Starlux Airlines passes fifty-hour flight assessment on 29 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Taiwan’s civil aviation authority confirmed on 29 November 2019 that Starlux Airlines has completed and passed the fifty-hour verification flight assessment and will send the relevant documents to the transportation department as soon as after 1 December 2019. Only after the civil aviation transportation permit has been issued, tickets can be sold externally.

The fifty-hour verification flight of Starlux from Taoyuan covers Macau, Danang and Penang. The three scheduled destinations for the first flight day have been verified and passed the relevant assessments.  Relevant documents can be sent to the transportation department as soon as 2 December 2019. After the civil air transport industry license is issued, only then Starlux Airlines can officially operate and sell tickets.

Starlux Airlines said that after the company has obtained the civil aviation transportation permit, the cooperating travel agencies can start to sell group tickets in advance. As for the company's official website, ticket sales will be in mid-to-late December 2019. This is because the airline has to formally apply for a radio communication code from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and a code for flight numbering and reservation ticketing from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Starlux Airlines plans to launch commercial flights to Macau, Danang and Penang on 23 January 2020.

Hainan Airlines launches direct flight to Moscow from Haikou on 25 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Representatives of Hainan Airlines and Russian travel company TartusTour said at a press conference in Moscow that the two companies will jointly launch a regular non-stop return flight between Haikou and Moscow on 25 December 2019.

Zhang Tie, General Mmanager of Hainan Airlines Moscow Office, pointed out to the media that the first flight from Haikou to Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport will depart on 25 December, and the return flight will depart in the evening of 26 December 2019. The initial phase of the flight operated by a 290-seat 787 Dreamliner will be carried out twice a week. The flight duration is about 10 hours.

Astapović, TartusTour's Director of Business Development, said that the company will launch an exclusive project whose biggest advantages are the direct air transportation and the ability to meet the leisure needs of different income groups. The company's goal is to enhance Russian tourists' impression of Hainan.

Experts say that vacations in China are increasingly welcomed by Russians. In October 2019, Biletix.ru, a Russian air ticket booking site, conducted a survey on the most popular New Year's travel destinations among Russians. 27 per cent of the respondents hope to celebrate the New Year in China.

Russian travel operator TezTour's Press Office told Satellite News Agency that Hainan is one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists during the 2020 New Year holiday, and demand for Hainan flights has increased by 44 per cent.

Compared with the same period in 2018, the number of Russians who want to travel to southern China during the winter holiday in 2019 has increased by 143 per cent. The 2019-2020 winter Hainan tourism project bookings have increased by 44 per cent over last year.

Visa-free entry, moderate prices, and good hotel choices are all reasons to attract Russian tourists.

SAS takes delivery of its first A350XWB on 29 November 2019

Report by :Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : SAS

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350XWB on 29 November 2019.  The aircraft carried out its first test flight in France on 13 November 2019.

Loongair launches flights to Japan on 2 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Loongair launches scheduled flights to Japan on 2 December 2019 using two Airbus A320 aircraft. It will fly to Kansai and Nagoya Chubu daily.

On 2 December 2019, Loongair flight GJ8077 departs from Hangzhou for Kansai at 5.40 pm, touches down in Kansai at 9 pm before leaving Kansai for Hangzhou at 10 pm and arriving in Hangzhou at estimated time 12.30 am under flight GJ8078.

On the same day of 2 December 2019, another A320 flight GJ8099 leaves Hangzhou for Nagoya Chubu at estimated time 5.15 pm, arrives in Nagoya at 8.40 pm before departing from Nagoya for Hangzhou at 11.50 pm and arriving in Hangzhou at 2.25 am the next day under flight GJ8100.

Myanmar Airways International launches scheduled flight to Incheon on 3 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) launches its scheduled flight from Yangon to Incheon on 3 December 2019, according to MAI's press statement to ANN.

On 3 December 2019, MAI flight 8M801 departs from Yangon for Incheon at 4.45 pm, arrives in Incheon at 12.50 am on 4 December 2019 before leaving Incheon for Yangon at 1.50 am and landing in Yangon on 4.50 am on 4 December 2019 under flight 8M802.

MAI flies to Incheon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It returns to Yangon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Prior to launching the flight to Incheon, MAI has code-sharing flight arrangements with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines on the route to Incheon. Rated 100 per cent safe to fly with from Yangon for years, it operates a fleet of 3 A319 and 1 A320 aircraft. Its destinations from Yangon include Mandalay, Singapore, Guangzhou, Gaya, Kolkata, Suvarnabhumi, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Hefei and Fuzhou.

Hainan Airlines launches twice-weekly flight to Budapest on 27 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches 787-9 Dreamliner flight to Budapest from Chongqing on 27 December 2019.

On 27 December 2019, Hainan Airlines flight HU791 departs from Chongqing for Budapest at 1.40 am, arrives in Budapest at 5.30 am before leaving Budapest for Chongqing at 12.40 pm on 28 December 2019 and touching down in Chongqing at 5 am under flight HU792 on 29 December 2019.

Hainan Airlines flies to Budapest on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Juneyao Air launches flights to Dublin and Reykjavik via Helsinki in late March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to a late announcement by Juneyao Air on 27 November 2019, its 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft launch long-haul scheduled flights to Dublin and Reykjavik via Helsinki in late March 2020.

The first scheduled flight of Juneyao Air to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is launched on 29 March 2020 while Juneyao Air's inaugural flight to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, takes off from Pudong via Helsinki on 31 March 2020.

According to Juneyao Air, flight HO1659 departs from Pudong for Dublin via Helsinki on 29 March 2020 at 12.55 am and arrives in Dublin at 8.45 am after a 1 hour 50 minutes stopover in Helsinki.

The outbound flight HO1660 from Dublin for Pudong takes off at 10 am and is estimated to arrive in Pudong at 6.30 am on 30 March 2020.

Juneyao Air is the first Asian airline to operate long-haul flights to Iceland.

On 31 March 2020, flight HO1661 departs from Pudong for Reykjavik via Helsinki at 12.55 am and arrives in Reykjavik at 8.10 am after the estimated 1 hour 50 minutes transit in Helsinki. At 9.25 am, flight HO1662 leaves Reykjavik for Pudong via Helsinki and eventually touches down in Pudong at 7.30 am on 1 April 2020.

Juneyao Air operates flights to Dublin on Thursdays and Sundays while its flights to Reykjavik are operated on Tuesdays and Saturdays, all on fifth-freedom right basis via Helsinki.

Passengers to Reykjavik and Dublin on Juneyao Air's flights do not need to alight to clear the respective immigration and retrieve their checked-in baggage in Helsinki.

With the additions of Dublin and Reykjavik to Juneyao Air's Europe route network, Juneyao Air will fly to five cities in Europe by June 2020 including Helsinki, Manchester and Athens. Juneyao Air plans to launch the Manchester route via Helsinki on 30 March 2020 using another 787-9 Dreamliner while the long-haul route to Athens will be launched in June 2020.

Juneyao Air has six 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. It expects to receive the remaining four out of ten 787-9 Dreamliner jets by end of 2020. 

OKAir launches flight from Changsha to Linyi and Kansai on 5 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

OKAir launches scheduled flight from Changsha to Linyi and Kansai on 5 December 2019 using its Boeing B737-900ER jet.

On 5 December 2019, OKAir flight BK3163 departs from Changsha for Linyi at 9.30 am and arrives in Linyi at 11.30 am. At 1 pm, the same flight inaugurates Linyi Shubuling Airport's first international service to Osaka Kansai and touches down in Kansai at 5 pm.

At 6 pm of 5 December 2019, flight BK3164 leaves Kansai for Linyi, touches down in Linyi at 8.30 pm for passengers to alight before departing from Linyi for Changsha at 10.50 pm and arriving in Changsha at 12.55 am on 6 December 2019.

OKAir flies to Kansai from Changsha via Linyi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends. With the addition of Linyi to OKAir's route network, it no longer operates non-stop flights from Changsha to Kansai from 5 December 2019.

Linyi is a prefecture-level city located in the south of Shandong Province. It is home to historical figures such as Zhuge Liang and Wang Xizhi. Sun Bin's Art of War and other classics on hand-written bamboo scripts are found here.

Beside Linyi, OKAir also operates non-stop flights to Kansai from Tianjin and Hangzhou.

Jetstar increases total cabin baggage weight allowance to 14 kg

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

With immediate effect, the weight allowance of Jetstar passengers' cabin luggage can be increased from the original 7 kg to 14 kg.

Jetstar passengers who purchase basic tickets for Economy Class can carry 7 kg of hand luggage without any charge. With the new service, they can pay up to double the hand luggage allowance.

The new cabin luggage service can help save time in luggage check-in and pick-up.

Passengers departing from or to Singapore can purchase an additional 7 kg hand luggage allowance, except for Vietnam routes.

Passengers can now purchase an additional 7 kg of hand luggage through Jetstar's official website Jetstar.com by adding 19 Australian Dollars (17.60 Singapore Dollars) to the basic ticket.

Club Jetstar members can enjoy a 20 per cent discount when purchasing extra hand baggage allowances during booking.

The increased weight limit needs to be allocated to two pieces of hand luggage, each of which cannot exceed 10 kg.

The size regulations for cabin luggage remain unchanged. The main luggage must be able to fit in the overhead luggage compartment, and the size of each piece of luggage must not exceed 56 cm (height) x 36 cm (width) x 23 cm (depth). Passengers' small bags must be able to fit under the front of the seats that they are sitting on.

Jetstar launched its first paid hand luggage service in 2018, allowing passengers to pay to add 3 kg to their hand luggage weight, in an effort to compete with Scoot that allows 10 kg free cabin baggage weight allowance. The new hand luggage allowance of an additional 7 kg replaces the previous service.

Air Busan launches non-stop flight to Chengdu on 15 January 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Air Busan launches non-stop flight from Incheon to Chengdu on 15 January 2020 using its Airbus A321 aircraft.

On 15 January 2020, Air Busan flight BX359 departs from Incheon for Chengdu at 11.20 pm, touches down in Chengdu at 3.10 am before leaving Chengdu for Incheon at 4.10 am and arriving in Incheon at 8.50 am under flight BX350.

Air Busan flies to Chengdu on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It returns to Incheon on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

AirAsia officially welcomes its first A321neo in KLIA2 on 22 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : AirAsia Group

AirAsia officially receives the Group's first Airbus A321neo aircraft at KLIA2 on 22 November 2019. The arrival of its first A321neo from Hamburg heralds the future of its Group's single-aisle passenger fleet, A321neo with greater flight operational efficiency and passenger capacity than its current 180-seat A320 and 186-seat A320neo.

The A321neo of AirAsia Group has 236 seats in Economy Class layout and it has a 27 per cent increase in capacity. It will enable AirAsia to meet the increasing demands of the Group's route network, thereby significantly improving operational efficiency by saving more than 10 per cent of fuel and flying to more new destinations from KLIA2, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Japan.

The first A321neo aircraft of AirAsia, marked 9M-VAA (registered MSN 9139), will be deployed on routes from KLIA2 to Don Mueang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Shenzhen and Singapore. It will be joined by another A321neo registered MSN 9248 in January 2020. 

AirAsia has a purchase-order of 353 A321neo jets.

Fly Arystan to receive 30 737 MAX 8 jets from Air Astana

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Air Astana announced at the Dubai Airshow that it will order 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for its low-cost subsidiary Fly Arystan. These new aircraft will become the main fleet of Fly Arystan. The two companies recently signed a letter of intent to purchase the 30 aircraft at a price of $3.6 billion.

Since its inception in May 2002, Air Astana has steadily developed its business in the hubs of Almaty and Nur-Sultan with scheduled flights to major cities in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Asia, Europe, China and Russia. Its fleet includes the Boeing 757, 767 and the Airbus A320 series.

In May 2019, Air Astana launched a new aviation brand, Fly Arystan, in order to occupy a place in the low-cost aviation field. The airline said it had achieved fairly good ticket sales in the first few months of its operations. Fly Arystan is expected to expand its fast-growing aviation market and will begin to provide international flights to Moscow in December 2019.

Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana, said, "Since its launch in May this year, Fly Arystan has exceeded everyone's expectations. Obviously, low-cost air travel in Kazakhstan has very good prospects with Central Asia. Air Astana has maintained a close relationship with Boeing since it launched flights with Boeing 737NGs in 2002. Now it operates both 757s and 767s, and we believe that once the aircraft successfully resumes service, MAX will providing a solid platform for the growth of Fly Arystan throughout the region."

Stan Deal, President and Chief Executive of Boeing Commercial Aircraft, said, "Air Astana has become the leading airline in Central Asia with its strong focus on safety, reliability, efficiency and customer service. One. At Boeing, we have the same values ​​and are proud to expand our partnership with Boeing 737 MAX. We believe that the built-in performance and reliability of the 737 MAX will be very suitable for Fly Arystan. I look forward to working with Mr. Peter and him. The team worked together to reach an agreement that met their fleet and operational requirements."

The 737 MAX 8 offers 130 to 230 seats and is capable of flying 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 km). With improvements such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engine and advanced technology winglets, the 737 MAX provides operators with up to 14 per cent better performance than today's most efficient single-aisle aircraft and expands their range to new destinations.

Fly Gangwon launches Yangyang - Jeju route on 22 November 2019, aims international flights

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan

                  / KUCINTA SETIA


Image courtesy : Inger Bjorndal Foss

Fly Gangwon, South Korea's latest low-cost airline headquartered in Yangyang, launches its first domestic route, Yangyang - Jeju, on 22 November 2019 using its Boeing B737-800. It aims to launch its first international flight in December 2019.

According to schedules, Fly Gangwon flies twice daily to Jeju from 22 November 2019 in the following pairs 4V501/4V502 and 4V505/4V506.

Flight 4V501 departs from Yangyang for Jeju at 6.50 am, arrives in Jeju at 8.10 am before leaving Jeju for Yangyang at 8.50 am and touching down in Yangyang at 10.10 am under flight 4V502.

At 4.40 pm, flight 4V505 leaves Yangyang for Jeju at 4.40 pm, touches down in Jeju at 6 pm before departing from Jeju for Yangyang at 7.05 pm and arriving in Yangyang at 8.25 pm under flight 4V506.

Flight timings on other days of the week vary.

Fly Gangwon currently does not have any plan to operate on the Yangyang to Busan route as Korea Air Express is operating flights from Busan to Yangyang. However, it has plan to launch flight to Gimpo if the demand for a carrier on this route is high.

However, Fly Gangwon in an interview with Focus Taiwan TV Channel on 21 November 2019 revealed that the Yangyang low-cost-carrier plans to launch its first international flight to Taoyuan from Yangyang on 26 December 2019, to Taichung on 29 January 2020 and to Kaoshiung on 29 March 2020 using B737-800 aircraft. It also hopes to launch flights to Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong from Yangyang in two years' time.

To achieve the goal of operating international flights from Yangyang, Fly Gangwon will take delivery of its second B737-800 in December 2019. It aims to own a fleet of 5 B737-800 jets in 2020 and up to 20 aircraft by 2025.

Currently since 15 November 2019, Yangyang's international flights are operated by Loongair from Ningbo and Hangzhou on Mondays and Fridays with flight GJ8783 departing from Hangzhou for Yangyang at 7.55 am, reaching Yangyang at 10.20 am before leaving Yangyang for Ningbo at 12.20 pm, arriving in Ningbo at 3.05 pm under flight GJ8756. At 4.55 pm, flight GJ8755 departs from Ningbo for Yangyang, arrives in Yangyang at 7.10 pm before leaving Yangyang for Hangzhou at 8.15 pm and landing in Hangzhou at 10.55 pm under flight GJ8784.

Juneyao Air takes delivery of China's 100th Dreamliner on 21 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

On 21 November 2019, Boeing and Juneyao Air celebrate the Chinese airline's sixth delivery reception of its 787-9 Dreamliner, China's 100th Dreamliner. 

To commemorate this milestone, the commemorative logo of "100th 787 for China" was painted on the aircraft body.

Juneyao Air has a purchase-order of ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and its sixth 787-9 Dreamliner will arrive in Shanghai on 22 November 2019.

The Dreamliner aircraft prototype has served Juneyao Air well for more than a year. It has enabled Juneyao Air to launch scheduled flights to Taoyuan, Singapore and Helsinki. In 2020, the aircraft will extend Juneyao Air's non-stop Helsinki route to Manchester under the airline's right of fifth-freedom flights between Pudong, Helsinki and Manchester.

However, Juneyao Air has yet to reveal when the Manchester flight will be launched and the flight details.

Juneyao Air also plans to launch long-haul flights to Athens and Cairo from Pudong using 787-9.

Yuvajet preparing to take off by the second quarter of 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Yuvajet

India's planned domestic airline Yuvajet is preparing to launch flight operations in India by the second quarter of 2020.

According to Mr Amit Turani, the Chief Operating Officer of Yuvajet, Yuvajet expects to get its No Objection Certificate (NOC) cleared by March 2020, its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by May 2020 and plans to launch flights from Ranchi by July 2020 to Kolkata, Imphal, Guwahati, Agartala, and airports in northeast India under the UDAN scheme by July 2020 using 2 ERJ 145 aircraft. 

Under the UDAN scheme, Indian flight operators bid for routes. The Indian airline who wins the bid for a route will operate the route.

Chennai, Surat, Shirdi and Tirupati, as earlier proposed for the intended June 2018 launch, have been omitted from Yuvajet's planned network.

Ranchi remains as Yuvajet's hub as it has become a huge airport with a nice number of passengers. There are daily approximate 30 flights departing from Ranchi airport.

Kumar Kinshuk, the founder of Yuvajet, said the new livery of the 2 ERJ 145 aircraft, currently under maintenance in Kingman Airport, Arizona, and to be imported from the US by the first week of May 2020 for test flights to the airports in northeast India, is designed by Matt Kenseth, and Yuvajet is hiring new staff for multiple positions.

For further information on job positions in Yuvajet, email Yuvajet at connect@yuvajet.com.


Ref.
New Indian airline Yuvajet delays flight launch to June 2018
https://kucinta-setia.blogspot.com/2017/11/new-indian-airline-yuvajet-delays.html

China Eastern launches Wuhan - Narita route on 4 January 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

                 
China Eastern has announced on 18 November 2019 that it is launching new route to Narita from Wuhan on 4 January 2020.

On 4 January 2020, China Eastern flight MU2615 departs from Wuhan for Narita at 8.55 am, arrives in Narita at 1.30 pm before leaving Narita for Wuhan at 2.30 pm and touching down in Wuhan at 5.55 pm under flight MU2616.

China Eastern flies to Narita from Wuhan on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using its Boeing B737-900ER aircraft. It faces direct competition on the route from Spring Japan and All Nippon Airways.

Vietjet Air launches six weekly flights to Delhi from 6 December 2019 onwards

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Vietjet Air launches six weekly scheduled flights to Delhi from 6 December 2019 onwards. These flights include three weekly flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays and from Hanoi to Delhi on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays using Airbus A320 aircraft.

The inaugural flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi takes off on 6 December 2019. On this day, flight VJ895 departs from Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi at 7 pm, arrives in Delhi at 10.50 pm before leaving Delhi for Ho Chi Minh City at 11.50 pm and touching down in Ho Chi Minh City at 6.10 am on 7 December 2019 under flight VJ896.

On 7 December 2019, the first flight from Hanoi to Delhi proceeds at 7.10 pm, flight VJ971, arrives in Delhi at 10.50 pm before taking off from Delhi for Hanoi at 11.50 pm and arriving in Hanoi at 5.20 am under flight VJ972 on 8 December 2019.

At press time, the first flight of VJ895 is more than 80 per cent booked whereas Vietjet Air is selling seats onboard the inaugural flight of VJ971 from 39.41 SGD per Eco fare excluding service fee and airport tax.

India is a relatively untapped huge tourism market for Vietnam. Currently, there are only direct flights from Kolkata to Ho Chi Minh City operated by IndiGo. 

From 6 December 2019, Vietjet Air has also connecting flights from Hanoi to Delhi via Ho Chi Minh City which requires change of aircraft type from A321 to A320 in Ho Chi Minh City.

West Air launches Zhengzhou - Kansai - Chongqing flights on 26 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

West Air launches scheduled Zhengzhou - Kansai - Chongqing flights on 26 November 2019 using Airbus A320 aircraft.

The flight schedules of West Air on the Zhengzhou - Kansai - Chongqing routes are as follows:-

Flight                          Route                             Timing
PN6425         Zhengzhou - Kansai            4.05 pm - 8 pm, Tues, Thus, Sats
PN6428         Kansai - Chongqing            9 pm - 1.10 am, Weds, Fris, Suns
PN6427         Chongqing - Kansai            6.15 pm - 11 pm, Thus, Sats, Tues
PN6426         Kansai - Zhengzhou            11.55 pm - 3.10 am, Fris, Suns, Weds

West Air launches flight to Phuket from Urumqi via Chongqing on 22 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

West Air's Airbus A320 launches scheduled flight to Phuket from Urumqi via Chongqing on 22 November 2019.

On 22 November 2019, West Air flight PN6423 departs from Urumqi for Phuket via Chongqing at 12.25 pm, transits in Chongqing at 4.25 pm before leaving Chongqing for Phuket at 6.45 pm and touching down in Phuket at 9.50 pm.

At 11 pm on the same day of 22 November, flight PN6424 leaves Phuket for Chongqing, transits in Chongqing at 2.55 am on 23 November 2019 before taking off from Chongqing for Urumqi at 7.10 am and arriving in Urumqi at 11.25 am.

West Air flies to Phuket on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays while it leaves Phuket for Urumqi  on Tuedays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

Qantas kicks off its Centenary celebrations on 16 November 2019 with Longreach's arrival world-wide

Report : Gan Yung Chyan
             / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Qantas

Qantas' 787-9 Dreamliner, registered VH ZNJ named Longreach after the town in Australia where Qantas starts its first historical flight on 16 November 1910, has landed in Sydney on 15 November 2019 at 12.28 pm after 19 hours and 19 minutes of flight from London. 

All carbon emissions were offset.

On 16 November 2019, the Longreach aircraft departs for Hong Kong as QF127 to announce Qantas' 99th birthday before returning to Melbourne as QF030.

The historical flight QF7879 that landed in Sydney after flying across 11 countries including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, the Philippines and Indonesia, and the memorable Sydney - Hong Kong - Melbourne flights have kicked off the celebrations of Qantas centenary although at press time Qantas is celebrating 99 years old on 16 November 2019.

On 16 November 2019, Qantas publishes on-line its 100 years of history on its official web-site www.qantas.com.au. 

Next, Qantas' inflight duty-free store on-line at www.qantasstore.com.au is selling merchandise marking the airline's 100 years. 

Historical route maps were re-printed. Mugs indicating the past and current logos of Qantas and shirts donning the Qantas centenary logo and much more are on sale on-line. 

The eleven-piece coin collection sets produced by Royal Australian Mint featuring key milestones and images of Qantas aircraft from across the decades including the Avro, Catalina Flying Boat, Boeing 707 and 747 and the A380 are also on sale at the Qantas Store. The centrepiece is a Kangaroo copper coin similar to the original Australian penny, which inspired Qantas' iconic Kangaroo logo.

However, there are no Qantas aircraft postcards celebrating the historical aircraft legacy of the Australian airline.

Meanwhile, the Longreach aircraft is operating scheduled flights from Australia to all Qantas long-haul destinations through the airline's 100th year in 2020.

Qantas celebrates its 100th year of flight operations on 16 November 2020.

Happy Birthday, Qantas!

Macau, Danang and Penang to be served by each Starlux's A321neo jet on 23 January 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Starlux Airlines Facebook

Currently, Starlux Airlines' first A321neo, which first arrived in Taoyuan on 28 October 2019 from Hamburg via Dubai and Suvarnabhumi, is undergoing daily verification flights.

According to Starlux Airlines, its second A321neo jet is expected to arrive in Taoyuan in mid-to-late December 2019 while its third A321neo is expected to arrive in Taoyuan by the second week of January 2020. 

All the above three A321neo jets will inaugurate respective routes from Taoyuan to Macau, Danang and Penang on 23 January 2020, the last second day of the traditional Chinese Year 2019 in the early morning. 

According to Nie Guowei, the PR Manager of Starlux, the airline founder Zhang Guowei will not be free to pilot the first aircraft to one of the above destinations as he will be VIP host to the inaugural flight celebration ceremonies in Taoyuan for the three inaugural flights on 23 January. There will also be inaugural flight celebration ceremonies in the airports of Macau, Danang and Penang to welcome Starlux Airlines' respective flights on the same day.

According to Huo Jianhua, Starlux's CEO, Starlux Airlines will not offer any discount fares for its flights departing from 23 January 2020 to Macau, Danang and Penang till the end of the Chinese New Year as it is peak period for overseas travels. However, the sales team will consider introducing discounted fares online after the Chinese New Year season to compete with Tigerair Taiwan, EVA Air and other airlines.

Starlux Airlines will start selling tickets online at www.starlux-airlines.com during the Christmas season from the third week of December 2019 onwards after it has received its official Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Customers are not expected to walk-in to the airline's office in Taipei to purchase the tickets or look for its collectibles.

To cover the administrative costs of utilising and maintaining the aircraft and stimulate public support for the new airline image, Starlux Airlines has been selling Starlux souvenirs rather than giving them away free. An animated flight safety video of Starlux Airlines to be played inflight when the scheduled flights take off in 2020 has also gone viral on Facebook and YouTube although the airline has yet to receive its AOC.

Fiji Airways took delivery of its first A350XWB on 15 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Airbus

Fiji Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350XWB aircraft on 15 November 2019. It arrived in Nadi on 16 November 2019. It will receive its second A350XWB in December 2019. Both leased from Dubai-based DAE Capital, the aircraft will operate on scheduled flights from Nadi to Los Angeles and Sydney as well as future long-haul flights to Narita, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific Air launches flight to Hong Kong from Puerto Princesa on 17 November 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Cebu Pacific Air launches scheduled flight to Hong Kong from Puerto Princesa on 17 November 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 17 November 2019, Cebu Pacific flight 5J5306 departs from Puerto Princesa for Hong Kong at 3.35 pm, touches down in Hong Kong at 6.35 pm before leaving Hong Kong for Puerto Princesa at 7.30 pm and arriving in Puerto Princesa at 10.30 pm under flight 5J5307. These timings are valid for travel on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

On Saturdays starting 23 November 2019, flight 5J5306 leaves Puerto Princesa for Hong Kong at 5.05 pm, arrives in Hong Kong at 7.05 pm before taking off under flight 5J5307 at 8 pm and touching down in Puerto Princesa at 11 pm.

Puerto Princesa, meaning Princess Island in Spanish, is the capital gateway to Palawan, the Philippines. Known as the "Eco-Tourism Centre of the Philippines", tourists come here to explore the neighbouring Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the nearby Tubbataha Reef. It is an urban city dotted with resorts, seafood restaurants and shopping malls.

LongJiang Airlines in financial woes over lawsuits on its two leased aircraft

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

In July 2019, the plane dispute between Longjiang Airlines and Zhongfei Leasing was decided by the Supreme People's Court and LongJiang Airlines lost the suit against Zhongfei Leasing.

Around this dispute, the two sides have been arguing for more than two years.

Dispute Origin : Longjiang Airlines rented an old aircraft

LongJiang Airlines is one of the smallest airlines in China. It was in trouble since the beginning of its operation because its shareholders are relatively weak and are  unable to provide the huge capital needs for LongJiang Airlines.

When the aircraft was originally ordered, LongJiang Airlines was unable to pay for the purchase. No aircraft. How to get a flight operation certificate. How to fly?

Later, LongJiang Airlines approached Zhongfei Leasing. On 31 May 2016, the two parties signed an agreement to determine that LongJiang Airlines' leased A321 aircraft must be from Zhongfei Baoqing.

Agreement

1. LongJiang Airlines rented an Airbus second-hand aircraft from Zhongfei Baoqing for a period of 48 periods, each period of 3 months, with a lease term of 144 months (12 years), except for the first period of rent of US$620,000. The subsequent rent for each period was $930,000, and the total aircraft rental was $44.33 million.

2. In addition to the rent, LongJiang Airlines shall pay a total of 48 VAT and maintenance reserves to Zhongfei Baoqing, both of which are floating in each period.

3. If LongJiang Airlines fails to pay various fees as agreed, it will pay a fine to Zhongfei Baoqing, and the penalty rate is the interest rate of the sum of 6 months at 8 per cent annual rate.

4. LongJiang Airlines should also pay a deposit of US$5 million to Zhongfei Baoqing. In the absence of a breach of contract, Zhongfei Baoqing will refund the deposit to Longjiang.

5. If LongJiang Airlines fails to pay the relevant funds in time, it will constitute a breach of contract. Zhongfei Baoqing may terminate the aircraft leasing, and Longjiang Airlines compensates Zhongfei Baoqing for the relevant losses.

In order to ensure the performance of the debt, Zhongfei Baoqing, LongJiang Airlines and Zhang Yuming signed a “guarantee contract”, stipulating that Zhang Yuming, Xiangyu Company and Haifu Company fully fulfilled the “Aircraft Lease Agreement” and the Supplemental Agreement for LongJiang Airlines. The obligations under the project provide joint and several liability guarantees to Zhongfei Baoqing.

On 3 June 2016, LongJiang Airlines confirmed the receipt of the MSN4611 aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with two CFM56 engines.

Dispute: Aircraft failure, arrears of rent

After the aircraft was delivered, LongJiang Airlines conducted a trial operation, but then a damaged engine caused the aircraft to fail to operate normally. LongJiang Airlines sent the damaged engine to Zhuhai for maintenance, and the MSN4611 aircraft was parked at Harbin Taiping Airport.

Since then, LongJiang Airlines has been in arrears with aircraft rentals and other expenses.

From July 2016 to April 2017, Zhongfei Baoqing issued a letter to LongJiang Airlines on several occasions, requesting Longjiang Airlines to pay the fees and fines owed to Zhongfei Baoqing.

On 13 October 2016, Zhongfei Baoqing sent a letter to Zhang Yuming, Xiangyu Company and Haifu Company, requesting Zhang Yuming, Xiangyu Company and Haifu Company to assume joint and several liability for the payment of LongJiang Airlines.

On 16 June 2017, Zhongfei Baoqing issued a Notice of Dismissal to LongJiang Airlines, informing Longjiang Airlines to cancel the agreement; and requested Longjiang Airlines to immediately stop the MSN4611 aircraft and return the aircraft to Zhongfei Baoqing Company. All documents, payment of outstanding payments, compensation for related losses.

On 16 June 2017, Zhongfei Company issued an announcement in Hong Kong to terminate the two lease agreements with LongJiang Airlines.

Transition: Negotiation between the two parties

After consultation between the two parties, on 1 September 2017, Zhongfei Baoqing signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LongJiang Airlines.

The main content is: LongJiang Airlines will pay arrears of rent and other expenses to Zhongfei Baoqing before September 15, 2017, and increase the temporary guarantee deposit of USD 1 million to Zhongfei Baoqing; Longjiang Airlines still holds the MSN4611 aircraft and continues to pay. Various funds and fulfilling all obligations.

After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding,

On 4 September 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid 1.04 million yuan to Zhongfei Baoqing;

On 5 September 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid US$930,000 to Zhongfei Baoqing;

On 15 September 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid 14.16 million yuan to Zhongfei Baoqing;

On 28 September 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid 5 million yuan to Zhongfei Baoqing;

On 26 October 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid 4.2 million yuan to Zhongfei Baoqing;

On 4 December 2017, LongJiang Airlines paid 700,000 yuan to Zhongfei Baoqing.

I do not know if the above excessive payments is due to the pressure to afford rent or based on other considerations.

On 8 December 2017, LongJiang Airlines issued a notice to Zhongfei Company, and decided to terminate the MSN4611 aircraft leasing transaction with Zhongfei Company.

4 One of the lawsuits: the first instance of the Heilongjiang Provincial High Court

Subsequently, Zhongfei Baoqing appealed to the Higher People's Court of Heilongjiang Province.

The following litigation request is proposed:

1. LongJiang Airlines immediately returned the aircraft and all documents to Zhongfei Baoqing;

2. LongJiang Airlines should cooperate with Zhongfei Baoqing to handle the relevant procedures of the aircraft and bear the corresponding expenses;

3. LongJiang Airlines paid the unpaid rent of USD 2.32 million and fine of RMB 320,000, tax and fine of RMB 2.08 million, maintenance reserve and fine of RMB 1.1 million;

4. LongJiang Airlines paid a loss of 6.87 million US dollars from the vacant period of the MSN4611 aircraft from 3 June 2018 to 31 December 2019;

5. LongJiang Airlines paid a loss of USD 3.66 million from the MSN4611 aircraft from 1 January 2020 to 2 June 2028;

6. LongJiang Airlines paid the relevant costs and expenses of 2.96 million US dollars;

7. LongJiang Airlines paid a refund of $8.5 million;

8. LongJiang Airlines paid a fee of US$1.55 million to re-customize the MSN4611 aircraft;

9. LongJiang Airlines paid the actual rights and expenses of 1.38 million yuan;

The above 3 to 9 expenses deduct the expenses paid by LongJiang Airlines, and LongJiang Airlines will also pay an equivalent of RMB 129 million; 

10. Zhang Yuming, Xiangyu Company and Haifu Company shall bear joint and several liability for the payment obligations of LongJiang Airlines.

11. LongJiang Airlines, Zhang Yuming, Xiangyu Company and Haifu Company bear all the litigation costs of this case.

LongJiang Airlines issued a counterclaim request:

1. Zhongfei Baoqing compensated LongJiang Aviation MSN4611 for the loss of operating income during the flight stoppage of RMB 52 million;

2. Zhongfei Baoqing returned the rent, tax and maintenance reserve of 14.49 million yuan during the suspension of LongJiang Airlines aircraft;

3. Zhongfei Baoqing compensated 660,000 yuan for economic losses caused by its breach of contract to LongJiang Airlines.

4. The costs of this lawsuit and counterclaim are borne by Zhongfei Baoqing Company.

LongJiang Airlines believes that:

1. After Zhongfei Baoqing Company delivered the MSN4611 aircraft to LongJiang Airlines, the aircraft engine suffered serious quality problems when the aircraft only flew 240 hours and 105 flight cycles. LongJiang Airlines had reason to believe that the aircraft was delivered. Serious quality problems occurred in such a short period of time, and the aircraft had problems at the beginning of the delivery by Zhongfei Baoqing.

2. According to the requirements of Zhongfei Baoqing, the aircraft maintenance must obtain its consent, but Zhongfei Baoqing did not agree to the maintenance of LongJiang Airlines after the aircraft engine failed, resulting in LongJiang Airlines suffered a huge economic Loss, Zhongfei Baoqing shall be liable to Longjiang Airlines for compensation.

3. On 16 June 2017, Zhongfei Baoqing issued a notice on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to terminate the "Aircraft Leasing Agreement", which caused great reputational impact on LongJiang Airlines. The Civil Aviation Administration of China imposed penalties on LongJiang Airlines. The loss should be compensated by Zhongfei Baoqing to LongJiang Airlines.

Zhongfei Baoqing believes that:

1. The aircraft involved was that LongJiang Airlines was unable to pay for the purchase of the aircraft. It requested that Zhongfei Baoqing purchase the aircraft and then lease it to LongJiang Airlines. Therefore, the selection and inspection of the aircraft were completed by LongJiang Airlines. Sign the "Certificate of Final Acceptance" to confirm that the aircraft is in good condition and there are no quality problems.

2. Zhongfei Baoqing did not have the right to instruct LongJiang Airlines to repair the engine.

3. The two engines involved in the aircraft are no longer on the plane. There are dozens of missing parts. It is no longer in airworthiness. Zhongfei Baoqing will reclaim the lost parts of the aircraft involved in the case.

This lawsuit is obviously a breach of contract by LongJiang Airlines. Therefore, on June 11, 2018, the Heilongjiang High Court ruled as follows:

1. The Zhongfei Baoqing and the lease agreement are effective.

2. LongJiang Airlines will return the aircraft and documents to Zhongfei Baoqing within 10 days after the effective date of this judgment and cooperate with relevant procedures.

3. LongJiang Airlines paid rent and fines of USD 480,000;

4. LongJiang Airlines paid a loss of 7.74 million yuan;

5. LongJiang Airlines paid RMB 140,000 for the payment of the rights of Zhongfei Baoqing;

6. Zhang Yuming, Harbin Xiangyujin, and Heilongjiang Haifu shall be jointly and severally liable for debts;

7. Rejecting other claims of Zhongfei Baoqing;

8. Dismissed the counterclaim request of LongJiang Airlines.

Most of the requests of Zhongfei Baoqing were supported, but the amount of compensation was greatly reduced. Only the rent, taxes, maintenance funds and fines were supported. The remaining rent refund fees, vacancy fees, conversion fees, and rental losses were not supported.

Litigation 2: Supreme People's Court Second Review

LongJiang Airlines appealed to the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China and appealed:

1. Request to revoke the civil judgment of the Heilongjiang Provincial High Court;

2. Requesting that LongJiang Airlines and Zhongfei Baoqing continue to perform the Aircraft Leasing Agreement in accordance with the law;

3. Requesting a legal order to support LongJiang Airlines’ financial losses of RMB 67,146,900 due to its breach of contract in the original counterclaim

4. Request for legal order The first and second trial litigation costs are all borne by Zhongfei Baoqing.

Zhongfei Baoqing requested to support the judgment of the Heilongjiang High Court and requested LongJiang Airlines to return the aircraft quickly and reject the LongJiang Aviation litigation request.

On 24 December 2018, the Supreme People's Court held that LongJiang Airlines' appeal request could not be established and should be dismissed; the first-instance judgment found that the facts were clear, the applicable law was correct, and should be maintained, and the judgment was as follows:

The appeal was dismissed and the original judgment was upheld.

Third lawsuit: retrial of the Supreme People's Court

After the final court of the Supreme Court, it was unexpected that LongJiang Airlines appealed again to the Supreme Court for retrial.

On July 19, 2019, the Supreme People's Court held that LongJiang Airlines' retrial application did not meet the situation that should be re-examined, and the ruling was as follows:

Rejected the retrial application of Longjiang Airlines.

Longjiang Airlines is in financial woes

However, although Zhongfei Baoqing won the lawsuit, it encountered difficulties in its implementation. The target aircraft number B-8289 (MSN4611) in the lawsuit lacked 47 parts including two engines.

One of the two engines was still not recovered in Zhuhai, and the other was dismantled and installed on other aircraft of LongJiang Airlines.

Today, LongJiang Airlines still maintains three aircraft for initial operation, but one of them is no longer operational, and the leaser is urging the aircraft; the other is also a subsidiary of China Flying, which is purchased and leased to LongJiang. Aviation, there have been disputes.

In addition, LongJiang Airlines' huge debt of more than 400 million yuan owed to Haifu Company has not been fulfilled.

Jindong Investment Group, which was tried to introduce, has a dispute with LongJiang Airlines and Zhang Yuming.

On 3 April 2019, the Beijing Arbitration Commission established a ruling:

LongJiang Company, Zhang Yuming, etc. returned RMB 512 million of equity investment from Jindong Company, paying interest of 4.65 million yuan; and from 23 October  2018 to the date of actual payment, based on 512 million yuan, according to the annual interest rate of 24 per cent. The standard pays interest to the applicant.

So far, none of the above cases have been implemented.

Source: (2019) Supreme Court of Peoples 1987

(2017) Hei Min 133

(2018) Supreme Court of the People 1218

(2019) Jing 04 Min Special 209