Urumqi Air launches Urumqi - Wuhan - Singapore flights on 18 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

At Travel Revolution 2019 from 29 to 31 March 2019 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, Urumqi Air announced that it is launching its second international flight route and its first multi-city international flight route, Urumqi - Wuhan - Singapore, on 18 May 2019, using B737-800 aircraft. Urumqi Air's first international direct route from Urumqi, to Irkutsk, is launched on 27 June 2018.

On 18 May 2019, Urumqi Air flight UQ2661 departs from Urumqi for Singapore via Wuhan at 9.25 am, transits in Wuhan at 1.35 pm before leaving Wuhan for Singapore at 4.05 pm and arriving in Singapore at 9.15 pm.

At 10.40 pm of 18 May 2019, flight UQ2662 takes off from Changi Airport Terminal 4 for Wuhan, transits in Wuhan at 3.50 am before departing for Urumqi at 6 am and touching down in Urumqi at 10.25 am on 19 May 2019.

Flights linking Urumqi with Wuhan and Singapore take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

To mark the launch of the new multi-city international route, Urumqi Air is marketing round-trip fares to Wuhan and Urumqi from 86 Singapore Dollars and 171 Singapore Dollars, excluding taxes, respectively. Tickets can be soon purchased at Ctrip, Trip, Qunar and on Urumqi Air's web-site in Chinese Renminbi by May 2019. 

Urumqi Air, as the first airline to introduce low-fares on the route linking Wuhan and Singapore, is the Urumqi-based subsidiary of HNA established as a joint-venture between Hainan Airlines and the City Government of Urumqi. On 29 August 2014, Urumqi Air begins operations. As of February 2019, its fleet of 15 B737-800 and 1 Embraer E-190 aircraft operate flights to 39 cities from Urumqi, including Haikou, Karamay, Yining, Hotan, Kashi, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an Xianyang, Lanzhou, Changsha, Hangzhou, Bo'ao, Pudong and Jieyang.

Ref : HNA Group of Airlines exhibit at Travel Revolution 2019 for the first time
https://kucinta-setia.blogspot.com/2019/03/hna-group-exhibit-at-travel-revolution.html

HNA Group exhibit at Travel Revolution 2019 for the first time

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Under the sponsorship of the China National Tourist Office in Singapore, HNA Group of Airlines comprising Hainan Airlines, GX Airlines, West Air and Urumqi Air exhibit at Travel Revolution 2019 for the first time. Travel Revolution 2019 takes place from 29 March to 31 March 2019 at the basement level of Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

Wang Haifeng, the representative of HNA, reveals that Hainan Airlines is encouraged by the positive response to the airline's resumption of scheduled flight to Singapore from Haikou since 30 November 2018. 

On 31 March 2019, Hainan Airlines launches day time flight HU747 to Singapore at 7.40 am and touches down in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 at 11 am. The outbound flight HU748 leaves Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 for Haikou at 11.55 am and arrives in Haikou at 3.20 pm.  Flights at affordable prices take place on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

At Travel Revolution 2019, Hainan Airlines distributes Hainan Airlines company profiles, Haikou tourism brochures and its Singapore flight schedules.

Mr Wang also exhibited the advertisement posters of Hainan Airlines, GX Airlines, West Air and Urumqi Air.

GX Airlines, short for Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines, announced at the booth that its flight from Nanning to Singapore under GX8967 leaves Nanning at 9.50 pm, arrives in Singapore at 1.45 am the next day before leaving Singapore for Nanning at 2.45 am  and arrive in Nanning at 6.40 am  under GX8968 from 1 April 2019. 

GX Airlines has been operating daily scheduled service to Singapore since 19 February 2019 with the exception of 31 March 2019.

Mr Wang also mentioned that Urumqi Air will join the HNA Group of Airlines at Changi Airport Terminal 4 when it launches international flights from Urumqi to Singapore via Wuhan in May 2019. The detailed flight schedules will follow after this news.

The year 2019 promises robust growth for the HNA Group of Airlines in Singapore. Mr Wang said the HNA Group of Airlines will open their common Singapore branch office later this year to meet public ticketing demand.

Except West Air and GX Airlines, other flights of HNA Group to Singapore are operated using B737-800 jets.

Ref : Urumqi Air launches Urumqi - Wuhan - Singapore flights on 18 May 2019
https://kucinta-setia.blogspot.com/2019/03/urumqi-air-launches-urumqi-wuhan.html

Lion Air officially retires its B747-400 in order to welcome A330-900neo

Report by : KUCINTA SETIA

                 Image courtesy : Lion Air

Lion Air honoured the milestone of 19 years of its sole Boeing B747-400 flight operations and recognized the end of this aircraft service on 27 March 2019.

The B747-400 (PK-LHG) first operated flight service on 23 April 2009. It served passengers on domestic routes from Jakarta Cengkareng to Kualanamu, Batam, Surabaya, Denpasar and Makassar as well as international flights from Cengkareng to Jeddah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia for ten years. It has a seat configuration of 12 Business Class seats and 492 Economy Class seats.

Therefore, Lion Air gives the highest appreciation for the end of the Boeing 747-400 operations through a special event that raised the theme of the last moment of the B747 aircraft and announced its preparations to welcome its new aircraft Airbus A330-900neo.

The Airbus A330-900neo wide-body aircraft will be delivered in stages according to schedule and the first is planned to arrive in Indonesia in May 2019. This year, Lion Air will receive two A330-900neo aircraft.

Lion Air in 2018 has ordered ten  Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and has the option of obtaining four similar aircraft. The ten aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Lion Air Group in 2019 and 2020.

The operation of Airbus A330neo will provide added value to customers with the presence of direct flights including non-stop Umrah flights (Middle East) on new routes including from Makassar to Madinah, Balikpapan to Jeddah, Surabaya to Madinah and Solo to Jeddah.

Using A330-900neo, Lion Air is also preparing to expand its route network to South Asia, including India.

HK Express becomes Cathay Pacific's low-cost subsidiary by 31 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Cathay Pacific announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with HNA Holdings on the Hong Kong airline's acquisition of HK Express on 27 March 2019. The issued share capital of HK$4.93 billion, including cash of HK$2.25 billion, was paid in cash to HNA Holdings while non-cash transaction amounts to HK$2.68 million, which will be settled through the issuance and replacement of the acceptance loan notes. Upon completion of the transaction on or before 31 December 2019, HK Express Express will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific.

HK Express, a low-cost airline affiliated to HNA Group, operates short-haul routes to and from Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. At present, it has a fleet of 38 passenger planes operating flights to 24 overseas destinations, 11 of which are located in Japan. The number of passengers increased from 2.9 million in 2016 to the current 4.1 million.

Lin Zhijie, an expert on the Civil Aviation Resources Network, said that the completion of the acquisition will definitely improve Cathay Pacific’s financial performance. At present, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon have a market share of 76% in the Hong Kong air travel market while Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express hold market shares of 16 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. The successful acquisition of HK Express will enable Cathay Pacific to control 84 per cent of Hong Kong's air travel market share and further consolidate its monopoly position. In addition, from the perspective of passengers, this acquisition is not a good thing, as it leads to decrease in competition and price hike of air tickets.

Qiqi, another expert on Civil Aviation Resources Network, believes that Cathay Pacific is acquiring in the context of the accelerated disposal of assets by HNA Group, the original parent company of HK Express, in order to strengthen Cathay Pacific's position in managing short-haul low-cost aviation products. Cathay Pacific focuses on international long-distance routes while Cathay Dragon focuses on connecting China with Hong Kong, and HK Express focuses on low-cost multi-level service in Asia. The acquisition of HK Express will help Cathay Pacific learn from the successful experience of Singapore Airlines Group's multi-brand and differentiated services, shape Cathay Pacific's business transformation and improve its level of profitability.

