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THAI lops 30% off New Year fares

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 9 December 2024: Thai Airways is offering a 30% discount to domestic travellers on bookings made between 26 December 2024 and 5 January 2025 in response to a Ministry of Transportation ruling that more affordable airline travel should be available during the New Year holiday season.

The airline calls the 30% discount a New Year 2568 gift for Thai citizens planning to reunite with their families during the holiday.

The deal applies to 8,000 seats on domestic routes flown mainly by 160-seat A320s. Travellers must show their Thai national ID cards to reserve seats or present their Thai passports at the Thai Airways sales office or the THAI Contact Centre. 

Flights valid for the discount scheme

For some of the above flights, the airline confirms it intends to upgrade aircraft from the Airbus A320 to Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 787-9 or Airbus A330-300 on specific roundtrip routes such as Bangkok – Phuket, Bangkok – Chiang Mai and Bangkok – Krabi. The change will increase seat capacity on the specified routes to 24,786 to accommodate the surge in festive season travel.

IATA: Solid growth in October passenger demand

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 9 December 2024: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for October 2024 global passenger demand, showing total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 7.1% compared to October 2023. 

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6.1% year-on-year. The October load factor was 83.9% (+0.8ppt compared to October 2023).

International demand rose 9.5% compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 8.6% year-on-year, and the load factor rose to 83.5% (+0.6ppt compared to October 2023).

Domestic demand rose 3.5% compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 2.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.5% (+1.2ppt compared to October 2023).

“Continued strong and stable demand is good news, but just as important is the steady improvement in load factors. It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently,” said  IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh. 

“Average seat factors have risen from around 67% in the 1990s to over 83% today. Politicians considering taxing passengers off planes to reduce emissions would do well to note this. Even if fewer people fly because taxes make it too expensive, it doesn’t automatically mean reduced emissions because the planes will still fly, just with fewer passengers. That would reverse decades of hard-won progress. We need to see the planes full to generate the economic and social benefits of travel with the most minimal emissions possible.” 

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets

All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in October 2024 compared to October 2023. Europe had the highest load factors, and Africa showed a sharp increase, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls. 

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 17.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9% (+0.3ppt compared to October 2023). 

European carriers had an 8.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.7% (+1.1ppt compared to October 2023).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.2% (-0.2ppt compared to October 2023).

North American carriers saw a 3.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.2% (+0.3ppt compared to October 2023).

Latin American airlines saw a 10.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3% (-0.6ppt compared to October 2023).

African airlines saw a 10.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 73.2% (+3.4ppt compared to October 2023).

Cathay adds Brussels to its European network

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG 9, December 2024: Cathay Pacific will resume flights to Brussels in the summer of 2025 after a four-year pause due to the Covid pandemic.  

Last week, the airline announced it would debut direct passenger service to Munich on 16 June 2025 with four return flights per week, marking its second route to Germany alongside its daily service to Frankfurt.

Photo credit: Cathay Pacific. CX will increase flights to Europe in the summer 2025.

Cathay Pacific’s direct flights between Hong Kong and Brussels are set to return on 3 August 2025, with four weekly flights scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The Belgian capital is not only an important political centre and transportation hub within the region but also a city steeped in history. It is also the defacto capital for the EU.

The Munich and Brussels services will be operated using Cathay Pacific’s advanced Airbus A350-900 aircraft, providing customers with fully flat beds in business, spacious seats in Premium Economy and comfort in Economy cabins.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “We are very excited to be adding Munich to our network for the first time and returning to Brussels next year, making these our 10th and 11th destinations in Europe, respectively. Hong Kong is a world-class international financial, commercial and aviation hub, and these flights will provide our customers with a direct connection between our home city and two of Europe’s important centres.”

In the summer of 2025, Cathay Pacific will operate up to 93 return passenger flights per week to Europe, up from 78 flights per week. In addition to four weekly return flights to Munich and Brussels, this includes five daily flights to London, daily flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Zurich, and four weekly flights to Madrid and Barcelona, the latter being a summer seasonal service.

