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Etihad and Air Europa explore partnerships

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ABU DHABI, UAE, 4 March 2025: Etihad Airways and Spanish-based carrier Air Europa are discussing details of a strategic partnership deal to enhance commercial and operational ties.

Etihad will increase its flights to Air Europa’s Madrid hub to twice daily from the summer of 2025, providing access between Abu Dhabi and Spain. 

Photo credit: Etihad.

Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said: ” We are in discussions to establish a strategic partnership covering a range of activities, including deepening our codeshare and frequent flyer programme, enabling both airlines to expand into new frontiers, and a potential wet lease operation with an Air Europa aircraft between Madrid and Abu Dhabi.”

Etihad and Air Europa already have a partnership that includes bilateral codesharing and allows members of their frequent flyer programmes to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights. The enhanced collaboration would further solidify Air Europa’s footprint in the Middle East and Asia, leveraging Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub to unlock greater connectivity for customers.

A380 flies to Toronto this summer

Meanwhile, the airline has confirmed its A380 will serve the Abu Dhabi – Toronto route during the summer of 2025.

The double-decker will start flying between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) on 24 June 2025, a busy summer travel period. 

To celebrate the A380 flights, Etihad is launching a sale until 5 March, with special themed one-way fares to Abu Dhabi in economy starting at CAD880 and in business class from CAD2,380. Return fares start at CAD1,380 in economy and CAD3,380 in business class for travel between 24 June and 8 December 2025.

IATA: Strong January passenger demand

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SINGAPORE, 4 March 2025: IATA has tracked a notable acceleration in global passenger demand this January, with a robust performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region.

Highlights were released last week by the International Air Transport Association in its airline traffic data for January 2025.

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 10% compared to January 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 7.1% year-on-year. The January load factor was 82.1% (+2.2 ppt compared to January 2024), an all-time high for January.

International demand rose 12.4% compared to January 2024. Capacity was up 8.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6% (+2.7 ppt compared to January 2024), an all-time high for January.

Domestic demand rose 6.1% compared to January 2024. Capacity was up 4.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.2% (+1.2 ppt compared to January 2024), an all-time high for January.

“We’ve seen a notable acceleration in demand this January, with a particularly strong performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region. The record high load factors accompanying this strong demand are yet another reminder of the persistent supply chain issues in the aerospace sector,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

“The strong growth in demand aligns with the results of our latest passenger survey (November 2024) in which 94% of travellers indicated that they planned to travel as much or more in the coming 12 months than they did in the past year. Airlines are doing a good job of accommodating growing demand amid fleet and infrastructure constraints, with satisfaction levels above 95% and nearly 80% of travellers agreeing that air travel is good value for money. Choice is an important component of this satisfaction. Some 70% prefer to pay the lowest fare and customise the additional services they need. It is important for regulators to clearly understand that most travellers do not want to pay automatically for services they don’t need,” said Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in January 2025 compared to January 2024, with Asia-Pacific demand particularly strong. All markets except Europe and North America showed a strong acceleration in January compared to December 2024. Load factors rose year-on-year in all markets except Latin America.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 21.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 16.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 86.7% (+3.8 ppt compared to January 2024). Traffic from Northeast Asia was particularly strong.

European carriers had an 8.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.2% (+1.8 ppt compared to January 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8% (+4.0 ppt compared to January 2024). Results in this region have been underpinned by a gradual return of Israel traffic and the strong performance of the Gulf carriers.

North American carriers saw a 3.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 0.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 81.8% (+2.6 ppt compared to January 2024).

Latin American airlines saw a 12.9% year-on-year increase in demand, and capacity climbed 15.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.3% (-1.9 ppt compared to January 2024).

African airlines saw a 14.9% year-on-year increase in demand, and capacity was up 11.2% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 75.9% (+2.4 ppt compared to January 2024).

Air India shifts flights to Haneda

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TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAM, India, 4 March 2025: Air India announced Monday a significant upgrade to its nonstop services between Delhi and Tokyo by shifting flights from Narita to Tokyo Haneda. 

Beginning 31 March 2025, Air India will operate its four weekly flights from Delhi to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), replacing its existing services to Narita International Airport (NRT) to provide passengers faster and more affordable access to central Tokyo. 

