Emirates, flydubai and Etihad have since restarted a limited number of flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi from March 2.
The flights are mainly to repatriate travellers who were left stranded following the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict in the region.
Flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports prioritise repatriation as regional airspace closures disrupt travel across Asia; photo by Kiev.Victor
Etihad had stated in a statement that all regular commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until March 5, 14.00 UAE time.
Emirates also continues to operate a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights, while all other scheduled flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until March 4, 23.59 UAE time.
The airline said it would accommodate customers with earlier bookings as a priority.
Similarly, flydubai resumed partial flights on March 3, with a limited number of flights operating out of DXB’s Terminals 2 and 3.
The closure of airspace over the region has also affected various airports across Asia, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Accor has named Rob McIntyre as vice president operations for New Zealand & Fiji, effective April 13, 2026.
McIntyre brings extensive operational experience across New Zealand and internationally. Most recently based in Singapore, he led Accor operations including the flagship Pullman Singapore Orchard.
He previously served as general manager of Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments and held regional general manager and broader operational leadership roles across New Zealand.
Provincial stakeholders in Indonesia must ensure their destinations are fully prepared to welcome tourists before expecting expanded air connectivity.
Speaking at the 2026 IHRA National Working Meeting in Semarang, Central Java, Bima Arya, deputy home affairs minister, noted that while many regions have tourism potential, they often lack clear differentiation and a cohesive ecosystem. To address this, he proposed pilot programmes with selected regional heads to strengthen local leadership capacity.
Officials and airline executives stress that destination preparedness is key to sustainable air connectivity in Indonesia; photo by Indonesia Ministry of Tourism
Positioning his ministry as a facilitator, Bima emphasised that focus should be placed on regulatory harmonisation and infrastructure mapping.
“When we talk about tourism, not all regional heads fully understand the potential of their areas, especially in terms of city branding,” Bima said. He suggested starting small.
“We don’t need to be overly ambitious. Let’s start with a few regional heads who are ready and have a clear vision. We test the model first, then replicate it.”
He cited the transformation of Banyuwangi, East Java, as an example of how local leadership could successfully reposition a destination’s image to eventually attract airlines.
Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) chairman, Hariyadi Sukamdani, welcomed the proposal but underscored the importance of risk management and careful selection.
“We need proper mapping. Identify regions with strong leverage but controlled risk. We need success stories that can be replicated,” Hariyadi stated, adding that concentrating investment on the most prepared destinations was more effective than dispersing efforts without priorities.
Airline executives echoed this sentiment, affirming that destination readiness is a critical factor in flight sustainability. Eddy Krismeidi, expert staff at Indonesia National Air Carriers Association and head of Indonesia Affairs at Indonesia AirAsia, pointed out that coordination in Indonesia remains uneven compared with other countries.
“Many local governments don’t understand how to sustain a route, as routes typically bleed in the first three to six months,” he noted. Using a potential Bangkok-Yogyakarta service as an example, he explained that even iconic attractions like Borobudur require joint groundwork to be viable.
Farshal Hambali, chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives in Indonesia, added that joint marketing was essential to ensure that “aircraft load factors and hotel occupancy grow in tandem”.
Agoda has expanded its Flagship Store initiative with the launch of Artotel Group’s first branded digital storefront on the platform.
The dedicated page brings together more than 100 Artotel Group properties across Indonesia into a single hub, aimed at increasing brand visibility and simplifying discovery for travellers. Through the partnership, Artotel Group will use Agoda’s distribution reach, customer insights and promotional tools to support domestic and regional growth.
Artotel Group will leverage Agoda’s platform to strengthen domestic and regional distribution
Agoda’s Flagship Store model enables hotel groups to showcase their portfolio through customised visuals, targeted promotions and marketing support. The initiative is designed to help brands strengthen engagement across key source markets.
The launch comes as Asia continues to drive global travel growth, with Indonesia seeing sustained demand from both domestic and international travellers. According to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, Indonesia’s top inbound markets include Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, while 57 per cent of Indonesian travellers plan to travel domestically this year.
