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IATA: July passenger demand strong

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GENEVA 9 September 2022: Air travel recovery continues to be strong, according to the  International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger data for July 2022.

  • Total traffic in July 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 58.8% compared to July 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.6% of pre-crisis levels.
  • Domestic traffic for July 2022 was up 4.1% compared to the year-ago period and is now driving the recovery. Total July 2022 domestic traffic was at 86.9% of the July 2019 level. China saw a strong month-to-month improvement compared to June.
  • International traffic rose 150.6% versus July 2021. July 2022 international RPKs reached 67.9% of July 2019 levels. All markets reported strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific.

“July’s performance continued to be strong, with some markets approaching pre-COVID levels. And that is even with capacity constraints in parts of the world that were unprepared for the speed at which people returned to travel. There is still more ground to recover, but this is an excellent sign as we head into the traditionally slower autumn and winter quarters in the Northern Hemisphere,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 528.8% rise inJuly traffic compared to July 2021, the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions. Capacity rose 159.9%, and the load factor was up 47.1 percentage points to 80.2%.

European carriers saw Julytraffic rise 115.6% versus July 2021. Capacity rose 64.3%, and load factor climbed 20.6 percentage points to 86.7%, the second highest among the regions.

Middle Eastern airlines’ traffic climbed193.1% in July compared to July 2021. July capacity rose 84.1% versus the year-ago period, and the load factor climbed 30.5 percentage points to 82.0%.

North American carriers hada 129.2% traffic rise in July versus 2021. Capacity rose 79.9%, and load factor climbed 19.4 percentage points to 90.3%, the region’s highest for the second month.

Latin American airlines’ July traffic rose 119.4% compared to the same month in 2021. July capacity rose 92.3%, and the load factor increased 10.5 percentage points to 85.2%.

African airlines saw an84.8% rise in July RPKs versus a year ago. July 2022 capacity was up 46.7%, and the load factor climbed 15.5 percentage points to 75.0%, the lowest among regions.

(Source: IATA)

South Korea’s autumn holiday is back to normal

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SEOUL, 9 September 2022: Just a week after South Korea ended mandatory pre-entry Covid-19 testing, the country celebrates the Cusouk Festival, where social distancing and limitations on gatherings no longer apply for the first time since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is a significant mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. This year it falls on 10 September, but the holiday starts today and continues through 12 Monday 12 September.

The mandatory pre-departure flight Covid-19 test for international travellers was discontinued on 3 September. However, South Korea still maintains the requirement for a PCR test within one day of arrival in the country. Covid-19 test centres in the airport that provide testing and issue certificates of negative results for inbound/outbound travellers will continue to operate.

Due to the spread of the strongly infectious BA.5 variant and the reduced effect of vaccination as time passes, continuous attention is needed, and caution is encouraged regards Covid-19 infection during the national holiday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters advised domestic tourists.

“While there are no restrictions regarding social distancing and the number of people allowed to gather under the general healthcare system, CDSCH encourage residents and visitors to comply with health measures during the holiday.”

Meanwhile, the mandatory PCR test one day after arrival remains unchanged to ensure early detection of Covid19 confirmed cases and conduct strict surveillance of new variants being imported.

Heritage Line ready to weigh anchor

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HO CHI MINH CITY, 9 September 2022: Vietnam’s Heritage Line announced Thursday a return to cruising starting in late September following a two and half year pandemic-induced hiatus.

In a newsletter to its trade partners and former customers, the luxury boutique cruise operator confirmed that its distinctive cruise boats would explore Southeast Asia’s waterways once more.

Heritage line staff all smiles as the fleet readies to sail again.

“Not only guests are thrilled to return to the Lower Mekong but also our crew. Most of the pre-pandemic staff are returning to the Heritage Line family aboard their original ships,” according to the statement.

Cruises will return to the Lower Mekong River in Cambodia, and the Mekong delta region in Vietnam, followed by the line’s iconic cruises on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay in North Vietnam.

Emirates’ A350s get ‘Next Gen’ entertainment

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DUBAI, UAE, 9 September 2022: As part of its drive to ensure customers ‘fly better’, Emirates has selected the new Thales’ AVANT Up system for its incoming fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, scheduled for delivery in 2024.

The airline’s investment of over USD350 million will see its 50-strong fleet of A350s equipped with next-generation inflight entertainment solutions that offer a memorable cinematic and personalised passenger experience.

Emirates chief operating officer Adel al Redha said: “Emirates has always regarded inflight entertainment as an essential aspect of our onboard experience, and we were the first airline to put personal screens onto every single seat onboard when that was far from the norm over 30 years ago. Today, Emirates ice remains unmatched in inflight entertainment content and experience, having won best-in-the-sky awards consecutively for the past 14 years. Our investment in next-generation Thales systems for our new A350 fleet will further our lead, enabling us to deliver even better experiences to our customers. Watch this space.”

