Zipair launches flight to San Francisco on 3 November 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Zipair launches direct scheduled flight from Narita to San Francisco on 3 November 2024.

On 3 November 2024, Zipair flight ZG26 departs from Narita for San Francisco at 9.25 pm, touches down in San Francisco at 1.30 pm before leaving San Francisco for Narita at 3.30 pm and arriving in Narita at 7.55 pm under flight ZG25 on 4 November 2024.

Zipair flies to San Francisco with its 787-8 Dreamliner.

Asiana Airlines launches charter flight to Cam Ranh on 2 October 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Asiana Airlines launches direct scheduled charter flight from Incheon to Cam Ranh on 2 October 2024 with its A321neo aircraft.

On 2 October 2024, Asiana Airlines flight OZ7735 leaves Incheon for Cam Ranh at 10.20 pm, touches down in Cam Ranh at 11.40 pm before taking off from Cam Ranh for Incheon at 12.55 am and arriving in Incheon at 8.05 am under flight OZ2245.

Asiana Airlines flies to Cam Ranh until 26 October 2024 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. It arrives in Incheon from Cam Ranh on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

XiamenAir launches flight to Nagoya Chubu from Hangzhou on 20 September 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

XiamenAir launches daily scheduled flight from Hangzhou to Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (Chubu, in short)  on 20 September 2024.

On 20 September 2024, XiamenAir flight MF8701 departs from Hangzhou for Chubu at 4.55 pm, touches down in Chubu at 8.25 pm befor eleaving Chubu for Hangzhou at 9.25 pm and arriving in Hangzhou at 11 pm under flight MF8702.

XiamenAir flies to Chubu with its B737-800 aircraft.

China Eastern launches flight to Hanoi from Xianyang on 30 August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern launches scheduled flight to Hanoi from Xi'an Xianyang Airport on 30 August 2024.

On 30 August 2024, China Eastern flight MU867 departs from Xianyang for Hanoi at 5.10 pm, touches down in Hanoi at 6.55 pm before leaving Hanoi for Xianyang at 8.15 pm and landing in Xianyang at 11.55 pm under flight MU868.

China Eastern flies to Hanoi from Xianyang on Tuesdays and Fridays with A320neo aircraft.

China Eastern launches flight from Yantai to KLIA on 28 July 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

At 5.50 pm on 28 July 2024, China Eastern flight MU7363 carrying 146 passengers flew from Yantai Penglai International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Malaysia, marking the official launch of Yantai's first international passenger route directly to KLIA - the Yantai-KLIA route.

At 11.43 pm, the inaugural flight arrived in KLIA smoothly. At 7.30 am on 29 July 2024, the return flight MU7364 with 149 passengers landed smoothly at Yantai Penglai International Airport. Early that morning, leaders of Yantai Municipal Bureau of Commerce, China Eastern Airlines, Yantai Airport, Airport Customs, Airport Public Security and other units waited on the apron for the return of the flight, presented flowers to the inaugural crew, and celebrated this historic moment together.

China Eastern flies to KLIA from Yantai with A320neo aircraft twice weekly. According to schedules, the outbound MU7363 takes off from Yantai at 5.50 pm on Wednesdays and Sundays and arrives in KLIA at 12.20 am the next day; the return MU7364 departs from KLIA at 1.20 am on Mondays and Thursdays and arrives in Yantai at 7.50 am local time. To meet market demand, China Eastern plans to add one more Yantai-KLIA flight per week in September.

China Eastern  has opened 4 international and regional routes from Yantai, namely Yantai-Incheon, Yantai-Changsha-Changi, Yantai-Linyi-Hong Kong, and Yantai-KLIA, and will launch Yantai-Suvarnabhumi and Taiyuan-Yantai-Nagoya Chubu routes in September 2024 to meet passengers' needs for Japan-South Korea routes and "Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand" visa-free golden travel.

Inflight Pictures : China Airlines A350XWB in Taoyuan

 Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Norse launches flight to New York JFK on 22 May 2025

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Norse Atlantic (Norse, in short) launches direct scheduled flight from Oslo to New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on 22 May 2025.

On 22 May 2025, Norse flight N01 departs from Oslo for JFK at 7.55 pm, touches down in New York JFK at 10 pm before leaving JFK for Oslo at 11.55 pm and arriving in Oslo at 1.05 pm on 23 May 2025 under flight N02.

Norse flies to New York JFK on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with its 787-9 Dreamliner.

Inflight Pictures : China Airlines B737-800 in Taoyuan

 Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Starlux Airlines launches flight from Taichung to Phu Quoc on 27 October 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Starlux Airlines' A321neo launches daily scheduled flight from Taichung to Phu Quoc on 27 October 2024.

On 27 October 2024, Starlux flight JX333 departs from Taichung for Phu Quoc at 12.30 pm, touches down in Phu Quoc at 3.25 pm before leaving Phu Quoc for Taichung at 4.25 pm and landing in Taichung at 9 pm under flight JX334.

