HONG KONG, 6 November 2024: Greater Bay Airlines launched its inaugural flight to Yonago in Japan from its home base Hong Kong last week.
The low-cost airline already flies to two destinations in Japan — Osaka and Tokyo using its fleet of eight Boeing 737-9s. Across Asia, the airline serves Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, and Haikou in China’s Hainan province.
Toripy, the mascot of Tottori Prefecture, joined GBA’s new flight to Yonago, Japan.
The Tottori Prefectural Government hosted a welcome ceremony at Yonago Kitaro Airport upon arrival of Greater Bay Airlines’ inaugural flight.
Greater Bay Airlines CEO Liza Ng told the delegation of travel agents and influencers attending the inaugural flight ceremony that the airline will fly the route to Yonago thrice weekly.
“Japan is an important market for GBA, and we are very excited to introduce our third destination, Yonago, in addition to Tokyo and Osaka,” said Ng. “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Tottori Prefectural Government for their tremendous support to GBA.”
The airline recently confirmed it will add two more destinations in Japan, Tokushima and Sendai, scheduled for launch later in November and December 2024.
The flight schedule of GBA’s new Hong Kong – Yonago service is as follows:
The low-cost airline based in Hong Kong, GBA commenced scheduled service in July 2022.
DUBAI, UAE, 5 November 2024: Emirates has further bolstered its presence across Africa, with the introduction of additional flights to Entebbe, Uganda; Addis Abba in Ethiopia; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Since the inaugural flight into Africa with Cairo as its first destination in 1986, Emirates has progressively grown its presence on the continent and now serves 20 passenger and cargo gateways, boosting Africa’s connectivity and air transport market development.
Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “Africa has long been a priority region for Emirates, and we will deepen our strategic focus of expansion and continued investment on the continent as an important anchor for our future network. The introduction of frequencies to our existing points in Uganda, South Africa and Ethiopia helps support the region’s growth and provide critical links using Dubai as a key gateway to emerging economies across Asia and the Middle East.
“Over the last 30 years, Emirates has played a pivotal role in the development of the region’s aviation and tourism sectors, not just through scaling our operations but by establishing strategic partnerships with local governments, tourism boards and likeminded airline partners across the travel ecosystem, to nurture the industry and realise its untapped potential.”
Increasing frequencies to maximise connectivity
Emirates ramped up operations between Dubai and Uganda from five weekly flights to a daily service, last week. Operated via a Boeing 777-300ER, the additional flight will add 718 seats to and from Dubai-Entebbe every week, connecting to popular onward destinations from Dubai, such as Canada, the US, India and the UK, to name a few. As the only airline offering First Class in and out of Entebbe, the additional flights will enable more passengers to experience Emirates’ unrivalled experience with luxurious touches, a premium gastronomic selection of dishes and fine beverages, and one of the biggest screens in the sky.
The move builds on Emirates two-decade long commitment to Uganda, a vibrant gem on the airline’s vast global network and up-and-coming tourism destination. At the 2024 Arabian Travel Market, Emirates signed an MoU with the Uganda Tourism Board to encourage a diverse range of international travellers to experience the destination’s abundance of natural, cultural and adventure attractions. The additional frequency will further support this as Uganda continues to invest in building its tourism proposition.
Ringing in the new year, Emirates will also increase frequency in Ethiopia, with a daily flight connecting Dubai and Addis Abba from 1 January 2025. Visitor numbers to Ethiopia continue to grow, guided by the vision to make Ethiopia one of Africa’s top five tourist destinations by 2025. By boosting its flight frequencies, Emirates will provide more convenient access, particularly for travellers from the Middle East and the Far East.
This will be swiftly followed by the fourth daily flight to Johannesburg, which, from 1 March 2025, will introduce a morning slot to and from South Africa’s largest and busiest international airport. The additional flight brings Emirates’ operations back to pre-pandemic levels, with 49 weekly flights into South Africa, one of Africa’s most in-demand destinations.
Once the additional frequencies are activated, Emirates will provide 161 weekly flights between African destinations and Dubai.
Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.
BANGKOK, 5 November 2024: The Tourism Authority of Thailand, in partnership with the State Railway of Thailand, has launched the E-Guidebook #MyRailJourney, designed to inspire eco-friendly travel experiences by rail.
The digital guidebook targets environmentally conscious travellers and kicks off with two popular train routes: Bangkok to Phetchaburi and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Last week, the initiative was introduced at a KTC Touch event in Bangkok, supported by strategic partners including KTC, Netflix, and Airbnb, to promote sustainable travel and enrich Thailand’s tourism landscape.
A new guidebook on train travel reaches out to Thais, but an English version is in the pipeline to spread the word to foreign train fans.
TAT’s Director of Tourism Products, Eurblarpo Sriphirom, emphasised that train travel aligns with TAT’s sustainable tourism goals. With over 120 years of history in Thailand, rail travel produces lower carbon emissions than cars or planes, providing an eco-friendly and culturally rich travel experience.
The E-Guidebook #MyRailJourney offers a comprehensive planning tool for travellers to map their journey. It includes train schedules, travel times, and recommended equipment for activities along the way. The guide encourages “slow travel,” allowing tourists to enjoy scenic routes and connect more deeply with destinations.
Adding to the project’s reach, KTC World Travel Service (KTC) actively promotes responsible tourism products like train tickets and electric vehicle rentals. KTC head Patthira Ananchotiphat said the travel company aims to elevate travellers’ experiences by supporting local businesses and promoting lesser-known communities.
LONDON, 5 November 2024: The “my alltours” app is now available in a new version offering a fresher design, an optimised user interface and new innovative features including a new dashboard view that allows easy, convenient navigation.
In cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, alltours is now the only tour operator that offers the download of Rail&Fly tickets directly through a travel app.
“Our Rail&Fly tickets are very popular. We are therefore delighted that it is now possible to redeem the voucher codes directly in the alltours app and download the tickets. This is a real convenience,” DB Fernverkehr Head of Cooperations Tourism, Airlines and Trade Christian Henkes explains.
“Our app is already extremely popular with our customers, with a user rate of over 60%, and very successful with an average rating of 4.7 stars. With the new version, we are now offering an even better user experience,” added alltours eCommerce project manager. Alexander Sieb.
The “my alltours” app can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store .
For 50 years, alltours has stood for high-quality holidays at affordable prices. With around 2 million guests in the 2022/23 financial year, the company is one of the four largest tour operators in Germany and among the top 10 in Europe.
SINGAPORE, 5 November 2024: Qantas customers can now fly from Brisbane to the Philippines in one hop with the Flying Kangaroo’s nonstop flights to Manila.
The inaugural flight departed Brisbane last Monday (28 October) and will operate four times per week using the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft. Every year, more than 100,000 seats will be added between Australia and the Philippines.
Flights operate four times per week using the airline’s Airbus A330.
The route adds to Qantas’ existing direct daily services from Sydney to Manila.
The new flight will also improve connectivity for passengers travelling to the Philippines from New Zealand, with easy connections in both directions from Auckland and Christchurch to Manila via Brisbane.
Qantas has a long history of operations in the Philippines, having first touched down with Lancastrian aircraft in 1947 supporting Australian Government military operations, before introducing Super Constellation passenger services in 1950. The first jet flights between Australia and Manila commenced in 1961 with Boeing 707 services flying from Sydney and forgoing the need of a stopover for the first time.
Today, the airline operates over 300,000 seats between Australia and the Philippines every year and will celebrate 75 years of passenger services between the two countries in 2025.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace commented: “The Philippines is a very strong market for Qantas, and we are pleased to respond to demand for our services with new flights from Brisbane.
“We know many customers travel to Manila via Sydney, so this new direct flight will make it easier and faster for Queenslanders to get to the Philippines in a single hop.
“With a fascinating history and culture, a vast archipelago of over 7,000 islands, and hospitality known worldwide, the Philippines is a fantastic destination for Australians who are thinking about their next getaway.”
The launch follows the recent expansion of the airline’s international network from Brisbane, with new flights to Palau as well as an upgrade of some of its Auckland and Los Angeles services to the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The national carrier also recently commenced services from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila and has added an extra two flights per week to Singapore.
QF97 Brisbane to Manila operates four times weekly, departing on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. Flight time is approximately seven hours and 45 minutes.
Qantas services between Australia and the Philippines are operated by its fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft with 27 business class suites in 1-2-1 configuration, each featuring direct aisle access and converting into a lie-flat bed, and 269 economy seats.
Flight schedule
Flight QF097 departs Brisbane (BNE) at 1915 and arrives in Manila (MNL) at 0100 plus a day.
Flight QF098 departs Manila at 0245 and arrives in Brisbane at 1120.
MANILA, 5 November 2024: The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the recognition of Panglao, Bohol, as one of Skyscanner’s Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2025, saying it was “a testament to the island’s appeal and the growing global interest in the Philippines.”
Ranked 8th on the best places to visit list, Panglao saw an impressive 77% increase in flight searches in the first half of 2024, reflecting its rising allure for international travellers.
Bohol, with Panglao Island at its heart, has gained acclaim for its diverse tourism offerings. Skyscanner describes it as another “emerging as another Asian wellness and wellbeing destination and a great alternative to more familiar places in Europe.”
Visitors are drawn to Panglao’s pristine beaches, Chocolate Hills, and eco-sites like the Loboc River and Tarsier Sanctuary, showcasing Bohol’s commitment to sustainable tourism. At the same time, its growing wellness hub status attracts travellers seeking tranquil getaways.
Skyscanner, a leading global travel platform, based these rankings on increases in flight searches between 1 January and 30 June 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Its analysis revealed a trend among UK travellers gravitating toward lesser-known yet remarkable destinations that offer unique experiences beyond Europe.
HONG KONG, 5 November 2024: Cathay Pacific commenced nonstop passenger service between Hong Kong and Riyadh on 28 October 2024.
To mark the milestone, Cathay Pacific celebrated the launch of the route’s inaugural flight with a ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport, hosted by Cathay Group Chair Patrick Healy and Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau.
Cathay’s Patrick Healy commented: “The inauguration of our Hong Kong-Riyadh route is another testament to Cathay’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s global connectivity as an international aviation hub and our continued support for the Central Government’s Belt and Road Initiative. The new service further expands our footprint in the Middle East — an important region — while promoting opportunities for business, trade and tourism along the Belt and Road. With the commissioning of the Three-Runway System just weeks away, Hong Kong’s aviation industry is entering an exciting new era, and we look forward to playing our part as our home hub continues to go from strength to strength.”
Cathay Pacific’s thrice-weekly passenger service between Hong Kong and Riyadh is operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which feature business, premium economy, and economy cabins.
The flight schedule for the service is as follows (all times local):
In addition to Riyadh, Cathay Pacific operates daily flights between Hong Kong and Dubai in the Middle East. The new passenger service also complements Cathay Cargo’s freighter services between Hong Kong and Riyadh, which it has been operating since 2021.
The Cathay Group continues to add more flights and destinations to its global passenger network, and by 2025, it will be able to fly customers to 100 destinations worldwide.
PENANG, 5 November 2024: AirAsia’s Free* Seats Town campaign lands at its third-largest hub in Malaysia, Penang, to end the year on a high note with 12 million promotional seats up for grabs.
This campaign will help build travel demand for the first half of 2025 through the airline’s free seats, highlighting trips to Penang, Bali, Medan, Bhubaneswar, and Siem Reap.
AirAsia crew at the Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang launch the AirAsia Free Seats Town campaign on 2 November.
In addition to the celebration, AirAsia X commemorates 17 years by offering special promotional fares with its Big Sale for guests seeking to explore destinations beyond Asia.
Big Sale fares apply to various cities such as Taipei, Chongqing, Nairobi, Almaty, with fares starting from as low as MYR221** all-in one way. AAX’s award-winning Premium Flatbed travel has fares starting from just MYR899** all-in-one way.
The AirAsia Free* Seats Town campaign and Big Sale are open for bookings until 10 November 2024 via airasia.com or the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly airasia Superapp). The travel period runs from 21 April 2025 to 28 March 2026.
*Free Seat fare is only applicable for the BASE FARE, excluding airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. All-in fare starts from RM39 one-way (Domestic) and RM75 one-way (International). Other terms and conditions apply.
**All-in one-way fares start from RM221 and are inclusive of airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Other terms and conditions apply.
Air Canada will be resuming daily service from Canada to Beijing and will be increasing its Shanghai flights to daily. Both routes will operate from the airline’s Vancouver (YVR) hub. (CNW Group/Air Canada)
SINGAPORE, 5 November 2024: Air Canada will resume daily service from Canada to Beijing and also increase its flights to daily on the route to Shanghai
The Vancouver-Shanghai route will upgrade from four weekly to daily flights beginning 7 December 2024, and the Vancouver-Beijing daily service will resume on 15 January 2025.
Air Canada will be resuming daily service from Canada to Beijing and will be increasing its Shanghai flights to daily. Both routes will operate from the airline’s Vancouver (YVR) hub. (CNW Group/Air Canada).
Both routes will operate from the airline’s Vancouver (YVR) hub, and bookings are already available on the airline’s website and through travel agencies.
“We are resuming our nonstop services between Canada and Beijing and increasing our flights between Canada and Shanghai, reflecting the importance of these markets in Air Canada’s global network. With our investments at our YVR hub linking Air Canada’s extensive North American network to our international flights, travelling between North America and Asia is convenient and compelling for leisure and business travellers alike. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard our flights,” said Air Canada Executive Vice President – Revenue and Network Planning Mark Galardo.
GURUGRAM, India, 4 November 2024: Air India has introduced its flagship A350-900 aircraft on daily, nonstop flights between Delhi and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
This will be followed by introducing five weekly A350 services from Delhi to Newark’s Liberty International Airport (EWR) commencing 2 January 2025.
With these deployments, Air India introduces its all-new interiors, including private suites in business class and a premium economy cabin, as well as an award-winning new Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, enhanced catering, and new serviceware.
The deployment of this flagship product, which also recently commenced on the Delhi-London Heathrow route, marks a significant milestone in the airline’s post-privatisation transformation programme.
Introducing Air India Premium Economy
The A350 deployment brings Air India’s Premium Economy experience on the Delhi-New York route for the first time. It offers 24 extra-legroom seats in a 2-4-2 configuration in a dedicated, upscale cabin.
Business Class private suites
Air India’s A350 aircraft features a Business Class with 28 private suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, each accommodating a full lie-flat bed. Each suite offers direct aisle access, sliding privacy doors, and a personal wardrobe. Air India, thus, becomes the only nonstop carrier between India and the United States to offer private suites with sliding doors in Business Class.
On-board Wi-Fi coming soon
Air India is preparing to launch its new inflight connectivity service on international flights operated by the A350 in the coming weeks. The service will enable guests to use Wi-Fi on their own devices and stay connected.
The A350 flights offer travellers an elevated onboard experience, featuring enhanced meal menus, new service ware, new bedding, and updated amenity kits for Business and Premium Economy guests, exclusively designed by Ferragamo and TUMI, respectively.
The seats across all cabins on the A350 come with the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 IFE system and HD screens that offer more than 3,000 hours of entertainment content from around the world in 13 international and 8 Indian regional languages.
Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Campbell Wilson said: “The A350 is not just another aircraft for Air India; it is a symbol of the “new Air India” emerging through our five-year Vihaan.AI post-privatisation transformation programme.
“Guest feedback on introducing the A350 aircraft and new customer experience has been positive since it was launched on the Delhi-London Heathrow route in September, so we are excited to bring it to New York.
“We are also looking forward to commencing the full interior refit of existing aircraft in 2025, which, together with the hundreds of new aircraft on order, will take Air India to new heights.”
