Airport Review : Incheon International Airport, Seoul-Incheon

Airport Review & Pictures : Gan Yung Chyan
                                          / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

Above : This is the Passenger Terminal of Incheon International Airport. The airport is located on reclaimed land between two islands to the west of Seoul in Incheon city. It is owned by the Seoul Government represented by Korean Airports Corporation, hence the name Seoul-Incheon. It is also named Seoul-Incheon as the airport links to Gimpo International Airport and Seoul Station in Seoul by Airport Railroad.

Above : The taller new aircraft traffic control tower for the Concourse, Passenger Terminal and Terminal 2 under construction. Terminal 2 is anticipated to be completed and open by 2018 for operations.

Above : The shuttle train which has no seats links the Concourse (Gates 101-132) and Passenger Terminal (Gates 1-50) of Incheon International Airport every five minutes.

Above : The meeting area with rows of shops and the Information Counters. The Korea Hotel Association counter closes at 10 pm and opens at 7 am. Be sure not to land in Seoul-Incheon at 10 pm. The Tourism information booth closes at 7 pm. Avoid Scoot's flights to Seoul-Incheon although it lands in Seoul-Incheon at 9.45 pm. It takes more than 15 minutes to reach the Immigration and Customs area. 

On the second level are the eight designated zones for Airlines' Offices and opposite is the Internet Cafe Corner. There is a basement level below the meeting area accessible by lift where tourists can find a sauna lounge. The meeting area is linked to Airport Railroad.

Above : The roof of this iconic building structure in Incheon International Airport that appears on Agoda's hotel promotions of Incheon is actually the Airport Railroad Terminal for Seoul-Incheon's AREX All-Stop and Express trains.

Above : 1) All-Stop train in grey and white; 2) Express train of Airport Railroad EXpress (AREX).

Above : Along Arrival Hall Culture Street. Unfortunately, Korean cultural shows do not perform throughout the day.

Above : Departure Hall. On the fourth level after clearing Immigration and Customs is the Museum of Korean Culture, Traditional Culture Experience Zone and transit lounges. 

Above : Towards ticket and check-in counters of Jeju Air, EastarJet, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines on the Departure Level.

 Above : EastarJet ticket and check-in counters.

Above : Towards Immigration and Customs.

Above : Airstar Avenue after the Immigration and Customs area does not have many windows for passengers to monitor aircraft movements. One has to travel by shuttle train to the Concourse to appreciate the liveries of domestic and international passenger jets. See pictures below.

Above : Upon entering the shuttle train, one cannot go back to the Passenger Terminal.

 Above : EastarJet.

Above : Jin Air.

Above : T'Way Air.

Above : Jeju Air.

Above : Korean Air.

Above : Ready to board Vietnam Airlines' flight to Singapore via Hanoi.

Conclusion : Incheon International Airport has the highest on-time flight departure frequency rate in Asia. It won the Airport Council International's award for "Best Airport Service Quality" from 2005 to 2014, the "Best Airport in the World" by Global Traveler for four consecutive years for its transit services and shopping facilities. The flaws are that there is no public aircraft observation deck before entering the Customs and Immigration area for the public to see and take snapshots of the passenger jets, just like Gimpo International Airport.

Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport will include an aircraft observation deck* in its construction.

Finally, more toilets should have been set up at the Concourse and Passenger Terminal for passengers' use.

* Reference : http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/-incheon-international-airport-terminal-seoul/

Airport Review : Gimpo International Airport, Seoul

Airport Review & Pictures : Gan Yung Chyan
                                           / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

Above : The International Terminal of Gimpo International Airport, the original city airport of Seoul. Now the code of the airport is GMP, and not SEL, short for Seoul Station or the capital Seoul. The International Terminal is as big as Wattay International Airport of Vientiane, Laos. There are four levels. It is not easy looking for a toilet at this airport as signs are inadequate.

Above : Korean Restaurant serves delectable Korean cuisine at affordable prices. It is located at the International Terminal.

Above: Leading up to the restaurants and Departure Hall near the Immigration.

Above: Korean Airports Corporation should set up English posters too.

Above : Aviation Safety Lounge for adults and children at the International Terminal. A similar bigger facility for children can be found in Hong Kong International Airport.

Above : Departures for Taiwan, Japan and China from Gimpo Airport International Terminal.

Above : Gimpo Airport goes artistic.

