Himalaya Airlines unveils its new logo "Snow Eagle" and new livery on 29 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Himalaya Airlines

Himalaya Airlines has unveiled its new logo, the Snow Eagle, and new livery at Royal Singi Hotel of Kathmandu in the morning of 29 September 2019 to mark the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and adds festive blessings to the Nepalese Desai Festival. Its official web-site also spots the new logo.

Mr. Zhou Enyong, President of Himalaya Airlines, Mr. Vijay Shrestha, Executive Vice President, and General Manager of the Brand Department and Marketing Department of Himalaya Airlines attended the conference unveiling the new logo and livery. 

The new logo of Himalaya Airlines is the image of the soaring snow eagle composed of the three letters “A” of “Himalaya”. The blue-and-white orange brand reference colour combination symbolizes the harmony of heaven, earth and people while blue represents the sky, meaning elegant and trustworthy. White represents the snowy mountain, meaning holy peace, fairness and honesty while orange represents people and the harvest, which means auspicious celebration and positive endeavor. 

The new livery features the streamlined design of flowing ribbons in red and blue that look free,elegant, flexible and dynamic.

At the press conference, President Zhou Enyong said, "Under the new historical mission, the company adjusts its corporate strategy, gives new meaning to the corporate culture, and puts forward new requirements for the company's brand image. In the new logo, 'Snow Eagle' has toughness, the spirit of courage and tenacity. The spirit of 'Snow Eagle' that embodies the value pursuit and spiritual realm of the Himalaya staff will be active and progressive, let Himalaya Airlines fly higher, farther and longer. The launch of the new logo marks the beginning of Himalaya Airlines' new corporate strategy and new corporate culture, marking the beginning of a new service concept.

Mr. Vijay, Vice President of Himalaya Airlines, said "In the past five years, Himalaya Airlines has established a reputation for safety and reliability in the industry. The idea of ​​replacing the brand identity was born out of some major changes in the company over the past year. The company decided to adopt the new logo as a timely strategic measure for the company. We also hope to reflect the company's core philosophy and express our firm belief in determination and willingness to make progress."

The public release of the new logo and livery is undoubtedly an important turning point, indicating that Himalaya Airlines will adhere to the historical mission of building air bridges continuously to promote trade, cultural exchanges and tourism development between  between Nepal and the world. 

Zhou Enyong also revealed that Himalaya Airlines is launching inaugural scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Daxing on 27 October 2019. Further in the future, it plans to launch scheduled flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, Ali, Shenzhen, Nanchang, Changsha and Guiyang, resume flights to Chongqing, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur in the coming months and by 2020 to contribute to the success of the Visit Nepal 2020 Year.

Himalaya Airlines currently operates scheduled flights to Abu Dhabi, Damman, Dhaka and Doha according to its flight schedules.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has signed agreement to lease 787-9 Dreamliner

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : MIAT

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has signed an official agreement with Air Lease Corporation (ALC) on 25 September 2019 to lease a 787-9 Dreamliner from the 787 aircraft leasing firm in order to launch future long haul non-stop flights to the US and Singapore from Ulaanbaatar.

No further details are announced by the Mongolian national flag carrier.

ALC is the traditional 787 Dreamliner leasing firm. Well-known airlines like LOT Polish Airlines and EVA Air have known to lease their Dreamliners from the company.

Urumqi Air increases flight frequency to Singapore from 27 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Urumqi Air increases flight frequency from Urumqi to Singapore via Wuhan from 27 October 2019 onwards. 

From 27 October 2019, Urumqi Air operates flights to Singapore via Wuhan on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends and leaves Singapore for Urumqi via Wuhan on Mondays. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Currently, it flies to Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and leaves Singapore on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrives in Wuhan at 5.20 am.

