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Bangkok Air fills Mae Hong Son gap

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 August 2023: Bangkok Airways commenced flights from Lampang to Mae Hong Son on 2 August, offering three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between the two northern tourist destinations with the one-way fare pegged at THB1,560.

The flight originates in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and stops in Lampang for 40 minutes before continuing to Mae Hong Son.

Photo credit: Bangkok Airways Facebook post.

Passengers depart Bangkok at 1155, arriving in Mae Hong Son at 1500. The one-way fare is around THB3,310 one-way. Or they can buy sector tickets Bangkok – Lampang and Lampang – Mae Hong Son to allow them to explore Lampang for a couple of days before rejoining the flight to Mae Hong Son, a province on the far northwest border with Myanmar. Most visitors to Mae Hong Son will ultimately journey overland to Pai, a picturesque village nestled next to a river in a valley surrounded by mountain ridges. It is halfway along the meandering mountain road between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai famed for hundreds of hairpin bends. Getting there is an adventure, especially if you opt for a rental motorbike. Travellers can conclude a fascinating off-the-beaten-track tour of North Thailand by exploring Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, before rejoining a Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways confirmed the following schedule using an ATR72 with 70 seats on the Lampang – Mae Hong Son route.

Lampang to Mae Hong Son
PG205 departs Lampang at 1410  and arrives in Mae Hong Son at 1500 hrs. (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Mae Hong Son to Lampang
PG206 departs Mae Hong Son at 1530 and arrives in Lampang at 1620.

Airfares start at THB1,560 one way.

SIA Group reports record QT profit

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 August 2023: The SIA Group posted a net profit of $734 million in the first three months of FY2023/24, the highest quarterly performance in its history, as the airline reports travel demand driving record load factors.

Near-term forward passenger bookings remained robust on the back of solid demand for air travel through the mid-year school holidays and the start of the summer travel season.

Group passenger capacity expanded by 32.4% year-on-year as restrictions on international air travel eased globally. SIA and Scoot carried 8.4 million passengers during the quarter, 65.5% higher than a year before, with strong demand across all route regions and market segments.

Passenger traffic and load factors improved across all markets, with the year-on-year traffic growth of 49% outpacing the capacity expansion.

The Group achieved a record quarterly passenger load factor (PLF) of 88.9%, with SIA’s PLF at a record 88.1% and Scoot’s at a record 91.7%

Revenue

As a result, the SQ Group’s revenue rose SGD551 million (+14.0%) year-on-year to SGD4,479 million, with the higher passenger flown revenue of SGD1,001 million (+37.4%), partially offset by SGD555 million (-50.6%) decline in cargo flown revenue.

Expenditures

Expenditure increased SGD353 million (+10.5%) year-on-year to SGD3,725 million, with the rise in nonfuel expenditure of SGD572 million (+27.3%) partly offset by an SGD220 million decrease (-17.3%) in net fuel cost. Net fuel cost fell to SGD1,053 million mainly

due to a 33.4% decrease in fuel prices (-SGD599 million), despite higher volumes uplifted (+SGD305 million) and lower fuel hedging gains (+SGD101 million). The 27.3% increase in nonfuel expenditure was within the 32.4% increase in passenger capacity.

Operating and net profit

The Group posted an operating profit of SGD755 million, SGD199 million (+35.8%) better than the SGD556 million operating profit a year before. SIA generated a record operating profit of SGD738 million, an improvement of SGD113 million.

Operating profit for Scoot was SGD24 million, up SGD76 million compared to the prior year.

Group quarterly net profit was up SGD364 million, or 98.4% higher than last year at SGD734 million. The profit was mainly attributable to the better operating performance (+SGD199 million), a net interest income versus a net finance charge last year (+SGD144 million), and a share of profits versus a share of losses of associated companies last year.

SQ expands flight network

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 August 2023: Singapore Airlines will resume services to Busan this month and add flights to popular destinations across the Asia-Pacific during its winter timetable starting 29 October 2023.

