Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 Updates : Japan Airlines, Delta Airlines, EVA Air; GREENxEXPO 2027

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

Japan Airlines introduces A350-1000, local sauna travel, giving wings to tourists' passions

Under the theme "Giving Wings to Your Passions," Japan Airlines at Booth W-01 is hosting a variety of talk shows and interactive programs designed to celebrate what tourists love. Experience the atmosphere of the state-of-the-art A350-1000 international aircraft via VR, or take on the challenge of running a full marathon distance on a treadmill in our "Honolulu Marathon" recreation event. 

The main stage of Japan Airlines also features talk shows and participatory activities. 

Japan Airlines looks forward to welcoming visitors to a space where they can experience the allure of travel with all five senses and feel their spirits lifted.

On Japan Airlines'  "Giving Wings to Your Passions" Fan Meeting, visitors can answer quizzes for a chance to win original JAL merchandise! The quizzes are as follows:-

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26 September 2026 (Sat) 1 pm: Discover the Appeal of JAL’s Joint Business Partners Through Quizzes!

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27 September 2026 (Sun) 1 pm: Which Prefecture Is This Sauna In? — A Guide to Local Sauna Travel;

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27 September 2026 (Sun) 1.30 pm: Discover the Appeal of JAL’s Joint Business Partners Through Quizzes!

Booth visitors will receive Japan Airlines' novelty gifts that celebrate their passions.

Delta commences flight to Narita on 27 March 2027, U.S. tourism organizations team up with Delta Airlines to introduce U.S. Pacific Northwest 

Delta Airlines resumes scheduled flight from Seattle to Narita on 27 March 2027, this time with its A330-900neo jet. The outgoing flight leaves Seattle for Narita at 1.35 pm, arrives in Narita at 4.20 pm on 28 March 2027 before departing from Narita for Seattle at 6.30 pm and landing in Seattle at 12 pm on the same day. Flights are operated daily.

Delta Airlines has suspended flights on the route since 2019.

Delta Airlines is expanding its Asia route network in 2027. Outside Japan, it currently flies to Hong Kong and Incheon and is adding Manila to its network in March 2027. It has future plan to launch direct flight to Changi from Seattle. To Japan, it currently operates scheduled flights from Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle and Honolulu to Haneda.

To celebrate the inaugural flight to Narita in advance wth the tourism industry and visitors, four tourism organizations namely Visit Seattle, Washington Tourism, Travel Portland and Travel Oregon have teamed up with Delta Airlines to showcase the appeal of the Pacific Northwest and provide information on the best ways to get there. Visit the booths A-08 to A-11 to discover the charms of the Pacific Northwest—the North American region closest to Japan—including its nature, cities, cuisine and culture.

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Participate in a stamp rally while visiting the booths for a chance to win original merchandise from each organization.

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Explore recommended spots in Washington State, Seattle, Oregon and Portland via maps.

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Learn about tourism highlights and ways to enjoy traveling in each region.

EVA Air presents "EVA TOURS" at Booth G-16

As an airline dedicated to offering a "new" experience with every flight, EVA Air presents "EVA TOURS," an immersive attraction that lets visitors simulate the excitement of starting a dream trip. Participants can choose a destination served by EVA Air that they would love to visit and enjoy an immersive experience. Lucky participants will also have the chance to win luxurious prizes at in-booth events.

GREENxEXPO 2027 stresses on the scenery of tomorrow that creates happiness

GREENxEXPO 2027 will be the first World Horticulture Expo held in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures), taking place in the Kamiseya district of Yokohama from Friday, 19 March 2027, to Sunday, 26 September 2027. The event theme is "Scenery of Tomorrow Creating Happiness." Reservations for specific visit dates and times using admission tickets have begun on 18 September 2026 (Friday).

At the booth, organizers are available to answer various questions from visitors and distribute the GREENxEXPO 2027 official brochure. The official mascot character "Tunk-Tunk" is also present.

Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, known to the public as JATA Tourism Expo, is held at Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake, from 24 September 2026 to 27 September 2026.

Inflight Pictures : Parata Air A330-200 on the ground of Incheon Airport

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Trinity Airways launches flight to Kobe on 18 December 2026

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

Trinity Airways, formerly T'way Air, launches scheduled flight from Incheon to Kobe on 18 December 2026.

On 18 December 2026, according to schedules, Trinity Airways flight TW335 departs from Incheon for Kobe at 2.10 pm, touches down in Kobe at 3.55 pm before leaving Kobe for Incheon at 4.55 pm and landing in Incheon at 6.55 pm under flight TW336.

Trinity Airways flies to Kobe daily with its B737-800 aircraft. It is the second South Korean airline to fly to Kobe after Korean Air.

China Southern launches flight to Addis Ababa via Changsha on 12 October 2026

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

Regular Tourism EXPO Japan sub-exhibitor China Southern Airlines has announced launch of its flight to Addis Ababa via Changsha. The first flight to Addis Ababa via Changsha is opened on 12 October 2026.

On 12 October 2026, according to schedules, China Southern flight CZ8095 departs from Guangzhou for Addis Ababa via Changsha at 10.10 am, stops over in Changsha at 11.35 am before taking off from Changsha for Addis Ababa at 1.50 pm and arriving in Addis Ababa at 8 pm.

Later at 11 pm on 12 October 2026, flight CZ8096 leaves Addis Ababa for Changsha, touches down in Changsha at 3.10 pm before departing from Changsha for Guangzhou at 5.10 pm and landing in Guangzhou at 6.45 pm on 13 October 2026.

