DOHA, Qatar, 19 January 2024: Qatar Airways Holidays is making Inter Milan (FC Internazionale Milano) matches more accessible to fans worldwide by creating new fan travel packages.
The comprehensive packages include return flights, accommodation and match tickets and are available for purchase on qatarairways.com/inter.
Qatar Airways was named the Official Global Airline Partner of Inter Milan in November 2023.
Qatar Airways Holidays senior vice president Steven Reynolds said: “We believe that travel and sport are two global unifiers. Thanks to our world-class airline, convenient holiday packages, and growing football portfolio, we bring fans closer to their passions and the teams they support.”
The club’s 400 million fans worldwide can plan a visit to the San Siro Stadium in Milan through Qatar Airways Holidays’ packages.
Packages Offer:
· Return Flights with Qatar Airways; · Hotel accommodation. Fans can choose from a wide range of hotels throughout Milan to meet their specific needs; · Match Tickets. Guaranteed “Category 1’ match tickets for home games at the San Siro Stadium, ensuring fans have premium seats to witness Inter’s matches; · Avios: Fans are encouraged to sign up for Qatar Airways’ loyalty programme, Privilege Club, before securing their travel packages to earn Avios and Qpoints and accumulate rewards for future travel experiences. Members can also book these packages using Cash + Avios.
Qatar Airways operates three daily flights from Doha to both Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino.
SINGAPORE, 19 January 2024: Qantas has announced it will reintroduce direct flights between Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory and Singapore this December. It last operated direct flights between Singapore and Darwin in 2006.
Commencing 9 December 2024, the new Qantas flights will add more than 60,000 seats annually and provide visitors to Australia with a convenient gateway to access the Changi Airport hub to connect to other destinations in Asia. The flights will also provide Singaporeans with a direct Qantas option to Darwin, with connections to the airline’s extensive network around Australia.
Initially, the airline will offer five weekly flights using a dual-class Embraer E190 aircraft, increasing to daily flights in March 2025.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the Darwin service was a welcome addition to the airline’s international network out of Singapore.
“We’re thrilled to be offering our customers another new route and strengthening the important trade, business and tourism links between Singapore and Australia,” said Wallace.
“The direct service is great news for Singaporeans wanting to visit Darwin and for those travelling to Alice Springs, Adelaide and other cities, saving hours of travel time by no longer having to fly via the other Australian capitals.
“This new service makes it much easier for Qantas customers from Singapore and across Asia to incorporate Darwin into their Australian itinerary and experience everything the Northern Territory offers.”
The new route is in addition to the other Australian destinations that Qantas currently operates from Singapore, such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Fares starting at SGD792 opened for bookings on 17 January via qantas.com/sg or through travel agents.
BANGKOK, 19 January 2024: Thai Airways International is appealing to early birds to snatch up bargain fares for travel between May and November 2024.
It offers a 25% discount on its ‘Super Early Bird’ if you book by 31 January for the travel period 1 May to 30 November 2024.
Targeting Thailand residents, the airline lists popular destinations for the discounted fares, leading off with Japan with the Bangkok-Tokyo roundtrip economy class fare pegged at THB22,050 and the roundtrip to Osaka at THB21,325. The flight to Hong Kong will cost THB9,315 for a round trip, and Singapore will cost THB9,925.
For flights further afield, a roundtrip fare to Sydney, Australia, will cost THB38,148 and London THB37,790. The early bird special fare to Seoul, Korea, a top destination for Thai travellers, starts at THB20,500 roundtrip.
All the fare deals are for direct flights to the destinations and in economy class.
How does the airline calculate the discount — 25% off what? (We assume it’s off the full website fares?) But it is not spelt out when browsing through THAI’s listing of bargain destinations promoted through its social media posts. However, a check of Skyscanner’s fares for travel from 1 to 15 May for direct flights from Bangkok to popular destinations worldwide delivers fares that are close to or even cheaper than what THAI quotes in its early bird promotion.
