AirAsia launches direct flight to Dalat on 20 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

AirAsia launches non-stop scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) to Dalat, a highland city of Central Vietnam, on 20 December 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 20 December 2019, AirAsia Berhad flight AK571 departs from KLIA2 for Dalat at 11 am, touches down in Dalat at 12.10 pm before leaving Dalat for KLIA2 at 12.40 pm and arriving in KLIA2 at 3.45 pm under flight AK572.

AirAsia flies to Dalat on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. 

Dalat is the seventh Vietnam destination on AirAsia's route map. Beside Dalat, AirAsia has scheduled flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Cam Ranh, Danang, Phu Quoc and Can Tho.

There are no connecting flights from Dalat to Singapore and other AirAsia hubs via KLIA2.

Donghai Airlines launches flight to Macau from Nantong on 19 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Donghai Airlines launches scheduled flight from Nantong to Macau on 19 December 2019 using its Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

On 19 December 20119, Donghai Airlines flight DZ6327 departs from Nantong for Macau at 1.40 pm, touches down in Macau at 4.15 pm before leaving Macau for Nantong at 5.15 pm and arriving in Nantong at 8.05 pm under flight DZ6328. These flights are effective for travel on Thursdays.

On Sundays and Tuesdays after 19 December 2019, flight DZ6327 leaves Nantong for Macau at 2.55 pm, lands in Macau at 5.30 pm before taking off from Macau for Nantong at 6.55 pm and touching down in Nantong at 9.45 pm under flight DZ6328.

The Nantong - Macau route of Donghai Airlines is one of the few Shenzhen-based airline's new routes. In 2019, it launched flights from Shenzhen to Van Don and on 24 July 2019, the airline becomes the first airline to launch international scheduled direct flight from Shenzhen to Naypidaw, the administrative capital of Myanmar.

Shenzhen Airlines begins A320neo flights to Jeju and Penang

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Shenzhen Airlines is introducing new routes from Shenzhen to Jeju and Penang using one of its 10 Airbus A320neo aircraft, the latest of which has landed in Shenzhen on 7 December 2019 and begins its first commercial flight to Chengdu on 8 December 2019.

The inaugural A320neo flight to Jeju from Shenzhen begins on 15 December 2019 while the first flight to Penang from Shenzhen takes off on 18 December 2019.

On 15 December 2019, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9041 departs from Shenzhen for Jeju at 2.30 pm, arrives in Jeju at 5.50 pm before leaving Jeju for Shenzhen under flight ZH9042 at 7.25 pm and landing in Shenzhen at 10 pm. Flights between Shenzhen and Jeju are operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

On 18 December 2019, flight ZH8003 leaves Shenzhen for Penang at 2.10 pm, touches down in 5.50 pm before leaving Penang for Shenzhen at 6.50 pm and landing in Shenzhen at 10.25 pm under flight ZH8004.

Shenzhen Airlines' flights to Penang are operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and weekends.

Ganzhou to manage international flights as early as end of 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Renovation of Ganzhou Huangjin Airport is completed on 6 December 2019. The airport management is aiming to get international flight permits approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)  by end of 2019.

According to the airport, the first international route of Ganzhou is possibly Ganzhou - Utapao, to be operated by Thai AirAsia or one of the low-cost carriers of Thailand or China, initially on charter basis. 

Further international routes to be launched include routes to Bangkok (all airports), Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kalibo, Manila, Kansai, Nagoya, Narita, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Cheongju and Jeju. Regional routes include flights to Macau and Hong Kong.

The routes to be launched eventually are subject to bilateral regulatory approvals, air traffic and travel demand considerations.

The construction of Ganzhou international airport terminal building adopts partial renovation of the T1 terminal of Ganzhou Golden Airport. The renovated Terminal 1 will be the temporary international gateway to Ganzhou and other nearby towns of Jiangxi.

Ganzhou is 60 kilometres away from the airport.

The first phase of the reconstruction and expansion project of Ganzhou Terminal 1 has been completed. The area is 4,219.93 square meters. It can handle 1077 take-offs  annually.

Part of the eastern part of the departure hall of  Terminal 1 is the customs exit inspection area, and some of the long-term waiting areas of the terminal are international passenger check-in and baggage sorting areas.

The two-storey building is expanded on the east side of the terminal, and the first floor is allocated for international Passenger entry customs and border inspection areas while the second floor is the international passenger exit border inspection, airport security area and passenger waiting area.

At present, the project completion, fire protection, planning acceptance, and airworthiness acceptance of civil aviation as well as customs and border inspection areas have been completed. The relevant security matters of inspection units such as the temporary opening of customs at the immigration areas have been properly arranged, and all inspection units have made preparations for travellers' entry. 

