SHANGHAI, 13 February 2024: Vietjet took delivery of two additional aircraft under a wet-leased arrangement, deploying them to serve routes where there has been a surge in travel demand during the Lunar New Year festival that continues until 15 February.
The latest additions increase the airline’s wet-lease fleet to six aircraft apart from its current fleet of 105 aircraft, serving 125 routes in Vietnam and internationally.
The airline has recently added nearly 750 flights, providing 154,800 additional seats to serve rising demand during the peak travel period in Vietnam and the region.
Vietjet opened the Shanghai – Ho Chi Minh City route to address Chinese tourists’ holiday travel needs last December, connecting the cities. In addition, on the first day of the Lunar New Year (10 February 2024), Vietjet commenced the new Chengdu – Ho Chi Minh City route, offering the opportunity for travellers from Chengdu to visit Vietnam and experience the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
The added flight capacity also includes routes to and from popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat, catering to Chinese tourists’ exploration of Vietnam.
Over the last two months, Vietjet has proactively expanded its international flight network to include destinations such as Shanghai, Vientiane, Siem Reap (Cambodia), Busan (South Korea), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide (Australia).
In 2023, Vietjet operated 133,000 flights with 25.3 million passengers onboard (excluding Vietjet Thailand) – a surge of 183% YoY. More than 7.6 million travellers were on international flights. Last year, the airline also continued to grow its flight network with 33 new international and domestic routes, bringing the total routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes.
SINGAPORE, 13 February 2024: Air Japan confirms it will start five weekly flights between Narita Tokyo and Changi Singapore on 26 April, flying a Boeing 787-800 with a single economy class cabin.
The low-cost airline will schedule flights from Narita on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Flights depart Narita at 1735 and arrive in Singapore at 2355.
Photo credit: Air Japan.
The return flights depart Singapore at 0055 and arrive in Narita at 0910. (Departure days from Singapore are Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Last week, the low-cost airline launched daily flights from Narita to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The airline offers a one-way fare of THB4,780 (JPN17,000), excluding airport fees and taxes for bookings made from 1 July 2024 to 26 October 2024.
Flight NQ1 departs Narita at 1800 and arrives in Bangkok at 2245. The return flight NQ2 departs Bangkok at 2345 and arrives in Narita at 0805 plus one day.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’sTAT Tokyo Office joined with the CEO of Air Japan Airlines and the CEO of Narita Airport to send off the inaugural flight on 9 February.
The airline is the low-cost subsidiary of ANA and flies a Boeing 787-800 with 320 seats for daily flights to Bangkok. (Capacity: 2,240 seats weekly). It will compete head-to-head with five airlines flying the Narita to Bangkok route. They comprise Viva Macau, JAL, and ANA, each scheduling daily flights and THAI and AirAsiaX are scheduling twice daily flights. The average return fare on the route is USD440 this month, but it will drop to an average of USD268 in July.
KATHMANDU Nepal, 12 February 2024: The 6th edition of the PATA Youth Talent Quest (YTQ2024) held last week highlighted a public speaking competition with Young Tourism Professional (YTP) speakers fielding themes such as sustainability, innovation, emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for tourism development in Nepal.
A panel of jury members, including Dipendra Purush Dhakal (former secretary at the Ministry of Tourism), Narendra Deo Bhatta (MD-Heritage Tours & Travels), and Sunil Sakya (chairman of KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts), evaluated the participants.
PATA Nepal hosts a youth speakers competition.
Manabhi Sing Ayer from the Nepal Academy of Tourism & Hotel Management (NATHM) won the competition, followed by first and second runners-up Shreenidhi Sharma from the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE) and Prabha Rai from the International School of Tourism & Hotel Management (IST).
The PATA Nepal Chapter in collaboration with the PATA Nepal Student Chapter, organised the 6th Youth Talent Quest. Supporting partners included Buddha Air, KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts, Community Homestay Network, HighGround Adventures Nepal and PATA Nepal Chapter member colleges; GATE, NATHM, Mid-Valley Int’l, IST, and GCI.
Youth Talent Quest (YTQ) is an annual event by PATA Nepal Chapter as a part of its engagement with Young Tourism Professionals (YTPs) to provide a platform for students from PATA Nepal Chapter member colleges to compete and showcase their talents.
