Asian air route updates from AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Air Astana and more
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AirAsia launches Borneo’s new intra-island route
Where? Kuching (Malaysia) to Pontianak (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? AirAsia
Why? Low-cost carrier expands intra-island connectivity in Borneo, with new cross-border link between Malaysia and Indonesia
Anything else? Pontianak is known as the “Equatorial City” as it is positioned exactly on the Equator.
Air China expands European network
Where? Beijing (China) to Zurich (Switzerland)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately
Who? Air China
Why? Chinese national carrier continues to expand long-haul network with new link to European financial hub
Anything else? Air China operates more flights between China and Europe than any other airline, with almost 300 weekly departures
Air Astana goes international from Uralsk
Where? Uralsk (Kazakhstan) to Frankfurt (Germany)
When? Once a week, effective 14 June 2017
Who? Air Astana
Why? Kazakhstan’s national carrier aims to boost connectivity in the west of the country, which has strong mineral and agriculture sectors
Anything else? This will be the first direct connection between Uralsk and Western Europe
Capital connection for World Expo
Where? Astana (Kazakhstan) to Delhi (India)
When? Three times a week, effective 2 July 2017
Who? Air Astana
Why? Kazakhstan’s national carrier expands international links from the country’s capital, Astana, as it hosts the World Expo
Anything else? Air Astana already flies direct to Delhi from Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty
Low-cost Spring resumes Bangkok route
Where? Nanchang (China) to Bangkok (Thailand)
When? Four times a week, effective 2 July 2017
Who? Spring Airlines
Why? Chinese low-cost carrier continues to tap huge outbound demand for breaks in Thailand, resuming a previously suspended service
Anything else? Spring now connects 19 Chinese cities with Bangkok, either direct or as part of one-stop routes
Virgin Australia starts flying to Hong Kong
Where? Melbourne (Australia) to Hong Kong
When? Five times a week, effective 7 July 2017
Who? Virgin Australia
Why? New service forms part of partnership between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines, with passengers offered codeshare connections in Australia and China
Anything else? Hong Kong Airlines’ parent company, HNA Group, has purchased an equity stake in Virgin Australia
Samui gets connected to Chinese megacity
Where? Koh Samui (Thailand) to Chongqing (China)
When? Three times a week, effective 22 July 2017
Who? Bangkok Airways
Why? Thai carrier aims to take advantage of the huge Chinese appetite for Thailand’s beaches, with new flights from the megacity of Chongqing
Anything else? Home to more than 40 million people, Chongqing is one of the world’s most populous urban areas
Alitalia plans return to Delhi
Where? Rome (Italy) to Delhi (India)
When? Daily, effective 29 October 2017
Who? Alitalia
Why? Italian national carrier taps demand from fast-growing Indian outbound travel market, whilst also taking advantage of partnership with Jet Airways
Anything else? Alitalia previously flew between Milan and Delhi in 2008, but has not connected the Indian capital with Rome since the mid-1990s
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