Vietjet partners with Thales and CFM

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September 16, 2026

SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Vietjet has expanded its strategic partnerships with Thales and CFM International across maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft component support, digital aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

These capabilities will support Vietjet’s expanding fleet and international network, including a new Singapore–Nha Trang route launching this December.

Vietjet and Thales exchange agreements covering MRO and digital aviation in Paris in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron. (Photo: Vietnam News Agency).

The agreements were announced in Paris during the official visit by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, deepening cooperation between Vietjet and two major international aerospace technology partners while contributing to broader Vietnam–France economic and technology cooperation.

During the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to France on 10 September, Vietjet and Thales signed a key MRO contract. As part of this strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract, Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet, including A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo aircraft.

The partnership will enhance technical reliability and fleet availability while optimising costs and operational efficiency.

Vietjet and Thales also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI-enhanced airline operations. The cooperation will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision-support technologies for airline operations.

The agreements mark a new milestone in the Vietjet–Thales partnership and carry practical significance for economic, technology and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France under the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vietjet and CFM International have also signed a Letter of Intent to assess the feasibility of Vietjet developing its own solution for LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Vietnam.

Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, CFM would propose a consulting agreement to provide Vietjet with advisory services to assess engine MRO requirements, capabilities, infrastructure, workforce, and industry considerations for a potential local maintenance solution in Vietnam.

The initiative comes as Vietjet expands its large next-generation fleet. Future LEAP engine MRO capability could support the airline’s long-term operations while helping Vietnam develop high-value aerospace services, train internationally qualified engineers, and strengthen its role in the global aviation supply chain.

Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thanh Son said: “A strong aviation industry needs more than a modern fleet and an extensive network. It needs deep technical expertise and highly skilled people. Our work with CFM is an important part of Vietjet’s ambition to build a more complete aviation ecosystem in Vietnam.”

CFM has powered Vietjet’s growth since the airline took delivery of its first CFM56-powered Airbus A320ceo aircraft in 2014. The airline currently operates 50 CFM56-powered A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft. The relationship is entering a new phase through Vietjet’s recent 200-aircraft Boeing 737-8 order that includes 737-8s and 737-8-200s powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.

Singapore remains a key part of that growth, with Vietjet’s direct air links to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, adding four weekly Nha Trang services from 11 December 2026 and launching its first European service this October.

(Source: Vietjet)

Emirates doubles Miles in latest giveaway

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Newsdesk

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September 16, 2026

DUBAI, UAE, 16 September 2026: Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is giving members the chance to earn double Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates and flydubai flights.

Until 30 September 2026, members must register for the offer and book an eligible Emirates or flydubai flight for travel until 30 November 2026 to earn a 100% bonus on Skywards Miles.

The offer spans both airlines’ extensive networks and is available across all eligible cabins, including Emirates’ increasingly popular Premium Economy experience, as well as economy, business and first class. On flydubai, members can earn double Miles when travelling in economy or business class.

To take advantage of the offer, Emirates Skywards members need to register between 15 and 30 September 2026 and book an eligible Emirates or flydubai ticket during the same period. Travel must be completed between 15 September and 30 November 2026.

(Source: Emirates)

ACI World challenges airport slot system

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Newsdesk

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September 16, 2026

SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Airports Council International (ACI) World, the trade association of the world’s airports, has released a white paper calling for the modernisation of the global airport slot allocation system.

The white paper explains how an outdated regulatory framework, designed more than 50 years ago, is forcing the aviation industry into inefficient compromises and creating barriers to socio-economic competitiveness and connectivity.

It argues that the framework managing slot allocation has not kept pace with aviation’s dynamic growth and transformation. With the number of the world’s most congested, slot-restricted airports surging by over 25% in the last decade alone, and global passenger traffic projected to nearly double by the mid-2040s, the capacity crisis continues to accelerate.

ACI World is calling on regulators to engage with the industry to address the issue and modernise the slot allocation system before the capacity crunch escalates further.

