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Tag: travel

  • Strategy Cebu Pacific expects up to $79 million hit from coronavirus

    Strategy Cebu Pacific expects up to $79 million hit from coronavirus

    Cebu Pacific expects the coronavirus outbreak to impact its bottom line by up to Ps4 billion ($79 million).

    The low-cost carrier estimates that it will see “a Ps3-4 billion swing on profit” should the outbreak remain unabated over the next six months.

    It makes this estimate based on 2003’s Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which curtailed demand for air travel for six months.

    The carrier has canceled flights to China until 29 March, while reducing frequencies to Hong Kong and Macau. Meanwhile, compatriot Philippine Airlines and Philippines AirAsia have suspended flights to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Cebu Pacific stressed that the Ps4 billion figure is provided against “the context of its 2020 profit outlook,” especially since it posted operating profit of Ps8.9 billion in the first half of 2019.

    In its statement to the Philippines Stock Exchange, it confirmed remarks by its chief executive Lance Gokongwei that the impact of the coronavirus remains difficult to forecast as “the situation continues to evolve.”

    “We can’t forecast because the situation is escalating so fast,” Gokongwei was quoted as saying in a 2 February report on The Philippine Star.

    “We just had an update regarding [the eruption of] Taal volcano three weeks ago and then now, there’s a change in forecast. People don’t want to travel.”

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  • Leading tour operator reports losses

    Leading tour operator reports losses

    Vietravel reported a VND14.1 billion ($606,000) loss in the last quarter of 2019 largely due to rising financing costs.

    Its profit margin slipped in the final quarter, with sales rising by 9.13 percent to VND1.45 trillion ($62.33 million) but cost of goods sold increasing by 10.48 percent to VND1.35 trillion ($58.03 million), according to the company’s latest consolidated financial statement.

    Vietravel’s revenues mainly came from selling tours, goods and tickets on flights it chartered. Q4 financial expenses topped VND26.66 billion ($1.15 million) after ballooning seven-fold year-on-year as the company obtained over VND160 billion ($6.89 million) in short-term loans from various banks.

    Vietravel merely said the loans were to supplement operating capital without elaborating.

    The loss came after three profitable quarters, and in the same quarter of 2018 the company had made a post-tax profit of VND7.3 billion ($313,800).

    Consolidated revenues for full-year 2019 came to VND7.26 trillion ($312 million), up 0.28 percent year-on-year, while post-tax profits fell 32 percent to VND39.93 billion ($1.72 million).

    It applied for a license for setting up an airline last year, and said it plans to launch its first flight late this year using either the narrow-body Airbus A321neo or Boeing 737.

    In the last two years it operated around 300 charter flights a year, both domestically and internationally.

    If licensed, Vietravel Airlines will enter a fiercely competitive aviation market which already has six players: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), Bamboo Airways, and newly-licensed military-run carrier Vietstar Airlines, the last two making their debut last year.

    Analysts have forecast 2020 to be a difficult year for tourism companies with the outbreak of the new deadly nCoV pneumonia virus, which has caused Vietnamese airlines to suspend most flights to China.

    The arrival of Chinese tourists, who accounted for 32 percent of all visitors to Vietnam last year, is also expected to fall sharply.

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  • Vietjet suspends all China flights

    Vietjet suspends all China flights

    Vietjet will stop all flights to and from China starting Saturday to try and limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    The budget airline said in a statement Friday that it had prepared this plan earlier, and will cooperate with Vietnamese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) in taking steps to prevent the spread of the nCoV among its crew members and passengers.

    Vietjet is the first Vietnamese airline to stop China flights. At the time of writing, Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific were still operating flights to China.

    Globally, British Airways was the first airline to suspend all direct flights to and from China. Other carriers such as U.S.-based United Airlines and Indonesia-based Lion Air have suspended flights to certain Chinese cities.

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Wednesday ordered local airlines to stop all flights between Vietnam and infected locations in China.

    The Ministry of Health confirmed Thursday that three Vietnamese have tested positive for the nCoV. One is being treated at the Thanh Hoa General Hospital in the eponymous central province and the others at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi.

    As of Friday, there were five confirmed cases of infection in Vietnam. The first cases of nCoV infection detected in the country were a Chinese father and son duo. The son has recovered.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday declared a global health emergency as the death toll reached 213, all of them in China.

