KUALA LUMPUR, 5 August 2024: AirAsia launched direct flights thrice weekly connecting Guwahati and Kozhikode (Calicut) to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur with the inaugural flights on 2 August welcomed by a Tourism Malaysia delegation.
This expansion strengthens air connectivity between India and Malaysia, offering greater convenience for tourists following the introduction of bilateral visa-free travel for Indian and Malaysian nationals.
Kuala Lumpur to Guwahati and Kozhikode
Direct flights and visa-free entry to Malaysia provide a seamless travel experience, allowing Indian visitors to explore the country’s diverse attractions, such as the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the beaches of Langkawi, and the cultural heritage of Penang.
Tourism Malaysia Director General Manoharan Perisamy commented: “We are excited to partner with AirAsia to enhance accessibility for travellers from Guwahati and Kozhikode. These direct flights underscore our commitment to promoting tourism and strengthening bilateral relations. We are confident these routes will boost tourist arrivals and provide visitors with unforgettable experiences in Malaysia.”
India is a key tourism market for Malaysia. With the introduction of these new flights, Tourism Malaysia targets 1 million Indian visitor arrivals by the end of 2024. In April 2024, Indian tourist arrivals increased by 80.2% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 295,000 visitors.
MANILA, 5 August 2024: Cebu Pacific, a low-cost airline based in the Philippines, will expand its international network by introducing direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. A pre-launch signature, ‘Piso Sale,’ targets Filipino travellers offering bargain fares to support the new flight.
Starting 29 October 2024, CEB will operate flights from Manila to Chiang Mai thrice weekly — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The return flights to Manila will operate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The airline will deploy an A320 to serve the route.
Photo credit: Cebu Pacific.
Flight schedule
Flight 5J874 departs from Manila at 2035 and arrives in Chiang Mai (CNX) at 2335 (Tue, Thu and Sat) Flight 5J875 departs Chiang Mai at 0045 and arrives in Manila at 0555 (Wed, Fri and Sun).
The Manila – Chiang Mai route will be the fourth that CEB will operate to Thailand. It already flies from Manila and Cebu to Bangkok, with a choice of flying to either Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). DMK is located in the northern suburbs of Bangkok, and BKK is located southeast of the city. The two airports are 49 km apart. BKK is 35.5 km from downtown Bangkok, and DMK is 28.9km.
“This new route will allow our passengers to explore Thailand beyond its urban attractions. Chiang Mai’s natural heritage, ancient temples, and laid-back atmosphere promise a tranquil escape,” said CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao in a press statement at the weekend.
Until 6 August 2024, CEB passengers can book flights from Manila to Chiang Mai for as low as PHP1 one-way base fare, excluding taxes, fees and surcharges. The travel period runs from 29 October 2024 to 30 March 2025.
CEB currently offers flights to 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
SEPANG, 5 August 2024: AirAsia celebrated its first flights to Ningbo in China’s Zhejiang province from two of its largest hubs in Malaysia — Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu on 1 August.
Guests on flight AK181 from Ningbo were welcomed by Tourism Malaysia Deputy Chairman Dato Yeoh Soon Hin; Tourism Malaysia Director-General Manoharan Periasamy; Tourism Malaysia Director of International Promotion (Asia & Africa) Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi and AirAsia Chief of Global Policy and Government Relations Lim Boon Seong on arrival in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The flight departed from Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 1255 and landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) at 1900 on 1 August 2024.
The airline celebrated its maiden flight from Ningbo to Kota Kinabalu on the same day. Guests arriving on flight AK1519 were welcomed by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Chairman of STB; Mohamad Libra Lee Haniff, Senior Deputy Director, International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa) of Tourism Malaysia; Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board and Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia. The flight landed in Kota Kinabalu at 1705.
Malaysians are eligible for visa-free entry for tourism purposes to China for up to 15 days until the end of 2025. The visa-free policy for Chinese travellers visiting Malaysia, effective 1 December 2023 to 31 December 2026, has also prompted a significant booking increase.
