ANA poised to launch new low-cost carrier
ANA Holdings, parent company of Japan’s All Nippon Airways, has unveiled plans for a new low-cost airline brand, as part of a major restructure to survive the Covid-19 crisis.
The third airline, which has yet to be named, will be positioned between the group’s premium brand ANA and its low-cost carrier Peach.
ANA said that the new carrier will start operations around fiscal 2022, and will utilise an all-Boeing 787 fleet offering more than 300 seats across two classes. The new carrier will target “demand for low-cost, medium-distance flights to destinations in South-east Asia and Oceania”.
“By using the current (ANA charter wing) Air Japan entity as the foundation, the brand will be capable of responding to sudden changes in demand and begin operations quickly after its establishment,” ANA said.
The group said its new business model is based around the idea that business travel demand “will decrease and likely not fully return to previous levels” due to the rise in remote working trends and growth of virtual meetings.
On the other hand, it foresees that “demand for leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) will likely continue to remain robust”, with “potential growth from new segments including new working environments and multiple residency”.
Meanwhile, Peach will look to grow its customer base to business passengers and families, and expand to “medium-distance international routes” with new Airbus A321LR jets.
ANA also plans to retire 35 aircraft in 2020, up from the seven previously earmarked, of which 22 will be Boeing 777s.
Princess Cruises extends pause in Australia, New Zealand
Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand through May 31, 2021, due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted.
Guests who have booked these sailings will receive a refundable future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid, plus a non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25 per cent of the cruise fare paid. To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.
Alternatively, guests can request for a full refund before November 30, 2020, after which, they will receive the default offer above.
Princess said that it will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.
ITB Berlin 2021 to go fully virtual
ITB Berlin 2021 will take place next March in an entirely virtual format, providing the industry with an online platform for global networking, business and content, said organiser Messe Berlin.
Happening from March 9-12, ITB Berlin 2021 and the accompanying ITB Berlin Convention will be open to trade visitors only.
Explaining the move, David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, said: “The situation surrounding the pandemic remains difficult, particularly for the travel and tourism industry. Our decision to hold ITB Berlin 2021 as an entirely virtual event now provides exhibitors and trade visitors with maximum planning certainty.”
He added: “The event will be highly relevant in terms of content. In these challenging times, business meetings, exchanging specialist information and orientation are of special value for the industry.”
Among other features, the virtual concept of ITB Berlin 2021 will include numerous live-streamed high-level panel discussions and lectures as well as digital networking opportunities, an intelligent matchmaking event and a virtual exhibition area. On November 16, ITB Berlin will provide further information on exhibitor and sponsorship packages, tickets and booking options.
Qantas to operate “flights to somewhere” as Australia’s borders reopen
Qantas has launched a series of scenic flights landing at some of Australia’s key holiday destinations, following the success of its inaugural “flight to nowhere” earlier this month.
As more domestic borders open, the national carrier will evolve the scenic flight concept to offer an overnight getaway to iconic Australian spots; while still including low-level flybys over attractions such as Uluru, Sydney Harbour and the Great Barrier Reef.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our scenic flight while most border restrictions were still in place. It sold out in 10 minutes and the feedback from people onboard was fantastic. Even the most frequent flyers said they had never experienced Australia from the air quite like that. And our crew loved being back on board.
“Now that more borders are starting to open, we’re partnering with tourism operators on the ground to offer special flights to special destinations. Even though seats are limited, we think the awareness generated by these flights is a great way to get more people thinking about where they might holiday as we head towards summer.”
Using a Qantas 737, the first Scenic Flight Getaway will take 110 passengers from Sydney to Uluru on December 5, returning the next day. The overnight outing will include a pre-flight champagne breakfast; low-level flybys of Sydney Harbour, Uluru and Kata Tjuta; alongside a stay at Ayers Rock Resort’s premier hotel, Sails in the Desert.
During their stay, guests can enjoy a hands-on indigenous art workshop, a Night at Field of Light including a three-course dinner, with a didgeridoo performance and an indigenous interpretation of the night sky. They can also participate in a guided walk to the Muṯitjulu Waterhole as well as a visit to neighbouring Kata Tjuta the next day before their flight back.
