Asian air route updates: new flights from Korean Air, Vietjet, Air Canada and more…

Korean Air connects Seoul with Spain

Where? Seoul (South Korea) to Barcelona (Spain)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? Korean Air
Why? Rising demand for flights between Spain and the Far East, as Korean tourists set their sights on Europe
Anything else? Barcelona will be Korean Air’s second destination in Spain, following Madrid

Turkmenistan gets connected with Abu Dhabi

Where? Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) to Abu Dhabi (UAE)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Turkmenistan Airlines
Why? Central Asian country’s national carrier taps opportunities offered in the booming Gulf region
Anything else? Turkmenistan Airlines is the only Asian carrier still operating the single-aisle Boeing 717 aircraft

Jin Air sets sights on Bangkok

Where? Jeju (South Korea) to Bangkok (Thailand)
When? Four times a week, from 10 May to 5 June 2017
Who? Jin Air
Why? Short-term service to offer connections to Korean resort island to make up for slump in Chinese arrivals
Anything else? The diplomatic row over Korea’s decision to install a US missile defence system has had a severe impact on Jeju, which relies heavily on Chinese tourism

Vietjet expands domestic network from Hanoi

Where? Hanoi to Dong Hoi (both Vietnam)
When? Daily, effective 1 June 2017
Who? Vietjet
Why? Further expanding the low-cost carrier’s domestic network with new link to the province of Quang Binh province, which has a long coastline and is home to the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Anything else? Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the location of Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave system

IndiGo connects Singapore with India’s Silicon Valley

Where? Bengaluru (India) to Singapore
When? Daily, effective 30 June 2017
Who? IndiGo
Why? New direct connection from India’s “Silicon Valley” to key Southeast Asian trading partner and visitor market
Anything else? Low-cost carrier IndiGo is India’s largest airline in terms of domestic market share

Hong Kong Airlines to resume Saigon route

Where? Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
When? Five times a week, effective 20 July 2017
Who? Hong Kong Airlines
Why? Resumption of service between two major Asian cities forms part of airline’s expansion plan
Anything else? The Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City route is operated by four other airlines: Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Jetstar Pacific

AirAsia creates first link between Macau and Indonesia

Where? Jakarta (Indonesia) to Macau
When? Three times a week, effective 7 August 2017
Who? AirAsia Indonesia
Why? Two-way traffic, adding new connection for Chinese travellers in the Pearl River Delta region and for Indonesian visitors to Macau’s casinos
Anything else? This will become the only direct link between Indonesia and Macau

Air Canada adds new seasonal service Down Under

Where? Vancouver (Canada) to Melbourne (Australia)
When? Four times a week, from 1 December 2017 to 4 February 2018
Who? Air Canada
Why? One of six new international routes announced by Air Canada for the winter 2017-8 season, with others including Vancouver-Orlando and Montreal-Lima
Anything else? Air Canada will deploy its newest long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, on the new route