Philippine Airlines' new routes in winter 2015

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

Philippine Airlines exhibits at ITB Asia for the third time under the flagship booth of Philippine Tourism Promotion Board, where it announces several new routes to the international travel trade.

Philippines Airlines is launching new flights to Auckland via Cairns from Manila on 2 December 2015 and to Port Moresby on 18 December 2015 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 2 December (Wednesday), Philippine Airlines flight PR218 leaves Manila for Cairns at 11.15 pm, arrives in Cairns at 7.30 am before departing from Cairns at 8.30 am and touching down in Auckland at 4.30 pm.

At 7.30 pm, flight PR219 takes off from Auckland for Cairns at 7.30 pm, arrives in Cairns at 10.30 pm before leaving Cairns at 11.30 pm and returning to Manila at 3.30 am on 3 December.

Philippine Airlines will operate on the routes four times a week, on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said, "The route will stimulate passenger traffic along three travel streams - Manila and Cairns, Manila and Auckland as well as Cairns and Auckland. The new service allows PAL to cater to the travel needs of business and leisure travelers and showcase its distinct brand of service marked by Filipino warmth, charm and hospitality. With close to 40,000 Filipinos residing in New Zealand, the new service is their convenient link to their home country-the Philippines."

"Upon arrival in Manila, passengers may enjoy the capital city for a few days then connect to any of the 67 other destinations (30 domestic and 37 international) in the PAL network. In the long term, the service will drive traffic between Southeast Asia and New Zealand,” he added.

Philippine Airlines is resuming direct scheduled flights between Manila and Port Moresby from 18 December 2015 with flight PR215 departing from Manila for Port Moresby at 2.10 am, arriving in Port Moresby at 9.20 am before leaving Port Moresby at 10.10 am and touching down in Manila at 1.20 pm under PR216. Flights are operated twice every week on Fridays and Sundays.

Besides the new routes to Cairns, Auckland and Port Moresby, Philippine Airlines is code-sharing with Fly Dubai, the low-cost airline of the United Arab Emirates headquartered in Dubai, on the latter's daily scheduled flight between Dubai and Kuwait, namely flights FZ59 (departing from Dubai at 10.55 pm, arriving in Kuwait at 11.45 pm) and FZ54 (leaving Kuwait at 8.30 am and touching down in Dubai at 11.15 am).

Philippine Airlines has deferred plans to operate on the routes to Kuwait and Jeddah via Dubai on its own from 2 December to 16 December 2015, subject to regulatory approval. 

According to the airline at ITB Asia 2015, Philippine Airlines flight PR658 departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to Jeddah at 10 pm, arrives in Jeddah at 8.25 am via Dubai effective 16 December before leaving on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays under PR659 at 2.15 pm from Jeddah and arriving in Manila at 8.20 am local time starting 17 December.

Flight PR668 departs four times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays effective 16 December 2015 from Manila at 10 pm, arriving in Kuwait at 6.55 am on 17 December 2015 before embarking on the return journey to Manila at 4.05 pm on the same day and touching down in Manila at 9.10 am under flight PR669 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Philippine Airlines' future new destinations from 2016 onwards include Doha, Moscow and Vladivostok.

Visit Philippine Airlines at Booth F / B19 of PTPB, ITB Asia 2015 from 21-23 October for more information.

Cebu Pacific's current status and route network expansion ambitions

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

The Philippines’ largest airline, Cebu Pacific Air, also known as Cebu Pacific or CEB in short, exhibits at ITB Asia 2015 in Singapore for the first time from 21 to 23 October 2015, underlining the importance of Singapore as its busiest travel market.

Cebu Pacific entered the civil aviation industry in March 1996 and pioneered the “low fare, great value” strategy. It is resuming twice-weekly scheduled flights between Davao and Singapore on 17 December 2015 and plans to add a second Airbus A330 to its Manila-Singapore route, its busiest international route.

Cebu Pacific has flown over 100 million passengers over the years with a fleet of 47 Airbus (10 A319, 31 A320 and 6 A330) and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. Between 2015 and 2021, it will take deliveries of 7 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo jets.  It has also an earlier plane order of 16 ATR72-600 turboprops for the purpose of domestic fleet renewal.

