Air Do commemorates 20th Anniversary as Hokkaido's airline on 20 December 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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According to Hokkaido's airline Air Do, it commemorates its 20th Anniversary of flight operations on 20 December 2018.

On 20 December 1998, Air Do begins its first inaugural scheduled flight on the Haneda - Sapporo route. Today, it operates flights as well from Haneda to Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro, Memanbetsu, Obihiro, from Sapporo to Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagoya-Centrair, Sendai, Haneda and from Hakodate to Nagoya-Centrair and Haneda using a fleet of 9 Boeing B737-700, 2 B767-300 and 2 B767-300ER aircraft.

Air Do has begun distributing aircraft stickers to the public and organized photography contests as part of its celebrations to commemorate its 20th Anniversary of flight operations. To increase profits and pave the path for future growth, it is studying the feasibility of opening new domestic routes, considering and evaluating plans to launch international charter flights to cities outside Japan, such as Seoul, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Taoyuan, Taipei, Shanghai and Singapore from Hokkaido airports such as Sapporo, Asahikawa and Memanbetsu between this year and 2020.

Air Do is the first low-cost airline of Japan with its headquarters based in Sapporo and air hubs in Haneda, Sapporo and Hakodate. Investors in Air Do include the Development Bank of Japan and All Nippon Airways.

KC Air's final test flight on 26 July 2018, readies for passenger services

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KC Air, short for KC International Airlines, has completed its final test flight between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on 26 July 2018 and is ready to obtain its AOC in order to begin flights in August 2018 from Phnom Penh.

KC Air is a Sino-Cambodian joint venture airline established in Phnom Penh. The company actively responded to and implemented the “One Belt and One Road” strategy of the Chinese government and the “four-corner strategy” of the Cambodian government and the “National Industrial Development Strategy 2015-2025”. In July 2017, the company applied for and obtained approval from the Cambodian government for the purpose of actively promoting the friendship between China and Cambodia and the promotion of mutual trust and the development of close friendly relations between the two countries. The company operates mainly from the airports of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. The route network aims to cover China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries, and the Airbus A320 series aircraft is its main transportation tool.

The company has been approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the two-character code for its flights as “3Q”, and the three-character code approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO is “KCH”. 

KC Air expects to begin commercial operation in August 2018. It is mainly engaged in scheduled passenger flight operations, and takes into account the cargo and cargo transportation in the aircraft's belly cabin. The fleet size is expected to reach 25 Airbus A320 series aircraft in the next five years.

Siam Air closed down

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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Siam Air has closed down. Its head office at Don Mueang is vacant. There are no more Siam Air flights to Zhengzhou, its last destination.

Siam Air operated flights to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, Singapore, Taoyuan, Changsha and Zhengzhou using B737 aircraft.

IndiGo adds Tiruchirappalli and Kolkata to its Singapore route network from 16 September 2018

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IndiGo adds Tiruchirappalli and Kolkata to its Singapore route network on 16 September 2018. Flights depart from these Indian cities on a circular routing for Singapore using A320 aircraft.

On 16 September 2018, IndiGo flight 6E43 departs from Tiruchirappalli for Singapore at 5.35 am, arrives in Singapore at 12.40 pm to pick-up Kolkata-bound passengers, depart for Kolkata at 1.40 pm and touch down in Kolkata at 3.25 pm local time under flight 6E42. 

The oubound flight from Kolkata for Singapore, 6E41, takes off at 6.55 pm on 16 September 2018, arrives in Singapore at 1.45 am on 17 September 2018 for passengers to alight before leaving Singapore for Tiruchirappalli at 2.45 am under flight 6E44 and touching down in Tiruchirappalli at 4.40 am local time.

IndiGo's Tiruchirappalli - Singapore route timings allow Indian tourists from Tiruchirappalli to go for day-trip shopping in the Lion City before proceeding back home.

With the additions of Kolkata and Tiruchirappalli, IndiGo will fly to four cities from Singapore including current destinations Bengaluru and Chennai.

The Indian civil aviation authority DGCA rates IndiGo as the most "on-time airline" of India.

IndiGo launches daily flight to Dhaka from 1 August 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan

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IndiGo launches daily flight to Dhaka from 1 August 2018 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 1 August 2018, IndiGo flight 6E1858 departs from Kolkata for Dhaka at 4.40 pm, arrives in Dhaka at 6.10 pm before leaving Dhaka for Kolkata at 7.10 pm and touching down in Kolkata at 8 pm under flight 6E1859.

From Kolkata, passengers from Bangladesh can connect to other IndiGo Indian destinations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Mumbai. 

Uzbekistan Airways is allowed to pick up passengers from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

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Uzbekistan Airways, operating on the Tashkent - Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Tashkent routes, has been allowed to sell online tickets to customers traveling on the Singapore - Kuala Lumpur route. Passengers can now avail of the cheap one-way tickets of Uzbekistan Airways on this route at online ticketing platforms such as Ctrip, Zuji and Expedia. The Singapore - Kuala Lumpur air tickets, however, are not open for sale on Uzbekistan Airways' ticketing web-site.

The cheapest one-way ticket including taxes is 116.30 Singapore Dollars (by Zuji) at press time for travel on 27 July 2018. The lowest fare for travel on other Fridays including taxes is 107.30 Singapore Dollars (by Uzbekistan Airways Singapore GSA at Changi Airport), subject to availability.

Uzbekistan Airways flight HY553 arrives in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 7.50 am from Tashkent before departing under flight HY554 for Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang at 9.15 am and arriving in KLIA at 10.25 am on Fridays using B767-300ER aircraft. Eventually, it will deploy B787-8 on the direct route to Singapore.

Uzbekistan Airways is a full-service airline headquartered in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan in Central Asia, and is the only airline to connect Tashkent with Singapore. Its inaugural scheduled flight to Singapore from Tashkent is on 3 April 2014. 

Due to the one-month tourist visa-free policy granted to Singaporeans, Malaysians and Indonesians, passengers arriving in Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways can connect seamlessly to other Central Asian flights to cities such as Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan.

Malindo Air launches daily flight between Kota Kinabalu and Singapore on 10 August 2018

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Malindo Air launches daily flight between Kota Kinabalu and Singapore on 10 August 2018 using its B737-800 aircraft.

On 10 August 2018, Malindo flight OD830 departs from Kota Kinabalu for Singapore at 9.15 am, arrives in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 11.40 am before leaving Singapore at 12.40 pm and touching down in Kota Kinabalu at 3.05 pm under flight OD831.

Beijing Capital Airlines launches flight from Hangzhou to Moscow on 31 July 2018

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Capital Airlines, short for Beijing Capital Airlines, launches thrice-weekly flight from Hangzhou to Moscow  Sheremetevo on 31 July 2018 using its Airbus A330 aircraft. Flights depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

On 31 July 2018, Capital Airlines flight JD475 departs from Hangzhou for Moscow at 9.40 am, arrives in Moscow at 3.20 pm before leaving Moscow Sheremetyevo for Hangzhou at 5.20 pm and returning to Hangzhou at 7.55 am on 1 August 2018 under flight JD476.

Moscow Sheremetyevo is the only "Chinese-friendly" airport of Russia as there are flight announcements in Mandarin and Chinese direction signs in the airport.

GX Airlines adds two new routes from 1 August 2018

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GX Airlines adds two new routes from 1 August 2018 using its Airbus A320 aircraft. The new routes are Chongqing - Jining and Chongqing - Luoyang.

On 1 August 2018, GX Airlines flight GX2025 departs from Chongqing for Jining at 10.05 am, arrives in Jining at 12.10 pm before leaving Jining for Chongqing at 1 pm and touching down in Chongqing at 3.15 pm under flight GX2026.

Flights from Chongqing to Jining and vice versa take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On 2 August 2018, flight GX2032 leaves Chongqing for Luoyang at 10.20 am, arrives in Luoyang at 11.45 am before departing from Luoyang for Chongqing at 1.05 pm and landing in Chongqing at 3 pm under flight GX2031. 

Flights between Chongqing and Luoyang are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Inaugural Qantas Dreamliner flight to Hong Kong on 13 December 2018

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A random search on Qantas web-site shows that the Australian flag carrier begins its inaugural Dreamliner flight to Hong Kong from Melbourne on 13 December 2018 and tickets are now sold for travel from this date until 28 March 2019.

According to schedules, Qantas B787-9 flight QF29 departs from Melbourne for Hong Kong at 9.45 am, arrives in Hong Kong at 4.15 pm before leaving Hong Kong for Melbourne at 7 pm and arriving in Melbourne at 7.30 am under flight QF30.

Qantas is planning to deploy the Dreamliner on its Sydney - Hong Kong route on 29 March 2019 and on its Brisbane - Hong Kong route on 18 December 2018 although the web-site still shows non-Dreamliner aircraft operating on these routes at press time. 

Palau Pacific Airways stops operations to Hong Kong and Taoyuan

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Palau Pacific Airways, last seen in its new livery above, has stopped all its operations to Hong Kong and Taoyuan from Koror due to a dramatic drop in the number of passengers from China. It first began charter flight on 11 November 2014 to Hong Kong from Koror.

China has listed Palau as an illegal destination for China visitors as Palau refuses to give up its political ties with Taiwan.

Uganda Airlines plans resurrection with new aircraft by December 2018

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Uganda National Airlines Company Limited, to be operating as Uganda Airlines, has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with Airbus to purchase 2 Airbus A330-800neos to build its international long-haul route network. It has also signed a purchase-order deal with Bombardier for 4 CRJ900 aircraft for inaugural flights as early as December 2018.

The A330-800neo has a three-class cabin layout with 20 Business, 28 Premium Economy and 213 Economy Class seats while the CRJ900 aircraft has 76 seats including 12 First Class seats. Uganda Airlines will eventually have another 2 CRJ900 aircraft.

The new Uganda Airlines as the national airline of Uganda expects to receive its first CRJ900 aircraft from Bombardier in November 2018 and launch its Africa regional flights from Entebbe in December 2018. Planned destinations in Africa include Kigali, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Dar Es Salaam.

The A330neo aircraft is planned to be received in December 2020 and to be gradually deployed on new routes to Brussels, London, Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Mumbai and Beijing, subject to regulatory approval. Its web-site at www.ugandairlines.com states it expects to start selling tickets openly within 147 days from the date this news goes to press.

Entebbe the capital of Uganda is currently served domestically by two private Ugandan airlines United Airlines (U) Ltd and Eagle Air while international flights to Entebbe are operated by non-Uganda carriers including British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, Emirates, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Fly-SAX, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Precision Air, flydubai, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines. Air Tanzania inaugurates scheduled flight to Entebbe from Dar Es Salaam via Kilimanjaro on 26 August 2018 using its Dash8-Q400 aircraft.

The name Uganda Airlines is the resurrection of the defunct national flag carrier Uganda Airlines which was formed in 1976 and liquidated in May 2001, to replace the private carrier Air Uganda whose Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was revoked in 2014.

Nigeria's new national flag carrier to launch flight on 24 December 2018

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At Farnborough Air Show, the Nigeria Government has unveiled the name, logo and fleet type of Nigeria's new national flag carrier Nigeria Air, which plans to take off for the Nigerian skies on 24 December 2018 from Lagos.

The logo of Nigeria Air is the national flag of Nigeria in the shape of an eagle in flight. Nigeria Air plans to include Airbus A330 and B737 MAX aircraft in its fleet and aims to operate up to 81 domestic, regional and long-haul routes from Lagos to destinations such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai, Mumbai, Beijing and New York.

The Nigeria Government owns 5 per cent of Nigeria Air while the remaining stake balance is shared by private investors. 

GX Airlines has completed its first Nanning - Huai'an return flight on 18 July 2018

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GX Airlines, short for Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines, opens Nanning - Huai'an route on 18 July 2018 under flight GX7853.

At 10 am on 18 July 2018, the official ceremonial flight of GX7853 from Nanning arrived smoothly in Huai'an. Huai'an Airport held a brief ceremony on the apron to welcome the new airline operator. 

According to flight schedules, flight GX7853 takes off from Nanning for Huai'an at 7.20 am, arrives in Huai'an at 10 am before leaving Huai'an under flight GX7854  at 10.40 am and arriving in Nanning at 1.40 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, flight GX7853 leaves Nanning at 3.10 pm for Huai'an, touches down in Huai'an at 5.50 pm before leaving Huai'an at 6.30 pm and arriving in Nanning at 9.20 pm under flight GX7854.

KC Air's revised route network from 1 August 2018

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According to Routes Online, KC Air, short for KC International Airlines, has revised its planned route network. Instead of operating the first flight to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh, it has decided that its maiden flight will depart from Phnom Penh for one of two Bangkok's international airports on 1 August 2018.

KC Air's first domestic flight to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh will take off on 2 August 2018 instead, and on 7 August 2018, it will launch thrice-weekly scheduled flight to Taoyuan from Phnom Penh.

KC Air is the first Cambodian airline to operate scheduled flights to Manila on 22 August 2018 when it plans to operate 4 weekly flights between Phnom Penh and Manila.

Services to Chiang Mai from Phnom Penh are planned to open on 19 September 2018 with thrice weekly flights every week. KC Air will be the first airline to fly from Phnom Penh to Chiang Mai.

All the above flights are operated by KC Air's Airbus A320 aircraft which arrived in Phnom Penh on 2 July 2018 for test and crew training flights in July 2018.

Air China takes delivery of its first A350XWB aircraft on 8 August 2018

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Air China officially receives its first A350XWB aircraft in Toulouse on 8 August 2018 and the aircraft will arrive in Beijing Capital Airport on 9 August 2018.

Air China A350 passenger aircraft adopts a three-class cabin layout, with 32 Business Class, 24 Super Economy Class and 256 Economy Class seats.

For the first time, the business class seat adopts the anti-fishbone 1-2-1 layout, and each seat passes straight along the asle.

The Super Economy Class is available in a 2-4-2 layout, and the seats are enhanced based on the Business Class seats for improved performance and comfort.

The Economy Class features a 3-3-3 layout with the highly acclaimed Recaro CL3710 seat.

Air China has ordered a total of 10 A350XWB passenger aircraft. According to its plan, six additional A350 aircraft will join Air China's fleet this year and four more next year.

XL Airways France arrives in Jinan for the first time on 17 July 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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After two weeks of delay, XL Airways France, the second-largest French airline in Paris, finally launches its first scheduled flight from Paris to Jinan in Shandong Province, China, on 16 July 2018. It arrives in Jinan on 17 July 2018.

On 16 July 2018, XL Airways France flight SE520 departs for Jinan from Paris at 8.20 pm, arrives in Jinan at 12.55 pm on 17 July 2018 before leaving Jinan for Paris at 11 am on 18 July 2018 and touching down in Paris at 5 pm local time under flight SE521. 

Flights depart for Jinan from Paris on Mondays and take off for Paris from Jinan on  Wednesdays using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Jinan is the first China destination of XL Airways France.

Aurora Airlines opens Vladivostok - Mudanjiang route on 17 July 2018

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Aurora Airlines, with air hubs in Sakhalin and Vladivostok, Russia Far East, has launched its first scheduled passenger flight from Vladivostok to Mudanjiang, China, on 17 July 2018 using its DH4 aircraft.

On 17 July 2018, Aurora flight HZ1751 departs from Vladivostok for Mudanjiang at 7.05 pm, arrives in Mudanjiang at 6.25 pm before leaving Mudanjiang for Vladivostok at 7.15 pm and touching down in Vladivostok at 10.30 pm under flight HZ1752.

Flights depart from Vladivostok for Mudanjiang on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Vladivostok is the largest port city on the Russian Pacific coast, the Russian Far East Science Center, and the largest trading port in the Russian Far East. Mudanjiang is the central city in the southeast of Heilongjiang Province. It is located in the central area of the Northeast Asian economic circle. It is 211 kilometres long from the Russian border, 53 kilometres from the Russian Far East transportation hub, Ussuriysk, and 153 kilometres from Vladivostok. It is an important strategic city along the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.

Besides Mudanjiang, Aurora Airlines also flies from Vladivostok to Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Incheon, Narita, Beijing, Dalian, Harbin, Shenyang and Sapporo.

Hong Kong Airport increases charges including baggage handling and security fees

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According to the report published by Hong Kong English newspaper South China Morning Post on 16 July 2018, every passenger who is departing from Hong Kong International Airport will pay an additional 5 Hong Kong Dollars security check fee from October 2018. In other words, the security check fee for this Hong Kong airport will increase from 45 Hong Kong Dollars to 50 Hong Kong Dollars. In 2021, the cost of this collection will increase again, rising to 55 Hong Kong Dollars.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority said that the increase in security costs will be used to upgrade airport CCTV and baggage screening systems, introduce new biometric technology equipment and increase the number of employed staff.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority said in the press release that the air tickets sold on or after 1 October 2018 will be subject to an additional security fee of HK$5.

Earlier this month, the Hong Kong Airport Authority also imposed a fee of 1.32 Hong Kong Dollars on each piece of baggage unloaded from the aircraft to the conveyor belt. This cost may result in an annual increase of 40 million Dollars or more per passenger airline cost.

Since 2016, in order to raise funds for the construction of the third runway at the Hong Kong airport, passengers have paid an airport construction fee of 70-180 million Hong Kong dollars.

In the year to June 2018, the number of passengers entering and leaving Hong Kong Airport was 74 million. According to the estimate of the number of departing passengers, half of them will bring an additional 180 million Hong Kong Dollars to the Airport Authority of Hong Kong net income.

In June 2018, Hong Kong Airport announced a record profit of 11.48 billion Hong Kong Dollars, due to a significant increase in the number of passengers, and increases in airline charges, advertising and retail revenue.

Regular flight launch from Cam Ranh to Haikou by VietJet Air begins on 16 July 2018

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On 16 July 2018, VietJet Air launches regular weekly scheduled flight to Haikou from Cam Ranh, the airport gateway to Nha Trang, using Airbus A320 aircraft. 

At 10.25 pm on 16 July 2018, VietJet flight VJ5286 departs from Cam Ranh for Haikou at 10.25 pm, arrives in Haikou at 12.15 am on 17 July 2018 before leaving Haikou for Cam Ranh at 1.10 am and touching down in Cam Ranh at 3.05 am under flight VJ5287.

VietJet's flights from Cam Ranh to Haikou are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while its flights to Cam Ranh from Haikou take off on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Cam Ranh-Haikou route of VietJet Air is its third new Vietnam-China route to be opened in July.

On 1  July 2018, VietJet Air launched charter flight to Dayong, the airport gateway to Zhangjiaje in Hunan, from Ho Chi Minh City and initiated scheduled flight from Hanoi to Dayong on 2 July 2018, flying on Tuesdays and Sundays under the flight pairs VJ2552/VJ2553.

Ruili Airlines launches inaugural scheduled flight to Phnom Penh on 13 July 2018

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Ruili Airlines launches inaugural scheduled flight from Kunming to Phnom Penh on 13 July 2018 using B737-700 aircraft. It flies between these cities on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

On 13 July 2018, Ruili Airlines flight DR5039 departs from Kunming for Phnom Penh at 6.20 am, arrives in Phnom Penh at 7.55 am before leaving under flight DR5040 at 8.55 am and touching down in Kunming at 12.35 pm.

Ruili Airlines' Phnom Penh flight service is the Yunnan airline's second Cambodian route after the Kunming - Sihanoukville route and the fourth international destination on its route map after Sihanoukville, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

9air opens Changsha - Jieyang and Ningbo - Hailar routes on 12 and 16 July 2018

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9air, the low-cost airline subsidiary of Juneyao Air, launches new flights on 12 July 2018 and 16 July 2018. Its B737-800 aircraft opens Changsha - Jieyang route on 12 July 2018 while its Ningbo - Hailar route will be opened on 16 July 2018. Below are the detailed flight schedules:-

Flight AQ1127   Changsha - Jieyang                6.55 am to 8.35 am     Days : 1, 2, 4, 6
Flight AQ1128   Jieyang  - Changsha               8.20 pm to 9.55 pm     Days : 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Flight AQ1127   Changsha - Jieyang                9.15 am to 10.45 am   Days : 3, 5, 7
Flight AQ1128   Jieyang  - Changsha               11.40 pm to 1.10 am   Day   : 5

Flight AQ1121   Ningbo - Hailar   9.40 am to 2 pm           Days : 1, 3, 5
Flight AQ1122   Hailar - Ningbo   5.55 pm to 9.50 pm      Days : 1, 3
Flight AQ1122   Hailar - Ningbo   7 pm to 10.30 pm         Day   : 5

Hailar is located in Inner Mongolia while the international airport gateway to Shantou is located in the Chaoshan city Jieyang.

According to 9air, the airline has drastically reduced the height of the overhead compartment such that passengers cannot stow conventional carry-on luggage with wheels and handle sliders onboard its new B737-800 aircraft on these routes. They have to pay at the airports to check-in those luggage. Only soft backpacks and travel bags total 90 cm and below maximum 7 kg can be stowed in the overhead compartment or under the seats.

For further ticketing information, visit www.9air.com.

Vistara signed order deals for A320neo, A321neo and B787-9 aircraft

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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On 11 July 2018, TATA SIA Airlines Limited operating as Vistara announced that it has signed a purchase-order deal with Airbus for 13 A320neo and A321neo aircraft and signed an order deal for six B787-9 long-range aircraft with Boeing. The market value of these orders is 3.1 billion Dollars. Vistara plans to receive the 19 aircraft between 2019 and 2023.

Vistara said in a statement that the letter of intent signed with Airbus includes 13 A320neo and A321neo exact orders, as well as seven A320neo series aircraft options. The airline also said that it will lease 37 new A320neo aircraft from an aircraft leasing company and expand the A320neo fleet of the aircraft to 50 aircraft.

Between 2019 and 2023, Vistara Airlines will receive and put these A320neo aircraft into domestic and international flight operations to Southeast Asia. The earliest operation is scheduled to begin at the end of 2018.

The purchase agreement between Vistara and Boeing includes the exact order for six B787-9 Dreamliners and the purchase of four B787 series aircraft. The six aircraft will be delivered in 2020 and 2021 to operate mid-range flights and long-haul international flights. 

Planned new destinations of Vistara include cities in Southeast Asia that are served by the Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot and cities that have no flights to India yet.

Vistara will announce the new international destinations in due course as soon as it has received bilateral approvals from the relevant authorities to begin the flights.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 touches down in Ho Chi Minh City on 28 July 2018

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One of 6 Singapore Airlines's B787-10 aircraft touches down in Ho Chi Minh City with effect from 28 July 2018. The concerned daily flight SQ186 departs from Singapore for Ho Chi Minh City at 5.25 pm, arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 6.35 pm before leaving Ho Chi Minh City for Singapore at 7.40 pm under flight SQ185 and touching down in Singapore at 10.40 pm.

This means Ho Chi Minh City becomes the fifth city on Singapore Airlines' B787-10 regular route network and the second city on 28 July 2018 to welcome formally the B787-10 after Nagoya in central Japan. After Ho Chi Minh City, on 28 October 2018, the B787-10 will land in Delhi for the first time according to India media reports.

Airports on Singapore Airlines' B787-10 regular scheduled flight route network as of 28 October 2018 : Osaka Kansai, Perth, Narita, Nagoya-Centrair, Ho Chi Minh City and Delhi. Crew training flights of the B787-10 aircraft are to Suvarnabhumi, Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar only. 

Singapore Airlines launches inaugural A359 flight to Los Angeles on 2 November 2018

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According to the Reservation and Ticketing Team of Singapore Airlines, the national flag carrier operates its inaugural A359 (short for A350-900ULR aircraft) non-stop scheduled flight from Singapore to Los Angeles on 2 November 2018 (Friday). 

