Latest news with #CentralAsian
The Star
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
SINGAPORE: Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks. Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-East Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-East Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than ten hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. PHOTO: ST FILE Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan SINGAPORE - Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks . Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-east Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Mr Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-east Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than 10 hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Mr Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Mr Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Ms Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
TECHx
a day ago
- Business
- TECHx
TAQA Announces AED37B Investment for Data Hub Power
Home » Smart Sectors » Energy » TAQA Announces AED37B Investment for Data Hub Power Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has announced plans to invest over AED37 billion to support the power needs of Abu Dhabi's growing data and artificial intelligence hub. The announcement was made by Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA's Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, during the World Utilities Congress 2025. He revealed the investments align with TAQA's broader strategy to provide clean, certified, and reliable energy for critical infrastructure. TAQA, with a market capitalisation of around AED360 billion, is among the top five companies in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for electricity generation, transmission, and water desalination. The company operates in 25 countries. Over the past four years, TAQA has doubled its electricity production capacity. It now generates 56 gigawatts—more than the total electricity consumed by the United Kingdom. Key developments were also reported: TAQA acquired an 875-megawatt gas-powered station in Uzbekistan with Mubadala. The move supports Uzbekistan's energy transition and opens access to Central Asian markets. TAQA also acquired 'Transmission Investment', a UK-based platform focused on energy and utility infrastructure. Further, the company is building a 1-gigawatt gas turbine power station to enhance its clean energy portfolio. In partnership with Masdar, in which TAQA holds a major stake, it is developing 5 gigawatts of solar energy backed by 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage. This integrated project aims to provide a steady 1-gigawatt energy supply for 24 hours. It is expected to become the world's largest solar-battery initiative of its kind. TAQA has announced it will invest AED75 billion by 2030 to triple its electricity generation capacity to 150 gigawatts. As part of this strategy, the company plans to develop water desalination plants with a combined daily capacity of 1.3 billion gallons. Two-thirds of this will use efficient reverse osmosis technology.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
IndiGo to start non-stop flights to 10 int'l destinations in FY26: CEO
IndiGo plans to launch non-stop flights to 10 new international destinations in 2025–26 (FY26), including Manchester and London in the UK, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Copenhagen in Denmark, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Athens in Greece, and four cities in Central Asia, its Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said on Friday. 'IndiGo currently serves 40 international destinations. By the end of FY26, we aim to expand this to 50,' Elbers said at a press conference. He added that the expansion will be supported by the recently leased Boeing 787 aircraft and the Airbus A321XLR planes, which are expected to join the fleet in the latter part of FY26. The A321XLR is a new long-range narrow-body aircraft developed by Airbus. It is slated to enter commercial service globally in the second half of FY26. Elbers did not mention the names of the Central Asian cities that would be connected via IndiGo flights in FY26. Responding to a question on whether IndiGo might consider joining one of the three major global airline alliances — Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam — Elbers said the airline currently sees more value in building bilateral codeshare partnerships rather than joining a formal global grouping. 'We're having partnerships with different airlines from different parts of the world. If it makes sense for the two parties, we can do the partnership... We have no short-term ambitions — or no ambitions, actually — at this point in time to move into an alliance,' he said. He explained that while Indian carriers currently account for about 45 per cent of India's international passenger traffic, the figure is significantly lower on certain routes, particularly to Europe. 'In some parts of the world, it's a 50-50 share, but for Europe, for example, it's more like 70 per cent of traffic on European operators and just 30 per cent on Indian operators... So the opportunity to expand in that region is just very obvious for us," he added. There are three major global airline alliances in the world: Star Alliance (featuring Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air India, among others), SkyTeam (which includes Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air), and oneworld (featuring British Airways, Qatar Airways, and American Airlines). These alliances allow member airlines to coordinate schedules, share airport lounges, offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, and simplify global ticketing and connections. A year ago, IndiGo — for the first time — placed an order for wide-body aircraft, ordering 30 Airbus A350 planes. These are scheduled to join IndiGo's fleet from 2027 onwards. Elbers ruled out the possibility of advancing the delivery schedule for the A350s, saying the production and allocation of such aircraft follow a rigid timeline. 'Wide-bodies have a very different structure compared to narrow-bodies,' Elbers said, when asked whether the A350 deliveries could be brought forward to accelerate IndiGo's international expansion. 'I wish I could just pick up the phone and say, 'You know what, switch a few — I won't take these (narrow-bodies), I'll take those (wide-bodies).' But it doesn't work like that,' he added. Using a culinary metaphor, he stated, 'It's not like switching from a samosa to a paneer tikka — you can't just do it instantly. There's a lead time involved, and the production schedule is already very tight and optimised.' Elbers noted that the decision to place the wide-body order in 2024 was a timely move. 'I'm very glad we made the A350 order last year, which will allow us to induct those aircraft from 2027. But yes, you're right — India is in a hurry, and so is IndiGo.'
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
No visa hassles: Top countries Indians can visit with ease in 2025
International travel is fun but getting a visa is often labourious. The good news is that many countries have made travel easier for Indian passport holders by offering visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or online visas (e-visas). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provides the list of nations that extend such visas to Indians. From neighbouring retreats to faraway Pacific islands, these are the countries you can circle on the map for planning your next relaxing vacation without having to worry much about a visa. Countries offering e-visas to Indian passport holders The MEA lists 62 countries where Indian citizens can apply for an e-visa, saving both time and paperwork at embassies. In Asia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan offer electronic visa facilities. Central Asian and Eurasian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia are also part of this list. In Africa, travellers can secure e-Visas for Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, and Namibia, among others. Australia and New Zealand also allow Indian nationals to apply online, while in Latin America and the Caribbean, destinations like Argentina, Chile, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda extend this convenience. United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Turkey and Oman in West Asia also support e-visas. Elsewhere, Burkina Faso, Benin, Sao Tome and Principe, and Equatorial Guinea are on the list. Visa-free destinations for Indian citizens Visa-free entry is available for Indian passport holders in 25 countries, with varying durations and some conditions. In South Asia, Bhutan and Nepal continue to offer unlimited stay without any visa due to longstanding bilateral agreements. Indian Ocean island nations of Maldives (90 days) and Seychelles (90 days with prior travel authorisation) are welcoming, and Mauritius also grants free entry under specific conditions. In Southeast Asia, Thailand now offers 60 days' visa-free travel, and Malaysia has waived visas for 30 days till December 2026. The Caribbean is a hotspot of visa-free travel for Indians, with Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offering stays ranging from 30 to 90 days. Other visa-free options include Senegal in West Africa, Kazakhstan and Belarus in Central Asia (though Belarus requires transit via Minsk and other conditions), and Philippines, which permits short stays under certain visa-holding conditions. Visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens Visa-on-arrival (VoA) is available to Indian nationals in 38 countries, including many in Africa such as Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Zimbabwe. Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, and Myanmar in Asia also allow Indian tourists to obtain visas upon arrival. Qatar, and Oman provide VoA access, too. The Caribbean again features strongly here, with Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offering VoA as well. This wide access reflects India's growing diplomatic outreach and makes global travel significantly easier for Indian citizens. As visa policies can change, travellers are advised to verify current requirements via the MEA website ( before making any travel arrangements.
