SINGAPORE, 26 February 2026: Zurich Cover‑More, a leading travel insurance and assistance provider and part of Zurich Insurance Group, has announced the appointment of Jon Ford as Head of Asia and Tricia Lim as Head of Commercial Operations and Delivery, Asia.
Ford, who is currently Head of Partnerships for Zurich APAC, will retain his existing role while taking on the additional responsibility of leading Zurich Cover-More’s Asia travel division.
Photo credit: Zurich Cover-More. Jon Ford as Head of Asia.
Based in Singapore, he will work with Matthew Reilly, Chief Operating Officer, Zurich APAC, and Donna Dorairajoo, Head of International, Zurich Cover‑More.
With more than 25 years of global business experience, Ford has held leadership roles across insurance, technology and consulting. He will lead Zurich Cover‑More’s sustainable growth agenda and partnership development across key Asian markets.
Previously, he was Vice President & Regional Head of Partnership Distribution with Chubb in Asia Pacific and, before that, led strategic regional partnerships for Accenture and Navitaire across Asia Pacific. He has worked with Zurich APAC since 2022.
Tricia Lim, Head of Commercial Operations and Delivery, Asia.
New Head of Commercial Operations and Delivery, Asia, Tricia Lim, will work with Ford to grow Zurich Cover-More’s travel business in Asia. She has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and travel industry and has been with Travel Guard in Asia for the past two-plus years.
In this role, she will take on expanded responsibilities, focusing on operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and platform and partnerships delivery across the region. She will ensure the maintenance of high standards of customer service and business continuity, and the sustainable scaling of operations for future growth.
These appointments reflect Zurich Cover-More’s commitment to growing the group’s travel business in Asia following the establishment of Zurich Cover-More as Zurich Group’s global travel business in late 2024 after Zurich acquired AIG’s Travel Guard business.
Zurich Cover-More is one of the world’s largest travel insurance and assistance providers and part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer. Its family of customer-facing brands include Travel Guard, Cover-More Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance, Universal Assistance, World Travel Protection, Freely and Blue Insurance.
HONG KONG, 26 February 2026: Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried a combined 3.3 million passengers in January 2026, an 11% increase compared with January 2025, while available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased by 14%, the Cathay Group reported in its latest traffic data for January released on Tuesday.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “As a Group, we have made a solid start to 2026 with momentum from the robust year-end travel peak sustaining into early January.
Photo credit: Cathay Group.
She added: “Our solid start to the year has continued in February. On 14 February 2026, both Cathay Pacific and the Cathay Group achieved new single-day passenger records. Cathay Pacific surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time in its history, carrying 100,747 passengers onboard. Together with HK Express, we carried a combined total of around 128,000 passengers.”
Cathay Pacific
The airline saw robust demand in early January, driven by outbound student traffic and travellers returning from the year-end holiday season. This was followed by a strong rebound in business travel, with load factor for our premium cabins exceeding January 2025 levels. The airline also experienced a significant increase in transit traffic as it added frequencies across its network, further strengthening the connectivity of the Hong Kong international aviation hub.
“The Lunar New Year holidays in February have just passed, and we saw robust leisure traffic as customers across Asia took advantage of the extended holiday period. Looking ahead to Easter, travel demand remains robust. We anticipate bookings to accelerate as more customers book closer to their departure dates,” Lau commented on current traffic trends.
Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo carried 5% more cargo in January 2026 than in January 2025, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 3%.
“Looking ahead, we expect demand to pick up again in the rest of the first quarter after a softer period over the extended Lunar New Year holidays. Lau forecast.
HK Express
HK Express carried more than 710,000 passengers in January 2026, an increase of 8% year on year, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) grew by 13%.
In January, HK Express continued to record passenger growth supported by solid load factors on its South Korea and Thailand routes. Looking at February and March, bookings remain healthy on the back of strong growth in travel demand to the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia.
“Notably, on 20 February 2026, HK Express achieved a new single-day record, surpassing 30,000 passengers carried onboard for the very first time,” Lau concluded.
SINGAPORE, 25 February 2026: Fusion Hotel Group has announced the signing of a long-term hotel management agreement with Tropical Corporation last week to develop a new full-service wellness‑focused resort on Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam.
Under this partnership, Tropical Corporation will develop its beachfront site under the Fusion Resort brand, featuring 51 villas and 158 rooms, along with a wide range of facilities which include an all‑day dining venue, speciality restaurants and bars, meeting and event facilities, a kids’ club, Maia spa, an infinity swimming pool and a dedicated beach club.
