BANGKOK, 10 March 2026: Minor Hotels confirms Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane, a premium lifestyle hotel, is set to open during Q2 2026 in Vientiane, the Lao PDR capital.
The property will become Minor Hotels’ second hotel in Laos, joining Avani+ Luang Prabang in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Photo credit: Minor Hotels. Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane.
Located on Fa Ngum Road and approximately a 15-minute commute from Wattay International Airport, Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane will feature 197 rooms across a range of categories, from deluxe rooms to suites and a spacious presidential suite.
The hotel will feature four dining and social venues, including Mekong Mosaic, an all-day dining restaurant. Sabaidee Social will bring an easygoing, bar-led atmosphere to the ground floor, with direct street access, welcoming both in-house guests and locals.
The Pantry will provide a relaxed café and deli concept for coffee, casual bites, and informal meetings. For a more elevated occasion, Salongxay will offer fine dining, supported by two private dining rooms for small-group celebrations.
Other facilities include AvaniSpa with three single treatment rooms and two couples treatment rooms, and an outdoor swimming pool. Lanexang Hall’s ballroom will accommodate up to 320 guests and can be divided into two function rooms.
SINGAPORE, 10 March 2026: Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), in close coordination with national ministries and industry stakeholders, has successfully organised eight repatriation flights, including services to Germany and France, to ensure travellers could return home safely.
The repatriation flights are part of a response strategy to address the ongoing disruptions affecting the global aviation network.
Photo credit: Visit Maldives. The Maldives rescues stranded tourists following airspace closure in the Middle East.
Recognising the operational difficulties and anxiety caused by recent flight cancellations, Visit Maldives is prioritising traveller safety and destination resilience through a series of proactive measures designed to support both international guests and local industry partners.
Measures include providing direct, on-ground assistance and establishing a specialised Help Desk at Velana International Airport (VIA) in collaboration with the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and the Ministry of Tourism & Environment.
The help desk serves as a critical resource for visitors, offering guidance and assistance during this period of Uncertainty.
In addition to immediate relief efforts, Visit Maldives is actively engaging with several airlines to explore the possibility of additional flights and enhanced connectivity options in the coming weeks.
To mitigate the impact on arrival numbers, the corporation is calling for a unified industry front to launch joint marketing campaigns.
These initiatives will specifically target markets such as India, China, Russia, and other Asian regions where travel disruptions have been comparatively less severe, ensuring that demand for the destination remains sustainable.
Looking at long-term recovery, Visit Maldives is developing a coordinated Crisis Response Strategy for the destination. The corporation intends to convene an industry-wide discussion shortly to share insights, align recovery tactics, and identify practical measures to support the sector.
By fostering communications and incorporating feedback from all stakeholders, Visit Maldives said it “remains committed to navigating these global challenges through the unity and resilience that have long defined the Maldivian tourism industry.”
SINGAPORE, 10 March 2026: Air Canada has introduced double daily flights on the Toronto (YYZ) – Delhi (DEL) route, up from a single daily service.
The airline describes it as a short-term response to the war in the Middle East, which has disrupted regional air connectivity.
Photo credit: Air Canada.
Toronto to Delhi Capacity Boost
Double Daily Service: From 7 to 21 March 2026, Air Canada is operating two flights daily.
Flight Schedule
AC48 (existing service) departs Vancouver (YYZ) at 1955 and arrives Delhi (DEL) at 2010 plus a day. AC42 (New) departs Vancouver YYZ at 2130 and arrives in DEL at 2200 plus a day.
The airline deploys Boeing 777-200LR for both flights, specifically designed for ultra-long-haul services (roughly 16 to 17 hours). The aircraft
Air Canada operates six Boeing 777-200LR (Long Range) aircraft with a 300-seat layout.
Air Canada Signature Class (Business): 40 seats Premium Economy: 24 seats Economy Class: 236 seats
Mumbai and London Adjustments
For the Toronto–London–Mumbai route, the airline is utilising larger aircraft on select flights during this same March window to provide more seating and routing options.