The detailed international flight schedules of Urumqi Air from 27 October 2019 till 28 March 2020 are as follows:-

Flight UQ2661 on Urumqi - Wuhan - Singapore
Days : Tues, Sats      - 12.55 pm - 5.20 pm | 9.05 pm - 2.40 am
Days : Thus, Suns     -   1.30 pm - 5.50 pm | 9.05 pm - 2.40 am
Days : Fris                 - 11.20 am - 3.35 pm | 9.05 pm - 2.40 am

Flight UQ2662 on Singapore - Wuhan - Urumqi
Days : Mons             - 3.40 am - 8.55 am | 1.35 pm - 6 pm
Days : Weds             - 3.40 am - 8.55 am | 12.45 pm - 5.15 pm
Days : Fris, Sats       - 3.40 am - 8.55 am | 12.25 pm - 5 pm
Days : Suns              - 3.40 am - 8.55 am | 11.30 am - 3.55 pm

Singapore is the ultimate popular destination in Southeast Asia for tourists from Xinjiang and Hubei. With the adjustments to the flight schedules, passengers from these Chinese airports have shorter waiting times for affordable public transport services in Changi Airport while tourists from Singapore will now be able to eat breakfast in Wuhan Tianhe Airport as currently restaurants at the Wuhan Tianhe Airport are not opened until 8 am. 

Passengers alighting from UQ2662 at 5.20 am on transit in Wuhan and while waiting to fly towards another Chinese city that is not on Urumqi Air's Wuhan network at or after 10 am have to spend more than 50 Singapore Dollars on return metered taxi rides from Tianhe Airport to Huangpi District in order to look for 1 Singapore Dollar breakfast nearby the Huangpi district airport.

Juneyao Air launches two new routes to Japan on 27 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Juneyao Air launches two new routes to Japan on 27 October 2019. The new routes are Wuxi - Nagoya Chubu and Changzhou - Osaka Kansai. As a result, Juneyao Air is suspending its Nanjing - Vladivostok and Hangzhou - Guiyang routes from 27 October 2019.

On a daily basis, Juneyao Air flight HO1603 departs from Wuxi for Nagoya Chubu at 10 am, arrives in Chubu at 1.30 pm before leaving Chubu for Wuxi at 5.10 pm and touching down in Wuxi at 7.45 pm under flight HO1604 using an Airbus A321 aircraft.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, an A320 flight HO1648 leaves Osaka Kansai for Changzhou at 8.55 am, arrives in Changzhou at 11.15 am before taking off from Changzhou for Kansai at 12.30 pm and landing in Kansai at 3.55 pm under flight HO1647.

Before 27 October 2019, the flights HO1647/HO1648  are operating on the routes Hangzhou - Guiyang - Hangzhou while the flights HO1603/HO1604 are operating on the international route from Nanjing to Vladivostok and return.

Bamboo Airways plans to lease and operate 787-9 Dreamliner in October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Bamboo Airways, its first wide-body aircraft on order from Boeing is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2020. Therefore, in order to serve its immediate flight activities, Bamboo Airways is planning to lease 787-9 aircraft from one of its partners and operate its first leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in October 2019.

Bamboo Airways also emphasized that it has no intention of putting into operation Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, opposed to the rumours from the local press and social media. In the medium term, it will focus on expanding and modernizing its fleet by increasing the number of wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and narrow-body Airbus A321 aircraft. Its fleet development plan of expanding to at least 30 aircraft with the above-mentioned models has been officially approved by the Vietnam Government.

Bamboo Airways’ representative said that by the first quarter of 2020, the airline’s fleet will reach 30 aircraft and is expected to grow to 100 by 2024. Currently, its fleet comprises of 1 A319-100, 5 A320-200 (three leased from Freebird Airlines) and 4 A321neo aircraft.

Bamboo Airways operates 26 domestic scheduled routes and five international charter routes to Macau, Ibaraki, Incheon, Taoyuan and Tainan, conducting more than 10,000 absolute flights and maintaining the on-time performance rate of 93.8 per cent, the highest in the aviation industry of Vietnam for the first 6 months of 2019.

No need to pay Scoot ticket-processing fees from 23 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Scoot announced that from 23 September 2019, the processing fee for all bookings on the official web-site of Scoot will be cancelled worldwide. This measure aims to reduce the cost of passenger travel.  The cancellation of the processing will bring travellers more convenience, affordability, and cost-effectiveness.

Scoot's destinations are spread across 67 cities in 17 countries and regions. In an intensive route network, Scoot's payment system also supports a variety of payment methods. The payment method for passengers depends on the country and region. 

In addition to global payment options, such as credit cards (American Express, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay, VISA), ApplyPay, GooglePay, and PayPal, Scoot also accepts payment methods that are only available in certain countries or regions, such as China's WeChat. Payment and Alipay, Singapore's PayNow and AXS, Australia's POLi, Philippines' DragonPay, Japan's Konbini and Vietnam's Momo.

Since March 2018, starting from Europe, Scoot has gradually cancelled the processing fee for booking tickets on official channels in some regions. Subsequently, in the near future, when some other regional travelers choose to use local payment methods including AXS (for Singapore customers), Konbini (for Japanese customers) and Momo (for Vietnamese customers), the processing fee is also cancelled.

GX Airlines' route network plans for 2020 and 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to GX Airlines, it plans to launch the following routes in 2020 and 2021:

2020
1. Nanning - Manila
2. Nanning - KLIA
3. Nanning - Cengkareng
4. Nanning - Phnom Penh
5. Nanning - Ho Chi Minh City

2021
6. Nanning - Brunei
7. Nanning - Vientiane
8. Nanning - Yangon
9. Nanning - Mandalay

The Nanning - Siem Reap route may be resumed in 2020.

GX Airlines starts its first international flight to Singapore from Nanning on 12 December 2018. 

Beside Singapore, GX Airlines also flies to Suvarnabhumi and from 16 October 2019 launches flights to Hanoi from Nanning and Luoyang.

EgyptAir launches flight to Hangzhou on 29 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to EgyptAir's Bangkok office, the Egyptian airline plans to launch thrice-weekly scheduled flights from Cairo to Hangzhou on 29 November 2019.

On 29 November 2019, EgyptAir flight MS953 departs from Cairo for Hangzhou at 1.55 am, touches down in Hangzhou at 6.55 pm before leaving Hangzhou for Cairo at 12.05 am on 30 November 2019 and arriving in Cairo at 6.35 am under flight MS954.

EgyptAir plans to deploy B787 on the new route. It flies to Hangzhou on Wednesdays and Fridays and lands in Cairo on Thursdays and Saturdays.

EgyptAir currently flies to Suvarnabhumi using B777 aircraft.

Cambodia Airways receives its first A320 on 19 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA


Image courtesy : Cambodia Airways

Cambodia Airways officially welcomed the delivery of its first Airbus A320 at 10.33 am on 19 September 2019 with the aircraft passing through the traditional water gate ceremony at 10.38 am.

The Airbus A320 aircraft with registration number XU-761 was assembled and tested at the Airbus headquarters in France. It departed from Blagnac Airport, Toulouse, France at 11.30 am local time on 17 September 2019 with the transit stopover at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport before arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport.

This new A320 passenger aircraft was purchased wholly by Cambodia Airways. In order to successfully complete this task, Cambodia Airways has created a number of “first time”. Among the Cambodian airlines, for the first time, Cambodia Airways is the first to travel to Toulouse, France, to receive new aircraft, and the first time it was piloted by Cambodian pilots. In addition, the Cambodian Civil Aviation Authority gave high priority of adjustment and support to the delivery of the aircraft.

In order to welcome the arrival of the new aircraft, Cambodia Airways held a grand aircraft reception ceremony. At 10 am, Cambodia Airways' leaders and staff waited at the airport early, welcomed the pick-up crew to triumph, presented flowers to the pick-up crew and took a group photo.

Prior to the A320 delivery, the Cambodia Airways fleet comprises of three Airbus A319 aircraft, operating a number of Cambodian domestic and international round-trip routes from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Macau, Suvarnabhumi and Fuzhou. The addition of the new Airbus A320 will help Cambodia Airways launch more routes and provide more travel options for passengers' business and leisure travel.

With the gradual expansion of the fleet, Cambodia Airways will focus on building a route network of Phnom Penh, radiating China, ASEAN countries, connecting Northeast Asia and Europe and the United States and regions, thus promoting cultural exchanges between Cambodia and the world.

Cambodia Angkor Air launches three routes in late October and early November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Cambodia Angkor Air has released its winter flight schedules for 2019/2020. The winter timetable covers the period from 27 October 2019 to 28 March 2020. 

The three new routes of Cambodia Angkor Air during the winter season of its tenth anniversary year are Sihanoukvlle - Wenzhou, Sihanoukville - Quanzhou and Phnom Penh - Wuhan. 

On 27 October 2019, Cambodia Angkor Air flight K6878 departs from Sihanoukville for Wenzhou at 10 am, arrives in Wenzhou at 2.35 pm before leaving Wenzhou for Sihanoukville at 3.35 pm and touching down in Sihanoukville at 6.40 pm under flight K6879. Flights are operated on Sundays and Thursdays.

From 2 November 2019, flight K6638 leaves Sihanoukville for Quanzhou at 8.15 pm, touches down in Quanzhou at 12.15 pm before departing from Quanzhou for Sihanoukville at 1.25 pm and arriving in Sihanoukville at 3.25 pm under flight K6639. Flights between Sihanoukville and Quanzhou are operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays effective 29 October 2019, flight K6890 takes off from Phnom Penh for Wuhan at 6.40 pm, arrives in Wuhan at 11.05 pm before leaving Wuhan for Phnom Penh at 12.25 am on 30 October 2019 and returning to Phnom Penh at 3.10 am under flight K6891.

Flight K6891 arrives in Phnom Penh from Wuhan on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The above flights are operated by Airbus A320/A321 aircraft of the Cambodia national flag carrier.

Thai AirAsia launches flight to Hangzhou from Chiang Rai on 1 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

AirAsia has announced that its subsidiary in Thailand, Thai AirAsia, launches direct scheduled flight from Chiang Rai to Hangzhou on 1 December 2019. It flies four times a week from Chiang Rai to Hangzhou, on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

On 1 December 2019, Thai AirAsia flight FD888 departs from Chiang Rai to Hangzhou at 11.50 am, arrives in Hangzhou at 3.05 pm before leaving Hangzhou for Chiang Rai at 5.50 pm and touching down in Chiang Rai at 10.45 pm on the same day under flight FD889.

The Chiang Rai - Hangzhou route is Chiang Rai Airport's fifth route to China after Chiang Rai - Xishuangbanna (by Ruili Airlines), Chiang Rai - Chengdu (by Sichuan Airlines), Chiang Rai - Kunming (by China Eastern) and Chiang Rai - Changsha (by Thai Lion Air) routes.

Capital Airlines operates from Daxing from 27 October 2019 onwards

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Capital Airlines has announced that it will shift its operations from Beijing Capital to Beijing Daxing in October 2019. From 27 October 2019, it commences 20 routes in sequence from Daxing to other cities in China as well as to Male and via Xi'an to Lisbon.

The sequential routes of Capital Airlines from Daxing to be launched are as follows:
1 Daxing - Hangzhou
2. Daxing - Lijiang
3. Daxing - Erenhot
4. Daxing - Jixi
5. Daxing - Urumqi
6. Daxing - Xiamen
7. Daxing - Sanya
8. Daxing - Nanchang
9. Daxing - Qingdao
10, 11. Daxing - Meizhou  - Haikou
12, 13. Daxing - Nanchang - Haikou
14, 15. Daxing - Lijiang - Xishuangbanna
16, 167 Daxing - Xining - Yushu
18. Daxing - Male
19, 20. Daxing - Xi'an - Lisbon

According to Capital Airlines, passengers entering and leaving Daxing Airport can only complete the check-in, check-out, security check and border check, without having to present a valid boarding pass, so as to achieve paperless and efficient travel. During the security check, passengers can use the advanced face recognition system to process the documents without having to present a paper or electronic boarding pass. After the security check, the face image will be collected, and the face will be passed when boarding. Overall travel is more efficient and smoother.

Capital Airlines will seize the opportunities of operating flights to Daxing Airport to serve the construction of Daxing Airport Hub and the development of aviation industry in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and build a network system, domestic key hub linkage and multi-regional strategic coordination with Beijing as the core, so as to continue serving passengers with diversity, uniqueness of its technical means, more convenience and travel comfort experience.

Passengers are being notified on the change of airport terminal.

