BANGKOK, 29 April 2026: Thai AirAsia (FD) announced on Tuesday a capacity adjustment for Q2 2026 (May to June), which reduces overall seat capacity by an average of 30% to address the ongoing impact of skyrocketing global aviation fuel prices and the seasonal softening of mid-year travel demand.
For domestic routes, the airline says it will optimise flight schedules to maintain the widest possible network for passengers and sustain its dual-hub operations at both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
Photo credit: Thai AirAsia.
Internationally, adjustments will primarily impact the Indian market, where “elevated operating costs currently challenge our ability to offer the affordable fares our guests expect.”
Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Phairat Pornpathananangoon noted: “We have continuously done our utmost to adapt and efficiently manage our costs in response to the prolonged spike in aviation fuel prices, coupled with the traditional mid-year travel slowdown.
“Aviation fuel constitutes our primary operating expense, and with jet fuel prices having surged more than threefold recently, we must rigorously optimise our operational plans by reducing frequencies and temporarily suspending several unviable routes.
“For our domestic network, we are scaling back our flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport, retaining only the direct services from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai and Phuket during May and June,” he explained.
On the international front, the airline has suspended and reduced frequencies primarily on Indian routes due to high operating costs that currently prevent sustainable, competitive pricing.
“Meanwhile, operations across key markets, including China, East Asia, and ASEAN, remain steady. The airline maintains a highly agile strategy and closely monitors global conditions. Should fuel prices stabilise and travel demand accelerate, Thai AirAsia stands fully prepared to rapidly reinstate and scale up its flight operations to serve our passengers once again.”
SINGAPORE, 29 April 2026: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has confirmed the launch of two new routes this May and June to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia from the airline’s base at Changi Airport, Singapore.
The airline will deploy the 112-seat Embraer E190-E2 aircraft on the two new routes.
Photo credit: Scoot. Embraer E190-E2 pioneers flights to new destinations.
Belitung stands on the eastern coast of Sumatra and is known for its distinct geological formations, rich biodiversity, and pristine coastlines. The island is also home to the Belitung Tarsier, a nocturnal primate subspecies found only on the island.
From 3 May 2026, Scoot will launch two flights per week to Belitung.
Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, sits directly on the equator and is home to the Equator Monument, where visitors can stand between the northern and southern hemispheres. This culturally rich riverside city, set along Indonesia’s longest river, the Kapuas River, also enjoys a reputation as a food haven with its wide variety of local specialities.
From 29 June 2026, Scoot will operate three weekly flights to Pontianak.
One-way economy class fares start from SGD99 to Belitung, and SGD129 to Pontianak, inclusive of taxes.
With the launch of services to Belitung and Pontianak, Scoot’s network will increase to 85 destinations across 18 countries and territories.
In addition to the new destinations, Scoot has also increased flights to meet travel demand, especially during the school holiday season.
Since early April, flights to Phuket have increased from 17 to 21weekly, and flights to Sibu from three to four weekly. From June 2026, flights to Bali and Jakarta will increase from 28 to 35 weekly. Also in June, services to Labuan Bajo will increase from two to three weekly, services to Lombok from four to 10 weekly, and services to Manado from six weekly to daily.
In North Asia, frequencies to Okinawa increased from three to four times weekly since early April 2026. Similarly, frequencies to Changsha will increase from four to five times weekly. In Europe, frequencies to Vienna will increase from three to four times weekly from June 2026.
Meanwhile, the airline continues its direct service from Singapore to Chiang Rai in far north Thailand, although frequencies reduce from four to three weekly as of 4 May 2026. Departure days from Singapore are Monday, Thursday and Friday. Effective from 3 May to 12 August, the airline has set its one-way starting fare at SGD72 (tax included).
BANGKOK, 29 April 2026: Thai AirAsia X (XJ) will reduce flights on its routes connecting Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK) to Tokyo (NRT), Osaka (KIX), Almaty, Kazakhstan (ALA), and Delhi, India (DEL).
It has also suspended services between Don Mueang and Shanghai (PVG), China, since 17 April 2026, and between Don Mueang and Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia, from 14 April to 30 June 2026.
Photo credit: AirAsia X.
This capacity adjustment is in response to the ongoing global situation stemming from the war in the Middle East that has led to a sharp escalation in aviation fuel prices.
Thai AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Pattra Boosarawongse said in a press statement earlier this week: “We have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to reduce and temporarily suspend certain flights, particularly during the second quarter. This is a direct response to the prolonged surge in global aviation fuel prices and the broader operational impacts surrounding our Middle East routes.
“We apologise for any disruption these schedule adjustments may cause, especially on our highly popular direct routes to Japan. We want to assure our passengers that we have meticulously managed our schedule to maintain sufficient flight frequencies, guaranteeing that guests travelling during the upcoming consecutive holidays will reach their destinations smoothly.”
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2026: Air Astana is extending the temporary suspension of flights to Dubai until 31 May due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Passengers affected by the cancellations are offered a full refund with no penalties or free rebooking in the same class of service for flights departing until 31 July inclusively.
Photo credit: Air Astana.
They are also offered re-routing to other Air Astana flights with departures until 31 July, subject to payment of any fare difference and airport taxes. The penalty fee applied for previously rebooked tickets is non-refundable.
In a statement released over the weekend, Air Astana said it continues to monitor the situation in the region and will inform passengers of any further changes.
DOHA, 28 April 2026: Qatar Airways has resumed flights between Doha and key destinations across the Middle East, reinstating daily services to the United Arab Emirates and Syria.
Effective since 23 April 2026, Qatar Airways reinstated daily flights to Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ), with a daily service to Damascus (DAM) commencing on 1 May 2026.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
Flight resumptions are part of a phased restoration of Qatar Airways’ global network, building on the airline’s mid-April announcement confirming the expansion of its flight schedule from 16 June 2026 to more than 150 destinations across six continents.
Qatar Airways advises passengers to check its official website or app regularly and to ensure their contact details are correct and up to date.
Passengers who had confirmed bookings with a travel date between 28 February and 15 September 2026 are eligible for the following:
Complimentary date changes to a new travel date up to 31 October 2026 when rebooking on flights operated by Qatar Airways, subject to availability and fare seasonality.
If your flight is impacted, you remain eligible for additional fee-free changes until 31 October 2026.
Refund of the unused ticket value. Refunds may take up to 28 working days to be processed.
KUWAIT, 28 April 2026: Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s low-cost carrier, confirmed over the weekend the resumption of direct flights from its dedicated Jazeera Terminal 5 (T5) at Kuwait International Airport starting Sunday, 26 April.
This follows the official announcement by the Kuwait Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the airport’s reopening.
Photo credit: Jazeera Airways.
Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi said: “Following the official announcement by the Kuwait DGCA, we are proud to once again take to the skies from our home at Terminal 5, Kuwait International Airport.
After more than 55 days of airspace closure, this moment marks not just the resumption of operations, but the reconnection of Kuwait to the world, a milestone everyone has been eagerly awaiting.”
The return to Kuwait marks a significant milestone after a period of operational disruption, during which Jazeera Airways successfully maintained essential connectivity for Kuwait through its dual-base operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This involved setting up operations at Qaisumah and Dammam Airports, with more than 500 employees deployed from Kuwait, 14 of 23 aircraft, and various other operational equipment moved to the two bases.
Jazeera also set up a departure and arrivals hall in Mishref to facilitate check-in, baggage handling and other services related to the overland transportation from Kuwait to the two airports in Saudi Arabia.
T5 will operate for limited hours in accordance with the directive from the Kuwait DGCA.
Bookings are now open for direct flights from Kuwait to Amman, Beirut, Mumbai, Cairo, Kochi, Damascus, Delhi, Dubai and Istanbul for the first week.
Jazeera will continue to operate some flights via Dammam until the airport is fully open and serves all flights.
The airline’s CEO noted: “Through Project Barakah, we kept Kuwait connected via the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with dual bases in Qaisumah and Dammam, and we are extremely grateful to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for all their collaboration and cooperation.”
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2026: Vietnam’s Phu Quoc International Airport is set to become a next-generation, fully self-service aviation hub ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 Forum, which is due to convene in Phu Quoc in November 2027.
Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates, has partnered with SITA to lead this transformation. To support Vietnam’s rapidly growing air travel demand, the parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for broader collaboration across Sun Group’s future airport developments in Vietnam.
Photo credit: SITA.
Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to handle 24 million passengers annually once the new Terminal 2 opens, with long-term capacity designed to scale to 50 million. The development comes at a pivotal moment and will place Phu Quoc in the global spotlight as a rising destination in the Asia Pacific region.
Under the Phu Quoc project, SITA will deploy an end-to-end suite of airport technologies across the new terminal, delivering a fully self-service passenger experience. Travellers will be able to check in, select seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop their luggage, and board their flights through automated touchpoints.
The new terminal will feature SITA Flex Hybrid, supporting 204 common-use workstations for passenger processing. To secure operational resilience, SITA Local Departure Control System (DCS) will be deployed as a backup.
Passengers will use 150 SITA Smart Path kiosks for check-in, seat selection, boarding pass printing, and tagging of check-in bags; 100 SITA Smart Path Bag Drop (Scan & Go) units for self-service baggage drop; and 38 dual-lane SITA Smart Path Gates for automated boarding. All systems are seamlessly coordinated through the SITA Smart Path Hub biometric technology.
Real-time baggage tracking and reconciliation will be delivered through SITA Bag Manager Lite, supporting four baggage workstations and 20 handheld terminals. Airport operations will be powered by SITA Airport Operational Database (AODB), while passenger information will be managed by SITA AirportVision Evolved, covering 397 displays. Overall, airport operations will be overseen by SITA Airport Management, which will support 10 operational workstations.
The project, which began development in March 2026, is scheduled to open in July 2027.
“We are pleased to partner with SITA on this strategic collaboration to support the transformation of our airport portfolio. As we continue to invest in world-class aviation infrastructure, SITA’s proven expertise and end-to-end technology capabilities will play a key role in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient, and seamless passenger experiences,” said Sun Group. President Nguyen Chi Thanh.
The partnership extends beyond a single terminal. Sun Group has designated SITA as a key strategic technology partner for its broader airport transformation initiative in Vietnam. The operating model established at Phu Quoc will serve as a template for future developments, including Phan Thiet Airport and planned projects in Con Dao and Rach Gia. Over the next five years, Sun Group aims to expand its airport footprint to at least five locations across Vietnam, with each targeting the five-star Skytrax standard.
“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, and this partnership with Sun Group marks a key milestone in supporting that growth with future-ready infrastructure. By bringing together SITA’s end-to-end airport technologies, we are delivering smarter, more efficient, and scalable airport operations,” added SITA President, Asia Pacific, Sumesh Patel. “As Phu Quoc evolves into a key aviation hub ahead of APEC 2027, we are proud to support Sun Group’s vision of delivering world-class passenger experiences while strengthening connectivity across Vietnam.”
Phu Quoc International Airport will be operated in partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airports International, bringing internationally recognised standards to what is fast becoming a major leisure destination.
The airport upgrade forms part of a broader effort to integrate aviation with Sun Group’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem on the island, which includes luxury resorts, entertainment destinations, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways, launched in November 2025.
SITA and Sun Group have worked together since 2019, when SITA first delivered airport technology solutions at Van Don Airport. This new agreement deepens that relationship and reflects a shared commitment to advancing air travel infrastructure in Vietnam.
The half-day event is supported by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organisation (GCTO), Pohang City, and the PATA Thailand Chapter.
Photo credit: PATA.
Taking place on the sidelines of the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026), the symposium will align with the Summit theme, Navigating Towards a Resilient Future. Examining how the public and private sectors collaborate in response to rapidly evolving global realities, the event will help equip youths with adaptable skills and knowledge to ease their transition from the educational sphere to the workforce.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasised the goal of the event, stating, “This symposium gives young people a clearer view of where the industry is heading, the skills that are in demand, and insights directly from experts. It aims to help them better understand what to expect, prepare for their future careers, and provide a platform to share their perspectives.”
