Shenzhen Airlines launches Zhuhai - Maotai route on 1 December 2017

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

Shenzhen Airlines launches new domestic route on 1 December 2017.

On 1 December 2017,  one of  Shenzhen Airlines' Airbus A320 aircraft departs from Zhuhai for Zunyi Maotai Airport under flight ZH9287 at 3 pm, arrives in Maotai at 5.05 pm before leaving Maotai for Zhuhai at 6 pm and touching down in Zhuhai at 7.45 pm under flight ZH9288.

Maotai, short for Zunyi Maotai Airport and named after the famous rice liquor town of Maotai in Renhuai the perfecture-level city of Zunyi, is the second domestic airport of the Guizhou city of Zunyi after Zunyi Xinzhou Airport. Located in Renhuai, Maotai starts airport operations on 31 October 2017.

Shenzhen Airlines' non-stop flights to Maotai from Zhuhai operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Myanmar National Airlines' new routes from 30 November 2017 onwards

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

According to Myanmar National Airlines' web-site www.flymna.com, Myanmar's national flag carrier is launching its first charter flight from Yangon to Kunming on 30 November 2017 and from 5 December 2017 onwards its Yangon-Singapore route will extend to include Mandalay on Tuesdays and Thursdays under the flight pairs UB003 and UB002. Its twice-daily Singapore flight schedules remain unchanged.

On 30 November 2017, Myanmar National Airlines flight UB991 departs from Yangon for Kunming at 5.45 am, arrives in Kunming at 11.20 am local time before taking off from Kunming for Yangon at 12.20 pm and touching down in Yangon at 1.10 pm local time under flight UB992.

On 2 December 2017, the Kunming-Yangon flight departs under UB994 at 3 pm and arrives in Yangon at 5.10 pm according to schedule.

On 5 December 2017 (Tuesday), flight UB003 first departs from Mandalay for Yangon at 1.55 pm and arrives in Yangon at 2.40 pm to pick up more Singapore-bound passengers before leaving Yangon for Singapore at 4 pm and touching down in Singapore at 8.30 pm.

On 5 December 2017, flight UB002 departs from Singapore for Yangon as usual at 1 pm, arrives in Yangon at 2.30 pm local time to pick up Mandalay-bound passengers before leaving for Mandalay at 3.30 pm from Yangon and landing in Mandalay at 4.25 pm.

Below are the twice-daily flight schedules of Myanmar National Airlines on the Yangon - Singapore - Yangon route sectors:

Yangon - Singapore/Singapore - Yangon : UB001/UB002 : 7.15 am-11.45 am/1 pm-2.30 pm
Yangon - Singapore/Singapore - Yangon : UB003/UB004 : 4 pm-8.30 pm/9.15 pm-10.45 pm

Flights of Myanmar National Airlines to Mandalay from Singapore transit in Yangon with change of aircraft on days except Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 December 2017 onwards.

Air Macau launches flight to Changzhou on 18 December 2017

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

Air Macau launches direct scheduled flight from Macau to Changzhou on 18 December 2017 using its Airbus A321 aircraft. It flies to Changzhou on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

On 18 December 2017, Air Macau flight NX108 departs from Macau for Changzhou at 3.15 pm, arrives in Changzhou at 5.35 pm before leaving from Changzhou for Macau at 6.35 pm and touching down in Macau at 9.10 pm under flight NX107.

The new route will provide Hong Kong and Southeast Asian tourists convenience in travel to and from Changzhou via Macau. 

There are no flights from Hong Kong to Changzhou. Passengers from Hong Kong have to travel to Changzhou via Shenzhen or Zhuhai.

Southeast Asian tourists have to transit in Vientiane for Lao Airlines' regular flights to Changzhou or in Suvarnabhumi for Spring Airlines' red-light flights to Changzhou.

Changzhou is near Wuxi.

