The Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and to keep track of developments in these sectors as the green shoots of recovery slowly take root.
Malaysia Airlines-Japan Airlines joint business finally takes off
Last May Malaysia’s national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, inked a joint business agreement with Japan Airlines that was an expansion of the code-sharing deal between the two carriers.
The deal received clearance from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism antitrust immunity in December last year. However, coronavirus delayed its taking flight till now.
As Captain Izham Ismail, group chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines, said, “I am excited that the joint business is finally taking off after a few months of delay due to travel restrictions between both countries.”
The two carriers will officially start their joint business on 25 July, and will cooperate commercially on flights between Malaysia and Japan.
In a joint statement, the airlines said the partnership will “further enhance convenience between Japan and Malaysia and allow customers to benefit from more flight choices,” in addition to a larger network, better connections and an enhanced frequent flyer programme.
With Malaysia Airlines resuming flights to Japan starting this month, the Malaysian carrier and Japan Airlines combined will offer four weekly services between Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo Narita in July and August.
“We look forward to the bilateral discussions between the governments of Malaysia and Japan to establish a travel bubble between the two countries, which will ease restrictions for cross-border travel,” Izham stated.
Japan Airlines president Yuji Akasaka added: “While our expanded relationship is being launched during unprecedented times it has allowed both Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines to ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene are in place from the onset for our mutual customers’ peace of mind.”
He is confident that customers of both airlines “will delight in the in-flight experience and enjoy convenient flight schedules and seamless services.”
The Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines flight schedules below:
JNTO keeps travellers inspired with new website
The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has set up a new website to keep travellers inspired with the promise of future travel to Japan.
The NTO introduces the website with a short video bearing the message, “Hope lights the way”. It showcases iconic visuals of Japan including forests and temples, tropical beaches, skiing on snowy peaks, onsens and cherry blossoms.
The site’s section ‘Travelling Without Leaving Home’ hightlights virtual remote travel experiences including Zen meditation sessions, vegan cooking classes and drinking games with a geisha via video conference.
There is also a Japan ‘Movie’ bucketlist featuring a series of virtual reality video clips produced by JNTO. Among them are 360° depictions of scenes throughout Japan such as a sushi counter, shopping in Harajuku and a rickshaw ride.
Travelport rolls out free Covid Smartpoint Plugin
Travelport has launched the Covid-19 Smartpoint Plugin to provide travel agencies with the latest information on government restrictions, lockdowns and safety measures worldwide, all within the agent workflow.
The new tool provides detailed information on a range of topics including lockdown rules, entry requirements and quarantine measures for travellers. Country-level information can be displayed at the click of a button, allowing agents to advise their customers instantly.
The technology company said the free plugin is available to all its customers using Travelport Smartpoint 8.2 or above. They can download it directly from Travelport Marketplace.
Kyle Moore, global head of customer strategy and marketing at Travelport described the current travel ecosystem as “probably the most complex it has ever been, with government, airline, and hotel policies in every country constantly-changing.”
He added that with the new tool “we’re making sure our agent partners no longer need to constantly leave their workflow to search for accurate and up-to-date information, greatly improving their efficiency in servicing their traveller customers.”
Travel safety intelligence provider Safeture furnishes the information in the plugin, which is updated daily. “With travel showing signs of a long-awaited recovery, creating this sense of security will be key to the reopening of economies and societies,” said its chief executive officer Magnus Hultman
Watch a video demonstration of how the plugin works here.
HERE Mobility, Booking.com team up to expand pre-booked airport taxi offering on travel platform
Booking.com and HERE Mobility have formed a partnership, which gives travellers using the travel platform and its app access to an additional 1.3 million vehicles in 70 cities across the US and Europe.
Starting this month, the partnership increases the choice in Booking.com’s current airport taxi offering that has been steadily growing over the past three years. Currently the travel platform’s customers can arrange a ride to and/or from the airport via the app in over 800 cities around the world.
HERE Mobility said its neutral and open smart mobility marketplace aggregates all transportation options, including taxis and private hires. The company also connects real-time transportation supply with rider demand.
According to the company, it leverage the “very latest innovations” to support mobility suppliers and help them “compete in the fast-moving era of ride-hailing”. It also enables supply partners to offer more sustainable transportation options to meet changing consumer preferences.
To ensure a safe service HERE Mobility vets and approve fleets and drivers. Live driver tracking adds an additional layer of security to a “thorough registration system”, it said.
“As travellers start dreaming about taking trips again and given the current environment, we know that many will opt for a taxi or car service over taking public transport”, said David Adamczyk, managing director of rides at Booking.com’s transport division. “By continuing to build out our offering, our aim is to provide a useful and timely service to travellers that will continue to be relevant over the long-term.”
Added Liad Itzhak, head of HERE Mobility: “Mobility as a service is now more important than ever before, both in daily life and when travelling abroad, as people seek to get from door to door safely and efficiently.”
• Featured image credit: metamorworks/Getty Images
