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Tag: travel

  • Smaller duty-free alcohol allowance and GST relief for overseas shopping

    Smaller duty-free alcohol allowance and GST relief for overseas shopping

    From midnight tonight, Singapore duty-free allowances will be cut by about a third for returning travellers. Other allowances have also been reduced. Travellers staying outside of Singapore for fewer than 48 hours will be liable for 7 per cent GST on items bought overseas worth more than SG$100 – down from the previous threshold of $150. For travellers outside the country for a period longer than 48 hours, the $600 threshold will similarly be lowered, to $500.

    The changes were announced yesterday by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat as part of the nation’s new Budget. From April 1, the alcohol concession will also be lowered from three litres of wine or beer to two litres. The spirits cap remains at one litre.

    According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and Singapore Customs, the cuts to Singapore duty-free allowances are designed to support the city state’s existing tax intake in the face of increasing international travel.

    Returning travellers are required to declare taxable items on arrival, and have been advised to keep purchase receipts to assist in calculating any taxes due. Advance declaration and payment is available via the Customs @ SG mobile app or web portal. Failure to declare or a false declaration can incur a fine of $10,000 as well as up to a year in prison.

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  • Agoda’s top Chinese New Year 2019 travel rankings

    Agoda’s top Chinese New Year 2019 travel rankings

    Bangkok, Tokyo, and Taipei are the top three most popular destinations for Asia-Pacific travellers over the Lunar New Year period in 2019, according to booking data from Agoda. This year, Osaka, slips from the third spot in 2018 to sixth, while Taiwan scoops three of the top ten destinations, with Taipei in third, and Kaohsiung and Taichung in fifth and seventh respectively. Overall, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand will benefit the most from travellers celebrating the Lunar New Year.

    Travels during the Spring Festival tend to be reserved for family bonding and indulging in food and leisure activities that the whole family can enjoy. It is thus not surprising that most travellers in the region have chosen gourmet and retail paradise in Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore among their top ten destinations.

    The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many cities across Asia, but Chinese travellers enjoy the longest holiday. With a week to spare, Chinese tourists are spending the new year in cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

    This year, HongKongers chose to change things up, travelling to Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan over the previously favoured Korea. In fact, Korea dropped out of the top three destinations altogether to settle at the fifth spot. Staycations have also risen in popularity, and Hong Kong has made its way into the top ten this year as well.

    Singaporeans prefer to travel to neighbouring countries for their relatively short Lunar New Year public holidays. For the first time, staycations have emerged as a popular choice for those who prefer staying behind to celebrate the festival.

    Taiwanese are travelling within the region for Chinese New Year, with Kaohsiung rising up to clinch the top position. For the first time in three years, Kyoto has slipped out of the top ten rankings.

    Malaysians continue to favour travelling within the region to celebrate Lunar New Year. In 2019, domestic destinations take up eight out of the top ten destinations. Thailand remains the only overseas destination in the top ten list for Malaysian travellers over the period.

    Indonesians are venturing further afield this year to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo taking up two out of three of its top travel destinations. Japan is rising in popularity, as the region adds Sapporo – with its winter wonderland – into Indonesia’s top ten destinations.

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  • Empire State Building Store sets tourist retail benchmark

    Empire State Building Store sets tourist retail benchmark

    North American travel retail firm Hudson Group has announced the unveiling of the Empire State Building Store, part of the reimagined Empire State Building Observatory experience. The newly renovated 4500sqft retail space offers more than 800 items exclusive to the property, including destination mementos, curated souvenirs, and modern luxury, as well as a new shop-in-shop experience, Empire on Fifth.

    “With our US$160 million Observatory upgrade, the redesign of the Empire State Building Store elevates the retail experience at the building and caters to our guest’s interests,” said senior VP of the Observatory Jean-Yves Ghazi.

    “From the King Kong section to exclusive merchandise from top brands Baccarat Crystal, Puma, Swarovski and more, there truly is something for everyone”.

    The Empire State Building Store is one of more than 300 specialty retail locations operated by Hudson Group.

    “Hudson Group is elevating the gift store experience in our properties across North America by bringing 30 years of travel retail experience to tourism,” said Hudson Group CEO Roger Fordyce. “We could not be prouder to partner with Empire State Realty Trust to offer this new amenity to visitors at the most recognised building in the world, the Empire State Building”.

