Travelport is the first Global Distribution System (GDS) partner of US-Bangla Airlines and as part of the agreement, will provide agency customers access to the airline’s content via Travelport+, Travelport’s next-generation travel retailing platform.

US-Bangla Airlines managing director Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun commented: “We have been extremely impressed with the collaborative spirit and flexibility demonstrated by Travelport. We are confident Travelport+ will provide US-Bangla Airlines and agencies the highest quality air content retailing experience.”

As travel industry recovery in Bangladesh is reaching pre-pandemic levels, this new relationship solidifies the value of modern, indirect channel retailing for airlines and agencies alike. Travelport agencies will benefit from seamless access to US-Bangla Airlines content, further enabling them to provide the most valuable, relevant offers for their travellers. 

Travelport head of Air Partners Asia Pacific  Sue Carter added: “This strategic partnership will provide both airlines and travellers with more attractive and customized offers, helping airlines to match traveller preferences with tailor-made bundles…we look forward to delivering great value for US-Bangla Airlines travellers and the agency community.”

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HKIA handled 170,000 passengers in May, representing a year-on-year increase of 186.1%, although passenger volume remained significantly lower than the pre-pandemic levels.

Cargo throughput and flight movements recorded 365,000 tonnes and 10,440, respectively, representing 9.7% and 4.0% decreases compared to the same month in 2021.

The rise in passengers during the month was driven primarily by visitor and Hong Kong resident traffic growth following the relaxation of inbound travel measures. Passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia experienced the most significant increases.

The continuing geopolitical tensions in Europe and disruptions to global supply chains caused by the pandemic led to the overall decline in cargo volume. Exports decreased by 15% year on year. Cargo traffic to and from key trading regions in Europe and North America registered the most significant drops.

Over the year’s first five months, passenger volume increased by 84.5% to 547,000. Cargo throughput and flight movements dropped by 8.0% and 1.5% to 1.8 million tonnes and 50,975, respectively.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger and cargo volume increased by 80.7% and 4.3% to 1.6 million and 4.9 million tonnes, respectively. Flight movements rose by 12.3% to 144,020.

Meanwhile, AAHK received the Grand Award at the Customer Service Excellence Awards and eight other recognitions across various categories offered by the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence.

Multiple distinctions were given to AAHK’s initiatives ranging from innovative projects to outstanding team and individual efforts.

AAHK executive director of airport operations Vivian Cheung said: “We are honoured to receive these awards, which reflect our staff’s caring attitude and dedication to meeting our passengers’ needs. I am also delighted that our innovations in passenger services are being recognised. We will continue to enhance the passenger experience by providing professional and high-quality services at HKIA.”

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A media statement from Changi Airport said it was “another significant milestone as part of post-pandemic recovery initiatives”.

FY3124 departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to Seletar Airport with 59 passengers on board, including Firefly’s chief executive officer, Philip See. They were welcomed by Changi Airport Group executive vice president, Airport Management Tan Lye Teck.

Firefly started flights to Seletar in April 2019 and suspended them in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

With the resumption of scheduled flights, the airline will operate twice-daily Kuala Lumpur-Singapore services from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to Seletar Airport.

“This recommencement has become one of the highlights for Firefly this year, especially after the last flight in March 2020. Singapore has become one of the important destinations for us, connecting leisure and business passengers. Hence, this recommencement will be able to connect passengers from both countries whilst enhancing the economy via the tourism industry”, said Firefly CEO Philip See.

To prepare for the resumption of scheduled flights, Changi Airport Group, which manages Seletar Airport, has conducted multiple operational trials and system tests with Seletar’s airport partners. Airport staff also participated in refresher training sessions and briefings on operational and safety requirements to prepare them to serve passengers. CAG has engaged taxi companies to raise awareness of Firefly’s resumption of flights. Taxi drivers that make the trip to Seletar Airport to pick up passengers will also enjoy complimentary coffee and tea in June.

All Firefly passengers travelling to and from Seletar gain a 20kg complimentary baggage allowance, fast check-in and boarding and complimentary in-flight refreshments onboard.

Passengers travelling must be fully vaccinated and comply with all standard operating procedures (SOP) set by both countries before booking. International flights are subject to local government and regulatory approval.

Since the reopening of Malaysia’s borders and relaxation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP), Firefly has increased flights to several destinations in the country and will reinstate more international flights.

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The airline will expand its current five weekly flights to daily, providing fully vaccinated travellers with more options to visit Bangkok, Thailand.

Starting Monday, Jetstar Asia increased services between Singapore and Denpasar from five to daily as more travellers are booking trips to Bali.

As travel restrictions ease across the region, Jetstar, in collaboration with third-party technology company Sherpa, has introduced an interactive global map on jetstar.com to help travellers access the most up-to-date information as they navigate Covid-19-related travel restrictions and requirements.

The colour-coded map shows which destinations are open to visitors and the latest information on entry requirements, including Covid-19 testing and quarantine measures.

Jetstar Asia CEO Bara Pasupathi said: “Overseas business trips, international holidays and visiting family and friends abroad are back on our customer’s agenda”. Jetstar’s Fly Flexible policy offers customers who book flights before 30 June 2022 a ‘fee free’ date change when travelling before 31 August 2023. Jetstar also extended credit vouchers for use until at least 31 December 2022 for flights up to the end of 2023.

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