Cebu Pacific operates scheduled services to 28 international destinations including Sydney, Bandar Seri Begawan,  Siem Reap, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Denpasar, Jakarta, Nagoya, Narita,  Osaka, Riyadh, Busan, Incheon, Kuwait, Macau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Singapore, Taipei, Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Dubai, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, it plans to launch direct long-haul flights to Honolulu using one of its wide-body A330 jets and Guam using its A320 aircraft from Manila by end of 2015, Melbourne, Moscow (three times a week), Vladivostok (three times a week) and Muscat from Manila from 2016 onwards.

Cebu Pacific has an extensive network across the Philippines with its 34 domestic destinations operating from six strategically placed hubs namely Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo and Davao.  

The 34 domestic destinations of CEB include Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga (Coron), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Clark, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Laoag, Manila, Naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, San Jose (Mindoro), Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tandag, Tawi-Tawi, Tuguegarao, Virac and Zamboanga.

Cebu Pacific's domestic subsidiary named Cebgo (formerly Tigerair Philippines) ceased Airbus A320 operations on its only international route to Hong Kong on 5 October 2015 and transferred its aircraft A320-200 registered RP-C3270 to CEB.

Cebgo now operates turboprop flights within the Philippines with its fleet of 8 ATR72-500 aircraft inherited from Cebu Pacific that started transferring its turboprop route network to its subsidiary since 25 September 2014 with the shift complete on 26 October 2015 when Cebgo initiates inter-island flights between Cebu and Bacolod. Cebgo intends to grow its ATR fleet to 15 in 2016 by receiving 7 ATR72-600 aircraft from Cebu Pacific from the third quarter of 2016 onwards to meet the growing demand for inter-island flights.

Cebu Pacific and Tigerair earlier secured Singaporean anti-trust regulatory approval for Tigerair Philippines, their enhanced joint venture on flights between the Philippines and Singapore.

Under their original agreement filed in September 2014, both airlines proposed jointly operating common routes between the two countries on routes from Singapore to Manila, Clark, and Cebu in particular, and other markets that may emerge, on a metal-neutral basis. In addition, they intended to jointly sell and market common and non-common routes while cooperating in the area of sales and marketing, distribution, airport operations and ground handling, scheduling, procurement, and pricing among other areas.

Tigerair Philippines rebranded itself as Cebgo in May 2015 to reflect its status as Cebu Pacific's wholly-owned domestic subsidiary.

Now, Cebgo and interline partner Tigerair flights can be booked through Cebu Pacific website, reservation hotline and other sales channels. The e-ticketing web-site has web check-in and seat selection options.

Cebu Pacific partners with various online hotel reservations companies, car rental service, travel insurance, and entertainment ticketing services to provide its passengers with more convenient on-line booking experience. Its newest lifestyle rewards program called GetGo rewards frequent fliers with more benefits from the airline group, its partners and free CEB flights. 

Cebu Pacific also partners with WWF-Philippines in a climate adaptation program. It has adopted a Philippine Eagle named "Mindanao" since 15 October 2015 in a five-year partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation as part of its commitment to protect the endangered species and to "act on environmental conservation issues that are greatly linked to the country's rich biodiversity" (CEB press release dated 15 October).  After all, the logo of the airline depicts the Philippine Eagle, the national bird of the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific Air celebrates Twentieth Anniversary on 8 March 2016.


Visit Cebu Pacific Air at Booth F / B19, Philippines Tourism Promotion Board, ITB Asia 2015 from 21-23 October 2015, for more information.

Scoot flies daily to Guangzhou from 16 January 2016

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

Scoot is commencing daily scheduled B787 Dreamliner flights to Guangzhou from 16 January 2016.

On 16 January 2016, Scoot flight TZ128 departs from Singapore for Guangzhou at 1.25 am, arrives in Guangzhou at 4.55 am before leaving Guangzhou at 5.55 am and touching down in Singapore at 10 am under flight TZ127.

Special fare starts from 38 Singapore Dollars one way excluding taxes and surcharges.

Fly direct to Christchurch and Rome with China Southern on 16 December 2015

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

China Southern Airlines launches new scheduled long-haul flights to Christchurch and Rome from Guangzhou using its Boeing B787 Dreamliner jets on 16 December 2015.

On 16 December, China Southern flight CZ617 departs from Guangzhou for Christchurch, New Zealand at 12.50 am and touches down in Christchurch at 5.10 pm before leaving Christchurch at 10.30 pm and arriving in Guangzhou at 5.30 am on 17 December under flight CZ618.

