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Scoot flies first Embraer to Thai destinations

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 8 May 2024: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), started operating its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft following a launch event on Tuesday at Singapore Changi Airport. 

Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. Chee Hong Tat presided over the event attended by aviation partners, as well as local and regional media. Guests got a first look at the E190-E2 aircraft interior, which includes 112 seats in a 2-2 single-class configuration, a standard seat pitch of 29”, and larger cabin windows. The E190-E2 is the industry’s quietest and most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft. 

(Left to Right): Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance  Chee Hong Tat and Scoot Chief Executive Officer Leslie Thng.

“Today’s launch of our first E190-E2 would not have been possible without the support of our partners and the unwavering commitment of all our staff to ensure a successful entry into service. The E190-E2, with its modern operating capabilities and fuel-efficient credentials, was a natural choice as we looked to grow Scoot’s fleet. We are confident that with this new-generation aircraft, we will continue to strengthen our presence in the region, enhance our connectivity to non-metro destinations and provide our customers with even more memorable travel experiences.” said Scoot Chief Executive Officer Leslie Thng.

The first E190-E2 took off on its inaugural flights to Krabi and Hat Yai on Tuesday. Famous for its coral reef vistas and breathtaking beaches, Krabi is an island paradise for customers seeking a respite from city life. Down south, Hat Yai is a modern and multicultural city with Thai, Chinese, and Malay influences, known for its night markets and street food.

The second E190-E2 aircraft has also arrived in Singapore and will begin flights shortly. The remaining seven aircraft will be delivered gradually through to the end of 2025.

As of 7 May 2024, Scoot flies to 67 destinations across 15 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. For more information on the Embraer E190-E2 flight schedules.

E190-E2 Flight Schedule

Emirates’ A350s serve nine cities

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 7 May 2024: Emirates announced Monday the first set of destinations to be served by its A350 aircraft, which will enter service in September 2024. 

With 10 new A350s expected to join the Emirates fleet by 31 March 2025, the airline plans to deploy its latest aircraft type to 9 destinations in the coming months, offering customers its latest signature cabin experiences.

These first 10 Emirates A350 aircraft will offer three cabin classes: 32 next-generation Business Class seats, 21 seats in Premium Economy, and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats. All of these aircraft are earmarked to serve short — to medium-haul cities on the Emirates network, with Bahrain as its inaugural destination.

As the first Emirates A350s begin entering the fleet, the airline will offer customers more opportunities to experience its highly acclaimed Premium Economy product and sample its next-generation Business Class cabins for the first time, particularly on short and medium-haul routes in the Middle East and GCC, West Asia and Europe.

Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial OfficerAdnan Kazim said: “The A350 will be a game-changer for Emirates, enabling us to serve regional points with superior operating efficiency and flexibility across the Middle East and GCC, West Asia and Europe. With the latest generation cabin products, including more of our sought-after Premium Economy to more cities, top-notch in-flight entertainment technologies, and an abundance of other customer-friendly features, the Emirates A350 builds on our long-standing commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky. Flying the A350 to nine cities in such a short span of time adds more premium cabin options and choice across geographies for our customers. It ensures we maintain our competitive edge and industry-leading position.”

Newly delivered aircraft sporting the airline’s latest cabins will roll into scheduled service to the following cities:

In the Middle East/GCC

  • Emirates will operate its first A350 to Bahrain on the daily EK839/840 service from 15 September. The frequency of the A350 services will progressively increase to cover two Bahrain services, with the second service starting on 1 November.
  • The first Emirates A350 will land in Kuwait on the daily EK853/854 service on 16 September.
  • Muscat’s daily EK866/867 will be served by the A350 from 1 December.

In West Asia

  • The Emirates A350 will be deployed on EK502/503 to Mumbai from 27 October.
  • Ahmedabad’s daily EK538/539 will be served by the A350 from 27 October.
  • Colombo’s fourth daily service EK654/655 will be served by the A350 from 01 January 2025.

In Europe

  • Lyon will be served daily with the Emirates A350 from 1 December.
  • Bologna will be served by the A350 from 1 December.
  • Edinburgh will rejoin the Emirates network from 4 November, operated by the A350. More details to follow soon.

Emirates will announce more destinations as new aircraft join its fleet in the coming months. Emirates flights to A350 destinations go on sale today and can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via travel agents.

Customers can look forward to the A350’s spacious and quiet cabin, high ceilings, expansive bin space and customised mood lighting designed to reduce fatigue and jet lag. Additional Emirates A350 seat features and other cabin details will be announced soon.

Emirates has 65 A350-900s on order, and all are carefully planned to support the airline’s future growth as well as Dubai’s D33 economic agenda set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade.

* Includes all flights planned to operate with A380, B777 and A350 aircraft equipped with Premium Economy

Bangkok lands a spot on digital nomad list

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Outranking every other city analysed, Dubai is the number one destination for digital nomads, according to the latest research from Instant Offices, but Bangkok topped the Asia only list.

Thailand’s capital was the only Southeast Asian city to appear in the global top 10 ranking out of 61 locations evaluated. Key factors considered included affordability, weather, broadband speed and lifestyle.

According to Instant Offices, advances in technology, remote working, and workplace culture mean that by 2035, a billion people could live and work as digital nomads.

Dubai 

Dubai in the UAE stands out as the number one destination for digital nomads, leading the top 10 list, followed by Lisbon, Portugal, in second place and Madrid, Spain, third. The United Arab Emirates has over 23,000 wi-fi hotspots and 230mbps average broadband speed. 

Having a reputation as an international business hub with excellent infrastructure, it also offers a special one-year Virtual Work Residency Visa. The climate attracts digital nomads worldwide, getting an annual average of 3,500 hours of sunshine. This makes it an excellent place to work from the beach.

Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal, ranks second with over 7,000 hotspots, an average broadband speed of 98mbps, a sunny climate, a vibrant food scene, and affordability. 

One of the sunniest places in Europe, the Portuguese coastal capital, is a food-lovers haven with local markets and freshly caught seafood.  

The city is ideal for enjoying the sun and surfing while working productively. A cappuccino in Lisbon costs just GBP1.66, and an Airbnb costs GBP115 a night. 

Madrid

Madrid ranks third for its affordability, robust infrastructure, and vibrant startup ecosystem, offering a balanced work-exploration experience. 

It blends affordability, robust infrastructure, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem. It also has a good reputation for safety, making it a prime destination for remote workers seeking a dynamic and convenient base with many coworking spaces and excellent connectivity. 

Spotlight on Asia

Bangkok is the highest-ranked Southeast Asian city on the list. It offers stunning local cuisine, fantastic street food markets, and over 15,000 wi-fi hotspots with an average broadband speed of 229mbps.

Other Asian business hubs, such as Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong, offer captivating travel experiences, scenery, food, stellar connectivity, infrastructure, and a manageable cost of living.

Day-to-day expenses in Asian cities can be very affordable for digital nomads. Hanoi has the most affordable cuisine, with a Vietnamese dining experience costing GBP18.9, and Kathmandu has the cheapest coffee, charging just GBP1.27 for a cappuccino.

Bustling metropolises across Asia are perfect for digital nomads who want to explore some of the world’s most iconic business centres and enjoy a continent full of exciting travel opportunities and sights. The demand for flexible office space in places like Singapore and Hong Kong is high as more people are looking for new ways of using the workspace. You can easily find creative coworking spaces in Singapore, meeting rooms, and serviced offices to work as you travel.

Connectivity is also second to none. Beijing boasts the fastest average broadband speed in this ranking at 260mbps, while Jakarta has the most wi-fi hotspots, with more than 97,000 across the city. Meanwhile, Tokyo ranks the highest in terms of quality of life.

Click here to view the full blog post 

About Instant Offices: Instant Offices is the world’s largest office advisory service, dedicated to finding clients the ideal flexible workspace wherever their business is going.

Minor Hotels gears up presence in India

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 May 2024: Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner and operator with more than 540 properties in 56 countries, is set to increase its presence in India’s hospitality market, targeting 50 new openings within the next decade.

The group will focus its strategy on the upper-upscale and luxury hotel segments, where it expects strong interest from owners in its well-established Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection brands.

Minor Hotels has also identified strong potential for the upscale NH Hotels & Resorts, particularly in rapidly developing tier-two cities and airport locations.

Eyeing hotel management contracts and emphasising greenfield developments, Minor Hotels will look to identify opportunities in up-and-coming locations, continuing a strategy of destination creation that has been the foundation of the group’s 46-year history. 

Minor Hotels has been in the Indian market since 2017 when it launched Oaks Bodhgaya in the northeast Indian state of Bihar. However, the group will mark a significant milestone later this year with the opening of Anantara Jaipur Hotel, the debut of its flagship luxury brand in India.

Minor Hotels has opened a new office in Bengaluru to support this expansion, underscoring its commitment to a long-term presence in the Indian market. The group recently appointed Vijay Krishnan as Vice President of Operations for India, overseeing a growing team on the ground. By establishing a permanent strategic presence in Bengaluru, Minor Hotels has positioned itself at the forefront of emerging opportunities in southern India, anticipating significant growth potential in the region.

Minor Hotels brands have already built strong recognition amongst Indian travellers. For Anantara, India is one of the fastest-growing international source markets, with annual room night production across its Asia and Middle East properties growing 72% in 2023 versus 2022. That trend continued in 2024, with Q1 figures up 36% from last year.

Minor Hotels is also a member of GHA DISCOVERY, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. Revenue generated by GHA hotels in India hit a record USD68 million in 2023, with GHA loyalty members in India also topping 500,000 for the first time, a 21% year-on-year increase. Indian members also spent more at GHA hotels last year than ever, generating a record USD60 million in hotel revenues, up 46% year-on-year.

According to research from GHA, its Indian members are planning, on average, four leisure trips, three staycations, and five business trips in 2024. The top three destinations are Europe, Thailand, and the Maldives. Minor Hotels is one of the largest players in each market, with more than 300 properties in Europe, 25 in Thailand, and seven in the Maldives.

Minor Hotels’ growth strategy in India is part of the Bangkok-based group’s ambitious global expansion plan. The group will add more than 200 hotels in the next three years.

IATA maps growth in passenger demand

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its latest data this week, indicating global passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) was up 13.8% during March 2024.

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 12.3% year-on-year. The March load factor was 82.0% (+1.0ppt compared to March 2023).

International demand rose 18.9% compared to March 2023; capacity was up 18.8% year-on-year, and the load factor improved to 81.6% (+0.1ppt on March 2023).

Domestic demand rose 6.6% compared to March 2023; capacity was up 3.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6% (+2.5ppt compared to March 2023).

“Travel demand is strong. And there is every indication that this should continue into the peak Northern Summer travel season. It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers. That means making urgent progress in resolving supply chain issues, fully staffing airports and air traffic management, and operating efficiently. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up with bearing the cost when delays and cancellations result from poor preparation in other parts of the value chain,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets

All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in March 2024 compared to March 2023. Load factor performance could have been better, falling year-on-year in three of the six regions.

Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead the way, with a 38.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 37.4% year-on-year, and the load factor rose to 85.6% (+0.7ppt compared to March 2023), the highest of all regions. Major routes from Asia-Pacific display outstanding growth, although the number of scheduled air services from China to North America is only 16.5% of pre-pandemic levels.

European carriers saw an 11.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 11.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.9% (up just 0.1ppt compared to March 2023).

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 10.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased by 13.9% year-on-year, and the load factor fell by 2.1ppt to 77.5% compared to March 2023.

North American carriers saw a 14.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 14.8% year-on-year, and the load factor fell to 84.7% (-0.2ppt compared to March 2023).

Latin American airlines saw a 19.7% year-on-year increase in demand, an 18.3% increase in capacity, and a load factor of 84.3% (+0.9ppt compared to March 2023).

African airlines saw an 8.1% year-on-year increase in demand, and capacity was up 11% year-on-year. The load factor fell to 70.3% (-1.9ppt compared to March 2023).

Kempinski takes shape on the Saigon River

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel company, is venturing into Vietnam with a waterfront property on the banks of the Saigon River. 

The 100-room hotel is being developed in cooperation with Vietnamese property developer Ecopark Corporation, which owns other luxury hotels across Vietnam and has a portfolio of real estate projects that include residences, schools, retail and universities.

Photo credit: Kempinski. Saigon River site for a new luxury resort.

Situated in Dong Nai on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, Kempinski Saigon River is part of a broader 55-hectare development that includes residences, schools, a sports club, and retail areas along 700 metres of riverfront. The development is connected to Ho Chi Minh City via a 45-minute speedboat service.

Dong Nai is undergoing a major infrastructure expansion and improvement project to reduce travel times and foster economic growth. The project includes road and railway network improvements, waterways, and a new airport. Currently under construction, Long Thanh International Airport will be among the largest in the world when complete, with a capacity for up to 100 million passengers per year.

Air India boosts Phuket flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Air India confirmed last week in Facebook posts that it will increase flights between India’s capital, Delhi, and Thailand’s holiday island, Phuket, from daily to 13 flights weekly, effective 1 June. (*Report updated 7 May re visa-free entry Thailand. See below).

The route is served by a 140-seat Airbus A320, with daily flights departing Delhi at 0205 and arriving in Phuket at 0810.

The additional six flights, increasing frequencies to 13 weekly, will depart Delhi at 1100 and arrive in Phuket at 1715. Advance schedules confirm the additional six flights will depart on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Indian passport holders can visit Thailand for up to 30 days without applying for a visa, but the temporary concession ends on 10 May after completing one year. The Thai government may consider extending the concession date until the 31 October 2024 or even until 30 April 2025. However, there has been no announcement from the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs so far. As long as that is the case Indian holiday makers will once more need a visa (possible by applying online or on arrival at the Phuket airport). Air India’s promotions clearly state that the visa-free concession ends on 10 May. However, adding another six flights weekly on the Delhi-Phuket route on 1 June could suggest Air India has an inside track on information and is optimisticvisa-free status for Indian tourists could be extended. But until there is an announcement stating otherwise the concession ends midnight on 10 May.

Meanwhile, the airline confirmed it will resume flights from Delhi to Zurich in Switzerland effective 16 June, after a 24-year gap. A Boeing 787-8 will serve the route, flying four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Flight AI151 will depart Delhi at 1405 and arrive in Zurich at 1915.
Flight AI152 will depart Zurich at 2050 and arrive in Delhi at 0805 plus a day.

Report updated on visa-free stay for Indian tourists visiting Thailand.

*Earlier today, Tuesday, 7 May 2024, the Thai Government PR Department reported Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the government has extended the visa exemption period, that was due to expire on 10 May, for another six months until 11 November 2024 for both Indian and Taiwanese passports holders. The PM said the decision to extend the visa exemption for the two nationalities was “special and temporary to boost tourism and the Thai economy.”

Turkish ready to fly daily to Bali

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Turkish Airlines will increase direct flights from Istanbul to Denpasar Bali from five weekly to daily, effective 28 October.

The airline filed changes to its schedule for the winter timetable that starts 28 October and ends 31 March 2025 last week, indicating it will schedule daily flights using an Airbus A350-900 for the 13-hour and 15-minute nonstop flight.

Flight TK66 will depart Istanbul (IST) daily at 0150 and arrive in Denpasar (DPS) Bali at 1910.
Flight TK67 will depart Denpasar (DPS) Bali daily at 2105 and arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 0540 plus one day.

Currently, the airline flies the route five times weekly, departing Istanbul on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

It’s the only airline flying nonstop to Bali, and the average fare on the route this year is USD1,660 roundtrip. A check of the booking website FlightHub.com displays the cheapest roundtrip fare on Turkish Airlines for November 2024  travel dates at USD1,229, including taxes and fees. 

Jakarta: Down to daily 

Meanwhile, effective 28 October, the airline will reduce flights on the Istanbul-Jakarta route, served by A350-900 aircraft, from nine weekly to daily. 

The two flights (TK508/509) scheduled to discontinue in late October serve the Indonesian capital on Tuesday and Friday.

Flight TK56 will depart Istanbul (IST) daily at 0235 and arrive in Jakarta (CGK) at 1755.
Flight TK57 will depart Jakarta (CGK) daily at 2105 and arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 0530 plus a day.

AirAsia flies to Ahmedabad

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2024: AirAsia introduced flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, last week.

The new route, with four weekly flights using A320s, allows travellers to explore Ahmedabad’s rich cultural heritage and Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant city life at affordable prices. 

