Desperate travellers board flight to… nowhere
If you thought you were missing travel, wait until you see what avid travellers have been up to in Taiwan.
An airport in Taipei has hosted a special event to give travel-starved citizens the chance to make-believe they are going on a much needed holiday.
Around 60 people went through the entire airport experience last week at Taipei’s Songshan airport, even boarding a China Airlines flight that went nowhere.
Reuters reported that around 7,000 people applied to take part in the flight and the winners were chosen at random. The experience was used to showcase renovations at the airport and to show people what steps the airport was taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The winners received a boarding pass, went through a fake check-in and security before boarding the A330.
“I really want to leave the country, but because of the epidemic lots of flights can’t fly,” a fake passenger named Hsiao Chun-wei told Reuters.
“I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away,” another passenger said.
Featured image source: Reuters/Ann Wang
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airport China Airlines fake flight Songshan airport Taipei taiwanLatest News
Qatar Airways’ Student Club marks four-year milestone with educate a child campaign
Qatar Airways’ Student Club program is marking its fourth anniversary by teaming up with the charity Education Above All that will see the carrier donate $10 for every booking made by a club member. Education Above All is the non-profit organisation founded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson and founder of Education Above […]
Pan Pacific Perth announces launch of its Wellness Program
Having stayed at the Pan Pac Perth you'd be hard pressed getting us out of the room for a workout.
Moonlight Bay Suites reveals $4m refurbishment for Broome venue
Beware invisible stairs at Staircase to the Moon during the wet season.
Blossoms, Louboutins and tears: behind the scenes at the Women in Travel Awards 2024
Last week Travel Weekly hosted its 2024 Women in Travel Awards, welcoming as many as 500 guests to a vibrant ceremony held at Doltone House in Pyrmont. The event featured blossom trees sponsored by Inside Travel Group, a Christian Louboutin giveaway, and a mosaic photo wall led by The Travel Corporation. This year the theme […]
Unforgettable Croatia’s record year in 2024 with ’25 bookings on track to match
Bookings have soared in 2024 for Unforgettable Croatia as new data shows trade increases 24 per cent in 2024 as part of a record-breaking year for the luxury small-ship operator. More than 1300 guests booked via an agent, the operator confirmed, as it marked the conclusion of its May – October sailing season. Unforgettable Croatia secured its […]
Surprise planned for travellers arriving at Hamilton Island Airport as it celebrates 40 years today
Hamilton Island is celebrating 40 years of the Hamilton Island Airport, the only commercial jet airport in the Whitsunday Islands – marking four decades of connecting visitors to the heart od the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Since the inaugural flight touched down in 1984 to a fanfare of aloha shirts and cocktails, Hamilton Island […]
Emirates announces third Dubai – Melbourne route to launch in March ’25, Singapore – Melbourne route scrapped
Emirates has announced it will introduce a third non-stop service between Dubai and Melbourne, starting from 30 March 2025. The new service will be operated by a newly retrofitted four-class Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy product and latest generation Business class seats. The airline currently operates two non-stop daily flights […]
Qantas Freight unveils specially decorated ‘Santa’s Freight’ aircraft
Qantas Freight has unveiled a specially decorated “Santa’s Freight” aircraft as it prepares to deliver more than 50,000 tonnes of international and domestic freight for the festive season. This year, Qantas Freight volumes for the Christmas period are expected to be up 5 per cent compared to last year as online shopping continues to boom. […]
Qatar Airways surprises Melbourne passengers with upgrades to celebrate 15 years
Qatar Airways has celebrated its 15th anniversary in Australia by giving passengers Business Class upgrades at Melbourne Airport on Friday. The airline has flown over 9.7 million passengers in and out of Australia since starting its operation in 2009 with Australian operations commencing on 7 December 2009 with the Melbourne-Doha route. Since then, the airline […]
Norwegian Cruise Line joins Take 3 for the Sea for a beach cleanup
Norwegian Cruise Line joined forces with Take 3 for the Sea last 5 December at North Steyne Beach and Park for a beach cleanup event in aid of International Volunteer Day. The NCL team collected 1,070 pieces of rubbish, totalling 2.2kg at the Sydney location. The collected debris included 412 cigarette butts, 147 pieces of […]
‘Office away from office’ call answered with Flight Centre Corporate and Crystalbrook Collection partnership
We could do with membership of this for the Travel Weekly crew. Although we prefer to relax 'unconsciously'.
Ayers Rock Resort stellar awards year the highest in the resort’s history
Anyone with a bit of coin might want to consider this asset. Sadly, we don't have a few hundred mill in spare change.
Qatar Airways Group CEO highlights importance of employee retention
Qatar is having its moment in the sun, but as we found out when in Doha it's quite cold when you are out of it.
TravelManagers call Cabo ‘the coolest place’ they’ve visited on return from ILTM famil
TravelManagers seem to be running famils non stop, so if you're craving a junket, you know where to look!
Klook wraps hugely popular, inaugural ‘Travel Fest’ event, welcoming over 10,000 attendees
Honestly a good prop will transform your entire day! Our editor is a big fan.
Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin to launch tourism employment platform in Canberra today
With all the high level stuff going on in travel and tourism it can be easy to forget the importance of recruitment.
Reflections Holidays surf contest brings best young talent to NSW North Coast
The best grommets in NSW were treated to cracking conditions, and of course top notch facilities at Reflections.
Monaco proves ultimate pre-ILTM destination for Australian travel advisors
We are happy to fill in for last-minute cancellations for one of these fam trips.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Brisbane Airport
Nice to know, given Delta's new Brisbane flights deal and with the Olympics on their way.
Discovering RAKxa: A Fusion of Medical Innovation and Holistic Wellness
From oxygen therapy to anti-aging treatments, RAXka puts the well in wellness travel!
Fullers360 ticket sales for the first electric hydrofoil ferry
This would also be a great way to travel to work, but we figure it wouldn't go uphill to our location.
Virgin Voyages new annual pass offers agents up to $15k commission, first cruise to enable Bitcoin payment
Have you joined the crypto revolution? This seems like the perfect reason to if you haven't!
Arizona’s flavours and wonders shine at Linkd Tourism’s Visit Vibrant Arizona event
Masterchef, Australian Travel Industry Edition... Coming soon.
New Australian Airports Association board members announced
A job update just in time for the weekend! Find out about it all here.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World celebrates milestone 2024, with new openings for 2025
Some of these are not so small hotels and their member number is getting rather large.
Council of Australian Tour Operators celebrates an eventful 25th year with famous CATO Christmas lunch
A fireside chat with the unfiltered Skroo was followed by post-networking drinks & DJ, which is where we signed off.
The Hilton brand debuts in the Republic of Moldova
The international Hilton brand is set to debut in the Republic of Moldova with the opening of its first hotel in Chisinau, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s HORECA industry. The endeavour provides tourists with another option for world-class accommodations, excellence in standards and premium services. “Hilton’s entry into the Moldovan market is […]
Singapore Tourism Board accelerates its sustainability journey
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled two pioneering initiatives to bolster tourism and support the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The first is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Attraction Criteria, the world’s first global standard specifically designed for attractions. The second is the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, a comprehensive guide to enhancing green practices […]
Relive the glitz and glamour of Women in Travel with the 2024 photo gallery
The big night has been and gone, but that doesn't mean you have to stop thinking about it!
Cunard unveils makeover for Queen Elizabeth
These types of refurbishment are a lot more than a lick of paint and a new footstool. Prepare to be amazed.
Carnival Cruise Line dips a toe in the water with Sydney Thunder cricket partnership
Doubtful the landing on the SCG turf will be as soft as that in the Carnival Splendor pool.
VA x Air NZ trans-Tasman codeshare makes long-awaited return
Depending on who you're flying, you'll be ordering fish & chips or fush & chups, or in seat six or seat...
Dubai kicks off biggest shopping festival yet
We can't decide whether capitalism has gone to far off whether festivals have always had an element of commerce.
Delta lands in Brisbane as the capital of the Sunshine State cements US hub status
Slots into Brisvegas will be hot property in years to come ahead of the Olympics and Delta's just got a head start.
Heritage Expeditions offers Subantarctic workshops with seabird photographer Rachel Bigsby
We don't want to ruffle feathers, but when we say she is shooting birds in the Arctic, we mean with a camera.
The Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express launches new journeys through Italy
Agatha Christie has a lot to answer for when it comes to the Orient-Express. We promise there will be no murders.