Vanilla Air flies to Hong Kong on 2 November 2014

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Vanilla Air, formerly known as AirAsia Japan, is commencing three-weekly return flights from Tokyo - Narita to Hong Kong on 2 November 2014. It will fly on the route on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at different timings using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Vanilla Air flight JW299's first flight departs from Tokyo - Narita for Hong Kong at 9.10 am on 2 November 2014, arriving in Hong Kong at 1.10 pm before leaving Hong Kong at 2.10 pm and touching down in Singapore at 7.05 pm under flight JW300.

JW299's second flight on 4 November 2014 leaves Narita at 8.20 am and arrives in Hong Kong at 12.20 pm before it departs under flight JW300 at 1.20 pm and arrives in Narita at 6.15 pm while JW299's third flight on 6 November 2014 departs from Narita at 9.45 am and touches down in Hong Kong at 1.45 pm before ascending to the sky at 2.45 pm and arriving in Narita at 7.40 pm under flight JW300.

From 21 February 2015, Vanilla Air flies between Narita and Hong Kong on a daily basis under flight codes JW281 (Narita - Hong Kong) and JW300 (Hong Kong - Narita).

Besides Hong Kong, Vanilla Air is commencing low-cost flights from Narita to Kaohsiung on 1 February 2015. Before 2 November, it flies from Narita to Sapporo, Naha, Amami Oshima and Taipei - Taoyuan.

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines at Tourism Council of Bhutan booth of ITB Asia 2014

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                    / KUCINTA SETIA

The Royal Government of Bhutan has declared 2015 as “Visit Bhutan 2015” year to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo. The tourism industry will celebrate the year under the tagline “Celebrate happiness”. 

Visit Bhutan 2015 serves as one of the largest Tourism carnivals in Bhutan tourism history. Bhutan will celebrate 2015 with colourful festivals, events and activities held in different parts of Bhutan throughout the year. This programme invites all the tourists to experience authentic celebrations of various events. 

Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan is often revered as the "land of the Thunder Dragon" as still regarded as the last "Shangri-la" in the Himalayan region because of its remoteness, its spectacular mountain terrain, varied flora and fauna and its unique ancient Buddhist monasteries, deeply revered king, remarkably friendly people and unique colourful culture. 

The Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy of high value, low impact/volume tourism which serves the purpose of creating an image of exclusivity and high-yield for Bhutan. Here Buddhism is a natural way of life and the whole country breathes peace, tranquility, enchantment, joy and age-old wisdom.

Bhutan has introduced Gross National Happiness to the world as an alternative for the economic Gross National Product, thereby inspiring many other countries to look at happiness and development in a different, richer way.

Lufthansa to introduce Premium Economy Class and upgrade its First and Business Classes

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Lufthansa which exhibits at ITB Asia 2014 is introducing Premium Economy Class on all flights of its Boeing B747-800 fleet as early as 1 December 2014.

Premium Economy Class seats will make up some ten per cent of the entire seating capacity on each wide-bodied aircraft. 

Over the next few months, Lufthansa will fit between 21 (Airbus A330-200) and 52 (Airbus A380-800) new seats in each of its aircraft. Onboard the B747-800 aircraft, 32 seats will be modified in line with Premium Economy Class specifications. The airline commissioned a total of 3,600 seats from the manufacturer ZIM.

Besides Premium Economy Class, Lufthansa is working intently on upgrades to First and Business Classes onboard all its long-haul aircraft which will be completed by late summer 2015.

On 2 October 2014, a special two-hour B747-800 (the "Schleswig-Holstein") flight under LH9880 took off from Frankfurt to introduce the new Premium Economy Class.

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines plans to launch flights to Thailand and Singapore in 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines exhibits at ITB Asia in Singapore for the first time from 29 to 31 October 2014. It is a private airline founded by Lin Myat Tun (the managing director), major ticketing and travel agency Sun Far Travel Agency managers U Kyaw Myo (the airline CEO) and U Than Oo (the airline chairman) with its operations based in Mandalay International Airport. 

Incorporated on 23 July 2013, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines was granted a permit by the Myanmar Investment Commission under the Myanmar Citizens Investment Law in July 2013 to operate air transportation services on domestic and international routes. 

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines received its first ATR-72 aircraft (XY-AJO) on 31 January 2014. A dinner at Sedona Hotel, Yangon, to launch the airline took place on 11 February 2014 and its first scheduled flight to Yangon from Mandalay was launched on 8 March 2014. The airline currently offers commercial flights from Mandalay to Yangon, Nyaung U, Heho, Kengtung, Tachileik among other domestic destinations using two ATR 72-600 aircraft. 

Its flight to Myitkyina was launched after March 2014 while plans to launch domestic flights to Bhamo, Putao, Monywa, Homalin, Loikaw and Kalemyo, all of tourism and/or commercial significance, are in the pipeline.

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines plans to launch flights to Chiang Mai in 2015 on its own using a leased Airbus A320 aircraft.  It has a code-sharing agreement with Air KBZ to sell its tickets for the latter flights to Chiang Mai which will be launched on 1 November 2014.

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines also plans to launch flights to Suvarnabhumi, Phuket and Singapore with a leased Airbus A320 aircraft in 2015. Through ITB Asia 2014, it hopes to find a General Sales Agency and sales agents in Singapore and the region.

Mann is short for Mandalay while Yadanarpon which means "pile of gems" refers to the wealth of the former royal capital of Myanmar. Mann Yadanarpon Airlines' company logo depicts the royal gold of Mandalay's palace and walls, symbolising richness and culture of Myanmar, and blue moat, which symbolises the airline as the link between water and sky.

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines distributes free travel pouches, pens, Winter 2014/2015 Timetables, metallic key chains, shopping bags and a limited number of hardcopies of Yadanarpon, its inflight magazine at ITB Asia 2014.

VietJet Air launches flights to Siem Reap, Taipei and domestic flights in Thailand by December 2014

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

VietJet Air, Vietnam's private low-cost airline that is exhibiting in ITB Asia 2014 for the first time in an effort to attract international sales agents, is launching scheduled flights to Siem Reap, Taipei and domestic flights in Thailand by December 2014.

On 3 November 2014, VietJet Air flight VJ931 departs from Hanoi for Siem Reap at 5.15 pm and arrives in Siem Reap on 7.05 pm before leaving Siem Reap at 8.05 pm and touching down in Hanoi at 9.55 pm under VJ932. Flights are operated on a daily basis.


On 12 December 2014, VietJet Air flight VJ840 takes off for Taipei - Taoyuan from Ho Chi Minh City at 2.30 pm and arrives in Taoyuan at 6.55 pm before departing for Ho Chi Minh City at 8 pm and arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at 10.25 pm under VJ841. Flights are operated on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

All flights to Siem Reap, Taipei, Seoul-Incheon (opened since July 2014 from Danang and Hanoi), Singapore, Suvarnabhumi and domestic destinations of VietJet Air are operated by its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft and VietJet Air is actively looking for new destinations and new ventures to expand its flight network.

For instance, VietJet Air operates charter flights to Kunming from Hanoi. It plans to launch scheduled flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Yangon as early as January 2015. It has ambitious plans in the long-run to launch flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Tashkent, Almaty, BIshkek and India.

VietJet Air is also launching domestic flights in Thailand in the fourth-quarter of 2014 through its Suvarnabhumi Airport-based affiliate, Thai VietJet Air (Thai VietJet, in short).

VietJet Air holds a 49 per cent stake in Thai VietJet which was formed in 2013 while the remaining 51 per cent stake in the joint-venture is owned by Bangkok-headquartered Kan Air. 

Thai VietJet's initial domestic route is targeted to be Suvarnabhumi-Chiang Mai followed by Suvarnabhumi-Phuket. From Chiang Mai, travellers can connect to Kan Air's flights to Hua Hin south of Bangkok, Mae Hong Son and other towns of northern Thailand including Nan and Khon Kaen.

VietJet has been honored with prestigious awards in Vietnam and in the world for its trademark fun and friendly onboard services. 

For instance, at the “Budgies & Travel Awards” recently held in London, VietJet, along with Spice Jet (India), Easy Jet (England), Southwest (USA) and Air Asia X (Malaysia), was shortlisted in the category for “The Top 5 Best New Route Launch.” 

VietJet has also been awarded as “The most numbers of cultural and entertainment activities on the airline” by the Asian Record Organization.

Fiji Airways exhibits at ITB Asia for the first time

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Fiji Airways is exhibiting at ITB Asia 2014 under the South Pacific Tourism Organization booth together with Tourism Fiji and Samoa Tourism Authority for the first time.

Marketed by its Hong Kong station representative Sebastian Yeung, Fiji Airways hopes to find international sales agents for the airline in the Southeast Asia markets.

Fiji Airways aims to be a leading global boutique airline and has introduced new inflight products such as a duty-free shopping catalogue and its revamped inflight magazine FijiTime in September 2014.

Fiji Airways' has a fleet of brand new wide-body A330s and refreshed B737 aircraft. Its domestic subsidiary  Fiji Link has a fleet of ATR 72, ATR 42 and DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft. From its hub at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link fly to 15 cities in 10 countries. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Apia, Tongapatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Honiara, Solomon Islands. Brochures are distributed to buyers and media.

The Fiji Airways Group bring in over 64 percent of all visitors who fly to Fiji, and the two companies together employ over 1000 employees, earn revenues of over F$675 million ($380m USD), and directly contribute a significant portion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

Fiji Airways was rebranded from Air Pacific in June 2013. 

Seventh edition of ITB Asia on sustainability and diversity

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

ITB Asia 2014 opens

The first of a three-year run in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the seventh edition of ITB Asia opens on 29 October 2014 at Sands Expo & Convention Centreand ends on 31 October 2014. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am at Basement 2 is officiated by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade & Industry, Dr. Christian Goke, CEO of Messe Berlin and David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC).

