KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2026: Tourism Malaysia and Singapore Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week to strengthen joint tourism promotions and international market outreach.
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to promoting Malaysia as a preferred travel destination and to improving cross-border access by leveraging Singapore Airlines’ extensive global network across key markets in Europe, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific.
Tourism Malaysia and Singapore Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new milestone in strengthening joint tourism promotions and international market outreach.
This partnership also supports Malaysia’s aviation and tourism recovery by strengthening regional hub connectivity through Singapore.
Tourism Malaysia Director General Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim said: “With global travel demand continuing to rebound, this collaboration with Singapore Airlines comes at a critical time as we accelerate efforts towards Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) and beyond. Through this MoU, we aim to amplify Malaysia’s visibility in high-yield markets, enhance connectivity, and roll out impactful joint campaigns that will stimulate demand and drive quality tourist arrivals into the country.”
Singapore Airlines, Regional Vice President South East Asia Louis Leonard Arul said: “Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Tourism Malaysia reinforces our strong commitment to Malaysia’s tourism growth and global connectivity. Through this MoU, we will align our efforts in key overseas markets with targeted campaigns and promotional initiatives that showcase Malaysia’s rich heritage, warm hospitality and stunning natural beauty. Leveraging Singapore Airlines’ extensive global network and seamless connectivity via Singapore, we aim to bring more visitors to Malaysia from around the world, supported by our industry-leading cabin products and world-class service.”
The MoU, effective as of May 2026, is valid for one year, strengthening the partnership between Tourism Malaysia and Singapore Airlines to increase tourist arrivals, reinforce the momentum of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), and sustain growth into 2027.
SINGAPORE, 1 June 2026: LOT Polish Airlines launched on 30 May flights from its home base, Warsaw, to Crete and Mallorca, two popular summer destinations in the Mediterranean.
Flights to both destinations operate three times per week during the summer season, providing convenient access to two Mediterranean islands famed for their beaches and rich local culture.
Photo credit: LOT Polish Airlines flies to Mallorca and Crete.
The seasonal flights connect Warsaw with two popular Mediterranean destinations — Heraklion, Crete, and Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca.
Flights on the Warsaw-Mallorca route operate three times per week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flight LO447 departs from Chopin Airport at 1135 with the return flight LO448 scheduled at 1550.
LOT Polish Airlines’ flights from Warsaw to Heraklion are also three times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Mondays and Saturdays, flight LO619 departs from Warsaw Airport at 1145, with the return flight LO620 scheduled for 1640 local time. On Fridays, the departure to Heraklion is scheduled for 1020, and the return flight to Warsaw for 1520.
The two summer routes allow passengers to travel directly from Warsaw to some of the most popular Mediterranean islands.
Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is one of the most popular Greek holiday destinations, offering a blend of history, culture, and relaxation by the Mediterranean Sea.
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, has long remained one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, attracting tourists with its picturesque beaches, charming old town, and well-developed tourist infrastructure.
Tickets are available through all sales channels, including the airline’s website and mobile app, as well as LOT travel agents.
BANGKOK, 1 June 2026: Amazon Web Services (AWS), which built and hosts the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), the country’s first web and mobile application for national immigration management, confirmed the rollout last week of the pilot version.
Developed by Digital Identity Co Ltd in partnership with the Thailand Immigration Bureau, THIM leverages AWS cloud services to modernise Thailand’s immigration process to welcome more than 30 million visitors annually.
Photo credit: AWS.
Now available for download as part of a pilot, THIM is designed to help travellers save time and complete their arrival card in just three minutes, offering a more convenient and streamlined border experience by reducing wait times at checkpoints.
For the first time, international tourists visiting Thailand can complete their arrival registration digitally before they land. The app currently supports English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese languages, with plans to add more languages in the coming months.
“Thailand’s immigration system serves approximately 30 million international tourists annually, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every traveller’s experience at our borders reflects the modern, welcoming nation we are. THIM positions Thailand at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s digital immigration transformation through a national mobile platform. By embracing cloud technology, we have reduced processing times significantly while strengthening our national security capabilities,” said Immigration Bureau Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Pratya Prasarnsuk.
“The border is Thailand’s front door,” said Digital Identity Co Ltd CEO Natakorn Tanachaihirun.