EgyptAir Express will operate EgyptAir's first A220-300

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA


Image courtesy : Airbus

EgyptAir recently received its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft at Cairo International Airport, which will be operated by its subsidiary, EgyptAir Express. EgyptAir Express thus is the first A220 aircraft operator in the Middle East and North Africa, and the sixth airline in the world to operate the aircraft.

The new A220-300 aircraft delivery celebration was held on 7 September 2019 at the Cairo International Airport Terminal 4 in Egypt. The French Ambassador to Egypt, the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, the Civil Aviation Department and its subsidiary officials, the Cairo International Airport Security Leader, the head of EgyptAir, the Airbus International Representative and industry partners attended the celebration to witness EgyptAir and EgyptAir Express' reception of their first Airbus A220-300.

EgyptAir Chief Executive Ahmed Adel said at the delivery ceremony that the airline has been working to upgrade its fleet of passenger aircraft and commercial aircraft and continuously improve the quality of its services. EgyptAir has reached an agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. By May 2020, EgyptAir will receive a total of 12 A220-300 aircraft. Airbus Middle East general manager Fouad Attar said that Airbus is very happy to participate in EgyptAir's 2025 development strategy.

In addition, EgyptAir has ordered 15 A320neo aircraft from Airbus, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in mid-2020.

The EgyptAir Express A220-300 has a two-stage cabin that can carry 140 passengers, including 15 Premium Economy seats and 125 Economy Class seats, providing each passenger with a spacious and comfortable seating pitch. The A220-300 is one of the most advanced models in the world and will be an integral part of EgyptAir's 2025 development strategy and fleet upgrade plan.

Lucky Air launches Lijiang - Suvarnabhumi route on 27 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Lucky Air launches non-stop flight from Lijiang to Bangkok Suvaranabhumi on 27 September 2019 using Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

On 27 September 2019, Lucky Air flight 8L825 departs from Lijiang for Suvarnabhumi at 10 am, arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 11.25 am before leaving Suvarnabhumi for Lijiang at 1.15 pm and touching down in Lijiang at 4.30 pm under flight 8L826.

Lucky Air flies to Suvarnabhumi from Lijiang on Mondays and Fridays. The Lijiang-Suvarnabhumi route is the airline's second route to Suvarnabhumi as it also flies from Kunming to Suvarnabhumi non-stop. It is Lijiang Airport's second international route after Lucky Air's Lijiang - KLIA route.

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines launches flight to Narita via Suvarnabhumi on 3 September 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

On 17 September 2019, Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines has released its summer flight schedules on its official web-site for the year 2020. It announces the launch of scheduled flight to Narita from Paro via Suvarnabhumi on 3 September 2020.

On 3 September 2020, Drukair flight KB610 departs from Paro for Narita via Suvarnabhumi at 11.30 am, transits in Suvarnabhumi at 3.50 pm before leaving Suvarnabhumi for Narita at 4.50 pm and touching down in Narita at 12.25 am on 4 September 2020.

On 4 September 2020, Drukair flight KB611 leaves Narita for Suvarnabhumi at 4 am, arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 7.35 am before taking off from Suvarnabhumi for Paro at 8.35 am and arriving in Paro at 10.50 am.

Subject to air service regulatory approval, Drukair flies to Narita via Suvarnabhumi on Wednesdays and Sundays and returns to Paro on Thursdays and Mondays using Airbus A319/A320 aircraft.

Narita will be Drukair's second new international destination in 2020 after Dili (launch via Singapore Changi on 2 January 2020).

Singapore Airlines flies to Busan from 28 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Singapore Airlines has made the following announcement on 12 September 2019: It will take over SilkAir's flights to Busan with effect from 28 October 2019 and maintain the four-flights-weekly frequency. 

On 28 October 2019, Singapore Airlines flight SQ616 departs from Changi Airport Terminal 3 for Busan at 11.10 pm, arrives in Busan at 6.35 am on 29 October 2019 before leaving Busan for Singapore Changi at 8 am and touching down in Changi at 1.25 pm under flight SQ615.

The above flight timings on the Singapore - Busan route are effective on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays while flight SQ615 arrives in Singapore at 1.25 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends.

On Wednesdays, flight SQ616 arrives in Busan at 6.30 am.

Flights to Busan are operated by its Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which feature 30 Business Class and 255 Economy Class seats.

The A330 aircraft of Singapore Airlines can accommodate up to 123 more passengers per flight than SilkAir's 162-seat B737-800 aircraft. Thus, it will boost seat capacity on the Busan route by 76 per cent, to meet growing travel demand to South Korea.

China United Airlines first to begin scheduled flights from Daxing on 30 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

The Sayacinta - Airpost reporter was informed on 12 September 2019 that the third official Daxing Airport flight verification exercise will be carried out on 17 September 2019.  China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and China United Airlines will participate in the Boeing B777, B737, Airbus A330 and Airbus 321 aircraft test flights to Daxing. After the new airport is officially opened on 25 September, the Daxing flights from 30 September until 26 October 2019 the end of the summer season are operated exclusively by China United Airlines. 

On 26 September 2019, China United Airlines will shift its operations from Beijing Nanyuan Airport to Daxing and all scheduled flights after the shifts will take off from Daxing on 30 September. The airline will operate an average daily volume of nearly 140 flights to more than 80 routes. The average daily passenger traffic is about 20,000.

After the transfer to Daxing International Airport, China United Airlines will focus on developing tourist routes and gradually launch international routes from Daxing to Fukuoka, Busan, Jeju, Cheongju, Kansai, Sapporo, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Siem Reap, Singapore, Mandalay, Chiang Mai and other Southeast Asian cities, though not in respective order and subject to bilateral regulatory approvals. 

China United Airlines, formally established on 26 December 1986,  was subsequently placed under the administration of the China Air Force until 2005. During this period, China United Airlines opened a number of flights to revolutionary old areas, ethnic minority areas, border areas, and poverty-stricken areas in China. 

In 2005, China United Airlines was transformed from a military enterprise to a private enterprise when it became a subsidiary of Shanghai Airlines. In 2010, China Eastern Airlines was reorganized, and Shanghai Airlines and China United Airlines became wholly-owned subsidiaries of China Eastern Airlines. 

In 2012, the Hebei branch of China Eastern was restructured and merged into China United Airlines by 2014 when China United Airlines became a fully-owned low-cost subsidiary of China Eastern.

Later in September 2019, after China United Airlines realized “one night transition” and “seamless connection”, the civilian Nanyuan Airport will be closed. The airport was built in August of the Qing Dynasty (1910). It is 109 years old and is the first airport in Chinese history. It has witnessed the history of the Chinese nation's struggle for a hundred years. In 2018, the operation scale of Nanyuan Airport reached 44,468 flights, with a passenger throughput of about 6.51 million passengers and a shipment of about 25,100 tons.

The reporter learned that China United Airlines officially launched ticket sales on 2 August 2019 for flights to and from Daxing from 30 September to 26 October 2019. As of 10 September 2019, there are 61,863 bookings. The main ticket purchase period is concentrated during the China National Day Golden Week. The popular routes are from/to Yantai, Chengdu, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Weihai, Hengyang and Xiangyang.

Passengers on the China United Airlines inaugural flight day to Daxing on 30 September 2019 will be given free collectible souvenirs including commemorative boarding passes, stamps and first day covers, which were presented to the China media on 11 September 2019.

Image courtesy (from Pic 2 of this report) : China United Airlines

Royal Air Maroc launches non-stop flight to Beijing Daxing on 16 January 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Royal Air Maroc launches non-stop scheduled flight from Casablanca to Beijing Daxing from 16 January 2020. 

For the first time, Royal Air Maroc will connect Morocco with China in less than 13 hours by direct flights operated by its 787-9 Dreamliner, which has a capacity of 302 seats including 26 Business Class seats. 

Three frequencies per week are proposed. Flights departing from Casablanca for Daxing are scheduled every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 5 pm local time and are expected to arrive in Daxing at 11:55 am on 17 January 2020. 

Flights departing from Daxing for Casablanca are scheduled on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1.55 pm and touch down in Casablanca at 7.55 pm.

Mr. Abdelhamid Addou, President of Royal Air Maroc, said, "Royal Air Maroc is proud to offer its passengers direct flights between Morocco and China after a long time. This new air route will certainly contribute to the development of Morocco as one of the world's leading tourism markets. We are responding to a strong need for direct flights between the two countries. We will participate in further strengthening the trade and economic relations between Morocco and China."

The launch of the new route to Daxing expands Royal Air Maroc's route network in Asia. Royal Air Maroc currently operates direct flights from Casablanca to Jeddah, Riyadh, Beirut, Doha and Amman in West Asia.

Royal Air Maroc is the fifth Africa airline to serve the Beijing travel market after Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Air Algerie and TAAG Angolan Airlines.

Royal Brunei Airlines launches flight to Beijing Daxing on 27 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

On 12 September 2019, Royal Brunei Airlines has announced that it is the first Southeast Asia airline to launch non-stop scheduled flight to Daxing from Brunei International Airport, the gateway to Bandar Seri Begawan, on 27 October 2019. 

Initially, Royal Brunei Airlines flies four times a week from Brunei to Daxing, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays before it adds additional three weekly flights to Daxing on 14 January 2020. The daily flights are operated by its A320neo aircraft.

On 27 October 2019, Royal Brunei Airlines flight BI621 departs from Brunei for Daxing at 10.15 am, touches down in Daxing at 3.50 pm before leaving Daxing for Brunei at 4.50 pm and arriving in Brunei at 10.35 pm under flight BI622.

From 14 January 2020, Royal Brunei Airlines adds Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday flights to the Brunei - Daxing route under flight codes BI623 / BI624.

BI623 leaves Brunei for Daxing at 1.50 am, arrives in Daxing at 7.25 am before departing from Daxing for Brunei at 11 am and touching down in Brunei at 4.45 pm under flight BI624.

Since 11 September 2019, the Brunei - Daxing tickets can be purchased at Royal Brunei Airlines' preferred travel agents worldwide, on Trip, Ctrip, Expedia, on Royal Brunei Airlines' web-sites www.flyRB.com, www.flyRB.cn and its branch offices. Channels of payment include AliPay, WeChat and major credit cards.

Hainan Airlines launches Dreamliner flight to Chicago on 16 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches 787 Dreamliner flight from Chengdu to Chicago on 16 September 2019.

On 16 September 2019, Hainan Airlines flight HU705 departs from Chengdu for Chicago at 9 pm, touches down in Chicago at 10.10 pm US time before leaving Chicago for Chengdu at 12.10 am on 17 September 2019 and arriving in Chengdu at 4.50 am under flight HU706 on 18 September 2019.

Hainan Airlines flies to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Mondays and Fridays.

For further flight information, visit Hainan Airlines web-site at www.hainanairlines.com.

AirAsia launches flights to Pontianak and Tanjung Pandan in early October 2019

Report by: Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

AirAsia has announced that its Indonesia unit Indonesia AirAsia is launching flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Pontianak on 1 October 2019 and to Tanjung Pandan on 2 October 2019 using its A320 aircraft.

On 1 October 2019, Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ280 departs from KLIA for Pontianak at 11.05 am, arrives in KLIA at 11.50 am before leaving Pontianak for KLIA at 12.15 pm and touching down in KLIA at 2.45 pm under flight QZ281.

On 2 October 2019, the same aircraft under flight QZ246 takes off from KLIA for Tanjung Pandan at 11.05 am, touches down in Tanjung Pandan at 11.45 am before departing from Tanjung Pandan for KLIA at 12.10 pm local time and arriving in KLIA at 2.45 pm under flight QZ247.

Indonesia AirAsia flies to Pontianak on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays while flight QZ246 arrives in Tanjung Pandan on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays.

With the KLIA-Tanjung Pandan route launch, the airport of Tanjung Pandan on Belitung will once again introduce international flights. Garuda Indonesia suspended flights between Tanjung Pandan and Singapore in April 2019.

Citilink launches twice-weekly flight between Pekanbaru and KLIA on 25 September 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Citilink, the low-cost subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, launches direct flight from Pekanbaru to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on 25 September 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 25 September 2019, Citilink flight QG5180 departs from Pekanbaru for KLIA at 9.55 am, touches down in KLIA at 12 pm before leaving KLIA for Pekanbaru at 1 pm and touching down in Pekanbaru at 1.05 pm under flight QG5181.

Citilink flies from Pekanbaru to KLIA on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

With the addition of Pekanbaru to its Malaysia route network, Citilink flies to KLIA from 4 Indonesian airports including Cengkareng, Surabaya and Banyuwangi. 

STARLUX Airlines launches flights to Macau, Danang and Penang on 23 January 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Airbus

According to Nie Guowei, spokesperson for STARLUX Airlines on 8 September 2019, the new Taiwan airline plans to launch its first three routes from Taoyuan on 23 January 2020. The three destinations on the inaugural flight day are Macau, Danang and Penang. 

Plan to launch flight to Singapore Changi from Taoyuan has been shelved due to intensive competition on the route from China Airlines, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines and Scoot.

STARLUX Airlines will receive its first Airbus A321neo jet by late November 2019, its second A321neo in December 2019 and its third A321neo by mid-January 2020. The three A321neo aircraft will launch flights to Macau, Danang and Penang on 23 January 2020. These flights will operate daily.

STARLUX Airlines has a procurement order of 27 aircraft including 10 A321neo and 17 A350XWB long-haul aircraft. Subsequent A321neo aircraft will be received in 2020. It plans to start receiving its first A350XWB by 2021 and will own all 27 aircraft by 2024.

The Taiwan airline has secured landing slots in Macau, Danang and soon Penang. 

In its next wave of expansion, STARLUX Airlines plans to launch scheduled flights from Taoyuan to Naha, Kansai, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo Chitose, Nagoya Chubu and Narita, flights from Taoyuan to Cebu, Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai and Phuket while its charter flights will link Taichung with Narita and Kansai, all using A321neo.

STARLUX Airlines' founder Zhang Guowei will pilot one of the A321neo aircraft on the inaugural flight day.

No need to pay airport taxes in China on CRJ900 and Genghis Khan Airlines' ARJ21 domestic routes

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan 
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

In their gestures to stimulate air travel to some remote cities and towns in China using smaller aircraft, both China Express and Genghis Khan Airlines have advertised on their web-sites that their passengers do not need to pay airport taxes.

China Express indicates that passengers travelling on their CRJ900 aircraft do not need to pay airport taxes for domestic travel from their bases in Chongqing, Hohhot, Tianjin, Xi'an, Dalian and Guiyang etc. They are required to pay only baggage fees if the weight of the checked-in luggage exceeds 20 kg.

Passengers travelling with China Express on its A320 aircraft however need to pay airport tax of 50 RMB. Passengers flying to Phnom Penh and Don Mueang from Zhanjiang with China Express CRJ900 aircraft need to pay airport taxes if these arise at the time of booking.

Genghis Khan Airlines mentions the prices that passengers see on Trip, Ctrip and its web-site are the final ticketing prices. There is no need to pay airport taxes. Genghis Khan Airlines flies to Xilinhot and Ulanhot from Hohhot using ARJ21 aircraft.

Two ASEAN national airlines to launch flights to Beijing Daxing

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Two ASEAN national airlines plan to launch flights to Beijing Daxing. These airlines are Malaysia Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines.

Malaysia Airlines has announced plan to relocate its Beijing flight operations from Beijing Capital to Beijing Daxing. Its first flight to Daxing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) departs on 1 January 2020 under flight MH364 at 6 pm, arrives in Daxing at 12.20 am before leaving Daxing for KLIA at 1.30 am on 2 January 2020 and touching down in KLIA at 8 am under flight MH365.

Malaysia Airlines flies daily to Beijing.

Royal Brunei Airlines has secured landing slot in Daxing but has yet to finalize its flight schedules for its first flight to Daxing from Bandar Seri Begawan in October 2019.

Royal Brunei Airlines is the first airline from Southeast Asia to launch flight to Daxing, which is the largest airport of China after it opens for commercial flights on 30 September 2019.

Daxing will be Royal Brunei Airlines' sixth airport destination in China after Pudong, Nanning, Hangzhou, Haikou and Changsha.