Corporate Travel News: January 2025

Industry

The major changes in air travel in Asia in 2025

The Asia-Pacific aviation sector is poised for significant transformations in 2025, driven by technological advancements, strategic mergers, infrastructure developments, and evolving passenger preferences. These changes are set to reshape the industry, offering both opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. Read more

IATA urges faster SAF production for net-zero aviation by 2050

With sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) being crucial for reducing carbon emissions in aviation and transitioning to cleaner energy, new estimates from IATA show strong growth in SAF production, although it remains below previous expectations. In 2024, SAF production reached one million tonnes, double the 0.5 million tonnes produced in 2023. SAF accounted for 0.3 per cent of global jet fuel production and 11 per cent of global renewable fuel. However, this is still below earlier projections of 1.5 million tonnes, as key SAF production facilities in the US have delayed their ramp-up to the first half of 2025. In 2025, SAF production is expected to reach 2.1 million tonnes, representing 0.7 per cent of total jet fuel production and 13 per cent of global renewable fuel capacity. Read more

ASEAN Tourism Conference 2025 to tackle multiple issues shaping travel and tourism businesses

The annual ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), to be held later this month in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum and ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) in Johor, Malaysia, has lined up several influential travel and tourism industry leaders who will lead discussions on issues core to the business today and tomorrow. Sessions will focus on sustainability, the role of online travel agencies, video platforms, cross-regional tourism exchanges, AI, and more. Read more

Airlines/ Airports

The world’s most on-time airlines and airports of 2024

Delta Air Lines scored the highest among US carriers despite a computer outage that caused thousands of flight cancellations in July.

Cirium has rated airlines for timeliness for 16 years. Its CEO, Jeremy Bowen, said 2024 was a difficult year for airlines due to severe weather patterns and the summer technology outage. The winning airlines therefore deserved credit for getting most passengers to their destinations on time, Bowen said. Read more

China’s Dalian airport will be more than an infrastructure marvel

This would-be world’s biggest offshore airport marries China’s aim to revitalise its northeastern belt with its ambition to bolster its global influence in aviation, trade and logistics. The relentless drive to establish itself as a global leader in infrastructure development is leading China to reach new heights with the construction on an artificial island of the world’s largest offshore airport, the Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport. Read more

Hotels

Don’t let White Lotus fever scare you… luxury holidays in Thailand are cheaper than you ever imagined

Once synonymous with backpackers earning their traveller stripes on the Khao San Road and families bundling in slightly tatty resorts on a very large island that we won’t name, the past few years have seen Thailand artfully deliver a post-pandemic rebrand as the luxury destination in Asia. Read more

How Ascott builds loyalty by ensuring its members ‘stay rewarded’ with unique and exclusive experiences

The Ascott Star Rewards programme pushes the boundaries of travel rewards with a slew of priceless member experiences across global sporting events, top-class entertainment, gastronomy greats, and more. Read more