The post Air Cargo Demand up 5.8% in April  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April  2025 global air cargo markets.  “Air cargo demand grew strongly in April, with volumes up 5.8% year-on-year, building on March’s  solid performance. Seasonal demand for fashion and consumer goods—front-loading ahead of US  tariff changes—and lower jet fuel prices have combined to boost air cargo. With available capacity at  record levels and yields improving, the outlook for air cargo is encouraging. While April brought good  news, stresses in world trade are no secret. Shifts in trade policy, particularly in the US, are already  reshaping demand and export dynamics. Airlines will need to remain flexible as the situation develops  over the coming months,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. 

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: 

• Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 3.2% in March. Air cargo growth outpaced  global goods trade, which increased by 6.5% over the previous month. 
• Jet fuel prices dropped 21.2% year-on-year and 4.1% month-on-month, the third consecutive  monthly decrease.  
• The global manufacturing PMI rose to 50.5 in April, signaling expansion for the fourth  consecutive month. However, the PMI for new export orders fell 2.8 points to 47.2, remaining  below the 50 threshold for growth.

Air Cargo Demand up 5.8% in April 

April Regional Performance 

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 10.0% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in April. Capacity  increased by 9.4% year-on-year. 

North American carriers saw 4.2% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in April. Capacity  increased by 4.6% year-on-year. 

European carriers saw 2.9% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in April. Capacity increased  3.3% year-on-year. 

Middle Eastern carriers saw 2.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in April, the slowest  among the regions. Capacity increased by 5.5% year-on-year. 

Latin American carriers saw a 10.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in April, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased 8.5% year-on-year. 

African airlines saw a 4.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in April. Capacity  increased by 9.7% year-on-year.  

Trade Lane Growth: All international routes experienced growth in April, except for Middle East Europe, Africa-Asia, and intra-European route. 

Trade Lane	YOY Growth	Notes	Market Share of   Industry
Asia-North America	+1.9%	2 consecutive months  of growth	24.4%

 

2 Air Cargo Demand up 5.8% in April 

Europe-Asia	+11.3%	26 consecutive   months of growth	20.5%
Middle East-Europe	-4.6%	N/A	5.7%
Middle East-Asia	+6.7%	2 consecutive months of growth	7.3%
Within Asia	+10.0%	18 consecutive   months of growth	7.0%
North America  Europe	+9.6%	15 consecutive   months of growth	13.3%
Africa-Asia	-7.9%	N/A	1.4%
Within Europe	-8.8%	N/A	2.0%

 

*Share is based on full-year 2024 CTKs. 

The post Air Cargo Demand up 5.8% in April  appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post SuiteOp partners with Cloudbeds appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Guest operations platform SuiteOp has announced a partnership with Cloudbeds, enabling hotels and lodging operators to transform their smart device infrastructure into an automated ecosystem – while giving guests real-time, web-based control over their in-room experience.

Simon Seroussi, Co-Founder of SuiteOp, said: “This integration turns workflows into infrastructure. It’s not about connecting devices; it’s about automating the operational backbone of a property. Every door unlock, thermostat change, or alert triggers an action that saves time, reduces errors, and improves the guest experience. That’s the difference: real automation that does the work, not just tracks it.”

Sebastien Leitner, VP of Partnerships at Cloudbeds, said: “For hoteliers everywhere, the powerful partnership between SuiteOp and Cloudbeds embraces true value-add service, helping hoteliers scale and engage with guests more efficiently. By turning the guest data they already trust into real-time room automation, it saves staff time, trims energy costs, and gives guests seamless control.”

The integration connects Cloudbeds’ powerful property management and reservation system with SuiteOp’s advanced guest operations platform. Together, they deliver a level of automation that goes far beyond simple device connectivity, allowing operators to manage every lock, thermostat, and sensor by replacing manual input with real-time, event-triggered workflows.

