Asian air route updates: AirAsia, Tigerair, Jetstar Pacific and more

Chinese travellers get more flights to Malaysia

Where? Guangzhou (China) to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Sichuan Airlines
Why? Chinese carrier expands services to Malaysia, providing link to the home of Legoland (pictured) and Hello Kitty theme parks
Anything else? Formerly the Sultanate of Johor, Johor Bahru is located at the southernmost tip in the Malay Peninsula

AirAsia expands Indian network

Where? Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Bhubaneswar (India)
When? Four times a week, effective 26 April 2017
Who? AirAsia
Why? Expanding trade and tourism ties between Malaysia and India
Anything else? This will become the first international flight from Bhubaneswar, and the first time any AirAsia subsidiary has flown to the Odisha city

Dong Hoi Airport gets first international flights

Where? Dong Hoi (Vietnam) to Chiang Mai (Thailand)
When? Twice a week, effective June 2017
Who? Jetstar Pacific
Why? Part of efforts to attract more visitors to Vietnamese coastal region, which is home to sandy beaches and UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Anything else? This will become the first international flight from Dong Hoi, the capital of Central Vietnam’s Quang Binh province

Tigerair heads to far north of Queensland

Where? Melbourne to Townsville (both Australia)
When? Four times a week, effective 22 June 2017
Who? Tigerair Australia
Why? Low-cost flight expected to boost tourism in North Queensland
Anything else? Tigerair Australia recently suspended its flights to Bali – its only international destination