Not quite as glamourous as a secret bank account.

For most people doing long-haul domestic travel in Japan, the Shinkansen is their default method of getting from Point A to far-away Point B. However, sometimes it’s just as quick, if not quicker, to fly, especially if you’re starting at one end of the country and going all the way to the other.

In addition, while Shinkansen tickets are more or less constant in price, airfares fluctuate, so if you time your trip right, flying can be quicker and more economical than taking the train. Taking a plane starts to look like an even better option if you’re racking up frequent flyer miles…unless, that is, you’re a member of the yakuza, in which case trying to get frequent flyer miles can get you arrested.

On May 17, the Fukuoka Prefectural Police arrested Yuta Hirayama, a 42-year-old man from the town of Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture. According to his arrest report, Hirayama has no officially designated job, but the police say he is a registered member of an organized crime syndicate that’s a subordinate group to the Kudo-kai, a Japanese mafia group based in Fukuoka.

Between June and November of 2023, Hirayama took nine domestic flights with a major Japanese airline, including flights between Fukuoka and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to visit an acquaintance who was in prison in east Japan. In the process, he accrued 4,224 frequent flyer miles to an account registered in his name. However, the terms of service for the airline’s frequent flyer program includes a clause that members, by using the program, profess that they are not members of a criminal organization. Based on their assertion that Hirayama is a member of such a group, the police say that by using his account to accrue miles, he committed an act of fraud.

As we’ve discussed before, transactions and service contracts with no-yakuza clauses are common in Japan. It’s illegal, for example, for yakuza members to make mobile phone contracts or attend professional baseball games, as telecom providers and sports leagues don’t want to be associated with criminal organizations. Businesses are especially leery of having yakuza as members of loyalty programs that offer any sort of customer credit, since it could be construed as providing them with financial benefits. That’s why, for example, there are supermarket point programs with no-yakuza clauses, and with 4,224 miles within the frequent flyer program that Hirayama was a member of being exchangeable for 4,224 yen (US$27) in flight credit, the airline has a no-yakuza clause as well.

There is an additional wrinkle to this case, though, in that Hirayama had been a member of the frequent flyer program since 2013, but the airline only added its no-yakuza clause in 2022. As such, even if proven to be a member of a criminal organization, Hirayama’s initial entry into the program wasn’t fraudulent. However, the 2022 no-yakuza clause was ostensibly among the periodic terms of service updates that such programs require users to agree to when logging into their account, placing the legal responsibility on yakuza members to read through the new terms and withdraw from the program. So while many people simply scroll down to where they can click “OK” on such updates, if you’re a gangster, you really should read through them.

It’s unclear whether prosecutors will seek jail time for Hirayama, but if he is confirmed to be a yakuza member, his frequent flyer miles will be forfeited.

Source: Asahi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan News, Yomiuri Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
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SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) chief executive Goh Choon Phong has described Air India’s transformation as a “long game” with “no shortcut”, while reaffirming the Singapore carrier’s commitment to supporting the Indian airline despite mounting losses and operational challenges.

Speaking at SIA’s results briefing on Friday (May 15), Mr Goh spent a significant portion of the session addressing questions about SIA’s 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, which posted a record US$2 billion loss in the last financial year and has faced scrutiny following a 2025 plane crash that killed 260 people.

Mr Goh said SIA had always understood the scale of the challenge when it first entered the Indian market through its joint venture with Tata Sons to launch Vistara in 2015.

“We have never had any illusion that it is an easy path,” he said. “Way back when we started the joint venture with our partner Tata Sons to set up Vistara, we knew at that point in time that it is a long game.”

Vistara later merged with Air India in 2024, with SIA investing S$360 million as part of the transaction.

Mr Goh said SIA’s investment in India is tied to the airline group’s broader “multi-hub strategy”, which he described as critical for long-term growth given Singapore’s limited domestic market and physical constraints.

“Even with Terminal 5, at some point in time, we know that that capacity will be used up. Fundamentally, we are in a small market with no domestic operations,” he said.

He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of SIA’s vulnerability as an airline without domestic routes, noting that border closures at the time left the carrier heavily reliant on cargo services.

India, Mr Goh added, represents a major long-term opportunity. The country is currently the world’s third-largest aviation market, but still has significantly fewer aircraft than the United States and China. He also highlighted forecasts showing India’s middle class could double to 864 million people by 2047, alongside rising disposable incomes and expanded airport infrastructure.

“If you look at India today, I don’t think there’s any question about its growth potential,” he said.

At the same time, Air India is facing multiple pressures.

Mr Goh identified two broader industry issues affecting the airline: global supply chain disruptions that are delaying fleet renewal and cabin retrofit programmes, and the impact of the Middle East crisis.

He also outlined three problems specific to Air India: Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian carriers, the operational fallout from the AI171 crash, which led to a voluntary safety pause and reduced flight frequencies, and the weakening Indian rupee against the US dollar.

“These are certainly headwinds, but these are all external factors,” Mr Goh said, while adding that Air India’s customer loyalty and satisfaction ratings have shown improvement.

