Wednesday, 25 June 2025

AirAsia X launches flight to Tashkent on 15 October 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


AirAsia X has announced its intention to launch scheduled flight from KLIA to Tashkent on 15 October 2025.

On 15 October 2025, according to schedules, AirAsia X flight D7122 departs from KLIA to Tashkent at 1.25 pm, touches down in Tashkent at 6.15 pm before leaving Tashkent for KLIA at 7.55 pm and landing in KLIA at 6.35 am the next day under flight D7123.

AirAsia X flies to Tashkent on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with its A330-300 aircraft.

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Air Guilin as the "air bridge" of Guilin marks 9 years of flight services

 Report, main photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


On 1 January 2025, Air Guilin ushered in a new upgrade of its brand.

The new logo is dominated by dynamic blue, and the ingenious integration of Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin landscape, flapping birds and Zhuang brocade pattern elements that not only highlights the regional characteristics, but also conveys the ambition to take off.

"This brand renewal is not only an iteration of the visual image, but also a reinterpretation of the company's mission and cultural core." Xu Xin, chairman of Air Guilin, said that the company is committed to building a tourism aviation brand that combines Guilin's regional culture with an international perspective, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the development of Air Guilin on the road to brand development.

Nine years of hard work, building dreams in the sky; based in Guilin, reaching the world

Image : Air Guilin A320 approaching Haikou Meilan Airport (Picture by Gan Yung Chyan)


Since its launch in 2016, Air Guilin has safely flown 206,500 hours, safely taken off and landed 100,500 flights, transported a total of 12.39 million passengers, opened 257 routes to 93 cities in China. With the corporate mission of helping Guilin build a world-class tourist city, Air Guilin fully leverages the advantages of aviation transportation companies, continuously promotes the deep integration of aviation with tourism, culture and other industries, enhances Guilin's tourism convenience and influence, and builds an air bridge from Guilin to a world-class tourist city.

Images : Air Guilin A319 at Haikou Meilan Airport (Pictures by Gan Yung Chyan)


Party building leads brand renewal and activates new development momentum

"A date with mountains and rivers, Air Guilin" is the new slogan of Air Guilin after the brand is renewed, reflecting the brand core of Air Guilin with mountains and rivers as the medium and true feelings as the basis.

"We hope to convey an invitation and promise through the 'A date with mountains and rivers', inviting passengers to go on a journey with mountains and rivers, and promise to provide every passenger with safe, warm and high-quality aviation services, meet with everyone in Guilin, appreciate the picturesque scenery, and share the landscape culture, historical culture, red culture, folk culture, etc. of a world-class tourist city." Xu Xin said.

Mountains and rivers meet, a beautiful journey. Air Guilin's outlook on itself has never been limited to aviation service providers. Over the past nine years, Air Guilin has been closely rooted in Guilin, a unique land of mountains and rivers. It has taken Guilin as its main base for operation and development, integrated Guilin's regional charm into its brand genes, facilitated Guilin's transportation with "air connections", and empowered Guilin's tourism and economic development.

"Air Guilin has always closely linked its own development with Guilin's urban development, actively participated in Guilin's social and economic construction, and made it its mission to help Guilin build a world-class tourist city. As a state-owned holding company under the city of Guilin, Air Guilin has always put political construction first and led the company's high-quality development with party building." said Wu Qizhi, secretary of the Party General Branch of Air Guilin.

The Party General Branch of Air Guilin focuses on the company's development centre tasks, continuously deepens the "Party Building +" model, and takes "Party Building + Safety Management", "Party Building + Style Building", "Party Building + Efficiency Improvement", "Party Building + Sincere Service", and "Party Building + Increasing Revenue and Saving Expenditure" as the starting point to achieve a deep integration of party building with production and operation, talent training, and cultural construction. In daily operations, grassroots party organizations fully play the role of fighting fortresses, and the vanguard and exemplary role of party members is also highlighted. Party organizations at all levels actively create "Party member demonstration areas", "Party member vanguard posts" and "Youth Commandos". In the critical period of the company's development and major projects, they bravely shoulder heavy responsibilities, overcome difficulties, and interpret the responsibilities and responsibilities of party members with practical actions.

