SINGAPORE, 16 January 2026: Ninety-one per cent of Singaporean travellers are planning to book an international trip in 2026, according to the global travel app Skyscanner’s latest research, in association with OnePoll.
The desire for a reset is clear: 72% want to relax and recharge, while 54% simply want something to look forward to in the year ahead.
Photo credit: Skyscanner. Monitoring fares to the 10 cheapest destinations.
Yet, only 60% have taken the plunge and booked their flights (this falls to 44% for hotels and 10% for car hire – often the piece of the holiday with the shortest lead time).
Destination indecision and concerns about cost are among the biggest booking barriers, with over half of Singaporean travellers (55%) still deciding on a destination and almost half (43%) still trying to find the best deals.
Against this backdrop, Skyscanner introduces a new way to unlock fast, affordable escapes to destinations, maximising value. This includes a new Cheapest Destination Planner and a list of the top 10 cheapest destinations for 2026, with all journeys under 10 hours.
Skyscanner Travel Trends and Destinations expert, Cyndi Hui, shares: “January is peak holiday planning season, with 57% of Singapore travellers mapping out their year ahead in the new year, and more than half simply looking for a much-needed moment to look forward to. But our research shows that many are overwhelmed at the prospect of booking (63%), with costs top of mind for most (69%).
“Our new Cheapest Destination Planner is designed to take the stress out of planning, helping travellers understand how to make their money go further this year. Using the planner, travellers can view the top ten cheapest destinations per month and be inspired in 2026.”
Cheapest Destination Planner
The majority of Singapore travellers reported feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of booking travel for 2026, with cost concerns as the primary factor. Additionally, Singapore travellers spend an average of 134 hours (approximately 5.6 days annually) planning.
Skyscanner’s Cheapest Destination Planner is on hand to help banish this stress, revealing the cheapest places to travel every single month, including average flight price and the cheapest day to travel. Think a wallet-friendly island escape to Langkawi, Malaysia, in February from just SGD172, a summer coastal city break to Busan, South Korea, in June for SGD329, or an autumn getaway to Beijing, China, in November from SGD456.
The top 10 cheapest destinations for 2026
Whilst two in five (39%) of Singapore travellers think their flights are going to cost more than SGD680 return this year, Skyscanner has crunched the numbers, across thousands of routes and millions of bookings, to reveal the top 10 cheapest destinations for 2026 — all with average return flight prices of less than SGD517. A whole month search on Skyscanner today reveals flights to top-rated Phuket from as little as SGD139 return this March.
Sunday is the cheapest day to fly
The cheapest day to fly? According to Skyscanner’s analysis, the cheapest day to fly, on average in 2026, is a Sunday. Only 2% of Singapore travellers surveyed thought Saturday would be the cheapest, while 28% thought Tuesday and 23% thought Wednesday. The reality, of course, is that the cheapest day to fly varies according to route and month.
KUCHING, 16 January 2026: The Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign has delivered its strongest impact to date, driving record growth in Sarawak’s business events sector and firmly positioning the state as Malaysia and Borneo’s Legacy Capital of Business Events.
Supported by strong collaboration across government, industry, academia, communities, and global partners, the campaign has transformed how Sarawak delivers business events, shifting the focus from short-term tourism to long-term economic, social, and environmental impact. This momentum led Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to its strongest performance to date in 2025, as the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary.
Delivering real economic results
In FY2025, Sarawak secured 160 business events, achieving 115% of its annual target. These secured events, scheduled between 2025 and 2030, are projected to generate a total economic impact of MYR483.5 million.
Projected direct delegate expenditure is MYR262.8 million, generating MYR29 million in tax revenue over 177,453 delegate days. Sarawak also maintained a 100% bid success rate from 2022, demonstrating sustained international confidence in Sarawak’s destination leadership and ecosystem readiness.
Major secured events include the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2025, the Asian Congress on Occupational Health 2026, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Triennial General Assembly 2026, and the International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027.
On the hosting front, Sarawak successfully delivered 159 business events in 2025, a 27% increase compared to the previous year. The events generated a total economic impact of MYR491.4 million, including MYR267 million in direct delegate expenditure. These events attracted 59,926 delegates, contributed MYR29.5 million in tax revenue, and supported more than 38,000 jobs across the state.