Complementing the shift to Tokyo Haneda, Air India also announced an expanded codeshare agreement with its Star Alliance partner, All Nippon Airways (ANA), to provide Air India guests convenient onward connections from Tokyo Haneda to six other major cities in Japan. This builds on Air India’s existing codeshare and interline agreements with ANA. 

Faster access to downtown Tokyo

Air India’s migration to Haneda Airport, located 18 km from downtown Tokyo, cuts travel time to downtown Tokyo from nearly one hour by road (70 km from Narita) to approximately 30 minutes. 

“Moving our flights to Haneda Airport is a significant advantage for our guests – it brings them much closer to the centre of Tokyo. With this shift, we are connecting two vibrant capitals more effectively and helping boost trade and tourism between India and Japan”, said,” Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal.

Expanded codeshare with ANA

Subject to due regulatory approvals, beginning 1 April 2025, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on ANA’s flights between Tokyo Haneda and six other cities in Japan: Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo. Air India guests can travel to any of these destinations on a single ticket, with their baggage checked to the final destination. 

Reciprocally, ANA will place its ‘NH’ designator code on Air India’s flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, Delhi and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune, enabling their customers seamless access to Air India’s robust domestic India network. 

Air India and ANA first signed a codeshare agreement in April last year, which allowed Air India to codeshare on ANA’s Tokyo Haneda-Delhi and Tokyo-Narita-Mumbai flights and ANA to codeshare on Air India’s Delhi-Tokyo flights.

Commenting on the codeshare expansion, Nipun Aggarwal added, “Our deepened partnership with ANA opens up Japan like never before for our guests. By providing easy access for our guests to ANA’s domestic Japan network and ANA’s reach into Air India’s extensive Indian network, we’re creating a stronger bridge between our two nations—making travel simpler and truly rewarding for our common guests.” 

“To promote increased exchange between Japan and India, ANA is expanding its codeshare partnership with Star Alliance partner Air India to enhance its network,” said ANA’s Executive Vice President of Alliances and International Affairs, Katsuya Goto. “This expansion, with a focus on the increased codeshare options from Delhi to six destinations within India, will provide customers with more opportunities and seamless connections, delivering a satisfying experience for premium customers in particular. This is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to provide a superior travel experience for customers flying between Japan and India.”

Growing tourism to Japan

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 233,000 Indians visited Japan between January and December 2024, a 40% increase from the previous year, underscoring Japan’s growing appeal as a travel destination for Indian tourists. 

Schedule: Delhi – Tokyo Haneda

AI358 departs Delhi (DEL) at 2020 and arrives on the next day in Tokyo Haneda (HND) at 0755. Operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
AI357 departs Tokyo Haneda (HND) at 1150 and arrives in Delhi (DEL) at 1725. Operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Air India’s Delhi-Tokyo Haneda flights will use Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 18 business class flatbeds and 238 economy seats. 

Bookings for Air India’s Delhi-Tokyo Haneda flights are open on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents. The codeshare flights will be opened for bookings progressively. 

Air Astana opens route to Danang

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 March 2025: Air Astana will introduce a new direct route from Almaty to Danang in Vietnam starting on 4 June 2025 using an Airbus A321LR aircraft for flights twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday.

With a flying time of seven hours and 10 minutes between Almaty and Danang, flight KC599 will depart Almaty at 0055 and arrive in Danang at 1005. The return flight, KC600, will depart Danang at 1145 and arrive in Almaty at 1700. 

Photo credit: Air Astana.

Roundtrip fares, inclusive of all taxes and fees, start from USD717 in economy class and USD1,991 in business class. Tickets can be purchased on the airline’s website or through authorised travel agencies. 

The launch of this new twice-weekly service will increase Air Astana’s scheduled flights to Vietnam to nine per week. Existing operations include four flights weekly between Almaty and Nha Trang and three flights per week between Astana and Nha Trang. Additionally, the seasonal route from Almaty and Astana to Phu Quoc will continue to operate until 31 March 2025.

Danang is a picturesque coastal city in central Vietnam, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage town 28 km south of the port city. 

Must-visit sights in Danang include the Marble Mountains, featuring ancient pagodas and caves with Buddhist shrines; Dragon Bridge, an iconic architectural landmark; Bana Hills Cable Car, the world’s longest (5 km) and highest (1.3 km) nonstop cable car and dramatic Buddha statue (height 67m), a symbol of serenity and spirituality.

