Asian airports start screening for new virus

Here we go again.

Airports across Asia are starting to screen passengers for yet another potentially fatal virus.

After Covid and Monkeypox meet Nipah virus.

Nipah virus is a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes Nipah virus infection in humans and other animals, a disease with a very high mortality rate.

Numerous disease outbreaks caused by Nipah virus have occurred in south-east Africa and south-east Asia.

Nipah virus belongs to the genus Henipavirus along with the Hendra virus, which has also caused disease outbreaks

Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have stepped up airport screening in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The virus, which is carried by fruit bats and ​animals such as pigs, can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a fatality rate of between 40% and 75%.

In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health acknowledged heightened concern over Nipah virus and said passenger checks will take place at Thailand airports.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn said Nipah is classified as a dangerous communicable disease.

Outbreaks have so far centred on Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.

“Although these areas are geographically distant from Thailand, close monitoring is necessary due to direct flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports,” he said.

No confirmed infections have been detected yet.

Image: Edward Ortiz, Scop.io  

Women only: new tours have a specific focus

For many obvious reasons, some women prefer to travel in groups that do not include men. 

Inspiring Vacations has partnered with "inspiring women" in some of its key destinations to offer a new range of tours exclusively for women. 

Each itinerary includes a female tour leader and provides travellers the opportunity to engage with women in each country, who have positive stories to share. 

Inspiring Vacations new range of tours, 'Inspired Women' feature small group itineraries with insights into female culture and experiences in each destination. 

Itinerary highlights include a pottery class in Kyoto, meeting a North Korea defector at the DMZ, lantern making in Hoi An, take a Pink City rickshaw ride through Jaipur, and exploring Sri Lanka's Barefoot Gallery.

So think regular sightseeing highlights alongside activities supporting female-first businesses in India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea.



Peita Davis, head of global product at Inspiring Vacations, said: “Our Inspired Women’s range is curated to showcase inspirational women around the globe and inspire our female travellers to engage with the global community. 

"Each journey is thoughtfully guided by female tour leaders, and combines must-see highlights with authentic local encounters that reveal the lives and stories of women around the world.”

With itineraries and activities centred around wellness, connection, and culture, the new tours include: daily breakfast and select other meals (including welcome and farewell dinners); female tour leaders; hotel accommodation; a small group format with a maximum of 16 to 20 travellers depending on destination; select transportation; and in-depth sightseeing. 

Most tours also feature airport transfers and traditional accommodation experiences (such as a Korean Hanok or Japanese Ryokan).

Paul Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Australian-owned Inspiring Vacations, said: “I’m thrilled to be part of yet another exciting new range thoughtfully designed for our valued female customers."

You can check out the options at inspiringvacations.com

Images: Inspiring Vacations

New airlines keen to enter the perilous Indian aviation fray

There are literally dozens of Indian airlines that have either gone broke, or been taken over.

High operating costs, volatile fuel prices, thin margins, regulatory pressure, and fierce competition make aviation one of the toughest industries.

Over the past quarter century, nine Indian carriers have disappeared entirely including Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways and Vistara.

That said, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation this week gave initial approval for two start-up airlines to compete with troubled market leader IndiGo and Air India.

It granted alHind Air and FlyExpress no-objection certificates, which is the initial step prior to securing a full air operator certificate, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Consumer groups and industry analysts have called for more market competition following the fallout of IndiGo's Scheduling woes over the past few weeks.

IndiGo has a dominant 65% share of the market. Air India is a distant second, with less than 30% share.

Regional startup alHind Air plans to start flying turboprop services in southern India while FlyExpress has not yet given any comprehensive details of its operational plans.

alHind says its will "begin its journey with a fleet of ATR 72- 600 model aircraft, initially focusing on providing efficient and reliable domestic air travel. With plans to expand its services to international destinations in the near future, alHindair aims to meet the growing demands of passengers and establish itself as a trusted name in the aviation sector".

New safety rules? This airline just can't cope

Planning to fly with India's largest airline over the next couple of months?

Good luck with that.

