Tianjin Airlines takes delivery of A320neo on 31 October 2022

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Web Screenshot

On 31 October 2022, Tianjin Airlines, a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, introduced a brand new Airbus A320neo aircraft, registration number B-32CL, which was delivered by Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly Plant. So far, the fleet size of Tianjin Airlines has increased to 107 aircraft, which will serve in the winter and spring flight season and the 2023 spring transport season after initial preparation.

Shenzhen Airlines resumes weekly flight to Changi on 12 November 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Shenzhen Airlines resumes weekly scheduled flight from Shenzhen to Changi on 12 November 2022 with its B737-800 aircraft.

On 12 November 2022, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9023 departs from Shenzhen for Changi at 12.20 pm, touches down in Changi at 5.10 pm before leaving Changi for Shenzhen at 6.40 pm and arriving in Shenzhen at 10.45 pm under flight ZH9024.

Shenzhen Airlines flies to Changi on Saturdays.

LongJiang Airlines launches flight to Chongqing via Yangzhou on 30 October 2022

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Web Screenshot

LongJiang Airlines (LJ Air) launches daily scheduled flight from Harbin to Chongqing via Yangzhou with its Airbus A320 on 30 October 2022.

On 30 October 2022, LJ Air flight LT6619 departs from Harbin for Chongqing via Yangzhou at 8.25 am, transits in Yangzhou at 11.30 am before leaving Yangzhou for Chongqing at 12.30 pm and arriving in Chongqing at 3.15 pm.

At 4.35 pm, LJ Air flight LT6620 leaves Chongqing for Harbin via Yangzhou , transits in Yangzhou at 6.45 pm before taking off for Harbin at 7.35 pm and touching down in Harbin at 10.20 pm.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines resumes 737 MAX 8 flight to Guangzhou on 10 October 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has resumed 737 MAX 8 flights to Guangzhou in October 2022.

On 10 October 2022, MIAT flight OM235 departs from UBN in Khoshig Valley for Guangzhou at 4.40 am (scheduled time 4.30 am), touches down in Guangzhou at 8.18 am (scheduled time 8.30 am) before leaving Guangzhou for UBN at 10.50 am (scheduled time 10.30 am) and arriving in UBN at 2.54 pm (scheduled time 2.40 pm) under flight OM236.

Subsequently after 10 October 2022, MIAT's 737 MAX 8 has performed three round-trips to Guangzhou and on 30 and 31 October 2022, it resumes flights to Busan and Narita.

MIAT launches scheduled flight between UBN and Guangzhou on 8 August 2022 with its B767-300ER. 

MIAT Mongolian Airlines launches charter flight to Yangyang on 24 October 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image of MIAT Mongolian Airlines B737-800: Researcher's Picture

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has launched its first charter flight to Yangyang, the capital of Gangwon Province, South Korea, from Genghis Khaan Airport in Khoshig Valley (UBN), the international gateway to Ulaanbaatar, with its Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

According to FlightRadar24, the outbound flight from UBN, OM7317, touches down in Yangyang at 4 pm on 24 October 2022 while the flight takes off from Yangyang for UBN on 30 October 2022 at 5.16 pm under flight OM7318.

MIAT reveals that it intends to launch regular scheduled flight to Yangyang from UBN with effect from 19 November 2022 and the Saturday flights to Yangyang will continue until 31 May 2023.

Sayacinta Airpost will continue to monitor this new route development in due course.

Inflight Pictures : Thai Vietjet Air old livery

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Images : Researcher's Pictures

Vucic: Air Serbia will launch direct flight to Tianjin in December 2022

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Web Screenshot

According to Air Serbia media reports, Serbian President Vucic said in an interview that Air Serbia will launch a direct flight to Tianjin in December this year.

Vucic said, "I have some good news. Air Serbia will launch a direct flight to Tianjin, China in December this year. This is big news. Air Serbia will also launch flights to Chicago in April next year, followed by flights to Toronto."

For a small country like Serbia, there will also be direct flights to Malta, Tianjin, Chicago and Toronto.

Air Serbia launches flight to Malta from Belgrade on 31 October 2022.

In the future, Air Serbia plans to have 5 wide-body aircraft and will operate 2 Airbus A330 aircraft in 2023.

The Air Serbia brand celebrates its ninth anniversary

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : CARNOC

On 26 October 2022, Air Serbia celebrates its ninth anniversary of operating under the existing brand name and launches a special promotion on the day - ticket purchases through the official Air Serbia website to Lyon, Stuttgart, London, Vienna, Prague, Milan, Bucharest and Zagreb – all receive 30% off the base fare.