As the biggest and greenest travel trade show in the region, ITB Asia 2014 witnesses many firsts. 

ITB Asia stresses on sustainability

Firstly, the integrated resort’s team of sustainability experts at Marina Bay Sands have guided ITB Asia 2014 in reducing its carbon footprint by five per cent from 399 tonnes in 2012 when ITB Asia held its fifth edition of the travel show at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. This is achieved through a range of measures such as choosing food items sourced regionally for the Harvest Menu, utilizing newly activated in-room motion sensors to ensure maximum lighting efficiency in the meeting rooms and setting a room temperature of 24 degrees. 

Consequently, the total carbon footprint produced during the three-day event is being offset entirely. The carbon credits will in turn be invested in two regional climate change mitigation projects, Sungai Kerling Hydropower in Malaysia and Wayang Windu Geothermal in Indonesia through the integrated resort’s partner Carbon Story.

Secondly, all unused booth giveaways and stationery such as note pads and pens are collected from the exhibitors at the end of ITB Asia by Marina Bay Sands. They will be donated to the integrated resort’s charity partner Food from the Heart. Leftover brochures at the booths will also be collected and recycled. The nature of such a donation and recycling drive is a first for ITB Asia, as well as Marina Bay Sands, an ISO 20121 certified venue host.

More buyers and exhibitors from more countries

Thirdly, ITB Asia 2014 has seen strong support from the business travel segment and an increase in international representation with more than 700 exhibitors from 76 countries and regions.

Exhibitors showing a strong presence this year include the Spain Tourism Board, Brand USA as well as the Philippines Tourism Board and Indonesia’s flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, both of which have increased booth space by 200% and 300% respectively. This year also sees the strongest buyer participation to-date, with 14% more buyers compared to 2013 [figures from Messe Berlin (Singapore)].

First-time travel trade entity exhibitors come from Mongolia, Andorra, Albania, Greenland Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Yemen, an increase of 10 per cent from 2013. 

Fly to Central Asia with Uzbekistan Airways and its tour operator exhibitors 

Uzbekistan Airways and Dolores Travel Services under the same booth markets to tour operators flights with Uzbekistan Airways from Singapore. Detailed airline information and Timetables of Uzbekistan Airways for the winter 2014/2015 season are available. 

At the neighbouring booth, Ak Sai Travel from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, introduces Kyrgyzstan travel and tourism to prospective agents in the region via Uzbekistan Airways' flight from Singapore via Tashkent. 

Ak Sai organizes trekking tours to the heart of Tian Shan Mountain, Terskei Ala Too and Asian Patagonia, expeditions to Lenin Peak, one of the highest peaks of the Pamir mountain range in Kyrgyzstan, cultural tour "Colors of Kyrgyzstan" which involves visits to famous attractions of Kyrgyzstan such as Son Kul Lake, and Issyk Kul Lake with its magnificent gorges and small towns,and helicopter flights to its Base Camp "Southern Inylchek" at the foot of 7000 plus meter peaks of Khan Tengri and Pobeda (Victory). Guides speaking in English, German, Spanish and French accompany the tourists. Singaporeans are granted free entry upon arrival in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

For further information on Kyrgyzstan travel packages, contact Ak-Sai Travel at info@ak-sai.com or visit www.ak-sai.com and www.mice.kg.

Besides Uzbekistan Airways, first-time airline exhibitors include Aerodiana, Fiji Airways, VietJet Air and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines.

Aerodiana is a Nazca Lines aircraft sightseeing company with a fleet of 5 Cessna Grand Caravans 208. It will add another Cessna Caravan 208 to its fleet in 2015 to meet flight travel demands to view 13 main geoglyphs of the Nazca Lines including the The Whale, Compass, Trapezoids, Astronaut, Monkey, Dog, Condor, Spider, Hummingbird, Flamingo, Parrot, Hands and Tree in the Ica-Nazca Desert near Lima, the capital and largest commercial city of Peru. 

Each aircraft of Aerodiana accommodating 12 passengers is operated by highly qualified pilots with more than 5,000 flight hours and certification to operate in the region. 

There are 23 airline exhibitors in ITB Asia 2014, the greatest number of airline exhibitors in the travel show's history.

Brief News from selected Tourism Board exhibitors

Tourism for Future NGO from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, promotes the new international travel link to Singapore, travel in Mongolia, and Mongolia as the Official Partner Country of ITB Berlin 2015. 

The Andorra pavilion comprises of three trade entities including Pyrenees Andorra the largest mall of this small country situated between France and Spain and XGrandvalira Andorra the largest skiable area in southern Europe with 210 km skiable slopes and 3 snowparks including 1 nighttime snowpark. They have come to attract more Asian tour groups as they confirm an increasing number of Korean and Singaporean tourists entering Andorra in recent years. For further information, contact Ester Servat at esterservat@grandvalira.com.