By bridging Cloudbeds’ live reservation data with SuiteOp’s smart automation engine, the integration creates a responsive operational layer where smart devices act automatically based on guest activity and other triggers. As soon as a booking is confirmed, SuiteOp initiates a series of intelligent actions: generating personalized door codes, adjusting thermostats to a preset welcome temperature, and switching devices to eco-mode at check-out. These automations enhance efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Operators can define custom workflows that respond to both guest behavior, device status and customizable triggers. If a thermostat fails to connect, for example, SuiteOp instantly creates a task for the correct member of the operations team – ensuring issues are addressed quickly and efficiently. These workflows streamline operations, eliminate routine tasks, and support consistent service delivery at scale.

The integration equally transforms the guest experience. Through SuiteOp’s intuitive, no-download white-labeled web portal, guests can access guidebooks, make enhancements to their stay, and control their environment from the moment they arrive – unlocking doors, adjusting temperature, managing privacy settings – all from a mobile-optimized interface crafted to deliver the polished experience guests expect from luxury hospitality.

What sets this partnership apart is the creation of a two-way flow of operational intelligence. Device data and task updates flow back into Cloudbeds, aligning front-of-house and back-of-house systems in a single connected ecosystem. The result: smarter operations, lower utility costs, and a more empowered guest experience.

 

 

 

The post SuiteOp partners with Cloudbeds appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Dida and Petal Ads partner with 7 International Hotels appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

In collaboration with Dida, Petal Ads has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at ITB China 2025 with seven international hotel partners, including Amari Bangkok (Thailand), Birkin International Hotel (Malaysia), and IOI Properties Group Hotels (Malaysia), which includes 5 of its hotel properties – Le Meridien Putrajaya Hotel, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Moxy Putrajaya, Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya – a Tribute and Four Points by Sheraton Puchong.

This partnership aims to harness the full digital capabilities of Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem—a next-generation, multi-device operating system that delivers a seamless experience across smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices—to elevate the hotels’ brand value and accelerate global guest acquisition for the hotel industry. Together, the partners will explore innovative marketing strategies tailored to the next generation of hospitality.

“We are deeply honored to lead this ground-breaking program with Petal Ads, marking a significant milestone in digital marketing innovation for the hospitality industry. This strategic partnership directly benefits our hotel partners who have entrusted Dida with their marketing initiatives, enabling them to leverage the powerful Harmony ecosystem and Petal Ads platform. Through our collaboration, we’re not just expanding market reach – we’re revolutionizing how hotels connect with Chinese travelers and build lasting brand presence in one of the world’s most important tourism markets,” said Stone Fan, Group President, Dida.

As an important element of this partnership, Dida serves as a strategic partner for the Petal Ads in the Asia-Pacific region, capitalizing on its strengths in global hotel resource integration and distribution technology. The two companies will work together to offer travelers more targeted and personalized hotel experiences, while providing partner hotels with measurable enhancements in marketing effectiveness.

Eric Ng Kim Long, Director of Sales and Marketing for Birkin International Hotel said: “Birkin International Hotel is thrilled to thank Dida and Petal Ads for opening this incredible avenue for growth and brand recognition. This partnership with Petal Ads platform provides us with unprecedented access to the Chinese market, allowing us to share our distinctive Malaysian hospitality experience with a vast new audience. We look forward to utilizing this cutting-edge technology and data analytics capabilities to create targeted marketing campaigns that truly resonate with Chinese travelers and establish Birkin International Hotel as a preferred destination in Melaka.”

As the global tourism market continues to recover, the hospitality industry faces two major challenges: first, the diversification of customer demographics, with young consumers showing significantly increased demand for personalized and technology-driven experiences; second, marketing efficiency bottlenecks, where traditional channels have high customer acquisition costs and low conversion rates. With Asia-Pacific hotel industry’s digital marketing investments continuing to rise, creating emotional connections between consumers and brand culture remains a common challenge.

Against this backdrop, Petal Ads, a comprehensive marketing platform based on the HarmonyOS ecosystem, leverages Huawei’s “1+8+N” omni-scenario ecosystem layout and focuses on three key areas to provide customized marketing solutions for the hospitality industry, achieving simultaneous growth in customer base and brand influence.

