THAILAND:Bangkok Airways Stops All International Flights Over Covid 19

Bangkok Airways has said it is temporarily suspending all international flights from today, 22 March, until further notice as the spread of the corona virus has crippled travel demand worldwide.

The carrier had earlier suspended many services to destinations in Thailand including the holiday island of Koh Samui in light of sharply reduced tourism.

The suspensions are now being expended to destinations across its network serving Cambodia where it has up to five flights a day, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

A full list of the suspended services and the dates on which they apply is published and updated regularly on the Bangkok Airways website.

In a statement released on Saturday, the carrier said that passengers can call its 24-hour call centre at 1771 or 270-6699 or Bangkok Airways ticket offices to receive a full refund.

Passengers who booked their tickets through travel agencies are advised to directly contact their agents for further assistance.

Earlier Vietnam Airlines and several other Vietnam based airlines had followed suit.

By closing borders to all except cargo, Asean countries are slowly but surely going into lock down mode by default. It first started with restrictions on incoming and outgoing passengers as deaths have started happening in several Asean countries while cases are spiking.

Two of Thailand’s airlines are suspending international flights while Thai Lion Air announced it would ground its entire fleet in Bangkok as travel demand to and around Thailand plummets.

Both Thai AirAsia and Bangkok Airways announced they were suspending all international flights at the weekend following service cuts announced last week. But at least for the immediate future, they are still flying domestic services.

Bangkok Airways made the announcement 21 March on its Facebook page rather than through press releases. It described the international flight cuts as a temporary suspension that would start 22 March “until further notice.”

Domestic services continue, but there are some reductions in the number of daily flights, and the airline has cancelled services to Chiang Rai.

Thai Lion Air was the first airline to announce it will suspend all flights both domestic and international from 25 March to 30 April 2020. It will see the airline ground 17 planes and lay off hundreds of cabin attendants.

Blaming the situation on the Covid-19 outbreak the airline says it will resume normal services on all routes from 1 May onwards, but that timeline could change considering the surge of Covid-19 cases in Thailand that soared to 600 on Sunday in just a few days following two weeks of reporting a relatively stable count of 40 to 50 cases.

Thai AirAsia confirmed it was halting all international flights from 22 March to 25 April 2020 to comply with the current Covid-19 epidemic control measures.

The airline says it will offer passengers the opportunity to rebook flights later in the year but not exceeding 180 days from the time of the original booking.

They can also store the fare as a credit that can be used to buy a fare before the end of the year.

However, reaching out to the airline is not so easy. The airline uses a virtual assistant or bot that replaced call centres and help-desk options some months back and customer response is less than favourable.

Complaints are piling up that the bot is overloaded and cannot process requests, leaving passengers with just one alternative. They have to visit the airline’s airport office and file a request for a refund or fee-free change to staff.

THAILAND: Bangkok Airways Is World’s Best Regional Airline, Skytrax Declares

Bangkok Airways was named the World’s Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline in Asia in the Skytrax World Airline Awards announced on Tuesday during the Paris Air Show.

Bangkok Airways was commended for giving travellers a “premium boutique experience and exceptional comfort” since its launch in 1968.

The airline has since entered into code-share agreements with 23 other air carriers and strengthened its route network across Asia.

The company offers 88 routes spanning 12 countries and 26 destinations – from Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Yangon, Danang, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Maldives.

I would like to thank all passengers who perceive the value of our dedicated services and voted for us in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said in a press release.

This is truly considered the most precious award in the aviation industry. Winning two awards for the third time has fully manifested our continuous commitment to strive for excellence in airline services.

These achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our staff to excel in a complete airline service.

Bangkok Airways provides full services with the highest standard to underline our commitment to be Asia’s boutique airline, he said.

It is the one and only airline in Thailand that allows passengers in both economy and business to access the lounge.

All meals served on board are well prepared and sophisticatedly made with the best quality of food.

The company was also recognised as World’s Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline in Asia in 2014 and 2016.

It was also named Asia’s Best Regional Airline in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2016 and Southeast Asia’s Best Regional Airline in 2006 and 2007.

QATAR: Uncertainity In Aviation As Saudi Arabia WIthdraws Qatar Airways Flying Licence

Yemen, Libya, and the Maldives have followed Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in cutting ties with Doha on Monday, June 5, accusing it of supporting extremist groups and destabilising the region.

The seven countries almost immediately closed their borders to Qatar and put into place restrictions on both trade and travel, including a suspension of flights between these countries and Qatar, on any airline, as well as a ban on Qatar Airways’ use of airspace belonging to the countries.

A direct result of this diplomatic crisis is a confusing situation for travellers, who face potentially cancelled or delayed flights, and slightly longer flights for the many routes still in operation as Qatar Airways is forced to fly around airspace from which they are banned.