Skyscanner signals a roundtrip fare to Singapore at around THB9.411 and to cities in Japan at THB14,247. A roundtrip flight to Seoul, Korea, starts at THB11,189. The cheapest roundtrip fare on a direct flight to London is THB36,180.
SINGAPORE, 19 January 2024: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), is selling bargain fares to over 55 destinations until 22 January 2024.
The network sale offers fares from SGD67* for selected travel periods in 2024 to more than 55 destinations in Australia, China, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Top-selling destinations will likely be Bali, Jeju, Krabi, Langkawi, Lombok, and Phuket, which appeal to Singaporean residents. According to a 2024 travel trend report by Skyscanner, Singaporean travellers say they intend to take as many trips in 2024 as they did in 2023, if not more.
48% of Singapore respondents also indicated that the price of flights was their number one cost factor that determined their destination choice.
South Korea: (fares start from SGD175). Plan a holiday to Korea’s historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace and trendy neighbourhoods in Gangnam and bask in the tranquil landscapes of Jeju Island’s volcanic terrain.
Thailand: (fares start from SGD89). From vibrant nightlife to serene temples and world-class shopping, Bangkok offers an astounding mix of tradition and modernity.
Vietnam: (fares start from SGD84). Step into the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City and be greeted by a blend of rich colonial past, modern skyscrapers and a colourful street life.
Scoot is allocating 200,000 promotional seats for sale across Scoot’s network, with perks such as 10kg of cabin baggage allowance and the choice of a range of travel destinations and dates that fit your schedule. Travel periods vary depending on the destination booked.
SINGAPORE, 19 January 2024: Skyscanner’s latest data reveals an increase in airline and hospitality searches across the board for the peak holiday season up to 9 January in four Asia Pacific country markets.
When comparing searches from 26 December 2023 to 9 January 2023 versus from 26 December 2023 to 9 January 2024, the following countries with strong outbound travel markets registered substantial increases in travel-related searches:
· Singapore: 13% increase in searches; · South Korea: 42% increase in searches; · India: Increase of 39% increase in searches; · Australia: 8% increase in searches.
Comparisons of redirects* recorded from 2 to 8 January 2023 with 1 to 7 January 2024: · Singapore: 24% increase in redirects; · South Korea: 17% increase in redirects; · Australia: 28% increase in redirects.
The Skyscanner search tab ‘Everywhere’ was also the most-searched ‘destination’ on Skyscanner in 2023. It’s a valuable feature on Skyscanner that allows users to see all possible destination cities within a specific travel timeframe, with flights ordered by lowest to highest price around the world from your chosen departure airport.
The top destinations so far in January 2024 based on Skyscanner’s top search destinations data (up to 9 January 2024) by travellers resident in Singapore, South Korea, India, and Australia are:
Skyscanner vice president strategic relations and development Hugh Aitken commented: “January is the peak booking time for many travellers, and across Skyscanner platforms, we are seeing record-breaking numbers as we start the year.
“It’s clear that travellers are searching for inspiration and booking ahead for leisure and VFR travel. Airlines and destinations will need to compete for this demand, and we already see seat sales being put into the market to this effect. For example, we’ve seen numerous flash sales organised by airlines, such as Jeju Air, HK Express, and Eastar Jet.”
*Redirecting is when one URL points to a new destination. We use them when content is outdated or unpublished and archived, giving users a place to go instead of landing on a 404 page.
SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: Resorts World Cruises launches its new season with cruise itineraries starting 5 May 2024 to 13 April 2025 and offering more shore excursion time.
The latest season will introduce a new schedule with the group’s ship, Genting Dream, sailing from Singapore three times a week.
Cruise options — Singapore
Two-night Weekend Getaway cruises depart every Friday.
Two-night Kuala Lumpur* cruises sail every Sunday.
Three-night Phuket Cruises or Penang-Kuala Lumpur* cruises every alternate Tuesday.
Arrival and departure schedules at each port change to improve on-shore time for guests to enjoy local attractions and activities.