DUBAI UAE,12 February 2024: Emirates will boost services to Osaka by introducing the A380 starting from 1 June 2024, featuring the latest product, premium economy.
The A380 to be deployed to Osaka will be retrofitted with premium economy, making it the second Japanese gateway to operate with the newly upgraded aircraft. The upgraded service will offer increased seat capacity on flights to and from Japan’s second-largest city, introducing the highly sought-after premium economy class for customers and refreshed interiors across first, business and economy class cabins.
From 1 June, Emirates’ four-class A380 will replace the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft currently operating the EK316/EK317 service to and from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX). With upgraded A380 operations, Emirates will offer 910 additional weekly seats between Dubai and Osaka, offering more opportunities to connect to and beyond Dubai to popular destinations for travellers, including Milan, Madrid, Brazil, Paris and London. Emirates celebrated the 20th anniversary of its services between Dubai and Osaka last year. During that time, the airline carried more than 220,000 passengers on more than 360 flights between the two gateways in 2023.
Emirates’ four-class A380 deployed to Osaka will feature 14 first-class class suites, 76 lie-flat seats in business class, 56 in premium economy class, and 338 ergonomically designed seats in economy class. On a four-class Emirates A380, the premium economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck, with 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. In the cabin, every inch of space anticipates customer needs with a generous seat pitch and width for working and relaxing and customised features that offer function and convenience, like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with expertly curated in-flight amenities, an inventive menu and extensive beverage options. Emirates’ “ice” in-flight entertainment includes up to 6,500 channels of movies, TV programmes, and music. Customers flying in both Business and First Class will enjoy access to Emirates’ onboard lounge, while First Class passengers will have exclusive access to the airline’s luxurious shower spa. In addition, passengers can enjoy Emirates’ award-winning signature hospitality and meals prepared using carefully selected ingredients worldwide.
In December 2023, Emirates launched its premium economy product on the Dubai-Narita route as part of an upgrade available on flights to 14 other destinations globally, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sao Paulo and Dubai.
The airline’s A380 operations to Kansai International Airport (KIX) come as Japan expects an increase in tourism through the unique attractions nestled within the Kansai region, such as Osaka and Kyoto, in addition to a packed schedule of events, including the Osaka-Kansai Expo planned for 2025.
Emirates also operates a daily four-class A380 service to Tokyo Narita and a daily Boeing 777-300ER service to Tokyo Haneda. Through its scheduled operations to Japan’s three largest international travel hubs, Emirates provides convenient air connectivity to serve the growing demand.
As part of its commitment to travellers, Emirates last year announced the resumption of its Chauffeur-drive service in Tokyo Haneda for the airline’s First and Business Class customers. Emirates has also introduced a complimentary shuttle bus service for the airline’s Economy class customers from Tokyo Haneda airport to major train stations – Tokyo (TYO) and Shinagawa (SGW). For more information visit: www.emirates.com
LANGKAWI, 12 February 2024: Langkawi Development Board (LADA) rolled out the red carpet for the inaugural Flydubai flight to Langkawi at the weekend that marked the introduction of daily service from Dubai.
LADA chief executive officer YBhg Dato Haslina Abdul Hamid was joined by Tuan Mohamad Subhi Abdullah, Langkawi District Officer and Tuan Che Sulaiman Che Pa, Langkawi International Airport Manager, Tourism Malaysia and related agency officials at the welcoming ceremony for the Flydubai flight from Dubai.
The new service departs from Terminal 2, Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE, with a stop in Penang International Airport (PEN) for a one-hour stopover before flying to Langkawi International Airport (LGK). Flydubai uses Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for the daily service.
LADA reported on Saturday that the route’s opening would benefit Langkawi’s residents economically. The flight will bring in tourists from Dubai and visitors from West Asia, Europe, and Africa who fly Emirates and change flights to code-share partner Flydubai. The opening of the route by Flydubai company will offer a comfortable flight experience to passengers from over 120 destinations to Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia via the Dubai Air Hub in the UAE.
During the welcome ceremony, LADA encouraged the island’s tourism industry players and local communities to “play a role in improving the quality of services and tourism products and promoting the island’s tourism together with the federal and state governments.”
Penang welcomes inaugural flight
Meanwhile, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai welcomed the Flydubai flight that stop in Penang before flying to Langkawi on this auspicious first day of the Lunar New Year 2024. “Today, we celebrate the inaugural flight of Flydubai to Penang, marking a significant milestone for our city,” said Wong Hon Wai. “On this special Lunar New Year occasion, Penang welcomes the debut of Flydubai’s direct flight from Dubai. This not only marks the first airline from the United Arab Emirates to fly directly to Penang but also signals the beginning of a new era for our tourism industry.”
BANGKOK, 8 February 2024: Bangkok will host the Pacific Asia Travel Association travel mart at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) from 27 to 29 August after a gap of 20 years since the PTM was last hosted in Bangkok in 2004 at the same convention venue in the heart of the Thai capital.
Photo credit: PATA.
“Thailand has been home to PATA’s HQ since the association relocated from San Francisco to Thailand in 1998… Holding the 47th PATA Travel Mart (PTM) is a celebration of the close partnership between PATA and Thai Tourism over many years,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone. “As the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region shows promising signs of recovery and robust growth, PATA Travel Mart is particularly timely.
The annual PATA Travel Mart features a one-day conference and a two-day business-to-business travel mart that delivers up to 10,000 business appointments and buyers and sellers from more than 40 destinations across six regions.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid noted: “With nearly 30 million international visitors in 2023 and a recent visa exemption announcement for travellers from more than 60 destinations, Thailand is the perfect setting for all to engage in B2B networking and partnership-building with clients, decision-makers, and exhibitors worldwide.”
The event will convene at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), which has undergone an extensive remake completed in 2022. It is located next to an MRT station with access to the convention centre’s main lobby. New Delhi, India, hosted last year’s PTM after a virtual mart was held in China in 2022 after a two-year pause during the Covid pandemic. For more information or to register for PATA Travel Mart, please visit https://www.pata.org/pata-travel-mart-2024 or email [email protected].
BANGKOK, 12 February 2024: AirAsia expands services to Japan from its Bangkok hub by introducing direct flights from Bangkok Don Mueang airport to Okinawa, a popular holiday destination in Japan’s south.
Four weekly flights to Okinawa will start on 2 April 2024, with services scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Known as the “Hawaii of Japan,” it’s well known for the sightings of giant whale sharks, and foodies love its seafood cuisine. Fares are on sale starting at THB3,490 per trip for bookings through 21 February 2024 for travel from 2 April to 26 October 2024.
AirAsia Thailand chief executive officer Santisuk Klongchaiya commented: “Based on strong demand, Thai AirAsia (FD) will now be flying direct to Okinawa in Japan for the very first time, marking the second route to Japan flown by Thai AirAsia after we re-introduced flights post-pandemic to Fukuoka in October 2022.”
Okinawa is a major island in south Japan known for its white sand beaches, stunning sea, massive aquarium and unique culture. Home to various tourist destinations, the island also boasts one-of-a-kind Okinawan cuisine, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a new take on Japan.
Thai AirAsia (FD) will operate two direct routes to Japan, Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Fukuoka with daily flights and Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Okinawa four times a week starting 2 April.
SINGAPORE, 12 February 2024: Condor, a leading German leisure airline, resumes flights from Frankfurt to Thailand, starting with Phuket on 21 September and Bangkok on 22 September 2024.
In a media statement released last week, the airline said it had scheduled four weekly flights from its Frankfurt hub to Bangkok and three weekly flights to Phuket. It gives the airline a daily departure to Thailand from Frankfurt.
The airline last flew to Thailand in 2016 when it was part of Thomas Cook’s airline group.
Most of its long-haul flights depart from Frankfurt, with a few flying from Düsseldorf and Munich. Following the launch of flights to Bangkok and Phuket, the airline plans to fly from Berlin to Dubai starting in October 2024.
Condor will deploy an Airbus A330-900 on routes to Thailand configured with business, premium economy and economy class cabins. It says the cheapest one-way fares at USD769.99 are already bookable on the airline’s website. The one-way fare to Phuket starts at USD539.99.
Flight schedules Thailand
Flight DE2362 will depart Frankfurt at 1935 and arrive in Bangkok (SWB) at 1225 plus one day. (Flights operate out of Frankfurt on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.) Flight DE2363 will depart Bangkok Suvarnabhumi at 2220 and arrive in Frankfurt at 0510 plus one day.
Flight DE2368 will depart Frankfurt at 1500 and arrive in Phuket at 0815 plus one day (Flights depart Frankfort on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.) Flight DE2369 will depart from Phuket at 1015 and arrive in Frankfurt at 1705.
Condor, a German leisure travel airline, has been in business since 1955. It was formerly a subsidiary of Lufthansa and later part of the Thomas Cook Group but is now owned by asset manager Attestor Capital.
SHANGHAI, 12 February 2024: China Eastern has stepped up efforts to open new routes and resume international routes that were paused during the Covid pandemic
Recently, it launched the Beijing Daxing – Kuala Lumpur route and resumed the Shanghai Pudong-Cairns, Australia route. It will also add 15 new international routes, including a new Pudong-Perth route, and increase flight frequencies between Pudong and Sydney, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Male ( Maldives) routes.
During the Spring Festival travel week, CEA has increased flights to Asian island destinations to meet travel demand.
Also, over the 40-day pre and post-Spring Festival travel rush, CEA will operate 2,322 round-trip flights between domestic airports and Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The newly opened Beijing Daxing – Kuala Lumpur route, flights MU795/796, offer four round-trip weekly flights.
Currently, CEA operates four routes to Kuala Lumpur – Shanghai Pudong to Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai Pudong to Sabah, Hangzhou to Kuala Lumpur, and Beijing Daxing to Kuala Lumpur. A total of 340 round-trip flights have been planned for these routes during the Spring Festival travel rush this year.
CEA will also open new direct routes from Kunming, Xi’an, Chengdu and more to Kuala Lumpur. In Singapore, CEA operates eight routes flying to Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Daxing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Kunming and more. The airline flies directly to Shanghai, Kunming, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an and five other destinations in Thailand. During the Spring Festival travel rush this year, flights have increased to 66 per day.
The newly resumed direct flight route from Shanghai Pudong to Cairns, Australia, marks the 9th route operated by CEA between China and Australia. The seasonal route will operate through 18 February every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. In Australia, CEA operates flights to five destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Cairns.
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 February 2024: Malaysia will see a 53.9% increase in inbound travel when comparing this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period with 2023’s CNY period, according to data released by global travel service provider Trip.com Group has revealed that
The CNY holiday season is estimated to close with an outsized 154.2% increase in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings over the same window.
Travel expenditure has also been observed across other markets, with a particularly acute rise for trips to Japan (+241.9%). It suggests that travellers are increasingly willing to spend more on their trips. The average expenditure for Malaysia-outbound trips largely mirrors that for inbound trips, going up by 163.4%.
Part of the increased spending could be due to tourists making longer-haul trips, with more Southeast Asian travellers travelling beyond Southeast Asia (SEA) for the 2024 CNY period. Last year, 72% of CNY travel was intra-SEA, but this has decreased to just over half (50.2%), with the other half visiting destinations further afield.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, SEA countries which have public holidays for Chinese New Year (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei) are seeing more travel during the week of CNY than countries which do not have CNY public holidays (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar). In the week of CNY, countries with CNY public holidays make up 69.1% of all SEA bookings versus 59% of all SEA bookings for the week before CNY.
Another two trends that cut across markets are the lengthening of booking windows and the popularity of theme parks. Travellers are planning their trips further in advance, with the booking window for trips originating from Malaysia more than quadrupling – from 12 days to 51 days – this CNY compared to last year. This was similar to Thailand, where the booking window surged from nine days to 40 days, with Singapore seeing an increase of two and a half times from 18 to 46 days.
Trip.com Malaysia general manager Stephane Thong said: “Tourism is an important contributor to the Malaysian economy, and Chinese New Year is traditionally one of the peak travel periods in Asia. With the introduction of visa-free travel between Malaysia and China, the world’s largest outbound travel market, and ongoing preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we expect the recovery of the tourism industry in Malaysia to continue, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to Malaysia.”
