APAC Travel Headlines - August 2, 2024

American Estimates $1.5 Billion Loss in 2024 Due to Corporate Strategy After defending its prior corporate sales and distribution strategy on a first-quarter earnings call, American Airlines continued the about-face the company has made since on its second-quarter earnings call. In addition to losing corporate share and trust, American CEO Robert Isom said the plans put in place since 2023 had cost the carrier about $750 million in lost revenue in the first half of 2024, and the airline has "more or less assumed that that is going to be what happens in the back half."
SXSW Sydney 2024 SXSW (South by Southwest) Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The inaugural event in October 2023 delivered an inspiring week of programming to more than 280,000 attendees representing 41 countries, who came together to network, learn, and discover. This week-long event takes over Australia's Harbour City each October and is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networking sessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen. Grab your tickets for 14-20 October!
British Airways Cuts Hong Kong Service to Single Daily Flight Based on the latest schedule filings, British Airways is cutting its Heathrow-Hong Kong service to just a single daily rotation from 27 October. This will be down from two flights a day currently, and much more capacity deployed on the route in the past. From late October, the Hong Kong service will switch to a mix of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Southwest to Add Assigned Seating, Premium Cabin In 2025 Southwest Airlines will end its decades-old, open-seating policy and debut premium seating with extra legroom. The carrier also introduced redeye flying, a change with initial overnight routes available for sale now, will begin in February 2025. CEO Bob Jordan said the carrier wasn't done with changes, promising more details of "an ongoing strategic transformation of the business" at its investor day on September 26. The moves come after another quarter that carrier executives said wasn't up to snuff.
Virgin Atlantic to Suspend Shanghai Service from 26 October Virgin Atlantic is to suspend its Heathrow-Shanghai route later this year, 25 years after the carrier first served the Chinese financial hub. The airline said that increased flight times, due to the inability to overfly Russia, had resulted in operations becoming "increasingly costly." The outbound service from Heathrow is currently taking one hour longer than before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while the London-bound flight is taking two hours longer. Virgin said that this extra flying time required additional aircraft and crew time.
All That Matters Singapore 2024 The 19th All That Matters (ATM) event is the gateway to the APAC music, sports, gaming, marketing, Web3, arts and entertainment industries. A conference by day and live music festival by night, ATM is Asia's premiere 'Business 2 Business 2 Fan' event experience that brings together world class speakers with more than 2,000 senior executives. Join in on the fun at Hilton Singapore Orchard, 16-18 September, 2024. Early bird tickets are now on sale. Secure your VIP and Content passes for exclusive savings.

GREEN NEWS

Qantas Joins SAF Alliance with $50M Commitment

Qantas has joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Financing Alliance (SAFFA) investment fund with a commitment of $50 million USD. The partners in the fund, which totals about $200 million USD, include Airbus, Air France-KLM, Mitsubishis HC Capital, BNP Paribas, Associated Energy Group and Burnham Sterling Asset Management. The Qantas commitment comes from its Climate Fund, which was established in 2023.

Air New Zealand Scraps 2030 Carbon Target, Withdraws from Scient Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

Air New Zealand has removed its 2030 target to reduce its carbon intensity by 28.9% compared with a 2019 baseline, and it has withdrawn from the SBTi. According to the carrier, the "levers" needed to meet the target that are "outside the airline's direct control" include the availability of new aircraft, the affordability and availability of alternative jet fuels, and global and domestic regulatory and policy support.

FEATURED PARTNERS

The Langham, Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at The Langham, Melbourne—located on the banks of the Yarra River. Guests can experience interactive dining at Melba Restaurant's open kitchen, or indulge in stylish afternoon tea at Aria Bar & Lounge. Start your day with a relaxing treatment at Chuan Spa and immerse yourself in ultimate tranquility.

Capella Sydney

Sydney, Australia

Capella Sydney is located just steps from Sydney's iconic Opera House as well as the lively Circular Quay and Macquarie Place Park. It celebrates Australia's indigenous heritage through its design and cultural experiences. The sleek rooms and suites embrace an earthy, sophisticated color palette to complement the building's heritage and showcase original art by Australian artists.

Eos by SkyCity

Adelaide, Australia

Eos by SkyCity encompasses the finest in modern hospitality. Unrivalled luxury awaits within the well-appointed 120 rooms and corner suites, including Adelaide's most premium presidential suite, The Grace Villa. The opulent bathrooms pair perfectly with thoughtfully-designed living spaces and walk-in robes. Eos Spa & Wellness invites guests to discover ultimate relaxation. Resort-style facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and expansive leisure deck.

PARKROYAL Parramatta

Parramatta, Australia

PARKROYAL Parramatta offers 286 contemporary rooms and premium suites. Positioned in the bustling hub of Parramatta, guests enjoy easy access to the best of Sydney's West. Each room and suite is meticulously designed to provide guests with plush accommodations. From comfortable beds to premium APPELLES amenities, and access to 24-hour in-room dining, every detail is tailored to ensure utmost comfort and convenience. With a club lounge and swimming pool, guests can choose to unwind while enjoying stunning city view of Parramatta or by the poolside.

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