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Langkawi hosts ASEAN Summit 2025

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 7 January 2025: Malaysia’s popular holiday island Langkawi will host the ASEAN Summit 2025 this month, attracting 1,000 delegates to three conferences for leaders of the ASEAN 10-nation bloc.

The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Board of Directors co-chairman, Datuk Zamzuri Abdul Aziz, presented details of the three ASEAN events that will convene at the island’s international convention centre, reported by the New Strait Times. 

LADA Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Haslina Binti Abdul Hamid (centre) launched the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign last week, welcoming tourists on New Year’s Day.

The ASEAN Sumit agenda starts with the ASEAN+3 Meeting (Financial Track) scheduled from 14 to 15 January on Langkawi Island. Representatives from three East Asian countries, China, South Korea and Japan, will join delegations from the 10-member countries of ASEAN.

Two other meetings — the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat from 18 to 19 January and the Special Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Energy from 21 to 23 January — will conclude the summit agenda.

Meanwhile, LADA Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Haslina Binti Abdul Hamid launched the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign last week, spotlighting 132 calendar events in the year, including the 21st Langkawi International Regatta scheduled from 13 to 16 February at the island’s Royal Langkawi Yacht Club and the 17th Lima (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) from 20 to 24 May 2025

Visit Kedah Year 2025 will headline arts, culture, sports, promotions, community, and geoparks, key elements of  Langkawi’s identity.

New Straits Times quoted Dato’ Haslina saying that of the 132 planned events, 36 are dedicated to sports and culture, 17 to international promotions, 10 to domestic promotions, and 26 to community programmes.

“In addition, there are 24 investment mission programmes and 19 geopark events, all aimed at achieving the target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals by year-end,” she told NST.

Langkawi played a key role in the Visit Kedah Year 2025 initiative, hosting a welcome reception for the travellers arriving at the island’s airport and ferry cruise ship terminal. LADA was joined in the celebratory welcome by Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports, Malaysia Marine Department and Langkawi Port officials.

LADA said it was committed to making Langkawi the destination of choice throughout the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign as a forerunner to the nationwide Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign launch.

Air India Express expands Bangkok routes

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 January 2025: Expanding its wings in Southeast Asia, Air India Express commenced services recently from Bangkok with four weekly flights to Surat in Gujarat. 

This new route marks a significant step in the airline’s presence in the region following its successful operations in Singapore.

A celebratory event was recently held at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok to mark Air India Express’s arrival in Thailand’s capital.

Senior officials from the Government of Thailand, the Embassy of India, the airport authority, the travel trade community, and representatives from Air India and Air India Express attended the event.

Surat, famously known as the Diamond City of India, benefits from four weekly flights, strengthening ties between the textile and diamond trade sectors and the Thai market. 

The airline has since commenced direct flights from Bangkok to three other Indian cities. It offers tri-weekly flights to Lucknow, the cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh, renowned for its rich heritage, thriving handicraft industries, and warm hospitality.

The airline’s tri-weekly flights to Pune, Maharashtra’s educational and IT hub, facilitate travel for students, professionals, and tourists who want to explore the region’s historical landmarks and vibrant lifestyle. 

Additionally, four weekly flights are scheduled to Amritsar, the spiritual heart of Punjab and home to the iconic Golden Temple. The new route caters to the significant travel demand for religious tourism and cross-border trade.

Reservations and ticketing are managed by TamGP CO., Ltd, the airline’s newly appointed representative agent in Thailand.

Flyers can also book on Air India Express’s website, airindiaexpress.com, its mobile app, and other major booking channels.

Commenting on the introduction of Bangkok to its network, Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said: “We are delighted to add Bangkok to our growing network in Southeast Asia and connect it to four Indian cities — Amritsar, Lucknow, Pune, and Surat.

These direct flights will make travel more accessible for Thai travellers to explore the diversity of Indian culture, complemented by an exceptional travel experience and warm Indian hospitality offered by us.”

From Amritsar: Air India Express operates 20 weekly flights from Amritsar, connecting directly to four destinations – Bangkok in Thailand, Dubai and Sharjah in UAE, and Bengaluru in the Indian state of Karnataka.

From Lucknow: Air India Express operates 86 weekly flights from Lucknow connecting directly to six Indian cities — Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune — and Bangkok in Thailand. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 18 Indian cities from Lucknow.