Agoda search data indicates continued interest beyond primary gateways. The most searched destinations in Indonesia include Bali, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang and Surabaya. Puncak (up 156 per cent), Yogyakarta (117 per cent) and Semarang (110 per cent) recorded the fastest year-on-year growth in searches.
Artotel Group has properties across many of these destinations, including a strong presence in Jakarta, positioning the group to capture both primary and secondary market demand.
Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply, Agoda, said:
“This partnership is about more than just visibility; it’s about a shared philosophy of localisation. Artotel Group provides a unique Indonesian experience through art and lifestyle. By launching their first branded flagship store on Agoda, we are combining Artotel Group’s local expertise with our global reach and data insights. Our goal is to help Artotel Group customise for the ‘Asian traveller’ by tailoring engagement – from payment preferences to regional marketing – ensuring their art-inspired hospitality resonates with every guest, whether they are from Surabaya or Sydney.”
Erastus Radjimin, founder and CEO of Artotel Group, added: “As more travellers come from nearby markets, meeting diverse expectations becomes a differentiator. Thanks to Agoda, we are making it easier for travellers worldwide to discover Artotel Group and experience Indonesia through our art, culinary, and lifestyle-led hotels.”
The Tokyo Marathon 2025 generated an estimated 155 billion yen (US$100 million) in incremental consumer spending over three days, according to analysis by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI).
Mastercard is a sponsor of the Tokyo Marathon.
Districts including Ginza, Minato and Shibuya, pictured, recorded increased spending during the event period
Spending among merchants within a 10-kilometre radius of the finish line was approximately seven per cent higher than during a typical non-marathon weekend, indicating short-term economic impact linked to the event.
While hotels and restaurants saw gains, increases were recorded across multiple retail and service categories. Family apparel spending rose 47 per cent, cosmetics 30 per cent, drug stores 18 per cent and women’s clothing 14 per cent, reflecting event-related discretionary purchases.
District-level data showed varying impacts across Tokyo. In Chiyoda, hotel spending by Japanese visitors increased 72 per cent. In Minato, bar revenues rose 57 per cent. Ginza recorded a 37 per cent rise in theatre and museum spending, with retail and dining up around 10 per cent. In Shibuya, children’s apparel sales increased 28 per cent, while Taito saw leisure spending rise 27 per cent and department store sales increase 23 per cent.
Domestic consumers accounted for more than 83 per cent of incremental spending. International visitors also contributed, particularly in premium retail and hospitality. Travellers from the US, the UK, Germany, Italy and Australia represented a significant share of cross-border spending. Among US and UK participants, 73 per cent visited other Japanese cities within a week, extending economic activity beyond Tokyo.
The analysis compares actual spending during the event period with a modelled baseline of expected spending in the absence of the marathon, using aggregated and anonymised Mastercard transaction data.
David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, stated: “Major sporting events are measurable economic catalysts. The Tokyo Marathon demonstrates how domestic demand and international travel combine to drive broad-based spending gains. For economies across Asia-Pacific prioritising tourism-led growth, understanding how events influence consumer movement and cross-border travel patterns is increasingly important for policy and investment decisions.”
Trip.com has partnered with East Japan Railway Company, Central Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company to offer Shinkansen ticket sales to international travellers.
The agreement enables overseas users to purchase high-speed rail tickets across Japan through Trip.com’s multilingual platform, allowing bookings to be made in advance of travel.
Trip.com users can now book Shinkansen tickets across Japan through the platform
Travellers can select departure and arrival stations, travel dates, train services and seat types, including non-reserved, reserved and Green Car. Tickets can be purchased online via Trip.com.
Depending on the ticket type, passengers can either enter ticket gates using a QR code or collect physical tickets from station vending machines. The Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen services are available exclusively via QR code boarding.
The move comes amid sustained inbound demand for Japan, which remains one of Asia’s most visited destinations. By enabling advance booking in multiple languages, the service aims to reduce reliance on on-site purchases and mitigate potential language barriers at stations.
Trip.com also allows travellers to combine Shinkansen tickets with flights and accommodation within a single booking flow.
The company said it will continue working with Japan’s rail operators and transport providers to expand integrated travel services for international visitors.
