasing by 82% compared to the same period last year. In 2023, the Group’s transportation business saw revenue increase by 123% year-on-year. In the same period, Capital A’s revenue increased by 25% compared with 2019 levels despite operating with just 80% of 2019’s aircraft numbers on the back of a strong 88% load factor.
MACAO, 1 April 2024: Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) recently introduced travel offers tailored for international cruise passengers to encourage them to book an excursion trip to Macao during their ship’s port of call in Hong Kong.
The offer encourages international cruise visitors to join group tours to Macao during their stopover in Hong Kong when their cruise ships dock at the Hong Kong Cruise Terminal.
Photo credit: MGTO. Deputy Director of MGTO, Cheng Wai Tong.
Twelve international cruise lines offer Macao group tour products that will help boost twin-destination tourism. These products combine cruise visits to Hong Kong with side trips to Macao.
MGTO hosted a welcome ceremony earlier this month at Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal for a group of cruise visitors. The Deputy Director of MGTO, Cheng Wai Tong, welcomed them.
Since their introduction in March, nearly 90 international cruise passengers from the US, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Turkey have joined Macao group tours.
They arrived in Hong Kong on cruise ships. Then, they extended their trip to Macao on various local tours focusing on heritage, such as “The Historic Centre of Macao” and the Macao Museum, plus visits to the Macau Tower and integrated resorts.
During their cruise, or on arrival at the harbour in Hong Kong, passengers can purchase Macao tour products on the cruise lines’ websites or at tour counters on board.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 April 2024: Sichuan Airlines and China Southern Airlines started new routes from Chengdu and Shenzhen in China to Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, over the Easter holiday.
Tourism Malaysia and VIPs from Malaysia’s travel industry welcomed Sichuan Airlines on 31 March for its inaugural flight from Chengdu. The airline will fly an A320 from its Chengdu (TFU) hub to Kuala Lumpur daily.
Photo credit: China Southern Airlines.
Flight 3U3994 departs Chengdu (TFU) at 1725, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 2230. Flight 3U3994 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 2330, arriving in Chengdu (TFU) at 0500.
The daily flight will compete head-on with AirAsia X, which flies the same route daily, Batik Air four times weekly, and Air China daily. The average roundtrip fare on the route is USD330.
China Southern Airlines started daily flights from Shenzhen (SZX) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) today, Monday, 1 April, deploying an A321neo on the route.
Flight CZ5079 departs Shenzhen (SZX) at 2020, arriving in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0300. Flight CZ5080 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0130, arriving in Shenzhen (SZX) at 0545.
Other airlines serving the same route are AirAsia, with 17 weekly flights, and Shenzhen Airlines, with 14 weekly flights. Once you add the daily China Southern Airlines flights, the KUL-SZX route musters 38 weekly flights, making it one of the busiest routes between China and Malaysia. The average roundtrip fare is USD300.
SINGAPORE, 29 March 2024: Celebrating the occasions of both Catholic Easter in March and Orthodox Easter in May, Emirates will serve traditional lamb and an array of chocolate desserts in the lounges, hot cross buns and Easter bread onboard, sweet surprises for kids, and all the latest and greatest new family-friendly movies on ice.
Easter treats are served onboard
From 29 to 31 March, Emirates customers flying in every class to Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, UK, Brazil, Philippines, South Africa, Mauritius and Ghana will enjoy a sumptuous selection of Easter treats onboard. Economy Class customers will be offered a hot cross bun or Easter bread with their meal or a delicious Easter dessert of carrot cake with an indulgent très leches sauce. Customers in First, Business, and Premium Economy class will also be served a chocolate cake garnished with creamy ganache and red currants or a strawberry cheesecake dotted with an elegant mini-Easter egg. Kids in all classes will receive a brightly coloured ‘Happy Easter’ biscuit shaped like an Easter egg. In the A380 Onboard Lounge, customers can relish traditional Easter simnel fruitcake with marzipan.
Orthodox Easter Celebrations
From 5-7 May, on routes from Dubai to Russia, Cyprus and Greece, First and Business Class customers can tuck into traditional herb-crusted lamb for Easter, served with crispy roasted potatoes, baby carrots and tzatziki sauce, followed by Easter cake, also known as Kulich bread.