From Pune: Air India Express operates 83 weekly flights from Pune connecting directly to nine Indian cities — Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangaluru and Bangkok in Thailand. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 19 domestic destinations from Pune.

From Surat: Air India Express operates 40 weekly flights from Surat, connecting directly to eight destinations — Bangkok in Thailand, Dubai and Sharjah in UAE, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata in India.

Thai AirAsia top for on-time performance

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 January 2025: Thai AirAsia (FD) retains its status as the most on-time airline in Thailand, reaffirming its fifth place among Cirium’s top 10 on-time airlines in Asia Pacific. 

With an On-Time Performance (OTP) rate of 77.46%, it was the only Thailand-based airline to gain a place in the top 10 chart.

Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya commented on the carrier’s ability to rank high in the global OTP ranking by Cirium, saying it reflected Thai AirAsia’s commitment to operational excellence. 

“Throughout 2024, Thai AirAsia has focused on being the best on-time airline as part of our goal of instilling confidence and punctuality wherever we fly,” Santisuk said.

Cirium is a globally trusted aviation analytics body that presents quantifiable data and employs cutting-edge analytics to support industries from airlines and tourism to aircraft manufacturing and financial services. The institute’s in-depth data is collected from the review of approximately 3 million flights each month.

HK Express wins award for fast expansion

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 7 January 2025: HK Express Airways closed 2024 with a 40% year-on-year traffic increase, totalling 6 million passengers. 

Due to its rapid growth, the airline garnered industry recognition, winning the World’s “Fastest Growing Airline of 2024” title from OAG, a leading data platform for the global travel industry. (1)

HK Express management team greeted the six-millionth passenger at the boarding gate.

“This year has been significant for HK Express as our team meticulously expanded our network of destinations, fleet and team,” said HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao. “Not only have we surpassed six million passengers in a single year, but the industry has also recognised us as the fastest-growing airline globally. 

On 31 December 2024, the six-millionth passenger received six return flight tickets. The HK Express management team greeted the lucky passenger at the gate (flight UO668 from Hong Kong to Fukuoka).

[1] The rankings of data retrieved from OAG are based on the number of flights.

Hainan Airlines adds Singapore routes

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 January 2025: Hainan Airlines has launched flights between Singapore and two Chinese cities — Lanzhou and Yichang — Changi Airport reported in a recent blog. 

Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu province in Northwest China. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and link to the historical Silk Road. 

Image Credits: TSNN.

Yichang is located in the western Hubei province, extending along the left bank of the Yangtze River. Both flights will briefly stop at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan before continuing to their final destinations. 

After adding the two destinations, Changi Airport has direct routes to 30 Chinese cities.  

The service to Lanzhou commenced on 2 January 2025, re-establishing the link between Singapore and the capital city of northwest China’s Gansu province. Flights operate between Changi Airport and Lanzhou (Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport) four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

Flights to Yichang started on 3 January 2025 between Changi Airport and Yichang (Yichang Sanxia Airport) three times a week on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Lanzhou: Gateway to the Silk Road

Lanzhou is a busy city nestled along the banks of the Yellow River in northwest China. Travellers can glimpse the rich cultural heritage of the historic Silk Road as it serves as a gateway to the ancient trade route. The Gansu Provincial Museum showcases various artefacts from the Silk Road era.

Yichang: Gateway to the Three Gorges

“Yichang in western Hubei province will be Changi Airport’s latest and newest link to China. The city uniquely blends history and modernity, featuring ancient temples and pagodas alongside bustling streets, markets and a thriving cultural scene. No visit to Yichang is complete without a cruise through the Three Gorges, where you will see towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, making it an unforgettable experience.” Post shared by Simin Zhang (@simonzhang0207).

Hainan Airlines’ new flights to Lanzhou and Yichang are in addition to its daily flights to Haikou, operated from Changi Airport Terminal 4. 

(Source: Changi Airport route update)

Qatar Airways resumes flights to Syria

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, Qatar, 7 January 2025: Qatar Airways resumed three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, starting today, 7 January 2025. 

It marks a significant step in reconnecting the region and providing passengers access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of more than 170 destinations.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

The airline deploys an Airbus A330-200 on the route, flying Monday, Friday, and Saturday. The cheapest economy class round-trip fare is QAR2,510 (USD689).

The decision to restart operations in Syria reflects Qatar Airways’ commitment to fostering regional connectivity and supporting passenger demand. Qatar Airways is working closely with Syrian authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security, and operational standards are in place.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance. This announcement underscores our dedication to fostering connectivity and facilitating travel for our passengers.”

