Malaysia Aviation Group appoints Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar as new President and Group CEO

Malaysia Aviation Group appoints Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar as new President and Group CEO

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 17, 2025

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has appointed Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar, popularly known as Captain Nasa, as its new President and Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026. He will succeed Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, who retires on 31 January 2026 after an illustrious career of more than 40 years with the airline.

Datuk Captain Izham began his journey with Malaysia Airlines in 1979 as a pilot and rose through the ranks to hold key leadership positions. Appointed as Group Managing Director in December 2017, he is recognised as the airline’s longest-serving chief executive. His tenure witnessed major financial restructuring and operational reforms that restored MAG’s profitability and strengthened its financial foundation for the future.

Captain Nasa, a veteran with over three decades of experience within the Group, has held several pivotal roles across flight operations, management, and strategy. Most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer of Malaysia Airlines, he has been instrumental in implementing transformation programmes, including the turnaround of MASwings in 2022 and the introduction of profit-driven frameworks under the Long-Term Business Plan 2.0.

As the incoming President and Group CEO, Captain Nasa will spearhead MAG’s next strategic phase under the Long-Term Business Plan 3.0, focusing on operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability across its airline and non-airline divisions. He will oversee the Group’s three core profit centres, Airline Business, Loyalty and Travel Services, and Aviation Services, supported by a strong management team dedicated to driving performance and enhancing customer experience.

Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Board Member of MAG and Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, expressed his appreciation for the outgoing chief and optimism for the Group’s future leadership. He said, “On behalf of the Board and the entire MAG family, we extend our sincere gratitude to Datuk Captain Izham for his exceptional leadership and contributions. His unwavering dedication has guided MAG through pivotal transformation phases and strengthened its position for the future. We are pleased to welcome Captain Nasa as President and Group CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group. With his extensive experience and deep understanding of the business, the Board is confident that he will continue to advance MAG’s strategic priorities and reinforce its competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.”

This leadership transition reflects MAG’s strong governance framework and long-term vision for continuity and excellence as it embarks on the next phase of growth and transformation.


Novotel Cairo Airport Welcomes Guests to a Warm and Joyful Christmas Season

Novotel Cairo Airport Welcomes Guests to a Warm and Joyful Christmas Season

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 6, 2025

Novotel Cairo Airport is celebrating the Christmas and winter holiday season by welcoming guests from around the world to enjoy a warm, cheerful, and relaxing festive experience. Located just steps from Cairo International Airport, the hotel is a convenient and comfortable choice for families, business travellers, and holidaymakers looking for a pleasant stopover or a peaceful holiday stay.

All through December, the hotel embraces the festive spirit with vibrant decorations, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, and an inviting atmosphere that makes every guest feel at home. Whether arriving for work or leisure, travellers can settle into well-designed rooms and enjoy the friendly service that Novotel and Accor are known for.

"We are delighted to welcome guests from near and far this holiday season at Novotel Cairo Airport," said Mr. Atta El Dessouky, the General Manager. "Our team has created a festive and welcoming environment where families, business travellers, and holidaymakers alike can relax, celebrate, and make unforgettable memories."

Guests can indulge in seasonal flavours and comforting dishes at the hotel’s restaurants and bar, making it perfect for a relaxed breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a delightful dinner before or after their flight. With cosy indoor spaces to gather and unwind, the hotel offers the ideal setting to celebrate the season in comfort.

This Christmas and winter holiday season, Novotel Cairo Airport promises more than just a stay. It creates a festive destination where travellers can recharge, spend meaningful moments together, and truly enjoy the joy of the holidays.


Christmas Cheer Lights Up Asia’s Top Hotels This Festive Season

Christmas Cheer Lights Up Asia’s Top Hotels This Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

As the festive spirit starts to sparkle across Asia, hotels from Thailand to Japan and Vietnam are rolling out warm, colourful and indulgent Christmas experiences that feel straight out of a holiday postcard. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical Christmas by the sea, a winter escape in Tokyo, or a cosy celebration with gourmet dining, this year’s festive offerings across Asia bring together food, music, lights and heartfelt traditions.

In Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui is turning the island into a tropical Christmas paradise. Across its three restaurants, the resort is hosting gala dinners, live music nights and chef-led festive menus from Dec 24–26. Guests can enjoy everything from seafood stations and carving counters to a MICHELIN-recognised Thai fine-dining experience at Saffron. For those who love celebrating right by the beach, their candlelit beachfront lunches and dinners featuring turkey, snowfish and prawns are perfect for a sunny Christmas in Thailand.

