China-bound flights are also picking up steam. Major routes to Shanghai, Beijing, and Qingdao are seeing a spike in searches and inquiries. This surge comes hot on the heels of China adding South Korea to its visa-free travel list for short stays, coupled with some airlines offering half-price ticket deals. The combo of visa-free entry and wallet-friendly fares is tempting even the most hesitant travelers to give China a go.
Southeast Asian destinations aren’t being left out of the holiday rush. Air Premia’s flights to Bangkok, Da Nang, and Hong Kong are maintaining solid booking rates in the high 80s. Meanwhile, routes to the Americas are holding steady at around 80% from February 13-22. The exchange rate pinch is felt more acutely on long-haul routes, affecting not just airfare but also on-the-ground costs, leading to a more spread-out demand. Airlines are pulling out all the stops to meet the holiday travel frenzy. Both budget and full-service carriers are swapping out their medium-sized planes for larger aircraft on Japan and China routes. They’re also adding extra flights on peak travel days and boosting weekly frequencies on in-demand routes to keep up with the holiday rush.
An industry expert explains, “With the current economic climate, long-haul trips feel like a splurge. Instead, we’re seeing a trend of travelers taking multiple short overseas trips by splitting up their vacation days. The relatively compact Lunar New Year holiday this year has also fueled the demand for quick, close-to-home getaways.”
Jeong Eun-ji, Reporter blue@viva100.com
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