Air Guilin has always insisted on the deep integration of party building and business. Combining the company's party building culture and business characteristics, it has launched the creation goals of "one branch, one brand" and "one department, one feature". "Party flag leads the way, cloud pioneers" and "Red Wings lead the way, the beauty of service" and other characteristic party building brands have been presented one after another. These brands are not only a vivid embodiment of Air Guilin's party building work, but also an important carrier for gathering employee strength and enhancing the corporate image.

"Adhering to the leadership of the party and strengthening party building are the 'roots' and 'soul' of state-owned enterprises." Wu Qizhi said that Air Guilin will continue to adhere to the leadership of party building, persevere in promoting the resonance of party building and business, and transform political advantages into a strong driving force for corporate development.

Route network, service quality improvement, and promotion of cultural and tourism integration

In 2016, the air traffic control tower of Guilin Liangjiang International Airport issued an order to an Airbus A319 with the call sign "Beyond 1023": "Beyond 1023 can take off, wish you a smooth maiden flight!" 135 passengers became the first witnesses of Air Guilin's history, and Guilin people have their own airline since then.

Image : An Air Guilin flight attendant is providing cabin service to an unaccompanied child. Picture provided by Air Guilin

After nine years of flying in the clouds, the call sign of "Beyond" still echoes over Guilin. Passenger planes with Guilin landscape patterns shuttle among Guilin and various cities, building a route network covering the whole country from Hangzhou in the east, Shihezi in the west, Sanya in the south, and Harbin in the north.

Image : An Air Guilin safety officer conducts pre-flight cabin inspection. Picture provided by Air Guilin 

Zhang Wei, Vice President of Marketing of Guilin Airlines, introduced: "The company's operating routes currently cover major provincial capitals and some third- and fourth-tier cities with tourism characteristics, including important hub airports such as Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing Jiangbei, Kunming Changshui, Xi'an Xianyang, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Haikou Meilan, and Shenyang Taoxian." During this summer travel season, in order to meet the diverse travel needs of passengers, Air Guilin will open popular tourist routes such as Shihezi, Hulunbuir, and Hailar.

Image : Air Guilin pilot is conducting pre-flight flight inspection. Picture provided by Air Guilin 

Air Guilin is becoming the first choice for more and more passengers with its convenient route network. The latest operating data shows that since the beginning of this year, the company's average passenger load factor has reached 94.5%, ranking first among the 41 passenger airlines announced by the Civil Aviation Administration. "After nine years of operation, we are currently the main base airline with the highest passenger transport volume and the largest market share in Guilin. More and more Guilin citizens choose Air Guilin for travel." Zhang Wei said. In the future, the company will further strengthen the capacity layout of the main base in Guilin, continue to optimize the existing route network, and provide passengers with a more convenient and better travel experience.

Air Guilin is also committed to creating an innovative business model of "aviation + tourism", deepening its aviation travel products, and providing passengers with integrated products such as "air tickets + scenic spot tickets", "air tickets + star-rated hotels", and "air tickets + five-star Lijiang River cruises". Through distinctive differentiated services, it can better meet the travel needs of passengers.

The high-quality service experience has gradually become a consensus among passengers for "choosing Air Guilin for comfortable travel". "We always adhere to the service concept of customer-oriented, and warm every passenger with sincerity and enthusiasm." Li Lin, vice president of operations of Air Guilin, introduced. In terms of service improvement, Air Guilin has always adhered to the standard of "smiling service, proactive service, and caring service", from the cordial greetings at boarding, to the meticulous care during the flight, to the warm farewell at landing, showing the sincerity and professionalism of the flight attendants throughout the process.

Image : A colourful Air Guilin A320 (Picture by Gan Yung Chyan)

In terms of special services, Air Guilin brings the "Guilin flavour" to an altitude of 10,000 feet. The carefully selected Guilin rice noodles, Gongcheng oil tea, monk fruit tea and other authentic Guilin delicacies allow passengers to "taste Guilin before arriving in Guilin" and these are reflected on three Air Guilin's A320 planes. During the summer travel season, intangible cultural heritage drinks such as "Iced Yao Oil Tea and Milk Tea" and "Guishi Brocade Box" containing special snacks such as osmanthus cake will also be launched to make passengers' flight journey full of surprises.

"We hope that through these carefully crafted services, passengers will feel the sincerity and enthusiasm of Air Guilin." Li Lin said, "Every passenger's smile is the best affirmation of our service."