During 2025, Cathay projects its passenger network will reach 100 destinations worldwide.

Flight schedules HKG-BRU

Indigo links Kolkata and Phuket

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 9 December 2024: IndiGo will introduce daily direct flights between Kolkata and Phuket, starting 27 December, making it IndiGo’s second direct flight to Phuket after introducing twice daily flights from Delhi in mid-November.

Indigo flies A320s with 165 seats on routes to Southeast Asia.

Photo credit: Indigo adds Kolkata-Phuket route ahead of the year-end festive season.

The new route will expand IndiGo’s global network, cater to the growing number of tourists from India to Thailand, and strengthen trade and commerce between India and Southeast Asia.

IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said: “We are pleased further to expand our route network to Thailand from Kolkata, now adding a daily flight to Phuket in addition to the existing 11 weekly

flights to Bangkok. With this new route, IndiGo will operate 93 weekly flights between India and Thailand. 

“Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is known for its serene beaches and cultural diversity, and the country’s visa-free policy for Indian citizens is expected to drive even greater demand. IndiGo remains

committed to providing an affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience across our extensive network.”

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is one of the oldest cities in India, and it is known for its deep-rooted culture and rich historical backdrop. Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, this ancient city was earlier called ‘Calcutta’ and has been awarded as ‘Cultural Capital of India’, ‘The City of Processions’ and ‘City of Joy’. 

Kolkata is famous for its historical attractions such as Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens (Stadium), Birla

Planetarium, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Writer’s Building, Nicco Park, Saheed Minar and National Library. It is also the gateway for tours exploring Buddhist heritage sites of northern India, including Bodh Gaya.

Flight Schedule

AirAsia flies HCMC to Kota Kinabalu

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 9 December 2024: AirAsia expanded its network in Vietnam by launching a new direct route from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, to Ho Chi Minh City on 2 December, flying three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Using an 186-seat A320, the inaugural flight departed from Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 1145 and reached Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 1255. It marked the commencement of AirAsia’s 16th international flight operated by AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) from its Kota Kinabalu hub.

This new route also aligns with Malaysia’s broader tourism goals, which include a targeted 27.3 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 and preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Flight schedule BKI-SGN
Flight AK160 departs Kota Kinabalu (BKI) at 1145 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1245.
Flight AK1631 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1325 and arrives in Kota Kinabalu (BKI) at 1635.

The airline’s renewed focus on Vietnam aligns with the country’s ambitious tourism goal of attracting 17 to 18 million international visitors this year as it enters its peak season for global arrivals in the final quarter.

Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit commented: “We are delighted to welcome this new route, marking a significant milestone for Sabah as a growing must-visit destination in Southeast Asia. Ho Chi Minh City is already well-known among Sabahans, and this new route opens the door for Vietnamese travellers to explore Sabah’s stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and growing interest in medical tourism and wellness travel. With this enhanced accessibility, the Sabah Tourism Board will intensify efforts to promote this route and showcase the best of Sabah. We thank AirAsia for their support in strengthening regional connectivity and boosting tourism growth between Sabah and Vietnam.”

AirAsia now operates 93 flights weekly to and from Vietnam, delivering 1 million seats since 2023, further positioning Vietnam as a key connectivity hub for the region.

Thai AirAsia X flies to Delhi

Meanwhile, online timetable schedules indicate Thai AirAsia X will add Bangkok – Delhi services starting 15 December, serving the route with twice-weekly flights (Wednesday and Sunda) and then increasing to four weekly flights on 15 January 2025( Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). The airline’s A330-300, with 361 seats will serve the route.

Flight schedule DMK-DEL
Flight XJ230 will depart Bangkok (DMK) at 1245 and arrive in Delhi (DEL) at 1545.
Flight XJ231 will depart Delhi (DEL) at 1705 and arrive in Bangkok (DMK) at 2250.

