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Qatar Air launches Kinshasa flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, 16 April 2024: Qatar Airways will expand its network this June to include Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enabling greater frequencies and increased capacity to Luanda, Angola.  

This latest network expansion provides passengers with greater travel choices within a key region of Africa, opening up a new entry point for international travel from Africa to China, Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent, using Doha, Qatar, as a gateway. 

Starting 1 June 2024, Luanda will see a frequency increase from one weekly flight to four weekly flights, with a combined service to Kinshasa, which Qatar Airways will serve for the first time. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with 22 business class seats and 232 economy class seats. 

Flight Schedule:

Solo sailing without a price penalty

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TTR WEEKLY
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16 April 2024: Travelling solo doesn’t have to be limiting or come with a heavy price tag increase. Pandaw is recognised as one of the best solo cruise operators in the small river ship category worldwide* due to its user-friendly policy for singles and solo travellers.

It delivers ‘no single supplement’ on the widest range of dates in river cruising, including travel dates during peak seasons.

Meeting like-minded travellers is easy thanks to the famous ‘Pandaw spirit’ spacious and comfortable community areas plus daily cocktail hours. Special single tables are available as an option during meals upon request.

(*2023 WAVE awards, Pandaw nominated ‘Best for Solo Travellers’).

To view available dates with no single supplement, choose your preferred itinerary and navigate to the dates where you will find dates labelled: Singles welcome. No Single Supplement.

You don’t have to pay more to travel solo as Pandaw offers a comprehensive list of No Single Supplement departure date options in Asia, covering all of Pandaw’s destinations and even including departures in peak months.

Also, Pandaw’s distinct vessel design and famous ‘Pandaw Spirit’ encourage communal camaraderie, meaning solo travellers quickly make new friends and future Pandaw travel companions. 

Luxury small-ship river cruises in Asia

For over 25 years, Pandaw has been the leader in Asian River Cruising. It currently operates 17 beautiful ships exploring amazing countries — India, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

India

In 2019, Pandaw launched three new routes using its small luxury ships in Northern India, covering nearly all of the main waterways: the Lower Ganges River or Hooghly, the Upper Ganges.

The Mekong River Southeast Asia

The mighty Mekong River wends its way through six countries, and a Pandaw cruise allows you to explore remote parts of these countries that the average traveller wouldn’t get to see.

Vietnam and Cambodia

Vietnam and Cambodia are countries brimming with a complex culture and extreme landscapes. Pandaw cruises explore the great towering limestone islands of Halong Bay and sail the Red River. They journey to the majestic, awe-inspiring Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, sailing the Mekong River and Tonle Sap. Cruises navigate the maze of channels floating villages in the Mekong Delta at the southern tip of Vietnam.

Laos River Cruises

Pandaw’s spectacular Laos river cruises allow you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River from Vientiane in Laos to Chiang Khong in Thailand.

Discover where Pandaw sails

To book visit pandaw.com or engage with the Pandaw team through the email [email protected].

Trip.Biz simplifies business travel bookings

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 16 APRIL 2024: Trip.Biz, a rapidly growing digital travel management company under the Trip.com Group banner, unveils its all-new app, which promises to disrupt how businesses handle travel arrangements.

In its introductory press statement, Trip.Biz says it is poised to revolutionise corporate travel management with its easy-to-use technology and extensive offerings while prioritising sustainability.

Trip.Biz’s new innovative app offers a range of benefits with its 24/7 customer support in multiple languages. It empowers users to streamline their processes and ensure a seamless corporate travel experience.

From the booking perspective, the app boasts features like flight and hotel booking, with options to modify, cancel, or request refunds seamlessly. Employees can book point-to-point, roundtrip, or multi-point journeys. The app provides a user-friendly and convenient interface for managing itineraries, enhancing the overall experience for travellers.

On the management side, the app offers powerful approval functions, allowing for personalised approval processes. This means approvals can be managed centrally, even across different countries and cost centres, streamlining the workflow for managers. The flexible approval workflow ensures adaptability to varying organisational structures and requirements.

Alongside the app’s debut, Trip.Biz  unveils its fresh new logo, a striking symbol of its commitment to meeting corporate travel needs. The logo embodies Trip.Biz’s core values: people, technology plus inventory, and sustainability, represented by orange, blue, and green, respectively.

