Friday, August 8, 2025
Home Blog Page 35

CX flights tank up with SAF

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 2 JUNE 2025: Cathay Pacific partners with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to refuel some of its flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced and blended with conventional aviation fuel by Sinopec.

It demonstrates the expanding reach of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland in the global SAF supply chain.

Photo credit: Cathay Group. Some CX aircraft at Hong Kong International Airport refuel with SAF.

The airline uplifted a batch of SAF produced by the Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company (ZRCC) at Hong Kong International Airport in April. ZRCC is one of the leading SAF manufacturers in Asia to develop bio-jet fuel technology independently. 

This batch of SAF was converted from used cooking oil using the hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway. As part of the first batch of SAF exported by ZRCC to Hong Kong, it has been certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) that it can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

What is SAF?

SAF is an alternative aviation fuel produced from waste materials or other non-fossil carbon sources. As demonstrated by this batch, SAF has the potential to significantly reduce its lifecycle carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels, helping to address the environmental impact of passenger and cargo air transport. This agreement with Sinopec demonstrates the potential for further cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong in the SAF supply chain.

Adoption of SAF from the Chinese Mainland

Cathay General Manager Sustainability Grace Cheung said: “Our purchase and use of SAF products from ZRCC goes beyond just a fuel uplift; it marks our initiative to expand the upstream and downstream value chain of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland. Through cooperation with Sinopec, we hope to support greater adoption of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”

Last year, Cathay Pacific also adopted two batches of SAF from the Chinese Mainland, which were uplifted at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and London Heathrow Airport, respectively.

Looking to the future

In recent years, the production and adoption of SAF have gained momentum across Asia. ​Cathay Pacific is working closely with different partners to expand the use of SAF in Asia. In March 2025, Cathay Pacific reached an agreement with fuel supplier SK Energy, which will supply SAF to Cathay Pacific from 2025 to 2027 in South Korea. At the same time, Cathay Pacific will continue to draw on its own experience to support Hong Kong in scaling up SAF usage with supportive policy in order to further strengthen Hong Kong International Airport’s status as a leading international aviation hub.

IATA: Passenger growth accelerates to 8% in April

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 2 JUNE 2025: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2025 global passenger demand, showing total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 8.0% compared to April 2024. 

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6.5% year-on-year. The April load factor was 83.6% (+1.1 ppt compared to April 2024).

International demand rose 10.8% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 8.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1% (+1.7 ppt compared to April 2024), the highest ever for April.

Domestic demand increased 3.3% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 3.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.7% (+0.1 ppt compared to April 2024).

“April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand, which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

“As we gather in New Delhi, India for the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, it is notable that Indian domestic growth is running at over 10%. The development of India’s air connectivity in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal, making this year’s gathering a timely and powerful reminder for all on how aviation connectivity drives growth and development,” said Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets

International RPK growth accelerated to 10.8% in April year-on-year, with growth in all regions and load factors increasing everywhere except a slight fall in Latin America. Africa resumed growth after two months of declines, and North American international RPK grew (+5.4%), but suffered a 26% fall in First and Business class travel.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 14.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 12.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.3% (+1.3 ppt compared to April 2024).

European carriers had a 9.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.5% (+1.3 ppt compared to April 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw an 11.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.1% (+3.4 ppt compared to April 2024).

North American carriers saw a 5.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.4% (+2.2 ppt compared to April 2024).

Latin American airlines saw a 13.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 14.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.2% (-0.6 ppt compared to April 2024).

African airlines saw a 13.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 8.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 76.3% (+3.1 ppt compared to April 2024).

Air India Express expands routes to Kathmandu

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

DELHI, 2 JUNE 2025: Air India Express launched direct flights on 1 June between Bengaluru and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, making it the 55th destination on the airline’s rapidly growing network.

Operations on the route commenced on 1 June 2025. Bookings are now open on the airline’s website and other in-house booking channels, with inaugural fares starting at INR 8,000 for Xpress Lite and INR 8,500 for Xpress Value.

