Latest news with #Lao
Filipino Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Cebu Pacific passenger traffic up 25% on Dubai–Manila route in early 2025
Cebu Pacific reported a strong surge in travel demand on its Dubai–Manila route, carrying 40,000 more passengers in the first half of 2025. In an exclusive interview with Cebu Pacific, the airline said this represents a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth was attributed to strong demand, driven by low fares and expanded seat availability. Data showed that 17% of passengers on the Dubai–Manila route and 5% on the Manila–Dubai route were classified as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Most passengers were tourists, with the Dubai–Manila leg recording a higher tourist volume. To meet growing demand, the airline increased seat capacity on the Dubai route by 20% compared to last year. However, there are currently no plans to add more flights. The Gokongwei-led low-cost carrier also announced that it flew a total of 13.9 million passengers across its network in the first half of 2025, up from 11.5 million in the same period last year. Of this total, 10.35 million were Philippine domestic passengers while 3.54 million were international. 'For the first half of 2025, our load factors have increased despite seat growth of more than 20 percent. This reflects the continued strength of air travel demand within our network,' said Xander Lao, president and chief commercial officer of Cebu Pacific. However, Lao said the airline is reducing capacity in the second half of the year due to the off-peak travel season and to manage ongoing engine and supply chain challenges. He noted that capacity growth will remain steady in the third quarter and is expected to rise again in the fourth quarter. Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of 99 aircraft and serves 37 Philippine domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The airline is set to receive more aircraft in 2025 to support its growing network, after adding 17 new aircraft last year.
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: July 30, 2025
President Prabowo Subianto praised Tuesday Malaysia's peace broker role in the deadly border clash between ASEAN members Cambodia and Thailand. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently facilitated an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has praised the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia for agreeing to a ceasefire in their peace talks, calling it a reaffirmation of ASEAN's 'convening power' and a testament to the bloc's ability to resolve conflict through dialogue, mutual trust and regional cooperation. LAO-RUSSIA HISTORICAL AFFINITY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Lao President Thongloun will visit Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen bilateral ties that date back to 1960. Both nations have been collaborating in mineral exploration and processing, energy, education, public health and cultural exchanges. FLOODS, WIND DESTROY CROPS -- VIENTIANE TIMES The monsoon rains and flooding continue to damage roads, agricultural production and impact the livelihoods of local communities. Farmers are experiencing heavy losses as strong winds and flooding have damaged their crops. MYANMAR GROWERS EXPLORING RUSSIAN MARKET -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Myanmar Trade Promotion Organisation plans to export mango pulp to Russia. Mango yield has declined by 50 per cent this year and domestic and foreign demand is weak. Myanmar has been exporting fresh mangoes to China. TAPS INDIA'S SCIENCE EXPERTISE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar and India signed a Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology agreement yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw. It will foster partnership in biotechnology, medicine and agriculture, nanotechnology, green technologies and robotics. SINGAPORE CLARITY YET ON BASELINE OR PHARMACEUTICAL TARIFFS WITH US: DPM GAN -- THE STRAITS TIMES The US government did not negotiate its tariffs on Singapore and did not want to commit on whether the 10 per cent baseline tax could rise or fall in the future, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. KEEPS MONETARY POLICY UNCHANGED AFTER EASING TWICE THIS YEAR -- CNA The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept its exchange rate-based monetary policy unchanged on Wednesday (Jul 30) after easing twice earlier this year. THAILAND 1. ALLEGED CAMBODIAN ARMY LIEUTENANT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED SPYING IN CHANTHABURI -- THE NATION Alleged Cambodian army officer arrested in Chanthaburi for allegedly spying on Thai military; digital evidence and uniforms found. 2. PROTESTS LODGED AS PACT BROKEN -- BANGKOK POST Thailand lodged diplomatic protests against Cambodia yesterday for violating their ceasefire agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said. VIETNAM WINS U-23 FOOTBALL TITLE THRICE -- VIETNAM PLUS Vietnam's national U-23 football team successfully defended their ASEAN U23 Championship after defeating host Indonesia 1-0 in the final yesterday. The team has won the title for three consecutive years. FISHING EDUCATION FOR FISHERMEN -- VIETNAMPLUS Ho Chi Minh City authorities organised an awareness campaign for fishermen on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The city's Long Hai commune owns the largest fishing fleet with over 1,400 vessels. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Japan grants RM12mil to support Lao human resource development
VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): The Japanese government has provided US$2.85 million (RM12 million) to support Lao government officials advance their skills under the project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), which will offer 20 scholarships per year from June 2025 until 31 December 2032. This year, 20 scholarships will be awarded to qualified officials to pursue master's and doctoral degrees at leading universities in Japan. The programme aims to build the capacity of future Lao leaders who will contribute to national development after completing their studies. Since its launch in Laos in 2000, this program has provided scholarships to over 530 Lao officials. Many graduates have later taken on leadership roles in key ministries and state agencies. The project will be jointly implemented by JICA and the Ministry of Education and Sports. This year's contribution holds added significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of Laos-Japan diplomatic relations. Japan's continued support highlights its commitment to Laos' socio-economic development, with ongoing cooperation in education, infrastructure, agriculture, and governance, all aligned with the country's development goals and graduation from Least Developed Country status by 2026. - Laotian Times
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Concern for the animals - Endangered wildlife found shot in Laos' Salavan despite stricter conservation laws
The red-shanked douc langur. -- Photo: New England Primate Conservancy VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Salavan Province in Laos is once again in the spotlight after the discovery of two protected wildlife species, one Greater Hog Badger and three Red-shanked Douc Langurs, found dead in the forest last week. The find, shared by a local resident via a now-deleted Facebook post, has sparked widespread concern across social media, with citizens demanding urgent action from authorities who, so far, appear unaware of the details of the incident. News of the wildlife killings quickly spread online, sparking frustration and outrage among the public. The hashtag #Saveລິງຂາແດງ and #SAVEtheRedShankedDoucLangur began trending as social media users demanded that authorities take immediate and stronger action to protect endangered species. 'What a pity! Protected wildlife in Salavan has been killed. Related sectors, please investigate, because these animals are rare and worth preserving for future generations to see,' one Facebook user wrote on a private post. Echoing this sentiment, the Facebook page 'Thatsamphang Village' stressed the ecological value of Laos's wildlife: 'Wildlife is a valuable natural resource and is of great importance to the ecosystem. It is not only a part of biodiversity but also an indicator of the health of the forest and environment. Moreover, in Laos, we have many unique and rare protected species, which are national treasures that all Lao people should help conserve and preserve.' Species Status Under Scrutiny Both the Red-shanked Douc Langur and the Greater Hog Badger are listed as protected under Lao law and vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to declining populations caused by habitat loss and poaching. The Red-shanked Douc Langur, often considered one of the most beautiful primates in the world, is known for its maroon-red legs and golden-orange face. Native to parts of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, this species has suffered a population decline of up to 80 percent in the past 30 years, largely due to deforestation, illegal hunting, and the wildlife trade. The Greater Hog Badger, another protected species in Laos, is also found in forested regions such as the Xe Sap National Protected Area in Salavan. While sightings are reported across the country, little is known about its current population trends due to limited data and research. This incident comes just weeks after the Lao government introduced a tougher regulation aimed at curbing natural resource crimes. On 7 July, the Office of the Supreme People's Prosecutor announced it would begin replacing administrative fines with criminal prosecution for violations involving forests, wildlife, and natural resources. Despite this policy shift, illegal hunting and unauthorized access to protected areas appear to persist, raising questions about enforcement and public awareness of wildlife protection laws. - Laotian Times/ANN
Nikkei Asia
3 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Laos merges ministries in major shakeup as economy struggles
Laos will cut the number of ministries and civil servants 'through various approaches,' as spending on government salaries takes up much of the national budget. (Photo by Anton L. Delgado) ANTON L. DELGADO VIENTIANE -- In its largest restructuring in decades, Laos is merging major ministries to cut costs as one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations grapples with high inflation and debt payments, half of them to China. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) announced the overhaul in a recent resolution signed by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, also the party secretary general.