Back in late September 2022, Air Serbia welcomed its 20 millionth passenger under its existing brand name, and a tourist flying to New York was honored with a free ticket from the Air Serbia CEO at the time.

Although Air Serbia's predecessor JAT dates back nearly a century, it was not until 2013 that it changed its name to Air Serbia. On 26 October 2013, the first aircraft in the livery of the Air Serbia brand, an Airbus A319 named Novak Djokovic, took off from Belgrade International Airport and has since become the national airline. A new chapter in the company's history has begun.

According to a reporter from the Civil Aviation Resources Network, Air Serbia also welcomed its two millionth passenger this year at the beginning of this month. Among them, about 1.7 million passengers were transported on scheduled commercial flights, and more than 300,000 passengers took Air Serbia's charter flights.

Ural Airlines launches regular scheduled flight to Vientiane on 5 November 2022

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

Russian airline Ural Airlines has launched ceremonial flight to Vientiane from Vladivostok on 29 October 2022 and from 5 November 2022, it operates regular scheduled flight between both cities.

On 5 November 2022, Ural Airlines flight U67165 departs from Vladivostok for Vientiane at 12.30 pm, touches down in Vientiane at 3.55 pm before leaving Vientiane for Vladivostok at 4.55 pm and arriving in Vladivostok at 1.15 am under flight U67166.

Ural Airlines flies to Vientiane with A320neo aircraft.

Prior to the ceremonial flight that landed in Vientiane at 6.55 pm local time, Laotians have to travel to Vladivostok via Incheon with Lao Airlines, T'way Air, Air Busan and Jeju Air. There were no direct flights from Vientiane to Moscow and other Russian cities.

Vientiane is the first international destination of Vladivostok's airport during the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

Starlux Airlines' first A350 piloted by Zhang Guowei arrives in Taoyuan on 29 October 2022

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

Starlux Airlines' first A350 piloted by Zhang Guowei arrives in Taoyuan 

 

Image : The first A350 of Starlux Airlines was delivered, with 4 first-class cabins on board, and the aircraft piloted by Zhang Guowei arrives in Taiwan this afternoon. (Provided by Starlux Airlines)

Starlux Airlines's first Airbus A350-900 wide-body passenger plane, fuselage number B-58501, was officially handed over for delivery at 12 pm on 28 October 2022, Toulouse, France. The plane was in Toulouse, France. At 6.39 pm on 28 October 2022, Zhang Guowei, chairman of Starlux Airlines, piloted the aircraft back to Taiwan from Toulouse under flight JX2359. which  landed at Taoyuan International Airport at 2.03 pm (scheduled arrival time 2.39 pm) on 29 October 2022. The Class cabins will let passengers enjoy an unprecedented flying experience.

In order to go to Airbus to pick up the first A350 passenger plane, Zhang Guowei started the model transfer training in June this year, and went to Singapore in early October 2022 to obtain a license, and successfully obtained the flight license of the original Airbus A350. Zhang Guowei said that with the arrival of the new A350 aircraft, there will be a breakthrough in the service destinations of Starlux Airlines starting from 2023, and the airline route network will expand from Asian regional routes to North America.

As the first A350-900 passenger aircraft of Starlux, the First Class cabin in personal space is expected to bring a different flight experience to the passengers and at the same time push Taiwan's exquisite local culture to a higher level through flight.

The A350 is Airbus' most advanced long-range wide-body aircraft. More than 70% of the body is made of the most advanced carbon fiber and titanium alloy composite materials, which can greatly reduce the weight of the aircraft. The new wing design can improve the overall flight performance of the aircraft, and is designed for pilots. The best flight system and interface, with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine. Trent XWB is built with the best technology and materials, it is currently the industry's most efficient large aircraft engine, and the overall fuel consumption and carbon emissions can be reduced by 25% .

Starlux Airlines A350-900 is the only First Class and Business Class aircraft in Taiwan with personal sliding door space. There are 4 classes in total, including 4 seats in first class, 26 seats in business class, 36 seats in premium economy class and there are 240 seats in Economy Class with a total of 306 seats. This is the world's first evolutionary version of the A350. The cabin is 4 inches wider than the general A350, providing a more spacious and comfortable passenger space. In addition, the aircraft also uses the latest technology to maintain a pleasant temperature and humidity inside the aircraft, and the cabin air is refreshed every 2 to 3 minutes.