Albanian National Tourism Agency exhibits at ITB Asia for the first time to attract local tour operators to organize tours to Tirana, the gateway to Albania. Travellers arrive in Tirana via Istanbul or Rome. Albania has UNESCO sites which are the ancient city ruins of Butrinti, the Byzantine castle of Berati and the Cathedral of Shen Meria which houses famous Albanian iconographic works of 16th century artists Onufri and his son Nikolla.

Yemen Tourism Promotion Board reports that there are more Singaporean tourists entering Sa'naa the capital of Yemen via Kuala Lumpur by Yemenia Yemen Airways. Yemeni tour operators under the booth hope to attract Singaporean tour operators to organize trips to Yemen and Socotra Island which has opened Socotra Archipelago Natural Park (the largest in the Middle East and home to more than 140 species of birds, and 800 species of plants including the endemic dragon's blood tree) up to tourism recently. Singaporeans are now granted free visa entry once they arrive in Sa'naa. A few years ago, a Singaporean tourist had to pay 30 US Dollars for a visa entry to Yemen.

At the Tourism Council of Bhutan booth, a spokesperson from Tashi Tours & Travels informs the travel trade press that Tashi Air - Bhutan Airlines still has a plan to start flights to Singapore via Dhaka as early as 2015 while Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines is said to be evaluating the feasibility of launching scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Seoul-Incheon from Paro in 2015. The national flag carrier is doing well on air traffic to Paro from Singapore via Kolkata.

Conclusion

ITB Asia 2014 is another huge convention and exhibition success for Messe Berlin (Singapore).

The eighth edition of ITB Asia will take place at the same venue from 21 to 23 October 2015.

Meanwhile, Sayacinta - Airpost is proud to present news from Fiji Airways, VietJet Air and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines exhibiting at ITB Asia 2014 in the next three pages. 

GBTA releases key figures about global business travel in ITB Asia 2014's opening speech

Press Release (Extract) by : Messe Berlin (Singapore)

Edited by Gan Yung Chyan
               / KUCINTA SETIA

Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Global business travel spend is expected to reach a record US$1.18 trillion by 2014, with nearly 40% coming from Asia Pacific. This is according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), which released latest figures from its Business Travel Index (BTI) outlook report at ITB Asia 2014, ‘the Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’.

“The evolution of the business travel sector in Asia Pacific is leading key industry players from across the world to focus more intensely on this market. At ITB Asia, we hope to leverage this strong growth and maintain our position as the region’s main marketplace for business travel opportunities,” said Christian Göke, CEO Messe Berlin, organiser of ITB Asia.

“The MICE sector in particular is growing exceptionally, accounting for over half of the total business travel market. It is a very resilient segment that is outpacing traditional corporate travel. ITB Asia aims to deliver pertinent insights on these key industry opportunities to help delegates leverage the potential,” added Göke.

“The dramatic progress of Asia’s travel and tourism markets, fuelled by the rising BRIC economies, testifies once again to the region’s immense potential for growth. Now, more so than ever, we need to encourage greater strategic collaboration among the leaders of the industry. Over the years, ITB Asia has been incredibly valuable in delivering comprehensive market insights and important networking opportunities. We are confident that STB’s partnership with Messe Berlin will continue to boost the success of ITB Asia and anchor TravelRave’s status as the region’s premier travel and tourism week for the trade” said Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board.

GBTA’s BTI study also forecasts China to overtake the US as the world’s number one business travel market by 2016 and other Asia Pacific countries such as India and Indonesia to grow between 11-14% annually over the next five years.

“In Asia Pacific, there are a number of countries showing high growth in terms of business travel spend. These markets include Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We forecast an average growth rate of 7.5-10% annually in these markets,” said Welf Ebeling, GBTA Vice President, Operations, Asia.

“The second fastest growth market in Asia is India which equally to China showed a 16% growth in the first decade of this century. Over the last 15 years, India has worked its way up the rankings of major global business travel markets from number 24 in 2000 to the world’s 10^th ranked market in 2013. GBTA expects India to become the ninth largest business travel market within the next five years,” he added.

Fuzhou Airlines announces inaugural flight dates of its Fuzhou routes to various Chinese cities

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Fuzhou Airlines has announced inaugural flight dates to various Chinese cities on its web-site on 29 October 2014. These cities include Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Chongqing, Xi'an and Taiyuan.

Fuzhou Airlines launches its first special charter passenger flight to Beijing from Fuzhou using its first Boeing B737-800 aircraft received on 11 October 2014 and registered 'B-5503' to celebrate the birth of Fuzhou's first independent airline in 13 years on 30 October 2014. 

Its predecessor Fujian Airlines based in Fuzhou began operations in 1993 and ceased operations in 2001 after it was merged into Xiamen Airlines.

For the landmark return flight to Beijing from Fuzhou, souvenirs including Fuzhou Airlines aircraft models and certificates will be given to its passengers onboard. 

