Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution announced that starting January 1st, foreign travelers visiting Malaysia will need to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). However, Singaporeans will be exempt from this requirement when traveling to Malaysia. Saifuddin explained during a press conference at Kuala Lumpur International Airport that due to the frequency of Singaporeans visiting Malaysia daily, it’s more practical to exempt them from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card requirement. Additional groups exempted from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card requirement include holders ..read more

The nationalities listed below will have the same validity period as regular visas and will be able to make multiple entries using the electronic visa: Americans – 10 years Australians – 5 years Canadians – 5 years For arrivals scheduled from January 10, 2024, onward, individuals from the United States, Canada, and Australia are required to obtain the necessary documentation. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a user-friendly system to streamline the application process, ensuring convenience and efficiency. The e-Visa costs US$80.90 per person and can be completed entire ..read more

Airbus and BMW Group have initiated a worldwide Quantum Computing Challenge called “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to address the persistent hurdles in aviation and automotive industries that have proven insurmountable for traditional computers. This unique opportunity marks the inaugural collaboration between two prominent players in the global industry – Airbus and BMW Group, as they unite to leverage quantum technologies for practical industrial use. The aim is to unlock the possibilities of creating more effective, environmentally-friendly, and secure solutions that will shape the future of ..read more

In 2023, the profitability of global airlines is projected to improve, followed by a period of stability in 2024. Nevertheless, net profitability at a global scale is anticipated to fall considerably short of the cost of capital in both years. Notably, there are substantial regional differences in financial performance. In 2024, it is projected that the global airline industry will generate net profits of $25.7 billion, resulting in a net profit margin of 2.7%. This is a small increase compared to the estimated net profit of $23.3 billion (with a net profit margin of 2.6%) in 2023. For both ..read more

The Glasgow Declaration was introduced during the 2021 COP25 in Glasgow, with participants pledging to achieve Net-Zero by no later than 2050. Additionally, participants commit to developing specific Climate Action plans based on the Five Pathways defined within the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonize, Regenerate, Collaborate, and Finance). In Dubai: In its inaugural Glasgow Declaration Implementation Report (2023), UNWTO presented an overview of the joint advancements achieved. Out of the 420 entities that have provided reports, 261 have additionally furnished a Climate Action Plan. Of the ..read more

Porter Airlines will introduce daily roundtrip flights on three fresh non-stop routes connecting Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Calgary International Airport (YYC), and Edmonton International Airport (YEG). These new routes, launching in the upcoming spring, offer an additional travel option between Porter’s comprehensive Eastern Canada network and the western region. The new daily roundtrip flights are operated with the state-of-the-art 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The two-by-two configuration means there are no mi ..read more

SITA has recently made two important senior appointments. Stefan Schaffner has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of SITA AT AIRPORTS, while Sergiy Nevstruyev has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of SITA Global Services (SGS). Both individuals bring extensive management experience in the travel, transport, and mobility technologies sectors to SITA. Stefan is tasked with reshaping SITA’s Airport portfolio to cater to the increasing need for digitalization and automation, given SITA’s extensive presence in over 1,000 airports worldwide. In his previous role as CEO of Touchl ..read more

Sabre Corporation has recently introduced New Distribution Capability (NDC) offers for travel agents connected to the Sabre platform, which now include Lufthansa Group airlines such as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Air Dolomiti. Lufthansa Group has opened registration for Italy-based travel agencies to join their NDC Partner Program. Once registered, agencies can utilize the Sabre Offer and Order APIs, as well as the agency booking solution Sabre Red 360 and the online booking tool GetThere, to access and manage NDC content. After the initial launch in Italy, Lu ..read more

These mechanical wonders, initially resembling sleek toy robots, cast a futuristic glow on security technology, seamlessly blending innovation with practicality. As I delved into the narrative of these mechanized puppies, I couldn’t help but reflect on the historical fascination with automation, tracing its roots back to Aristotle’s contemplations in 322 BC. The evolution of robots, far from signaling the end of societal challenges, promises to elevate human experiences. These robots emerge as allies, undertaking tasks that amplify hospitality, enabling human staff to focus on delivering enr ..read more

Hamburg Airport has joined the “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” network, making it the first German member and the 12th overall. The network, which includes airports, airlines, and energy sectors from 11 countries, aims to advance the development and expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in aviation. Its mission is to conduct research and enhance the infrastructure for hydrogen utilization. “We welcome Hamburg Airport as the latest “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” member. Hamburg Airport’s expertise in Hydrogen will be an invaluable asset in our ZEROe Ecosystem journey to build a future where aviation wil ..read more