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Thai AirAsia climbs back to 2019 figures

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 26 October 2023: Asia Aviation Plc announced operating statistics for the third quarter of the financial year 2023 (3Q2023) this week, showing Thai AirAsia served 4.6 million passengers (Domestic 2.7 million passengers and international 1.8 million passengers).  

The owning company of TAA confirmed the airline strongly performed with a 93% passenger load factor during the third quarter, while

internationally, TAA represented 83% compared to 3Q2019. By the end of the third quarter, the airline operated 46 aircraft out of a total fleet of 54.

In the third quarter of 2023, the tourism industry in Thailand remained resilient, welcoming approximately 7 million international arrivals compared to 6.5 million each seen in the first and second quarters of the year. 

Thai AirAsia demonstrated substantial year-on-year progress, carrying 4.6 million domestic passengers, a 65% increase compared to 3Q2022 and a recovery of 86% t compared to 3Q2019. This was supported by the operation of 5.1 million seats in total capacity, representing a 78% recovery compared to 3Q2019 (pre-Covid).

Internationally, TAA saw a steady improvement, with 1.8 million passengers transported in 3Q2023, representing an 83% recovery compared to 3Q2019. This resurgence was primarily driven by the resumption of flights to East Asia, particularly  China. Passengers on flights to and from China continued to rebound, with 349,000 passengers carried in 3Q2023, an 8% increase from the preceding quarter (2Q2023). 

TAA optimised flights to China, ending the quarter at 71 flights a week, resulting in an improved load factor of 87%, up from 74% in 2Q2023. Furthermore, during this quarter, TAA reintroduced previously suspended routes and expanded its network by adding new routes, such as Chiang Mai to Macau and Don Mueang to Colombo (Sri Lanka). Overall, capacity flown to Hong Kong and Macau increased by 22% from 2Q2023 due to enhanced resources at local airports and travel demand.

Since China reopened in January this year, Thailand has welcomed 2.5 million Chinese tourists. The visa-free measure for Chinese tourists (effective from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024) should speed up the recovery of Chinese inbound tourists to Thailand. However, the Bangkok shopping mall killing has impacted arrivals from China due to security concerns. 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, TAA plans to capture the high seasonal demand by introducing additional routes to Ahmedabad and Guwahati in India while increasing the frequency of flights on existing routes, especially in the domestic market.

(1) Number of earned seats flown; earned seats comprise seats sold to passengers, including no-shows

(2) Number of seats flown

(3) Number of passengers carried as a percentage of capacity

(4) Available seat kilometres (ASK) measures an airline’s passenger capacity and is calculated from the total seats flown multiplied by the number of kilometres flown.

(5) Revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) measures passenger volume carried by an airline and is calculated from the number of passengers multiplied by the number of kilometres these passengers have flown.

(6) Number of flights flown.

(7) Number of total aircraft at quarter end.

Qatar Airways makes changes at the top

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 26 October 2023: Qatar Airways Group confirms after 27 years, Qatar Airways Group chief executive will step down from his current position as group chief executive effective 5 November 2023.

He will be succeeded by Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as the airline’s group chief executive.  

Akbar Al Baker
Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer

Under Akbar Al Baker’s leadership, Qatar Airways has become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally. The national carrier of the State of Qatar has achieved an unprecedented seven-times win of the “World’s Best Airline” award, and its state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, which is under its management and operation, has also been recognised as the “World’s Best Airport”.

The Qatar Airways Group’s contribution to helping deliver the FIFA World Cup 2022 showcased its capability, commitment to excellence, and passion for bringing the world together.

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ for the 10th time at the 2023 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. The airline flies to more than 160 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.

TripStack opens an interline door for Nok Air

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TTR WEEKLY
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STOCKHOLM, 26 October 2023: TripStack, a travel technology solutions provider and a member of Etraveli Group (ETG), is launching a Self-Connect product for airlines, also known as Virtual Interlining and has picked up Thailand-based subscriber Nok Air.

Self-Connect, or Virtual Interlining (VI), combines flights from the retailing airline with other carriers to create itineraries seamlessly serving a set of destinations worldwide. The concept allows airlines to expand their network by offering customers additional travel destinations they do not directly service.