On 30 October, Fuzhou Airlines flight FU6501 departs for Beijing Capital International Airport from Fuzhou at 10.30 am, arrives in Beijing at 1.20 pm before departing from Beijing for Fuzhou from 8.30 pm and touching down in Fuzhou at 11.40 pm under flight FU6502. Fuzhou travellers can go for shopping in Beijing before returning to Fuzhou on the same day. 

Regular scheduled passenger flights from Fuzhou to Shanghai Pudong, Kunming and Chongqing begin on 31 October 2014. Scheduled flights to Xi'an begin on 1 November 2014 while flights to Taiyuan commence on 2 November 2014.

Fuzhou Airlines' flights to Shanghai Pudong and Kunming are operated once on a daily basis. 

Fuzhou Airlines' first regular scheduled flight is from Fuzhou to Shanghai Pudong, which commences on 31 October 2014. Flight FU6519 takes off from Fuzhou at 8.55 am on this day and arrives in Pudong International Airport at 10.30 am before ascending to the sky one hour later at 11.30 am and touching down in Fuzhou at 1.10 pm under FU6520. This route is operated by its B737-800 'B-5503' aircraft, which will also operate on the route from Fuzhou to Kunming Changshui International Airport more than five hours later at 6.25 pm. Flight FU6509 leaves Fuzhou for Kunming at this time and arrives in Kunming at 9.35 pm before taking off for Fuzhou at 10.35 pm and touching down in Fuzhou at 1.15 am on 1 November 2014 under FU6510.

Four flights per week linking Chongqing and Fuzhou on 31 October 2014 will be operated by Fuzhou Airlines' second B737-800 aircraft registered 'B-5430'  on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On 31 October, flight FU6507 embarks on the journey from Fuzhou to Chongqing at 6.45 pm and arrives in Chongqing at 9.25 pm before leaving Chongqing at 10.25 pm and returning to Fuzhou at 12.35 am under FU6508 on 1 November 2014.

Fuzhou Airlines received its second B737-800 aircraft from Hainan Airlines on 27 October 2014.

On 1 November 2014, Fuzhou Airlines commences twice-weekly scheduled flights from Fuzhou to Xi'an. Flight FU6525 leaves Fuzhou at 5.40 pm and arrives in Xi'an at 8.25 pm before departing from Xi'an at 9.20 pm for Fuzhou and arriving in Fuzhou at 11.55 pm under FU6526. Flights are operated  on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

On 2 November 2014, Fuzhou Airlines commences twice-weekly scheduled flights from Fuzhou to Taiyuan. Flight FU6517 leaves Fuzhou at 9.25 am and arrives in Taiyuan at 12.20 pm before departing from Taiyuan at 1.10 pm for Fuzhou and arriving in Fuzhou at 3.35 pm under FU6518. Flights are operated  on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

In addition, Fuzhou Airlines plans to open scheduled flights to Tianjin, Haikou and Hefei as early as mid-November 2014 as soon as its third B737-800 aircraft is received. 

Other anticipating routes to open according to airline officials include flights to Sanya, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna and Ankang. To launch new flights to these and more Chinese cities, two more B737-800 aircraft will be added by end of December 2014.

Besides domestic services, Fuzhou Airlines aims to open international flights to Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul-Incheon and Japan in two years' time.

Fuzhou Airlines' tickets can be reserved online at its official web-site fuzhou-air.cn while online tickets can be purchased at Ctrip and other Chinese online air ticketing web-sites. According to Chinese media, all online air ticket numbers of Fuzhou Airlines start with the three-digit number "666", which is pronounced as "luck-luck-luck" in Hokkien.

Fuzhou Airlines wishes all passengers luck and happiness always from booking to flying with the airline.

Air Timor operates code-sharing flights with Garuda Indonesia between Dili and Denpasar

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Air Timor operates code-sharing daily flights with Garuda Indonesia between Dili and Denpasar using the latter's aircraft with effect from 25 October 2014 today. It is in charge of marketing and selling Garuda tickets in East Timor. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both airlines on the new route was signed in August 2014.

Flight GA7300 departs from Denpasar for Dili at 7.30 am and arrives in Dili at 10.30 am before it leaves Dili at 11.25 am and touches down in Denpasar at 12.15 pm under GA7310.

Sriwijaya Air is the other airline that operates flights between Denpasar and Dili.

Air Timor's other flight from Dili is to Singapore using SilkAir's B737 aircraft.

Golden Myanmar Airlines resumes flights to Bangkok and code-shares with Tigerair from 26 October 2014

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Golden Myanmar Airlines is resuming daily scheduled flights from Yangon to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and beginning code-sharing flights with Tigerair on its Singapore route from 26 October 2014, according to its advertisement releases on its Facebook page.

