JATA Tourism Expo 2026 returns to Tokyo in 2026

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTA), the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) jointly held the "Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 Aichi/Chubu-Hokuriku" at Aichi Sky Expo (Aichi International Exhibition Center) for four days from Thursday, 25 September to Sunday, 28 September 2025.

This year, the first-ever event held in Aichi Prefecture, was themed "Travel is the Rediscovery of Knowledge," and 1,350 companies and organizations from 82 countries and regions overseas and 45 prefectures in Japan participated.

The total number of visitors during the event was a record 126,900 as above.

JATA Tourism Expo 2026 will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from 24 September to 27 September 2026.

Other Airline Exhibitors, Welcome Reception at JATA Tourism Expo 2025

Report,  Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The exhibition had 1,474 booths, 442 of which were from overseas.

A large joint booth representing nine prefectures in the Chubu region was set up, providing a unique display unique to Aichi Prefecture, the first time the event was held.

On the public day, many visitors attended from the moment the doors opened. Performances by TEJ2025 Special Supporter Asaka Seto and JATA Overseas Travel Ambassador Takanori Iwata were also held, providing an opportunity for people of all ages to share the joys of travel.

Booths showcasing the charms of lesser-known tourist destinations and offering new ways to travel captured the attention of visitors, while interactive content that allowed visitors to enjoy history, gourmet food, traditional performing arts and crafts with all five senses was a big hit.

Although this was the first time the event was held in Aichi Prefecture, the number of visitors exceeded the target, and the event ended on a high note.

At the opening ceremony on Thursday, 25 September 2025 congratulatory remarks were given by Akira Yoshii, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

In a video message, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated, "I hope this will invigorate both inbound and outbound tourism and provide a major impetus for tourists to visit regional areas.

Tourism is a core industry for the region and a trump card for Regional Revitalization 2.0, which the Ishiba administration has positioned as a top priority.

It is important to solidify the positive trend of increasing numbers of international visitors to Japan and their spending, while spreading these effects throughout the country."

On Industry Day, the 8th TEJ Tourism Ministers' Meeting and a thematic symposium were held.

At the Tourism Ministers' Meeting, tourism ministers from seven countries and the heads of six international tourism organizations gathered to discuss the theme of "Dramatic Change in Regional Tourism: Regional Collaboration Strategies and Human Resource Development."

The keynote speech and the Tourism Ministers' Meeting were livestreamed, and archives are available on the official YouTube channel.

YouTube channel:

→ https://www.youtube.com/@expo2272

703 buyers and 826 sellers participated in the business meeting, resulting in 6,071 business meetings (pre-appointments).

See also: https://www.t-expo.jp/biz/press/gallery

Aero Mongolia and MIAT at Aichi Sky Expo from 25 September to 28 September 2025

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Sun PhuQuoc Airways to launch flight to Changi in 2026

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA   Image : Sun Group

According to Vietnamese media, Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to launch scheduled flight to Changi in 2026. Changi is one of the few international destinations that the Phu Quoc-based airline intends to start operations to outside Vietnam. Other overseas airports include Incheon, Taoyuan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways has also announced that domestic flight ticket sales start on 15 October 2025 and its maiden domestic flight takes place on 1 November 2025.

The airline plans to operate domestic flights on the following routes:- Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City (8 flights/day), Hanoi – Phu Quoc (5 flights/day), Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc (8 flights/day), Hanoi – Da Nang (3 flights/day), along with key routes such as Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City – Van Don, and Da Nang – Phu Quoc.

Hainan Airlines launches flight from Chongqing to Brussels on 22 November 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches scheduled flight from Chongqing to Brussels on 22 November 2025.

On 22 November 2025, according to schedules, Hainan Airlines flight HU469 departs from Chongqing for Brussels at 2.50 am, touches down in Brussels at 7.35 am before leaving Brussels for Chongqing at 11.20 am and touching down in Chongqing at 5.10 am on 23 November 2025.

Hainan Airlines flies to Brussels on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with its 787-9 Dreamliner.

9air launches flight from Guiyang to Incheon on 17 September 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

9air launches scheduled flight from Guiyang to Incheon on 17 September 2025.

On 17 September 2025, 9air flight AQ1203 departs from Guiyang for Incheon at 2.55 pm, lands in Incheon at 7.50 pm before leaving Incheon for Guiyang at 9.25 pm under flight AQ1204 and arriving in Guiyang at 11.55 pm.