Nok Air, a domestic airline in Thailand, has leveraged TripStack’s Self-Connect solution and recently announced the launch of a new service called “NokGo”. 

“We are excited to announce our partnership with TripStack, providing our Nok Air passengers with more flexible travel options worldwide. With this new platform, we can take flight connectivity to the next level for our passengers by offering them more flights to more destinations,” said NokAir chief executive officer Wutthiphum Jurangkool.

TripStack CEO Gabor Toth emphasised the significance of this collaboration:
”We look forward to further collaborating with Nok Air, expanding their service, and providing Nok Air with new commercial opportunities.”

As Virtual Interlining for airlines gains momentum in the industry, TripStack anticipates that more airlines will recognise the unique benefits of the Self-Connect solution to enhance their offerings and strengthen their competitiveness in the global aviation market.

TripStack identifies key features picked up by Nok Air as part of the collaboration.

• Expanded Network: Airlines can offer tickets to a wide range of destinations, even in regions where they do not operate flights, expanding their global reach using TripStack and Etraveli Groups air content capabilities.

• Seamless Booking Experience: Customers can book flights to multiple destinations in a single transaction across numerous payment options, making travel planning more convenient and efficient.

• Increased Revenue: Airlines can boost their revenue by further monetising traffic on their website and earning additional revenues from TripStack.

• Integrated customer service: TripStack provides worldwide customer support in multiple languages.

• TripStack Technology: Sophisticated flight itinerary analysis searches through billions of flight options to offer the best air content in the market (a combination of shortest duration and lowest priced) itineraries.

• Guarantee: TripStack and ETG offer a Self-Connect Guarantee to protect passengers in the event of delays, disruptions, or cancellations, ensuring a hassle-free journey.

About TripStack

TripStack, founded in 2016, is a global leader in Airline Integrations and Virtual Interlining (VI) technology. Virtual Interlining, also known as Self-Connect, seamlessly combines carriers without traditional interlining agreements into a single itinerary. Based in Canada, India, and Poland, TripStack is part of Etraveli Group. www.tripstack.com

About Etraveli Group (ETG)

Headquartered in Sweden, ETG is a global technology provider for flight content delivered through flexible tech solutions. The company caters to over 30 million flight passengers annually in 75 markets worldwide. 

About Nok Air

Nok Air is home-based at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport. It operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft on domestic and regional flights, including routes to India and China. 

Radisson outlines regional expansion

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 October 2023: Radisson Hotel Group continues its development plans across Asia as its portfolio grows in key capital cities and primary tourist destinations across the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

At the recent Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group announced it will continue to expand its upscale Radisson RED brand in Danang, Vietnam; Phuket, Thailand; and Cebu City, the Philippines. 

The Radisson Collection brand -will soon enter Asia with openings in 2024 in Galle (Sri Lanka) and Boracay (Philippines). The group will continue to accelerate the growth of its upscale Radisson Blu brand with new properties in the pipeline for Colombo, Sri Lanka and Hoi An, Vietnam.

Sri Lanka

With the addition of three hotels in 2023, Radisson Hotel Group is on the path to becoming the largest hotel portfolio in Sri Lanka. The group recently signed a 376-key Radisson Blu Hotel, Galadari Colombo, an upper-upscale hotel in central Colombo set to open in 2025, bringing the total portfolio to six hotels in operation and under development.

The 105-key Radisson Collection Resort, Galle, will mark the lifestyle luxury brand’s debut in the Asia Pacific when it opens in 2024. 

Philippines

The Philippines will soon welcome the addition of two new lifestyle brands under the Radisson RED and Radisson Collection brands. Set to open in 2024, the Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue is a 144-key upscale hotel part of the Astra Centre, a major new mixed-use development in the dynamic coastal city. 

The group recently announced the signing of 110-key Fridays Boracay, A Radisson Collection Resort, which will mark an important milestone and debut of the lifestyle luxury Radisson Collection brand in Boracay.

Thailand

Since the start of 2022, Radisson Hotel Group has signed seven new hotels with over 1,300 rooms. Upcoming openings in 2024 include Bangkok and Phuket under the Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson RED and Radisson brands.

Vietnam

Radisson Hotel Group will add eight hotels to the four properties in its current portfolio. Radisson RED will enter Danang’s market with a new 165-key hotel. Upcoming openings in the pipeline include Radisson Blu Resort Hoi An – the largest resort in the portfolio with 734 keys, as well as the Radisson Resort Mui Ne on Suoi Nuoc Beach.

SAF to power Emirates flights from Changi

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 October 2023: Emirates and Neste have expanded their partnership by solidifying their collaboration to supply over 3 million gallons of blended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2024 and 2025. The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which will be blended with conventional jet fuel, will be supplied throughout 2024 and 2025 for Emirates’ flights departing from Amsterdam Schiphol and Singapore Changi airports.

Emirates’ expanded partnership with Neste represents the largest volume of SAF to be uplifted of any airline based in the Middle East and Africa. The blended SAF will be comprised of over one million gallons of neat SAF. This represents a blended ratio of over 30% neat SAF combined with conventional Jet A-1 fuel.

Before the end of this year, the airline will also uplift SAF for the first time from its Dubai hub. SAF reduces carbon emissions of air travel by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle when compared to using conventional jet fuel. 

Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark said: “Today’s announcement is a milestone for Emirates and represents the acceleration of SAF procurement for our operations. It’s also one of the many initiatives we focus on to reduce our carbon emissions, including operating fuel-efficient aircraft, stepping up our fleet renewal from 2024, and driving operational fuel efficiency. Our ongoing partnership with Neste also demonstrates our active engagement and support of the rapidly developing SAF industry, and we hope that the robust demand from Emirates and other airlines encourages the scaling up of SAF and other emerging clean propulsion technologies.” 

Neste Vice president EMEA from the Renewable Aviation business unit Alexander Kueper said: “Sustainable aviation fuel is a readily available solution for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from air travel. We are proud to expand our existing cooperation with Emirates into 2024 as we ramp up our global SAF production and continue supporting their commitment to reduce emissions by supplying our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.”

Earlier this year, Emirates, in partnership with Neste and other industry stakeholders, successfully completed the first 100% SAF-powered demonstration flight in the region, utilising a Boeing 777-300ER operating on 100% SAF in one engine. The airline has made significant strides along with its industry partners around the technical analysis and certification requirements that support standardisation and future approval of 100% SAF flying.

The airline’s first flight powered by SAF blended with jet fuel took place in 2017 from Chicago. Since then, the airline has also uplifted SAF for flights from Stockholm and currently operates flights from Paris, Lyon and Oslo with blended SAF.

Emirates has championed industry and UAE government working groups and is in continuous discussion with various stakeholders to help scale the production and supply of SAF. The airline, along with the UAE GCAA has actively played a part in developing the UAE’s ambitious power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels roadmap, driven by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the World Economic Forum, in addition to contributing to the UAE’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and GCAA. 

*When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology.

www.emirates.com

Are you ready for a Thai festive season treat?

By
TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 25 October 2023: Get ready to unwrap the magic of Christmas and ring in the New Year in true barefoot luxury style at OUTRIGGER Resorts in Koh Samui, Khao Lak and Phuket. From the little ones to the young at heart, OUTRIGGER has a sleigh-load of festive activities to make your holidays unforgettable.

OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort

This beachfront resort has pre-festive fun with a live band, fire show, Christmas carols, lucky draw, sumptuous food, competitions for kids and visits by Santa on the evenings of 22, 23 and 24 December. Christmas Day lunch is a relaxed beachside affair, with Santa presenting surprises to the children. Get ready to party in style on New Year’s Eve with sumptuous seafood, prime cuts, a mesmerising fire show, a live band and DJ beats that will keep you grooving all night long. The Coral Kids Club has ample activities to keep the kids entertained as well. Full OUTRIGGER Koh Samui festive programme details are here.

OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort

At OUTRIGGER Khao Lak on the Andaman Sea, the resort will regale guests with beachfront festive fun on Christmas Eve, with carols, roast turkey, charcoal grilled seafood, live entertainment and a visit by Santa, who will also be there for the Christmas Day beachfront afternoon event for children. When it’s time to bid farewell to 2023, join us on New Year’s Eve for a sumptuous tropical beach BBQ, a thrilling lucky draw, live band vibes, a DJ to keep the dance floor sizzling and an awe-inspiring fireworks extravaganza that’ll light up the night. Dive into our complete programme details here.

OUTRIGGER Surin Beach Resort in Phuket

In Phuket, OUTRIGGER will hold a festive Christmas Eve celebration dinner at its Nalu Bar and Grill. There will be delectable seafood options, tenderloin, ribeye, duck, imported cheeses and Christmas pudding while DJ Rudi sets the perfect beats. On New Year’s Eve, guests can indulge in a gastronomic journey at Nalu with mixed grill delights, a seafood symphony and a mixed surf and turf extravaganza. DJ Rudi will make it a night to remember from 1000 to 1400. Full details here.

SPECIAL OFFER

The three OUTRIGGER Resorts in Thailand are currently running a special “Welcome (back)” promotion of up to 15% off plus bonus inclusions. The special rates can be used for Christmas and New Year. Visit your preferred paradise in Thailand on OUTRIGGER.com and enter code “WELCOME” when booking.

31st edition of ATM sets out its stall

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 25 October 2023: Travel executives worldwide will explore opportunities spanning leisure, business, luxury and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) – at the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in the UAE from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 May 2024.

Revenue in the global travel and tourism market is projected to reach USD854.7 billion this year, according to research conducted by Statista. The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.42% from 2023 to 2027, passing the trillion-dollar mark within the next four years.

Arabian Travel Market exhibition director Danielle Curtis said: “Holidaymakers represent a crucial focus for the Middle East’s travel community, but leisure is only one component of a much bigger picture. Business, luxury and MICE travel are also making significant contributions to economic growth and sustainable development, with Statista predicting a global market volume of more than USD1 trillion by 2027.

“It is, therefore, no surprise that the travel and tourism sector is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, thousands of whom will showcase their innovations, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships at ATM 2024,” she added.

The travel and tourism sector is on course to contribute USD49.18 billion to the UAE economy alone in 2023, according to figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). This figure is predicted to reach USD64.12 billion by 2033, accounting for an impressive 10.2 per cent of the nation’s GDP.

As the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry continues to mature, it is expected to create new jobs and income for millions of people from across the globe. The UAE Government, for instance, estimates that the country’s travel and tourism market will support 770,000 jobs by 2027. At the same time, the sector is expected to generate ever-increasing revenues for regional economies – Gulf travellers spending approximately 6.5 times more than tourists from other parts of the world, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO).

Sustainable development will represent another key focus at ATM 2024 as the show builds on the net-zero commitments outlined during its milestone 30th edition. 

Cathay ups its A320 family aircraft order

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 25 October 2023: Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has announced the purchase of an additional 32 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft as it continues to invest in expanding and modernising its fleet. 

The agreement doubles the Cathay Group’s total orders for the A320neo Family to 64, of which 13 have already been delivered.

The 32 additional aircraft will comprise both the A321neo and A320neo, which will join the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express. They will principally serve destinations in the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia.

Airbus chief commercial officer and head of international, Christian Scherer said: “Cathay is one of the world’s leading airline Groups, and we are proud to be part of its recovery and growth plan.

“Operating out of the Cathay Group’s base at the heart of Asia, the A320neo family will enable it to expand its services across the region with a most efficient single-aisle fleet and a positive passenger comfort differentiation. With a significant reduction in fuel consumption, the aircraft will also immediately contribute to the Cathay Group’s sustainability goals.”

The A320neo Family incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver at least 20% lower fuel burn and CO2 emission savings. With more than 9,700 orders from over 130 customers, the A320neo Family is considered the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft.

China is back in the top five Changi markets

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 October 2023: Singapore Changi Airport handled 4.87 million passenger movements in September 2023, representing 89% of the passenger movements in September 2019.

Regarding aircraft movements, 27,800 landings and take-offs were recorded, about 89% of the September 2019 level, which indicates full recovery is possible as early as April 2024. Airfreight throughput stood at 154,000 tonnes for the month, on par with what was carried in the same month last year. 

On a quarterly basis, Changi Airport saw 15.3 million passenger movements from July to September 2023, 89% of what was registered for the third quarter of 2019. Aircraft movements reached 85,600, similarly representing 89% of the same period in 2019. 

Changi Airport’s top five markets for the quarter were Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. China has moved up to be among Changi’s top five markets this quarter, attributed to increased travel during China’s two-month summer holiday in July and August and the resumption of the 15-day visa-free policy for Singapore citizens entering China since July.  