The first Qantas Scenic Flight Getaway went on sale at 14.00 today via the airline’s website. Fares cost A$2,499 (US$1,766) for economy class and A$3,999 for business class – both inclusive of twin share accommodation.
Luxurious trip within APAC tops Singaporeans’ travel wishlist
While international leisure travel remains on pause, this has not stopped Singaporeans from dreaming about their next overseas holiday, with destinations such as Hong Kong, London and Tokyo topping the list of cities Singaporeans are searching for their year-end holidays this year.
Those findings are based on flight search data on Expedia.com.sg between September 1 and October 24, 2020.
In addition, a survey conducted by Expedia among 1,000 adults aged between 18 and 45 in Singapore found that when thinking of their next trip, nearly one-third (31%) said that their dream trip would be a luxurious and pampering trip. This was followed by outdoor activity (22%), kids’ club getaway (18%), and solo adventure trips (11%).
In terms of their ideal destination for their next big holiday, 36% said that they would most likely travel to an Asia-Pacific destination that is within a seven-hour flight away. Furthermore, 14% said they would most likely explore Singapore, while 14% would travel within Europe and 10% would travel to somewhere in Malaysia.
While Singaporeans dream of travelling once again, over half (53%) said that concerns about post-trip quarantine is preventing them from booking a trip in late 2020 or early 2021. As well, concerns about the cleanliness of hotels/airports/vacation rentals (46%), being stuck in a foreign country (45%) and not being able to cancel flights/accommodation easily (36%) were among their other top worries.
When asked what they missed most about travel amid the closure of international borders during the pandemic, almost half (45%) said they missed exploring a new place and culture. This was followed by the ability to take a break from work (43%), enjoying a different climate (41%), spending quality family time overseas (40%) and trying local food overseas (39%).
AirAsia partners with Vision-Box on touchless solutions
AirAsia Group has teamed up with Vision-Box, a company which specialises in biometrics, automated border management and electronic ID solutions, to implement identity management technology across its network of 152 airports.
The partnership will enable AirAsia to further enhance its digital identity management strategy across the group, with a single enrolment for services at key customer process points, so as to enable a more seamless and contactless travel experience.
The Vision-Box’s Orchestra Identity Management Platform, a collaborative digital platform of real-time data administration and end-to-end customer-centric service management tools, will provide instant analysis, monitoring, reporting and configuration ability.
Orchestra will interconnect with AirAsia’s network to regulate all virtual and physical security and data infrastructure in real-time, bridging and managing the information flow between traveller processing points, multi-source data streams, and relevant stakeholders.
The partnership entails the delivery of FACES (Fast Airport Clearance Experience System), a touchless identification and contactless clearance platform designed for mobile check-in; as well as network-wide digital identity management, a collaborative development to drive organisational data ecosystem expansion and technology enablers across AirAsia’s travel and finance platforms.
Deployment of seamless touchless and contactless experience traveller points across AirAsia’s 24 travel hubs will include mobile digital ID enrolment, biometric facial recognition devices at check-in (FACES), automated bag-drop self-service, roving VPoD for temperature checks, as well as security and boarding VPoD for seamless traveller identification and clearance.
Thailand’s largest Crowne Plaza to rise in Bangkok come 2021
IHG has signed an agreement with Sukhumvit Centre Point Co. to rebrand the Grand Sukhumvit Bangkok hotel to the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Grand Sukhumvit by the end of 2021 following an extensive refurbishment.
Additional rooms will be added to the 386-key hotel by 2023, which will make it the country’s largest Crowne Plaza hotel and the flagship for the brand, said IHG in a press release.
The centrepiece of Crowne Plaza Bangkok Grand Sukhumvit will be the Plaza Workspace, a new take on the traditional hotel lobby, which will afford both residents and visitors alike a space to work, meet and socialise.
Other amenities include a ballroom, boardroom, four meeting rooms, an executive club lounge, two dining outlets, swimming pool, fitness room and spa.
JAL, ANA set out new accessibility measures
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have introduced a new set of accessibility guidelines for passengers requesting special assistance at the airport and during their flight.
Created under the direct supervision of The Nippon Care-Fit Education Institute, the guidelines are designed to ensure a safe and accessible journey for passengers amid Covid-19, the airlines said in a joint statement.
In providing assistance involving physical contact with travellers, the airlines will strengthen initiatives to ensure hand disinfection and sterilisation, and approaching diagonally or from the side to prevent direct transmission.
As well, the airlines’ ground staff will wear gloves when providing assistance in close quarters, for example, when helping customers move between a wheelchair and seat or providing guidance through physical contact. They will also wear gowns upon request or at their own discretion.
To avoid the risk of droplet infection, the airlines’ staff will also keep conversation outside of that necessary for assisting purposes to a minimum and position themselves diagonally in front when providing assistance to avoid face-to-face situations.
Service equipment such as wheelchairs, baby strollers and assist seats are sanitised before each use, as are braille/large-print copies of the airlines’ printed guidance (such as safety instruction cards and drink menus).
The new measures also aim to strengthen the airlines’ ability to provide timely information on infection prevention measures to those with visual and/or hearing impairment. As part of efforts to improve communications, the carriers will provide visual aids at the airport to overcome the difficulties that masks create for the hearing impaired.
The guidelines follow the IATA’s Guidance on Accessible Air Travel in Response to Covid-19, which lays out the basic principles for airlines to follow on special assistance requests, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan’s updated measures to adjust to today’s travelling environment.
Singapore, Germany establish reciprocal green lane
Singapore and Germany have agreed on a reciprocal green lane allowing essential travel for business or official purposes via direct flights between both countries.
This is the first such agreement between Singapore and a European country amid the pandemic, and could pave the way for similar arrangements with other European countries including the UK.
Operational details of the green lane, including the procedural requirements, health protocols and application process, will be announced at a later date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Federal Foreign Office said in a joint statement.
Germany also announced yesterday that Singapore residents will be able to enter the European country again for short-term stays, without the need for quarantine on arrival.
This follows the European Council’s recommendation this week that member countries of the European Union gradually lift entry restrictions for Singapore residents.
Singapore also has travel arrangements with 10 other countries such as Malaysia and Australia, with varied restrictions.
The Travel Corporation’s Trafalgar has launched a Near Not Far staycation tour itinerary to allow Singaporeans and local residents to see their backyard in a new light with immersive, exclusive experiences.
Highlights of its two-day/one-night Singapore Heritage Highlights itinerary include an exclusive tour of The Arts House and Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall (VTVCH), complete with a climb up the VTVCH clock tower.
The staycation tour is part of Trafalgar’s Near Not Far Series, which has been designed to offer travel lovers around the world the opportunity to enjoy deeper, richer experiences in their home country.
Through immersive Trafalgar exclusives like the Be My Guest dining experiences, guests on the Near Not Far staycation tours can connect with fellow travellers, while gaining new perspectives of familiar places through stories shared by their hosts, travel director, and local specialists.
Each travel director is a licensed tourist guide who will accompany guests throughout the tour, and will be able to provide an insider’s point of view.
During the Singapore Heritage Highlights excursion, guests will meet Trafalgar’s local specialist, heritage blogger Jerome Lim, on the tour of The Arts House and VTVCH, where he will share historical trivia about the two buildings. Each tour will host five up to 10 guests.
In a historic first, VTVCH’s clock tower will be open exclusively to Trafalgar’s guests to visit, and Lim will enlighten guests about the clock’s history and its connection to London’s Big Ben.
Additional highlights include a Be My Guest experience with Violet Oon at the National Kitchen at National Gallery and a guided tour of Kampong Glam that was once home to Singapore’s early migrants.
Prices for this two-day/one-night itinerary start from S$528 (US$387) per person for an Orchid Club Deluxe Room at Parkroyal on Beach Road (every Friday/Saturday) and S$628 per person for a Stamford Suite Room at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel (weekdays only). Package includes guided tours, a Be My Guest experience with Violet Oon, one-night hotel accommodation with breakfast, and coach transportation. Prices are based on twin-share and solo travellers can pay a single supplement from S$200.