First, in digital marketing collaboration, leveraging Petal Ads’ advertising platform and the HarmonyOS ecosystem’s vast traffic matrix (encompassing Huawei terminal device advertising, smart screen scenario marketing, and other diverse channels), the platform builds precise advertising systems for partner hotels. It deeply explores and communicates core marketing elements such as hotel brand stories, distinctive room services, and unique local experiences, enhancing hotel brand exposure and appeal in target markets.

Second, in precise customer targeting, the platform fully utilizes Petal Ads’ powerful insights based on data science, combined with partner hotels’ target customer profiles, to create tailored tiered marketing strategies. Through diversified marketing approaches including native advertising, search promotion, and membership system integration, it achieves precise brand message delivery and efficient conversion, improving hotel booking conversion rates.

Finally, in joint brand communication, both parties will collaborate to plan a series of themed marketing campaigns, integrating comprehensive online and offline communication resources, including but not limited to social media platforms, specialized travel industry platforms, and offline roadshow events. By deeply integrating hotels’ differentiating selling points with the HarmonyOS ecosystem’s technological elements, both parties create uniquely compelling brand communication content, strengthening hotel brand recognition and influence in the market.

Amari Bangkok’s Director of Sales for Leisure & MICE, Pawich Chokkanlayanee said:  “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to both Dida and Petal Ads for this exceptional opportunity to elevate Amari Bangkok’s presence in the Chinese market. This partnership represents a gateway to creating meaningful connections with Chinese travelers through the innovative HarmonyOS ecosystem. We’re excited to showcase our unique Thai hospitality and premium services to a broader audience, and we’re confident that this collaboration will significantly enhance our brand awareness and customer engagement in the Chinese mainland market.”

This partnership signifies that Petal Ads’ hospitality industry solutions have reached the stage of scaled rollout. In the future, with Dida’s hotel platform and additional hotel groups showcasing demonstrative success with Petal Ads, they will work together to drive the global hotel industry’s accelerated advancement toward smarter and more precise operations, delivering enhanced digital travel experiences for guests.”

IOI Properties Group (IOIPG) operates a robust hospitality portfolio across Malaysia, with a strong presence in key urban centers and its flagship integrated development — IOI Resort City, Putrajaya. Spanning 788 acres, this premier destination is anchored by IOI City Mall, the largest shopping mall in Malaysia, boasting 2.5 million square feet of net lettable area. The Group’s hospitality and leisure assets include:

• Le Méridien Putrajaya
• Putrajaya Marriott Hotel
• Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• Moxy Putrajaya
• Four Points by Sheraton Puchong

“On behalf of the company, we express our sincere gratitude to Dida and Petal Ads for this transformative partnership. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, empowering our diverse hotel brands to expand their visibility in the Chinese market while maintaining their distinct brand identities.

“We are particularly excited about the platform’s advanced targeting capabilities and seamless integration with the HarmonyOS ecosystem. This will enable us to deliver highly personalized and immersive experiences to Chinese travelers across all our properties in Malaysia,” said  Ivan Yoong, Multi-Property Director of Sales, Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio Hotels in IOI Resort City.

 

The post Dida and Petal Ads partner with 7 International Hotels appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Korea Tourism Organization Concludes First Leg of 2025 India Roadshows appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India has successfully concluded the first leg of its four-city Korea Tourism Roadshow 2025 series, held in key Indian metros across April and May.

The roadshows in Chennai (April 23), Bengaluru (April 25), Kolkata (May 21), and Kochi (May 23) brought together over 10 Destination Management Companies (DMCs) from Korea in each city, to connect with India’s top travel professionals through B2B Travel Marts and cultural K-Gala Nights.

These multi-city engagements aimed to deepen Korea’s tourism outreach across southern and eastern India by enabling direct trade networking, destination presentations, and cultural immersion experiences. In Kolkata and Kochi, guests were treated to a captivating live performance by the globally acclaimed Korean performance art group – The Painters, which added a vibrant cultural touch to the K-Gala Nights. The interactive shows, blending live art with dynamic visual storytelling, received enthusiastic response and highlighted Korea’s unique appeal beyond conventional tourism.

“Our goal through these roadshows has been to create meaningful, long-term relationships with the Indian travel trade and to showcase Korea’s evolving offerings in a fresh and culturally immersive way,” said  Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). “We are grateful for the overwhelming response in all four cities and remain committed to supporting our trade partners in expanding Korea’s footprint in India’s outbound travel landscape.”

Each roadshow featured a Korea Travel Mart, drawing significant participation from travel agents representing leisure, luxury, FIT, and GIT segments. The K-Gala Nights were attended by top trade partners and stakeholders, fostering strategic discussions and offering first-hand cultural and culinary experiences. Attendees also explored the themed promotional booth inspired by Korea’s traditional markets, where they experienced authentic Korean local and street food — enhancing their overall understanding of Korea as a vibrant travel destination.

These roadshows collectively reinforced Korea’s appeal as a culturally rich and diverse destination, while enabling face-to-face discussions that are critical in shaping future travel collaborations. KTO India looks forward to further strengthening these partnerships in future engagements planned across the year.

The post Korea Tourism Organization Concludes First Leg of 2025 India Roadshows appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post IndiGo joins hands with Adani Airports appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), the largest operator of PPP airports in India, mark another industry-first milestone with the announcement of commencement of commercial flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This partnership will fuel aviation growth in the country, making it a key driver for India to become the third largest aviation market by 2030.

IndiGo will operate 18 daily departure flights from NMIA, making it the first airline to commit to operating from NMIA at the start of commercial operations. With 18 daily departures (36 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) to over 15 cities from day one, with an increase to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international departures by November ’25. This will build up to over 100 daily departures (200 daily ATMs) by March ’26. IndiGo would further scale up operations to 140 daily departures (280 ATMs), including 30 international departures, by November ’26.

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: “IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India’s booming aviation sector. The new flights from the brand-new NMIA will elevate the travel experience of our customers while enjoying affordable, on-time hassle-free services on our unparalleled network.”

Commenting on the partnership, Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL said: “We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options. Our collaboration is set to strengthen NMIA’s role as an aviation gateway for the region and for travellers nationally and internationally.”

NMIA is set to become India’s premier international aviation hub, offering state-of-the-art facilities, best in class passenger experience and seamless connectivity. With its strategic location and advanced infrastructure, NMIA will play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s global air travel network. In its initial phase, NMIA is set to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 MMT of cargo per annum, with the capacity to serve 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT of cargo per annum, once complete.

IndiGo is committed to expanding its reach by offering both domestic and international destinations from NMIA. To enhance connectivity and convenience for its customers, IndiGo is strategically expanding its network across the country to ensure that airports are accessible to maximum Indian population. This expansion highlights IndiGo’s commitment to deliver seamless travel experience and enhanced customer convenience.

Further, the launch of NMIA will create a dual-airport system for the financial capital of the country, enabling the de-congestion of Mumbai airport and enhancing the overall passenger experience. The augmented capacity offered by both the airports will offer unparalleled economic growth for the Mumbai region, and Maharashtra. This partnership is set to unlock new opportunities, foster collaboration, and strengthen NMIA’s role as a key enabler of India’s aviation future, focussed on meeting the evolving needs of travellers.

The post IndiGo joins hands with Adani Airports appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Saudi Tourism Launches Summer 2025 Program: ‘Colour Your Summer’ appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launched the “Saudi Summer” program under the theme “Colour Your Summer” at a workshop event organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority. The event brought together over 120 partners from across the Saudi tourism ecosystem, including representatives from the public and private sectors. The workshop enhanced collaboration across the Saudi tourism ecosystem for the upcoming summer season, unifying efforts to achieve the program’s goals and maximizing its economic and tourism impact.

