Here’s a round-up of the latest breaking news in travel:
Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) is finally underway after Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong broke ground on the exciting project, which has been a decade in the making.
The development of the mega-terminal, which was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, will enable the national carrier Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot to consolidate their operations under one roof at T5 when it opens in the mid-2030s.
There will be extra capacity for other carriers to expand their operations from Singapore. T5 has been designed to handle about 50 million passengers annually, effectively doubling the size of Changi Airport. The airport, currently linked to more than 170 cities, will see that rise beyond 200 when T5 becomes operational.
Qatar Airways has announced plans to expand flight availability to destinations in the Americas. The airline said it will serve Toronto Pearson Airport with five weekly flights from 19 June 2025 and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport with 17 weekly flights from 25 June 2025.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said: "We launched our services to Toronto Pearson Airport less than six months ago and have seen a strong response in the market. We are proud to announce an increase in flights to meet the growing demand. We are also expanding with additional flights to São Paulo, a key gateway and strategic business and leisure travel hub."
Airline SAS will launch six new destinations from Copenhagen for the 2025/2026 winter season. New routes will include Vienna, Austria; Tel Aviv, Israel; Marrakech, Morocco; Madeira, Portugal; Fuerteventura, Spain; and Kittilä, Finland.
SAS will maintain 22 summer routes during the winter season, further enhancing year-round connectivity to and from Scandinavia.
Henrik Winell, Vice President of Network at SAS, said: "It's exciting to introduce these new destinations for the winter season, offering customers more opportunities to explore and enjoy unique experiences."
Ultimate cruise line specialist Crystal has revealed its 2028 world cruise, with a 150-night voyage aboard Crystal Symphony. The voyage, which is set to visit 84 destinations in 39 countries, will open bookings to the public on 29 May 2025.
The cruise trek will begin from Fort Lauderdale on 1 January through 10 June 2028, with the itinerary offering an option to disembark in Barcelona on 27 May. Guests will visit the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, South America and remote lagoons of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Guests will be invited to exclusive events on land.
Pricing starts from $69,000 per person based on double occupancy.
Turkiye's General Directorate of Civil Aviation is getting tough with passengers who stand up before the seat belt warning sign is off and an aircraft has fully reached its parking position.
It has threatened administrative fines to those it says are considered as "Passengers Acting Illegally", namely standing up, opening the luggage lockers or resisting staying in their seats.
The responsibilities of cabin crews have also been strengthened. It is now mandatory to make a special warning announcement immediately after the farewell announcement after landing, informing passengers that they should not take off their seat belts until the warning light is off.
The authority states the practice, introduced in May, aims to increase flight safety and maintain cabin discipline.
A new theme park is on the cards in the Middle East following an announcement by The Walt Disney Company.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi resort not only signifies the company's first entry in the Middle East, but it will be its first development in 15 years. The Walt Disney Company said it would collaborate with Miral to develop and build the theme park resort on Yas Island, around an hour from Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi complex will be Disney's first new park since 2010's opening of Shanghai Disneyland.
The Philippines is the latest country to extend a welcoming hand to digital nomads. President Marcos recently confirmed that there was "a need to establish a legal framework to facilitate the entry of digital nomads in the country, or foreign nationals who desire to temporarily stay in the Philippines while engaging in remote work activities for overseas employers or clients."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) can now issue digital nomad visas to non-immigrant foreigners who wish to live and work in the country temporarily.
However, conditions naturally apply. Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age, show proof of remote work using digital technology, have proof of sufficient income generated outside of the Philippines, have no criminal record, and have health insurance valid for the duration of the digital nomad visa.
The new Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system for Thailand is now operational, with hopes it will streamline the immigration process at airports and border crossings.
From May, all foreign visitors must submit their arrival information electronically before entering Thailand, whether they are entering by air, land, or sea.
TDAC, part of the nation's digital transformation of immigration procedures, seeks to minimise paperwork and processing times. Travellers must complete the online form before arrival, which is mandatory for all foreign passport holders.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