Kathmandu, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is renowned for its blend of ancient heritage and natural beauty. From the sacred Pashupatinath Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to being a gateway to Everest treks, the city is a hub for both spiritual and adventure tourism. Travellers can also explore nearby destinations such as Pokhara, the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini, and the medieval charm of Bhaktapur.

Commenting on the launch of services to Kathmandu, Air India Express, Managing Director Aloke Singh said: “We are delighted to expand our footprint to Nepal, our neighbouring country in the subcontinent, further strengthening the deep-rooted cultural and economic ties we share. This new route brings people, tales, and traditions closer while reinforcing our vision of making travel more accessible and meaningful. It also builds on our recent expansion into short-haul international leisure destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket.”

The new route also enables one-stop connections to Kathmandu via Bengaluru from 20 cities across India: Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Goa, Gwalior, Hindon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jammu, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Mangaluru, Pune, Srinagar, Surat, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, and Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada as well as from two international cities: Abu Dhabi and Dammam.

From Bengaluru: Air India Express operates over 450 weekly flights connecting directly to 31 destinations, including Amritsar, Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hindon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, North Goa, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Surat, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. It also serves international routes to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, and Kathmandu.  

Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to six domestic destinations: Agartala, Chennai, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal and Bombay and 14 international destinations: Al Ain, Bahrain, Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Phuket, Ras al Khaimah, Riyadh, Salalah, Sharjah, and Singapore.

Scoot introduces flights to Vienna

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 2 JUNE 2025: Scoot launches flights to Vienna in Austria this week from its Singapore home base and will introduce more flights to several Asia-Pacific destinations as the month progresses.

Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary will commence direct flights from Singapore to Vienna, the capital of Austria, on 3 June, deploying a Boeing 787 with 331 seats. Flight time is approximately 13 hours. Three weekly services are scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  

Scoot announced the launch of non-stop flights to Austria’s capital, Vienna, earlier this year, following the suspension of flights to Athens, Greece, and Berlin, Germany, on 28 March 2025. 

Vienna is a popular gateway for leisure travellers from Asia booked on trips that explore Eastern Europe and multi-city European destinations. 

Flight schedule

TR710 departs Singapore (SIN) at 0300 and arrives in Vienna (VIE) at 0905. (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).
TR711 departs Vienna (VIE) at 1125 and arrives in Singapore (SIN) at 0450 (plus a day). 

Scoot’s fares start at SGD705. The average round-trip fare for all airlines serving the Singapore-Vienna route is USD800.

Scoot increases flights in Asia 

Iloilo City, Philippines: Flights to Iloilo City will increase from two to four weekly services starting 6 June 2025.

Koh Samui, Thailand: Flights to Koh Samui will increase from 21 to 25 weekly services starting 24 June 2025.

Cebu, Philippines: Flights to Cebu will increase from seven to 10 weekly services by 24 June 2025.

Jakarta, Indonesia: Scoot increased its Jakarta service to 25 weekly flights (up from 19) on 30 March 2025.

Bali (Denpasar), Indonesia: Scoot is now operating widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners on all 21 weekly services to Bali, increasing passenger capacity.

Taipei, Taiwan & Seoul, South Korea (via Taipei): Services to Taipei and Seoul (via Taipei) will increase to daily, up from five weekly services starting 2 August 2025. 

Phu Quoc, Vietnam: Frequencies increased from five to six weekly flights since 15 April 2025.

Perth, Australia: Frequencies will increase to 14 times weekly from 12 weekly starting 4 August 2025.

Sydney, Australia: Frequencies will increase from 10 to 14 weekly, starting 5 October 2025.

Davao, Philippines: Services will increase from nine to 12 weekly, starting August 30, 2025.

Vietjet flies Singapore – Phu Quoc service

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 2 JUNE 2025: Vietjet launched a brand-new direct international route on 30 May, connecting Singapore and Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s popular holiday island.  

To celebrate the launch, Vietjet offers weekly Friday deals, with fares starting from just SGD86 one-way (inclusive of taxes and fees), applicable on all Singapore–Vietnam routes. These special fares are available for booking every Friday for travel between now and 31 December 2025. Bookings are open on the airline’s website and mobile app.     

Vietjet’s Singapore – Phu Quoc service offers four return flights per week from Singapore’s Changi Airport to Phu Quoc on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, making it easier than ever for Singaporean travellers to reach the island hailed by international travel publications as one of the world’s most beautiful island getaways — on par with destinations such as the Maldives and Bora Bora.

Phu Quoc Island was recently voted the second-best island in the world at the 2024 World’s Best Awards by the renowned travel publication Travel + Leisure. The island has also been selected as the venue for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities in 2027.

Flight VJ984 departs Singapore at 1305 and lands in Phu Quoc at 1345. The return flight VJ983 departs Phu Quoc at 1545 and arrives in Singapore at 1830. The airline flies the route daily using an A320 with 180 seats.

With an early afternoon arrival in Phu Quoc, travellers have plenty of time to check in, unwind at their resort, or start exploring the island’s scenic spots straightaway.

In early 2025, Phu Quoc welcomed over 1.4 million visitors, including more than 320,000 international tourists, marking a 52.7% jump from the same period last year. Interest in the island has skyrocketed, with accommodation searches increasing by 266%, making it Agoda’s most sought-after international destination of the year.

Beyond its natural beauty, Phu Quoc offers a wealth of attractions. Visitors can explore the iconic Kiss Bridge, enjoy nightly fireworks at Sunset Town, and ride the world’s longest ocean-crossing three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island. Adding to the island’s appeal is its visa-free policy, which allows international travellers to stay for up to 30 days, making it perfect for a fuss-free holiday.

This additional daily service brings Vietjet’s total weekly flights between Singapore and Vietnam to 78. Also, it marks the airline’s fourth route to Singapore, complementing its existing services from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. From these key gateways, travellers can easily connect to other popular destinations across Vietnam — such as Hue, Nha Trang, and Quang Binh — as well as onward to hotspots throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietjet’s Singapore – Vietnam flight schedule 

·Singapore – Phu Quoc – Singapore: VJ984/VJ983: Daily flights. 

·Singapore – Hanoi – Singapore: VJ916/VJ915: Daily flights.

·Singapore – Danang – Singapore: VJ970/VJ973: Daily flights. 

·Singapore – Ho Chi Minh City – Singapore: VJ812/VJ813, VJ814/VJ811, VJ816/VJ815: three flights daily.

AAPA reports strong April performance

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 JUNE 2025: International passenger and air cargo markets continued to expand despite softening global economic conditions and persistent trade frictions, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Preliminary April 2025 traffic figures released last week.

Asia-Pacific airlines collectively carried 31.3 million international passengers in April, a 10.5% year-over-year increase. Demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by 12.6%, reflecting continued strength in long-haul travel. With available seat capacity expanding by 11.7% year-on-year, the international passenger load factor rose by 0.7 percentage points to an elevated 82.4% for the month.

While the global manufacturing sector faced increased challenges amid uncertainties over tariff disputes, air cargo demand in April was supported by the advance loading of shipments on selected routes and the rerouting of goods to alternative gateways. As a result, international air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 4.9% year-on-year, slightly outpacing the 4.2% rise in offered freight capacity. Consequently, the international freight load factor edged 0.4 percentage points higher to 61.5% compared to the same month last year.

Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said: “Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 127 million international passengers in the first four months of 2025, representing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. The sustained recovery in international tourist arrivals, bolstered by continued route network expansions, underscores the resilience of the travel market. The growth comes despite mounting macroeconomic headwinds, which contributed to a downward revision of the global GDP growth forecast to 2.8% for the year.

“Correspondingly, international air cargo demand recorded a 5% increase during the first four months of the year, even as consumers and businesses faced heightened uncertainty due to tariff disputes. This environment contributed to advance purchases and stockpiling activity in anticipation of potential cost increases.”

Looking ahead, Menon said: “The trade disputes and softening macroeconomic conditions may signal challenging times for air travel and cargo markets in the months ahead. This will place further strain on already thin profit margins in the airline industry. Overall, the region’s carriers remain vigilant, actively monitoring market developments and ready to adapt swiftly to evolving conditions.”

(Source: AAPA)

Kuching hosts 6th International Energy Week

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUCHING, 30 MAY 2025: Mark your calendars. From 15 to 17 July 2025, the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) will welcome delegates to the 6th International Energy Week (IEW) 2025, with the theme, “From Sarawak to the World: Journey to Clean Energy Leadership.”

This premier event will spotlight Sarawak’s rise as a clean energy powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region and accelerate the global clean energy transition towards a sustainable future.

Photo credit: BESarawak.

During a press conference earlier this week, the Honourable Datuk Dr. Hazland Hipni Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability of Sarawak and Chairman of the IEW 2025 Organising Committee, stated that the event is expected to attract over 6,500 attendees from 25 countries. 

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), a key supporter of IEW, was represented at the press conference by Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, and Bibi Afiqah, Manager and Project Liaison.

IEW Exhibition 

Over 400 companies from around the world will showcase innovations in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy efficiency, smart grids, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies, as well as green infrastructure. There will be over 200 exhibition booths.

IEW Summit 

On 15 and 16 July, the IEW Summit will feature 50 renowned speakers and over 400 delegates across 20 curated sessions. The programme will include a visionary dialogue with the Premier of Sarawak, ministerial forums on economic transformation and natural gas as a regional catalyst, and expert panels on ASEAN policy harmonisation, sustainable development, and energy innovation.

https://businesseventssarawak.com

4th India Holiday Report from Thomas Cook and SOTC

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

MUMBAI, INDIA, 30 MAY: Thomas Cook India and its group company, SOTC Travel, released their India Holiday Report 2025 this week — a comprehensive study capturing the evolving aspirations and behaviour of Indian travellers. 

Conducted across digital platforms, the study surveyed over 2,500 respondents over one month, reflecting a significant shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the growing aspirational value of travel, including experiential holidays.

With 85% of Indians planning to increase their trips and a significant proportion intending to boost budgets by up to 50%, the report paints a picture of a booming travel economy. 

High on planning lists are experiential and event-led activities, such as polar expeditions, icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps, and phenomenon travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom and Midnight Sun). 

‘Phygital’ journeys, which blend digital discovery with human touchpoints, continue to influence and drive bookings. Additionally, travellers show a clear inclination towards more extended holidays. Today’s new-age Indian traveller is also keen on spiritual travel, hidden gems, and distinctive accommodations, such as igloos, treehouses, and chalets-chateaux.

Key takeaways from the survey 

Travel is now an integral part of the Indian lifestyle, driven by various factors. One of them is the introduction of new routes and direct flights are significantly improving accessibility and fuelling travel demand. 

Influence of social media, OTT platforms and movies: 60% of respondents indicate that social media, OTT platforms and movies are increasingly shaping their travel decisions.

Simplified visa processes and easy access: 44% of respondents are more likely to visit countries offering simplified visa processes, such as e-visas or visa-on-arrival options, like Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, countries that issue long-term visas are also seeing an uptick, including Australia and Japan.

Indian consumers remain value seekers: 39% actively seek promotions, highlighting the strong influence of discounts and special offers on their purchasing decisions. Promotional campaigns & deals from tour operators and tourism boards are driving travel interest. At the same time, there is a clear shift towards trusted travel brands for premium holiday experiences, reflecting a focus on reliability.