     

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  • The Macallan releases the first annual limited edition

    The Macallan releases the first annual limited edition

    The first in an annual, limited edition series, The Macallan Concept Number 1 was inspired by the whimsical world of surreal art, and celebrates world’s visionaries by daring to disrupt the whiskey making process. Following its Asia debut on 1st January 2019 in Singapore’s Changi International Airport, The Macallan Concept Number 1 will be made available in Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport starting from 1st February 2019. Bringing together imagination and idealism to create a fantastical, sensorial world of whisky where anything and everything is possible, the label and packaging of The Macallan Concept Number 1 features a surrealistic interpretation of The Macallan’s Six Pillars -– the spiritual home, curiously small stills, the finest cut, exceptional oak casks, natural colour and peerless spirit.

    Created from whiskies matured first in sherry-seasoned oak casks and subsequently for an equal amount of time in ex-bourbon casks, The Macallan Concept Number 1 is a whisky crafted to explore maturation more imaginatively. Displaying characteristic notes of citrus fruits and ginger, it is a spirit that combines an unwavering passion for whisky with an unfailing mastery driven by bold and brave choices.

    Commenting on the uniqueness of this series, Macallan Master Distiller, Nick Savage says, “The Macallan Concept Number 1 is whisky reimagined, offering a compelling new sensory experience that rewards with every sip. The innovative process developed to produce this remarkable single malt pays tribute to the visionaries of the surreal art world and reflects our continuous search for excellence.”

    Adding further, Igor Boyadjian, Edrington Global Travel Retail Director, emphasises, “We’re proud to unveil the first release in The Macallan’s latest innovative travel retail-exclusive product range. By “breaking the norm”, The Macallan Concept Number 1 reinforces our commitment to offering exciting products to travellers and we’re confident this fresh innovation will prove attractive to travellers and collectors alike.”

    The Macallan Concept Number 1 is now available exclusively in Hong Kong, via duty free stores in Hong Kong International Airport, and in selected airports throughout Asia Pacific from February 2019 onwards.

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  • Malaysia’s Malindo Air adjusts checked baggage allowance for economy class

    Malaysia’s Malindo Air adjusts checked baggage allowance for economy class

    Malindo Air has adjusted the checked baggage allowance for its economy class passengers under the Value and Flexi fare options effective last friday. The baggage allowance for Value fare option is now 15kg, and 30kg for Flexi fare option, from 25kg previously for both fare options. The baggage allowance for business class and its ATR flights remain as 40kg and 15kg respectively.

    Malindo Air CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said the business rationale to the adjustment is to keep up with the industry changes and passengers’ demand.

    “This option allows passengers who are cost-sensitive to enjoy more competitive airfare with services that fit their needs. We want to keep our products relevant to the market and bring better flying experience to our passengers,” he said in a statement.

    The airline will honour passengers who have made a booking before Feb 15, 2019 and flying on or after Feb 15, 2019 to enjoy the original baggage allowance upon booking, as reflected on their flight itinerary.

    Passengers may top up additional baggage allowance during the booking process, through “Manage My Booking”, Malindo Air ticketing offices, customer care centre and the airline’s preferred travel agents.

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  • Vietnam’s Deputy PM wants Long Thanh airport construction to begin next year

    Vietnam’s Deputy PM wants Long Thanh airport construction to begin next year

    Construction of Long Thanh International Airport should begin next year with private funding prioritized, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung has said. It has reached the highest level of priority since Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat has become overloaded, he said at a recent meeting. The deputy prime minister wanted the giant new airport in Dong Nai Province near HCMC to become an aviation hub for Southeast Asia.

    “If we get companies with deep pockets into the project, costs would surely be lower than using public funds or loans.”

    The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) recently proposed it should be the main investor.

    The ACV, which operates 21 airports in the country, said it could bring in the $1-1.5 billion needed for the first phase of the airport.

    It is currently working with the Ministry of Transport and Dong Nai authorities to acquire 1,800 hectares of land for the first phase.

    The ministry reported at the meeting that the consultancy consortium of the airport is now completing the preliminary design, which would be submitted next April.

    The ministry has instructed the consortium, JFV, to complete an environmental impact report by next month.

    JFV, comprising three Japanese, one French and two Vietnamese companies, will also need to submit a feasibility report for the airport by June.

    The Long Thanh International Airport, to be built in three phases over three decades, will become Vietnam’s largest airport.