Kazakh citizens can stay in Vietnam visa-free for up to 30 days.

HK Express schedules Komatsu flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 4 March 2025: HK Express will unlock Japan’s Hokuriku region with new direct flights to Komatsu, which will launch on 24 April 2025.

HK Express Airways unveiled its latest route connecting Hong Kong and Komatsu on Monday, noting it is the only direct service to Ishikawa Prefecture’s Komatsu Airport.

With three weekly flights to Hokuriku, the flight time from Hong Kong is just four hours, eliminating the need to connect through tedious Tokyo transfers and/or bullet train commutes.

It allows travellers to explore neighbouring gems such as Kanazawa, Toyama, Kaga and Fukui. Travellers can also craft their own multi-city ‘open jaw’ itinerary — flying to Komatsu to discover even more of Japan’s hidden treasures and then flying homebound from another city served by the airline. 

To mark the launch of the Komatsu route, the airline is rolling out a limited-time offer to Komatsu and Nagoya, with fares starting as low as HKD208* one-way (Lite fares — including one small personal item and one cabin baggage). Discounted tickets are on sale until 2345 on 4 March 2025 on the HK Express website or mobile app. 

Komatsu: 24 April – 25 October 2025
Nagoya: 10 March – 25 October 2025

Nestled in the heart of Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan’s west coast, Komatsu serves as the main gateway to the Hokuriku region. Together with nearby Kanazawa, they offer a blend of stunning natural landscapes, historical landmarks, and rich cultural experiences. Kanazawa is famous for its Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens and vibrant samurai districts. It is also home to the intricate art of Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing, which beautifully showcases Japan’s rich historical traditions. Komatsu is an ideal place for retreat, with the majestic Mount Hakusan and the serene Lake Kibagata as the backdrop. Both cities boast cultural significance, making them dream destinations for history buffs and nature lovers.  

* Limited seats available. Terms and conditions apply. Fares do not include taxes and surcharges. Please refer to the system display for the final settlement amount, which may be subjected to exchange rate fluctuations

** All flight schedules are subject to regulatory approval. The final flight details will be available on the official ticketing page of HK Express.

Oceania: Summer small ship sailings

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 March 2025: Oceania Cruises offers summer voyages to Canada, New England, and Iceland, featuring small-group shore excursions and onboard cooking school experiences. 

Two of the line’s small ships, 1,250-guest Marina and 670-guest Insignia, will sail itineraries from 11 to 19 days.

Photo Credit: Oceania Cruises. 1250 passenger ship Marina.

Marina is Oceania Cruises’ first custom-built ship. It features an onboard cooking school, which offers guests the chance to hone new skills, savour dishes from destinations they visit, and learn how food connects people and places. 

Insignia offers the charm of a smaller ship sailing to smaller ports of call, such as Eskifjördur, Iceland.

2025 Season Highlights

Marina

Scottish & Nordic Voyager: 30 June 30 – 11 July, 11 days from London to Reykjavik.
Vikings & Bon Vivant: 11 July – 27 July, 16 days from Reykjavik to Montreal. 
Far North Explorer: 27 July – 12 August, 16 days from Montreal to Reykjavik.
Northern Vistas: 12 August – 24 August, 12 days from Reykjavik to London.

Insignia

Subarctic Scenes: 6 August – 25 August, 19 days from New York to Reykjavik.

OTAs boost their attraction bookings

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 March 2025: Visitor attractions have seen a dramatic shift in distribution, with online travel agencies (OTAs) more than doubling their share of bookings since 2019.  

New research released by Arival, the leading research authority and community for the tours, activities, and attractions sector, reveals that OTAs now deliver 18% of all attraction bookings globally from less than 10% before the pandemic.

The upcoming Arival 360 takes place in Valencia from 28 to 30 April.

Arival’s new research, ‘The State of Visitor Attractions’, delves into the big changes in distribution, ticketing technology, operations and marketing sweeping across the sector. Ticket distribution for visitor attractions – cultural sites and monuments, museums, zoos and aquariums, observation decks and amusement parks – has changed dramatically over the past five years.

“Visitor attractions have long been key drivers of tourism, the very reason to visit a place,” said Arival CEO and Founder Douglas Quinby. “Travelers demand to see the great sites is boundless, but the availability of tickets and the travel industry’s technical ability to access them are not. The big online travel experiences marketplaces recognize this, and they’ve made significant investments to be able to offer attraction tickets, in some cases despite – rather than in partnership with – the attractions themselves. Much work remains to be done to connect attractions to the global travel distribution ecosystem.”

Arival’s report, based on a survey of nearly 700 visitor attractions worldwide, reveals that despite the growth of OTAs and attraction websites, offline ticket sales remain the largest point of sale. Technology remains a limiting factor. One in three attractions fail to use a modern online ticketing system and lack online connectivity to reseller partners.  

Findings from the report will be explored in more detail at the upcoming Arival 360 event in Valencia, taking place from April 28-30 at the Valencia Conference Centre. This must-attend European gathering, previously held in Berlin, will bring together creators and sellers of tours, activities, experiences, and attractions to learn, connect, and grow their businesses. 

About the report
The Global Operator Landscape (3rd Edition): The State of Visitor Attractions is based on a survey of nearly 700 attractions worldwide and conducted in partnership with GetYourGuide, The Catalan Tourism Board, Expain, Rezgo, TripWorks and Viator. This research provides a comprehensive view of the state and structure of visitor attractions worldwide. It covers key industry trends in market structure and firmographics, sales and distribution, technology, marketing and product development.

GDS Index strengthens third-party data

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TTR WEEKLY
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BARCELONA, 3 March 2025: The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement), headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, has unveiled the 2025 GDS-Index*, a performance improvement programme to assess and accelerate the progress of a destination’s regenerative journey.  

This year’s index criteria feature key refinements designed to improve accuracy, streamline assessments, and more keenly support destinations in their sustainability journey. The latest updates integrate third-party data sets, refine evaluation criteria, and align certification requirements with evolving industry standards. 

Photo credit: GDS-Index. GDS-Movement

The annual review, guided by destination input, a dedicated Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and other interested parties, ensures that the index remains a robust and transparent improvement programme. The 2025 updates introduce minimal refinements while maintaining the integrity of the assessment framework.  

Key Enhancements

Integration of third-party data: New partnerships with BeCause and Murmuration bring externally validated data into the index, improving efficiency and reducing the obligation to destinations. BeCause will provide verified sustainability certification data for hotels, while Murmuration will supply satellite data for five key environmental indicators: Renewable Energy (EN-7), Particle Pollution 2.5 (EN-12), Particle Pollution 10 (EN-13), Bike Paths (EN-16), and Green Areas (EN-19). 

Clearer certification requirements: The 2025 GDS-Index aligns with certifications that are Travalyst-compliant or GSTC-accredited, ensuring greater consistency in sustainability credentials. From 2026, certifications accepted by the GDS-Index will have to be accredited and adhere to stricter standards to maintain credibility and transparency. 

Streamlined process: Minor refinements to 14 criteria have simplified responses, integrated third-party data, and improved clarity, making the benchmarking process easier and more valuable for destinations. 

Redesigned criteria – accessibility and short-term rental – Updates reflect a more inclusive approach to public transport and public spaces’ accessibility, as well as improved evaluation of short-term tourism rental management, acknowledging diverse destination contexts. 

Enhanced transparency: The GDS-Index remains committed to consultation with the TAC and stakeholder engagement, reinforcing trust and ensuring the methodology aligns more with emerging global sustainability standards. 

Commenting on the 2025 updates, GDS-Movement CEO Guy Bigwood stated: “The 2025 GDS-Index strengthens our commitment to delivering greater value for destination management organisations. By integrating trusted third-party data from BeCause and Murmuration, we reduce administration, save time, and improve accuracy. These refinements ensure that the GDS-Index is more meaningful, insightful, and better aligned with emerging industry needs, driving real progress towards more regenerative and resilient destination management in an increasingly unsettled world.” 

Looking ahead, the 2026 GDS-Index will undergo a definitive review to align with the upcoming EU Green Claims Directive, expected to take effect in September 2026. The review process, beginning in April 2026, will be led by the GDS-Movement in collaboration with the TAC and in consultation with participating destinations to ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. 

Download the updated GDS-Index Methodology, with 76 criteria, here. 

