Air Changan Timetable released

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Changan has released its flight schedule on its web-site : http://www.airchangan.com/portal/pdf/2020cahkskb.pdf

 

Vietravel Airlines receives its first A321 aircraft

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Video Screenshot

According to Vietravel Airlines, it receives its first Airbus A321 aircraft at 12.55 am on 5 December 2020. The aircraft will enable the new airline to secure its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and begin domestic commercial flights in Vietnam later in "the earliest possible time".

The A321 of Vietravel Airlines provides spacious seats with wireless entertainment system and internet through "satellite waves". Thus, it will bring visitors a complete new experience during the journey, the airline said.

The livery of Vietravel Airlines features Vietravel's kite logo, an image of 2 triangles that create a yellow kite that flies into the open sky, carrying the desire to conquer the sky, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties to bring customers service quality and travel experiences after 25 years of Vietravel travel firm establishment.

Seoul Central District Court approved merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 1 December 2020, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the application of Grace Holdings, an investment company under the private equity fund KCGI, to the Hanjin Group holding company Hanjin KAL to prohibit the issuance of new shares.

Accordingly, the Korea Development Bank, the main creditor bank of Asiana Airlines, will be able to inject 500 billion won (approximately RMB 2.966 billion) into Korean Air’s parent company, Hanjin KAL, as scheduled, through a third-party allotment of capital.

KCGI filed an application to the court on the 18th of last month to prohibit Hanjin KAL from issuing new shares. Recently, Korean Air decided to acquire Asiana Airlines. KCGI objected to this, saying that the Industrial Bank invested in Hanjin KAL to protect the management rights of the major shareholder, Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Wontae.

The Industrial Bank previously decided to invest 800 billion won to support Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines, and to inject 500 billion won into Korean Air’s parent company, Hanjin Group holding company Hanjin KAL, through a third-party rights issue.

Air Guilin links Baise, Guilin and Beijing on 1 December 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Air Guilin, it has launched flights that link Baise, Guilin and Beijing Capital on 1 December 2020. The routes' schedules are listed below:

Flight      Route                                      Timing                           Frequency

GT1053  Guilin - Baise                          8 am - 9.10 am                 2, 4, 6

GT1054  Baise - Guilin                         10 pm - 11.05 pm              2, 4, 6

GT1099  Baise - Guilin                         10 am - 11 am                   2, 4, 6

GT1099  Guilin - Beijing Capital          11.50 am - 2.50 pm            2, 4, 6

GT1100  Beijing Capital - Guilin           3.55 pm - 7.10 pm             2, 4, 6

GT1100  Guilin - Baise                         8 pm - 9.10 pm                  2, 4, 6

FAA issues the first airworthiness permit after 737 MAX goes back to flight

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : SilkAir's 737 MAX

According to Reuters, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on 1 December 2020 that it had issued the first airworthiness certificate for the Boeing 737 MAX produced since the grounding in March 2019.

FAA lifted the 20-month ban on 737 MAX on 18 November 2020, approved Boeing to resume delivery of the aircraft, and allowed the 737 MAX to resume operations in the United States, provided that the airline needs to complete the corresponding Software and hardware modifications and pilot training.

Since 2019, Boeing has produced about 450 737 MAX aircraft, and they are waiting for FAA approval before they can be delivered to airlines including SilkAir. Investment company Jefferies estimates that Boeing's backlog of aircraft is worth about $16 billion.

United Airlines and American Airlines will be the first two airlines to resume 737 MAX flights.

Air Changan launches flight to Yulin on 1 December 2020

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Changan launches flight to Yulin from Xi'an Xianyang Airport on 1 December 2020 with its B737-800 aircraft.

On 1 December 2020, Air Changan flight 9H8329 departs from Xianyang for Yulin at 3.10 pm, touches down in Yulin at 4.25 pm before leaving Yulin for Xi'an at 5 pm and landing in Xi'an Xianyang at 6.10 pm under flight 9H8330.

Air Changan flies to Yulin on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Chinese name of Air Travel officially renamed as Hunan Airlines

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Hunan Airlines / Air Travel 

After completing the change of industrial and commercial registration materials and obtaining the new operating license issued by CAAC, Hunan Airlines completed the supplementary operation certification work on 1 December 2020, and obtained the operation certification after the main operating base and the air carrier name were changed. The formalities were all completed, and Hunan officially welcomed the first local airline.

It is reported that Hunan Airlines has started the work of changing the paint livery of its fleet at the same time. It will soon unveil the new livery of Hunan Airlines, retaining the words "Air Travel" at the meantime. In addition, the Chinese name and logo of Hunan Airlines are gradually replacing the previous image on tickets and flight information inquiries. Besides, tickets sold under the names of "Air Travel" and "Hongtu Airlines" are being honoured by Hunan Airlines, according to its web-site.

Hunan Airlines / Air Travel focus now is on Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, actively integratesinto the "Changsha four-hour aviation economic circle", and combines the Internet technology, tourism resources and channel advantages of shareholders of the same journey, and strives to create "Internet +" boutique aviation.

Hunan Airlines, formerly known as Yunnan Hongtu Airlines Co., Ltd., made its maiden flight in May 2016. The original main operating base was located at Kunming Changshui International Airport. After Tongcheng became a shareholder in 2017, it became the world's first airline controlled by a new Internet economy company.  In September 2019, the Hunan Provincial Government's Caixin Emerging Industry Fund became a shareholder and became the second largest shareholder.

As an important province in central China, Hunan has a wide range of radiation. The "Changsha Four-Hour Aviation Economic Circle" covers 31 provinces (regions, cities, autonomous regions) and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and a four-hour route network to major countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. It covers a large number of important tourist destinations and regions with the fastest economic growth and the most dynamic development in the world today. The entry of Hunan Airlines has filled the gap of local airlines, and will realize the company's long-term sustainable development by continuously integrating into the overall construction plan of the "Changsha Four-Hour Aviation Economic Circle".

Hunan Airlines now has 12 all-Airbus A320 series models, including three NEO advanced models, with an average age of about 3 years. They serve 31 cities across the country, including Kunming, Changsha, Nanjing, Chengdu, Wuxi and Qingdao. 

At present, Hunan Airlines has integrated into the "Changsha four-hour aviation economic circle", and has made major breakthroughs in Changsha's central and southern regional route development. These include successive launches of Changsha - Kunming, Changsha - Cangyuan - Lijiang, Changsha - Chengdu, Changsha - Yantai, Changsha - Hailar and other Changsha-origin routes.

Starlux Airlines launches flight to Kuala Lumpur on 5 January 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Starlux Airlines (STARLUX), Taiwan's newest private airline, is launching scheduled flight from Taoyuan to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on 5 January 2021 using its Airbus A321neo aircraft.

On 5 January 2021, STARLUX flight JX725 departs from Taoyuan for KLIA at 10.15 am, touches down in KLIA at 3.15 pm before leaving KLIA for Taoyuan at 4.15 pm and arriving in Taoyuan at 9.05 pm under flight JX726.

STARLUX flies to KLIA on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tibet Airlines launches Xi'an - Tianjin flight on 29 November 2020

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Tibet Airlines launches daily flight from Xi'an Xianyang to Tianjin on  29 November 2020.

On 29 November 2020, Tibet Airlines flight TV6039 departs from Xi'an Xianyang to Tianjin at 3.45 pm, touches down in Tianjin at 5.45 pm before leaving Tianjin for Xi'an at 7.10 pm and arriving in Xi'an at 9.25 pm under flight TV6040.

China Southern launches Dreamliner flight to Islamabad from Wuhan on 30 November 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 wide-body passenger aircraft numbered B-2733 took off from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport at 9 am on 30 November 2020 to Pakistan Islamabad International Airport, marking the official opening of the direct route from Wuhan to Islamabad. This is the first international route opened by China Southern Airlines in Hubei after the epidemic prevention and control has become normal, and it is currently the only direct international passenger route to South Asia from Wuhan.

According to the staff of China Southern Airlines, the Wuhan-Islamabad route is scheduled once a week. The outbound flight number is CZ8139, and the flight time is about 6 hours and 10 minutes; the return flight number is CZ8140, and the flight time is about 5 hours and 15 minutes.

According to the current anti-epidemic policy, passengers who take regular direct commercial flights from Pakistan to China should complete 1 nucleic acid and 1 serum IgM at two different testing institutions designated by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan within 48 hours before boarding. Antibody sampling and testing, and after obtaining the negative certificate of 2 nucleic acid and 2 serum IgM antibody tests, apply to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan for a green health code with the “HS” or “HDC” logo. 14 Days of centralized isolation. Passengers entering Pakistan on direct flights from China do not need to provide nucleic acid test reports, but they need to download and install the Pass Track applet and fill in personal information as required.

It is understood that the first flight also carried 12 tons of cargo, the main sources of which were communications products, medical equipment, e-commerce products and traditional trade goods. In terms of cargo security, the Hubei Sales Department of China Southern Airlines Cargo Logistics strictly examines cargo types and packaging, formulates loading plans in advance, and strengthens risk monitoring in the collection and transportation links. At the same time, in combination with the epidemic prevention and control policy, understand the information of imported goods, formulate killing measures, standardize the operation process, strengthen the protection training of front-line personnel, strictly control the risk of epidemic transmission in all links, and actively prevent and control import risks.

According to the staff of the Hubei branch of China Southern Airlines, with the continuous advancement of resumption of work and production, China Southern Airlines uses "passenger-to-cargo" and chartered flights to provide more capacity for Hubei enterprises and personnel to communicate with foreign countries. Since the beginning of this year, as of November 30, China Southern Airlines opened three international long-distance “passenger-to-cargo” direct flights from Wuhan to New York, London, and San Francisco, and guaranteed 11 direct flights from Wuhan to Kansai, Narita, Nagoya Chubu and Incheon. Under the policy guidance and process support of bureaus, customs, border inspections, and epidemic prevention units, a complete epidemic prevention and safeguard process has been established.