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Penang first to back MATTA online

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GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia, 4 August 2022: Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) recruited Penang as its inaugural official partner for its MATTA online platform designed to boost domestic travel bookings.

Following a press conference hosted jointly with MATTA, Penang Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) Yeoh Soon Hin said the collaboration with MATTA would help to develop promotional activities for Penang’s tourism industry through the e-commerce platform.

Even though Malaysia reopened its borders to international tourists last April, Penang’s tourism still relies heavily on domestic tourism. Teaming up with MATTA Online is a significant tool to boost bookings through to the end of the year.

MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang, who joined the launch ceremony, said the new online platform had received a positive response that would support small-time travel agents in marketing.

“This is a timely shot in the arm for the Malaysian travel and tourism industry”, he told the Bernama news online.

Last month, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri launched MATTA Online.

MATTA Online integrates technology to give its members an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered travel platform. Technology partner Fusionex Group collaborated to create the platform, which uses the latter’s technology to bring users into a seamless online travel booking space.

It connects tourists with Matta members comprising travel agents and tour operators for hotels, airlines, attractions, theme parks and other tourism providers. According to MATTA, the platform enables members to reach 16.29 million Malaysians and target a global consumer audience.

At the launch of the new platform last month, the system had more than 300-holiday packages, and over 150 travel agents and tour operators registered. By the end of the year, the platform will have signed up 300 agents and display 3,000 packages on sale.

(Source: Bernama)

SIA restores flights by October

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2022: Singapore Airlines Group will increase services to gateway cities in Japan, restore its Indian network to pre-pandemic levels, and add more flights to Los Angeles and Paris, starting in October.

Responding to strong air travel demand, SIA and Scoot will restore networks during the northern winter operating season (30 October 2022 to 25 March 2023).

Scoot will launch non-stop services to Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka, as well as increase flights to Bangkok, Cebu, Manila, Seoul and Surabaya.

Overall capacity will go up to around 68% of pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter of FY2022/23 (July to September 2022) and around 76% by the third quarter of FY2022/2023 (October to December 2022), the group reported last week.

During the first quarter, April to June 2022, SIA and Scoot reinstated services to several destinations in Southeast Asia (Cebu, Davao, Hat Yai, Kota Kinabalu, and Medan), as well as Nanjing, China.

Scoot launched new services to Jeju, South Korea.

As of 30 June 2022, the group’s passenger network covered 98 destinations6 in 36 countries and territories and is getting closer to the pre-pandemic network. SIA served 72 destinations and Scoot 47. Flights to India will recover quicker than other destinations. The group says it will restore its Indian network to pre-pandemic levels by October (the start of the third quarter of the group’s fiscal year 2022/2023).

Singapore Airlines plans to operate 17 weekly services to Chennai, up from the current 10 flights per week, by October. Kochi services will increase to 14 weekly flights, up from seven flights per week. Bengaluru services will increase to16 weekly, up from seven weekly.

(Source: SIA)

Vietjet reports positive first half 2022

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 August 2022: As domestic and international travel demand recovers robustly, Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HoSE: VJC) has reported a positive business performance in the second quarter and the first half of 2022.

In the year’s second quarter, Vietjet’s total air transport revenue reached VND11,355 billion (USD488 million), increasing by 15% against the pre-pandemic level in 2019, with its after-tax profit standing at VND36 billion (USD1.54 million). Significantly, its domestic revenue in 2Q jumped by over 30% compared to 2019’s same period, with 53 domestic services.

Vietjet’s consolidated revenue stood at VND11,590 billion (USD499 million), and consolidated after-tax profit in Q2 was reported at VND181 billion (USD7.8 million).

As for the first-six-month results, the airline’s air transport revenue and consolidated revenue reached VND14,696 billion (USD632 million) and VND16,112 billion (USD693 million), respectively, higher than the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Overall, Vietjet’s after-tax profit for H1 reached VND76 billion (USD3.26 million), while its consolidated profit was VND426 billion (USD18.3 million).

Vietjet, for the last six months, has increased the flight frequency of numerous routes to meet the post-pandemic pent-up in travel demand, supporting the recovery of local tourism and economy. It has operated a total of 52,500 flights with 9 million passengers onboard, respectively increasing by 54% and 92% year on year. The number of flights has particularly increased by 8% against the pre-pandemic 2019’s level.

In Q2, the airline operated nearly 33,000 flights and served 6 million passengers; both were remarkably higher than the pre-pandemic level. 

To promote and take the lead in the reopening between Vietnam and international skies right after the pandemic, Vietjet has rapidly expanded new international routes. It was the pioneering airline to develop an extensive network of 17 direct routes between Vietnam and India – a market of 1.4 billion people, specifically to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Vietjet has also inaugurated new routes from Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to Busan in South Korea, from Hanoi to Nagoya and Fukuoka, Japan.

In addition to the advanced fleet of A320s and A321s, Vietjet, for the first time, has brought the new generation of modern wide-body aircraft of A330 into operation. Equipped with noise control technology, they have delivered safer and more comfortable flight experiences to the passengers while reducing the take-off and landing frequency in operating airports.

Despite revenue breakthrough in Q2 and H1-2022, the consolidated after-tax profit reached VND426 billion, about 85.2% of the airline’s H1 target, due to surging oil prices.

Bhutan’s pilgrimage trail opens September

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2022: Bhutan’s ancient pilgrimage trail, re-opening for the first time in 60 years this September, has been named in TIME’s annual list of 50 extraordinary travel destinations. 

Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) founder Sam Blyth, who heads the not-for-profit sustainable tourism enterprise behind the launch of the trail, said: “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition and so proud that the Trans Bhutan Trail will be highlighted on the world’s stage.

In September, the trail will officially launch, welcoming Bhutanese and international travellers to walk or cycle part of the trail or take on the incredible challenge of an end-to-end hike.”

On Wednesday, 28 September 2022, the restored historic 250-mile pilgrimage trail traversing Bhutan will be officially re-opened for the first time in six decades in a formal ceremony hosted by His Majesty The Fifth King. The Trail launch will take place within days of Bhutan’s borders fully re-opening to travellers on 23 September.

Eighteen major bridges, more than 10,000 steps and 250 miles of trail have been built or restored over the last three years, involving thousands of Bhutanese workers and villagers in a unique private/public partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF), which has worked for many years to further the development of Bhutan and its people through programmes that support the country’s educational ambitions.

BCF was founded by Sam Blyth, an educator, global business executive, innovator and philanthropist, and the visionary behind the Trail restoration project. He has always held a deep admiration for Bhutan and a wholehearted belief in its commitment to prioritising quality of life through the four pillars of the country’s guiding Gross National Happiness philosophy. It was this belief which drove the initiative to create TBT, transbhutantrail.org.

“The Royal Government of Bhutan, Tourism Council of Bhutan, and Bhutan Canada Foundation combined forces to oversee the restoration of hundreds of miles of pathways. Intrepid travellers can hike, bike, and camp through the meadows and dense forests of nine dzongkhags (districts), 28 gewogs (local governments), two municipalities, and parts of Phrumsengla National Park, and more than 400 historic sites. The route is peppered with museums and ancient fortresses, like Jakar Dzong and the Fortress of the White Bird, perched on a ridge above the historic Bumthang Valley.”

All aspects of guided walking and biking on the trail can be arranged directly via TBT (transbhutantrail.org) on a not-for-profit basis, with all proceeds flowing back into creating a sustainable future for The Trail and the communities along it.

With its sustainability fund to ensure that the trail will be properly maintained for generations to come, visitors booking a journey directly with TBT will play a vital role in the trail’s future.

Along with attracting hikers and bikers, the trail presents a rich experience for birdwatchers and botanists, photographers, rafters and runners, and those seeking a spiritual, wellness, or religious journey. See the new itineraries here.

About the Trans Bhutan Trail

For thousands of years, the trail was used by pilgrims, armies and traders. The trail spans 250 miles from the east to the west of Bhutan. Until the 1960s, it was the only way to travel. It will re-open to visitors in 2022 for the first time in over 60 years. The trail will maintain the principles across the Bhutanese tourism industry, ensuring all tours are run sustainably. The trail is also a member of the World Trails Network Sustainability Committee. The Trans Bhutan Trail is committed to enhancing the route out of respect for Bhutan’s ancestors and as a gift to future generations. Its Trail Code can be found here.

India’s August break will boost travel

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 3 August 2022: With India’s Raksha Bandhan* festival falling on Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 August, followed by Independence Day on Monday, the second week of August presents Indian travellers with an extended five-day window to book a holiday getaway.

As Raksha Bandhan is a school holiday and Independence Day a bank holiday, families, young professionals and couples are booking trips, according to Thomas Cook India and its group company, SOTC Travel, latest travel news updates.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s consumer data reveals growing demand for short holidays (mini-cations), with 69% of respondents displaying a keen interest in booking holidays for the Raksha Bandhan-Independence Day extended weekend. Over 66% of the respondents indicated a preference for domestic locales, while 34% were open to short-haul international options.

To tap into the extended weekend demand, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have launched holiday packages to favourite Indian locales (Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Kerala, Goa and Andaman) and closer-to-home and easy visa destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi; island destinations like Maldives and Mauritius and South East Asia’s Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Special offers have been announced to capitalise on the cruise opportunity as well. Cruise options for the extended weekend include Genting Dream (two nights Singapore-Malaysia on 10 August); Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Spectrum of the Seas (three-night cruise from Singapore on 11 August), or Cordelia Cruises from Chennai to Chennai or Vizag to Chennai via Puducherry.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s extended weekend holiday breaks include a range of ready-to-book travel experiences: outdoor and adventure, including safaris, biking, hiking/trekking, camping, water rafting and paragliding; ‘drivecations’ to nearby locales and spa-wellness getaways.

The companies also offer air-inclusive tours with Vistara Getaways, Air Arabia Holidays and Emirates Holidays.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa Rajeev Kale said: “With both Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day falling on weekdays, customers are offered a great opportunity of an extended weekend getaway… Customers can select from our array of options: safari-outdoor-adventure, wellness getaways and cruises.”

SOTC Travel president & country head – Holidays Daniel D’souza added:

“For this upcoming long weekend, we see a 69% increase in travel searches and interest. Our long weekend getaways include unique experiences at attractive prices for a range of favourite destinations.”

*Raksha Bandhan is a regional Hindu religious festival celebrated in north and west India, Nepal, and parts of Pakistan.

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL) is the leading omnichannel travel company in the country, offering a broad spectrum of services, including foreign exchange, corporate travel and leisure travel. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands, including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Luxe Asia, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa.

The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across five continents.

PATA gurus meet in Songkhla

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 August 2022: The Pacific Asia Travel Association’s PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2022 opens today in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.

The two-day event presents the theme“Building Back Sustainably through Cultural Heritage and Community-based Tourism” and is hosted by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Songkhla Convention and Exhibition Bureau (SCEB), the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), and the Prince of Songkhla University with the support of Songkhla City.

 Impressive speaker lineup at the PATA Destination Marketing Forum.

The conference will be officially opened Wednesday by Thailand’s  Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Two keynote presentations follow. Al Merschen, Partner, International Insights, MMGY Global, presents “The Best Practices for Destination Marketing”, and Audra Morrice, Masterchef Asia/ Singapore Host & Judge, Cook, Author, Australia, focuses on gastronomic tourism to Asia”.

Other confirmed speakers include Supawan Teerarat, Senior Vice President – MICE Capability and Innovation, TCEB; Naomi Mano, Chair, Japan MICE Association; Will Kataria, Senior Director, Sales and Operations, Cvent; Chris Adams, Director, Head of Research and Insights, Miles Partnership; Montakarn Suvanatap Kittipaisalsilp, Programme Officer for Culture, UNESCO Bangkok, Thailand; Dr. Nawamin Pinpathomrat, Doctor, Scientist, MasterChef UK Finalist, Thailand; Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Tourism Board; Thoyyib Mohamed, CEO & Managing Director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation; Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director General of Tourism Marketing Department, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT); Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; Douangmala Phommavong, Managing Director, Exo Travel Laos Co., Ltd.; Fernanda Rodak, Sustainability & Social Responsibility Project and Research Coordinator, PATA; Wanvipa Phanumat, Director of Community Based Tourism Development, DASTA; Jaray Suwannachart, Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya; Thanawat Charoenpornthip, Head of Koh Yo Tourism Club; Poonsup Chukaew, Head of Node-Na-Le Learning Center, Tha Hin Community, and Pete Bryant, CEO, Steller.

Located in southern Thailand, Songkhla is a fishing town known as a major harbour, seaport, and the “City with Two Seas”. Most recently, Songkhla has been proposed by the Thai government as a World Heritage Site and UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy.

(Source: PATA)

Thai Vietjet starts recruitment drive

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 August 2022: For the first time in two years since the pandemic disrupted travel, Thai Vietjet successfully resumed its annual “Sky Career Festival 2022”.

Held last week at Bangkok’s Central World, more than 10,000 participants attended to explore career opportunities with the airline.

It has recently opened recruitment for cabin crew, pilots, engineering, and ground service staff to drive network expansion in response to the global tourism recovery.

During the ‘Sky Career Festival, the airline’s CEO Woranate Laprabang noted Thai Vietjet has expanded its fleets and flights continuously and needs lots of manpower to fulfil its ambitions.

“We arranged this event to offer opportunities for the young generation who dream of having a chance to work in the aviation industry and share comprehensive information from airline professionals.”

The Sky Career Festival has been Thai Vietjet’s annual event since 2018. It continues to provide participants with more opportunities to develop their career paths in a multinational working environment in Thailand, Vietnam, and the rest of Asia.

In 2021, Thai Vietjet was named the Gold winner of the HR Excellence Awards 2021 (Thailand) for ‘Excellence in Crisis Management Recovery’, highlighting its outstanding performance in crisis and people management throughout the pandemic.

Emirates bumps up Skywards rewards

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TTR WEEKLY
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Dubai, UAE: 1 August 2022 – Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is giving members bonus Miles on flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and lifestyle partners this August.

Earn up to 15,000 Miles on hotel stays*

  • Emirates Skywards Hotels: Earn up to 15,000 Miles per night with more than 400,000 hotels in more than 900 destinations worldwide.
  •  Atlantis The Palm, Dubai: Earn up to 10,000 bonus Miles for a three-night stay.
  • IHG Hotels & Resorts: Earn 1,000 bonus Miles per stay at any Intercontinental Hotels worldwide.
  •  Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts: Earn double Miles per stay at any of the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

Earn up to 6,000 bonus Miles on car rentals*

  • Avis: Earn 6,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.
  • Hertz: Earn up to triple Miles on car rentals worldwide.
  •  SIXT: Earn up to 3,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.

Earn thousands of Miles on shopping*

  • The Bicester Collection: Earn thousands of Miles this summer at the popular luxury shopping destinations within The Bicester Collection. Members can earn double Miles on all spends, and triple Miles based on achieving the minimum spend criteria.
  • utu: Get a chance to win a whopping 100,000 bonus Skywards and earn up to 1,750 bonus Miles with utu Tax-Free. Continue to earn Skywards Miles on Tax refunds in 50 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East with utu Tax-Free app.

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Miles with Emirates NBD Skywards Credit Cards

Members can be 100,000 Miles closer to their next dream destination. Members can sign-up for an Emirates NBD Skywards Credit Card and earn up to 100,000 bonus Skywards Miles. Members can accelerate their Miles earning by spending with their card across a variety of hotel, car rental, and lifestyle partners such as The Dubai Mall,skywardsmilesmall.com, Skywards Everyday, and more.

Click here to learn more about Emirates Skywards’ summer specials.

Emirates Skywards has more than 29 million members worldwide. The loyalty programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets on partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, tickets, hospitality at sporting and cultural events, tours and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com/skywards.
*Terms and conditions apply
*Offer is valid during the specified booking period

(Your Stories: Emirates)

NCL takes delivery of Norwegian Prima

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 August 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries, took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Prima, in Marghera, Venice, at the renowned Fincantieri shipyard on Monday.

This highly anticipated milestone marks the arrival of the first ship in NCL’s Prima Class, which will see six new ships delivered through 2027. Present at the landmark event were Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri; as well as other notable NCLH and Fincantieri executives. The traditional flag exchange ceremony followed the delivery celebration.

Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “Today we usher in a thrilling new era in cruising as we celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Prima, the long-anticipated first ship in our extraordinary new Prima Class. She is a true testament to our Guest First philosophy and our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences that exceed expectations. We thank our wonderful partners at Fincantieri, whose coveted craftsmanship, expertise, and dedication, helped bring Norwegian Prima to life. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on board.”

At 294 metres long, 142,500 gross tons, and a capacity for 3,300 guests, Norwegian Prima is designed to put guests first. She features wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design, and a variety of brand and industry-first experiences. She lays claim as the most spacious new cruise ship in the contemporary categories and offers the most outdoor deck space and expansive accommodations of any new build. Her variety of elevated experiences and epicurean delights include the Brand’s first upscale open-air food hall, Indulge Food Hall; the largest and first three-level racetrack at sea on the Prima Speedway, as well as The Drop, the world’s first freefall dry slide offering a 10-story plunge experience that reaches more G-forces than an accelerating F1 race car.

Other onboard standouts include Ocean Boulevard, which wraps around the entire deck, that’s over 4,000 square metres, allowing guests to connect to the ocean while enjoying alfresco dining and elevated experiences. Guests will enjoy the ultimate in relaxation via Infinity Beach, boasting two stunning infinity pools which are positioned close to water level to take in the vastness of the ocean with uninterrupted views, as well as Oceanwalk, where two glass bridges make guests feel as though they are walking on air over the water. An oasis for art lovers, Norwegian Prima will boast The Concourse, the first outdoor sculpture garden at sea, with six installations created by international metal artist Alexander Krivosheiw and an art wall designed by David Harber. 

Fincantieri, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo, said: “We’re glad to work with Norwegian Cruise Line to create a world-class series of ships, and it’s a proud day seeing the first of the six Prima Class vessels delivered today.

Norwegian Prima is packed with world-firsts, never-before-seen features, and extraordinary attractions you would never expect at sea”.

Launching this August, Norwegian Prima will be the first major cruise ship christened in Iceland, commencing her eight-day inaugural voyage in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik on 27 August 2022, sailing to Amsterdam. Global popstar Katy Perry, who serves as Norwegian Prima’s Godmother, will fulfil the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the ship, as well as performing during the christening ceremony.

Following her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Prima will sail a series of eight-day voyages from Amsterdam and Copenhagen, offering guests the opportunity to explore Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords. She’ll then sail Bermuda from 10 October 2022; Caribbean itineraries from 15 October 2022; and Western Caribbean voyages from 11 December 2022 to 19 March 2023, before returning to Bermuda from 28 March to 7 May 2023. She’ll then offer cruises to Northern Europe from 14 May through 17 September 2023.

For more information about Norwegian Prima, NCL’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call Hong Kong on +852 2165 6000 and Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.

(Your Stories: NCL)

Ethiopian orders more A350s

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TTR WEEKLY
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ADDIS ABABA, 3 August 2022: Ethiopian Airlines Group, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, Africa’s largest airline group, has upsized four of its A350-900 on order to the largest variant of the A350 family, the A350-1000, becoming Africa’s first customer for the aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has already ordered 22 A350-900s, of which 16 aircraft have been delivered. With the A350-1000 upsizing, Ethiopian Airlines’ backlog consists of four A350-1000s and two A350-900s.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO  Mesfin Tasew said: “We are delighted over the upsizing of the A350-900 on order to the largest variant, A350-1000, that helps us stay ahead of the curve in technology. We are the technology leaders in the continent, introducing the latest technology and fuel-efficient fleet into Africa.

“The A350-1000 is the best fit for our dense routes, and we believe that the upsizing will be instrumental in satisfying the increasing demand of customers in our vast global network across five continents.”

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