Air Seoul's latest announcements on its Hong Kong, Kalibo and Japan flights

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
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Air Seoul has announced developments on its Hong Kong, Kalibo and Japan flights.

Air Seoul lifts fuel surcharges on its Hong Kong-Incheon route on 1 December 2017. It said while passengers do not have to pay fuel surcharges for departing with Air Seoul from Hong Kong for Incheon from 1 December 2017 onwards, they have to pay Air Seoul fuel surcharges of 8400 Korean Won for departures from Incheon for Hong Kong in December. Air Seoul's lists of updated fuel surcharges for its international destinations, excluding Cebu and Kalibo, are available for references on its web-site www.flyairseoul.com. 

Air Seoul launches direct flight from Incheon to Kalibo the gateway to Boracay on 22 December 2017. It flies four times a week to Kalibo on Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with Tuesday and Friday schedules different from Wednesday and Saturday flight timings.

On 22 December 2017 (Friday), Air Seoul flight RS541 departs from Incheon for Kalibo at 7.15 pm, arrives in Kalibo at 11.05 pm before leaving Kalibo for Incheon at 12.05 am on 23 December 2017 and touching down in Incheon at 5.35 am under flight RS542. Tuesday flights (starting 26 December 2017) follow Friday schedules.

On Wednesdays (first Wednesday flight on 27 December 2017) and Saturdays (first Saturday flight on 24 December 2017), flight RS541 departs from Incheon for Kalibo at 9.40 pm, arrives in Kalibo at 1.30 am before leaving Kalibo for Incheon at 2.30 am the following days and arriving in Incheon at 7.50 am under flight RS542.

In separate move, Air Seoul is increasing flight frequencies to Yonago and Narita in Japan. For instance, it is adding Thursday and Saturday flights from 26 December 2017 onwards with flight RS744 departing from Incheon for Yonago at 8.30 am, arriving in Yonago at 10 am before leaving Yonago for Incheon at 11 am and touching down in Incheon at 12.40 pm under flight RS743. These flight schedules are besides the existing flights to Yonago on Tuesdays and Sundays. 

Flights from Singapore to Kuantan increase by three flights a week from 2 February 2018

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

Flights from Singapore to Kuantan increase by three flights a week from 2 February 2018 when Scoot, operated by Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd, launches scheduled flight on that day from Singapore to Kuantan. Scoot flies three times a week to Kuantan on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 2 February 2018, Scoot flight TR470 departs from Singapore to Kuantan at 1.30 pm, arrives in Kuantan at 2.40 pm before leaving Kuantan for Singapore at 3.20 pm and touching down in Singapore at 4.25 pm under flight TR471.

Passengers who only intend to do aircraft spotting at Kuantan for a few hours ought to choose Firefly's daily flight to Kuantan from Singapore with flight FY3572 leaving for Kuantan at 11.30 am and arriving in Kuantan at 12.35 pm.

Kuantan's international airport is very small serving Malaysian flights of Firefly and Malaysia Airlines currently and the 15 Squadron (BAE Hawk) and 19 Squadron (MiG-29) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It is easier to spot aircraft there than at the public area of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2.

About Kuantan
Tourist attractions of Kuantan include waterfalls such as Sungai Pandan Waterfall, Jerangkang Waterfall, shopping malls, Esplanade Park, Bukit Gambang Resort City and the largest safari park in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the Bukit Gambang Safari Park. Kuantan is the administrative centre of the State of Pahang. It is an alternative starting point for onward travel to the Genting Highlands, and 26 km northwest of Kuantan, Sungai Lembing, where the largest tin museum in the world is located, in Pahang. 

Kuantan has rich ancient city heritage but little of such heritage is known to tourists. It is an important settlement of the ancient Mon-Khmer kingdom of Chi Tu, which was built by settlers from the Funan empire of ancient Cambodia before 607 until the 11th century AD according to ancient Chinese historical records. In Malay, Chi Tu is known as Tanah Merah (meaning red earth land) and Raktamrttika in Sanskrit. A smaller ancient kingdom of Pheng Kheng took over Chi Tu before it was colonized by the Siamese in the 12th century. From the 15th century onwards, Kuantan was a part of the Malacca Empire until Malaysia gains independence.