A non-stop journey on Qatar Airways from Doha to Auckland, New Zealand, typically 16 hours from take-off to landing. With the new diversion over Iran to avoid the UAE’s airspace, the flight may see an extra 15 minutes added.

Travellers holding tickets on Qatar Airways or any airline with connections in the Middle East region should familiarise themselves with the latest on the situation, as new clarifications and rulings continue to come.

Anyone flying any airline between Doha and destinations in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Yemen, Libya, and the Maldives will find these flights have been cancelled and they should contact their airlines for refunds and rebooking.

There have been reports of Qatar Airways mounting charter relief flights via Kuwait or Oman, but as all Qatari citizens have been ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain within two weeks, airlifts are likely to focus on helping expelled Qataris.

Travellers with itineraries that pass through Doha but do not begin or end in one of the countries banning Qatar Airways will find their flights only slightly affected by the ban, owing to the restrictions on air routes and longer flight times, but will not face mass cancellations and should proceed with travel plans as normal.

A passenger speaking about her Tuesday flight from Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to Doha, she said: I basically had the plane to myself. I was urged not to go but I didn't run into any issues.

A passenger from Brussels was forced to re-arrange his plans for his Maldives holiday, instead moving his booking to fly to Bangkok instead.

I’m hoping to buy a Bangkok Airways flight to make it to Malé, but I really don’t want to think about getting home just yet, he says from his Doha layover yesterday.

I’ll see what it is like in the Maldives and hope for better news while I’m away, but I will read the fine print of my travel insurance just in case.

A passenger from Sri Lanka booked to fly with Qatar Airways to London via Doha said I'm anxious because i don't know what’s going on, she said. I've been abroad for five months and I usually live in a local home-stay with very limited wifi access. Also there is just a stigma about the Middle East. It’s somewhere I've never travelled and so it’s unfamiliar.

Travellers are right to be cautious, especially if their current or future travel plans involve visiting the United Arab Emirates, as even social media mentions of support for Qatar could face retaliation.

UAE’s Attorney General has threatened offenders with jail terms up to 15 years and $136,000 fines, so perhaps it’s wise to keep any praise of Qatar Airways or your Doha layover off of Twitter or Facebook.

It’s a situation that’s even breeding uncertainty in travellers with no upcoming plans, such as one woman who visited Doha last month through the airline’s complimentary stopover program.

This is all really intense, she says. I'm almost out of pages on my passport so all this makes me want to get my new one earlier and really start from scratch and consider my routes.

Qatar Airways has a good product. Politics aside, the ban forces my hand to not book with them. There's too much unpredictability with them and the rest of the world given the current state of things.

Unpredictable is the best way to describe the current situation. Ongoing efforts by diplomats in mediating countries like Kuwait and Turkey may prove successful and restore travel, or they may fail.

In any case, there is no certainty as to when the travel restrictions around Qatar will be lifted and to what extent. The best precaution travellers can make regarding upcoming plans is to stay informed, as well as being ready and willing to make alternate travel plans.

Tourism Observer will keep you updated daily.

MYANMAR: Myanmar Launches e-visa At Three Land Borders

EFFECTIVE from September 1, foreigners with e-visa can be used to enter and exit through three land border checkpoints between Myanmar and Thailand, the ministry of immigration and population announced officially.

Under the agreement between the two countries, Myanmar and Thailand citizens as well as third country citizens with holding valid passport and e-visa will be permitted to enter and depart from Myanmar through Tachileik-Maisai, Myawaddy-Mesok, and Kawthoung-Ranong land border checkpoints.

Previously, the holders of e-Visa were not able to enter Myanmar at the border checkpoints. Those with e-Visa are only allowed to enter Myanmar at International Airport in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

The permit of stay, extension of stay and the visa fees, the rules and regulation remain the same and is applicable to both tourist and business e-visa types.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private lending arm of the World Bank, has provided to extend a debt of $13.5 million to United International Group’s hotel business in Myanmar.

The loan will be used for expanding the company’s existing operations, such as building of a new 114-room hotel in Bagan, and a 110-room hotel and 20 villas in Nyaung Shwe, for an estimated total cost of $29 million.

IFC plans to give the loan in two phrases. The first will be for $8.5 million and the rest $5 million, IFC said in a filing.

United International Group, also known as Amata Hotel Group currently operate three resorts, Amata Ngapali Beach Resort in Thandwe, Amata Garden Resort in Nyaungshwe, Hsipaw Resport in Northerthern Shan State, Amata Boutique House in Bagan and Oriental Ballooning that operates in Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, Pindaya and Ngapali.

