Here’s the latest travel news for Wise Travellers everywhere:
Jetstar plans to offer a new route this summer, linking its Gold Coast network to Bali (Denpasar). The new route takes flight from August 1.
The new service makes Jetstar the first low-cost carrier to offer direct flights between the Gold Coast and Bali. The flights will run thrice weekly, with more than 58,000 seats available to travellers.
Before this, Jetstar will launch three new routes from the Gold Coast to Hamilton and Dunedin in New Zealand and Darwin in June.
Qatar Airways will launch three more flights to Manchester from June 4 2025, to meet increasing demand. The airline said it has been serving Manchester since 2003 and remains a key city in Qatar Airways’ UK network.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori added: “Qatar Airways’ increase in flights to Manchester is part of enhancing connectivity from all over the world to the Northwest.
“With these incremental flights to Manchester, we are proud to facilitate connectivity and capacity between the UK and Australia, two significant markets for global travel.” Flights will depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have received final approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for their integrated airline alliance. It enables Virgin Australia’s new 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha, operated under a wet lease with Qatar Airways, to proceed.
Utilising the partnership, Virgin Australia will begin long-haul flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha in June 2025. Melbourne flights to Doha begin December.
Connecting through Doha, Virgin passengers will get access to 100-plus connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The alliance also offers increased loyalty earn and redemption opportunities for Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Virgin Velocity members.
The first construction phase for expanding Antalya Airport on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast has successfully concluded. The dedicated project company established by Fraport AG and TAV Airports Holding required less than three years of construction work to expand the international Terminal 2 by 132,000 square meters and add 38,000 square meters to the domestic terminal.
The expansion means the airport can now welcome up to 82 million passengers annually. Last year, more than 38 million passengers used the airport. This represented an increase of about 6.5 percent compared to 2023, setting a new record.
Travelers can also look forward to a new range of food offerings in the expanded terminal areas. Fraport teamed up with an airport food specialist to establish a new joint venture called “Best Food for All” (BFA). This is the first time the company is also taking responsibility for operating restaurants at Antalya.
Singapore Airlines has unveiled plans to update its SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 over the next two years.
The airline group will invest S$45 million to elevate the on-ground customer experience at its central hub. Renovations will progress in phases, with completion due mid-2027.
The revamped lounges will have 50% more space and seating capacity, upgraded facilities, and enhanced food and beverage options. Yeoh Phee Teik, SVP of Customer Experience at Singapore Airlines, said: “This significant investment is our commitment to elevating the end-to-end travel experience for our customers.”
Venice’s €5 tourist entrance fee will resume this month, with the main difference this year being that last-minute day-trippers will pay double. City authorities anticipate the scheme, which made an unexpected €2.4m last year, will help tackle overtourism.
Venice became the first major tourist city in the world to charge people to enter last year. The Guardian said this year’s fee remains €5 but will double if bought within three days before arrival in the city.
It added that it has been expanded to apply on 54 dates, mostly weekends, between April 18 and July 27, almost double the number of days compared with last year. The measure applies between 8.30am-4pm.
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based airline, has announced that customers travelling with CAL can now use Apple’s new Share Item Location feature to privately and securely share the location of their AirTag or Find My network accessory with the airline’s customer service.
The aim is to quickly locate lost or delayed bags and reunite them with customers, providing travelers with greater convenience and peace of mind when flying.
Türkiye’s Cappadocia region in the central city of Nevşehir, famed for its fairy chimney volcanic cones, has been included in the Iter Vitis Wine Route, one of the cultural routes of the Council of Europe.
This development follows the application carried out by the Ahiler Development Agency, aiming at accelerating regional and local development. Launched in 1987, the European Council’s Cultural Routes program aims to highlight and enhance the shared heritage of European countries while raising awareness about common cultures and values.
Marriott International has expanded its presence in Canada, opening Muir, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Halifax. Situated on the waterfront and featuring 109 guest rooms and suites, the property’s accommodations offer ocean views and showcase the region’s distinct character with original Nova Scotia art and furnishings.
Marriott Vice President and Luxury Collection global brand leader Bruce Rohr said: “The introduction of Muir represents a milestone in the brand’s continued expansion in Canada and reflects our commitment to offering travellers immersive experiences deeply rooted in local culture.”
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.
