Air Arabia connects Urumqi
Air Arabia recently launched its inaugural flight to Urumqi in China.
This is the carriers 101st global destination.
Adel A Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia, said:…
Urumqi could join visa waiver scheme
Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region, is expected to become the next Chinese city to start offering 72-hour visa-free stays for transit air passengers.
Under the…
Korean Air and China Southern codeshare to Urumqi
Commencing 22 August, Korean Air will launch a new code-share agreement with China Southern Airlines on the Incheon-Urumqi route.
Korean Air’s flights depart from Incheon…
Urumqi Airlines cleared for launch
A new airline based in northwest Chinese's Xinjiang region has been cleared for take-off.
Urumqi Airlines is the latest regional carrier from China's HNA Group, which also operates…
Urumqi Airport T1 to reopen
Authorities at Urumqi's Diwopu International Airport, in northwest China's Xinjiang region, have decided to reopen the old Terminal 1 in an effort to ease congestion.
T1 was first…
Accor arrives in Urumqi
Accor has expanded into the far northwest of China, with the launch of its first ever hotel in Urumqi.
The company's move in the capital of China's Xinjiang region was enabled by…
Air Astana boosts Urumqi flights
Air Astana will boost flights to the city of Urumqi, in western China's Xinjiang region.
From 1 August 2012, Kazakhstan's national carrier will increase the frequency of its Almaty-Urumqi…
China plans to draw 10 million tourists to Urumqi
The city of Urumqi, in northwest China's Xinjiang region, is planning to attract 10 million tourists this year - 27.9% more than the 7.8 million achieved last year. Xinhua reported the…
Fire breaks out in downtown Urumqi
A huge fire broke out in a high-rise office building in the commercial centre of the western Chinese city of Urumqi yesterday. The China Daily reported that the fire, in the capital…
Fresh protests hit Urumqi streets
Fresh protests, led mainly by Han Chinese, have flared in Urumqi, following violence that left 156 people dead earlier this week. The new protests were dispersed by police…
AirBaltic carries face masks and respirators to Latvia
After a request from the National Health Service of Latvia, airBaltic performed a special cargo flight to and from Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport in China, bringing 900,000 face…
COVID-19 cancels more than 200,000 flights to, from and within China
Over 200,000 flights have now been cancelled or proactively removed from schedules to, from and within China due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), according to Cirium.
The figure – which…
Lucky Air launches flights from Pulkovo St. Petersburg Airport to Kunming
Lucky Air, the Chinese airline, started direct scheduled service between St. Petersburg, Russia and Kunming, China. Both the destination and the carrier are a new addition to the…
Record numbers set to attend MeetChina forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Two-day forum on Yas Island – Abu Dhabi is set to welcome 85 top tier travel buyers from China and 75 suppliers from across the MENA region.
China Southern deploys Dreamliner to Xinjiang
China Southern Airlines is planning to deploy its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Xinjiang, the restive region in the far west of China.
According to an update on the Routes Online…
China develops 17 airports in Xinjiang
The Chinese government is planning to invest CNY14.4 billion (US$2.1bn) in the construction or expansion of 17 airports in the remote northwestern region of Xinjiang this year, Xinhua…
Air Astana ramps up London services
Kazakhstan's national carrier will ramp up the frequency of its flights to London this summer.
Air Astana has confirmed that, effective June 2017, it will launch a fifth weekly flight…
Singapore air traffic soars to record levels
Singapore's Changi Airport experienced a strong year in 2016, handling record numbers of passengers and flights.
According to official data released this week, a total of 58.7 million…
Asian air route updates: Thai Lion Air, S7 Airlines, and more…
Thai Lion roars into Western China
Where? Bangkok (Thailand) to Chengdu (China)
When? Daily, effective 1 March 2017
Who? Thai Lion Air
Why? Mainly serving rising Chinese tourist…
Asian air route updates: Fiji Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, and more
Who's flying where? All is revealed with our round-up of the latest air routes...