According to Starlux Airlines, the cabin design style of the new aircraft inherits the A321neo and A330neo, and the BMW Designworks team continues the earth colour system with rose gold as the main colour. The seats are made of warm and tactile fabrics and leather, and are installed with unique and novel design dynamics. The A350 with welcome trim panel creates a cabin space that combines luxury, sophistication and comfort like home. As the A350-900 will fly long-haul routes, more efforts have been made in the ambient lighting. Not only can the lighting be adjusted according to the flight time period to switch the cabin atmosphere, but also the mood lighting is specially designed for important festivals to upgrade the five-sense experience.

For the most important in-flight entertainment system for killing time on the plane, Starlux Airlines has also built it with the highest specifications. All cabins are equipped with 4K high-definition screens and support Bluetooth wireless audio transmission. The screen sizes for  First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class are 32 inches, 24 inches, 15.6 inches and 13.3 inches.

With the first A350-900 arriving in Taiwan today, the second one is expected to be delivered in December 2022, and the entire Starlux Airlines fleet is ready for route rationalization. Initially, the A350neo will complete test certification flights in January 2023 before deployment on regional routes to Southeast Asia in February and March 2023, and it is planned to officially inaugurate scheduled flight to Los Angeles in April 2023.

Image :The first A350 of Starlux Airlines, with 4 first-class cabins, will arrive in Taiwan this afternoon, driven by Zhang Guowei. (Provided by Starlux Airlines)

Images in the news below: The Starlux Airlines fleet of A321neo, A330neo and A350 completed the difficult aerial three-aircraft formation shoots.

Three aircraft formation aerial photo exposure

Before the delivery, Starlux Airlines said that in order to show the momentum of the fleet and uphold its passion for aviation, it went to Airbus in Toulouse, France, and cooperated with the local professional aerial photography team Master Films to complete the magnificent three-aircraft formation flight.

Starlux Airlines said that this three-plane combination shooting, from the selection of the shooting team in the early stage, the communication and presentation of the pictures to the official shooting and delivery, took nearly a year. The airline and the shooting team continued to communicate and negotiate back and forth. Under the careful arrangement, the dream was finally turned into reality at the end of September 2022, and the shooting task was completed in Toulouse.

This three-aircraft formation filming is performed by air-to-air shooting, which depends on the right time and place. Starlux Airlines said that the air-to-air videos of airlines around the world are all shot by a single aircraft. It is an Airbus model, and it is in a period of intensive aircraft delivery. It is a rare opportunity to gather all models in Toulouse to carry out the mission. The shooting team specially rented a helicopter to capture the moment of the aircraft sliding on the ground, taking off and landing, and using light jets. The aircraft is responsible for the follow-up flight in the air, in order to capture the beautiful picture of the three aircraft flying together above the blue sky and white clouds.

Starlux Airlines pointed out that the aircraft carrying out this important mission are the A321neo with fuselage number B-58207, the A330neo with fuselage number B-58304 and the first A350-900 of Xingyu Airlines with number B-58501. Airbus also fully cooperated , dispatched experienced pilots from the original factory to fly, the pilots participated in several pre-flight meetings, intensively discussed formation and route planning with Starlux Airlines and the shooting team, and arranged a different flight attitude, including three straight lines. A321neo, A330neo and A350-900 are slightly tilted in sequence to show the separation of the Starlux logo behind the belly, showing the various angles of the Starlux aircraft under the sunlight.

Videos：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLsFTvjGpNQ&t=108s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd1_UGfkQ9E&t=10s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAnC4LTRwbg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQZjij3OMzg

Greater Bay Airlines launches flight to Taoyuan on 1 December 2022, followed by Narita

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

According to OAG flight database, Greater Bay Airlines launches direct scheduled flights to Taoyuan and Narita in the coming months. Greater Bay Airlines' first flight to Taoyuan takes place on 1 December 2022 while its inaugural flight to Narita goes live on 12 January 2023.

On 1 December 2022, Greater Bay Airlines flight HB504 departs from Hong Kong for Taoyuan at 6.10 pm, touches down in Taoyuan at 8 pm before leaving Taoyuan for Hong Kong at 9 pm and landing in Hong Kong at 10.55 pm under flight HB505.

The above timings are effective for travel on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays.

Greater Bay Airlines plans to fly five times a week to Taoyuan. Other than the pair HB504/HB505, flight HB502 leaves Hong Kong for Taoyuan at 8.55 am, touches down in Taoyuan at 10.45 am before departing from Taoyuan for Hong Kong at 11.45 am and landing in Hong Kong at 1.40 pm on Mondays and Sundays.

On 12 January 2023, Greater Bay Airlines takes off from Hong Kong for Narita at 9.20 am under flight HB530, lands in Narita at 2.50 pm before leaving Kansai for Hong Kong at 4 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 8.15 pm under flight HO531.

Greater Bay Airlines flies to Narita daily.

Besides Taoyuan and Narita, Greater Bay Airlines has won the traffic rights from CAAC on the routes to Hangzhou, Chengdu and Wuhan from Hong Kong. The airline plans to launch flight to Hangzhou on 1 February 2023 while flights to Chengdu and Wuhan are permitted with flights beginning 1 August 2023 and 1 November 2023. 

The airline also has plans to launch scheduled flights to Singapore Changi Airport and Phuket in the first quarter of 2023.

All the above flights are subject to change without notice as Greater Bay Airlines has yet to release the official flight schedules and avail tickets for bookings.   

Juneyao Air launches flight from Nanjing to Narita on 10 November 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Juneyao Air launches direct scheduled flight from Nanjing to Narita on 10 November 2022 with its Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft.

On 10 November 2022, Juneyao Air flight HO1619 departs from Nanjing for Narita at 9 am, touches down in Narita at 12.50 pm before leaving Narita for Nanjing at 3 pm and arriving in Nanjing at 6 pm under flight HO1620.

Juneyao Air flies to Narita from Nanjing on Thursdays. The service is Juneyao Air's third route  to Japan while the other routes are Nanjing-Kansai and Pudong-Kansai.

Juneyao Air has Sunday flights from Nanjing to Kansai with flight HO1610 taking off from Nanjing for Kansai at 11.55 am, arriving in Kansai at 3.25 pm before departing from Kansai for Nanjing at 5.30 pm and touching down in Nanjing at 7.05 pm under flight HO1609.

Pudong flights for Kansai take place on Tuesdays when Juneyao Air flight HO1333 departs from Pudong for Kansai at 1.55 pm, landing in Kansai at 5.20 pm before leaving Kansai for Pudong at 6.50 pm and arriving in Pudong at 8.25 pm under flight HO1334.

The above flights are operated by Juneyao Air's Dreamliner 787-9.

Inflight Pictures : Vietnam Airlines A321neo and A321 new livery

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Images : Researcher's Pictures

Vietjet Air launches direct flight to Astana from Cam Ranh on 25 December 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Following the launch of its scheduled flight to Almaty on 25 October 2022, Vietjet Air is commencing direct scheduled flight from Nha Trang's Cam Ranh Airport to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, with its Airbus A330-300 jet, on 25 December 2022.

On 25 December 2022, Vietjet Air flight VJ865 leaves Cam Ranh for Astana at 3.25 pm, touches down in Astana at 11.05 pm before taking off from Astana for Cam Ranh at 12.35 am of 26 December 2022 and landing in Cam Ranh at 9.50 am local time under flight VJ866.

Vietjet Air flies to Astana from Cam Ranh on Sundays and Wednesdays while it arrives in Cam Ranh from Astana on Mondays and Thursdays.

Vietjet Air is the first low-cost airline in the world to operate long-haul flights to the Kazakh cities of Almaty and Astana from Southeast Asia and the Astana-Cam Ranh route is the airline's longest route to date with flight duration of 11 hours 25 minutes.

On 13 October 2022, the airline announces its intention in Astana to launch new flights between Nha Trang and Almaty to mark 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Kazakhstan following the arrival of its new A330-300 from Changi, Singapore. 

Vietjet's first route to Almaty is therefore opened on 25 October 2022.

Ref: https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2022/10/vietjet-air-launches-non-stop-flight-to.html

Vietjet Air launches non-stop flight to Almaty from Cam Ranh on 25 October 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA                                                    

             Image : Researcher's Picture

Vietjet Air launches non-stop scheduled flight from Nha Trang's Cam Ranh Airport to Almaty on 25 October 2022 with its Airbus A330-300 aftercraft.

On 25 October 2022, Vietjet Air flight VJ861 takes off from Cam Ranh for Almaty at 3.30 pm, touches down in Almaty at 11.05 pm before leaving Almaty for Cam Ranh at 12.35 am on 26 October 2022 and arriving in Cam Ranh at 9.45 am local time under flight VJ862.

