DOHA, 9 April 2025: Qatar Airways is just a few aircraft away from completing its Boeing 777 fleet-wide Starlink upgrade and will expand to its Airbus A350 fleet later this month.
Qatar Airways operates the largest Starlink-equipped fleet of Boeing 777s in the world, completing over 6,000 flights in the airline’s network of over 170 destinations.
The airline’s rapid rollout reinforces in-flight innovation leadership and marks one of the fastest and most ambitious Starlink installations in the aviation industry.
Qatar Airways will begin equipping its Airbus A350 fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi later this month, becoming the first airline in the world to offer this cutting-edge connectivity to passengers onboard the aircraft type.
With over 80% of its Boeing 777 fleet equipped with Starlink, the airline has operated over 6,000 global flights with unparalleled and fastest gate-to-gate internet Wi-Fi connectivity, unmatched by any other airline in the MENA region.
SINGAPORE, 9 April 2025: ATPI, a travel and events solutions provider, is accelerating its expansion across Asia to reinforce its commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing business travel markets.
With the Asian corporate travel market showing steady regional growth, valued at USD737.1 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD848.16 billion by 2025*, ATPI is expanding its footprint in mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea while expanding operations in India and Indonesia.
ATPI Regional Managing Director, Asia Ali Hussain.
The scaling-up supports the company’s long-term vision to better serve regional and international clients through a robust global network and local partnerships. ATPI is increasing its presence in India with four new offices and one in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Strengthening its presence in these dynamic markets allows ATPI to deliver tailored travel solutions that support local businesses and multinational organisations.
ATPI operates across various specialist sectors, with core service offerings in corporate travel, marine and energy, and event management. In Indonesia, the new office in Balikpapan positions ATPI in the heart of the oil, gas, and mining industries, while Chennai’s expansion taps into Southern India’s booming IT sector.
Next-Gen Online Booking Tools
ATPI partners with cutting-edge booking technology providers to deliver an integrated travel and expense platform which automates workflows provides comprehensive spending visibility and delivers an intuitive, frictionless experience.
Travel Hub: A single-platform dashboard for organisations to manage business travel. Halo: CO2 measurement, reduction and compensation services for sustainability. Alerts: This service empowers corporate travel managers with pertinent information, enabling them to swiftly respond to unforeseen travel crises and strategically plan for optimal efficiency.
ATPI Asia Managing Director Ali Hussain said: “Our growth underlines ATPI’s longstanding commitment to Asia’s rapidly evolving travel and events landscape. The new markets are strategically important as they permit us to fully cater to our regional clients, share our know-how on domestic market essentials and support them with customised, industry-leading solutions”.
About ATPI The ATPI Group delivers innovative and tailored solutions across various industries, including corporate, marine, energy, sports, group travel, and event management services. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, ATPI employs approximately 2,400 people and has an operations network of 100 locations on six continents.
*(source: GBTA Asia-Pacific Business Travel Forecast 2024-2025)
SINGAPORE, 9 April 2025: Conrad Singapore Orchard announces the appointment of Thomas Hoeborn as General Manager.
With over four decades of global experience, Hoeborn brings extensive expertise in luxury hospitality operations, talent development, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Thomas Hoeborn
Most recently, he spearheaded operations at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, emphasising innovation and exceptional guest service.
Before his role at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, he played a crucial role in the successful launch of Conrad Shanghai, one of Hilton’s landmark openings. His track record includes senior roles heading multi-property portfolios across China, Southeast Asia and Japan.
“It is an honour to join the team at Conrad Singapore Orchard, a hotel renowned for its architectural legacy and vibrant culinary landscape, ”said Hoeborn. “I’m thrilled to be part of its next chapter, focused on creating meaningful stays and building lasting connections with our guests and the community, all while continuing to deliver the thoughtful service that defines the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand.”
Opened in December 2023 and located within an enclave along Orchard Road, Conrad Singapore Orchard features 445 residential-style rooms and suites, 11 dining and bar concepts, and a signature collection of curated programmes celebrating Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.
GENEVA, 9 April 2025: SITA, a leader in air transport technology and border management, and NEC Corporation (NEC), a developer of biometric authentication technologies, have signed an agreement to accelerate the adoption of digital identity technology in the travel industry.
Through this collaboration, NEC joins SITA’s Digital Travel Ecosystem, an open, interoperable framework that connects various systems for real-time digital identity verification. Developed in partnership with Indicio, SITA’s ecosystem eliminates the need for direct integrations between issuers and verifiers, simplifying adoption for airports, airlines, and governments.
Photo credit: SITA.
