Asian air route updates: new flights to Sydney, Bangkok, Nha Trang and more…

New Chinese connection for Thailand’s Hat Yai

Where? Kunming (China) to Hat Yai, pictured (Thailand)
When? Three times a week, effective 1 April 2017
Who? Kunming Airlines
Why? Proliferating trade and tourism ties between mainland China and Thailand, and a new direct connection to the largest city in southern Thailand
Anything else? This will become the first non-stop service between Hat Yai and mainland China

Bangladeshi carrier starts flying to Bangkok

Where? Dhaka and Chittagong (both Bangladesh) to Bangkok (Thailand)
When? Four times a week, effective 3 May 2017
Who? US-Bangla Airlines
Why? Bangladeshi airline continues Southeast Asian expansion, following recent launch of flights to KL and Singapore
Anything else? The flights will start from Chittagong and fly to Dhaka, then onwards to Bangkok. The return flight will head to Chittagong and terminate in Dhaka

More Chinese charters for Nha Trang

Where? Cam Ranh (Vietnam) to Nanjing and Wuxi (both China)
When? Three times a week, effective 11 July (Nanjing) and 12 July (Wuxi)
Who? Vietnam Airlines
Why? New charter flights to bring Chinese tourists to the Vietnamese beach resort of Nha Trang
Anything else? Nanjing and Wuxi are both located in eastern China’s Jiangsu province and have a combined population  of more than 10 million people

Qingdao gets connected to Sydney

Where? Qingdao, pictured (China) to Sydney (Australia)
When? Twice a week, effective 9 August 2017
Who? Beijing Capital Airlines
Why? The latest in a series of new connections between mainland China and Australia, launched by HNA Group’s stable of airlines
Anything else? The port city of Qingdao, in China’s Shandong province, is home to the famous Chinese beer, Tsing Tao.