GOA, India, 9 December 2025: Uzbekistan Airways resumed flights between Tashkent and Goa, India, last week, promising renewed connectivity and deeper engagement between the two destinations.
The airline last flew the route on 26 March 2025 and temporarily paused the service during its six-month summer timetable.
Photo credit: Goa Tourism. Uzbekistan Airways returns to Goa.
Goa’s tourism leaders welcomed the return of scheduled flights, saying it reaffirms India’s west coast beach destination’s growing appeal as a preferred international destination.
The inaugural flight arrived on 3 December at Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX) from Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS), Uzbekistan, with 121 passengers on board.
Goa’s Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A Khaunte, commented: “The reinstated connection with Uzbekistan strengthens Goa’s international connectivity and adds momentum to our efforts to expand into new global markets. This renewed link opens fresh opportunities for travel and engagement between our destinations, making travel between our regions even more seamless.”
Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, added: “This renewed connection reflects the trust global partners place in Goa’s tourism potential. It strengthens our outreach efforts and allows visitors from Uzbekistan to experience Goa’s culture, festivals, and unique offerings with greater ease.”
The restored service enhances travel convenience for visitors from Uzbekistan and strengthens opportunities for cultural exchange, leisure travel, and future tourism collaborations. It also aligns with Goa’s continued efforts to broaden its international reach through sustained partnerships and targeted global promotions.
Scheduled twice weekly on a Wednesday and Sunday, the airline deploys a 150-seat A320 to serve the route. Flight time is four hours and 25 minutes. Fares on the popular online booking service Kayak start at USD639 round-trip for December 2025 searches.
Flight schedule
HY429 departs Tashkent (TAS) at 0750 and arrives in Goa (GOX) at 1245 (Wednesday and Sunday). HY430 departs Goa (GOX) at 1405 and arrives in Tashkent (TAS) at 1800 (Wednesday and Sunday).
SYDNEY, 9 December 2025: Jetstar will take off for the first time from Australia to Sri Lanka in August 2026 with the launch of the only direct low-cost service from Melbourne to the South Asian nation’s capital, Colombo.
Effective 25 August 2026, Jetstar will become the first Australian airline to operate this route, flying three times a week between Melbourne and Colombo and offering more than 100,000 low-fare seats annually.
Jetstar’s Boeing 787-8 is ready to fly to Sri Lanka in 2026.
Upgraded aircraft
This year-round service will be operated by Jetstar’s fleet of 11 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will be progressively upgraded from early next year to overhaul both the economy and business class cabins.
The interior refit includes more than doubling the number of business class seats and installing Wi-Fi so customers can stream entertainment to their own devices.
The addition of a new lie-flat crew rest area, allowing flights of up to 16 hours, will open the door to even more incredible long-haul destinations in the future. The first of the upgraded aircraft is due to touchdown in Melbourne in late March 2026.
Fare deals
Ticket deals for the new flights have been on sale since 8 December 2025. A 24-hour Route Launch Sale quotes one-way fares between Melbourne and Colombo starting at AUD315 at jetstar.com.
The launch of Melbourne-Colombo flights follows a major expansion since 2023, which added 26 new routes and welcomed 13 new aircraft.
2025 has been a standout year, with 14 new routes announced – nine of them international – with more exciting growth plans in the coming years.
This year, the Melbourne-based carrier is also celebrating 10 years of operating domestically from Melbourne’s T4, having carried more than 50 million customers through the terminal.
Holiday peak travel
The new route announcement comes as Jetstar prepares for its biggest Christmas ever. Jetstar is forecast to carry a record of almost 6 million passengers across its Australian, New Zealand, Japan and international network throughout December and January. This includes a record 1.7 million passengers flying through Melbourne alone across the southern hemisphere’s summer peak.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the airline’s Melbourne-Colombo route will give Australians a new, direct and affordable way to travel to Sri Lanka.
“Colombo is an incredible destination, and from August next year, we’re excited to be making it easier for Aussies to experience everything the beautiful country of Sri Lanka has to offer.
“This new route out of our home base of Melbourne is part of a huge growth phase for Jetstar. We’ve added new destinations, more aircraft, and we’re continuing to expand our international network to give travellers even more choice and opportunities to take off for less.”
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, Lorie Argus, welcomed Jetstar’s new flights to Sri Lanka as the airport and airline celebrate 10 years since the opening of Terminal 4.
“We’re thrilled to see Sri Lanka, one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations, become Jetstar’s 10th international destination from Melbourne.
“More Jetstar flights mean more legendary low fares – making it easier than ever for Victorians to explore this part of the world for leisure or to visit family and relatives.
“We’re marking a major milestone as we celebrate a decade since Jetstar moved into its home at Terminal 4, and it’s fantastic to see how our partnership has strengthened. A decade on, we’re proud to be Jetstar’s largest hub.”
JAKARTA, 9 December 2025: TransNusa closes 2025 by introducing four new scheduled direct domestic flights to international tourist destinations in Indonesia.
Ticket sales for the four new domestic routes began last week, while flights on all four routes will start on 15 December.
Datuk Bernard Francis: TransNusa focuses on increasing connectivity between international tourist destinations in Indonesia.
Services will be introduced from Bali to Lombok and Bima, the latter known for its natural beauty and as a gateway to Pantai Pink, famed for its pink sands and clear waters.
In addition, TransNusa will launch new direct flights between Sorong and Timika, and between Sorong and Manado.
TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis, said the new routes would provide increased connectivity and more travel options for both domestic and international tourists.
“Our focus will increase direct flight to destinations that are world-renowned for their unique and stunning landscape and natural offerings,” said the airline CEO, adding that Lombok, home to Mount Rinjani National Park, offers one of Indonesia’s most iconic volcanic landscapes with sweeping treks, waterfalls and panoramic views.
Bima’s Pantai Pink is a rare natural wonder with pink-hued sands and crystal-clear waters, a hidden gem for beach lovers and photographers.
Sorong serves as the gateway to Raja Ampat, famed for its rich coral reefs and rare marine species. At the same time, Timika provides access to Jaya Wijaya Mountain and supports a robust community tied to Indonesia’s most significant gold mining operations.
Flight schedules
Bali-Lombok
TransNusa’s flight from Bali to Lombok will operate twice daily beginning Monday, 15 December.
The TransNusa flight will depart Bali from the Denpasar International Airport at 0730 and arrive in Lombok International Airport at 0755, with the return flight departing Lombok at 0825 and arriving in Bali at 0905.
The second TransNusa flight will depart Bali at 1555 and arrive in Lombok at 1650, with the return flight departing Lombok at 1720 and arriving in Bali at 1805.
Bali-Bima
TransNusa’s flight from Bali to Bima will begin on 15 December.
For the first week, the airline will operate four flights from Bali to Bina on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Starting 22 December, flights from Bali to Bima will increase to daily.
The flight will depart Bali from the Denpasar International Airport at 0935 and arrive 1035 at Bima’s Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport.
The return flight will depart Bima’s Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport at 1100 and arrive at Bali’s Denpasar International Airport at 1210.
Sorong-Timika
TransNusa’s scheduled flights from Sorong to Timika will also begin on 15 December with four weekly services on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The flight will depart from Sorong’s Domine Eduard Osok International Airport at 1050 and arrive in Timika’s Mozes Kilangin Airport at 1210. The return flight will depart Timika at 1240 and arrive in Sorong at 14.00.
Manado-Sorong
Also effective 15 December, TransNusa will operate scheduled flights from Manado to Sorong four times weekly — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The flight will depart Manado’s Sam Ratulangi International Airport at 0800 and arrive in Sorong’s Domine Eduard Osok International Airport at 1020. The return flight will depart Sorong at 1430 and arrive in Manado at 1450.
BANGKOK, 8 December 2025: There are journeys we expect to enjoy and journeys that quietly reshape us — the Blue Jasmine began as a prestigious rail adventure across Thailand, yet it became something far more intimate and unexpectedly emotional.
It’s been over a week since the end of the journey. Having caught up on my other work, a few final words that I have wanted to share.
The night the train slept, but I did not
Day Eight of Nine
My most emotional moment came not from a temple or mountain view but in a softly rocking sleeper carriage somewhere in the dark countryside. Everyone else was fast asleep. The wheels hammered gently below, the carriage creaked, and the train breathed in its own slow rhythm. Yet I remained wide awake, glowing like a little lighthouse as I tapped away on my iPhone, trying desperately to meet publication deadlines.
Perhaps it was exhaustion, maybe the stillness, or the dawning realisation that our journey was nearing its close. In that long night, as the countryside slipped past unseen, the emotional weight of the past days began to settle around me. What had started as a travel assignment was becoming something much more profound.
Dawn Arrival in Bangkok: Day Nine
Photo: At sunrise, the Blue Jasmine rolled into Bangkok.
The city was slowly waking, its skyline washed in pale gold. We disembarked quietly at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station, aware that the end was approaching but reluctant for it to feel final. There was a soft, reflective mood among us, a recognition that something extraordinary had unfolded during our time together.
A River of light and memories
That evening, we boarded a small boat from the pier beside the Royal Orchid Sheraton and drifted with the Chao Phraya River current as dusk settled over Thailand’s capital. There is something about water that amplifies emotion. The reflections, the movement, the shimmering light all combine to deepen whatever the heart is feeling.
Dinner cruise boats gently glided by like illuminated liners. Hotels glittered along the banks. Iconsiam, the popular riverside Mall, shone like a jewel. The Grand Palace radiated quiet dignity.
Then came Wat Arun, rising in extraordinary blue and purple light, unlike anything I had ever seen. The colours danced across the surface of the water – dark and bottomless below – yet sparkling like gemstones above. It felt dreamlike, as if the river itself were preparing us for the final chapter of our journey.
Siri Sala: The farewell that became a memory
Our final evening took place at the beautiful Siri Sala Private Thai Villa, and it quickly became the emotional heart of the entire trip. There was no formality, just warmth, comfort and the kind of easy conversation that only develops when people have truly travelled together. Cocktails were generous, laughter effortless, and stories flowed freely.
It was during this dinner that the depth of our connection became unmistakable. In his farewell remarks, the GM shared that members of his team told him they had never seen a group bond so quickly or so intensely. They genuinely believed we had travelled together before.
When he explained that this was our first journey as a group, they were astonished by how strong the bonds were, and there were quiet tears among the team as we said our farewells. What began as a respectful, slightly formal relationship had gradually transformed into something warm and friendly, shaped by shared experiences and the gentle rhythm of journeying side by side.
And the passengers also felt the same about the service team. More than one wiped away a tear. A few leaned in close, sharing chairs, unwilling for the night to slip away too quickly. The air was filled with a soft ache, the kind that comes only when something meaningful is nearing its end. For nine days, we had been strangers. By the final night, we were more like a travelling family.
More than a journey
Travel writing often focuses on landscapes, cuisine and curated experiences, and the Blue Jasmine offered all of these in abundance. But beneath the polished descriptions lies a quieter truth.
This journey became more than a movement from one destination to the next. It became a shared story, written by the people who travelled together. A story shaped by early mornings, long days, unforgettable sights, late-night conversations, a river glowing in the dusk, and one final dinner where emotions were allowed to sit openly at the table.
Some journeys stay with us because of what we see. Others, because of how they make us feel. The Blue Jasmine did both. Somewhere in the rhythm of the rails, the reflections along the Chao Phraya and the laughter at Siri Sala, the journey settled quietly into my heart.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a British-born, long-time resident of Thailand. A former hotelier, he has more than 40 years of experience in hospitality and travel. He is a graduate of Napier Edinburgh University and a past Director of Skål International, serving as Past President of Skål Asia, Skål Thailand, and twice as President of Skål Bangkok. He arrived in Thailand in 1991 and has worked for some of the country’s most prestigious hotels, including the Shangri-La and the Royal Cliff Group. A writer, travel journalist and author, Andrew contributes to leading publications worldwide, sharing insights on tourism trends across Asia and exploring key Travel and Tourism issues across the Asia Pacific region.
SINGAPORE, 8 December 2025: The Singapore Tourism Board released a statement over the weekend confirming it has revoked the travel agent’s licence of Toyou Travel Pte Ltd (Licence: TA 03143) in accordance with the Travel Agents Act 1975.
Toyou Travel is no longer permitted to carry out any travel agent activities. The revocation was made under Section 9(1)(b) of the Travel Agents Act 1975, as STB has reason to believe that the company contravened Section 13(b) of the Travel Agents Act 1975 by submitting false financial statements for some years, constituting an offence involving dishonesty.
Under Regulation 14(b) of the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, Toyou Travel submitted auditor-certified financial statements to STB each year. STB’s review of Toyou Travel’s submissions revealed concerns about the authenticity of the financial information provided.
Toyou Travel must refund all its existing customers or hand over their existing obligations to licensed travel agents to fulfil as an immediate consequence of the revocation of its travel agency licence.
STB said in its statement that it “takes a serious view against errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.
For the most up-to-date list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, visit the Travel Related Users System (TRUS) website, STB’s TRUST portal.
SINGAPORE, 8 December 2025: Vietjet steps into the regional travel season with its strongest operational readiness to date, marked by the arrival of a new A321neo ACF, registered VN-A580, and the airline’s unprecedented milestone of taking delivery of 22 aircraft within a single month.
As Asia gears up for one of its busiest travel periods, including the upcoming Lunar New Year 2026, Vietjet’s fleet reinforcement signals a decisive move to ensure capacity, reliability, and network growth for travellers across the region, including four direct routes linking Singapore with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc.
Photo credit: Vietjet.
The one-month build-up — equivalent to the entire fleet of a standalone carrier — represents the most significant delivery milestone in the airline’s history and underscores its commitment to meeting heightened travel demand by improving aircraft availability and operational efficiency.
Newly delivered and upcoming aircraft:
Nine Boeing 737s for Vietjet Thailand;
Seven new-generation Airbus aircraft for Vietjet Group in Vietnam;
Four wet-lease aircraft to support peak-season operations;
Two COMAC aircraft are currently operating on the Con Dao routes.
At a time when many airlines face aircraft shortages and prolonged delivery delays, Vietjet’s ability to secure and activate one of the fastest fleet build-ups in the industry reflects a solid financial footing and the confidence of international partners. With these new aircraft entering service, the airline is set to enhance schedule stability, expand frequencies on popular routes, and reinforce its international network ahead of the travel surge.
DELHI, 8 December 2025: For years, Japan has been defined internationally by its iconic cherry blossom season. But a shift in behaviour is emerging among Indian travellers.
According to Cox & Kings, one of India’s trusted travel brands, Japan has become a top winter bucket-list destination, with demand for December–February departures rising 15% year over year.
Cox & Kings’ traveller insights point to several defining shifts behind the winter surge. The winter illumination season is becoming a primary driver of travel. From Tokyo Midtown’s Illumination Walk to the famous Nabana no Sato light gardens, Japan’s winter lighting festivals, among the world’s most elaborate, are now trending among Indian couples, families and young travellers. These attraction-based evenings are becoming a high-FOMO seasonal experience.
Indian travellers are also leaning into Japan’s deep winter culture. Snow-based experiences like skiing, snow villages, wildlife trails, snowy hikes, and open-air onsens (hot springs) are proliferating. The magic is in the contrast: steaming baths against snowy forests, winter street-food stalls, and quiet, white-covered lanes. It’s a season where snow, culture and comfort come together.
“Japan in winter has a completely different soul,” said Cox & Kings Director, Karan Agarwal. “From local food trails to cultural rituals and unhurried neighbourhood days, travellers want depth, and winter is when Japan reveals its most authentic side. Already among the top choices for 2025, Japan’s growing winter appeal now makes it a truly all-season destination”
Travellers are also increasingly exploring culture beyond sakura (spring cherry bloom). Tea ceremonies in Kyoto, winter food tours in Osaka, kimono-dressing workshops, traditional ryokan stays, and “onsen circuits” (hot spring baths) in Hakone are seeing strong traction. Interest in slow-travel experiences such as neighbourhood stays in Kyoto’s Gion district, curated cooking workshops, and local craft has also grown over the last year.
Data from Cox & Kings shows that bookings for next year’s cherry blossom itineraries are already up by 10%, showing that winter demand is not replacing the cherry blossom season; it is expanding the overall Japan travel curve.
MELBOURNE, 8 December 2025: Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary, is now accepting bookings for its inaugural 2026 season, marking a new chapter in Nile River cruising as Egypt enjoys unprecedented interest following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The luxury riverboat, which launches in October 2026, represents A&K Sanctuary’s most ambitious Egyptian project to date and arrives at a pivotal moment for the destination.
Photo credits: A&K.
The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in November 2025 has only heightened Egypt’s appeal, with the world’s largest archaeological museum now displaying 100,000 artefacts, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures together for the first time.
Nile Seray has been conceived to complement this new golden age of Egyptian travel, offering a refined sanctuary from which to explore both the museum and Egypt’s timeless temples and tombs.
A first look inside
Newly released interior renderings reveal Nile Seray’s sophisticated design approach, which infuses modern elegance with heritage touches that nod to Egypt’s artistic legacy.
The 32 suites showcase contemporary lines and natural materials, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing ever-changing views of the Nile valley. Colour palettes echo the warm tones of Egypt’s landscape, whilst handcrafted details celebrate local artisanship.
The two restaurants blur boundaries between indoor and outdoor dining, creating fluid spaces where dining unfolds against a backdrop of passing feluccas and ancient monuments. The top deck emerges as the centrepiece of Nile Seray, a serene retreat featuring a swimming pool and canopied daybeds, where wraparound views of the Nile create an unparalleled setting for sunset.
Exceptional access
Nile Seray voyages will include complimentary access to Egypt’s most magnificent tombs on the West Bank: Seti I and Ramses VI, as well as exclusive private openings for the tombs of King Tutankhamun and Amenhotep III. This level of access, combined with A&K’s expert Egyptologists and the cultural context provided by the Grand Egyptian Museum, creates an archaeological experience that goes beyond standard sightseeing routes. The vessel accommodates just 64 guests.
A growing fleet
Nile Seray joins A&K Sanctuary’s fleet of four existing riverboats on the Nile: Nile Adventurer, Sun Boat III, Sun Boat IV, and Zein Nile Chateau. The expansion reflects A&K’s nearly five decades of Nile cruising expertise and continued investment in Egyptian tourism. Following the announcement of a sister vessel launching in 2028, A&K Sanctuary’s commitment to the destination has never been stronger.
The four-night journey
Nile Seray sails between Aswan and Luxor on four-night voyages featuring daily excursions to the temples of Luxor, Karnak, and Aswan, felucca sailing around Elephantine Island, Egyptian cooking classes, and traditional entertainment. Expert A&K Egyptologists accompany every excursion, whilst each voyage includes all meals, excursions, and onboard amenities. Every booking also supports A&K Philanthropy’s community initiatives, including long-standing partnerships with the Funtasia After School Program in Luxor and the Aswan Heart Centre, which provides free life-saving cardiac care to underprivileged patients
DELHI, 8 December 2025: Air India and Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, have entered into a bilateral interline partnership to boost connectivity between the two countries.
Through this new partnership, Air India provides its passengers with access to 16 islands across the Maldives via Maldivian’s network, enabling connections via Malé to destinations such as Hanimaadhoo, Kooddoo, Gan, Kaadedhdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Dharavandhoo, Maafaru, and Kadhdoo, among others.
Photo credit: Air India.
This also enables Maldivians to welcome Air India guests from Delhi and Mumbai or those connecting through these large hubs onto Maldivian-operated flights from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Malé and Hanimaadhoo Island.
The interline partnership enables guests of both carriers to travel on a single itinerary combining Air India and Maldivian flights, ensuring convenient connections and coordinated baggage handling.
“The Maldives continues to be one of the most preferred leisure destinations for Indian travellers, and this interline partnership with Maldivian opens the door to the country’s lesser-explored atolls and islands”, said Air India. Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal.
“By combining Air India’s extensive global network with Maldivian’s reach across domestic points beyond Malé, guests can now discover the true diversity of the archipelago on a single itinerary.”
Air India is the only carrier operating daily flights between Delhi and Malé, providing a direct capital-to-capital link. Air India deploys more than 55,000 seats to the Maldives annually (in one direction), contributing significantly to the country’s tourism and trade.
With an extensive worldwide network spanning five continents, Air India not only carries passengers from India to the Maldives, but also those from several points in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East via Delhi.
“This partnership marks a new chapter in our efforts to expand accessibility to the Maldives and provide connectivity for passengers travelling beyond Malé to the atolls,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian. “With Air India’s strong network and our reach within the Maldives, this collaboration will play a key role in supporting tourism and business travel between our nations.”
The partnership aligns with both airlines’ goals to enhance regional cooperation and support tourism growth through stronger network integration, smoother connections, and improved customer experience.
ABU DHABI, 5 December 2025: Etihad Airways confirms it will deploy its A380 to serve the Abu Dhabi-Narita, Tokyo, route in the summer of 2026.
The A380 double-decker will begin operating between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Narita International (NRT) on 16 June 2026, in time for the busy summer travel season.
Photo credit: Etihad.
Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said: “We’ve seen strong demand from customers for more seats to Japan, and the A380 allows us to deliver that. The aircraft is particularly well-suited to this route, given the importance of business travel between the UAE and Japan, two nations with deep economic and cultural ties. Japan has always been a favourite destination for our guests, and this move reinforces our commitment to the market.”
The increased capacity opens up the UAE’s capital to more Japanese travellers, whether as a stopover or a destination to explore.
Tokyo joins Etihad’s A380 network alongside London, Paris, Toronto and Singapore, and flights are available to book now.