Harbin joins Thai AirAsia X network

Advance timetable schedules confirm Thai AirAsia X will also add a new service to Harbin, China, on 24 December, deploying an Airbus A330-300 aircraft to fly the direct route three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Flight schedule: DMK-HRB
Flight XJ900 will depart Bangkok (DMK) at 1800 and arrive in Harbin (HRB) at 0100 plus a day.
Flight XJ901 will depart Harbin (HRB) at 0215 and arrive in Bangkok (DMK at 0800.

Why fly to Harbin

Harbin is located in northeastern China,  in the southern part of Heilongjiang Province. It’s known for its beautiful winter scenery.

Tourism

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: This world-famous festival attracts millions of visitors yearly, drawn to its stunning ice sculptures and winter activities.   

Cultural attractions: Harbin offers a unique blend of Russian and Chinese cultures, with beautiful architecture, historical sites, and vibrant nightlife.   

Natural beauty: The surrounding region boasts stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers.   

Business

Economic hub: Harbin is a major industrial and commercial centre in Northeast China, with a growing economy and expanding business opportunities.   

Transportation hub: Harbin Taiping International Airport is a major transportation hub, connecting the city to other parts of China and the world

Dusit Hotels and Resorts debuts in Malaysia

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TTR WEEKLY
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MELAKA, Malaysia, 5 December 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, will soft open its first hotel in Malaysia, Dusit Princess Melaka, on 7 December 2024. 

Strategically located in the heart of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City renowned for its vibrant culture and history, Dusit Princess Melaka marks a significant milestone for Dusit as it enters the Malaysian market. 

Melaka’s reputation as a popular tourist destination continues to grow, thanks to its blend of heritage and health tourism. By September 2024, the state welcomed approximately 10 million visitors, surpassing its annual target of 8.7 million. With a significant number of travellers arriving from key markets such as China and Singapore, Dusit Princess Melaka is ideally positioned to meet the needs of this expanding international audience.

Blending Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with a contemporary design tailored for both business and leisure travellers, Dusit Princess Melaka occupies the former Ramada Plaza Melaka building, which has undergone a refurbishment and complete rebranding to reflect the distinctive essence of the upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand.

From spacious and elegantly appointed Deluxe rooms with city views to the expansive Presidential Suite, every room in the 296-key property is thoughtfully designed with modern comforts and attentive details, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for families, solo travellers, and visiting executives alike.

The hotel features a fully equipped gym and a large swimming pool for relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including Zest, an all-day dining destination offering sumptuous buffet spreads, and Long Feng, a beloved local favourite renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine and signature dim sum.

State-of-the-art meeting facilities and a grand ballroom capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests deliver a seamless and sophisticated setting for events of any scale.

The hotel’s central location is a standout feature for those seeking an immersive journey, offering unparalleled convenience for exploring Melaka’s rich cultural heritage and historical attractions. The bustling business district and popular landmarks such as Dutch Square, St. Paul’s Hill and Church, A’Famosa Fort, and Jonker Street Market are all within easy reach. Malacca International Airport is just a 17-minute drive away, while the commute to Kuala Lumpur International Airport can take approximately one hour and 45 minutes by car.

“We are delighted and honoured to unveil Dusit Princess Melaka, bringing our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to Malaysia for the first time,” said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “This opening represents a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of Dusit Hotels and Resorts. With its distinctive blend of comfort, convenience, and heartfelt service, we are confident the hotel will become a preferred destination for travellers and provide an enriching gateway for guests to connect deeply with Melaka’s vibrant history and culture.”

Dusit Princess Melaka offers introductory packages for stays and dining experiences to celebrate its soft opening. For more information and reservations, visit dusit.com/dusitprincess-melaka or follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram at @dusitprincessmelaka. 

Emirates boosts Madagascar and Seychelles flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 5 December 2024: Emirates will introduce a fifth weekly flight on its Dubai-Antananarivo route, starting 13 December 2024, for four weeks to meet demand from holidaymakers during the busy travel period. 

The additional weekly flight scheduled on Fridays will provide more capacity from the world’s fourth-largest island nation to more than 1,800 seats in each direction per week and will support seasonal demand for travel.

Following the success of the launch of services to Madagascar in September, Emirates’ increase of capacity on its Dubai/Seychelles/Antananarivo route will help the airline to meet market demand and allow customers to enjoy greater flexibility, choice, and connectivity when planning their travel.

The additional weekly frequency on the two linked services will operate as EK707 and EK708 in a three-class configuration. Tickets can be booked immediately on www.emirates.com, at Emirates World retail stores, on the Emirates App, and through travel agencies.

Effective 13 December 2024 until 10 January 2025, flights EK707 and EK708 are scheduled to operate with timings as follows (all times are local):

The temporary boost to capacity during four weeks will complement Emirates’ services on EK707 and EK708, using Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and offering 360 seats on each flight across first class and business class in addition to economy class. 

Boosting connectivity to the Seychelles and Madagascar provides more convenience for customers travelling between these countries and other popular destinations in the Emirates network, including the UAE, Sri Lanka, France and other select points in Europe, the UK, mainland China and the US.

Travellers flying with Emirates can enjoy an unmatched culinary experience thanks to regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs and complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. 

With ice, Emirates ‘ award-winning inflight entertainment system, customers can relax with more than 6,500 channels of carefully curated global entertainment content featuring movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, games and audiobooks.

www.emirates.com

Family time drives 2025 travel plans

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 5 December 2024: Family comes first as we shape our 2025 travel plans, followed by a desire to discover new destinations, according to Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trend Survey. 

Agoda’s latest observations suggest that travellers prioritise quality time with loved ones and seek respite from daily routines. The survey also underscores the growing interest in exploring uncharted territories. 

Photo credit: Agoda. Family time equals quality time.

Seven critical insights 

Family time: For many travellers, family time equals quality time. Over a third of travellers (34%) plan to travel with family in 2025. Indonesians are the most genuine family travellers, with 58% expecting to go on a multi-generational trip with loved ones. Family travellers are followed by couples (23%) and solo travellers (19%) in most popular travel groupings.

Easy does it: According to the survey. 75% of respondents cited relaxation as their most important travel motivation. Singaporeans desire relaxation the most (87%). Regionally, visiting family and friends follows in second (39%), with cultural exploration in third (34%).

AI-assisted travel planning: Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping travel plans. Most travellers (80%) plan to use travel apps, while about one in eight (12%) are interested in virtual reality tours. Indian travellers appear to be most tech-savvy, with nine out of 10 respondents claiming to use travel apps when booking a trip.

Travel For Less: A significant portion of travellers (65%) plan to spend less than SGD250 per night on accommodation. But price is not a barrier to international travel. 87% of travellers expect to take the same number of trips or more compared to 2024, with most of those journeys crossing borders (52%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, travellers from Hong Kong expect to travel internationally the most (82%) — more than a quarter of respondents (27%) plan to travel domestically and internationally.

In and Out of Office: In addition to traditional business trips, which 28% of respondents expect to embark on, the survey focused on borderless workers who work remotely. One in 25 expects to work remotely in 2025, focusing on combining work and leisure as more companies adopt flexible work arrangements. Most prospective digital nomads in the region are from the Philippines, where one in fourteen travellers expect to work while travelling.

#Inspiration:  84% of travellers expect to visit new destinations in 2025. Travel inspiration can come from many sources, including personal interests and hobbies (71%), great value deals (56%), and recommendations from friends and family (33%). One in five (20%) gets their travel inspiration from social media, with Malaysians and Indonesians most inspired by Instagram and the likes (both 29%).

Life is a rollercoaster: Theme Parks are a reason to travel in Asia. Disney in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Lotte World in Seoul, Universal in Osaka and Singapore, and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi are a major draw for year-round tourism. Over one in eight travellers (13%) expect to travel specifically to visit a theme park in 2025. Indonesians seem most excited by the prospects of rollercoasters and amusement, with one in five expecting to visit theme parks.