Cruise options — Kuala Lumpur
Cruises originating in Kuala Lumpur* are also bookable every fortnight.
Three-night Singapore-Penang cruises depart Mondays, and the four-night Singapore cruises depart Thursdays.
With regular weekly cruises from Singapore to Malaysia, vacationers can visit two of the country’s destinations — Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the latter renowned for its diverse food, colourful festivals, rich traditions and contrasting modern and old architecture.
Genting Dream cruise packages offer attractive benefits that are inclusive of complimentary
Genting Dream features 35 restaurants and bars spread across 18 decks, an impressive 999-seat theatre, a water park at sea with a pool, and six thrilling waterslides.
SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: First-time travellers will be able to explore the fascinating sights of northern Vietnam by small river ship and combine the experience with a cruise exploring the upper Mekong River in Laos and Thailand during Pandaw’s upcoming sailing season from September 2024 to March 2025.
In northern Vietnam, the cruise traverses the Red River delta and its main tributaries, connecting the wonders of Halong Bay with the excitements of downtown Hanoi and then on into the interior, well off the beaten track where no other tourist craft operators. This combines scenic beauty with the Red River’s lively, interesting (sometimes industrial) life and is the latest addition from Asia’s specialist river cruise operator, Pandaw.
From the Red River to the Mekong
After exploring northern Vietnam, the combo cruise itinerary moves on a three-country expedition of the upper Mekong River, traversing Laos to touch the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet.
Starting in Vientiane, the old French capital and so redolent of L’Indochine, the cruise of the upper Mekong River visits the UNESCO World Heritage Luang Prabang. Then, it sails to the Golden Triangle, where the cruise ends in far North Thailand. (There are upstream and downstream itineraries). Pandaw is the first river expedition operator to offer specialised cruises spanning Laos on the navigable stretches of the Mekong River since World War II.
Pandaw’s latest and unique combo itinerary takes in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, the fascinating Red River through northern Vietnam, and then explores the remote and untouched Upper Mekong River in Laos.
There is no better way to explore this magical region than sailing Pandaw’s small expedition vessels, which feature inclusive flights, hotels and transfers between cruises.
Cruise dates have now been released for the season from September 2024 to March 2025. There are special offers to mark the launch of these fascinating combo cruises, such as no single supplement available on selected dates. Book online to reserve a preferred stateroom with Pandaw in Vietnam and Laos by visiting pandaw.com, or by contacting the sales team at [email protected]
Halong Bay, Red River & Laos Mekong Combo HALONG BAY – CHIANG KHONG 21 nights FROM USD7,970 PP
The journey from Vientiane to Chiang Saen on the Mekong River is packed with history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. Here’s a peek at some of the must-see destinations included in river cruises:
Laos
Vientiane: This charming capital city boasts the magnificent Pha That Luang, a towering Buddhist stupa that’s the national symbol of Laos. Explore Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, and wander through the bustling morning market. Pak Ou Caves: Located on the banks of the Mekong, these caves house thousands of Buddha statues of various sizes and styles, offering a truly mystical experience. Luang Prabang: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is a serene gem where French colonial architecture meets traditional Lao temples. Witness the daily alms procession of saffron-robed monks, explore the Royal Palace Museum, and cruise the Nam Khan River. Thailand:
Thailand Golden Triangle: The infamous meeting point of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, this region offers a glimpse into the history of opium production and trade. Visit the Hall of Opium Museum and soak in the stunning mountain scenery.
Chiang Khong: This charming riverside town in the Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand on the banks of the Mekong River facing the Lao town of Huay Xai is known for its laid-back atmosphere, historical significance and the stunning natural beauty of the river vistas.
The town is home to Wat Phra Kaew, a beautiful temple housing a replica of the Emerald Buddha from Bangkok. The town hosts the vibrant Mekong Lantern Festival every November, illuminating the river with thousands of colourful lanterns.