On 16 December, China Southern flight CZ645 departs from Guangzhou for Rome via Wuhan at 9.30 pm and touches down in Rome at 6.15 am before leaving Rome at 12.35 pm and arriving in Guangzhou at 9.40 am on 17 December under flight CZ646.

The new flights to Christchurch and Rome will be operated three times a week.

For further updates, refer to www.flychinasouthern.com.

Lao Airlines Downtown Office New Address in Vientiane from 19 October 2015

Source : Lao Airlines
Caption by : Gan Yung Chyan
                     / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

From 19 October 2015 tomorrow (Monday), the Downtown Sales Office of Lao Airlines will be relocated from its Wattay Airport premises to Chanthabouly District in Vientiane. It is about 15 minutes ride by car from Wattay Airport.

Lao Airlines temporarily moved its downtown sales office to Wattay Airport last year.

Tigerair resumes scheduled flight to Lijiang on 11 November 2015

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

Tigerair is resuming flights from Singapore to Lijiang, Yunnan. The first flight to Lijiang re-commences on 11 November 2015. Tickets from 229 Singapore Dollars are on sale since 15 October 2015.

On 11 November 2015, Tigerair flight TR2922 departs from Singapore for Lijiang at 7.20 am, arrives in Lijiang at 11.45 am before leaving Lijiang at 12.45 pm and arriving in Singapore at 5.15 pm under flight TR2923 without any refuelling needed in Chiang Rai, as it previously did before it suspended its Lijiang flights in 2014. 

Tigerair flies between Singapore and Lijiang on Wednesdays only.

Second Boeing B737-800 NG delivered to Myanmar National Airlines

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

Myanmar National Airlines received its second Boeing B737-800 NextGeneration aircraft on 7 October 2015 in Seattle. The aircraft finally arrived in Yangon on 13 October 2015 for an official welcoming ceremony.

The second B737-800NG aircraft registered XY-ALC will be deployed on its international route from Yangon to Singapore and will open new routes to Hong Kong and Taipei by end of 2015.

Spring Airlines' new Thailand routes from 25 October 2015

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

Spring Airlines is introducing new routes to Thailand from cities in China other than Shanghai, with effect from the start of its winter schedules on 25 October 2015.

On 25 October 2015, Spring Airlines commences scheduled flight from Chengdu to Surat Thani, the gateway to Samui and Ko Pha Ngan Islands in southern Thailand. On this day, flight 9C8525 departs from Chengdu for Surat Thani at 11 am, arrives in Surat Thani at 1.55 pm before departing from Surat Thani at 2.55 pm and touching down in Chengdu at 7.35 pm under 9C8526. Flights between both cities are operated on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

On 26 October 2015, Spring Airlines inaugurates direct scheduled flight from Chengdu to Suvarnabhumi. On this day, flight 9C8517 departs from Chengdu for Suvaranabhumi at 11.50 am, arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 12.50 pm before leaving Suvarnabhumi at 2.40 pm and returning to  Chengdu at 7.20 pm under 9C8518. Flights are operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

On 26 October 2015, Spring Airlines begins Fuzhou's first direct budget flight to Suvarnabhumi. Twice weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays see its Airbus A320 aircraft leaving for Suvarnabhumi from Fuzhou at 10.20 pm, touching down in Suvarnabhumi at 1.15 am on Thursdays and Sundays under flight 9C8759 before leaving Suvarnabhumi at 6 pm and arriving in Fuzhou under 9C8760.

Effective 2 November 2015, Spring Airlines becomes the pioneer of international scheduled flights to Southeast Asia from Beihai, the southernmost coastal city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the world's fastest-growing city in China. On this day, flight 9C8741 takes off for Suvarnabhumi at 10.50 pm, arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 2.15 am before leaving Suvarnabhumi at 4.20 am and returning to Beihai at 9.20 am under flight 9C8743. Flights are operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Spring Airlines already conducts regular scheduled flights to Suvarnabhumi from Shanghai-Pudong, Nanchang and Shijiazhuang. With the addition of Beihai to Suvarnabhumi International Airport's route network, the new Bangkok international airport has surpassed Changi International Airport with the most number of direct Chinese city flight links in Southeast Asia.

ITB Asia 2015's conference sessions to feature industry heavyweights including Ctrip and Phocuswright

Extract of Press Release by ITB Asia 2015
Edited by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

ITB Asia, the ‘Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, has announced it has enhanced its conference programme this year with new partnerships and conferences covering key industry areas including corporate, leisure, MICE, travel technology and responsible tourism. The three day event will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 21-23 October.