    The first part is scheduled for completion in 2025 with a capacity of 25 million passengers a year. The next two phases will run from 2030 to 2035 and from 2040 to 2050.

    The total cost is estimated at $16 billion. Experts have warned that the cost could double every five years in case of delays.

    Once completed, the airport will have an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tons of cargo.

    The tourism surge in Vietnam in recent years has resulted in a demand for upgrades to existing airports and construction of new ones.

    The country received 12.5 million air passengers last year, up 14.4 percent from 2017, according to the General Statistics Office.

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  • Vietnamese airlines excited, worried about direct US flights

    Vietnamese airlines excited, worried about direct US flights

    Vietnamese carriers are keen on operating direct flights to the US, but worried about recouping the large investments involved. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to grant a Category 1 rating to Vietnam soon, allowing direct flights between the two countries, reported earlier this month, citing two U.S. officials.

    Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), said that direct routes to the U.S. would be a new market that Vietnamese airlines won’t have to face with strong competition from other foreign carriers. He did not elaborate.

    “Non-stop flights from Vietnam to the U.S. will be a brand-new market full of potential for local airlines, as no international airline has operated them so far,” he said.

    Local airlines are enthused about the possibility of operating direct routes. A Vietnam Airlines official who asked not be named said the carrier was considering the purchase of more airplanes which are capable of flying non-stop to the U.S.

    “None of our airplanes can fly directly, so we are considering the purchase of wide-body aircrafts such as Airbus 350-1000 or Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner,” the representative said.

    Budget airline Vietjet and new private airline Bamboo Airways have also said they are interested in opening direct flights between the two countries.

    The direct route is expected to cater to the large demand for travel between both countries. The number of tourists coming to Vietnam from the U.S. grew by 11.9 percent last year from 2017 to 687,000, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

    A Vietnamese population of over 2.1 million in the U.S., is also expected to be a stable source of travel demand, said industry insiders.

    Tourism companies are also having high hopes about prospects of direct flights. Nguyen Cong Hoan, vice general director of Hanoi Redtours, said that the number of customers travelling to the U.S. through his company has increased by 30 percent each year in the last few years.

    “A direct flight will make travel between the two countries much easier and reduce the time passengers have to wait in airports. We believe that our customers are willing to pay 20-40 percent more for a direct flight,” he said.

    Breaking even

    But there are also concerns about possible losses. Vietnam Airlines CEO Duong Tri Thanh had said earlier that the airline could face an average annual loss of $30 million in the first years of operation if it opens a direct route to the U.S.

    It would take at least five years for the national flag carrier to break even, he added.

    CAAV head Thang said that local airlines would need to purchase larger airplanes as most of the existing fleet cannot manage such long flights.

    Another option would be to reduce the number of passengers and/or cargo weight of existing aircraft to guarantee safety over a 13-hour flight, but this would reduce revenue, he added.

    The Vietnamese government had early last year approved plans to expand the network of national carriers to major markets including Australia, China, Europe and the U.S.

    Under these plans, Vietnam Airlines will go through with its proposal to open non-stop services to the U.S., starting with direct flights to San Francisco or Los Angeles.

    As Vietnam has never held an FAA rating, passengers travelling to the U.S. now have to transit through different countries and territories like China, Hong Kong and Japan, with a total time of 18-21 hours.

    In 2004, Vietnam Airlines sought permission from the U.S. to provide direct services. However, the request was denied because it was judged that the CAAV did not meet safety supervision requirements set by the FAA.

    Vietnam’s aviation industry has seen increasing demand in recent years. The country welcomed 12.5 million air passengers last year, up 14.4 percent from 2017, according to the General Statistics Office.

    The country’s aviation traffic increased 16 percent on average each year from 2010 to 2017, according to data from the civil aviation regulator.

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  • The Shilla Duty Free partners with comics strip artists

    The Shilla Duty Free partners with comics strip artists

    The Shilla Duty Free is partnering with popular Chinese webtoon artists to boost its appeal to travelling Chinese shoppers. The travel retailer said that this is the first marketing partnership of its kind in the Korean duty free industry. Webtoons have become an increasingly influential media tool to connect closely with consumers, Shilla noted. “Unlike traditional advertisements, webtoons use storytelling that is easily relatable while utilising artists’ existing fandom.”