“We are trying to run a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci. “Airports are doing their best to operate within an outdated regulatory framework, but the reality is that these inflexible rules and practices are preventing the industry from adapting to modern passenger demands, providing competitive fares and building resilient networks. ACI World urges regulators to sit down with the industry and finally deliver the overdue upgrade that our passengers deserve.”

ACI World warns that the challenge is significant.

The white paper Airport Slot Policy – Rethinking Airport Access in a Capacity-constrained World outlines how the current system affects stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem.

Airports are critical infrastructure, built to serve their communities and the travellers. That makes decisions about their limited capacity a matter of public interest, not just an operational detail. A small number of airports carry most of the world’s air traffic.

Fewer than 10% of the world’s airports handle nearly two-thirds of all passengers, and 85.5% of the busiest ones, those serving more than 40 million passengers a year, are already operating at or near full capacity.

The current system makes it difficult for the market to evolve, limiting competition and consumer choice, and ultimately reducing the quality of connectivity. At the 50 most congested airports, the four largest airlines account for 67% of flights. Historic access rights accumulate over time and are rarely released. Existing guidelines heavily prioritise historical allocation patterns and incumbent airlines. This makes it challenging for the system to adapt as passenger demands or economic needs change. A modernised framework would not dismantle stability. It would make the system more adaptable, so that scarce capacity can respond to how aviation and the communities it serves actually develop. ACI World believes that defending a 50-year-old status quo is the real risk to network stability and growth, but the scale of change needed cannot happen in silos.

“Airports are ready to do the work, but we cannot build the future of aviation alone,” added Erbacci. “We strongly urge airline representatives and legacy industry bodies to move past historical resistance and a ‘zero-sum’ mentality and join us in improving the slot allocation system. It is time to design a transparent, future-ready framework that unlocks operational efficiency, fosters healthy competition, and delivers the routes that the 21st-century global economy demands.”

To download the full white paper and learn more about the critical need for slot allocation modernisation, visit store.aci.aero and http://aci.aero/airport-advocacy/airport-slots/

About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organisation comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean and ACI North America.

(Source: ACI)

China Eastern Airlines upgrades booking App

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Newsdesk

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September 16, 2026

SHANGHAI, 16 September 2026: China Eastern Airlines recently launched version 2.0 of its international App, now available on the App Store and Google Play, offering global travellers a smoother, more convenient digital travel experience.

Designed around the practical needs of international travellers, the new version incorporates upgrades across key stages of the travel experience, from flight search and booking to seat selection and itinerary management.

The flight search and booking process has been streamlined, making it easier for travellers to search, select, and book their flights.

For long-haul international flights, the upgraded seat selection feature provides a clearer view of cabin layouts, seat pitch, and seat availability, helping travellers make more informed choices.

A redesigned Trip Hub automatically consolidates upcoming and past trips, helping passengers track their itineraries more efficiently.

Important flight information, including departure and arrival times, delay notifications, terminals, and boarding gates, is displayed more prominently for quick access.

In a press statement, the airline said it will continue to enhance the user experience across its travel services and introduce more international and locally preferred payment options to further improve digital services for travellers worldwide.

(Source: China Eastern Airlines)

BKK, KUL and SIN pursue gateway status

By

Andrew Wood

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September 16, 2026

BANGKOK, 16 September 2026: Competition to become Southeast Asia’s preferred tourism and aviation gateway is intensifying, with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) strengthening partnerships across ASEAN as it seeks to position Kuala Lumpur as a major gateway to Asia and beyond.

MAG, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, has expanded strategic alliances with leading travel industry organisations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

*Increased competition for inter-regional tourism traffic.*

The initiative combines airline connectivity with travel-trade distribution, joint marketing, consumer promotions and destination development, giving Malaysia a coordinated platform to attract both visitors and connecting passengers through Kuala Lumpur.

In Malaysia, MAG has renewed its partnership with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) for another three years, continuing as Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of MATTA Fair.

In Singapore, it has partnered with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), while in Indonesia, an agreement with ASTINDO will support airline and destination promotions.