The Saudi Summer program runs from May to September 2025 and offers six distinct destinations from the moderate-climate coastal escapes of Jeddah and the Red Sea to the cool, scenic highlands of Taif, Al-Baha, and Aseer. Key event highlights include the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh from July to August, and the dynamic Jeddah and Aseer Seasons, packed with diverse activities and promotions.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “Bringing together our partners each year through this workshop is a testament to our shared commitment to shaping the future of the Saudi tourism industry. This year, we are encouraged to see the private sector contributing over SAR 300 million in preparation for what promises to be an incredible 2025 summer season. With its rich culture and breathtaking diversity, Saudi’s destinations continue to inspire travelers from around the world while fueling a dynamic domestic tourism scene.”

He added: “The summer season is more than just a busy period; it is a chance for the tourism sector to reach new heights and deliver extraordinary results. It is an opportunity to embrace innovation, seize growth, and make a lasting impact. This year, we are aiming to welcome over 41 million visitors from 18 countries, as well as to achieve SAR 73 billion in overall tourism spending. These numbers reflect Saudi’s growing reputation as a world-class destination, offering unforgettable experiences all year long.”

Detailing the scale and collaborative efforts behind the Saudi Summer 2025 program, Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “Saudi is transforming the way the world views summer travel. In partnership with over 120 stakeholders, this summer will unveil more than 600 unique tourism products and experiences and over 250 special offers. From the pristine islands of Shebara and Umhat along the Saudi Red Sea, iconic new luxury resorts like St. Regis and Desert Rock, and five stunning new beaches in Jeddah, alongside the refreshing mountain retreats of Aseer, Taif, and Al-Baha with their unique charm and diverse activities – Saudi is transforming every visit into a vibrant highlight reel of summer.

“To ensure seamless travel, we are enhancing air connectivity with over one million additional airline seats to key summer destinations. And with the much-anticipated return of Aseer Season in an exciting new format, this summer promises to be unlike any other, a celebration of Saudi’s natural beauty, cultural richness, cool climate, and boundless ambition.”

 

 

The post Saudi Tourism Launches Summer 2025 Program: ‘Colour Your Summer’ appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post The Cathay Group takes home 15 HKACE awards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Cathay Group was honoured with a total of 15 awards at the annual Customer Service Excellence Awards hosted by the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence (HKACE) on 27 May, including the prestigious Grand Award for the third consecutive year.

These recognitions highlight Cathay’s signature customer-centric approach, underscoring its unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service as it strives to become one of the world’s greatest service brands.

Representing the Cathay Group at the awards ceremony was Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan, along with other senior management members who celebrated the achievements of Cathay staff.

Alex McGowan said: “We are deeply honoured to receive multiple awards this year, especially the Grand Award for the third year running, reflecting our dedication to putting our customers at the centre of everything we do. These awards recognise the incredible efforts of our people across Cathay, especially our service delivery teams who provide the professional, warm and heartfelt service that defines the Cathay service. The recognitions we have received will motivate us to continue to go above and beyond as we strive to become one of the world’s greatest service brands.”

Collectively, the Cathay Group won four Gold awards, three Bronzes, five Merits and two Top 10 Young Stars of the Year awards. These were across a variety of categories, including Field and Special Service, Internal Support Service, FrontliService, Counter Service, Contact Centre Service, People Development, Innovative Service, and Top 10 Young Stars of the Year:

Type of Awards	Categories	Award	Department
Grand Award
Team award	Field & Special Service	Gold	Cathay – Airport Services Department
	Internal Support Service	Gold	Cathay – Airport Services Department
	Frontline Service	Gold	Cathay – Inflight Services Department
	Contact Centre Service	Bronze	Cathay – Customer Care Department
	Counter Service	Merit	Hong Kong Airport Services Limited (HAS) – Baggage Service
Individual Award	Frontline Service	Gold	Cathay – Inflight Services Department
	Counter Service ​	Bronze	Hong Kong Airport Services Limited (HAS)
	Counter Service	Merit	Cathay – Airport Services Department
	Field & Special Service ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​	Merit	Cathay – Airport Services Department
	Contact Centre Service ​	Merit	Cathay – Customer Care Department
	Top 10 Young Stars of the Year ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​	Top 10	Cathay – Inflight Services Department
	Top 10 Young Stars of the Year ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​	Top 10	Cathay – Airport Services Department
Programme Award ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​	People Development	Bronze	Cathay – Cathay Academy
	Innovative Service (Non-digital or technological) Award	Merit	Cathay – Airport Services Department

The Customer Service Excellence Awards ceremony is hosted annually by the HKACE to celebrate customer service employees and honour outstanding performers, with the aim of promoting quality customer service culture in Hong Kong.

