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The post Singapore Airlines operates its first flights with blended sustainable aviation fuel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and GenZero, an investment platform wholly-owned by Temasek that is dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation globally, have embarked on the next phase of the Singapore pilot with the delivery of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Changi Airport via the airport’s fuel hydrant system on 7 July 2022. This is also the first time blended SAF is uplifted onto SIA and Scoot departing flights at Changi Airport as part of the Singapore pilot. Under this pilot, 1,000 tonnes of neat SAF will be supplied by Neste and blended with refined jet fuel at ExxonMobil’s facilities in Singapore. This is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 2,500 tonnes.

The Singapore pilot, announced in November 2021, aims to advance the use of SAF in Singapore. It is a follow-up to a study conducted by the Singapore Government and industry players on the operational and commercial viability of using SAF at Changi Airport. This pilot will incorporate the blending of neat SAF in local facilities, certification of blended SAF, and delivery to Changi Airport to operationally validate SAF integration options in Singapore. It will also provide insights on end-to-end cost components, potential pricing structures for cost recovery and support future policy considerations for SAF deployment.

Last month, CAAS, SIA and Temasek also announced the sale of 1,000 SAF credits from July 2022, as part of this pilot. This provides customers including corporate and individual travellers, as well as freight forwarders, an avenue to reduce their carbon footprint, stimulate demand for SAF, support the development of the nascent SAF industry, and advance the adoption of SAF for aviation sustainability. From the fourth quarter of 2022, SIA customers will be able to purchase a mix of SAF credits and carbon offsets, as part of the SIA Group Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme. SIA will also partner Climate Impact X (CIX), a global exchange for quality carbon credits, to introduce a bundled portfolio consisting of SAF credits and carbon credits. The product will be designed to meet corporate demand for SAF while balancing affordability.

Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS, said, “There is broad-based consensus amongst government and industry leaders around the world that the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and the achievement of net zero targets set by airlines will require large-scale SAF adoption. This first successful uplift of blended SAF is an important milestone in Singapore’s journey towards sustainable aviation. It shows that the Singapore Changi Airport is SAF-ready. It also provides useful operational learning points on the adoption of SAF which the CAAS is studying as part of our work on a Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint.  We target to publish the Blueprint early next year.”

Ms Lee Wen Fen, Senior Vice President Corporate Planning, Singapore Airlines, said, “Today marks an important milestone in the SIA Group’s decarbonisation journey, as we uplift a blend of sustainable aviation fuel and jet fuel into our aircraft departing out of Singapore for the first time. Sustainable aviation fuels are a key decarbonisation lever, and this pilot demonstrates our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Working together with our partners, we will continue support the adoption of SAF in Singapore.”

Mr Frederick Teo, Chief Executive Officer, GenZero, said, “We are delighted to see sustainable aviation fuel used on SIA and Scoot flights departing from Changi Airport. We have also been working with our project partners and the Climate Impact X (CIX) global exchange to pilot innovative products for SAF credits. Such credits represent an important way to crowd in financing from environmentally conscious corporates and institutions to reduce the cost premium and encourage greater adoption of SAF to decarbonise global aviation. We look forward to the SAF credits arising from this project being available by the end of the year.”

Ms Geraldine Chin, Chairman and Managing Director, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., said, “We are proud to supply certified SAF to Singapore Airlines in this inaugural pilot. ExxonMobil is bringing its deep capabilities in fuels manufacturing and logistics to help customers such as SIA achieve their net-zero ambitions. We are focused on growing our lower-emissions fuels business by leveraging technology and infrastructure, and continuing research in advanced biofuels that could provide improved longer-term solutions.”

Mr Sami Jauhiainen, Vice President of Renewable Aviation for the Asia-Pacific region, Neste, said, “We are excited to see Singapore Airlines starting today the use of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in their flight operations. The collaboration with ExxonMobil, Singapore Airlines, Temasek and CAAS demonstrates the potential of SAF in reducing aviation’s emissions and helps accelerate its use in Singapore and globally. Neste is committed to play its part as we are starting SAF production in Singapore in the first quarter of 2023 with one million tonnes of production capacity per annum.”

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The post Asian travellers display a strong appetite for international leisure travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

As we set foot into a post-COVID world with easing restrictions, the travel ecosystem continues to be in a state of flux. Against this backdrop, a new study has been commissioned by Collinson, a global leader in traveller experiences, which provides insight into the latest trends and expected travel habits of travellers across the Asia Pacific.

The study, which surveyed over 5,000 frequent travellers across seven major markets of Asia Pacific including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, reveals that the state of travel in 2022 will see a marginal improvement from the prior year in terms of the percentage of travellers undertaking frequent trips.

Travellers who averaged 6 return trips pre-pandemic (2019), are beginning to return to the skies, with an average of 3 self-predicted return trips planned for 2022. However, with countries across the Asia Pacific easing their travel restrictions and requirements in recent times, the pent-up demand amongst travellers is likely to result in a further spike in trips this year across the region.

Planned trips on the horizon

With summer in the northern hemisphere ushering in what has generally been believed to be the “peak travel season”, one can expect to see a rise in travel around the region as people start planning their much-awaited vacations. Although the majority of these trips are expected to be domestic leisure trips, 55% of respondents have expressed an interest in travelling outside of their home market for at least one trip.

This is significant, as it showcases that the number of people who are willing to undertake international travel has grown by nearly 10% since 2021, while domestic leisure travel growth remains steady at 3% for the same period. Equally, it reflects how travellers are not holding back on the scale of their journey and remain eager to make up for the time and experiences lost over the last two years due to the pandemic.

Of all the forms of travel, be it leisure, business or a mix of the two, business travel is the one that has been impacted the most. On one hand, nearly 70% of travellers have booked at least one leisure trip in 2022, but this sits at less than 50% for corporate travel. Overall, across all forms of travel, the number of return trips is seeing a gradual increase. Whilst this shows positivity, some concerns remain around returning to travel, with 61% of the research respondents indicating that the pandemic continues to have a discouraging effect on their air travel.

Travel anxieties continue to linger

Despite people committing to travel in 2022, a large portion of travel hesitation seems to stem from people’s unwillingness to be inside an airport. Close to half (42%) of respondents indicated having anxiety about picking up infections while at the airport.

The remainder fear that crowds at the airport may lead to another outbreak, whilst others want to avoid the logistical hassles that come with travelling in the new normal – including mask-wearing, travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines, and more. However, only a little over 10% of people still feel unsafe about travel, which is a promising trend when it comes to travel recovery.

Airport lounges aiding the journey 

Airport lounges are seen as key in curbing travel anxiety – on average, travellers regard lounge access as the number one most desirable travel benefit at the airport. 55% of respondents selected that they “feel valued as a customer” as their number one emotion when they have access to a lounge as a reward benefit in markets such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

A further 41% also agreed that lounge access makes them feel safer when undertaking air travel. However, these numbers are significantly higher in markets such as China and India, where borders have largely remained closed in 2022. In China, in particular, 64% admit that being in a lounge makes them feel safer, whilst slightly less than 70% believe that having access to a lounge makes them feel valued.

Rewards in today’s new era of travel

The survey also revealed that a focus on improving the entire customer journey in these testing times could yield significant dividends for brands. Todd Handcock, Asia Pacific President for Collinson said, “After two long years of waiting for the pandemic to recede and borders to open up, people across Asia are eagerly embracing the return of travel. This is an encouraging trend given that apprehensions around travel safety continue to exist. As countries further relax their travel restrictions and people head out to their dream vacations, brands will have new opportunities to innovate and enhance customer experiences aligned with the return of travel.”

With COVID-19 continuing to result in additional checks and balances at airports, it is inevitable that travellers will demand fresh airport lounge experiences. The increased emphasis on safety and celebration of the return to travel is expected to make travellers attach an increased value to travel-related benefits. 

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The post The life-changing magic of slow travel in Scotland appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

Slow travel in Scotland is one of the trips that you should take this year because it is meant to change your life. There is an emerging travel trend called “slow travel,” which is an approach that emphasises being one with nature; connecting with locals, and experiencing the culture. Slow travel means that the trip is meant to educate and have an emotional impact, in the present moment and for the future, while remaining sustainable for local communities and the environment.

Our days are already busy, we don’t need our holidays to be busy too. So, forget the checklist and the agenda and social media, and just chill. Slow travel is all about building a deeper connection with a place, and your holiday can begin before you even set out on your adventure. Scotland has inspired generations of writers, artists and academics. Let it inspire you too.

Here are some of the ways how you can enjoy slow travel in Scotland.

Slow down

Adventures or travel, in general, do not always need to happen at 100 miles per hour! It’s your holiday, so you decide when to move and when to rest. Set your own schedule and allow yourself to take things at your own pace.

For example, take a twilight walk on Orkney, which is renowned for its spectacular sunsets – particularly during the white night season. Watch the sun as it almost dips below the horizon at around 10 pm at a dramatic spot like Longagleeb. White nights in Orkney give you an opportunity to explore the islands without being pressured for time.

Get out of your comfort zone

Scotland offers a plethora of adventures and experiences. Now is the time to get out of your comfort zone and try new things and Scotland is the perfect place to do just that. You will be amazed at the freedom and what you will discover if you travel without a strict schedule or itinerary. Live the rural life and stay on a Scottish working farm and discover a new way of living.

Through slow travel in Scotland, see what the locals do during their spare time and exchange a word with them, try local produce and cuisine; or support a local business.

Travel sustainably

It may be cliché to say “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” but Scotland proves that the gorgeous landscapes, great experiences, and friendly people make your visit and the journey all worth it. Getting from point A to point B or seeing all of the attractions is not the goal of your trip, but to learn something new and add value to your life.

Moreover, Scotland is not a place where you have to spend a lot in order to enjoy your holiday. Choose a holiday that will leave you feeling rested and recuperated and will leave a positive impact on the destination and the residents living there. Embark on wellness and creative holidays. Using public transport is much more sustainable and can also save you money.

Stay longer

After being unable to travel for quite some time, you deserve a much longer holiday this time. Book a longer trip to Scotland and go home feeling a deeper connection to the place you choose. Spend more time in one place and you might find yourself getting to know the locals and their lifestyle.

Rail journeys are a great way to relax, de-stress and reflect upon the passing countryside. Take this classic slow travel experience to the next level onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, a luxury train that snakes across the Scottish Highlands, and book an appointment at its unique spa. Experience the kinds of treatments you would find at any luxury spa, including facials, massages and manicures during this smoothest and most leisurely of rail journeys.

Less is more

When embarking on slow travel in Scotland, there should be no pressure to tick everything off your bucket list or itinerary. One of the perks of slow travel in Scotland is the wide-ranging experiences it offers. Furthermore, Scotland is full of wonderful accommodations where you can spend as much or as little as you like.

Ditch the checklist of places to see and things to do on your next visit to Scotland and discover the pleasures of slow travel. In short, it’s about getting to know a corner of the country and making a connection with its people, food, culture and natural environment.

Learn more

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