On 2 November 2018, the first A359 flight to Los Angeles, SQ038, departs from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 8.45 pm, arrives in Los Angeles at 8.55 pm on 2 November 2018  before leaving Los Angeles for Singapore at 11.25 pm on the same night and touching down in Singapore at 8.15 am on 4 November 2018 under flight SQ037.

Daily A359 flight to Los Angeles debuts on 9 November 2018 with SQ038 leaving Singapore Changi at 8.45 pm and touching down in Los Angeles at 7.55 pm on 10 November 2018 before leaving Los Angeles at 10.25 pm and arriving in Singapore at 8.15 am local time on 12 November 2018 under flight SQ037. 

There are no A359 flights to Los Angeles between 4 November and 8 November according to the Reservation and Ticketing Team.

Singapore Airlines is adding three more weekly A359 flights to Los Angeles from 7 December 2018 with flight SQ036 leaving Singapore Changi for Los Angeles at 8.20 am, arriving in Los Angeles at 7.30 am before SQ035 takes off from Los Angeles for Singapore at 9.15 am and touching down in Singapore Changi at 7.05 pm on 8 December 2018. SQ036 flights are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays while SQ035 flights are on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

This means that Singapore Airlines will operate 10 weekly A359 direct flights to Los Angeles with effect from 7 December 2018.

Due to the increase in direct flights to Los Angeles and in response to United Airlines' withdrawal from the Los Angeles-Singapore-Los Angeles route sectors, Singapore Airlines has cancelled its passenger services on the Incheon-Los Angeles route from 1 December 2018 onwards.

Singapore Airlines first starts operating the world's first A359 flight on the route to New York Newark on 11 October 2018 initially flying on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Daily operations to Newark begin on 18 October 2018 after its second A359 aircraft enters service.

Singapore Airlines is the debut customer for the A359 aircraft.

Tianjin Airlines flies from Hohhot to Moscow on Sundays

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Tianjin Airlines has opened Hohhot Baita International Airport's first international route to Moscow on 8 July 2018 using its A330 aircraft. On that day, Tianjin Airlines flight GS7947 departs from Hohhot for Moscow at 11 am, arrives in Moscow at local time 2.05 pm before leaving Moscow for Hohhot at 4.20 pm and touching down in Hohhot at 4.45 am local time under flight GS7948.

Tianjin Airlines flies between Hohhot and Moscow on Sundays.

Hainan Airlines opens Sanya - Macau route on 9 July 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
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Hainan Airlines has just launched its direct flight to Macau from Sanya using its B737-800 aircraft. 

On 9 July 2018, Hainan Airlines flight HU7949 departs from Sanya for Macau at 7 pm, arrives in Macau at 8.30 pm before leaving Macau for Sanya at 9.35 pm and arriving in Sanya at 11.05 pm under flight HU7950.

Hainan Airlines flies to Macau from Sanya on Mondays and Fridays.

Air Tanzania welcomes its first B787-8 on 8 July 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
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According to Air Tanzania, it has received its first wholly-owned B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. The aircraft named "Kilimanjaro Hapa kazi tu" landed in Dar Es Salaam from Seattle at 9 pm on 8 July 2018 local time after taking off from Seattle on 7 July 2018.

Following the induction of the Dreamliner to its fleet, Air Tanzania has 5 aircraft including 3 Q400 and 1 Q300 planes. It plans to add another 3 Q400 and 2 Bombardier CS300 aircraft by the end of 2018.

Air Tanzania said the Dreamliner aircraft will initially be used on high air traffic routes namely from Dar Es Salaam to Kilimanjaro and Mwanza and from Kilimanjaro to Mwanza before operating its first long-haul direct flight to Mumbai from Dar Es Salaam as early as September 2018, subject to regulatory approval. Other future planned destinations include Frankfurt, London, Rome and Johannesburg.

Singapore Airlines adds Nagoya to its list of B787-10 destinations on 28 July 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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Singapore Airlines is adding Nagoya, central Japan, to its list of B787-10 route destinations on 28 July 2018.

On 28 July 2018, the first B787-10 flight to Nagoya, SQ672, departs earlier for Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya-Centrair, in short) from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 12.20 am, one hour ahead of the usual timing of 1.20 am, and arrives in Nagoya-Centrair at 8.05 am for the new aircraft arrival ceremony at Nagoya-Centrair. At 11 am, it leaves Nagoya-Centrair for Singapore under flight SQ671 and lands in Singapore at 4.50 pm. 

The last A330 flight to Nagoya-Centrair from Singapore is on 27 July 2018. Singapore Airlines flies to Nagoya-Centrair daily.

B787-10 flight SQ672 to Nagoya-Centrair at 1.20 am begins on 29 July 2018 and arrives in Nagoya-Centrair at 9.05 am. It departs for Singapore under flight SQ671 at 10.30 am and arrives in Singapore at 4.20 pm.

Singapore Airlines has 6 new B787-10 Dreamliner aircraft and 43 additional B787-10s on order. Other destinations on its B787-10 route network include Osaka Kansai, Perth and Narita.

Lanmei Airlines launches flight from Siem Reap to Male on 1 September 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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Lanmei Airlines launches inaugural flight from Siem Reap to Male, the capital of the Maldives, on 1 September 2018, a delay of more than 1 month from 19 July 2018. 

On 1 September 2018, Lanmei Airlines flight LQ101 departs from Siem Reap to Male at 10.50 am, arrives in Male at 1.40 pm before leaving Male for Siem Reap at 2.40 pm and landing in Siem Reap at 9.40 pm under flight LQ102.

Lanmei Airlines is the first airline of Cambodia and Indochina as a whole to bridge a route connection to the Maldives. It flies to Male on Thursdays, Mondays and Saturdays using its Airbus A319 aircraft.

Cambodia Airways awarded AOC on 6 July 2018, first official ceremonial flight on 10 July 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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Cambodia Airways that has been awarded its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on 6 July 2018 will conduct its first official ceremonial flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on 10 July 2018. Daily scheduled flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, that are available for ticketing, however start on 11 July 2018.

On 11 July 2018, Cambodia Airways flight KR801 departs from Phnom Penh for Siem Reap at 9.55 am, arrives in Siem Reap at 10.45 am before leaving Siem Reap for Phnom Penh at 12.10 pm and touching down in Phnom Penh under flight KR802 at 1 pm.

Its first Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville scheduled flight takes off on 14 July 2018.

Cambodia Airways will also launch flights linking Siem Reap and Sihanoukville with Macau on 21 July 2018 while its first flight from Phnom Penh to Macau is on 22 July 2018. 

Between 2018 and 2023, Cambodia Airways further plans to launch flights to Taoyuan, Hong Kong, cities in China, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and other ASEAN cities,  cities in South Korea, Japan, Australia and the US.

KC International Airlines defers inaugural flight to Siem Reap to August 2018 due to late aircraft delivery

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
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At about 11:30 am on 30 June 2018, after about three hours of flight, the first A320 passenger plane of KC International Airlines which previously belonged to Sichuan Airlines and took off from Chengdu landed smoothly at Phnom Penh International Airport,.

The aircraft was formally welcome in a grand aircraft delivery ceremony. Attendees include Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s sister Hun Sinath and her husband Nim Chandara, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s niece Nim Vannak, Cambodian Civil Aviation Deputy Director Kim Sophorn, President of the KC International Airlines, Zheng Yuhai and Chairman Luo Bin.

"It is very exciting for us to be able to fly the first aircraft back to the company base for the company, which is very important for us!" said Fu Bin,KC International Airlines Captain, Chairman and Flight Director.

KC International Airlines plans to put the aircraft into flight operations in early August 2018, with the first flight to Siem Reap. The rest of the month of July 2018 are dedicated to test and crew training flights. 

KC International Airlines (KC Air in short) is a Sino-Cambodian joint venture airline registered in Phnom Penh with head office opposite Phnom Penh International Airport. It applied for AOC in July 2017 and approved by the Cambodian government recently. The company operates bases in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Its planned route network covers China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and major cities in ASEAN including Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon using Airbus A320 series aircraft. It plans to add more 24 A320 series aircraft to its fleet within the next five years.