China's civil aviation regulator gets new party chief
>> China on Friday named Song Zhiyong, currently the chairman at Air China, as the new Communist Party chief for the country’s civil aviation regulator, replacing Feng Zhenglin, who is nearing retirement age. Song, who is 57 years old, started out his career as a pilot at Air China. With his appointment as the party chief, he is likely on track to lead CAAC as its administrator, going by past examples, although that decision needs to come from the State Council, the country’s cabinet.
Regulator to increase international flights after two years of COVID restrictions
>> The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said on Friday that it is negotiating with some countries to gradually and steadily increase regular international passenger flights to meet the needs of personnel exchanges. The remarks came in response to questions at a press conference about whether there will be more international flights in the second half of this year.
Vietnamese, Chinese airlines allowed to operate two flights per week
>> The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has agreed to allow airlines of Vietnam and China to operate two flights per week, instead of only one flight per week as before, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said on June 16. The move showed the effective COVID-19 prevention and control of the two countries, and the recovery of the Chinese aviation market - an important market of Vietnamese airlines, CAAV said.
Greater Bay Airlines to launch commercial flight to Bangkok
>> Hong Kong-based carrier Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is set to launch its first scheduled commercial flight to Bangkok next month, with the company delaying fleet expansion amid continued border control measures between the city and mainland China.
Cathay Pacific extends partnership with Sabre to distribute NDC content
>> Sabre Corporation announced an enhanced relationship with Cathay Pacific Airways which will give Sabre-connected travel agencies globally the ability to access dynamic New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from Cathay Pacific through the Sabre travel marketplace. The latest deal gives Sabre extra traction on its NDC roadmap while creating additional modern airline retailing opportunities for Cathay Pacific, and enabling Sabre-connected agencies to shop, book and service Cathay Pacific content to create more personalized trips and experiences for the end traveler.
Macau shuts most businesses, restaurants amid mass testing; casinos stay open
>> The world's biggest gambling hub Macau began its second day of mass COVID-19 testing on Monday after dozens of locally transmitted cases were discovered over the weekend, with most businesses shut but casinos remaining open. The world's biggest gambling hub Macau began its second day of mass COVID-19 testing on Monday after dozens of locally transmitted cases were discovered over the weekend, with most businesses shut but casinos remaining open.
Shanghai unveils measures to boost tourism industry
>> The hotel industry has struggled and adjusted operations to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Jerome Qiu, chief operating officer from IHG Greater China, said that revenue from available rooms in the first quarter in China dropped by 42% compared with 2019, down 7% compared with last year. The authorities in Shanghai are trying to help the sector stay afloat. Shanghai issued its annual "12 measures" to support the tourism industry. For 2022, these 12 measures will involve financial funding support and subsidies to reduce the financial burden put upon companies. The new measures include tax and fee reductions, job subsidies, disinfection subsidies, fixed cost subsidies and more.
Trip.com takes on Thailand to launch its first 'Trip.Best' list
>> Trip.com has chosen Thailand to launch its first ever 'Trip.Best' list to enable its global users to choose from the very best hotel experiences the country has to offer. 'Trip.Best' will be rolled out to include the most popular destinations around the world but has begun by taking on Thailand to showcase its ease of use.
Summer set to heat up tourism market
>> Domestic tourism is expected to heat up this summer, fueled by a strong demand from students graduating college or middle school, and loosened COVID-19 restrictions on interprovincial leisure travel. Domestic tourism is expected to heat up this summer, fueled by a strong demand from students graduating college or middle school, and loosened COVID-19 restrictions on interprovincial leisure travel.