Amadeus has completed purchase of SkyLink, a New York-based technology company specialising in AI-driven orchestration and conversational automation, as part of its strategy to accelerate the deployment of AI across the travel sector.
The company said the acquisition aligns with its long-term AI strategy, which includes partnerships, targeted investments and a focus on responsible AI development under its ethics framework.
Maroto: Data-driven insight enables us to deploy AI in real-world production environments globally
Founded to enhance the corporate travel experience, SkyLink has developed a proprietary AI architecture and multi-layer orchestration engine designed to integrate with chat platforms. The technology enables travellers to book and manage flights and hotels through conversational interfaces, while businesses benefit from potential cost savings and productivity gains.
SkyLink has already processed tens of thousands of bookings, reflecting growing adoption of AI-based booking tools in the corporate segment.
Amadeus said the acquisition supports its broader strategy of deploying AI use cases that are scalable and integrated into operational environments. The company has long applied AI across travel operations and is progressively adding conversational layers to its product suite to help customers access insights and manage workflows more efficiently.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen Amadeus’ corporate travel offering, particularly within the Travel Management Company sector and across its customer base in North America. SkyLink’s framework will complement Amadeus’ global technology infrastructure, which operates in more than 190 markets and processes billions of search requests and millions of travel transactions daily.
Over time, Amadeus plans to extend AI-driven conversational capabilities beyond corporate travel into airlines, airports, hospitality and other areas of the travel ecosystem.
Atyab Bhatti, CEO & co-founder, SkyLink, said: “Combining our AI-native technology with Amadeus’ scale and industry reach will allow us to deploy our technology faster and bring powerful new capabilities that benefit travellers and companies across the travel industry. It’s a pivotal time to deliver concrete AI solutions and, now with Amadeus, we can accelerate the next phase of travel innovation.”
Luis Maroto, president and CEO, Amadeus, added: “Our technology is deeply integrated across the travel industry, connecting systems and workflows developed over decades. It combines industrial-grade reliability, operational resilience, and data-driven insight that enable us to deploy AI in real-world production environments globally… enabling innovation at scale and allowing AI to augment and reinforce the travel experience.”
Airports are providing welfare support for stranded passengers
Tour operator and travel agents wade through evolving updates in a fluid situation to help guests carry on with travel plans
Impact on travel to and through the Middle East is expected to be temporary
Suvarnabhumi Airport mobilised additional staff and set up dedicated waiting areas after cancelling 32 flights between February 28 and March 1, amid wider disruptions to Middle East-linked services
Asian tourism players are seeing varying degrees of disruption to both inbound and outbound movements amid missile strikes in parts of the Middle East.
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand has faced significant disruptions between February 28 and March 1. A total of 32 flights – 16 inbound and 16 outbound – were cancelled across nine airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Kuwait Airlines and Qatar Airways. To assist affected travellers, Suvarnabhumi Airport has mobilised extra staff, provided drinking water, and set up dedicated waiting areas at Gates 1 and 10.
Additionally, as of March 1, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up a Tourism Crisis Monitoring Center to coordinate support for affected travellers, preparing for both short and medium term scenarios. The bureau reports that the Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi international airports have received notifications of 59 flight cancellations.
Singapore’s Changi Airport Group has reported 32 cancelled flights that were scheduled to depart between February 28 and March 7. The cities affected by these cancellations are Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Jeddah.
Malaysia Airports has reported 26 cancelled flights, comprising 13 departures and 13 arrivals across Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminals. It has teams on standby to provide guidance and coordinate with airlines on necessary arrangements and to provide assistance to affected passengers at passenger terminals.
Ground support Stephan Roemer, CEO of DTH Travel, one of the largest tour operators in Asia, told TTG Asia that his emergency teams in the region have been assisting all affected guests with rebooking, extending and cancelling tasks.
He noted that the situation is unpredictable, so his teams are dependent on information from the governments and airlines.
Bayu Buana Travel Services in Indonesia has established a task force to partner its Emergency Support Services team to manage impacted group and corporate travellers. Affected guests are those transiting in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi as well as those who are due to head towards or are already in the Middle East.
Malaysian inbound specialist, Saini Vermeulen, executive director of Within Earth Holidays, is relying on updates from its overseas agent partners regarding revised arrival schedules, particularly as airlines rework their flight path to avoid areas of conflict.
Arokia Das Anthony, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours and Travel, described the situation as fluid.
He expects some postponements from both FIT and group travellers from Eastern and Western Europe this month.
“Travellers are understandably cautious. If flight routes become longer or more uncertain, some may choose to delay their trips,” Arokia said.
On the bright side, Arokia expects Malaysia to benefit from a change in travel plans among Indian travellers who are choosing to avoid Middle Eastern air hubs and reconsider European trips due to “current uncertainties and higher airfares to Europe”. Malaysia’s visa exemption for Indian passport holders facilitates spontaneous travel plans.
Hoteliers are also stepping in to assist guests.
Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, premium, midscale & economy division for Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific at Accor, said the group is “committed to providing flexibility and support to our partners and clients during these uncertain times”.
Bjorn Courage, general manager of InterContinental Phuket Resort by IHG and president of the Phuket Hotels Association, shared that hotels across Thailand’s Phuket are currently offering flexible rebooking options or waiving amendment fees for guests affected by flight changes.
He added: “A small portion of our guests travelling to or from Phuket have experienced schedule adjustments, rerouting, or short-notice delays.”
Airports in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur reported cancellations to and from Middle East hubs, with routes linking Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Jeddah among those affected
Bali Hotels Association (BHA) has urged member hotels to offer flexibility, shared board member Fransiska Handoko.
“BHA is currently gathering data over the next week to determine the exact number of room-night cancellations versus reschedules. At this stage, our efforts are focused on advising hoteliers to remain flexible and to offer special rates for stranded guests, as this is a force majeure (unforeseen) situation. We also advise guests to monitor official airline, airport, and immigration websites to avoid overstaying their visas,” Fransiska added.
John Flood, CEO, Archipelago said no penalties are imposed on room cancellations resulting from flight suspensions and airspace restrictions.
“Our priority is to remain fair and flexible under the circumstances while maintaining clear communication with our partners and guests. For any guests currently stranded or facing travel uncertainty, our hotels are providing flexible extension options, preferential rates for extended stays where necessary, and direct assistance through our front office teams. Our teams are also supporting guests with coordination of revised travel arrangements, including transportation guidance and communication with airlines or agents where needed,” he told TTG Asia.
One Farrer Hotel in Singapore has arranged extensions for guests who are unable to return due to the ongoing suspension of flights, and is providing the necessary support to ensure their continuity of accommodation during this period. The hotel spokesperson added that a case-by-case approach is taken for guests who are unable to arrive as planned.
“We will continue to prioritise the safety, comfort, and support of all our guests. We hope that conditions stabilise soon and that normal travel operations can resume safely,” One Farrer Hotel’s spokesperson said.
What’s next for travel to and through the Middle East? At press time, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has approved what it terms “exceptional flight operations” across airports in the region. These are flights to get stranded passengers out of the UAE.
Most travel professionals do not expect the war to have a long-term dent on travel interest to and through the Middle East.
JTB Tours Indonesia’s CEO Hellen Xu told TTG Asia that there had been no “significant requests from clients to avoid transiting via the Middle East or to switch away from Middle Eastern carriers”.
Xu has observed a larger impact on departures within the first and second weeks of March, potentially involving around 20 groups that are bound for Europe via Middle Eastern carriers.
“For now, we have not confirmed how many passengers are stranded, as many return sectors are only due in early March. The main operational challenge for us remains seat availability, as finding alternative flights for our clients has been challenging,” stated Xu.
Agustinus Pake Seko, president director of Bayu Buana Travel Services, is confident that overall demand for Middle Eastern destinations and faith in Middle Eastern airport hubs will return once aviation schedules are back to normal.
The number of affected guests is still “manageable”, according to Agustinus, who expressed relief that customers are mostly choosing to postpone their trips instead of harsher cancellations. The situation is also causing some leisure guests to go for shorthaul destinations, which run a lower risk of transit disruptions, while corporate clients are opting to defer trips.
In an event of an extended conflict, Fransiska said Bali could see an impact on European arrivals, as many European travellers utilise Middle Eastern carriers to access the Indonesian island.
“However, the exact extent of this decline remains uncertain, as there are many alternative flight options,” she added.
Christine Kowandi, tour manager, Horas Tours, Medan, North Sumatra, holds a more cautious outlook. Her clients from Munich had planned to fly into Medan via Abu Dhabi on February 28 for a three-week holiday across Indonesia. It did not happen.
“Our other March arrivals are in a wait-and-see phase. I anticipate further cancellations as safety concerns grow,” lamented Kowandi.
“Switching to alternative airlines often results in higher costs and more complex travel routes. In these cases, agents may simply suggest alternative destinations altogether,” she added.
She also expressed concerns of a long-term impact should the US-Israel-Iran conflict persists.
She said: “I am attending ITB Berlin and am prepared to promote Etihad’s direct service to Medan. The closure of Middle Eastern airspace is very unfortunate. However, I believe both buyers and sellers are on the same boat, having to navigate the shared challenges brought on by the war.”
Sari, reservation and contracting manager at Floressa Bali Tours, shares similar worries. “If the war continues to disrupt (aviation), the impact on our industry will be significant. Even those eager to travel may switch to destinations perceived to be safer,” she said. – Additional reporting by Anne Somanas, Mimi Hudoyo, S Puvaneswary, and Tiara Maharani
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will fund hotel accommodation costs for travellers stranded by flight disruptions, as authorities move to cushion the impact of widespread airspace closures.
Authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have directed hotels to extend affected guests’ stays at no additional cost, while aviation regulators coordinate temporary accommodation, meals and rebooking support.
Authorities in the UAE have directed hotels to extend stays at no extra cost for travellers affected by airport closures
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism issued a directive instructing hotels to allow affected guests to extend their stays under their original booking terms. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism issued a similar directive, permitting guests who are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control to prolong their stay.
The measures follow temporary airspace closures on February 28, 2026, after US-Israel attacks on Iran, which led to flight suspensions at major airports including Dubai International Airport, Sharjah International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has implemented additional support measures, including the provision of temporary accommodation, meals and refreshments, as airlines work to facilitate rebookings and restore operations.
Flight operations at the affected airports remained suspended at press time.
Centara Hotels & Resorts will introduce a new budget hotel brand through a joint venture with PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR).
This project accounts for nearly one-third of the hospitality group’s 1,429-room development pipeline announced for 2026.
The development targets domestic transit demand along major highways; photo by OR
“There are clear opportunities with gas station locations along car transport routes for people travelling to Bangkok or other major cities who may not want to stay in the city enroute,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
“Stations are staffed around the clock, offering a highly accessible and secure location for salespeople and business travellers who might rest for five to seven hours before continuing their inter-provincial journeys,” he added.
The partnership will introduce six properties between 2027 and 2028, leveraging OR’s national network of over 2,000 service stations and integrated retail outlets.
Many of these sites sit in prime areas near airports and key tourist destinations. Additionally, provincial service stations span five to ten rai, providing ample space for hotel development.
These regional locations will offer an average of 69 to 80 keys priced 800-900 baht (US$25-29) per night.
The joint venture also plans at least one Bangkok property featuring approximately 120 keys with nightly rates of 1,200-1,300 baht.
The facilities will integrate dual loyalty programmes between OR and Centara, and offer electric vehicle charging access.
“At PTT stations, travellers can refuel and recharge with ease, relax in standardised comfort by Centara and enjoy even greater rewards – while restocking essential travel items, all within the ecosystem,” Thirayuth elaborated.
The move into the budget segment is driven by the potential for high profitability.
“(Hospitality) margins are highest either all the way at the high end or in the budget sector due to lower operating costs. We expect 70 to 80 per cent occupancy in the long run,” stated Gun Srisompong, chief financial officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
Although the joint venture has already been announced to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the new brand will be unveiled in March 2026 along with the signing of the agreement between the two partners.
He previously served as general manager of Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments and held regional general manager and broader operational leadership roles across New Zealand.