In its statement, the airline cites the “ongoing Middle East situation” as the driver for these changes, aiming to accommodate passengers displaced by other airline cancellations and airspace closures in the region.
Summer schedule 2026
While the Delhi doubling is temporary, Air Canada is also embarking on international expansion. On the Vancouver-to-Bangkok route, the airline shifts from a seasonal to a year-round schedule, effective 1 April. The airline is also targeting a 15% increase in international capacity and re-establishing various Asian links, including the return of non-stop Toronto–Shanghai flights starting in June.
HONG KONG, 10 March 2026: StarCruises introduces three new five- night cruises from Hong Kong aboard Star Voyager, sailing to Okinawa, Japan, Vietnam and Sanya.
The three sailings feature two “Okinawa Adventure” cruises — to Miyakojima and Naha departing 22 March 2026, and to Ishigaki & Naha departing 3 May 2026.
Photo credit: StarCruises.
The “Enchanting Vietnam & Sanya Cruise” departs on 26 April 2026 to Halong Bay, Da Nang and Sanya.
“We are delighted to introduce these special five-night cruises from Hong Kong as part of our continued commitment to offering more exciting and diverse vacation options for our
guests,” said StarDream Cruises President Michael Goh. “With the addition of Okinawa, Vietnam and Sanya, travellers can look forward to discovering stunning destinations while enjoying the onboard experiences aboard Star Voyager.”
SINGAPORE, 10 March 2026: Turkish Airlines achieved a USD2.2 billion profit from its core operations in 2025, while revenues for the full year exceeded USD24.1 billion, the airline group reported last week.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, revenues increased by 12% year over year, reaching USD6.3 billion. The fourth quarter profit from core operations increased by 23% compared to the same quarter in the previous year, reaching USD534 million.
Photo credit: Turkish Airlines.
In 2025, the EBITDAR (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, and Rent) margin exceeded the mid-point of the long-term target, reaching 23.7 %. Consolidated assets amounted to USD46.6 billion.
Despite an exceptionally challenging and unpredictable operating environment created by geopolitical tensions, the airline reports strong performance in January and February, supporting expectations that the 2026 EBITDAR margin should reach between 22% and 24%.
Maintaining its position as the network carrier operating the most flights in Europe, Turkish Airlines sustained steady growth throughout 2025 despite geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties stemming from trade wars, as well as aircraft delivery and engine supply issues in the aviation industry. Despite production bottlenecks, the airline group has expanded its fleet by 5% year over year to 516 aircraft by the end of 2025.
In 2025, revenue increased by 6.3% year over year to USD 24.1 billion, supported by strong contributions from passenger operations.
Passenger revenues increased by 7.4%, driven by favourable demand in international and premium segments. The decline in cargo unit yields stemming from the slowdown in global trade volumes and the adverse effects of tariffs was offset by a 16.6% increase in cargo volume, resulting in USD 3.4 billion in cargo revenue.
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 March 2026: ‘AMAL by Malaysia Airlines’ resumed normal operations to Jeddah (JED) and Madinah (MED) as of 8 March 2026, following a suspension of services due to regional airspace closures.
‘AMAL by Malaysia Airlines’ is a specialised brand and subsidiary under the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) dedicated exclusively to providing pilgrimage travel services for Hajj and Umrah.
Photo credit: Malaysia Airlines
Last week’s military escalation in the Gulf had a significant operational impact on AMAL by Malaysia Airlines, leading to a total suspension of its pilgrimage services, followed by a phased resumption. Roughly 243 Malaysian Umrah pilgrims were reported stranded in Saudi Arabia during the peak of the closures as the airline waited for safe air corridors to reopen. As regional authorities established “safe corridors,” AMAL began a cautious, limited resumption to support stranded travellers.
To bypass the snarled Gulf hubs, Malaysia Airlines deployed extra A350-900 flights to London and Paris to move passengers who would normally transit through the Middle East.
Codeshare Impact: Services to Doha (typically used for connections to the broader Middle East and Europe via Qatar Airways) remained grounded even as pilgrimage flights began to restart.
Meanwhile, the airline confirms that its flights to Doha (DOH) will remain suspended until 13 March 2026, as it continues to assess the security situation.
The airline advises passengers to update their contact information via ‘My Booking’ for timely updates. Assistance is also available via Live Chat on the website, or by contacting the Malaysia Airlines Global Contact Centre at 1 300 88 3000 (Malaysia) or +603 7843 3000 (outside of Malaysia).
Malaysia Airlines introduced additional flights between Kuala Lumpur and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Kuala Lumpur and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) over the weekend from 6 to 8 March 2026 to support travellers affected by ongoing disruptions across global travel networks.
Malaysia Airlines operates its regular daily services alongside supplementary flights, using its A350-900 aircraft to destinations in Europe. It is also working closely with its partner airlines across Europe and Asia to facilitate onward connections for passengers affected by airspace disruptions in the Gulf states.
Malaysia Aviation Group, Chief Executive Officer of the Airline Business, Bryan Foong, said: “Malaysia Airlines is stepping up by adding capacity where it matters, working closely with our partners and ensuring people can continue moving safely and reliably between Asia and Europe.”
(Source: Malaysia Airlines with additional reporting)
SINGAPORE, 10 March 2026: Airports across the Persian Gulf are in a state of high-alert recovery with many hubs partially reopening on Sunday, 8 March, following a week of missile and drone attacks by Iran, Israel and the US, which caused collateral damage in the Gulf countries.
Qatar Airways’ scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities.
Photo credit: Dubai International (DXB).
Following temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, which confirms limited operating corridors, Qatar Airways intends to operate the following flight schedule in the coming days to support passengers affected by the current disruption and help them reunite with family and friends as quickly and safely as possible.
Flights departing from Doha (DOH):
10 March: Cairo (CAI), London Heathrow (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Manila (MNL), Kochi (COK), Muscat (MCT), Istanbul (IST), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Nairobi (NBO), Islamabad (ISB), Madrid (MAD), Frankfurt (FRA), Colombo (CMB), Milan (MXP).
Flights arriving at Doha (DOH):
10 March: Seoul (ICN), Moscow (SVO), London Heathrow (LHR), Delhi (DEL), Madrid (MAD), Islamabad (ISB), Beijing (PKX), Perth (PER), Nairobi (NBO). 11 March: Cairo (CAI), London Heathrow (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Manila (MNL), Kochi (COK), Muscat (MCT), Istanbul (IST), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Nairobi (NBO), Islamabad (ISB), Madrid (MAD), Frankfurt (FRA), Colombo (CMB), Milan (MXP).
Emirates flight status
Emirates resumed a limited schedule on the evening of 7 March. At the same time, the airline is working toward a full return to its network.
Priority is being given to passengers with earlier bookings who were affected by the recent suspensions. Travellers transiting through Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their onward connecting flight is confirmed and operating.
For travellers who were booked to travel from now through 31 March, they can rebook for travel through 30 April 2026 or request a full refund. For the latest updates, visit: Travel updates | Help | Emirates.
Here is the current operational status for the region’s major aviation hubs:
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dubai International (DXB): Operating on a limited schedule. The airport was completely suspended on 7 March due to nearby aerial interceptions, but has since partially reopened. Priority is being given to clearing the backlog of stranded travellers. Zayed International, Abu Dhabi (AUH): Partially operational. Commercial flights are slowly returning, though most are restricted to specific repatriation routes.
Qatar
Hamad International, Doha (DOH): Severely restricted. As of this morning, Qatari airspace remains largely closed to scheduled commercial traffic following reports of active air combat in the vicinity earlier this week.
Operations: Only “emergency corridors” are open for authorised evacuation and repatriation flights. Qatar Airways is operating a handful of special relief flights to Europe and Asia, but regular service remains suspended.
Oman
Muscat International (MCT): Fully Operational. Muscat has become the primary “stable hub” and a critical “southern bypass” for the region. It is currently handling a massive influx of diverted traffic, so expect the airport to be significantly more crowded than usual.