The loan is expected to add on the development of the company’s expansion while benefitting the tourism sector by adding quality accommodation in key tourism areas, the IFC statement said. Locally sourced materials are likely to be used for the project.

In addition, IFC will continue provide long-term financing, sharing of global industry knowledge and expertise, help improve the environmental and social standards of the company and support the expansion of a local hotel chain.

As part of its Asia focus, IFC has pledged to invest $200 million in Emerging Asia Fund, which IFC will look at equity opportunities in the continent.

CITIZENS from Myanmar and Mongolia will be able to travel freely between the two countries when a visa exemption agreement signed yesterday comes into effect.

The foreign affairs ministers of both countries discussed the agreement in Nay Pyi Taw on June 15 and signed a memorandum of understanding, President’s Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay told reporters yesterday.

He spoke at a press conference after a meeting between President U Htin Kyaw and Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. During his visit to Myanmar on June 15, Mr Elbegdorj invited State Counsellor and Foreign Affairs Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Mongolia.

MYANMAR'S Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has, from July 1, launched an online registration portal (http://elicence.tourism.gov.mm) to facilitate permit applications and renewals for the travel and hospitality industry.

At present, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism issues four kinds of licences: a hotel licence costs between 200,000 kyat (US$170) and 1.9 million kyat, based on the number of rooms; a tour company licence costs 400,000 kyat; a tour guide licence costs 50,000 kyat; and a licence to provide transportation for tourists costs between 50,000 kyat and 500,000 kyat, depending on the vehicle type.

Licence holders must renew every two years, according to the ministry's Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Meanwhile, the ministry revealed that information cards for tourists will be rolled out soon, as the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is currently negotiating with Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications, and telco operators Ooredoo, Telenor and Viettel to provide the system electronically.

These cards will provide visitors with data about Myanmar’s tourism industry such as airline schedules, bus and transportation options, restaurants plus other travel advices.

ONE more Thai airline, the Thai Lion Air (TLA), is planning to fly between Bangkok and Yangon starting from July 22.

The low-cost airline is one of the subsidiaries of Indonesia's Lion Air group which registered in Thailand.

TLA will operate twice daily from Bangkok to Yangon, offering free 30 kg checked-in baggage and free 15 kg of sport equipment to every passenger.

Currently, there are five airlines flying to Myanmar from Thailand, which are Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, NOK Air and Air Asia.

Myanmar airlines flying Bangkok are Myanmar National Airlines and Myanmar Airways International with daily flights.

Meanwhile, a Netherlandish airline, the Royal Dutch KLM, will also fly Yangon soon, according to an aviation agreement signed between Myanmar and the Netherlands on Monday.

There are now 25 international airlines flying Myanmar in addition to 10 domestic airlines, media reports said.

Two airlines will begin routes from Bangkok to Mandalay next month, as Myanmar’s tourism industry continues to expand.

Flag-carrier Myanmar National Airways (MNA) and Myanmar Airways International (MAI) will operate flights from the Mandalay to Thailand’s capital.

MNA will offer three flights a week from August 31, and a day earlier MAI will do the same. For MNA, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, its usual flight from Yangon to Bangkok will also stop at Mandalay.

MAI will fly Mandalay-Bangkok direct on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The two airlines are also planning to add other international routes to their flights.

Reports say that MNA is planning to open flights to Shang- hai and Chengdu in China while MAI has reportedly applied to fly directly to Kolkata in India.

Myanmar National Airlines was one of two carriers to launch flights between Mandalay and Bangkok on August 31.

The airline will operate thrice weekly flights on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with 737-800s.

The route is is also served by Bangkok Airways as daily flights and and Myanmar Airways International as thrice-weekly flights.

Myanmar National Airlines also serves Bangkok from Yangon. The airline’s three remaining international routes are from Yangon to Hong Kong, Singapore and Vientiane.

BOUTIQUE cruise operator Burma Boating has added four new yachts to its fleet, including new flagship the Clan VI, bringing total boat count to 10.

The 40m-long Clan VI will cruise Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago, offering both scheduled itineraries and private charters, starting October. The yacht can accommodate groups of up to 10.

Between November 2016 and May 2017, Clan VI will sail seven-night cruises from Kawthaung in Myanmar's south to the historic port town of Myeik, crossing the entire Mergui Archipelago.

The 800 mostly-uninhabited islands had been off-limits to foreigners since Myanmar's independence and only opened to tourism recently. It remains one of the planet's most unspoilt destinations. There are currently no hotels operating in the area.

Burma Boating also announced a new scheduled cruise from Thailand to India's Andaman Islands. The 12-night trip will operate between February and late April next year.

