The worst is yet to come for the aviation industry as continuing global economic slowdown threatens to destroy travel demand. According to IATA Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani, the state of the aviation industry remains grim as high oil prices and falling demand poisons profitability. Read the rest of the article…
Japan Airlines (JAL) and Air Nippon Airways (ANA), two of Japan’s largest airlines, plan to trim down their flight services in order to bring down operating costs as a consequence of rising fuel prices. JAL will close down 12 domestic and five international routes, at the same time, reduce frequencies on five other routes. ANA is expected to cut down services on 10 routes, which includes two international routes. The flight cuts are expected to generate savings of up to JPY 13 billion for JAL and about JPY 3 billion for ANA, annually. Read the rest of the article…
The economic slowdown is affecting travel demand according to the latest air traffic data from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). For July 2008, AAPA member airlines carried 12.6 million international passengers, 0.6% less than the same period last year, although traffic measured in RPK (revenue passenger kilometers) increased slightly by 0.8%. Overall capacity, measured in ASK (available seat kilometers) continued to outdo demand rising 2.5% year-on-year. Read the rest of the article…
The 2008 World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA-WTF) is set for September 18 to 21 at the Tokyo Big Sight. Held annually since 2003, the event is heralded as one of the largest travel fairs in Asia. The JATA-WTF is a must attend for travel trade professionals interested in the Asian and Japanese travel markets. Read the rest of the article…
Singapore outbound travel is on a roll despite rising costs of travel and economic slowdown. The second annual travel fair of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) entitled ‘NATAS Holidays 2008’ held last August 1 to 3 saw an increase in the number of Singaporeans booking autumn and winter holidays. Bookings made at the three-day travel fair are estimated at SGD 40 million (USD 28 million). But the final tally is expected to increase as more deals are closed in the coming weeks. Read the rest of the article…
Online travel sales in Asia is expected to grow by about 90% in the coming decade with China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam leading the way. Exhibitors at the first ITB Asia event to be held in Singapore on October 22-24 reveal the majority of online travel sales will come from existing customers aged up to 25 who are projected to gain more spending power in the next ten years. Read the rest of the article…
Citi, a leading financial services company worldwide, recently launched its latest effort in raising environmental awareness about climate change among its Philippine clients. From August 1 to October 31, 2008, Citi clients that open a Citi Time Deposit will get the chance to be part of the Great Arctic Eco Tour Promotion. The tour offers clients a taste of the Arctic Region, either with a tour of the Northern Lights in Norway or a trip to see the interesting wildlife of the Antarctic. The Ecological Tours are part of the Go Green Activities campaign launched by the company to help raise environmental awareness among its clients. Read the rest of the article…
After a six year wait, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) finally hosted its first international flights last August 1. This is a major step for NAIA-3 in becoming the premier gateway of the Philippines. The terminal initially opened for domestic commercial operations last July 22. Three domestic carriers namely Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Express, and Air Philippines have moved their operations to terminal. Read the rest of the article…
New rules enforced by the European Union now provide for trouble-free air transport services for the disabled and elderly in EU airports. Starting July 26, elderly and disabled passengers will gain access to the same air transport services afforded other passengers flying to or from as well as passing in transit through airports in the European Union, at no extra cost. The new rules are intended to put a stop to discrimination and provide the disabled and elderly passengers the assistance they need when traveling, says Antonio Tajani, the European Commission Vice President responsible for transport. Read the rest of the article…
India’s online travel agents (OTAs) intend to charge their clients a Service Fee on sales in light of the looming zero commission policy to be adopted by domestic and international carriers starting October 1st. Big players in the Indian OTA industry like Arzoo.com, Cleartrip.com, Travelocity.com, and Yatra.com consider the implementation of a service fee model as the only feasible choice for them to gain from air bookings after October since the bulk of their revenue is from air bookings. Read the rest of the article…
