The Week In Travel

There’s been more positive news this week for those hoping for the return of post-pandemic levels of travel. Figures revealed by the International Air Transport Association show that there was an 11-percentage point increase in international tickets sold in recent weeks compared with 2019 sales. These figures reflect the recent lifting of restrictions in destinations including Australia and France. This is said to be increasing traveller confidence after a period of stilted recovery following the Omicron scare of December and January. However, major markets such as China, Japan, and Indonesia continue to maintain restrictions for vaccinated travellers.

Despite the comparatively slow easing of international travel restrictions in Asia, the senior vice president of sales and marketing for Boeing, Ihssane Mounir, was bullish on the situation at the Singapore Air Show this week. He cited a surge of pent-up demand for international travel which will lead to a dramatic increase in travel once restrictions have eased. He also pointed to changing global demographics as a reason alone to invest in Asian travel. It will account for 41% of passenger-traffic and 43% of economic output by 2040.

In other news, it was revealed this week that Air Asia plans to lease up to 100 vertical take-off and landing aircraft to operate ultra short-haul flights in southeast Asia. These VX4 eVTOL electric-powered ‘air taxis’ were developed by UK-based Vertical Aerospace, and have an operating range of 100 miles. They are designed to carry a pilot and four passengers. This makes Air Asia the latest carrier to diversify into low-emission short-haul craft – other airlines to make this move include Japan Airlines and Gol in South America.

And as the storm Eunice continues to rage across Europe, the UK faced serious disruption to travel. Winds of up to 90mph meant that many flights were grounded. A red weather warning was in place over London and the south-east – the highest level of caution that the government can advise.

And finally, a domestic flight in Malaysia was rerouted when passengers reported seeing a snake pass above their heads in the plane’s light fixtures. A spokesperson for Air Asia affirmed that while it is a rare occurrence, it can on occasion happen, and that once the incident was reported, every action was taken by the crew to ensure the safety of passengers. The plane landed safely in Tawau, where it was fumigated. Samuel L. Jackson was contacted for comment, but his publicist insisted that his views were quite clear on the matter.