PHNOM PENH, 3 December 2025: Air Cambodia is expanding its network with new flights for the holiday peak season to destinations in Vietnam and China.
The airline launched a new route from Phnom Penh to Fuzhou, China, with three flights weekly as of 26 November.
Services are scheduled on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using an A320 configured with 181 seats for the three-hour 20-minute flight.
Describing Fuzhou as a city with a “wealth of business, tourism and cultural opportunities, the service is a testament to Cambodia’s strong commitment to providing a wide range of travel options.”
Flight schedule: Phnom Penh (KTI) – Fuzhou (FOC)
K6592 departs Phnom Penh (KTI) at 0945 and arrives in Fuzhou (FOC). (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). K6593 departs Fuzhou (FOC) at 0010 and arrives in Phnom Penh (KTI) at 0255. (Monday, Thursday, Saturday).
The airline quotes an all-inclusive one-way fare starting at USD116.
Meanwhile, Air Cambodia identifies new direct services from its home base at Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, to three destinations in Vietnam — Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang/Cam Ranh.
The airline will launch four weekly flights from Phnom Penh to Vietnam’s holiday island, Phu Quoc, with services scheduled from 27 December 2025 to 28 March, using an A320 with 181 seats. Flights depart on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Flight schedule — Phu Quoc (PQC)
K6830 departs Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1100 and arrives in Phu Quoc at 1150. K6831 departs Phu Quoc (PQC) at 1220 and arrives in Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1310.
Flight schedule — Nha Trang/Cam Ranh (CXR)
K6832 departs Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1355 and arrives in Nha Trang (CXR) at 1540. K6833 departs Nha Trang (CXR) at 1620 and arrives in Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1855.
The airline operates the route twice weekly, on Tuesday and Saturday, starting 30 December, using an A320.
Flight schedule — Da Nang (DAD)
K6842 departs Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1100 and arrives Da Nang (DAD) at 1310. K6483 departs Da Nang (DAD) at 1340 and arrives in Phnom Penh (KTI) at 1550.
The airline flies the route three times weekly on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday starting 28 December.
PHUKET, Thailand, 2 December 2025: Air France has inaugurated a new three-weekly direct flight between Phuket and Paris effective 28 November 2025.
Air France now operates three flights every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from Phuket, with return flights from Paris on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Photo credit: Air France adds Paris-Phuket flights.
Flights operate with a Boeing B777-200 aircraft equipped with 328 seats (28 in business, 32 in premium and 268 in economy).
Air France General Manager for Southeast Asia & Oceania, Femke Kroese, commented: “Introducing Phuket as our second destination in Thailand this winter offers an opportunity to enhance Air France and KLM’s connectivity in the region, making it even easier for travellers to access this beautiful island with our new direct flight. Air France and KLM together offer 27 weekly flights to Thailand this winter season”.
MANILA, 2 December 2025: Philippine Airlines has resumed seasonal direct flights between Manila and Sapporo until 27 March 2026, which will boost travel to Sapporo, the capital city in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
PAL’s Airbus A321neo aircraft operates the Manila-Sapporo-Manila route.
Seasonal schedule
Sapporo entices travellers with its rich culinary scene, from signature Sapporo ramen and soup curry to fresh seafood. Known as the Winter Capital, it is recognised for a host of activities beyond its iconic snow festival.
“By re-launching this seasonal route, we are opening a gateway for travellers to experience Philippine Airlines’ world-class service and signature heartfelt hospitality while supporting demand for flights between the two destinations,” said PAL President Richard Nuttall. “The returning service expands PAL’s presence in Japan, boosting connections across the Japan region,” he added.
The route from Sapporo to Manila opens the door for Japanese travellers to explore and experience the Philippines’ culture and warm hospitality.
The direct flights to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday using the airline’s Airbus A321neo aircraft. The 168-seat Airbus A321neo features 12 seats in business class and 156 in economy, with extensive in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity.
PAL offers the largest network of destination points and routes between the Philippines and Japan – with nonstop services to Osaka Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita, including direct flights from Cebu to both Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Narita.
DOHA, 2 December 2025: Qatar Airways, the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, offers exclusive travel packages for international fans to experience the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 in Doha.
Taking place until 18 December 2025, the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 will see 16 national teams from across the Arab world compete for regional supremacy in state-of-the-art stadiums that captured global attention during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways. Doha hosts two FIFA soccer cup events this month.
Meanwhile, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025, running 10 to 17 December 2025, will bring together champions from every continent, showcasing elite football on a world stage as the year’s final major tournament.
Qatar Airways is offering fans access to both tournaments through curated Qatar Airways Holidays packages.
Fans booking Qatar Airways holiday packages gain:
Return flights with Qatar Airways to and from Doha;
A choice of four and five-star hotel accommodation;
Match ticket options for category 1 or 2 seats;
Avios and Qpoints on the flights, plus additionally on the total package value.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 tournament will showcase the region’s best talent, celebrating football, national pride, and the enduring legacy of the beautiful game in the Middle East and North Africa. Organised by FIFA, this is the second successive edition of the tournament hosted in Doha to celebrate the shared heritage and football excellence across the Middle East and North Africa.
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 will bring together the champions from various continental competitions. As the host nation, Qatar will once again welcome elite teams and fans from around the world for a thrilling showcase of international football, reinforcing the country’s reputation for delivering world-class sporting events.
BANGKOK, 2 December 2025: Asian airlines have completed or are very close to finishing the mandatory software upgrade on their A320 fleets, to comply with a recent urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Airbus A320 family aircraft.
The update was required to address a potential software vulnerability in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) system and was detailed in an Airbus update on A320 Family precautionary fleet action released on 28 November 2025
Photo credit: Airbus.
The Airbus statement: “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
“Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service which may be impacted. Airbus has worked proactively with aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action from operators via an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) to implement available software and/or hardware protection and ensure the fleet is safe to fly.
“The AOT was reflected in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority.”
Asian Airlines that completed or nearly completed the A320 software update:
Airline
Status of Completion
Notes
IndiGo (India)
Completed
Announced completion of the software reset on approximately 200 aircraft in its A320-family fleet.
Air India (India)
Nearly Completed
Reported successful completion of the fix on over 90% of its operating A320-family aircraft.
Air India Express (India)
Nearly Completed
Reported completion of safety checks on most of its aircraft, with the remaining few expected to be finalised very soon.
AirAsia (Group)
Completed
Announced that they had officially completed all the requirements mandated by the EASA within 24 hours of receiving the directive.
Taiwanese Carriers
Completed / Nearly Finished
Mentioned generally as having completed or nearly finished all their software updates.
HK Express (Hong Kong)
Advanced Progress
Reported having upgraded more than half of its affected aircraft, with normal flight operations.
VietJet (Vietnam)
Advanced Progress
As of the morning of 29 November 2025, the airline had completed updates on 45 out of 69 affected aircraft and was accelerating the process to ensure the entire fleet met requirements.
South Korean Carriers
Advanced Progress
The Transport Ministry expected upgrades to all 42 affected aircraft (including those operated by Asiana and Korean Air) to be completed by Sunday morning (30 November 2025).
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 December 2025: AirAsia celebrates its upcoming 24th birthday with a special Birthday Sale, offering up to 24%* off all seats on all flights.
From its humble beginnings with just two aircraft to becoming one of the world’s most recognised low-cost carriers, AirAsia share the airline commemorated its anniversary with a special sale launched 1 December with discounted fares available until 7 December 2025 for a travel period from 6 January 2026 until 30 November 2026 via its website and its MOVE app (formerly known as the airasia Superapp).
Photo credit: AirAsia. Airline posts fare discount to celebrate its 24th birthday.
The birthday deal offers bargain fares for trips to Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Lombok, Phuket and Nha Trang, as well as many other short-haul destinations.
To mark this special occasion, AirAsia will be offering an additional 24% off seat selection**, valid for all standard seats and Hot Seat bookings.
*Up to 24% discounted base fare is applicable for all seats for all AirAsia flights with flight code AK, D7, QZ, Z2, FD, XJ & KT. Terms and conditions apply.
**Valid only for purchase of Standard Seat & Hot Seat during initial flight booking on AirAsia MOVE, subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
MANILA, 2 December 2025: Australia’s low-cost airline Jetstar launched direct flights from Perth to Manila last week as part of a significant expansion of its West Australian operations.
Jetstar is flying the new route three times a week with its 232-seat Airbus A321LR aircraft, delivering more than 72,000 seats annually.
Captain Anton Petkovich, First Officer Sam Holyman and cabin crew ahead of the inaugural flight departing Perth for Manila on 28 November.
This new service will provide more choice for West Australian holidaymakers and a direct flight home for Perth’s large Filipino community, while bringing more tourists into WA to support the visitor economy. Jetstar currently posts a one-way fare of AUD229 on its website for the Perth-Manila service.
Jetstar now operates five routes between Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, and destinations in Southeast Asia. Manila joins Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket and Bali (Denpasar) on the airline’s departures board. Jetstar also flies to six domestic destinations from Perth and is the only carrier offering direct flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Busselton-Margaret River Airport.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the inaugural Perth to Manila flight marks a new chapter for Jetstar’s WA operations. “This is the first time Jetstar has ever flown between Perth and the Philippines. Manila will be popular with West Australian holidaymakers for its excellent-value shopping, tasty food scene, and rich history and cultural experiences. This is Jetstar’s fifth route from Perth to Asia and is part of a longer-term plan to grow our operations in the west, allowing customers to take off more for less.”
Commenting on the new service, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted Australia ranks as the fifth-highest source market for the country with 299,286 passenger arrivals in 2024. “This flight represents more than just travel; it symbolises our commitment to offer opportunities for tourism and business, making it easier for travellers to fly to Manila and further connecting the Philippines to the world,” she said.
The low-cost airline will operate the Perth-Manila route three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight time between the two cities is six hours and 35 minutes.
DUBAI, UAE, 1 December 2025: The Emirates A350 aircraft will make its debut in Canada on 1 February 2026*, serving the Montréal-Dubai route.
The A350 aircraft will replace the current Boeing 777 aircraft operating the daily service, and its deployment marks the introduction of Emirates’ latest cabin class, Premium Economy, in Canada.
Emirates’ A350 aircraft features the airline’s latest interiors, industry-first technologies and innovations, and its rollout reinforces Emirates’ commitment to customers in Canada. Customers flying to and from Montréal will now have more choice when making travel plans and can enjoy exceptional levels of comfort onboard. Emirates’ A350 aircraft features three cabin classes with 32 business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 28 premium economy seats, and 238 economy class seats.
The Emirates A350 will operate daily to and from Montréal on EK243 and EK244 with the following schedule (all times are local):
EK243: The flight departs Dubai at 0245, arriving in Montréal at 0735;
EK244: The flight departs Montréal at 1040 and arrives in Dubai at 0800 (next day).
The deployment of Emirates’ A350 aircraft to Canada and the launch of Premium Economy cabins on the route mark a significant enhancement to its services. Emirates also operates its flagship A380 aircraft on its daily services to Toronto to provide elevated flying experiences to customers planning trips to and from its two Canadian gateways. Through its codeshare partnership with Air Canada, Emirates customers can access 37 additional points in Canada and the US, from Montréal and Toronto.
On all Emirates flights, passengers can expect premium dining experiences with regional cuisine options, an award-winning in-flight entertainment system featuring 6,500 channels of content in a multitude of languages, and more.
For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on the Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, the Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.
*If aircraft are delivered ahead of schedule, Emirates will bring forward the deployment of its Airbus A350
SINGAPORE, 1 December 2025: Banyan Group and Mandai Wildlife Group recently celebrated the grand opening of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, the hotel group’s 100th property and its first in Singapore.
“As we mark our 100th hotel with our first in Singapore, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree represents a deeply meaningful homecoming. It brings together our legacy of design-led hospitality with our commitment to stewardship and shared impact,” said Banyan Group President and CEO Eddy See. “As the first resort within a world-leading wildlife and nature destination in a capital city, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy meaningful wildlife experiences right at their doorstep, a powerful expression of Singapore’s City in Nature vision.”
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree
Set within 4.6 hectares of greenery, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree brings biophilic design to the heart of Singapore. Elevated architecture preserves the site’s natural terrain. At the same time, mature trees have been carefully retained, including a 12-metre Rain Tree (Samanea saman) and an Indian Beech tree (Millettia pinnata) that frame the arrival experience. The five-storey resort building, including its rooftop spaces, houses guestrooms and suites that rise vertically through the forestscape, offering views of the rainforest, gardens, and reservoir.
On the rooftop, guests can enjoy the pool’s unobstructed views over Upper Seletar Reservoir. The Discovery Forest transforms built space into living green, with saplings that reflect the natural forest types once common in this region. The Edible Garden grows more than 15 native herbs, including Butterfly Pea, Torch Ginger, Roselle, Pandan, Lemongrass, and Asam Gelugor.
Guests staying at the resort enjoy access to the wildlife parks and attractions in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild Asia, Bird Paradise, and the newly opened Curiosity Cove, a 4,600 sqm indoor nature-inspired playscape. Staying at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree unlocks special rates for park entry and signature programmes, as well as family-friendly and age-inclusive experiences, from the Wild Zoo Day Camp for children to wellbeing activities and immersive wildlife encounters.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree features 338 rooms and suites, which include 24 treehouses. Promotions start with weekday room rates in December 2025 at around SGD458, and over the peak New Year’s season, SGD579 (nightly rate for a three-night stay (two adults).
BANGKOK, 1 December 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces significant progress across its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars, reaffirming its commitment to driving sustainable tourism and elevating Thailand’s hospitality sector through responsible and forward-thinking business practices.