SalamAir launches flight to Abha on 28 October 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

SalamAir launches direct flight from Muscat to Abha, Saudi Arabia, on 28 October 2025, and it flies thrice weekly to Abha on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

On 28 October 2025, according to schedules, SalamAir flight OV293 departs from Muscat to Abha at 2.10 pm, touches down in Abha at 4 pm before leaving Abha for Muscat at 5 pm and arriving in Muscat at 8.45 pm under flight OV294.

The above timings are effective for travel on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On Saturdays, flight OV293 leaves Muscat for Abha at 9.40 am, lands in Abha at 11.30 am before taking off under flight OV294 at 12.30 pm and touching down in Muscat at 4.15 pm.

SalamAir flies to Abha with A320neo/A321neo aircraft.

Tianjin Airlines launches flight from Urumqi to Xiamen on 1 July 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Tianjin Airlines launches scheduled flight from Urumqi to Xiamen on 1 July 2025.

According to schedules, on 1 July 2025, Tianjin Airlines flight GS7461 departs from Urumqi for Xiamen at 7.35 am, touches down in Xiamen at 1.15 pm before leaving Xiamen for Urumqi at 2.30 pm and landing in Urumqi at 8.10 pm under flight GS7462.

Tianjin Airlines flies to Xiamen from Urumqi daily with its Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Mahan Air flies from Mashhad to Beijing Capital and Pudong effective 22 June 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


Mahan Air has informed media that it is temporarily operating scheduled flights from Mashhad to Pudong and Beijing Capital airports as the airspace to Tehran remains closed due to the Iran-Israel war.

According to schedules, from 22 June 2025 to 16 July 2025, Mahan Air flight W577 departs from Mashhad to Pudong at 9 pm, touches down in Pudong at 9.45 am before leaving Pudong for Mashhad at 11 pm under flight W578 and landing in Mashhad at 4 am from 23 June 2025 to 17 July 2025.

Mahan Air flies to Pudong from Mashhad on Wednesdays and Sundays and touches down in Mashhad on Thursdays and Mondays.

From 22 June 2025 to 13 July 2025, flight W579 departs from Mashhad to Beijing Capital at 8.40 pm, lands in Beijing Capital at 8.15 am before taking off from Beijing Capital to Mashhad at 12.15 am from 24 June 2025 to 15 July 2025 under flight W578 and arriving in Mashhad at 4 am.

Flight operation days are Sundays (inbound to Beijing Capital) and Tuesdays (outbound from Beijing Capital).

Mahan Air flies to Pudong and Beijing Capital with its A340 aircraft while its flights to Guangzhou and Shenzhen from Tehran remain suspended.

Monday, 23 June 2025

SalamAir launches flight to Kualanamu on 28 October 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


On 28 October 2025, Omani low-cost carrier SalamAir launches direct scheduled flight from Muscat to Kualanamu Airport, the gateway to Medan, Indonesia.

Accrding to schedules, SalamAir flight OV901 departs from Muscat for Kualanamu at 5.35 pm on 28 October 2025, touches down in Kualanamu at 3.05 am before leaving Kualanamu for Muscat at 3.50 am on 29 October 2025 and landing in Muscat at 7.40 am local time under flight OV902.

SalamAir flies to Kualanamu with its A321neo on Tuesdays and Fridays and leaves for Muscat on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Hainan Airlines launches three Guiyang-outbound routes from 1 July 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


As the summer tourism peak season approaches, Hainan Airlines plans to add three new routes to and from Guiyang from 1 July 2025, namely Haikou-Guiyang-Taiyuan, Guiyang-Zhengzhou-Dalian, and Guiyang-Ningbo-Dalian, to further optimize the route network layout and improve the convenience of passenger travel.

After the opening of the new routes, the number of domestic cities served by Hainan Airlines' Guiyang routes during the summer travel season will increase to 12, covering Beijing, Shenzhen, Haikou, Sanya, Xi'an, Hohhot, Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Zhengzhou, Shijiazhuang, Ningbo, Dalian and other cities. In addition, Hainan Airlines' Guiyang-Milan international route will also continue to operate stably.