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh (RUH) & Jeddah (JED): Operational but delayed. These airports remain active, though they are seeing roughly 10 to 15% cancellations and significant delays as flights are rerouted to avoid restricted northern airspace.
Kuwait and Bahrain
Kuwait (KWI) & Bahrain (BAH): Partial recovery phase. Most scheduled international arrivals are still facing cancellations or significant diversions around active military zones. Kuwait’s airport specifically reported damage to fuel tanks following a drone attack last week, which has slowed the return to full capacity.
(Source: Airline and Civil Aviation Authorities’ updates)
SINGAPORE, 9 March 2026: Airport operations across the Persian Gulf remain in a state of high-alert recovery as the regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its second week.
Since 8 March, airspace closures have begun to lift, though the “normal” rhythm of travel remains significantly restricted, with thousands of travellers stranded at airports or facing flight cancellations. Here is the current status for the Persian Gulf’s major aviation hubs.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
United Arab Emirates (DXB & AUH)
Dubai International (DXB): Operating on a limited schedule. After a brief total suspension on 7 March due to aerial interceptions near the airfield, the airport has partially reopened.
Zayed International (AUH): Also partially operational. Commercial flights are slowly returning, though many are still restricted to narrow-body aircraft or specific repatriation routes.
Airlines: Emirates and Etihad have resumed limited operations but warned that full network restoration will take several days. They are prioritising passengers who were stranded during the peak of the closures.
Crucial Note: Entry to both DXB and AUH terminals is currently restricted to passengers with confirmed tickets only. Travellers should not head to the airport unless their airline has specifically contacted them.
Photo credit: Emirates.
Qatar (DOH)
Hamad International Airport: As of 8 March, the Qatari airspace closure remains in effect for scheduled commercial flights.
Operations: Only limited “emergency corridors” are open for authorised evacuation and repatriation flights.
Qatar Airways: The airline is operating a handful of special flights to Europe and Asia to assist stranded travellers, but regular scheduled services remain pending full safety clearance from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).
Kuwait and Bahrain: These hubs are in a “partial recovery” phase, with most scheduled international arrivals still facing cancellations or significant diversions around active military zones.
Muscat (Oman): Currently acting as a primary relief hub for the region, as its airspace has remained open and stable.
Advice for Travellers
Confirmation required: “Confirmed” status on an app may not be accurate. Wait for a direct notification (email/SMS) from the airline before leaving for the airport.
Check-in policy: Expect enhanced security screenings and long wait times as airports manage the backlog of thousands of passengers.
Rerouting: When transiting the region, be prepared for flight times that are two to four hours longer than usual as aircraft navigate around closed sectors in the northern Gulf.
Emirates update posted on its website
Following the partial re‑opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule. Customers can check the flight schedule for upcoming flights and book seats.
Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating. Do not go to the airport unless you hold a confirmed booking for these flights.
Customers are advised to check flight status, review the latest operational updates on emirates.com, and check their email for any notifications about changes or cancellations to their flights before travelling to the airport.
Booking options
Customers booked to travel between 28 February and 31 March have these options:
“Rebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination for travel on or before 30 April. If you booked your flight with a travel agent, you must contact them. If you booked with us directly, contact us.
“Request for refund. If you booked with us directly, you can request a refund for your ticket by completing the refund form.
“If you booked your flights with a travel agent, contact the agency directly.
“Customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking to receive updates.”
Qatar Airways: flight availability update 8 March
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has given temporary authorisation for a limited operating corridor. Flights became available on 8 March 2026 to Hamad International Airport from: London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO), Frankfurt (FRA) and Bangkok (BKK).*
These flights are only for passengers with Doha as their final destination.
Etihad Airways to resume limited flight schedule from 6 March
Etihad Airways will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from 6 March 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and several key destinations.
Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated on these flights as soon as possible. Tickets are also available for sale on etihad.com.
Passengers and members of the public should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold a confirmed booking on one of these new flights. The most up-to-date information is available at etihad.com.