Fiji Airways spreads wings in Australia
Where? Suva (Fiji) to Adelaide (Australia)
When? Twice a…
Asian LCC alliance takes off with own livery
An airline alliance for Asian low-cost carriers has unveiled its own aircraft livery.
U-Fly Alliance brings together five fast-growing LCCs from North Asia - HK Express, Lucky Air,…
“Sacred bird” to take flight in Chengdu
The skies above China are set to become even busier in future, as the fast-expanding HNA Group prepares to launch yet another airline.
One of the group's existing carriers,…
Tianjin Airlines sets up base in Guiyang
Tianjin Airlines has set up a new operating base in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou province.
Initially, the carrier will operate a fleet of five aircraft from…
China’s high-speed rail reaches major milestone
China's high-speed railway network now stretches more than 20,000km, following the opening of a line on Saturday.
Xinhua reports that the launch of the 360km line linking Zhengzhou,…
China Southern to fly to Vienna
China Southern Airlines plans to expand its route map in Europe later this year, with the launch of flights to Vienna.
The Guangzhou-based airline has submitted an application with…
China’s Qinghai province gets new high-speed rail link
China is extending its high-speed rail network to the western province of Qinghai.
Construction of the Chengdu-Xining high-speed line will commence by end of this year, stretching…
Tianjin Airlines launches UK-China route
Chinese carrier Tianjin Airlines is celebrating the launch of its first flight from the UK to China which departed from Gatwick on Saturday.
The service departs from London Gatwick and…
China’s HNA Group launches new airline in Guilin
Air Guilin, a new carrier based in southern China’s scenic Guangxi region, has received its Air Operator’s Certificate and plans to commence operations later this week.
Operating…
New airline takes off in Xi’an
China's HNA Group has celebrated the launch of Air Changan, its new passenger carrier based in Xi’an, the capital of northern China’s Shaanxi province.
The new airline took off for the…
HNA Group to launch airline in Xi’an
China's HNA Group has continued the rapid expansion of its airline portfolio with the announcement of plans to create a new passenger carrier in Xi'an.
The new airline will be called…
HNA to launch new airline in Ningbo
China's HNA Group, which operates multiple aviation businesses including Hainan Airlines, is planning to set up a new carrier in Ningbo, a city in eastern China's Zhejiang province.…
Tianjin Airlines adds 42 domestic routes
Tianjin Airlines has significantly expanded its domestic route map with the launch of 42 new routes.
In Inner Mongolia, the carrier will expand its operations from Hohhot, connecting…
Air Arabia notes strong financial figures
Air Arabia is celebrating strong full-year financial results for 2015 as the Middle East and North Africa's largest low-cost carrier delivered growth and profitability.
While the…
Tianjin Airlines clocks record 11m passengers in 2015
Tianjin Airlines handled a record number of passengers in 2015.
The Chinese carrier, which is owned by the HNA Group, boarded 11.1 million passengers last year, up 11.8% compared to…
Chinese aviation bites, including three new airlines
Sichuan Airlines to link Chengdu with Prague
Sichuan Airlines has revealed plans to launch the first direct flights between Chengdu and Prague. Scheduled to commence as early as…
Wyndham opens upscale hotel in Sanya
Wyndham Hotel Group has continued to expand its portfolio in China with the opening of its first upscale Wyndham-branded property in the beach resort of Sanya.
The new Wyndham Sanya…
Wyndham climbs to 1,000 hotels in China
Wyndham Hotel Group has become the first global hospitality company to reach 1,000 hotels in Greater China.
The US-based hotelier, which operates six brands in China, including Wyndham,…
Guilin Airlines to take-off in January 2016
Guilin Airlines, a new carrier in southern China, has been given the green light to launch its first flights in January 2016.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has now…
Air Astana to recommence Dubai flights
In a recent development, Air Astana has announced its intent to re-launch flights between Astana and Dubai from 25 October 2015.
The service was suspended in October 2010 due to…
Hainan Airlines posts record profit
Hainan Airlines has posted a strong set of financial results for the six months to 30 June 2015, registering a record first half profit.
The Chinese airline generated a net profit of…
Ukraine Airlines to fly to Beijing
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will launch a new direct service to Beijing this month.
Commencing on 29 April 2015, the Ukrainian national carrier will operate three weekly…
Air Arabia posts AED566 m profit for 2014
Air Arabia reported a profitable year for 2014.
The airline reported a net profit for the full year ending 31 December 2014 of AED 566 million, up 30% compared to AED 435 m for the…
HNA launches another new Chinese airline
China's HNA Group has continued to expand its airline portfolio, with the official launch of GX Airlines - a new carrier based in southern China's scenic Guangxi region.
The start-up…
Air Arabia to become first Middle East LCC to enter China
Air Arabia is set to be the first Middle Eastern low-cost carrier to enter the Chinese market when it touches down in Urumqi next month.
Starting 10 February 2015, the carrier will…
Lucky Air sets up base in Chengdu
Lucky Air, which is based in the Chinese city of Kunming, will launch operations from Chengdu next year.
The carrier, which is partly owned by Hainan Airlines, will base several…
High-speed rail arrives in Xinjiang
China has opened the first ever high-speed rail service in Xinjiang, the restive region in the country's remote northwest.
The latest section of China's fast-expanding high-speed…
China’s latest airline takes off
Another new airline has taken to the skies in China.
Fuzhou Airlines, which is based at southeast China's Fujian province, commenced commercial operations on 30 October 2014, flying…
China’s Fuzhou Airlines cleared for launch
HNA Group has been given permission to launch another new airline in China.
Fuzhou Airlines, based in southeast China's Fujian province, has received its Air Operator's Certificate…
New air route to link northwest China with Dubai
China Southern Airlines will launch a new route connecting Dubai with two regional hubs in northwest China.
Commencing on 29 September 2014, the Chinese carrier’s new route will fly…
HNA airlines team up for Xinjiang connections
Three of HNA Group's Chinese carriers - Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Lucky Air - have teamed up to offer connecting flights through the city of Urumqi.
The partner airlines…
Lucky Air to create Chengdu base
Lucky Air, the Kunming-based subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, has announced plans to launch a base at Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport.
Currently, the airline offers flights to…
HNA to launch new airline in Guilin
China's HNA Group has announced plans to add yet another new airline to its collection, with the launch of a new carrier based in Guilin, southern China.
Guilin Airlines will be a…
HNA airlines offer connecting flights
Three Chinese airlines operated by the HNA Group are re-organising their networks to offer a series of new connecting flights.
The new interline agreement will see regional routes…
Ruili Airlines to launch on Sunday
Another new Chinese airline will take to the skies on Sunday (18 May 2014).
Ruili Airlines will launch flights from Kunming’s Changshui International Airport on 18 May 2014, flying…
‘Festival of India’ to be held in China
The Ministry of Culture will organise ‘Festival of India’ in China from May 2014 to March 2015.
A 75 member delegation led by Secretary Culture would be visiting China in the first…
Fuzhou Airlines to launch in October
A new airline based in southwest China's Fujian province is set to launch in October 2014.
Fuzhou Airlines, which is majority-owned by Hainan Airlines, will submit an application with…
Another start-up airline joins China’s aviation boom
China's rapidly expanding collection of airlines will see yet another new addition this week, with the launch of Yingan Airlines.
The regional start-up carrier, which is based in the…
Qantas boosts Asian network with China Southern deal
Qantas has expanded its network in Asia following the launch of a new partnership with China Southern Airlines.
The new codeshare partnership, which follows an agreement signed in…
Hainan Airlines connects capitals from Dalian
Hainan Airlines has added new services to multiple Chinese provincial capitals from the northeastern port city of Dalian.
Effective this month, the airline has launched daily direct…
Jin Jiang debuts in Kashgar
China's biggest upscale hotel group, Jin Jiang International, has unveiled plans for its first hotel in the ancient city of Kashgar, in the western region of Xinjiang.
Due to open in…
Hainan Airlines to launch Fuzhou-based airline
Hainan Airlines is planning to set up a new airline based in Fuzhou, in southeast China's Fujian province.
A statement on the Civil Aviation Administration of China's (CAAC) website…
New airline starts operating from Hangzhou
A new airline has started operating from Hangzhou, eastern China.
Zhejiang Loong Airlines, which is based at Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan International Airport, welcomed its first Airbus A320…
Zhejiang Loong Air receives first aircraft
New Chinese passenger carrier, Zhejiang Loong Airlines, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft.
The new single-aisle jet touched down at Hangzhou's Xiaoshan…
Shenzhen cargo airline to launch passenger services
A cargo airline based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has been given permission to launch passenger operations.
According to a statement on the Civil Aviation Administration…
New Chinese carrier to launch with Bombardier aircraft
A new Chinese airline has placed an order for 30 Bombardier turboprop aircraft.
The Canadian planemaker confirmed it has received an order from Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation for 30…
China buys 258 new bullet trains
China's state-run railways operator has placed an order with two domestic companies for 258 new high-speed trains, worth more than US$7 billion.
According to a Bloomberg report, the…
Qantas joins forces with China Southern
Qantas has signed a major new tie-up with China Southern Airlines, aimed at boosting travel between Australia and China.
The codeshare agreement will see the two airlines join forces…
Hainan Airlines to launch Xinjiang carrier
Hainan Airlines has been given permission to establish Urumqi Airlines, a new carrier based in China's far northwest region of Xinjiang.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China…
Tianjin Airlines flies to Cambodia
Tianjin Airlines will commence its first flights to Southeast Asia this winter, with the launch of scheduled flights to Phnom Penh.
The Chinese carrier will operate four weekly…
Air Astana to launch new London service
Kazakhstan's national carrier Air Astana is launching a new direct service to London.
Commencing on 29 October 2013, the new route will become the first direct link between the capitals…
Hainan Airlines half yearly profit increases
Hainan Airlines has announced its half yearly profits for the period ending 29 August.
The group’s total operating income for the half year was US$2.35 billion, up 3.83% over last…
UAE looks to boost eastbound traffic
The UAE represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed a Record of Discussions (RoD) with the government of the People's Republic of China in Yinchuan.
The new…
China to extend Tibet railway
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which started operating seven years ago, will soon be extended to reach more parts of China.
China's Xinhua news agency reported the railway's operator,…
CAL adds new cross-Strait flights
China Airlines (CAL) has launched two new cross-Strait flights connecting Taipei with destinations in western China.
On 25 June, the Taiwanese national carrier launched a new seasonal…
Asian aviation tidbits
Asiana to add Indonesia flights
Asiana Airlines has announced plans to launch two new routes to Indonesia. From 19 July 2013, the South Korean carrier will commence daily flights…
Asian aviation briefs
Garuda profits surge
Garuda Indonesia achieved a strong set of financial results in 2012, with a sharp rise in net profits compared with the previous year. The national carrier…
Accor on track to reach Chinese Mercure target
Accor is on track to reach its target of launching 60 Chinese Grand Mercure hotels by 2015.
The European hotelier launched its Grand Mercure Mei Jue brand one year ago, promising to…
Air Astana adds new Beijing flights
Air Astana has launched new service connecting the capitals of Kazakhstan and China - Astana and Beijing.
The new route, which commenced on Saturday (25 August), will operate twice a week…
Air Astana plots regional expansion
Air Astana is planning to boost its position in the Asian aviation market, building on its dominance in Central Asia and expanding its reach across the continent.
Speaking at the airline’s…
Aviation Briefs
China Southern cuts Philippine services
China Southern Airlines has announced that it is cutting flights to the Philippines amid tensions in the South China Sea.
Xinhua reported that the…
Air Astana launches two new routes
Air Astana today launched new services from Almaty to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia and Samara in southern Russia. Both services will be operated by the new Embraer E-190 on Mondays,…
Highway bridge collapses in China
A bridge on a major highway in northwest China's Xinjiang region collapsed on Tuesday, local media has reported. The bridge, which spanned a river near the city of Korli, caved in early…
Green light for Beijing-Mongolia expressway
China will begin constructing a new expressway connecting Beijing with Hohhot, in the country's Inner Mongolia region. According to state media reports, the 217km, six-lane expressway will…
Air Astana posts record profit in 2010
Air Astana, Kazakhstan's principal airline, has announced a record pre-tax profit of US$96.4 million (unaudited) in 2010, up 59% from 2009, on sales of US$656 million.…
Snowstorms wreak havoc in Xinjiang
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in northwest China, has suffered severe snow and sandstorm, causing transport chaos, Xinhua has reported. At least 14 flights were…
Chinese flight grounded after toilet fire
A China Southern Airlines flight from Urumqi to Wuhan was forced to return to the Xinjiang capital after a small fire was detected in the aircraft's toilet. According to a Shanghai Daily…
Air Astana to fly to KL
On 31 October, Air Astana launches a new non-stop flight to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, which will operate on Saturdays on a with Boeing 767 equipment. The flagship Kazakhstan airline…
Air Astana to launch KL services
Air Astana, the flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will be expanding its Asian network with the launch of services from Almaty to Kuala Lumpur commencing on 31st October…
Air Astana carries 10 millionth passenger
Air Astana, the flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, recorded its 10 millionth passenger in early September. This achievement reflects continuing growth at the airline,…
Xinjiang tourism suffers from syringe attacks
The tourism industry in China's restive western region of Xinjiang has been hard hit again by the recent reports of syringe attacks in its capital, Urumqi, Xinhua reported a local…
Over 150 dead in Xinjiang violence
Violence in China's Xinjiang Uyghur AutonomousRegion has left at least 156 people dead and more than 800 people injured, theBBC has reported. Violence erupted in the city of Urumqion…
Air Astana looks to spread its wings
Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, is celebrating its seventh anniversary with plans to significantly expand its Central Asia network to include more cities in…
Air China looks to Europe
The company saidthat due to a new National Plan for Leisure and the depreciation in the valueof the Euro, Europe is becoming anincreasingly attractive destination for Chinese tourists.…
China Southern eyes 40 new routes
China Southern Airlines will launch 40 new routes and increase flight frequency in key markets as part of plans to expand operations from its twin hubs. According to a Shanghai Daily…
Xinjiang to invest US$250 million in regional airports
Xinjiang Airport Group has announced plans to invest CNY1.7 billion (US$249 million) in five regional airport projects in Yining, Akesu, Turpan, Kuche and Bole, the…
Fog causes Chinese NY aviation chaos
Thick fog blanketing much of western China has delayed dozens of flights and left more than 16,000 passengers stranded at airports ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, according…
Korean Air’s summer treats
Korean Air is resuming flights and operating charter flights during the summer season. It will provide twice weekly (Thursdays, Sundays) charters to the Vietnamese port city of Danang.…
Hainan Airlines opens more routes
Hainan Airlines is to open two new international routes - to Kazakhastan and Russia.The Urumqi to Astana route will launch on 4 December while the Beijing to Novosibirsk route…
China Southern goes to Tehran
China Southern Airlines is to launch non-stop direct flights from Beijing to Tehran and double the frequency to four flights per week, from March 31.China Southern has been operating…
Johor looks far Beyond
TheState Tourism Action Council islooking at north-western Chinaand the Commonwealth of Independent States. A state tourism official Freddie Longsaid the state capital Johor Baharu saw 21%…
