Ethiopian Airlines flies to Dhaka six times a week from 2 November 2024

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

Ethiopian Airlines launches scheduled flight to Dhaka from Addis Ababa non-stop from 2 November 2024. It will fly six times a week between the capitals of Bangladesh and Ethiopia.

On 2 November 2024, Ethiopian flight ET678 departs from Addis Ababa for Dhaka at 10.35 pm, touches down in Dhaka at 8.30 am on 3 November 2024 before leaving Dhaka for Addis Ababa at 9.40 am and landing in Addis Ababa at 2.25 pm local time under flight ET679.

The above flights are effective for travel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays to Dhaka and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from Dhaka to Addis Ababa.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, Ethiopian flight ET680 leaves Addis Ababa for Dhaka at 4 pm, lands in Dhaka at 1.55 am before taking off from Dhaka for Addis Ababa at 3.05 am and arriving in Addis Ababa at 7.50 am under flight ET681 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays.

Ethiopian Airlines flies to Dhaka with its 787-8 Dreamliner on the six days except Fridays. The airline is the second national flag carrier from Africa to operate flights to Dhaka after Egyptair.

Vistara operates flight services until 11 November 2024

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

According to The Economic Times of India, Vistara operates commercial flights in India and worldwide until 11 November 2024 as the Vistara brand starts phasing out from 3 September 2024 due to its merger into Air India.

The airline said that all Vistara aircraft will be integrated into Air India's operations and bookings for routes currently served by it will be redirected to Air India's web-site.

All Vistara passengers, on and after 12 November 2024, when the merger will be completed, will fly with Air India. For Vistara flights on and after 12 November 2024, in nearly all cases, the aircraft, schedule and operating crew will be unchanged until early 2025. The flight numbers will change to Air India codes.

During the transition period, both Air India and Vistara will ensure necessary support, consistent communication and convenience to all customers.

Following the merger, Singapore Airlines will own 25.1 per cent stake in merged Air India with an investment of more than Rs 2,000 crore. Currently, Singapore Airlines and TATAS hold 49 per cent:51 per cent stake in Vistara.

Inflight Pictures : SalamAir A320neo takes off for Muscat

 Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Aero K launches flight to Cebu on 5 October 2024

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

Cheongju-based airline Aero K launches non-stop scheduled flight to Cebu from Cheongju on 5 October 2024.

On 5 October 2024, according to schedules, Aero K flight RF523 departs from Cheongju for Cebu at 9.10 pm, touches down in Cebu at 12.40 am before leaving Cebu for Cheongju at 1.40 am and arriving in Cheongju at 6.55 am under flight RF524.

Aero K flies to Cebu on Tuesdays and Saturdays with its A320 aircraft. It returns to Cheongju from Cebu on Wednesdays and Fridays. Cebu is the second Philippine airport destination for Aero K after Clark.

Thai Lion Air launches flight to Hong Kong on 1 October 2024

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

Thai Lion Air launches daily scheduled flight from Don Mueang to Hong Kong on 1 October 2024.

On 1 October 2024, according to schedules, Thai Lion Air flight SL360 departs from Don Mueang for Hong Kong at 8.30 am, touches down in Hong Kong at 12.15 pm before leaving Hong Kong for Don Mueang at 1.15 pm and arriving in Don Mueang at 3 pm under flight SL361.

Thai Lion Air flies to Hong Kong with its B737-800 aircraft.

Inflight Pictures : Thai Vietjet Air A320

 Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Peach Aviation launches daily flight to Changi from Kansai on 4 December 2024

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

On 29 August 2024, Peach Aviation (Peach, in short) announces that it is launching daily scheduled flight from Osaka Kansai Airport to Changi on 4 December 2024.

According to schedules, Peach flight MM773 departs from Kansai for Changi at 6.50 pm on 4 December 2024, touches down in Changi at 1 am on 5 December 2024 before leaving Changi for Kansai at 2.15 am on 5 December and landing in Kansai at 9.35 am under flight MM774.

The above timings are identical to Peach Aviation's flights between Kansai and Suvarnabhumi, which the low-cost airline launched its first medium-haul service in December 2022.

Like its flight to Suvarnabhumi, Peach flies to Changi with its Airbus A321LR aircraft, which has 218 seats, with seat pitches of between 76 cm and 81 cm, offering passengers with ample legroom. 

The airline also operates the aircraft on regional flights to Taiwan.

The A321LR jet is equipped with LEAP-1A engines (CFM), sharklets (large wing-tip plates) and USB ports on seats for charging. It realizes around 20 per cent better fuel efficiency than the conventional A320ceo aircraft.

Peach Aviation is a joint venture between All Nippon Airways (ANA) Group, which has a stake of 77.9 per cent in it, First Eastern Aviation Holdings and Innovation Network Corporation of Japan holding respective controlling stakes of 7 per cent and 15.1 per cent respectively.