“We built THIM to make sure it’s wide open and secure at the same time. This is just the beginning of what a cloud-native services centre can do for the Immigration Bureau and the millions of travellers it serves.”
Powering faster borders
THIM’s architecture leverages AWS services deployed in the AWS Asia Pacific (Bangkok) Region and is underpinned by three pillars.
Document verification: Using AI-powered optical character recognition (OCR), text is extracted from passports to support e-KYC workflows
Compute and orchestration:Amazon EC2 for scalable compute capacity, Amazon EKS for containerised workloads, and Elastic Load Balancing for high availability – especially important during peak travel periods
Security and compliance: Amazon GuardDuty for continuous threat detection, AWS Security Hub for centralised security posture management, and AWS Key Management Service (AWS KMS) and AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) for end-to-end encryption of and secure communications between systems to ensure data security for sensitive traveller data, such as passport numbers
“Across Southeast Asia, we’re seeing a fundamental shift in how governments think about digital infrastructure, not as a back-office upgrade, but as a strategic enabler of national competitiveness and citizen trust,” said AWS Thailand Country Manager Vatsun Thirapatarapong.
“THIM is a proof-point that when you pair visionary leadership with world-class cloud technology, you can deliver outcomes that once seemed mutually exclusive: a seamless traveller experience and stronger national security, achieved together.”
THIM is designed to serve as a comprehensive digital services centre for the Immigration Bureau, with planned capabilities to facilitate appointment bookings, e-Extension, issuance of transaction-related certification documents, and other immigration-related digital services.
Visitors can download the app on the Apple and Android stores.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2026: Preliminary April 2026 traffic figures released last week by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed stable international passenger demand, with growth moderating amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 32.4 million international passengers in April, broadly unchanged from the same month last year. In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, demand nevertheless increased by 3.3% year-on-year, reflecting relatively firmer traffic on longer-haul routes.
Available seat capacity increased by a marginal 1.4% year-on-year, as sharply higher fuel costs constrained growth. As a result, international passenger load factors remained high, averaging 84.8% for the month, up by 1.6 percentage points.
Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East led to supply chain disruptions and higher prices, prompting accelerated stockpiling as businesses and consumers sought to secure products ahead of further cost increases. This, in turn, lent support to growth in the air cargo market. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), increased by 4.1% year-on-year in April. Offered freight capacity expanded by 4.4%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.5% for the month.
Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General, Wong Hong, said: “International passenger traffic continued to show resilience in April, supported by sustained demand on longer-haul routes. Overall, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 135 million international passengers during the first four months of the year, representing a 5.1% increase compared to the corresponding period last year.”
“Meanwhile, the start of the second quarter saw accelerated expansion in global manufacturing activity, with increased purchases of consumer and intermediate goods driving demand for air shipments. Growth in April helped lift international air cargo demand during the first four months of 2026 to 5.3%.”
Wong Hong added: “The conflict in the Middle East continues to add volatility to energy markets, keeping jet fuel prices elevated and further intensifying cost pressures for airlines. In April, jet fuel prices rose to an average of US$165 per barrel, reaching levels last seen in 2022 following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war.”
Looking ahead, Wong Hong said: “Despite signs of the conflict easing, growing macroeconomic uncertainty, coupled with inflationary pressures, continues to weigh on the outlook for both passenger and air cargo markets in the months ahead. Nevertheless, Asia Pacific airlines remain vigilant in managing costs and carefully deploying capacity to optimise yields and profitability in this challenging operating environment, without compromising safety standards.”
SINGAPORE, 1 June 2026: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Universal Music Singapore (UMSG), a division of Universal Music Group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to amplify Singapore’s appeal as a global destination.
Together, STB and UMSG will use the power of music to raise Singapore’s profile and inspire travel to the country. The three-year partnership draws on UMSG’s network of international artistes, market insights and global media channels to create a platform that introduces Singapore to new, global audiences.
Representatives from STB and UMSG at the MoU Signing Ceremony
The strategic partnership between STB and UMSG will highlight Singapore’s story through music via integrated marketing campaigns, fan activations, and travel partner collaborations, while elevating the city’s position as a must-visit travel destination. There will also be opportunities to showcase local talent alongside international artistes, telling authentic stories through their shared passions.
