Spring Airlines flies four times a week from Suvarnabhumi to Guangzhou

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Spring Airlines is commencing scheduled flights from Suvarnabhumi to Guangzhou with effect from 4 December 2015.

On 4 December, Spring Airlines flight 9C8544 departs from Suvarnabhumi for Guangzhou at 7.10 pm, arrives in Guangzhou at 12.10 am on 5 December before leaving Guangzhou at 2.10 am and arriving in Suvarnabhumi at 4.45 am under flight 9C8543.

Spring Airlines operates flights between Suvarnabhumi and Guangzhou on Fridays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. One-way fare for travel on 4 December starts from 2 Singapore Dollars and it is still available for purchase on the English web-site of the airline at en.ch.com.

Inflight Review : Tigerair offers free inflight snack promotions

Inflight Review by : Gan Yung Chyan
                             / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

Airline : Tigerair A320.

Aircraft : The A320 all-Economy Class seat legroom is narrow. ***

Safety Demonstrations : Adequate.  *****

Inflight Service : Tigerair now runs free snack promotions onboard its flights until end of March 2016. Continuation is subject to the inflight management's decision. For example, if a passenger orders two mixed fruit cups, he will get one free mixed fruit cup. The fruit cups are worth the purchase. Receipts are issued for inflight purchases.****

The cabin is clean and hygienic. The air hostesses are attentive to passengers' needs.  *****

Postcard / Stationery : There are no aircraft postcards. Barf Bags are all-white. Immigration forms are issued. **

 

Inflight Magazine : Passengers are welcome to take away a complimentary copy of Tigertales as a travel memento. *****

Sky Shop : Available but items are costly. ***

Onboard Meals and Refreshments : See Above. Tigerair should consider selling healthier hot-meals like selling brown rice or multi-grain rice meals so that the costs will be worthwhile ***

Surcharge :  Passengers need to pay a surcharge if they want to sit at the First, Emergency rows of seats. **

Bookings : Better buy Tigerair tickets at AXS Stations. You can reserve the tickets on Tigerair web-site and pay at AXS Stations. AXS ticket payment surcharge is only 5 Dollars compared to credit card purchases which entail a surcharge of up to 10 Dollars. Ctrip also sells Tigerair tickets. *****

Check-In and Departures : Web-check-in is provided. Report at the destination airport two hours before departures. On-time departure is more than 85 per cent each month.**

Ground service in  response  to passengers' requests and enquiries : Very Good.  *****

Overall Impression : There is room for improvement for Tigerair in terms of flight departure, customer hotline and inflight services. *****

** Poor / two-star
*** Good / three-star
***** Very good / five-star
****** Excellent / six-star (the highest category)

Qatar Airways launches direct flights to Sydney and Adelaide in March and May 2016

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Qatar Airways confirmed its first direct daily flight to Sydney from Doha debuts on 1 March 2016 while its direct daily service to Adelaide from Doha begins on 2 May 2016. The two Australian cities become the third and fourth destinations of Qatar Airways in Australia, joining current daily non-stop flights to Melbourne and Perth.

On 1 March 2016, Qatar Airways flight QR0908 departs from Doha for Sydney at 8.10 pm, arrives in Sydney the next day at 6.05 pm before leaving Sydney at 10.20 pm and arriving in Doha at 5.05 am under flight QR0909. Flights to Sydney are operated by the airline's Boeing B777-300ER jet.

On 2 May 2016, flight QR0914 leaves Doha at 8.35 pm, arrives in Adelaide at 4.25 pm before departing under flight QR0915 from Adelaide at 9.10 pm and touching down in Doha at 4.55 am local time on 3 May 2016. Flights to Adelaide from Doha are operated by Qatar Airways' Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Qatar Airways Group CEO, Akbar Al Baker said, "Our launching of flights to Adelaide and Sydney in 2016 will provide even more choice for holidaymakers and business travellers to Australia, and also provide a strategic air link for travellers from Adelaide to the rest of the world."

Myanmar National Airlines' new routes to Kuala Lumpur and Taipei

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Myanmar National Airlines launched and is launching new routes.

On 20 November 2015, Myanmar National Airlines launched its first charter flight from Yangon to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) located in Sepang, Malaysia using its second Boeing B737-800 aircraft.  Flight UB995 departed from Yangon for KLIA at 5.15 am and arrived in KLIA at 12.35 pm. It left KLIA on 23 November 2015 at 9 am under flight UB998 and arrived in Yangon at 12 pm.

On 26 January 2016, Myanmar National Airlines commences its fourth international route service to Taipei from Yangon. Flight UB005 departs from Yangon at 8 am, arrives in Taipei at 1.25 pm before leaving Taipei one hour later at 2.25 pm and touching down in Yangon at 5.20 pm under flight UB006.

Myanmar National Airlines flies between Yangon and Taipei on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using its second B737-800 aircraft. It signifies a Myanmar airline's first entry into the Taiwan travel market.

Myanmar National Airlines flies from Yangon to 4 international destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Chiang Mai and Taipei from 26 January 2016 and operates an extensive domestic flight network and private domestic charter flights. Future new scheduled destinations under consideration include Tokyo, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Malindo Air flies to Colombo on 18 December 2015 onwards

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Malindo Air is launching its first scheduled flight to Colombo from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 located in Sepang, Malaysia, on 18 December 2015, and not 16 December 2015 as reported by airlineroute.net.

On 18 December, Malindo flight OD185 departs from Kuala Lumpur for Colombo at 10 pm, arrives in Colombo at 10.55 pm local time before leaving Colombo at 11.55 pm and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 6.15 am on 19 December under flight OD186. Malindo Air will operate daily flights between both cities.

Malindo Air faces direct competition on the route from AirAsia, SriLankan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

Tigerair Taiwan flies to Zhangjiajie on 12 December 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Tigerair Taiwan is the first low-cost airline in the world to operate low-cost flights to Zhangjiajie, a prefecture-level city of Hunan Province, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.

On 12 December 2015, the first low-cost flight to Zhangjiajie, Tigerair Taiwan flight IT109, departs from Taipei-Taoyuan for Zhangjiajie at 6.35 am, arrives in Zhangjiajie at 9.05 am before leaving Zhangjiajie at 10.10 am and touching down in Taoyuan at 12.50 pm under flight IT110.

Tigerair Taiwan operates flights between Taipei-Taoyuan and Zhangjiajie on Saturdays and Wednesdays. With direct flights to Zhangjiajie from Taipei-Taoyuan, passengers do not need to fly to Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, from Singapore with SilkAir for the arduous land journey to Zhangjiajie. Tigerair Taiwan operates daily low-cost flights from Singapore to Taoyuan.

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area comprises Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzishan mountain ranges, Baofenghu and Suoxi Valley. It is a popular filming and tourist destination. The famous Avatar Hallelujah Mountain is located in the heritage site.

Sichuan Airlines flies to Singapore from Chengdu on 25 January 2016

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Sichuan Airlines returns to the Singapore travel market by launching its first scheduled flight from Chengdu to Singapore on 25 January 2016. It operated commercial flights between Nanning and Singapore from 6 April 2013 to August 2013.

On 25 January 2016, Sichuan Airlines' Airbus A320 flight 3U8093 departs from Chengdu for Singapore at 2 pm, arrives in Singapore at 6.40 pm before leaving Singapore at 7.40 pm and arriving in Chengdu at 12.20 am on 26 January 2016 under 3U8094.

Sichuan Airlines will operate daily services between Singapore and Chengdu.

In the same month, Sichuan Airlines also launches direct flights from Chengdu to Tokyo-Narita on 18 January 2016 and to Osaka on 19 January 2016.

Chengdu is the headquarters base of Sichuan Airlines. 

Myanmar National Airlines' ATR72 aircraft to fly to Chiang Mai on 18 December 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

One of Myanmar National Airlines'  ATR72 series aircraft is launching the airline's inaugural ATR flight to Chiang Mai from Yangon on 18 December 2015, replacing Golden Myanmar Airlines' suspended flights. It will fly twice a week, on Fridays and Mondays, between Yangon and Chiang Mai.

On 18 December 2015, flight UB009 departs from Yangon for Chiang Mai at 8.35 pm, arrives in Chiang Mai at 10.05 pm before leaving Chiang Mai at 11.35 pm and touching down in Yangon at 12.05 am under flight UB010.

Tickets are now on sale at Myanmar National Airlines' web-site www.flymna.com.

Myanmar National Airlines has a fleet of 15 passenger aircraft including 1 ATR42-320, 2 ATR72-212, 3 ATR72-500, 1 ATR72-600, 1 newly received ATR72-400, 2 B737-800, 2 Beechcraft 1900, 2 Cessna 208 Caravan and 1 Embraer E190 aeroplanes. It has ordered 4 more B737-800, 4 B737 MAX8, 5 ATR72-600 and 2 COMAC ARJ21-700 aircraft.  

HK Express launches direct flights to Yangon and Mandalay from Hong Kong in February 2016

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

HK Express, Hong Kong's only low-fare airline, launches direct scheduled flights to Yangon and Mandalay from Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2 in February 2016. Its flights to Yangon begin on 17 February 2016 while its flights to Mandalay debut on 21 February 2016.

On 17 February 2016, HK Express flight UO1727 departs from Hong Kong for Yangon at 4.25 pm, arrives in Yangon at 6.25 pm local time before leaving Yangon at 7.10 pm and touching down in Hong Kong at 11.55 pm under flight UO1728. Scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Yangon operated by HK Express are on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays.

On 21 February 2016, HK Express flight UO1721 takes off from Hong Kong for Mandalay at 12.05 pm and arrives in Mandalay at 2.05 pm before departing from Mandalay at 3.10 pm for Hong Kong and arriving in Hong Kong at 7.35 pm under flight UO1722. Scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Mandalay operated by HK Express are on Sundays and Wednesdays.

HK Express faces direct competition on the Yangon route from Dragonair and Myanmar National Airlines while it is the only international airline to fly directly between Hong Kong and Mandalay.

Jetstar Asia Airways flies to Guiyang twice a week from 14 December 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Professionals

Jetstar Asia Airways is launching its fourth route to China on 14 December 2015. On this day, flight 3K827 departs from Singapore for Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province in southwest China, at 2.45 pm, arrives in Guiyang at 6.50 pm before leaving Guiyang at 7.40 pm and touching down in Singapore at 11.45 pm under flight 3K828.

Jetstar Asia Airways flies between Singapore and Guiyang on Mondays and Fridays using an Airbus A320 chartered by Wenzhou United Airline Services, a Wenzhou-based charter tour flight operator, General Sales Agent and travel agency. Jetstar tickets are sold on behalf of the Wenzhou company.

Wenzhou United Airline Services does not have its own aircraft. It operates charter flights to Hong Kong, Taipei and other international cities from various cities in China using proper airlines' aircraft.  Tickets of the previous Lucky Air flights to Guiyang from Singapore were also sold by Wenzhou United Airline Services to mainland Chinese travellers but it did not have a ticketing agent in Singapore. 

On 18 November 2015 (Friday), flight 3K827 leaves Singapore for Guiyang at 1.40 pm, arrives in Guiyang at 5.45 pm before departing for Singapore at 6.25 pm and arriving in Singapore at 10.25 pm under flight 3K828.

Jetstar Asia Airways' other three Chinese destinations are Haikou, Hangzhou and Shantou. 

Inflight Review : Donghai Airlines celebrates 13 years of foundation

Inflight Review by : Gan Yung Chyan
                             / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

Airline : Donghai Airlines Boeing B737-800 aircraft and logo which is a nine-coloured bird.

Routes History : Donghai Airlines celebrates 13 years of foundation in November 2015.

Donghai Airlines is the commercial airline unit of Donghai Group a Shenzhen conglomerate that also has stakes in security, logistics, cargo, hospitality and business jet companies.

While Donghai Group is 20 years old, Donghai Airlines is first registered and established in Zhuhai in November 2002 before moving its office to Shenzhen in 2006. It receives its first Boeing B737-300 cargo freighter on 8 August 2006 and inaugurated its first domestic cargo flight on 19 September 2006. On 6 December 2007, it was granted right to operate international flights with its first international cargo flight to Dhaka from Shenzhen opened on 28 December 2007.

On 19 November 2010, Donghai Airlines Shenzhen Base which consists of a hangar, aircraft maintenance centre, new Head Office and operations centre started construction until 7 December 2013. 

Since 9 August 2013, Donghai Airlines is a certified passenger airline of Shenzhen. It receives its first Boeing B737-800 aircraft on 16 February 2014 and inaugurates its first two scheduled passenger routes to Ningbo and Dalian from Shenzhen on 12 March 2014. Commercial flights to Harbin and Hailaer begin on 10 April 2014 while its scheduled flights to Nanjing and Changchun begin on 5 August 2014.

On 15 October 2014, Donghai Airlines links Shenzhen with Haikou and on 26 October 2014 it launches regular flights to Kunming and Shenyang.

On 31 January 2015, Donghai Airlines receives its fourth B737-800 aircraft and operates flights from its secondary base in Haikou shortly.

On 26 April 2015, Donghai Airlines launches scheduled flight to Shanghai-Pudong from Shenzhen.

Between 30 September 2015 and 5 October 2015, Donghai Airlines launches flights from Haikou to Chongqing, Quanzhou, Wuxi and from Haikou to Changsha, Lanzhou and Nanning.

Donghai Airlines' domestic cargo routes include Shenzhen - Hangzhou - Wuhan, Shenzhen - Beijing -Hangzhou, Beijing - Wuxi - Quanzhou and Shenzhen - Weifang - Quanzhou. International cargo destinations of the airline now include Dhaka, Hanoi, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Manila, Osaka and Seoul-Incheon.

