Hainan Airlines launches flight from Sanya to Linfen on 29 January 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines has launched scheduled flight from Sanya to Linfen since 29 January 2021 with its B737-800.

According to schedules on FlightAware, Hainan Airlines flight HU6161 leaves Sanya for Linfen at 7.25 am, arrives in Linfen at 10.35 am before leaving Linfen for Sanya at 11.25 am and landing in Sanya at 3 pm under flight HU6162.

Hainan Airlines flies to Linfen on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Sanya - Linfen route is Hainan Airlines' third route from Sanya. Its other round-trip routes from Sanya are Sanya = Shenzhen, Sanya = Hangzhou and Sanya = Jingzhou.

Linfen is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province. It is famous for its spring water, greenery and rich agriculture. It is now a fruit, flower and coal-mining town. It is home to Hukou Waterfall, the largest waterfall on the Yellow River.

Inflight Pictures : Juneyao Air 787-9 Dreamliner on 5 February 2021

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Inflight Pictures : KLM Asia

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

KLM Asia on its rare visit to Singapore Changi Airport on 5 February 2021 departs for Amsterdam after midnight.

China Southern launches cargo flight to Toronto via Wuhan on 3 February 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern on 5 February 2021 announced that it has successfully launched its inaugural freighter route to Toronto from Guangzhou via Wuhan on 3 February 2021 with its 787-9 Dreamliner jet.

On 3 February 2021, flight CZ8001 departs from Guangzhou for Toronto via Wuhan at 4.34 am, transits in Wuhan at 5.41 am to pick up anti-pandemic medical supplies, electronic goods and other goods. It leaves Wuhan for Toronto at 9.15 am and touches down in Toronto on 4 February 2021 at 11.04 am. It intended to arrive in Toronto at 9.40 am according to schedule.

China Southern operates three freighter flights to Toronto per week and the Wuhan - Toronto freighter route is the airline's fourth such route from Wuhan. It also operates freighter flights with its 787-9 to New York, London and San Francisco.

 

Air New Zealand adds Guangzhou to its route network on 3 February 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 3 February 2021, Air New Zealand cargo flight NZ1082 took off from Christchurch at 10.35 am and successfully arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 5.25 pm with New Zealander products.  Guangzhou has become the latest destination in Air New Zealand’s route network.

Air New Zealand flies the chartered cargo route from Christchurch to Guangzhou twice a week until the peak of the Lunar New Year period. The route is operated by its 787-9 Dreamliner.

Air Canada resumes flights to Pudong from 13 February 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

News (1)

Air Canada resumes flight to Pudong from Toronto on 13 February 2021

Air Canada resumes Dreamliner flight to Pudong from Toronto on 13 February 2021 with flight AC27 departing from Toronto at 11.55 pm, arriving in Pudong two days later at 6.40 am. Outbound flight from Toronto falls on Saturdays and arrives in Pudong on Mondays. 

On 13 February 2021, flight AC28 leaves Pudong at 9.55 am and touches down in Toronto at 1 pm local time.

The above flights are valid from 13 February to 8 March 2021. 

From 14 March to 22 March 2021, flight AC27 leaves Toronto for Pudong at 12.55 am on Sundays and arrives in Pudong on Mondays at 6.40 am while flight AC28 arrives in Toronto at 2 pm.

News (2)

Air Canada resumes flight to Pudong from Vancouver on 18 February 2021

Air Canada resumes Dreamliner flight to Pudong from Vancouver on 18 February 2021 with flight AC25 departing from Vancouver at 11.55 pm, arriving in Pudong two days later at 6.40 am. Outbound flight from Vancouver falls on Thursdays and arrives in Pudong on Saturdays. 

On 18 February 2021, flight AC26 leaves Pudong at 9.55 am and touches down in Vancouver at 7 pm local time.

The above flights are valid from 18 February to 13 March 2021. 

From 14 March to 27 March 2021, flight AC25 leaves Toronto for Pudong at 12.55 am on Fridays and arrives in Pudong on Saturdays at 6.40 am while flight AC28 arrives in Vancouver at 8 am local time.

News (3)

Canada policy for travellers during the pandemic

All Canada-bound passengers must complete nucleic acid PCR tests 72 hours before departures, download ArriveCAN application and fill in necessary travel details and medical history. To monitor any change in the latest Canada immigration and travel policy, browse travel.gc.ca for details.

Air Canada Reservations Contact Centre : 400112 2776

www.aircanada.com

Juneyao Air operates Dreamliner daytime flights to Singapore since 8 January 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Juneyao Air has been operating 787-9 Dreamliner daytime flights to Singapore from Pudong since 8 January 2021. The flight schedules are as follows:-

Juneyao Air flight HO1605 departs from Pudong for Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 9.40 am, touches down in Singapore at 3.40 pm before leaving Singapore for Pudong at 5 pm and arriving in Pudong at 9.30 pm under flight HO1606.

Juneyao Air flies from Singapore to Pudong with the Dreamliner on Fridays and to Wuxi with its A320 on Mondays.

Impact of the pandemic: Qantas Sunrise plan postponed to 2024

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Qantas announced that its "Sunrise Plan" will be postponed to 2024. CEO Alan Joyce outlined the provisional timetable for the continued implementation of the project: "We still hope to re-propose this plan before the end of 2021, but the aircraft receiving the plan may be in 2024 or later." Alan Joyce believes that In the post-epidemic era, direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London, Paris and New York will be more attractive.

Alan Joyce had previously predicted that Qantas' international passenger traffic would not return to 2019 levels until 2023-2024.

The Sunrise Project is based on a new generation of long-range passenger aircraft that Qantas opens up direct flights between Australia and several major international markets that were previously inaccessible. Qantas previously evaluated the 777X and A350 and determined that it would preferentially select the A350-1000 to fly the sunrise route.

It is worth mentioning that Qantas' pre-pandemic direct flights from London to Perth have also achieved incredible success. According to Joyce, this route was the airline's most profitable route before the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Earlier in January, Qantas began selling tickets for 14 international routes from July 1, but this does not mean that tourists can enter Australia, because the government decides when to reopen the border. Australia’s retreat will last until at least 17 March 2021, and there is currently no clear plan to cancel it. Qantas said that they know that international travel may be further delayed, so if customers' travel plans are blocked due to extended border closures, they will provide customers with full refunds, free renewals or travel vouchers.

Great buyer interest in Hainan Airlines currently operating as per normal

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to a Reuters report, analysts said that Hainan Airlines, the flagship company of HNA Group, is currently operating normally. Although HNA Group announced bankruptcy and reorganization last week and suffered huge asset impairment, it may still attract new investors.

According to Reuters, Hainan Airlines's strong route network, high brand value, experienced management team, and ongoing restructuring are all reasons for attracting investors.

A HNA Group executive told Reuters that group subsidiaries including Hainan Airlines will introduce strategic investors in negotiations this year. Earlier, there were reports that potential buyers showed great interest in Hainan Airlines. However, reports say that Hainan Airlines's goal is to remain independent.

Hainan Airlines declined to comment on potential investments.

"Hainan Airlines itself should be fine," said Li Xiaojin, a Chinese aviation expert. "Hainan Airlines is likely to continue operations, but ownership may change."

Juneyao Air links Pudong with Yongzhou on 31 January 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

On 31 January 2021, Juneyao Air successfully launches its maiden flight on the Pudong-Yongzhou-Kunming route. The HO1019 flight operated by Juneyao Air Airbus A320 takes off from Pudong at 2.35 pm with a full load of passengers. It transits in Yongzhou at 5.10 pm before leaving Yongzhou for Kunming at 5.55 pm and arriving in Kunming at 7.50 pm.  

Flight HO1020 departing from Kunming for Pudong via Yongzhou was cancelled on 31 January. According to schedules, under normal circumstances, flight HO1020 took off from Kunming at 8.40 pm and eventually landed in Pudong at 12.10 am the next day via Yongzhou.

Flight HO1019 is the first new flight service to resume after Yongzhou Lingling Airport’s temporary closure due to its renovation and expansion project. Juneyao Air's first flight to Yongzhou is the sole flight from Shanghai to Yongzhou, following Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Yueyang. , Hengyang, Shaoyang and Changde, Juneyao Airlines’ seventh destination in Hunan. The opening of the new route is of great significance. It has expanded Juneyao Air's route network, optimized and enriched Hunan’s route layout, and basically completed Juneyao Air route coverage in Hunan. On the day of the maiden flight, Juneyao Air held ceremonies at the airports of Shanghai, Yongzhou and Kunming to commemorate the maiden flight of the new route.

The opening of the Shanghai-Yongzhou-Kunming route has greatly enriched the choices of Hunan passengers in Shanghai and Yunnan. Juneyao Air has committed to support the development of the new airport and actively participating in the opening of new airport routes. In recent years, it has opened routes to Guangdong Huizhou Pingtan Airport, Fujian Sanmingsha County Airport, Yueyang Sanhe Airport, etc.

Yongzhou Lingling Airport, due to its renovation and expansion project in 2019, is temporarily closed from 4 June 2020 to 27 January  2021. Its Youngzhou-Kunming route will also be served by China Eastern.