Asian air route updates: new flights from AirAsia X, SriLankan, SilkAir and more…

Thai Lion links Bangkok with Bali

Where? Bangkok Don Mueang (Thailand) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 1 July 2017
Who? Thai Lion Air
Why? Connecting two of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourism destinations, Bangkok and Bali
Anything else? According to the latest MasterCard Destination Index, Bangkok and Bali will handle a combined total of 150 million international visitor room nights in 2017

AirAsia adds another KL-Bali service

Where? Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 15 July 2017
Who? AirAsia X
Why? Adding more capacity to Bali (pictured) and allowing passengers to connect to the island via AirAsia’s main hub at KLIA2
Anything else? AirAsia X will become the fourth AirAsia subsidiary to serve the KL-Bali route, following AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia X

Air India flies to Scandinavia

Where? Delhi (India) to Stockholm (Sweden)
When? Three times a week, effective 16 August 2017
Who? Air India
Why? Continuing the expansion of Air India’s long-haul network and providing a boost for trade and tourism between India and Scandinavia
Anything else? Air India will serve Stockholm using its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft

Tigerair adds new capital connection

Where? Brisbane to Canberra, pictured (both Australia)
When? Three times a week, effective 14 September 2017
Who? Tigerair Australia
Why? Adding more connections to the Australian capital, Canberra, which is undertaking a major airport expansion project
Anything else? This will become Tigerair’s second service to Canberra, following its existing flight from Melbourne

Hainan Airlines returns to Belgium

Where? Shanghai Pudong (China) to Brussels (Belgium)
When? Three times a week, effective 25 October 2017
Who? Hainan Airlines
Why? The resumption of a route previously suspended by Hainan Airlines six years ago
Anything else? The Chinese airline will serve the route using its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft

SriLankan spreads wings Down Under

Where? Colombo (Sri Lanka) to Melbourne (Australia)
When? Daily, effective 29 October 2017
Who? SriLankan Airlines
Why? SriLankan returns to Australia for first time since 2001, creating new option for “Kangaroo Route” travellers
Anything else? This will become the only direct connection between Sri Lanka and Australia

SilkAir expands Japanese links

Where? Singapore to Hiroshima (Japan)
When? Three times a week, effective 30 October 2017
Who? SilkAir
Why? Further expanding trade and tourism links between Singapore and Japan
Anything else? This will become the only direct connection between Hiroshima and Southeast Asia