For more information, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda app.

Hong Kong Airlines resumes long haul routes

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 5 December 2024: Hong Kong Airlines will resume its Gold Coast direct service on 17 January 2025, offering four weekly flights and providing passengers with convenient connections between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Australia’s Gold Coast. 

The airline will launch twice-weekly flights from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada, on the following day, 18 January 2025, marking its official return to Canada after a four-year pause. 

Hong Kong Airlines celebrates its 18th anniversary. From left: Christopher Lai, Executive Director of Lucullus Group, Leo Ko, Director of Beverage of Cordis Hong Kong, Li Yuet Faat, Chinese Cuisine Executive Chef of Ming Court, Purple Yao, Deputy Director of Branding, Communications & Live Streaming, HKA, YAN Bo, Chairman of HKA, Charles Zhao, Deputy Director, Service Delivery of HKA, Edmond Lam, Executive Chef of Man Yuen and Homer Yu, CEO of Cheong Hing Store ltd.

The airline made its latest route announcements during its recent celebrations to mark its 18th anniversary.

HKG-YVR Flight Schedule

Flight HX080 will depart Hong Kong (HKG), Tuesday, at 2210 and arrive in Vancouver (YVR) at 1810.
Flight HXO80 will depart Hong Kong, Saturday, at 2350 and arrive in Vancouver at 1950.
Flight HX081 will depart Vancouver 0105, Wednesday and Sunday, and arrive in Hong Kong at 0700 (plus a day).

Strong festive season bookings 

This year, flight sectors in Asia have fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an average passenger load factor of 85%. The airline expects to reach its annual traffic target of more than 5 million passengers by the end of this year. 

Additionally, bookings for the Christmas and Lunar New Year period have already reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels, with bookings on flights to ski resort routes in Northeast Asia during the festive season reaching 90%. In response, the airline increased flight frequency on relevant routes during December.

Airline expands Airbus fleet 
Hong Kong Airlines has significantly expanded its fleet this year, introducing multiple Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft to support medium- to long-haul routes. The airline has also introduced its first A321 aircraft, configured with 220 all-economy class seats, to increase passenger capacity. By the end of this year, Hong Kong Airlines’ fleet will expand to around 30 aircraft. The airline recently celebrated its 18th anniversary.

About Hong Kong Airlines
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline flying to 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific.

Thomas Cook wins four awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, December 03, 2024: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, along with its Group Companies, SOTC Travel and Sita, celebrated a stellar achievement at the ET Travel & Tourism Annual Awards 2024, taking home four awards. 

Photo credit: Thomas Cook India.

The Group emerged as winners across multiple categories:

• Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Outbound Travel Operator of the Year and MICE Travel Operator of the Year
• SOTC Travel: Domestic Tour Operator of the Year
• Sita: Inbound Tour Operator of the Year (Jury Recognition)

The ET Travel & Tourism Awards recognise excellence in the travel industry, celebrating companies’ innovation and exceptional service. Winners are selected through a rigorous, multi-tiered jury process monitored by a credible external audit agency, ensuring transparency and credibility.

By winning accolades for its outbound, inbound, domestic travel operations and MICE, the Thomas Cook group demonstrated its ability to cater to the evolving needs of travellers in India and worldwide. 

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Chairman Madhavan Menon said: “Winning across categories at the ET Travel & Tourism Annual Awards 2024 is a proud moment for the Thomas Cook India Group. These recognitions across our businesses reflect our continued leadership and commitment to excellence in meeting the diverse needs of our customers. This recognition is a shared celebration with our team and loyal customers who inspire us daily to excel. As we celebrate these achievements, we remain dedicated to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the travel and tourism industry.”

About Thomas Cook (India)
Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL) operates leading B2C and B2B brands, including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa.

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