TransNusa launches flight to Subang on 1 August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

TransNusa launches scheduled flight to Subang from Cengkareng on 1 August 2024.

On 1 August 2024, TransNusa flight 8B699 departs from Cengkareng for Subang at 4.10 pm, touches down in Subang at 7 pm before leaving Subang for Cengkareng at 7.30 pm and arriving in Cengkareng at 8.30 pm under flight 8B698.

Between 1 August and 11 August 2024, TransNusa flies to Subang on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. From 12 August 2024, it flies daily to Subang with its A320 aircraft.

T'way Air launches flight to Frankfurt on 3 October 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

T'way Air launches direct scheduled flight from Incheon to Frankfurt on 3 October 2024.

According to schedules, T'way Air flight TW403 departs from Incheon for Frankfurt on 3 October 2024 at 10.20 am, touches down in Frankfurt at 5.40 pm before leaving Frankfurt for Incheon at 7.40 pm and landing in Incheon at 2.50 pm on 4 October 2024 under flight TW404.

Flights are operated by T'way Air's A330-200 aircraft.

Hainan Airlines launches flight to Haneda on 1 September 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches direct scheduled flight from Bejing Capital to Haneda on 1 September 2024.

On 1 September 2024, according to schedules, Hainan Airlines flight HU7919 departs from Beijing Capital for Haneda at 9 pm, touches down in Haneda at 1.30 am on 2 September 2024 before leaving Haneda for Beijing Capital at 3 am and arriving in Beijing Capital at 5.50 am under flight HU7920.

The flight duration of the Beijing Capital-Haneda route is 3 hours 30 minutes while that of the Haneda-Beijing Capital route is 3 hours 50 minutes, subject to air traffic conditions.

Hainan Airlines flies to Haneda with its B737-800 aircraft. Haneda is the airline's third Japanese airport destination after Narita and Kansai while the Beijing Capital=Haneda route pair is the fourth after Beijing Capital=Narita, Xianyang=
Narita and Beijing Capital=Kansai.

The new route to Haneda follows the airline's recent launches of flights to Mexico City via Tijuana from Beijing Capital (HU7925/HU7926) and on 12 August 2024 second daily flight from Haikou to Hong Kong round-trip (HU707/HU708). 

Hainan Airlines' International Flight Schedules in Chinese

Tibet Airlines launches A319 flight to Samui on 14 August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Tibet Airlines launches direct scheduled flight from Xi'an Xianyang to Samui on 14 August 2024. 

On 14 August 2024, Tibet Airlines fight TV6111 leaves Xianyang for Samui at 12.50 pm, touches down in Samui at 4.20 pm before taking off from Samui at 5.20 pm and arriving in Xianyang at 10.40 pm.

Tibei Airlines flies to Samui with its A319 jet on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The airline previously flew to Samui with its A330 aircraft until February 2020.

IndiGo launches four new routes from Abu Dhabi in August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

IndiGo launches direct scheduled flight from Abu Dhabi to Coimbatore on 10 August 2024, apart from earlier and latter inaugural flights to other Indian cities starting from 1 August 2024.

According to updated schedules, on 10 August 2024, IndiGo flight 6E1498 departs from Abu Dhabi for Coimbatore at 12.30 am, touches down in Coimbatore at 6.25 am before leaving Coimbatore for Abu Dhabi at 7.40 am local time and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 10 am under flight 6E1497.

The above flights are effective for travel on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

On Thursdays, flight 6E1498 takes off from Abu Dhabi for Coimbatore at 12.55 am and lands in Coimbatore at 6.25 am.

The new flights are operated by IndiGo's A320neo aircraft.

Abu Dhabi is IndiGo's hub in the Middle East. By 11 August 2024, the airline will have A320neo scheduled flights to 14 Indian cities. Coimbatore ranks thirteenth while IndiGo's other inaugural flights to Bengaluru, Mangalore and Trichy (short for Tirichirappalli) debut on 1 August 2024, 9 August 2024 and 11 August 2024.

Spring Japan launches flight to Beijing Capital on 1 August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Spring Japan launches direct scheduled flight from Narita to Beijing Capital on 1 August 2024.

On 1 August 2024, Spring Japan flight IJ17 departs from Narita for Beijing Capital at 5.55 pm, touches down in Beijing Capital at 9.15 pm before leaving Beijing Capital for Narita at 10.45 am on 2 August 2024 and arriving in Narita at 3.30 pm under flight IJ18.

Spring Japan flies to Beijing Capital on Thursdays and returns to Narita on Fridays with its B737-800 aircraft.

XiamenAir launches its first A321neo international flight on 18 July 2024

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

XiamenAir launches its first A321neo (B-32FN) international flight from Xiamen to Suvarnabhumi on 18 July 2024.

On 18 July 2024, XiamenAir flight MF853 departs from Xiamen for Suvarnabhumi at 9.01 am (scheduled time 8.40 am), tocuhes down in Suvarnabhumi at 11.04 am (scheduled time 11.15 am) before leaving Suvarnabhumi for Xiamen at 12.20 pm (scheduled time 12.15 pm) and landing in Xiamen at 4.38 pm (scheduled time 4.30 pm) under flight MF854.