In the long-term, Donghai Airlines plans to operate regular international passenger flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Suvarnabhumi, Seoul-Incheon, Nagasaki and Tokyo.

Aircraft : The B737-800 Economy Class seat legroom is spacious. ***

Safety Demonstrations : Adequate.  *****

Inflight Service : An inflight service of Donghai Airlines starts with an amusing radio announcement if there is a departure delay explaining the possible reasons for the delay including bad weather at the outer station or flight attendant arrival delays. It can take twenty minutes to complete the announcement. On Sayacinta Airpost's inaugural flight with Donghai Airlines to Nanjing, departure was delayed by 30 minutes. **

The cabin is clean and hygienic. The air hostesses are attentive to passengers' needs.  *** 

Postcard / Stationery : There are no aircraft postcards. Barf Bags are colourful collectibles. Since Donghai Airlines currently operates domestic passenger flights, immigration forms are not issued. **

Inflight Magazine : Passengers may take away a complimentary copy of Donghai Airlines Magazine from the seat pocket. It is in Chinese. There is limited inflight entertainment. ****

Sky Shop : None for a full-service flight. ****

Onboard Meals and Refreshments : One standard variety, complimentary apple chips, fruits, salad and bread are served. ***

Surcharge :  Passengers need to pay a surcharge if they want to sit at the First Class rows of seats but seats are full or not offered when asked. **

Bookings : Book your Donghai Airlines electronic ticket at elong or Ctrip.com, the best channel to purchase Chinese domestic air tickets with MasterCard, PayPal or Chinese bank cards and earn points. Donghai Airlines' web-site is only open to Chinese nationals for bookings. Read the different ticketing rules before purchase. Ticket cancellations and changes of flight dates are permitted subject to fees and fare differences. Web-check-in boarding is not provided. Check-in at the destination airport two hours before departures. ***

Check-In and Departures : In Shenzhen check-in at Terminal 3. Flights do not depart on time frequently.**

Ground service in  response  to passengers' requests and enquiries : Very Good in Shenzhen.  ***

Overall Impression : There is room for improvement for Donghai Airlines in terms of flight departure, customer hotline and inflight services. ***

** Poor / two-star
*** Good / three-star
***** Very good / five-star
****** Excellent / six-star (the highest category)

Tigerair set up travel agency and proposed to sell remaining stake to SIA

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

On 5 November 2015, Tigerair set up its first wholly-owned subsidary Simple Holidays Pte Ltd to conduct travel services to customers and passengers such as online sale of Tigerair flight and hotel packages. The company was established with issued and paid-up share capital of 250000 Singapore Dollars.

On 6 November 2015, Tigerair proposed to sell its remaining 44 per cent stake to its parent company Singapore Airlines. This meant that if the proposal were approved by the shareholders of Tigerair, Tigerair will be an integral part of Singapore Airlines. The low-cost airline may take over some routes of Singapore Airlines in the future as part of a cross-route rationalization and operation realignment strategy in order to boost the overall competitiveness of Tigerair and Singapore Airlines as members of the Singapore Airlines Group.

Singapore Airlines currently holds a 56 per cent stake in Tigerair with the balance held by Tiger Airways Holdings Limited, the subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Group that controls Tigerair and Tigerair Taiwan. The former Australian affiliate Tigerair Australia is now wholly-owned by Virgin Australia.

Fiji Airways launches direct scheduled flight from Singapore to Nadi on 6 April 2016

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Fiji Airways is launching its first direct scheduled flight from Nadi to Singapore on 5 April 2016 (Tuesday) using one of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The new A330-300 aircraft to be added to its fleet in December 2015 will be utilized on its existing routes with higher passenger traffic.

On 5 April 2016, Fiji Airways flight FJ361 departs from Nadi for Singapore at 11 pm and reaches Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 4.55 am on 6 April 2016. At 10.15 am, flight FJ360 leaves Singapore for Nadi on 6 April and touches down in Nadi at 12.20 am on 7 April. The Nadi-outbound flight to Singapore takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays while the Singapore-outbound flight to Nadi operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Fiji Airways first officially announced its intention to the Singapore travel trade media at ITB Asia 2015 on 22 October 2015 to launch a direct flight from Nadi to Singapore before mid-April 2016 with possible connecting flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Suvarnabhumi, Manila, Chennai and other cities in India.

Ref : http://kucinta-setia.blogspot.sg/2015/10/fiji-airways-to-fly-direct-to-singapore.html