Easter in Emirates Lounges
Across Emirates’ global network of lounges between 29 March and 1 April, customers will enjoy classic Easter fare in most locations. In the First Class lounges of Dubai, customers can look forward to tender lamb chops, roasted potatoes and vegetables, or a rich lamb stew with potatoes, carrots, and dried fruits in the Business Class lounge. Both lounges will feature an assortment of Easter-themed cookies and an abundance of Easter chocolate, from chocolate pots to homemade milk chocolate ice cream to chocolate gateaux.
Entertainment for Easter on ice
Emirates passengers flying over Easter can access a world-class entertainment library on ice with over 6,500 channels, including up to 2,000 movies and many 2024 Academy Award-winning movies like Oppenheimer, Zone of Interest, American Fiction and Anatomy of a Fall. New releases onboard in April include The Color Purple, The Lesson, Napoleon, Freud’s Last Session, The Taste of Things and May December. There is also a huge movie collection for kids and kids at heart, including Disney Classics, Marvel Studios and Wizarding World, featuring the complete Harry Potter film series and Harry Potter TV specials, as well as preschool kids TV shows from CBeebies, Cartoon Network and more. In April, there will be several family-friendly new release movie highlights, including Wish, Migration, Wonka, and Trolls Band Together, for kids to enjoy on their Easter travels.
SINGAPORE, 29 Mar 2024: Digital travel platform Agoda has expanded its partner marketing portfolio, providing a new way for hotel and accommodation partners to reach consumers through dedicated landing pages matching travellers’ top-themed searches.
Using data insights, Agoda has launched the ‘Top Stays Anywhere’ initiative in Thailand with 16 distinct themes that resonate with travellers’ preferences.
These themes include various options across travel budgets and traveller interests, including private islands, seaside villas, beach cabanas, and family-friendly and pet-friendly accommodations. Each dedicated page offers a list of accommodations by Agoda’s specialist teams.
Agoda senior country director for Thailand Pierre Honne said: “Often travellers are looking for very specific types of holiday experiences, so we curated these landing pages to quickly allow travellers with high intent to travel to connect with properties that excel in delivering those experiences, whether that’s pet-friendly spots or rooftop hotels in Bangkok. For partners, it’s another way Agoda supports their ambitions to grow their business and optimise their inventory.”
Agoda’s initiative typifies the company’s data-driven approach to supporting its partners to attract more business, harnessing the intel from today’s customer travel search behaviours.
“The initiative not only aligns with travellers’ specific preferences but also opens up new avenues for hotels and accommodation providers to increase their visibility among potential customers. The thematic landing pages act as a bridge, connecting properties with consumers with a demonstrated interest in particular experiences. With Agoda at the forefront, leveraging robust search analytics, hotels are well-positioned to capitalise on up-to-the-minute travel trends and stay competitive in a dynamic market landscape”, Honne added.
Agoda launching thematic pages with the following URLs.
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 March 2024: Malaysia Airlines has inked a deal to streamline flight connections for travellers who book cruise itineraries worldwide.
The airline confirmed earlier this week that it had signed a strategic cruise partnership with Malaysia’s tour provider, Apple Vacations, while the tour operator collaborates closely with global cruise lines such as Peace Boat, Princess Cruises, Resorts World, and Uniworld River Cruises to sell fly-cruise packages to travellers.
The partnership with Malaysia Airlines enables travellers to fly Malaysia Airlines to a cruise line’s home ports. When booking through Apple Vacations, travellers can buy fares on Malaysia Airlines and pay for cruises in one easy step.
The deal comes as more cruise ships are being based at seasonal home ports in Asia, particularly Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
SINGAPORE, 29 March 2024: In response to strong travel demand and an anticipated uptick in bookings during the summer season, Vistara will deploy its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the Delhi – Bali route, effective 31 March 2024.
Vistara launched daily, direct flights on the route in December 2023 using an A321LR aircraft. It’s the only airline offering direct flights between Delhi and Denpasar, Bali.
The upgrade to Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner delivers a spacious, three-class cabin configuration with the latest in-flight entertainment system featuring live TV and Wi-Fi connectivity onboard. It also features lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration that gives direct aisle access to each customer.
Vistara’s chief commercial officer, Deepak Rajawat, said: “We are delighted to announce the deployment of our state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for flights between Delhi and Bali. This strategic decision to increase capacity underscores Vistara’s commitment to optimising operations in response to the remarkable performance of the Delhi – Bali route and the constant surge in demand for direct connectivity between India and Indonesia. With top-notch amenities, enhanced comfort complemented with sumptuous inflight meals and exceptional service, we are confident that our customers will appreciate the choice of experiencing Vistara’s Dreamliner when flying on this route.”
TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA).
