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Royal Jordanian to start India flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 13 January 2025: Royal Jordanian Airlines will launch direct flights connecting Amman with Mumbai and New Delhi during the second and third quarters of 2025. 

On the Amman-Mumbai route, the airline will operate four weekly flights starting on 17 April 2025, and on the New Delhi route, four weekly flights will commence on 17 September 2025. 

Photo credit: Royal Jordanian Airlines. Karim Makhlouf Chief Commercial Officer Royal Jordanian Airlines (centre).

A320neos will fly the Amman to Mumbai and New Delhi routes, featuring a dual-class configuration (economy and business), advanced in-flight entertainment, and WiFi. Flight time is five hours and 40 minutes.

Amman, the home base hub of Royal Jordanian Airlines, will serve as a gateway for Indian travellers heading for Europe and North America or transferring to flights serving cities in the  Middle East.

Flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to Amman will launch with competitive fares, starting at INR19,999 (USD240) for one-way tickets and INR33,333 (USD387) for roundtrip tickets.

Flight schedule

Amman-Mumbai
RJ192 departs Amman (AMM) at 0001 and arrives in Mumbai (BOM) at 0810 (Monday and Thursday).
RJ190 departs Amman (AMM) at 2045 and arrives in Mumbai (BOM) at 0455 (plus a day) (Monday and Friday.

Mumbai-Amman
RJ191 departs Mumbai (BOM) at 0610 and arrives in Amman (AMM) at 0930. (Tuesday and Friday).
RJ193 departs Mumbai (BOM) at 0930 and arrives in Amman (AMM) at 1250. (Monday and Thursday)

Amman- New Delhi
RJ194 departs Amman (AMM) at 1920 and arrives in Delhi (DEL) at 0355 plus a day. (Tuesday and Sunday).
RJ196 departs Amman (AMM) at 2355 and arrives in Delhi (DEL) 0830 plus a day. (Thursday and Saturday).

New Delhi-Amman
RJ195 departs Delhi (DEL) at 0510 and arrives in Amman (AMM) at 0915 (Monday and Wednesday).
RJ197 departs Delhi (DEL) at 0945 and arrives in Amman (AMM) at 1350. (Friday and Sunday)

Royal Jordanian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Karim Makhlouf commented: “The launch of our new routes to Mumbai and New Delhi marks a significant milestone in our strategy to promote Jordan as a tourism destination for the Indian market.”

As part of its expansion plan, Royal Jordanian will introduce 19 new A320neo and Boeing 787 aircraft in 2025/26. 

(Source: Royal Jordanian plus online advance schedule)

Aeroflot resumes flights to Hong Kong

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 13 January 2025: Aeroflot has resumed three weekly flights between Moscow and Hong Kong after it paused services in March 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic and in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting international sanctions.

Aeroflot press statements confirm the airline is flying the Moscow-Hong route on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, deploying an Airbus A330-300 aircraft for the 10-hour flight.

Flight schedule

Flight SU212 departs Moscow (SVO) at 1903 and arrives in Hong Kong (HKG) at 1005 (plus a day).
Flight SU213 departs Hong Kong (HKG) at 1155 and arrives in Moscow (SVO) at 1755. 

Scheduled commercial flights operate from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO). A search of popular online travel agency booking sites, including ‘Booking.com’  prompts the pop-up message: “Due to government restrictions, we cannot show results for this search.”

Skyscanner responds to flight searches: “In the context of international sanctions, we are currently unable to display content that involves travelling to, from or within Russia.”

Aeroflot says it “expects the Moscow-Hong Kong-Moscow route will be in demand among airline passengers making both business and tourist trips”, pointing to the airline’s website and mobile app to make a booking. Aeroflot’s website quotes a return fare between Hong Kong and Moscow starting at USD663.40 for bookings in February.

Despite international sanctions, Aeroflot operates flights to 108 airports in 21 countries, including the latest addition, Hong Kong.

Aeroflot is Russia’s largest airline. Aeroflot Group also includes Rossiya Airlines and Pobeda Airlines. Aeroflot Group is the leader in the Russian commercial aviation. 

Southeast Asian destinations make top 10 chart

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 January 2025: Tripadvisor starts 2025 with the release of its annual Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Destinations based on reviews shared by a global community of travellers. 

Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations lead off with Top Destinations and Trending Destinations on a list of several categories such as Culture Destinations, Food Destinations and Honeymoon Destinations. 

World’s Top Destinations

This year, London climbed two places to be named Top Destination in the World, taking the title from Dubai, which had proudly held onto first place since 2022. 

The UK capital is also recognised for its culinary scene and rich arts and heritage offering, coming second in the World in the best Food Destinations and third in Culture Destinations.

Three Southeast Asian destinations made it to the top 10 list. Bali, Indonesia, took second place; Hanoi, Vietnam, seventh; and Bangkok, Thailand, 10th on the global list of top destinations.

Trending in 2025

Osaka, Japan, is named the top Trending Destination in the World for 2025, based on year-on-year growth of reviews. Known as ‘the nation’s kitchen’, Osaka has a thriving food scene and great shopping and nightlife. It is also the perfect base for exploring the Kansai region, home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, comes in second, followed by Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, in third place.

Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations is calculated based on the quality and quantity of reviews, specific to each award subcategory, for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations from travellers globally on Tripadvisor between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024.

Asian Trails strengthens Thailand team

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 January 2025: Asian Trails confirmed this week in a Facebook post that Delphine Guillon has been promoted to the position of Managing Director for Asian Trails Thailand. She was previously the deputy MD and head of sales and operations. 

Photo credit: Asian Trails. Delphine Guillon Managing Director Asian Trails Thailand.

Meanwhile, Asian Trails established a new, dedicated eCommerce Department on 1 January 2025 led by Marc Albert, who assumes the role of full-time Group Managing Director of eCommerce. He will establish a new team committed to facilitating growth and development in an area “that has already reaped enormous benefits for partners and customers via an innovative eConnect B2B real-time booking solution,” the Asian Trails post explained.

PAL to fly Cebu-Catarman route

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 10 January 2025: Philippine Airlines confirms it will mount three weekly flights  Cebu-Catarman-Cebu beginning 1 March 2025, with convenient mid-morning departure times.

Flight schedule

Flight PR2653: Cebu-Catarman – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Mactan-Cebu at 0950 and arriving in Catarman at 1055.
Flight PR2654: Catarman-Cebu – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Catarman at 1125 and arriving in Cebu at 1230.

The Cebu-Catarman flights will operate with the 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8 Series 400 Next Generation aircraft.

“Philippine Airlines is happy to upgrade services to Catarman through this new link from Cebu. Samar residents and travellers will now have better access to Cebu, and the new route will also give Cebuanos more options to visit Northern Samar,” said PAL Express President Rabbi Ang. “The new Cebu hub services to Catarman and Siargao are part of our continuing commitment to enhance inter-island connectivity, boosting tourism and stimulating business.”

Catarman is the capital of Northern Samar, a province in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It’s located on the northern coast of Samar Island.

Catarman Attractions

San Jose Church: This 17th-century church is one of the oldest in Samar and a significant historical landmark.

Catarman Hot Springs: These natural hot springs are believed to have healing properties and offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

White Beach: A beautiful stretch of white sand beach located near Catarman, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water activities.

Delicious Seafood: Catarman is known for its fresh and tasty seafood, including dishes like kinilaw (raw fish salad) and grilled squid.

Friendly Locals: The people of Catarman are known for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature.

Overall, Catarman offers a charming blend of history, natural beauty, and local culture, making it an attractive destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences in the Philippines.

More domestic flights Cebu-Siargao

In a Facebook post this week, the airline updates flight schedules for the second quarter of 2025, adding two Cebu-Siargao flights every Wednesday and Sunday from 1 March. It raises frequencies to 18 weekly flights on the route

Flight PR2355: Cebu-Siargao – every Wednesday and Sunday – departing at 0950.
Flight PR2356: Siargao-Cebu – every Wednesday and Sunday – departing at 1115.

AirAsia expands Thai domestic network

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 10 January 2025: AirAsia strengthens its operations base at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport by launching two new direct routes to cities in Northeast Thailand on 1 February.

The airline will operate daily flights from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Khon Kaen and twice daily between Suvarnabhumi and Udon Thani. The first flights on both routes will commence on 1 February 2025. 

Thai AirAsia operates six routes from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, and Udon Thani.

The airline emphasises its commitment to on-time performance after receiving recognition for on-time performance in 2024 from Cirium. Thai AirAsia is the only Thai airline ranked among Asia-Pacific’s top five most punctual airlines and the top ten most punctual low-cost airlines globally.

Thai AirAsia Head of Commercial Tansita Akraritpirom pointed out that in addition to operating out of Bangkok’s  Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Thai AirAsia plans to expand its domestic network out of Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to provide more options for travellers. 

“We are very happy with our route performance from Suvarnabhumi, with load factors averaging 93% in 2024. This is a strong signal that demand for flights from Suvarnabhumi is on the rise, and we decided to roll out Suvarnabhumi-Khon Kaen and Suvarnabhumi-Udon Thani from 1 February,” she explained.

“Domestic air travel continued to grow last year, and Thai AirAsia has secured a high market share of 39 to 40%, flying out of Bangkok from both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. We plan to introduce more routes from Suvarnabhumi this year.”

Suvarnabhumi-Khon Kaen and Suvarnabhumi-Udon Thani flights are being introduced with the “Fly Direct from Suvarnabhumi to Esan Today” promotion, offering fares starting at THB890 per trip.

Jetstar to fly to Labuan Bajo

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE 10 January 2025: Jetstar Asia (3K) will launch direct flights between Singapore and Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, starting on 20 March 2025.

As the only airline to operate the route, the Singapore low-cost carrier will enable more travellers to experience the breathtaking beauty of Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Labuan Bajo is one of Indonesia’s most sought-after travel destinations, renownedRenowned for its pristine beaches, world-class diving, and the chance to encounter the legendary Komodoinations.

This new service will operate twice weekly, adding another destination to Jetstar Asia’s growing Indonesian network, which already includes Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Medan, and Jakarta.

“With our direct flights from Singapore and over 37,000 low-fare seats available yearly, more people will discover this holiday hotspot, “Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone explained. “From diving in some of the world’s most vibrant coral reefs to exploring the natural beauty of Komodo National Park or sighting the Komodo dragon, Labuan Bajo offers an unforgettable experience for every traveller.

“As we celebrate our 20th birthday, this route not only expands our network but also reinforces our commitment to offering safe and affordable travel while supporting local tourism and economic growth, all while ensuring more travellers get to visit this hidden gem in Indonesia.”

Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub & Cargo Development, Lim Ching Kiat, said launching Jetstar Asia’s new service to Labuan Bajo marks a milestone for the airport.

“This is the first time Changi Airport is directly connected to this stunning destination, and we are thrilled to offer travellers even more opportunities to explore Indonesia’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage,” Lim explained.

“With the addition of Labuan Bajo, Changi Airport now has direct flights to 13 cities in Indonesia.”

Jetstar Asia offers special introductory fares to celebrate the launch, starting from just SGD89. Club Jetstar members enjoy even lower fares. Bookings are now available at jetstar.com.

Flight schedule

Flights between Singapore and Labuan Bajo commence Thursday, 20 March 2025.

*One-way sale fares are available on jetstar.com from 1000 (GMT+8) on 9 January 2025 until 2359 (GMT+8) on 13 January 2025.
#Subject to government and regulatory approval.

Firefly flags new routes in March

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 10 January 2025: Firefly, an airline in the Malaysia Aviation Group, will launch four new routes from its Subang (SZB) Kuala Lumpur and Penang (PEN) hubs to strengthen its network in Southeast Asia.

Advance schedules, first posted by Aeroroutes earlier this week, indicate Firefly will launch new services from Subang (Kuala Lumpur) to Jakarta, Singapore and Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia) and from its Penang hub flights to Jakarta during the northern summer 2025 timetable from 30 March to 30 October using Boeing 737-800s.

Firefly has not confirmed the schedules or released any details of the new routes on its website and social media platforms. Aviation pundits covering Malaysia cast doubt on the plan, claiming the airline doesn’t have sufficient aircraft to carry out the expansion without cancelling services to other destinations. They fear it could impact the airline’s extensive network operating out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Southeast Asian destinations.

New services in the pipeline

Kuala Lumpur Subang (SZB) – Jakarta (CGK): Daily flights starting 30 March 2025, operated by 737-800 aircraft.

FY3570 departs Subang at 1230 and arrives in Jakarta at 1340.
FY3571 departs Jakarta at 1420 and arrives in Subang at 1735.

Kuala Lumpur Subang (SZB) – Kuching (KCH): Daily flights starting 30 March 2025, operated by 737-800 aircraft.

FY2802 departs Subang at 0600 and arrives in Kuching at 0755.
FY2803 departs Kuching at 0845 and arrives in Subang at 1040.

Kuala Lumpur Subang (SZB) – Singapore (SIN): Daily flights 30 starting March 2025, operated by 737-800 aircraft.

FY3672 departs Subang at 1830 and arrives in Singapore at 1945.
FY3673 departs Singapore at 2035  and arrives in Subang at 2150.

Penang (PEN) – Jakarta (CGK): Three weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) starting 31 March 2025 operated by Boeing 737-800. 

FY3846 departs Penang at 2135 and arrives in Jakarta at 0200 (plus a day).
FY3847 departs Jakarta at 0300 and arrives in Penang at 0715 (Tue, Thu and Sat).

These new routes should improve connectivity and travel options, particularly in Southeast Asia.

(Source: Aeroroutes)

Holland America opens sales for APAC cruises

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 January 2025: Holland America Line’s 2026-2027 Australia, New Zealand, and Asia cruises are now open for bookings. 

The itineraries showcase longer, destination-rich cruises ranging from 13 to 35 days. Two Holland America Line ships, Noordam and Westerdam, will explore the Asia Pacific region from September 2026 to April 2027, taking guests to world-famous natural scenery, iconic cities, and the inaugural port of Yeosu, South Korea.

Photo credit: Holland America Line. Noordam

Australia and New Zealand aboard Noordam 

A variety of 14-day Australia and New Zealand itineraries, open-jaw between Auckland and Sydney, each calling at eight ports and Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park, are available between January and March 2027. 

Explore Asia on Westerdam

Westerdam will sail Holland America Line’s 2026-2027 Asia season, highlighting the return of the popular 28-Day Legendary Coral Triangle & Great Barrier Reef, sailing to the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia roundtrip from Singapore. 

Departing on 3 January  2027, the voyage takes guests to the Coral Triangle — home to more than 75% of the world’s coral species, including two days of scenic cruising of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The cruise also visits Batu Tara and Krakatau volcanos and the holiday island of Bali, Indonesia.

More than half of the itineraries depart from Tokyo, making it easy for guests to add days to explore the Japanese city. Guests can choose between 13- and 14-day Circle Japan cruises or a 14-day Japan and South Korea Discovery. 

Additionally, several 14-day Far East Discovery cruises are available open-jaw between Hong Kong and Singapore, and a 14-day The Philippines, Tawain and Japan cruise is available departing from Hong Kong. 

Agoda names top pet-friendly destinations

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 January 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda has ranked the top 10 pet-friendly travel destinations in Asia, highlighting the growing trend for travellers to book accommodations that welcome pets. 

The list, calculated based on the average number of accommodations allowing pets, reveals cities in Vietnam dominate the list, securing four out of 10 spots. 

Photo credit: Agoda.

Danang (Vietnam) leads the pack, followed by Cebu (Philippines), Hanoi (Vietnam), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Tainan (Taiwan) to complete the top five. Pattaya (Thailand), Taichung (Taiwan), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), New Delhi (India), and Manila (Philippines) round out the top 10.

According to a recent study by Allied Market Research, pet travel is on the rise in Asia, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge as they embrace pet parenthood and splurge on their furry friends. 

Agoda saw a 64% growth in pet-friendly properties last year, making it easier than ever for pets to join their owners on travel adventures in comfort and style.

Agoda Country Director Vietnam Lam Vu shared: “At Agoda, we understand that pets are family too. Our latest ranking of pet-friendly cities is a testament to our commitment to making travel inclusive for everyone, including our four-legged friends.”

(Source: Agoda)

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