The above A321neo flights continue until 31 August 2024, according to AeroRoutes.

XiamenAir flies thrice daily to Suvarnabhumi from Xiamen apart from daily flights from Fuzhou and twice-weekly flights from Quanzhou.

Air Serbia launches flight to Guangzhou on 30 September 2024

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

Air Serbia launches direct long-haul scheduled flight from Belgrade to Guangzhou on 30 September 2024.

According to schedules, on 30 September 2024, Air Serbia flight JU988 takes off from Belgrade for Guangzhou at 12.50 am, touches down in Guangzhou at 5.10 pm before leaving Guangzhou for Belgrade at 10.10 pm and arriving in Belgrade at 4.30 am under flight JU989.

Air Serbia flies to Guangzhou on Mondays and Fridays with its Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Guangzhou is the airline's second Chinese destination after Tianjin.

The airline begins its inaugural flight to Tianjin from Belgrade on 11 December 2022 and the flights on Tuesdays have been regular.

Air Serbia plans to launch direct scheduled flight to Pudong from Belgrade in December 2024. The exact date is not fixed.

Drukair to receive three A320neo and one A321XLR aircraft from 2030

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, the Bhutanese national flag carrier plans to receive three A320neo and one A321XLR aircraft from 2030. The airline signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to acquire these aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show on 22 July 2024.

Image : World Airline News

The A321XLR jet can carry as many as 180 to 220 passengers in airspace comfort on routes of up to 4700nm while burning 30% less fuel than previous generation aircraft but Drukair expects to reduce the number of seats to 120 after increasing the legroom since Bhutan restricts the number of international tourists entering the Mahayana Buddhist kingdom.

Drukair plans to expand its route network to cover destination airports in Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia from 2030 with the new aircraft. Flights will be launched from Paro and Gelephu.

The airline currently has a fleet of three A319 and one A320neo aircraft. 

Air Changan launches flight to Phuket on 10 July 2024

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

Air Changan, the Xi'an Xianyang-based subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, launches its first international scheduled flight to Phuket from Xi'an Xianyang on 10 July 2024.

On 10 July 2024, Air Changan flight 9H6029 departs from Xianyang for Phuket at 6.49 pm (scheduled time 6.40 pm), touches down in Phuket at 9.55 pm (scheduled time 10.10 pm) before leaving Phuket for Xianyang at 11.30 pm (scheduled time 11.15 pm) and arriving in Xianyang at 4.52 am (scheduled time 5 am) under flight 9H6030 on 11 July 2024.

The above flight timings are effective for travel until 8 September 2024 on Air Changan's flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with its B737-800 aircraft.  

Scoot launches daily flight to Subang on 1 September 2024

Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA 

Scoot, operated by Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd, launches daily scheduled flight from Changi to Subang on 1 September 2024 with its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 1 September 2024, Scoot flight TR462 departs from Changi Terminal 1 for Subang at 11.55 am, touches down in Subang at 1.10 pm before leaving Subang for Changi at 2.10 pm and arriving in Changi at 3.20 pm under flight TR463.

China Southern launches flight to Xingtai from Guangzhou on 18 July 2024

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

At 7.43 am on 18 July 2024, China Southern flight CZ8245 took off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with 135 passengers and arrived at Xingtai Dalan Airport at 10 am, marking the official opening of the regular round-trip flights between Guangzhou and Xingtai, and also the official maiden flight of Xingtai Dalan Airport.

China Southern's new Guangzhou-Xingtai direct round-trip route is operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The outbound flight CZ8245 takes off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 7.35 am and arrives at Xingtai Dalan Airport in Hebei at 10.30 am while the return flight CZ8246 takes off from Xingtai Dalan Airport in Hebei at 11.20 am and arrives at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 2.10 pm.

The city of Xingtai  is located in the southern part of Hebei Province. It has a long history and profound heritage. It is one of the birthplaces of Yangshao culture. It is known as the "ancient capital of five dynasties and a powerful county of ten dynasties". It is also a node city of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration approved by the Hebei Provincial Government. China Southern Airlines continues to serve the integration of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, and further deepens its cooperation with the Xingtai Municipal Government, becoming the first domestic airline to open routes in Xingtai.

Inflight Pictures : Spring Japan B737-800

Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Thai Lion Air launches flight to Ahmedabad on 15 August 2024

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Thai Lion Air launches its inaugural scheduled flight to Ahmedabad from Don Mueang on 15 August 2024.

On 15 August 2024, Thai Lion Air flight SL212 departs from Don Mueang for Ahmedabad at 8 pm, touches down in Ahmedabad at 10.40 pm local time before leaving Ahmedabad for Don Mueang at 11.40 pm and touching down in Don Mueang at 5.25 am on 15 August 2024 under flight SL213.

Thai Lion Air flies to Ahmedabad on Thursdays and Sundays and lands in Don Mueang on Fridays and Mondays with its B737-800 aircraft.