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Tokyo is shining brighter than ever with Palace Hotel Tokyo’s luxurious ‘A Tokyo Christmas’ package. Guests staying between Dec 20–25 can enjoy suite stays, a private car tour of Tokyo’s famous winter illuminations, an in-room Christmas tree, bubbly, festive treats and a special Christmas dinner. It’s a dreamy option for travellers looking to pair Japanese hospitality with the magic of holiday lights.

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Vietnam is embracing the season with a mix of cosy teas, gourmet spreads and family moments. At TIA Wellness Resort, guests can indulge in a Christmas-inspired afternoon tea, followed by a festive six-course Christmas Eve dinner with both plant-based and classic menus. Banyan Tree Krabi in Thailand is also going big this year with its Christmas Eve Gala Dinner featuring everything from truffle risotto and seafood ice stations to a fire show under the stars.

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Over in Cam Ranh, Alma Resort is creating a joyful wonderland with a gingerbread village, tree-lighting ceremonies, mulled wine counters and even daily advent activities for kids. Santa will also make appearances from Dec 23–25 for family photos. Nearby, Meliá Chiang Mai in Thailand is offering Spanish-inspired afternoon teas, festive buffets, rooftop parties and live music throughout the month.

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In Hong Kong, The Hari Hong Kong is celebrating the season with festive dining, a tree lighting ceremony and a charity Christmas market supporting the Hong Chi Association. Their holiday stay package includes luxurious rooms, special dining credits, breakfast, festive treats and celebratory menus across their popular restaurants.

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Bangkok is full of Spanish flair this Christmas as INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit serves weekly rotating festive Spanish menus at its stunning rooftop tapas bar. Guests can also enjoy a grand Christmas Eve buffet with seafood, sashimi, roasts, desserts and more at The Kites Eatery.

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Vietnam continues the celebrations with The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne, both offering festive teas, Champagne evenings, Christmas tree lightings, BBQ buffets, nine-course fine-dining feasts, and kids’ activities on Christmas Day. Azerai Resorts, meanwhile, brings heartwarming traditions to Ke Ga Bay and Hue, including special breakfasts, Santa visits, limousine transfers to Christmas Mass, tea buffets and creative workshops for children.

Hanoi’s iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has transformed into a “Luminescent Dreamscape,” with a full Christmas fair, gourmet bites, mulled wine, eggnog and a dazzling lighting ceremony that unveils its 15-metre Christmas tree. And across Vietnam and Thailand, Fusion Hotels is offering beach BBQs, festive buffets, spa treatments, onsen experiences and holiday-themed live music nights.

From gourmet feasts to glowing trees, festive teas and beachfront celebrations, Asia’s finest hotels are creating magical holiday moments that blend local flavours, global inspirations and the warm cheer of Christmas — perfect for travellers planning a cosy yet memorable festive getaway.


Qatar Airways Restores Daily Flights to Canberra, Strengthening Global Access

Qatar Airways Restores Daily Flights to Canberra, Strengthening Global Access

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

Qatar Airways has officially returned to Canberra with the resumption of its daily service via Melbourne, reconnecting the city with more than 170 global destinations. With this addition, the airline now serves six major cities in Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, giving travellers across the ACT and nearby regions wider choices for international travel.

The daily Boeing 777 service offers smooth access to the airline’s worldwide network through Hamad International Airport in Doha, one of the world’s top aviation hubs. Passengers flying in Qsuite Business Class* can experience the brand’s signature comfort, complete with fully lie-flat beds, privacy doors, and on-demand a la carte dining curated by award-winning Australian chef Ross Lusted. All travellers can enjoy complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi, making Qatar Airways the only airline offering this feature to and from Canberra.

The airline’s partnership with Virgin Australia further expands connectivity, enabling easy domestic transfers to cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne. This provides greater flexibility for passengers planning both international and within-Australia journeys.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to return to Canberra and once again, serve Australia’s capital city. This milestone represents our continued commitment to the Australian market and to connecting communities across the world. Whether travelling for business, government service, study, or leisure, we look forward to welcoming passengers from Canberra back on board and providing them with the world-class services Qatar Airways is renowned for.”

Canberra Airport CEO, Mr. Stephen Byron, added: “The return of Qatar Airways is a gamechanger for international travel. It restores a vital link for over a million people across the ACT and southern NSW, while opening the door to global opportunities for business and tourism.”

Qatar Airways continues to stand out on the global stage, being named the World’s Best Airline by the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025 for a record ninth time. The airline also earned titles for World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Lounge for its Al Mourjan Lounge, The Garden at Hamad International Airport.

Services from Canberra will operate with the Qsuite configuration by default, with changes only made if operationally required.

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