New Zealand is set to ease its ban on foreign buyers, allowing wealthy investors holding so-called golden visas to purchase luxury homes worth at least NZ$5 million ($3 million). The coalition government announced the change on Monday, framing it as a strategic move to attract high-net-worth individuals and revive the nation's sluggish economy. This policy shift will take effect by the end of the year, once reforms to the Overseas Investment Act are officially passed into law.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized New Zealand’s global appeal as a great place to live and the need to grow the economy by welcoming significant investors who want to contribute to the community. He described the change as a balanced approach, appealing to both those wary of foreign ownership and those seeking to deepen wealthy investors’ ties to the country.

The golden visa, officially known as the Active Investor Plus visa, was relaunched five months ago to attract foreign capital by offering residency in exchange for substantial investment. Until now, visa holders were largely barred from buying property unless they were residents or citizens. The new exemption permits them to buy a single home valued at NZ$5 million or more. This threshold targets a very small segment of the housing market approximately 7,000 properties nationwide and is intended to minimize impact on housing affordability.

Data shows there have been over 300 applications for the golden visa so far this year, representing potential investments exceeding NZ$1.8 billion, with about 40% from U.S. applicants. While critics worry the move could exacerbate housing challenges, experts note its effect on prices will be limited, given the high price floor and the market dynamics influenced more by local economic factors than foreign speculation.

The easing of restrictions aligns with broader government efforts to increase foreign investment amid economic headwinds, including a recent recession period. The policy maintains protections for most New Zealanders by excluding purchases of farms, rural, and sensitive land, and continues the overall foreign buyer ban for properties below the high-value threshold.

Overall, New Zealand's new approach is aimed at reinforcing its position in the competitive global market for wealthy international investors, balancing economic growth objectives with the need to protect the local housing market.

The island paradise of Phuket is riding an extraordinary wave of tourism recovery in 2025, welcoming millions of travelers and generating remarkable revenue that underscores its position as Thailand’s premier tourist destination. Data from the Provincial Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Office in Phuket reveals that over 7.6 million tourists arrived between January and July alone, injecting an astonishing 290 billion baht into the island’s economy.

Governor Sophon Suwannarat highlighted the diverse mix of visitors fueling this resurgence. Russians, Chinese, and Indians topped the arrival charts for the seven-month period, while European tourists surged in July, accounting for nearly 43% of visitors in that month. July’s tourist count reached approximately 887,000, contributing 36 billion baht to the local economy, a vivid sign of the island’s enduring appeal.

Hotel occupancy rates reflect healthy demand, with an average of 76.61% from January to July and a July occupancy of 63.99%, which mirrors typical seasonal travel patterns. The bustling hospitality sector benefits from a steady flow of international travelers who continue to choose Phuket for leisure, business, and cultural experiences.

Phuket’s growing visitor numbers are strongly supported by increased air traffic. Phuket International Airport recorded 63,007 flights in the first seven months of the year—a 6% rise over the same period last year. July by itself saw 7,896 flights touching down, signaling robust connections and accessibility for global travelers.

Adding to the island’s global reach, three new international airlines launched direct routes to Phuket in 2025. AirAsia inaugurated a four-times-weekly Medan-Phuket route, Asiana Airlines increased connectivity with 14 weekly flights from Seoul, and Air France began operating a thrice-weekly Paris-Phuket service. These new links not only broaden Phuket’s market but also make the island more accessible to diverse audiences.

Maritime tourism is also thriving. From January to July, 154,217 visitors arrived via 55 tourist boats, complemented by 670 travelers onboard 527 yachts, reinforcing the importance of sea-based arrivals in Phuket’s tourism mosaic.

Last year, Phuket welcomed a record 13.1 million visitors and amassed staggering tourism revenue of 497 billion baht, securing its status as Thailand’s top-earning province for tourism, as reported by the Bangkok Post. Encouragingly, the current year’s figures suggest Phuket is well on pace to match or potentially surpass those high benchmarks by year-end.

