MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Fog blamed for aircraft shooting..  © Maximilian Buzun

On Monday, the South Korean military apologised for firing at a civilian aircraft on June 17 after mistaking it for a North Korean military plane. The Asiana passenger jet was en route from Chengdu (CTU), China to Seoul's Incheon International Airport (INC) carrying 119 people when marines on Gyodong island, guarding the disputed Yellow Sea border with North Korea, opened fire in foggy conditions. Fortunately the Airbus A321 was not damaged by the 99 shots fired and the plane landed safely at Incheon.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and the airline confirmed that the Asiana aircraft was following its normal route. The A321 was flying at an altitude of about 1,000 metres, within the normal range for landing at Incheon.

"The military sincerely apologises to our people for causing worries over the incident," said Col. Lee Bung-woo, a spokesman at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, Col. Lee also said the Marines will not be reprimanded since they acted in line with their rules of engagement. He said training for frontline guard posts would be strengthened to ensure guards could distinguish between civilian and military aircraft.

Commentators in the Korean media have called for a rigorous approach to ensuring this kind of incident is not repeated.

Following more than a week of flight disruptions related to a volcanic ash plume drifting east around the southern hemisphere, Qantas and Virgin Australia announced Monday that they would resume normal flight operations. The ash plume that drifted east following a volcanic eruption in Chile in early June grounded hundreds of flights in Australia and New Zealand. Qantas noted that its Buenos Aires (EZE) service might experience minor delays and flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Australia would add an extra refueling stop in Perth (PER) until further notice.

Gaurda Indonesia has launched daily direct flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and Denpasar, Bali (DPS). The new Hong Kong–Bali service leaves Hong Kong at 15:45 arriving in Bali at 20:35. The return flight departs Bali at 10:00 to arrive in Hong Kong at 14:45. Garuda is using new Boeing 737-800 next-generation aircraft for the direct service to Bali. Garuda has been upgrading its fleet services and was recently named Most Improved Airline 2010 by the Skytrax rating agency in their 2010 World Airline Awards.

China Southern Airlines has launched the first ever non-stop service between Guangzhou (CAN) and Canada. The new service will run three times a week between Vancouver (YVR) and Guangzhou, the capital of China's most populous province. China Southern's service, along with Canada being named Approved Destination Status by China, is expected to further strengthen Canada's economic ties with China.

Vietnam Airlines has increased the frequency of its services to Australia and Malaysia. Starting June 13, the carrier added two more flights on the Hanoi (HAN)–Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)–Melbourne (MEL) route and one more flight on the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City–Sydney (SYD) sector. Vietnam Airlines now has 14 flights a week to Australia. Also last week, on June 16, Vietnam Airlines launched a new daily direct service between Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).

Cebu Pacific has launched flights between Manila (MNL) and Busan (PUS) in South Korea. The airline operates its Busan–Manila service every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Cebu Pacific also flies four times weekly from Busan to Cebu (CEB), twice daily from Seoul (INC) to Manila and daily from Seoul to Cebu. The Philippine carrier currently operates 10 Airbus A319s, 15 Airbus A320s and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, Cebu Pacific will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft — with an average age of less than 3.5 years.

Make your next stay with The Leading Hotels of the World even more special by joining The Leaders Club today! Enjoy special benefits, privileges and recognition each time you reserve through The Leading Hotels of the World and stay at any of our 430 hotels. Join Now.

Don't miss your chance to earn a luxurious resort escape with Starwood Preferred Guest's promotion — SPG Getaway Free. Only those registered as SPG members by June 30 can earn free resort night awards. Members who stay three times at any of Starwood's hotels and resorts through July 31 will earn a free resort night. There are no earning limits or blackout dates; members can use there free nights any time before Dec. 21.

Air New Zealand is running a promotion on business-class travel to London (LHR) from Hong Kong (HKG). Business Premier fares start at HKD 26,706 per person for return tickets (including tax), purchased before June 30. Tickets must be used between July 1 and Aug. 31. The Air New Zealand Business Premier cabin features fully flat beds and serves gourmet New Zealand cuisine and award-winning wines. Passengers can check in up to three bags weighing up to 23 kg each.

The Leading Hotels of the World is supporting Japan's tourism revival with six Breakfast Inclusive packages at member hotels in Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido. For example, a stay at the iconicImperial Hotel Tokyo starts from JPY 32,800 a night, based on double occupancy. Also in Tokyo, rates at Hotel Seiyo Ginza start from JPY 33,800 a night, based on double occupancy. In Hokkaido, The Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spaon Mount Poromoi has breakfast inclusive rates starting from JPY 62,260 a night, based on double occupancy. At the Imperial Hotel Osaka rates start from JPY 24,500 a night, based on double occupancy including breakfast.

United Continental Holdings is running a double miles promotion for United Airlines passengers flying between Hong Kong (HKG) and Chicago (ORD). Through Oct. 31, Mileage Plus and OnePass members who purchase tickets for flights between Hong Kong and Chicago on UA896 and UA895 for travel Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 will earn double bonus miles. Special early-bird fares are also available for travel on United out of Hong Kong between Sept. 6 and Feb. 29, 2012 for tickets purchased by June 30. For details and bookings visit the United Airlines, Hong Kong website.

To celebrate its 135th anniversary, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has a special package for one-week stays. Guests will enjoy a complimentary one night stay for every six paid nights, including daily American breakfasts on the Riverside Terrace, a set dinner for two at Sala Rim Naam once each stay, a set lunch for two at Le Normandie once per stay, a 60-minute spa treatment for two once per stay and personal butler service throughout their stay. The Oriental Bangkok hotel was established in 1865 and the oldest wing of the current building dates back to 1876. Now called the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, the hotel's 135th anniversary package starts from THB 11,799 and is available through Sept 30.