Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Cebu Pacific Air has successfully flown its first A330-900. The airline ordered 16 of this aircraft in 2019, which can carry 460 passengers in a single cabin layout.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Cebu Pacific Air has successfully flown its first A330-900. The airline ordered 16 of this aircraft in 2019, which can carry 460 passengers in a single cabin layout.
Reports by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Today is 19 September 2021, that is 4 days to the eve of Starlux Airlines' official inaugural flight from Taoyuan to Singapore. Starlux Airlines operates its first commercial flight to Singapore from Taoyuan on 23 September 2021 (Thursday).
On 18 September 2021, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) reports an increase of 1009 new covid cases, including 5 inbound cases and 1003 local community cases. Out of the 1003 local community cases, 926 cases are identified in the communities and 78 cases from migrant worker dormitories. These data are not revealed to the public until 1.05 am of 19 September 2021 by the MOH.
Let's hope Starlux Airlines would not cancel its planned inaugural flight to Singapore from Taoyuan on 23 September 2021 at last minute due to the surge in covid cases.
Taiwanese can enter Singapore under the International Safe Travel Lane with valid air passes while Taiwan has continued to impose visa requirement on Singaporeans since 18 March 2020 to curb the spread of covid.
Taiwan is open for essential travel only. Leisure travel is still not allowed. All visitors to Taiwan need to submit a negative PCR nucleic acid test result and quarantine at a ROC-approved hotel for two weeks. Taiwanese are allowed to quarantine at home only if they can prove they can live by themselves.
Reopening Taiwan's borders for vaccinated people is Taiwan's plan. The Republic of China government says covid restrictions in Taiwan may ease on 21 September 2021.
According to a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is willing to gradually adjust regulations regarding foreign nationals’ entry into Taiwan “in accordance with decisions and standards set by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).”
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) is launching its first relief flight from Yangon to Taoyuan on 24 September 2021 with its Airbus A320 aircraft.
On 24 September 2021, MAI flight 8M1200 departs from Yangon for Taoyuan at 9 am, touches down in Taoyuan at 2.45 pm before leaving Taoyuan for Yangon at 3.45 pm and landing in Taoyuan at 6.25 pm under flight 8M1201.
Report and research by: Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News (1)
MIAT Mongolian Airlines B737-800 (JU-1015) sighted departing for Hanoi did not descend past original park on 16 September 2021
MIAT Mongolian Airlines flight OM7186 originally planned to descend past the Changi Beach Park to the Singapore Changi Airport on 16 September 2021 at 3.40 pm. However, due to the late departure issue from Darwin, flight OM7186 changed flight track direction. It flew past Xilin Ave instead and arrived at Changi Airport at 5.30 pm.
During the morning, early afternoon of 16 September and the days before, airlines arriving at Changi Airport chose to descend past Changi Beach Park. So the reporter followed the trajectory and decided to travel to Changi Beach Park via Bishan Bus Interchange by Bus 59, attempting to catch a clear shot of MIAT Mongolian Airlines B737-800. The whole journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes from Ang Mo Kio including walking and MRT ride from Ang Mo Kio to Bishan.
News (2)
Wind changed to the south from the north, OM7186 flew past Xilin Ave
Flight OM7186 flew past Xilin Ave of Changi Business Park and arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1.
The wind change comes late during summer. Aircraft-spotters revealed online that usually inbound flights flew past Xilin Ave starting from June but the change only kicks off in the late afternoon of 16 September 2021.
There are no taxi and bus services from Changi Beach Park to Changi Business Park. Releasing the change in wind direction at the last 25 minutes before arrival, the reporter should have changed park of focus to Changi Business Park and will go to Changi Business Park next time if flight OM7186 from Darwin arrives in Singapore again.
News (3)
MIAT Mongolian Airlines lands at both Changi Airport Terminals 3 and 1
According to searches on Changi Airport web-site, MIAT Mongolian Airlines lands at both Changi Airport Terminals 3 and 1. Flight OM7185 from Ulaanbaatar via Hanoi arrives at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 on 14 September during sleeping hour and departed for Brisbane via Darwin on the same day.
On 16 September 2021, flight OM7186 leaves Darwin for Singapore at 2.42 pm local times (instead of 12.30 pm) and arrives at Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 5.30 pm local time. It departs for Hanoi at 6.23 pm and touches down in Hanoi at 8.41 pm.
The relief flights on 14 and 16 September 2021 are the fifth such return flight from Ulaanbaatar to Brisbane via Hanoi, Singapore and Darwin. MIAT Mongolian Airlines begins its first relief flight to Brisbane from Ulaanbaatar via Hanoi, Singapore and Darwin on 30 March 2021.
Ref: https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2021/03/miat-mongolian-airlines-organizes-third.html
News (4)
The plane JU-1015 lands in Chinggis Khaan
The Mongolian aircraft JU-1015 operating flight OM7186 arrives at the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport / New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (Chinggis Khaan, airport code UBN) on 17 September 2021, marking its first complete flight link between the airport at Khöshig Valley of Tov, outside Ulaanbaatar and Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport.
The same plane carries out its first international flight from Chinggis Khaan to Narita on 4 July 2021.
Another B737-800 aircraft of MIAT Mongolian Airlines operates the flight from Hanoi to Chinggis Khaan on 5 August 2021.
Altogether, five flights between Hanoi and Ulaanbaatar have been completed. MIAT's first flight from Hanoi to Ulaanbaatar is on 31 March 2021.
According to Wikipedia, Chinggis Khaan is located 52 km south of Ulaanbaatar whereas the original Chinggis Khaan International Airport 15 km away from Ulaanbaatar city centre is now called Buyant-Ukhaa.
Ref: https://staygate.blogspot.com/2021/07/new-ulaanbaatar-international-airport.html
News (5)
Buyant-Ukhaa's first bike show in Mongolia
On 1 September 2021, MIAT Mongolian Airlines reveals that it is working together with Road Mongolia Amateur Bike Sports Club to encourage children to practice bike sports. The press annoucement was made at MIAT Head Office at Buyant-Ukhaa.
MIAT Mongolian Airlines mentioned, "Road Mongolia bike club bikers were born this year with three sports master." So the cyclists can choose to depart from Buyant-Ukhaa and ride towards Ulaanbaatar city centre since Buyant-Ukhaa no longer operates international commercial flight operations.
Buyant-Ukhaa serves domestic flights of MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
According to Hong Kong media reports, the license application of the Greater Bay Airlines still needs to be approved by the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority. However, it is reported that due to complaints made by Cathay Pacific, the Air Transport Licensing Authority needs to hold a closed-door hearing on the license application of the Greater Bay Airlines, review the information submitted by it, and weigh the opinions of other local airlines. The closed-door hearing has been scheduled to be held at the end of December. Before the completion of the hearing and the approval of the license, Greater Bay Airlines failed to operate scheduled flights, which means that it may be hopeless for Greater Bay Area Airlines to launch operations this year.
Cathay Pacific said that although it did not object to the application of the Greater Bay Airlines, it admitted that it had lodged a complaint with the Air Transport Licensing Authority and believed that when approving any application for air services, it must consider the current difficult operating environment faced by the local air service industry. In the Greater Bay Airlines' license application, the Air Licensing Board has listed Cathay Pacific as a party of interest.
Cathay Pacific stated that it will cooperate with the Air Transport Licensing Authority in handling applications for aviation licenses in the Greater Bay Area and all appropriate procedures for related representations. Cathay Pacific also stated that the aviation industry has always been highly competitive and is currently competing with more than a hundred airlines. It understands that a vibrant aviation service market is essential for Hong Kong to continue to become a leading international aviation hub.
The Air Licensing Board stated that it is currently processing applications for licenses from Greater Bay Airlines in accordance with the Air Transport (Air Service Licence) Regulations and other relevant laws. If a decision is made, it will be published in the Gazette in accordance with the law. As for the hearing arrangements, it is still to be decided after the Licensing Authority and other relevant agencies, including the Greater Bay Airlines, negotiate. The Empty Licensing Board pointed out that in order not to affect the work, the current license application for the Greater Bay Area Airlines has no further supplements.
Greater Bay Airlines announced earlier that it plans to launch routes to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket in the fourth quarter of 2021. The airline's first passenger plane flew from Kazakhstan’s Astana International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport on the 7th.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Shenzhen Airlines launches direct daily flight from Shenzhen to Wuhu, a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui Province, China, on 9 September 2021.
According to schedules, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH8429 departs from Shenzhen for Wuhu at 8.10 am, touches down in Wuhu at 10.10 am before leaving Wuhu for Shenzhen at 11.50 am and arriving in Shenzhen at 2.10 pm under flight ZH8430.
Flights are operated using A320 aircraft.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
According to Starlux Airlines, the Taiwan airline has recently been certified as an airline following epidemic prevention and control measures as set out according to CDC and WHO guidelines Their crew will be issued stay-home-notices if diagnosed and be sent for regular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.
The airline replied in detail, "Our company has most recently been awarded WWTC Safe Travels Stamp where we go according to CDC and WHO guidelines. Upon confirming that a crew has been COVID-19 positive, we will go according to our Standard Operating Procedures which include disinfecting the aircraft, issue stay-home-notices to the crew set, as well as sending them for PCR tests to ensure that they're well taken care of, and that our passengers' health and safety is safeguarded."
Starlux Airlines begins its first official inaugural flight to Singapore Changi from Taoyuan on 23 September 2021 and will fly thrice a week from 2 October 2021. Operation days in October are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Ref: https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2021/08/starlux-airlines-launches-official.html
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Images courtesy : Aero K
News (1)
Aero K plans to fly to Southeast Asia once covid restrictions ease
Aero K, the Cheongju-based low-cost airline, plans to launch scheduled flights from Cheongju and Jeju to destinations in Southeast Asia as soon as covid restrictions in South Korea ease.
According to its Korean route network map, Aero K's prospective destinations in Southeast Asia include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur.
Aero K also plans to fly to Taoyuan, Hong Kong, Macau, Pudong, Hangzhou, Fukuoka, Kansai and Vladivostok.
Aero K, formerly known as K-Air Aviation, has two Airbus A320 jets in its fleet. It receives its first aircraft on 14 February 2021 and currently operates regular flights to Jeju from Cheongju, its only domestic route. Its inaugural flight to Jeju is on 15 April 2021.
News (2)
Air Premia adjusted flight schedule to Jeju from Seoul has plan to launch flight to Singapore
Air Premia, the newest South Korean airline, has adjusted its flight schedule from Seoul Gimpo to Jeju from 3 September 2021.
According to schedules from 3 September to 26 September 2021, Air Premia flight YP543 leaves Gimpo for Jeju at 12.55 pm, arrives in Jeju at 2.05 pm before leaving Jeju for Gimpo at 3.05 pm and touching down in Seoul at 4.15 pm on Saturdays under flight YP544.
On Sundays, flight YP544 arrives in Jeju at 4.45 pm after departing from Seoul at 3.35 pm.
Air Premia operates flights to Jeju with its Dreamliner 787-9. As soon as the covid restrictions ease, it plans to launch flights gradually to Singapore, Suvarnabhumi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Cairns, Los Angeles, San Jose, Honolulu, Vancouver and Berlin (destinations opened not in order).
The long-haul airline has an additional order of two Dreamliners 787-9. It has plan to own up to 10 Dreamliners 787-9 by 2024.
Air Premia received its AOC in July 2020 and launches its first domestic flight to Jeju on 11 August 2021.
News (3)
Hi Air now flies to Muan, Ulsan and Sacheon, besides Jeju
Hi Air, the ATR72-500 operator of South Korea, has added flights to Muan, Ulsan and Sacheon from 1 September 2021 besides its busy route from Seoul Gimpo to Jeju.
The airline begins its commercial flight operation to Jeju from Gimpo in December 2019. Two ATR72-500 turboprop aircraft were added to its fleet in August and October 2020. It owns a fleet of 4 ATR72-500s.
From 1 September 2021, the domestic routes of Hi Air include Gimpo=Muan, Gimpo=Ulsan, Gimpo=Sacheon, Gimpo=Jeju, Jeju=Muan, Jeju=Ulsan, Jeju=Sacheon and Jeju=Gimpo.
Sacheon is the airport gateway to the city of Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province. It is the home of Korea Aerospace Industries, which manufactures military aircraft and satellites.
Tourist destinations in Jinju include Jinju Castle, Jinju National Museum and Namgang Prehistoric Museum.
News (4)
Jeju Air turns its online booking web-site into a multi-service booking platform
The pandemic continues to restrict the flight operations of Jeju Air to its domestic routes. Since February 2020, Jeju Air has not continued its international flights. Recently, it has converted its booking web-site into a multi-service booking platform.
This online service platform allows users to book domestic tours, hotel rooms, car rentals, wedding banquets, purchase wedding gowns and jewellery in South Korea.
The platform is known as Jeju Air Tourism.
Earlier, it was reported in the media that Jeju Air has even opened a restaurant in Jeju where its customers can walk-in to order meals that were normally found on Jeju Air's flights.
Jeju Air's B737-800 aircraft livery advertising also continues to attract businesses to advertise on the aircraft despite the flight restrictions.