From 26 October 2014, Golden Myanmar Airlines flight Y5 237 departs from Yangon for Suvarnabhumi at 7 pm and arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 8.50 pm before leaving Suvarnabhumi at 9.30 pm and touching down in Yangon at 10.20 pm local time under Y5 238. Flights are operated by one of its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On the same day, Golden Myanmar Airlines begins its flight from Singapore for Yangon at 7.20 am and arrives in Yangon at 8.50 am under flight Y5 2234 in a code-sharing arrangement with Tigerair from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. It departs from Yangon at 9.45 am and returns to Terminal 2 at 2.15 pm under Y5 2233.

For Golden Myanmar Airlines, the new schedules imply that 25 October is the final last date of  the Yangon airline's Airbus A320 flight to Singapore. There is no longer an afternoon flight of the carrier on the Singapore - Yangon route from 26 October.

For Tigerair, it is significant as it does not need to suspend flights to Yangon. Sharing its seats with Golden Myanmar Airlines means both airlines can share profits on the route.

The new Singapore-Yangon flight schedule of Golden Myanmar Airlines connects to its Yangon - Mandalay ATR 72-600 route which ensures passengers leave Yangon at 3.20 pm and arrive in Mandalay at 4.30 pm on the same day, and not after 7.30 pm. However, passengers departing from Mandalay for Singapore with Golden Myanmar Airlines will have to stay overnight in Yangon.

Golden Myanmar Airlines has a fleet of 2 Airbus A320 and 2 ATR 72-600 aircraft and faces competition from SilkAir on the Singapore-Yangon-Mandalay route. Readers interested to gather more information on the Yangon low-cost airline's services may check its web-site at www.gmairlines.com.

New Palauan airline launches flights to Hong Kong from November 2014

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

According to Hong Kong tour operators Diving Express Ltd and Wanderlust Vacations, Palau Pacific Airways the new national airline of Palau launches scheduled charter flights between Hong Kong and Koror on 7 November 2014. 1 November 2014 is the beginning of its scheduled flight month. Tour bookings are open for departures from 7 November to Koror.

According to Palau Pacific Airways, its flight to Hong Kong departs from Koror at 1.30 pm, arriving in Hong Kong at 4.30 pm before taking off one hour later at 5.30 pm and touching down in Koror at 10.30 pm. Flights are operated on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays by  the new B737-800 OM-GEX aircraft to be leased from Slovakian carrier Air Explore.

Palau Pacific Airways plans to add Taipei - Taoyuan, Guam and Tokyo to its scheduled network in 2015.

Palau Pacific Airways was previously known as Palau Airways. Palau Airways which began flights to Taipei on 6 May 2012 suspended flight services to Taipei and Hong Kong in 2013 after TonleSap Airlines stopped operations from Siem Reap to Taipei.

Palau Pacific Airways will face competition from Mega Maldives Airlines which operates on the Male - Hong Kong- Koror routes.

OKAir launches new routes from Tianjin in October 2014

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

OKAir, short for Okay Airways, has launched its first Southeast Asia flight to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi from Tianjin on 1 October 2014 and is launching Tianjin's first flight to Lianyungang en route to Haikou on 26 October 2014.

On 1 October 2014, OKAir flight BK2791 departs from Tianjin at 10 pm and arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 1.45 am on 2 October. At 2.45 am, flight BK2792 leaves Suvarnabhumi for Tianjin and touches down in Tianjin at 8.30 am on 2 October. Scheduled flights operated by its Boeing B737-800 aircraft between Tianjin and Suvarnabhumi are on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays (BK291) and Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays (BK292).

On 26 October 2014, OK Air flight BK2803 departs from Tianjin for Lianyungang the island port of Jiangsu Province at 8.50 am and touches down in Lianyungang at 10.10 am before it proceeds on its way to Haikou at 11 am, arriving in Haikou at 1.50 pm.

Flight BK2804 leaves Haikou for Lianyungang on 26 October at 2.50 pm, touches down in Lianyungang at 5.45 pm before taking off for Tianjin at 6.45 pm and arriving in Tianjin at 8.05 pm on the same day. Flights operated by B737-800 aircraft on the Tianjin - Lianyungang - Haikou routes are on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Bangkok is OKAir's second international destination after Jeju, which the Beijing-headquartered, Tianjin-based airline commenced flights to from Tianjin in late January 2014 before commencing Jeju flights from Changsha and Chongqing months later.

Lianyungang （连云港）, named after Lian Island （连岛）and Mount Yuntai in the port city, is home to Huaguoshan Mountain （花果山）, the legendary home of the Monkey God mentioned in the Chinese classic tale Journey To The West. Other tourist attractions in Lianyungang include Lian Island Marina Bay Square （连岛海滨浴场）, the Ancient City of Haizhou （海州古城）, Democracy Road Cultural Street （民主路文化街）, Mount Yuntai （云台山）and Donghai Spring （东海温泉）. It is ranked third in the List of China's 10 Best Environmental-Friendly Tourist Cities collated by surveyors of ITE & MICE 2013 in Hong Kong.

OKAir celebrates 10th Anniversary in 2015. Okay Airways was established in June 2004 and received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from CAAC in February 2005 as China's first private full-service airline. It operates its maiden flight on 11 March 2005 from Tianjin to Changsha. Since then, OKAir has expanded its route network to cover more than 25 cities in China including Chengdu, Guilin, Nanning, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kunming, Nanjing, Qingdao Zhangjiajie, Zhanjiang, Zhuhai and Shenzhen.

OKAir operates a fleet of B737-300F, B737-800, Xian MA-60 aircraft. In April 2014, it signed a deal with Boeing through CNAC International Aircraft Leasing to purchase 3 Boeing B737-900ER aircraft in order to launch medium- and long-haul routes in the future.

Scoot flies to Tianjin from Singapore where passengers can connect to OKAir's domestic flights to other cities in the latter's network.

Disabled-friendly tour operator from Peru appointed as GSA for Singapore Airlines in Lima

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

World-re-known Destination Management Company (DMC) and tour operator from Peru, Tucano Peru, has been appointed as General Sales Agent (GSA) of Singapore Airlines and SIA Holidays in Lima, Peru. It will exhibit its Peruvian tour products and services at ITB Asia 2014 from 29 to 31 October 2014 in Singapore.

Co-founded in 1994 by Veronica Napuri, Tucano Peru has provided, for the convenience of disabled tourists, itineraries designed with suitable timings and activities, vehicles, hotels and jungle lodges. A special staff is available every day of a tour for tourists with disabilities.

Tucano Peru's itineraries cover visits to must-see destinations of Peru such as Machu Picchu, Inca & Colonial Cusco, the Amazon Jungle, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Nasca Lines, Colonial Lima and fascinating ruins of pre-Colombian cultures.

Tucano Peru also organizes culinary tours, carbon-free tours such as treks to tailor-made itineraries, helicopter sightseeing tours, voluntourism projects and intercultural exchanges, film production trips, wedding and honeymoon trips in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador for all tourists, media and the travel trade.

In voluntourism, tourists are happy to work together with native Quechua-speaking Peruvians on building projects that leave behind renovated houses, playgrounds, classrooms and sanitation. Tourists can also involve in health assistance in the form of check-ups and treatment from qualified professionals.

To know more about Tucano Peru, its travel packages and services, visit http://www.tucanoperu.com/itbasia2014.

Singapore Airlines flies to Sao Paulo via Barcelona from Singapore. From Sao Paulo, one can fly direct to Lima with LAN Peru, part of the LATAM Airlines Group. Singapore and Peru have an open skies agreement that allows airlines of both countries to fly to each other's cities without any limit in flight frequencies.

Flight Cancellation Notice : Tigerair's China flights

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Tigerair is reducing its services to China by cancelling direct flights to Lijiang and Jinan without prior public notice.

A year after beginning flights to Lijiang, Tigerair's last flight to Lijiang from Singapore is on 27 December 2014. Passengers affected by the sudden flight cancellation on the Lijiang-Singapore route (via Chiang Rai) can consider flying with Lucky Air from Lijiang to Xi'an to connect to Tigerair's flight to Singapore.

Tigerair's last flight to Jinan will be on 6 January 2015. Passengers affected by the cancellations after 6 January can consider travelling to Qingdao from Jinan to board a Scoot flight bound for Singapore.

Of utmost importance, affected passengers should contact Tigerair for refunds.

Low-cost airline Link PNG commences operations on 1 November 2014 as Air Niugini restructures

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Tourism Professionals

Air Niugini's low-cost airline subsidiary named Link PNG commences operations on 1 November 2014 to coincide with Air Niugini’s 41 years of operation. Air Niugini began operations on 1 November 1973.

Air Niugini’s Board Chairman, Sir Frederick Reiher, made the announcement during a meeting between the airline management and the union in Port Moresby on 15 October 2014.

He said the establishment of a low-cost airline is part of Air Niugini’s restructure into the future and will open a new era in domestic air travel for Papua New Guineans.

Sir Fred said Link PNG's low-cost model aims to provide reliable and safe flight services within Papua New Guinea. The carrier will also serve PNG routes on a community service (CSO) obligation, ensuring that not only are remote and less profitable services maintained, but progressively expanded to meet the growing transport needs of Papua New Guinea.

He said “Link PNG will be a smarter, less “frills” and low cost carrier that will principally service routes to provincial and district centres which are currently being operated by the Dash 8 Classic fleet”.

“Its establishment will ensure that rather than air services being reduced by the ownership restructure of Air Niugini Limited and the injection of private sector capital – as has occurred in other countries in the region – they will actually be guaranteed and increased.”

The most important aspect of the establishment of Link PNG is that it will guarantee regular, reliable, safe and affordable services to the more remote parts of the nations where patronage is less than the main domestic routes, but just as important for the travelling public.

Link PNG will commence operations as a separate company on 1 November 2014 under its own Board and Management. Mr Daniel Wanma is the Chief Executive Officer. His senior management team has been selected and they have all satisfied the PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (PNGCASA) requirements as “fit and proper” persons – a mandatory regulatory requirement. Link PNG will operate from its own premises located alongside the Cargo premises.