Photo credit: Fusion. Christopher Hur (left), Chief Executive Officer of Fusion Hotel Group, shakes hands with Tran Van Son, Chairman of Tropical Corporation.
Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is situated on Bai Truong beach, one of the island’s premier beachfront locations and close to Phu Quoc International Airport.
Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is poised to become a key destination for events, international gatherings, and wellness‑oriented travel, offering guests a balanced, rejuvenating experience by the sea.
At the signing ceremony, Tropical Corporation Chairman Tran Van Son said: “Both parties are united by a commitment to quality, sustainability, and the creation of lasting added value for the project.” He also noted the strong growth of the wellness resort segment in Phu Quoc, widely recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s leading resort destinations.
Fusion Hotel Group Chief Executive Officer Christopher Hur added: “We are delighted to partner with Tropical Corporation and to return to Phu Quoc with this landmark project. It represents an important milestone in Fusion’s expansion strategy and reaffirms our commitment to establishing a strong presence in wellness-oriented hospitality across Vietnam and other strategic tourism destinations.”
About Fusion Fusion is a leader of wellness-inspired hospitality brands in Vietnam, managing 23 properties in Vietnam and Thailand and expanding to open new hotels and resorts in the region.
DUBAI, 25 February 2026: In a successful first, the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction have raised AED8.8 million (USD2.4 million) to advance humanitarian programmes for underprivileged children worldwide.
The two-month auction, which recently closed, generated over 900 bids from participants across 131 countries. Seven rare Emirates Skywards membership numbers with Platinum-tier status benefits were offered to bidders worldwide, with the highest single bid reaching AED1.6 million over the one-month bidding period. Two bidders secured 20-year Platinum memberships, while five others won 15-year memberships. Top bidders hailed from the UAE, UK, India, the US, Pakistan, France, Germany, Egypt and Thailand, among other countries.
Funds raised will enable the Foundation to launch new projects, while expanding support for the children and communities already benefiting from its existing programmes in collaboration with 14 NGOs across nine countries.
Following the success of the initiative, the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction will continue to hold annual auction events, creating an ongoing opportunity for supporters worldwide to contribute to the Foundation’s mission.
Emirates Airline President and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Foundation, Sir Tim Clark, said: “When we brought this initiative to life in December, we were guided by a simple objective to look at new, innovative ways to grow the Foundation’s humanitarian work and impact. What made this initiative so compelling wasn’t just the exclusivity of the membership numbers, but the value and prestige that come with Platinum status. Bidders recognised that, and they showed up. The response was extraordinary and a testament to the generosity of our global community of Skywards members and bidders.
“The proceeds will allow us to do more, partner with more organisations, reach new communities, and strengthen the programmes already changing the lives of hundreds of children across India, the Philippines, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond. For the children at the heart of our work, this generosity will make a real and lasting difference.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Emirates Auction as an annual initiative, giving supporters around the world a meaningful way to contribute while receiving something of real value in return, proving that loyalty and generosity can work hand in hand.”
About the Emirates Airline Foundation
Operating under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Emirates Airline Foundation is Emirates’ official charity arm, providing vulnerable children with housing, healthcare, nutrition, education, and vocational support.
Funded by Emirates customers and employees, the Foundation has completed more than 50 projects, with nearly all donations going directly to programmes.
Current Projects (14 NGOs across nine countries):
India: Emirates-CHES Home (37 children living with HIV/AIDS); IIMPACT Girls Education Project (5,000 girls across 11 states)
Sri Lanka: Prithipura Communities (250 individuals with disabilities receiving care, education, and vocational training)
Zimbabwe: St. Marcellin’s Children’s Village (56 orphaned children, including those with disabilities and HIV)
South Africa: Singakwenza Education and Health (1,000 children in early childhood education); Fikelela Children’s Centre (40 children affected by HIV/AIDS)
Kenya: Little Prince Nursery and Primary School (Kibera slums); Alfajiri Street Kids (200+ children in art therapy programs); Starehe Boys’ Centre (four-year scholarships for academically talented boys)
Philippines: Virlanie Foundation (housing and protection for abused, exploited, and orphaned children)
Brazil: Saint Rita de Cassia Orphanage (orphaned girls aged 4-12); Externato São Francisco de Assis (day school for underprivileged children)
UAE: SAFE Centre for Autism (innovative curriculum for students aged 4-18)
Bangladesh: Emirates Friendship Hospital (medical care to over 650,000 people in isolated areas)
About Emirates Auction
Emirates Auction LLC is the UAE’s leading auction house and a pioneer in the region’s asset auction industry. Established in 2004, the company has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and operational excellence across a wide range of auction categories, including vehicles, real estate, distinctive number plates, exclusive watches, medical equipment, industrial assets, and charitable auctions.