The post The Cathay Group takes home 15 HKACE awards appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Revenue for AirAsia X in Q1 2025 rises by 3% YoY to RM940.1 million  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Company reported a revenue of RM940.1 million in 1Q25, increasing by 3% year-on-year (“YoY”) from RM908.9 million in 1Q24 driven by a 12% growth in capacity to 1.29 million seats. In line with capacity expansion, AirAsia X achieved a 12% YoY increase in passenger traffic in 1Q25, carrying 1.08 million passengers. This was driven by sustained demand across core markets and efficient capacity deployment, resulting in a robust Passenger Load Factor (“PLF”) of 83%.

Ancillary revenue remained a key margin driver in 1Q25

This quarter, average base fare stood at RM550, aligning with the Company’s load-active, yield-passive strategy. Ancillary revenue remained a key margin driver in 1Q25, with ancillary revenue per passenger rising 10% YoY to RM277. This uplift, combined with a higher passenger base, drove a 24% YoY increase in total ancillary revenue to RM298.3 million. The growth reflects improved takeup rates, supported by enhanced digital personalisation and targeted product offerings that successfully maximised per-passenger spend.

The Company posted a net profit of RM50.2 million, representing a 5% margin even as its cost base expanded parallel to operational growth. Cost per ASK (“CASK”) edged up marginally to 13.97 sen driven by slightly higher staffing with additional aircraft in operation and airport-related expenses. These were partially mitigated by a lower jet fuel price YoY and a reduction in aircraft lease expenses as most aircraft exited pay-by-hour arrangements since 1Q24.

Japan,  Australia and Kazakhstan emerged as key outperformers

In 1Q25, AirAsia X expanded its Available Seat Kilometres (“ASK”) by 17% YoY to 5,878 million, strategically aligning capacity to capture peak demand during festive and holiday periods. Japan and Australia emerged as key outperformers within the network, with core routes delivering strong load factors between 85% and 90%, reflecting sustained travel demand and effective capacity optimisation in high-yield markets.

AirAsia X Thailand (“TAAX”), the Company’s associate, recorded RM512.7 million in revenue and an operating profit of RM15.5 million in 1Q25. TAAX carried a total of 500,128 passengers this quarter, up 14% YoY as seat capacity increased by 23% YoY to 604,584 seats, charting a sound PLF of 83% during the quarter. The one-off effect of the hub transition from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang in October 2024 has stabilised, with the network now operating at peak performance. TAAX’s average fare held strong at RM833 per passenger this quarter.

As of 31 March 2025, AirAsia X’s total fleet increased to 19 A330 aircraft following the induction of one additional aircraft from a third-party lessor. Of these, 17 aircraft were activated and operational. TAAX maintained a fleet of 10 A330s, supporting network recovery and growth across core markets.

Fly-Thru connectivity accounts for approximately 20% of passenger traffic

AirAsia X CEO, Benyamin Ismail said: “This has been a stellar quarter of delivering sustained passenger load and profitability. In February, we took delivery of one additional aircraft, and today, the Company has 18 out of its 19-aircraft fleet operational. The final aircraft is on track for reactivation by mid-year, and we are focussed on ensuring full fleet deployment to meet market demand.

“Our network continues to demonstrate resilience, particularly on core routes to Japan and Australia, where load factors consistently trend around the 90% mark. Building on this momentum, we are capitalising on our first-mover advantage in Central Asia by ramping up capacity to Almaty, Kazakhstan in the second half of the year, with further expansion in the pipeline. Recently, we have announced the suspension of Nairobi, Kenya. It was difficult, but crucial for us, as the initial assumption for premises of financial support did not materialise eventually. Essentially, we are driven by disciplined network management, allowing us to redeploy capacity to higher-yielding, strategically aligned markets.