9air flies to Incheon from Guiyang on Wednesdays and Sundays with its B737-800 aircraft.

Qanot Sharq launches flight to KLIA on 31 October 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Qanot Sharq, one of Uzbekistan's private airlines, launches direct scheduled flight from Tashkent to KLIA on 31 October 2025.

On 31 October 2025, Qanot Sharq flight HH203 departs from Tashkent for KLIA at 12.10 am, touches down in KLIA at 11.10 am before leaving KLIA for Tashkent at 12.50 pm and landing in Tashkent at 5.20 pm under flight HH204.

Qanot Sharq flies to KLIA with its A330 jet on Fridays and Sundays.

China Eastern launches C909 flight from Nanchang to Macau on 10 September 2025

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA              Image : Macau Airport

China Eastern Airlines officially launches flight between Macau and Nanchang on 10 September 2025 with the China Eastern C909 aircraft. 

To celebrate this milestone in route network expansion, China Eastern has held a simple yet grand inaugural celebration at Macau International Airport. The inaugural C909 regional flight carries 85 passengers and arrives in Macau at approximately 11.45 am. The water cannon ceremony at Macau International Airport is held to celebrate the successful inaugural flight. 

This route, the first to be operated by the China Eastern C909 aircraft in Macau, operates  between Macau and Nanchang on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, creating a convenient air link between Macau and Jiangxi Province.

China Southern launches flight from Daxing to Doha on 16 October 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern Airlines ("China Southern" in short) launches direct scheduled flight from Beijing Daxing to Doha, Qatar, on 16 October 2025, further strengthening its network between China and the Middle East. This route is China Southern's second direct route to Qatar, following the Guangzhou-Doha route, and marks another significant advancement in China Southern's internationalization strategy.

The new route will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Outbound flight CZ8059 departs from Beijing Daxing International Airport at 12.35 am local time and arrives at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar at 5.15 am local time. The return flight CZ8060 departs from Doha at 8.30 am local time and arrives in Daxing at 9.40 pm Beijing time. Starting today, passengers can book tickets and related special services through official channels such as China Southern Airlines' website, app, and mini-program.

China Southern will also expand its codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways to include the Beijing Daxing-Doha route. It also plans to establish codeshare partnerships on Qatar Airways' mainline routes from China to Doha, as well as on 15 routes beyond Doha, covering destinations in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, offering passengers more diverse travel options.

China Southern Airlines Group General Manager Han Wensheng said, "Beijing Daxing is a key pillar of China Southern Airlines' internationalization strategy. The launch of this new route will further strengthen its hub function and create synergies with the Guangzhou hub. Working with Qatar Airways, we will provide Chinese passengers with more convenient travel options to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas via Doha Hamad International Airport. This is a concrete example of China Southern Airlines actively supporting the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and continuously improving its global route network."

Qatar Airways Group Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said, "We warmly welcome China Southern Airlines to launch direct flights from Beijing Daxing to Doha." This move will further strengthen connectivity between the two countries. Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines' partnership continues to set new industry benchmarks. This expansion ensures China Southern passengers have access to all of Qatar Airways' China routes, demonstrating our long-term commitment to this core strategic market. Coinciding with China's Golden Week, we look forward to providing passengers with a premium global travel experience via our Doha hub.

Going forward, China Southern and Qatar Airways will continue to advance their strategic cooperation in areas such as cargo and frequent flyer programs, jointly building a more robust global route service network, creating greater value for passengers and allowing more people to enjoy the joy of flying.

Air Cambodia to acquire 20 C909 aircraft from COMAC

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA    Image : The IOSA-certified Air Cambodia

According to the official WeChat account of Air Cambodia, on 8 September 2025, Air Cambodia and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, to acquire 20 C909 aircraft, including 10 firm orders and 10 letters of intent. The two parties will collaborate closely on aircraft acquisition, operational support, and industry development.

Henri Sun Shougang, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and Executive Vice Governor; Mr. Guo Peng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Management Committee of the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone; Mr. Yi Riwu, Chairman of Henan Airport Investment Group Co., Ltd. (a shareholder of Air Cambodia); and Mr. David Cham, Vice Chairman and CEO of Air Cambodia, attended the signing ceremony.

Air Cambodia is the natioanl flag carrier of the Royal Government of Cambodia, established and invested in by sub-decrees. It is the only airline in Cambodia to have received the International Air Transport Association's Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification and the only airline to have earned a three-star rating from Skytrax.