OKAir inks purchase deal for 5 B787-900 Dreamliner jets

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
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China's first private airline OKAir, short for Okay Airways, and Boeing jointly announce the airline's confirmation order of five B787-900 Dreamliner aircraft at the value of 1.4 billion US dollars on 22 November 2017.  The purchase deal indicates that OKAir will enter the wide-body jet market.

Jet Li, President of OKAir, said: "We are committed to continually investing in fleet development to stay ahead of market growth and enhance our customers' flight experience." The five 787 Dreamliner orders will support our excellent aircraft fleet in order to launch strategic long-distance international routes. "

Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Sales for Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, said, "We are honored that Okay Airways (management name of OKAir) is the new customer of the 787 Dreamliner. Our 787-9 Dreamliner will support Okay Airways in opening up new and profitable long-range international routes, while providing a comfortable flight experience for its passengers. Boeing cherishes the long-term partnership with Okay Airways and awaits to see the great benefits the 787 Dreamliner can bring to Okay Airways. "

The 787 family offers three highly efficient models optimized for the midsize market, with more than 1,280 orders from 70 customers around the world so far, making it the fastest-selling two-passenger airliner in aviation history. The B787-900 that flies to a range of 14,140 km and can carry 290 passengers is the second model of the Dreamliner family.

At present, more than 600 of the B787 Dreamliners in service in the world are already carrying more than 200 million passengers, helping airlines  open up over 170 new non-stop flights and save 19 billion pounds of fuel.

OKAir currently has 26 Boeing aircraft with cumulative flight to more than 100 domestic and foreign routes, serving more than 70 cities and transporting more than 25 million passengers. 

Under the new situation in the development of China's civil aviation industry, OKAir continuously explores its development path. With its core values ​​of Open, Kindness, Agility, Integrity and Refinement, it aims to build a world-class shared services platform at a height of 30,000 feet, provide comparative costs and advantages of service quality, highlight the customer values and ideals and strive to innovate.

In July 2017, OKAir and Capital Airport Group signed a cooperation agreement. Under the agreement, OKAir will start operating at the new airport in Beijing in 2019. The announcement of the five B787-900 Dreamliners approved by the relevant government departments of China will be mainly introduced into the operation of the new airport in Beijing to fly Beijing-based intercontinental routes. This is a landmark development in the history of Okay Airways. 

With the rapid development of the company, OKAir will further expand the international aviation market, bring comfortable travel opportunities to passengers and build Okay Airways' beautiful brand.

New Indian airline Yuvajet delays flight launch to June 2018

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

India's newest airline Yuvajet, headquartered in Ranchi, has delayed its inaugural flight launch from November 2017 to June 2018. It now plans to launch its first revenue flight from Ranchi to Chennai via Tirupati or Shidiri in the first week of June 2018.

Yuvajet's founder Kumar Kinshuk who showed the ATR 72-600 aircraft model to Sayacinta - Airpost explained that the airline will cancel its ATR 72-600 aircraft order, in favour of 5 cheaper Embraer ERJ 145 regional airliners after the ATR aircraft import permit is approved. 

Yuvajet will sign the purchase deal for 5 ERJ 145 aircraft with a London-based asset management company by the first week of December 2017 and put the delivered aircraft later under C checks, i.e. aircraft component maintenance checks.

ERJ 145 test flights from Ranchi are expected to follow during spring in 2018 before Yuvajet receives its AOC from DGCA to commence scheduled flights by June 2018 as the airline wants to avoid fog and winter season huddles.

