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Air Arabia declares 2024 profit

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 February 2025: Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier operator in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced its financial and operational results for the year ending 31 December 2024.

The airline posted a record pre-tax net profit of AED1.6 billion, a 4% increase from AED1.5 billion in 2023. Total turnover for the year surpassed AED6.63 billion, an 11% growth from AED6 billion in 2023.

In 2024, Air Arabia reinforced its commitment to expansion and operational excellence by growing its network across six hubs and adding 31 new routes. This strategic expansion led to a 13% increase in operational capacity and a 12% rise in total passengers carried, reaching 18.8 million across the group. The airline also reported a 2% increase in average seat load factor, reaching 82%, further underscoring the sustained strong demand for Air Arabia’s value-driven, low-cost services.

In the fourth quarter ending 31 December 2024, Air Arabia reported a record net profit of AED351 million, marking a 56% increase compared to AED225 million in the same quarter last year. Total turnover for the fourth quarter of 2024 rose 7% to AED1.65 billion, driven by an 11% increase in passenger numbers, as the airline carried over 4.7 million passengers across all hubs during the quarter. Meanwhile, the seat load factor increased by 2, reaching 83%, reflecting sustained demand for Air Arabia’s services.

Full-year financial performance

Full Year 2024 Highlights:

Fleet

  • Air Arabia’s total operating fleet expanded to 81 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft across all hubs.
  • Ten Airbus A320 aircraft were added to the fleet in 2024, further strengthening operational capacity.
  • Nine short-term leased Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft were introduced in 2024 to support peak-season operations across the group.

Network

  • Air Arabia added 31 new routes to its global network in 2024, bringing the total network size to 220 routes from all operating hubs.
  • The capacity available across all hubs increased by 13% during the full year 2024 compared to the previous year.

Radisson expands footprint in Vietnam

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 February 2025: Radisson Hotel Group continues its growth in Vietnam by signing the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ha Long Bay, with Gia Minh – Quang Ninh Investment and Tourism Joint Stock Company. 

Located in the heart of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its 1,900 limestone islands, the hotel will rise 30 stories above the bay.

The property, due to open in Q2 2025, will feature 352 rooms, with the Presidential Suite on the 28th floor spanning 280 sqm. 

The hotel will feature a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate up to 500 guests and several smaller meeting rooms for events and conferences.

Wellness and leisure facilities will include a spa, fitness centre, and a swimming pool on the 6th floor.

The signing of Radisson Blu Hotel, Ha Long Bay, reinforces Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to Vietnam’s thriving hospitality market. The group currently operates six hotels and has six hotels under development.

MAI reconnects Southeast Asian cities

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 18 February 2025: Myanmar Airways International (MAI) resumed its direct Mandalay-Chiang Mai on 10 February, a service suspended since the Covid pandemic in 2020.

MAI flies the route twice weekly on Monday and Friday using an ATR72 with 70 seats.

First reported by NP News based in Yangon, the Mandalay-Chiang Mai route is the first to be added to MAI’s international network in 2025 and the fourth route that the MAI will operate from its Mandalay International Airport hub.

Flight schedule

8M374 departs Mandalay at 1410 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 1600.
8M375 departs Chiang Mai at 1630 and arrives in Mandalay at 1720.

Meanwhile, the airline confirmed it would start a new service on 2 April, from Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, to Danang, a port city in central Vietnam. Flights are scheduled twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday. The airline will deploy an Embraer EM190 to serve the route. 

Flight schedule

8M454 departs Yangon at 1630 and arrives in Danang at 1900.
8M455 departs Danang at 2000 and arrives in Yangon at 2130.

In addition to MAI’s daily Yangon-Kuala Lumpur trips, the airline will introduce a direct flight from Yangon to Penang, Malaysia, operating every Monday and Thursday, effective 10 April 2025. The airline will deploy an Embraer EM190 for the two-hour flight. The starting roundtrip fare is pegged at USD274.

Flight schedule

8M505 departs Yangon at 1445 and arrives in Penang at 1815.
8M506 departs Penang at 1915 and arrives in Yangon at 1945.

Penang Island is MAI’s second destination in  Malaysia and is famed for its historical and cultural heritage, reflecting colonial heritage in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed George Town. Penang is famous for its street food, art and beaches.

