Air Cambodia conducts test flight to Techo on 15 August 2025

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

According to the Cambodian Chinese Daily, on 15 August 2025, Techo airport in Cambodia successfully completed its test flight operations. The success of this test flight signifies that the airport is fully prepared for its official opening.

The test flight was fully supervised by Minister of the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation of Cambodia, Mau Havanna, and relevant department personnel. According to a spokesperson for the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation, the test aircraft, an Air Cambodia A320 commercial aircraft, took off from Phnom Penh and landed successfully in Techo.

The test flight was reportedly a complete success in terms of flight technical systems. The test included check-in for 100 passengers and border inspection for another 100 passengers, including baggage security and immigration checks.

Korean Air receives the world's 125th 787-10

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA        Image : Boeing

Boeing recently delivered a 787 Dreamliner to Korean Air, marking the 1,200th 787 delivery. This is also the 125th 787-10 to enter service worldwide.

Inflight Pictures and Poem : Ode to Pelita Air

 Photo, poem copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Ode to Pelita Air

Pelican on August the eighteenth 

Empresses pray on the race

Lion Changi is the rock that adores

In the centuries gone and calm comes

Thousand islands behold, echo

A flight realizes the dream

Accomplished is Alaska premier A320

Indonesia's pride that roars and goes

Race now to complete the memorious play of awe

Congratulations to Pelita Air on the official launch of the inaugural flight to Changi on 18 August 2025

Air Niugini takes delivery of its first A220 during the first week of September 2025

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

On 15 August 2025, Air Niugini makes its exhibitor debut together with Papua New Guinea Tourism at NATAS Travel Holidays 2025 in Singapore. It announces that the airline is receiving its first A220 in September 2025, coinciding with the country's 50th anniversary of independence.

Air Niugini's first new Airbus A220 is named the People's Balus. Its arrival signifies a transformative step in the nation's aviation history, introducing a new era of modern, efficient and comfortable air travel not only in Papua New Guinea but also to the world.

People's Balus the A220-300 jet is scheduled to depart for Port Moresby during the first week of September 2025 and it will arrive for the independence celebrations in Papua New Guinea before 16 September 2025.

Air Niugini is the 25th airline to operate the A220. It has ordered 11 brand-new A220s and they will come in two variants including three A220-300 planes with a seating capacity of 138 passengers and eight smaller A220-100 jets with 114 seats.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney's latest-generation GTF engines, the A220 reduces fuel consumption by 25 per cent compared to previous-generation aircraft. The aircraft boasts the largest cabin, seats and windows in its class, ensuring a superior travel experience on domestic and regional routes. It is capable of operating with up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel or SAF.

The fleet of A220s is aimed to replace Air Niugini's aging Fokker F100/70 fleet on domestic routes and eventually its B737-800 jets on international flights to Changi, Hong Kong and its other international destinations.

Air Niugini meanwhile is considering some potential new routes that the A220s may be deployed on including resumption of flights to KLIA, Cebu and Cengkareng. Once the airline starts utilizing the A220s on international flights, its B767-300ER will resume scheduled flights to Narita and Kansai and launch flights to Chinese cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou.

See also: https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2025/08/air-niugini-exhibits-at-natas-travel.html

Air Niugini exhibits at NATAS Travel Holidays 2025

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

Air Niugini is exhibiting its Papua New Guinea tour packages and promoting Papua New Guinea travel during the country's 50th year of independence at the Papua New Guinea Destination Pavilion at NATAS Travel Holidays 2025 from 15 to 17 August 2025 at the Singapore Expo.

At the same time, Air Niugini has announced to the public that it is receiving its first A220 in September 2025, which will replace its sole B737-800 in due course.

The airline has been operating scheduled flights to Singapore from Port Moresby for more than 45 years. It last celebrated its 50th Anniversary of flight operations between 5 November 2023 and 4 November 2024. 

Photos of Air Niugini / Papua New Guinea Pavilion

See also: https://kucinta-air.blogspot.com/2025/08/air-niugini-takes-delivery-of-its-first.html

Other Airline Exhibitors at NATAS Travel Holidays 2025

Akasa Air launches flight to Phuket on 20 September 2025

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

Indian private airline Akasa Air launches daily scheduled flight from Mumbai to Phuket on 20 September 2025.

According to schedules, on 20 September 2025, Akasa Air flight QP618 departs from Mumbai for Phuket at 7.45 am, touches down in Phuket at 2.35 pm before leaving Phuket for Mumbai at 3.35 pm and arriving in Mumbai at 7.55 pm under flight QP619.

Akasa Air flies to Phuket with one of its 30 737 MAX 8 jets. It has a confirmed purchase order of another 226 737 MAX aircraft.

Phuket is Akasa Air's sixth overseas destination after Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City and its first Southeast Asia destination. It also operates scheduled flights on 23 domestic routes in India.