Kumar said the smaller 50-seater ERJ aircraft will help Yuvajet extend its domestic reach in India and connect remote tier 2 and tier 3 Indian cities to major metropolitan Indian cities such as Chennai and Delhi. It is the airline's objective to foster more confidence in community feeder air travel among the residents, city governments and its customers by owning affordable aircraft.

Thirty to forty per cent of Yuvajet routes will be pioneer routes, according to Kumar. Planned destinations on Yuvajet's route map not only include Ranchi, Tirupati, Shidiri and Chennai, but also encompass Salem, Bhubneshwar, Pune, Raipur, Allahabad, Delhi, Surat, Mangalore and Coimbatore. 

Ranchi, the capital and "City of Waterfalls" of the Indian State of Jharkhand, and Surat the capital of the Gujarat State, will be its air hubs.

Yuva means Youth in Hindi while the airline livery by APG Design features the airline name in navy blue and violet, violet and magenta bands signify vibrance and ingenuity, the navy blue Ashoka Chakra 24-spoke wheel symbolic of India national heritage, and the stylized capital Y linking the small letter j and device of an aircraft appears to form the shape of a beak and an orb in the band suggesting foresight and confidence in flight service. 

Formed in 2016, Yuvajet is the commercial brand of Yuva JetLines Airways. It is a proposed feeder carrier and Kumar's family-owned venture with a few investors from Dubai. 

Yuvajet web-site www.yuvajet.com starts functioning from 27 November 2017 onwards. Monitor the web-site and Yuvajet Facebook for further updates to and after Yuvajet's month of flight launch.

Loong Air launches daily flight from Xi'an to Nha Trang

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

On 22 November 2017, Loong Air launches ceremonial flight to Nha Trang from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. According to Loong Air web-site, it will fly daily between Xi'an Xianyang and Nha Trang from 23 November 2017. 

On 23 November 2017, Loong Air flight GJ8009 departs from Xi'an for Nha Trang at 9.25 am, arrives in Nha Trang at 1.05 pm before leaving Nha Trang for Xi'an at 1.55 pm and touching down in Xi'an at 7.05 pm under flight GJ8010.

Tickets are only available for sale at Loong Air web-site www.loongair.cn.

The Xi'an - Nha Trang route is Loong Air's first international scheduled route from Xianyang Airport. Flights from Hangzhou to Danang (launched on 28 June 2016) and Nha Trang (first service on 29 June 2016) are now only operated on charter basis.

Loong Air, the Hangzhou-based domestic private airline, is authorized to expand its route network to include international passenger flights on 13 April 2016. It plans to introduce scheduled flights to Hong Kong, Jeju, Singapore and other Asian cities within the next five years.

Singapore's first charter flight to Dalat on 10 December 2017

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

SilkAir is launching Singapore's first direct charter flight to Dalat, the "Little Paris"  and "Eternal Spring City" of Vietnam, on 10 December 2017.

According to ASA Holidays that charters SilkAir's Airbus A320 aircraft, SilkAir departs from Singapore Changi Airport T2 for Dalat at 10.20 am and arrives in Dalat at 11.30 am before it leaves Dalat for Singapore at around 12.30 pm and touching down in Singapore at 2.40 pm. 

ASA Holidays' SilkAir Charter Flight to Vietnam packages include 5D Dalat "Little Paris" and Nha Trang and 6D Scenic Dalat and Nha Trang + Ho Chi Minh City.

For further information on SilkAir's charter flights organised by ASA Holidays, visit ASA offices at People's Park Complex and Temasek Boulevard.

About Dalat
Dalat is known as "Little Paris" due to its French architecture villas and its replica of Eiffel Tower. It is known as "Eternal Spring City" as it is surrounded by hills, pine forest, lakes and waterfalls. Tourist destinations in Dalat include Flower Central Park, Xuan Huong Lake, Dalat Crazy House, Datanla Falls and Dalat Old Station.

