Asian air route updates from Hainan Airlines, AirAsia, Qatar Airways and more

China gets reconnected to Belgrade

Where? Beijing (China) to Belgrade (Serbia)
When? Twice a week, effective 15 September 2017
Who? Hainan Airlines
Why? Expanding links with Europe as an extension of its Beijing-Prague route. Hainan Airlines will become the first Chinese carrier to fly to Belgrade since Air China in 1992
Anything else? The Serbian capital’s airport is named after Nikola Tesla, despite the fact that the inventor and physicist was born in modern day Croatia and emigrated to the US in his 20s

Saudia adds new services to southern India

Where? Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to Thiruvananthapuram (India)
When? Three times a week, effective 1 October 2017
Who? Saudi Arabian Airlines
Why? Catering for strong trade and employment traffic between India and Saudi Arabia
Anything else? This is one of two routes to Thiruvananthapuram planned by Saudia, along with another direct service from Jeddah

China Eastern Airlines links Xi’an with Prague

Where? Xi’an (China) to Prague (Czech Republic)
When? Four times a week, effective 29 October 2017
Who? China Eastern Airlines
Why? Chinese airline aims to boost Prague route with addition of stop in Xi’an, China’s ancient capital and home of the Terracotta Warriors
Anything else? Flights will continue onwards between Xi’an and Shanghai, altering the previous non-stop route

Beijing Capital Airlines adds latest Spanish service

Where? Qingdao (China) to Madrid, pictured (Spain)
When? Three times a week, effective 31 October 2017
Who? Beijing Capital Airlines
Why? Fast-expanding Chinese airline continues to cater for rising outbound demand for travel to Spain and the Iberian Peninsula
Anything else? The airline will launch its inaugural flights to Lisbon, the capital of neighbouring Portugal, later this month

AirAsia to launch KL-Davao route

Where? Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Davao (Philippines)
When? Four times a week, effective 21 December 2017
Who? AirAsia
Why? AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said he believes “Davao has the potential to be the international gateway for ASEAN to the southern Philippines”
Anything else? The route will be operated by AirAsia Malaysia under the “AK” flight code, becoming its fourth Philippine route from KL

Qatar Airways adds capital connection to Canberra

Where? Doha (Qatar) to Canberra, pictured (Australia)
When? Daily, effective 12 February 2018
Who? Qatar Airways
Why? Boosting the airline’s Australian network and serving government traffic at the expanding Canberra Airport
Anything else? Flights will operate via Sydney, but Qatar Airways will not be able to sell seats on the Sydney-Canberra legs of the route