BANGKOK, 21 January 2025: Myanmar Airways International has increased flights from its home base, Yangon, to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand while increasing flights from three to four weekly from Yangon to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, earlier this month.
MAI introduced additional daily flights between its home base, Yangon in Myanmar and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), effective 20 January. It raises flights to 35 weekly (five daily using A320s with 180 seats on the route).
Earlier this month, the airline also increased flights between Yangon and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand from three to four weekly, deploying an ATR72 with 68 seats (departing Yangon at 1150 on Tuesday) and an Embraer 190 with 98 seats (departing Yangon at 1230 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday).
MAI also introduced a fourth weekly flight from Yangon to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, every Monday, effective 15 January 2025. The additional flight departs for Phnom Penh at 1640 and arrives at 1910. The Monday, Wednesday, and Friday flights use an Embraer 190 with 98 seats. The Sunday flight departs an hour earlier at 1540 and uses an ATR72 with 68 seats.
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2025: The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) announced Monday that Qantas Airways Limited has joined AAPA effective immediately.
“We are very pleased and honoured to welcome Qantas Airways as a member of AAPA. Qantas, a leading Australian airline with a long heritage, will not only strengthen the Association’s voice in international aviation policy discussions but also reinforce effective regional collaboration on key aviation tenets, namely safety, sustainability, and seamless air travel,” said AAPA Director General Subhas Menon
Cam Wallace Chief Executive Officer, Qantas International and Freight.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer of International and Freight Cam Wallace said: “Qantas looks forward to working with members of AAPA as the industry embraces opportunities to meet the evolving needs of customers in a dynamic market while at the same time confronting challenges such as climate change and supply chain disruptions. Airlines can share best practices and experiences in many areas to benefit the travelling public”.
AAPA is the trade association for scheduled international airlines based in the Asia Pacific region. Its permanent secretariat is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has international representation in Brussels in Belgium (EU) and Washington DC (USA) for government aviation affairs.
SINGAPORE, 20 January 2025: Ponant Explorations Group, a small ship expedition cruise operator, acquires a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions, a specialist for river and ocean cruises in South America and Southeast Asia.
This strategic acquisition, backed by Artémis Group, the Pinault family’s investment company, which owns prestigious fashion houses, will empower Aqua Expeditions to continue expanding its footprint globally and enable the company’s growth as a destination specialist.
Aqua Expeditions currently operates river explorations in the Peruvian Amazon and the Mekong Delta (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages in East Indonesia — Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, and Asmat — and the Galapagos Islands.
Its founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, will remain a shareholder and, along with his senior management team, will continue to lead the company as a stand-alone business unit.
This transaction comes at a pivotal time as Aqua Expeditions ramps up the launch of its East Africa itineraries, exploring the Seychelles and Tanzania, with a particular focus on the Aldabra group of islands.
Ponant Explorations Group has a fleet of 14 French-flagged small ships.
DUBAI, UAE, 20 January 2025: Following Emirates’ successful launch to Madagascar in September 2024, the airline will add flights to the island nation, boosting its schedule from four to six-weekly services, starting 2 April 2025.
The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to supporting Madagascar’s tourism ambitions, including accommodating more leisure visitors and promoting the island destination to global audiences.
Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Tourism, and Emirates announced the boost in operations last week at a press conference in Antananarivo in response to strong demand for its passenger services between the capital city and Dubai.
Since flights commenced last year, Emirates has witnessed tremendous demand for its passenger services, both inbound and outbound, between Antananarivo and Dubai. With the current four weekly flights operating at near full capacity, the significant uplift to the number of seats offered on the route will support Madagascar’s efforts to increase visitor arrivals into the country while also providing more choice and convenience for travellers to plan trips to and from the popular Indian Ocean destination.