Flight schedule

Flight QR410 departs Doha (DOH) at 0835 and arrives in Damascus (DAM) at 1130. Aircraft A330-200.
Flight QR411 departs Damascus (DAM) at 1330 and arrives in Doha (DOH) at 1605. Aircraft A330-200.

Norwegian deploys three ships in Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 January 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates the arrival of Norwegian Spirit in Singapore, which increases its regional deployment to three ships offering sailings across Asia until March 2026.

Norwegian Spirit will offer itineraries ranging from eight to 15 days, with few sea days and extended time in port, enabling travellers to maximise their time in iconic destinations such as Osaka, Tokyo, Incheon, Singapore, and Bangkok. 

Sabah welcomed Norwegian Spirit with 2,108 passengers and 906 crew on a recent visit to Kota Kinabalu.

Three ships sail Asian seas

As part of NCL’s largest-ever Asia Pacific presence, Norwegian Spirit will be joined by Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky this year, offering travellers eight departure ports. 

From November 2025 to March 2026, Norwegian Sun will sail itineraries for 11 to 15 days, exploring Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and other highly sought-after destinations in Southeast Asia.

 In addition, Norwegian Sky is also visiting Singapore for the first time as part of her Asia season, which features several country voyages departing from Singapore and Tokyo, Japan, until March 2025, ranging from 11 to 14 days discovering fascinating destinations such as the Philippines, Japan and India.

There is also the opportunity to combine a cruise with one of NCL’s Cruisetours in Incheon, Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei, enabling travellers to explore more of Asia by land and sea in one seamless trip.

Sailings down under

Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Sun will also sail a range of Australia and New Zealand itineraries, allowing travellers to experience the breathtaking natural landscapes of the Southern Hemisphere, from rugged coastlines to lush vineyards, and to Hawaii, South Pacific and Alaska.

Looking ahead, Norwegian Jade will make her Asian debut with a seven-month season from October 2026 to April 2027. This will include 16 open-jaw voyages and two roundtrip Tokyo voyages. Itineraries span nine to 14 days, and guests can embark from four homeports — Tokyo, Incheon, Hong Kong, and Singapore — to enjoy highlights such as cherry blossom season in Japan, late-night departures in Osaka and Kanazawa, and overnight stays in Hong Kong.

Sarawak welcomes the Year of the Snake

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, Sarawak, 6 January 2025: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) extends festive season celebrations with the release of a limited-edition Chinese New Year ang pao featuring the Bornean Palm Pit Viper, a species endemic to Borneo and found in Sarawak’s Mulu and Gunung Gading National Parks. 

Since 2 January 2025, visitors have been able to collect ‘ang pao’ packets at the Visitors Information Centres in Kuching, Miri, and Sibu. Marking its seventh year, STB’s annual ‘ang pao’ tradition celebrates Sarawak’s cultural and natural heritage. Inspired by the Year of the Wood Snake, this year’s design features elegant gold stamping and the Bornean Palm Pit Viper, a symbol of resilience, growth, and Sarawak’s biodiversity. 

STB team poses with the 2025 Chinese New Year  Angpao.

Chinese New Year celebrations will welcome the Year of the Snake on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, a “symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation that also represents elegance, resilience, and mystery,” according to the Asia Society. Chinese New Year travel peaks from 28 January to 4 February.


Sarawak Tourism Board unveils its 2025 Chinese New  Year Angpao.

“This year’s ‘ang pao’ highlights Sarawak’s vital ecosystems, encouraging greater conservation awareness,” said STB Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor. “Through meaningful initiatives like this, we aim to inspire residents and visitors to discover and protect Sarawak’s natural heritage.”

The campaign emphasises Sarawak’s position as a premier eco-tourism destination. By blending cultural traditions with a commitment to environmental stewardship, STB strives to balance sustainable tourism growth with conservation.

For more information on Sarawak tourism visit: https://www.sarawaktourism.com/web/home/index/

Pandaw explores Kerala Backwaters

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 January 2025: Pandaw Cruises has opened reservations for a spectacular cruise through the Kerala Backwaters, one of India’s hidden tourism gems, on a brand new riverboat due to set sail in October 2025.

A leading riverboat cruise specialist in India and Southeast Asia, Pandaw welcomes the New Year with an impressive selection of exploration cruises on iconic rivers in India and Southeast Asia. Reservations are filling up fast for popular cruises exploring the Mekong River in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In India, cruises exploring the Kerala Backwaters will begin on a brand-new riverboat in October, in addition to Pandaw’s popular exploration cruises of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.

The 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw has been specially designed for the Kerala Backwaters itinerary while maintaining the classic Pandaw cabin and wrap-around promenade decks. This will be Pandaw’s fourth ship in India, reflecting the increasing demand for river cruises. 

SEVEN NIGHTS KERALA CRUISE
THE KERALA BACKWATERS
FROM USD4,950

The Kochi Pandaw will operate a seven-night circular itinerary from Kochi port every week. It will visit the backwaters’ main towns and remoter areas with its 900 km of waterways connecting rivers with lakes. There will be exciting visits to ancient churches, Hindu temples, artisan villages and the legendary beaches of the Malabar coast.

Cochin International Airport has flights connecting to Europe with Middle Eastern airlines, direct flights to most Southeast Asian cities, and domestic flights connecting to most major Indian cities.

Click for more information on our new Kerala expeditions. Full details: Kerala Backwaters 

The Kerala Backwaters are a network of lagoons, canals, and lakes located along the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India. They stretch for over 900 km (560 miles) and offer visitors a unique and serene experience.

Pandaw will introduce scenic riverboat cruises to explore the backwaters, passing through picturesque villages, lush green landscapes, and coconut palm-fringed canals.   

Bird Watching: The backwaters are home to various bird species, including herons, kingfishers, and egrets. 

Fishing: Fishing is a popular pastime in the backwaters, and visitors can try catching various fish species.   

Villages and Markets: Exploring the local villages and markets is a great way to experience the people’s culture and way of life along the backwaters.   

The nearest airport to the Kerala Backwaters is Cochin International Airport, located in Kochi, Kerala. It is Kerala’s busiest airport and serves domestic and international flights located about 40 km from the heart of the backwaters.

Cities close to Kerala Backwaters

Alleppey is the gateway to the backwaters and is a popular base for exploring the region. It is located about 50 km from Cochin International Airport.

Kumarakom is a small town located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, one of the largest lakes in Kerala. It is known for its bird sanctuary and its serene backwater settings. It is located about 60 km from Cochin International Airport.
Kollam is a major port city in Kerala and a popular start or end point for exploring the backwaters. It is located about 100 km from Cochin International Airport.

Click for more information on our new Kerala expeditions. Full details: Kerala Backwaters 

Emirates adds flights to Colombo

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE, 6 January 2025: Emirates introduced an additional scheduled service between Colombo and Dubai on 2 January 2025, increasing seat capacity on the route by 30% and boosting tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. 

The newly-introduced flight (EK654/655) will operate six times a week until 31 March 2025. 

EK654 will depart Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 1005 (every day except Wednesdays) and arrive in Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, at 1600 (all times are local). 
EK655 will depart BIA at 2205 and reach DXB at 0105 (the following day). 

From 1 April 2025, a seventh weekly flight on Wednesdays will operate with an adjusted departure time of 2205 from BIA, arriving in DXB at 0055, while the return flight will depart Dubai at 1320 and arrive in Colombo at 1915. 

The additional flight can accommodate up to 360 passengers, with eight suites in first class, 42 Business Class and 310 Economy Class seats, offering a premium customer experience while enhancing convenience and choice with an expanded flight schedule. Emirates operates two direct flights between Colombo and Dubai, and a third daily service is provided via Male. 

Emirates and Sri Lanka Tourism share a long-standing strategic partnership, collaborating on initiatives and programmes to boost tourism to Sri Lanka by showcasing the destination to customers across its global network. Sri Lanka Tourism recently announced its vision to appeal to eco-conscious travellers by highlighting the island’s rich natural and cultural resources. Furthermore, with the boost in capacity on the Colombo-Dubai route, Emirates will contribute to achieving the country’s tourism targets of attracting 3 million visitors by 2025.   

Emirates began operations to Sri Lanka in April 1986 and has consistently supported the country’s tourism and export industries with passenger and cargo services. Since operations began, the award-winning airline has carried more than 12 million passengers to and from Colombo. With the four daily flights, the airline will offer more than 2,800 seats daily on the service operating between Colombo and Dubai (both directions), which can carry up to 160 tonnes of cargo on the same flights.
For flight information and bookings, visit www.emirates.com

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