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL DESTINATION SUSTAINABILITY INDEX (GDS-Index) 
The GDS-Index is a trusted performance improvement programme to assess and accelerate the progress of a destination’s regenerative journey. It measures, benchmarks, and enhances the sustainability strategies, action plans, and initiatives of more than 100 destination management organisations, municipal authorities, and their tourism supply chains.  

Co-founded in 2016 by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA), IMEX Group, and MCI, the GDS-Index offers an unparalleled resource for visitors, DMOs, municipalities, and event planners looking for destinations that offer vetted and verified sustainability performance.  

CBS reality show lands in Hong Kong

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 3 March 2025: CBS’s Emmy Award-winning reality competition series The Amazing Race is set to debut in Hong Kong on 5 March, bringing viewers an action-packed adventure through one of the world’s most dynamic and visually stunning cities. 

The upcoming season will showcase Hong Kong’s breathtaking skyline, rich cultural heritage and electrifying urban landscape as contestants navigate the city’s fast-paced environment in a race to win the USD1 million dollar prize.

The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan and a traditional Chinese opera singer greet contestants at the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. Photo Credit Kit Karzen CBS.

“Hong Kong is delighted to host the season premiere of one of the most successful reality competition series in television history as they race worldwide.”

The Amazing Race will incorporate a series of challenges exclusive to Hong Kong, highlighting its blend of East and West. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats, cheering on their favourite teams as they sprint and navigate challenges while testing their endurance and their relationships with their teammates. 

Dubbed the “season of surprises,” season 37 features its most enormous cast in history, adding new twists and challenges like the “Fork in the Road,” where teams must choose which direction and route they will take to the Pit Stop, which could lead to significant consequences or advantages.

“Hong Kong is delighted to host the season premiere of one of the most successful reality competition series in television history as they race worldwide,” said Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Dane Cheng. “The destination will play a starring role, and we can’t wait for viewers at home to follow along on their journey to uncover Hong Kong’s diverse offerings—from stunning greenery views to rich cultural traditions. The city will test contestants’ strategic thinking, teamwork and adaptability, as Hong Kong is known for its rapid pace, innovative spirit and unparalleled energy with surprises at every turn.”

Viewers must wait until 5 March to see which iconic spots the teams will race through, including legendary sites like Victoria Harbour, flanked by one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

The Amazing Race airs on CBS on 5 March 5 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT), and streams on Paramount+*.

For more information on Hong Kong, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com.

About The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series hosted by Emmy Award-nominated host Phil Keoghan, where two teams embark on a trek around the world. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of mental and physical challenges, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams that are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning The Amazing Race and the USD1 million prize.

*Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

ATIA welcomes Qatar’s investment in Virgin Australia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 3 March 2025: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s approval of Qatar Airways’ 25% stake in Virgin Australia. This will enhance airline competition and create new opportunities for Australian travel agents and advisors.

The increased competition on international routes means more reasons for travellers to use travel agencies and advisors to secure the best value flights, particularly for long-haul travel to Europe.

Photo credit: Qatar Airway.

“This is great news for Australians who want more choice and more competitive fares when travelling internationally, with greater choices on flights to Europe. More competition in the skies drives innovation, better pricing and improved travel services,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long. “It also increases the potential for more investment to drive domestic competition.

“This decision strengthens the role of travel agents and advisors in delivering value to consumers. For agencies, greater competition means more reasons for travellers to use agencies and their travel advisors to find the best value.”

“For our land supply members, greater competition and more competitive fares free up more of the budget for travellers to spend more on experiencing destinations through touring.”

Virgin Australia flies to Qatar

Qatar Airways Group’s minority 25% investment in Virgin Australia has now received Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval following the Federal Treasurer’s announcement last week. This follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Draft Determination earlier in February, indicating its intention to authorise the airlines’ integrated alliance, with final approval expected in March or April 2025. 

Virgin Australia now awaits a decision from the International Air Services Commission (IASC) on what is an uncontested allocation of air rights for services between Australia and Qatar, due to commence in June.

Subject to IASC approval, Virgin Australia will return to long-haul flying in June 2025, with flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha. 

Flights from Melbourne to Doha are scheduled to commence in December 2025. These flights will be operated utilising aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways. 

Virgin Australia’s new Doha flights will connect to Qatar Airways’ global network, including more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

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