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.

Yakutia Airlines launches flight to Yichang on 12 September 2026

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

Russian airline Yakutia Airlines launches seasonal scheduled flight from Khabarovsk to Yichang on 12 September 2026.

From 12 September 2026 to 15 November 2026, Yakutia Airlines flight R39835 leaves Khabarovsk for Yichang at 11 am, touches down in Yichang at 1.30 pm before leaving Yichang for Khabarovsk at 2.50 pm under flight R39836 and landing in Khabarovsk at 9 pm.

Yakutia Airlines flies to Yichang on Saturdays with its Sukhoi SuperJet SJJ100 aircraft.

Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 focuses on the "Evolving Shape of Travel"

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

Image : Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)

The Japan Tourism Promotion Association, the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is holding "Tourism EXPO Japan 2026" at Tokyo Big Sight for four days, from Thursday, 24 September 2026 to Sunday, 27 September 2026.

Now in its 12th year, Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, the world's largest travel festival, will focus on the theme of "Evolving Shape of Travel," and will feature over 1,300 exhibitors from approximately 70 countries, overseas regions and 46 Japanese prefectures under one roof.

Under the theme "Evolving Shape of Travel", Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 aims to showcase the diverse attractions of each country and region, as well as new experiences, rediscoveries of regional charms, and services that address challenges in the tourism industry, introducing the latest tourism trends that will shape the future of travel and proposing new travel experiences through cross-border exchange..

Furthermore, a variety of programs will be offered, including stage programs introducing culture, food and beverage events, seminars, and opportunities for information exchange and business negotiations.

Highlights include the newly established "Gastronomy Tourism" and "Wellness Tourism" categories within the TEJ Collection, as well as compelling domestic booths, the increasingly popular and highly anticipated cruise sector, and booths showcasing new modes of travel and transportation.

Through the promotion of overseas travel, inbound travel, and domestic travel, the aim of Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 is to disseminate the charms of regions both domestically and internationally, propose new values ​​for travel, and revitalize the entire tourism industry.

Exciting seminars line-up

There are interesting seminars at Tourism Expo Japan 2026.

The first seminar is organized by Japan Space Tourism Promotion Council. Entitled "Space Food : From the Era of 'Bringing It with You' to the Era of 'Making It Yourself'", the seminar explores the future possibility of making space tourists' own food in space.

One of the subsequent seminars explores challenges faced by inbound tourism operations with inefficient operations with Excel and paper for complex business activities and the solution to the challenges looks into Cocotra, the inbound tourism support solution to the challenges as developed by Nippon Steel Solutions Co., Ltd.

Osamu Hidayamu of Nippon Steel Solutions Co., Ltd. shares with the invitees about the positive impact of Cocotra's implementation on business operations through the case study of Japanese tour agency Big Holiday International.  

Two other seminars on Green X Expo 2027 on 24 and 25 September 2026 touch on the progress and inbound tourism strategy of Yokohama as host city of Green Expo 2027 in welcoming tourist arrivals and the expansion of Japan-Thailand tourism exchange since the International Horticultural Exposition is scheduled to be held in Korat, Thailand, in 2029.

A panel discussion on promoting mutual exchange between Thailand and Japan based on the 140th Anniversary of the Normalization of Dipolatic Relations between both countries in 2027 is also held.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines under Mongolia Tourism Organization Mongolia pavilion

In contrast with its previous independent exhibitor presence, MIAT Mongolian Airlines is appearing as a sub-exhibitor under Mongolia Tourism Organziation Mongolia pavilion this year at Booth G-07. Other sub-exhibitors are Mongolian tour agencies and Japan tour agencies specialized in Mongolian tour packages.

New airline exhibitors at JATA Tourism Expo 2026

This year, the new airline exhibitors include Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Delta Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Shenzhen Airlines and Emirates.

Repeated airline exhibitors include ITA Airways, Iberia, Air Tahiti Nui, All Nippon Airways, Starlux Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air Canada and Uzbekistan Airways.

Air Cambodia re-exhibits at JATA Tourism Expo, increases flight frequency to Narita

Air Cambodia plans C909 launch on 15 December 2026

China Southern's Addis Ababa flight via Changsha on 12 October 2026

Updates on Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 will be added in due course.

Aeromexico launches flight from Guadalajara to Paris CDG on 13 April 2027

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

Aeromexico launches direct scheduled flight from Guadalajara to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport on 13 April 2027.

On 13 April 2027, according to schedules, Aeromexico flight AM42 departs from Guadalajara for Paris CDG at 1.55 pm, touches down in Paris CDG at 9.25 am on 14 April 2027 before taking off from Paris CDG for Guadalajara at 11.40 am under flight AM43 and landing in Guadalajara at 4.10 pm.

Aeromexico flies to Paris CDG with its 787-9/787-8 Dreamliners on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Aeromexico launches flight to Milan from Mexico City on 30 March 2027

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

Aeromexico, the national airline of Mexico, launches scheduled flight from Mexico City to Milan on 30 March 2027.

On 30 March 2027, according to schedules. Aeromexico flight AM76 departs from Mexico City for Milan at 10.25 pm, touches down in Milan at 6.20 pm on 31 March 2027 at 6.20 pm before leaving Milan for Mexico City at 11.05 pm under flight AM77 and arriving in Mexico City at 4 am on 1 April 2027.

Aeromexico flies to Milan with its 787-9 Dreamliner on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It returns to Mexico City from Milan on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.