Through its advanced digital platforms and extensive nationwide presence, Emirates Auction enables thousands of bidders to participate in real time from anywhere in the world. The company holds multiple Guinness World Records for record-breaking sales of high-value assets, real estate, and marine vessels, reinforcing its position as a global leader in premium and high-profile auctions.
Emirates Auction partners with leading government institutions, private sector organisations, and charitable foundations to advance initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation, and social development across the UAE.
With a shared commitment to excellence and social responsibility, Emirates Auction continues to collaborate with national institutions such as the Emirates Airline Foundation to create meaningful opportunities that benefit the wider community and reflect the UAE’s enduring spirit of leadership and generosity.
For more information on the airline: Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents, as well as Emirates’ retail stores. WeChat Pay is available on emirates.com.
SINGAPORE, 25 February 2026: Beyond Green, a global community of bold leaders advancing sustainable travel, today announced that it has joined the Travalyst Coalition as the newest accommodation industry partner.
Travalyst, an independent not‑for‑profit, mobilises the travel sector to deliver consistent, credible, and open‑access sustainability data that empowers travellers, businesses, and destinations to make more informed decisions.
Through multi‑stakeholder collaboration, the coalition works to accelerate impact‑led change and advance a shared vision for a net‑zero, equitable, and nature‑positive future.
Beyond Green joins the coalition as an accommodation partner, bringing the collective perspectives, leadership, and real‑world impact of its member hotels — each uniquely advancing sustainable travel within their destinations.
Representing a diverse portfolio of independently owned and operated properties, Beyond Green strengthens the accommodation sector’s voice within Travalyst, helping ensure that emerging tools, data models, and solutions reflect the realities of hotels across scales, regions, and operational contexts. Through this partnership, Beyond Green will also participate in Travalyst’s working groups, policy discussions, and knowledge‑sharing forums, helping shape industry‑wide solutions while keeping its member hotels informed of evolving sustainability guidance and regulatory trends.
“At Beyond Green, we believe that great travel experiences should also be good for the planet,” said Beyond Green President Philipp Weghmann. “By joining the Travalyst Coalition, we are strengthening our commitment to transparency and helping ensure that travellers everywhere have access to credible sustainability information. Together with Travalyst and our fellow partners, we look forward to shaping tools and frameworks that support hotels of all sizes while empowering travellers to make informed, responsible choices.”
“We are delighted to welcome Beyond Green to the Travalyst Coalition,” said Travalyst CEO Julie Cheetham. “Their ambition to empower travellers and the industry to make informed choices that benefit both people and planet aligns strongly with our mission at Travalyst. By working closely with Beyond Green and gaining valuable insight into the needs of their member properties, this partnership will support the work of our coalition to continue to scale credible, compliant and consistent sustainability data across the accommodation sector and beyond.”
Travalyst has recently launched its new Data Hub to bring greater consistency and transparency to sustainability data across the travel and tourism sector. Starting with accommodation, future iterations of the Data Hub will expand to rail, destinations, and data from other verticals in the industry.
Together, Beyond Green and the Travalyst Coalition are advancing the industry’s commitment to responsible tourism, creating pathways for travellers, accommodations, and destinations to contribute meaningfully to people and the planet.
About Beyond Green Beyond Green is a global community of bold leaders advancing sustainable travel. Operated by Preferred Travel Group, the brand includes Beyond Green Hotels, a portfolio of rigorously vetted member hotels, resorts, lodges, and unique accommodations evaluated against more than 100 sustainability indicators aligned with global standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Beyond Green Consulting, which provides strategic advisory services to destinations, hospitality brands, and mission-aligned organisations to build and scale sustainability frameworks, strengthen storytelling, and design regenerative travel experiences.
About Travalyst Travalyst is an independent not-for-profit entity working to change the way the world travels — for good. Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a global coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology: Amadeus, BCD, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Mastercard, Pitchup.com, Sabre, Skyscanner, The Travel Corporation, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa. Travalyst mobilises the industry to provide trusted information at scale, empowering better decision-making and accelerating impact-led change. For more information, visit: Travalyst.
BANGKOK, 25 February 2026: AirAsia brings back its ‘BIG SALE’ campaign featuring base fares for free*, alongside massive discounts of up to 80% across its extensive domestic and international network.
Promotional seats are on sale until 1 March 2026 for travel from 1 June 2026 until 27 March 2027, via the AirAsia website or MOVE app.
Photo credit: AirAsia. Big sale flies ZERO BAHT* fares.
The centrepiece of the ‘BIG SALE’ is the airline’s signature ZERO THB* base fare on Thai AirAsia (flight code FD). Domestically, guests can fly directly from Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports to cultural hubs and destinations such as Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. It also includes convenient cross-regional routes connecting cities like Phuket and Udon Thani.
For international explorers, these zero-baht fares unlock some of Asia’s most vibrant cities. Travellers can enjoy direct flights from Don Mueang to exciting destinations such as Da Nang, Singapore, Taipei, Kathmandu, Macau, and Johor Bahru, making international travel more accessible than ever.
Beyond the zero-baht routes, the campaign slashes prices across all seats and flights for both Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X (XJ). Travellers can discover discounts of up to 80% on flights to domestic destinations, including Khon Kaen and Roi Et, as well as the southern coastlines of Ranong and Narathiwat.
Those eyeing international getaways can enjoy up to 60% off flights to destinations like Nha Trang, Chongqing, and Vientiane. Meanwhile, long-haul dreamers can save up to 20% on flights to popular medium-haul destinations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Shanghai, and the breathtaking landscapes of Almaty. To elevate the journey, guests who bundle their flights with a Value Pack — featuring a hot in-flight meal, travel insurance, and standard seat selection — will enjoy an additional 30% discount on those add-ons.
As AirAsia celebrates 25 years of operations — having flown nearly a billion guests worldwide — this network-wide promotion stands as a testament to the airline’s enduring mission: making air travel inclusive, affordable, and spectacular for all.
*Promotional fares are limited and may not be available on all flights or during public holidays and peak periods. The ZERO THB base fare excludes airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees.
SINGAPORE, 25 February 2026: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Spanish Airline Association (ALA) have called for an annual reduction of 4.9% (excluding inflation) in Spanish airport charges over the next five years (2027–2031), a level compatible with maintaining an airport investment plan of nearly EUR10 billion over the same period, and enhancing Spain’s economic competitiveness.
AENA, the operator of most airports in Spain, has proposed an annual increase of 3.8% (excluding inflation) for the five years covered by the Third Airport Regulation Document (DORA III).
Airlines reject this proposal, citing AENA’s consistent underestimation of traffic growth and the excessive regulated returns it has earned during previous regulatory periods.
Between 2017 and 2025, excluding the two pandemic years, actual passenger traffic was on average 15.3% higher than the forecasts set out in DORA I and DORA II. This gap between forecasts and actual figures resulted in AENA earning EUR1.3 billion in excess regulated returns, costs that were ultimately borne by airlines and consumers. In the most recent year for which published data is available, AENA’s regulated return in 2024 reached 10.2%—four percentage points above its expected return—meaning that nearly EUR400 million was overpaid by airlines and passengers in that year alone.
“AENA has gamed the regulatory system for years, earning millions of euros more than it should have, at the expense of passengers, airlines, and the Spanish economy. This must stop. AENA has generated excessive returns through a creative approach to forecasting, and its request for further increases is absurd. If granted, it would deliver the highest regulated return of any comparable airport operator in Europe. This is unsustainable and unrealistic — we need to see a reduction in charges,” said IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe, Rafael Schvartzman.
“Importantly, the proposed reductions in charges by IATA and ALA would not prevent AENA from delivering its planned EUR10 billion investment program during DORA III. According to separate studies commissioned from global consultancies Steer and CEPA, passenger traffic will grow by around 3.6% per year on average, compared with AENA’s forecast of just 1.3% annually. Under these assumptions, AENA would still be able to fully fund its investment plan while earning a return on capital of 6.35% — a more generous return than it was intended to earn under DORA II.
About ALA ALA, the Spanish Airline Association, is the leading association in the Spanish aviation sector. The 72 airlines that are members of ALA transported just over 273 million passengers out of a total of 321 million in 2025, representing 85% of all air travellers in Spain.
BANGKOK, 25 February 2026: Thailand’s hotel industry has expanded almost continuously for close to five decades since the Visit Thailand* boom in the 80’s. The latest Asia Pacific construction pipeline data confirms that this trend remains firmly in place.
Across the region (excluding China), hotel development reached a record 2,323 projects with 433,241 rooms by the end of Q4 2025. Within this total, Thailand recorded 167 active projects comprising 43,067 rooms, reinforcing its position as one of Asia’s most competitive hotel markets.
Bangkok’s famous Chao Phraya River is a magnet for new developments
At the city level, Bangkok leads the region with 68 projects and 16,641 rooms in the pipeline, followed by Phuket with 41 projects and 9,583 rooms. These are not emerging destinations — they are already dense, highly competitive markets where new supply adds pressure incrementally rather than dramatically.
What the numbers are telling operators
On their own, these figures reflect confidence. Taken together, they signal constraint.
Each year, new hotels open in markets where demand is growing but not accelerating as quickly as supply. Even when international arrivals recover, additional room stock spreads demand more thinly across competing properties.
Industry performance data from sources such as STR, alongside regional construction pipeline research, consistently shows that in mature urban and resort markets, supply growth is now outpacing demand growth in many non-peak periods.
The practical consequences are familiar to operators:
• Occupancy becomes harder to defend outside high season
• Average daily rate growth slows as pricing power weakens
• Distribution and marketing costs rise as competition intensifies
In simple terms, more rooms are competing for broadly similar demand, particularly in the mid-scale, upscale, and upper-midscale segments, where differentiation is limited.
Oversupply: Not everywhere, but increasingly visible
This does not imply imminent distress. It does, however, point to structural oversupply in certain locations and segments.
When supply growth consistently outpaces demand growth, hotels often maintain occupancy through discounting, value-adds, or higher commission rates. Over time, this erodes rate integrity and compresses margins, extending recovery cycles after softer trading periods.
Pattaya’s ever-changing profile is set to take a major boost with the development of Aquatique Pattaya, a mega water park and integrated destination project with investment topping THB100 billion.
Pattaya’s hotel room inventory is growing steadily, with hundreds to thousands of rooms expected to be added through 2027, including notable branded developments and large mixed-use tourism projects. This highlights that, like Bangkok and Phuket, Pattaya is experiencing material new supply, contributing to the broader competitive dynamics in Thailand’s hotel market.
Longer-range industry projections estimate that Pattaya’s hotel rooms might grow at an average annual rate of 2.2%, with over 5,700 new hotel rooms anticipated by the end of 27/28, including several sizeable new luxury projects.
• Major developments in the pipeline include the Aquatique Pattaya project by Asset World Corp (AWC), which is investing THB 100 billion in a landmark mixed-use destination on Central Pattaya’s Beach Road, near the Hard Rock Hotel. The project is anchored by the debut of Ritz-Carlton Pattaya, alongside a JW Marriott (398 rooms), Pattaya Marriott Marquis (900 rooms), and an Autograph Collection hotel (306 rooms), adding significant high-end supply to an already competitive market.
As supply continues to expand, performance will be shaped less by headline arrival numbers and more by how effectively hotels compete within an increasingly crowded field. The era when rising tourism lifted all boats has passed. What lies ahead rewards precision, discipline and clear differentiation — not scale alone.
The positive case for expansion
There is also a clear upside to continued development.
New hotel supply brings modern, internationally branded inventory, strengthening Thailand’s global competitiveness. It expands capacity for major events, conventions and incentive travel, and supports growth in luxury and upper-upscale segments aimed at higher-spending travellers.
In 2025 alone, the Asia Pacific added 334 new hotels and 50,002 rooms, with a further 338 hotels (67,317 rooms) expected in 2026 and 349 hotels (64,491 rooms) projected for 2027/8. Thailand is well-positioned to capture a meaningful share of this higher-quality inventory, particularly if air connectivity improves and long-haul demand continues to recover.
For strong operators, a more competitive market can also be cleansing — rewarding hotels with clear positioning, loyal customer bases and disciplined revenue strategies.
What lies ahead
Thailand’s hotel market is not shrinking — it is tightening.
After nearly five decades of sustained expansion, success will depend less on overall tourism growth and more on how intelligently individual hotels respond to rising competition. Location alone is no longer enough. Strategy, execution and differentiation now define performance.
Growth continues — but it increasingly rewards those who manage it well.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a long-time hospitality industry observer, writer and consultant with more than 37 years of experience living and working in Thailand. He has closely followed the evolution of the country’s hotel, tourism and investment landscape across multiple cycles of growth, oversupply, recovery and structural change.
A former hotel executive and advisor to hospitality owners and operators, he writes regularly on hotel development trends, market performance, tourism economics and competitive strategy in the Asia Pacific. His commentary draws on practical operating experience as well as long-term analysis of supply, demand and investor behaviour in mature and emerging markets.
Based in Thailand, Andrew J Wood is a frequent contributor to regional business and travel publications and is widely recognised for his clear, data-driven insights into the forces shaping Asia’s hotel industry.
* Thailand’s first major “Visit Thailand” type national tourism promotion campaign dates back to 1987, when the Tourism Authority of Thailand (the national tourism office) declared that year “Visit Thailand Year” to mark the 60th birthday of the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and launched a widespread international campaign to encourage travel to the kingdom. That initiative is widely regarded as the first concerted, formal tourism-promotion effort that set the tone for decades for destination marketing.
SINGAPORE, 25 February 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda, through its strategic partnerships arm Rocket Travel by Agoda, has teamed up with China Airlines, a Taiwan-based carrier, to launch a new hotel booking platform.
The new StayMiles platform enables China Airlines members and customers to book hotels globally and seamlessly earn and redeem miles, enhancing their travel rewards experience.
Photo credit: China Airlines.
The collaboration redefines China Airlines’ travel rewards by delivering customers a more seamless experience through expanded hotel bookings with flight services and strengthened loyalty.
As the sole digital travel partner, Rocket Travel by Agoda will manage the platform, guiding the complete customer journey from search and booking to customer service, while providing access to a comprehensive array of global properties. Every hotel booking through StayMiles allows travellers to earn miles, adding value to each trip.
“This partnership with China Airlines marks an exciting milestone, especially as travel loyalty evolves into more integrated and rewarding experiences. We’re appreciative of the trust in our ability to deliver robust, value-driven platforms and offer the best supply available today. Our tailored solutions empower members to earn and redeem miles effortlessly within a seamless booking environment,” said Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Rocket Travel by Agoda.
With StayMiles, China Airlines members can redeem hotel stays for as few as 1,000 miles using an intuitive slider, offering greater flexibility and control. Members can now earn up to 10,000 miles per night on local hotel stays and weekend getaways, making it easier to accumulate rewards beyond international flights and increasing overall program engagement.
China Airlines’ customers will be able to book hotels across key global markets, including Taiwan, North and Southeast Asia, North America, Canada, and Europe. By connecting members to over 600,000 hotels worldwide, the partnership underscores our commitment to broadening travel choices and enhancing the overall travel experience for loyalty programme members.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 25 February 2026: Vietnam Airlines will resume flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket on 2 April with four weekly flights served by an A321 configured with 184 seats.
The airline confirmed that scheduled flights would begin every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, as outlined in a timetable update distributed to travel agencies in Vietnam late January.
Past efforts to establish routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the popular holiday island in southern Thailand performed poorly due to what ticketing agents described as a slow pickup in traffic on the return sectors from Phuket to the two Vietnamese cities. The airline suspended flights during the post-COVID years.
Effective 2 April, the airline has confirmed a schedule through to the end of May, initially to test market response to its one-hour, 50-minute flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket. Round-trip fares start at USD199 according to a search of the Vietnam Airlines booking website.
Flight schedule
VN621 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1600 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 1750. VN620 departs Phuket (HKT) at 1845 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 2045.
Vietnam Airlines will go head-to-head with rival Vietjet, which also flies the Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket route, offering travellers daily services on an A321 with 212 seats. The round-trip fare on the route averages USD180 before competition increases with the arrival of Vietnam Airlines’ four weekly flights effective 2 April. This is a significant move as it breaks the current monopoly on the route, which has been served exclusively by VietJet Air for several years.
While Vietnam Airlines’ service is scheduled to begin on 2 April, availability on the airline’s booking website is not always reflected when searching for flights. Quite often, Phuket appears as a destination on the airline’s booking engine, but seats are not available for the direct flight option on one of the sectors. Or they only appear for dates much later at the end of the second quarter.
(Source: Vietnam Airlines plus additional reporting)