Ethiopian Airlines launches scheduled flight to Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo on 8 March 2018

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

In the November/December 2017 edition of Selamta, Ethiopian Airlines Inflight Magazine, which celebrates the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines' first B787-900 Dreamliner aircraft,  Ethiopian Airlines advertised that it was launching direct flight to Buenos Aires from Addis Ababa from December 2017. After the inflight magazine was published, the airline clarified that its first flight to Buenos Aires will take place on 8 March 2018 instead, via Sao Paulo, Brazil.

On 8 March 2018, Ethiopian flight ET0506 departs from Addis Ababa for Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo at 9.30 am. It transit in Sao Paulo at 5.10 pm before leaving Sao Paulo for Buenos Aires at 6.10 pm and touching down in Buenos Aires at 7.40 pm.

In the evening of 8 March 2018 Argentina time, Ethiopian flight ET0507 embarks on the journey to Addis Ababa from Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo at 11 pm, arrives in Sao Paulo at 2.30 am on 9 March 2018 before departing from Sao Paulo at 3.30 am and arriving in Addis Ababa at 8.30 pm.

Flights leaving Addis Ababa and Buenos Aires are on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using one of Ethiopian B787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines received its first B787-900 Dreamliner aircraft on 26 October 2017 and deployed it initially on its route to Abuja, Nigeria, on 7 November 2017. 

The Ethiopian B787-900 Dreamliner aircraft has a total of 313 seats including 30 Cloud Nine Business and 283 Economy Class seats. It features an audio and video on-demand entertainment system, greatly reduced noise, higher cabin air humidity, adaptable lighting, the biggest windows in the sky and enables the airline to reduce its carbon footprint with up to 20 per cent less fuel consumption than its older B787-800 fleet.

VietJet Air may be the first Asia LCC to fly to the US mainland

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan

                   / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

According to a report by Bloomberg*, VietJet Air may be the first Asia low-cost airline to launch a long-haul flight to the US mainland in 2019 or within the next few years after the US has permitted Vietnamese airlines to launch flights to the US.

According to plan, VietJet Air proposes to launch its first American flight to San Jose, a city in California where there is a large Vietnamese population nearby. It is also studying the possibilities of launching flights to other small airports of California and in Orange County where there are many Vietnamese communities around.

VietJet Air may acquire Boeing B787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350 jets to start the long-haul flights to San Jose and other US mainland cities from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

If realized, VietJet Air will create opportunities for Southeast Asian passengers to transit in Vietnam for direct flights to the US at lower costs as its ticket prices to Vietnam from other Southeast Asian cities are the lowest in the region. 

Till then, Southeast Asian passengers no longer need to spend too much money on flights to the US mainland via Singapore, Honolulu, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Pudong, Incheon, Narita or Taoyuan. 

*Ref : https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-12/vietjet-may-buy-787s-or-a350s-as-airline-weighs-u-s-route

LOT Polish Airlines launches non-stop flight to Singapore from Warsaw on 15 May 2018

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

On 15 May 2018, LOT Polish Airlines launches its first non-stop B787-800 Dreamliner flight from Warsaw, Poland's capital, to Singapore, according to LOT Polish Airlines Head Office. Singapore is the airline's fourth non-stop Dreamliner long-haul service destination in Asia  after Beijing, Incheon and Narita. 

From 15 May to 30 June 2018, the LOT Dreamliner operates thrice-weekly flights from Warsaw to Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and from Singapore to Warsaw after the following day on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays. An additional service to Singapore from Warsaw is planned to commence on 2 July 2018 (Monday) while the additional service from Singapore to Warsaw is on 4 July 2018 (Wednesday), marking four return flights per week between Warsaw and Singapore from that week onwards till 27 October 2018.  

The inaugural flight from Warsaw, Flight LO067 departs for Singapore at 11 pm on 15 May 2018 (Tuesday) and touches down in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 5.15 pm on 16 May 2018. The outbound flight to Warsaw from Singapore, Flight LO068, takes off at 12.05 am from Terminal 2 on 17 May 2018 and touches down in Warsaw at 6.15 am local time on the same day. The return flights to Warsaw both ways will take more than eleven hours to complete.

