Sunlight Express Airways, a new charter airline in the Philippines backed by a local hotel and resort company, aims to begin operations with three ATR 72-500s around Christmas.
CEO Ryna Brito tells
Smart Aviation APAC that the airline is working to receive its air operator certificate before Christmas, so it can launch operations around the festive season.
Brito says there is pent-up local demand for leisure travel and many Filipinos have, what she describes as, “COVID fatigue” following extended lockdowns. But capturing this demand requires convincing the Manila upper-middle class that travelling can be safe, especially on charter flights to island resorts where social distancing can be practiced, she adds.
TAT launches ASQ booking platform
published : 10 Dec 2020 at 04:00 The expansion roads and the White Elephant roundabout in Mae Sot. (Photo: The Department of Rural Roads)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined hands with Bangkok-based Locanation to launch an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) Paradise hotel booking platform as the go-to quarantine information centre.
The website (asq.locanation.com) features a list of ASQ hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Buri Ram. Users can book a room with options of facilities such as couples allowed, fitness allowed, or room with a workspace.
The website has 107 participating ASQ hotels. Prices for a two-week quarantine package start from 27,000 baht to 220,000 baht.