Chiang Saen: This ancient Lanna Kingdom city boasts the ruins of Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, a hilltop temple offering panoramic views. Explore the Chiang Saen National Museum and explore the region’s rich history. It is also the home of the first glass skywalk in Chiang Rai province, with panoramic views of the mountain ridges and the Mekong River valley
Mekong River cruises include visits to traditional villages along the river, offering a firsthand experience of local life and culture. There are excursions to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, where you may be lucky and spot elephants and gibbons.
Local markets with handcrafted souvenirs and delicious street food highlight any river cruise stop. But remember, the beauty of a river cruise lies in the journey itself. You can relax on the deck, watch the changing scenery, and soak in the tranquillity of the Mekong River. Keep your camera or mobile handy to capture the moment fishing folk cast their nets across the river’s surface and the vast mountainous landscape on remote sections of the river.
DUBAI, UAE, 18 January 2024: As many people dedicate the first month of a new year to resolutions, new goals, travel plans and a renewed commitment to a healthier lifestyle, Emirates shares some top tips on how to ‘fly better’ in 2024, with wellness at the forefront.
Minimise stress using technology
Travelling can be stressful for some, but it’s also easier than ever, with technology offering customers more control over their journey. Download the Emirates app to have a range of information and services at your fingertips – you can book and change flights, check-in online and choose seats, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about your flight, check what meals will be served, pre-order your hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment.
Keep your hand luggage light
Emirates offers a generous luggage allowance for all customers, dependent on route and fare type, ranging from 20kg to 50kg for checked baggage. However, if you overpack your hand luggage, you risk suffering from neck or shoulder pain after carrying a heavy bag through international airports. Take care while lifting bags into the overhead luggage compartments onboard, and take a tip from Emirates Cabin Crew, who employ the manual handling skills of bending knees while lifting to protect their back from injury. Keep your hand luggage to a minimum for maximum comfort while travelling.
Tune into happiness and wellbeing content on ice
With customer wellbeing as a priority, Emirates ice provides a dedicated area for happiness and wellbeing content onboard. Nature relaxation series invites audiences to slow down on soothing, majestic journeys to natural paradises. At the same time, an array of explorative documentaries discover ways to live life to the fullest and fulfil your potential. Emirates ice also offers guided meditations and specially curated relaxation playlists.
Stretch
Emirates is renowned for providing customers with generous legroom in all classes. Economy class customers can relax on spacious reclining seats, while Premium Economy customers will experience seats that recline with a six-way adjustable headrest and calf and leg rest for personalised comfort. Business class seats recline to a lie-flat bed with a complimentary mattress and pillow on many flights, while first-class customers will sleep soundly in their private suites. To stay refreshed during and after a long flight, performing simple in‑seat exercises every few hours can benefit customers in all classes. Emirates recommends specific exercises such as foot circling, knee presses, shoulder circles and neck stretches, which are explained in the in‑flight magazine and on the Emirates website. Even these small and regular exercises can help blood flow and mobility when on a long flight.
Enjoy Emirates’ nutritious, locally sourced food
Serving more than 110 million meals across the Emirates network each year, Emirates dishes are nutritious and delicious across all classes. Emirates’ master chefs design multi-course menus to highlight seasonal products and celebrate locally sourced ingredients. Emirates uses the freshest ingredients for authentic, regionally inspired meals, with many artisan suppliers providing high-quality ingredients and produce, like Bateel dates from the UAE, Monte Vibiano olive oil from Italy, Yarra Valley feta cheese from Australia and fresh salads and herbs from Bustanica, the Emirates-owned world’s largest vertical farm.
Drink Dilmah tea to aid digestion
Emirates partners exclusively with Dilmah Tea, a renowned Sri Lankan tea company that explains healthy, natural teas can aid digestion significantly after a meal. Black or green tea aids digestion, reduces cholesterol, and improves gut health. Dilmah tea also contains powerful antioxidants rich in protective plant compounds and may reduce the risk of cancers and aid cardiovascular health. Tea contains some caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, which relaxes the mind while enhancing mental alertness, focus, and concentration. Tea has less caffeine than coffee, providing a more moderate and sustained energy boost without causing jitteriness, ideal for passengers travelling through time zones. Chamomile Herb Infusion contains a natural antioxidant that enhances sleep quality and can support passengers who need to sleep on long-haul journeys.