Anchored by a stellar keynote line-up, the 2015 programme will kick-start the first and second day with a series of sessions led by unparalleled thought-leaders and visionaries from Tuniu, Ctrip, Airbnb, Agoda, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Uber, Venture Republic Global and MakeMyTrip, who will share insights on trends and developments that will drive industry growth. These two sessions will be moderated by Phocuswright founder and industry veteran, Philip Wolf, and is set to inspire attendees with learnings and anecdotes to propel and shape businesses for success.

"Our audience experiences real-time interaction with the very leaders who are shaping our industry’s growth,” commented Wolf, known for moderating lively sessions on stage. "It’s one of the best ways travel professionals can gain valuable strategic insight that can be put to use.”

“Every year, we plan our conference line-up around the trending topics within the rapidly changing market that is shaping the future of corporate, leisure and MICE travel. We address these topics by partnering with leading professional associations as well as bringing in forward-thinking speakers who are at the top of their game. These specially invited movers and shakers help set our agenda for each session, sharing insights into their own experiences and pitfalls to lead delegates into the next stage of their business and guide the progress of our industry,” said Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organisers of ITB Asia.

Sharing the latest travel trends and insights

As the global travel industry faces challenges in a growing and complex market, it is important to anticipate development trends. There will be two separate sessions on this topic. The first session will be addressed by market research company GfK on how delegates can embrace every opportunity both online and offline to engage consumers and increase profitable growth.

The second session will be jointly held by STR Global and Google on key statistics for the Asia Pacific region such as mobile queries and the way travellers search. There will also be a separate panel session where experts from InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott, Starwood and Travelodge discuss the current and emerging industry trends.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, a leader in global aviation knowledge, will hold its inaugural industry outlook forum at the event this year. The session will provide a detailed industry outlook, encompassing CAPA’s financial and traffic forecasts for the global airline industry, as well as its strategic outlook on the future of airline business models, hybrids and Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs). There will also be a round table on the liberalization of ASEAN air travel and growth opportunities for the aviation industry as well as a session on disruptive technologies and their impact on the sector.

Other highlights include a partnership with DestinationElite to organise the show’s first ‘Luxury Travel & Hospitality Forum’, as well as a session with TravelDaily China to highlight China’s growing importance in the travel industry.

Identifying opportunities in social and digital arena

The first day of the show will see a session in collaboration with the Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA) addressed by PTBA President, Matt Gibson on how blogging and social media can be profitable. This session will outline how investment in social media, blogging and email marketing results in benefits and ultimately profits for an organisation.

On the last day of ITB Asia, Euromonitor will host a session titled ‘The New Online Traveller in Asia’ that will shed light on the evolution of online consumers and how it affects travel patterns.

Taking a stand for Responsible Tourism

A continuation on the successful ITB Asia CSR Day that was launched in 2014, this year’s show also features a comprehensive CSR programme providing insights on how social media can encourage sustainable tourism practices around the region led by discussions with panelists from Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Traveltek, TripAdvisor and Dorsett Hospitality International. 

A series of Responsible Tourism Clinics and sessions such as the Responsible Tourism Event & Networking supported by Wild Asia and The Blue Yonder will also shine a spotlight on a wide range of issues including tips to tap key grow markets such as Myanmar, how tourism can be an incentive for conservation, the benefits of partnerships with local communities and other sustainable tourism opportunities for emerging markets. In line with this focus, ITB Asia will also be choosing food items sourced regionally from the venue’s Harvest Menu, and be utilising the venue’s environmentally friendly ECO360 settings.

For more information on ITB Asia 2015, visit www.itb-asia.com.

Source : Beatrice Hua, Ketchum for ITB Asia, MesseBerlin Singapore.

NokScoot flies to Qingdao on 25 November 2015

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

NokScoot's Boeing B777-200 aircraft is commencing scheduled flight to Qingdao from Don Mueang on 25 November 2015. It will fly four times a week between both airports on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays.

On 25 November 2015, NokScoot flight XW86 departs from Don Mueang for Qingdao at 2.15 pm, arrives in Qingdao at 7.50 pm before leaving Qingdao at 9.15 pm and touching down in Don Mueang at 1.40 am on 26 November under flight XW85.