Reporting on its network changes last week, SQ said it would resume four-times-weekly services to Busan from 28 August 2023, ahead of a slew of additional flights scheduled for its northern winter operating season (29 October 2023 to 30 March 2024).

It will increase frequencies to Hong Kong SAR, Japan (Fukuoka, Haneda, Nagoya, and Osaka), and Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket) in response to the strong bookings and demand during the year-end peak travel season.

SIA will operate supplementary services to Adelaide, Brisbane, Christchurch, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney from 22 November 2023. From 31 January 2024, additional frequencies will be mounted to Frankfurt until the end of the Northern Winter operating season on 30 March 2024.

Scoot to boost flights

SIA Group’s low-cost airline Scoot resumed flights to Jinan and Shenzhen in China in July 2023 and has confirmed it will resume services to Nanchang later this month. From 29 October 2023, Scoot will inject additional frequencies to Chiang Mai, Davao, and Jeddah. The low-cost carrier will also restructure its direct flights to Athens and Berlin and operate three times weekly SingaporeAthens-Berlin services during the northern winter season.

Changes in Indian services

SIA and Scoot will restructure Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad services from 29 October 2023. SIA will offer Bengaluru daily morning and evening services as part of this move. The SIA Group will also increase its services between Singapore and Chennai from 17 times weekly to 21 times weekly, with Scoot commencing daily operations to the city after SIA transfers some of its Chennai services to the low-cost carrier from 5 November 2023. In addition, SIA will progressively increase its weekly service between Singapore and Hyderabad from seven to 12 times weekly, taking over Scoot’s daily services between the two cities.

Commenting on the adjustments, the airline said in its financial report for QT1 2023/24 that the changes “are part of the continuous review of the SIA Group’s network, and reflect its ability and flexibility to adjust operations between SIA and Scoot to meet evolving customer demand.”

The airline group is optimistic that its “capacity remains on track to reach an average of around 90% of pre-Covid* levels by March 2024.”

Services added during QT1

During the first quarter, Scoot expanded its footprint in China by resuming services to seven destinations (Changsha, Haikou, Nanning, Ningbo, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Xi’an). With these additions, SIA and Scoot collectively serve 17 destinations in China, with Scoot serving 14 points and SIA serving four.

As of 30 June 2023, the Group’s passenger network covered 116 destinations in 36 countries and territories. SIA served 74 destinations, while Scoot served 65 destinations.

*pre-Covid: January 2020

(Source: SIA)

Sheraton grows brand in China and Japan

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 7 August  2023: Sheraton Hotels & Resorts continues to expand in the Asia Pacific with five new properties; four in China (Rizhao, Ninghai, Beihai and Chengdu and one in Kagoshima in Japan.

There are now 13 new builds and refurbishments in the region.

“We’re excited to welcome these five new hotels and resorts in the Asia Pacific embracing Sheraton’s new design approach, following the first eight hotels in the region spearheading the new era of the brand,” said Marriott International vice president of brand marketing & management Asia Pacific Jennie Toh.

Sheraton’s new design philosophy focuses on creating experiences with spaces to gather, relax, and work, welcoming guests to enjoy all the familiar comforts of the brand but with fresh, contemporary updates.

Sheraton Beihai Resort
Sheraton Beihai Resort is located on the coastline with sea and mountain views in the south of Guangxi, China. Once a departure port on the Maritime Silk Road, Beihai boasts a natural seaside setting, the culture of the Tanka fishing villages, and rich maritime trading history.

Sheraton Ninghai
Boasting a central location in one of the emerging destinations in the Yangtze Delta, China, Sheraton Ninghai connects travellers to the rich culture and bountiful nature of Ninghai.

Sheraton Rizhao Hotel
Situated along the coastline of Rizhao, a famous coastal city located southeast of the Shandong Peninsula, China, Sheraton Rizhao boasts a 36-metre tall lobby where guests can work, eat, and drink at the Community Table.

Sheraton Chengdu Pidu
Pidu, China, is an increasingly popular destination among travellers looking to experience enriched history, humanities, the farming civilisation of Ancient Shu, and Sichuan cuisines.

Sheraton Kagoshima, Japan
Located on Kyushu Island, Japan’s “the Naples of the East”, Sheraton Kagoshima offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the city, Kagoshima Bay, and Mount Sakurajima.

BA adds more short-haul destinations

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 August 2023: British Airways will expand its route network from London Heathrow to include new destinations, Riga in Latvia and Belgrade in Serbia, offering customers a choice of 120 short-haul destinations from its London Heathrow hub.

Riga, Latvia (RIX)

British Airways will launch a three-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 29 October 2023. Flights will use A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares starting at UKP73.

Riga is the largest city in both Latvia and the Baltic states. Home to the world’s largest food market, it is renowned for its foodie scene, eclectic architecture and lush green spaces.

Belgrade, Serbia (BEG)
British Airways will launch a three-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 31 October 2023. Flights will operate using A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares starting from UKP105.

Cologne, Germany (CGN)
British Airways will launch a 12-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 30 October 2023. Flights will use a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares starting at £92.

More network additions
BA Cityflyer, British Airways’ subsidiary based at London City Airport, will launch a weekly service to Milan Linate Airport (LIN) to complement the existing flights from London Heathrow. The flight will operate on the Embraer 190 aircraft on Sundays from 5 November 2023, with fares starting at UKP112.

Weekly winter flights from Heathrow to Turin, Italy (TRN) will also be available on Sundays from 10 December 2023. It will complement the current daily service from London Gatwick with BA Euroflyer, British Airways’ Gatwick-based subsidiary. Return fares start at UKP120.

Winter extensions
BA Cityflyer’s route to San Sebastian, Spain (EAS) has been extended into the winter season, offering direct flights on Thursdays and Sundays to the Basque Country, making it for the first time a year-round route.

The airline has also confirmed that it will continue Heathrow operations for Ljubljana, Slovenia (LJU) into winter. The service will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

BA services to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) will become a year-round feature with four weekly flights. The route was launched in June 2023 to complement the service to Istanbul Airport (IST).

ONYX manages Amari Raaya Maldives

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2023: ONYX Hospitality Group has confirmed it is now managing ‘Amari Raaya Maldives, effective 1 August. The resort is on a private island in the Raa Atoll, Maldives.

The resort features 187 villas, offering guests private beachfront villas, overwater pool villas, and eight food and beverage outlets.

“We are thrilled to manage the prestigious ‘Amari Raaya Maldives’ on behalf of the esteemed Panchshil Group,” said ONYX Hospitality Group CEO Yuthachai Charanachitta. “The Maldives has become a sought-after destination for global travellers, and we are strategically positioned to cater to discerning tourists from key markets, including Russia, Germany, India, United Kingdom, USA, Korea, and Saudi Arabia.”

To celebrate the grand opening, ONYX Hospitality Group offers a 40% discount on villa rates, complimentary transfers for two, a 30-minute private photo shoot, and a memorable group sunset cruise. The offer is valid for bookings up to 23 December 2023.

Centara hires CRM specialist

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 August 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts has confirmed the appointment of Pannarat Tantrativud as assistant vice president – CRM & customer service.

In her new role, Pannarat will lead Centara’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and loyalty strategies and the Customer Contact Centre, ensuring optimal customer service, relationship management, retention and commercial returns.

Before joining Centara, Pannarat graduated with a Master of Marketing degree from Monash University in Australia and held several leadership positions across a diverse, multi-industry background such as finance & insurance, entertainment, retail and digital banking & online marketplace. Most recently, Pannarat held the general manager post at Scale 360 Co Ltd, overseeing the digital banking & online marketplace business, focusing on high-quality customer offerings and global online business expansion opportunities.