From July to September 2023, airfreight throughput totalled 451,000 tonnes, a decline of 4% compared to the same period last year. The softening in air cargo demand has gradually eased during the quarter, led by improvements in transhipment volumes. Changi’s top five air cargo markets1 comprised Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and the United States of America for the period. Notably, air cargo traffic with India registered a strong growth of 21% compared to the corresponding period last year.  

Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president for air hub and cargo development Lim Ching Kiat said: “Passenger traffic at Changi Airport continues to recover steadily across our key markets. In particular, traffic to and from China saw a surge in August, with half a million travellers handled that month, more than seven times the traffic in January 2023 when China’s borders first reopened. As we move towards 2024, we will continue to work with airlines to reinstate more city links and strengthen capacity on existing routes to strengthen further Changi Airport’s connectivity to the rest of the world.” 

In the third quarter of 2023, China Eastern Airlines started inaugural services between Singapore Changi Airport and Beijing Daxing Airport on 20 July 2023, marking Changi’s first link to Beijing Daxing Airport. Singapore Airlines has also announced it will start passenger flights between Singapore and Brussels in April 2024, bringing 16 Changi’s passenger city links to Europe. 

As of 1 October, 94 airlines operate over 6,400 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 151 cities in 49 countries and territories worldwide.

Bamboo halts long-haul flights

By
TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI Minh City, 25 October 2023: Bamboo Airways long-haul flights to Frankfurt, London, Sydney, and Melbourne are off the grid as far as booking flights on the Vietnamese airline’s website and independent booking sites since earlier this week.

Flights using Boeing Dreamliners 787s ended this week, and based on the airline’s announcement, the priority is restructuring the route network to concentrate on domestic and regional flights in Asia.

Bamboo Airways’ new general director Luong Hoai Nam (middle), was officially named CEO to lead the restructuring effort earlier this week. He receives flowers and an appointment contract from Bamboo Airways chairman Le Thai Sam (right) and Standing Vice Chairman Phan Dinh Tue (left).

Flights will continue operating to domestic and regional destinations from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang.

In a statement issued on Monday, the airline’s top management noted: “The carrier’s fleet structure is expected to incorporate narrowbody aircraft and jets, which will be deployed on key domestic routes, strongly emphasising trunk routes such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. The airline will also offer services on domestic tourist routes with high demand and international routes to Southeast Asia.”

The airline explained the restructuring plan and appointed a new CEO earlier this week, noting it was restructuring and suspending long-haul international flights due to low passenger demand.

While saying very little about pulling the plug on long-haul flights to Europe and Australia, the airline did issue a press statement confirming it had appointed Luong Hoai Nam as General Director, effective 23 October 2023. 

Luong Hoai Nam has a doctorate in Aviation with over 30 years of experience in the aviation-tourism industry. He has held numerous senior management and executive roles, including Director of the Market Planning Department and Editor-in-Chief of Heritage Magazine at Vietnam Airlines, CEO of Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Deputy General Director of Nam Long Group, CEO of Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Company, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association, and Deputy General Director of Vietstar Multirole Airlines.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, General Director Luong Hoai Nam expressed confidence that Bamboo Airways’ restructuring process would succeed through the cooperation of all the investors, directors, and employees.

“The process of restructuring Bamboo Airways has been taking place with a clear and focused direction. This is the most extensive, strategic, and far-reaching restructuring project ever undertaken in Vietnamese aviation history. As the General Director, I am determined to give my best effort to complete the assigned tasks and contribute towards the prompt restructuring process. Our ultimate goal is stabilising the operations and creating opportunities for future growth. Among our first targets is to bring back the fleet size to 30 aircraft and then aim to increase to 50 and beyond,” said Luong Hoai Nam.

He concluded that Bamboo Airways would chart a new, suitable course for its operations in late 2023 and early 2024. 

“The carrier’s fleet structure is expected to incorporate narrowbody aircraft and jets, which will be deployed on key domestic routes, strongly emphasising trunk routes such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. We will also offer services on high-demand domestic tourist and international routes to Southeast Asia.”

Bamboo has a fleet of 29 aircraft, including two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners operating long-haul routes and A320s and Embraer E190s for domestic and regional routes in Southeast Asia.

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