The newly added Haikou-Guiyang-Taiyuan route plans to operate one round-trip flight per day. The outbound flight takes off from Haikou Meilan International Airport at 12.20 pm and arrives at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 2.05 pm; it takes off again at 3.05 pm and arrives at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport at 5.25 pm. The return flight takes off from Taiyuan Wusu International Airport at 6.15 pm every day and arrives at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 8.35 pm; it continues to depart at9.35 pm and arrives at Haikou Meilan International Airport at11.20 pm.

The Guiyang-Zhengzhou-Dalian route is scheduled to operate one round-trip flight each on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The outbound flight takes off from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 3.15 pm and arrives at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport at 5.20 pm; after a short stop, it takes off again at 6.20 pm and arrives at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport at 8.20 pm. The return flight takes off from Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport at 8.30 am and arrives at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport at 10.25 am; it takes off again at 11.35 am and arrives at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 2.05 pm.

The Guiyang-Ningbo-Dalian route is scheduled to operate one round-trip flight each on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The outbound flight takes off from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 3.20 pm and arrives at Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 5.45 pm; it takes off again at 6.35 pm and arrives at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport at 8.30 pm. The return flight departs from Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport at 8.35 am and arrives at Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 10.45 am; it takes off again at 11.35 am and arrives at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 2.15 pm..

Saturday, 21 June 2025

TruJet to resume operations using A320 by November 2025 as a national airline

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


According to Skift, the Indian government has approved the resumption of operations of regional airline TruJet (formerly known as Turbo Megha Airlines). Unlike before, this time TruJet will operate as a national scheduled flight operator.

TruJet plans to resume flight services using Airbus A320 aircraft and use Visakhapatnam Airport as its main hub. The airline's previous hub was in Hyderabad. It plans to launch its first flight by November 2025, connecting Visakhapatnam with one of the following cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or Hyderabad.

The decision was made after extensive discussions between officials from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation and TruJet's leadership. TruJet originally started operations as a regional airline in 2015, but ceased operations in 2022 due to financial difficulties caused by the epidemic.

At the time of the suspension, TruJet mainly served small cities in southern India and had planned to expand to 18 second-tier cities in the region.

In February, Indian aviation company WinAir announced it would acquire a 79% stake in TruJet for 2 billion Indian rupees ($23 million). After acquiring a controlling stake, WinAir said it would take over the management and operations of the company.

TruJet's plan: TruJet has now been approved to operate as a national airline, a significant upgrade from its previous regional airline status. Before resuming operations, TruJet will also need to re-obtain an aviation operating license from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Batik Air Malaysia launches flight to Kuching from Subang on 28 July 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA


Batik Air Malaysia launches scheduled flight from Subang to Kuching on 28 July 2025.

On 28 July 2025, according to schedules, Batik Air Malaysia flight OD1612 departs from Subang to Kuching at 5 pm, touches down in Kuching at 6.55 pm before leaving Kuching for Subang at 7.55 pm and arriving in Subang at 9.50 pm under flight OD1613.

Batik Air Malaysia flies to Kuching with its B737-800 daily.

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Hainan Airlines has received its first A321neo

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA     Image : Web Screenshot


Hainan Airlines has received its first Airbus A321neo aircraft in Hamburg, Germany, becoming the latest customer to operate this efficient and advanced single-aisle aircraft.

The A321neo aircraft is powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines and features the new Airbus "Airspace" interior. Hainan Airlines has set up 8 Business Class seats and 196 Economy Class seats in a two-class cabin layout. Among them, the first three rows of economy class have been widened to provide passengers with a more comfortable riding experience.

Hainan Airlines was established in January 1993 in Hainan Province, China's largest special economic zone and free trade port. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Airbus' cooperation with China's civil aviation and the 20th anniversary of Hainan Airlines' introduction of its first Airbus aircraft. As of May 2025, Hainan Airlines operates a total of 27 A330 series aircraft and 8 A320neo aircraft.

The Airbus A320neo family is one of the most popular single-aisle aircraft in the world, with more than 11,000 orders from more than 140 customers worldwide. The aircraft family combines advanced aerodynamic design, new generation engines and enhanced cabin features to deliver greater efficiency, ride comfort and operational flexibility.

Like all Airbus aircraft, the A321neo is currently capable of flying with up to a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to have all its aircraft able to fly with up to 100% SAF fuel by 2030.