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Tag: traveling

  • AirAsia launches new route to Belitung, Indonesia

    AirAsia launches new route to Belitung, Indonesia

    AirAsia has launched a new route connecting Kuala Lumpur to Belitung, an island off the east coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

    In a statement today, AirAsia said its four times weekly direct service will commence on Oct 2, 2019.

    AirAsia regional commercial head Amanda Woo said Belitung is a place with huge untapped tourism potential.

    “We hope that with this new direct service, more and more people will be able to discover this hidden gem.

    “The new route is also a testament to our firm commitment to support the Indonesian government in its efforts to develop 10 new priority tourism destinations,” she said.

    To celebrate this new route, AirAsia is offering special all-in AirAsia BIG member fare from as low as RM79 from Kuala Lumpur.

    Passengers were advised to book their flight on airasia.com or the AirAsia mobile app from today until Aug 25 for travel between Oct 2 and March 28, 2020 to enjoy these special fares.

    BIG members will enjoy zero processing fees when making payment using BigPay.

    In addition to the new route, AirAsia also operates daily flights to Belitung from Jakarta beginning Oct 1, 2019.

    AirAsia currently connects Kuala Lumpur to 14 other Indonesian destinations — Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, Padang, Palembang, Semarang, Makassar, Bandung and Banda Aceh.

  • AirAsia launches new sustainability livery

    AirAsia launches new sustainability livery

    Air Asia unveiled its new livery design for their Airbus A320 in Bangkok last week, to promote the message of “Sustainable ASEAN Tourism”.

    The launch coincided with the ASEAN Day celebrations on August 8, marking the 52nd anniversary of the original declaration in 1967, and was attended by Thailand’s Director General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, the AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, as well as staff and press from around the region.

    Alongside its signature red wings and tail, the fuselage portrays a stylistic green landscape with a river linking all the major ASEAN landmarks – from the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore to the boats of Ha Long Bay in Hanoi. Myanmar’s famous Kyaikhtiyo and Shwedagon pagodas sit at the very top of the design, beside the tail.

    The ASEAN logo is embedded in the puang malai garland, which is associated with good luck and hospitality in Thailand, appropriately located beside the front passenger door. “Ten trestles hanging from the garland symbolise the ten member states. They collectively form the shape of an outward arrow, representing their striving together in advancing partnership towards sustainability,” said Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Director General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs in Thailand.

    The design was chosen from over 300 submissions by groups of young artists across Thailand, and will now feature on two aircraft based in Thailand and Malaysia.

    Sustainability has been at the forefront of the company’s brand image in recent years, from its aims to reduce carbon emissions to the recycling of aircraft parts and life-vests.

    The company also participates in engagement programs like the recent Journey-D promotion, which challenges travelers to stay in a community in rural Thailand to help clean up the environment, and “live in peace” for two days – without a mobile phone.

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  • Cebu Pacific launches P99 domestic seat sale starting Monday

    Cebu Pacific launches P99 domestic seat sale starting Monday

    Budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Monday announced a P99 seat sale for domestic flights one-way from Clark International Airport.

    In an advisory, the airline said the sale started Monday, August 19, and will end on Wednesday, August 21.

    The travel period is from October 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.

    The P99 one-way flights are Clark to Bacolod, Bohol, Boracay (Caticlan), Cebu, Clark, Davao, Iloilo, and Puerto Princesa.

    Aside from Clark, Cebu Pacific operates flights out of six other strategically placed hubs in the Philippines: Manila, Kalibo, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan) and Davao.

    The carrier operates over 2,000 weekly flights across 37 domestic and 26 international destinations.

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  • Flight Centre completes Canadian purchase

    Flight Centre completes Canadian purchase

    Travel retailer Flight Centre has bought a remaining stake in Canada-based corporate travel business Les Voyages Laurier du Vallon to take sole ownership of the travel business.

    The ASX-listed travel firm bought 75 percent of Quebec-based LDV in 2017 for an undisclosed sum and has now exercised its option to buy the remainder.

    “LDV has proven to be a valuable addition to our network in the Americas and we are pleased to take 100 percent ownership of the business,” said Graham Turner, Flight Centre managing director.

    “In addition to delivering solid earnings growth over the past two years, its corporate travel presence has enhanced our already strong customer offering across Canada and throughout North America in general.”

    Flight Centre has already flagged a record profit contribution of more than $100 million from its North American business when it releases its full-year accounts on August 22.