Air India and Virgin Australia sign codeshare

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 18 February 2025: Air India and Virgin Australia have signed off on a new codeshare partnership that significantly boosts connectivity and the ease of travelling between India and Australia.

The codeshare agreement enables Air India to place its ‘AI’ code on flights operated by Virgin Australia. This enhances the opportunities that Air India customers have when travelling from Delhi to Melbourne or Sydney and takes seamless onward connections on Virgin Australia flights to 16 destinations in Australia and New Zealand. 

The enhanced cooperation will also ensure that passengers travelling on a single ticket will have their baggage checked throughout the journey.

The 16 cities in Australia and New Zealand include Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown (New Zealand)1, Sunshine Coast, and Sydney.

“We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia offers. India is a growing tourism market for Australia, and this partnership will encourage travellers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network,” said Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley.

“Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets, so it is incredibly exciting to partner with Virgin Australia to expand our regional presence. While the partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora spread across the continent, it also opens up a whole new range of destinations for holidaymakers wanting to soak up the beaches of Gold Coast, discover Tasmania, or explore the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef,” Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal noted.

Air India operates 14x weekly flights from India to Australia, flying non-stop daily from Delhi to Melbourne and Delhi to Sydney. The airline utilises its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on these routes, featuring

18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 spacious seats in Economy Class. Air India customers taking onward flights on Virgin Australia flights within Australia and New Zealand will enjoy world-class Business and Economy Class cabins, and award-winning service.

Codeshare bookings started on 11 February 2025, with the first codeshare flights to operate on 18 February 2025.

Emirates invests in Airbus Skywise 

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 February 2025: Emirates has signed an agreement with Airbus to implement its Skywise Fleet Performance+ (S.FP+) advanced predictive maintenance and fleet health monitoring solution and Core X3 analytics platform. 

Emirates Head of Engineering  Ahmed Safa and Airbus Africa and the Middle East Vice President of Customer Services  Laurent Negre signed the agreement.

Adopting Airbus’s cutting-edge S.FP+ solution will further improve aircraft dispatch reliability while enabling strategic data-driven decision-making for Emirates’ commercial Airbus A380 and A350 aircraft fleet. Using the platform’s advanced capabilities, Emirates Engineering teams will be able to monitor real-time aircraft performance and health data, identify potential issues in flight, and determine maintenance actions during turnarounds.

Emirates Head of Engineering Ahmed Safa said: “Emirates is always looking at ways to leverage leading-edge technologies that improve operational reliability and punctuality, minimise unscheduled downtime and ensure our fleet operates at the highest standards, ultimately elevating the customer experience. Adopting Airbus’s Skywise Fleet Performance+ is a step forward to support our Airbus fleet, harnessing the latest advancements and transforming traditional maintenance activities into streamlined, precision-led processes that optimise our time in the skies.” 

Airbus Vice President of Customer Services Africa and Middle East Laurent Negre said: “We are proud to strengthen our collaboration with Emirates by implementing Skywise Fleet Performance+ and Core X3. These solutions will enhance fleet performance and reliability, reduce downtime, and support operational efficiency, which passengers will also benefit from.”

Skywise Fleet Performance Plus, powered by advanced analytics, features automated pre-departure monitoring of cabin temperatures, operations, and key systems.

The platform also integrates Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) data for critical aircraft monitoring, delivers predictive diagnostics with real-time alerts and solutions, and provides comprehensive status insights for Emirates’ Airbus A380 and A350 fleets. 

For information on flights and to make bookings, visit www.emirates.com 

Travel associations back TMA

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 February 2025: Travel Meet Asia 2025 welcomes various associations representing the travel trade communities across ASEAN that generate outbound travel. 

Scheduled for 25 to 26 June at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Jakarta, Indonesia, the show is endorsed and supported by the

Association of The Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO), Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) and Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA).

Organised by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, TMA brings together over 1,300 attendees, over 140 exhibitors and more than 400 invited buyers. It’s two full days of B2B meetings with key buyers and outstanding conferences that gather leading brands in the industry!

The partnerships with national travel agency associations in ASEAN bring potential outbound buyers from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, offering unparalleled networking opportunities for exhibiting companies. 

Travel Meet Asia 2025 will convene from 25 to 26 June 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Travel Meet Asia gathers international exhibitors with business segments covering the key verticals of travel. Participating exhibitors can pre-schedule meeting appointments with buyers from Southeast Asia and internationally.
Register Here

WA: The top spot for Singaporeans

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 February 2025: Western Australia records an impressive 19% growth in Singaporean visits for the year ending  June 2024, making Singapore the largest APAC travel market for the Australian state. 

WA’s financial year ends 30, with the latest data for 2023/2024 recording 99,000 Singaporean visitors. 

Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia.

In the year ending June 2024, Western Australia attracted 29% of all Singaporean travellers to Australia, with family groups accounting for 35% of total visits — marking a 106% increase year-on-year. 

Western Australia also captured 48% of the market share for Singaporean family travellers, up from 31% in the year ending June 2023, highlighting its growing appeal for multi-generational travel.

Market Insights 2024 

Family travel boom: 35,000 Singaporean family visitors in the year ending June 2024, a 106% increase over the year ending June 2023.

Solo travel growth: 35% of Western Australia visitors from Singapore travelled solo in year-ending June 2024, an increase of 4% points year-on-year.

Increased market share: Western Australia’s share of Singaporean visitors to Australia rose from 27% (YE June 2023) to 29% (YE June 2024).

Significant spending: Singaporeans spent AUD233 million in Western Australia in the year ending June 2024, accounting for 21% of their total expenditure in Australia.

“Western Australia offers a unique combination of world-class natural beauty, immersive cultural experiences, and opportunities for rejuvenation, which resonate deeply with travellers from Singapore,” said Tourism Western Australia (Singapore & Malaysia) Head  Ava Ang

 “From family adventures to solo escapes, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors next year as we unveil new experiences tailored to their preferences.”

What to expect from WA in 2025

Three key travel trends are shaping the Singaporean outbound market to WA.

Wellness and mental health remain significant motivators, with travellers seeking rejuvenating experiences such as retreats in Western Australia’s tranquil natural landscapes.

Multi-generational travel is also on the rise, as families increasingly choose Western Australia for its diverse offerings. From up-close encounters with wild marine animals to fruit-picking experiences, activities in Western Australia cater to family members of all ages, providing opportunities for quality time and creating new memories as they journey through Western Australia.

Off-the-beaten-path adventures are gaining traction among travellers seeking serene, crowd-free destinations that blend relaxation with exploring Western Australia’s untouched wilderness.

Western Australia’s top attractions continue to captivate visitors, offering unforgettable experiences for travellers. Of these, Broome is rapidly emerging as a favourite destination for Singaporeans seeking a unique escape from the familiar, offering adventures and experiences unlike any other. 

Following the success of its inaugural launch in June 2024, Jetstar Asia will begin the second season of direct flights (4.5 hours flight time) from 1 April to 25 October 2025 to meet the high demand for travel between Singapore and Broome, Western Australia, during this period. 

Singaporeans can join activities such as Broome Whale Watching to witness the Southern Hemisphere’s largest whale migration, multi-award-winning Willie Creek pearl farm tours to discover the lustrous beauty of Broome pearls or explore aboriginal culture with Mabu Buru Tour to learn traditional foraging techniques from an Aboriginal guide.

Thomas Cook India partners with Georgia

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 17 February 2025: In a strategic initiative to boost travel to Georgia from India, Thomas Cook (India) has signed an MOU with the Georgia National Tourism Administration (GNTA). 

The collaboration focuses on building awareness and inspiring demand to drive increased visitations to Georgia.

Photo credit: Thomas Cook (India).

Thomas Cook India’s internal data reveals strong travel demand from Indian consumers for fresh, new destinations and easy visa regimes. 

This partnership aims to showcase Georgia along three key axes: attractiveness, accessibility and affordability. To inspire Indian travellers and catalyse demand, Thomas Cook India’s partnership with GNTA will focus on key objectives, such as:

  • Creating strong awareness for Georgia in the Indian market.
  • Building inspirational content for the destination.
  • Promoting MICE to Georgia.
  • Joint marketing collaboration to promote Georgia in the Indian market.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, President & Country Head Holidays, MICE, Visa — Rajeev Kale said:  “From the charming streets of Tbilisi, rich in history and culture, the majestic landscapes of the Caucasus mountains, the ancient cave cities of Uplistsikhe, and globally renowned wine culture with its neolithic grape wine cultivation dating back to almost 8000 years, Georgia offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences, and at great value for the discerning Indian traveller. We are delighted to collaborate with the Georgia National Tourism Administration to jointly promote Georgia as a go-to destination across our customer segments. To inspire demand, our strategic intent will focus on education and training, familiarisation trips and joint marketing collaborations to target India’s high-potential segments, including millennials/young working professionals, families, couples, solo travellers, B-Leisure and corporate MICE groups. We will focus on key markets across India’s metros, mini-metros, and tier two and three cities.”

Georgian National Tourism Administration Head, Maia Omiadze said: “We are thrilled to partner with Thomas Cook India and to sign an MOU. Thomas Cook India is one of India’s most influential travel companies. This collaboration is designed to boost Georgia’s visibility in India, drive targeted marketing campaigns, and attract more Indian tourists to our country.

India’s growing importance in the global tourism landscape is evident, with 124,335 visits to Georgia in 2024 — an impressive 46.8% increase from the previous year. We were in Mumbai at OTM 2025, where we were joined by a strong delegation of 45 companies, reflecting unprecedented private sector engagement and creating valuable opportunities for partnerships with Indian counterparts.”

HK Express flies to Ishigaki Okinawa

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 17 February 2025: HK Express Airways resumes direct flights to Ishigaki, Japan, offering more diverse options to explore Okinawa. 

Starting from 3 April 2025, there will be daily flights from Hong Kong to Ishigaki Airport (ISG) in Japan. With the addition of the Ishigaki route to the existing Naha service, customers can now choose between Okinawa’s two major airports as entry and exit points, making it easier than ever to connect to other destinations in Japan. 

HK Express is launching a limited-time promotional offer to celebrate its return to the Ishigaki route. Flying to Ishigaki or Naha, the airline tags its one-way ‘Lite’ fares at HKD148* (includes one small personal item and one cabin baggage). 

● Naha: 24 February to 25 October 2025
● Ishigaki: 3 April to 25 October 2025

Located southwest of Okinawa’s main island, Ishigaki is part of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, renowned for its natural beauty. From scenic viewpoints to iconic lighthouses, Ishigaki offers marine adventure with snorkelling, scuba diving, or glass-bottom boat tours to explore the largest blue coral reef in the northern hemisphere that teems with tropical marine life. Ishigaki is steeped in rich cultural heritage and offers an enchanting mix of traditions.

* Limited seats available. Terms and conditions apply. Fares do not include taxes and surcharges. Please refer to the system display for the final settlement amount, which may be subjected to exchange rate fluctuations

** All flight schedules are subject to regulatory approval. The final flight details will be available on the official ticketing page of HK Express.

AirAsia ‘free’ seats up for grabs

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 17 February 2025: The AirAsia FREE* Seats returns, offering up to 15 million promotional seats across 130 destinations within its extensive network. 

The promotion is available for travel during the summer season and year-end holidays until 2026.

For travellers from and to the Greater Bay Area airports, FREE* Seats will be available on the Hong Kong — Kota Kinabalu / Bangkok (Don Mueung) and Shenzhen — Bangkok (Don Mueung) routes.

Travellers can choose flights to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), and Manila at fares starting from just HKD410 /MOP490 all in one way*.

Fly further for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to Maldives, Perth, Tawau, Kuching, Boracay and more on its Big Sales. Gather your belongings and embark on an adventure, flying from our hubs in Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Bali (Denpasar)  with fares as low as HKD817/MOP1,130 all in one way*.

AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Woo said: “We are thrilled to kick off the year on a strong note by offering 15 million guaranteed promotional seats, preparing our guests to plan their travels and vacations for the second half of the year up until 2026.”

The AirAsia FREE* Seats sale started at noon on 15 February 2025 and is open for bookings until 23 February 2025 via airasia.com or the AirAsia MOVE app for travel between 1 July 2025 and 15 June 2026. 

AirAsia offers a 20% discount on the Value Pack (20kg of checked baggage, in-flight meals and standard seat selection) during the initial flight booking process. 

*The Free Seat fare applies only to the base fare, excluding airport taxes and surcharges, and is subject to availability. All-in fares include taxes and other applicable fees. T&C apply.

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