Trip.Biz also offers a massive inventory of offerings, providing an extensive range of content from hotels, flights, car services, and more, giving businesses the power of choice.

Trip.Biz Chief Marketing Officer Violet Zong said: “Trip.Biz empowers users to navigate the complexities of corporate travel with ease. Our commitment to user-centric experience is further echoed in our fresh new logo, symbolising our dedication to meeting the ever-changing needs of modern businesses while upholding our core values.”

Trip.Biz displays international flights to 147 countries. Additionally, its network of business travel hotels spans 230 countries and regions and partners with around 2 million hotels worldwide. Its international ride-hailing services are available in over 60 countries and over 600 cities.

To experience its latest features, download the app, which is now available on IOS and Android.  

About Trip.Biz
Trip.Biz is a digital TMC powered by Trip.com group. Headquartered in Singapore, Trip.Biz is elevating business travel management through human-centric technology, rich inventory and sustainable solutions on one platform. With roots dating back to 2006, Trip.Biz has already garnered the trust of over 15,000 large-scale corporations and more than 980,000 small to medium-sized enterprises in business travel worldwide. Our global customer service POSs cater to clients across different time zones.

Airlines avoid Iran air space

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 16 April 2024: Airlines home-based in the Asia Pacific are rerouting their flights to Europe due to closed airspace in the Middle East following Iran’s recent air raids on Israel.

At the weekend, airlines in the UAE have either cancelled or rerouted flights due to closed or restricted airspace over Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq. 

All major Middle Eastern airlines reported rerouting flights, which lengthened journeys to European capitals and North America. They have also cancelled direct flights to Tel Aviv and neighbouring Amman, Jordan.

Qantas rerouted its direct Perth to London service, adding a stop in Singapore, although the return flight from London can still fly nonstop to Perth due to favourable jet streams that reduce fuel burn.

Southeast Asian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways International have rerouted flights to Europe to avoid Iranian airspace, which has lengthened flight time. According to local media reports, “Singapore Airlines has stopped using Iranian airspace as a “’precautionary measure’ amid Middle East tensions and is diverting flights to alternative but longer flight paths, effective 13 April.”

The Israel-Hamas war risks escalating into a wider conflict after Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel since Saturday. Iran has vowed retaliation over an Israeli strike on 1 April, which levelled an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria, killing seven members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, including two of its generals.

Lufthansa and its subsidiaries Swiss Air and Austrian Airlines also use alternative flight paths to avoid Iran’s airspace. Lufthansa said it was suspending flights to and from Tehran up to and including Thursday, 18 April. ” a company spokesperson said.

Emirates Airlines, which had cancelled some of its fights and rerouted others due to temporary airspace closures in the region over the weekend, is now resuming scheduled operations to and from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.

The situation in the Middle East is fluid, but as of 15 April, several airlines were diverting flights bound for Europe due to airspace closures. Airline passengers are advised to contact their airlines if they are booked on connecting flights from airline hubs in the Middle East, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

Airlines that suspended flights to specific regions:

Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai (all UAE-based). Most flights have resumed effective 15 April.
Lufthansa (Germany), Austrian, Swiss International Air Lines.
El Al (Israel).

General diversions reported:
Qantas (Australia)
Kuwait Airways
Lufthansa Group

These airlines diverted flights by using airspace over Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead of the usual paths through Iraq, Iran, or Israel.

Southeast Asian airlines that are diverting flights to avoid Iran air space:
Singapore Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Thai Airways International
Vietnam Airlines

More airlines will likely avoid Iranian airspace in the near future until tensions in the Middle East decrease. 

Here’s why

Safety Concerns: The recent missile strikes and drone attacks raise concerns about potential danger in the region. Airlines prioritise passenger safety and may choose to avoid areas with heightened risk.

Insurance Costs: Insurance companies might raise premiums for flights going through Iranian airspace, making it a less economical option for airlines.
Airspace Closures: Neighbouring countries like Iraq and Jordan might close their airspace again if tensions escalate, forcing airlines to reroute flights anyway.

Air Canada flies to Singapore year-round

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 16 April 2024: Air Canada is flying a direct Vancouver (YVR) – Singapore (SIN) service, the airline’s longest flight, covering a distance of 12,818 km and a flight time of 16 hours and five minutes.

Four weekly flights operate out of Vancouver year-round on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The return flights depart Singapore on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

A Star Alliance founding airline, Air Canada has codeshare connections with alliance partner Singapore Airlines to offer connecting flights to cities in Southeast Asia, India and Western Australia. 

Air Canada has established Vancouver as its Pacific hub for services to Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong and Bangkok (seasonal flights).

“The reality of directly connecting Singapore, Southeast Asia’s most active economic gateway and financial hub, with British Columbia, Canada’s gateway to the Pacific can mean limitless opportunities. This new direct flight opens fresh opportunities for travel and tourism, business collaboration, and access to global markets that will directly benefit people in Singapore, Southeast Asia, and throughout our province,” said British Columbia Minister of State for Trade Jagrup Brar during the inaugural ceremony on 4 April.

“I am pleased Air Canada has chosen YVR to host the only nonstop flight between Canada and Singapore,” said YVR President and CEO, Tamara Vrooman. “This new route will generate CAD18 million in economic output and support jobs across the sector. We welcome this new service, which will grow tourism, support increased trade, and, importantly, connect families and friends across the Pacific region. The service launch to Singapore speaks to the continued investment Air Canada is making in Vancouver, which benefits our community and the regional economy.”

Schedule: Vancouver-Singapore

The Vancouver-Singapore route is operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with 298 seats in a three-class configuration — business premium economy and economy.

Bangkok served by seasonal flights

Meanwhile, the airline serves the Vancouver-Bangkok route with seasonal daily flights from December 2023 to May 2024. Seasonal flights to Bangkok were first introduced in December 2022 with just three weekly frequencies. The airline subsequently increased frequencies to daily from 8 January 2024 to 28 February 2024 and then back to four weekly flights through to mid-May 2024.

First reported by Aviation Week, the airline confirmed last week that it intends to bring forward the launch date for seasonal flights to Bangkok for the winter season of 2024/2025. It will commence three weekly flights on the YVR-BKK route starting 27 October 2024 and will increase to five weekly flights in November 2024, continuing until the end of the winter timetable on 30 April 2025.

Asia flight changes from December 2023 to Oct 2024

Air Astana boosts flights during summer

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 16 April 2024: Air Astana will resume flights from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to Seoul in South Korea, boost domestic and international flights, and increase frequencies across its network during the summer flight schedule that began last week.

The airline will resume direct international flights from Astana to Seoul and domestic flights from Astana to Kostanai. Seasonal flights from Astana and Almaty to Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, will operate three times a week, together with flights at the same frequency from Astana to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi and from Almaty to Heraklion in Crete.

The summer flight schedule also includes flight increases on routes from Almaty to Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, up to 14 times a week; to Kyrgystan’s capital, Bishkek, up to eight times a week and Tbilisi, up to nine times a week; to Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe up to four times a week; to Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku up to three times a week and to Urumqi in western China up to five times a week. Flights from Almaty to Seoul will now operate daily. Flights from Astana to Tashkent increase to three times a week.

About Air Astana Group
Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions in terms of revenue and fleet size. The group operates a fleet of 50 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline established in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019.

Finnair plans double daily Tokyo flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 16 April 2024: Finnair has updated its traffic programme for summer 2025 by adding more flights to Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan.

In Japan, Finnair will add frequencies to make it double daily to Tokyo — daily flights to Tokyo Haneda and daily to Tokyo Narita in the summer of 2025. Additionally, Nagoya will get a third weekly service. 

Photo credit: Finnair. Finnair plans flights to Kirkenes, Northern Norway, in the summer of 2025. Hurtigruten Cruises sails to and from Kirkenes. 

Finnair will also introduce a new destination in Northern Norway, Kirkenes, starting in the summer of 2025*. Finnair will fly to Kirkenes from Helsinki via Ivalo three times a week, using a 68-seater ATR aircraft. The new route serves Finnish and international travellers looking to explore Finnish Lapland and Northern Norway and experience, for example, the famous Hurtigruten cruise that sails to and from Kirkenes.  

In the Baltics, Finnair will add frequencies to Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius for the summer of 2025. Finnair has also updated its winter 2024 traffic programme on the Helsinki-Dallas route to offer year-round daily flights. 

*Winter season 2024: 27/10/2024 to 29/3/2025; summer season 2025: 30/3/2025 to 25/10/2025.

Vietjet: A turnaround profit in 2023

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 16 April 2024: Vietjet released its 2023 audit report last week, indicating a robust expansion of its international flight network and a revenue generation of USD2.16 billion from its transportation business.

Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) reported that its separate air transport revenue and consolidated revenue reached VND53.7 trillion (USD2.16 billion) and VND58.3 trillion (USD2.35 billion), respectively, increasing by 62% and 45% YoY in the order given. 

Vietjet launched the Brisbane – Ho Chi Minh City route.

Pre-tax profit

Notably, the company recorded a turnaround of pre-tax air transport profit and consolidated profit at VND471 billion (USD18.98 million) and VND606 billion (USD24.42 million), respectively.

As of 31 December 2023, Vietjet’s total assets totalled more than VND86.9 trillion (USD3.5 billion). The company’s debt-to-equity ratio was at 2, well below the typical global range of between 3 and 5. Vietjet’s liquidity ratio stood at 1.3, which was within good range of the aviation industry. The cash and cash equivalents balance, as of 31 December 2023, was reported at VND5.051 trillion (USD203.62 million), ensuring the airline’s financial capacity.

In 2023, Vietjet paid approximately VND5.2 trillion (USD209.63 million) of direct and indirect taxes and fees.

Network expansion

Vietjet operated 133,000 flights with 25.3 million passengers onboard – a surge of 183% YoY, of whom more than 7.6 million were flying internationally during 2023.

Vietjet launched 33 new domestic and international routes, bringing the total number of routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes.

Notable routes included Ho Chi Minh City – Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City – Vientiane, Hanoi – Siem Reap, Hanoi – Hong Kong, Phu Quoc – Taipei, Phu Quoc – and Ho Chi Minh City/ Hanoi – Jakarta, etc.

Vietjet is also now the largest operator of flights connecting Vietnam to India and Australia, helping promote trade and tourism.

Since early 2024, the airline has further opened a direct route between Hanoi and Sydney, lifting the total number of Vietnam-Australia routes to seven.

It has also commenced flights from Hanoi to Hiroshima (Japan) and Ho Chi Minh City to Chengdu (China), bringing about opportunities to strengthen bilateral tourism and trade. Domestically, Vietjet has inaugurated the new route Hanoi – Dien Bien to take travellers to the historic destination of Dien Bien Phu.

The airline’s average load factor rate reached 87%, and the technical reliability rate was 99.72%. As of 31 December 2023, Vietjet’s fleet consisted of 105 aircraft, including the wide-body A330s.

Chill and wellness Spanish style

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 11 April 2024: If you are planning a wellness trip that breaks the routine with activities that cleanse the body and mind and connect you with nature, Spain offers boundless opportunities. 

Take a deep breath and find your retreat to achieve the total relaxation you deserve. You can find options inviting you to enjoy a holiday that puts personal care and health first in mountain and inland destinations and by the sea. Unplug in idyllic landscapes with special yoga and pilates retreats, meditation retreats, or mindfulness retreats. There are also more rounded experiences that combine the above with body treatments, massages, spa circuits, coaching, or even healthy eating workshops.

Anti-stress treatments in Mallorca and Menorca

Prioritise taking care of your mind and achieving a state of zen, and choose from the programmes offered by hotels in Mallorca and Menorca, in the Balearic Islands. At establishments focused on agrotourism and promoting habits that improve quality of life, you will find plans that combine anti-stress, detox or slimming treatments with spa, fitness and yoga. 

Listen to yourself in the silence of the Pyrenees

Suppose you must incorporate something more specific, including physiotherapy, injury recovery or nutritional advice, then target your search in the Catalan provinces of Girona and Lleida. In the Alto Ampurdán region, programmes for relaxing exercise, healthy eating, massage, and other rehabilitative experiences tailored to your circumstances or injuries. In the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees, activities on offer include workshops on healthy eating and cooking, yoga and Pilates, emotional intelligence and mindfulness, excursions, spa circuits, physiotherapy and even individual coaching sessions.

In Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, in the province of Huesca, Aragon, you can discover projects that have converted old abandoned houses into sustainable ecological spaces for yoga retreats.

Meditation and hiking in the Sierra de Gredos

Another option for meditation retreats in Spain, paired with hiking, is the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park. It is easy to find rural hotels and personal development centres that offer this type of experience, both in the province of Ávila and in the towns and villages of this amazing natural setting in Cáceres, Extremadura. In addition to hatha or vinyasa yoga, you will learn breathing techniques such as pranayama or yoga nidra or conscious sleep.

Relax among waterfalls at the Monasterio de Piedra

If you are one of those people who still isn’t quite sure how meditation fits your lifestyle, check out the Monasterio de Piedra, in Nuévalos, just an hour from Zaragoza, you’ll find many answers. More than 800 years of art, architecture and nature to revel in, with endless walks among its breathtaking waterfalls. The spa hotel, located in a part of the old 13th-century Cistercian monastery from which the complex takes its name, has been declared a historical monument. 

Redes Natural Park, ecotourism wellness

In the heart of Redes Natural Park, which is declared a biosphere reserve, you have a range of eco-tourism options that combine relaxation, leisure, and gastronomy. A plan of therapies and treatments in the mountains with a spa, a sauna and panoramic views.

For the full story on retreats in Spain.

For more on Spain’s travel experiences, visit https://www.spain.info/en/

(Source: Spain Tourism Board – Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand).

OUTRIGGER Samui opens Laser tag venue

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TTR WEEKLY
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SAMUI ISLAND, Thailand, 11 April 2024: Nestled on the shores of Lamai Beach, OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort unveils its newest offering: a world-class indoor laser tag venue, setting a new benchmark for upscale family entertainment in this captivating tropical paradise.

As the premier and sole indoor laser tag facility on Koh Samui, OUTRIGGER’s laser tag centre promises an unparalleled experience for guests of all ages. Armed with cutting-edge technology, such as infrared-emitting light guns and infrared-sensitive signalling vests, players engage in thrilling battles that test their agility, strategy and marksmanship skills against the backdrop of the resort’s glorious natural surroundings.

“Our goal is to elevate the vacation experience for families visiting Koh Samui,” said OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort General Manager Leah Matters. “Our exclusive indoor laser tag venue and many family-friendly amenities ensure that guests can create unforgettable memories together, regardless of the weather.”

OUTRIGGER Koh Samui’s renowned barefoot luxury amenities complement the laser tag’s appeal. The resort caters to every aspect of a beachfront family vacation, from the Coral Kids’ Club to the Edgewater Family Beach Club, four pristine beachfront pools, an exhilarating water slide, and spacious connecting family rooms.

Young guests can also indulge in a dynamic children’s activities programme featuring engaging arts and crafts sessions, lively dance activities and a well-equipped games room with pool tables, air hockey and movies in a state-of-the-art insulated movie room.

The laser tag facility at OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort operates from 1000 2200, offering exceptional value at THB350 (USD10) for a five-hour session or THB500 (USD14) per person for a day pass.

Discover the epitome of barefoot luxury, excitement and unforgettable family adventures at OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort. Book your stay today at OUTRIGGER.com and immerse yourself in the splendour of this tropical oasis.

Further information. Tel: +66 77 458 560. Email: [email protected]

ABOUT OUTRIGGER KOH SAMUI BEACH RESORT
OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort is an elegant, colonial-style resort featuring 146 spacious rooms and suites, all with a private balcony or garden terrace. The resort, located on the shores of Lamai Bay, offers an abundance of recreational activities, such as beachfront swimming pools and waterslides, Muay Thai boxing, yoga, beachfront massage salas, a fitness centre, Coral Kids Club, and a games room. 

ABOUT OUTRIGGER RESORTS & HOTELS
For over 75 years, OUTRIGGER has charted a journey of discovery – expanding from Hawaii to premier resort destinations, including Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives.

(Source: OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels)

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