At the core of the ecosystem is the Trust Network, which governs how digital credentials are shared securely worldwide. Built with a privacy-by-design approach, it gives travellers control over their data, including when and with whom they share their credentials. A strong emphasis on data security and privacy means that personal information remains protected and in the hands of the traveller.
With 28% of airlines and 43% of airports planning to implement biometric identity management solutions in the next 12 months (SITA Air Transport IT Insights 2024), demand for interoperable systems is growing. A lack of standardisation has slowed widespread adoption, but the SITA-NEC collaboration addresses this challenge through a scalable framework for secure identity exchange.
“After years of investment, aviation and other travel stakeholders are now seeing the full potential of digital identities, and the industry is gearing up to scale,” said SITA Senior Vice President of Borders Jeremy Springall. “With NEC’s biometric expertise and SITA’s industry-leading footprint of biometric touchpoints worldwide, we’re well-positioned to accelerate the transformation of digital travel.”
“NEC brings more than 125 years of innovation and a global track record in identity technologies,” said NEC’s DID Department Senior Director Nanaumi Nagamine. “With SITA, we’ve delivered proven biometric solutions at airports worldwide, creating secure and seamless travel experiences for thousands of passengers daily. This expanded collaboration will accelerate global adoption and set a new standard for trusted digital identity in travel.”
By addressing longstanding interoperability challenges, the SITA and NEC collaboration will increase passengers’ adoption of digital identities, helping the industry reduce bottlenecks, improve security, and enhance the passenger experience at every touchpoint.
MANILA, 9 April 2025: Philippine Airlines will introduce nonstop flights between Manila and Danang beginning 1 July, serving the coastal city that serves as a gateway to heritage attractions in the central coastal region of Vietnam.
Initially scheduling three flights weekly, the airline ultimately intends to match the daily flights Cebu Pacific offers on the route.
The new Manila-Danang route is the third major expansion move in Vietnam this year for the Philippine flag carrier. PAL recently upgraded its Manila-Hanoi-Manila route to a daily service and will launch flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City starting 2 May.
“We at Philippine Airlines are excited to strengthen our close relationship with the Vietnamese people by introducing direct Manila-Danang flights,” said PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt Stanley Ng. “PAL is committed to offering greater connectivity and promoting tourism and commerce between our capital city and the central Vietnamese heartland. We look forward to welcoming more leisure and business travellers onboard our flights to Danang.”
Danang offers a mix of rich history, picturesque beaches, and modern attractions. It is a lively coastal city close to renowned landmarks like the Marble Mountains and Golden Bridge. It is also the gateway to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hoi An, the archaeological ruins of My Son and the fabled Imperial City of Hue.
PAL will offer travellers daytime flights for greater convenience and to maximise their time in Danang. They will also have a choice of business class and economy class services.
PAL’s Manila-Danang flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, deploying Airbus A321 with 199 seats.
In addition to the new PAL Manila-Da Nang, Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City routes and the daily Manila-Hanoi services, PAL also operates eight weekly flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.
Flight schedule
PR585 Manila – Danang – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Manila at 1110 and arriving in Danang at 1245. PR586 Danang – Manila – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Danang at 1335 and arriving in Manila at 1710.
SINGAPORE, 8 April 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda reveals the top international markets exploring travelling to Thailand for Songkran this year, with Malaysia leading the list.
Based on accommodation searches made on Agoda, Malaysian travellers are followed by visitors from Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines in their eagerness to take part in the Thai New Year celebrations.
Songkran, celebrated from 13 to 15 April is famous for its spectacular water fights that take place across Thailand. The top five city destinations for international Songkran visitors are Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Chiang Mai.
Key events in Bangkok include the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the Siam Songkran Music Festival, featuring performances by renowned artists from around the globe.
Agoda Country Director Thailand Akaporn Rodkong shared: “As the Songkran festival approaches, it’s exciting to see a wide range of international tourists considering visiting Thailand. And rightly so—Thailand’s lively celebrations and unique experiences create an atmosphere that’s hard to resist. Whether celebrating Songkran in Bangkok or exploring other destinations in Thailand, Agoda is here to help travellers find the best deals on flights, accommodations, and activities to make this festive season unforgettable.”
To make Songkran even more exciting and affordable, Agoda offers a “Songkran Fest” promotion, providing travellers with up to 10% additional discounts at participating hotels in Thailand. The promotion is available for bookings and stays made before 15 April 2025. For more information, visit https://www.agoda.com/SongkranFestTH.
BANGKOK, 8 April 2025: Asian Trails has promoted Justin Culkin to General Manager of Asian Trails China and Hong Kong, effective 1 April.
Since joining the company five years ago, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence.
Justin Culkin, General Manager of Asian Trails China and Hong Kong.