IndiGo has apologised to passengers following several days of major fight disruptions and cancellations and said it may be month before its full schedule is back to normal.

IndiGo "deeply regrets the inconvenience caused", the airline said.

It cited the new pilot duty rules as a major factor, along with bad weather, and some technical issues, news hub Travel Mole reported.

The airline’s troubles stem largely from newly phased-in rules for flight crew which mandate extended rest periods and layovers.

Following emergency talks with the Indian Aviation Ministry, IndiGo said it will proactively cut its number of scheduled flights starting from December 8 in a bid to reduce cancellations.

So cancellations to reduce cancellations.

The airline has said it expects to resume its full flight schedule in February 2026.

IndiGo normally operates about 2,300 flights on average a day. It had reportedly cancelled over 900 flights in just four days leading into the weekend.

IndiGo, despite nearly two years’ notice, is struggling to make a successful transition to meet the new safety rules, Flight Radar reports.

Small Luxury Hotels expands global portfolio

A boutique hotel in the vineyards of the Yarra Valley is among the new properties being showcased by the fast-expanding Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) group.

SLH, known for its global portfolio of boutique properties, has continued a growth spurt, announcing 49 additions to its portfolio in the first half of 2025.

This follows a record-breaking 2024, in which the brand saw 82 new signings.

They joined 620 hotels across 90+ countries and SLH's latest additions include destinations in Australia, Japan, Mexico and India.

Opening in December is December is the 33-room Levantine Hill Hotel, a suite-only hotel next to Levantine Hill Estate's cellar door and restaurant to allow guests to indulge in exceptional dining experiences. See https://www.levantinehill.com.au/pages/hotel

“2024 was a record year for SLH, and 2025 is shaping up to surpass it,” said Richard Hyde, SLH Chief Operating Officer.

“As the demand for genuine and intimate luxury stays continues to soar, we are in the right place at the right time. Our expanding and diverse portfolio of independent properties ensures there's something for every discerning, independently minded traveller.”

Openings in early 2025 included La Valise Mazunte in Mexico, located between Oaxaca's rugged cliffs and the Pacific Ocean.

July 2025 saw the opening of The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564, a hidden retreat in the centre of Florence, housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palazzo built in 1564.

Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850, meanwhile, will open in the heart of French mountain resort Courchevel in December, with easy access to the ski slopes and nearby boutiques.

In Germany, the Wilmina Hotel marks SLH's arrival in Berlin located in a former courthouse and prison.

For more info visit www.SLH.com

Thinking of flying Air India? There is something you should know

Air India has been flagged for over 50 different safety violations by the national air regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The violations were uncovered during an audit this month and cover a wide range of lapses, travel news hub Travel Mole reported.

These included insufficient pilot training, rostering issues, and the use of non-approved flight simulators.

The airline is also in trouble for other recent maintenance record lapses and crew duty mistakes.

The audit report highlighted seven Level 1 serious breaches which have to be rectified this month.

There were 44 other less serious issues which must be fixed by August 23.

Investigators found some Boeing 787 and 777 pilots had not completed all their necessary "training and monitoring duties" ahead of evaluations.

The airline said it will "submit our response to the regulator within the stipulated time frame, along with the details of the corrective actions." 

The crash of Air India Flight 171 in June claimed the lives of 260 people, putting the airline under increased scrutiny.

New Indian airline preparing for liftoff

Vistara, Go First and Jet Airways are just three of literally dozens of Indian airlines to be liquidated or swallowed up over the years.

But India is the third-largest domestic airline market behind the US and China and a new player is about to enter the fray.

Soon-to-launch Air Kerala expects to take to the skies in the second quarter of 2025, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Air Kerala chairman Afi Ahmad has announced a big recruitment drive is underway for technical and operational teams, while sales and marketing roles are being filled in the UAE.

“Pilot and cabin crew recruitment has begun. The chief pilot and pilot trainers have also been hired,” Ahmad said.

Captain CS Randhawa, the president of the Indian Pilots Federation, was hired as the airline’s VP of Operations.

Harish Kutty, CEO of Air Kerala, said, “We are focused on recruiting pilots and pilot training crew from India as they are well aware of Indian regulations. We can recruit foreign trainers; however, we feel it is better to have Indians for now.”

The airline is still waiting for its air operator certificate (AOC) from regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

“As soon as we receive the AOC, we will begin operations,” Ahmad said. 

 airline, owned by parent company Zetfly Aviation, plans to start domestic flights to regional cities.

It has signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) for the first three aircraft from ATR.

Air Kerala hopes to launch international services to the UAE some time in 2026.

Kutty said the airline is targeting cost-conscious customers.

“Our prime focus will be to convert luxury bus and second-class AC train passengers in India to flight passengers,” he said.

This week, the airline signed an MoU with Kannur International Airport Limited.

The airport’s MD, Dinesh Kumar, said: “This collaboration with Air Kerala highlights Kannur Airport’s role as a vital gateway. We are committed to providing resources and support needed for Air Kerala to succeed.”

Ailing airline put out of its misery

It is the end of the runway for ailing Indian airline Jet Airways.

India’s Supreme Court has ordered Jet Airways be liquidated a full five years after all of its flights were grounded, news portal Travel Mole reports.

The airline had been in limbo for half a decade.

India’s highest court overruled National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s approval of the airline’s takeover by UK-based Kalrock Capital and UAE businessman Murari Lal Jalan.

The years-long saga comes to an end after countless rulings and appeals and the court ruled the proposed investors have failed to deliver the promised funds required.

Liquidation is in the best interest of Jet Airways’ creditors and employees, the Supreme Court said.

Jet’s main creditor State Bank of India started insolvency proceedings against the airline when it grounded all flights amid severe financial difficulties.

The Kalrock-Murari consortium emerged as successful bidders back in 2021 but faced numerous legal challenges and missed bankruptcy court deadlines.

New rule ensures children flying must be seated next to parents

We've all heard stories about children being allocated seats apart from their parents on long haul flights.

Booking systems are not flawless and parents are not always good at booking online.

Which can create stressful situations airports and on board flights.

In India, however, issues concerning child seats should be thing of the past.

India’s air regulator this week issued a directive to airlines to ensure young children are seated beside at least one parent free of charge.

They should not be required to pay for seat selection if travelling on the same booking, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

It follows consumer complaints that families were unable to book seats together, or had to pay for the privilege.

“Airlines shall ensure that children up to 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents/guardians,” a new DGCA rule said.

Exactly how this will all work remains to be seen.

Image: Hanny Hsian, Scop.io

Struggling airline to trim staff by 15%

You know how people book flights on ailing airlines and are then incensed when those companies go out of business? 

Here is the latest news on Indian air carrier SpiceJet. Purely for your information.

Aviation Week reports that SpiceJet is planning a significant workforce cut as the struggling carrier attempts to improve its financial health.

The airline aims to save about US $12 million annually in salary costs by trimming around 15% of its current workforce of 9,000.

The airline has struggled financially for a long time and has been using cost-cutting strategies after getting some much needed funding.

“As part of our turnaround, following the recent fund infusion, SpiceJet has initiated several measures, including manpower rationalisation,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

Some staffers have reportedly already started receiving termination notices.

SpiceJet has delayed salaries to workers for several months due to its financial problems but is still hoping to raise more funds.

The carrier is the fourth-largest airline in India and serves 73 destinations, including 60 Indian and 13 international, from its bases at Delhi and Hyderabad.

Sorry; your airline forgot to offload your luggage

Error-prone Indian airline IndiGo came under fire after forgetting to offload passenger baggage and taking off again with their suitcases still on board.

The blunder came just a few weeks after IndiGo neglected to put an elderly couple on their connecting flight to India at Istanbul airport a few weeks ago, The Times of India reported.

The IndiGo international flight bound for Bengaluru, India had to make a U-turn to Singapore Changi Airport after the error.

Not long after take off it had to return to Changi after the carrier "forgot to offload luggage" from a previous international flight.

The Airbus A321neo landed back at Changi about one hour after it took off.

It contributed to a four-hour delay for passengers - and a very long wait for passengers at the baggage carousel.

It is unclear how the bags remained on board.

“We acknowledge the baggage error on part of our service partners at Singapore airport and we sincerely regret the inconvenience,” the airline said.

IndiGo is India’s largest airline operating up to 2,000 flights daily.

Full steam ahead for Accor across Asia

It is as if the pandemic never happened.

Right across Asia, tourism is back and booming - and Accor, the largest international hospitality group in the region, has opened or reopened five properties across Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines and India over the past few weeks.

“From setting a new tempo for modern travellers to Singapore with the opening of Pullman Singapore Hill Street, to strengthening our presence in the vibrant District 7 of Ho Chi Minh, the last two months have paid testament to Accor's unwavering focus on providing unparalleled and varied hospitality experience across Asia," says a very enthusiastic Garth Simmons, CEOr, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia.

"The reopening of Mövenpick Mactan Cebu (top image) demonstrates our commitment not only to growth, but to hospitality excellence.”

The new Pullman Singapore Hill Street (below) has 350 rooms and billed as "the most story-led property under the Pullman brand". 

It has a strong commitment to sustainability; solar panels power corridor lights, with a programmed irrigation system ensures efficient water management by releasing precise amounts at determined times to sustain pockets of greenery.

Three distinct dining concept present cosmopolitan flavours; Madisone's All-American deli offers New York-style bagels and coffee, while MOGA is a modern Japanese izakaya-meets-coffee bar. Perched on the hotel's roof is El Chido, a Mexican-themed swim-up bar.

Accor's seventh property in Ho Chi Minh City is the first Novotel Living branded hotel in Vietnam: Novotel Living Saigon.

It is just two minutes' walk from Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC) and has 175 studios, one and two-bedroom apartments designed for longer stays.

There is an all-day-dining restaurant, and a fitness centre with sauna and steam bath facilities.

ibis Styles Goa Vagator, the second ibis Styles hotel in Goa, has 142 rooms close to medieval forts, scenic beaches, and Goa's bustling dining scene. 

The property showcases contemporary artists, with original artwork from emerging talents on display throughout the hotel.

Another newcomer, Grand Mercure Agra, has 168 rooms and a rooftop swimming pool is set against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal.

Mövenpick Mactan Cebu, meanwhile, is ready to welcome guests back to its 60 refreshed rooms and suites, all offering views of the Mactan Sea.

Visit all.com for more info.

Airline files for bankruptcy

Regular readers might remember Indian airline Go First as the company that left 50 passengers stranded on a shuttle bus and allowed a flight to take off regardless earlier this year.

Now the budget carrier has grounded all its flights and filed for airline bankruptcy.

It said full refunds will be issued to all affected customers "shortly".

Go First says the grounding will last for three days - although it is not clear what will happen after that.

The airline has blamed long running problems with engines for its demise, saying nearly half its fleet was grounded at one stage due to engine issues, Travel Mole reports.

The airline has an all Airbus A320 fleet.

“We had to take this step due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney,” an airline statement said.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said: “The Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner.”

Stay tuned.

Slippery business: snakes captured by customs officials

You see a lot of crazy people on popular TV show Border Security.

Often they are trying to smuggle food, or drugs, into Australia.

But a woman who landed in Chennai, India, last week after flying from Kuala Lumpur went one better.

She was caught trying to smuggle 22 snakes and a chameleon into the country.

The woman was intercepted by customs officials after arriving, Travel Mole reported.

The snakes were of various species and, along with the chameleon, were in individual plastic containers.

Local officials said they suspect wildlife trafficking.

The snakes were seized under customs and wildlife protection laws.

Image: The Hindustan Times 

Another airline shuts its doors

Indian airline Vistara is to be shut down.

The giant Tata Group acquired the Air India and Air India Express brands 12 months ago and has now shut down AirAsia India and Vistara.

CEO Campbell Wilson said the decision was made to continue only with the two Air India brands, as they have the strongest brand recognition globally.

Vistara, a full-service carrier, will be be integrated into Air India, while low-cost-carrier AirAsia India will become part of Air India Express.

The moves should be completed over the next few months, Wilson told local media.

The integration of Vistara is still subject to approval from Competition Commission of India.

Vistara commenced operations on January 9, 2015 with its inaugural flight between Delhi and Mumbai and was one of India's leading domestic carriers.

The airline served 34 destinations with a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft that will be merged into the Air India fleet.

When an airline forgets its own passengers

You've checked in for your flight and been allocated a seat.

You have your boarding pass in hand and your baggage has been loaded on board your plane. 

You are in a shuttle bus on the tarmac en route to your plane.

Which takes off without you - and the other 50 or more people on the bus.

That's what happened earlier this week to passengers flying from Bangalore to Delhi with Go First (formerly known as GoAir).

The Go First flight G8116 took off at 6:30am on Monday without 54 passengers, who had apparently been forgotten on the bus.

The Indian aviation regulator, DCGA, on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to Go First for "multiple mistakes" The budget airline has apologised for the incident, saying it happened due to "inadvertent oversight". That's some oversight.

Go First has suspended all staff involved in the incident until an investigation has been completed.

Local media reported that the stranded passengers were put on a later Air India flight to Delhi, where they were reunited with their baggage.

Go First has reportedly decided to offer all affected passengers one free ticket for travel on any domestic sector.

Go First is an Indian ultra-low-cost airline based in Mumbai. Ironically its motto is “you come first”. Except on this occasion.

Caveat emptor.  

Should you be curious, check them out here: https://www.flygofirst.com/

Snakes alive! Travellers caught with live reptiles

Two Indian women were arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after a menagerie of wildlife was found in their luggage.

Thai officials say they found 109 snakes, lizards and other reptiles.

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said the animals were spotted at x-ray screening of two suitcases, Travel Mole reported.

The animal cache also included two white porcupines, two armadillos, and 35 turtles.

Nithya Raja, 38, and Zakia Sulthana Ebrahim, 24 were arrested when trying to board a flight for Chennai. India.

They faces charges under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

It was not clear what the women had planned to do with the animals had they got them to India. 

Massive expansion for Vietnam airline

Budget airline Vietjet Air has unveiled a new range of routes to and from the Vietnamese resort city of Da Nang.

Vietjet announced this week that it will start flying to Singapore, India and South Korea next month, Travel Mole reported.

It is launching services to Busan, South Korea, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore in India, as well as to Singapore.

The routes will operate between four to seven flights a week.

India was one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing markets before Covid-19 - as is the case in neighbouring Thailand.

Da Nang welcomed 3.5 million foreign visitors in 2019.

Airlines offer gender-neutral booking option

First you had the option of Mr or Mrs. Then Ms became popular. And now can add Mx to the list of salutations available to you as a traveller.

Indian airlines Vistara and AirAsia India now allow passengers to use gender-neutral titles on heir bookings.

The airlines have accepted the the gender-neutral term ‘Mx’ in their booking systems to denote people who are non-binary or trans, Travel Mole reports.

The introduction was sparked by a petition organised by the group ‘YesWeExist’.

The two Indian airlines are the first to offer gender-neutral designation but others are expected to follow.

The option was introduced during Pride Month 2022 and has been hailed by the LGBTQ+ community.

Vistara connects 39 destinations in and outside of India, operates over 220 flights a day with a fleet of 50 aircraft. Air Asia India is a joint venture between Air Asia and Tata Sons, who also own Vistara.

 

Big row brewing over controversial lager

A Cambodian brewery is under fire after naming its flagship lager after a Hindu monkey god.

Hanuman Premium Lager is made by Hanuman Beverages and has faced criticism from angry Indian consumers.

The perceived religious insult has led to the Indian embassy being encouraged to reach out to Cambodian authorities to “get the brand name and image changed”.

Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not acceptable.

He said Lord Hanuman was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines, and not to be used in selling beer.

Cambodians say the name is not insulting as the character is “mythological”.

Hanuman, a key character in Hindu scripture Ramayana, is revered both in Cambodia and India.

Hanuman Beverages has not faced any domestic backlash. Hanuman Premium Lager is promoted as "the best beer in Cambodia."