All these personnel, including the technical crew and other employees, will be seconded as Air Niugini employees on an agreed arrangement to work under Link PNG initially under probation until their permanent positions in Link PNG are confirmed.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Mr Simon Foo said Air Niugini has been operating and running its business the way it has been for the last 40 years with little change when business practices and circumstances, economic climate and technology have changed dramatically in the regional and worldwide airline industry.

“ This move is gearing Air Niugini to engaging in smarter business practices in the delivery of its services, and in a cost effective manner. It is imperative that Air Niugini embraces new and modern ways and means of delivering its services. ”Mr Foo said. 

Cost-effective service is true for Air Niugini as it is manifested in the national flag carrier's most recent officially endorsed e-ticketing agreement with Qatar Airways. Under the agreement, passengers can connect to Qatar Airways' destinations in the Middle East and Africa by purchasing Air Niugini e-tickets for travel with Qatar Airways via Air Niugini's hubs Singapore and Hong Kong to Doha.

Air Niugini's latest news is certainly bringing excellent tidings to ITB Asia 2014 exhibitor Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and tourists to Papua New Guinea. 

Seventh edition of ITB Asia touches on the theme of sustainability

Press Release by : Messe Berlin (Singapore)
Edited by : Gan Yung Chyan
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals by KUCINTA SETIA

ITB Asia, organized by Messe Berlin (Singapore), has announced a dedicated day of events and conferences around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in tourism for 29 October. ITB Asia’s inaugural CSR day will shine a spotlight on economically, social-ethically and environmentally responsible tourism.

‘As global travel operators working across hundreds of communities, it is important that we do our part in creating a socially acceptable and eco–friendly environment. Leveraging on our position as the region’s leading travel trade show, we’ve designed CSR day to rally our delegates in their efforts to create responsible tourism products and services. We believe that CSR is not a choice but a necessity for long-term business success particularly for the travel industry,’ said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.

The first day of ITB Asia 2014 kicks off with a welcome address and keynote by Rika Jean François, CSR Commissioner of ITB Berlin. Mike Nedelko, CRM & Marketing Manager of The Code, shares with the attendees insights on ‘Human Rights In Tourism’ after.

The programme will continue with a highly informative session in partnership with National Geographic where the Editor and Columnist of National Geographic Traveler, Costas Christ, and Rika Jean François will present the finalists of the new ITB-National Geographic World Legacy Awards. The Awards will honour organizations that are driving the positive transformation of the tourism industry in five categories: Earth Changers, Sense of Place, Conserving the Natural World, Engaging Communities and Destination Leadership. The final winners will be celebrated in March 2015 at ITB Berlin. 

Building on the momentum, ITB Asia continues to offer sustainability practitioners, newbies and pioneers a great platform and numerous sessions across the three-day show delving into hot topics around responsible tourism.

ITB Asia, in partnership with Wild Asia and Blue Yonder, for the fourth year running, has put together a series of interactive clinics. Experts and experienced practitioners will be presenting current trends and notable case studies focusing on community tourism and sustainable practices. The discussions will also cover current topical interests such as ‘Sustainable Child Protection’, ‘Climate Change and Tourism’ and ‘Burma’s Reopening to the World’.

The sessions will be led by experienced industry professionals. They include Dr Jutamas Jan Wisansing (Executive Director and Consultant, Perfect Link Consulting Group and Education Chair), Adrienne Lee, Program Manager (Asia & Africa), Planeterra, Ruben Cortes (Associate Director, Sustainable Building Initiative, Wild Asia), Daniel Pliskey, Sales and Marketing at Access China Tours, Albert Teo Chin Kion, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours & Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Chan Beng Seng, Coordinator for the Global Alternative Tourism Network.

On Friday, the sessions will end on a high with the Responsible Tourism Forum where speakers will push the envelope to discuss standards of sustainable tourism, reveal market trends and opportunities, while also providing practical tools and applications to achieve sustainability. 

The Forum panel of experts includes Tony Charters (Principal of Tony Charters and Associates), Jens Thraenhart (Founder of Digital Innovation Asia) and Jalsa Urubshurow (Founder and CEO of Nomadic Expeditions and the Three Camel Lodge from ITB Berlin’s Official Partner Country 2015, Mongolia). 

Following the forum, winners of the notable Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 will be announced. ITB Asia’s well-established International Responsible Tourism Networking Event will close the day, giving interested tourism professionals ample opportunities to get together. 

Now in its seventh year, ITB Asia continues to develop its offerings to visitors and represents the full spectrum of tourism at all levels including the hospitality sector, aviation companies, tour operators or travel agencies, National Tourism Organisations, travel technology firms, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and corporate travel representatives.

ITB Asia 2014 takes place from 29 to 31 October at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. For further information on ITB Asia and registration details, visit www.itb-asia.com.