Announcing the expansion of Emirates’ services to the island at the press conference, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said: “Our growing flight schedule to the island means better connectivity, more choices, and more convenient options for travellers. Enhancing services will also strengthen the economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE by supporting more inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. As tourism to Madagascar flourishes, local businesses thrive, generating a ripple effect that benefits the local communities. We would like to thank the authorities, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism for their support, and we look forward to strengthening our connections and supporting the nation’s development as it looks towards the future.”
Emirates temporarily increased its services to meet seasonal demand from four to five weekly flights. The new frequency significantly boosts its operations and capacity on the route.
“We have been diligently supporting the country’s tourism agenda by promoting the destination across our network, which is evident from the healthy bookings, and we will make every effort to continue raising awareness around the vibrant island’s unique charm and stunning natural landscapes to support sustainable traffic growth,” added Ahmad.
The expanded schedule between Dubai and Antananarivo, linked via Mahe, will operate on all days except Mondays.
Flights EK707 and EK708 are scheduled to operate as follows (all times are local):
Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, Emirates World retail stores, the Emirates App, and through travel agencies. Holiday packages can also be booked through Emirates Holidays and other tour operators worldwide.
Highlighting the importance of Emirates’ additional flights to Madagascar, Minister of Transport and Meteorology, His Excellency Dr Manambahoaka Valéry F Ramonjavelo said: “Since February 2024, we have accelerated the strengthening of trust between the United Arab Emirates and Madagascar, and the air connectivity provided by Emirates contributes to these ties being built between our two countries. The increase to six weekly frequencies by Emirates is a strong signal of confidence in the country, particularly in the tourism destination of the Great Island. We are on the right path to achieving more than one daily flight.”
Madagascar’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Viviane Dewa, added: “The arrival of Emirates, with direct flights to Madagascar, has been a breath of fresh air for our tourism sector. This flight has connected our island to over 140 destinations worldwide, opening up new opportunities for promoting Madagascar as a destination. Our ambitious target of reaching one million tourists by 2028 will be significantly supported by the continued improvement of air connectivity, particularly through major hubs such as Dubai, and by collaborating with renowned airlines such as Emirates. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of Madagascar, we look forward to further strengthening the partnership with Emirates to provide smoother air transport and welcome more international tourists, thereby contributing to the growth of our tourism sector.”
Emirates has supported Madagascar’s tourism agenda by promoting it as a top leisure destination to its global network of tour operators. Its efforts have included planning familiarisation trips for 32 of its top travel agencies from major feeder markets to visit the island. Amongst the island’s main attractions, Madagascar is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and is celebrated for its thriving biodiversity.
Over the past few months, the airline has experienced strong demand from the UAE, Sri Lanka, France, the UK, mainland China, Japan, Spain, and Italy to Madagascar. From Madagascar, travellers have mainly ventured to Dubai, the hub city of Emirates, in addition to Seychelles, France, India, Sri Lanka, Italy and Japan.
With the boost to services to Madagascar, Emirates’ flights aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft allow additional cargo capacity for imports and exports, with the ability to uplift up to 20 tonnes of cargo per flight in the aircraft’s bellyhold.
Bangkok, 20 January 2025: BWHHotels, the leading global hospitality network comprised of WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, has continued its rapid expansion in Bangkok with the opening of SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, a modern hotel in the trendy Ari district of the Thai capital.
It is close to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market and within easy reach of Bangkok’s commercial centre. Located in a quiet residential street steps from the main Phahonyothin Road and a short walk from Saphan Kwai BTS Skytrain station, this newly rebranded hotel puts visitors in the heart of this vibrant district. Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of Asia’s largest markets with more than 15,000 stalls, is approximately 2 km away, and the downtown Siam district, with its world-class lifestyle malls, can be reached in only six Skytrain stops. The property is conveniently situated for all guests, as local restaurants and shops surround it. SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak is close to the ViMUT International Hospital. Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport is just 19 km away.
SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak features 157 contemporary rooms, an outdoor swimming pool with serene relaxation areas, a fitness centre, a speciality coffee roaster and eatery, and an on-site restaurant for breakfast.