Inflight Pictures : China Eastern Yunnan Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner

 Pictures copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Canada launches flight from Montreal to Naples on 16 May 2025

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

Air Canada launches flight from Montreal to Naples, an Italian city, on 16 May 2025.

On 16 May 2025, according to schedules, Air Canada flight AC882 departs from Montreal for Naples at 7 pm, touches down in Naples at 9.30 am before leaving Naples for Montreal at local time 11.15 am and arriving in Montreal at 2.35 pm under flight AC883.

Air Canada flies to Naples on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays with its 787-8 Dreamliner and returns to Montreal on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

GX Airlines launches flight from Yichang to Xiamen on 7 September 2024

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

GX Airlines, the airline of Guangxi with its headquarters in Nanning, launches direct scheduled flight from Yichang to Xiamen on 7 September 2024.

On 7 September 2024, GX Airlines flight GX8813 departs from Yichang for Xiamen at 7.50 am, touches down in Xiamen at 9.45 am before leaving Xiamen for Yichang at 10.45 am and arriving in Yichang at 12.50 pm under flight GX8814.

Yichang is reknown as the airport gateway to the Three Gorges Valley (Sanxia).

According to VariFlight, GX Airlines flies between Yichang and Xiamen on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with its Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. Subject to an increase in travel demand, its larger plane A320 may be deployed on the route.

Passengers from Southeast Asia can fly to Yichang from Don Mueang and Ho Chi Minh City with Qingdao Airlines' A320neo while there are regular daily flights to Xiamen from Southeast Asia with the major airlines such as XiamenAir, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways International in order to connect to GX Airlines' Xiamen=Yichang flights.

New aircraft-spotting location along Suvarnabhumi 3 Road found on 23 August 2024

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

Images below : Nowadays, the aircraft depart from Suvarnabhumi towards the south across the sea before turning towards left or right until end of summer. The high distance is visible from the location that I site along Suvarnabhumi 3 Road. On a clear day, you may be able to see the aircraft flying high from the roadside nearest to the Inthanin cafe. At times, there is heat haze (viewing Shanghai Airlines taking off, for example).

Image above : Suvarnabhumi Heliport

I discover a new spotting location in Suvarnabhumi.

The spot location is more than 200 metres diagonal of Suvarnabhumi Heliport, along the roadside of Suvarnabhumi 3 Road between two tall trees in front of a canal underneath.

The reknown Spotter Guide has approached me for photos related to the new spotting location. I have contributed these photos to Spotter Guide.

I am very happy to achieve the feat after five years of plane-spotting in Suvarnabhumi, the premier international airport of Thailand near Bangkok.

Cambodia Angkor Air launches flight from Hong Kong to Koror on 27 August 2024

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

Cambodia Angkor Air launches scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Koror on 27 August 2024.

According to schedules, Cambodia Angkor Air flight K6680 departs from Hong Kong for Koror at 12.10 pm, touches down in Koror at 5 pm before taking off from Koror for Hong Kong at 6 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 8.45 pm under flight K6681.

Cambodia Angkor Air flies to Koror from Hong Kong with its A320 aircraft on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Drukair launches regular flight to Dubai on 28 October 2024

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

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines launches regular scheduled flight to Dubai from Paro on 28 October 2024.

On 28 October 2024, according to schedules, Drukair flight KB800 departs from Paro for Dubai at 7.30 am, touches down in Dubai at 1.40 pm before leaving Dubai for Paro on 29 October 2024 at 4 am and landing in Paro at 12.40 pm under flight KB801.

Drukair flies to Dubai on Mondays and Fridays with its A319 aircraft. It lands in Paro on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Tigerair Taiwan launches flight from Kaohsiung to Okayama on 27 October 2024

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

Regular JATA Tourism Expo exhibitor Tigerair Taiwan launches flight from Kaohsiung to Okayama, Japan, on 27 October 2024.

On 27 October 2024, according to schedules, Tigerair Taiwan flight IT262 leaves Kaohsiung for Okayama at 12.50 pm, touches down in Okayama at 4.30 pm before leaving Okayama for Kaohsiung at 5.30 pm and arriving in Kaohsiung at 7.55 pm under flight IT263.

The above flights are effective for travel on Thursdays and Sundays.

On Wednesdays, flight IT262 departs from Kaohsiung for Okayama at 10.55 am, arrives in Okayama at 2.35 pm before taking off from Okayama for Kaohsiung at 3.25 pm and landing in Kaohsiung at 5.50 pm under flight IT263.

Tigerair Taiwan flies to Okayama with its A320 aircraft.

Aircalin plans charter flight from Changi to Paris on 18 September 2024

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

Aircalin launches one-time charter flight from Changi to Paris CDG on 18 September 2024 with its A330-900 aircraft.

On 18 September 2024, it is planned Aircalin flgiht SB900 will depart from Changi for Paris CDG at 2.45 am, touches down in Paris at 10.35 am before leaving from Paris for Changi via Athens at 12.35 pm on 20 September 2024, stopping over in Athens at 4.35 pm, taking off from Athens for Chnagi at 5.35 pm and arriving in Changi at 10.25 am under flight SB901.

