Asian air route updates: Cathay Pacific, flydubai, China Southern and more

Dubai’s LCC adds Bangladeshi route

Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh)
When? Four times a week, effective 15 March 2017
Who? flydubai
Why? Rising trade between two Islamic countries, including low-cost travel for overseas Bangladeshi workers
Anything else? Sylhet will become flydubai’s third destination in Bangladesh, following Dhaka and Chittagong, boosting its total operations in the country to 27 flights a week

China Southern links Changsha with Vietnam

Where? Changsha (China) to Hanoi (Vietnam)
When? Three times a week, effective 26 March 2017
Who? China Southern Airlines
Why? Airline continues to expand international operations from Changsha, with Hanoi becoming its first Vietnamese route from capital of Hunan province
Anything else? Visitor arrivals from mainland China to Vietnam jumped more than 50% in 2016, accounting for 27% of the full-year inbound total

Hebei Airlines plans first international route

Where? Shijiazhuang (China) to Bangkok, pictured (Thailand)
When? Three times a week from 27 March 2017
Who? Hebei Airlines
Why? Chinese carrier taps high Chinese demand for flights to Thailand to launch its first ever international flights
Anything else? Shijiazhuang is the capital of China’s Hebei province, which has a population of approximately 73 million people – more than the UK

Shanghai gets new Sapporo connection

Where? Shanghai Pudong (China) to Sapporo, pictured (Japan)
When? Daily, effective 1 April 2017
Who? Juneyao Airlines
Why? Another new route taps the surge in demand for outbound travel and tourism from mainland China to Japan
Anything else? Juneyao will become the ninth Chinese carrier operating to Sapporo, the largest city on the island of Hokkaido

New seasonal service from Hong Kong to Christchurch

Where? Hong Kong to Christchurch, pictured (New Zealand)
When? Three times a week from 1 December 2017 and 28 February 2018
Who? Cathay Pacific
Why? Part of an expanded joint venture between Cathay and Air New Zealand, serving rising demand for New Zealand tourism from China
Anything else? This will become the first link between Hong Kong and Christchurch, and will mark the arrival of the new Airbus A350 in the South Island city