All Warsaw - Singapore - Warsaw flights are operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in a three-class deck configuration with 252 seats on board. In case of higher demand, however, the larger 787-900 will be deployed on the route.

To celebrate the commencement of non-stop flight to Singapore, LOT Polish Airlines is offering customers travel to Singapore from Warsaw and other Polish cities such as Poznan, Krakow and Gdansk at a ticket price from 2600 PLN one-way (980.18 Singapore Dollars). Tickets are now on sale at www.lot.com.

Rafal Milczarski, President of LOT Polish Airlines, commented, "Between Europe and Singapore, nearly 3 million passengers travel annually. This country is the gateway for further travel into Asia and even to Australia and Oceania. We are confident that the launch of the new LOT connection will provide an excellent opportunity for passengers from Central and Eastern Europe and not only to visit Singapore and to see the many advantages of this exotic and well-developed country, "

Milczarski added, "We keep the word, launching a new connection to Singapore - not only the mecca of many tourists, but also one of the most developed business centres in the world. We are confident that the non-stop flights will please passengers. Thanks to convenient distribution and modern Dreamliners the Warsaw - Singapore route is the most convenient route from Central Europe to Singapore."

The direct flights to Warsaw will open up convenient connections to other Central and Eastern European cities such as Berlin, Vienna and Prague, to passengers from Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Before 15 May 2018, there are no direct flights from Warsaw and other Central and Eastern European cities to Singapore.

However, Finnair offers connections to Warsaw, Berlin and other Central and Eastern European cities via Helsinki from Singapore. Lufthansa offers connections to Central and Eastern Europe from Singapore via Frankfurt while Swiss International Airlines offers the connections via Zurich. 

For more information and future updates on the new route and events up to and after the launch dates of the Warsaw - Singapore - Warsaw flights, visit www.lot.com, LOT Polish Airlines and Changi Airport Facebook.

Loong Air launches Heilongjiang airport's first scheduled flight on 22 November 2017

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

Loong Air, the private airline of Hangzhou, launches a Heilongjiang airport's first scheduled flight service on 22 November 2017. The Heilongjiang airport to launch operations is Wudalianchi Dedu Airport, located 6.5 km to the southwest of Wudalianchi, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Heihe in Heilongjiang Province.

On 22 November 2017, Loong Air flight GJ8111 departs from Harbin for Wudalianchi at 12.55 pm, arrives in Wudalianchi at 2.05 pm before leaving Wudalianchi for Harbin at 4 pm and touching down in Harbin at 5 pm under flight GJ8112.

Loong Air flies between Harbin and Wudalianchi with its Airbus A320 aircraft daily.

Donghai Airlines launches its first international passenger flight on 15 December 2017

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

Donghai Airlines, the private airline of Shenzhen, announced on 15 November 2017 that it is launching its first international scheduled passenger flight from Shenzhen to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on 15 December 2017. It flies between Shenzhen and Phu Quoc on Mondays and Fridays.

On 15 December 2017, Donghai Airlines flight DZ6227 is scheduled to depart from Shenzhen for Phu Quoc at 9.30 am and arrives in Phu Quoc at 11.45 am (Vietnam time). It will stay in Phu Quoc airport for half a day before it leaves Phu Quoc for Shenzhen at 6.10 pm local time and touching down in Shenzhen at 9.10 pm under flight DZ6228.

The announcement came shortly after Donghai Airlines B737-800 completed its test flight to Phu Quoc from Shenzhen on 13 November 2017.

Future international destinations of Donghai Airlines include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

Sriwijaya Air Group's Tanjung Pandan - Singapore return Charter Flight Schedules

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

Sriwijaya Air Group Belitung office in Tanjung Pandan has confirmed to Sayacinta - Airpost on 15 November 2017 that Sriwijaya Air's first B737 charter flight between Tanjung Pandan and Singapore is carried out on 15 December 2017. 