Thailand is also firmly in the strategy. MAG will work with the Thai Travel Agents Association through the Thai International Travel Fair. Meanwhile in the Philippines, its partnership with Travel Innovators will use the Travel Madness Expo to develop leisure, corporate and MICE business.

The timing is significant. Malaysia is currently promoting Visit Malaysia 2026, while Malaysia Airlines continues to strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s regional and international connectivity.

The airline will resume Kuala Lumpur–Busan services in December and increase frequencies to Brisbane, Surabaya, and Fukuoka.

For Thailand, this deserves attention.

Bangkok has long enjoyed one of Southeast Asia’s strongest natural advantages as an aviation and tourism hub. Its geographical position, enormous hotel inventory, extensive airline network and popularity as a destination in its own right make it an obvious gateway for travellers exploring the region.

But neighbouring countries increasingly recognise that aviation connectivity cannot be considered separately from tourism strategy.

Kuala Lumpur is combining airlines, travel agents, destination marketing and government tourism ambitions. Singapore, meanwhile, remains one of Asia’s most efficient aviation hubs and continues to invest heavily in the passenger experience.

The question, therefore, is not simply which airport handles the most passengers. It is which destination can persuade travellers to arrive, connect, stop over, stay longer and spend more.

For Thailand, maintaining Bangkok’s gateway position will require more than additional airline seats. Airport efficiency, immigration, transit convenience, regional connectivity, visa-free entry, destination marketing and the quality of the visitor experience all form part of the equation.

Southeast Asia’s tourism gateway battle is becoming increasingly competitive. Bangkok possesses formidable advantages, but Kuala Lumpur is making it clear that it wants a much larger share of the traffic.

About the Author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. He chairs the JFCCT Tourism Committee for 2026–2028 and has held senior leadership roles with Skål International in Thailand and Asia.

Royal Cliff: 7th Fitz Club Squash Tournament

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Your Stories

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September 15, 2026

PATTAYA, Thailand, 15 September 2026: The 7^th Fitz Club Squash Tournament came to a thrilling conclusion following three action-packed days of intense competition, outstanding sportsmanship and memorable moments on court.

Bringing together passionate squash players and spectators, the tournament delivered a fun-filled weekend that celebrated not only the competitive spirit but also the friendships and camaraderie that continue to strengthen Pattaya’s growing squash community, making it more than just a sporting competition.

Vitanart Vathanakul delivered a spirited and determined performance, battling his way to the semi-finals in impressive style. Balancing his role as both a competitor and tournament organiser, he gave his all on court while also working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event’s success.

The tournament drew an impressive international field, welcoming players from France, Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, and more.

Congratulations to Kim Jin Oh of Korea on his outstanding performance and well-deserved victory, with Sathid Sujittapiban of Thailand finishing as runner-up.

The highly anticipated final kept spectators on the edge of their seats, with both players demonstrating exceptional finesse, determination and fighting spirit right through to the final point. Their closely contested rallies and relentless efforts to keep every ball in play created an exciting atmosphere on court, with enthusiastic cheers from spectators adding to the match’s intensity. Their journey to the final was equally impressive, as both players battled through the tournament from the opening day, producing consistently competitive matches and proving their determination to reach the top.

The tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of our valued sponsors, Starmakes, Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd., Kasch, Ouayporn Panit and Blue Ocean Inter Group. Their kind support and contribution helped make this year’s tournament a success, and we sincerely thank them for being part of this exciting sporting event.

*Kim Jin Oh and Sathid Sujittapiban demonstrated exceptional skill, determination and fighting spirit as they battled fiercely until the final point, with Kim ultimately claiming victory.*

Fitz Club looks forward to welcoming players, supporters and squash enthusiasts from around the world back for more thrilling tournaments and exceptional sporting experiences in the future. With its professional facilities, experienced team and proven track record in hosting international sporting events, Fitz Club continues to position itself as a premier destination for competitive sport in Pattaya.

Clubs, associations, companies and event organisers interested in hosting squash tournaments or other sporting competitions are warmly invited to contact the Fitz Club team to explore tailored event solutions and create a memorable tournament experience for participants and spectators alike.

Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness, the elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, continues to reinforce its status as a premier sports & wellness destination for professional and recreational athletes. The centre has welcomed world-class talent over the years, including former ATP stars such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke, and Denis Istomin, all of whom have trained on Fitz Club’s courts engineered to mirror Grand Slam playing conditions. With a long-standing legacy in competitive sports, Fitz Club has proudly hosted numerous high-profile events, ranging from prestigious Junior and Senior Tennis tournaments to Squash and Table Tennis competitions. This rich history underscores its reputation as one of Thailand’s most established sporting venues. Continuing its commitment to excellence, Fitz Club has further expanded its offerings with upgraded facilities for pickleball, futsal and basketball, making it a comprehensive hub for multi-sport athletes and families alike. Ultimately, Fitz Club is helping uplift Pattaya’s image as a leading hub for sports, families, and wellness.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub.

Valued Sponsors

Starmakes
Starmakes Company is a Finnish technology company based in Helsinki, specialising in designing, manufacturing, and supplying TFT, OLED, and EL displays. The company provides both standard and customised display solutions tailored to customers’ technical requirements and applications. Starmakes also manages shipments for European customers directly from its Helsinki warehouse.

Wine Dee Dee C Ltd
Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd. was established in 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand, with a vision to import quality and value wines from around the world and distribute them in Thailand. With market success, Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd. has expanded to four major tourist cities: Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, and Hua-Hin.

Kasch
A multi-award-winning company that defines what it means to specialise in luxurious sanitary ware. We go beyond our German origins and assert ourselves as a true global manufacturer by creating our own products and selecting only the best suppliers for natural stone composites.

(Source: Your Stories — Royal Cliff Hotels Group)

Pattisons on Salvation Army assignment in Bangkok

By

Andrew Wood

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September 15, 2026

BANGKOK 15 September 2026: Australian travel industry figures Rodney and Nongnuch Pattison are beginning a new chapter in their lives, relocating to Bangkok following international appointments with The Salvation Army in Thailand.

The appointments bring together the couple’s extensive experience in travel, tourism, business, operations and community engagement with a longstanding commitment to service.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Nongnuch Pattison has been appointed to Business & Operational Support and Social & Community Services in Bangkok.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Rodney Pattison has been appointed to Social & Community Services and National Lead, Partnership & Fundraising, a role that will see him develop relationships with businesses, organisations, supporters and communities across Thailand.

Rodney and Nuch are well known to many in Australia’s travel industry. They are also friends and colleagues whose careers I have followed with considerable interest.

Rodney’s early expertise included website marketing and using website software as a strategic business tool at a time when the travel industry was only beginning to appreciate its commercial potential.

Through their travel company, Travel Connections, Rodney and Nuch subsequently developed considerable expertise in the Australian cruise market

The company became particularly well regarded for efficiently handling cruise passengers and the complex logistics of embarkation and disembarkation, an area requiring meticulous organisation, communication, and attention to detail.

Those skills should translate well into their new responsibilities involving operations, partnerships, fundraising and community engagement.

The Pattisons’ association with The Salvation Army is also deeply personal. Rodney comes from a family with strong Salvation Army connections, and the organisation’s traditions of faith, service, and music have influenced him throughout his life. His father was closely involved with The Salvation Army in Australia, while music also became a bond between father and son, both accomplished musicians.

“Nuch and I are deeply honoured to have been appointed to serve in Thailand,” Rodney said. “After many years connected with the travel industry, we are looking forward to using our experience, relationships and skills in a very different way, supporting communities and helping strengthen the work of The Salvation Army in Thailand.”

Friends and colleagues from Thailand’s travel, tourism and business communities are invited to welcome Rodney and Nongnuch at a special gathering on Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 1030 at The Salvation Army Foundation, Preecha Complex, Ratchadaphisek Road 20, Bangkok.

“Thailand has been an important part of our lives for many years,” Rodney added. “We would love to see friends from across the travel and tourism industry join us in Bangkok.”

For two people whose professional lives have long been about connecting people and places, Bangkok now marks the beginning of a very different journey, one centred on service, community and giving something back.

About the author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. A longstanding member of Skål International, he is a former Director and Past President of Skål International Asia, Thailand and Bangkok. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Skål International Bangkok and a member of the Skål Asia Board. He writes on travel, tourism, hospitality and Asia-Pacific industry developments.

Klook seals two deals in Vietnam

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Newsdesk

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September 15, 2026

SINGAPORE, 15 September 2026: Vietnam’s tourism sector is having a record year. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) recorded close to 13.9 million international arrivals in the first seven months of 2026, up 13.8% year-on-year.

Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, is backing that momentum with two new strategic Memorandum of Understanding partnerships and its KREATORVERSE 2026 content creator summit, held in Da Nang and Phu Quoc in late August.

*Photo credit: Klook. Signing ceremony with Sun Hospitality.*

Vietnam: a market on the rise

Vietnam continues to cement its position among Asia’s fastest-growing destinations, and Klook’s internal data mirrors this trend, recording a 72% year-on-year surge in Vietnam travel demand for 2026.

Notably, travellers are increasingly exploring beyond traditional hotspots, with significant demand for emerging destinations. While Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi remain popular transit hubs in Vietnam, Klook is seeing 30% to 40% growth in secondary cities such as Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Sapa, and Ha Long. Alongside that, a slew of fast-growing emerging destinations such as Tay Ninh, Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh), and Haiphong are recording growth of 120% to over 200%, signalling a broadening traveller appetite for Vietnam’s less-traversed destinations.

Building the ecosystem

The new partnerships with Vinpearl and Sun Hospitality and Entertainment, two of Vietnam’s largest attraction operators, deepen Klook’s presence in the destinations already driving Vietnam’s tourism boom.

“As Vietnam’s tourism sector continues to grow, we want Vinpearl to be at the heart of that story, welcoming more of the world to Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, and beyond. Our partnership with Klook is an important step toward that ambition, connecting international travellers with the destinations we’re building for Vietnam’s future,” says Vinpearl Deputy CEO of Sales & Marketing Tran Thu Thuy.

“As more travellers look to Vietnam for their next trip, we want Sun Hospitality and Entertainment (SHE) destinations to be part of that journey. Our partnership with Klook is a step toward bringing these experiences to more travellers worldwide. We also hope that the innovative solutions developed through this partnership will serve as a catalyst not only for Sun Hospitality & Entertainment, but also for Vietnam’s tourism industry — accelerating digital transformation, enhancing the overall visitor experience, and setting new benchmarks for service excellence,” Sun Group Deputy CEO Sun Hospitality and Entertainment Tran Nguyen explains.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing travel markets in Asia, and these partnerships reflect our long-term commitment to shaping how that growth happens, not just capturing it,” says Klook Vice President, Corporate Development CS Soong. “Beyond distributing Vietnam’s extensive portfolio of experiences to our customers, we’re actively helping build the ecosystem to curate them and make them more discoverable, working alongside partners like Vinpearl and Sun Hospitality Entertainment to develop the supply behind Vietnam’s next wave of destinations.”

The new MOUs focus on curating experiences that support destination development, while strengthening how Klook drives and captures demand for Vietnam. Under the MOUs, Klook and its partners will collaborate across three areas:

● Marketing engagement: joint offline activations, on-ground events, and content creator familiarisation trips, targeting key markets such as Southeast Asia, India, China, and Vietnam (domestic).

● Strategic expansion and product development: supporting new site launches and curating exclusive offerings and deals.

● Data-sharing and performance review: regular exchange of on-the-ground market insights to inform joint planning.

Experience-led travel: the new source of destination competitiveness

Asia is proving increasingly resilient as a travel region, drawing a growing share of global demand amidst shifting travel patterns. Within that growth, the depth and distinctiveness of on-the-ground experiences increasingly set individual destinations apart.