The following destinations are scheduled to operate to and from Abu Dhabi between 6 March and 19 March:
Ahmedabad, Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Athens, Atlanta, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Bengaluru, Boston, Brussels, Cairo, Casablanca, Chiang Mai, Chicago, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Denpasar (Bali), Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London (Heathrow), Madrid, Malé, Manchester, Manila, Medina, Melbourne, Milan (Malpensa), Moscow (Sheremetyevo), Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nairobi, New York (JFK), Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Prague, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul (Incheon), Seychelles, Singapore, St Petersburg, Sydney, Taipei, Thiruvananthapuram, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Warsaw, Washington and Zurich.
* All services remain subject to operational approvals and may be adjusted depending on regional airspace conditions. Not all destinations operate daily. Guests should consult the latest schedule at etihad.com for specific days of operation.
All other scheduled commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended. Additional destinations will be added and communicated as conditions permit.
(Source: Airline advisories and civil aviation authorities)
MUMBAI, 9 March 2026: SOTC Travel, a leading omnichannel Travel and Tourism Company, has won the “Outbound Tour Operator of the Year” award at the SATTE Awards 2026.
The accolade reinforces the company’s position as a trusted leader in the outbound leisure travel segment.
Photo credit: SOTC.
The award underscores the company’s continued focus on delivering curated, seamless and high-quality international travel experiences for Indian travellers.
SOTC Travel brings together an extensive physical branch network, contact centres and agile digital platforms to deliver seamless, end-to-end travel experiences.
With a rich legacy of over 75 years, SOTC presents an expansive international portfolio spanning iconic destinations across Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Africa, the Middle East, and the US, along with emerging destinations gaining popularity among Indian travellers.
Speaking on the win, SOTC Travel President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar said: “We are honoured to receive the ‘Outbound Tour Operator of the Year’ award at the SATTE Awards 2026.
“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering focus on quality, innovation and our deep commitment to building customer satisfaction in the outbound leisure space. At SOTC, customer obsession is at the core of everything we do — shaping our itineraries, strengthening our service standards and driving continuous innovation to deliver seamless, memorable holiday experiences. We dedicate this achievement to our team, partners and valued customers for their continued trust, and to our passionate teams whose dedication inspires us to raise the bar consistently.”
SINGAPORE, 9 March 2026: Banyan Tree Holdings Limited reported strong results for the year ended 31 December 2025, with revenue rising 25% to SGD477.4 million and core operating profit increasing 59% to SGD109.8 million.
Performance was driven primarily by the Residences segment, where revenue nearly doubled to SGD197.6 million. The year was further supported by SGD239.6 million in residential sales and 24 new agreements signed.
Photo credit: Banyan Tree Group. Bellaguna Lake Residences.
“FY25 underscores the strength of our diversified portfolio and the scalability of our asset-light growth model,” said Banyan Group President and Chief Executive Officer Eddy See.
“Reaching our 100-resort milestone signals the next phase of disciplined expansion as we enter new and meaningful markets. Guided by design excellence, responsible stewardship and a commitment to regenerative travel, we are focused on driving sustainable, purpose-
driven growth while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
Portfolio expansion
Banyan Group operates 100 hotels and resorts, more than 140 spas and galleries, and over 20 branded residences in more than 20 countries. Notable additions in FY25 include the milestone opening of the group’s 100th resort, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, and a symbolic homecoming to Singapore.
In FY25, the group expanded its branded residences portfolio with seven new sales launches. Ranked first in Asia by volume and fifth globally in branded residential development, Banyan Group continues to reinforce its position as a leading integrated hospitality and residential platform.
Notable launches included Banyan Tree Padilla Madrid Residences, its first residential development in Europe, located in Madrid’s Salamanca district within a restored 1948 architectural landmark. The group also introduced Bellaguna, a new standalone residential Banyan Tree brand designed for year-round living, with its inaugural project, Bellaguna Lake Residences Lotus.
Key Financial Highlights FY25 Results (in SGD million):