Hydrate
Hydration is the key to comfort when flying, and drinking water before, during, and after a flight is the best way to care for your body while travelling. The quality of the drinking water onboard Emirates is regularly monitored, and it is safe and healthy for consumption. Water tanks, equipment used for transportation and supply lines provide perfectly potable water through regular disinfection, maintenance, and audits. Emirates Cabin Crew can provide cups of water to customers, or you can refill your own water bottle onboard. First and business-class customers will be offered freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juice onboard, too. Many Emirates frequent flyers supplement their hydration with soluble oral rehydration tablets – an electrolyte mix recommended for travel, available to purchase onboard through EmiratesRed.
Replenish skin moisture
Flying is the perfect time to treat your skin to some extra hydration, whether with your own favourite product or some complementary, world-class products from Emirates like Swedish skincare range Byredo in First Class, Bulgari skincare and lip balm in First and Business Class, and additional organic skincare and hand creams from Voya in First and Business Class bathrooms and A380 Shower Spa– the acclaimed natural brand from Ireland. Customers can experience a rich moisturiser from The White Company in economy-class bathrooms. If you forget to pack your own skincare, EmiratesRed offers a wide range of cult favourites from Kiehls, Clinique, Dr Levy, Clarins, Shiseido and La Merto purchase onboard. You can even purchase a Payot Hydra 24+ Travel Set for just USD29, featuring a moisturiser and eye cream.
Breathe mindfully
Emirates’ modern aircraft fleet provides excellent levels of ventilation. The air change rate in the aircraft cabin has been proven to be better than that of office buildings and trains, comparable to hospital operating theatres. All Emirates flights are non‑smoking, so airborne pollutants are far lower than on most city streets or buildings. Fresh air is constantly added to recycled air through very fine HEPA filters that remove 99.997% of all dust, viruses, fungi and bacteria, so Emirates customers can breathe deeply knowing the air is clean and safe, as shown in this video. Popular deep breathing exercises like ‘box breathing’, where you inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds and hold for four seconds, can help customers induce a deeper state of relaxation. Regular travellers will know that the air in all aircraft has low humidity, which can sometimes cause mild drying of the skin, nose, throat, or eyes. Some frequent travellers recommend using a nasal spray to hydrate the nasal passages before flying, hydrating eye drops and removing contact lenses for additional comfort.
Maintain good hygiene
It is important to maintain good hygiene while travelling to stay healthy. Customers can rest assured that their journey with Emirates is of the highest hygiene standards, as all Emirates aircraft are cleaned after each trip. Complimentary comfort items like blankets, headphones, cutlery, and amenities are always presented to passengers in hygienically sealed packaging. Each aircraft lavatory is equipped with sanitising soap and hand washing instructions, disposable tissues for drying hands, and disposable toilet seat covers for extra hygiene. First-class customers travelling on an A380 can also take advantage of the onboard shower spa and refresh with a temperature-controlled shower and spa area with a vanity unit, wash basin, changing area and toilet, a hairdryer, full-length mirror, heated flooring, leather seating and exotic flowers to create a relaxed ambience.
Treat yourself to a massage
One of the best ways to relax before or after travel is to enjoy a massage, which helps loosen stiff muscles, release toxins and rehydrate the skin. The Timeless Spa is in the First and Business Class Lounges of Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport (DXB). It offers a range of treatments and beauty therapies tailored to customer preferences using luxury Babor products. In the First Class Lounge, a selection of spa treatments are complimentary for customers. For flight and booking information, visit www.emirates.com.
SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: In a joint effort to promote sustainability in the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Biosphere have partnered to promote sustainability criteria in the hotel industry under the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative.
In the current landscape of globalisation and information saturation, where sustainability holds paramount importance, the proliferation of new standards and eco-labels poses a significant challenge for the sector. Identifying clear and consistent sustainability criteria has become increasingly difficult.
Biosphere and WTTC have joined forces and solidified their commitment to fostering a more sustainable hotel industry to establish fundamental steps for global sustainability practices,
This marks a significant milestone for global hotel sustainability, benefiting over 2,500 hotels.
As partners of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), both organisations are optimistic that standardising their sustainability concepts will undoubtedly catalyse widespread adoption by hotels worldwide.
WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson said: “Hotel Basics is a crucial and inclusive industry initiative, ensuring hotels continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of travellers and the planet.
“The collaboration between Biosphere and WTTC is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.”
The recently signed agreement between WTTC and Biosphere will lay the groundwork for a network of international criteria homogenisation.
This initiative aims to facilitate the industry’s transition from basic criteria to more advanced global standards, aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 goals of the United Nations. This connection is made possible through the Guide for Sustainable Tourism of UN-SDSN Spain and Biosphere.
Responsible Tourism Institute president Tomás de Azcárate Bang said: “Sustainability must be viable, understandable and achievable. This requires consensus and harmonisation of concepts, steps, and measures, which this agreement seeks to accomplish.
“Harmonising languages and processes will establish a more stable and defined international framework for all stakeholders aligning with sustainability models.
“This partnership signifies a milestone for the industry. By synching our approaches, we are paving the way for a rock-solid international playbook, inviting all players worldwide to align with sustainability models”.
This collaboration will integrate the WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics verification and the Biosphere methodology, creating the most comprehensive international framework for the sector with a unified vision connected to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Hotel Sustainability Basics emerged due to a clear demand from a significant group of global hotel brands to develop fundamental sustainability criteria that all accommodation providers must meet as a minimum, designed for the industry, by the industry.
Hotels, guest houses and tourist residences will be able to adopt the 12 criteria of the initiative, focusing primarily on the following main lines of action:
Measuring and reducing energy and water consumption, as well as reducing waste and carbon emissions
Fundamental actions to protect the environment.
Fundamental actions towards a positive contribution to the communities in which they are located.
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. WTTC promotes the sector’s sustainable growth, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, boost exports and generate greater prosperity while safeguarding the environment.
SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: Lufthansa launched a new service connecting Hyderabad to Europe on 17 January using its newest long-haul Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft
Lufthansa German Airlines has introduced five weekly direct flights from Frankfurt, Germany, to Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana, marking a growing commitment to India and enhancing its presence on the subcontinent.
The airline flies from Frankfurt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. LH752 departs Frankfurt at 1055 and arrives in Hyderabad at2355. The return flight LH753 departs Hyderabad at 0155 and arrives in Frankfurt at 0705
Once known as the City of Pearls due to its historical significance in the pearl and diamond trade, Hyderabad has long been a hub for merchants and traders worldwide.
Today, Hyderabad is India’s 4th largest city, an emerging technological, aerospace and Indian pharma hub, with a strong presence of major multinational companies, including Google, Microsoft, Boeing and Airbus. An investment hub as well as a centre for innovation, Hyderabad combines the old-world charm of its rich history with the dynamism of 21st-century India.
Lufthansa now operates direct connections from Germany to five destinations in the country, Hyderabad-Frankfurt being the latest addition to its global network.
As the fastest-growing major market for Lufthansa globally, capacity growth in India exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Lufthansa Group senior director of South Asia George Ettiyil noted: “Including our new Hyderabad-Frankfurt service, we now offer Indian passengers 64 weekly flights to our hubs in Europe and onward connections to the biggest network on the European continent. As we launch Hyderabad, our capacity to India has increased by 14% (relative to 2019), making it the fastest-growing major market for Lufthansa.
“With Bangalore-Munich and now Hyderabad-Frankfurt services, we have launched two new routes in the past three months, recognising South India’s growing relevance and demonstrating the strong overall importance of India to the Lufthansa Group.”