Guided by its core philosophy of delivering warm Thai hospitality enriched by innovation, family values, and environmental responsibility, Centara continues to strengthen its long-term sustainability framework to ensure meaningful, measurable impacts for its guests, local communities, and the planet.
Blueprint for a brighter future
Centara has been steadfast in advancing its environmental management practices since 2009, approaching two decades of tangible progress across all ESG areas.
In line with its long-term sustainability vision, Centara has introduced the C-E-N-T-A-R-A Sustainability Blueprint. This comprehensive strategic framework guides the company’s sustainable development across seven priority areas, serving as the foundation for future initiatives and ensuring that environmental stewardship remains central to the group’s business operations.
Highlights and key milestones along Centara’s 16-year sustainability journey include:
2009: Adoption of the EarthCheck environmental management system across its hotels and resorts to ensure international-standard sustainable operations.
2014: Participation in Thailand’s Green Hotel certification programme under the Department of Climate Change and Environment.
2016: Launch of My Green Day, encouraging guest participation in reducing water usage and chemical consumption by opting out of linen and towel changes.
2018: Elimination of single-use plastics in guest service areas, including replacing plastic straws with plant-based options and switching to refillable in-room amenities.
2019: Introduction of the P.O.P. (Plastic Only, Please) initiative to encourage plastic recycling among guests and reduce plastic waste in natural environments.
2021: Achievement of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) status for Centara EarthCare, reflecting internationally endorsed environmental standards.
2025: Achievement of full GSTC certification for all 42 Centara properties worldwide.
Environmental Excellence – Progressing Towards Net Zero
Centara prioritises efficient resource management to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon future. Key achievements include:
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Target to reduce GHG emissions per occupied room by 40% by 2029, compared to the 2019 baseline.
Achieved a 35% reduction to date, outperforming Thailand’s hotel industry average by 51.9%, as benchmarked by the Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index (CHSB).
Centara is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, based on three strategic pathways:
Reducing emissions intensity by 40% by 2029.
Advancing sustainable supply chain practices through low-carbon and sustainable materials.
Aligning financing and investment decisions with environmental objectives.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Solar cells installed at 14 hotels, reducing carbon emissions by more than 2,970 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to planting over 300,000 trees.
From January to October 2025, Centara generated 4,780 MWh of clean energy, accounting for 4% of total electricity use.
Implementation of advanced efficiency systems, including smart sensors, Energy Management Systems (EMS), district cooling, and building management systems.
Water Management
Achieved a 30.1% reduction in water consumption, surpassing the target of 20% (based on the 2019 baseline).
Recycled over 454,416m³ of treated wastewater for landscape irrigation across hotel properties in 2025.
Waste Management
Reduced waste to landfill by 24.5%, exceeding the 20% reduction target (2019 baseline).
Achieved an average recycling rate of 28.9%.
Produced upcycled items such as bags and hats from plastic (PET) bottles, totalling 3,872kg across four hotels in Krabi.
Social Commitment and Community Empowerment
Centara continues to invest in community and social development, with long-running programmes designed to enhance living standards, create economic opportunities, and nurture inclusive growth. These initiatives include:
Since 2017, Centara has partnered with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Thailand to donate surplus food to communities in need, reducing food waste and alleviating hunger.
Through the “One Hotel, One Product” programme and community markets, Centara has provided over 6,300 m² of complimentary retail space for local entrepreneurs to sell their goods, supporting more than 6,000 local products.
Commitment to inclusive employment, including hiring people with disabilities above the legal requirement and providing opportunities for senior workers.
Dedication to cultivating a supportive, progressive, and engaging workplace through its “The Place to Be – Best Workplace” philosophy.
Governance and Ethics
Centara is committed to conducting business with transparency, accountability, and strong ethical standards:
Achieved an “Excellent” (five-star) Corporate Governance rating for the sixth consecutive year from the Thai Institute of Directors Association.
A member of the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) since 2016, with three consecutive membership renewals.
Recipient of the CAC Change Agent Award for two consecutive years.
Secured more than THB 8.7 billion in sustainability-linked loans, sustainability-linked bonds, and green bonds to advance long-term ESG investments and environmental conservation projects.
“Business growth must go hand-in-hand with responsibility toward society, the environment, and the communities we serve,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirathivat.
“Achieving GSTC certification across all properties and making strong progress in reducing waste and emissions demonstrates our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship. We remain dedicated to innovating and advancing our ESG initiatives to create a meaningful, lasting impact, while providing exceptional, sustainable travel experiences for generations to come.”