Inflight Pictures : China Airlines in Ho Chi Minh City

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Scoot launches flight to Haneda on 1 March 2026

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

Scoot launches daily scheduled flight from Changi to Haneda, the city airport of Tokyo, on 1 March 2026.

On 1 March 2026, according to schedules, Scoot flight TR800 departs from Changi for Haneda at 5.30 pm, touches down in Haneda at 1 am on 2 March 2026 before leaving Haneda for Changi at 2.15 am and arriving in Changi Terminal 1 at 8.30 am under flight TR801.

The above flight timings are effective for travel until 12 August 2026.

Scoot flies to Haneda with its 787-series Dreamliner aircraft/787-8/787-9.

Flight Schedule

Okinawa  Flights from 15 Dec 2025 Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Frequency Singapore- Okinawa TR834 0215am 0820am Mon Wed Sun Okinawa- Singapore TR835 0920am 1345pm

Tokyo (Haneda)  Flights from 1 Mar 2026 Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Frequency Singapore- Tokyo (Haneda) TR800 1730pm 0100am Daily Tokyo (Haneda)- Singapore TR801 0215am 0830am

Chiang Rai  Flights from 1 Jan 2026 Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Frequency Singapore- Chiang Rai TR670 1640pm 1850pm Mon Thu Fri Chiang Rai- Singapore TR671 1935pm 2355pm Singapore- Chiang Rai TR660 0550am 0800am Tue Sat Chiang Rai- Singapore TR661 0835am 1255pm

Note: All times are local

Scoot launches flight to Chiang Rai on 1 January 2026

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

On 12 August 2025, Scoot announces that it is launching its E190-E2's furthest flight from Changi to Chiang Rai on 1 January 2026. It will fly five times a week to Chiang Rai.

According to schedules, on 1 January 2026 (Thursday), Scoot flight TR670 leaves Changi for Chiang Rai at 4.40 pm, touches down in Chiang Rai at 6.50 pm before taking off from Chiang Rai for Changi at 7.35 pm and arriving in Changi at 11.55 pm under flight TR671.

The above flights are effective for travel on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, return flights to Chinag Rai are under flight pair TR660 and TR661.

TR660 departs from Changi for Chiang Rai at 5.50 am, lands in Chiang Rai at 8.20 am before leaving Chiang Rai for Changi at 9.20 am and touching down in Changi at 12.55 pm under flight TR661.

Scoot launches flight to Naha on 15 December 2025

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

Scoot launches direct scheduled flight to Naha, Okinawa, on 15 December 2025 as it officially takes over Jetstar Asia's exclusive route.

According to schedules released on 12 August 2025, Scoot flight TR834 departs from Changi for Naha at 2.15 am, touches down in Naha at 8.20 am before leaving Naha for Changi at 9.20 am under flight TR835 and landing in Changi at 1.45 pm.

Scoot flies to Naha on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays with its A320-series aircraft/A321neo/A320neo/A320.

Airlink leases ten E195-E2 aircraft

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

Airlink, a leading South African airline, and Azorra have officially finalized a lease agreement for ten new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in the second half of this year.

This agreement fulfills the previously announced E195-E2 option plan. Fort Lauderdale-based lessor Azorra will provide Airlink with new aircraft, expanding its existing fleet of 68 aircraft.

The ten E195-E2s will be delivered from Embraer's Brazilian facility, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second half of this year and complete by 2027. Airlink has been operating Embraer aircraft since 2001.

The new aircraft, featuring Embraer's signature 2+2 cabin layout, can accommodate up to 136 passengers and will provide Airlink with capacity to enhance its competitiveness on high-density routes. The E2's increased range will also help Airlink further expand its route network and provide efficient, reliable, and comfortable service to new destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Airlink's current first-generation E-Series aircraft and the new E2 aircraft share significant commonality in operations, maintenance, training, and equipment configuration, including similar cockpits, operating procedures, and controls. This will further reduce costs and ensure a smooth entry into service for the new aircraft.

Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said, "This is both exciting and challenging for Airlink. It's exciting because it marks the beginning of a new phase in our development as South Africa's leading airline. The challenge lies in the extensive preparations we face before the first aircraft enters service, expected in December of this year. However, I have every confidence that the Airlink team will remain fully committed to achieving this mission." "

John Evans, CEO of Azorra, said, "This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Airlink. The introduction of the E195-E2 reflects our shared commitment to operational efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced services. We are honored to be working with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to provide Airlink with this next-generation aircraft, helping to enhance connectivity in the region."

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: "We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Airlink and witness its next chapter with the E195-E2. As the world's most efficient single-aisle aircraft, the E195-E2 will strongly support Airlink's strategic expansion into the South African market. We look forward to seeing the E2 fleet flying in the Airlink livery, setting new standards in the industry with its exceptional performance, exceptional comfort, and sustainability."

Inflight Pictures : Cathay Pacific A350-900

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA