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Malaysia Airlines increases Maldives flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 5 August 2025: Malaysia Airlines will increase flights between the Malaysian capital and the Maldives from daily to 11 weekly during the northern hemisphere winter timetable that opens 26 October 2025 and extends to the end of March 2026.

OAG data confirms frequencies will increase effective 30 October with the airline deploying the 174-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the direct route.

The airline already flies the route daily with MH485 departing Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0940 and arriving in the Maldives (MLE) at 1100. The return flight MH484 departs Maldives (MLE) at 1200 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1945.

The additional four services per week will depart KUL on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 

MH487 will depart Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 2100 and arrive in the Maldives (MLE) at 2220.
MH486 will depart the Maldives (MLE) at 2320 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 0705 plus a day.

On the direct KUL-MLE route, Malaysia Airlines competes head-on with AirAsia (17 flights weekly) and Batik Air (seven flights, a mix of morning and evening departures).

Based on the latest available information from airline timetable data, more airlines are increasing flights to the Maldives for the winter schedule of 2025-2026.

Qatar Airways has announced an increase in flights to the Maldives, from three daily to four daily flights.

Condor has scheduled flights to Malé five times per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday) for the winter 2025/2026 timetable.

Virgin Atlantic will operate direct flights from London Heathrow to Malé from 9 November 2025 to 20 April 2026, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

AirAsia X readies for Tashkent flights

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TASHKENT, 5 August 2025: AirAsia X (AAX) confirms it will launch a new direct route between Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Scheduled to commence on 15 October 2025 with three flights weekly, the new service forms part of AAX’s broader strategy to connect emerging Central Asian markets to its extensive network of over 130 destinations through its Fly-Thru hub in Kuala Lumpur.

(Second from left) Amanda Woo, Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia Aviation Group; Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X; H.E. Ilham Tuah bin Illias, Ambassador of Malaysia to Uzbekistan; H.E. Mr. Shadiev Umid Rustamovich, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Sherzodkhon Qudratkhuja, Chairman of the National Media Association; and Dr Amir Qurayshi, Chairman of AA Airline Management Group at the launch event for AirAsia X’s new direct route between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur.

The announcement comes at a pivotal time as Uzbekistan targets 15.8 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2025. The new connection is expected to boost two-way traffic, bringing more travellers from Southeast Asia into Uzbekistan while offering Uzbeks greater access to destinations across Asia, Australia, and beyond.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said: “Our mission has always been to make medium-haul travel more accessible and affordable, and we are excited to extend this offering to travellers from Uzbekistan with our entry into Tashkent. The strong performance of our Almaty route has reaffirmed the potential of Central Asia, prompting us to grow further in the region. 

“Through Kuala Lumpur, guests from Tashkent can now connect to over 130 destinations, including top cities in Southeast Asia, China, Australia, and more. Similarly, we are already seeing encouraging forward bookings for the Tashkent route, with strong demand from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Singapore, showing clear interest from travellers across the region.

“This new route also reflects the growing ties between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, as both countries deepen cooperation in trade, education, Islamic tourism, and cultural exchange. While supporting Uzbekistan’s tourism goals, this route also supports broader national initiatives, including Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which aims to attract more travellers from Central Asia.”

AA Aviation Management Group Chairman Mukhtaramin Bekzod added:

“We are confident this service will be well-received by Uzbek travellers seeking affordable and convenient access to Southeast Asia, Australia, and beyond. With AirAsia X’s extensive Fly-Thru network via Kuala Lumpur, this route opens the door to new markets for outbound travel, while also encouraging more inbound visitors from across Southeast Asia into Uzbekistan. This connectivity will play a vital role in supporting Uzbekistan’s tourism and economic growth by creating new opportunities for leisure, business, and cultural exchange.”

Flight Schedule between Tashkent (TAS) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL):

Emirates and IHG support SMEs

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE, 4 August 2025: Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across global markets. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Matthew Jones, VP-USA, Emirates; Ashraf Baytam, Senior Manager Global Business Travel, Emirates; and Ryan Plemmons, Vice President, Global Sales Strategy, IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Together, Emirates and IHG will explore ways to reach and engage with SMEs through value-added benefits and exclusive rewards to facilitate business travel. The hotel group will provide enhanced travel incentives and seamless integration with its extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts around the globe.

Present at the signing ceremony was Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, who commented: “With the SME segment playing a crucial role in fostering economic growth and creating jobs, Emirates is committed to supporting them with solutions and value-added propositions to meet their travel needs.

We are pleased to collaborate with the leading hotel group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to explore programmes that will be mutually beneficial to our valued customers. Together we aim to extend valuable benefits to our customers in the SME sector, while expanding our customer base in this crucial segment.”

Mark Sergot, SVP, Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Emirates to redefine business travel for Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide.

This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value, seamless experiences, and exclusive rewards tailored to the unique needs of SMEs.

By combining IHG’s hospitality expertise with Emirates’ global connectivity, we are unlocking new possibilities to empower businesses and drive growth across international markets.

For information on the airline or to make a booking, visit www.emirates.com.

Sarawak’s hotels present key performance metrics

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 4 August 2025: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, recently hosted the Hotel Data Refinement Session with Sarawak’s Hotel Industry in conjunction with the Presentation of Appreciation Certificates to Hotel Survey Samples in Sarawak. 

The event was held at the Hilton Hotel Kuching and marked the first engagement of its kind for the year.

Hotel Data Refinement Session with Sarawak’s Hotel Industry.

The session was officiated by Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar, and brought together key tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Sarawak, including representatives from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Sarawak Chapter, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Sarawak Chapter, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) Sarawak.

Organised by the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia, the session served as a platform to present the latest findings from the quarterly Paid Accommodation Survey (also known as the hotel survey), which captures key performance metrics such as Average Occupancy Rate (AOR), Average Room Rate (ARR), and guest arrivals, both domestic and international.

In addition to data sharing, a refresher on the survey’s reporting procedures was provided to ensure consistent and accurate data submission.

The session was also supported by newly appointed hotel officers in understanding their roles, while offering a platform for industry players to share feedback, challenges, and suggestions to improve the survey’s implementation and relevance.

According to Shahrin, this engagement is timely as the country prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). 

“Reliable and high-quality data is essential in supporting our national tourism agenda.

The hotel survey plays a vital role not only for Tourism Malaysia but also as a key reference for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders,” he said.

To acknowledge outstanding contributions, Tourism Malaysia also presented certificates of appreciation and Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional materials to hotel operators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and consistency in data submission. 

This recognition reflects the agency’s appreciation for their continued support in enhancing national tourism data.

Malaysia continues to experience a strong recovery in tourism. In 2024, the country welcomed 38 million international visitors — a 31.1% increase from 2023 and 8.3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The positive momentum has carried into 2025, with 13.4 million visitor arrivals recorded from January to April, representing a 21.0% year-on-year increase. 

Singapore remained Malaysia’s top source market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the UK.

InterContinental Halong Bay opens

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: InterContinental Halong Bay Resort has officially opened its doors in Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage destinations.

InterContinental Halong Bay Resort & Residences – Exterior (Rendering).

Located two hours from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, InterContinental Halong Bay Resort features 174 rooms and suites, 60 residences, 41 private villas, alongside six F&B venues and restaurants and five event spaces for corporate meetings, weddings, and milestone celebrations. 

Anchoring the resort’s wellness offering is the newly unveiled Hidden Lagoon Spa, a sanctuary that presents treatments curated in partnership with luxury wellness brands Sodashi and Margaret Dabbs London. 

Opening Offer: Tranquillity Awaits

To celebrate its grand opening, the resort offers its Tranquillity Awaits package, available now through 31 October 2025.

The offer includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Morning coffee tasting at Marina Kitchen
  • A curated programme of resort activities
  • Special welcome amenities

Guests can also choose one of five experiences:

  • A three-course signature dinner at La Baguette or Marina Kitchen
  • Afternoon tea with panoramic bay views at Vue
  • Sunset cocktail tasting with the resort’s Head Mixologist at Del Mar
  • A floating sunrise breakfast in the privacy of their villa pool
  • VND 1,000,000 resort credit redeemable at the spa or any dining venue

Sort out your Spring 2026 fare deals

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 August 2025: Vietjet introduces its double day 8/8 August discount campaign with up to 80% off on tickets (*) for early bird bookers planning trips for the 2026 Lunar New Year across Vietnam and worldwide.

The ticket purchase window is open 0000 to 2300 on 8 August 2025 (GMT+7), using the VJ80 code when booking Eco tickets on the airline’s website or the Vietjet Air app to obtain an 80% discount (*). 

Photo credit: Vietjet.

The offer applies to all Vietjet flights, with travel dates from 15 September 2025 to 27 May 2026 (**).

Vietjet will sell domestic flight tickets from the North to the South before Tet holidays and from the South to the North after Tet at promotional prices to serve people celebrating Tet.

The deal is also available for round-trip fares on flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to all destinations. Popular destinations include Sydney (Australia), Mumbai (India), and Shanghai (China).

Asian Trails hires new chief tech officer

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 August 2025: Asian Trails has confirmed the appointment of Sushil Mankar as Chief Technology Officer, succeeding Marcel Grifoll, who has been an integral part of Asian Trails for the past 13 years.

With over two decades of IT leadership experience, Mankar brings a wealth of knowledge in driving digital transformation within the travel industry.

Asian Trails’ Chief Technology Officer Sushil Mankar

In his previous role as Senior Vice President of IT at Thomas Cook India, he led the implementation of core applications and IT systems across 23 countries.

He will lead the expansion of Asian Trails’ digital strategy, including eConnect, the company’s real-time B2B booking platform, along with other industry-leading technologies.

Commenting on his appointment, Mankar said: “I am excited to join Asian Trails and lead the technology team into the future of innovation and growth.

“My focus will be on fostering a collaborative environment, driving strategic technology initiatives and delivering exceptional value to our customers and people.”

Sushil succeeds Marcel Grifoll, who has been an integral part of Asian Trails for the past 13 years. He played a key role in the company’s growth, first as Group CFO/COO and more recently as head of our technology division since 2022.

Commenting on his time with Asian Trails, Grifoll said: “It has been a fascinating journey since I joined Asian Trails in 2012, and I am happy to have been able to contribute in key strategic areas to shape Asian Trails’ ongoing success and digital transformation process.

Malaysia promotes stargazing holidays

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: Tourism Malaysia is showcasing its latest eco-tourism initiative, the Stargazing Packages, a curated collection of over 30 ready-to-book experiences designed for astronomy enthusiasts of the night sky. 

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Dato Indera Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, officiated at the launch during the 8th edition of Malaysia Fest 2025, which concluded on 3 August 2025.

Stargazing holidays take centre stage at Malaysia Fest 2025.

The initiative aims to position Malaysia as a premier destination for eco-adventure tourism by highlighting its pristine natural landscapes and unpolluted night skies, ideal for stargazing. 

The packages offered Malaysia’s most breathtaking stargazing destinations, such as Bukit Merah, Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Desaru, Perlis, Pantai Tok Bali, and several others, known for their spectacular celestial views.

In addition to the stargazing launch, Tourism Malaysia’s pavilion at the festival, which opened on 31 July, showcased a diverse range of tourism products and services from Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Featuring 16 co-exhibitors, the pavilion offered visitors the chance to explore travel deals, healthcare tourism, theme park attractions, and resort stays.

Tourism Malaysia Singapore director Norliza Md Zain said: “By offering exclusive travel deals and curated tour experiences, Tourism Malaysia Singapore created a dynamic platform that connects Malaysian tourism stakeholders with the growing appetite of Singaporean travellers seeking memorable journeys.”

Care Luxury Hotels & Resorts, KPJ Healthcare, Hospitality 360, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, and Sunway Theme Parks presented attractive packages at the festival.

Singapore remained Malaysia’s leading source of international visitor arrivals. From January to May 2025, Malaysia recorded 8.3 million visitors from Singapore, a 26.5% increase compared to the same period last year, signalling strong year-on-year growth. 

For 2025, Malaysia targets 43 million international visits, paving the way towards the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).

Passenger growth slows to 2.6% in June

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2025 showing global passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), improving 2.6% compared to June 2024 but at a slower pace than registered in previous months. 

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was also up 3.4% year-on-year. The June load factor was 84.5% (-0.6 ppt compared to June 2024).

International demand rose 3.2% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4% (-0.8 ppt compared to June 2024).

Domestic demand increased 1.6% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh commented: “Demand for air travel grew by 2.6% in June. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East. With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels. At 84.5% globally, however, load factors are still powerful. And with a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs”.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK growth reached 3.2% in June year-on-year, but load factor fell across all regions as capacity growth outstripped demand. The steepest fall in RPK growth from May was in the Middle East, where international traffic contracted 0.4% year-on-year, impacted by military conflict.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to June 2024).

European carriers had a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.4% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).

North American carriers saw a 0.3% year-on-year fall in demand. Capacity increased 2.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 86.9% (-2.2 ppt compared to June 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 0.4% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity increased 1.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 78.7% (-1.2 ppt compared to June 2024). Military conflict particularly impacted traffic on routes to North America (-7.0% year-on-year) and Europe (-4.4% year-on-year).

Latin American airlines saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.3% (-1.9 ppt compared to June 2024).

African airlines saw a 0.3% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity was up 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.6% (-0.5 ppt compared to June 2024). The decline in African load factor may be due to increased competition from European and Middle Eastern carriers.

HK Express links Hong Kong and Subang

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 4 August 2025: HK Express Airways (HK Express) launched its daily flights between Hong Kong and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) in Subang, Kuala Lumpur, last Friday. 

The addition of Kuala Lumpur (Subang) marks HK Express’ second destination in Malaysia after Penang, further strengthening its Southeast Asian network. 

Photo credit: HK Express. The airline’s management team celebrates the launch of the Kuala Lumpur (Subang) by distributing souvenirs and taking commemorative photos with passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport.

This new route provides travellers greater flexibility and convenience to explore Malaysia, while reinforcing HK Express’ commitment to connecting Asia’s exciting destinations.

Upon arrival at Subang (SZB) airport, passengers were greeted with a warm welcome from representatives of the local tourism board and airport, who presented souvenirs to commemorate the occasion.

HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of our Kuala Lumpur (Subang) route, a significant milestone in our efforts to connect travellers across Asia. 

“With just a 30-minute transfer from Subang Airport to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, this new route makes it even easier for our customers to experience the vibrant energy, rich culture, and renowned hospitality that Malaysia has to offer. This route not only enhances travel convenience but also reinforces the ties between Hong Kong and Malaysia, fostering greater collaboration in tourism, culture, and economic opportunities.

“By strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, we are proud to play a role in facilitating cultural and economic exchange. Looking ahead, we will continue to grow our route network, creating more opportunities for travellers to explore the unique charm and diversity of Asia.”

Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said: “We are delighted to welcome HK Express to Subang Airport, a historic aviation hub nestled in the heart of Selangor. This new connection plays a vital role in supporting our Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign by offering international travellers more accessible routes to explore our beautiful country.”

He added: Subang Airport serves as the ideal gateway to discover Malaysia’s treasures — from the Petronas Twin Towers and the vibrant Bukit Bintang shopping haven to authentic street food delights at Petaling Street and the colonial charm of Merdeka Square.”

Flight schedule

HK Express deploys an A320 aircraft on the route, flying a daily service with 180 seats in a single cabin configuration. The flight time is four hours and five minutes. Airline scheduling data shows the average round-trip fare on the HKG-SXB route is estimated at USD170 during August to December 2025.

UO716 departs Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 1645 and arrives in Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) at 2030.
UO717 departs Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) at 2130 and arrives in Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 0135.

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