    The partnership with two webtoon artists, Niu Hong Hong (牛轰轰) and Ruo Guan (弱冠), specifically targets Chinese women in their 20s to 30s – The Shilla Duty Free’s main customer base (as the charts below show, visitors between 21 and 40 made up 57.3 percent of Chinese arrivals in South Korea last year and those between 21 and 30 almost 31 percent).

    Shilla’s stores are being featured in webtoons and the contents promoted through each artist’s social media platforms.

    Real-time comments such as “I would like to shop there”; “I should visit there during my next visit to Korea”; and “I like the store interior” appear on the webtoons.

    Besides introducing The Shilla Duty Free shops, the webtoons also highlight nine local eateries near the retailer’s flagship Seoul Store, showcasing the surrounding area as a local attraction. Since 2016, The Shilla Duty Free has promoted its local communities by introducing nearby restaurants through various channels such as The Shilla Online Duty Free in Chinese and its official Weibo account.

    A spokesperson said, “The partnership with Chinese webtoon artists is a first in the industry. We expect to be able to connect better with Chinese customers. Creative marketing like this will be continued during the peak seasons such as Chinese Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day of China, to broaden the communication with our customers.”

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  • Rimowa collaborates with Alex Israel for its latest suitcase

    Rimowa collaborates with Alex Israel for its latest suitcase

    Alexandre Arnault of Rimowa has just taken to Instagram to tease the luggage purveyor’s latest collaborative suitcase. Set for a full reveal at this year’s Frieze Art Fair, the suitcases are in collaboration with multimedia artist Alex Israel. Inspired by his home town of Los Angeles, the luggage sees the signature use of blue and red hues — inspired by the adored sunsets of the West Coast.

    The suitcases’ exterior shell and wheels are essentially treated with tones of blue, light purple, pink and light orange in a faded finish to reflect the colors of the vibrant sky in Los Angeles during sunset and sunrise.

    The suitcases will come in two color options. One will predominantly be in a gradient sky-blue – fading to flamingo-pink, while the other color option sees the complete opposite.

    Both suitcases will be officially unveiled at the Frieze Art Fair in Los Angeles via a pop-up beginning February 14.

  • The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands hit record high in 2018

    The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands hit record high in 2018

    The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has capped its most successful year ever, breaking revenue records in 2018 and strengthening its leading position as the luxury shopping destination in Singapore. The luxury mall, which enjoys an occupancy of 95.4%, rang in a record mall revenue of US$179 million last year, a 7 per cent rise against the same period in 2017 – by far its best performance since opening. In 2018, retail tenant sales at The Shoppes jumped 19 per cent to US$1,898 per square foot from the preceding year.

    The Shoppes also kept its top position in tourism shopping, capping a record year to represent an estimated 25 per cent of the tax-free tourist market in Singapore. This is based on industry metrics that track tax-refunded tourist receipts.

    John Postle, Senior Vice President of Retail, Marina Bay Sands, said, “2018 has been an exceptional year for the mall, as we not only achieved our highest sales revenue in history, but also solidified a leading position in tourism shopping. This is so rewarding, given the competitive retail landscape and growth of online shopping.”
    The performance is also the result of an ongoing retail remix strategy that started in 2012, which saw the mall double its footprint with luxury brands in the form of duplexes, as well as expansion into luxury childrenswear.

    This strategy, coupled with attractive programming such as late-night shopping, in-store exclusives, and one of the most generous loyalty programmes in Singapore, has resulted in 120,000 shoppers walking through the doors of the mall daily. This includes locals as well as its biggest tourism markets of China, Indonesia and Japan.

    Jan Moller, Country Managing Director, Singapore & APAC Sales, Global Blue, said, “As one of Asia’s leading shopping destinations, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands continues to outperform other luxury malls in Singapore to own the greatest share of inbound tourist spend in the luxury sector in 2018.”

  • Emirates to fill pilot gap with exodus from Etihad, Norwegian airlines

    Emirates to fill pilot gap with exodus from Etihad, Norwegian airlines

    Emirates, the world’s biggest long-haul airline, may feed its appetite for new pilots with recruits from ailing neighbor Etihad Airways and cash-strapped discounter Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, according to an internal memo from the Gulf carrier. Hong Kong Airlines has also contacted Dubai-based Emirates about opportunities to temporarily transfer some cockpit crew, according to the document. Pilots at the unit of beleaguered HNA Group are Airbus SE-rated, meaning they could be trained to fly the Mideast company’s A380 superjumbos.

