With global travel reaching the normal peak, The Wise Traveller is re-launching its popular travel news in a bitesize format. Here are the latest news snippets from the world of travel:
Etihad Airways has unveiled new flagship premium lounges at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The lounges span three floors of the airport's new Terminal A's north side.
First and Business lounges offer varied dining options and entertainment spaces, including the Constellation Bar at the enclosed Roof Lounge. The Etihad lounges are accessible to guests flying in Etihad's The Residence, First and Business Class and Etihad Guest members with eligible tier status.
The first Emirates flights powered with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Shell Aviation recently took off from Dubai. Shell has supplied 315,000 gallons of blended SAF for use at the airline's hub in Dubai.
The SAF, which is the first supply to Emirates, comprises 40% neat SAF and 60% conventional Jet A-1 fuel. In its purest form, SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.
Emirates and Shell signed an agreement in 2023 to explore new sustainable and technology-driven travel experiences. This year, Emirates announced a $200 million fund for research and development projects on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.
India's largest carrier, IndiGo, has expanded its airline codeshare pact with Qantas. IndiGo fliers can now access four new destinations in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. IndiGo customers can now fly to Singapore and connect seamlessly to Qantas' flights between Singapore and Melbourne.
United Airlines will launch new Japan flights, making it the first US carrier to fly nonstop between Houston and Tokyo-Haneda. The airline is awaiting approval for the route from the US Department of Transportation.
The new Japan flight will enhance travel options to Tokyo Haneda for consumers across the Southern United States and further strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and more than 240 affiliated businesses in the greater Houston area. United's other Japan flights to Tokyo depart from all seven US hubs, including multiple flights to Tokyo airports.
Electrifying and energetic, Singapore has long punched above its weight. Adding to this exciting cultural melting pot is the arrival of The Singapore EDITION. It is the first Southeast Asia outpost in the stable - seamlessly blending the dynamic energy of a major metropolitan city with a warm-weather resort sensibility.
Masterminded and conceived by Ian Schrager in collaboration with interior design firm Cap Atelier, the 204-room hotel is just off the west end of Singapore's iconic upper Orchard Road. It is set to raise the bar several notches higher by adding an unforgettable mix of distinct experiences and original concepts.
The recent Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) has revealed that Asia Pacific's total construction pipeline, excluding China, is up by 3%. Projects currently under construction stand at 954 projects, with 295 projects set to start in the next 12 months.
India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand have the largest hotel construction pipelines. India has 481 projects, Vietnam 243 projects, Indonesia 212 projects, Japan 156 projects, and Thailand 155 projects.
The largest construction pipelines in cities are led by Bangkok, Thailand, with 60 projects; Jakarta, Indonesia, with 49 projects; Melbourne, Australia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Phuket, Thailand.
The Radisson Hotel Group has continued its ambitious growth and development plans across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, expanding its portfolio in key capital cities and primary tourist destinations in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Recently, the Radisson Hotel Group announced it will continue to expand its bold (upper) upscale hotel brand Radisson RED brand in Danang, Vietnam; Phuket, Thailand; and Cebu City in the Philippines, featuring stylish spaces with standout design. The Radisson Collection brand - a luxury lifestyle collection of iconic properties in unique locations – will soon enter Southeast Asia and the Pacific with openings in 2024 in Galle, Sri Lank, and Boracay, The Philippines.
Turkish Airlines (THY) is in talks with Airbus to discuss a potential order of 355 new aircraft. Officials have apparently discussed buying 75 wide-body A350-900 and 15 wide-body A350-1000 aircraft as well as 250 narrow-body A321neo aircraft and five A350F cargo aircraft, in addition to 10 A350-900s for which terms have already been agreed.
Cambodia's newest and biggest airport has opened to commercial operations in the province of Siem Reap in the country's northwest. The China-funded Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is now the main gateway to one of the country's most popular tourist sites, the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex.
Using the International Air Transport Association-designated code SAI, it replaces Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which first opened in 1932 and is only a few kilometres away from the Angkor complex.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