HK Express's low-cost brand image, flight rights and aircraft are high-quality assets. After the acquisition of the low-cost airline, Cathay Pacific will not rule out handing over its Airbus A320 fleet or competitive routes in Asia and air traffic rights in Asia to HK Express in order to compete against low-cost airlines such as AirAsia and Jetstar.

However, how to effectively integrate HK Express' resources into Cathay Pacific and maintain the original high efficiency operation of HK Express is extremely challenging, and it also tests the wisdom of Cathay Pacific management.

Shandong Airlines launches new routes from Qingdao on 31 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Shandong Airlines launches new routes from Qingdao on 31 March 2019 using its B737-800 aircraft. These new routes are Qingdao - Wudangshan - Guiyang and Qingdao - Zunyi Maotai - Nanning.

On 31 March 2019, Shandong Airlines flight SC4803 departs from Qingdao for Wudangshan at 6.35 am, touches down in Wudangshan Shiyan Airport at 8.55 am before leaving Wudangshan at 9.40 am for Guiyang and arriving in Guiyang at 11.20 am.

At 6.55 pm, flight SC4804 takes off from Guiyang for Wudangshan, transits in Wudangshan Shiyan Airport at 8.35 pm before departing for Qingdao at 9.20 pm and arriving in Qingdao at 11.30 pm.

On the same day of 31 March 2019, flight SC4917 leaves Qingdao for Zunyi Maotai Airport at 7.50 am and arrives in Maotai at 11.10 am to pick up passengers bounding for Nanning at 12.10 pm before it touches down in Nanning at 1.35 pm.

At 2.35 pm, flight SC4918 leaves Nanning for Maotai at 2.35 pm, transits in Maotai at 4 pm before taking off for Qingdao at 5.55 pm and arriving in Qingdao at 9.05 pm.

The above flights are operated four times a week, on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

US-Bangla Airlines launches flights to Chennai via Chittagong on 31 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

US-Bangla Airlines launches thrice-weekly scheduled flights to Chennai from Dhaka via Chittagong on 31 March 2019 using its B737-800 aircraft.

On 31 March 2019, US-Bangla flight BS205 departs from Dhaka for Chennai via Chittagong at 9.10 am, transits in Chittagong at 10 am before leaving Chittagong for Chennai at 10.45 am and touching down in Chennai at 12.45 pm.

At 1.30 pm, flight BS206 leaves Chennai for Chittagong, transits in Chittagong at 4.30 pm before taking off for the return journey to Dhaka at 5.10 pm and arriving in Dhaka at 6 pm.

US-Bangla Airlines flies to and returns from Chennai on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Meanwhile on 24 March 2019, US-Bangla Airlines takes delivery of Bangladesh's first ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft, registered S2-AKG, in its first step to replace its aging fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft. 

In 2020, US-Bangla Airlines will take delivery of its second ATR72-600.

China Eastern launches flight from Changsha to Singapore on 2 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern launches non-stop scheduled flight from Changsha to Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 on 2 April 2019 using its A320 aircraft.

On 2 April 2019, China Eastern flight MU2045 departs from Changsha for Singapore at 9.25 pm, arrives in Singapore at 2 am on 3 April 2019 before leaving Changi Airport for Changsha at 3 am and touching down in Changsha at 7.30 am under flight MU2046.

China Eastern departs from Changsha for Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It leaves Changi Airport for Changsha on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

China Eastern is the fastest-growing Chinese airline in Changi Airport with more than five routes to Chinese destinations including Hangzhou, Kunming, Fuzhou, Pudong, Quanzhou and Yantai.

China Eastern launches flights to Calgary via Dalian on 1 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern launches thrice-weekly scheduled flights from Pudong to Calgary via Dalian on 1 April 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Departing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, China Eastern flight MU5695 departs from Pudong for Calgary via Dalian at 12.05 pm, transits in Dalian at 2 pm before leaving Dalian for Calgary at 2.50 pm and touching down in Calgary at 5.20 pm.

At 6.10 pm, flight MU5694 leaves Calgary for Dalian, transits in Dalian at 8.25 pm before taking off from Dalian for Pudong at 10 pm and arriving in Pudong at 12.05 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Calgary is one of the cities of Canada. It is known for its ballet dance, skyline, arts and culture and it is the most liveable city in Canada. The Economist magazine ranks it as the fourth most liveable city in the world in their Global Liveability Ranking.

Lao Airlines ends code-sharing arrangement with SilkAir

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Lao Airlines ends its code-sharing arrangement with SilkAir on the latter's Singapore - Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Singapore routes as Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd begins its inaugural scheduled flight on the former SilkAir routes to the two Lao cities on 1 April 2019.

SilkAir's last flight from Luang Prabang and Vientiane is on 30 March 2019.

Lao Airlines is focusing on expanding its route network to China. It has recently started a direct charter flight route to Pudong from Vientiane and plans to launch a new route to Wenzhou sometime in 2019.

Royal Brunei Airlines' newest A320neo livery

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Spotted in Brunei International Airport by the journalist of Sayacinta - Airpost on 4 March 2019 is Royal Brunei Airlines' newest A320 livery showing a diagonal flowing ribbon banner on the aircraft body beside the Jawi characters for Royal Brunei.

Below is the standard Royal Brunei Airlines livery spotted in Changi Airport Terminal 2 on 4 March 2019, the journalist's first scheduled flight to Brunei.

Cambodia Airways launches daily flight to Suvarnabhumi on 11 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Cambodia Airways launches daily flight to Suvarnabhumi on 11 April 2019 using its A319 aircraft.

On 11 April 2019, Cambodia Airways flight KR701 departs from Phnom Penh for Suvarnabhumi at 6.15 pm, arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 7.10 pm before leaving Suvarnabhumi for Phnom Penh at 8.10 pm and touching down in Phnom Penh at 9.35 pm under flight KR702.

With the addition of Suvarnabhumi to its route network, Cambodia Airways flies to 5 airports from Phnom Penh including  Macau, Taichung, Taoyuan, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Future flight destinations of Cambodia Airways include Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila and cities in China.

Garuda Indonesia cancels its 49 Boeing 737 MAX 8 purchase orders

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to the CEO and Director of Garuda Indonesia, Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra, he has issued the airline's 737 MAX 8 purchase order cancellation letter to Boeing on 21 March 2019. 

Boeing could not be reached for comment.

Garuda Indonesia has 49 737 MAX 8 aircraft orders with Boeing. 

Although Garuda Indonesia's sole 737 MAX 8 is grounded, Gusti said the airline is able to find a buyer or aircraft leasing firm to sell away the 737 MAX 8 or even sell it back to Boeing! This aircraft previously operated direct flights from Jakarta to Singapore and within Indonesia and it is replaced by B737-800.

Gusti explains that following the crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 aircraft, his customers have lost faith in the technical reliability of 737 MAX 8. Even if the flaw of the aircraft has been rectified, his passengers will still not buy Garuda Indonesia tickets to board the aircraft.

Hence, Garuda Indonesia becomes the first airline in the world to cancel its 737 MAX 8 purchase orders. 

MIAT Mongolian Airlines deploys B737-800 on inaugural flights to Guangzhou and Osaka

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Due to the grounding of Tolui Khaan, MIAT Mongolian Airlines' only 737 MAX 8, one of the Mongolian airline's B737-800 aircraft is launching the airline's first scheduled flight to Guangzhou on 31 March 2019. As a result, there is an adjustment to the Guangzhou flight schedules.

On 31 March 2019, MIAT B737-800 flight OM235 departs from Ulaanbaatar for Guangzhou at 10.40 pm, touches down in Guangzhou at 2.40 am on 1 April 2019 before leaving Guangzhou for Ulaanbaatar at 3.50 am and arriving in Ulaanbaatar at 8.00 am under flight OM234.

MIAT flies to Guangzhou on Sundays and Thursdays. It returns to Ulaanbaatar from Guangzhou on Mondays and Fridays.

Subject to further grounding of the 737 MAX 8, the B737-800 aircraft will also operate on MIAT's new route to Osaka Kansai from 3 July to 28 August 2019.

On 3 July 2019, MIAT flight OM505 departs from Ulaanbaatar for Osaka Kansai at 8.20 am, arrives in Osaka Kansai at 1.20 pm before leaving Kansai for Ulaanbaatar at 2.20 pm under flight OM506 and touching down in Ulaanbaatar at 6 pm. Flights are on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Besides, beginning 31 March 2019, MIAT Mongolian Airlines is increasing its scheduled flight frequency to Hong Kong to a daily basis.

As of 23 March 2019, MIAT has 2 B767-300ER, 3 B737-800, 1 B737-700 and 1 737 MAX 8 aircraft. It will return its sole-leased B737-700 aircraft to Oman Air in May 2019. 

China Southern launches flight from Changsha to Singapore on 31 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern launches new route from Changsha to Singapore on 31 March 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 31 March 2019, China Southern Airlines flight CZ8429 departs from Changsha for Singapore at 10.45 pm, touches down in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 3.20 am on 1 April 2019 before leaving Changi Airport under flight CZ8430 at 4.20 am and arriving in Changsha at 9.15 am.

China Southern departs from Changsha for Singapore on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It leaves Changi Airport for Changsha on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

ANA's first A380 begins commercial flight to Honolulu on 24 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Airbus, Dirk Grothe, Luke H Ozawa and All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways (ANA) recently received its first Airbus A380 at a special ceremony in Toulouse, becoming the 15th airline to operate the world's largest passenger aircraft. The delivery and reception ceremony were hosted by Airbus CEO Thomas Enders and Yuji Hirako, ANA's President and CEO.

ANA has ordered three A380 aircraft and the first A380 will fly on the popular route between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu on 24 May 2019. 

Each A380 of ANA is specially painted with a Hawaiian green turtle called "Honu". The first aircraft is painted in blue, the second is green and the third is orange.

The Airbus A380 features a 520-seat high-end cabin layout. The upper cabin includes eight first-class suites, 56 fully-flat business class seats and 73 luxury economy seats. Economy class seats are located in the main cabin, and each A380 in ANA's fleet has a spacious layout of 383 seats, including 60 sofa seats. It is also equipped with the latest in-flight entertainment system and has full cabin coverage.

"We deploy three A380s on the Tokyo-Honolulu route and hope to provide our passengers with a new level of luxury service ." Mr Hirako said.

He added, "We believe that the A380 is an epoch-making model for All Nippon Airways, which will enable us to double the number of seats available on the route between Honolulu and Tokyo by 2020 and our market share. Flying 'Green Turtle' is designed to provide unprecedented comfort and convenience to ANA passengers, and opens up new possibilities. If not for Airbus and Rolls-Royce, it is impossible for the company to work closely with ANA aviation experts.

"Airbus is proud to deliver this beautiful aircraft to All Nippon Airways. We believe that the A380 will be a great success at ANA, and we are committed to providing full support for All Nippon Airways.," said Thomas Enders. 

The Airbus A380 provides airlines with the most efficient option to meet the world's busiest routes. The A380 is also the preferred aircraft for passengers worldwide, offering more personal space for all cabin passengers, a super quiet cabin and a smooth flight experience. Currently, the A380 has carried approximately 250 million passengers.

After the delivery of the first A380 to All Nippon Airways, there are currently 232 A380s of 15 airlines operating on 120 routes worldwide.

Passengers can check out and book A380 flights through the iflyA380 app or the official website to experience the unique journey of the A380.

Hainan Airlines launches Guiyang's first flight to Paris on 24 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches non-stop scheduled flight from Guiyang to Paris using its 787-8 Dreamliner on 24 March 2019. It departs every Sunday to Paris from Guiyang.

On 24 March 2019, flight HU731 departs from Guiyang for Paris at 1.30 am, arrives in Paris at 6.20 am before leaving Paris for Guiyang  at 12.30 pm and touching down in Guiyang at 8.30 am on 25 March 2019 under flight HU732.

Garuda Indonesia launches direct flight to Nagoya from Jakarta on 23 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Garuda Indonesia launches non-stop scheduled flight from Jakarta to Nagoya Chubu International Airport using its Airbus A330-300 aircraft on 23 March 2019.

On 23 March 2019, Garuda Indonesia flight GA884 departs from Jakarta to Nagoya Chubu at 10.35 pm, arrives in Nagoya at 7.25 am on 24 March 2019 before leaving Nagoya Chubu at 10 am and touching down in Jakarta at 3 pm under flight GA885.

Garuda Indonesia flies to Nagoya on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays before returning to Jakarta on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

To celebrate the launch of the direct route to Nagoya, passengers on the inaugural flight to Nagoya will be given special pouches, shopping vouchers endorsed by JNTO, Lego Ninjago, special coffee, matcha or hot chocolate from Anomali coffee free-of-charge. Passengers on the next three flights from 24 March will receive complimentary Lego Ninjago. 

Airlines to prohibit 20-inch carry-on wheel luggage soon according to IATA new guideline

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Image below : Passengers (centre) with their baggage at the baggage carousel of Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport

If you have the habit of carrying your suitcase on the plane, your current wheeled suitcase may be forbidden to be boarded because the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced new carry-on baggage specifications that are more than currently allowed. The capacity of the suitcase has shrunk by 20 to 40 per cent, which is said to be enough to allow every passenger's hand luggage to be stuffed into the crowded cabin!


Recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced new portable baggage recommendations. The best guiding size for new hand luggage is 21.5 inches (height) X 13.5 inches (width) X 7.5 inches (thickness) (54.61 cm X 34.29 cm X 19.05 cm), i.e 107.95 cm, and not 115 cm. 


According to the joint report, according to the current specifications, only the 19-inch baggage can meet the requirements. Even the 20-inch carry-on luggage on the market, the three-side size adds up to the new standard. The 19-inch model is 54 centimetres long, 34.2 centimetres wide, 19 centimetres thick, and 34 litres in capacity. It is 1 litre worse than 20 inches. At present, the maximum carry-on baggage size specified by airlines is 22 to 24 inches long, 14 to 18 inches wide, and 9 to 16 inches deep. In fact, in simple terms, the wheeled carry-on suitcases that passengers often use are not up to standard and cannot be boarded.


It is reported that the current North American airlines have not accepted the IATA proposal but Air China, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Avianca, Brazil Azul Airlines (Azul), Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways have indicated that they will adopt the new carry-on baggage rule soon, and there may be new airlines responding in the future. Millions of airline passengers may have to buy new luggage. 


According to the World Daily, after the IATA proposal to reduce the size of the passenger's carry-on luggage, the US Democratic Senate Schumer has urged major airlines to suspend the case, because once the guidelines are implemented, it will cause an impact on the income and travel expenses of the middle class families. As most of today's carry-on suitcases are too large, the new size means that the capacity of carry-on baggage of American Airlines or Delta Air Lines will be reduced by 20 per cent, and the capacity of Southwest Airlines' carry-on baggage will be reduced by 40 per cent.


Schumer said at the press conference, "The new proposal will not only consume the pockets of the families, but also cause business travelers to suffer losses, because the proposal also prevents the use of wheeled suitcases. This is too much. We have already paid for checked baggage, legroom, headphones, pillows, and even peanuts. The airline’s profit is now at a new high, and there is no need to increase the burden on passengers."


At the press conference, Schumer’s wheeled suitcase was 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 feet deep. He said, “The current size of the suitcase meets the standards of carry-on luggage, and is also held by millions of people at the airport. The size of the suitcase that the train ran. Once the new policy is adopted, such a suitcase will no longer meet the standards for carry-on baggage."


According to RCI, although Canada's two major civil aviation companies, Air Canada and Seagate Airlines, have indicated that they will not implement the IATA recommended cabin baggage size, some analysts believe that the size of the cabin baggage recommended by the International Civil Aviation Transportation Organization is smaller than the current size. On the size of the cabin baggage permitted by WestJet, the Canadian airline will implement the IATA recommended cabin baggage size standard sooner or later, because the cabin baggage will speed up the passenger boarding speed and reduce the weight of the cabin baggage, which in turn reduces operating costs.


So, what should passengers do in the face of this new regulation that may be implemented soon?


1. Replace the suitcase. If you want to carry the wheel luggage onto the aircraft, you must replace it with the appropriate baggage according to the specifications, and this suitcase cannot be carried. It is said that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has contacted the trunk manufacturer to manufacture a suitcase of the right size.


2. Checking in the 115 cm luggage. Under the premise of not changing the luggage, it may only be checked in the future, even if it is a 20-inch suitcase. In this way, it will definitely increase the time cost of waiting for luggage. If you have a Rimowa luggage, it is very painful to check it.

3, Give up boarding the flights of airlines that do not allow carry-on 20-inch wheel luggage  but this is not realistic.

Ethiopian Airlines launches flight to Istanbul on 1 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Ethiopian Airlines launches thrice-weekly scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Istanbul, its nineteenth destination in Europe, on 1 April 2019, using its B737-800 aircraft.

Departing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Ethiopian flight ET720 departs from Addis Ababa for Istanbul at 11.05 pm, arrives in Istanbul at 4.35 am local time before leaving Istanbul for Addis Ababa at 1.10 am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1.10 am and touching down in Addis Ababa at 6.40 am the following days under flight ET721.

Ethiopian Airlines operates 57 passenger flights to Europe and serves 119 international destinations in five continents. It has a fleet age of seven years old.

Lanmei Airlines launches scheduled charter flight to Linyi from Sihanoukville on 2 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Lanmei Airlines launches scheduled charter flight from Sihanoukville to Linyi, a city in Shandong Province, China, and the birthplace of calligrapher Wang Xizhi (303-361) and Zhuge Liang (181-234) on 2 April 2019. Flights depart between both cities on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

On 2 April 2019, the outbound flight of Lanmei Airlines departs for Linyi from Sihanoukville at 9 am, touches down in Linyi at 2.30 pm before leaving Linyi for Sihanoukville at 3.30 pm and arriving in Sihanoukville at 7 pm.

Lanmei Airlines currently has weekly charter flights to Linyi from Siem Reap.

Tourist attractions in Linyi include People's Square with an underneath shopping centre and entertainment facilities, a park dedicated to Wang Xizhi and a Warring States Period bamboo musuem.

Closure of Air Koryo Beijing Office

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : TripAdvisor

A check with Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong & Macau Center Hotel shows that Air Koryo has vacated its Beijing office from the hotel. The North Korean airline did not leave any new contact address with the hotel.

Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong & Macau Center Hotel has closed since 1 January 2019 for renovation. Room reservations are impossible. It will only re-open to tourists in 2021.

Air Koryo has scheduled flights to Beijing from Pyongyang.

Hainan Airlines' new Singapore flight schedules with effect from 31 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan 
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Changi Airport has approved Hainan Airlines' plan to begin daytime flights between Haikou and Singapore. This will allow aircraft spotters in Singapore to shoot pictures of Hainan Airlines' B737-800 during the day.

From 31 March 2019, Hainan Airlines flight HU747 departs from Haikou for Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 at 7.40 am, arrives in Singapore at 11 am before leaving Changi Airport Terminal 4 at 11.55 am for Haikou and touching down in Haikou at 3.20 pm under flight HU748.

To mark the start of the summer season, Hainan Airlines is selling one-way Singapore - Haikou air ticket, including taxes, from 129 Singapore Dollars.

Hainan Airlines first resumes flight to Singapore from Haikou in the evening on 30 November 2018. Flights depart on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays for Singapore from Haikou.

VASCO launches Vinh - Danang route on 15 February 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) launches Vinh - Danang route on 15 February 2019 on a daily basis using ATR72 aircraft. Flights depart from Vinh at 8.20 am and from Danang at 2 pm.

Connecting the north central Vietnam region to Danang, a livable city blessed with world-famous beaches, the Vinh - Danang route benefits passengers on VASCO's daily connecting flights to Dalat via  Danang.

To celebrate the launch of the Vinh - Danang route, VASCO is offering tickets from just VND600,000 one way until 30 March 2019. Visit www.vasco.com.vn, contact VASCO's official ticket offices in Vietnam or call hotline (028)38 330 330 for further details.

VASCO is Vietnam Airlines' domestic flight subsidiary.

SCAT Airlines' subsidiary launches flight to Haikou on 14 March 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

SCAT Airlines' subsidiary, Sunday Airlines, launches B757-200 flight to Haikou from Almaty on 14 March 2019. It arrives in Haikou on 15 March 2019.

On 14 March 2019, Sunday Airlines flight DV487 departs from Almaty for Haikou at 9 pm, touches down in Haikou at 4 am before leaving Haikou for Almaty at 5.30 am and arriving in Almaty at 1 pm on 15 March 2019 under flight DV488.

Sunday Airlines flies to Haikou on Thursdays and returns to Almaty on Fridays.

Sunday Airlines is a charter airline of SCAT Airlines. It is headquartered in Shymkent.

SCAT Airlines launches flight to Ulaanbaatar from Astana on 5 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : SCAT Airlines

SCAT Airlines launches B737-500 direct flight from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, on 5 June 2019.

On 5 June 2019, SCAT Airlines flight DV815 departs from Astana for Ulaanbaatar at 11.40 pm, arrives in Ulaanbaatar at 5 am on 6 June 2019 before leaving Ulaanbaatar for Astana at 6 am and tocuhing down in Astana at 7.30 am under flight DV816.

DV815 departs for Ulaanbaatar on Wednesdays and Sundays while DV819 returns to Astana on Thursdays and Mondays.

SCAT Airlines is Kazakhstan's second largest international airline after Air Astana. It operates scheduled flights to China, Russia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia using a diverse fleet of B737 aircraft. It is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further information, visit www.scat.kz/en.

China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Cayman Islands, Australia, Singapore ground 737 MAX 8 fleet

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, the Cayman Islands, Australia, Singapore have grounded their airlines' 737 MAX 8 fleet following the disastrous second 737 MAX 8 crash in Ethiopia to ensure passengers' safety.

Investigations are currently undergoing on the first two crashes of 737 MAX 8 in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has arranged B737-800 aircraft on upcoming inaugural flights to Guangzhou and Osaka Kansai from Ulaanbaatar. It launches twice-weekly scheduled flights to Guangzhou on 31 March 2019 and in July and August 2019 resumes scheduled flights to Kansai. Its 737 MAX 8 has ceased operating flights to Suvarnabhumi and Hong Kong.

SilkAir has grounded its 737 MAX 8 fleet until further notice. It is deploying B737-800 on its inaugural scheduled flight to Busan on 1 May 2019 instead of 737 MAX 8 but flights to Hiroshima and Cairns are affected. The airline will notify passengers affected by schedule changes as a result of 737 MAX 8 flight suspensions.

Shandong Airlines has cancelled its 737 MAX 8 flights from Jinan to Singapore. There is no replacement aircraft on the route.

Aeromexico, South Africa's Comair, Royal Air Maroc, GOL of Brazil and Aerolineas Argentinas have also grounded their 737 MAX 8 fleet although the civil aviation authorities in these countries have not required the airlines to do so.

As of 12 March 2019 evening, the UK is the first European country to ban 737 MAX 8 flights. More countries are banning 737 MAX 8 flights in the coming week.

As of 14 March 2019, all 737 MAX 8 aircraft in the world including in Kazakhstan, Mauritania, the US and Canada have been grounded.