He stressed that Tata Sons, Air India’s controlling shareholder, remains committed to the airline’s restructuring efforts alongside SIA.

“We are committed to support Air India in its transformation efforts, but we’re not alone,” he said, “We want to make Air India a world-class carrier and airline with an Indian heart.”

Executives declined to disclose how much additional capital SIA may inject into Air India, saying such matters would need to be discussed with shareholders. They did, however, reveal that two SIA staff members have been seconded to Air India to serve as chief operations officer and chief of engineering.

When asked how long shareholders may have to wait before Air India turns around financially, Mr Goh said the more important issue was whether the airline is making structural progress and whether current challenges stem from internal weaknesses or external pressures.

SIA executives were also questioned about the possibility of higher airfares as fuel costs rise amid tensions in the Middle East.

Chief commercial officer Lee Lik Hsin did not commit to any fare increases, saying pricing decisions depend on market conditions and consumer demand.

“We want to price at a point that customers are still willing to buy, so we will have to watch the market carefully,” he said.

The airline group has previously said that fare adjustments across the SIA and Scoot networks have not been enough to fully offset higher jet fuel costs, which remain its largest operating expense.

SIA’s FY2025/2026 results only captured one month of disruption linked to the Middle East crisis, which escalated on Feb 28. The airline expects the full financial impact to be reflected in FY2026/2027.

On Thursday, SIA reported a 57.4 per cent drop in annual profit to S$1.18 billion for FY2025/2026.

The decline was attributed largely to the absence of a S$1.1 billion one-off gain from the Vistara integration recorded a year earlier, as well as losses linked to Air India.

Chief operations officer Tan Kai Ping said fuel supply across SIA’s network remains stable for now, although he cautioned that the situation remains unpredictable.

“The first thing that will happen when fuel supply runs short will be fuel rationing at airports,” he said, adding that such measures have not been implemented at present.

Mr Goh also said SIA has taken a different approach from some airlines that have reduced capacity due to the Middle East conflict.

While the airline has cut some Dubai services and postponed the launch of flights to Riyadh, it has also increased capacity on other routes, particularly in Europe, where its network has grown by around 13 per cent compared with levels before the conflict involving Iran.

“We are in a position where we don’t need to cut capacity,” Mr Lee said, “Our financial position is strong, and therefore we are actually growing rather than cutting capacity.”

This article (‘We want to make Air India a world-class carrier’—SIA says Air India transformation will take time amid losses and operational challenges) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Air India, a carrier backed by Singapore Airlines, will be reducing its international trips by around 27%, or almost 140 flights each week. This is set to take place between June and August, traditionally the peak travel period, and is in large part due to the sharp increase in the cost of jet fuel as a result of the war in the Middle East.

Airlines in India have been the most heavily affected, according to a CNBC report. Local taxes have meant that jet fuel in the country is 40% costlier than in international hubs. 

Additionally, Pakistani airspace is closed to Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, which has meant longer routes for the carriers. Air India has sought a workaround through using routes over China’s Xinjiang region to bypass Pakistan, but permission from China is needed as the routes involve military-controlled airspace. 

With the war in the Middle East, airspace has been closed over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE as well.

Air India, the country’s second-largest airline, said in a statement on Wednesday (May 13), that the reductions to its flights to  North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia “are aimed at improving network stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience to passengers.”

The Federation of Indian Airlines already said in April that airlines are under “extreme stress” and were in danger of closing down.

Air India, which is jointly owned by SIA and the Tata Group, recorded a S$3.56 billion loss in 2025.

While SIA earned S$20.5 billion last year, seeing an operating profit of 39% because of higher demand, its share of Air India’s loss amounted to S$945.2 million.

CNBC reported that year on year, SIA’s net profit dropped 57.4% S$1.18 billion.

Nevertheless, Goh Choon Phong, SIA’s CEO, said on May 15 that the airline will maintain its support for Air India, saying, “It is going to be a long game. There is no shortcut.” 

SIA holds a 25.1% stake in Air India, and said in 2022 that it was investing S$360 million to “fund the growth and operations of the enlarged Air India.” 

Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran said at the time that its goal with the merger was an important part of rebuilding Air India into a “world-class airline.” /TISG

Read also: Singapore Airlines deploys employees to Air India amid operational challenges

This article (SIA-backed Air India cuts international routes as Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Check-in counters at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 2 will open at the end of the month, with 15 airlines – including HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines – moving to the new location in phases.

The departure hall at Terminal 2, which will open on May 27, will be home to eight aisles totalling 160 check-in counters, Airport Authority Hong Kong said in a press release on Friday.

Three Hong Kong carriers – HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines – will have their check-in services gradually moved to Terminal 2.

Starting from May 27, those flying Hong Kong Airlines will have to check in at the new terminal, local media reported earlier. Greater Bay Airlines and HK Express passengers will start checking in at Terminal 2 on June 3 and June 10, respectively.

The other affected airlines include AirAsia, Vietjet Air, Bangkok Airways and Cebu Pacific Air.