Pannarat will report directly to Centara Hotels & Resorts vice president of brand marketing and digital Tom Thrussell, who said: “We are delighted to welcome Pannarat to the Centara family. We are confident that her diverse background and experience will make her a valuable asset to our team and greatly contribute to the success of Centara Hotels & Resorts as we continue to provide truly exceptional and personalised experiences for our guests.”

“It is an honour to join Centara Hotels & Resorts as Assistant Vice President – CRM & Customer Service. I look forward to sharing my years of experience, expertise and multi-industry knowledge with our team and working together to ensure our customers always receive the highest service and hospitality,” commented Pannarat.

Centara continues introducing its distinctive Thai-style hospitality and world-class service to new destinations worldwide. The appointment of Pannarat aligns with the company’s vision of providing world-class service and personalised experiences to every customer and its goal of becoming a top 100 global hotel operator.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com

Kuching Food Festival 2023

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 4 August 2023: Kuching Food Festival is live, attracting foodies until 20 August, organised by the Kuching South City Council.

The event opened on 28 July, marking the return of a famous food festival that suffered a long pause during Covid.

The annual event promotes the state’s tourism and food industry and reflects Kuching’s title as the ‘UNESCO City of Gastronomy’.

Every evening starting at 1600, the gates open to a multitude of enthusiastic foodies who have queued to get the first crack at the lineup of food stalls crammed with local and international dishes. By 1800, the festival space is packed with visitors greeted with a maze of food stalls that serve a plethora of cosmopolitan food displayed at 285 booths. The nighttime entertainment extends to music concerts and dance.

Visitors can admire the greenery and capture aesthetic photos under the lights at the Garden Show before proceeding to the indoor trade fair, where various merchandise, exhibitions and galleries are open to shoppers.

Pick a couple of evenings from your holiday stay in Kuching to attend the festival, as one night would not be enough to experience the Kuching Festival 2023 fully. The show ends on 20 August.

For more information on highlighted events happening in Sarawak, visit https://sarawaktourism.com/ 

(Source: STB’s Hornbill Trail Newsletter August)

Air India ramps up Dehli-Dhaka flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAM, India, 4 August 2023: Air India will introduce nonstop flights between Delhi and Dhaka to improve connectivity between the capital cities of India and Bangladesh.

Starting 15 September 2023, Air India will fly four times weekly between the two cities using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

Air India currently schedules three weekly flights between Kolkata and Dhaka. However, adding the new route between the two capitals will help meet the demand for business travel to and from Dhaka on the back of Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth and overall development.

Air India’s flight AI237 will depart Delhi at 1755, arriving in Dhaka at 2045. The return flight AI238 will leave Dhaka at 2145, arriving in Delhi at 2350. Bookings for the Delhi – Dhaka flights opened on Air India’s website earlier this week.

With four additional weekly flights from Delhi, Air India offers enhanced frequency to Dhaka, enabling connections via Delhi from 14 destinations in India and its Star Alliance partner airlines 14 destinations in North America, the UK, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia.

Etihad says hello to Boston

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TTR WEEKLY
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ABU DHABI, 4 August 2023: Etihad Airways will add a new destination in the US to its network by introducing four weekly flights to Boston starting 31 March 2024.

“We are delighted to introduce flights to Boston, which opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from the American Northeast and across the United States,” said Etihad Airways chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves.

Photo credit: Etihad. Boston on the airline’s 2024 schedule.

Expanding US Gateways

This will be Etihad’s fourth US gateway city, complementing Chicago, New York, and Washington services. There are also flights to Toronto in Canada. The addition of Boston further solidifies Etihad’s commitment to providing passengers with enhanced connectivity between North America and Abu Dhabi.

In addition to providing nonstop access to the Boston market, Etihad will offer convenient connections to cities throughout North America through its partnership with JetBlue.

The new Boston route presents exciting opportunities for American travellers to explore Abu Dhabi’s cultural treasures and experience its renowned hospitality.

Etihad will operate flights to Boston four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, fitted out with Business Studios and Economy Smart seats.

Bookings and ticket sales are open for the new route on the airline’s website.

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