Vietjet Air flies to Almaty on Tuesdays and Fridays while it returns to Cam Ranh from Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

On 13 October 2022, the airline announces its intention in Astana to launch new flights between Nha Trang and Almaty to mark 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Kazakhstan following the arrival of its new A330-300 from Changi, Singapore. 

Finnair launches flight to Haneda on 30 October 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Finnair launches direct scheduled flight to Haneda from Helsinki on 30 October 2022 with its Airbus A350-900 jet. On that day, Finnair outbound flight leaves for Haneda at 5.55 pm, touches down in Haneda at 2.25 pm on 31 October 2022 before leaving Haneda for Helsinki at 9.55 pm and arriving in Helsinki at 4.25 am on 1 November 2022.

Batik Air flies daily to Bengkulu from Halim from 28 October 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

With effect from 28 October 2022, Batik Air commences daily scheduled flights between Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Halim, in short) and Bengkulu.

On 28 October 2022, Batik flight ID7127 departs from Halim for Bengkulu at 1.30 pm, touches down in Bengkulu at 2.40 pm before leaving Bengkulu for Halim at 3.20 pm and arriving in Halim at 4.30 pm under flight ID7128.

The last Batik flight between Cengkareng Airport of Jakarta and Bengkulu is on 27 October 2022.

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines launches flight to Gaya on 4 December 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines launches direct scheduled flight from Paro to Gaya on 4 December 2022 with its Airbus A319 aircraft.

On 4 December 2022, Drukair flight KB220 departs from Paro for Gaya at 9 am, touches down in Gaya at 9.40 am before leaving Gaya for Paro at 10.40 am and arriving in Paro at 12.20 pm local time under flight KB221.

Drukair flies to Gaya on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Citilink launches daily flight between Surabaya and Singapore on 4 November 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Citilink launches direct daily scheduled flight between Surabaya and Singapore on 4 November 2022 with its A320/A320neo aircraft.

On 4 November 2022, Citilink flight QG510 departs from Surabaya for Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 9.25 am, touches down in Changi at 12.45 pm before leaving Changi for Surabaya at 2.10 pm and arriving in Surabaya at 3.35 pm under flight QG511.

To celebrate the launch of Citilink's new route, the airline is promoting free checked-in luggage weight 20 kg and free inflight food ("tempura") and drink ("belimbing juice").

Citilink first launches its international flight to Changi from Jakarta on 1 October 2022.

Image : Citilink Instagram

Trujet has suspended flights since February 2022, Winair acquiring stake of 79%

Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

Due to incurring debt, Trujet has suspended flight operations since February 2022. It has grounded its remaining three ATR 72-500 aircraft after returning the other four ATR 72-500 aircraft to the leasors. 

According to Indian media, We Indian Nationals Aviation Private Limited (Winair) plans to acquire 79 per cent stake in Trujet.

Winair is said to be helping restart Trujet's operations. It has plans to add 17 aircraft to Trujet's fleet of which three ATR 72-600 aircraft will join Trujet's fleet by December 2022 as a backup. It did not state whether Trujet will be renamed as Winair or the name Trujet remains and the routes the airline under new management structure will operate on with the ATR aircraft.

Zipair revises Singapore flight schedule for the winter season effective 12 December 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

According to Zipair Tokyo web-site, the Japanese long-haul budget airline has revised its flight schedule to Changi from Narita. With effect from 12 December 2022, Zipair flight ZG53 leaves Narita for Changi at 4.05 pm, touches down in Changi at 10.40 pm before taking off from Changi for Narita at 12.10 am on 13 December 2022 and landing in Narita at 7.55 am under flight ZG54.

Zipair flies to Changi from Narita during the winter season on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and leaves Changi for Narita on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

T'way Air launches non-stop flight to Sydney on 23 December 2022

 Report, image by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Researcher's Picture

According to T'way Air Facebook, T'way Air launches non-stop scheduled flight from Incheon to Sydney on 23 December 2022 with its Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

On 23 December 2022, T'way Air flight TW501 departs from Incheon for Sydney at 10.22 pm, touches down in Syndey at 10.45 am on 24 December 2022 before leaving Sydney for Incheon at 12.15 pm on the same day of 24 December and touching down in Incheon at 9.05 pm local time under flight TW502.

T'way Air flies to Sydney on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays while it returns to Incheon from Sydney on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Inflight Pictures : Citilink A320neo (PK-GTF) in KLIA

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Images : Researcher's Pictures