S7 Airlines launches flight to Cam Ranh on 13 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

S7 Airlines, exhibitor at JATA Tourism Expo 2019, is launching direct scheduled flight from Vladivostok to Cam Ranh, the gateway airport to Nha Trang in Vietnam, on 13 December 2019. 

Flights are operated to Cam Ranh using Airbus A320neo aircraft. Departures from Vladivostok will be at 8.40 pm on Fridays. Arrivals at Cam Ranh  will be at 12.20 am on Saturdays. The return flight to Vladivostok from Cam Ranh departs at 1.35 am on Saturdays and arrives in Vladivostok at 10.25 am local time.

Flights on modern comfortable Airbus A320neo aircraft feature more spacious overhead compartments, more legroom, and LED lighting. Seats are equipped with USB sockets, as well as special miniature holders for mobile devices.

Igor Veretennikov, commercial director of S7 Group, said: “S7 Airlines started direct flights to Vietnam last year. In the upcoming winter schedule, we are expanding the geography of routes: direct flights to Cam Ranh are now available not only to passengers from Irkutsk and Novosibirsk, but also from Vladivostok. Staying for winter in Vietnam is actively gaining popularity among independent travelers. Nha Trang is perfect for a relaxing family vacation and ecotourism ⁠— the untouched nature of the region is very impressive.” ⁠

S7 Priority loyalty program members will be able to get at least 1200 miles for a flight from Vladivostok to Nha Trang. The accumulated S7 Priority miles can be used for award tickets and additional services.

Air tickets can be purchased at s7.ru, through the iPhone app or the Android app, and at any S7 sales office.

Tianjin Airlines launches non-stop flight to Ulaanbaatar on 15 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Tianjin Airlines launches non-stop scheduled flight from Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar on 15 December 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 15 December 2019, Tianjin Airlines flight GS7935 departs from Tianjin for Ulaanbaatar at 7 pm, arrives in Ulaanbaatar at 9.10 pm before leaving Ulaanbaatar for Tianjin at 10.10 pm and touching down in Tianjin at 12.20 am on 16 December 2019 under flight GS7936.

Tianjin Airlines flies to Ulaanbaatar on Sundays and lands in Tianjin on Mondays. It is the only airline to launch flight to Ulaanbaatar from Tianjin to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.

Tianjin is the nearest port city for Mongolian exports from Ulaanbaatar. Launching the route will increase the number of Mongolian exports to the world.

Currently, flights from Beijing Capital and Hohhot link Ulaanbaatar with the other cities of China. MIAT Mongolian Airlines will resume flights from Ulaanbaatar to Guangzhou at the start of the next summer season in 2020.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines launches A320neo commercial flight on 31 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Colorful Guizhou Airlines

Colorful Guizhou Airlines, which receives its first Airbus A320neo aircraft on 25 October 2019, has launched its first commercial flight from Guiyang to Taizhou on 31 October 2019 at 7 am under flight GY7113. Henceforth, the airline's fleet comprises of 1 A320neo and 9 Embraer E190  aircraft operating flights on 30 routes to 31 cities in China.

The new A320neo of Colorful Guizhou Airlines is operating flights to Taizhou, and Tianjin and Fuzhou via Wanzhou during the winter season. 

Colorful Guizhou Airlines has also launched new direct flights from Guiyang to Boao, and from Chongqing to Boao on 31 October 2019. Other new routes include flights from Guiyang to Hefei via Maotai, Hefei, Nantong via Yichang, Huai'an, and to Tianjin via Tongren.

The Guizhou airline first started scheduled domestic flights using E190 aircraft in January 2016. It plans to operate international flights to neighbouring countries using the A320neo in the long-run.

Drukair's first ATR 42-600 begins commercial flights from 1 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : BBS

Officials of Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, the Bhutanese Queen Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and other important dignitaries from various organizations in Bhutan officially welcome Drukair's first ATR 42-600 at Paro airport on 26 October 2019. Registered as A5-JNW in honour of Bhutan's beloved Gyalsey, the brand new aircraft arrives in Paro at 10 am on 26 October 2019 from Toulouse via Delhi. The aircraft complements Drukair's existing fleet of three Airbus A319s and replaces the existing ATR 42-500.