Above : On the way to the Domestic Terminal via underground passageway, I notice the office of Korea Express Air, the only charter flight and general aviation operator of South Korea based in Gimpo Airport. It serves domestic routes. According to Wikipedia, it has operations in Yangyang International Airport and flies to Busan from Yangyang on a scheduled basis.

Above : The Domestic Terminal of Gimpo International Airport looks like a budget terminal. There are three levels. Air Busan Seoul Branch Office the only branch office at the Domestic Terminal is on the first level near the meeting venue but it has no postcard, no flight Timetable and no inflight magazine to give to visitors.

Above: Highly popular EastarJet ticket and check-in counter where Timetables and EastarJet magazine hardcopies can be found. EastarJet is the most popular Korean airline of this airport.

Above : Air Busan, Jeju Air, Jin Air and T'way Air ticket counters. T'way Air distributes a Jeju map with flight schedules in Korean only.

 Above : Departure Hall of the Domestic Terminal.

Above : Electronic check-in kiosks for Air Busan, Asiana Airlines etc. Information counter at the middle.

Above : Traffic is most at the Domestic Terminal. The aircraft traffic control tower looks similar to Changi Airport aircraft traffic control tower.

Above : The underground passageways link the Subway and Airport Railroad with both terminals of Gimpo Airport.

Above : Airport Railroad EXpress All-Stop train's Timetable for Gimpo International Airport Station. Changi Airport MRT Station should have a similar Timetable on the MRT station glass panels.

Above : Subway sign for Gimpo International Airport Station, which is linked to Seoul Metro Korail Line 5 (Banghwa Line).

Conclusion : The airport should have toilets on all levels or at least visible direction signs to the toilets in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese to serve the needs of passengers and tourists. The airport needs overhaul. There are not many things to see and do at the crowded Gimpo International Airport. Two visits are sufficient.

XiamenAir flies to Sydney from 29 November 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

XiamenAir's Dreamliner B787 aircraft starts direct scheduled flights to Sydney from 29 November 2015. The inaugural flight to Sydney departs first from Fuzhou on 29 November and the inaugural flight to Sydney from Xiamen debuts on 5 December 2015. 

Tickets are now on sale on XiamenAir's web-site, through XiamenAir hot-line 95557, travel agents and its sales and ticketing offices.

On 29 November 2015, XiamenAir flight MF807 departs from Fuzhou for Sydney at 10.10 pm, arrives in Sydney on 30 November 2015 at 10.30 am. The outbound flights from Fuzhou are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

At 12 pm on 30 November, flight MF808 leaves Sydney for Fuzhou and returns to Fuzhou at 6.20 pm. Flights are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays.

On 5 December 2015, XiamenAir flight MF801 takes off from Xiamen for Sydney at 10.30 pm, arrives in Sydney at 10.30 am on 6 December before leaving Sydney at 12 pm and touching down in Xiamen at 6 pm under MF802.

Outbound flights from Xiamen to Sydney are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights from Sydney to Xiamen are on Thursdays and Sundays.

Sydney will be the third city destination outside China to welcome XiamenAir's B787 passenger flight services after Amsterdam and Tokyo.

XiamenAir has six B787 passenger jets in its fleet by November 2015. Its fleet of 124 aircraft in November also consists of 17 B737-700, 95 B737-800 and 6 B757-200 passenger jets.

Hotel Review : Parkwood Hotel the best Asia Airport hotel

Hotel Review : Gan Yung Chyan
                        / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

It was difficult to select which hotel to stay near Incheon International Airport, South Korea but finally I made my correct choice to stay in Hotel Parkwood Incheon Airport (also Parkwood Tourist Hotel or Parkwood Hotel in short), the nearest hotel of the airport. 

It takes me 10 minutes to wait for Mr Yoon, the kind manager who also multi-tasks as the hotel waiter and crew to pick me up on the second road outside Entrance/Exit 7 of the airport's Departure level, and eight minutes to reach Parkwood Hotel.

An auto-sensitive ceiling light welcomes me to my Standard Queen single room with two pillows. Although the room is small, it is compact with more toiletries and items for guests' use than other hotels in Asia.

On the walls there is a torchlight and a hair dryer. On the table lies a box of towels and a case containing shampoo, bath lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes for two guests, a shaver, a comb, as well as separate bottles of hair styling gel, hydro skin toner for women and skin moisturizer for men. A LED flat television set, a telephone, mugs, a chair, a water dispenser machine and a small fridge complete the rest.

No other Asia airport hotel offers these range of toiletries and water dispenser machine in a room. Hotel Parkwood Incheon Airport is the best Asia Airport hotel.

