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Vietjet partners with OpenAirlines to enhance fuel efficiency with AI-driven technology

Vietjet will be the first airline in Vietnam to adopt SkyBreathe, an innovative platform that utilizes AI, big data algorithms, and machine learning to analyse extensive flight data and optimise fuel consumption. Vietjet, Vietnam’s new-age carrier, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with OpenAirlines, a global leader in airline fuel efficiency solutions leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), further advancing its journey toward optimised flight operations. The SkyBreathe system collects and integrates information from multiple sources, including aircraft data and fuel reports, into a single platform. With over 21 million flights analysed, SkyBreathe relies on the world’s largest fuel efficiency database for airlines. The SkyBreathe 360° eco-flying platform identifies concrete opportunities for fuel savings and provides tailored recommendations to key airline stakeholders, including pilots and flight operations managers, fostering effective collaboration. By promoting a green culture while maximizing productivity, the platform enables airlines to achieve both environmental and operational benefits. According to OpenAirlines’ analysis, SkyBreathe’s user-friendly interface and detailed analytics will empower Vietjet to make informed decisions, reduce fuel consumption by 2%, and cut CO2 emissions by over 96,000 tons annually.

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Marriott APAC (Ex. China) Marks Record-Breaking 2024 with 100 Signed Deals!

With record annual deals and rooms signings, the company’s APEC region added over 21,000 rooms to its development pipeline in 2024, driven by strategic conversion and multi-unit agreement strategy. Marriott International, Inc. announced another year of strong growth in the Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, signing a record 109 deals across 11 markets, contributing 21,439 rooms to the region’s development pipeline, closing the year with 77,532 total rooms in the region’s year-end pipeline. The company continues to expand its portfolio in the region across market segments, including its debut in the midscale segment and its expansion of its luxury portfolio, reinforcing Marriott’s lead in the region’s evolving hospitality landscape.

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Kashmir tourism: Z-Morh Tunnel opens Sonamarg for travel and business all year long

Winter sports, stunning views and 24/7 access: Z-Morh Tunnel turns Sonamarg into new tourist magnet!The Z-Morh Tunnel has been stimulating tourism in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district, ensuring year-round connectivity and boosting local livelihoods. The tunnel constructed at a cost of ₹2,717 crore, spanning a length of 11.98 km in Sonamarg. has transformed connectivity and bolstered economic activity in the region.The Z-Morh Tunnel has transformed Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination, bringing economic opportunities to locals. A vendor stated that the tunnel has enabled them to earn throughout the year, unlike earlier when they remained idle for six months.

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Sky-high views and zero traffic: Sikkim’s new ropeway will change how you explore Gangtok

In a move to address urban traffic challenges and to boost tourism, the Sikkim government has unveiled a plan to introduce a modern aerial ropeway system in Gangtok, an official statement said on Thursday.The initiative, discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister P S Tamang during the day, aims to transform the city's transport infrastructure and provide a sustainable alternative to traditional road-based commuting. The meeting, attended by officials from the Urban Development Department (UDD), key stakeholders and potential investors, focused on the implementation of the ropeway project under the Sikkim Ropeway Act, 2023.Gangtok, the state capital, has been grappling with increasing traffic congestion due to rising private vehicle ownership, limited road space, and longer trip lengths. The ropeway system is expected to alleviate these issues while enhancing the city's aesthetic appeal and accessibility, it said.

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IRCTC new rules: Missed pre-booking your meal? Vande Bharat travellers can now buy food onboard anytime

Passengers of Vande Bharat trains can purchase food onboard even if they do not select any food options at the time of ticket booking, the Railway Board said on Friday."In order to provide options, choice of services and adequate catering facilities to current booking & non-optee passengers in Vande Bharat trains, sale and service of food items in Vande Bharat trains may be resumed by the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation)," the Railway Board said in a circular addressed to the chairman and managing director of IRCTC on Friday. It added, "For current booking and non-optee passengers, the option of cooked meal may also be resumed (if available) which would be in addition to customised Ready to Eat (RTE) meal option." Railway officials said a lot of passengers used to complain frequently that IRCTC staff did not offer them food even if they wanted to pay only because they had not opted for it during ticket booking.

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Taiwan sees 20% growth in Indian visitors from Jan–Oct 2024

Latest official figures from Taiwan Tourism administration (TTA), the national tourism agency of Taiwan, show that Indian market has registered a strong 19.46 per cent growth in visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of 2024. Taiwan has registered a total arrival of 31,766 visitors from India during the January – October 2024 period, a robust near 20 percent growth over 26,591 visitors from India registered during the same period in 2023. Meanwhile international arrivals has soared to 6,206,267 visitors for the period January – October 2024, 24.55 per cent growth over the corresponding January – October 2023 period when arrivals had reached 4,983,081 international visitors. With two more months to add to inbound arrival number of last year, total year-end Indian arrival number is expected to be over 38,000 visitors, whereas total year-end international visitor arrival number is expected to be in the region of 7.5 million visitors in 2024. Taiwan had recorded 6.48 million tourist arrivals in 2023.

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