China Southern flies to Addis Ababa via Changsha with its 787-9 Dreamliner on Mondays and Fridays and touches down in Guangzhou on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

JCAS Airways plans domestic flight launch from Kansai in 2027

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA       Images : JCAS Airways

Osaka-based Japanese startup airline JCAS Airways recently held its shareholders' meeting and board meeting. The company is currently making operational preparations with the aim of launching service in 2027.

The airline's launch plans have previously been postponed on several occasions.

JCAS Airways initially delayed its planned 2021 launch to 2022 due to the covid pandemic. Later, it pushed back the launch from the first half of 2026 to the second half of the year following production delays for its first ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Although JCAS Airways has not yet taken delivery of any aircraft, it signed a 12-year lease agreement in 2024 with Singapore-based lessor Avation for one ATR 72-600.

The airline will be based at Osaka's Kansai International Airport and initially plans to operate routes connecting Kansai to Toyama and Yonago.

Within five years of domestic flight launch, JCAS Airways plans to expand its fleet to seven aircraft and operate flights on 16 routes.

Air Premia launches flight to Sapporo New Chitose on 2 December 2026

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

Air Premia launches scheduled flight from Incheon to Sapporo New Chitose Airport on 2 December 2026.

According to schedules, Air Premia operates at least three flights a week to Sapporo New Chitose with flight YP751 leaving Incheon for Sapporo at 9.40 am, touching down in Sapporo New Chitose at 12.20 pm before taking off from Sapporo New Chitose for Incheon at 1.45 pm and arriving in Incheon under flight YP752 at 5.15 pm local time.

Air Premia flies to Sapporo New Chitose on four days including Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays with its 787-9 Dreamliner.

AirBaltic files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York

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

According to Reuters, Latvia's airBaltic announced on 14 September 2026 (Monday) that it had voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York as part of a restructuring effort to reduce debt.

In a statement, airBaltic said it had secured commitments for €350 million ($405 million) in financing from lenders—including Strategic Value Partners, Barclays, Hayfin Capital Management, Morgan Stanley, and Oaktree Capital Management—to support operations during the restructuring process.

The war between the U.S. and Iran has caused jet fuel prices to double, triggering the worst crisis for the air travel industry since the covid pandemic.

For months, investors and airline executives have warned that carriers with strained balance sheets and high exposure to oil price volatility would be hit hardest by the Middle East conflict.

The Latvian government holds a majority stake in airBaltic.

The company stated that the decision to file for bankruptcy was intended to secure protection while negotiating debt restructuring with creditors.

AirBaltic also noted that flights would continue to operate as usual during the court-supervised bankruptcy proceedings.

AirBaltic is the second airline casualty linked to this war, following the collapse of U.S.-based Spirit Airlines in May 2026.

The airline had already been facing financial pressure—which prompted the Latvian government to provide a €30 million loan in April—and its liquidity position has deteriorated further in recent months due to rising fuel costs.

Separately, other airlines—such as AirAsia, Southeast Asia's largest low-cost carrier—are also seeking new capital as they face mounting financial pressure from rising jet fuel costs and massive foreign exchange losses.

Sun Phuquoc Airways' October 2026 new routes to China

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

Sun Phuquoc Airways (SPA) is launching two new routes to China in October 2026. On 25 October 2026, it launches regular flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pudong and on 27 October 2026, it opens its exclusive route from Phuquoc to Shenzhen.

On 25 October 2026, according to schedules, SPA flight 9G634 leaves Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport for Pudong at 9.45 pm, touches down in Pudong at 2.45 am on 26 October 2026 before taking off from Pudong for Tan Son Nhat under flight 9G635 at 4.15 am and landing on Tan Son Nhat at 7.40 am local time.

SPA flies to Pudong daily.

On 27 October 2026, SPA flight 9G614 departs from Phuquoc for Shenzhen at 8.45 pm, arrives in Shenzhen at 12.30 am on 28 October 2026 before leaving Shenzhen under flight 9G615 for Phuquoc at 1.30 am on 28 October 2026 and arriving in Phuquoc at 3.20 am.

SPA flies to Shenzhen non-stop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays before returning to Phuquoc on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The above flights are operated by SPA's A321neo aircraft.

Myanmar Airways International launches flight to Tianfu on 15 October 2026

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

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) launches scheduled flight from Yangon to Tianfu on 15 October 2026.

On 15 October 2026, according to schedules, MAI flight 8M792 departs from Yangon for Tianfu at 10.30 pm, touches down in Tianfu at 2.45 am on 16 October 2026 before leaving Tianfu for Yangon under flight 8M793 at 3.45 am and arriving in Yangon at 5 am.

The above timings are effective until 28 December 2026.

MAI flies to Tianfu on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays with its A319 aircraft before returing to Yangon on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays.

West Air launches Taiyuan-Nanning-Yangon flight on 25 September 2026

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

West Air launches scheduled flight from Taiyuan to Yangon via Nanning on 25 September 2026.

On 25 September 2026, according to schedules, West Air flight PN6535 departs from Taiyuan for Yangon via Nanning at 10 am, transits in Nanning at 1 pm before leaving Nanning for Yangon at 2.30 pm and landing in Yangon at 3.30 pm.

On the reverse leg, flight PN6536 leaves Yangon for Nanning at 10.05 am, touches down in Nanning at 2.05 pm before taking off from Nanning for Taiyuan at 3.30 pm and arriving in Taiyuan at 6.20 pm.

West Air flies to Nanning and Yangon from Taiyuan with its A320 jet on Mondays and Fridays.