Standing on the anti-slip floor of the toilet, I enjoyed the powerful showers very much. There are two pairs of sandals for guests to wear in the room. 

Non-complimentary breakfast in its indoor restaurant consists only of American continental breakfast, four loaves of bread with cubes of butter and strawberry jam and a glass of fruit juice cost 13000 Korean Won. Breakfast is served from 4.30 am to 7 am so that guests can reach Incheon Airport and Seoul early. 

Lunch is not served. Dinner is served until 8 pm.

Hotel pick-up and transfer take place between 6 am and 11 pm.

Located in front of the pricier Incheon Airport Ocean Benikea Hotel, Parkwood Hotel opened business in 2005. It has six types of guest rooms including Standard Queen, Royal Deluxe and Premium Rooms. Each room has free internet access with WiFi.

Parkwood Hotel has tourist brochures on the islands near Incheon including the Nurigil Trail of Muui Sea.

At the price of 58 Dollars with no need for a key room deposit, I enjoyed the homely hospitality and simplicity of the budget hotel. 

I congratulate Parkwood Hotel on its tenth year of establishment in advance.

I recommend other Incheon visitors to consider staying in Parkwood Hotel.

Parkwood Hotel is a member of Korea Hotel Association (KHA). Ask KHA desk before 10 pm at Incheon Airport to call the hotel at 82-32-7528282 once guests arrive at Incheon Airport.

Address : 128-12, Deokgyo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon Airport, Incheon, South Korea.

China Airlines plans flights to Alaska and Changzhou

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

China Airlines is introducing new destinations Fairbanks and Changzhou on its autumn and winter flight schedules.

China Airlines plans to launch a special charter flight to Fairbanks, Alaska from Taoyuan in November 2015 for travellers who wish to witness the aurora borealis in North America. 

The charter flight known as Happiness Aurora Flight is the airline's first direct flight between Taiwan and Fairbanks without any transit in Anchorage, Alaska. The flight lasts for about nine hours. A stopover at the Aurora Lodge is included in the itinerary. Travellers not only can witness the northern lights but also enjoy the ice sculpture museum and local hot springs.

Fairbanks is Alaska's second-largest city. Located near mountainous areas, its climate is dry and cold. This far north, chances of witnessing the northern lights are particularly high.

Besides Fairbanks, China Airlines is launching Kaohsiung's first direct scheduled flight to Changzhou on 16 September 2015. The airline will offer twice weekly flights between both cities on Wednesdays and Saturdays initially using an ERJ-190 aircraft and from 25 October 2015 utilizing one of its Boeing B737-800 aircraft with a configuration of eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats.

On 16 September, China Airlines flight CI579 departs from Kaohsiung at 11 am, arrives in Changzhou at 1.20 pm before leaving Changzhou at 2.20 pm and touching down in Kaohsiung at 4.35 pm under CI580.

Changzhou is a metropolitan city located near Suzhou and Wuxi. Known for its numerous scenic spots, modern and historical parks, its family-friendly theme parks include Universal Dinosaur Town and the Yancheng Ruins. Natural attractions include Tianmu Lake, Nanshan and Taihu Bay. Its Tianning Temple one of the major Buddhist temples in China.

Jin Air launches new flights from Busan to Osaka and Cebu on 25 September 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Jin Air, Korean Air's low-cost subsidiary, has informed Sayacinta - Airpost during the latter's visit to its Head Office in Seoul that it is launching new scheduled flights from Busan to Osaka and Cebu on 25 September 2015 with one of its Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

On 25 September 2015, Jin Air launches twice-daily flights to Osaka from Busan. The first flight LJ215 departs from Busan at 9.20 am for Osaka, arrives in Osaka at 10.40 am. One hour later, it leaves Osaka at 11.40 am and touches down in Busan at 1.05 pm under flight LJ216.

The second flight of Jin Air leaves Busan at 2 pm, arrives in Osaka at 3.20 pm under flight LJ217 before taking off at 5.10 pm from Osaka for Busan and returns to Busan at 6.35 pm under LJ218 on 25 September.

On 25 September 2015, Jin Air departs from Busan for Cebu at 8 pm, arrives in Cebu at 11.15 pm under flight LJ037 before taking off from Cebu at 12.55 am on 26 September 2015 for Busan and touching down in Busan at 6.05 am.

The flights from Busan to Cebu are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays while the flights from Cebu to Busan are on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Reservations are now open on www.jinair.com. Round trips start from 199000 Korean Won (Busan-Osaka-Busan) and 199000 Korean Won (Busan-Cebu-Busan) and fares are valid for booking three weeks in advance.

