The first commercial flight of Tianfu Airport operated by Sichuan Airlines

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Sichuan Airlines

At 11.25 am on 27 June 2021, Sichuan Airlines flight 3U8001 with 262 passengers took off from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport. This is the first commercial flight after the official opening of Tianfu Airport and the first flight of Sichuan Airlines from Tianfu Airport. With the smooth maiden flight of the flight, Sichuan Airlines has officially opened a new era of "two flights in one" operation.

For this maiden flight to Tianfu, Sichuan Airlines specially selected the A350 aircraft with the panda color painting number B-306N for the flight. As one of the business cards of Sichuan Airlines to convey Chinese cultural elements and show the regional characteristics of Sichuan, Sichuan Airlines’ panda painting series of painted planes are printed with many naive cartoon giant pandas. They are based on the panda "Youyou" adopted by Sichuan Airlines as the prototype, which symbolizes Sichuan Airlines. Connecting the “One Belt One Road” with the “Panda Road” will allow more Chinese and foreign tourists to experience Sichuan and China.

At the same time, Sichuan Airlines also carefully selected 28 aircrews with extensive flight support experience to escort the flight. They have completed many tasks such as the maiden flight of newly opened routes, important charter flight guarantees, and airport verification test flights. They have rich experience in guarantees, and many of them have flight instructors. For this special first flight moment, representatives of the members of the "Chinese Civil Aviation Hero Crew" also participated in the flight guarantee. On the inaugural flight, panda-themed meals, customized stamps, co-branded gift boxes and other souvenirs were specially prepared for passengers, and passengers were invited to participate in in-flight quiz activities, and free air tickets and experience gold cards were drawn.

New routes of 9air from July 2021

News (1)

9air launches second route from Nanjing on 1 July 2021

According to the official web-site of 9air, Guangzhou's low-cost airline launches its second route from Nanjing to Turpan, in Xinjiang, on 1 July 2021. 9air's first round-trip route is from Nanjing to Nanyang (AQ1317/AQ1318), in Henan, whose inaugural flight date is 29 October 2020.

On 1 July 2021, 9air flight AQ1475 departs from Nanjing for Turpan at 10.15 am, arrives in Turpan at 2.50 pm before leaving Turpan for Nanjing at 3.40 pm and touching down in Nanjing at 7.55 pm under flight AQ1476.

9air flies from Nanjing to Turpan on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays while it flies from Nanjing to Nanyang on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

9air no longer flies from Nanjing to Haikou.

News (2)

9air return flight schedules on the Nanjing=Nanyang sectors

9air departs from Nanjing for Nanyang at 11.20 am, arrives in Nanyang at 1.20 am before leaving Nanyang for Nanjing at 4.30 pm and touching down in Nanjing at 6.15 pm.

By 1 July 2021, 9air will base two B737-800 jets for the expanded services out of Nanjing Lukou International Airport.

News (3)

9air launches Guiyang's longest flight to Urumqi on 4 July 2021

9air on 25 June 2021 announced that besides its planned Nanjing=Nanyang flights on 1 July 2021, it is launching Guiyang=Urumqi flights during the first week of July 2021. The first flight happens on 4 July 2021 according to checks on 9air's web-site. The first flight number is AQ1473 and the flight number of the Guiyang-Urumqi route on other days is AQ1081.

On 4 July 2021, 9air flight AQ1473 departs from Guiyang for Urumqi at 2.40 pm, touches down in Urumqi at  6.55 pm before leaving Urumqi for Guiyang at 7.55 pm and arriving in Guiyang at 12.15 am on 5 July 2021 under flight AQ1082.

The above timings are effective on Sundays. On other days of the week, the outbound flight number from Guiyang to Urumqi is designated AQ1081. Both AQ1081 and AQ1082 depart at different timings from to and from Urumqi but AQ1082 arrives in Guiyang at 12.15 am.

News (4)

The different departure timings of  AQ1081 and AQ1082 

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, flight AQ1081 departs from Guiyang for Urumqi at 8 am and touches down in Urumqi at 12.10 pm before departing from Urumqi for Guiyang at 8.05 pm under flight AQ1082.

Flight AQ1082 also departs from Urumqi for Guiyang on Saturdays, the last day of the week, at 8.05 pm.

On Saturdays, AQ1081 embarks on the voyage for Urumqi from Guiyang at 2.40 pm and arrives in Urumqi at 7.05 pm.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, flight AQ1081 leaves Guiyang for Urumqi at 2.40 pm and arrives in Urumqi at 6.55 0 pm before taking off from Urumqi for Guiyang at 7.55 pm under flight AQ1082.

News (5)

9air operates services on 12 direct routes out of Guiyang by 4 July 2021

With the launches of Guiyang=Urumqi flights, 9air operates 10 direct flights out of Guiyang to other cities of mainland China every week by 4 July 2021.

9air also flies from Guiyang to Chengdu, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hefei, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Wuxi, Yancheng and Zhengzhou.

News (6)

9air suspended international flights

Since the covid epidemic broke out worldwide in January 2020, 9air has suspended Haikou=Yangon, Guiyang=Yangon, Guiyang=Phuket, Changsha=Mandalay and  Guangzhou=Kansai flights.

Ruili Airlines' new routes from 11 and 10 July 2021

News (1)

Ruili Airlines launches Mangshi - Hangzhou flight on 11 July 2021

On 11 July 2021, Ruili Airlines launches its longest route from Dehong Mangshi Airport, the Mangshi - Hangzhou route. On this day, Ruili Airlines flight DR5071 departs from Mangshi for Hangzhou at 8.50 am, touches down in Hangzhou at 11.45 am before leaving Hangzhou for Mangshi at 12.55 pm and arriving in Mangshi at 5.05 pm under flight DR5072.

Ruili Airlines flies to Hangzhou from Mangshi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

News (2)

Ruili Airlines launches Wuxi - Tongren flight on 10 July 2021

Ruili Airlines launches scheduled flight from Wuxi to Tongren on 10 July 2021. 

On 10 July 2021, Ruili Airlines flight DR5005 leaves Wuxi for Tongren at 2.55 pm, arrives in Tongren at 5.15 pm before taking off from Tongren for Wuxi at 6.15 pm and touching down in Wuxi at 8.15 pm under flight DR5006.

Ruili Airlines flies between Wuxi and Tongren on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

All the above flights are operated by Ruili Airlines' B737NG aircraft.

Singapore Airlines 787-10 on the Chongqing=Singapore route from 21 June 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

At 7 am on 21 June 2021, a 787-10 passenger plane left Singapore for Chongqing. At 2.35 pm, it carried 238 passengers and took off from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for Singapore and arrived at Chnagi Airport at 6.48 pm. The Singapore Airlines Chongqing=Singapore passenger route was officially replaced by a wide-body passenger plane.

According to reports, in order to meet the booming passenger and cargo transportation demand between Chongqing and Singapore, under the premise of strictly implementing relevant measures for epidemic prevention and control, starting from 21 June 2021, the Singapore Airlines Chongqing=Singapore passenger route has changed from B737-800 to 787-10.  The number of seats on the aircraft has increased from 162 to 337.

After the aircraft type is changed, the schedule and time of the Chongqing=Singapore passenger route remain unchanged. It is still once a week. It will be executed on Monday. The outbound flight number is SQ815, departing from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 12.35 pm and arriving in Singapore Changi at 6.55 pm. The return flight number is SQ814, departing from Singapore Changi Airport at 7 am.

At present, the Singapore-Chongqing route has 3 flights per week, including 1 passenger flight and 2 "passenger-to-cargo" flights. From January to May 2021, the Chongqing-Singapore route has transported more than 3,400 passengers and nearly 1,700 tons of cargo. The volume accounts for 40% of the passenger volume of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport's international routes.

Inflight Pictures: Skymark Airlines Pikachu Jet

 Pictures : Skymark Airlines Facebook

Beijing Capital Airlines receives its sixth A320neo on 19 June 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Beijing Capital Airlines receives its sixth A320neo on 19 June 2021. The aircraft left Toulouse for Beijing Capital on 18 June and arrived in the Beijing airport on 19 June registered B-322M. The airline has now total 85 aircraft in its fleet.

Iraqi Airways flies to Guangzhou from 22 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Iraqi Airways launches weekly scheduled flight from Baghdad to Guangzhou on 22 June 2021.

On 22 June 2021, Iraqi Airways flight IA473 departs from Baghdad for Guangzhou at 5.30 pm, touches down in Guangzhou at 7 am on 23 June 2021 before leaving Guangzhou for Baghdad at 9 am and arriving in Baghdad at 2 pm under flight IA474.

Flight IA473 leaves Baghdad for Guangzhou on Tuesdays and takes off from Guangzhou for Baghdad on Wednesdays.

Chengdu Airlines' 40th aircraft arrived in Chengdu on 11 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Chengdu Airlines' 40th aircraft, the A320, arrived in Chengdu Shuangliu from Toulouse via Astana on 11 June 2021.

Chengdu Airlines currently operates flights on 79 routes from its hub in Chengdu and its  overnight bases Shenyang, Fuzhou, Changsha and Guiyang to 64 cities and towns in China with its A320 and ARJ21 aircraft. 

Air China's latest themed aircraft livery unveiled on 11 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 11 June 2021, the latest themed livery of Air China named "Jinli Hao" was officially unveiled to the public in the Air China 886 hangar at Shuangliu Airport.

This “customized” Air China passenger A330 “Jinli” painted aircraft is specially put into operation for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (Tianfu Airport). It took more than two months from design to completion of painting. The overall picture was improved by filming and spraying. 

The expressive "Jinli Hao" livery combines the strong geographical and cultural characteristics of Sichuan and Chengdu with the brand image of Air China. The colours present famous landmarks in Chengdu such as Qingcheng Mountain and Anshun Bridge, as well as the Sichuan Radio and Television Tower and Tianfu. 

The city skyline composed of overpasses and other buildings, as well as the silhouettes of local representative elements such as bamboo forests, gaiwan tea, copper flowers and fruits of Sanxingdui Museum, and standing birds. 

The combination of ancient and fashion charms shows the world the rich natural scenery and humanities of Sichuan demeanor. 

Visually, many colour block combinations are cleverly stitched together to form the head of the Sichuan tourism image ambassador—the giant panda, and also the head of Air China’s IP image Fat Anda. Through Fat Anda’s eyes, the beauty of Tianfu is discovered, and a picture of the land of Tianfu is displayed on the fuselage.

The beautiful picture scroll vividly shows the auspicious scenery of modern Sichuan. It brings good wishes to every passenger. It also implies that Air China has put strong wings on the take-off of southwest China. 

Air China sincerely invite friends from all over the world to come to Sichuan and embark on a new voyage together to the future.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines launches flight from Xichang to Zhengzhou on 12 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Colorful Guizhou Airlines has launched its third route from Xichang to Zhengzhou with its A320neo on 12 June 2021.

On 12 June 2021, Colorful Guizhou Airlines flight GY7253 departs from Xichang for Zhengzhou at 9.20 am, touches down in Zhengzhou at 12 pm before leaving Zhengzhou for Xichang at 1 pm and arriving in Xichang at 3.35 pm under flight GY7254.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines flies from Xichang to Zhengzhou on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines' other round-trip routes from Xichang are Xichang=Guiyang and Xichang=Chengdu.

South African Airways restructures, welcomes new strategic partner, retains original name

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The Minister of Public Enterprise of South Africa, Pravin Gordan, announced at a press conference on 11 June 2021 that South African Airways, currently in the stage of bankruptcy and reorganization, has a new strategic partner Takatso Consortium, which means that South African Airways has achieved its goal of a "new life" with a solid step.

Gordan said that by then Takatso Consortium will own 51% of South African Airways, and the South African government will own 49% of South African Airways. According to the agreement reached between the South African government and Takatso Consortium, Takatso Consortium will take the lead in injecting R3 billion into South African Airways while retaining the original name of "South African Airways".

Gordan said that the South African government will not invest more money in South African Airways and all funds will come from Takatso Consortium. When all the acquisition processes are completed, the "new" South African Airways will be put back into operation.

Novik, CEO of Takatso Consortium, said that the core business philosophy of the "new" South African Airways is "efficiency, service and innovation", while striving to become the main force in South Africa's economic recovery.

Gordan pointed out that this cooperation aims to make South African Airways a sustainable and competitive international airline again. It also shows that South African Airways has the ability to solve problems independently.

As an airline with a history of nearly 100 years, South African Airways has been in a crisis of bankruptcy since 2019 and has been receiving commercial assistance from the South African government.

EL AL Israel Airlines to launch flight to Phuket on 30 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to The Jerusalem Post, EL AL Israel Airlines is launching its first scheduled 787 Dreamliner flight to Phuket from Tel Aviv on 30 June 2021 although the flight details are not yet available on its web-site.

The newspaper states under the "sandbox policy" entry law to Phuket, adult and child passengers must have been vaccinated so that quarantine is not required while children aged 12 to 18 years old must undergo PCR test upon entry.

With the imminent launch of flight to Phuket, the Thai resort island becomes EL AL's third new destination in 2021 after Mahe and Dubai. The inaugural scheduled flights of the Israel airline to Mahe and Dubai take place on 6 June 2021.

EL AL Israel Airlines has suspended flights to Suvarnabhumi since the pandemic started.

Hainan Airlines launches Xi'an - Zhanjiang flight on 14 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches scheduled flight from Xi'an Xianyang to Zhanjiang on 14 June 2021 with its B737-800 aircraft.

On 14 June 2021, Hainan Airlines flight HU7589 departs from Xi'an Xianyang for Zhanjiang at 7.55 am, arrives in Zhanjiang at 10.50 am before leaving Zhanjiang for Xi'an at 3.10 pm and touching down in Xi'an Xianyang at 5.50 pm under flight HU7590.

Hainan Airlines flies between Xi'an and Zhanjiang from Mondays to Saturdays.

Thai Smile Air to launch flights from Phuket to Singapore, Hong Kong and Incheon in the future

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 7 June 2021, Thai Airways International (THAI) announces that it will launch international passengers flights from Phuket to Frankfurt, London and Copenhagen during the first stage of Thai borders re-opening under the so-called Phuket "sandbox policy". The scheduled flights to these cities will be operated once weekly.

In the second stage, if the routes are well-received, its low-cost subsidiary Thai Smile Air (Thai Smile) will operate scheduled flights from Phuket to Singapore, Hong Kong and Incheon on behalf of THAI. 

There are still no international passenger flights of THAI from Suvarnabhumi due to the covid resurgence in Bangkok.

Starlux Airlines launches direct flight to Manila on 8 July 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 7 June 2021, Starlux Airlines (STARLUX in short) announces that it is launching direct scheduled flight from Taoyuan to Manila from 8 July 2021 with its Airbus A321neo aircraft.

On 8 July 2021, STARLUX flight JX0785 departs from Taoyuan for Manila at 6.50 am, touches down in Manila at 9 am before leaving Manila for Taoyuan at 10 am and arriving in Taoyuan at 12 pm under flight JX0786.

STARLUX flies to Manila on Thursdays and Saturdays. From August 2021, it adds its third frequency on the route to Manila on Mondays.