HONG KONG, 5 August 2024: Improving connectivity with ASEAN partners to expand the Hong Kong international aviation hub is a top priority according to Cathay Pacific Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam, who was part of a high-level delegation visiting three ASEAN countries — Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government John Lee Ka-chiu, led the six-day visit underscoring the region’s significance to Cathay’s expanding network and future growth, as well as to Hong Kong’s economic development.
Witnessed by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government John Lee Ka-chiu (second from left) and Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Sun Chanthol (second from right), Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam (first from left) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia Airports Chief Executive Officer Cyril Girot (first from right).
Lam toured a variety of local enterprises and major infrastructure projects in these countries, gaining valuable insights into their latest developments while seeking out new avenues to foster synergy and strengthen ties in trade, commerce, technology and tourism between Hong Kong and the vibrant ASEAN region.
He commented: “As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay is committed to furthering Hong Kong’s growth as an international aviation hub and enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to the rest of the world. Our visit to the three ASEAN countries attests to the immense potential we see in these dynamic regional markets.
“Completing Hong Kong International Airport’s Three-Runway System will unlock great growth opportunities for us. To seize these growth opportunities, we will continue to strengthen our existing routes and deepen our network and collaboration across ASEAN.”
The Cathay Group, which includes passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, currently flies to 17 ASEAN destinations, with over 360 flights per week. The ASEAN-bound flights embody Cathay’s long-standing commitment to promoting global connectivity and solidifying Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status.
Cathay celebrates 75 years since its first flight to Vietnam this year, underscoring the country’s long-standing importance to the Group. Cathay Pacific and HK Express currently operate flights to three destinations in Vietnam — Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Cathay’s low-cost carrier, Hong Kong Express, plans to launch a new route to Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam during Q4 2024.
Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific recruited more than 170 Vietnamese cabin crew members to join its diverse team, demonstrating the importance of the Vietnam market and how Cathay has been embracing the Hong Kong SAR Government’s expanded talent schemes to enable skilled professionals from Vietnam, Laos and Nepal to work in Hong Kong since October 2023. Another round of recruitment in Vietnam will be conducted this month.
Lam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia Airports Chief Executive Officer Cyril Girot to reinforce the two parties’ partnership on the Cambodia leg of the visit. As part of the MoU, Cathay Pacific will boost flights to Phnom Penh from five per week to daily starting 27 October 2024.
LANGKAWI 2 August 2024: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has garnered an award at the Tourism Industry Awards 2024 in the category ‘Best Leader in the Tourism Development Organisation’.
The award presentation was held on 26 July at the Hotel Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur. LADA’s Chief Executive Officer, YBhg Dato Haslina Abdul Hamid, and LADA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Tuan Wan Kamarul Faisal bin Wan Kamardin, accepted the award.
Photo credit: LADA. Langkawi joins the ‘best’ at the TIA inaugural awards ceremony.
“Through this award, LADA has proven it is not only a leading agency in Langkawi but also recognised for its work developing Langkawi, particularly the island’s tourism sector while emphasising environmental sustainability and community interest,” LADA stated in its Facebook post.
The inaugural Tourism Industry Awards honoured top performers in 60 categories, with seven awards for organisations and travel and hospitality corporations in Langkawi. LADA’s subsidiary, Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd, won ‘The Best Sustainable Tourism for Nature’ award.
Malaysia’s Tourism Industry Awards 2024 is a newly introduced event that recognises and rewards excellence in the country’s tourism sector and is organised by the Malaysia International Tourism Development Association (MITDA).
The Tourism Industry Awards 2024 organising committee chair, Datuk Emmy Suraya Hussein, said the event was an initiative by tourism industry players themselves, spearheaded by the Malaysia International Tourism Development Association (MITDA) in collaboration with the Malaysia Fashion Modelling Pageant Association (MFMPA) and Santai Travel.
“By producing quality tourism players and services, we can help achieve the country’s tourism targets in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Therefore, cohesive cooperation from all parties is crucial in achieving this goal,” she added.
BANGKOK, Thailand, 2 August 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, announces ‘Centara Life: Elevating the Essentials’, an exclusive offering for CentaraThe1 members at newly rebranded Centara Life hotels worldwide.
Embodying a commitment to exceptional stays, daily delights and prioritising signature experiences across four core pillars — Life Essentials, Life Surprises, Life Flexibility, and Life Connectivity — members can take advantage of exclusive additional benefits for a limited time.
Until 30 September 2024, CentaraThe1 members booking stays until 31 December 2024 can enjoy flexible breakfasts until 1600, Buy 1 Get 1 Free on selected food and drinks, and double CentaraThe1 points on every stay, in addition to complimentary local snacks, nightly noodle stations plus other incentives. With 24-Hour Travel Freedom, guests can check in and out at their convenience, starting their stay at any time and checking out at the same time on their day of departure. Whether exploring the vibrant streets of Bangkok and Muscat, the natural beauty of Mae Sot, or the pristine beaches of Krabi, Samui, Cha-am, and Pattaya, Centara Life ensures guests make the most of every moment.
BANGKOK, 2 August 2024: The Tourism Authority of Thailand presents five low-carbon travel routes with eco-friendly CF-Hotels accommodation, reminding travellers that “saving the world” is now a top priority when deciding where to go and where to stay.
Here is a cut-down summary of the five low-carbon travel routes in Thailand, coupled with hotels that are members of the CF-hotels platform and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Enjoy the taste of East Chanthaburi, a three-and-a-half-hour drive southeast of Bangkok. This is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a culinary adventure. The distinctive specialities of the province derive from its forests, orchards, and thriving sea and vary from season to season.
The unique “taste of Chanthaburi” is showcased in its fresh seafood, tropical fruit like salak (snake fruit) and durian, tasty ta dam shrimp paste, and local herbs like ginger, raew hom (bustard cardamom), sour chamuang leaves and pepper. The distinctive specialities of the province, derived from forests, orchards and sea, vary from season to season.
Stay: The ideal base for your gourmet trip is The Motifs Eco Hotel. Opened just three years ago, this hotel has risen rapidly in popularity thanks to its serious environmental credentials from the very beginning. The hotel’s eco-friendly strategy is driven by co-founder Ireelda Jirachokchayanant’s love for the environment. She spends her leisure time hiking and learning about nature, so when she got the opportunity to open a hotel, she leapt at the chance to make sustainability its core business ethos.
Rainforest adventure in west Thailand
In the lush forests of Kanchanaburi, travellers can replay the history of the Death Railway built by World War II POWs. Trips to Kanchanaburi feature refreshments at the many waterfalls or boarding a raft for a sail downstream on the River Kwai. Those wishing to push themselves further can opt for a multi-activity adventure involving rafting, trekking, and exploring the province’s awe-inspiring caves.
Stay: Amateur adventurers will find all their needs well catered to at The Legacy River Kwai Resort, an eco-friendly hotel offering a variety of carbon-free activities like SUP boarding, rafting, and biking. Accommodation at this 300-rai resort comes in the form of log cabins or camping in nature’s embrace beneath the shade of over 4,600 trees along the riverbank. The resort also offers farm tours to give visitors a first-hand experience of 360-degree sustainability practices and forest bathing to heal the mind.
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Explore Lanna’s vibes and ways of nature
Chiang Mai is still the most popular tourist destination in the North of Thailand thanks to beautiful watershed forests and an ancient Lanna culture that has been preserved from generation to generation. The old capital’s special charm lies in its blend of urban lifestyle, traditional culture, and rich nature.
Stay: Accommodation in Chiang Mai comes in many forms and prices to match pretty much every lifestyle and budget. A CF-Hotels member IMM Hotel Tha Pae is tapping the increasingly eco-conscious travel market with its commitment to cutting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The city hotel has initiated various practices to ensure energy resources like electricity, fuel, and cooking gas are used in the most cost-effective and efficient ways for long-term sustainability. Guests can also take a low-carbon cycling tour run by the Co Van Kessel team to experience Chiang Mai like a local.
Explore the green heart of Phang Nga
Along with silver-sand beaches, myriad islands and a beautiful underwater realm, the southern seaside province of Phang Nga also boasts an equatorial forest as the perfect foil for its turquoise sea. A visit to Phang Nga during the green season reveals a refreshing idyll of nature in harmony with local traditions.
The highlight is Ko Yao Noi, a small island in the Andaman Sea that graces Thailand’s growing list of eco-friendly destinations. Life here is lived slowly, with locals observing sustainable practices ranging from pesticide-free rice farming to preserving the forest.
Stay: Ko Yao Noi offers homestays and luxury resorts that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings. Nestled deep in a forest at the northern tip of the island, Paradise Kohyao Resort offers both pool villas and studios to choose from. Here, conservation and tourism go hand in hand, highlighted by hornbills whose existence is an important indicator of a healthy ecosystem in Ko Yao Noi. The resort has set up the Hornbills Watch Project, which offers guests precious opportunities to get up close and personal with these giant birds of paradise.
Hua Hin: a resort city brimming with character
The seaside resort town of Hua Hin has retained its charm over the decades and remains a popular destination just under a three-hour drive from Bangkok. No wonder its beaches are beautiful, and the town is conveniently close to major attractions like Cha-Am, Pran Buri, and Sam Roi Yot. Add the huge variety of global cuisines, plus fascinating communities for off-the-beaten-track trips, and Hua Hin is still a great destination for a weekend retreat.
Stay: There’s an abundance of beachside accommodation in Hua Hin, ranging from small boutique hotels to pool villas and bungalows. This is for environmentally aware travellers in search of resorts on the CF-Hotels platform. Baan Talay Dao offers modern Thai vibes in a lush green ambience shaded by makham (tamarind), tabaek (guava crape myrtle), tako (ebony bark), payom (Shorea roxburghi), peeb (Indian cork) and hang nok yoong (flame) trees. The restaurant sources fresh ingredients from the onsite organic vegetable garden, Suan Rak Talay.
For more information on CF-Hotel members visit TAT’s site: https://cf-hotels.com/ (Thai language).
DELHI, 2 August 2024: As the country gears up to celebrate 77 years of freedom on 15 August, Air India Express kicks off the celebrations with its “Freedom Sale,” featuring Xpress Lite fares starting from INR1947, exclusively on the airline’s award-winning website, airindiaexpress.com.
The sale is open for bookings made through 5 August for travel until 30 September, 2024 on domestic and international routes.
The airline offers deals on routes including leisure destinations such as Delhi-Jaipur, Bengaluru-Goa, and Delhi-Gwalior, along with special sale fares across its 15 international and 32 domestic destinations network.
Bookers on airindiaexpress.com get access to the exclusive zero-check-in baggage Xpress Lite fares. Xpress Lite fares also include the option to pre-book an additional 3 kg of cabin baggage at no fee and a discounted fee for check-in baggage at INR1000 for 15 kg on domestic flights and INR1300 for 20 kg on international flights.
Air India Express loyalty members get exclusive discounts and can earn up to 8% NeuCoins on the airline’s website. They can also find exclusive fab deals like up to 47% off Biz and Prime Seats, ‘Gourmair’ hot meals and beverages, and add-on packs. In addition to loyalty, members, students, senior citizens, SMEs, Doctors and Nurses, and members of the armed forces and their dependents can also book special discounted fares on the airline’s website.
Xpress Biz fares are available on all the new Air India Express Boeing 737-8 aircraft as a Business Class equivalent, disrupting the traditional LCC model with the proposition of a hybrid value carrier in keeping with the refreshed Air India Express brand positioning ‘Fly As You Are’. Guests can also upgrade to Biz seats for an enhanced travel experience with a seat pitch of up to 58 inches.
BANGKOK, 2 August 2024: Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company has released its financial statement for the first half of 2024 (H1/2024), reporting record revenue growth.
In the first six months of 2024, Vietjet’s performance surpassed pre-pandemic 2019. The airline transported 13.1 million passengers on 70,154 flights during H1/2024.
Vietjet’s operations in 1H202 4 outperformed the pre-pandemic era.
For the second quarter of 2024 (Q2/2024), Vietjet reported air transport revenue of VND15.128 trillion (USD601 million) and a pre-tax profit of VND517 billion (USD20.57 million), marking year-over-year growth of 23% and 683%, respectively.
Over the six months, cumulative air transport revenue reached VND32.893 trillion (USD1.3 billion), up 31% year-over-year. Pre-tax profit for this period was VND1.174 trillion (USD46.77 million), surging by 690% compared to the previous year.
Vietjet’s consolidated revenue for H1/2024 totalled VND34.016 trillion (USD1.35 billion), with a consolidated pre-tax profit of VND1.311 trillion (USD52 million). These increases were 15% and 433% year over year, respectively. The profit even exceeded the H1/2024 target by 21%.
As of 30 June 2024, Vietjet’s total assets amounted to over VND91.755 trillion (USD3.65 billion). The airline’s debt-to-equity ratio remained at around two, well below the global average of five. Cash and cash equivalents by the end of Q2/2024 were reported at VND4.1 trillion (USD163.18 million).
According to Saigon Ratings, an independent credit rating organization, Vietjet has maintained a long-term credit rating of vnBBB with a “stable outlook.” Given the airline’s remarkable recovery and proactive planning over the past two years, Vietjet is expected to make breakthrough developments faster and more sustainably in the medium to long term.
In H1/2024, Vietjet paid VND3.687 trillion (USD146.78 million) in direct and indirect taxes and fees.
Leading international expansion
Vietjet operates more than 149 routes across Vietnam and internationally, including 38 domestic and 111 international routes.
Vietjet has launched new routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Xi’an, Phu Quoc with Taichung and Kaohsiung, and Ho Chi Minh City with Vientiane.
The airline has also announced the Nha Trang-Daegu route, which will start in October 2024. This solidifies Vietjet’s position as the largest airline in terms of routes connecting Vietnam and South Korea after a decade of serving nearly 10 million passengers across more than 37 routes between the two countries.
Regarding the Asia-Australia transcontinental route, Vietjet has added two new routes from Hanoi to Melbourne and Sydney, increasing services between Vietnam and Australia to seven. This expansion enhances connectivity for travel, tourism, investment, trade, overseas study, and family visits. With five routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the five largest cities in Australia, Vietjet now operates the most routes between Vietnam and Australia, with 58 weekly flights.
2024 also marks the airline’s new milestone of comprehensive development with its expansive mid-range international network. The airline is ready to meet domestic transport demand while further preparing for additional international routes.
SINGAPORE, 2 August 2024: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2024, highlighting an increase of 12.3% in international passenger uplift compared with the same month in 2023.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 9.1% compared to June 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 8.5% year-on-year. The June load factor was 85.0% (+0.5 percentage points (ppt) compared to June 2023).
International demand rose 12.3% compared to June 2023. Capacity was up 12.7% year-on-year, and the load factor improved to 85.0% (-0.3ppt on June 2023).
Domestic demand rose 4.3% compared to June 2023; capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.0% (+1.7ppt compared to June 2023).
“Demand grew across all regions as the peak northern summer travel season began in June. With overall capacity growth lagging in demand, we saw a very strong average load factor of 85% achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimise delays and get travellers to their destinations on schedule,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh
“As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris, the aviation industry is proud of its continuing role in supporting the Olympic story by bringing many of the athletes, fans, and officials together. It is a great reminder of how aviation transforms our vast world into a global community. We wish France every success as the host of the games and cheer all the athletes who will demonstrate the best of human endeavour over the next weeks,” said Walsh.
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in June 2024 compared to June 2023.
Asia-Pacific airlines’ growth remained strong, with a 22.6% year-on-year increase indemand. Capacity increased 22.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.0% (-0.2ppt compared to June 2023). The Africa-Asia route was the fastest expanding regional pair, growing 38.1%.
European carriers saw a 9.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.4% (-0.6ppt compared to June 2023).
Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.7% (+0.1ppt compared to June 2023).
North American carriers saw a 6.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 8.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.7% (-1.6 ppt compared to June 2023), the highest among regions.
Latin American airlines saw a 15.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 15.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1% (-0.2ppt compared to June 2023).
African airlines saw a16.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.8% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 77.0% (+7.4ppt compared to June 2023), the largest improvement among all regions.