Changing global perceptions
“I am very proud to announce that 2025 represented the best performance in Sarawak’s business events history,” said the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak, the Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, during the Board of Directors Appreciation Dinner.
“We have reshaped how the world looks at Sarawak, from a once-overlooked destination into the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo. It is a powerful journey of vision, perseverance, and partnership, and one that we proudly celebrate as we mark our 20th anniversary this year. This is not the achievement of one organisation, but the result of a united ecosystem working with shared purpose.”
The Minister further emphasised that the period from 2026 to 2030 constitutes the final phase of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, guided by Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan.
“Our next phase must ensure that business events continue to deliver meaningful contributions to our economy, society and environment. Tribe Legacy Sarawak provides the platform to mobilise talent, partnerships and innovation at scale.”
Building a measurable legacy ecosystem
As part of the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign, Sarawak has embedded impact measurement and legacy design into its business events strategy. Of 166 legacy-focused events secured in 2025, 60 have been selected for a pilot measurement programme; 10 have already been validated, and the remaining 50 are currently being assessed to evaluate economic, social, and community outcomes.
Under the legacy initiative, 13 high-value national and international events have been mobilised across strategic sectors, including hydrogen and carbon markets, the digital economy, healthcare, literacy, and aerospace, directly supporting Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 priorities.
“The last five years focused on building the legacy ecosystem and developing the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan,” said BESarawak Chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee. “Our next phase will deepen data intelligence, digitalisation, partnerships and talent development — ensuring Sarawak remains globally competitive while delivering sustainable value for our people.”
Global leadership
Through the campaign, Sarawak has set international benchmarks with pioneering platforms including LEGACY360 Education, the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards, and the Sarawak Business Events Forum — creating integrated ecosystems for advocacy, education and recognition.
Sarawak also became the first government to adopt the Borneo Legacy Declaration, with the Business Events Sarawak Alliance serving as its first implementation milestone across ministries and agencies.
“We are incredibly proud of how Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign has mobilised the entire ecosystem,” said BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman. “This campaign proves that when government, industry and communities align around shared purpose, business events become powerful platforms for national transformation and global contribution.”
Sarawak’s leadership has been recognised internationally through the ICCA Award of Appreciation, the Iceberg Excellence Award, and Amelia’s appointment as the first Asian Trustee on the Iceberg Board of Trustees.
Looking Ahead: 2026–2030
As BESarawak marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak campaign will focus on accelerating data intelligence, digital platforms, leadership capabilities, and cross-sector partnerships to ensure sustained growth aligned with PCDS 2030, the 13th Malaysia Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The campaign reinforces Sarawak’s ambition not only to host world-class events but also to build a destination and sector driven by a higher purpose, creating enduring legacies that will benefit generations to come.
DUBAI, 16 January 2026: Emirates, one of the biggest supporters of tennis, has unveiled a stunning new Airbus A380 livery celebrating its enduring commitment to tennis through its sponsorship of all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Emirates sponsors the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon and the US Open.
The livery features a mix of tennis-inspired elements, with each Grand Slam logo framed within a tennis-ball emblem and rendered in the tournament’s signature colours. The Australian Open’s summer blue, Roland-Garros’ bold red-clay, Wimbledon’s signature green and purple, and the US Open’s striking yellow and blue combination are all creatively represented in the design.
Aviation enthusiasts and tennis fans can look forward to catching a glimpse of the airline’s latest special Grand Slam livery as it graces the skies to cities like Houston and Sao Paulo, carrying the sport’s core values of sportsmanship, discipline and resilience all over the world.
The livery will remain in Emirates’ fleet for the coming years, with the first flight sporting this unique design having landed in Melbourne, Australia, to mark the start of this year’s first Grand Slam tournament.
A multi-faceted sponsorship portfolio
Emirates’ extensive portfolio of global sports and cultural partnerships connects millions of people through shared passions and world-class experiences. The airline’s tennis portfolio includes some of the most high-profile events on the ATP and WTA Tours, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and all four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open).