“A key pillar for our business is Fly-Thru connectivity, which consistently accounts for approximately 20% of our passenger traffic, anchored by high-performing routes from Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan. Establishing seamless connectivity sets us up for a massive upside , particularly as we advance towards the proposed acquisition of Capital A Berhad’s aviation business, which includes AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited, encompassing AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Cambodia. The integration will unlock immense synergies and enhance our network connectivity, ultimately elevating the enlarged group’s competitive positioning in the region and beyond.

“We’re pleased to report continued double-digit growth in ancillary revenue per passenger, driven by focused personalisation and improved takeup rates. This, along with our lean cost structure and operational efficiencies, positions us for a strong 2025. We are mindful of the softer travel season in the second and third quarters, but are encouraged by the forward sales momentum. We are vigilant and prudent in the face of global geopolitical uncertainties, but are confident that we are able to stay disciplined and growth-oriented in a sustainable manner.”

 

 

The post Revenue for AirAsia X in Q1 2025 rises by 3% YoY to RM940.1 million  appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Cebu Pacific to lease two aircraft to flyadeal in lean months appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific said on it would lease two Airbus A320 jets to Saudi budget carrier flyadeal to generate revenue from its excess capacity during the Southeast Asian country’s low season. As informed by a news report in Reuters.

In the “wet lease” agreement, Cebu Pacific will rent the narrow-body aircraft, along with its pilots, crew and maintenance, to flyadeal during the Philippines’ lean months in July and August, a busy period for the Saudi carrier. “We have this natural symbiosis where my peak is not his and vice versa,” flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway said at a press conference.

Cebu Pacific CEO Michael Szucs said the deal was the first time the budget carrier had leased out its planes, and said more aircraft could be leased as its new fleet orders arrive.”We’re testing the waters,” Szucs said.

Last year, Cebu Pacific agreed to buy a minimum of 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft to secure its long-term fleet needs.

The wet lease agreement also come on the heels of flyadeal’s plans to expand into Southeast Asia after ordering 10 A330neo wide-body jets as it expands in long-haul markets.

Greenway said three of the 10 aircraft it ordered will be in operation by July 2027, with two more planes arriving towards the end of that year. “Southeast Asia is our key destination for these aircraft,” Greenway said in an interview, eyeing the Philippine, Malaysian and Indonesian markets.

“Obviously, the Philippines is interesting because of our partnership with Cebu Pacific,” he added.Flyadeal could bring Philippine traffic into the Gulf region, including overseas workers and travellers for the annual Muslim Haj pilgrimage, Greenway said.

The post Cebu Pacific to lease two aircraft to flyadeal in lean months appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Philippines grants a 14-day visa-free entry for Indians with valid (AJACSSUK) visa or PRP appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippines government has revised regulations granting visa-free entry to the Philippines to Indian nationals with valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) visa or Permanent Residence Permit.

Pursuant to Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, otherwise known as the “Philippine Immigration Act of 1940”, in relation to Section 9(a) of the same Act, upon consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and in support to the national government’s programs to promote and encourage tourism development, INDIAN nationals who wish to visit the Philippines for tourism purposes may be granted VISA-FREE entry into the country in any port of entry (major international airports and secondary international hubs (SIHs), as well as in seaports by passengers on board cruise ships/vessels) for an initial authorized stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided they possess the following:

1. Either a valid and current AMERICAN, JAPANESE, AUSTRALIAN, CANADIAN, SCHENGEN, SINGAPORE OR UNITED KINGDOM (AJACSSUK) visa or permanent residence permit;
2. A national passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated stay;
3. Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination; and
4. No derogatory record with the Bureau of immigration.
   The fourteen (14)-day visa free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21)-day stay.

 

The post Philippines grants a 14-day visa-free entry for Indians with valid (AJACSSUK) visa or PRP appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia