Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
VietJet Air Thailand, known also as Thai VietJet Air or Thai Vietjet, launches A321 flight from Suvarnabhumi to Taichung on 3 November 2018.
On 3 November 2018, Thai Vietjet flight VZ560 departs from Suvarnabhumi for Taichung at 9 am, touches down in Taichung at 1.45 pm before leaving Taichung for Suvarnabhumi at 2.30 pm and arriving in Suvarnabhumi at 5.15 pm under flight VZ561.
Flights depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends.
Passengers from Bangkok no longer need to fly to Taoyuan for transit land rides to Taipei and Taichung or fly to Hong Kong for an onward flight to Taichung. For residents of Taichung, the direct flight to Suvarnabhumi is the only way to reach Thailand without transits in Taipei, Taoyuan or Hong Kong.
Customers can book Thai Vietjet flights on the web-site of VietJet Air and at on-line ticketing portals such as Ctrip and Trip.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
Qingdao Airlines has received its first A320neo aircraft powered by the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTFTM) engine. Pratt & Whitney will provide engine maintenance to Qingdao Airlines through a long-term EngineWiseTM integrated service agreement. Qingdao Airlines is the 8th GTF engine operator in China.
Wu Longxue, President of Nanshan Aviation Industry Group and President of Qingdao Airlines Co., Ltd. said, "As we receive the first A320neo aircraft, Qingdao Airlines has an exciting milestone today. We believe that the GTF engine will bring the fuel we are looking forward to. The savings and environmental footprint are reduced, and a quieter flight experience for the majority of passengers."
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province, Qingdao Airlines announced in November 2016 that it has selected the GTF engine to power its 18 A320neo series aircraft. Qingdao Airlines operates a number of domestic and international routes serving a wide range of destinations in China and Northeast Asia.
Rick Deurloo, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support at Pratt & Whitney, said, "We are pleased to welcome Qingdao Airlines to the Pratt & Whitney family. The GTF engine brings proven economics to Qingdao Airlines' operations. We are proud to grow with their fleet and look forward to a long and bright future."
Since its inception in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised performance, reducing fuel consumption by 16 per cent, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 per cent, and reducing the noise footprint by 75 per cent.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes ("GOL Intelligent Airlines" in Portuguese, GOL in short), Brazil's largest airline, will update its fleet with 135 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and the airline's pilots, engineers and technicians will also participate in the fleet update.
By 2028, when 105 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 30 B737 MAX 10 will have joined GOL's fleet, it will become one of the most modern fleets in Brazil. The fleet will enable GOL to expand its long-haul routes and increase its flight efficiency.
The first three 737 MAX 8 aircraft were delivered to GOL from June to October 2018 and have already begun to fly. By the end of 2018, four additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will be delivered, which will replace the new generation of Boeing 737 models.
On GOL's new 737 MAX aircraft, passengers can continue to enjoy a better flight experience thanks to the cabin with sky interior, equipped with a new LED lighting system, and the cabin's larger overhead luggage compartment. The cockpit features a more ergonomic lightweight leather seat for greater operational efficiency and comfort.
Compared to the 737 MAX 8, GOL's new Boeing 737 MAX 10 adds 30 seats and can accommodate 186 passengers. Because 737 MAX 10 has the lowest cost per mile in a single-passenger aircraft, this means a higher route network flexibility and a competitive advantage in long-term cost control for GOL. Its first Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft is expected to be operational in 2022.
GOL's current fleet consists of 24 B737-700, 91 B737-800 and 3 737 MAX 8 jets.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
Kunming Airlines' first 737 MAX 8 aircraft, numbered B-206Y, begins its commercial flights from Kunming to Chengdu and Pudong from 28 October 2018. It first arrived in Kunming Changshui after 12 am on 23 October 2018. Another 737 MAX 8 will be added to the airline's current fleet of 27 aircraft before end of this year.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 of Kunming Airlines features a 168-seat two-cabin layout with eight Business Class and 160 Economy Class seats. The aircraft seats are more spacious and passengers will have a more comfortable ride.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 uses a lighter, higher-performance engine that utilizes the most advanced technology available today, with greater thrust, less carbon dioxide emissions, and brings about a greener environment. The noise pollution is lower, as if putting on noise-cancelling headphones.
By improving the intake of the auxiliary power unit, lengthening the tail cross section above the tail vertebra and the thickened elevator, the stability of 737 MAX 8 during flight is improved, the bump index is effectively reduced, and the seat is generally stable as if sitting on a chair on the ground.
Double feathered advanced technology winglets of 737 MAX8 can reduce fuel consumption, drag and improve fuel efficiency. The superior fuel performance gives the aircraft a longer range radius, which will help Kunming Airlines develop its route network.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
VietJet Air's A321 launches flight from Cam Ranh to Shijiazhuang on 30 October 2018 under the route pair VJ5140 / VJ5141. It flies to Shijiazhuang every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Flight VJ5140 departs from Cam Ranh at 9.40 am, arrives in Shijiazhuang at 2.50 pm, takes off from Shijiazhuang at 4 pm and returns to Cam Ranh at 7.30 pm local time under flight VJ5141.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
On 24 October 2018, Spring Airlines' first Airbus A320neo flew from Toulouse, France, to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The aircraft is equipped with a LEAP-1A engine and in a 186 cabin layout.
The A320neo is a variety of product upgrades introduced by Airbus for the A320 family of aircraft. Its main features include the addition of a new engine and the assembly of large shark fins.
Compared with the current A320, the A320neo aircraft series can reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent in a single seat, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5,000 tons per A320neo per year. Compared with the previous generation aircraft, it can also reduce noise footprint by nearly 50 per cent.
On 3 December 2015, Spring Airlines signs the Aircraft Purchase Agreement with Airbus to purchase 60 Airbus A320neo aircraft, including 45 Airbus A320neo aircraft and 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft from Airbus. These jets will raise the airline's capacity level, effectively improve the airline's operating efficiency and market competitiveness, in line with the company's strategic goals and fleet planning objectives.
Currently, Spring Airlines has a fleet of 80 A320-200 jets operating domestic and international flights.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
Urumqi Air launches two new multi-city routes, namely Boao - Hohhot - Dalian on 1 November 2018 and Boao - Zhengzhou - Dalian on 2 November 2018, using B737-800 aircraft.
Flights on Boao - Hohhot - Dalian routes take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
On 1 November 2018, Urumqi Air flight UQ3567 departs from Boao for Hohhot at 10.40 am, arrives in Hohhot at 2.40 pm before taking off from Hohhot at 3.50 pm and arriving in Dalian at 5.35 pm. At 6.35 pm, flight UQ3568 leaves Dalian for Hohhot, arrives in Hohhot at 8.40 pm before departing from Hohhot at 9.40 pm and touching down in Boao at 1.45 am on 2 November 2018.
Boao - Zhengzhou - Dalian flights operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The first flight date is 2 November 2018.
On 2 November 2018, Boao-originated flight UQ3595 takes off for Zhengzhou at 8:05 am, arrives in Zhengzhou at 11.05 am before leaving Zhengzhou at 12.05 pm for Dalian and arriving in Dalian at 1.55 pm.
At 7.30 pm, flight UQ3596 takes off from Dalian for Zhengzhou, arrives in Zhengzhou at 9.40 pm before taking off from Zhengzhou at 10.40 pm and landing in Boao at 1.50 am on 3 November 2018.
The multi-city routes that connect Dalian, known as the "Northern Hong Kong" and Boao on the beautiful coconut island Hainan via Hohhot and Zhengzhou will further facilitate the economic and trade exchanges among the cities.
Boao also known as Qionghai Boao Airport is the third airport of Hainan while Urumqi Air has parked one of its B737-800 overnight in the airport, thus establishing Boao airport as its base outside Xinjiang.
Urumqi Air celebrates 4th Anniversary in 2018.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
HK Express, Hong Kong's only low-fare airline, has entered its fifth year of flight operations in October 2018. To mark and celebrate its fifth Anniversary all-year-round, it has announced on 24 October 2018 its newest route to Nagasaki and is launching a series of special fare promotions to entice tourists to fly to destinations on HK Express' route network before their auspicious dates. Besides fare concessions, it is offering surprise discounts on travel add-on and inflight foods.
HK Express launches official inaugural scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Nagasaki on 19 January 2019 under the route pair UO830 / UO831.
On 19 January 2019, flight UO830 departs from Hong Kong for Nagasaki at 1.05 pm, touches down in Nagasaki at 5.05 pm before taking off from Nagasaki for Hong Kong at 7.50 pm and landing in Hong Kong at 10.05 pm under flight UO831.
HK Express flies to Nagasaki on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using A320 aircraft.
Nagasaki is the UNESCO-listed famous Japanese port city. In winter or spring, it brings different experiences to passengers. In March, enjoy the cherry blossoms in Nagasaki. Explore and taste a variety of street foods in this historical and cultural city, and walk around different temples, parks and multiple World War II memorials.
With the addition of Nagasaki, HK Express's route network covers 24 popular Asian cities.
In the past five years, HK Express has carried more than 13 million passengers to and from many popular destinations in Asia, and has maintained an average of 87 per cent in terms of on-time performance.
To celebrate its fifth anniversary, HK Express is launching the "Best Travel Before This Date" Anniversary Airfare Offer, starting at 55 HK Dollars for 24 popular destinations, including Nagasaki, this weekend. The promotions are held from 27 October 2018 (9 am) to 4 November 2018 (11.59 pm) in three rounds. The first round of promotion begins on Saturday (27 October 2018). The second and third rounds start on 30 October and 2 November 2018 (9 am) respectively. Travel dates apply from 9 November 2018 to 28 September 2019.
From 27 October to 4 November 2018, when a customer purchases tickets on the official website of HK Express and orders the checked baggage allowance at the same time, the customer only pays 5 HK Dollars for every 5 kg of 20 kg baggage weight! In addition, passengers can purchase on-board designated foods from 27 to 31 October 2018 at a premium price of 5 HK Dollars. These inflight foods include Chinese-style pork-baked crisps, Danish pineapple pastries and Joe&Seph’s caramel-flavored popcorn.
“We are very pleased to provide a safe and quality travel experience for many travelers over the past five years. I hope that the promotions of this 5th anniversary celebration will encourage more travelers to explore different corners of Asia with us,” said Jonathan Hutt, Commercial Director of HK Express.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
On 23 October 2018, the first Airbus A320 aircraft with China-manufactured-and-installed seats to be unveiled in Tianjin is delivered to China Express Airlines (known in short as China Express) in the aircraft hand-over ceremony. It marks the first time that the cabin seats of an Airbus aircraft are manufactured in China by AVIC Aerospace Life-Support Industries Jiatai (Aerospace Jiatai, in short), assembled and installed in the Tianjin plant of Airbus Industrie. The aircraft has arrived in the Chongqing base of China Express on 24 October 2018.
The cooperation between China Express and Aerospace Jiatai began in September 2016. In 2017, China Express took the lead in receiving the delivery of three Airbus A320s in the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics (MDA) mode, achieving a “zero” breakthrough in domestic seats on Airbus aircraft, and opening the “ice-breaking tour” of domestic aviation cabin equipment on domestic Airbus aircraft.
As the debut customer of the Airbus A320 model with domestic seats, China Express' A320 seat manufacturer selection work started in July 2016.
Due to the long lead time of the seat project, it is only two months from the selection to the confirmation of the seat manufacturer. The quickest way is to directly use the seat of the main seat supplier of Airbus.
In order to support the national aviation manufacturing industry, China Express specially invited Aerospace Jiatai, which was not listed in the Airbus supplier list, to participate in the seat bidding of the A320 aircraft.
In September 2016, China Express Selection Group invited manufacturers to carry out seat display. After the relevant bidding ends, the airline passed the review meeting to confirm that Aerospace Jiatai is the supplier of China Express A320 aircraft seats
In November 2016, Airbus, Aerospace Jiatai and China Express successfully held the ITCM (Initial Technology Coordination) meeting at Airbus Headquarters in Toulouse, confirming the configuration of the seats and Aerospace Jiatai successfully joining Airbus suppliers for domestic seats. The qualifications laid a solid foundation. At the same time, with the strong support of the Southwest Regional Administration of Civil Aviation and the Central and Southern Regional Administration of Civil Aviation, China Express completed the certification of the MDA program for the modification design approval.
Previously, because the Aerospace Jiatai seats were not included in the Airbus supplier catalogue, online installation was not possible. Therefore, the three Airbus A320s delivered in 2017 to China Express were installed and delivered using the MDA method.
It is reported that manufacturers who have not joined the Airbus supplier catalog cannot be selected by more airlines as online seat suppliers. In order to promote the market expansion of Aerospace Jiatai-made seats and promote the better development of China's aviation manufacturing industry, China Express took the lead in selecting Aerospace Jiatai-made seat-loaded Airbus aircraft. From February to April 2017, it completed the PDR (Preliminary Design Review) of the line-mounted seats with Aerospace Jiatai and Airbus. The relevant review process covering CDR (Critical Design Review) completed the acceptance of the seats of Business class and Economy Class in June 2017. So far, under the efforts of China Express, Aerospace Jiatai's cabin seats have been officially listed in the Airbus supplier directory.
After joining the Airbus supplier catalogue, the A320 aircraft that China Express has taken delivery today is installed with domestic-manufactured seats of Aerospace Jiatai. Owing to this first order, Aerospace Jiatai is winning local airlines' orders for Airbus aircraft loaded with Aerospace Jiatai-manufactured-and-installed seats.
From the "breaking ice" of the first Airbus A320 domestic seat in China, to the installation and delivery of multiple Airbus A320 aircraft seats, and then to the global user market expansion of Airbus aircraft, China Express has widened the aviation market for Aerospace Jiatai with opportunities to go international.
Cooperative innovation
From route connection to mutual benefits
"Cooperation" is the core value of China Express. This value has always run through China Express's operations. In the industry, it has code-shared with Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and other airlines, for instance, and formed a one-day or next-day round-trip interconnection network covering more than 100 regional airports and more than 10 domestic trunk airports in China. It also has cooperation with large-scale backbone airports to promote the hub airport network model, cooperate with local governments of third and fourth tier cities to explore the optimal solution for improving airport accessibility to achieve cost-effectiveness and achieve win-win situations in all aspects of the entire aviation chain. This model is beneficial in all aspects. In the case of hub airports, the air traffic capacity is enhanced and the strategic positions of the airports will be greatly improved.
In the case of trunk routes, China Express' aviation network is perfect. In the case of feeder cities, its routes improve accessibility to local cities to meet fully the different travel needs of the people with convenience and fare affordability.
The cooperation between China Express and Aerospace Jiatai aim to promote deep cooperation between their staff from air transportation to aircraft manufacturing. Both parties have a high degree of tacit understanding in the process of product design. These tacit understandings are conducive to the realization of China Express' satisfaction in meeting individualized needs, fast delivery, and control of operating costs. At the same time, it also realizes value creation and value win-win for related multi-party enterprises.
A product can only be promoted with high quality if it is fully applied. As a supplier with more than 20 years of experience in aviation seat development in China, Aerospace Jiatai has reached international advanced levels in safety, reliability, comfort and aesthetics, providing global airlines including China Express with excellent solutions and service. This cooperation is a small step for China Express and Aerospace Jiatai to win, but it is a big step towards promoting the development of the China passenger aircraft cabin system industry.
Fleet strength of China Express contributes
The new China-made A320 aircraft has enriched the fleet of China Express. In the second half of 2018, China Express will also take delivery of two further locally-manufactured A320 aircraft with Aerospace Jiatai-manufactured seats.
After 12 years of innovation and development, China Express is now the representative regional airline of China. As of 23 October 2018, it has 42 aircraft including38 CRJ900 and 4 Airbus A320 passenger aircraft.
As the first airline in China to use the seats manufactured by Aerospace Jiatai as the seats of the Airbus aircraft, China Express has pioneered contributions to the market of China's domestically produced aircraft seats.
Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals
NokScoot announced at its JATA Tourism Expo 2018 booth that it is launching thrice-weekly flight from Don Mueang to Kansai on 28 October 2018 using one of its 5 B777-200ER aircraft. Flight schedules were distributed at the travel mart.
On 28 October 2018, flight XW112 departs from Don Mueang for Kansai at 11.50 pm, arrives in Kansai at 7.10 am on 29 October 2018 before leaving Kansai for Don Mueang at 8.30 am and touching down in Don Mueang at 12.45 pm under flight XW111.
NokScoot flies to Kansai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and lands in Don Mueang on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
In addition to Kansai, NokScoot also operates flights to Narita from Don Mueang.
NokScoot is the Don Mueang-based joint-venture airline with an investment stake of 51 per cent taken up by Nok Air and the balance by Scoot. Besides Kansai and Narita, it flies to Taoyuan and various cities in China such as Chongqing, Qingdao, Shenyang, Tianjin, Nanjing, Dalian and Xi'an Xianyang.