    “The current situation with several airlines in financial difficulty globally leaves Emirates in a good position to be sourcing and selecting good-quality pilots,” the memo says.

    It said the airline recruited 52 pilots last month, the highest number since August 2016, and that the number of viable applications it’s receiving “is higher than the number of candidates that can be invited.”

    Emirates declined to comment on the communication, which was dated Jan. 29 and appeared to be a meeting report. A spokeswoman said there are sufficient pilots for current operations, though the airline will “continue to welcome qualified candidates.”

    Norwegian Air said it’s not uncommon for members of any company’s workforce to seek opportunities elsewhere. Hong Kong Airlines couldn’t be reached during the Chinese New Year holiday, while Abu Dhabi-based Etihad didn’t respond to requests for comment.

    Hiring Challenge

    Emirates faces an annual hiring challenge to meet the needs of its expanding global network. President Tim Clark said last April that there would be a shortfall of 100 to 150 flight crew over 2018’s busy summer travel season.

    According to the memo, 499 crew have been deemed eligible to join from this coming April through the end of 2019.

    Applications from Norwegian Air and Etihad have been spurred by redundancies at the airlines, according to the Emirates memo.

    Norwegian, heavily indebted after one of the fastest growth spurts in aviation history, resorted to a 3 billion kroner ($354 million) rights issue last week after British Airways parent IAG SA walked away from a takeover bid.

    The Scandinavian carrier is also closing six bases and cutting routes to stem losses, proposing that pilots transfer to other locations.

    Etihad last June offered captains and first officers a two-year secondment, or temporary transfer, to Emirates. In January, it revealed plans to cut 50 pilot posts as it cancels jet orders and shrinks operations to stem losses.

    The Emirates memo said Hong Kong Air has identified a 10 percent surplus in pilot numbers. The carrier, whose debt-laden owner HNA is offloading $20 billion in assets, is being sued by a Macau-based lender for failing to pay $20 million in principal and interest, according to a court filing last month.

     

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  • Chinese tourists prefer Australia, Japan and Singapore: Survey

    Chinese tourists prefer Australia, Japan and Singapore: Survey

    Mainland Chinese tourists prefer visiting Australia, Japan and Singapore over Hong Kong, a survey has found, citing a preference for outdoor and nature activities in these places. Consultancy firm Kantar, which polled 300 people from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, found that 52 per cent of respondents were interested in Australia as a holiday destination, followed by 40 per cent for Japan, 38 per cent for Singapore, and 35 per cent for Hong Kong.

    Some 22 per cent said they were keen to visit Taiwan, compared to 21 per cent who favoured South Korea, 15 per cent for Indonesia and 9 per cent for India.

    “Urban Chinese holidaymakers are looking for a diversity of experiences – nearly nine in 10 say that having lots to do is either important or very important to them,” stated the report, released last month.

    “The dominance of nature in the minds of urban Chinese leisure travellers may, at face value, present a challenge for retailers, malls, theme parks and other places.”

    The report stated that the trend could be an indication for businesses on potential growth directions.

    Despite Hong Kong not being the top destination for Chinese tourists in the poll, official figures showed visitor arrivals in the city – driven mainly by mainlanders – soared to a record high of 65.1 million last year, up 11.4 per cent from 2017.

    About 51 million tourists from across the border visited the city in 2018, a rise of 14.8 per cent from the previous year.

    But the Tourism Board has admitted that 2019 could be a “bumpy and unpredictable” year. Chinese tourists now see the city as a short-term destination, and they prefer Southeast Asia or Europe for long holidays.

    The board said Chinese tourists also craved “in-depth” travel in Hong Kong rather than the usual hotspots. One of the board’s strategies this year will be to attract mainland and overseas visitors to places such as the Geopark, the Ha Pak Nai mudflat in Yuen Long and Lau Fau Shan.

    The Kantar report also stated: “Hong Kong outperforms Singapore on most factors, but when it comes to perceptions of safety and cleanliness, Singapore dominates all [Asia-Pacific] markets, though it is held back by its lack of nature and outdoor [activities].”

    It acknowledged that Hong Kong had a “relative abundance of natural attractions” compared to the Lion City.