Subsequent charter flights to Singapore by Belitung travel agencies are planned on 17 December, 20 December, 22 December, 24 December, 27 December, 29 December, 31 December 2017, 4 and 5 January 2018.

On 15 December 2017, Sriwijaya Air departs from Tanjung Pandan for Singapore at 8.30 am Indonesia time (9.30 am Singapore time) under flight SJ5002, arrives at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 10.20 am before leaving Singapore for Tanjung Pandan at 11.20 am and touching down in Tanjung Pandan at 12 pm (1.20 pm Singapore time) under flight SJ5003, subject to flight delays due to air traffic conditions. 

The exact type of B737 jet deployed on the new route at press time, however, is not confirmed. 

Aircraft spotters should monitor Changi Airport web-site for the flight status of Sriwijaya Air on the relevant dates.

Samoa Airways launches scheduled flight to Sydney on 15 November 2017

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

Samoa Airways, the national airline of Samoa in the Central Pacific near Fiji, launches its first scheduled flight to Sydney on 15 November 2017 using its new B737-800 aircraft wet-leased from Neos. Its first international flight is to Auckland, which started on 14 November 2017 using the same aircraft. 

Prior to the inaugural flights, the official ceremony to launch Samoa Airways operations at Apia's Faleolo International Airport was held, besides to welcome the new B737 aircraft which arrived in Faleolo after flying over America Samoa from Milan via city airports including Singapore and Cairns. 

On 15 November 2017, Samoa Airways flight OL855 departs from Apia for Sydney at 5.05 pm, arrives in Sydney at 8.40 pm before leaving Sydney for Apia at 9.40 pm and touching down in Apia at 6.15 am under flight OL856 on 16 November 2017 Apia time.

Samoa Airways operates flights to Sydney on Thursdays and Saturdays and lands in Apia on Fridays and Sundays.

Samoa Airways' first international flight OL731 departs from Apia for Auckland on 14 November 2017 at 7 am, touches down in Auckland at 10.15 am before leaving Auckland for Apia at 11.10 am under flight OL732 and arriving in Apia at 4.05 pm. These schedules are valid for the Auckland flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

On Fridays and Sundays beginning 16 November 2017, flight OL731 leaves Apia for Auckland at 7.15 am, arrives in Auckland at 10.30 am before leaving Auckland for Apia at 11.25 am and touching down in Apia at 4.20 pm under flight OL732.

Samoa Airways, formerly Polynesian Airlines, was rebranded in early 2017 to replace Virgin Samoa on all international flights from Apia and it also has flights from Fagalili to Pago Pago in America Samoa using one De Haviland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft showing Polynesian Airlines' classic logo. Virgin Samoa has ceased operations on 12 November 2017.

Samoa Airways continues with domestic flights to Ofu and Fitiuta in Samoa using its two other DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft showing Polynesian Airlines' logo. It has code-share flights with Fiji Airways on the latter Nadi - Honolulu route under the two airlines' Pacific Partnership Alliance.

Samoa Airways plans to acquire or lease a B737 MAX by 2019 to operate scheduled flights to Melbourne, Brisbane and other potential destinations in the Pacific from Apia.

The logo of Samoa Airways is an adapted version of Polynesian Airlines' iconic coconut tree symbol, which represents Samoans' traditional culture and lifestyle, their resilience and versatility in meeting the challenges in today's changing world. The airline's new livery also incorporates meaningful Samoan cultural motifs that suggest the heritage and history of Samoa.

