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PAL cuts turboprop flights at NAIA

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MANILA, 12 February 2026: Following a Manila Slot Coordination Committee advisory issued in 2025, Philippine Airlines has announced that all PAL turboprop flights currently operating to and from Manila will be discontinued, effective 29 March  2026.

All turboprop flights currently departing from MNL will relocate to other airports, such as Clark International Airport, to reduce runway congestion at Manila’s main airport (NAIA).

The Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) mandated the move, forcing all airlines to transfer regional turboprop flights to Clark International Airport.

Passengers with existing bookings for these flights will be rerouted to PAL’s alternative hubs in Cebu, Clark, and Iloilo, ensuring continued connectivity to affected destinations while maintaining full compliance with updated regulatory requirements.

Passengers will be rerouted as follows:

Manila–Busuanga (Coron)–Manila → Clark–Busuanga (Coron)–Clark

Manila–Siargao–Manila → Clark–Siargao–Clark

Manila–Antique–Manila → Manila–Iloilo–Manila

Manila–Catarman–Manila → Cebu–Catarman–Cebu

With the mandated transition of turboprop services out of NAIA, PAL will introduce additional domestic jet flights beginning March 2026, expanding capacity on high-demand routes and providing passengers with more travel options.

Expanded weekly services:

Manila–Cebu: up to 76 flights weekly

Manila–Dumaguete: up to 21 flights weekly

Manila–Iloilo: up to 42 flights weekly

Manila–Roxas: up to 14 flights weekly

Manila–Tacloban: up to 28 flights weekly

(Source: PAL travel advisory).

NAIA hits record 4.96 million passengers in January  

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recorded its highest monthly passenger traffic on record in January 2026, extending the momentum from its strongest year to date, the corporation reported last week.

New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC), the private operator of NAIA, said 4.96 million passengers passed through the airport during the month, exceeding the 4.86 million recorded in December 2025 and making January the busiest month in the airport’s history.

Passenger traffic was strong during the holiday travel period from December 20 to January 4, when NAIA served nearly 2.6 million passengers across all terminals. Travel peaked on 4 January, with 180,089 passengers passing through the airport—the highest single-day passenger volume recorded to date.

International travel continued to drive growth, with 2.42 million international passengers recorded in January, up 8.16% from a year earlier and the highest monthly international volume in NAIA’s history. Domestic passenger traffic reached 2.54 million, an increase of 3.16% year-on-year.

NAIA serves as the Philippines’ primary aviation hub, handling domestic and international operations. Under the public-private partnership, NNIC is responsible for the airport’s operations, maintenance, and modernisation, while ownership remains with the government.

(Source: NAIA)

Indonesia AirAsia opens Kendari air links

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JAKARTA, 12 February 2026: Indonesia AirAsia will strengthen air connectivity from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, by operating a new route connecting Kendari with Surabaya, Palu and Luwuk via Makassar starting 7 March, 2026. 

The new service provides more flexible travel options for Kendari residents and opens onward access (Fly-Thru) to various domestic and international destinations within the AirAsia network.

Photo credit AirAsia.

Indonesia AirAsia Acting President, Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, stated that strengthening routes from Kendari is part of the airline’s efforts to expand interregional connectivity, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.

“The operation of this route makes it easier for Kendari residents to access more destinations, both domestic and international, through the Fly-Thru service. This connectivity is expected to support public mobility, tourism, and economic activity in Southeast Sulawesi,” he explained.

Through the Fly-Thru scheme via Makassar, passengers from Kendari will be able to continue their journey more conveniently to several cities in Indonesia, such as Surabaya, Palu, and Luwuk, as well as international destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and other AirAsia regional networks, with a single booking process and more efficient connections.

According to data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS), domestic air passenger traffic in Southeast Sulawesi is on the rise. In November 2025, the number of departing passengers was 58,030, up from 50,820 in November 2024. Meanwhile, the number of arriving passengers reached 106,791, a significant increase from 51,837 in the same period the previous year. This trend reflects the increasing demand for air travel, which is expected to be further strengthened by Indonesia AirAsia’s new connectivity via Makassar.

Kendari is a gateway to prime destinations in Southeast Sulawesi, including Wakatobi’s marine tourism and the region’s rich nature and culture. Palu offers the charm of Palu Bay and the natural attractions of Central Sulawesi, which are steadily developing as domestic tourist destinations. Meanwhile, Makassar serves as a centre of trade and services in Eastern Indonesia and a strategic transit point, with a variety of tourist, culinary, and cultural attractions.

Meanwhile, Surabaya serves as a hub for economic and trade activity on Java Island, boasting a diverse range of urban and historical tourist destinations and a rich culinary heritage from East Java. Palu also offers the charm of Palu Bay and the natural attractions of Central Sulawesi, which are steadily developing as domestic tourist destinations.

(Source: AirAsia Indonesia)

Booking.com: Traveller Review Awards

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SINGAPORE, 12 February 2026: Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers with incredible places to stay and seamless transport options, announces the recipients of its 14th annual Traveller Review Awards. 

Powered by more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers across the world, the annual awards celebrate the partners who consistently deliver standout hospitality across every corner of the globe.

Photo credit: Booking.com. Takayama, Japan, joins the World’s Most Welcoming Cities list.

In 2026, 1.81 million travel partners across 221 countries and territories will be recognised with a Traveller Review Award, reflecting the growing scale and diversity of global travel. 

The honorees include 1,817,848 accommodation providers, 1,977 rental car companies, and 137 airport transfer suppliers.

Italy leads for the ninth consecutive year with 214,666 award-winning partners, followed by France (170,596) and Spain (152,292). Germany (111,685) and the UK (93,989) round out the top five. 

In APAC, Australia, Japan, and India remain the region’s top three markets, while Thailand and South Korea each climb one spot in the overall rankings.

Award-winning hospitality in 2026

Apartments remain the most awarded property type for the ninth consecutive year with 901,481 awards, followed by holiday homes (287,464) and hotels (197,658). Meanwhile, camping and villas saw the largest year-over-year increases in award recipients, each up 15%, followed by ryokans at 13%. These patterns highlight travellers’ continued interest in character-rich stays that offer a sense of place.

Rental car companies receiving an award increased to 1,977, up 49% from 2025, reflecting high service levels across local and international fleets.

 In APAC, Australia has the highest number of recognised rental car providers (136), followed by Japan (91).

New Zealand (30) and Thailand (17) also show higher year-on-year representation, highlighting the expanding role of transport services in supporting seamless in-trip journeys across the region. 

Airport transfer providers also made impressive gains, with 137 awardees, a 11% year-over-year increase. These milestones underscore the expanding role of transport in ensuring seamless in-trip journeys and exceptional service at every stage of a traveller’s trip.

Countries experiencing the most growth

While established APAC markets continue to perform strongly, some of the region’s most notable momentum comes from markets seeing a sharp year-on-year growth. South Korea leads APAC with a 46% increase compared to 2025, followed by China (39%) and Japan (29%). New Zealand (16%) and Thailand (13%) also feature among the fastest-growing markets in the region, reflecting accommodation partners’ continued commitment across APAC to delivering consistently high-quality guest experiences.

2026: The most welcoming places 

Determined by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2026, this year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth highlights destinations where the guest experience feels personal, authentic, and genuinely cared for.

From historic hilltop towns in Italy to coastal cities in Taiwan, these destinations offer hospitality that leaves a lasting impression.

(Source: Booking.com)

China-Sabah charters take off in February

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TAWAU, Sabah, 12 February 2026: Tourism Malaysia welcomed the launch of Firefly Airlines’ inaugural charter flight from Nanjing, China, to Tawau, Sabah last week, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Malaysia.

The charter series operates twice weekly, with a seat capacity of 176 passengers per flight, and will run through to the end of February 2026. This initiative is expected to meet growing travel demand from the Chinese market and enhance direct access to Tawau, a key gateway to Sabah’s east coast.

Photo credit: Firefly.

The inaugural flight was received by representatives from Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Shanghai Eagle Aviation Service, the appointed charter operator for the route.

China remains one of Malaysia’s most important source markets. In 2025, Malaysia recorded 4.6 million visitor arrivals from China, reflecting strong outbound travel demand. During the same period, total international visitor arrivals reached 42.2 million, underscoring the sustained recovery and positive growth trajectory of the nation’s tourism sector.

Commenting on the launch, Tourism Malaysia Director General Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, said: “The introduction of the Nanjing–Tawau charter service highlights the strategic importance of expanding international air connectivity to key destinations across Malaysia. Improved direct access from major Chinese cities, such as Nanjing, enhances travel convenience while strengthening Malaysia’s positioning as a diverse and compelling destination in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026. Initiatives like this play a vital role in sustaining tourism growth, increasing visitor arrivals and contributing to local economic development.”

Tawau serves as an important gateway to Sabah’s east coast, offering access to world-renowned marine tourism destinations, eco-adventure experiences and a rich cultural heritage. Enhanced connectivity is expected to positively impact visitor arrivals, tourism receipts, and the achievement of Malaysia’s broader tourism objectives.

The launch reflects strong collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and airline industry partners, with the support of Firefly Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Shanghai Eagle Aviation Service Co Ltd, further strengthening joint promotional efforts to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings to travellers from Nanjing and the wider China market in support of VM2026. 

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

Bid for an upgrade on Discover Airlines

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Newsdesk
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FRANKFURT, 12 February 2026: Travellers flying Discover Airlines can bid for an upgrade to a higher travel class themselves before their flight. 

The Lufthansa Group’s leisure airline has now adopted the upgrade model already familiar to many travellers flying with Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Edelweiss. It is expanding the service and booking experience with another flexible option.

Photo credit: Discover Airlines

Upgrades are available on all flights with seats remaining in the higher travel class: on short-haul flights from economy to business class; on long-haul flights from economy to premium economy or business class; and on long-haul flights from premium economy to business class.

Up to 60 hours before departure, travellers can check whether upgrades are available for their flight in the “Upgrades” section of the Discover Airlines website. 

Passengers who have consented to email communication during the booking process will also receive a notification if upgrades are available.

If an upgrade is available, travellers can set their preferred price within the specified range. Discover Airlines will inform passengers whether their bid has been accepted at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure.

Discover Airlines is the Lufthansa Group’s leisure airline in Germany, flying travellers from Frankfurt and Munich to holiday destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Frankfurt, it currently operates a fleet of 30 aircraft and employs around 2,100 people. Flights can be booked on the airline’s website, through Lufthansa Group booking channels and websites, and through travel agencies.

(Source: Discover Airlines)

MAG launches fare discounts for Chinese New Year

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Newsdesk
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KUALA LUMPUR, 12 February 2026: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), through its airlines Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, is offering fixed fares and additional red-eye flights between Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia as part of its efforts to meet heightened travel demand and facilitate seamless journeys home for travellers during the upcoming peak festive period.  

To support this, Malaysia Airlines will operate up to 32 additional red-eye flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 to key destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, offering travellers greater flexibility while optimising travel time during the busy season.

Photo credit: MAG.

These flights will serve key destinations in Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau, as well as Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu, and Miri in Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. During this period, Malaysia Airlines will operate up to 503 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia, enabling convenient overnight travel with early-morning arrivals while reinforcing essential domestic connectivity.

All-in-one-way fixed fares with Malaysia Airlines start from MYR339 to Sarawak and MYR399 to Sabah, valid for travel between 11 and 23 February 2026, and are available exclusively via the airline’s official website and mobile app. 

Meanwhile, sister airline Firefly will also offer fixed fares starting from MYR298 all-in one-way to Sarawak and MYR348 to Sabah. Travellers can purchase their tickets until 22 February 2026, for travel from 11 to 23 February 2026. 

Both airlines provide complimentary checked baggage, in-flight refreshments, and flexible flight change options across selected fare families, while Firefly operates from both Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 and Subang Airport (SZB). For those connecting via Malaysia Airlines, through-checked baggage and an included meal further ensure a smooth, end-to-end travel experience. 

In addition, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will support the Malaysian Government’s Chinese New Year airfare subsidy initiative by capping base fares on flights from Kuala Lumpur to East Malaysia. For travel from 13 to 16 February 2026, base fares will be capped at a maximum of MYR569 all-in one-way* for Malaysia Airlines on Economy Class and MYR548 all-in one-way* for Firefly flights, ensuring travel remains affordable and accessible during the festive period.  

MAG remains committed to making the peak festive period more joyful, offering enhanced connectivity and more convenient travel options to help Malaysians reunite with loved ones and create lasting memories this Chinese New Year. 

*Not inclusive of government taxes and fees.

(Source: Malaysia Airlines Group)

Swiss-Belhotel expands island hospitality

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Newsdesk
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BATAM, Indonesia, 11 February 2026: Swiss-Belhotel International continues expand in Indonesia’s island tourism sector with the recent signing of two new resort management agreements: Māua Kapal Kecil by Swiss-Belhotel and Villa Riahi by Swiss-Belhotel. 

The move underscores the group’s long-term commitment to developing hospitality on island destinations across the archipelago.

Photo caption:
From left: Director of PT Dewi Citra Kencana and PT Tritunas Sinar Benua Tommy Ho, Commissioner PT Tritunas Sinar Benua – Jimmi Ho, Owner of Māua Kapal Kecil by Swiss-Belhotel, and Villa Riahi by Swiss-Belhotel – Hartono, Swiss-Belhotel International Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Ecommerce and Distribution – Matthew Faull, Regional Director of Operations and Development for Indonesia – Fabrice Mini.

The first property, Māua Kapal Kecil by Swiss-Belhotel, will offer an intimate eco-luxury experience on Batam, featuring villas with private pools and suites, several of which have balconies and direct pool access. 

The second project, located in Nirup Island, Batam, will present a refined villa-style escape designed for families, groups, and long-stay guests. The property will comprise villas with two-, three-, and four-bedroom layouts, each with a private pool.

Swiss-Belhotel Chairman and President Gavin M Faull emphasised the significance of the company’s continued growth in Indonesia. “These new signings reflect our ongoing commitment to expanding Swiss-Belhotel International’s presence in key island destinations. Batam’s rising potential as a luxury getaway aligns perfectly with our vision to deliver world-class hospitality experiences that unite sustainability, comfort, and authentic local charm. We are proud to strengthen further our portfolio in Indonesia, one of our most important and fastest-growing markets.”

The addition of Māua Kapal Kecil and Villa Riahi by Swiss-Belhotel underscores the group’s strategy to enhance Batam’s appeal as a premier luxury island destination and support Indonesia’s tourism growth.

(Source: Swiss-Belhotel)

Emirates double daily to Tokyo Narita

By
Your Stories
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DUBAI, UAE, 11 February 2026: Emirates has announced the expansion of its operations to Tokyo Narita with the introduction of a second daily service from 1 May, operated by the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER.

The additional flight, EK320, will depart Dubai at 2230 and arrive in Tokyo Narita at 1330 the following day. The return service, EK321, will depart Tokyo Narita at 2130 and arrive in Dubai at 0350 the following day. All times are local.

The second daily flight will provide travellers with greater choice and enhanced opportunities for multi-destination itineraries, including the convenience of a stopover in Dubai. Eastbound passengers on the additional Narita service will arrive in the afternoon, strengthening domestic connectivity and reducing connection times from key European and Middle Eastern markets. Westbound travellers departing from Tokyo Narita will benefit from an early-morning arrival in Dubai, enabling seamless onward connections to major destinations across Europe, Africa and South America, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Brazil.

With the deployment of a refurbished Boeing 777-300ER on flights EK320/321 to Tokyo Narita, Emirates doubles down on its commitment to offer a consistent travel experience for its customers in Japan. The four-class aircraft features upgraded interiors with new design elements, including modern colour palettes, specially designed Ghaf Tree motifs, and wood finishes across all cabins. Travellers will have access to 260 of the latest-generation economy seats, 24 Premium economy seats, 40 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and eight First Class Suites.

The onboard experience is rounded off with regionally inspired cuisine, featuring Japanese dishes such as a Kaiseki meal tray. Travellers across all cabins will also enjoy more than 6,500 on-demand channels on Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, featuring movies, TV series, podcasts, music, and documentaries, supplemented by a selection of Japanese content.  

Emirates in Japan

Emirates has been serving Japan since 2002 and currently operates three daily flights to Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka, with all services offering the airline’s Premium Economy product on a mix of Boeing 777s and A380s.

From 1 May, Emirates will offer more than 22,500 seats per week to and from Japan across 28 weekly flights serving three gateways. Every week, the airline will carry 1,240 tonnes of cargo to and from the country, providing substantial capacity for local businesses to transport their products to key markets in the GCC, Europe, and Africa.

The airline has also enhanced its offering for premium customers in Narita with the introduction of its world-class Chauffeur-drive service earlier this month. The service will also be extended to premium customers in Osaka from 1 March.

Emirates offers expanded domestic connectivity through partnerships with Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways, serving 36 destinations, including 26 domestic and 10 regional points. The additional frequency to Narita further provides travellers with greater flexibility and more convenient connection options to these points and beyond.

Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, in the Emirates App, or through online and offline travel agents, as well as at Emirates’ retail stores.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates).

Agoda spotlights strong intra-Asian searches

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 11 February 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda reveals new insights for the Lunar New Year travel period, highlighting increased intra-Asia travel during the festive period. 

Agoda search data indicates that 70% of interest in travel to Japan and over 25% of interest in travel to Thailand come from within the region. These trends offer accommodation partners actionable opportunities to capture increased demand from travellers seeking regional reunions and celebrations.

The top destinations in Asia for the upcoming Lunar New Year, based on Agoda’s accommodation searches during this period, are Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka and Seoul. 

These destinations are attracting the most interest from travellers during the festive period. To help hoteliers and partners capture this seasonal demand, Agoda is offering a wide range of solutions, including the Agoda Mega Sale campaign and a series of four targeted sale events throughout the year to reach travellers at the height of booking interest. Partners can participate in Agoda’s first Mega Sale of 2026 from 10–28 February, to align their offers with seasonal travel trends and connect with guests as they plan their festive journeys.

The Agoda Mega Sale features a three-phase campaign structure to help partners maximise the season. Travellers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale, with special flash sales offering up to 70% off on 17 February. The campaign includes VIP Priority Access for Agoda VIP members from 10 to 13 February, providing early access to deals. Additionally, participation options for quarterly Mega Sales ensure that partners can flexibly maximise exposure throughout the year.

“Cultural travel moments such as Lunar New Year drive travel demand in Asia, with regional travellers making up the majority of arrivals in key markets like Japan and Thailand,” said Agoda Senior Vice President Supply, Andrew Smith.

(Source: Agoda)

PKFARE taps Trip Affiliates Network

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Newsdesk
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SHENZHEN, 11 February 2026: PKFARE, a global travel wholesaler, has announced a partnership with Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network), a leading travel technology provider for direct supplier connectivity.

Through this partnership, PKFARE will strengthen connectivity with regional and local destination management companies (DMCs), particularly across APAC. Leveraging TA Network’s infrastructure, PKFARE will access real-time rates and inventory with greater accuracy, rate competitiveness, and inventory control, enabling faster responses and more reliable service for its partners. 

PKFARE Founder and President Jason Song said, “Direct connectivity with DMCs is a key pillar of PKFARE’s long-term sourcing strategy. This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver well-curated, more competitive hotel content and greater value to our partners.”

TA Network, Regional Director – Ecosystem & Partnerships, North Asia, Jean Hsieh added: “PKFARE is a well-established global travel wholesaler with strong distribution capabilities and clear strength on operational excellence. By working together, we enable DMCs to connect more efficiently with international demand while supporting PKFARE’s commitment to providing high-quality, directly connected inventory to the market.”

The partnership will initially focus on onboarding DMCs through TA Network’s ecosystem, with plans to expand coverage across key destinations and directly contracted hotels over time. Both companies will collaborate closely to ensure seamless connectivity, scalable growth, and consistent service standards for DMC partners and travel sellers.

About PKFARE
PKFARE, a subsidiary of DerbySoft Group, is a leading global travel wholesaler focused on curating high-quality content and driving efficiency to fuel real growth.

Its inventory includes 600 airlines (400 full-service carriers and 200 low-cost carriers) and 650,000+ hotels across 100 countries, serving more than 2,000 active clients worldwide.

About Trip Affiliates Network
Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Indonesia, Vietnam & Thailand, Trip Affiliates Network provides FIT/group inbound & outbound turnkey solutions & add-on direct supplier connectivity services for travel agents, wholesalers & hotels. 

(Source: PKFARE)

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