Meliá Hotels International has opened the Meliá Yangon, the first hotel operated by the brand in the country and a strategic project for its expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Yangon is the country's largest city and remains the biggest commercial center and main transit hub of the country, as well as home to historical colonial buildings and landscape. The hotel is located on Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd., a short distance to the city center as well as to Yangon International Airport and the Shwedagon Pagoda. The city’s shopping mall, Myanmar Plaza, is adjacent to the hotel.

Overlooking the Inya Lake, the hotel provides 430 modern rooms furnished with state-of-the-art amenities. Exclusive privileges are available on The Level, the brand’s signature executive floor, such as access to The Level Lounge on the top floor with 360-degrees views of the city and Inya Lake.

The property’s three high-end restaurants include The Market, an all-day dining restaurant in an authentic open market setting; The Lantern, serving reinterpreted classics; and in a few weeks, Olea restaurant will open and offer European cuisine. At the end of the year, the hotel will introduce a Hollywood golden age atmosphere in the Garbo Bar, named after the actress Greta Garbo.

An on-site convention area provides various sizes of ballrooms and function rooms equipped with the latest technology for events. The hotel’s facilities also includes an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a soon-to-open YHI spa.

According to the Customs Department, Yangon’s duty-fee custom stores earned over Ks100m (US$87,000) from passengers entering Yangon International Airport (YIA) during May.

Duty-free customs is up in May this year by Ks30m (US$25,000) compared to this time last year. Ks70m (US$58,000) was received from duty-free in May 2015.

According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar has been a record increase of tourists and domestic travellers since opening up to the world in 2011.

International arrivals have increased from 816,319 in 2011 to 4,861,020 in 2015.

THAILAND: Sabre In Deal Bangkok Airways

Sabre Corporation has signed an agreement with Bangkok Airways, a growing regional boutique airline based in Thailand, to deliver a next generation revenue management software solution.

Bangkok Airways will be among the first to adopt Sabre’s innovative Revenue Optimizer solution, designed to help airlines respond to changing market conditions in real-time and maximize multiple revenue streams through advanced decision support for customer segmentation, offer management and pricing optimization.

“Optimizing all aspects of traditional and emerging revenue streams is a primary challenge facing carriers today,” said Darren Rickey, vice president of Sabre AirVision. “Gone are the days of focusing on revenue per seat. To be competitive, airlines must optimize all revenue sources including partnerships and ancillary products. Revenue Optimizer supports this transformation and furthermore will allow airlines to offer more personalized services.”

Sabre’s Revenue Optimizer provides end-to-end control for airlines to better understand traveler profiles and respond to passenger demand while efficiently pricing and selling their seat inventory and ancillary products. The new solution works in concert with SabreSonic, Sabre’s passenger service systems (PSS) providing seamless inventory integration and real-time data access.

“Sabre’s innovative offering allows us the ability to manage and steer codeshare partner demand, which is an important component of our business model,” said Peter Wiesner, advisor for Network Management at Bangkok Airways. “With the implementation of Revenue Optimizer, we can better leverage customer demand across various revenue streams, including partner airlines and ancillaries, while maximizing revenue opportunities.”

Airlines using Revenue Optimizer will also experience improved analyst productivity through more targeted, intuitive workflows supported by a consumer-grade user experience. The sophisticated, data-driven solution will provide analysts with actionable commercial insights to enable better revenue management decisions that deliver total revenue optimization (TRO).

“Bangkok Airways utilizes Sabre’s technology as a key enabler to ensure success,” said Dasha Kuksenko, vice president and regional general manager of Sabre Airline Solutions, Asia Pacific. “As a longstanding customer, their decision to partner with Sabre to launch Revenue Optimizer signifies trust in Sabre’s ability to deliver a solution that will help propel their business forward and drive real business value.”

By implementing Revenue Optimizer, airlines can respond to rapidly changing market conditions in real-time, design better product offerings to maximize revenue and differentiate themselves as a customer-centric retailer in the industry.

THAILAND: AirAsia To Launch Flights To Luang Prabang

AirAsia's Thailand affiliate will launch flights to Luang Prabang in Laos from next month.

Thai AirAsia will begin the one-hour flights from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to Luang Prabang from March 24.

The carrier will be the first no frills operator to serve Luang Prabang.

"Luang Prabang has many distinct travel features. This latest route also creates new investment opportunities. We are confident that as a friendly destination, Luang Prabang will quickly grow to be a popular place to visit for both Thai and international travellers," said Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.

Bijleveld said the airline had long coveted the route.

"It's been a long time coming, eight years since asking Laos for the rights to operate flights there."

Although the route is already served by Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia is targeting at least 80% load factor.

It has launched a special introductory fare of THB990 for travel through February 2017, and regular fares will be around THB2,000, which the airline says is about half what the two full-service airlines currently charge on the route.