The first flight departed Kuala Lumpur on 3 May.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director South Asia Unit En Solehuddin Ahmad said: “We wholeheartedly commend AirAsia for their continuous efforts in further expanding air connectivity between our two nations, now with 15 and counting direct routes from India. With this new route and AirAsia’s great value fares, more travellers can visit our beautiful country affordably, be it for leisure or business. This is also a much-welcomed initiative following the government’s recent announcement of visa-free entry for Indian nationals to Malaysia.”

AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer Paul Carroll added: “This marks a significant step in our ever-evolving journey to cement our foothold in India, one of our biggest and fastest-growing markets. We also hope that this connectivity will allow more travellers from India to explore the region beyond Malaysia thanks to our seamless Fly-Through options. We look forward to kickstarting more routes and creating more memorable travel experiences for our trusted guests.”

AirAsia now operates a network servicing 15 international routes directly between Malaysia and India with 78 flights weekly on short-haul airline AirAsia Malaysia  (AK), from the cities of Trivandrum, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar (flights commence on 28 May 2024) as well as Kozhikode and Guwahati (flights commence on 1 Aug 2024). 

Medium-haul affiliate AirAsia X Malaysia ( D7) also provides two direct routes between Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, and Amritsar, with eight weekly flights. The continued growth in AirAsia services to and from India ensures a comprehensive and seamless travel experience for guests across India and beyond, connecting them to over 130 destinations on the widest low-cost network in Asia. 

Silkway Travel Asia joins Adventure Inc

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 May 2024: Singapore-based full-service travel management company Silkway Travel Asia Pte Ltd (“Silkway Travel Asia”) has been acquired by Adventure Inc, a leading Japanese online travel agency.

With this acquisition, Silkway Travel Asia becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Adventure APAC and marks a significant expansion of Adventure’s presence in the region. The deal will allow Adventure, which reports an annual turnover of JPY20 billion (SGD178 million), to leverage Silkway Travel Asia’s established presence and expertise in both Singapore and the region. and cater to the diverse travel preferences of Asian customers as part of the company’s strategic expansion into Southeast Asia. The integration of Silkway 

Travel Asia’s unique offerings in Adventure’s extensive portfolio ensure travellers will enjoy unparalleled access to tailored travel experiences.

Silkway Travel Asia will also gain access to Adventure’s air ticket reservation platform ‘skyticket’, which streamlines the booking process for customers by allowing them to search, book, and pay for flights through Google’s search engine without needing to be redirected to other websites.

“Silkway Travel Asia will continue to expand its portfolio of multinational corporations and small and medium enterprise clientele, providing extensive and comprehensive corporate travel products and services management,” said Silkway Travel Asia Director and Co-founder James Tang.

“Travel management is more than a service; it’s a strategic partnership, guiding organisations towards smarter, more cost-effective travel solutions. By incorporating enhanced travel booking tools, in partnership with our travel technology partners, we can increase productivity and offer a faster turnaround service to our valued clients.” 

The acquisition will not impact Silkway Travel Asia’s core operations in Singapore. It will retain its branding, name, management team, and product offerings. Travel industry veterans James Tang and Albert Hong will continue to serve as company directors.

“We are proud of what we have achieved so far at Silkway Travel Asia over the past three years, and we’re thrilled to embark on the next stage of our growth with Adventure,” added Silkway Travel Asia Director and Co-founder Albert Hong. “This acquisition signifies Adventure’s confidence in our offerings and long-term strategy to expand our operations further in Singapore and Southeast Asia, as travel demand continues to grow post-COVID era. With Adventure’s cutting-edge products and regional network, we are confident that this deal will create new synergies for both companies, our customers, and our partners.”

Adventure Chief Executive Officer Shunichi Nakamura said: “Silkway Travel Asia’s expertise in the travel market in Southeast Asia makes it a valuable addition to the Adventure family. Both companies share a common goal of creating impactful and sustainable travel experiences that resonate with the evolving desires of today’s modern travellers. We are excited to continue pioneering innovative travel solutions for  customers with Silkway Travel Asia.”

About Silkway Travel Asia
Established in 2020, Silkway Travel Asia is a full-service travel management company offering tailored travel experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.
Visit https://www.silkwaytravelasia.com/.

About Adventure Inc
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Adventure Inc. (Adventure) is an online travel agency with subsidiaries and affiliates across Asia, including South Korea, Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Singapore. Find out more at https://adventurekk.com/.

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