The above flights are subject to revisions without prior notice.

Iberia resumes flight to Narita on 27 October 2024, operates 4 weekly flights by March 2025

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

Spanish national airline Iberia resumes long-haul direct scheduled flight from Madrid to Narita on 27 October 2024, initially operating three times a week.

By 31 March 2025, Iberia plans to increase its flight frequency to four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

According to schedules, Iberia flight IB281 departs from Madrid for Narita at 12.20 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, touches down in Narita at 9.45 am before leaving Narita for Madrid at 11.35 am on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arriving in Madrid at 8.25 pm under flight IB282.

On Sundays, IB281 leaves Madrid for Narita at 12.35 pm and touches down in Madrid at 9.45 am.

Flight timings and frequencies above are subject to updates.

To market the flight resumption awareness to Narita, Iberia exhibits for the first time at JATA Tourism Expo 2024 held at Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake. 

Iberojet links Tegucigalpa with Madrid and Barcelona from 8 October 2024

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

Spanish leisure flight operator Iberojet launches long-haul scheduled flight from Madrid to Tegucigalpa and from Tegucigalpa to Barcelona on 8 October 2024.

According to schedules, on 8 October 2024, Iberojet flight E9805 departs from Madrid to Tegucigalpa at 2 pm, touches down in Tegucigalpa at local time 4.55 pm before leaving Tegucigalpa for Barcelona at 6.55 pm under flight E9804 and arriving in Barcelona on 9 October 2024 at 1.25 pm.

On 9 October 2024 (Wednesday), Iberojet flight E9803 leaves Barcelona for Tegucigalpa at 4.25 pm, lands in Tegucigalpa at 8.40 pm before taking off from Tegucigalpa for Madrid at 10.40 pm and touching down in Madrid at 4.25 pm on 10 October 2024 under flight E9806.

The above schedules are effective for travel from Madrid on Tuesdays and Fridays. Flights from Tegucigalpa to Madrid take off on Wednesdays and Saturdays while the flights to Barcelona leave on Tuesdays local time.

On Saturdays, flight E9806 departs from Tegucigalpa for Madrid at 8 pm and arrives in Madrid on Sundays.

The above flights are operated by Iberojet's A350-900 aircraft, that now runs once-weekly flight to Suvarnabhumi from Madrid.

Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras.

Iberojet updates flight frequency to Suvarnabhumi on 22 August 2024

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

Spanish leisure flight operator Iberojet updates its weekly flight frequency to Suvarnabhumi from Madrid on 22 August 2024.

From 22 August 2024 instead of 27 October 2024, according to schedules, Iberojet flight E9845 departs from Madrid to Suvarnabhumi at 9.45 pm, touches down in Subarnabhumi at 4.15 pm on 23 August 2024 before leaving Suvarnabhumi for Madrid at 6.55 pm and arriving in Madrid at 2.55 am under flight E9846.

On 23 August 2024, flight E9845 actually lands in Suvarnabhumi at 4.39 pm while flight E9846 takes off from Suvarnabhumi for Madrid at 7.13 pm and lands in Madrid at 2.35 am.

From 3 April 2025, Iberojet has scheduled additional weekly flight at the same timing to Suvarnabhumi on Sundays, arriving in Suvarnabhumi on Mondays. 

Currently, Iberojet flies to Suvarnabhumi from Madrid with its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on Thursdays, lands in Suvarnabhumi on Fridays and from 3 April 2025, the Spanish airline flies to Suvarnabhumi on Thursdays and Sundays and departs from Suvarnabhumi for Madrid on Fridays and Mondays.

HK Express launches flight to Phu Quoc on 6 December 2024

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

HK Express launches direct scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Phu Quoc on 6 December 2024.

On 6 December 2024, HK Express flight UO568 departs from Hong Kong for Phu Quoc at 4.05 pm, touches down in Phu Quoc at 5.55 pm before leaving Phu Quoc for Hong Kong at 6.35 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 10.25 pm under flight UO569.

HK Express flies to Phu Quoc daily with its A320 aircraft.

XiamenAir deploys A321neo on its Singapore route in September and October 2024

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA  / Image : Jay Lee

According to AeroRoutes, XiamenAir is deploying its only A321neo on its Singapore route from Xiamen in September and October 2024.

The following dates will see A321neo operating on the flights MF851 and MF852: 10 September 2024, 15 September 2024, 19 September 2024, 24 September 2024, 1 October 2024 and 8 October 2024.

XiamenAir flight MF851 is scheduled to depart from Xiamen for Changi at 9.20 am, touches down in Changi at 1.50 pm before leaving Changi for Xiamen at 3.15 pm and arriving in Xiamen at 7.50 pm under flight MF852.

Till end of August 2024, the A321neo of XiamenAir is operating daytime flight to Suvarnabhumi from Xiamen.