Etihad Airways launches flight to Calgary on 25 October 2026

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

Etihad Airways launches scheduled flight to Calgary from Abu Dhabi on 25 October 2026.

On 25 October 2026, according to schedules, Etihad Airways flight EY29 takes off from Abu Dhabi for Calgary at 2.25 am, touches down in Calgary at 7 am local time before leaving Calgary for Abu Dhabi at 11 pm under flight EY30 and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 12.55 pm on 26 October 2026.

Etihad Airways flies to Calgary on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays with its 787-9 Dreamliner.

Greater Bay Airlines launches flight to Chongqing on 4 September 2026

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

Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) launches scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Chongqing on 4 September 2026.

On 4 September 2026, according to schedules, GBA flight HB868 departs from Hong Kong for Chongqing at 2.30 pm, is expected to touch down in Chongqing at 4.55 pm before leaving Chongqing for Hong Kong at 6 pm under flight HB869 and landing in Hong Kong at 8.25 pm local time.

GBA flies to Chongqing with its B737-800 aircraft on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Sun Phuquoc Airways launches daily flights from Haiphong on 25 July 2026

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

Sun Phuquoc Airways is expanding its domestic route network in July 2026. On 25 July 2026, it launches daily flights from Haiphong to Phuquoc and Ho Chi Minh City.

Sun Phuquoc Airways launches flight from Haiphong to Phuquoc on 25 July 2026

On 25 July 2026, according to schedules, Sun Phuquoc flight 9G2501 departs from Haiphong for Phuquoc at 10 am, touches down in Phuquoc at 12.05 pm before leaving Phuquoc for Haiphong at 12.55 pm and arriving in Phuquoc at 3 pm under flgiht 9G2500.

Sun Phuquoc Airways launches flight from Haiphong to Ho Chi Minh on 25 July 2026

Later in the afternoon of 25 July 2026, according to schedules, Sun Phuquoc flight 9G1515 leaves haiphon for Ho Chi Minh City at 3.50 pm, touches down in Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport Terminal 3 at 6 pm before taking off from Ho Chi Minh in the next morning at 7.05 am under flight 9G1500 and landing in Haiphong at 9.10 am.

Sun Phuquoc Airways flies to Phuquoc and Ho Chi Minh City with its A321neo jet.

Direct flights between Camranh and Hanoi on 20 July 2026 have been shelved.

Starlux Airlines' third A350-1000 completes maiden flight in Toulouse on 9 June 2026

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA         Image : Starlux Airlines / Airbus

On 9 June 2026, Starlux Airlines' silver-painted A350-1000 aircraft, "AIRSORAYAMA" (registration number: B-58553), successfully completes its maiden flight in Toulouse.

This is Starlux Airlines' third A350-1000 aircraft (registration number: B-58553), featuring a metallic silver paint job.

According to Starlux Airlines' plan, this aircraft will be delivered to the airline in July 2026.

AIRSORAYAMA is a collaborative project between Starlux Airlines and Japanese hyper-realistic mechanical aesthetics master Hajime Sorayama, a livery project planned to enter service in the third quarter of 2026. 

The project uses two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, one featuring Sorayama's signature metallic silver and the other metallic gold. The gold art aircraft uses gold as the main color with silver accents, while the silver art aircraft uses silver as the main color with gold accents. The aircraft's fuselage and belly are painted with the AIRSORAYAMA logo, while the wingtips subtly incorporate a delicate metallic gradient design. The belly's streamlined lines are transformed into the iconic "SORAYAMA Shark" design by Hajime Sorayama, turning the A350-1000 into an aerial shark.

Inflight Pictures : 9air departing from Suvarnabhumi

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Inflight Pictures : SalamAir A321neo landing during sun rise

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Riyadh Air, authorized to fly to the U.S., aims to fly to more than 100 destinations

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA         Image : Riyadh Air 

On 16 June 2026 local time, Riyadh Air received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate flights between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The U.S. Department of Transportation stated that this authorization is in the public interest.

Riyadh Air submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2026, outlining its ambitious goal of building a global route network covering more than 100 international destinations by 2030.

While specific launch dates and routes have not yet been announced, this clears the way for its future flights to the United States. Riyadh Air has also established partnerships or is planning collaborations with several international airlines, including Delta Air Lines, to advance its long-haul route network strategy.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas stated last week that with the delivery of new aircraft, the fleet is expected to grow to eight aircraft by the end of July, with plans to launch routes to 22 cities by March 2027.

Riyadh Air has already announced routes to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester, with Indian cities potentially following suit. On 10 June 2026, Riyadh Airlines officially launched its Riyadh-London Heathrow route, its first route.

In early June, Riyadh Air received its first batch of three Boeing 787-9 aircraft. It has ordered a total of 72 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, and 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Inflight Pictures : US-Bangla Airlines A330-300 as seen from KLIA Terminal 1

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

ITE HK 2026 Inflight Pictures : HK Express A321neo

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Flydubai launches flight to Pokhara on 23 September 2026

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

UAE low-cost airline Flydubai launches scheduled flight to Pokhara from Dubai on 23 September 2026.

On 23 September 2026, according to schedules, Flydubai flight FZ1165 departs from Dubai for Pokhara at 12 pm, touches down in Pokhara at 6.15 pm before taking off from Pokhara for Dubai under flight FZ1166 at 7.15 pm and arriving in Dubai at 10 pm.

Flydubai flies to Pokhara daily with its 737 MAX 8 aircraft.