HANOI, 13 MAY 2025: Vietnam resumed twice-weekly direct flights on the Hanoi-Moscow route last week following a three-year suspension.
Flying a Boeing 787-9 with 312 seats, the airline serves the route every Tuesday and Thursday, but according to a Facebook post, the airline says flights will increase to three weekly, effective in July 2026.
Photo credit: Vietnam Airlines.
In a press statement, the airline said the route between the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, and Moscow will strengthen tourism and cultural ties between Vietnam and Russia.
Flight schedule
VN063 departs Hanoi (HAN) at 1045 and arrives in Moscow (SVO) at 1540 (Tuesday and Thursday). VN062 departs Moscow (SVO) at 1740 and arrives in Hanoi (HAN) at 0605 plus a day.
Hanoi-Milan launch
Meanwhile, during a Vietnam–Europe Tourism Promotion event held on 7 May at Salone Dei Tessuti in Milan the airline confirmed its intention to inaugurate direct Hanoi–Milan flights. Scheduled to launch on 1 July 2025, the new route will make Vietnam Airlines the first Vietnamese airline to offer direct flights between Hanoi and Milan; a major European centre of fashion, culture, and commerce.
The airline will operate three flights weekly (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with a flight time of approximately 11 hours and 20 minutes. Sales channels are already open. Skyscanner quotes a roundtrip fare starting at SGD1,699.
Flight schedule
VN073 will depart Hanoi (HAN) at 0100 and arrive in Milan (MXP) at 0740. VN072 will depart Milan (MXP) at 1230 and arrive in Hanoi (HAN) at 0430 plus a day.
BANGKOK, 13 MAY 2025: Thai Airways International PCL and its subsidiaries reported revenue of THB51,625 million during Q1 2025, 12.3% higher than THB 45,955 million reported a year earlier.
In a press statement released last week, the airline attributed the increase in revenue to the “continued growth in passenger travel demand, fleet expansion and increasing flight frequencies.
THAI Chairman Piyasvasti Amranand
Passenger production (Available Seat Kilometre-ASK) increased by 21.1% over the same period last year, and passenger traffic (Revenue Seat Kilometre-RPK) also increased by 20.8%. However, the average cabin factor remained at 83.3%, similar to Q1 2024 performance. Total passengers carried during Q1 2025 reached 4.33 million, an increase of 11.6% over the same period last year.
THAI and its subsidiaries reported THB37,964 million in expenses, an 8.8% increase of THB3,084 million due to variable costs associated with increased production and services. However, fuel expenses decreased by 1.7%.
THAI reported a robust operational profit, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), reaching THB13,661 million — higher than last year by THB2,586 million or 26.5% EBIT margin. It reported gains from foreign currency exchange, realising a net profit of THB 9,839 million with EBITDA after cash lease payment amounting to THB12,728 million.
During Q1 2025, THAI logged 78 active aircraft, an increase of five aircraft compared to Q1 2024. The average daily aircraft utilisation was 13.7 hours. By the end of 2025, the airline will take delivery of A321neo aircraft, all equipped with an inflight entertainment system at every seat and free Wi-Fi for Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) members to elevate passenger experiences.
THAI has installed high-speed internet in its A330-300 aircraft, and since 1 May 2025, ROP members have been able to enjoy free internet (duration and speed depend on their ROP status).
A new board of directors was appointed on 18 April 2025 to fulfil the remaining conditions under the Rehabilitation Plan. In addition, THAI filed the completion of the Rehabilitation Plan to the Central Bankruptcy Court on 28 April 2025. Completing the Rehabilitation process is now under the Central Bankruptcy Court’s consideration, with a hearing scheduled for 4 June 2025.
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 MAY 2025: Batik Air will launch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, starting on 6 June 2025.
This makes Batik Air the first Malaysian carrier to serve Timor-Leste, further reinforcing its commitment to expanding regional connectivity.
Flights are scheduled twice weekly on Monday and Friday and should support Timor-Leste’s emerging tourism industry and spur investment opportunities between the two nations.
Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy commented: “We anticipate this route will enhance accessibility to Timor-Leste, offering passengers a direct, hassle-free journey with a flight duration of approximately four hours and 15 minutes, eliminating the need for multiple layovers and providing a faster, more convenient connection between Malaysia and Timor-Leste. This new service will also further strengthen Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA T1) role as a key regional strategic transit hub”.
Through Kuala Lumpur, passengers can easily connect to over 60 destinations across 20 countries, including key cities in ASEAN, China, North Asia, Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Dili is an undiscovered tourism gem in Southeast Asia, offering an exotic escape rich in Portuguese colonial heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, and a distinctive cultural tapestry. Nestled along the pristine shores of the Timor Sea, this lesser-travelled destination captivates visitors with its unspoiled beaches, world-class diving spots teeming with marine life, and rugged mountain landscapes waiting to be explored.
The Dili service will be operated by a Batik Air B737-800 with 180 seats. Tickets are now available for booking via the airline’s website and mobile app. A search on Skyscanner quotes a roundtrip fare on the KUL-DIL route at MYR2,123 ( USD495) for a June booking.
Flight schedule
OD372 will depart Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0215 and arrive in Dili (DIL) at 0730 (Monday and Friday) OD373 will depart Dili (DIL) at 0820 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1130 (Monday and Friday)
Dili has limited flight access, relying on services from Darwin in Australia and Bali, Indonesia. Qantas flies daily from Darwin in the Northern Territory using an Embraer 190 with 96 seats. Darwin-based Airnorth also flies to Dili thrice weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, using a 76-seat Embraer 170. The average roundtrip fare on the Darwin- Dili route is USD420.
Indonesia’s Citilink flies to Dili from Denpasar Bali daily, deploying an A320 with 180 seats. The average roundtrip fare is USD470.
LANGKAWI, 9 MAY 2025: The Langkawi Development Authority is rolling out its Naturally Langkawi brand refresh and redesign following its official launch during the recent MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur.
The Naturally Langkawi brand refresh introduces a new logotype design, a new brand ID system, and an enhanced brand narrative focusing on three brand verticals: nature, culture, and experiences.
The official domestic brand refresh launch was held on 19 April at MATTA Fair 2025, hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with Kedah Tourism.
Positioned as the favourite destination at Malaysia’s premier travel fair, the refresh collateral launch was officiated by Kedah Menteri Besar, YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, the Menteri Besar.
In his opening address, he rallied the state and island’s tourism players, stakeholders and community to support Langkawi to ensure it becomes one of the preferred destinations worldwide.
“Today, we’re excited to share something new. A fresh step forward for Langkawi as a world-class destination. A Bold New Chapter. We’re introducing the refreshed look and feel of our beloved brand — Naturally Langkawi — now with a bolder, more vibrant, and more welcoming design, but still proudly Langkawi at heart,” Dato’ Seri Sanusi said.
Naturally, Langkawi was launched initially in 2012 as part of the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint and is positioned today as a nature-centric destination brand complemented by a rich Malay culture and amazing natural experiences.
The Naturally Langkawi brand narrative is inspired by the story of a land 550 million years ago that shaped Langkawi’s unique geological make-up and is now recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Langkawi’s nature is uniquely beautiful and rare. It envelopes the 99 islands and the people who live there, creating a culture rich with stories as unique as the archipelago and as interesting as the people who tell them.
In attendance at the brand refresh launch during the MATTA Fair, Langkawi Development Authority CEO Dato’ Haslina binti Abdul Hamid commented: “We invite and welcome everyone to share the amazing experiences Langkawi has to offer.”
Langkawi targets 3.5 million tourists in 2025 — 500,000 more visitors than it attracted in 2024. This represents a growth of more than 15% year on year. The island expects these numbers to come from a combined increase in domestic and international tourists, especially long-stay tourists. Development and marketing efforts target new markets in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
Langkawi is a key component of Visit Kedah Year 2025 (TMK 2025) – a tourism campaign by the Kedah State Government to showcase the state’s rich heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant arts, diverse gastronomy, and deep-rooted history.
With the theme ‘Experience Kedah’, this initiative invites tourists to immerse themselves in the authentic charm of Kedah, offering unique experiences that can’t be found elsewhere.
The oldest existing kingdom in Southeast Asia, Kedah invites the world to discover all her treasures, from unique flora and fauna to delicious dishes.
Diverse experiences in local markets, museums, waterfalls, and even crazy outdoor adventures promise an unforgettable journey through the heart of Malaysia’s ‘Rice Bowl State.’ Travellers are invited to “Make Naturally Langkawi one of your stops as you Experience Kedah this Visit Kedah Year 2025.”
SINGAPORE, 9 MAY 2025: Emirates officially opened its first Emirates World retail store in Singapore earlier this week, reaffirming its commitment to delivering an elevated customer experience.
Centrally located at Odeon 333, just across the street from the iconic Raffles Hotel, the Emirates World store offers customers expert travel planning and advice, delivered by dedicated consultants. The store also features interactive, immersive displays to give visitors a firsthand taste of the airline’s award-winning inflight experience, including an experiential First Class Suite installation available exclusively at the Singapore location.
(From L-R: Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President, Air Hub & Cargo Development, Changi Airport Group; Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President for the Far East, Emirates; Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates; Ahmed AlKetbi, Deputy Ambassador, Head of Economic, Trade and Investment, UAE Embassy in Singapore; Rashed Alfajeer, Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei, Emirates; and Steven Ler, President, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore.
Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim said: “2025 marks the 35th anniversary of our operations in Singapore, and the opening of the Emirates World store here today is a significant milestone in our journey. The store embodies what we stand for – seamless service, premium design, and a customer-first approach. Whether visitors plan their next adventure or simply discover our offerings, this store provides a welcoming, informative space that brings our ‘Fly Better’ promise to life.”
He added: “Singapore has always been a cornerstone of Emirates’ operations in Southeast Asia, and in 2024 alone, we have flown more than 800,000 passengers between Singapore and Dubai. We look forward to welcoming customers into this new home and continuing to grow in Singapore in the years ahead.”
Reimagining travel retail
The Emirates World store in Singapore reflects the airline’s evolving retail strategy: one that combines innovation, personalisation, and convenience in a space easily accessible by its customers.
Drawing insights from internal studies and global customer behaviour, Emirates found that travellers value in-person retail experiences, particularly when planning something as personal as travel. This reimagined retail concept offers a human touch to booking, allowing visitors to receive personalised travel recommendations, access exclusive fare deals, and explore Emirates’ best-in-class products up close.
Spanning over 330 sqm, the Emirates World store is designed to offer a warm, open-plan, lounge-like environment in the airline’s signature light and contemporary colour palette. The walls are adorned with designs of the Ghaf Tree, the national tree of the United Arab Emirates.
With four customer service counters staffed by expert consultants, guests can book flights, seek professional advice, and plan their holidays with ease. Guests can also explore smart technology experiences such as the ‘selfie mirror’, which snaps pictures of travellers against scenic destination backdrops.
35 years in Singapore
Emirates has been connecting Singapore to the world for 35 years this year, operating four daily flights to Dubai and beyond and one daily flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Popular destinations for travellers from Singapore include London, Paris, and Milan. The airline has long been committed to the Singapore market, offering premium services for leisure and business travellers. For more information on the airline or to make a booking visit www.emirates.com.
SIHANOUKVILLE, 9 MAY 2025: Royal Sands Koh Rong has been recognised as one of the top 10% of hotels worldwide by the review site Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice Award annually to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
One of the recent reviews stated: “As soon as the boat pulls up, you realise that this is an incredibly beautiful resort. I’ve been lucky to stay in very similar high-end smaller resorts around the world, and this is by far one of the best. While slightly more expensive for Cambodia, compared to similar standard resorts elsewhere, it is very good value for what you get.”
Tripadvisor, based on reviews, assigns a 4.7 ranking out of a maximum of five to Royal Sands Koh Rong, securing its top 10% ranking for 2025. The resort’s Tripadvsor page features 316 recent reviews.
The 67 all-villa Royal Sands Koh Rong is located on 550 metres of fine, white sandy beach near Sok San Village on Koh Rong Island, a 45-minute ferry ride from Cambodia’s southern port city of Sihanoukville.
Commenting on the achievement, the resort’s general manager Mario Piazza posted on Facebook: This incredible achievement is all thanks to our amazing guests who shared their wonderful experiences. Your reviews and ratings have helped us reach this milestone.
“We are honoured to be recognised as the top travel choice and the best value-for-money luxury five-star beach resort in Cambodia.”
Located just off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong is one of the most famous islands in Cambodia, known for its serene beauty and breathtaking scenery and an ideal holiday destination for families, couples, and small groups of travellers.
Private or shared helicopter charter flights are available every weekend to make it more convenient to transfer from Phnom Penh to the Royal Sands Koh Rong Resort.
ABU DHABI, 9 MAY 2025: Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced on Wednesday an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a destination for entertainment and leisure and will be the seventh Disney theme park resort.
(L-R) Mohamed Al Zaabi, HE Mohamed Al Mubarak, Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” said Miral Chairman His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”
Miral will fully develop and build the new resort. Disney and its legendary Imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight to provide a world-class experience. Miral, which has developed a number of family entertainment destinations on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with American and European brands, will operate the resort.
“This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” said Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Officer, Robert Iger. “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come.”
The UAE is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, making it a significant gateway for tourism. The UAE is home to the largest global airline hub in the world, with 120 million passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront, which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will celebrate what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”
“Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure,” said Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi. “Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.”
Upon completion, the new theme park resort will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.
Aerial Norwegian Sky - Departure from Miami 09/05/08
Norwegian Sky - Norwegian Cruise line
SINGAPORE, 9 MAY 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line confirms Norwegian Epic and Pride of America will both undergo revitalisation projects just in time for the 2025 summer travel season.
The new enhancements include adding a reimagined water park for children, expanding the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and additional accommodations.
Following a three-week dry dock, Norwegian Epic will receive enhancements, including brand-new balconies and oceanview staterooms.
This summer, the Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe. Pride of America continues to offer the world’s only seven-day interisland Hawaii voyages departing from Honolulu 52 weeks out of the year.
Epic’s Europe sailings
After completing Norwegian Epic’s three-week dry dock on 8 May 2025, the top deck will get some noticeable enhancements with more outdoor experiences. Renovations include a brand-new hot tub on deck 18 and a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf and provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike.
With the expansion of Vibe Beach Club, guests will also enjoy more facilities. The adults-only outdoor oasis replaces Posh Beach Club and will offer an additional hot tub, more lounge chairs, and new private cabanas to soak up the sun while enjoying spectacular views of the Greek Isles and Mediterranean. Eight new staterooms with balconies and ocean views have also been completed.
Norwegian Epic will sail a variety of nine, 10 and 11-day cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to picturesque ports of call in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles.
Pride of America
From 3 to 31 May 2025, Pride of America will undergo notable upgrades, including adding a new Starbucks location within The Capitol Atrium on deck 5. As NCL aims to provide guests with more to do on board, guests who crave a game of friendly competition will soon be able to enjoy pickleball within the existing sports court.
Pride of America will feature 12 new club balcony suites and three inside staterooms on deck 12. Splash Academy, NCL’s youth club for children ages three to 12 and Entourage, the teen club, will be relocated to deck 6.
Upon completion of Pride of America’s nearly three-week dry dock, she will return to Honolulu on 31 May 2025.
MUMBAI, 9 MAY 2025: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced the appointment of Serene Woon as Area Director-Designate, India, Middle East, and South Asia (Mumbai), effective 1 May 2025.
She will assume the full director role on 1 July, 2025.
Serene Woon Area Director-Designate, India, Middle East, and South Asia.
Based in Mumbai, Woon will oversee West and South India markets, as well as the Middle East and South Asia regions, while leading STB’s pan-India destination marketing efforts.
Woon brings over a decade of experience at STB since 2010, having served as Area Director in South Korea and Malaysia, where she drove significant market growth.
She successfully led STB’s branded entertainment initiatives in South Korea and expanded the board’s presence in Greater Busan and East Malaysia. Most recently, as Deputy Director at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), she played a crucial role in the Cross Border Travel Office, helping shape policies for Singapore’s border reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic. Before assuming her role as Area Director (Mumbai), she served as the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning at the STB, where she worked on the Tourism 2040 (T2040) strategy, which charts out the next bound of tourism growth for Singapore.
Commenting on the new appointment, STB, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa (IMESA) Markus Tan said: “India represents immense potential as one of our key markets. Serene’s deep experience and keen understanding of modern traveller preferences will bring valuable new perspectives to strengthen Singapore’s connections with Indian travellers. We look forward to her leadership in this crucial market.”
Woon, commenting on her new role, said: “I am honoured to take on this position at such an exciting time for India’s outbound travel market. India’s culture, diversity, and growing global influence make it a key focus and growth market for us at STB. I look forward to building on the strong foundation we have established with my team and our partners and bringing Singapore closer to Indian travellers.”
GURUGRAM, 9 MAY 2025: Air India will launch daily direct flights between Delhi and Gaya, starting 1 September 2025, using Air India’s A320 aircraft.
The new route adds Gaya as the 46th destination in Air India’s domestic route network. It will improve connectivity to Gaya and support Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. Travellers from other Asian countries can fly to Delhi and then connect with flights to Gaya, the closest city to the Buddhist temples and heritage sites at Bodh Gaya.
Photo credit: Air India.
Air India’s flights to Gaya are timed to enable convenient connections to and from Kathmandu, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo-Haneda.
Flight schedule
The flights can be booked through all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, and travel agents.