Airport Authority Hong Kong said 29 airport bus routes would have an additional Terminal 2 departures stop, while those arriving by taxi or car can alight at the kerbside outside the new terminal.

The new terminal will also be connected to Car Park 3 via a covered walkway.

Passengers for all of the airlines will still have to board their flights at Terminal 1, which they can access via the Automated People Mover trains after checking in.

Four restaurants will be in operation at Terminal 2, according to a restaurant listing on the airport’s website, including chains Luckin Coffee and Tong Kee Bao Dim.

Terminal 2 has been closed since 2019 to facilitate the airport’s upgrade to a three-runway system.

A Malaysia Airlines flight burst a tyre on Monday after aborting take-off at Hong Kong International Airport due to “technical issues,” but no injuries were reported.

The Airport Authority (AA) said the tyre burst occurred at around 9.18am on Monday.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH79, bound for Kuala Lumpur, aborted taking off from the airport’s South Runway due to “technical issues,” the AA said.

“During deceleration, a tyre burst, and the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the taxiway.”

Following established procedures, the authority said, it arranged for a tow truck to remove the aircraft from the taxiway. “No injuries were reported,” it added.

Malaysia Airlines confirmed that the plane “discontinued take-off following a tyre-related issue.”

“The aircraft was safely brought to a stop in accordance with standard operating procedures. All passengers and crew are safe,” the company told HKFP in an emailed reply.

Photos circulating on social media show the burst tyre and several fire engines standing by next to the aircraft. One photo posted to Facebook shows an airport personnel member checking the burst tyre.

MH79 was originally scheduled to depart at 8.45am and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 12.45pm. Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 shows that MH79 did not take off and returned to the ramp at the airport.

Malaysia Airlines said it “deeply regrets” the incident and that it was working on rebooking passengers on alternative flights or carriers.

Following the incident, the airport’s South Runway was closed for a routine inspection, the AA said. “Meanwhile, other flights used the Centre Runway for take-off and airport operations were largely normal.”

The South Runway reopened shortly after 10am on Monday, the authority added.

SINGAPORE: A social media post where a Singaporean woman thanked Singapore Airlines for the kindness the carrier extended during one of the hardest times any person can experience, the death of a parent, has gone viral.

Audrey Yap, who goes by @yourlobangsis on Instagram, wrote in her caption, “I will not forget this experience with Singapore Airlines. I don’t take this lightly, and I am happy to tell the world about it.”

Ms Yap explained that her mum died unexpectedly during a holiday in Vietnam in February. However, she had booked a trip to Shanghai 10 months in advance with her mum on a first-class Singapore Airlines Suite, scheduled for June of this year.

What SIA did for her was twofold. First, what Ms Yap appreciated was the hassle-free refund process the airline facilitated for her during her “time of overwhelming grief.”

“This was done easily via their call centre and email exchanges,” she wrote.

However, after the refund was processed, because some of the miles in her mum’s SIA account had expired, not all of the miles could be returned.

Ms Yap then submitted an additional request for the reinstatement of these miles. She added that she understood the country did not need to do so, but was thankful SIA did.

Now the amount the miles are worth, S$113, isn’t a lot when compared with the amount Ms Yap will pay for all the flying she’ll do in her lifetime. But how SIA treated her is causing her to continue to choose to fly with SIA, even if it’s more costly.

“For this alone, I’m so proud to be a Singaporean, and I love my national carrier, Singapore Airlines, which carries compassion and heart in its policies.

For S$113, you won a loyal customer because in the lowest moment of my life, in my time of need, you were willing to make an exception.

People over policy.

Now, take my money, Singapore Airlines,” she wrote.

Commenters on Instagram and Threads, aside from expressing condolences, were heartened to read her story, with some saying they had the same experience.

“I had 7 tickets booked in 2 separate bookings, my kids and I, and in another one, my parents. Unfortunately, before the holiday, I found out I had cancer and had to start chemo asap. Informed SQ and was expecting to only be refunded for mine, but SQ refunded for all 7 tickets in a week. All they asked for was a memo from my doctor. Truly the best airline,” wrote a Threads user.

“I had a similar experience of their compassion when my friend and I had to cancel our flight (booked with no free cancellation), however, due to my friend’s health crisis, they refunded her the full amount plus miles deducted. I also feel even if it is expensive, I’ll try to always take SIA if I can,” added a commenter on IG.

“I redeemed my flight, and my house caught fire 1 week-ish prior to my travel. I called them, and they changed it immediately to another day with no questions asked,” wrote another.

“Last year, after my short visit to PH for my cousin’s funeral, I flew with SQ. And I really do appreciate their staff who kept on looking out for me because I was crying so hard during the whole flight. The silent crying. The staff kept on asking if I needed something. They are really good and very compassionate. Kudos to SQ!” a woman wrote on Threads. 

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Ms Yap for further comments or updates. /TISG

Read also: Vietnamese woman whose brother died thanked SIA staff for ‘humanity, kindness, and professionalism’

This article (‘Take my money’: Woman praises Singapore Airlines for compassion after losing her mother) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.