    On preferences for nature and outdoor activities in the eight destinations listed in the survey however, only 22 per cent of respondents indicated an interest in what Hong Kong had to offer, compared to 62 per cent for Australia, 42 per cent for Japan, 32 per cent for Indonesia, 31 per cent for Taiwan and 29 per cent for Singapore.

    In the category of sporting events, only 27 per cent said they were interested in those held in Hong Kong, with 47 per cent for Japan, 43 per cent for Australia, 30 per cent for Singapore, and 28 per cent for South Korea.

    Kantar’s group director, Mike Underhill, suggested that to boost Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a tourism haven, unique sporting events could be held, such as a mountain marathon.

    “I’m not saying it’s an easy thing to do, but if such an event is created, it will [capitalise on] an emerging trend among Chinese tourists to help grow a niche sector, thereby raising the perceived uniqueness of Hong Kong.”

    Jenny Zhang, 29, an accountant from Beijing, is among those for whom Hong Kong does not rate highly as a destination.

    “I would choose other places because I have visited Hong Kong several times already. But if I am in transit here to somewhere else, I would visit the city,” she said. “The world is huge and there are many places I have not been to. I love to see natural attractions and take in the culture of other places.”

    Asked to rank the eight destinations in the survey, Zhang placed Hong Kong in last place. Her top choices were Australia, Japan and Indonesia.

    But Chen Peng, 36, from Tianjin is among those who still enjoy coming to Hong Kong after visiting the city six times. This month, he took his daughter to Disneyland for the first time.

    “My wife loves Japan and so I would choose Japan as my top choice. For me though, Hong Kong is my No 1 choice,” he said.

    “When I come, I mostly go shopping with my wife and meet friends. I would go to Harbour City and Central.”

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  • AirAsia X Wants To Launch Flights From The US West Coast To Japan

    AirAsia X Wants To Launch Flights From The US West Coast To Japan

    Air Asia is the world’s largest and best low-cost carrier (They have won awards for the last 10 years). Air Asia X, their low-cost long haul carrier has built a route network spanning from the middle east to southern Australia. But many people in the US have never had a chance to fly on Air Asia, as the name would imply, have only ever been centered around South East Asia.

    Could Air Asia X routes from Japan to the US West Coast work?

    In a massive new rumor, Air Asia might be starting direct routes between Japan and the US West Coast onboard their fleet of brand new Airbus A330-900 aircraft. As none of the 66 new aircraft on order have been delivered yet, Air Asia X has been reluctant to place address the theory. They are however one of the first airlines to order the aircraft, and as deliveries have begun, we expect news sometime this year.

    Previously, the current fleet of older A330-300s has only been able to reach as far as Hawaii from Osaka, Japan (their range is 6,350 nmi (11,750 km)), limited by their ability to cross the Pacific ocean.

    But these new A330neo aircraft, with a range of 7,200nmi (13,334km), allow Air Asia X to reach destinations like Los Angeles and San Fransisco. This opens up a huge potential market for the company, and on the flip side, a cheap (and good) way for American’s to access Japan, and through transfer, South East Asia.

    What is the service like on Air Asia X?

    Whilst there has been no information yet on the fit out of the new Airbus A330-900 aircraft, we can hazard a guess based on their current A330-300 jets.

    There are three classes on board, a ‘premium’ business light class, a quiet zone and a normal economy class. There are also exit row seats scatted throughout.

    The business class features “flat beds” (They do not go entirely 90 degrees flat, but are more around 70-80 degrees), as well as included entertainment (via tablet), baggage allowance and food and beverages. They have around 60 inches of pitch and are 20 inches wide.

    There is every possibility that AirAsia will upgrade the seat truly lie flat in their newer aircraft.

    The quiet zone on board is a section of economy row seats at the front of the economy section that only allows adults and forbids loud noise. The economy section is laid out in a 3 by 2 by 3 configuration.

    Naturally, as it is a low-cost carrier, passengers will need to budget for seat selection, baggage, food and bring their own entertainment. The economy seats have 32 inches of pitch and are 16 1/2 inches wide.

    The real win, however, is the cost. Typically you would be looking at around $1000 USD return in economy to fly from Los Angeles to Osaka. Air Asia typically offers premium business for the cost of an economy ticket (which is well worth the upgrade) and economy for dirt cheap prices (through economies of scale). It is very likely that Air Asia will instantly undercut the market on these routes and be the cheapest to fly.

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  • MAHB turned down our offer for mediation, says AirAsia

    MAHB turned down our offer for mediation, says AirAsia

    Air Asia has claimed that Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has turned down their offer of mediation, in a letter sent by the airport operator’s lawyers. The airline said that in an attempt to resolve the parties’ ongoing dispute over passenger service charges at  Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2), they had proposed mediation to MAHB.

    “We regret that MAHB has refused AirAsia’s olive branch to resolve outstanding issues between us through mediation, particularly in light of MAHB’s recent statement that it is ‘optimistic that these matters can and will be resolved’,” said AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 6).

    “We will seek guidance from Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) on the next steps to address this situation. However, we reserve our rights to take all necessary actions to protect the interests of our guests and shareholders,” added Riad.

    Under the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) Act 2015, MAHB and airline operators have an obligation to mediate any dispute, and legal action may only be used as a last resort when other efforts have failed.

    Last month, the budget airline sought more than RM400mil in counterclaims against MAHB in response to a suit filed by the airport operator last month over airport taxes.

    The counterclaims were for losses and damages experienced by AirAsia and its long-haul sister airline, Air Asia X Bhd, due to alleged operational disruptions at klia2, the airline had said.

    AirAsia claims that it agreed to move to klia2 after the government scrapped the initially approved plans for its own low-cost terminal in Labu, Negri Sembilan in 2008 following MAHB’s claim that it could build a similar terminal closer to KLIA with the same facilities and charges at the former Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

    The airport tax in klia2 was increased to RM73 from RM50 for non-Asean international passengers.

    Domestic passengers were not spared from the increase and now have to pay RM11, up from the previous RM6.

     

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  • DFS Changi celebrates lunar new year with offers

    DFS Changi celebrates lunar new year with offers

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, is celebrating Lunar New Year 2019, ‘The Year of the Pig’ with a series of exciting promotions, exclusive offers, personalization services and interactive activities at DFS, Singapore Changi Airport.

    Until 19 February, DFS has partnered with Moët Hennessy to celebrate the new year festivities with an exclusive Hennessy pop-up store at Changi Airport, the only one of its kind in the global travel retail sphere. Offering interactive consumer experiences and tastings, the pop-up features Hennessy’s first ever engraving station in travel retail for travelers who wish to add a personalized touch to their bottles. Hennessy partnered with contemporary artist, Guang-Yu Zhang to create an exclusive art piece, incorporating the zodiac symbol of the boar and Hennessy’s double distillation process. The artwork is featured on limited-edition festive packaging for Hennessy XO, Hennessy VSOP and James Hennessy.

    “Lunar New Year is one of the world’s most celebrated festivals and is a time for family, friends, giving, happiness and good fortune. As we welcome the Year of the Pig, we thank our loyal customers and look forward to welcoming new traveling customers to a luxurious shopping experience that only DFS can offer. Our Lunar New Year campaign enhances the pleasure of giving by offering an array of DFS exclusive products – for customers to show appreciation to loved ones or treat themselves to something extra special at this special time,” said Ariel Gentzbourger, DFS Group Executive Vice President Merchandising.

    Exclusive and limited-edition products available at DFS Changi include the Macallan Concept No.1, an Asia First Launch, the limited-edition Benedictine Dom Chinese New Year tin and the limited-edition Royal Salute 21 Year Old. All products are also readily available on www.iShopChangi.com, where travelling customers can browse and purchase products from 18 hours to 30 days before their flight. Purchased products can be collected at the departure terminals or arrival halls. Travelers can enjoy 10 per cent discount when they check out with the ‘CHEERS10” promocode now through until 31 March 2019.

    In preparation for festive feasts and celebrations, travelers arriving in Singapore during the festive period can enjoy an unlimited purchase of wines and champagnes. By absorbing all duties and taxes, DFS allows customers to purchase as many bottles as they wish from an extensive collection at an affordable price. Products range in cost and variety and start from as little as S$25, with travelers enjoying savings of up to 70% versus domestic prices.

    From now through 4 February, travelers at Changi Airport can try their hand at winning a 999 Pure Gold Bar (10 g) by playing the exclusive ‘Fortune Catcher’ claw machine. Located in each DFS departure store, travelers are able to use vouchers to play the claw machine – that offers an array of prizes with a minimum purchase of S$168 in store.