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  • Mavcom imposes fines on AirAsia, AirAsia X, MAHB

    Mavcom imposes fines on AirAsia, AirAsia X, MAHB

    he Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) has imposed financial penalties on AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int’l), AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int’l) and MA Sepang, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), according to a press release issued by the commission. The airlines breached the consumer protection code, while the airport operator failed to meet the quality of service (QoS) standards.

    According to MAVCOM, the airlines contravened the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC) in the period from August 10, 2019, to September 11, 2019, by charging credit card, debit card, and online banking processing fees separate from their base fares. Both were fined MYR2 million ringgit (USD490,000) for the breaches.

    The two airlines were charged with the same contravention in September 2019, this time in the period between June 1, 2019, to August 9, 2019. On that occasion, AirAsia and AirAsia X were fined MYR200,000 (USD49,000) each.

    According to the ch-aviation capacities module, AirAsia is the largest seat provider at Kuala Lumpur Int’l, with a weekly capacity of 270,000. AirAsia X is the third-biggest airline, with close to 74,000 weekly seats, behind Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur Int’l) in second spot.

    MAVCOM imposed a MYR865,875 (USD210,000) fine on MA Sepang for failing to meet several requirements of the Airports QoS Framework during the period of April 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019. The framework, which came into effect at Terminal 1 and 2 at Kuala Lumpur on September 1, 2018, was introduced to ensure that air

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  • Vietjet Commences First Ever Direct ServiceLinking Hanoi and Bali

    Vietjet Commences First Ever Direct ServiceLinking Hanoi and Bali

    In celebration of Lunar New Year 2020, new-age carrier Vietjetofficially commences its newest direct route linking Hanoi and Bali, Indonesia on the second day of Lunar New Year. This is Vietjet’s second service to the popular holiday destination, following the Ho Chi Minh City – Bali route that has been in operation from May 2019. It is also the first direct route departing from Vietnam’s capital city to Bali.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairwoman of Vietjet’s Board of Directors Nguyen Thanh Ha said, “Vietjet was founded with a pioneering mission to connect the skies. We are proud to be the first airline to operate direct flights between Hanoi and Bali. The new route, operated from the second day of the Lunar New Year, will meet the New Year’s travel demand of the locals and international travelers with less travel time and cost. Not only connecting the two most attractive cultural tourism destinations in Asia, the Hanoi – Bali route will also further promote cooperation between the countries in ASEAN.”

    The Hanoi – Bali route operates daily return flights from 26 January 2020. The flight departs from Hanoi at 10.00 am and arrives in Bali at 4.25 pm. The return flight takes off from Bali at 5.30 pm and lands in Hanoi at 9.55 pm. All are in local times.

    As Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi offers an unforgettable vacation with its rich history. Founded more than one thousand years ago, tourists will be astonished by Hanoi’s architecture and colonial facades. Bali, one the most popular island destinations in Indonesia and all of Asia, is often called “The Island of the Gods” and often described as a tropical paradise. Voted as one of the best islands in the world, Bali is a destination of pristine, beautiful landscapes and unique cultural charms.

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  • AirAsia X Launches Kuala Lumpur – Taipei – Okinawa Flights

    AirAsia X Launches Kuala Lumpur – Taipei – Okinawa Flights

    AirAsia X has launched flights between Kuala Lumpur and Naha Airport in Okinawa, Japan.

    AirAsia will operate the flights, which will fly via Taipei, four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

    Flight D7 384 is scheduled to leave KL at 07:35 and land in Taipei at 12:20. The aircraft then departs Taipei at 13:20, landing in Okinawa at 16:00.

    The return flight, D7 385, is timed to leave Naha Airport at 17:30 and land in Taipei at 18:10 before departing for KL at 19:10. The aircraft is scheduled to land back in KL at 00:05 the following day.

    AirAsia X Chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, said, “With the addition of Okinawa, AirAsia X now flies to 35 destinations. Together with AirAsia Group, our combined fleet of over 250 aircraft can now connect Okinawa with over 150 destinations across ASEAN, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the US.”

    Travelers from Kuala Lumpur to Okinawa Naha are not required to obtain a visa during their one-hour stopover in Taipei and may return to their seats after clearing a quick security check of their carry-on bags and inflight belongings.

    “As we begin to accept the delivery of the technologically-advanced Airbus A330neo aircraft later this year, the Group will continue to evaluate and consider launching exciting and viable new routes to destinations such as in Eastern Europe, within Asia and Australia. Such new routes, if viable, can accelerate domestic and regional tourism growth, especially in key markets with high demand,” added Tan Sri Rafidah.