Ganzhou Huangjin Airport has obtained the corresponding production and operation license qualifications to manage international flights. It will be the second international airport of Jiangxi after Nanchang Changbei International Airport.

Lucky Air launches flights to Laos on 22 and 23 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Lucky Air, it launches low-cost flights to Luang Prabang and Vientiane from Kunming on 22 and 23 December 2019 respectively using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 22 December 2019, Lucky Air flight 8L863 departs from Kunming for Luang Prabang at 3.35 pm, arrives in Luang Prabang at 4.30 pm before taking off under flight 8L864 from Luang Prabang at 5.30 pm and landing in Kunming at 8.10 pm.

On 23 December 2019, flight 8L861 leaves Kunming for Vientiane at 8 pm, touches down in Vientiane at 9 pm before departing from Vientiane for Kunming at 10 pm and arriving in Kunming at 1 am on 24 December 2019 under flight 8L862.

Lucky Air flies to Luang Prabang on Wednesdays and Sundays while it operates flights to Vientiane on Mondays and Fridays.

Lucky Air faces direct competition on the above routes from China Eastern and Lao Airlines.

9air launches daily flight to Osaka Kansai on 22 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

9air, Guangzhou's low-cost airline subsidiary of Juneyao Air, launches daily flight from Guangzhou to Osaka Kansai on 22 December 2019 using its B737-800 aircraft.

On 22 December 2019, 9air flight AQ1099 departs from Guangzhou for Kansai at 3.50 pm, touches down in Kansai at 9 pm before leaving Kansai for Guangzhou at 10 pm and arriving in Guangzhou at 1.10 am under flight AQ1100 on 23 December 2019.

Kansai will be 9air's fourth international airport destination after Yangon, Mandalay and Phuket.

China Airlines launches non-stop flight to Cebu on 29 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Airlines, that celebrates its 60th Anniversary in Taoyuan on 16 December 2019, launches regular scheduled flight from Taoyuan to Cebu on 29 March 2020 using its Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

On 29 March 2020, China Airlines flight CI075 departs from Taoyuan for Cebu at 7.40 am, arrives in Cebu at 10.35 am local time before leaving Cebu for Taoyuan at 11.35 am and touching down in Taoyuan at 2.30 pm under flight CI076. These flights are effective for travel on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends. 

With the Taoyuan - Cebu route added to China Airlines' destination network, Cebu becomes China Airlines' second city destination in the Philippines. The early departure and afternoon arrival will provide passengers with more flexibility in their itineraries.

 

Cebu is the second largest city in the Philippines and is also known as the "Queen City of the South." The city is surrounded by 166 islands and is home to a rich marine ecology. Its pristine beauty has made it an international diving destination and Cebu was voted the 2nd Best Island in Asia for 2019 by Condé Nast Traveler.

EVA Air launches direct flights to Danang and Phuket

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA



EVA Air, Taiwan's second largest airline, launches non-stop direct flights from Taoyuan to Danang and Phuket. The inaugural flight for Danang takes off from Taoyuan on 21 December 2019 while EVA Air commences Taiwan's first non-stop flight to Phuket on 2 April 2020.

The Taoyuan - Danang flight is operated by EVA Air's Airbus A321 aircraft while EVA Air deploys its Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the Taoyuan - Phuket route.

On 21 December 2019, EVA Air flight BR383 departs from Taoyuan for Danang at 9.55 am, touches down in Danang at 11.40 am before leaving Danang for Taoyuan at 2.10 pm and arriving in Taoyuan at 5.55 pm under flight BR384.

The detailed flight schedules of EVA Air's new routes to Danang and vice versa are as follows :-

Flight                    Route                       Timing
BR383         Taoyuan - Danang       9.55 am - 11.40 am, Thus, Sats
BR384         Danang - Taoyuan       2.10 pm -5.55 pm, Thus, Sats, Mons - Weds
BR383         Taoyuan - Danang       9.45 am - 11.40 am, Mons-Weds, Fris, Suns
BR384         Danang - Taoyuan       2.10 pm - 6.05 pm, Fris, Suns

On 2 April 2020, flight BR241 leaves Taoyuan for Phuket at 11.05 am, arrives in Phuket at 2.20 pm before taking off from Phuket for Taoyuan at 3.30 pm and touching down in Taoyuan at 9 pm under flight BR242.

EVA Air operates thrice-weekly flights between Taoyuan and Phuket on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Prior to the inaugural flight, passengers from Taoyuan need to transit in Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore for their onward flights to Phuket.

Vietjet Air launches daily flight to Taoyuan from Danang on 19 December 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Vietjet Air launches daily A320 flight from Danang to Taoyuan on 19 December 2019.