FireFly launches inaugural flight between Kota Bharu and Langkawi on 27 October 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

FlyFireFly Sdn Bhd, operating as FireFly, is launching its inaugural scheduled flight between Kota Bharu and Langkawi on 27 October 2015, further enhancing Kota Bharu as its northern Malaysian hub. It will operate services on this route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,

On 27 October,  FireFly flight FY2291 departs from Kota Bharu for Langkawi at 11.30 am, arrives in Langkawi at 12.55 pm before leaving Langkawi at 1.30 pm and arriving in Kota Bharu at 2.50 pm under flight FY2290.

At present, FireFly operates scheduled flights from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur, Senai and Penang.

Qingdao Airlines launches direct flight to Kunming on 15 September 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Qingdao Airlines is adding a new route. On 15 September 2015, it launches a daily scheduled flight from Qingdao to Kunming using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 15 September, flight QW9801 departs from Qingdao at 8.55 pm  and arrives in Kunming at 12.30 am on 16 September where it will park overnight before it takes off at 7 am for Qingdao and returns to Qingdao at 10.20 am under flight QW9802.

Qingdao Airlines faces competition on the route from Kunming Airlines.

316 keeps Singapore local music scene vibrant

Heritage Review : Gan Yung Chyan
                             / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to Everyone

If there is one local musical group that keeps Singapore's local music scene vibrant, it is 316  Music Ministry. The independent Singapore Christian music ministry which was formed in 1991 and registered in 2012 as a Singaporean non-profit organization held its fifth local concert-rally on 29 August 2015 at Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert hall where they presented songs from its fifth album named Experience Him.

Experience Him is a collection of contemporary 14 Chinese language odes to key characters from the Bible including Enoch, Jonah, Moses, Esther, Samson, Joseph, Abraham, Noah, David and of course Jesus Christ.

316's other albums include Homeward Bound, Unbounded Heart, Living Out the Will of God and How Much Longer Must We Wait.

In brief, 316 is named after John 3:16 which states God so loves the world that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. The members of 316 have faith that if they were asked the origin of the music ministry they will be able to share with them Jesus Christ's good news of salvation and His Second Coming.

316 have performed in various Asian countries more than local singers for almost 25 years. The music ministry celebrates 25 years of growth in 2016. Including Singapore, they have conducted 79 Christian concert rallies in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and China and fans come from these countries and as far as Myanmar, Thailand and Canada.

The regional 316 music ministry has partner members from Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Penang besides the core Singaporean members.

The public can download lyrics or purchase its albums by visiting 316's web-site www.316music.org or invite 316 to conduct concert-rallies by emailing to the ministry at talkto316@yahoo.com .

Cambodia Angkor Air launches shuttle flights between Vientiane and Hanoi on 25 October 2015

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals

Cambodia Angkor Air is launching shuttle flights between Vientiane and Hanoi and increasing flight frequency to Ho Chi Minh City on 25 October 2015 using one of its Airbus A321 aircraft as it enters its sixth year of operation. The airline first launched flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from Phnom Penh in 2009.

On 25 October 2015, Cambodia Angkor Air flight K6 815 departs from Phnom Penh for Vientiane at 10.45 am, arrives in Vientiane at 12.15 pm before leaving Vientiane at 12.50 pm for Hanoi. It arrives in Hanoi at 1.55 pm.

Two hours later on the same day, the outbound flight from Hanoi K6 814 takes off for Vientiane at 3.25 pm and touches down in Vientiane at 4.35 pm. At 5.20 pm, flight K6 814 departs from Vientiane and returns to Phnom Penh at 6.45 pm. One hour later, it continues its outbound journey towards Ho Chi Minh City at 8.30 pm and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 9.15 pm.

K6 814 is the only code that straddles three different air routes, 4 different airports in Southeast Asian civil aviation history.

By adding Vientiane to its route network, Cambodia Angkor Air's final direct flight to Hanoi from Phnom Penh is on 24 October 2015. The airline will face direct competition from Vietnam Airlines and Lao Airlines on the Vientiane services.

The Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh City schedule of K6 814 is an addition to its existing flight schedules between the two cities. Currently, Cambodia Angkor Air flies twice daily to Ho Chi Minh City.

Cambodia Angkor Air has recently added the new ATR72-500 aircraft to its fleet. It features luxurious seats aiming at providing a more comfortable flight experience for passengers on its domestic flights to Siem Reap and Sihanouville.