DOHA, 9 June 2026: Qatar Airways continues to increase its capacity between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by gradually expanding frequencies between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) from two to five daily services.
The additional frequencies will be introduced in phases to meet growing demand and provide greater flexibility for passengers travelling between the two cities.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
The existing two daily flights will increase to three daily flights effective from 5 June, followed by the introduction of a fourth flight from 15 June, with a fifth daily flight resuming during the summer season. The flights will be operated on Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft.
This expansion reinforces Qatar Airways’ commitment to enhancing connectivity within the region and supporting both business and leisure travel between Qatar and the UAE with up to 35 weekly flights.
Qatar Airways has been steadily restoring its network across the Middle East and is currently operating to over 20 destinations in the region. The airline resumed operations to Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ) in April, and restarted flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH) in May.
Building on this momentum, Qatar Airways is continuing the phased restoration and expansion of its global network to over 160 destinations by this summer.
YANGON, 9 June 2026: Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has been restructured and renamed the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture.
The change occurred on 10 April, following the 2025–2026 elections, and a subsequent Union Government ministerial reshuffle that concluded in April. Culture, which had been under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture since 2016, moved from religious affairs to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Meanwhile, the country’s religious portfolio reverted to a standalone Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Photo credit: MHTC.
Myanmar International TV noted that the shift expands the role of the hotels and tourism ministry from hotel licensing, travel service regulation, and tourism marketing, to also overseeing Myanmar’s cultural and heritage assets.
“Its unified mandate now explicitly focuses on driving cultural tourism by integrating the management of the private hospitality sector with the preservation of local traditions, fine arts, and heritage conservation,” said Myanmar International TV.
Heading the newly restructured Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture (MHTC) is Union Minister U Maung Myint, who took office in April 2026 following the post-election ministerial reshuffle.
RIO DE JANEIRO, 9 June 2026: Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Philippines, will become oneworld’s 16th member airline following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a press briefing held at the International Air Transport Association’s 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“This is a defining moment for Philippine Airlines,” said PAL Holdings, Inc President Lucio C Tan III. “Becoming a member of the oneworld alliance and strengthening Southeast Asia’s representation within the group significantly brings the Philippines and the region closer to the world like never before.
Photo credit: Oneworld.
Together with our partners, we will deliver greater choice, consistent journeys, and a world-class travel experience that reflects the warmth of Filipino hospitality.”
Philippine Airlines was invited to join oneworld as a member-designate airline by the oneworld Governing Board, comprising the chief executives of all member airlines.
“Philippine Airlines’ entry into oneworld supports our long‑term strategic growth and strengthens our connectivity across key markets in the Asia Pacific region,” said American Airlines Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the oneworld Governing Board, Robert Isom. “The airline has a proud heritage and will serve a critical role in our Southeast Asia network.”
Philippine Airlines will further expand oneworld’s global network, adding 31 destinations throughout the Philippines and beyond. The airline’s growing international network will support customer demand across Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, complementing existing services currently offered by oneworld members.
“Philippine Airlines is a globally respected carrier with a strong commitment to innovation and customer service that aligns with oneworld’s reputation for delivering a premium experience across the travel journey,” said oneworld Chief Executive Officer Ole Orvér. “This decision is an endorsement of oneworld, and its global customer offering. We look forward to welcoming Philippine Airlines into the alliance.”
Following its entry into oneworld, members of Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles programme will enjoy reciprocal opportunities to earn and redeem miles and points across all oneworld member airlines. The airline’s eligible top-tier customers will enjoy access to oneworld Priority benefits and access to more than 700 premium airport lounges, including oneworld’s branded lounges in Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon airports, as well as First Class lounges and check-in areas, a benefit unique to oneworld fliers.
BANGKOK, 8 June 2026: An art exhibition titled Art for Tourism will be presented in Yangon this June, highlighting the role of visual art in promoting tourism, preserving cultural heritage and creating meaningful connections between travellers and destinations.
Organised in conjunction with the Mekong Tourism Forum 2026 and supported by Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture, the exhibition will convene at Pan Pacific Yangon from 15 to 18 June 2026 and at Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon from 20 to 30 June 2026.
Shwedagon in Yangon by Sai Pyae Sone Aye.
Curated by travel consultant and art curator Jaffee Yee, the exhibition features the work of three contemporary Myanmar watercolour artists: Arkar Myo, Aung Htet Lwin and Sai Pyae Sone Aye.
Through a collection of watercolour paintings, visitors are invited to experience some of Myanmar’s most iconic destinations, including Shwedagon Pagoda, Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, Inle Lake, Bagan and Hpa-An.
For Yee, the exhibition demonstrates how art can inspire travel and cultural understanding. “Art captures the spirit of a place,” said Yee. “We hope these paintings encourage visitors to discover more of Myanmar’s culture, heritage and people.”
Its connection with the Mekong Tourism Forum 2026 further highlights the importance of culture as a driver of sustainable tourism. The MTF brings together tourism leaders and industry professionals from across the Greater Mekong Subregion to explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation and responsible tourism development.
Once Upon a Time in Mandalay by Aung Htet Lwin.
About the artists
Aung Htet Lwin Aung Htet Lwin was born in 1991 in Pantanaw, Myanmar. He is a full-time professional artist known for his atmospheric urban landscapes and expressive contemporary watercolour paintings. He graduated from the National University of Arts and Culture (NUAC), Yangon, specialising in painting.
Sai Pyae Sone Aye Sai Pyae Sone Aye was born in 1980 in Khamti, Sagaing, Myanmar. He is an acclaimed professional watercolour artist. Recognised for his deep mastery of the medium, he is highly celebrated for capturing the unique qualities of light and atmosphere, with a particular focus on urban scenes, vivid landscapes, and natural scenery.
Arkar Myo Arkar Myo was born in 1992 in Mandalay, Myanmar. He began studying fine art under a private instructor at the age of seven, training diligently for six years. During his childhood as an aspiring artist, he actively participated in numerous national and international competitions.
Mandalay Palace by Arkar Myo.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, tourism lecturer and hospitality consultant with more than four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s tourism and hotel industry. A former hotel general manager and regular contributor to regional travel publications, he is widely recognised for his insights into tourism development, destination marketing and sustainable travel.
DUBAI, UAE, 8 June 2026: Emirates has promoted two Emirati female pilots to captains, marking a pivotal step forward in its commitment to empowering Emirati women in aviation.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri both rose through the ranks of the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme, an initiative that has graduated numerous Emirati pilots.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by ambition, passion, and a lifelong dream of taking to the skies. With strong mentorship and continued support from the airline’s fleet management, she steadily progressed through the ranks, building her career from the ground up.
Bakhita Al Mheiri began her journey with Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011. Inspired by successful Emirati female pilots and driven by her passion for flying, Bakhita continued to achieve one milestone after another, building a strong and successful career with Emirates.
Hanan and Bakhita have both officially received their fourth stripe this year, becoming the first Emirati female captains at Emirates, both operating the Boeing 777 fleet. With many years of experience in their respective careers, they both reflect a determination as strong as ever, and their ambitions continue to reach new heights.
Hanan has accumulated 9,253 flying hours throughout her journey as a pilot. Speaking about her promotion, Hanan said: “When I was 14, I saw the UAE’s first female pilot on TV and was struck by her confidence and presence. From that point on, all I wanted was to become a pilot.”
Receiving my fourth stripe is a proud milestone, but I don’t see it as the destination. This is just the beginning. I don’t believe the sky is the limit. The path to command is built over time, and my years as a First Officer prepared me for this moment.”
On her personal and professional growth shaped by the mentorship at Emirates, Bakhita said: “My journey at Emirates has been deeply influenced by the mentorship and guidance I received from exceptional training captains and leaders throughout my flying and command journey. Their experience, professionalism, and willingness to share knowledge not only strengthened my technical and leadership skills but also shaped me personally by instilling the value of responsibility, discipline, and continuous learning. One of the most meaningful lessons I gained throughout this journey was the importance of passing knowledge and experience forward. With the opportunity and responsibility I have been given as a captain, I hope to carry forward the same values and mentorship that were invested in me, and to support and guide the younger generations beginning their own flying journey, so they too can continue contributing to the future and success of the UAE.”
A message from Hanan and Bakhita to the next generation of aspiring female pilots: “Our leadership has long recognised women as essential partners in shaping our nation’s future, and Emirates is creating the environment and opportunities for women to thrive, and we will continue to build on this for future generations.”
About the National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP)
Launched in 1993, the NCPP is a fully funded initiative by the Emirates Group and has so far graduated many Emirati pilots, including Hanan and Bakhita. These pilots have moved on to become captains, training pilots, and senior leaders at Emirates and across the UAE aviation industry. This demonstrates the airline’s ability to foster long-term career growth and progression for Emiratis.
The programme offers comprehensive flight training at Emirates’ Flight Training Academy, combining world-class instruction, advanced technology, and rigorous safety standards. From foundational theory to hands-on flying experience, cadets are guided through every stage of their journey, preparing them for long-term careers as professional pilots with Emirates and for other air carriers. Cadets also experience robust training at Emirates’ new pilot training centre as part of the programme.
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 June 2026: Conrad Kuala Lumpur has named Paola Caciolli as General Manager of the brand’s first property in Malaysia and its Southeast Asia flagship.
Scheduled to open in Q4 2026 in the Malaysian capital’s Golden Triangle, the hotel marks a significant milestone for the Conrad brand in the region.
Photo credit: Conrad Kuala Lumpur. Paola Caciolli will lead Conrad Kuala Lumpur, the brand’s first hotel in Malaysia.
Beyond its long-established role as a regional business gateway, Kuala Lumpur is increasingly appreciated for its dining scene, cultural diversity, design-forward hospitality and neighbourhood experiences.
Caciolli brings more than 26 years of luxury hospitality experience across Asia and Europe, spanning hotel pre-openings, brand positioning, operations, commercial strategy and guest experience. Her leadership background includes senior roles across Hilton’s luxury portfolio, including Waldorf Astoria, as well as extensive experience in China, Italy, the United Kingdom and France.
She has been leading Conrad Kuala Lumpur’s pre-opening preparations since 2021, drawing on a track record that includes multiple luxury openings and brand introductions. Before joining Conrad Kuala Lumpur,
Caciolli had considerable experience opening hotels and overseeing marketing positioning and guest experience strategy. Her previous roles also include senior leadership positions at Waldorf Astoria Beijing and Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria, as well as cluster luxury hotel experience in Europe.
BANGKOK, 8 June 2026: The numbers are looking good, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirming strong participation in Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026, taking place 10 to 12 June.
In its preview press release, the TAT says it will welcome “429 global buyers, 428 Thai sellers, more than 60 international media, engaging in an estimated 15,400 appointments. This year’s theme is “Healing is the New Luxury.”
Photo credit: TAT.
The event will be hosted at the NICE Pattaya Convention and Exhibition Centre in Chon Buri, which is part of Nong Nooch Gardens and its attractions. This year’s TTM highlights wellness tourism, sustainable travel, regional routes, digital trade support, and major global events while supporting “Hidden Gem” destinations.
Commenting on the B2B show, TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said: “As TAT’s annual strategic trade platform, TTM+ connects global travel buyers with Thai tourism businesses and presents the depth, quality, and diversity of Thailand’s tourism offer to the international market. The strong buyer response to this year’s event reflects continued confidence in Thailand despite global economic uncertainty and wider international challenges. TAT believes TTM+ 2026 will create meaningful business opportunities, strengthen Thailand’s global tourism profile, and distribute benefits to entrepreneurs, communities, and related sectors nationwide.”
International buyer participation has risen by 5.7% compared with the event’s 2025 turnout, with ASEAN (33%), East Asia (28%), Europe (24%), and the Americas (15%) leading the way. Increased participation from the Americas signals renewed long-haul demand and growing confidence in Thailand’s tourism sector.
Thai sellers include hotels, tour operators, attractions, entertainment businesses, golf courses, travel technology providers, wellness resorts, hospitals, and related services.
Participants will also include TAT STAR-certified operators aligned with Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs), CF Hotels members, and Thailand Tourism Award winners.
Beyond the scheduled appointments, TAT will showcase Thailand’s tourism direction, market-ready products, and partnership opportunities.
Key sessions include the opening ceremony and welcome reception on 10 June at Alexa Beach Club Pattaya, and Pattaya Night on 11 June at the Columbia Pictures Aquaverse.
The Pre-Tour programme on 10 June has received strong interest from international buyers, with all seven routes fully registered. The programme will give participants first-hand exposure to Chon Buri’s tourism assets, including nature, lifestyle, golf, yachting, and community-based experiences.
Following the trade mart, the Post-Tour programme from 13 to 16 June will connect participants with five regional routes across Thailand: Rayong–Chanthaburi, Prachin Buri–Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom–Kanchanaburi, Surat Thani–Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Chiang Rai. These itineraries are designed to develop new market-ready products, extend business engagement beyond the trade floor, and distribute tourism income nationwide.
SINGAPORE, 8 June 2026: The PuLi Group has appointed Dean Winter as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 June 2026, a significant milestone as the brand prepares to reveal PuLi Shanghai’s remake as a new chapter of growth.
Photo credit: PuLI Group. Dean Winter, Chief Executive Officer.
This appointment underscores PuLi Group’s ambition to evolve from an iconic flagship hotel into a refined collection of distinctive luxury properties across Asia and beyond.
Winter brings more than three decades of leadership across some of the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands, most recently as Managing Director of Swire Hotels, whose portfolio includes The Upper House Hong Kong.
Winter will lead strategic direction, brand development, and portfolio growth, working alongside a seasoned executive team as the group advances its expansion across key Asian markets.
He will also oversee The PuXuan in Beijing and the RuMa in Kuala Lumpur, both of which are managed by Urban Resort Concepts.
PuLi Shanghai is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, preserving what has distinguished the property since inception while reimagining its spaces, dining, and wellness offerings in line with the standards that will guide every future PuLi property.
The PuLi Group is a family-owned hospitality brand that currently comprises three properties: PuLi Shanghai, which opened in 2009; PuXuan in Beijing; and RuMa in Kuala Lumpur.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 8 June 2026: Riyadh Air has welcomed its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at the airline’s home base in Riyadh, a milestone for the airline as it prepares to expand commercial services.
“To see our very first custom-built 787 Dreamliners touch down in Riyadh is a historic moment for us, and a momentous day for Saudi aviation,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas… “We are building an airline, and also opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom.”
Photo credit: Boeing.
The deliveries are a step forward for Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
Riyadh Air’s fleet plan includes up to 72 Boeing 787s that will connect the Kingdom to regional and long-haul markets, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, and serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.
“Riyadh Air is bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel, and we are delighted to support them as they open new possibilities for the Kingdom and the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO Stephanie Pope. “The 787 Dreamliner gives Riyadh Air unmatched efficiency, flexibility across routes and a beautiful interior that will deliver a phenomenal travel experience.”
The new aircraft features a four-class cabin configuration: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy with a total of 289 seats.
Commercial ticket sales for a daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service started last week, ahead of the deployment of the new aircraft on the route, set for 1 July.