Singapore Tourism Board Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Kenneth Lim said: “We are seeing more consumers engaging with content and communities that resonate with their own passion points and interests, especially in entertainment and lifestyle. This multi-year partnership with Universal Music Singapore allows us to tap into this trend by forging deeper connections with our global audiences through music. What excites us most is creating truly exclusive, Singapore-only experiences within Southeast Asia, such as intimate fan events at iconic locations. We’re not just creating content; we’re crafting memorable moments that give fans compelling reasons to visit Singapore.”
The partnership builds on STB’s previous successful collaborations with UMSG artistes, including Nick Jonas’s appearance at Singapore Art Week, OneRepublic’s social content exploring the inspiration behind their instrumental track ‘Singapore’, and Billie Eilish’s live performance filmed at Gardens by the Bay. These moments demonstrate the power of authentic, artist-led storytelling to inspire travel and position Singapore as a dynamic cultural destination.
SINGAPORE, 1 June 2026: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was down 3.4% compared to April 2025 due to the dramatic decline in passenger demand in the Middle East, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for April 2026.
Excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), decreased by 2.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1% (-0.4 ppt compared to April 2025).
International demand fell 5.3% compared to April 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down 5.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to April 2025).
Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025. Capacity increased 0.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.9% (-0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).
“The 46.6% fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down 3.4%. The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule data is showing a reduced offering in the coming months, indicating that airlines are balancing high fuel costs and weaker demand,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
International RPK fell -5.3%, with capacity falling -5.1%. However, this decline was caused by continuing heavy falls in demand for Middle East carriers. Excluding the Middle East, RPK increased by 1.9%. North America was flat, and all other regions reported growth.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 3.0% year-on-year increase indemand. Capacity increased 0.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.5% (+1.9 ppt compared to April 2025), a record high for April. There was a notable slowdown in traffic on the Japan-China corridor due to ongoing political tensions.
European carriers saw a 0.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 0.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.9% (+0.6 ppt compared to April 2025). Direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased 15.3% as it replaced traffic transiting through the Middle East.
North American carriers saw a 0.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity decreased 1.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (+0.9 ppt compared to April 2025).
Middle Eastern carriers saw a -48.1% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity fell 38.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 70.1% (-13.1 ppt compared to April 2025). Traffic was affected by the ongoing war in Iran, though the decline slowed slightly compared to March as an uneasy ceasefire came into effect.
Latin American airlines achieved an 8.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 7.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.6% (+1.4 ppt compared to April 2025).
African airlines saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 1.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 77.9% (+0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).
PENANG, 1 June 2026: PCEB and EV specialist, Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON), have entered into a collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which marks a significant milestone in strengthening Penang’s business events industry through the introduction of electric vehicle solutions.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to enhancing Penang’s position as a preferred destination for conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and corporate events, while creating greater opportunities for industry engagement, business networking, and corporate visibility.
The MOU was signed by Mohammad Azwan Bin Yahaya, COO Automotive Retail, EON Berhad, and Ashwin Gunasekeran, PCEB CEO and witnessed by YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, YB Wong Yuee Harng, State Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota and PCEB Director; and May Tan, Head of Operations, Premium Division, EON Berhad.
In line with Penang’s green initiatives, it will introduce EON as the official mobility partner for conferences and business events in Penang. Deploying EVs will support greener event operations while encouraging the adoption of environmentally responsible practices within the business events ecosystem.
Penang’s Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, welcomed the collaboration and highlighted its alignment with the state’s broader sustainability agenda.
“This collaboration reflects Penang’s continued commitment towards building a more sustainable and future-ready business events industry. The introduction of electric vehicles into the ecosystem of conferences and business events is a meaningful step in supporting greener mobility solutions while enhancing the overall visitor experience,” said the chief minister.
PCEB Chief Executive Officer Ashwin Gunasekeran noted: “By bringing together the business events and automotive industries, we can create greater opportunities for engagement, innovation and industry visibility, while further enhancing Penang’s position as a leading destination for regional and international business events.”
SINGAPORE, 1 June 2026: Starting 25 October, Lufthansa will fly to 11 additional new Allegris destinations, including direct services to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore
New Allegris destinations are flagged to fly from Frankfurt and Munich during the upcoming winter timetable, featuring enhanced premium cabin amenities and in-flight service.
Photo credit: Lufthansa Group.