The game-changing technology in Thales’ AVANT Up system features Optiq 4k QLED HDR displays – the only aircraft displays using Samsung’s QLED technology to immerse viewers in more than a billion colours. This inflight entertainment product delivers over 5,000 channels of multi-language content, including live TV, the latest box office movies, TV shows and music hits, and the world’s first inflight shopping channel, EmiratesRED.

The new system from Thales will also provide an enhanced ‘live’ television solution that offers a broader choice of live television and news in the highest available definition at 40,000 feet.

Emirates’ customers can also look forward to enhanced passenger connectivity with Optiq – the first smart display in the industry to offer two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi. Passengers can pair multiple devices, including phones, tablets, headphones or game controllers, while supporting up to 60 watts USB-C to fast-charge personal devices.

To further enrich passenger engagement, Emirates has chosen various AVANT Up digital services, including highly integrated personalisation features, expanded personal electronic device (PED) capabilities, and user interface enhancements that enable visually impaired passengers to have an immersive experience.

Emirates is also the first airline globally to select Thales’ Pulse, a patented power management technology that will ensure that charging performance will be unaffected no matter how many users are charging their devices simultaneously.

Reflecting a shared vision to innovate and shape future inflight experiences, Emirates and Thales continue collaborating on programmes through Dubai’s Aviation X-Lab, an aviation-specific incubator.

For more information or to book flights, visit: www.emirates.com.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

Langkawi refreshes guide series

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KUALA LUMPUR, 9 September 2022: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has released a new edition of the Langkawi Guide Series following its introduction of a new slogan ‘Langkawi Best Wey’ * and video during the recent MATTA Travel Fair.

“LADA strives to promote Langkawi through this new campaign by positioning the island as a quintessential holiday relaxation spot by highlighting the island’s attributes, such as Langkawi Geopark, the first UNESCO-listed geopark in Southeast Asia. The island is also one of the finest venues for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE),” explained LADA chief executive officer Encik Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib.

The newly compiled Langkawi Guide comprises 10 brochures containing complete and updated information about Langkawi. The information shared in the brochures encompasses where to find authentic and exotic food in Langkawi, the Langkawi nature guide, Langkawi holiday packages, a list of Langkawi hotels, and maps of Langkawi. The well-designed brochures use eye-catching graphics to share some of the majestic spots in Langkawi.

These brochures can be found on the Official Langkawi Tourism Site: Naturally Langkawi, which you can view here https://naturallylangkawi.my/langkawi-brochure/, and they will also be made available as e-brochures on LADA’s official site.

“Tourists can now access further information about Langkawi via mobile devices by scanning the QR codes in the brochures. This has proven useful as it attracts consumers who value convenience and innovation. We aim to ensure that Langkawi is perceived as a world-class tourism destination. To achieve that, we must keep pace with digital improvements and bring ourselves beyond tech literacy to being tech-savvy,” said the LADA CEO.

“In brief, when it comes to seeking the ultimate tropical escape, Langkawi wins hands down! With no shortage of picturesque islands, shimmering blue seas and breathtaking beaches, this magnificent island is one for everyone’s bucket list.”

* Editor’s note: We think Wey means buddy (internet slang)

(Source: LADA)

Phuket airlift will soar during Q4

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 8 September 2022: Since the easing of travel restrictions in Thailand, pent-up demand has continued to push travellers to Phuket, according to the latest C9 Hotelworks analysis. 

The first half of 2022 created positive market sentiment, as the island welcomed 1.78 million visitors, a 342% increase over the same period last year.

C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett commented on the dominant travel trends: “European source markets delivered higher volumes in the first quarter, while Asian source markets gained traction in international visitation in the second quarter. As regional countries in Asia reopened borders to overseas travel, Phuket has seen an influx of family-oriented travellers.”

With an increase in international travellers, Phuket’s hotel sector performance is starting to see a recovery trend in occupancy. As a result of more airlift, the island registered an occupancy rate of 31.5% in H1 2022, up from 5.1% in 2021.

The upswing in demand was highest on the island’s west coast as the preferred choice of travellers. A seasonal transition will see international and charter flight winter schedules come into effect at the end of October and continue through March 2023.

C9 forecasts an optimistic outlook that Phuket tourism will continue recovering, albeit at a moderate pace moving into 2023. Factors driving this view are the continued zero-Covid policy in Mainland China and limited airline seats for Russian snowbird travellers this winter season.

To download C9 Hotelworks Phuket Hotel Market Outlook 2022 CLICK

Langkawi negotiates for more flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 8 September 2022: Yet to fly commercially, MYAirline held talks with LADA officials last week on its intentions to fly to Langkawi from its home base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 2.

Details of the meeting were not disclosed, but LADA needs to attract more airlines to serve the popular holiday island. Malaysia’s domestic market is a priority to boost visits for the remainder of the year and in 2023.

Photo Credit: MYAirline

Aviation sources say it is very likely the airline will concentrate on popular holiday destinations such as Kuching in Sarawak, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Penang and Langkawi, competing head-on with AirAsia Malaysia.

Photo Credit: LADA. Face to face talka with MYAirline.

Earlier this week, MYAirline recruited  AirAsia’s former China president, Kathleen Tan as its chief executive advisor. The airline’s website is still under construction, with career opportunities the only tag functioning. MYAirline’s LinkedIn page suggests it has already recruited 90 employees.

MYAirline gained approval from the Malaysian Aviation Commission last January to operate low-cost airline services in Malaysia. It named  Rayner Teo as its CEO.

So far, it has not hinted at a launch date for commercial flights or the destinations it will serve but must secure an Air Operator’s Certificate no later than the end of the year. The airline has taken delivery of three Airbus A320s.

Photo Credit: LADA)  Exploring new flight options with MH.

Talks with Malaysia Airlines

Earlier this week, LADA and Malaysia Airlines discussed “strategic cooperation” to boost flights to Langkawi and draw more tourists to the island, both domestic and international.

Officials from LADA and the airline discussed adding new routes to Langkawi, starting with an expansion of direct services to Singapore.

Other priorities discussed included digital marketing and the airline’s ‘Side Trip Bonus’ campaign, where tourists can get free tickets when transiting in Malaysia, especially international tourists.

Langkawi unveils new tagline

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LANGKAWI, 8 September 2022: Langkawi Development Authority unveiled its new domestic slogan ‘Langkawi Best Wey’ * with a supporting video during last week’s MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur. (Report updated 12 September; see footnote).

LADA’s chief executive officer YBrs Tuan Nasaruddin bin Abdul Muttalib, led the launch ceremony held at the Putra World Trade Centre. More than 30,000 visitors toured the three-day fair checking holiday options, with Langkawi as the fair’s signature destination.

LADA chief executive officer YBrs Tuan Nasaruddin bin Abdul Muttalib presided over the official “Best Wey” launch.

The brand new three-minute video posted on LADA’s YouTube account takes its cue from the tagline introducing authentic travel experiences that make the island destination one of the most popular among both domestic and international visitors. The video pans over pristine beaches to share glimpses of countless adventure options, natural attractions and party venues.

In the video’s introduction, LADA says the new tagline, “Langkawi Best Wey”, truly captures the essence of the island.

LADA calls ‘Langkawi Best Wey’ the “latest, fashionable tagline selected to promote Langkawi as it aligns with modern times and targets the younger generation. The more dynamic and catchy tagline will appeal to the Gen Zs and Millennials’ wanderlust spirit and entice them to visit beautiful Langkawi.”

It doesn’t tell you how the creative branding team conjured up the word “Wey”. Is it a magical Malay word that hasn’t made it to the dictionaries? The closest English dictionaries come to casting light on its meaning is a reference to a redundant weight measure used in the British empire colonial era.

It leaves us speculating that Wey is freshly minted ‘cool’ slang coined by Generation Z influencers to charm Malaysia’s independently wealthy youngsters. LADA has us guessing. Perhaps that is the intention of the slogan – wind us up with a Wey until we shout Wow.

That leaves us with a passing mention from LADA during the recent MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur during the launch of the new tagline. “This more dynamic and interesting slogan will hopefully raise the travelling spirit among Gen Z and Millennials to visit Langkawi.”

They may well travel in their droves to find out just what “Best Wey” is all about. It’s tempting and possibly even a tease. Still, at the moment of discovery, when they check out Langkawi’s beaches and outstanding beauty, Millennials are likely to declare a resounding Wow at the top of their voices! Then Langkawi will say ‘Wey’ works.

  • * Editor’s note: We reckon ‘Wey’ possibly means Buddy (internet slang).

12 September 2020 Update: LADA responded with an explanation: “Basically, Wey is just a local word, local slang to show the greatest feeling when someone is satisfied with the product or service. It is common in Malaysia to use local (dialect) words; Langkawi Best Wey…means ‘really the best’ in this domestic campaign.”

More information: https://naturallylangkawi.my/

US retains top spot in WTTC report

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SINGAPORE, 8 September 2022: The latest World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Economic Trends Report reveals the US remains the world’s biggest and most powerful travel & tourism market.

Its top ranking was reaffirmed, despite suffering long and damaging travel restrictions, which did little to halt the spread of Covid-19 and only resulted in serious economic losses.

However, while it retained its number one position, the US travel & tourism sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy fell by USD700 billion in 2019, to just under USD1.3 trillion last year.

Research by Oxford Economics for WTTC shows no change in the top three countries – with China second and Germany third.

But the rankings are illusionary as the top economies bolstered their numbers through domestic travel while international visitor numbers plummeted. The US fell from its pre-pandemic top position in the international travel-spend rankings. But despite the challenges of the past two years, the new report from the global tourism body shows business travel is on the road to recovery.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Our report shows the resilience of the Travel & Tourism sector, despite the impact of travel restrictions around the world which failed to halt the spread of the virus.

“Despite a challenging macro environment, Travel & Tourism has bounced back. The world, with some exceptions, is travelling again. And we are seeing a resurgence in business travel. Over the next 10 years, Travel & Tourism growth will outstrip the global economy.”

WTTC’s data reveals that regarding the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP, China held onto its second position, with more than USD814 billion. At the same time, Germany remained the third biggest travel & tourism sector in the world, contributing USD251 billion to the German economy.

The UK slipped dramatically from fifth place in 2019 to ninth in 2021, with a contribution of just over USD157 billion, the biggest faller of the top 10 countries. In terms of international traveller spending, France, which before the pandemic struck was in fourth place, overtook Spain, China, and the US to grab first place. China was in second place before the pandemic but fell dramatically to 11th in 2021. Its borders remain closed.

Across the Asia Pacific, major travel & tourism markets such as Thailand and Japan saw huge losses in international spending, which resulted in both markets – in fifth and eighth place respectively before the pandemic – falling out of the top 20 altogether in 2021.

According to WTTC’s predictions, worldwide business travel is expected to grow more than 41% this year. For the next 10 years, it predicts business travel could grow an average of 5.5% annually and may return faster in the Asia-Pacific region.

WTTC predicts that by 2032, China could overtake the US to become the world’s biggest travel & tourism market. The research shows China’s travel & tourism sector’s contribution to GDP could reach USD3.9 trillion by 2032, making it the world’s most powerful travel & tourism market. India could leapfrog Germany to reach the third place with a projected value of USD457 billion.

To read the report in full, please click here.

(Source: WTTC)

Gerry the Goose ‘Fly Better’ campaign

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DUBAI, UAE, 8 September 2022: Following in the footsteps of iconic film and TV personalities Jennifer Aniston, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Clarkson, Emirates’ latest brand ambassador, Gerry the Goose, is inviting customers to take a gander at the benefits and services of the world’s largest international airline, and choose to ‘Fly Better’.

From September, the global ad campaign will be in full flight across the world, reminding customers that Emirates provides an ‘impeccable’ travel experience on board with award-winning in-flight entertainment, world-class cabin crew, regionally inspired cuisine and acclaimed beverages. To complement the ‘best-in sky’ offering, Emirates also offers an impressive on-ground experience– through a myriad of online and home check-in options, chauffeur-driven airport transfers and outstanding lounges.

The campaign storyline follows Gerry as he ruffles feathers by deciding to Fly Better aboard a comfortable and sophisticated Emirates Premium Economy cabin, while his migrating bird-brethren are in ‘fowl humour’ after a long and tiring flight by the wing. Gerry is spotted smugly bypassing his counterparts as they fly outside the plane window while he indulges in a delicious meal and reclines in his spacious seat to enjoy ‘The Goose, The Bad and The Ugly’ movie on his 13.3″ personal entertainment screen.

‘In terms of the qualities and profile we look for in our brand ambassadors – we are spreading our wings,’ said SVP of Marketing & Brand at Emirates, Richard Billington. ‘Gerry is a savvy traveller who knows what he wants and where he wants to go- but he’s adamant he’ll do it in style, with luxury and comfort as a priority. Having witnessed his seamless travel experience, we are confident that next time his friends will choose to Fly Better.’

Gerry the Goose Bio

Gerry’s career began at Emirates Headquarters in Dubai, where the concept of his journey was ideated and he began to take flight. Then on to Untold Studios in London, where initial 3D models of geese were brought to life via Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). The CGI and filming process took 14 weeks and involved a talented team finessing every feather along with lighting and texture while ensuring carefully created movements brought the character to life. This included time to animate Gerry’s friends, a shoot in London to capture the nature scenes, and a shoot on board Emirates’ aircraft in Dubai.

Relatively new to the acting scene, Gerry cites his career highlight so far as being featured in the Emirates TV ad campaign. The ad runs in 25 countries for one month following its launch on 30 August.

Throughout filming, Gerry collaborated with British voiceover talent Michael Cronin to capture the dulcet tones of an experienced nature documentarist.

Gerry’s species heritage is the Canadian goose (Branta canadensis), large wild geese with black heads and necks, white cheeks, white under the chin, and a brown body. They are native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America and found during migration across the Atlantic in northern Europe.

More information: www.emirates.com

(Your Stories: Emirates)

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