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  • NokScoot soars to new heights for punctuality

    NokScoot soars to new heights for punctuality

    NokScoot, the joint venture low-cost carrier of Thailand’s Nok Air and Singapore’s Scoot, achieved its best-ever annual on-time performance (OTP) since the start of operation with an average of 86.55% in 2019.

    The airline’s 2019 punctuality report revealed that the airline obtained its highest OTP on record even though the flights flown increased by 30% or 1,162 flights. Last year alone, it operated 4,951 flights, an increased from 3,789 flights flown in 2018. During the busiest month of 2019 in December, it earned a perfect 100% OTP for both, Tokyo Narita International Airport in Japan and Qingdao International Airport in China.

    “At NokScoot, we always work hard in order to offer the best services and provide an enjoyable flying experience to our passengers.” said Yodchai Sudhidhanakul, CEO of NokScoot. “OTP is crucial and has always been one of our five core values, ‘Consistently Deliver’. We are committed to maintain and enhance the highest standard in every aspect, including punctuality, safety and convenience.”

    The carrier currently flies from Bangkok to nine destinations in East Asia and India, including Nanjing, Qingdao, Shenyang, Tianjin, Taipei, Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, and New Delhi.

  • Wuhan Coronavirus Prompts Banks to Issue Travel Warnings

    Wuhan Coronavirus Prompts Banks to Issue Travel Warnings

    Concerns about the coronavirus outbreak originating from Wuhan are rapidly escalating this week with banks joining in to issue warnings against travel and ready their business continuity plans.

    The outbreak has so far infected more than 500 individuals globally and has reportedly claimed 17 lives thus far. Following President Xi Jinping’s announcement this week saying that it was a critical matter to combat the new virus, at least three cities including Wuhan have been on lockdown to control the spread of the epidemic.

    Meanwhile, banks are also issuing their own notices to address the matter. Standard Chartered, which has a branch in Wuhan, said it was monitoring the situation closely and is advising its staff to defer all business travel to the infected city until February 3 when it will consider whether a further suspension is warranted. HSBC, which experienced its own unrelated flu scare this week, issued its own travel advisory for Wuhan and said it had improved cleaning at its premises.

    UBS, Citi and J.P. Morgan reportedly told staff they are closely monitoring the situation but had not restricted travel.

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  • AirAsia, Malindo cancel all flights bound to and from Wuhan, China

    AirAsia, Malindo cancel all flights bound to and from Wuhan, China

    AirAsia Group Bhd and Malindo Air have both halted all flights to and from Wuhan, China, in view of the coronavirus outbreak there.

    While Malindo did not specify how long the suspension will be in effect, AirAsia said the canceled flights affect all AirAsia flights bound to Wuhan from Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok and Phuket until Jan 28.

    Both airlines, in making the announcement in separate statements today, said they are closely monitoring the situation in Wuhan.

    “This is in response to the travel ban from the officials in Wuhan on the coronavirus outbreak to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of air travel to the flight crew and guests or passengers,” said Malindo.

    “Passengers who hold a valid booking for travel between Jan 23 and Feb 8 this year may contact our call center at +603-7841 5388 or walk into our ticketing office for further assistance,” it added.

    AirAsia, meanwhile, assures that the safety and wellbeing of its guests and Allstars is its top priority. AirAsia is complying with advice and regulations from global and local health authorities, including the World Health Organisation.

    “AirAsia guests who are in Wuhan are advised to abide by announcements made by the Government and health authorities, and to contact their respective diplomatic missions or embassies in China for assistance,” it said.

    It has also arranged the following alternatives for those who wish to alter their traveling plans to and from Wuhan:

    1. Reroute: Reroute to any other mainland China station for flights to Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok and Phuket without additional cost, subject to seat availability. Applicable for all flights until Feb 29, 2020, or

    2. Credit account: Retain the value of your fare in your AirAsia BIG Loyalty account for future travel with AirAsia. The online credit account is to be redeemed for booking within 90 calendar days from the issuance date for your travel with us. The actual travel dates can be after the expiry date as long as our flight schedule is out. Applicable for all flights until Feb 29, 2020, or

    3. Full refund: Obtain a full refund to your original payment method for the amount equivalent to your booking if flights are canceled. Applicable for all flights until Feb 15, 2020 and return flights from Feb 16-29, 2020.

    “Guests whose flights fall into the above date range can obtain a full refund in the amount equivalent to that booking in the form of original payment. Refund requests can be made with AVA at support.airasia.com. From the main menu categories available, click on ‘refund’ then ‘new refund request’ and finally ‘AirAsia flights to/from Wuhan’. From there, simply follow the instructions as directed by AVA.

    “For bookings made through travel agents including online travel agents, refund requests are to be made via the respective travel agents,” AirAsia added.

  • Cebu Pacific announces seat sale

    Cebu Pacific announces seat sale

    Filipinos and residents in the UAE can get a chance to enjoy the most exciting festivities in the Philippines as Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest national carrier, offers flights from Dubai to Manila for as low as Dh395 ($107.5) base fare.

    The Philippines is known for its stunning beaches some of which are recognized as one of the best in the world. But aside from its magnificent coastlines, the country is also a home to some of the best festivals you’ll ever get to see.

    Cebu Pacific celebrates the success of their hometown’s Sinulog Festival with these Festivals of Fun seat sale! Catch the remaining festivals of the Philippines this year by starting with Panagbenga aka annual flower festival in February.

    In addition, Cebu Pacific has the widest network in the Philippines—connecting travelers from the UAE to 37 local destinations and 25 international destinations with over 120 routes.

    The sale will be from January 20 to 23 and will cover the travel period from February 1 to June 30, which means a chance to experience as many festivals in the country as one can.

    Book now through www.cebupacificair.com or the mobile app, available both in Google Play and App Store. Those who prefer to pay in cash may pay over the counter at any branch of Al-Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange and Al Rais Travels located across the country, within 24 hours of making a booking online.

  • AirAsia Is Accepting Applications For Its ‘Dare To Fly!

    AirAsia Is Accepting Applications For Its ‘Dare To Fly!

    If you are among those who wish to become pilots someday, now is your chance to reach your dream. AirAsia has recently announced it is now accepting applications for the “Dare to Fly! The Allstars Cadet Pilot Program.”

    The aim, according to a press release from AirAsia, is to select as well as train aspiring young pilots.

    In this program, AirAsia has teamed up with Omni Aviation Corporation in a bid to provide successful cadets with up to two years of technical and leadership training. It is to reach the competencies that are required by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

    “AirAsia is proud to have the best pilots in the country and we will strive to train more young cadets with our partner Omni Aviation Corporation,” said Ricky Isla, the CEO of AirAsia Philippines. “Through the ‘Dare to Fly! The Allstars Cadet Pilot Program,’ we invite Filipinos to dare to dream with AirAsia.”

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  • Singapore Airlines Set To Fly The Airbus A350 to Ahmedabad

    Singapore Airlines Set To Fly The Airbus A350 to Ahmedabad

    Singapore Airlines will roll out one of its A350-900s on its new route between Singapore and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. Singapore Airlines’ new service is set to take flight from 1 February 2020. Ahmedabad will be the airline’s seventh Indian destination.

    The service would operate six days a week from the start of February, ramping up to a daily service at the beginning of April 2020.

    The outbound flights will push back from Singapore’s Changi Airport at dinner time for a mid-evening arrival into Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The return flight is a late evening departure from Ahmedabad, flying through the night for a breakfast time arrival into Singapore. Flying time is five hours and 40 minutes. For the first two months, the flights will not operate on Wednesdays.

    The Singapore Airlines A350 is a popular option for the Simple Flying team. In April 2019, Jay Singh flew from Singapore to Johannesburg on an SQ A350, an experience he described as ‘almost perfect.’

    Well, he was drinking Charles Heidsieck and eating a chicken curry rustled up through the airline’s ‘Book the Cook’ service. What’s not to like about that?

    Now he wants to do the ultra long haul Singapore to Newark A350 flight.

    A few months later, Nick Cummins found himself on the same aircraft type when flying Singapore Airlines. He flew from Germany to Singapore in October 2019. Nick liked it so much he made a video about it.

    Having had a few dodgy airline ham and cheese toasties in his time, he’s now on a quest to discover the best and worst airline ham and cheese toasties. The Singapore Airlines toastie got the thumbs up. Nick’s only real complaint was the airline didn’t have an endless supply of desserts.

    This all bodes well for passengers on the same aircraft type on the new service to Ahmedabad. If, like Nick and Jay, you are lucky enough to be in business class, you’ll enjoy your Piper with 40 other passengers relaxing in lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Even back in the main economy 3-3-3 cabin, the 263 passengers can enjoy one of the best economy class products in the sky.

    Services will be six days a week initially before going daily two months later. Photo: Singapore Airlines.
     

    The new service to Ahmedabad will provide local residents with one-stop access to North America, Oceania, Asia, and if you are not put off by a little backtracking, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

    The six days a week Singapore Airlines A350 service between Singapore and Ahmedabad will begin on 1 February 2020. It will become a daily service on 29 March 2020.

  • AirAsia expands Penang hub

    AirAsia expands Penang hub

    Travellers flying out of Malaysia’s northern hub Penang can now book AirAsia newest flights to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, China.

    AirAsia will launch a Penang- Chengdu service 8 March with three weekly direct flights.

    AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “Penang is one of our largest secondary hubs in Peninsular Malaysia, to which we flew more than 2.4 million guests to the island last year. This is our first route from Penang to Mainland China, and we are confident this additional route will continue to boost visitor arrivals into Penang, and vice versa.”

    Members all-in fares from Penang to Chengdu start from MYR99*, available for booking on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app until 19 January 2020, for travel between 8 to 28 March 2020.

    Return flights with three-day, two-night hotel stays starting from as low as MYR332** per person are also up for grabs through SNAP on airasia.com.

    Best known as home to the adorable giant pandas, Chengdu is a thriving city with many natural, cultural and historical sights. Some of the must-visit attractions include the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jinli Ancient Street and the Leshan Giant Buddha and Wenshu Monastery.

    Named by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy”, many popular Chinese dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken originate from the region. Travellers can also choose to unwind by enjoying aromatic tea at any of the local teahouses.

    Chengdu is also a gateway to the western territories of China, including Tibet, which its capital Lhasa is home to the historical centre of Tibetan Buddhism and famous Potala Palace; as well as the Unesco World Heritage Site Jiuzhaigou, one of the most scenic places in China.

    Besides Chengdu, AirAsia currently flies to 12 destinations from its Penang hub, namely Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Surabaya, Jakarta, Medan, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

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  • Cebu Pacific kicks off new year with weekend seat sale

    Cebu Pacific kicks off new year with weekend seat sale

    Start the new year right by jetting off to Clark, an underrated destination in the Philippines with Cebu Pacific’s first seat sale of the year. From 10 January 2020 till 14 January 2020, all flights to the destination are on sale from as low as SGD 90 (USD 66.55), with a travel period from 1 February 2020 to 30 June 2020.

    With exciting seat sales lined up throughout the year, the carrier aims to make travel more convenient and affordable, allowing Singaporeans to enjoy quick getaways and explore new and unique destinations in the Philippines.

    Located in the heart of the Philippine’s Central Luzon region, Clark is a hidden gem that offers visitors a unique fusion of urban and cultural experiences. From teeing off on a world-class championship golf course at the Mimosa and Fontana Resort and Country Clubs, to relaxing in the thermal springs of Mount Pinatubo at Puning Hot Spring, it is just four hours away from Singapore with Cebu Pacific.

  • Vietnam air travel demand surges 12 pct

    Vietnam air travel demand surges 12 pct

    Airports across Vietnam served near 116 million passengers this year, up 12 percent from 2018, with Vietnam Airlines Group and Vietjet dominating the market.

    About 64 percent, or 74 million passengers, were domestic, up 11 percent from last year, according to Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

    The remaining 41.7 million foreign travelers grew by 13.6 percent from last year, with Noi Bai International Airport, Da Nang International Airport and central Cam Ranh International Airport near Nha Trang experiencing the highest traffic growth.

    Vietnam Airlines Group accounted for over 50 percent of the market share. It comprises national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, low-cost arm Jetstar Pacific and Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO).

    Budget carrier Vietjet accounted for 41.9 percent of the market.

    ACV Chairman Lai Xuan Thanh said overload will be a challenge next year as red tape in aviation infrastructure and investment constrains upgrade and expansion projects, like at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which handles 30 percent of the country’s air passengers.

    Another concern is slower growth in foreign passenger numbers, which dropped from over 20 percent in 2016-2018 to 13.6 percent, he added.

    ACV forecasts the number of air passengers would rise by 10 percent to 127 million next year.

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