Beyond tennis, Emirates’ commitment to connecting fans across the globe through shared sporting moments spans horse racing through the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; golf via the DP World Tour; cricket across all major ICC events and the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Lancashire County Cricket Club; sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand, SailGP and Emirates Great Britain Sail GP team; basketball through the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian Rules Football with Collingwood FC. Emirates’ iconic “fly better” branding appears on the jerseys of leading football clubs, including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais. Emirates is also the Platinum Partner of FC Bayern Munich’s first team. Emirates has been the title sponsor of The FA Cup for nearly a decade. In the UAE, the airline supports the Pro League and appears on Al Ain FC’s training kit during the 2025/2026 season.
Learn more about Emirates expansive sponsorship portfolio here
BANGKOK, 16 January 2026: Dusit International has achieved its strongest development performance to date, recording an all-time high of 24 hotel signings in 2025 and significantly strengthening its global pipeline across key growth markets in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
The milestone comes at a time when many hotel groups are reassessing expansion strategies amid rising development costs and shifting investor expectations. For Dusit, the record year reflects a clear and deliberate approach to growth – one grounded in brand clarity, disciplined execution, and the ability to bring projects to market efficiently to create early and sustainable value for owners.
While the signings mark a new high point, Dusit’s development strategy continues to prioritise quality over scale alone. Central to this approach is a growing focus on conversions and brownfield developments, which offer faster timelines and earlier returns compared to traditional greenfield projects, while allowing the group to expand its footprint across diverse markets with agility and control.
This capability was demonstrated in several projects that were signed and opened in 2025, including Dusit Hotel AG Park, Chengdu, China; dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives; and Tantawan Tented Camp, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Each reflects Dusit’s ability to execute at speed while maintaining brand standards and delivering distinctive guest experiences aligned with local context.
At the same time, Dusit’s evolving brand architecture has played a key role in supporting international growth. The recent introduction of Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Collection, and Dusit Hotels has expanded the group’s reach across wellness-led luxury, character-driven high-end stays, and the upper-upscale segment, respectively, allowing Dusit to respond more precisely to the needs of travellers and development partners.
A year of firsts
In Indonesia, the 2025 signing of Kaliwatu Villas & Residences – Dusit Collection, a boutique luxury retreat in Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo National Park, marked Dusit’s first hotel signing in the country.
In Japan, Dusit built on the success of Dusit Thani Kyoto and ASAI Kyoto Shijo with the signing of its first Dusit Collection property in the country: WE Hotel – Dusit Collection, an intimate lakeside retreat with 55 rooms and three private villas on the shores of Lake Toya in Hokkaido.
India also emerged as a major growth market in 2025, with six new properties signed across the Dusit Collection and Dusit Princess brands. The signings span a diverse mix of destinations, from the Himalayan retreats of Solang and Kasol to key urban centres including Kolkata, Raipur, and Bhiwadi, reflecting Dusit’s ambition to build scale across both leisure-led and city markets in the country.
The Maldives also remained a key focus, with the signing of Devarana – Dusit Retreat Maldives building on recent momentum in the market, including the signing and opening of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives and the ongoing success of Dusit Thani Maldives. The luxury retreat will reinforce Dusit’s long-term commitment to the country and serve as a flagship wellness destination, fully integrating the group’s Devarana Wellness concept.
In the Middle East, Dusit continued to expand its regional presence with the signing of Dusit Hotel Al Ahsa, located within the UNESCO-listed Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia.
Dusit’s expansion in the Philippines continued with the signing of ASAI Camaya Coast, a 150-key lifestyle resort hotel at the heart of the 2,000-hectare Camaya Coast destination development in Mariveles, Bataan, alongside Dusit Hotel Greenhills Manila, which will feature 200 guest rooms and world-class facilities across the top ten floors of the 50-storey Primex Tower in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
In Thailand, the signing of Dusit Suites Sriracha and the subsequent opening of Tantawan Tented Camp in Chiang Rai further diversified the domestic portfolio. The latter also reflects Dusit’s group-wide sustainability framework, Tree of Life, through its community-based approach and integration of low-impact design, locally rooted experiences, and measurable social impact.
Dusit also marked its planned return to Myanmar with the signing of the legendary The Strand Hotel – Dusit Collection, Yangon, alongside the lifestyle-led ASAI Yangon, reinforcing its long-term confidence in the market.
Together, these signings have brought Dusit’s active development pipeline to more than 50 properties worldwide, all scheduled to open within the next five years.
Openings on the horizon
Building on the momentum of 2025, Dusit is positioning the group for what could become one of its strongest years of openings in 2026, spanning Asia, the Middle East, and selected emerging markets. Collectively, projects scheduled to open this year are expected to add more than 1,400 rooms to Dusit’s global portfolio.
As with all large-scale development programmes, the timing and sequencing of openings will remain subject to market conditions, regulatory processes, construction readiness, and broader geopolitical considerations in each destination.
Among the projects advancing toward opening during the year are WE Hotel – Dusit Collection, Lake Toya, Japan, alongside The Strand Hotel, Dusit Collection, Yangon, ASAI Yangon, and the phase-one opening of Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah, Riyadh, the group’s first operational hotel in Saudi Arabia.
In Malaysia, building on the momentum of Dusit Princess Melaka, Dusit is advancing plans for ASAI Gamuda Cove, a 280-key lifestyle hotel within a large-scale, eco-focused development near Kuala Lumpur.
Dusit also anticipates further expansion in the Philippines, with Dusit Hotel Greenhills Manila and several Dusit Princess properties across Cebu City, Boracay, and Lipa (Batangas) progressing through development.
Alongside this, ongoing development at Dusit Central Park – a landmark mixed-use project in Bangkok comprising the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok, ultra-luxury branded residences, premium office space, a high-end retail centre, and the city’s largest rooftop park – demonstrates Dusit’s ability to deliver complex, integrated developments at scale.
Chanin Donavanik, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit International.
“The momentum achieved in 2025 reflects the strength of Dusit’s long-term strategy and the clarity of our direction as a group,” said Chanin Donavanik, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit International. “Our priority has been to build a high-quality, well-balanced portfolio that can perform across market cycles, supported by strong brands and a deep understanding of the destinations we serve. In 2026, we remain focused on disciplined execution and sustainable growth, while staying mindful of the broader economic and geopolitical environment.”
Dusit International, Vice President – Development (Global), Siradej Donavanik said: “Our development strategy has never been about growth for growth’s sake. It is about identifying the right assets, in the right locations, and applying the right brand, operational expertise, and long-term vision to unlock their full potential. Whether through new-builds, conversions, or thoughtfully integrated mixed-use developments that combine hotels and branded residences, our focus is on alignment – between the asset, the market, and the brand – supported by disciplined execution and a clear pathway to sustainable performance. This is how we create long-term value for our partners and deliver experiences that are true to what Dusit stands for.”
Dusit’s global portfolio now comprises 296 properties across 18 countries, including 58 hotels and resorts and 238 luxury villa rentals. The company’s nine brands span the lodging spectrum from affordable lifestyle to bespoke luxury, including Devarana – Dusit Retreats (Wellness Luxury), Dusit Thani (Bespoke Luxury), Dusit Collection (Character Luxury), Dusit Hotels (Upper Upscale), dusitD2 (Lifestyle Upscale), Dusit Princess (Upper Midscale), ASAI Hotels (Lifestyle Midscale), and Dusit Suites (Lifestyle Long Stay).
SINGAPORE, 16 January 2026: The special art exhibition ‘K-Art: Contemporary Inner Scapes – Moment & Face’, showcasing Korean contemporary art, will be held in Singapore from 22 to 30 January during the Singapore Art Week 2026.
Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and Resorts World Sentosa, and organised by Pitch by Pitch, the exhibition brings together leading artists working in Korea and abroad, including actress and painter Ha Ji Won.
Photo credit: STB. Poster for the “Moment & Face” exhibition at the Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa.
In particular, Ha Ji Won’s works will be presented exclusively in Southeast Asia for the first time, to introduce global audiences to the appeal of K-Art.
Singapore Art Week is organised by the National Arts Council and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board. Over 10 days, more than 100 diverse events presented by local and global visual art communities will unfold across the city. Pitch by Pitch, a Korean sustainable travel curation platform and media company, “Moment & Face” will welcome visitors from 22 January to 30 at the Equarius Hotel Ballroom, Resorts World Sentosa.
Photo credit: STB. Actress and Painter Ha Ji Won is participating in the Moment & Face exhibition.
Key participating artist in this exhibition, Ha Ji Won, has built a distinguished filmography as a top actress, appearing in numerous works, including the dramas “Damo,” “Something Happened in Bali,” “Hwang Jini,” “Secret Garden,” and “Empress Ki,” as well as the film “Haeundae.” Reflecting diverse lives through her work, she is set to appear in the drama “Climax,” which premieres this coming March.
Since beginning full-scale artistic activity with her first solo exhibition, her debut works at the global art fair Kiaf Seoul in 2024 sold out, cementing her status as a noteworthy artist.
Singapore Tourism Board Executive Director, North Asia Serene Tan said, “This exhibition presents a showcase of contemporary Korean art, complementing Singapore’s vibrant and evolving arts scene, where diverse cultural expressions from across Asia find creative expression. Singapore has long been a bridge between cultures, and we hope visitors to Singapore Art Week will discover the depth and charm of K-Art, alongside works by Singapore and international artists.”
SINGAPORE, 16 January 2026: Visit Maldives kicks off 2026 with a strong global presence at leading travel trade shows during the year’s first and second quarters.
In Q1 2026, Visit Maldives will participate in several leading global travel trade exhibitions.
Photo credit: Visit Maldives Corporation. Busy schedule attending trade shows during Q1 and Q2.
The year begins with FITUR 2026 in Madrid from 21 to 25 January, followed by the Travel and Adventure Show in New York from 24 to 26 January, engaging both trade and consumer audiences in Europe and North America.
In February, Visit Maldives will be present at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi from 25 to 27 February, reinforcing engagement with the Indian market, one of the Maldives’ fastest-growing source markets.
The first quarter will conclude with participation at ITB Berlin 2026 from 3 to 5 March, the world’s largest travel trade exhibition, providing a global platform to engage with tour operators, airlines, media, and strategic partners, followed by MITT Moscow, 11 to 13 March, supporting continued market presence in Russia and the CIS region.
Q2 show planner
The Middle Eastern market will take centre stage with the ‘Visit Maldives Week in Arabia’ roadshow from 26 to 30 April 2026. This strategic circuit will feature high-level events across Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh, offering a dedicated platform for focused interactions with the Arabian travel trade.
Following these focused roadshows, Q2 2026 will feature the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, taking place from 4 to 7 May, which will serve as Visit Maldives’ flagship trade show for the year, following the strong outcomes and trade partnerships generated at ATM in 2025.
ATM Dubai remains a critical platform for engagement with the Middle East and global travel trade, offering high-value opportunities for destination marketing, airline collaboration, and commercial partnerships.
In addition to major exhibitions, Visit Maldives will also roll out a series of targeted market roadshows and partnership initiatives in Q2, implemented in collaboration with key industry bodies. These joint roadshows are designed to strengthen trade relationships, promote
both resort and guesthouse segments, and ensure inclusive representation of Maldivian tourism stakeholders across priority markets.
Through this comprehensive Q1 and Q2 trade engagement programme, Visit Maldives aims to sustain global visibility, deepen trade confidence, and support strong booking performance for 2026, while continuing to work closely with industry partners to deliver measurable outcomes and long-term value for the Maldivian tourism sector.
BANGKOK, 16 January 2026: Thai Lion Air will fly double daily on the route between Bangkok ( DMK) and Hong Kong (HKG) effective 29 March 2026, according to the low-cost airline’s timetable filing for the Northern Summer season ( March to October.
The number of flights will increase to 10 per week in February during the Lunar New Year season, then to 14 per week at the end of March.
Photo credit: Thai Lion Air.
The airline deploys Boeing 737-900ER aircraft on the Bangkok-Hong Kong route, configured with 176 seats in a single economy class.
Flight schedule
SL360 departs Bangkok (DMK) at 0920 and arrives in Hong Kong (HKG at 1305. SL361 departs Hong Kong (DMK) at 1420 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 1605.
SL364 departs Bangkok (DMK) at 1430 and arrives in Hong Kong at 1915. SL365 departs Hong Kong (DMK) at 2020 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 2205.
It’s part of a broader strategy as the airline returns to pre-pandemic capacity by focusing on high-demand regional gateway cities in China, including Hong Kong, and in Japan.
Thai Lion Air competes with Thai AirAsia on the Bangkok DMK- Hong Kong route. Both airlines currently operate daily flights on the route. The average round-trip fare on the route is USD 200.
For a round-trip departing on 1 April and returning on 8 April 2026, Thai Lion Air offers fares on the morning flight from Bangkok starting at THB5,517 (round-trip). The round-trip fare for the afternoon departure from Bangkok starts at THB6,862.
These prices are for economy class and typically include a 7kg carry-on. Prices fluctuate based on availability.
(Source: Thai Lion Air. Timetable and fares from Kayak)
GUANGZHOU, 13 January 2026: AirAsia will relocate its international flight operations at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Terminal 3 (T3) from Terminal 1 (T1), effective 22 January 2026.
Affected passengers will receive notifications of this change through their registered contact details. AirAsia members will also be notified via the AirAsia MOVE app through push notifications.
Photo credit: AirAsia.
The distance between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at CAN airport is 8 km (20 to 30 minutes commute time).
All AirAsia operations, including check-in, boarding, and baggage claim, will be conducted in the new terminal. Check-in counters are located in Row K on Level 4. Immigration/Departure is also situated at Level 4 of the terminal.
AirAsia flights arriving at or departing from Guangzhou before 1130 (local time) on 22 January 2026 will still operate from T1.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport operates a 24-hour free terminal shuttle bus connecting Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Service frequency varies by time: Every 10 minutes from 0900-2100 and every 20 minutes from 2100-0900 the following day. Shuttle bus pickup points are located at Departure Gate 12 (T1), Transportation Centre, East Passenger Bus Station, Stall No.30 (T2) and Transportation Centre, East Passenger Bus Station, Stall No.74 (T3).
DELHI, 16 January 2026: Air India and Saudia have signed a codeshare agreement, effective in February, that boosts connectivity, strengthens network access, and maximises flight options.
Through the new partnership, passengers will enjoy streamlined booking and ticketing, smooth connections using a single itinerary, and baggage check-through to their final destination.
Photo credit: Air India. Codeshare activates in February.
Passengers travelling to Jeddah or Riyadh with Air India can take seamless onward connections on Saudia-operated flights to Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif.
The codeshare will also provide Saudia’s passengers access to major cities across India via Mumbai and Delhi, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur, as well as more than 15 other destinations via interline.
Air India, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Campbell Wilson said: “Saudi Arabia is amongst our most important markets in the Middle East, with the country fast transforming into a major international gateway to the region. We are happy to be partnering with Saudia to provide greater access to the large Indian diaspora spread across Saudi Arabia, as well as to open up the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving and diverse tourism offerings and remarkable destinations to holidaymakers from India.”
Saudia Group Director General HE Engr Ibrahim Al-Omar said: “Saudia’s presence in India spans over 60 years, during which we’ve proudly served a wide range of guests and helped foster stronger ties between our two nations. With seamless e-visas, stopover visas, and visa-on-arrival for eligible Indian passport holders, it has never been easier to visit the Kingdom.”
Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has maintained 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements with leading carriers, providing Air India customers with seamless access to over 800 destinations.
BANGKOK, 15 January 2026: Thai Vietjet Air will launch a direct service between Osaka (KIX) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on 3 February 2026.
The latest confirmation from the airline’s timetable comes after numerous postponements. The route was initially slated to begin in December 2025, but was postponed multiple times due to delays in the delivery and certification of new aircraft.
Flight schedule
The service will operate four times per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays).
VZ820 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 0025 and arrives in Osaka at 0755. Flight time is five hours and 30 minutes. VZ821 departs Osaka (KIX) at 0855 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1330. Flight time is six hours and 35 minutes.
The airline confirms it will operate the route with a B737 MAX 8, configured with 187 seats, rather than an A321 aircraft (230 seats) as previously indicated in the timetable.
The route joins Thai Vietjet’s existing services to Fukuoka and its Chiang Mai–Osaka flight. The airline is also launching a daily Tokyo (Narita)–Bangkok route on 1 February 2026.
The airline faces a challenging competitive landscape. It will fly from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), competing head-on with full-service carriers such as Thai Airways International (twice daily) and JAL (daily), as well as low-cost airline Peach Aviation (daily). An average round-trip fare is USD460.
Thai AirAsia X operates 17 flights weekly from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Osaka (KIX). The average round-trip fare on this sector is USD 400.
(Sources: Vietjet schedule and TTRW additional reporting)