New destinations and increased frequencies will also be introduced on the Lufthansa Group airlines: SWISS, ITA Airways, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, and Eurowings.
All new winter destinations are now available for bookings as the airline focuses more than ever on a premium service experience. Following the introduction of the new in-flight service on all long-haul flights in early May, the number of destinations where passengers can experience the new Allegris cabin will increase significantly starting this coming winter. The new cabin interior was introduced in 2024 and is available to passengers in all classes.
Lufthansa will fly to 11 new destinations in winter 2026/27 with Allegris on board. From Frankfurt, new long-haul routes will include Vancouver (Canada), Houston (US), Denver (US), Atlanta (US), Detroit (US), San José (Costa Rica), Seoul (South Korea) and Kuala Lumpur. Lufthansa will offer the new nonstop service to Malaysia’s capital five times a week starting 25 October.
With the launch of flights to Kuala Lumpur, Lufthansa Airlines is strengthening its network in Southeast Asia and focusing on growth in a dynamic region. The new Boeing 787-9, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet, will be deployed on this route, featuring 287 seats in three classes and the new Allegris cabin – just as it will on flights from Frankfurt to Chennai (India) starting in March.
From Munich, the new “Allegris destinations” are Singapore (starting in late October), Washington (US) in March 2027, and Cape Town (South Africa).
In addition, Lufthansa will increase weekly frequencies on several high-demand transatlantic routes this winter: This includes routes from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), San José (Costa Rica), Bogotá (Colombia), Lagos (Nigeria), and Hyderabad (India), as well as from Munich to São Paulo (Brazil), Mexico City, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Washington (US).
SWISS
SWISS is further expanding its offerings in the 2026/27 winter schedule and, for the first time, is adding a destination in southern India — Bengaluru (India) — to its route network. At the same time, SWISS is bringing the new long-haul experience SWISS Senses to Johannesburg (South Africa) and Shanghai (China) this winter on the Airbus A350.
ITA Airways
ITA Airways will launch a new seasonal direct route from Rome-Fiumicino to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) for the 2026/27 winter season. This marks the airline’s first foray into the Central American market and further expands its route network on the continent. ITA Airways’ upcoming winter schedule will also be supplemented by two new routes that were already introduced during the current summer season: the Rome-Fiumicino–Houston (USA) and Rome-Fiumicino–London Heathrow (UK) routes.
Brussels Airlines
On 3 June, Brussels Airlines will launch a new route between Brussels and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). This route was originally planned only as a summer service, but due to strong demand, Brussels Airlines will continue the flights through the winter. Between 28 October and 16 December, the airline will fly to Kilimanjaro once a week, and between 19 December and 21 February, two flights are scheduled per week.
Discover Airlines
Starting in winter 2026/27, Discover Airlines is expanding services to include two new destinations in Morocco. Starting in late October, the holiday airline will connect Frankfurt with the coastal city of Agadir and offer the only direct connection from Munich to the historic royal city of Fès in the northeast of the country. In addition, the airline is continuing the successful expansion of its Nordic offerings and will include flights to Ivalo in Finnish Lapland in its winter schedule for the first time. From mid-December to mid-April, the holiday airline will operate a weekly direct flight from Munich to Finland’s northernmost region.
Edelweiss
Due to strong demand for flights to Scandinavia, Edelweiss will further expand its service to Finland and Norway. In addition, the season to Luleå (Swedish Lapland), which was newly added last year, will be extended. Additional flights to all three countries are in the planning stages and will be announced in the coming weeks. Furthermore, due to demand, capacity will be increased to the Canary Islands, Faro, Bilbao, Seville, and Mallorca.
Eurowings
Eurowings, Germany’s largest holiday airline, is strategically expanding its offerings in the 2026/27 winter schedule to include high-demand European routes. From Berlin, the Lufthansa Group airline—as the market leader at the German capital’s airport—is particularly strengthening its service to European cities and Nordic winter destinations. New additions to the winter schedule include a route from Berlin to Kuusamo in Finnish Lapland. Eurowings is also increasing frequencies on existing routes to Rovaniemi and Kittilä (both in Finland). Furthermore, Eurowings is continuing the expansion of the “Capital Express” from Berlin: The route to Rome will launch on 2 November and flights to London Heathrow (UK) will also be offered during the winter. From Düsseldorf, Eurowings is extending its service beyond the summer season and will offer year-round flights to Madrid (Spain) in the future.