With expanding flight routes, consistently strong hotel occupancy, and tourists arriving from all corners of the globe, Phuket’s tourism sector is not merely recovering—it’s booming. The island is poised to continue dazzling travelers and driving economic growth well into the future, reaffirming its crown jewel status in Thailand’s tourism landscape.

In a bold move to modernize its regional operations, Thai Airways (TG) is gearing up to introduce cutting-edge Airbus A321neo aircraft into its fleet, promising a premium travel experience with flat-bed business class seats on select regional routes. The first of these new jets is slated for delivery in November 2025, signaling a fresh era in the airline’s fleet renewal strategy.

The A321neos will initially connect Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with key destinations such as Delhi (DEL), Hong Kong (HKG), and Phuket (HKT). This rollout reflects Thai Airways’ commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and streamlining its operations following the integration of aircraft from its now-defunct Thai Smile subsidiary.

Under agreements finalized early in 2024, Thai Airways has secured a lease for 32 Airbus A321neos, with deliveries kicking off in late 2025 and commercial services set to begin in early 2026. Historically, the national carrier operated a mainline fleet without narrow-body aircraft, relying on Thai Smile’s Airbus A320s to serve regional routes. With Thai Smile’s closure, those aircraft were absorbed into Thai Airways’ main fleet, prompting the airline to adopt a more competitive narrow-body approach through the A321neo.

Designed to meet the exacting standards of Asia’s aviation market, the A321neos will allow Thai Airways to deliver superior comfort and efficiency on short- to medium-haul flights. Each plane will accommodate 175 passengers, featuring 16 business class seats and 159 economy seats. The business class cabins will showcase Thompson Aero’s acclaimed Vantage seating, with a staggered 2-2 and 1-1 layout ensuring multiple rows offer direct aisle access and fully flat beds — a game-changer for regional business travelers seeking rest and privacy.

Economy class will feature a comfortable 3-3 arrangement, with individual seat-back entertainment systems, power outlets, and charging ports. To keep passengers connected, Wi-Fi access will be available for purchase across all cabins.

Industry sources confirm the new A321neos will take over important regional routes from Bangkok to Delhi, Hong Kong, and Phuket initially, with more destinations expected to follow as deliveries continue. The aircraft’s range and fuel efficiency equip Thai Airways to better compete on routes that demand a balance of comfort and operational reliability.

This fleet upgrade not only elevates the passenger experience but also brings greater consistency and flexibility to Thai Airways’ regional operations. With flat-bed seating, advanced in-flight amenities, and a modernized cabin environment, Thai Airways is positioning itself to reclaim a competitive edge in Asia’s rapidly evolving aviation market.

The 32 new Airbus A321neos represent a foundational investment that underscores Thai Airways’ ambition to enhance service quality and support sustainable growth across its network, marking a pivotal chapter in the airline’s evolution.

Kuwait International Airport is experiencing a bustling back-to-school travel rush as approximately 170 flights arrived on Monday from various Arab and international destinations. Egypt led with 23 flights, followed by India with 21, Dubai with 14, and Jeddah with 13 flights. This surge reflects the peak period of families and students returning in preparation for the new school year, marking a critical phase of the extended summer season that runs until the end of October.

To manage the increased passenger volume efficiently, the airport has implemented a comprehensive operational plan. This includes enhancing the efficiency of both operational and support services, equipping arrival and departure halls, and introducing additional counters during peak times. Staff numbers at gates, checkpoints, and transit areas have been doubled to ensure smooth passenger flow.

The airport’s multiple terminals have been instrumental in preventing congestion and regulating traffic effectively. Support field teams are on standby to resolve any passenger issues promptly, coordinating closely with the Ministry of Interior and Kuwait General Administration of Customs to streamline arrival and departure procedures.

