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    SILVERSEA® INTRODUCES DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHTS TO THE ARCTIC FROM LONDON, NEW YORK, MONTREAL & OSLO

    Silversea Cruises®, the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, has introduced new direct private charter flights for 28 Arctic and Greenland sailings in 2023 and 2024.Guests sailing on select Silver Endeavour℠, Silver Wind®, and Silver Cloud® voyages will benefit from a more seamless journey via London, New York, Montreal, and Oslo to some of the Arctic’s most remote destinations – such as Longyearbyen, Kangerlussuaq, Pond Inlet, and more. The latest innovation from Silversea Cruises enhances ultra-luxury cruising’s most diverse and extensive Arctic offering, which comprises 37 itineraries to over 110 destinations between 2023 and 2025.
    As part of the most complete and seamless journey to the Arctic, Silversea’s guests can enjoy private executive transfers to and from the airport; convenient connections via London, New York, Montreal, and Oslo; and warm welcomes by Silversea representatives throughout the journey. Guests opting for both Silversea’s door-to-door and port-to-port offerings will fly to the Arctic on private charter flights, with an enhanced service throughout, a superior culinary offering, premium beverages, and bespoke in-flight entertainment. When required by the itinerary, overnight luxury accommodation will be included as standard with both port-to-port and door-to-door fares. Once in the Arctic, guests will be transferred to their luxury vessel rested and ready to explore.
    “Building on our all-inclusive expedition offering—which is the most comprehensive in the industry—we are pleased to introduce new private charter flights to the Arctic and Greenland to enhance the seamlessness of our guests’ journeys,” said Massimo Brancaleoni, SVP Global Sales at Silversea Cruises. “Silversea is committed to innovation and we are always looking for ways to enhance the travel experience for our guests, including the pre- and post-cruise journey. Not only do we unlock the Arctic’s most remote regions with unique destination expertise and some of the most luxurious ships at sea, but we do so in unparalleled comfort and convenience. Complementing our private executive transfers between home and the airport, our new offering of private charter flights will allow our guests to focus on enjoying their Arctic adventure from the moment they leave their homes.”
    Silversea’s Arctic cruises define transformative travel. Travelling aboard three of the cruise line’s ultra-luxury ships—including the new-to-fleet Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship—guests enjoy all-inclusive comfort, enrichments from the cruise line’s expedition experts, and access to some of the region’s most off-the-beaten-path destinations. Guests might spot polar bears and whales, visit Inuit communities, or brave the ‘polar plunge,’ among other immersive experiences—all the while enjoying the signature level of comfort for which the cruise line is renowned.
    For more information on Silversea’s Arctic and Greenland voyages, visit:https://www.silversea.com/destinations/cruises-arctic-greenland.htmlADVERTISEMENT

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    Saudi Celebrates Unprecedented Success at ITB Berlin 2023 with Award-Winning Stand

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    CALLING UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN LAUNCHES ART PROGRAM TO DEBUT ON ICON OF THE SEAS More

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    Saudi Celebrates Unprecedented Success at ITB Berlin 2023 with Award-Winning Stand

    Last week, Saudi inspired collaboration and partner commitment at the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin. Celebrating the incredible success of its inaugural participation, Saudi unlocked new opportunities for growth with global and European partners.The Saudi stand was recognized for its world-class presence, taking home the awards for both ‘best exhibitor’ for Best of the Best with a criteria focused on attractiveness, authenticity and benefits for trade visitors and ‘best exhibitor’ for the Near/Middle East for its five senses experience, metaverse and sustainable catering.
    As part of Saudi’s participation, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb met with major travel trade entities such as TUI, and FTI and welcomed Ministers, Presidents, CEOs and global tourism leaders from the UNWTO and WTTC to the Saudi stand. A landmark agreement was signed by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and the UNWTO, prioritizing people through the power of e-learning.
    Saudi achieved incredible commercial engagement with partners focused on the European and German markets, signing 11 strategic partnership agreements with some of the world’s largest travel companies and top vertically integrated German operators including Expedia, FTI, DER Touristik, Hotel Beds and others.
    Saudi’s Nusuk platform brought new life to spiritual travel at ITB Berlin with Umrah-focused tour operator meetings hosting more than 45 attendees. The stand also brought the history, culture and stories of Makkah and Madinah to visitors through a beautiful, immersive VR experience.
    Saudi Tourism CEO Fahd Hamidaddin hosted the “Saudi Partner Talks” on-stand with Martina Groenegres, Managing Director, Lufthansa City Center International and Markus Orth, Lufthansa City Centre Regional, moderated by German travel TV presenter Kai Boecking, which focused on how partners use international networks to drive business.ADVERTISEMENTThroughout the event, Saudi welcomed visitors with authentic Arabian hospitality and brought Saudi’s rich culture and heritage to life through immersive experiences including a ‘Savour Saudi’ date and coffee tasting session hosted by an expert from the National Centre for Palms and Dates.
    Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism Authority said:
    “Saudi tourism witnessed unprecedented success at this year’s ITB Berlin. Our vision and ambition is unrivalled and as we position the country as the tourism destination powerhouse of the region, we continue to unlock opportunities for our partners locally and internationally.”
    “We gained deeper insight into the German and European markets, their desire for sun and sea products and a rich culture and heritage offering and we are working hard to cater to this demand through milestone openings on the Red Sea this year and the success of projects including Bujairi Terrace which has already welcomed more than 700,000 viitors. Our Nusuk platform also received strong demand from partners as the German market is recognizing the untapped potential of the unique Umrah spiritual travel segment.”
    “Our partners are growing with us and we are committed to investing in them and in the sector, towards a shared future as we tap into the immense potential in the market.”
    Markus Orth, Managing Director, Lufthansa City Center Regional, said: “We see great potential for the future in our cooperation with Saudi Arabia. It is a new, fascinating destination with seemingly endless facets, which is now taking the opportunity to focus on a sustainable future in tourism. With the mass of cultural sites, the new high-quality resorts at the Red Sea and many upcoming events, the destination offers everything it needs for an exciting round trip. We are looking forward to a strong strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.”
    Norbert Fiebig, President, DRV said: “The signing of the MOU between Saudi Tourism Authority and German Travel Association DRV will further strengthen the bond between our countries. We believe that by collaborating, we can boost travel between Saudi Arabia and Germany, bringing our people together. This will surely benefit mutual understanding, respect and friendship”.   
    Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi has been recognized as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. With an extraordinary +121% increase from pre-pandemic international tourism levels, Saudi achieved 93.5 million visits in 2022 and is outpacing global tourism sector recovery as recognized by the UNWTO. As the world’s biggest investor in tourism, Saudi has committed $550bn to new destinations by 2030 and is reimagining tourism to welcome 100 million visits by 2030.
    The country is an under-discovered destination with a rich cultural heritage brought to life through Diriyah, the 300-year-old city and birthplace of Saudi, and an emerging destination for sun seekers and yachting holidays with the opening of Red Sea assets this year. In Jeddah, visitors can explore Jeddah’s historical district, Al Balad and the traditional Hijazi style houses or go diving in one of the top diving and snorkeling destinations in the Red Sea.

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    flydubai adds four destinations in Saudi Arabia

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    SILVERSEA® INTRODUCES DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHTS TO THE ARCTIC FROM LONDON, NEW YORK, MONTREAL & OSLO More

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    HQ and Gett partner to provide quick, sustainable rides on-demand to corporate customers in London

    HQ, the industry-leading end-to-end global enterprise solution for corporate mobility, and Gett, a market leader in the UK black cab market, today announced a new partnership. Through this partnership, select HQ corporate customers in the UK now have the ability to book on-demand and future rides directly through the Gett app or HQ SummitGround platform.Starting today, Gett’s transport options, including black cabs, will appear alongside existing ground travel options on the HQ SummitGround platform. Integrating Gett and HQ embeds Gett’s services into the corporate policy compliance process of existing HQ users, making Gett a pre-approved option for travellers that is seamlessly plugged into HQ users’ billing and procurement processes. At a time of budget cuts and rising costs, HQ’s billing technology is built from the ground up to provide customers with spend visibility and cost optimisation.  Moreover, with HQ SummitGround, customers have the freedom to tailor travel policies and booking parameters based on factors like employee position and journey type, allowing for greater spend control. The partnership with Gett extends these capabilities to ride-hail in London.
    Amiad Solomon, the CEO and Co-Founder of HQ, said: “Our partnership with Gett in London is an important milestone as we bring high-quality ride-hail into the mobility mix. From today, clients can select on-demand Gett rides from within the HQ SummitGround platform or mobile app, as they would with any other ground transportation service.  As a result, Gett rides are integrated within HQ’s booking, billing, and payment platform, alongside our clients’ preferred suppliers.  In turn, clients gain a complete picture of ground travel activity, covering everything from spend to scope-3 emissions, from one single dashboard.  We’re thrilled to partner with Gett, and look forward to the journey ahead.”
    Matteo De Renzi, the CEO of Gett, added: “We’re excited to be partnering with HQ, who share our commitment to providing customers with maximum options and flexibility while also promoting compliance with their travel policies. In partnership with HQ we believe we will be able to provide an unrivalled service in London for businesses when it comes to reliability, quality, and convenience, as well as greater transparency on their costs and emissions. Together with the drivers on our platform, we are looking forward to providing our services to some of the most prestigious enterprises in London and beyond.”
    The two companies also share a similar vision in regard to sustainability. With this partnership, on-demand rides with Gett will appear within HQ’s sustainability reports to show key emission hotspots, employee usage, and travel behaviour.  This will help ensure that ride-hail and black cabs are more accurately and comprehensively tracked alongside other travel.
    As part of Gett’s offering, HQ customers can select greener ride options, like electric black cabs, at the time of the booking.  As well as providing access to 3,000+ electric vehicles, Gett also offsets all CO2 emissions from every ride booked on their app/platform in the UK with certified carbon offsetting projects through their partnership with EcoAct. ADVERTISEMENTThe availability of electric vehicles strategically times with the expansion of London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023.  ULEZ aims to tackle air pollution and traffic congestion, a move that is expected to bring cleaner air to 5 million more London residents.  Pure electric vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges. As part of the two companies’ shared sustainability efforts,  HQ and Gett aim to support customers in reducing scope-3 emissions while offering greener, more sustainable forms of ground transportation.
    To learn more about HQ, please visit hqtravel.comTo learn more about Gett, please visit www.gett.com

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    Mountain biking in Quito, a unique experience for lovers of adventure and nature

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    flydubai adds four destinations in Saudi Arabia More

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    Mountain biking in Quito, a unique experience for lovers of adventure and nature

    Quito is the ideal destination for mountain bikers due to its wonderful landscapes, uneven terrains and perfect places to ascend and descend on all surface types. It also offers a wide range of nature tourism, whereby taking some small trails you can cross the moorland and shaded forests, while admiring the biodiversity of the area.
    Tourists can enjoy cycle routes through rivers, waterfalls and forests, with different levels of difficulty, from the easiest for novice cyclists to real challenges for the more experienced.
    Also, Quito offers bike rental services and protection equipment for safety guarantee during the trip, as well as experienced tour guides to accompany visitors on their routes, offering information on the history, culture and biodiversity of the region.

    El Chaquiñán RouteADVERTISEMENTEl Chaquiñán is a cycle route that passes through the parishes of Cumbayá, Tumbaco and Puembo and crosses a stretch of the old railway.
    It is a simple path which does not present great difficulties. Due to its longitude, it is recommended for cyclists with previous experience in routes of at least two hours of cycling.
    ·      100% cyclable route·      Difficulty: Low·      Distance 20.5 Kilometres
    Ruta Lloa – Palmira
    The path from Lloa a Palmira has short elevations and gentle descents. It offers natural viewpoints with incredible views, such as those of the Guagua Pichincha and Atacazo volcanoes.
    Over the course of the route, you will find various farms that offer dairy products, such as cheese, milk and yoghurt.
    ·      100% cyclable route·      Difficulty: Low·      Distance: 12.4 Kilometres

    Ruta Pululahua
    Descending from the Mirador del Pululahua to the heart of one of the few inhabited craters in the world, its dramatic descents have been the scene for multiple races.
    In the area, you can take various routes with different levels of difficulty and modality such as the return from Moraspungo to Pondoña, the route between Tanlahua and Pululahua, among others.
    ·      100% cyclable route·      Difficulty: Medium·      Distance: 6.5 – 26 Kilometres

    Ruta Pacto – Mashpi
    In the parish of Pacto, 70 km from the capital, there are wide paths surrounded by mountains ideal for sport. This route crosses a large part of the Conservation and Sustainable Use Area of Mashpi-Guaycuyacu-Sahuangal, the first Protected Natural Area of the Metropolitan District.
    ·      100% cyclable route·      Difficulty: Medium·      Distance: 39 Kilometres
    Ruta Nono – Alaspungo
    Its 13 km stretch reveals less travelled paths, as well as beautiful and unique landscapes. It offers some prolonged ascents, that gift the cyclist with spectacular views of the Rucu and Guagua Pichincha volcanoes towards to east, and a cushion of clouds that covers the land below.
    ·      100% cyclable route·      Difficulty: Low·      Kilometres: 13.3 Kilometres

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    “Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races” Returning in June Extending an Invitation for Teams

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    HQ and Gett partner to provide quick, sustainable rides on-demand to corporate customers in London More

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    “Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races” Returning in June Extending an Invitation for Teams

    The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races is making a return in June after a four-year hiatus! The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that the HKTB and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association will co-organise the “Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races” on 24- 25 June (Saturday & Sunday) in Victoria Harbour.
    Both the general public and visitors from around the world can enjoy the exciting races along the promenade from Tsim Sha Tsui East to the Avenue of Stars.This year, the event will invite local, Mainland, Taiwanese and overseas dragon boat teams to participate. For the first time, cash prizes will be awarded to the winning teams in the four major races.With the world’s top dragon boat athletes gathering in Hong Kong, both the general public and visitors to Hong Kong will once again be able to experience the glamour of a major sports event in town!Interested teams can register on the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association website https://hkcdba.org/en/2023hkidbr from 20 March.
    Details of the event can be found at the following links:- HKTB event website: (https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/dragonboat-races.html )

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    RIYADH AIR ANNOUNCES FIRST FLEET ORDER OF 72 BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINERS More

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    RIYADH AIR ANNOUNCES FIRST FLEET ORDER OF 72 BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINERS

    Riyadh Air, the new world-class airline launched by the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), today announced an order of up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes in a multi-billion dollar deal.
    This unprecedented order for a new carrier – 39 confirmed aircraft with an option to acquire 33 additional wide-body 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes – is a strong signal of intent for Saudi Arabia to become a global aviation hub. This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, national carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visits by 2030. 

    In terms of economic impact, in the U.S., the deal is expected to support nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and more than 300 suppliers from across 38 states, including 145 U.S. small businesses, while in Saudi Arabia, the new airline is expected to add USD20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.The order also underlines the importance of Riyadh Air environmental goals as it aims to operate one of the newest and most sustainable airline fleets in the world, while intending to meet the most stringent noise regulations. Operating from the capital of Riyadh, a thriving international metropolis rich in history and culture with a futuristic vision embodied by Vision 2030, Riyadh Air will help enable the transformation of the capital into one of the world’s top cities economies. The city has a rich history and is home to some of the most ambitious new projects in the world, including King Salman International Airport, Qiddiya, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park, Diriyah Gate, and the New Murabba Development. Saudi Arabia has a unique strategic geographical location that connects the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.
    ADVERTISEMENTThe new world-class airline aims to connect millions of leisure and business travelers to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030 following this partnership with The Boeing Company. Riyadh Air will be at the cutting edge of technology enabling digital innovation at every guest touchpoint while offering an exceptional guest experience with authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart. His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan Governor of the PIF and Chairman of Riyadh Air said: “This is a momentous day for PIF and Riyadh Air, and highlights our determination to significantly extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with the world. Our stated commitment is to create a world-class airline and this partnership with Boeing in building the fleet is the next step in achieving the aspirations of Saudi Arabia as a global transportation hub. We look forward to fostering strong strategic relationships within the wider aviation ecosystem as we continue to shape the new airline to become one of the leading carriers around the world.” 

    Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “This is a significant order that will support Riyadh Air’s commitment to deliver a world-class travel experience, while supporting American aerospace manufacturing jobs at Boeing and across our supply chain. We are incredibly proud of our nearly eight decades of partnership to drive innovation and sustainable growth in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. Our agreement builds on that longstanding partnership and will further expand access to safe and sustainable commercial air travel for decades more.”
    Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “The new airline reflects the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia to be at the core of shaping the future of global air travel and be a true disrupter in terms of guest experience. Riyadh Air’s commitment to its guests will see the integration of digital innovation and authentic Saudi hospitality to deliver a seamless travel experience. By positioning the airline as both a global connector and a vehicle to drive tourist and business travel to Saudi Arabia, our new 787-9 airplanes will serve as a foundation for our worldwide operations, as we build the wider network and connect our guests to Saudi Arabia and many destinations around the world.” As an airline that will be a global leader, Riyadh Air will equip its airplanes with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. The first deliveries of the widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025.
    Riyadh Air will be a digitally led full-service airline with a commitment to sustainability reflecting Saudi Arabia’s transformative projects under Vision 2030. It will operate in line with the country’s strides toward net zero emissions. The 787-9 Dreamliner model is manufactured with environmental impact considerations in mind, including CO2 emissions, fuel efficiency and noise regulations. The new airline was officially launched earlier this week and will serve as a lever to help fulfill Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.
    The establishment of Riyadh Air is in line with PIF’s mandate to unlock the capabilities of key sectors locally to drive the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The airline will also support the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s broader vision, and enable the National Tourism Strategy, unlocking Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions to international tourists and creating new jobs

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    HRH Crown Prince Announces “Riyadh Air”

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    “Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races” Returning in June Extending an Invitation for Teams More

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    Jetstar Asia prepares for move to Changi Airport Terminal 4

    Jetstar Asia has completed its second orientation flights from Terminal 4, ahead of its move on 22 March 2023.
    Comments from Jetstar Asia Head of Flight Operations, Captain Geof Lui  
    “The focus of this second round of orientation flights was to evaluate the process and validate the efficiency with which passengers and their luggage could be transferred between terminals to seamlessly meet onward connections.
    “Following the initial orientation flights, we’ve worked with our airline partners to increase the frequency of shuttle services, both airside and landside, to ensure customers can quickly and easily transfer between terminals from our new home at T4.
    “To ensure a smooth experience for our customers, these operational trials included system testing at every stage of the journey, from check-in through to boarding to clearing customs.ADVERTISEMENT“As we approach our move date, we continue to perform operational tests covering crew communications and procedures, ensuring our entire team is ready to welcome our customers to T4 on 22 March.” 
    Jetstar Asia will initially operate more than 230 weekly services in and out of T4, to and from key destinations in Southeast Asia including Bali (Denpasar), Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Phnom Penh.
    Jetstar Airways will also operate from T4 and continue to fly between Singapore and Melbourne up to six times a week with the popular route being operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying more than 200,000 passengers each year between the two cities.

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    Malaysia Aviation Group’s Airlines Appointed as the Official Airlines for MATTA Fair 2023

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    Malaysia Aviation Group’s Airlines Appointed as the Official Airlines for MATTA Fair 2023

    Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s airlines, comprising Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASwings, have been appointed as the official airlines for the forthcoming Malaysian Association Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2023.MATTA Fair visitors can look forward to a wide range of enticing offerings from the airlines including, up to 45% off on Malaysia Airlines’ domestic and selected international destinations and an opportunity to win one of the 37 return tickets in its Buyers Contest.
    Meanwhile, Firefly will be offering fares starting from RM69 all-in one-way to domestic destinations and RM99 all-in one-way to international destinations onboard its ATR 72-500 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft, whereas MASwings will offer all-in one-way fares starting from RM131. This exclusive offer is valid from 16 to 24 March 2023, via the physical MATTA Fair event and the airlines’ online platforms, for immediate travel to 30 November 2023. Enrich members will also earn 50% Bonus Enrich Points during this period.
    Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines from MAG said, “We are delighted to be part of Malaysia’s biggest travel fair as the official airlines for MATTA Fair 2023 through sister companies Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings. This reinforces our commitment to providing more value, convenience and options through great deals and travel experiences for our customers, while also playing our unique role in supporting the recovery of Malaysia’s aviation and tourism sector.
    On top of the great discounts offered on air fares, customers will also get to enjoy other deals beyond air travel including on MHholidays, Journify, and travel add-ons among others, as part of MAG’s wider aspirations of becoming Asia’s leading travel and aviation services group focused on delivering highly customised, end-to-end travel solutions in line with our Long-Term Business Plan 2.0. As the appetite for travel regains momentum, we invite everyone to take advantage of the great offers available during MATTA Fair and on the airlines’ website to enjoy the best deals for their upcoming travels.”
    To further enhance visitors’ experience at the physical fair, the three MAG airlines will be giving away 37 tickets in the Buyers’ Contest which includes Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class return tickets to London, Sydney and Haneda and Economy Class return tickets to Osaka, Melbourne, Perth, Seoul, Denpasar, Singapore, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.  Meanwhile, Firefly and MASwings will offer five (5) and 12 return tickets respectively to the winners’ destinations of choice within their network.ADVERTISEMENTAs members of the Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM), the sister airlines are dedicated to ensuring safe and seamless travel for customers by adopting the highest safety and hygiene standards across all end-to-end touchpoints of the traveller journey so passengers can continue to Fly Confidently.
    MATTA Fair 2023 is scheduled to take place from 17-19 March at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). Admission to MATTA fair is free of charge and will be open from 10am to 9pm for three days from Friday to Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation such as the LRT and e-hailing services.

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    Jetstar Asia prepares for move to Changi Airport Terminal 4 More