AirAsia starts new route to Vietnam

AirAsia starts new route to Vietnam



New destination: (From second left) Lee, Fam and Nguyen at the inauguration of AirAsia’s latest route from Kuala Lumpur to Nha Trang.

AirAsia, Malaysia’s award-winning low-cost carrier, has launched its 54th unique route, Vietnam’s coastal city of Nha Trang.

The maiden flight, with a 93% flight load, landed at around noon (Vietnam time) on Thursday at Cam Ranh International Airport, greeted with a water cannon salute.

The inaugural flight was a milestone for AirAsia, being the first to operate direct flights to Nha Trang from Malaysia.

AirAsia Bhd commercial head Spencer Lee said 2017 has been an eventful year for Asean as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Also present were AirAsia director Datuk Fam Lee Ee and Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism vice-director Nguyen Thi Le Thanh.

Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa which lies along the coastline of south central Viet­nam.

Lee said the daily direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nha Trang showed the carrier’s commitment to provide more connecti­vity between the two countries.

AirAsia also flies to other Vietnamese cities including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi.

Lee said passengers can use Fly-Thru, an optional baggage check-through service to their final destination without the hassle of immigration clearance at the transit hub.

With Fly-Thru service, passengers from 23 cities in eight countries can travel to Nha Trang seamlessly.

“We are confident that we will keep this route strong,” said Lee.

From now until Sept 24, AirAsia is offering RM99 all-in-fare one way to Nha Trang for travel until Feb 28 next year.

For more details, visit AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

~News courtesy of The Star~

Alipay launches mobile payment at Changi Airport to target Chinese travellers

Alipay launches mobile payment at Changi Airport to target Chinese travellers

Chinese online and mobile payment platform Alipay on Thursday (Sep 7) inked a five-year deal to roll out its payment option at Changi Airport to target Chinese travellers.

The agreement with Changi Airport Group (CAG) will see Alipay's mobile payment option rolled out on a wide scale at the airport, including duty-free shops and dining outlets, the partners said in a joint news release.

Alipay is being progressively introduced at the airport and is already available at more than 78 shopping and dining outlets there, they added.

It will also be available as a mode of payment at Terminal 4 when it begins operations on Oct 31.

CHINESE TOURISTS TO GET TARGETED SHOPPING, DINING OFFERS AT CHANGI

Travellers from China are among the top spenders at Changi Airport, and their purchases accounted for a third of its record S$2.3 billion in retail sales last year, according to the media release.

As part of the new agreement, Alipay and Changi Airport will provide "customised and targeted" shopping and dining offers to Chinese passengers through the Alipay platform.

Alipay users will also get information on ongoing promotions and location-based details on shopping and dining options at the airport.

CAG’s senior vice president for airside concessions Teo Chew Hoon said the airport already provides various customised services for Chinese travellers, including Mandarin-speaking shopping concierge services and a Chinese version of the airport’s online shopping portal, iShopChangi.

"The Alipay mobile platform provides a brand new payment option to further enhance our Chinese travellers’ shopping experience here at Changi, while also providing personalised information and offers for their enjoyment," she said.

Alipay International head Douglas Feagin added that the partnership would help the airport better target Chinese customers via "big-data-based marketing capabilities", with users at different locations and with different profiles receiving targeted marketing content.

This is the first partnership between Changi Airport and a Chinese mobile payment partner.

Source: CNA/mz

New complex at Thai-Malaysian checkpoint

New complex at checkpoint

A new complex for heavy vehicles passing through the Malaysia-Thailand border will be set up at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facility here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who announced this after chairing a high-level committee meeting on the ICQS security here, said the new Heavy Vehicles Complex makes up 60% of Phase 1 of ICQS.

The remaining 40% comprises a Light Vehicle Complex, Operational and Administrative Office as well as public amenities.

“Five departments and agencies will start operating at the ICQS on Nov 1.

“This committee will visit the ICQS again at a later date to check on its operations,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after chairing the meeting at the Malaysian Border Control Agency Complex.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum.

The full handing over of the new RM425mil complex by the developer, Syarikat Northern Gateway Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, will be carried out at a later date.

The ICQS will open for 20 hours a day from Nov 1. From January onwards, it will operate around the clock.

Dr Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that all issues and problems could be overcome in order to realise the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to turn Malaysia into a transportation and logistical hub for the Asean region.

“We are serious in tackling any issues in order to realise what had been directed by the Prime Minister,” he said.

Commenting on the 24-hour operations for the ICQS, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he had met with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to discuss the matter.

~News courtesy of Bernama~