On 19 December 2019, Vietjet flight VJ908 departs from Danang for Taoyuan at 11.20 am, touches down in Taoyuan Terminal 1 at 3 pm before leaving Taoyuan for Danang at 4 pm and arriving in Danang at 6 pm local time under flight VJ909. These flights are effective for take off on Thursdays.

The detailed daily flight schedules of VJ908 / VJ909 are as follows:-

Flight               Route                          Timing
VJ908         Danang - Taoyuan      10.50 am - 2.30 pm, Suns to Weds
VJ909         Taoyuan  - Danang     3.30 pm - 5.30 pm, Suns to Weds
VJ908         Danang - Taoyuan      11.20 am - 3 pm, Thus
VJ909         Taoyuan - Danang      4 pm - 6 pm, Thus
VJ908         Danang - Taoyuan      8.15 am - 11.55 am, Fris
VJ909         Taoyuan - Danang      2 pm - 4 pm, Fris
VJ908         Danang - Taoyuan     12 pm - 3.40 pm, Sats
VJ909         Taoyuan - Danang      4.40 pm - 6.40 pm, Sats

According to Vietjet Air, it is the second airline to launch the Danang - Taoyuan route after Jetstar Pacific Airlines. Following the launch of the new route, Vietjet Air will have operated 20 daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hanoi to Taichung, Tainan, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung, hence becoming the low-cost airline from Southeast Asia with the most frequent flights to Taiwan.

Following the launch of Vietjet Air's Danang - Taoyuan route, EVA Air will follow with its confirmed inaugural flight on this route on 21 December 2019 while Starlux Airlines is expected to commence on this route on 23 January 2020.

HNA transferring equities of its subsidiaries to local governments

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Following Capital Airlines, Urumqi Air and GX Airlines, West Air owned by HNA has received state-owned support.

In the afternoon of 2 December 2019, HNA Group and Chongqing Yufu Asset Management Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yufu Group") signed the "Agreement on Strategic Restructuring of West Air" . Both parties agreed to restructure equity of HNA's West Air.

After the completion of the strategic reorganization, Yufu Group or its designated enterprises have a total shareholding of not less than 70 per cent, thus becoming the largest shareholder of West Air, while the aviation operation of HNA will continue to oversee the production and operation of HNA.

At the signing ceremony, Chen Feng, chairman of HNA Group, stated that the strategic reorganization of West Air is a concrete action of HNA Group in implementing the strategic requirements of “focusing on the main business and healthy development of aviation”.

In the future, with the strong support of Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, and Yufu Group, West Air will build a world-class low-cost airline to serve the construction of Chongqing's international aviation hub and contribute to the greater development of the civil aviation industry in Chongqing and even the southwest region in the new era. 

Yufu Group was established in August 2016 with a registered capital of 10 billion yuan. The company's sole shareholder is Chongqing Yufu Holding Group Co., Ltd, which is owned by the Chongqing State-owned Assets Supervision Management Committee.

West Air was established in 2007 as a subsidiary of HNA Group. It currently has 31 A320 aircraft and 4 A319 aircraft, employs more than 2,600 people, and has total assets of 12.5 billion yuan. West Air's main base in Chongqing has 160 domestic and international routes covering cities such as Haikou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Mandalay, Phuket, Kansai and 54 navigable cities.

This is not the first time HNA's subsidiaries have received local government support. 

Earlier in the evening of 11 June 2019, HNA Holdings issued a statement saying that Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangxi Airport Management Group Co., Ltd. and HNA Holdings signed the "Framework Agreement on Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines Co., Ltd. (GX Airlines) Equity Reorganization and Cooperation", The three parties agreed to restructure GX Airlines through equity transfer, capital increase and share expansion.

In addition, in November 2018, HNA Holding signed a framework agreement with the Urumqi Municipal Government. According to the agreement, the Urumqi Municipal Government or its designated subsidiary will hold 70 per cent equity of Urumqi Air, and HNA's shareholding ratio will be reduced from 70 per cent to 30 per cent.

In December 2018, HNA Group Co., Ltd. and Beijing Capital Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (BTG) signed a framework agreement. HNA Group and BTG will increase support for Beijing Capital Airlines through equity transfer, capital increase and share expansion, and expand the first The BTG Group holds a stake in Capital Airlines and becomes a major shareholder of Capital Airlines.

Some industry analysts believe that the partnership model between Capital Airlines, Urumqi Air and local governments may become a template for other airlines under the HNA Group to seek capital increase and development. In fact, Chen Feng, party secretary and chairman of HNA Group, also confirmed this in an interview: HNA will continue to transfer equities of its local airlines to local governments. 

Involving the local governments to reorganize Urumqi Air, Capital Airlines, GX Airlines and West Air strategically are only the initial steps.