    Shares in Flight Centre were worth $45.68 before the start of trade on Monday, up 6.4 percent this calendar year.

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  • AirAsia to Launch Flights Between Bangkok and Ahmedabad

    AirAsia to Launch Flights Between Bangkok and Ahmedabad

    AirAsia is to launch flights between Bangkok and Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat state and India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. The airline will operate the route four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 31 May 2019.

    AirAsia Thailand CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, said, “India is a strategic market that is fast becoming an important contributor of inbound tourists for AirAsia Thailand. To fully leverage on this, we plan to regularly introduce routes connecting the two countries, focusing particularly on India’s burgeoning metros. Thailand’s own worldwide fame for hospitality should attract travellers from Ahmedabad, which is the capital of Gujarat state and India’s fifth most populous city.”

    According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed 1.5 million Indian visitors in 2018, up 12% on the previous year.

    Thai AirAsia has recorded a load factor of up to 87% on its India routes, with passengers travelling between Bangkok and existing destinations in India increasing 7% year-on-year. Indian nationals made up 85% of passengers on those routes.

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  • AirAsia to install broadband on more than 120 planes

    AirAsia to install broadband on more than 120 planes

    The Malaysian conglomerate has signed a contract to hook up much of its vast fleet with high-speed broadband. It announced the move last week as the ink dried on a contract with Inmarsat, a British satellite telecommunication company.

    From the first half of next year, the airline will set up its inaugural connected plane with GX Aviation, Inmarsat’s in-flight broadband tech.

    The contract covers all existing and future Airbus 320 and A330 across the AirAsia Group as a whole, including its long-haul operator AirAsia X. There is also a possibility for the agreement to cover planes joining the fleet in the future, such as the Airbus 350.

    Inmarsat Aviation President Philip Balaam said, “AirAsia Group is one of the aviation industry’s leading innovators and we are delighted that GX Aviation will play a key role in their future service offering. The fact that we have signed this contract within months of announcing a Memorandum of Understanding is testament to AirAsia’s confidence in GX Aviation and builds on its successful track record as a leading customer of our SwiftBroadband service.

    “The scale of this contract, covering more than 120 existing aircraft and one of the industry’s largest order books for additional aircraft, showcases our status as a global market leader in advanced in-flight broadband. Inmarsat has the fastest growing service uptake in our market, with, following this agreement, more than 1,300 aircraft, expected under signed contracts, both installed and under backlog, for our next generation GX Aviation and European Aviation Network (EAN) solutions.”

    AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said, “GX Aviation will form the backbone of AirAsia’s digital cabin offering. By delivering inflight connectivity that’s indistinguishable from what you get on-ground, our guests will be able to stay connected in ways that matter to them, whether it’s streaming movies or music, checking social media, messaging friends or catching up with work emails. Coupled with our ROKKI entertainment and e-commerce platform featuring free movies, music, articles and games as well as shopping, AirAsia guests will soon be able to enjoy one of the richest digital inflight experiences in Asia, while also enhancing our knowledge of our guests with very rich data.”

    This contract supports Inmarsat’s strategy of providing airlines with tailored scalable capacity by designing, owning and operating a global network of High-Throughput Satellites (HTS).

    AirAsia Group will connect to the GX network using new JetWave terminals produced by Honeywell Aerospace. The terminals are designed, according to Inmarsat, for ease of installation and maintenance to assure the lowest downtime for any cabin connectivity solution in the market, allowing installation with minimal labour and using standard tools available in maintenance hangars.

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  • Korea Grand Sale promises deals for travelers

    Korea Grand Sale promises deals for travelers

    Starting Friday, the Visit Korea Committee is holding another round of the “Korea Grand Sale,” one of the major sale events in Korea. The event is set to encourage those with foreign passports in Korea to get more discounts so that they can have a chance to buy more within their budget. The sale will last until Feb. 28, so those who haven’t planned a trip to Korea can hurry and book a ticket.

    Asiana Airlines will give an up to 60 percent discount on flights flying from and to cities in China and Europe, and Jeju Air will provide an up to 91 percent discount on flights to Korea from cities overseas.

    Lodging will be more affordable as hotels also offer discounts. Shilla Stay is giving out an up to 50 percent discount on its rooms and some of the first ones to make a reservation will get a free upgrade.

    Many retail companies, especially cosmetic brands, give out discounts on items that have been popular among foreigners. Lotte Mart, where foreigners often buy Korean snacks, will have a buy one get one free promotion.

    To entertain visitors even after all the shops are closed, many ski resorts in Korea will provide discounts on tickets for lifts and rental fees for necessary gear. For more detailed information about the discounts across Korea, go to www.koreagrandsale.co.kr/en/. Information on the website is available in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

    Korean nationals looking to get some benefits during this foreigner-targeted sales event can recommend their favorite shopping items online and win a variety of gifts including a hotel voucher. Locals can go to www.vkc.or.kr and post items with the reasons why those are their favorites and must-buy items for visiting travelers until Friday. Non-Koreans can also participate by posting items on the website as well. The website will announce winners on Jan. 24.

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  • Avid Myanmar Travelers Can Now Pay with Mastercard and CB Bank Credit

    Avid Myanmar Travelers Can Now Pay with Mastercard and CB Bank Credit

    As Myanmar continues to see positive economic growth projections[1], its people are increasingly seeking overseas destinations. The latest Mastercard research revealed that Myanmar is the fastest growing outbound travel market in Asia Pacific with a growth projection of 10.6% for the next five years.

    In light of this, Mastercard has once again partnered Co-operative Bank Ltd (CB Bank) to launch Classic, Gold and Platinum Mastercard cards, which will be made available to Myanmar residents and citizens when traveling abroad. 

    Mr. Kyaw Lynn, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of CB Bank said: “As more Myanmar residents and citizens travel abroad, it is crucial to have convenient and secure access to their funds wherever they are. A cashless society is an important goal for CB Bank. Although still a work in progress, we are working hard with like-minded partners such as Mastercard to achieve that goal by expanding the payment options, increasing usage of ATMs, POS terminals and enhancing e-commerce capabilities. For starters, we are already seeing a great shift from cash to electronic payments. And on average, there are 9,000 transactions being made monthly via electronic payment at the point-of-sale.”

    Mr. Antonio Corro, country manager, Thailand and Myanmar, Mastercard, said: “For a country that had only opened its doors not too long ago, Myanmar’s economic and outbound travel projections are very encouraging. To meet the increasing demands for travel, we have deepened our partnership with CB Bank to launch our first credit card in the country. This signifies a big step towards the greater development of the electronic payments infrastructure and it also means that consumers are able to make more secure and convenient payments for their purchases when travelling abroad.” 

    Supporting Myanmar in Its Journey to Greater Inclusion

    Since entering the market in 2012, Mastercard has strived to assist Myanmar in its nascent journey towards financial inclusion. In October 2013, Mastercard and CB Bank had launched Myanmar’s first ever payment product, a prepaid travel card for locals called the CB Bank EASI Travel Prepaid Mastercard card, which has seen a healthy take-up rate. Approximately seventy new card applications on average are received every day, according to Mr. Kyaw Lynn. The latest of their efforts include the launch of Mastercard’s first contactless card in Myanmar. 

    With less than 10% of the population holding bank accounts, there is still so much that needs to be done to bring more citizens into the financial system and it is widely acknowledged that the journey to financial inclusion in Myanmar will not be a smooth one.

    In a report by The Fletcher School, Tufts University – conducted with the support of Mastercard and the Myanmar Development Resource Institute’s Center for Economic and Social Development (MDRI-CESD) – one of six key findings point to trust playing a key role in increasing adoption of financial services.

    This means there a stronger impetus and opportunity for Mastercard to assist in rebuilding the financial sector and bringing greater financial access to the population. 

    “Building consumer trust in electronic payments is crucial. In line with our financial inclusion strategy in Myanmar, we will continue to provide support in educating locals on the benefits of electronic payments and increasing access and acceptance to financial services and infrastructure,” Mr. Corro added. 

    The number of ATMs in Myanmar which accept Mastercard has been growing at an astounding rate, from over 140 ATMs in 2013 to almost 1,800 ATMs in just three years, marking a near 13-fold increase. The number of point-of-sale (POS) acceptance terminals grew from 72 to over 3,800 in the same period, which signify a strong adoption of cashless payments. At present, more than 3,200 restaurants, retail outlets and hotels in Myanmar accept payment cards.

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  • East Nusa Tenggara proposes flights on Kupang-Dili-Darwin route

    East Nusa Tenggara proposes flights on Kupang-Dili-Darwin route

    The Tourism and Creative Economy Office of East Nusa Tenggara Province has suggested to the Ministry of Transportation to start the Kupang-Dili-Darwin flight route.

    “The flight route will increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals in East Nusa Tenggara and other regions in Indonesia,” Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Marius Jelamu, stated here on Thursday.

    He noted that the Kupang-Dili-Darwin flight route is, so far, unavailable. Hence, foreign tourists keen on visiting the province have to take a flight via Jakarta or Denpasar to Komodo airport in Labuan Bajo or El Tari airport in Kupang.

    Until mid 80’s there were international commercial route between Kupang and Darwin in Australia.According to Jelamu, the flight route should be considered as the three destinations are located in proximity to each other.

    “East Nusa Tenggara shares its borders with Timor Leste, and it is close to Australia. If there is a flight connecting the three destinations located in three different countries, then the transportation and communication lanes will be smoother,” Jelamu affirmed.

    Starting a transportation lane from one country to East Nusa Tenggara would help the province boost its economic growth, especially in the tourism sector.

    “It will ease travel for the foreign tourists from Timor Leste and Australia planning to visit East Nusa Tenggara and other regions. Moreover, the visa-free policy will facilitate the flow of tourists into the province,” he stated.

    He noted that the Indonesian flight carrier Garuda Indonesia could seize this opportunity as the market will always exist.

    “The flight carrier should not harbor concerns as passengers are always available,” he added.

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  • Indonesia the most favorite destination for Australian tourists

    Indonesia the most favorite destination for Australian tourists

    Indonesia has so far proven to be the most favorite destination for Australian tourists, overtaking New Zealand, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema said.

    “The variety of natural wealth and beauty, culture and world-class tourist facilities that the Indonesian government offers to tourists have become special attractions for Australian tourists,” he stated in a press statement released on Saturday.

    His remarks came when the Indonesian Tourism Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy in Australia were conducting a promotional activity at Hotel Hyatt in Canberra recently.

    Besides helping promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, the tourism sector can also create jobs in Indonesia, he added.

    He underlined that he supported the program to conduct tourism promotion in several Australian cities such as Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

    The program will serve as a venue for a meeting between Australian travel agents and their Indonesian counterparts directly, he said.

    The ambassador has called on Australian tourism companies to encourage Australian citizens to visit other Indonesian tourist destinations than Bali.

    Data from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra showed that almost 85 percent of 1.2 million Australian tourists visited Bali in 2015.

    Nadjib offered potential visitors from Australia other tourist destinations such Toraja, Lake Toba, Raja Ampat, Labuhan Bajo, Tanjung Kalayang, Seribu Islands, Borobudur Temple, Mount Bromo, Wakatobi and Morotai Island.

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  • Abu Dhabi to host International Travel Week

    Abu Dhabi to host International Travel Week

    Abu Dhabi will be hosting International Travel Week (ITW Abu Dhabi),  a co-location of synergistic travel events each focused on the fastest growing global tourism source market sectors, in November this year.

    Taking place from November 21 to 25 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, ITW-Abu Dhabi will aim to deliver a comprehensive programme which will combine targeted meetings with first-class networking opportunities, inspiring knowledge-bound seminars and innovative experiences, culminating in a glittering gala awards evening to celebrate outstanding achievements across the international halal tourism landscape.

    Commenting on the strategic partnership with the host destination, Andy Buchanan, executive organising committee director said: “We are thrilled to bring ITW Abu Dhabi to the culturally-rich and trailblazing city of Abu Dhabi. Against this remarkable backdrop, participants will have the opportunity to discover, connect and be enriched, which in turn will assist them in defining and driving the future of their own business.”

    Indonesia Ministry of Tourism are delighted to be the official Headline Sponsor for the ITW Abu Dhabi 2016, and commented: “Indonesia participates again in 2016 but this time bigger than 2015 as we want to bring more sales.” As a major sponsor of the summit, Indonesia Ministry of Tourism expects to welcome key international delegations, investors, tourism associations and market-leading specialists to the summit.

    Evolutionary progression

    ITW-Abu Dhabi is a progressive and evolutionary event which has developed from last year’s World Halal Travel Summit. The 2015 edition enjoyed unprecedented success, where the summit yielded impressive results, generating more than $18.4 million worth of business on the show floor, and a further $73.5 million stemming from opportunities directly created at the event.

    With more than 6,000 travel professionals expected to participate in this year’s ITW-Abu Dhabi, this transformative five-day event is hotly-anticipated to be the premium platform for the global halal travel, medical and shopping tourism industry.

    With a dedicated commitment to the fiercely and hugely influential fast-growing travel sectors, ITW-Abu Dhabi will continue to shine the spotlight on the exceptional halal, medical and shopping-relevant opportunities available worldwide at this year’s event, with major influencers bringing their insight and knowledge to the seminar stage.

    Expansion of ‘ITW-Abu Dhabi’

    Hot on the heels of 2015’s World Halal Travel Summit success, and in response to growing demand for a platform for discussion and recognition on halal, medical and shopping tourism segments, ITW-Abu Dhabi will this year open up a Ministerial Forum, a high level debate of ministers and key stakeholders on Intra OIC (Organisation of Islamic Co-operation), medical and shopping tourism and the real world challenges of implementation. ITW-Abu Dhabi will also host the second World Halal Travel Awards, a glittering event to recognize outstanding products and service within the halal tourism sector. The winners of the 2016 World Halal Travel Awards will be announced at a gala event in Abu Dhabi on 22nd November 2016. The awards ceremony forms a crucial element of the summit which is the largest gathering of global executives operating in the family friendly travel sector. For the first time, ITW-Abu Dhabi will also introduce ‘The Family Vacation Show’ wherein exhibitors will have a chance to interact with consumers face-to-face. The event will be information packed and created to directly sell and introduce offers, packages and promotions to qualified consumer travel audience.

    Results-driven

    According to Buchanan, the expanded 2016 edition is expected to be a boon for all involved: “ITW-Abu Dhabi was established with a clear objective of providing opportunities to explore and maximise on the latest trends and offerings within the fastest growing travel segments namely halal, medical and shopping tourism. In a concerted effort to distinguish itself on the halal, medical and shopping travel industry event landscape, ITW Abu Dhabi aims to deliver an elevated business-to-business platform that is innovative, inspiring, and result-driven, with the structured five-day programme including elements such as knowledge-sharing seminars, show floor meetings, exceptional networking experiences and a dazzling awards evening. I expect the 2016 edition to be a windfall for those organisations and individuals that exhibit and participate.”

    Confirmed participation for the ITW-Abu Dhabi 2016, stretching across multiple spectrums, hails from a diverse spread of key players including Accor Hotels, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Dinar Standard, Etihad Airways, HCA Healthcare, Holiday Bosnia, and Jannah Hotels, among others.

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  • Khiri Travel the first to earn Travelife Partner status in Indonesia and Laos

    Khiri Travel the first to earn Travelife Partner status in Indonesia and Laos

    Travelife is a leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies that are committed to sustainability. Travelife was founded with the support of ABTA in the UK and ANVR in the Netherlands in 2007 as a thorough responsible tourism certification scheme for tour operators and hotels.

    Khiri Travel in Indonesia and Laos have both been awarded Travelife Partner status following a major social and environmental audit. Khiri Travel is the first in both Indonesia and Laos to earn Travelife Partner status.

    Travelife certification for tour operators and travel agents comes in three rising stages: Engaged, Partner, and Certified. Khiri Travel Indonesia and Laos are two-thirds of the way to full certification. Khiri Travel Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam achieved full Travelife Certification in 2015.

    Travelife is a leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies that are committed to sustainability. Travelife was founded with the support of ABTA in the UK and ANVR in the Netherlands in 2007 as a thorough responsible tourism certification scheme for tour operators and hotels.

    Richard Brouwer, CEO of Khiri Travel, said: “Travelife Partner status shows a great pioneering spirit and dedication by the Khiri teams in Indonesia and Laos. Khiri Travel is committed to measurable sustainability because it boosts customer satisfaction, staff motivation and business efficiency. Khiri Laos and Indonesia will keep working towards full Travelife Certification.”

    Naut Kusters, General Manager for Tour Operators and Travel Agents for Travelife said: “Khiri Travel in Indonesia and Laos are on the right path. Sustainability management is about commitment and consistent sustainable business practices. This includes a tour operator’s products, how they monitor and manage their impacts, and how they support their suppliers on their road to sustainability. I expect that the lead of Khiri will be an incentive for other companies to join the route towards sustainability.”

    The three-stage Travelife process acknowledges OECD corporate social responsibility guidelines including labor conditions, human rights, environmental responsibilities, biodiversity and fair business practices.