On-duty controllers are empowered to intervene swiftly in cases of emergencies or flight delays, working with relevant authorities to implement rapid solutions. Regular meetings between civil aviation officials and airport staff aim to maintain high service standards, ensuring all facilities meet passenger and airline needs.

The strong collaboration among various airport entities reflects a well-coordinated effort that not only ensures operational efficiency but also reinforces Kuwait International Airport’s reputation locally and internationally. The civil aviation teams remain vigilant and prepared to handle diverse operational scenarios, distributing staff strategically across arrival and departure areas to maintain continuous, smooth service.

This proactive approach underscores the airport’s commitment to providing passengers with a seamless travel experience during one of its busiest times of the year.

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) continues to show strong growth, with its international terminal experiencing a 9% year-on-year increase in two-way passenger traffic in July 2025, welcoming over 219,500 travelers. The domestic terminal also saw significant activity, processing more than 607,000 passengers, an 8% increase compared to July 2024. Meanwhile, George Airport reported an impressive 20% growth, handling over 74,000 passengers.

This surge in passenger numbers is partly due to added airline capacity and the timing of school holidays, which fell mostly in July this year compared to June last year. Air cargo trade has also jumped substantially, with June 2025 volumes reaching over 6,750 metric tonnes, a 36% increase from the previous year, and year-to-date volumes up 56% to nearly 49,000 metric tonnes. Exports and imports split nearly evenly, with temperature and climate-controlled goods dominating exports, while food, beverages, clothing, and accessories made up significant portions of imports.

Adding to the positive outlook, several airlines are expanding their services: FlySafair will launch a new Hoedspruit-Cape Town route and increase flights from Kruger Mpumalanga to Cape Town; South African Airways introduces a seasonal Mauritius-Cape Town service; Proflight Zambia is boosting Lusaka-Cape Town flights; and Air France is extending its Paris-Cape Town seasonal schedule.

Overall, Cape Town’s airports are steering forward on a growth trajectory, bolstered by increased passenger volumes, expanding flight options, and thriving air cargo trade, securing the Western Cape as a vital hub for both tourism and commerce.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition filed by Advocate Sardar Amber Maqsood challenging the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) privatization process. The petitioner alleged that the Privatisation Commission failed to issue proper notices of intent under Section 23 and did not conduct a lawful valuation of PIACL’s assets under Section 24 of the relevant Ordinance.

Justice Jawad Hassan, authoring the detailed judgment, noted that the Privatisation Commission had publicly advertised its intent to privatise PIACL in prominent international and national newspapers, including the Financial Times, China Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Dawn, and Daily Jang. Additionally, Ernst & Young Consulting LLC, Dubai, was appointed as the independent financial advisor to conduct asset valuation in accordance with the law.

The court found no credible evidence substantiating allegations of illegality and held that the privatization process met the statutory requirements. It emphasized that judicial review should not obstruct economic policy decisions absent clear legal violations or fundamental rights infringements. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the court underscored the principle of judicial restraint in matters related to privatisation and foreign investment.

Justice Hassan warned against frivolous petitions that could derail critical economic reforms and undermine investor confidence. The judgement further clarified that the bidding process for PIACL had already been cancelled, rendering the petition moot. Even had the process continued, the court affirmed its legal soundness and transparency.

The court declined the petitioner’s request to summon evaluation records, citing confidentiality provisions under the Privatisation Commission Regulations, 2003. The 37-page judgment reiterated that privatisation falls within the federal government’s constitutional mandate under Article 173, aimed at easing the fiscal burden of loss-making state enterprises.

The court concluded by cautioning litigants against misusing public interest litigation to obstruct economic policymaking, underscoring the importance of facilitating Pakistan’s economic reforms through transparent and lawful processes.

This ruling comes as Pakistan prepares for an anticipated November 2025 privatization of PIA, where four qualified bidders are expected to participate under government oversight to restructure the national carrier and attract investment to stabilize its operations.