Thai Vietjet Air launches Da Lat's first international flight on 18 December 2017

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

Thai Vietjet Air, also known as Vietjet Air Thailand and Thai Vietjet, launches Da Lat's first scheduled international flight on 18 December 2017 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 18 December 2017, Thai Vietjet flight VZ940 departs from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi for Da Lat at 10.20 am, arrives in Da Lat at 12.05 pm before taking off from Da Lat for Suvarnabhumi at 12.45 pm and touching down in Suvarnabhumi at 2.30 pm under flight VZ941.

Thai Vietjet Air's international flights to Da Lat operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Thai Vietjet Air flies from Suvarnabhumi to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Can Tho, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Taichung on a scheduled basis according to its web-site at www.vietjetair.com.

Solaseed Air marks 15th Anniversary in 2017 with the world's only open check-in lounge

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Updated 31/10/20

Solaseed Air, the Japanese low-cost airline headquartered in Miyazaki, marks 15th Anniversary of foundation in 2017. It was formed in 1997 as Pan Asia Airlines, adopted the name Skynet Asia Airways in August 1998 and started operations in July 2002. In July 2011, it changed its commercial identity to the current name of Solaseed Air. 

Solaseed Air operates scheduled flights between Haneda and cities in Kyushu such as Kumamoto and Nasagaki. It also operates flights to Naha. It is a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways which has a 17.03 per cent stake in the airline. The balance investment are taken up by Development Bank of Japan with a 22.41 per cent stake and Miyasaki Kotsu Co. Ltd with the stake of 17.03 per cent.

To celebrate 15th Anniversary, Solaseed Air expanded its check-in corner at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. It now has the world's only open public check-in lounge in an airport. The lounge not only recounts the history of Solaseed Air, it also has a showcase of its aircraft models, marketing and sales information in the form of complimentary copies of Solaseed Air Inflight Magazine Solatane, Timetables and travel packages. A TV screen broadcasts the history of Solaseed Air daily.

Solaseed Air marks 15th Anniversary in 2017. It is the only low-cost airline in the world to operate the open check-in lounge. Access to the lounge is free. The lounge provides a comprehensive range of Solaseed Air information in Haneda, indeed a factor which enables Haneda Airport to clinch a Skytrax Five-Star Airport Award in 2017. In front of the lounge there is a neat corner of wheelchairs for disabled passengers' use. It shows how considerate Solaseed Air's frontline staff are towards the disadvantaged people in Japan.

It is easy to see the Solaseed Air jets departing and arriving in Haneda at the observation deck.

Solaseed Air is headquartered in Miyazaki, Japan with a hub in Haneda. It flies from Haneda to Kobe, Miyazaki, Nagoya Chubu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Oita, Ishigaki and Naha.

Vietjet Air signed significant new engine deal on 13 November 2017

Press Release by : Vietjet Air

                               c/o Media Services HK

Edited by : Gan Yung Chyan

                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

On 13 November 2017, Vietjet Air and Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, announced Vietjet's selection of the PurePower Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine to power the airline’s order of 10 new aircraft on the occasion of the APEC 2017 and first official state visit to Vietnam by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The deal, valued at 600 million US Dollars at list price, includes a 12-year EngineWise Fleet Management Program for Vietjet’s 10 new-age aircraft. The two companies have so far reached a trade turnover of 3.7 billion US Dollars.

The signing ceremony took place in Hanoi and was attended by President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Trần Đại Quang and U.S. President Donald Trump, along with officials from Vietjet Air and Pratt & Whitney.

“We are delighted to add 10 additional GTF-powered new aircraft to our fleet. We look forward to the proven performance and environmental benefits that they deliver,” said Dinh Viet Phuong, Vietjet Air Vice President.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, regulated emissions by 50 percent and noise footprint by 75 percent.

  

Since commencing operations in 2011, Vietjet Air, Vietnam’s largest domestic airline, has become Asia Pacific’s fastest growing low-cost carrier. It has operated profitably since its second year of operation with over 73 domestic and international routes and technical reliability rate of 99.6%, the highest rate among airlines in the region that operate with the same aircraft model.