“I am delighted to unveil SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, our latest hotel in Thailand’s dynamic capital city. This newly rebranded hotel demonstrates the strength of SureStay Hotels by providing an opportunity for independent properties to leverage the power of an international brand,” said BWH Hotels Vice President – APAC Olivier Berrivin.
“This modern hotel offers business and leisure travellers the assurance of an exceptional stay, backed by the renowned standards of BWH Hotels. Plus, Best Western Rewards members, our award-winning loyalty programme, can enjoy exclusive benefits and earn points”.
With the launch of SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, BWH Hotels now offers a comprehensive portfolio of 14 hotels in Bangkok, covering seven of its industry-leading brands: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Vīb, SureStay by Best Western, SureStay Plus by Best Western, SureStay Collection by Best Western, and WorldHotels Elite. This makes it one of the city’s leading hotel operators.
BANGKOK, 20 January 2025: Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group that owns and operates hotels, resorts and residences in 57 countries, has signed an agreement with Sichuan Dexinhousheng Enterprise Management Co Ltd to develop Anantara Xiling Snow Mountain Chengdu Resort.
Slated to open in October 2025, Anantara’s first property in Sichuan province, China, will offer a host of nature-based experiences in the heart of Western Sichuan’s Golden Tourist Route.
Located in Dayi County, an hour’s drive from Chengdu city, the 111-key luxury resort will leverage the unique national and cultural assets of the National 5A Tourist Attraction-designated area, the highest distinction awarded by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Surrounded by pristine nature, the resort is close to world-class ski runs at Xiling Snow Mountain (the distance between Dayi County and Xiling Snow Mountain is 24.5 km) and the therapeutic benefits of the ancient Huashuiwan Hot Springs. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a 20-minute drive from the resort.
Anantara Xiling Snow Mountain Chengdu Resort is the third resort to launch in China under the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand after Anantara Guiyang Resort in 2017 and Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort in 2013.
MADRID, 20 January 2025: The 45th edition of FITUR, the curtain raiser for the annual European travel mart calendar, takes place in Madrid from 22 to 26 January, with Brazil showcasing as the partner country.
The show organiser, IFEMA Madrid, estimates 9,500 travel and hospitality companies from 156 companies and 884 exhibitors will join the show.
Attendance projections suggest 150,000 professionals will gather at the show from Wednesday to Friday, with an additional 100,000 travel consumers visiting over the weekend. Overall, the show is estimated to generate an economic impact of EUR445 million for Madrid, positively affecting transportation, hotels, gastronomy, culture, and entertainment sectors. After a year of post-pandemic recovery in 2024, FITUR is again defined by growth — a 10% overall increase in attendance and a 19% rise in international representation. The global focus is evident in the 101 official country representations — five more than in the previous edition — and the addition of 11 new countries joining FITUR 2025, primarily from Africa and Asia.
The Travel Technology area has grown by 6%, showcasing global trends in tourism booking technologies and featuring over 100 companies worldwide.
Among the highlights for 2025 is Brazil’s participation as a Partner Country, with a significant presence to showcase its diverse tourism offerings and strengthen its global positioning. According to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism and Embratur, 2024 was a record year for international tourism, with 6,657,377 foreign visitors, a 12.6% increase from the previous year.
GURUGRAM, 20 January 2025: Air India will introduce daily flights on 1 February from its Delhi hub to Bhuj, a city located in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, complementing its daily flights between Mumbai and Bhuj.
Photo credit: Wikipedia. Bhujia Fort is a fort located on the outskirts of the town of Bhuj in the district of Kutch, Gujarat, India.
The new service offers travellers from Bhuj one-stop connections via Delhi to other parts of India and points in North America, the UK, and Southeast Asia.
The flights can be booked through all channels, including Air India’s official website (www.airindia.com), mobile app, and travel agents.
Visitor attraction in Bhuj
Bhuj is a city located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. It is known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. This region is known for its unique geographical features, such as the Great Rann of Kutch, a vast salt marsh that transforms into a glistening white desert during the dry season. Here are some of its top visitor attractions.
Prag Mahal: This magnificent palace, built in the 19th century, blends Indian and European architectural styles. It houses a museum showcasing the history of Kutch.
Aina Mahal: Also known as the “Mirror Palace,” this palace is adorned with intricate mirror work. It is a beautiful example of Kutchi craftsmanship.
Kutch Museum: This museum houses a collection of artefacts and exhibits showcasing the history and culture of the Kutch region.
Bhujia Hill and Fort: This hill offers panoramic views of the city and is home to a fort that houses a Jain temple.
Mata no Madh: This ancient temple is dedicated to the goddess Ashapura and is a popular pilgrimage site.
White Desert: A vast expanse of white sand dunes.
Kutch Fossil Park: This park is home to various fossils, including dinosaur eggs.
Kutch Embroidery and Handicrafts: Bhuj is famous for its traditional embroidery and handicrafts, making great souvenirs.
Bhuj is situated in the westernmost part of India, in the state of Gujarat. It lies approximately 800 km (500 miles) west-northwest of Delhi.
SINGAPORE, 20 January 2025: Travellers worldwide are preparing to snatch up the best deals from cruise lines, but with thousands of destinations to consider, it can be tricky to narrow down the ideal destination for your next cruise.
To help those choosing their next destination, InsureMyTrip created a study analysing 52 cruise destinations to determine the safest for travellers.
The study analyses several factors, including the number of safety incidents reported on a cruise ship, the rating of local hospitals, the average sea temperature and the crime index.
Dubai in the UAE is the safest city for a cruise stopover, with an overall score of 7.86. Belize City in Belize is the lowest-ranked city in the study, with an overall score of 3.68.
Dubai tops the list of the safest cruise destinations for travellers, welcoming more than 280,000 cruise passengers in 2024. It excels in the study with an overall score of 7.86. It stands out for its decisive safety factors. Two safety incidents were recorded in a year, while its hospitals are also highly rated (4.3/5). The crime index in the city is also low (16.2/100).
Dubai is ideal for those looking to keep busy during their cruise stopover, with more than 3,000 tours available. Warm average sea temperatures also contribute to its high ranking.
Phuket, Thailand, ranks second with an overall score of 6.67. This tropical island destination is incredibly popular for tourists seeking a warm, beachy vacation, with around 13 million tourists visiting the Thai island in 2024. Phuket ranks highly in the study thanks to its warm sea temperature, highly rated restaurants (4.57/5), and low safety incidents (2). However, Phuket misses the top spot in the study because of its higher crime rate (41.7/100).
The top five safest destinations for cruises are as follows:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 7.86 overall
Phuket, Thailand – 6.67 overall
Roatán Island, Honduras – 6.22 overall
Funchal, Portugal – 5.63 overall
Cartagena, Columbia – 5.51 overall
At the opposite end of the study, Belize City, on the Central American island of Belize, received an overall score of 3.68. This is partly due to the high number of safety incidents reported on cruise ships at the destination. In one year, 10 safety incidents were reported. A high crime index (67.9/100) and low-rated hospitals (3.9/5) also contributed to this island destination’s low score. However, it was recently announced that the city has begun work on a new port to accommodate more cruise ships, indicating that the destination has grand plans to boost its tourism industry.
Hamburg, Germany and Loreto, Mexico, also secured low scores. Hamburg has an overall score of 3.9, while Loreto scores 3.98. Hamburg fared poorly in part due to cold average sea temperatures (43.2°F) and lower-rated hospitals (3.6/5). While Loreto was ranked slightly higher, its hospital ratings (3.26/5) and lack of available tours (12) contributed to its low score.
For travellers particularly concerned with safety, it’s worth noting that Cozumel, Mexico, recorded the highest number of safety incidents on cruise ships. From December 2023 to November 2024, 12 safety incidents were reported on cruise ships at this destination. These include the death of crew or passengers onboard the ship, Coast Guard medevacs, and boat rescues.
InsureMyTrip Director of Marketing Sara Boisvert commented on the findings: “Safety is a big concern for travellers, especially cruisers visiting multiple destinations on the same trip…This study is important to save travellers time and stress”.
SINGAPORE, 20 January 2025: The Italian airline ITA Airways is officially the newest member of the Lufthansa Group after the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Europe’s leading aviation group announced the conclusion of the share transaction process and approval on 18 January.
Lufthansa Group acquired a 41% stake in the Italian airline ITA Airways, with the MEF continuing to hold 59% after the two parties reached an agreement in May 2023 that Deutsche Lufthansa AG would acquire a minority stake of 41% in ITA Airways.
Photo credit: Lufthansa Group.
Following that agreement, the European Commission recently approved the participation by approving the remedies on 29 November 2024. Other competition authorities outside the EU have since approved the participation.
The first step of the investment was implemented on Saturday using a capital increase of EUR325 million. Options for acquiring the remaining shares in ITA Airways have been agreed upon between the Lufthansa Group and MEF and can be exercised starting this year. With Saturday’s transaction, ITA Airways is part of the Lufthansa Group and will be the Group’s fifth network airline.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr said: “With our investment, we will now strengthen the Italian and European aviation market and the position of the Lufthansa Group as number one in Europe. Our joint passengers worldwide will benefit from improved offers and optimised connections as early as this upcoming summer flight schedule.”
Italy will become a further “home market” for the Lufthansa Group. The country is already the company’s second most important international market after the USA, outside the existing home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium.
Rome Fiumicino Airport will be the sixth and southernmost Lufthansa Group hub. Milan-Linate, a metropolitan airport in the economically strong northern Italy region with the second largest catchment area in the EU, will play a prominent role in the group.
Timely integration
ITA Airways will be retained as a strong brand and developed further. With Saturday’s transaction closing, the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways can conclude the first cooperation agreements for their passengers.
In a few weeks, ITA Airways frequent flyers will be able to collect their points or miles either in ITA Airways’ existing “Volare” program or already in Miles & More, the Lufthansa Group’s loyalty program. In addition, Miles & More participants can earn and redeem miles on ITA Airways flights. Further collaboration will follow, such as joint codeshare connections, mutual use of the respective lounges, and the planned admission to the Star Alliance aviation alliance.
ITA Airways (IATA flight code AZ) is a young airline that has been growing since it started operations in 2021. Its modern, environmentally friendly Airbus fleet currently numbers 99 aircraft, including 22 long-haul Airbus A350-900, Airbus A330-900neo and A330-200 aircraft. ITA Airways flies to almost 70 destinations around the world. The airline’s home base is Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate airport. In 2024, the airline welcomed around 18 million passengers aboard its aircraft.
Joerg Eberhart (54) has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ITA Airways. He is also a managing member of the Italian airline’s Board of Directors, which is based in Rome. In this role, Eberhart will take over the tasks previously performed by Antonino Turicchi and Andrea Benassi in the interim.
Lorenza Maggio (47) will become a member of the ITA Airways board of directors and take over the position of “Chief Strategy and Integration Officer” (CSIO). In this position, Maggio will manage the airline’s strategic development and be responsible for its integration into the Lufthansa Group.
Michael Trestl (39) will be responsible for the holistic integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group as “ITA Implementation Officer” and will transfer from Austrian Airlines to the group headquarters in Frankfurt for this purpose. Trestl has been an Austrian Airlines Executive Board member and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) since 2021.
“I am delighted that we can appoint two executives from our ranks to manage ITA Airways: Joerg Eberhart and Lorenza Maggio,” said Spohr. “With their extensive experience and expertise, they will continue ITA Airways’ successful course and quickly integrate the airline into the Lufthansa Group. Michael Trestl, an experienced airline manager, will take over the integration task in the group.”
The Lufthansa Group will provide further information at a press conference in Rome on 3 February 2025.
