Asian air route updates, including new flights to Chiang Mai, Clark and Tianjin

Russian carrier flies 777 to Hainan

Where? Moscow Domodedovo (Russia) to Haikou (China)
When? Once a week, effective immediately
Who? VIM Airlines
Why? Handling rising Russian demand for travel to the island of Hainan – China’s answer to Hawaii or Bali
Anything else? The Russian carrier will operate the new route using a large, twin-aisle Boeing 777 aircraft

First international connection for Vietnam’s Quang Binh

Where? Quang Binh (Vietnam) to Chiang Mai (Thailand)
When? Twice a week, effective 11 August 2017
Who? Jetstar Pacific
Why? Aimed at expanding intra-regional trade and tourism between ASEAN countries
Anything else? This will become the first non-stop service on the route and the first international flight from Quang Binh’s Dong Hoi Airport

China Eastern adds new flight to the Philippines

Where? Shanghai Pudong (China) to Clark (Philippines)
When? Daily, effective 18 October 2017
Who? China Eastern Airlines
Why? Catering for outbound traffic from China to the Philippines and opening up a new option for travellers to Manila
Anything else? Clark could become one of Asia’s largest airports, if plans to expand its capacity to 80 million annual passengers are realised

Malaysia Airlines plans Tianjin launch

Where? Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) to Tianjin (China)
When? Twice a week, effective 26 March 2017
Who? Malaysia Airlines
Why? Malaysian national carrier continues to focus its expansion on Asia’s fast-expanding markets, most notably China
Anything else? Tianjin will become Malaysia Airlines’ second Chinese route from Kota Kinabalu, after Shanghai