Meanwhile, the airline has been experimenting with ad hoc flights to London since October, using a leased Boeing 787, with ticket sales limited to airline staff and their families.
Riyadh Air recently signed a partnership agreement with Air India to lay the groundwork for future codeshare and interline arrangements, designed to offer seamless connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and broader international destinations once operations expand.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the airline’s immediate sights are set on scaling up to nearly 20 destinations by the end of 2026, with an ultimate goal of reaching more than 100 destinations by 2030.
SINGAPORE, 8 June 2026: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released estimates showing that global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production is expected to reach around 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, representing just 0.8% of aviation fuel use, at a cost to airlines of USD4.3 billion.
“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production. Five years after committing to achieve net-zero by 2050, SAF production will account for only 0.8% of airline fuel use this year.
“The path to meeting 65% of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ manifest lack of interest. The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF. But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialise in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.
Photo credit: IATA. The aviation sector has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
IATA is calling for coordinated action across four priorities:
Expand renewable energy supply to underpin SAF production and ensure sufficient feedstocks and clean energy are available.
Ensure open access to fuel infrastructure, including pipelines, storage, and airport fuel systems, to enable fair competition and efficient distribution.
Strengthen policy support by effectively sequencing production incentives and investment frameworks to provide certainty and reduce risk before any mandates are imposed.
Enable a global SAF market with sufficient volumes at commercially viable prices, critical for an airline’s financial and economic sustainability.
A book-and-claim system is essential for transforming the SAF market from local to global by making it accessible to airlines and SAF producers regardless of domicile. A global SAF market must also be supported by harmonised standards that create enduring rules and fair competition.
The e-SAF problem
Along with SAF (from biofuel sources), e-SAF (electro-SAF) will also play an increasingly important role in the decarbonisation of air transport. Converting renewable electricity via a power-to-liquid (PtL) process can produce e-SAF. E-SAF does not require biomass or waste oils, but does require large amounts of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, water, and CO2.
The EU and the UK have mandated e-SAF production of around 0.6 million tonnes by 2030. However, global production capacity currently operating and under construction stands at around 0.02 million tonnes, with only one production site in operation. It would take approximately 20 commercial-scale refineries to achieve the mandated volume. Moreover, no new final investment decisions for e-SAF facilities have been made over the past year.
“The 2030 e-SAF targets by the UK and the EU are beyond unrealistic – they are utterly detached from reality. It is a reckless energy market creation strategy to impose mandates before production is enabled. Such a strategy will only drive up the price. Coupled with penalties, it diverts scarce resources from being allocated to actual CO2 emissions reductions. The strategy is also bewildering, given that Europe has the highest renewable energy prices in the world. A serious strategy would first scale up renewable energy production to drive down its price and build e-SAF production capacity on sound economic grounds. Only at that point can mandates achieve the desired results,” said IATA’s Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen.
Passenger support for decarbonisation
The latest IATA passenger survey (April 2026) shows strong and consistent support for decarbonising air transport. 89% of passengers believe the industry should continue reducing emissions even if governments scale back their efforts, and a similar share sees flying as essential and as something that must be made sustainable, rather than restricting its use.
This support is backed by a willingness to act: about two-thirds of passengers (66%) say they are willing to pay more to compensate for emissions, and nearly 88% expect ticket prices to rise as a result of sustainability investments.
Passengers also clearly favour “real” decarbonisation solutions, with 25% prioritising SAF funding and 23% prioritising emissions-reduction technologies, far ahead of taxes (10%).
Importantly, sustainability is already influencing behaviour: nearly half of travellers (48%) look at carbon emissions when choosing flights, and among those who do, over 85% say it affects their decision, while around three-quarters say they prefer airlines with stronger environmental performance.
Overall, the data points to a clear message: passengers expect air transport to decarbonise, are broadly supportive of the transition, and increasingly factor sustainability into their choices, even if cost and convenience remain important.