Klook’s latest Travel Pulse 2026 study shows how experiences are driving travel decisions in 2026 and beyond. 23% of APAC travellers begin planning with a specific activity and determine their destination from there, and 73% of APAC travellers say they would visit a secondary or lesser-known city specifically to attend a unique local event, festival, or activity.

Photo credit: Klook. Klook and Vinpearl sign an MOU.

(Source: Klook)

Emirates scores strong summer boost

By

Newsdesk

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September 15, 2026

DUBAI, 15 September 2026: Emirates carried over 8.6 million passengers between July and August; arrivals into Dubai on Emirates in the second half of August alone were up 7% on the same period in 2025.

Fleet and network: 104 aircraft retrofitted to date; Premium Economy now available on 137 aircraft. 18 aircraft delivered since January, with six more A350s arriving before year-end.

Bookings for winter, beginning in late October, are tracking positively despite a broader shift where customers are making travel decisions closer to departure. South Africa, Brazil, India, Portugal, Egypt, Ghana, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are among the markets where demand is currently tracking ahead of last year, alongside Nepal through Emirates’ partnership with flydubai.

Strong summer demand

Emirates services to and from West Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa all recorded seat load factors well above 75% during the summer, with particularly strong performance on routes to and from Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire and across the UK.

Over the summer, the airline boosted its flexibility proposition with one free date change anywhere across the network, and unlimited free date changes to Dubai. It also reduced refund fees on Dubai journeys. It introduced Comprehensive Travel Cover, a first-of-its-kind policy which includes medical cover protecting against conflict and airspace disruption, backed by airline-managed accommodation, ground support and rebooking where needed.

More destinations

Emirates’ network will continue to expand heading into winter, with new destinations, additional frequencies and more of its latest aircraft deployed across key markets.

Helsinki joins the Emirates network on 1 October, launching with the A350. The aircraft currently serves 30 destinations from Dubai, increasing to 36 by year-end.

Emirates is also adding capacity on several routes to meet demand. Accra, Tokyo Narita, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will receive second daily services, while one of the airline’s daily Delhi services will be upgraded to an A380.

Emirates will deploy the A350 to Larnaca, Malta, Nairobi and Hamburg from late October, followed by Mauritius in November. Retrofitted Boeing 777s will be introduced to Stockholm in October and Frankfurt in November, extending Emirates’ latest onboard products to more markets.

Beyond its own network, Emirates’ 168 codeshare, interline and intermodal partnerships give customers access to an additional 1,750 cities. On an average day, more than 13,000 Emirates customers connect to their destinations on services operated by partner airlines.

(Source: Emirates)

SriLankan appoints acting CEO

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Newsdesk

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September 15, 2026

NEW DELHI, 15 September 2026: Vipul Misra has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, effective from 9 September, the airline reports.

Photo credit: SriLankan. Vipul Misra, acting CEO, SriLankan.

In a press statement, the airline said the acting CEO brings over two decades of aircraft engineering and aviation leadership experience to the assignment.

Misra’s background spans major commercial carriers, including Air India, Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and Air Deccan.

His expertise across legacy, full-service, and low-cost carriers should provide strong technical and operational direction during this interim period, as Sri Lanka’s national carrier works to enhance performance and long-term sustainability.

Meanwhile, the airline reported that its services to the Middle East are back in full force, with the resumption of six weekly flights to Kuwait, completing the restoration of its network across the region. SriLankan’s Middle East network spans Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait.

(Source: SriLankan)

Vietjet partners with Thales and CFM

Emirates doubles Miles in latest giveaway

ACI World challenges airport slot system

China Eastern Airlines upgrades booking App

BKK, KUL and SIN pursue gateway status

Royal Cliff: 7th Fitz Club Squash Tournament

Pattisons on Salvation Army assignment in Bangkok

Klook seals two deals in Vietnam

Emirates scores strong summer boost

SriLankan appoints acting CEO

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