Word of mouth remains relevant: 30% of respondents reported that recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues continue to influence their holiday decisions.

Increased frequency of holidays and longer stays 

Holidays set to double or triple: 85% of respondents plan to increase their holidays from 2 per year to 4-6 trips annually.

Smart planning fuels mini-cations: 47% of respondents intend to use long weekends and public holidays for short getaways. Similarly, there is a notable shift towards longer trips, with 54% of respondents extending their trips by 5 to 10 days.

Strong holiday spend intent: Approximately 84% of respondents plan to increase their travel spending by 20-50% in 2025, with over 18% intending to boost their budgets by a substantial 50% or more. This mirrors a broader trend, where travellers are allocating more budgets to gastronomy, experiences and shopping.

Evolving travel companion preferences: Travelling together remains the preferred mode, with 90% opting for company. Multigenerational families (65%) lead the chart, followed by couples (60%) and a rising segment — ‘frolleagues’ (colleagues who double as friends) at 28%; solo at 10%. 

Family bonding trips on the rise: There’s been an increase in travel experiences focused on family connections, such as mother-daughter trips and sibling/cousin holidays

Experiential travel takes centre stage: Close to 75% of respondents are interested in experience-led holidays. 

Over 45% of respondents are prioritising phenomenon-based travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossoms; Midnight Sun). There is also a growing interest in safaris, self-drives, and outdoor adventures (32%).

Gastronomy trips (26%) are increasing to France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

Event tourism (global music concerts, sporting events and festivals) is also on the rise, aligning with a focus on entertainment-driven travel experiences (22%). Australia, Abu Dhabi, and Thailand are prime destinations.

(Source: Thomas Cook India and SOTC).

Agoda supports Visit Malaysia 2026

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR 30 MAY 2025: Tourism Malaysia and Agoda join forces to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in Southeast Asia, aligning with the national campaign for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). 

Under a newly signed two-year Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), Tourism Malaysia and Agoda will launch a series of targeted digital campaigns. These initiatives will offer travellers insights into Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and urban experiences.

The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia’s goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. Agoda will share its global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia’s policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on both international and domestic travellers. 

Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy stated: “Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with Agoda, a global digital platform, to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives.”

Agoda’s Country Director for Malaysia, Fabian Teja, added: “This partnership underscores Agoda’s dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through our innovative technology and engaging content.”

Both parties emphasised a commitment to share best practices and insights through joint workshops focusing on traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism development. 

Cathay Group enjoys an award-winning streak

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 30 MAY 2025: The Cathay Group won 15 awards at the annual Customer Service Excellence Awards hosted by the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence (HKACE), held on 27 May.

The airline group took home the prestigious Grand Award for the third consecutive year. Collectively, the Cathay Group won four Gold awards, three Bronzes, five Merits and two Top 10 Young Stars of the Year awards. 

Photo credit: Cathay Group. Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan, along with senior management members, celebrated the achievements of Cathay staff.

These awards spanned a variety of categories, including Field and Special Service, Internal Support Service, ‘FrontliService’, Counter Service, Contact Centre Service, People Development, Innovative Service, and Top 10 Young Stars of the Year.

The Customer Service Excellence Awards ceremony is hosted annually by the HKACE to celebrate customer service employees and honour outstanding performers to promote a quality customer service culture in Hong Kong.

Representing the Cathay Group at the awards ceremony was Cathay’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan, along with other senior management members who celebrated the achievements of Cathay staff.

Alex McGowan said: “We are deeply honoured to receive multiple awards this year, especially the Grand Award for the third year running, reflecting our dedication to putting our customers at the centre of everything we do. These awards recognise the incredible efforts of our people across Cathay, especially our service delivery teams, who provide the professional, warm and heartfelt service that defines the Cathay service. The recognitions we have received will motivate us to continue to go above and beyond as we strive to become one of the world’s greatest service brands.”

1...343536...605Page 35 of 605

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.