Drukair has been operating the ATR 42-500 since 2011. The 48-Economy Class-seater aircraft is 16 years old, which is one of the reasons Drukair decided to replace the aircraft.  However, the aircraft can only carry on an average 30 to 35 passengers because of the payload restriction out of airports in Bhutan due to altitude and obstacles around Paro airport. 

Drukair is the first airline to benefit from the advantages of the aircraft's Clear Vision System (CVS) which generates images of terrain and obstacles using extensive database. 

The ATR fitted with Clear Vision System on nose (CVS) is designed for low visibility, which is expected to minimize cancellations due to weather. 

The Clear Vision System uses infrared cameras to generate images of surrounding landscape even if the weather conditions are adverse and even at night. These images are super imposed on the existing GIS terrain data to generate a synthetic clear image of the terrain. With the help of GPS, the terrain information is updated to real time. This technically improves pilots’ situational awareness and enhances their vision, which Drukair hope will decrease the cancellation of flights. 

The new ATR 42-600 has a glass cockpit, which means that there is a significant change from analog to digital with improved and much advanced instrument system. 

The ATR 42-600 aircraft of Drukair is configured with 40 seats of which 8 are Business Class and 32 are Economy Class seats. The reduction in number of Economy Class seats compared to the ATR 42-500 allows the airline to carry Business Class passengers. Drukair is deploying the new aircraft with Business Class seats on domestic routes from Paro from 1 November 2019. 

The new ATR 42-600 that costs around USD 18.5 million is used on the airline’s domestic routes to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yongpula as well as regional routes to Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Gaya, Bagdogra and Dhaka. Drukair has acquired this aircraft with debt-to-equity ratio of 70:30. For the debt Drukair has borrowed around USD 13 million from SDF. The loan will be paid off because the ATR is servicing the neighbouring SAARC countries Nepal, Bangladesh and India. 

Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair said: “Drukair would like to thank the RGoB for its support by providing sovereign guarantee for the loan from SDF and also interest subsidy on the loan which has helped Drukair deliver better regional and domestic connectivity. The safety, convenience and comfort of our commuters are what continue to drive and motivate the Drukair team. We wish nothing but the best for our clients.”

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines launches inaugural cross-equator flight to Dili on 31 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines has officially announced in its press release dated 30 October 2019 that it is launching official inaugural flight to Dili from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 on 31 October 2019 on behalf of Air Timor.

The Airbus A319 of Drukair, on a long-term charter basis by Air Timor, departs from Changi for Dili on 31 October 2019 at 3.30 am, arrives in Dili at 8.15 am under flight KB900 before leaving Dili for Singapore at 9.15 am and touching down in Changi at 11.55 am under flight KB901.

The charter flights for passengers and cargo in and out of Dili will operate twice a week, initially for a period of one year from 31 October 2019, in an effort to increase aircraft utilization.

The Singapore - Dili route launch is the first time Drukair is crossing the equator for commercial operations.  Challenged by the operating conditions out of Paro International Airport’s difficult terrain and geographical location, Drukair has been constantly exploring opportunities to increase aircraft utilization. Some of these avenues are through charters and lease during night halts at less restricted airports like Suvarnabhumi and Changi. 

Drukair Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tandi Wangchuk, said: “Drukair has been exploring charter opportunities during our night halts for a long time and hope this venture ushers more such opportunities in the future. The more efficiently an aircraft is utilized, the operational cost reduces for an airline. Further it gives immense pride that a small airline in the Himalayas is crossing the equator for the first time.” 

AirAsia X launches regular daily flights to Singapore from 10 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image below : AirAsia X in Changi Airport on a test flight in 2018

On 30 October 2019, AirAsia has announced to its frequent flier BIG members that its long-haul subsidiary AirAsia X is launching regular daily flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Singapore on 10 November 2019 using Airbus A330 aircraft.

The flight schedules of AirAsia X between KLIA and Singapore Changi Airport, with effect from 10 November 2019, are as follows:-

The first AirAsia X flight D7 672 departs from KLIA for Changi at 8 am, touches down in Changi Airport at 9.05 am before leaving Changi for KLIA at 10.05 am and arriving in KLIA at 11.10 am under flight D7 673.

The second flight D7 678 leaves KLIA for Changi at 12.40 pm, arrives in Changi at 1.40 pm before taking off for KLIA at 2.40 pm and touching down in KLIA at 3.45 pm under flight D7 679.

AirAsia X operates twice a day between KLIA and Changi Airport. To celebrate the launches of both AirAsia X's flights to Singapore, AirAsia.com is selling budget fares of the A330 rides on the KLIA - Changi route from 20.54 Singapore Dollars one way.

AirAsia X, under the station management of AirAsia in Singapore, is competing with Ethiopian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Air Mauritius, Malaysia Airlines and Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd for passenger traffic, thus contributing to AirAsia's profits on Southeast Asia's busiest route. 

Vietnam Airlines launches flight to Haikou on 28 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Vietnam Airlines has launched direct scheduled flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Haikou on 28 October 2019 using its Airbus A321 aircraft.

On 28 October 2019, Vietnam Airlines flight VN688 leaves Ho Chi Minh City for Haikou at 10.45 pm, touches down in Haikou at 1.45 am on 29 October 2019 before taking off from Haikou for Ho Chi Minh City at 2.45 am and arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at 3.55 am under flight VN689.

Vietnam Airlines flies to Haikou on Thursdays and Sundays. It returns to Ho Chi Minh City on Fridays and Mondays.

Aeroflot launches flight to Osaka Kansai on 15 June 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Aeroflot Russian Airlines announced at JATA Tourism Expo 2019 that it is beginning scheduled weekly flight operations from Moscow to Kansai on 15 June 2020 using its Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

On 15 June 2020, Aeroflot flight SU268 departs from Moscow for Osaka Kansai at 7 pm, touches down in Kansai at 11.05 am on 16 June 2020 before leaving Kansai for Moscow at 12.45 pm and arriving in Moscow at 5 pm local time under flight SU269. 

Aeroflot flies to Kansai on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and returns to Moscow on  Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

To mark the launch of the new flight, Aeroflot distributed A330-200 aircraft stickers of the route, besides hardcopies of Aeroflot Inflight Magazines, at JATA Tourism Expo 2019.

Vanilla Air after business integration with Peach

Press Release by : Vanilla Air
Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

We have completed Vanilla Air flight operations as of 26th October 2019. Thank you very much for supporting Vanilla Air. We have become one company and aim to be the leading LCC representing Asia. We hope you continue to fly with us as Peach!   ■ Sign up for e-mail magazine   Vanilla Air’s  e-mail magazine registration information will be transferred to Peach Aviation Co., Ltd. on November 11 following the business integration with Peach. We will start sending Peach e-mail magazines to the email addresses we have inherited from around late November. If you do not wish to receive Peach e-mail magazines, please deactivate from below bottom before 10th November 2019.

■ About Vanilla Air Points   Valid Vanilla Air Points can be exchanged to Peach Points. Please proceed with the exchange to Peach Points before 19th December 2019 via MyPage.   [MyPage]→[Points]→[Exchanging to Peach Points]   ※ Please note that you may claim eligible Vanilla Air Points for previously boarded flights until 12th December 2019.

Madagasikara Airways plans direct Morondava - Fort Dauphin flights in April 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan

                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Under the JATA Tourism Expo 2019 booth of Arics Tours in Osaka, Madagasikara Airways announced its plan to operate direct scheduled flights from Morondava to Fort Dauphin in Madagascar in April 2020 in an exclusive offer package.

Currently, passengers intending to travel to Fort Dauphin on Air Madagascar have to arrange for an overnight transfer in Antananarivo.

With the launch of the Morondava - Fort Dauphin route whose lasts for 45 minutes, passengers need not transit in Antananarivo twice.

Madagasikara Airways is a private airline of Madagascar aiming to promote the label and the Madagascar image of ankoay (an eagle species endemic to Madagascar) and contributing overall to the economic development of Madagascar by tourism. It launched its first domestic flight in October 2015.  

Currently it flies to ten major cities of Madagascar and to Moroni, the capital of the Comoros using a fleet of Embraer 145 aircraft with a seating capacity of 50 performing scheduled domestic and international flights, carrying passengers and cargo.  

Fuji Dream Airlines launches two new routes from Kobe on 27 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

The aircraft pictured above is based in Kobe. On 27 October 2019, Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) launches two new routes from Kobe, which are Kobe - Izumo and Kobe - Matsumoto.

The first inaugural flight of FDA departs from Kobe for Izumo under flight JH811 at 7.10 am, touches down in Izumo at 8.05 am before leaving Izumo for Kobe at 8.35 am and arriving in Kobe at 9.25 am under flight JH812.

FDA flies to Izumo twice daily.

The second flight JH815 takes off from Kobe for Izumo at 2.10 pm, arrives in Izumo at 3.05 pm before leaving Izumo for Kobe at 2.45 pm for Kobe and arriving in Kobe at 3.35 pm under flight JH816.

From 20 December 2019, JH815 departs from Kobe for Izumo at 2.30 pm, arrives ib Izumo at 3.25 pm before leaving Izumo for Oobe at 3.55 pm and arriving in Kobe at 4.45 pm under flight JH815.

FDA's second route flight departs from Kobe for Matsumoto on 27 October 2019 at 9.55 am under flight JH232, arrives in Matsumoto at 10.55 am before taking off from Matsumoto for Kobe at 12.20 pm and arriving in Kobe at 1.25 pm under flight JH233.

The check-in counters at Kobe Airport for Fuji Dream Airlines are ready to serve passengers, who are free to pick up inaugural flight brochures at the counters.

The airport of Kobe is of a thirty-minutes ferry ride distance from Kansai.

Lao Airlines launches non-stop flight to Kumamoto on 18 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Lao Airlines, exhibiting at JATA Tourism Expo 2019 in Intex Osaka for the first time, has announced that it is launching Southeast Asia's first ever non-stop scheduled flight from Vientiane to Kumamoto on 18 March 2020.

On 18 March 2020, a Lao Airlines Airbus A320 outbound flight to Kumamoto departs from Vientiane at 1.30 am, touches down in Kumamoto at 8 am before the outbound flight leaves Kumamoto for Vientiane at 10.30 am and arrives in Vientiane at 1.30 pm.

Lao Airlines flies to Kumamoto from Vientiane on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The new route will enable passengers to transit in Vientiane without stopovers in Hong Kong and Fukuoka or Osaka airports.

To ensure the continuity of the new route, Lao Airlines is partnering with All Nippon Airways to allow its passengers to connect seamlessly to flights for Haneda, Nagoya Chubu, Osaka and Naha from Kumamoto.

Lao Airlines welcomes the world to enter Laos from Kumamoto.

New Airline Exhibitors of JATA Tourism Expo 2019 in Osaka

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan

                    / KUCINTA SETIA

IR Gaming Expo 2019 takes off at JATA Tourism Expo

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

The first edition of IR Gaming Expo 2019 takes off at JATA Tourism Expo in Intex Osaka from 24 to 27 October 2019.

Exhibitors include Genting Singapore, Sun city Group, MGM Resorts, Melco and Sands Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Of note,  the Hong King-listed Suncity Group with headquarters in Macau as a travel and resort management group is expanding its portfolio including the development of integrated resorts in Hoi An and Wakayama, Kansai Region.

The site in Hoi An is Vietnam's largest gaming-led integrated resort. It is expected to be opened in the first half of 2020.

The integrated resort in Wakayama is under planning stage. The Wakayama Integrated Resort 2.0 Design Concept as shown above shows the scale of the resort.

JATA Tourism Expo 2019 is held in Osaka. Besides IR Gaming Expo, other Expo features include Inbound Business Tourism Expo, Visit Japan Travel Expo and the traditional international tourism mart known as Travel Showcase. While IR Gaming Expo and Inbound Business Tourism Expo are opened at 10 am, the Travel Showcase opens its doors on the first day at 12 pm with seminars during lunch hours.

Cambodia Airways launches Phnom Penh - Wenzhou flight on 8 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Cambodia Airways has announced on Facebook that it is launching twice-weekly scheduled flight from Phnom Penh to Wenzhou on 8 November 2019. 

On 8 November 2019, Cambodia Airways flight KR8903 departs from Phnom Penh for Wenzhou at 12.40 pm, touches down in Wenzhou at 5.05 pm before leaving Wenzhou for Phnom Penh at 6.05 pm and arriving in Phnom Penh at 9.05 pm under flight KR8904.

Cambodia Airways uses Airbus A319 for the flights to Wenzhou on Fridays and Mondays.

To mark the launch of the new route, Cambodia Airways is marketing one-way fare to Wenzhou from Phnom Penh at 115 US Dollars only for travel on 8 November. Fares after this date start from 190.99 US Dollars.

Cambodia Airways is the second Southeast Asia airline to launch scheduled flights to Wenzhou after Lao Airlines. 

Jetstar Asia launches non-stop flight from Hefei on 28 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Picture : A Jetstar Asia flight approaching Singapore Changi.

According to an announcement by Anhui Airports Group, Jetstar Asia Airways is launching direct scheduled flight to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 on 28 November 2019 using Airbus A320 aircraft.

The approved flight schedules are as follows:-

On 28 November 2019, Jetstar Asia flight 3K885 departs from Changi Airport for Hefei at 5.05 am, touches down in Hefei at 10 am before leaving Hefei for Singapore at 11.05 am and touching down in Changi at 4.20 pm on the same day under flight 3K886.

Jetstar Asia Airways, the pioneer of direct routes from Singapore to Xuzhou and Sanya, flies to Hefei on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays non-stop from Singapore. Lasting about 5 to 5 hours 15 minutes, it will be the budget airline's longest route.

Update : According to Jetstar Asia's press release, the scheduled flight to Hefei is on a charter partnership arrangement with Shanghai Xihao Aviation Service. It operates up to three times a week only when the aircraft is full.

Starlux Airlines' first A321neo to arrive in Taoyuan on 28 October 2019

Report : Gan Yung Chyan
              / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : AIB Family Flights

According to Starlux Airlines Facebook, the new Taiwan airline's first A321neo will arrive in Taoyuan on 28 October 2019. It will be piloted by the airline's founder Zhang Guowei.

Flight arrival time is not confirmed.

Eastar Jet launches non-stop flight to Haikou on 20 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Eastar Jet, that is exhibiting at JATA Tourism Expo 2020 in Osaka from 24 to 27 October 2019, has launched its first non-stop scheduled flight to Haikou from Cheongju on 20 October 2019.

On 20 October 2019, Eastar Jet flight ZE731 departs from Cheongju for Haikou at 9.40 pm, touches down in Haikou on 21 October 2019 at 2.05 am before leaving Haikou for Cheongju at 3.05 am under flight ZE732 and arriving in Cheongju at 8.05 am.

EastarJet uses B737-800 and B737-900 aircraft on the route to Haikou. It flies to Haikou on Wednesdays and Saturdays and returns to Cheongju on Thursdays and Sundays.

Cheongju, located in central South Korea, is 128 kilometres away from Seoul. It is well-known for its mountains, waterfalls and springs.

Air Macau launches daily flight to Jieyang on 27 October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Air Macau, that will exhibit at JATA Tourism Expo 2020 in Osaka from 24 to 27 October 2019, is launching daily flight from Macau to Shantou Jieyang International Airport on 27 October 2019.

According to schedules, Air Macau flight NX52 departs from Macau for Jieyang at 7.55 am, touches down in Jieyang at 9 am before leaving Jieyang for Macau at 9.50 am and arriving in Macau at 10.55 am under flight NX51.

Air Macau uses Airbus A319 for the Jieyang flights.

Hainan Airlines launches flights to Osaka Kansai and Narita in late October 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches the following routes, Beijing Capital - Osaka Kansai and Beijing Capital - Narita on 29 October 2019 and 31 October 2019 respectively using its B737-800 aircraft. Listed below are the detailed flight schedules:

Routes effective 29 October 2019
Flight                Route                    Timing                                  Frequency            
HU473        Beijing  - Kansai     12.10 pm - 3.55 pm          Tue, Fri, Sun
HU473        Beijing - Kansai      3.10 pm - 7 pm                Thu, Sat
HU474        Kansai - Beijing        8.55 pm - 11.25 pm             Fri
HU474        Kansai - Beijing         9 pm - 11.30 pm             Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun


Routes effective 31 October 2019
Flight                 Route                           Timing                                 Frequency
HU439        Beijing - Narita          7.20 am - 11.55 am              Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat
HU440        Narita - Beijing          1.55 pm - 4.55 pm                 Mon, Sat
HU440        Narita - Beijing          1.55 pm - 5.05 pm                   Tue, Thu


With the launch of the Beijing Capital - Narita route, Hainan Airlines will stop operating flights to Haneda from Beijing after 26 October 2019. It currently has flights to Kansai from Haikou, Shenzhen and Xi'an Xianyang.