    The Travelife standard for tour operators is also formally recognized by the UN-supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

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  • Citilink Adds Nine Flights for Ramadan

    Citilink Adds Nine Flights for Ramadan

    Citilink is set to add more flights in Holy Month Ramadan. “There will be at least 9 extra flights,” said Commerce Director of PT Citilink Indonesia, Hans Nugroho, on Thursday.

    Hans said that the flights will operate 7 days before and after Eid. The extra flights will cover routes to Padang, Yogyakarta, Medan, and Denpasar. “We will see if other routes are necessary,” he said.

    Finance Director of Citilink Indonesia, Mega Satria, said that the airline adds flights only on the existing routes. “It the routes are potential, we will add more routes,” she said.

    Morever, Hans added that a surge of passengers is a certain thing on Eid holiday, Therefore, extra flights is a bid to anticipate it. He underlined that tcket reservation has started to increase in number.

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  • Lion Air should not just return passengers` tickets

    Lion Air should not just return passengers` tickets

    The airline company, Lion Air, should not resort to merely returning passengers tickets after it postponed 277 flights following sanctions imposed by the ministry of transportation, a consumer institute has said.

    “The Lion Air management should transfer the passengers tickets to other airlines, instead of only returning the tickets purchased by them,” Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI), Tulus Abadi, demanded here on Monday.

    He argued that while the Lion Airs decision to postpone 277 of its flights for one month did not basically violate any rule, it should also not violate consumers rights.

    “The ministry of transportation should supervise this strictly to prevent the company from violating consumers rights,” he stressed.

    The ministry of transportation has imposed a sanction on the Lion Air, freezing its flights for five days for having recently disembarked international passengers from Singapore at the domestic terminal of Soekarno Hatta Airport.

    The management of Lion Air opposed the sanction by reporting the directorate general of air transportation to the police and postponed 277 of its flights for a month.

    Tulus was of the view that the Lions legal move to oppose the ministry of transportations sanction was rather awkward.

    “It is rather an anomaly. Probably this is the only case of its kind in the world where the operator is taking a stand against the regulator.”

    On May 10, Lion Air pilots went on strike at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday, leading to a delay in the low-cost carriers flights to several regions in Indonesia.

    The corporate secretary of state airport operator, Angkasa Pura I, Farid Indra Nugraha, explained in a press statement released on Tuesday that his side has been in close touch with the representatives of the Lion Air Group at the airport.

    Farid claimed that his side had made efforts to ensure that the airline is able to serve the passengers despite the delay in flights.

    “In response to the Lion Air pilots strike at several airports under the purview of Angkasa Pura I, we call on the passengers to understand the conditions and be patient,” he pleaded.

    The strike led to a delay in Lion Air flights from Sam Ratulangi Ariport in Manado, North Sulawesi, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Lombok International Airport in West Nusa Tenggara, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, and Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta.

    Public relations manager of the Lion Air Group, Andy M Saladin, denied that the pilots had gone on strike because they had not received transport allowances.

    “There is no strike. The airlines operations have returned to normal,” he pointed out.

    Meanwhile, Lion Air President Director Edward Sirait insisted that the fact that some of the airlines pilots fell sick, coupled with an administrative problem, was what had led to flight delays.

    “We, on behalf of the Lion Air Management, apologize for the inconvenience,” he said.

  • Foreign Travel Agencies Expanding into Yogyakarta

    Foreign Travel Agencies Expanding into Yogyakarta

    The competition in travel agency business is getting stiffer in the wake of the free trade agreement of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The free trade agreement implementation has seen foreign travel agencies competing directly with local agencies, including in Yogyakarta.

    “Foreign travel agencies have been expanding into Yogya in the past two years,” said Edwin Ismedi Himna, Counsellor of Asita Associatoin of The Indonesia Tour & Travel Agencies (Asita) Yogyakarta.

    He said that the foreign travel agencies are originated from Korea, Japan, the United States and France.

    The free trade agreement implementation will see foreign travel agencies handle both domestic and overseas vacation packages. “Local agencies are being left behind despite efforts [to compete] by setting competitive or cheaper prices,” Edwin said.

    According to Edwin, of 190ish current member travel agencies incorporated in Asita Yogyakarta, only 30 percent are still handling  European and American tourists. “Most agencies prefer to keep targeting Asian tourists that are deemed to have more potential by exploiting short-haul destination programs,” he said.

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