Gulf Air launches direct scheduled flight to Singapore at 3 April 2021 night

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Gulf Air the Bahraini national flag carrier has become the first foreign national airline to launch regular passenger scheduled flight to Singapore. At night of 3 April 2021 Bahrain time, it launches its first non-stop direct scheduled flight to Singapore from Bahrain.

On 3 April 2021, Gulf Air flight GF165 departs from Bahrain for Singapore, touches down in Singapore Changi Airport at 12.40 pm on 4 April 2021 (Sunday) before leaving Changi Airport for Bahrain at 9.20 pm and arriving in Bahrain on 5 April 2021 at 12.15 am under flight GF166.

The Bahrain-Singapore one-way flight lasts for 7 hours 50 minutes while the Singapore-Bahrain flight lasts 7 hours 55 minutes.

Gulf Air flies to Singapore with its 787-9 Dreamliner. It arrives in Singapore and leaves Singapore for Bahrain on Sundays. Interested travellers can book the tickets on Gulf Air's official web-site www.gulfair.com.

Singapore is the airline's third destination in Southeast Asia after Manila and Suvarnahbumi. Gulf Air which operated flights to Singapore from Bahrian via Bangkok Don Mueang withdrew from the Singapore travel market in 2007.

Gulf Air will be the first new airline from the Middle East to operate passenger flights to Singapore during the pandemic.

See also : https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2021/04/gulf-airs-singapore-flight-extends-to.html

Korean Air: Merger with Asiana Airlines postponed until 2024

Research and compiled by : Rose, Quality Orange Tourism / http://www.minhangshi.com/m/h5/detail/9322149 / Direct translation

The post-merger integration (PMI) plan submitted to Korea Development Bank (KDB) shows that Korean Air has postponed its merger with Asiana Airlines until 2024. However, Korean Air still plans to acquire Asiana Airlines in 2022, but the two airlines will not be fully integrated until 2024. It is understood that the delay is related to the antitrust approval of multiple agencies around the world.

Korean Air’s PMI plan expresses its vision to establish a single integrated Korean Air in 2024. Korean Air plans to acquire Asiana Airlines before the end of 2022, but the two airlines will still operate as separate entities and will not be fully merged until 2024. Korean Air originally planned to acquire Asiana Airlines before 30 June 2021.

Korean Air plans to operate Asiana Airlines as a subsidiary before the full merger. Korean Air itself is also a subsidiary of the holding company Hanjin Group. After Asiana Airlines becomes a subsidiary of Korean Air, its own subsidiaries including Air Busan (44.2%), Air Seoul (100%) and Asiana Sabre (80%) will become 'son companies' of "Kaljin KAL". 

According to Korean law, a subsidiary of a holding company must have a 100% controlling interest in its subsidiary. Otherwise, they are forced to sell their shares within two years after the acquisition by a holding company. However, if Asiana Airlines is fully integrated into Korean Air, it will not be bound by this legal provision.

During the two years of transition to full integration, Korean Air will evaluate staffing, business operations and routes to maximize efficiency. In early March, Korean Air raised 3.3 trillion won (approximately US$2.92 billion) through the issuance of new shares, of which 1.5 trillion won (approximately US$1.35 billion) will be used to support the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, and the Korea Development Bank also will provide 730 million US dollars for this transaction.

The factor causing the delay in the merger is a potential antitrust issue. Korean Air’s 63.9% stake in Asiana Airlines is being reviewed by antitrust agencies from eight different countries. So far, only Turkey has approved it, but other countries or organizations, including South Korea, the European Union, the United States, and China, have yet to announce their decisions.

In order for the merger to proceed, Korean Air will need the approval of at least four antitrust agencies outside South Korea. If Korean Air does not obtain sufficient approvals, it may be banned from flying in certain countries or regions. The merger may disrupt the code sharing of Star Alliance on several US airlines, and the US antitrust authorities may include it in the decision-making scope.

As international travel has fallen sharply compared to before the epidemic, Korean Air has been hit hard by its reliance on international routes. Although many airlines around the world have been able to rely on domestic aviation as a source of income, South Korea's relatively small domestic market has not brought hope to South Korean airlines.

Professor Hurr Hee-young of Korea University of Aeronautics and Astronautics said, "Unlike China, the United States, and Japan, South Korea’s domestic aviation market only accounts for less than 10% of the revenue of major airlines. Therefore, Korean airlines must resume international travel to maintain aviation. With the development of the industry, under the current circumstances, South Korea’s aviation industry may continue to struggle.” (Compilation: Pin Orange Tourism Rose)

Bamboo Airways launches charter flights to Singapore on 1 April 2021

News (1)

Bamboo Airways launches charter flight from Hanoi to Singapore on 1 April 2021

According to Changi Airport and Bamboo Airways on 31 March 2021, the latter is launching its first charter flight from Hanoi to Singapore on 1 April 2021.

On 1 April 2021, Bamboo Airways flight QH301 departs from Hanoi for Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 12.30 am, touches down in Changi Airport at 5 am before leaving Singapore for Hanoi at 6 am and arriving in Hanoi at 8.15 am under flight QH302.

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Bamboo Airways launches charter flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on 1 April 2021

In addition, Bamboo Airways plans to launch its first charter flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on 1 April 2021.

On 1 April 2021, Bamboo Airways flight QH305 leaves Ho Chi Minh City for Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 2.50 am, arrives in Changi Airport at 5.55 am before taking off from Singapore for Ho Chi Minh City at 6.55 am and touching down in Ho Chi Minh City at 8.05 am under flight QH306.

News (3)

Demand for scheduled flights to Vietnam from Singapore

With the addition of Bamboo Airways' charter flights to Singapore, the demand for scheduled flights to Vietnam from Singapore has warmed up. Recently, MIAT Mongolian Airlines has initiated scheduled flights to Singapore via Hanoi from Ulaanbaatar. Intermittently, Pacific Airlines and VietJet Air have relief flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore.

Vietnam Airlines only operates intermittent cargo flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore.

It is everyone's hope that there would soon be 'bubble travel' flights between the two countries.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines organizes third Ulaanbaatar-Hanoi-Singapore flight on 30 March 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Changi Airport, MIAT Mongolian Airlines has performed its third relief flight to Singapore from Ulaanbaatar via Hanoi on 30 March 2021. 

Flight OM7185 leaves Ulaanbaatar on 30 March 2021 and arrives in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 via Hanoi at 1.50 am on 31 March 2021 after leaving Hanoi at 9.30 pm on 30 March 2021. 

Flight OM7186 leaves for Ulaanbaatar via Hanoi from Singapore at 2.55 am and transits in Hanoi at 5.15 am on 31 March before its onward journey towards Ulaanbaatar.

China Eastern launches flights to Chongqing and Xiamen from Zhengzhou on 28 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern launches new routes to Chongqing and Xiamen from Zhengzhou on 28 March 2021 with its Airbus A320 aircraft.

The newly opened Zhengzhou-Chongqing route of China Eastern is on every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Saturday, flight number MU5253/MJ5254, Zhengzhou departure time 4.15 pm, arrival Chongqing time 6.10 pm, Chongqing departure time, 7.20 pm, arrival Zhengzhou time 9.05 pm.

Zhengzhou-Xiamen route runs once a day, flight number MU6377/MU6378, Zhengzhou departure time is 10.40 pm, Xiamen departure time is 7.25 pm.

Urumqi Air launches flights to Jinan and Qiqihaer on 28 March 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 28 March 2021, Urumqi Air flight UQ2579 departs from Urumqi for Qiqihaer via Jinan at 7 am, transits in Jinan at 11.20 am before leaving Jinan for Qiqihaer at 12.20 pm and arriving in Qiqihaer at 3 pm.

At 4.40 pm, flight UQ2580 leaves Qiqihaer for Urumqi via Jinan, transits in Jinan at 7.20 pm before taking off for Urumqi at 9 pm and landing in Urumqi at 1.45 am on 29 March 2021.

Urumqi Air flies to Jinan and Qiqihaer on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Tibet Airlines launches flights to Guizhou and Sanya from Lhasa on 30 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 30 March 2021, Tibet Airlines launches scheduled flights from Lhasa to the Guizhou city of Zunyi and Sanya, Hainan with its Airbus A319 aircraft.

At 9 am of 30 March, Tibet Airlines flight TV9919 leaves Lhasa for Sanya via Zunyi, touches down in Zunyi Maotai Airport at 11.40 am before leaving Maotai for Sanya at 12.30 pm and arriving in Sanya at 2.25 pm.

At  4.52 pm (1 hour 22 minutes behind scheduled time 3.30 pm) on 30 March, flight TV9920 takes off finally for Zunyi Maotai Airport, is expected to land in Zunyi at 7.01 pm before departing from Maotai for Lhasa after 6.30 pm and touching down in Lhasa after 9.35 pm.

According to normal schedules, flight TV9920 arrives in Zunyi at 5.40 pm before leaving Maotai for Lhasa at 6.30 pm and landing in Lhasa at 9.35 pm.

Tibet Airlines flies to Zunyi and Sanya on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The airline plans to increase the number of flights to Sanya via Dazhou on Mondays and Fridays, and via Wanzhou on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Besides, Tibet Airlines operates scheduled flights between Sanya and Chengdu.

Hunan Airlines (Air Travel) completes fleet repainting

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 29 March 2021, at the beginning of the summer flight season, as the Hunan Airlines (Air Travel) painted aircraft numbered B-8432 took off from Rizhao Shanzihe Airport, Hunan Airlines' entire fleet of 14 aircraft officially ended. So far, as the first local airline in Hunan, Hunan Airlines will set sail with neat red and gray main colours  and a "Honghu" logo design, with a fleet image of the Chinese name "Hunan Airlines" and the English name Air Travel.

It is reported that after the official Chinese name change to Hunan Airlines at the end of 2020, it has started the refurbishment of its fleet, and completed the paint change of the first A319 model on December 8 and put it into operation at the Changsha base. In the following four months, the refitting work of Hunan Airlines' fleet was advanced efficiently. Without affecting the company's daily production and operation, the overall refitting and spraying of the fleet was completed in an orderly manner, three months ahead of the original plan.

At present, Hunan Airlines has 14 all-Airbus A320 series models, including 5 NEO advanced models, with an average age of about 3 years. They have been opened to 33 cities across the country, including Kunming, Nanjing, Harbin, Chengdu, Turpan, and Urumqi. After relocating to Hunan, Air Travel will continue to focus on increasing the capacity of its main base, Changsha, to promote the construction of Changsha's "four-hour aviation economic circle". At the same time, it has 5 overnight planes at Changsha Huanghua International Airport. In the summer season, it also opened Changsha=Wuxi=Harbin, Changsha=Yantai, Changsha=Turpan and other routes, enriching and perfecting the route network in Changsha.

The spraying work was completed ahead of schedule by Hunan Airlines within the time limit set by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which provided sufficient capacity for the summer flight season. As Hunan's own airline, many passengers stop to take pictures when taking Hunan Airlines planes and send them to the circle of friends. Hunan Airlines has gradually become the new name card of Xiaoxiang that Hunanese are proud of.

2021 is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan". Hunan Airlines will focus on the construction of smart civil aviation, adhere to the bottom line of aviation safety, and strive to transform development momentum, optimize development structure, transform development mode, and achieve deep integration and efficient linkage of reform and development. Ensure the implementation of the overall work ideas of the "One Two Three Three Four" civil aviation during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and continue to provide passengers with high-quality and convenient air travel services.

9air and Air Travel launch new routes on 28 March 2021

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9air launches daily flight to Pudong on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, 9air launches its first new route of the year, Guangzhou=Pudong. On this day, 9air flight AQ1299 leaves Guangzhou for Pudong at 5.25 pm, touches down in  Pudong at 7.55 pm before leaving Pudong for Guangzhou at 10.35 pm and arriving in Guangzhou at 1 am on 29 March 2021.

News (2)

Air Travel launches flight to Turpan from Changsha on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021 the first scheduled flight from Changsha, A67185, at 9.30 am arrives in Turpan at 2.05 pm. The new route will be operated by Air Travel's A319/A320 aircraft.

Air Travel (Hunan Airlines) operating flights to Turpan on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays has also opened Wuxi=Urumqi flights.

Ruili Airlines acquired by Wuxi Transportation Industry Group

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Ruili Airlines officially announced on 28 March 2021 it has been acquired by Wuxi Transportation Industry Group and now it is Wuxi's local airline.

Mainland Chinese media The Paper noted that Ruili Airlines is a holding subsidiary of Wuxi Transportation Industry Group, a "Top 500 Chinese Service Industry Enterprise". This means that the previous equity acquisition process has been completed.

The current controlling shareholder of Ruili Airlines is Wuxi Transportation Industry Group with a background of state-owned assets, which holds 57% of the shares. The original major shareholder, Yunnan Jingcheng Group, has dropped from 70% to 13%. Dong Lecheng, President of Jingcheng Group and Chairman of Ruili Aviation, personally holds 30% of the shares.

Regarding the follow-up strategic development, Ruili Airlines exclusively stated to The Paper that under the premise of in-depth cooperation between Wuxi Transportation Industry Group and Yunnan Jingcheng Group, Ruili Airlines will make full use of Yunnan to launch new routes to West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Relying on the Group's resources, it will continue to introduce aircraft and expand the fleet size.

This time, Ruili Airlines will use the opportunity of the summer and autumn seasons of 2021 to spread the East China route, promote the construction of dual bases in Wuxi and Kunming, and strengthen the development of overnight bases in Shenyang, Lanzhou and Mangshi. 

The 14th Five-Year Plan of Ruili Airlines was formulated in conjunction with the 14th Five-Year Plan to continue to expand and strengthen the aviation sector.

Since 28 March 2021, Ruili Airlines has continued to launch new routes such as  Wuxi=Kunming=Mangshi, Wuxi=Chongqing, Wuxi=Xi'an, Wuxi=Shenyang, Kunming=Baotou=Tianjin, Kunming=Baotou, Bazhong=Qingdao, Kunming=Weifang, Kunming=Wushan=Yantai, Kunming=Zhuhai=Fuzhou, Kunming=Jinan=Dalian, Shenyang=Huolinhe=Hohhot, Shenyang=Taiyuan.

There are 15 domestic routes such as Nantong=Mangshi=Xishuangbanna, Xishuangxishuangbanna=Nanning=Nantong and Hohhot=Dalian. All flights are operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.

Ruili Airlines launched its flight on 18 May 2014. Its main operating base is located at Kunming Changshui International Airport. It has a fleet of 20 aircraft and has been in safe operation for nearly 7 years. So far, the number of flights has exceeded 133,000, and nearly 20 million passengers have been transported.

Before the equity change, Ruili Airlines was the first local airline in Yunnan Province and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yunnan Jingcheng Group. It was wholly-owned by Dong Lecheng, a minority entrepreneur in Yunnan Province, with a registered capital of 1 billion RMB.

On 4 August 2020, according to the official WeChat account of Wuxi Transportation Group, the signing ceremony of the framework agreement on the equity transfer of Ruili Airlines Co., Ltd. between Wuxi Transportation Group and Yunnan Jingcheng Group was held at Wuxi Hubin Hotel. Wuxi Municipal Party Committee Secretary Huang Qin met with Jingcheng Group Chairman Dong Lecheng and his party attended the signing ceremony.

The framework agreement for the equity transfer of Ruili Airlines signed at that time was the first step for Wuxi Transportation Group to officially launch the acquisition of a controlling stake in Ruili Airlines.

Wuxi Transportation Industry Group Co., Ltd., formerly Wuxi Transportation Assets Management Co., Ltd., was established on November 5, 2001. In March 2003, with the approval of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government, it was renamed and established as Wuxi Transportation Industry Group Co., Ltd. The Wuxi Municipal People's Government directly authorized the operation and management of state-owned assets within the authorized scope. The company has a registered capital of 5.745 billion yuan.

According to the official disclosure of Wuxi Transportation Industry Group, the acquisition of the shares of Ruili Airlines is one of the important measures of Wuxi Transportation Industry Group to implement the Wuxi Municipal Party Committee and Government’s efforts to accelerate the high-quality development of the “three major economies” such as the headquarters economy, hub economy and digital economy. 

As a national transportation hub city, having a local airline is of special significance for Wuxi to accelerate the development of an aviation hub and achieve high-quality development of the hub economy. It will not only fill the gaps in Jiangsu's air transportation enterprises, but also help Wuxi to open up to the outside world. 

Tianjin Airlines, Hainan Airlines and China Southern launch new routes

News (1)

Tianjin Airlines launches Xi'an=Altay flights on 6 April 2021

Tianjin Airlines, the Tianjin-based subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, launches new scheduled flight from Xi'an Xianyang to Altay in Xinjiang on 6 April 2021 with its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 6 April 2021, Tianjin Airlines flight GX7697 departs from Xi'an Xianyang for Altay at 1.50 pm, touches down in Altay at 5.45 pm before leaving Altay for Xianyang at 7 pm and arriving in Xi'an at 10.45 pm under flight GX7698.

Tianjin Airlines flies to Altay from Xi'an on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Altay is the third Xinjiang destination from its Xi'an route network after Hami and Hotan.

News (2)

Hainan Airlines begins freighter route to Paris de Gaulle from Haikou on 27 March 2021

On 27 March 2021, Tianjin Airlines' parent company Hainan Airlines launches its successful freighter flight HU787 from Haikou to Paris de Gaulle. The 787-9 flight arrived in Paris de Gaulle at 7.30 am local time.

News (3)

China Southern launches Shache - Urumqi flight on 28 March 2021

China Southern successfully launches its first scheduled flight from Shache to Urumqi on 28 March 2021. On this date, flight CZ6876 departs from Shache for Urumqi at 6.05 pm and touches down in Urumqi at 7.55 pm. It operates flights between Shache and Urumqi on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

No more free meals in Economy Class of Virgin Australia

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to 9news in Australia, Virgin Australia has cancelled the free meal service in Economy Class from 25 March 2021, and passengers must pay for the meals if they want to eat.

Virgin Australia still provides free tea and coffee onboard.

Virgin Australia was severely hit by the covid pandemic. In September 2020, the company was acquired by the American investment company Bain Capital.

The incoming CEO Jayne Hrdlicka plans to build Virgin Australia as a "mid-market airline" with a three-class cabin layout: business class, high-end economy class (economy X) and economy class. This move will position Virgin Australia between the high-end service company Qantas and the low-cost airline Jetstar.

 

Air Macau launches flight to Zhengzhou on 29 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Macau launches scheduled flight to Zhengzhou from Macau on 29 March 2021.

On 29 March 2021, Air Macau flight NX087 departs from Macau for Zhengzhou at 9.35 am, touches down in Macau at 12.10 pm before leaving  Zhengzhou for Macau at 1.10 pm and arriving in Macau at 3.50 pm under flight NX088.

Air Macau flies to Zhengzhou on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Air Travel (Hunan Airlines) launch 9 new domestic routes from 28 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

From 28 March 2021, Air Travel (Hunan Airlines, formerly Hongtu Airlines) will launch 9 new domestic routes including Changsha=Turpan, Wuxi=Urumqi, Wuxi=Zhangjiajie=Zhuhai during the summer and autumn seasons, and open up multiple new destination cities such as Urumqi, Turpan, Luzhou, and Kaili, and continue to provide high-quality passengers with convenient air travel service.

After the summer and autumn seasons, Air Travel further optimized its route capacity layout, navigating to 33 domestic cities and 34 routes. Focus on increasing the overnight capacity of Changsha, the main operating base, to reach 5 aircraft, and newly open Changsha=Wuxi=Harbin, Changsha=Yantai, Changsha=Turpan routes, and constantly improve the route network in Changsha to help the "Changsha four-hour aviation economic circle" Construction.

In terms of inbound and outbound routes from Wuxi, newly opened routes include Wuxi=Urumqi, Wuxi=Zhangjiajie=Zhuhai, Wuxi=Yibin=Xining, and Wuxi=Yantai=Kaili. In addition, new routes such as Yantai=Zhangjiajie=Zhuhai and Baoshan=Luzhou have been launched to enhance the accessibility of main bases to the northwest, southwest and central China. 

Inflight Pictures : Air Belgium

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

 

Loongair launches Hangzhou - Wulong - Chengdu flights on 28 March 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 23 March 2021, Loongair has announced that it is launching its Airbus A320 flight from Hangzhou to Chengdu via Wulong on 28 March 2021.

On 28 March 2021, Loongair flight GJ8559 departs from Hangzhou for Chengdu via Wulong at 9.50 am, transits in Wulong at 12.20 pm before leaving Wulong for Chengdu at 1.05 pm and touching down in Chengdu at 2.35 pm.

At 4.25 pm, the outbound flight from Chengdu, GJ8560, leaves for Hangzhou via Wulong, transits in Wulong at 5.45 pm before taking off from Wulong for Hangzhou at 6.30 pm and arriving in Hangzhou at  9.05 pm.

Loongair flies to Wulong and Chengdu from Hangzhou on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

China Southern increases routes from Guangxi from 28 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Starting from 28 March 2021, civil aviation has entered the summer and autumn flight seasons. With the gradual stabilization of the domestic epidemic prevention and control situation in China, the passenger flow of domestic civil aviation has gradually recovered. China Southern Airlines has further optimized the route structure and some flight schedules in the new season, launched or resumed multiple routes. At that time, China Southern Airlines will operate 42 routes in Guangxi, with about 80 flights per day, which has returned to 92% of the level of the same period in 2019 before the epidemic.

After the change of seasons, 8 new round-trip routes from Guangxi, Nanning-Haikou, Nanning-Qingdao-Changchun, Nanning-Xining, Nanning-Hefei, Nanning-Wuhan, Guilin-Wuhan, Guilin-Zhengzhou, Liuzhou-Guangzhou, Nanning-Hangzhou. On some days, the round-trip routes will be increased from 2 flights to 3 flights per day. 

The Beihai-Chongqing-Zhengzhou round-trip route, which has been suspended during the winter and spring season, will also be resumed after the change of seasons. 

By rationally planning the capacity allocation and flight schedules of trunk routes and key hub markets, China Southern has further highlighted the advantages of trunk flights so that its route network will cover 27 popular cities throughout mainland China, thereby satisfying business, tourism and multiple travel needs such as employment and education.

The staff of China Southern Airlines reminded that airlines will generally change routes and flight schedules after the season. The departure time of flights will be advanced or postponed. Some routes in the winter and spring seasons may be cancelled. The general public must check flight information before travelling. At the same time, it is necessary to understand the latest epidemic prevention requirements of the destination, and reserve sufficient time for the check-in procedures to complete the filling of personal health information and other matters to ensure smooth travel.

List of China Southern Airlines' departure routes from Guangxi:

Nanning: Pudong, Hongqiao, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu, Haikou, Hefei, Nanchang, Dalian, Xiamen, Lanzhou, Xining, Guangzhou, Pu'er, Shenzhen, Xishuangbanna, Hangzhou, Changsha, Taiyuan, Guiyang, Yinchuan, Wuhan, Harbin, Chongqing, Urumqi , Guilin, Shenyang, Changchun, Xi'an, Yancheng, Zhengzhou, Qingdao

Guilin: Beijing Daxing, Nanjing, Harbin, Shenyang, Wuhan, Zhengzhou

Beihai: Guangzhou, Beijing Daxing, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Chongqing

Liuzhou: Guangzhou

Inflight Pictures : Aero Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern operates freighter flights to Jakarta, London and Paris using passenger aircraft

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

In order to meet the growing international aviation logistics market demand, China Eastern Airlines plans to open a freighter flight from Ningbo to Paris from 2 April 2021 using passenger aircraft. By then, there will be fixed "cargo loading on seats" flights MU7271 and MU7272 to and from Paris every Wednesday and Friday.

In addition, China Eastern Airlines has opened three "cargo loading on seats" international flights in Zhejiang. They include Hangzhou-Los Angeles, Hangzhou-London and Ningbo-Jakarta routes.

Ningbo to Jakarta: Flight MU7179 "cargo loading on seats" flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Hangzhou to London: Flight MU7191 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Hangzhou to Los Angeles: Flight MU7193 every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

 

Visiting MIAT Mongolian Airlines 60th Anniversary

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Colorful Guizhou Airlines launches flight from Huai'an to Chongqing on 28 March 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Colorful Guizhou Airlines launches scheduled flight from Huai'an to Chongqing on 28 March 2021.

On 28 March 2021, Colorful Guizhou flight GY7177 departs from Huai'an for Chongqing at 7.50 am, touches down in Chongqing at 10.15 am before leaving Chongqing for Huai'an at 11.20 am and touching down in Huai'an at 1.35 pm under flight GY7178.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines flies between Huai'an and Chongqing daily.

Cathay Pacific launches flight to Chengdu on 21 April 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Cathay Pacific Airways launches Wednesday scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Chengdu on 21 April 2021 according to its press statement on 22 March 2021.

On 21 April 2021, Cathay Pacific flight CX986 departs from Hong Kong for Chengdu at 10 am, touches down in Chengdu at 12.40 pm before taking off from Chengdu for Hong Kong at 1.55 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 4.55 pm under flight CX987.

Hunnu Air launches relief flights to Budapest and Delhi

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Hunnu Air's Facebook, it has launched once-off relief flight to Budapest from Ulaanbaatar on 3 March 2021.

On 3 March 2021, the outbound flight of Hunnu Air departs for Budapest from Ulaanbaatar at 2.30 pm, arrives in Budapest at 6.10 pm before leaving Budapest for Ulaanbaatar at 7.10 pm and landing in Ulaanbaatar at 11.30 pm on 4 March.

This is not the first relief flight of Hunnu Air during the pandemic. On 20 October 2020, it operates its first relief flight in the airline's history to Delhi.

Aero Mongolia launches flights to Yakutsk and Bishkek in April 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Aero Mongolia's Facebook on 22 March 2021, it is implementing its first scheduled flight from Ulaanbaatar to Yakutsk, Russia on 3 April 2021. It is also commencing scheduled flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on 11 April 2021, according to its web-site. Round-trip air fare starts from US$350.

The outbound flight of Aero Mongolia leaves Ulaanbaatar for Yakutsk at 2 pm, arrives in Yakutsk at 3.50 pm before the inbound flight to Ulaanbaatar departs from Yakutsk for Ulaanbaatar at 4.50 pm and touching down in Ulaanbaatar at 6.30 pm.

The flight details of the Ulaanbaatar=Bishkek services are not stated.

Also related to Aero Mongolia, it is the first Mongolian airline to vaccinate its passengers with the Astrazeneca vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

 

Updates on Air Tanzania's Guangzhou and Mumbai flights until further notice

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : YouTube

News (1)

Air Tanzania postpones Guangzhou flight from 20 March 2021 until further notice

Air Tanzania, that intended to launch its official inaugural scheduled flight to Guangzhou from Dar Es Salaam via Mumbai on 20 March 2021 has cancelled the inaugural flight and the new inaugural flight date will be advised in due course.

The Tanzanian flag carrier originally planned to operate flights to Guangzhou every Saturday. However, due to the "current pressure and capacity limit of Guangdong Local Government on COVID19 control and prevention for inbound flights", it decided to defer the flight until further notice.

The flight suspension has come at the time when the Tanzanian President John Joseph Pombe Magufuli passed away suddenly, recently and suspectibly from covid.

News (2)

Air Tanzania resumed flight to Mumbai, partners with Air India on Indian domestic flights

Air Tanzania resumed its intercontinental flight to Mumbai from Dar Es Salaam on 9 November 2020 under the "India bubble flights" agreement, which sees its 787-8 flying thrice weekly to Mumbai on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. 

In January 2021, Air Tanzania signed a partnership agreement with Air India on feeding African passenger traffic to the latter's domestic flights from Mumbai to such cities as Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi and Madurai. On 29 January 2021, it started ticketing partnership arrangements on flights to the first four Indian cities Jaipur, Delhi, Bhopal and Bengaluru with Air India.

Air Changan launches daily scheduled flight to Jinan from Beihai on 28 March 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Changan launches B737-800 flight from Beihai to Jinan on 28 March 2021. It flies daily to Jinan from Beihai.

According to schedules, Air Changan flight 9H8451 leaves Beihai for Jinan at 11.50 am, arrives in Jinan at 3.10 pm before leaving Jinan for Beihai on the following days:

On Sunday, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, flight 9H8452 leaves Jinan for Beihai at 4.50 pm and touches down in Beihai at 8.55 pm while it takes off from Jinan for Beihai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 4.15 pm and arrives in Beihai at 7.55 pm.

Air Changan launches more than 3 new routes on 28 March 2021

 Reports by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Changan, the Xi'an Xianyang-based subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, launches more than three new routes in China on 28 March 2021. They include Xi'an=Wanzhou=Sanya, Xi'an=Tangshan=Dalian, Xi'an=Qingdao and Xi'an=Kaili routes. All flights are operated by B737-800 aircraft.

News (1) 

Xi'an=Wanzhou=Sanya routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, Air Changan flight 9H8351 takes off from Xi'an Xianyang Airport for Sanya via Wanzhou at 7.15 am, transits in Wanzhou at 8.40 am before leaving Wanzhou for Sanya at 9.30 am and arriving in Sanya at 12.10 pm.

At 1.15 pm, the outbound flight from Sanya 9H8352 leaves Sanya for Wanzhou, transits in Wanzhou at 3.45 pm before departing from Wanzhou for Xi'an at 4.30 pm and landing in Xi'an Xianyang at 5.35 pm.

Air Changan operates flights to Wanzhou and Sanya on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

News (2) 

Xi'an=Tangshan=Dalian routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, Air Changan flight 9H8405 takes off from Xi'an Xianyang Airport for Dalian via Tangshan at 3.15 pm, transits in Tangshan at 5.20 pm before leaving Tangshan for Dalian at 6.05 pm and arriving in Dalian at 7.15 pm.

At 81.15 pm, the outbound flight from Dalian 9H8406 leaves Dalian for Tangshan, transits in Tangshan at 9.35 pm before departing from Tangshan for Xi'an at 10.30 pm and touching down in Xi'an Xianyang at 12.50 am on 29 March 2021.

Air Changan flight 9H8406 operates flights to Tangshan and Dalian on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It returns to Xianyang on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

News (3)

Air Changan's  Xian=Qingdao route launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, Air Changan flight 9H8319 takes off from Xi'an Xianyang for Qingdao at 6.10 am, touches down in Qingdao at 8.25 am before leaving Qingdao for Xi'an Xianyang at 9.25 am and landing in Xianyang at 11.40 am.

Air Changan flies to Qingdao from Xi'an on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

News (4) 

Exclusive flight to Kaili from Xi'an by Air Changan on 28 March 2021

Also departing on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Air Changan flight 9H8317 leaves Xianyang Airport for Kaili at 6.15 am, touches down in Kaili at 8.15 am before taking off from Kaili at 9.10 am and arriving in Xianyang at 11.05 am.

Chongqing Airlines launches flights to Wuhan, Wuyishan and Kaili on 28 March 2021

 Reports by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Chongqing Airlines is launching a variety of new scheduled routes on 28 March 2021. Among the new routes are Chongqing=Wuhan=Wuyishan and Chongqing=Kali.

News (1)

Chongqing Airlines exclusive operations on Chongqing=Wuhan=Wuyishan

On 28 March 2021, Chongqing Airlines code-sharing flight with China Southern, OQ2039/CZ2739, departs from Chongqing for Wuyishan via Wuhan at 7.55 am, transits in Wuhan at 9.30 am before leaving Wuhan for Wuyishan at 10.35 am and touching down in Wuyishan at 12 pm.

At 1 pm, code-sharing flight OQ2040/CX2740 takes off from Wuyishan for Chongqing via Wuhan, transits in Wuhan at 2.15 pm before leaving Wuhan for Chongqing at 3.15 pm and arriving in Chongqing at 4.55 pm.

Chongqing Airlines flies to Wuhan and Wuyishan on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using A319 aircraft.

News (2)

Chongqing Airlines launches exclusive flight to Kaili

On 28 March 2021, the exclusive flight to the Guizhou city of Kaili, OQ2183/CZ2183, takes off from Chongqing at 10 pm, arrives in Kaili at 11.15 pm before leaving Kaili for Chongqing at 1.40 pm on 29 March 2021 and landing in Chongqing at 3 pm under flight OQ2184/CZ2184.

Chongqing Airlines flies to Kaili using A320 aircraft on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using A320 aircraft while flights return to Chongqing from Kaili on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Lucky Air's new domestic routes and Bangkok resumption service in summer 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Starting from 28 March 2021, civil aviation officially enters the summer season. In order to meet the travel needs of passengers, Lucky Air has optimized the current route network. In addition to resuming some routes, it will add multiple routes to and from Kunming, Chengdu, Wuhan, Tengchong, Dali and other cities.

According to the travel direction and demand of passengers, Lucky Air is expected to fly 110 routes and 74 cities in the summer season. There are 6 new routes, including Kunming=Lhasa, Chengdu=Ganzhou=Tianjin, Xishuangbanna=Dali=Wuhan, Tengchong=Luzhou, Simao=Dali, Lancang=Dali. It exclusively operates the routes Lancang=Dali, Simao=Dali and Tengchong=Luzhou.

In addition, Lucky Air will resume Kunming = Zhongwei, Kunming = Gesar, Kunming = Ganzhou = Nanjing, Chengdu = Hohhot, Zhengzhou = Hailar, Xishuangbanna = Dali = Luzhou, Guiyang = Sanya, Mianyang from the 3rd and 28th. Sanya, Mianyang=Nanjing and other routes. 

On 27 April 2021, Lucky Air resumes scheduled flights on its Kunming=Suvarnabhumi international routes.

XiamenAir's new flights from Hangzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing and Harbin from 28 March 2021

 Reports by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

All new scheduled flights by XiamenAir below from Hangzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing and Harbin are operated daily.

News (9)

Hangzhou - Jining - Yinchuan routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, flight MF8865 takes off from Hangzhou for Yinchuan via Jining at 9.35 am transits in Jining at 11.25 am before leaving Jining for Yinchuan at 12.25 pm and arriving in Yinchuan at 2.30 pm.

At 3.15 pm, flight MF8866 leaves Yinchuan for Hangzhou, transits in Jining at 5.20 pm before leaving Jining for Hangzhou at 6.20 pm and touching down in Hangzhou at 8 pm.

News (10)

Tianjin - Fuzhou - Beihai routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, flight MF8849 takes off from Tianjin for Tianjin via Fuzhou at 7.05 am, transits in Fuzhou at 9.45 am before leaving Fuzhou for Beihai at 10.55 am and arriving in Beihai at 1.15 pm.

At 2 pm, flight MF8850 leaves Beihai for Tianjin, transits in Fuzhou at 4.10 pm before leaving Fuzhou for Tianjin at 5.10 pm and touching down in Tianjin at 7.40 pm.

News (11)

Chongqing - Qingdao - Shenyang routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, flight MF8771 takes off from Chongqing for Shenyang via Qingdao at 12.05 pm, transits in Qingdao at 2.40 pm before leaving Qingdao for Shenyang at 3.40 pm and arriving in Shenyang at 5.20  pm.

At 7.30 am on 29 March 2021, flight MF8772 leaves Shenyang for Chongqing, transits in Qingdao at 9.20 am before leaving Qingdao for Chongqing at 10.30 am and touching down in Chongqing at 1.20 pm.

News (12)

Harbin - Wuhan - Maotai routes launch on 28 March 2021

On 28 March 2021, flight MF8021 takes off from Harbin for Maotai via Wuhan at 7.35 am, transits in Wuhan at 11.10 am before leaving Wuhan for Maotai at 12.10 pm and arriving in Maotai at 1.55 pm.

At 5.50 pm, flight MF8022 leaves Maotai for Harbin, transits in Wuhan at 7.25 pm before leaving Wuhan for Harbin at 8.25 pm and touching down in Harbin at 11.20 pm.

News (6) to (8) : https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2021/03/xiamenairs-new-routes-from-xiamen-on-28.html

News (1) to (5) : https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2021/03/xiamenairs-new-routes-from-fuzhou.html