Previously, he held the Director Of Business Development post from July 2022 to April 2025.
In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of business strategy and operations for Asian Trails China and Hong Kong.
“We are confident his expertise and passion will further strengthen our market presence and deliver outstanding results for partners and clients, the company stated in its monthly online newsletter.
Please join us in congratulating Justin on this well-deserved achievement. We look forward to his continued contributions to our company.
DUBAI, 8 April 2025: AirRetailer Travel Technology has launched AirBooking.com, a next-generation, AI-powered Corporate Travel and Expense Management platform designed to revolutionise the business travel industry.
By integrating with the IATA Financial Gateway (IFG), AirBooking.com sets a new standard for automated corporate travel management, offering AI-powerful solutions for Travel Management Companies (TMCs), corporate clients, and airlines.
AirBooking.com combines advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with powerful travel content and automated expense management, providing an end-to-end corporate travel solution. The platform allows businesses to automate and optimise their travel and expense processes, ensuring cost savings, policy compliance, and superior traveller experiences. The AI-driven platform offers dynamic pricing, real-time travel policy enforcement, and automated reconciliation of travel expenses, and 24/7 AI Concierge provides assistance.
AirBooking.com’s integration with IATA Financial Gateway (IFG) enhances its platform by enabling streamlined payment solutions and seamless financial transactions.
The partnership ensures multi-currency support, dynamic FX capabilities, and a wide range of payment options, including Industry Settlement Solutions, payment cost optimisation, and automated payment reconciliation. This creates a frictionless payment process for businesses and a customised payment experience based on the merchant’s requirements.
“AirBooking.com is at the forefront of transforming the corporate travel experience,” said AirRetailer Chief Product Officer Kavitha Jagannathan. “By automating everything from booking to expense reconciliation, we empower companies to reduce travel spend by up to 15%, streamline operational workflows, and ensure 100% compliance with corporate travel policies. It’s not just about savings — it’s about giving travel managers and employees a smarter, faster, and more personalised experience.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2025: In partnership with Philippine Airlines, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has confirmed the Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar will be held from 10 to 11 September 2025 at the Hilton Manila in the Philippines.
The Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar, APASS, is AAPA’s premier safety forum for the Asia Pacific airline community. It brings together safety professionals from across the region, including AAPA member airlines, regulators, manufacturers, maintenance and repair organisations (MRO), and solution providers.
The theme for APASS 2025, “SAFETY WITHOUT BORDERS: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS, LOCAL IMPACT”, will cover operational resilience, human factors, safety leadership and risks arising from technology. It also covers evolving airspace threats, including spoofing, fatigue management, and data integration.
“As aviation safety challenges grow in complexity, our collective commitment to collaboration, data sharing and cross-disciplinary learning becomes even more critical,” said AAPA Director General. Subhas Menon. “APASS 2025 will offer the Asia Pacific safety community a unique opportunity to address high-priority safety concerns and strengthen alignment across safety domains. We are proud to partner with Philippine Airlines to host this important event in Manila.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed FitsAir’s new direct flight on 4 April between Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur.
The expansion strengthens air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, offers greater convenience for travellers and fosters closer ties between the two nations.
Arrival of FitsAir’s inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on 4 April.
The new route will operate four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using a 167-seat A320. Travellers in Colombo will now have an additional low-cost carrier option, providing affordable and reliable air travel to Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia is the competing low-cost airline offering 11 roundtrip flights on the Kuala Lumpur – Colombo route. Malaysia Airlines also flies a daily service on the route. SriLankan flies the Colombo -Kuala Lumpur route 11 times weekly. The average roundtrip fare on the route is USD260.
FitsAir flight schedule
8D721 departs Colombo (CMB) at 0930 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1530. 8D722 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1630 and arrives in Colombo (CMB) at 1735.
The budget-friendly travel experience allows visitors to explore Malaysia’s diverse attractions, from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to Langkawi’s beaches and Penang’s cultural heritage.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Secretary General Dato Shaharuddin Abu Sohot stated: “We are excited about FitsAir’s new route to Kuala Lumpur, further enhancing Malaysia’s appeal as a top travel destination for Sri Lankan visitors. This initiative aims to increase flight frequencies and reinforces our commitment to promoting tourism in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.”
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Munir Parambath, VP of Ground Operations and Service Excellence of FitsAir Airlines, and Zainuddin Mohamed Zainal, General Manager of aviation Marketing & Development at MAHB, attended the welcome event.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 61,766 visitors from Sri Lanka, reflecting a 4.2% increase compared to 2023. Regarding connectivity, there are now 33 direct flights offering 4,990 seats weekly between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, operated by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir.