Gyeongbuk Cultural Tourism Organisation (GCTO), CEO Nam-Il Kim said: “The PATA Youth Symposium is a meaningful platform where young people, who will lead the future of the tourism industry, can share their creative ideas and passion. We hope that participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds will engage with one another and explore the direction of sustainable tourism together. We believe this symposium will serve as an important stepping stone for participants to grow into global tourism leaders, and we will continue to expand an open platform for collaboration with the younger generation.”
The half-day agenda will feature keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and student-led dialogues. Speakers include Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board; Jules Shin, Area Manager for Korea, Booking.com; Mike Stewart, Regional GM South East Asia, Intrepid Travel; and Ben-Jie Lim, Chief People & Partnership Officer, AirAsia MOVE.
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2026: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess joins Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List, a highly regarded annual selection now in its 30th edition.
The Condé Nast Traveler Hot List, curated by the publication’s editorial team, honours standout hotels, resorts, restaurants, and cruise ships that raise the bar for design, service, and sense of place within their first sailing year.
As Princess Cruises’ newest Sphere Class ship, Star Princess represents an evolution of the brand’s signature guest experience, blending modern design with inviting spaces intentionally crafted to connect guests more meaningfully with the world around them. The Hot List recognition coincides with preparations for her inaugural Alaska season, sailing from Seattle this May, making her the first Sphere Class ship to sail to Alaska.
Princess Cruises will sail its largest Alaska season ever in 2026 with the expanded programme featuring eight ships — 180 departures and visits to 19 destinations.
The 177,800‑ton Star Princess, with a 4,300 passenger capacity, commenced commercial sailings in October 2025 from Barcelona.
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2026: Asian Gen Z travellers favour experience-first travel and shorter, more frequent trips over traditional longer holidays, according to the latest research from the digital travel platform Agoda.
The findings point to a generation prioritising flexibility, accessibility, and discovery-driven travel, as they look to integrate trips more seamlessly into their routines.
The insights are derived from a survey of Asian travellers conducted as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report — showing that Gen Z travel remains largely a communal activity, most often with partners and family, rather than solo and friend-based trips. At the same time, many expect most of their travel to be domestic, reflecting a balance between exploration and convenience.
Frequent, short trips redefine travel patterns
Gen Z travels more frequently, with shorter trips becoming the norm. Nearly three in four respondents (73%) plan to take between one and six trips a year, and 86% opt for stays of 1 to 7 days.
This shift reflects a move toward travel that is easier to plan and repeat, allowing trips to fit around work, study, and personal schedules. Markets such as India, Thailand, and Vietnam show a stronger inclination toward higher trip frequency, reinforcing the idea that travel is becoming embedded in everyday life rather than reserved for specific seasons.
Experiences take priority over destinations
For Gen Z, travel is increasingly defined by what they want to do, rather than where they want to go. Respondents across Asia say their trips are primarily motivated by experiences, including cultural exploration (32%), outdoor activities (30%), and culinary discoveries (28%). While experience remains central, relaxation still plays an important role for Gen Z, with 64% of travellers also citing it as part of their travel plans. This trend is dominant in markets such as South Korea and Taiwan, where experience is central to shaping travel decisions. It points to a more deliberate approach to travel, where a clear set of experiences shapes each trip. Gen Z travellers plan around what they want to get out of a trip, whether it is cultural immersion, time outdoors, or a change of pace. As a result, destinations are chosen based on how well they align with that intent.
Commenting on the trends, Agoda’s Senior Vice President, Supply, Andrew Smith said: “For Gen Z, travel is becoming something that fits more naturally into the rhythm of everyday life. Instead of building toward one or two larger trips each year, they are choosing to travel more often, with a clear vision of what they want to experience each time. That shift is shaping how decisions are made, with greater focus on flexibility, shorter planning cycles, and exploration. At Agoda, we support that rhythm by offering a wide range of options across flights, accommodations and activities, so travellers can plan trips that suit both their pace and their priorities, while still finding great deals.”