All destinations in the 2026/27 winter flight schedule are now available for booking.
POKHARA, Nepal, 29 May, 2026: Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection confirms the appointment of Chef Thaksorn Than Sertsirikai as Executive Chef.
With a distinguished culinary career spanning nearly four decades, Chef Than brings exceptional international pedigree and a profound passion for gastronomy to one of Nepal’s most celebrated resort destinations.
Lovingly known simply as Chef Than, he has taken his culinary journey to some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality destinations. He has held senior roles at Ambassador Hotel Pattaya, Krabi Resort, Centara Krabi, Novotel Rayong, Sheraton, and Amari Hua Hin. His global footprint extends well beyond Thailand, encompassing professional postings in Singapore, Mali, and Phuket, each chapter deepening a versatile, cross-cultural culinary sensibility that sets him apart in his field.
Chef Than has earned wide acclaim for his mastery of Thai, Chinese, and Western cuisines — refined through decades of experience across diverse cultures and discerning guest profiles. Among his most notable honours is the prestigious Iron Pan Chef award for Thai cuisine, a recognition that speaks to his technical excellence and enduring commitment to his craft.
In his new role at Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, Chef Than is focused on crafting a dining identity that is both globally fluent and deeply rooted in place. He plans to introduce guests to the depth and authenticity of Thai cuisine while championing Nepali gastronomy — using locally sourced ingredients and traditional Himalayan flavours to develop menus that feel both worldly and unmistakably of this region.
Guests can look forward to thoughtfully composed menus that pair signature Thai specialities with reimagined Nepali classics, offering a culinary journey as layered and compelling as the surrounding landscape.
“I am truly excited to be here,” said Chef Than. “I want to share my passion for Thai cooking with guests in Nepal, and at the same time I am eager to learn from the incredible local ingredients and traditions around us — to create something that is both familiar and entirely new.”
Chef Than’s appointment underscores Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara’s ongoing efforts in providing world-class hospitality. With his arrival, the resort further cements its reputation as a premier destination where exceptional dining and immersive Himalayan experiences converge.
ABOUT Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, part of The Centara Collection, is a secluded Himalayan retreat perched on the hills of Kaskikot, just 35 minutes from Pokhara. With sweeping views of the Annapurna Range and Fishtail Mountain, the resort features 42 spacious rooms, suites, and villas that blend modern comfort with authentic Nepali design and touches of Thai-inspired elegance.
SINGAPORE, 29 May 2026: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has welcomed its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to take delivery of the extra-long-range narrow-body aircraft.
The milestone supports Saudia’s fleet growth programme and reflects its continued investment in advanced aircraft models that enhance operational efficiency, guest experience, and sustainability performance.
With a range of up to 8,700 kilometres and a flight duration of up to nine hours, the A321XLR gives Saudia greater flexibility to operate longer international routes with the efficiency of a narrow-body aircraft. This capability enables Saudia to expand international connectivity more efficiently, aligning aircraft capacity to market demand while maintaining a high-quality onboard experience.
The aircraft also marks the first delivery to feature core elements of “The New Saudia Experience”, Saudia’s new onboard offering focused on comfort, connectivity, entertainment, dining, and service consistency across the guest journey. The cabin is configured with 24 business class suites designed for privacy and comfort, alongside 120 Guest Class seats featuring enhanced seat design, 13-inch personal entertainment screens, and convenient charging ports to support a more comfortable guest journey.
Saudia Group’s fleet investments also deliver broader industrial and economic value to the Kingdom. Through its recent deal with Airbus for 105 confirmed aircraft, the Group is supporting local content, creating opportunities for Saudi suppliers, and strengthening Saudi participation in global aviation supply chains. As part of the agreement, Airbus will continue working with suppliers in the Kingdom to support their qualification for global aviation supply chains, helping build national capabilities and generate long-term economic value beyond aircraft acquisition.
Saudia is scheduled to add 15 Airbus A321XLR aircraft to its fleet by 2027, as part of its wider fleet growth program. The aircraft will support network growth across key travel segments, including tourism, business, major events, and pilgrimage travel, contributing to Vision 2030 and the Saudi Aviation Strategy as the Kingdom prepares to host major global events in the years ahead, including the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
